USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Holden > The history of Holden, Massachusetts, 1667-1841 > Part 10
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* Spectator, No. 135.
1.11
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
SELECT SCHOOLS. The interests of education in Holden have not been unaffected by the progress of learning throughout the community. The demand for more school instruction has been met by the people of this place, in the maintenance, a part of the year, of a SELECT or HIGH-SCHOOL. These schools have with one excep- tion, * commenced about the first week in September, and continued 11 or 12 weeks. The teacher has usually re- ceived the tuition-fees, paying his own expenses. The number of scholars has averaged from 30 to 50.
LIST OF SELECT-SCHOOL TEACHERS.
1828-Edward P. Humphrey, A. B. 1828. A. C.
1829-David Tappan Lane, 6 1829.
1930-Philander O. Powers, 66 1330. 66
1-31-Aldin Grout,
66 1531.
i
1832-Philander O. Powers,
1833-William Howe,
1834. Wat. Coll.
1834-Merrill Richardson,
66 1835. Mid. Coll.
1835-Samuel C. Damon,
66 IS36. A. C.
1-36-Miss Martha Paine,
1837-Rufus Taylor,
1837. A. C.
1838-Rufus Taylor,
1839-Sabin Mckinney,
66 1S40.
1810-George B. Rowell,
66 1337. 6.
SABBATH SCHOOLS-have been maintained in both soci- (ties from about the year 1820. Schools were at first established in each school district. This practice was sustained but one year, 1819. The Rev. Mr. Goodell, ( Missionary at Constantinople, ) is regarded as having in- troduced the system of S. S. Dea. John Lowell was Superintendant of Cong. S. S. from 1822, for 15 years. He was succeeded by Mr. Alonzo Ware, for 3 years. Mr. Allen is the present Superintendant.
* In the spring of 1830, Mr. John Keep, a graduate of A. C., 1829; taught a select school one quarter.
142
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
POPULATION.
THE earliest census of the town was taken-1765.
Number of families, 75: Males under 16 years, 161, above 16 years, 109 : Females under 16 years, 116, above 16 years, 107 : Negroes, 2. Total, 495.
CENSUS OF HOLDEN BY FAMILIES, 1773 .*
David Winch 5 Jolin Winch 9 Jolin Black 5
Elijah Rice
6 Josiah Broad jr 4 Jabez Harrington 11
Masten Ilolt
5 John Abbott 12 James Cheney 6
Moses Stickney 11 Josiah Stratton 8 Francis Wilson 4
Samuel Grant
6 Jonathan Wheeler 4 Jona Howe 6
Job Colburnt 7 Abel How
3 Ebenezer Melet 5
Win Nickols 10 Henry Taft
9 Joseph Greenwood 5
John Perry
8 Benjamin Allen
0 Samuel Estabrook
John Obens
Paul Goodale 5 Charles Iley wood 13
Abra How 3 Samuel Chatiin 9 Amos Heywood 9
Asa How 7 Eph Smith
6 Israel Davis
8
Elisha Hubbard 7 William Raymond 7 Josiah Broad
Elijah Rice, jr
6 Dea David Fiske
8 Samuel Hubbard jr
4
Win Harris
9 James Dods
3 Peter Noice
5
Joseph Morse
10 Benjamin Mead
5 Increase Stearns
9
Samuel Estabrook jr 4
Isaac Bartlett
11
Judah Wright
6
Thomas Grout 5 Isaac Chenery
8 Joseph Davis
5
Andrew Smith
11 Israel Davis jr
7 Thomas Kimball
S
Jonas Gale 11 Jason Gleason
7 Jona Lovell
3
Wm Marshall 7 Peter Goulden G Moses Wheeler jr
2
Hezekiah Walker 3 Samuel Hubbard 7 Jeremiah Tuller
5
Seth Suow 7 Joseph Kingsbury 6 David Perry
Edmund Hall 4 Noah Haven 3 Jesse Allen
5
1790
1-00
Males, 569,
Females, 573,
1142
1800
1:20
Whites, 1400, Colored, 2, 1402
1718
1-30
1810# Males under 5 years, 143
Females under 5 years, 121
between 5-10, 93
66
10-15, 93
15-20, 99
66
66 20-30, 213
+ The above census is again inserted, in consequence of typographical errors, and because this position appears the most proper. t " Job Colburn had the widow Newton at his house keeping school, and Daniel Hlinds made his home there."
# United States Census, 1810.
-
7 S
Peter Hubbard
8 Samuel Ileywood
9 Asa Lovel
Elisha Mirrick 8 Rd Flags
Aaron Newton
3 Daniel Black
6 Bezaleel Fisk 6
Dea Jos Hubbard 7 Nathaniel Shepherd 3
Stephen White 6
1077
between 5-10, 92
10-15, 107
15-20, 110
66 66 20-30, 170
5 Ephraim Ilolt
113
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
Males between 30-40, 128 66 40-50, 67
Females between 30-40, 103
66
40-50, 59
50-60, 68
66
50-60, 78
66 66 60-70, 22
70-80, 80 90, 11
15
66
66
70-80, 25
80-90, 9
6:
66 90-100, 1 0
100,
929
915-1874
Five hundred seventy-one persons are engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits, ten in commerce, and one hundred and two in manufactures and trades. No colored persons in town.t
EMIGRATION. The native born citizens of Holden, have fully contributed their share to sustain the established character of N. E. people, for going out to seek their for- tunes, leaving no state, continent, island, or sea unexplo- red. It would, perhaps, be as impracticable as impossi- ble to furnish a complete list of all natives of Holden abroad. The compiler will confine himself to a few (small part)now living. Levi Holbrook, graduate of Ver. Uni. 1811, has resided for more than twenty years at Danville, Va, He went out as a school teacher.
Jolm, James, Benjamin and George, sons of Jolin Dodd, Esq., reside in Boston. The first is a merchant, the oth- ers are connected with banking. All the Northern and many of the Southern States have representatives from Holden. While many have come from neighboring towns to settle in town, as many have gone to supply their places.
t DEATHS during 1840. The following statistics are taken from the Rev. Mr. Paine's New Year's Sermon:
Less than one year, 8. Between 1-10, 3 Between 30-40, 5 40-50, 3
Between 60-70, 3 66 70-80, 1 66 10-20, 0
80-90, 4-33 66 20-30, 3 50-60, 3
In January, 4 In March, 3 In May, 2 In July,
2 In September, 2 November, 4
February, 1 April, June, 2 August, 4 October, 4 December, 3 Males, 17 Amount of all their ages, 1126
Females, 16-33 Average age, 31
66
60-70, 31
100,
66 90-100, 0 I
66
141
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
VALUATIONS.
The first general valuation, was made the year fol- lowing the adoption of the State Constitution, 1780.
VALUATION FOR 1781.
167
Polls,
170 Buildings, valued at £27 per acre,
£1590 0 0
959 Acres of Mowing Tillage, 2632 18 10
493 Meadow 887 13 0
1579 66 Pasturage,
4256 3
1
10,464
60 Woodland,
S676
8 0
7
Mills
220 0 0
2828 £ Money on hand and at interest,
S4S S 0
NONE
OUNCES OF PLATE.
106
Horses valued at
7.12 0
0
287
Oxen,
1435
0
0
400
Cows,
1200
0
0
200
Steers,
300
0
0
123-1
Sheep,
371
S 0
248
Swine,
148 16
0
Grain on hand,
NONE
CARRIAGE3 OF ALL SORTS."
£26,881
4 11
$89,604 15 or
LAST GENERAL VALUATIONS FOR THE YEAR 18.10,
NUMBER.
Polls,
456
66
Hlouses,
263
Barns,
239
Saw-Mills,
13
66
Grist
5
Shingle & Lath do.
6
66
Fulling "
1
66
Carding Machine,
1
66
Cotton Factories,
5
66
Looms,
153
66
Woollen Factories,
2
Spindles,
180
66
Looms,
IG
66
Tannerics,
2
Stores
6
Acres Tillage Land,
S24
66
Bush. Wheat,
67
Spindles,
6,471
* Rev. Mr. Avery, was among the first, to ride in a chaise, and old people
now can remember when there was not a wagon or chaise in town.
145
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
Number of bushels
Rye, 1,073
66
66
Oats,
7,010
66
Corn,
6,466
66
Barley,
50
Acres Eng. Mowing,
2,135
66
Tons Hay,
1,649
66
Acres Meadow,
952
Tons Hay,
636
Acres Pasturage,
7,499
66
Wood-Land,
4,184
66
Unimproved Land,
4,655
66
Unimprovable "
1,310
66
Oxen,
287
Cows and Young Cattle,
987
66
Horses,
221
66
Sheep,
347
Swine,
318
Whole amount of valuation for IS40, $576,622.
MANUFACTURES.
The history of manufactures may most readily bc traced by sketching, separately, that of the different villages.
UNIONVILLE. Messrs. Eleazer Rider & Sons, commenc- ed spinning Cotton Yarn at this place in 1809. These persons had been previously engaged in the same busi- ness, at West Boylston. It is stated upon good authori- ty, that they were among the first, (if not the first, ) man- ufacturers of cotton yarn in Worcester County. In 1810 the factory of the Messrs. Riders contained 4S spindles. The same year, the establishment was purchased by Mr. Joshua Bassett and Mr. Farnum White. An addition was then made of 56 spindles. Mr. John Rudman pur- chased of Bassett and White, in 1814. The factory was sold to Mr. John Slater, 1819. In the following year, repairs and alterations were commenced. In 1821, Mr. John Lees became the owner, who continued to make re- pairs and additions, during the three following years.
WEAVING BY THE POWER LOOM COMMENCED 1822. In 1824,
13
1 16
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
Mr. Lees sold 10 bales of Sheeting to Mr. Samuel Park- man, jr., Boston, who shipped the goods to Batavia. It was reported at the time, to have been the first shipment of cotton goods from this country, which passed around Cape Good-Hope.
'This manufacturing establishment is now the proper- ty of Lees and Eldridge,-contains 1770 spindles, and 36 Looms. 275,000 yards is an average amount of cloth annually manufactured, besides a quantity of batting.
JEPHERSON'S SATINET FACTORY. It was built by - Morse, 1825, but is now owned by Mr. John Jepherson. It contains 180 spindles, and 8 looms. During the late "hard times," the proprietor has devoted more attention to agriculture, than to the manufacture of satinet-at a "dead loss."
NORTHVILLE FACTORY. It was built by B. T. Southgate, for the manufacture of woollen goods, but was altered by Win. Buffum, to cottons, in 1827. It contains 40 Looms and 14SS Spindles, and has generally made, with 36 Looms and 1392 Spindles, 250,000 yards of Shirting.
'The present owner of the establishment, S. Damon, Esq., 1840, built near by, a small Batting Mill.
QUINEPOXET VILLAGE. The Factory in this village, was built by S. Damon, Esq., under contract with Jo- seph Metcalf and Brother, during the summer of 1831. It has from time to time undergone extensive repairs, and is now owned by the original builder, in company with Nathan Howe. It contains 1400 Spindles, and 40 Looms. 250,000 yards of Sheetings are annually manu- tured.
EAGLEVILLE FACTORY. Mr. Samuel Clark purchased the Saw and Grist-Mills, of Caleb Kendall, in this village, in 1831. He erected a small Factory the same year, which has since been enlarged to its present dimensions,
117
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
It contains 1600 Spindles, and 40 Looms. 275,000 yards of Sheeting are annually manufactured. During the half year ending July 1, 150,000 yards were made.
'The business of the establishment is transacted under the name of the " Eagle Manufacturing Company."
DRYDEN'S SATINET FACTORY. This factory was built by Col. Artemas Dryden. It contains 300 Spindles and S looms. The same reason which silenced the spindles of Mr. Jepherson's Satinet Factory, have stopped these, during the last few months.
S. Damon, Esq. is the present owner.
NOTE. For many years previous to 1830, Col. Dryden manufactured woollen Carding Machines at this place, which were sold in all parts of New England.
LOVELL'S FACTORY. Cotton Batting, and Candle Wick- ing are manufactured at this Factory, by Dea. John Lovell. For many years he has run a Carding Machine for " Custom Work."
Summary, Cotton Mills.
Unionville, Spindles-1790, Looms-36, Cloth-275,000 y. Northville,
1392, $6, 66 250,000
Quinepoxet, 1400, 66 0, 250,000
Eagleville, 1800, 10, 6: 275,000
1,050,000
THINGS IN GENERAL.
'The following is the copy of Gen. Lafayette's letter to Capt. Webb. [Sce Page 4S.]
Milton, May 15, 1781.
Dear Sir .- Your successful searmish-Has afforded me the greatest pleasure, and I request you will receive yourself, and present to your company, my best thanks on the occasion.
Major Jicks is Requested to exert himself in finding
143
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
out the position, size, and number of long boat Helen .-- lie either about City point or in the Appamatox river- the taking of these boats is a more desirable object and would produce good effects of a very extensive nature. But I cannot give orders as the capture depends upon the uncertain situation of local circumstances-Should you think it advisable to undertake, precaution must be taken to have your retreat secured at all events.
In case the enterprise is not executed to-night, I wish you will return with your company in the cool of the evening-and if to-night you have any object in view you will repair here to-morrow with the boats.
With the most sincere esteem, Yours, Lafayette.
MORE REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS.
See Page 75.1
Micah Harrington, Ephraim Holt,
Solomon C. Cheney,
Lemuel Harrington, John Black,
Constant Webb,
Nathan Harrington,
Benjamin Mead, jun., Asa Greenwood,
Lemuel Heywood,
tAttai Hubbard,
*Jonathan V'lagg,
samuel Hey wood, Timothy Marshall, Francis Winch.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. The constitution of the fest 'Temperance Society in Holden, was adopted. September 15, 1929. The Rev. H. Bardwell and Ethan Davis, Esq. were active in its formation. The 3d article reads as follows: " The members of this Society believing that the use of intoxicating liquors is, for persons in health, not only unnecessary, but hurtful, and that the practice 1 .; the cause of forming intemperate habits and appetites, that while it is continued, the evils of intemperance can
Continental Soldiers ; t Died in the Army.
£
119
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
never be prevented ; do therefore agree, that we will ab- stain from the use of distilled spirits, except as a medi- eine, in case of bodily infirmity, and that in all suitable ways we will discountenance the use of them in the com - munity."
" If, however, individuals shall dem it necessary to make any use of ardent spirits, they shall report the same at the annual meetings of the Society."
When the friends of Temperance made the above agree- ment, behind them they could see. with Bunyan's Pil- grim, the city of Destruction, and the Slough of Despond. Hill of Difficulty, however, was in full prospect before them. For 12 long years they have been struggling up that hill, undismayed by the difficulties of the way. A- bout two or three years since, they caught a glimpse of the Delectable Mountains, " beautified with woods. vine- yards, fruits of all sorts, flowers also, with springs and fountains, very delectable to behold." When the Teni- perance Pilgrims had advanced thus far, they commenced a discussion respecting total abstinence from all intoxica- ting drinks. " They went then until they caine to the De- lectable Mountains, so they went up to the mountains, to behold the gardens, and orchards. the vineyards and FOUNTAINS of WATER, where also they drank and washed themselves, and did freely eat. [ not drink, | of the vine- yards."
From a peak of one of the Delectable Mountains, a. ilag is seen waving in the breeze, and upon its folds are inscribed .
" WASHINGTON TOTAL ABSTINENCE SOCIETY.
1811.
Pilgrims are daily arriving.
13%
150
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
TEMIAT their is to be sold at Public Auction on the Last Wednesday of this Instant at two o'clock P. M. at the House of Lem'l Abbot in Holden that Noted House in Said Town Known by the Name of the Oid Publiek Meeting House ; their is a variety of Excellent Board, no doubt, and a Large assortment of fine Timber, which the purchaser may make Jorge improvements upon besides Some Glass and Nails all which will be Sold together or in Separate Lots as will best accommodate the purchaser or porch isers, the Conditions of Sale will be made Known at the time and piace above mentioned.
JAMES DAVIS EBEN'R ESTABROOK PAUL GOODALE
Committee 4
March ye 16th 1791
N. B. Notice is hereby given to all persons that have any Demand, on a .id House as private property ; they are Desired to Remove the Same be- Fore Said Day as no allowance will be made to any Person by the Town that Shall Neglect the Same.
To Mr Joseph Habbard Treasurer for the town of Holden Sir Pursuant to in order from the Select Men of this town to yon to pay unto us the money due for teaching the School these are therefore to desire you to pay unto Joha Young the Sum of three pounds twelve Shillings lawful money of this Provance and his Receit Shall be your discharge for So much given under hand this 2d day of May 1753. John Diglo Com'tee For The Town of Holden for the School Samuel Hubbard Israel Davis
To Mr Joseph Hubbard Treasurer for the Town of Holden Sir Parsnant wat an order from the School Committee of this town to you to pay mne the Sum of three pounds twelve Shillings these are therefore to desire you to pay Lieent Syprian Stevens the sum of eight Shillings lawf money of this provance and for your So doing this shall be your Security or discharge for so iauch: given under my hand at Holden May ye 3d-1753.
Jolm Young
These are to Certify whom it may concern that when I kept School at facunt Steven's in Holden my wages was one pound four Shillings pr month Or three months which was three pounds twelve Shillings in all of which Mr Jotham Biglo paid me two ponuda given under my hand this 12th of Nov'br 1756 John Young
Holden February 11th. A. D. 1752. To mr Isariel Daives Treasurer for se Town of Holden ye present year Sir Plese to pay Saml. Peirce ye sum of Eight shillings Due to him for takeing care of ye meeting-honse this present year and his endorsement shall be your Discharge for so much in talteing up your accompts for ye Twenty five pounds now in ye hands of' 5. James Gray-Constable for this year John Biglo Select-men of Ilolden
Samue! Heywood
151
HISTORY OF HOLDER.
To mr Benj. Mead Constable Sir please to pay to Ithimor Goodenow toc Shilling and eight pence Lawful money for a Wild Cat head and is Endorse Shall be your discharge for so much from Joseph Ilubbard Town Des. the 13 1754 Treasurer
Holden Janew.y 15th 1754 To Mr. Benjemen Mead Constable Sir pleas to pay to Decon Sam .!! Pearce the Sume of Eight Shillings for Taking Care of the Meeting House in the year one Thousand Seven Hundred and fifty Three and his Endorse Shall be your Discharge for so much in making up your aCoupt. Joseph Hubbard Town Treasurer
Rec, d of Jona. Rice the Sum of Eight Shillings in full of the assessment made by the Towns Committee for the Raising men to Serve in the Conti- nental Army for Three years or During the War
David Fisk & Chairman of the Committee Holden April ye 14th 1777
the acount of the hiway work in year 1751 Jonathan Lowvel 7 days and a half Samuel benet 3 days Ephram benet 2 days and a half phimmias bene! 2 days Josieah cheene 3 days phinnias Coll 2 days and a third part of a day Joseph french 2 days and too thirds of a day William Flagg 2 days and a half William Flagg Suryear
To mr Joseph Hubburd Town Trasuror to pay to panl Raymond the Sum of fiv and four pence for two grown Bares Whelps Endorse Shall be your Discharge for So na Je account, Holden l'eberarey the Tenth John Diglo Richard Fle Israel Davis [-A part of this order is lost. ]
This is to Sertiefye the Select men Cunstable & Town Tresorer that B 3 whose names are hear mentioned have worked out our Rates According to Town Vote and hear is the names and the Same worked By us
S D Q
Dee.e Samuel Peirce 9 10 1 Joseph Rugg 05
Moses Wheier 6 06 Jonathan Rice 7 10 2
This List is Directed to the Select men Cunstable & Town Treasurer of this Town of Holden given under my hand this first Day, of October. 1750 Jonathan Rice Survayour of Highways
152
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
'The following correspondence passed between the Ret. Mr. Avery and two of his parishioners. It confirms statements upon 56th page of the address. 1. In refer- ence to existing prejudices against instrumental Chili. Music ; and 2. The mild and conciliatory manner of the Rev. Mr. Avery. Some may have thought him mild to a fault-but like the Country Parson, beautifully describ- ed by Goldsmith,
" And ev'n his failings lean'd to virtue's side."
Holden, Jan.y 2d. 1790.
Dear Sirs-We are not insensible that true benevolenee is a mark of the Christian, & the glory of the christian character, & as this divine principle awakens the sincerest wishes, in those that possess it, for the happiness of men in general, so especially for those they stand in particular relation to. This principle we would wish to cherish, & feel its happy influence. How then can we find, without concern that two of our Brethren, whom we loved and respected, have withdrawn from our communion ? Were we conscious of a wilful departure from the line of duty that had occasion'd this, we should charge ourselves as highly culpable, & consider the call to penitence as loud & pressing. But tho' we have done nothing designedly to offend our Brethren ; we must still feel a sorrow, that they should think themselves justified in deserting our communion ; & we should esteem it a happiness, if we could now suggest any thing to influence them to a cordial return there- to. Here then we add that we presame the Church as such cannot be justly charg'd with acting inconsistent with rule and order. Trae it is, that they have voted one thing as to the mode of singing in the Congregation at one time, & something different at another ; But have not publiek bodies of Chris- tians an undoubted right to do this if they think it wise and best. Thc Church as a body wished to have found you gratified and pleased ; but they would not wisely go counter to what was the sentiment of the majority. & shall this circumstance separate us on earth, when we are, or ought to be all bound to the heavenly world ? Is it not best to strive after union in the great essentials of religion, and to be candid and forbearing as to lesser mat- ters. Let us suppose then now for a moment, that in the true spirit of candor you were returned, and statedly and cheerfully attended with us, that when the mere musiek of the voice was not so pleasing as you could wish, that then your minds were deeply fixed on the great and interesting truths contain'd in the sacred psalm or hymn, and your souls were rising in secret barmony to God on the wings of faith and love. Would you not reflect on such opportunities afterward, with the sincerest pleasure, and regard them as far from being lost ? and would not this be some satisfaction that your ex- ample invited others to the house of God, and table of Christ? We hope you feel a solicitude for the interests of Religion, and how can we expect these to flourish if we negleet the publick worship, and ordinances of God ? Let it then be our united prayer that the great adversary of souls, who de- lights to sow discord among Brethren, may not prevail against us. Our Stay together on earth is short, and transient indeed ; Let us away then with coldness, estrangement, and disaffection, put on as the elect of God, bowels of mercy, tenderness and humbleness of mind, and the Lord conduct us al!
153
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
safely to that place, where imperfection, error, and human frailty are forev- er at an end and where we may with infinite satisfaction harmonise in Songs of praise to him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb forever.
The Church was stopt on this day and it appeared that they were desirous that the above should be sent to Mr. - and Mr.
N. B. tho Chh. would wish that if they have any thing to object against any individual of the Church they would converse with them and endeavor to satisfy themselves.
Holden, Jan'y. 11th 1791.
Rev'd Sir-I Rec'd sumthing from sum person, and take it to be front your Self, but Do Not Know by your Signing because there is no name to it: it bears Date January ye 23, 1790, whether it is threw mistake or De- signedly i know not: on first consideration I thought to take no Notice of it: bat on a second consideration I thought I would : The Letter which I re- ceived, seems to set forth that true benevolence is the mark and the glory of the sincerest wishes in those that possess it : to which I answer and say all that is very good : and Not to say anything further on true Christian be- nevolence and charity towards our Brethren. Iam Charged with Deserting the Sacrement of the Lord's Supper, and signify without any just cause : bear I might add that it is suggested, the Church have Voted sumthing Dif- ferent at one time to what they did at another and supposed it would have been satisfactory to me, but what you grounded your hope upon I Can not Conceive of : the mode of singing which is so mach offensive to me, that i cannot Glorify God, nor be Edifyed myself: and further the Charch have gon Conterary to the Covenant owned be Every Brother of the Church : in the Covenant are these words promising Carefully to avoid all sinful stum- bling Blocks and Contentions to metion no more on the Covenant: the mere musick as you Call it, is the Block in my way, as your Self and the Church are Sensable of: this mere Music has No melody at all in it: and further I would wish to se the Carrecter Discribed in the Letter subscribed to Mr. and my self truly and faithfully observed and Not Lord it over any ones Con- cience: I answer for my Self and No other. Rev'd Sir I could with all freedom Discorse with you on these matters if you will come to my House, as my wife and one of my Daughters are Not able to attend the publick worship, they seem very Desirous that you should pay them a visit, and if you please, preach a Lecture on there Desire.
Holden, Jan'y 15, 1791.
Dear Sir-I received a line from you of the 11th of Jan'y, 1791, and by this I was sorry to learn, that there were some mistakes in a line lately sent to you and Mr S- It should have bore date Jan'y 2d, 1791, and I meant to have informed you in my own name that it was the general desire of those of the Church, that were at meeting on that day, that what was contained in that letter should be sent to you and Mr S-, as coming from them. It has been matter of pain to me to find your seat and that of Mr. S- vacant at our communion. I have done nothing personally and de- signedly inconsistent with the most tender solicitude for your truest interest. Your edification and improvement is an object of my sincere desire : But at the same time, I must freely and honestly, say that I cannot think in some respects as you do: Supposing the greater part of the Church, bad thought
151
HISTORY OF HOLDEN.
with you as to the singing, chosen the tunes that you like best, and to have the psahn read as is most agreable to you; that some of the Church had com- plained, and said that they would not be editied by such singing, and that it was laying a stumbling block before them to sing after that sort, would you believe it was, and in order to please them, would you be willing to lay aside the singing that was agreable to you. I presume that you would not, and still that you would think that they ought not, on this account to forsake the communion of the Church. If the musick was as disagreable to me as to you, I persuade myself that I could, notwithstanding, find editi- cation in the house of God, I could resolve to have my mind raised above the mere sound of the voice, and let the great truthis of the psalm or hymn engross my attention. If the music is ever so agreable to my ear, yet if I pay no regard to the truths that are sung, I am not edifyed as I aught. The main thing is to have the heart in tune, rightly impressed and influenced. Why should we let the mere voice, if not agreable, destroy our devotions, and prevent our edifieation. I wish Sir, to have your mind, and my own above being discomposed by small things. And that we, and others might walk together in the unity of the spirit, and bond of peace. I am persua- ded that if you would overlook, forget, or rise above things that have been or are disagreable to you, you would find more satisfaction in it, than you can in suffering things to chaff your mind so as to keep you from the House of God. As to lording it over your conscience, or any man's, 1 trust [ have not the most distant wish for it. What I desire and pray for is the edifi- cation of the Church in general. It has been the bane of Christians in va- rious ages to disagree about the circumstantials of Religion. Every member of a Church has a right to use every fair argument in order to have things agreeable to his mind; but is it not more noble and Christianlike to deny our- selves of some things to provent a division of the Church than to be so strenuous as to break off it, because every thing is not agreable. Good men may differ in sentiment, Paul and Barnabas did, but difference in judg- ment should not destroy mutual love. The Church in general, sincerely wish that you and Mr S -- could see things in a different light. " You subscribe yourself a distressed Brother." I truly wish you relief and com- fort, a serene old age, and at the close of it, a peaceful departure of life to a better world. I can sympathize with you in your afflictions by reason of ye sickness and weakness of some of your family, and am sorry that other troubles should be added to these, and I give as the sober sentiment of my heart, that if you would overcome that aversion you have to some things in the house of God, and could find your heart reconciled to a cheer- ful attendance on the duties of God's house, that you would rejoice in it Hereafter as a real happiness. I will endeavor to preach a Lecture at your house on thursday next, at one o'clock in the Afternoon, and to come to your house in the forenoon.
I am with all sincerity and friendship,
Yours, &c., JOSEPHI AVERY.
ERRATA.
Page 49, line 26, for ' Bennett,' read ' Amos Howard, jr.'
" 50, line 5, for ' 6s 6d,' read ' 1s Gd,'
" 52, line 9, after ' inhabitants ' insert . of this town,'
" 61, line 11, for ' any blessings,' read ' Heaven's blessings,' (somc copies correct.)
" 72, line 27, for ' Inman,' read ' Sumner.'
" 95, line 1, for ' 87 ' read ' 88 ;' line 2, insert ' Paul Goodale, 1781-87;' line 18, read ' 1801-5.'
" 96, line 10, read ' Thomas J. Davis, 1826, 34, 35, 36, 40, 41;' line 13, for . 1822 ' read ' 1827.'
" 93, line 7, for ' 1783' read ' 1793;' line 8, for ' 34' read ' 24 ;;
" 99, for line 13, insert ' Samuel Damon, 1807.'
" 100, line 16, for '1831' read '1836.'
" 143, line 20, after ' banking ' insert ' institutions.'
6057
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