USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Pittsfield > The history of Pittsfield (Berkshire County), Massachusetts, from the year 1800 to the year 1876 > Part 28
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able method of relieving themselves from a useless and wasteful expense.
And, more than this, no one could fail to see, that two churches of the same denomination of Christians, existing side by side-in a temper perpetually hostile to each other, and con- stantly bandying accusations of unfaithfulness to covenant vows, and of contempt for the directions left by the Head of the Church for its governance-were bringing disgrace upon the whole order with which they were connected, and dishonoring the great name they had taken upon themselves. Every one perceived that such an antagonism was an evil second only to that of a perpetual con- tention between brethren in the same church.
This evil had, from its beginning, been felt and deplored by Christians throughout Massachusetts, and in the adjoining states ; for the scandal had become wide-spread, and concerned all. Nor was it more deeply and sincerely lamented by any than by the pious fathers of the Pittsfield church, who, nevertheless, subject to human frailties, suffered their passions and prejudices to thwart their own earnest purpose to terminate it.
Those who remember the fathers of Pittsfield as characterized by Rev. Dr. Humphrey will readily conceive how such a generation might be long kept divided upon a point which a succession of exceptional circumstances, morbidly contemplated, had magnified beyond its due importance ; and it is still easier to comprehend how surely and firmly they would unite, when once convinced that the aims in which they agreed were altogether paramount to the points upon which they differed.
That conviction began to dawn upon the minds of the opposing political factions among the Pittsfield Congregationalists, as soon as the termination of the war of 1812-15 permitted the heated passions, which had accompanied and preceded it, to cool. With the return of peace, the political issues of the previous quarter of a century, and the heated debates which they had elicited, became little more than a troubled dream ; a haunting and an annoyance still, but with little real substance. The era of good feeling did not fully dawn, but the light of its coming had began to break ; and, under its influence, men began to perceive that many things which they had mistaken for demons and monsters, were but ugly and unsubstantial phantoms of the night. And, with the
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advancing day, even the most obdurate of feuds-those of neigh- borhoods and small communities-began to give way.
In the June, following the return of peace, the First Church passed its earliest vote looking-with hesitation, it is true,- toward reconciliation with that of Union Parish. There was unhappily apparent in this vote, and in that following it, an effort, by a forced construction of the language used by the seced- ing members in their confession, to magnify their acknowledg- ment of guilt ; and also a repulsive assumption of superiority ; by which their invitations were rendered nugatory. But the desire for reunion continued to increase among the people, and found nothing to check its growth, except bitter memories, which time and death had already much abated ; and excepting also the existence of two distinct churches, each with a pastor to whom it was, with good reason, devotedly attached.
To these ministers therefore it fell, to take the initiative in measures which would, of necessity, be painful to themselves, and, for a time at least, derogatory to their temporal interests. This sacrifice, Mr. Allen, in a spirit of noble self-forgetfulness and devotion to the good of his people, was the first to make,1 by presenting to his church the following paper :
To the First Church and Parish of Pittsfield :
The subscriber, who has been, for the last six years, your minister, with many proofs of your attachment, has often deplored the unhappy effects of the division of the town into two religious societies, and wished that they might be reunited. To facilitate the attainment of this object, he has made some exertions, particularly in respect to a set- tlement of the difficulty between the churches. The great obstacle of the communion of the two churches having been for some time past removed, and other circumstances appearing to him to be at the present moment more favorable to a union than they have ever before been, the subscriber deems it his duty earnestly to recommend, to the peo- ple of his charge, an effort to combine harmoniously the two churches and parishes into one. For the accomplishment of this object, which he thinks is important both to the interests of religion and to the tem-
1One tradition has it that, before Mr. Allen took this course, he had a friendly interview with Rev. Mr. Punderson, at which both pastors agreed to recommend to their respective churches and parishes, a reunion upon the ancient basis, and to tender their resignations on condition that this advice should be adopted. It is very probable that this natural course was pursued ; but the record indicates that the contrary was the fact.
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poral prosperity of the town, he hereby expresses-what he has often declared to individuals-his readiness to be dismissed from his pastoral office. WILLIAM ALLEN.
PITTSFIELD, November 12, 1816.
This communication was laid before the church on the 13th; and "a disposition to comply with its recommendations," say the records, "was unanimously expressed by the members present ; " a committee consisting of Deacons Crofoot and Maynard-who had always been somewhat favorably disposed toward Union Parish-Messrs. Daniel Foot, James Hubbard, and Ebenezer Burt, was appointed to confer, on the subject of union, with any committee which might be appointed on the part of the church of the other parish.
Mr. Allen's letter and the proceedings of the First Church thereon, were communicated to Rev. Mr. Punderson, through Hon. John Chandler Williams, and by him laid before a full meet- ing of the church of Union Parish, on the 18th of November, together with the following paper, signed by himself :
To the Church of Christ in Union Parish, Pittsfield :
The subscriber, being apprised that much is said at the present time with regard to a union between the two churches and societies in this place, and having learned what has been done by the other church and its pastor, in reference to this object, feels it incumbent upon him in this way to express his desire that it may be clearly and distinctly understood by all parties concerned, that he wishes not to be considered a barrier toward the accomplishment of the proposed union.
Could the two churches and societies become cordially united into one, it is his deliberate opinion, that it would be greatly for the inter- ests of religion, and for the prosperity of the town ; and he shall heartily approve of any attempt that shall be made to accomplish so desirable an object.
He feels indeed that, in leaving a people with whom he has ever lived in such perfect harmony, to whom he has so long broken the bread of life, a people who have so warm a place in his affections, from whom he has received so many tokens of friendship and esteem, and from whom he can have no worldly inducement to be separated, he will have to make no small sacrifice of feeling, if not of interest. Still, this sac- rifice he is ready to make, should it be thought that the interest of religion, and the good of this people, require it.
THOMAS PUNDERSON.
These papers having been laid before it, the church voted that
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it was sincerely disposed to make an effort for the harmonious combination of the two churches and parishes ; and for that pur- pose, appointed Hon. J. C. Williams, Deacon Daniel Chapman, and Captain Tremain, a committee to confer with that of the First Church. The joint committee thus constituted, agreed upon the following basis of union :
First. That the male members of each church, living in town, should express their readiness, to fellowship all the members of the other church, who might be in regular standing.
Second. That the members of the two churches should have a sepa- rate vote in the choice of the first minister of the united society ; and that a majority, consisting of at least two-thirds of the members of each church, present, should be necessary to the settlement of said minister.
These terms were promptly accepted by the First Church, and it immediately took measures to carry them into effect by voting,
First. That, as all the male members of this church, living in town, excepting two, have expressed their readiness to fellowship all the members of the other church who are in regular standing, Mr. James Hubbard be a committee to inquire of the said two members whether they also can fellowship the members of the other church, and that he report to the moderator.
Second. That, for the purpose of union, we are willing that our pas- tor should be dismissed at such a time as may be mutually agreed upon by him and the parish; and that Deacon Maynard be a committee to act with a committee of the parish in calling, if it should be found necessary, a mutual council for the dismission of our pastor, and the completion of the proposed union.
The church of Union Parish-apparently not quite so well prepared for action-voted, that "in accordance with the spirit of the report, Deacons Goodrich and Chapman and Nathaniel Tre- main be a committee to converse with all the members of this church, and to inquire of them whether they have any objection against any of the members of the church in the First Parish in this town, so that they should be unwilling to have the two churches united into one."
On the 23d of December, this committee reported that, "although they found universally expressed a strong reluctance to the dismissal of their beloved pastor, yet all would consent to
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the union of the churches on such terms as the brethren of Union Church should think proper."
Upon this the church unanimously voted to fellowship that of the First Parish ; and, as the excepted two members of the First Church waived their objections, if they had any, the terms of treaty on that point were complied with.
On the 15th of January, the Union Church voted to meet for worship, as soon as the joint committee which had been appointed for that purpose should procure a person to preach to the united society, in the meeting-house of the First Parish ; and that they would then consider Rev. Mr. Punderson released from his paro- chial duties.
The confessions of faith and convenants of the two churches were found to be substantially and verbally nearly the same ; but being thought too long, they were condensed into what was con- sidered a faithful summary.
The council for the dismissal of Rev. Mr. Allen met on the 5th of February; and, with the highest expressions of esteem and affection for the retiring pastor, and of deep sympathy in the regret of his people, consented to it solely as a measure indispen- sable to the proposed union, which they viewed with the warmest approbation and congratulation. The 25th of February was fixed for the termination of Mr. Allen's pastorate.
Among the papers of Dr. Timothy Childs, we find a letter which affords some hints as to Mr. Allen's feelings in this emer- gency ; and from which we may fairly infer that the First Parish was less prosperous than the Union, financially. It is as fol- lows :
HONORED SIR :- In answer to your favor, received this morning, I would observe, that in the short conversation I had with you some time ago, it was far from my intention to suggest anything that would impede the proposed union. The consideration of an incompetent sup- port had, I believe, no more than its just weight in influencing me to pursue the course which I have taken. I was satisfied that I could not long remain in Pittsfield and endeavored to select such a time for the negotiation respecting union as would be most advantageous to my parislı. I am highly gratified with the result. Believing that any obstructions to the union on the part of our parish would be very inju- rious to the interests of the parish, tending to divide and perhaps destroy it, I trust the agreement will be carried into effect. With respect to myself, it would not be honorable to my character to remain
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after what has been done. Much has been said respecting the proba- bility of my having a call to Hanover. Whatever may be the event, it can make no difference respecting my continuance in Pittsfield.
I propose, being previously dismissed, to remove my family to Han- over, the 17th or 18th of February, and should esteem it a kindness in my friends, if they will make some exertions to procure for me, a few days previons, a part of my salary, that I may make arrangements for removal. I am, with great respect, yours very sincerely,
WM. ALLEN.
PITTSFIELD, January 16, 1817.
It will be remembered that Mr. Allen had married a daughter of President Wheelock of Dartmouth college.
A council called by Union Church, met on the 5th of May, and with like terms of respect and affection, consented to the dismis- sion of Rev. Mr. Punderson, to take effect "whenever the Gen- eral Court should incorporate the two Congregational societies into one." And, like the previous council, it expressed its approval of the union and its pleasure in the promised restora- tion of harmony to the Congregational fold in Pittsfield.
No legislative incorporation was had as contemplated by the council. But it was only necessary for the abnormal bodies which had held the field in Pittsfield, to terminate their corporate existence in some legal manner, when, by force of law, the old town-parish would revive, and all persons in its precinct not set off by certificate to a dissenting society, would instantly become members of it. By what formula this was accomplished is imma- terial.
There is no record of any meeting of the Union Church, for business, after the council of May; but the First Church, on the 3d of July, passed the following resolution :
Whereas, the religious societies in this town are now united into one, and as it has long been wished that the two churches become united, * * and as it is extremely desirable that this union be made com- plete without further delay: therefore voted, that Deacon Maynard and Vivus Osborne be a committee on the part of this church to unite with a committee of the church of Union Parish, to call a council consisting of three ministers with their delegates, viz .: the Rev. Messrs. Collins of Lanesborough, Shepard of Lenox, and Jennings of Dalton, to declare us one church by mutual agreement.
We do not know who were the committee on the part of the Union Church ; but the council assembled on the morning of July
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7th, at a private house; and after a session with the committees of the two churches, repaired to the First meeting-house which was filled with a great assembly. Here they made public their action by reading the following minutes :
At an ecclesiastical council, convened July 7, 1817, at the house of Josiah Bissell, Esq., in Pittsfield, by letters missive from a joint com- mittee appointed by the two churches in Pittsfield, for the object of uniting the two churches into one, agreeably to ecclesiastical order, the following pastors and delegates were present :
From Lanesborough, Rev. Daniel Collins and Wolcott Hubbell, Esq. From Lenox, Rev. Samuel Shepard and Deacon Stephen Wells.
From Dalton, Rev. Ebenezer Jennings and Deacon Ashley Williams.
Mr. Collins was chosen moderator, and Mr. Jennings scribe, and the council was opened by prayer.
The council had the records of the two churches so far as they related to the union contemplated, and discovering a pacific and uniting spirit in the several steps which were taken to promote a cordial union, they are satisfied of their sincere intention to unite together as brethren in the common faith of our Lord and to walk together in fellowship and to sit together at the same table.
These minutes having been read, the moderator proceeded : " The committee of the churches exhibited before us, the Articles of Faith and the Covenant which the two churches have pro- posed to make and which we cordially approve, and which, if now adopted by the church in our presence, we are prepared to. declare."
At this point the Articles of Faith and Covenant were read and all the members of the united church gave their assent by rising. The council then proceeded as follows :
We are now ready to declare you a united church according to ecclesiastical order, and we acknowledge you as a church in regular standing, and will hold fellowship as with other Congregational churches in this Association of Ministers.
We congratulate you on your union and bescech the Great Head of the Church to cement it with that love which suffers long and is kind. Be forgiving toward one another, bear each other's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. We commend you to that Grace which is able to make you wise unto salvation, and you an inheritance among them that are sanctified. Amen.
And thus the two parishes between which the Congregational- ists of Pittsfield had, for nearly seven years, been divided, ceased
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to be; the ancient parochial organization revived, and one church held the field.
The event was accompanied by other appropriate religious serv- ices and thanksgiving, and appears to have created general joy in the town, to whose temporal as well as spiritual welfare it was- as Rev. Messrs. Allen and Punderson had discovered-essential. Much was yet to be done to cement the union, and to some it was doubtless distasteful, and by some distrusted ;1 but the fraternal prayer of the council was fully answered, and soon and perma- nently, the Congregational Church and Parish in Pittsfield, be- came as distinguished for peace and harmony, as it had long been for the reverse.
1 It is singular that no mention can be found in the columns of the Sun of events so marked and important as the council of July, and the acts of the churches which led to it.
CHIAPTER XIII. PASTORATE OF REV. DR. HUMPHREY.
[1817-1823.]
Changes in the mode of transacting parish-business-Rev. Heman Humphrey chosen pastor- Sketch of Doctor Humphrey - His installation at Pitts- field-State of the Pittsfield parish-Doctor Humphrey's fitness to harmon- ize its conflicts-Pastoral work-Catalogue of Bible-class-Sunday-school- Ilis release of dissenting-members of the parish from the payment of taxes-Condition of the dissenting parishes-A remarkable revival-Its effects on morals and feuds-Fourth of July, and St. John's day - Mr. Humphrey is invited to the presidency of Amherst collegiate institute- Opposition to his acceptance-His own doubts-Accepts under the advice of a council-Farewell to Pittsfield-His return-Residence and deatlı there-Interesting incidents.
A LTHOUGH the town-parish system of supporting public worship was revived in 1817, the six years' experience of poll-parishes was not without its effect, which was manifested afterwards upon various occasions; and, first in a change of the manner in which parochial business was transacted by the town. It was resolved in 1796, that only Congregationalists should vote upon the disposition of taxes assessed exclusively upon members of that order; but previous to 1810, business concerning the support of public-worship was acted upon in ordinary town-meet- ings, to which all persons qualified to vote in town-affairs were " warned," and in which the ordinary secular municipal affairs were discussed and determined.
But in 1817-no parochial business having been transacted by the town for the preceding seven years-such business began to be confined exclusively to meetings warned for that special pur- pose ; the warrant still being issued by the selectmen and directed to the constable, but requiring him to summon only those qualified to vote in the affairs of the "Congregational society" in said town.
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This society having no officers, organization, or other means of independent action-being served by the selectmen, assessors, clerk, treasurer and constable elected by the town-a proposition to organize a parish by the choice of a special board, was, in November, 1818, referred to a committee consisting of John Chandler Williams, Josiah Bissell, and Joshua Danforth,-who on the 23d of that month submitted the following report :
Your committee, on enquiry, do not find that there is more than one town, situated as this town is, in the whole commonwealth, in which the parochial concerns for the support of public worship, are managed and conducted by officers chosen for parish-purposes exclusively. Your committee are satisfied, that hitherto the support of public worship by the Congregational society, has been so managed, and we believe always will be, as that no part of the expenses made for its support has been, or can be, paid out of any money except that which is voted and granted for that purpose solely ; and assessed on, and paid by, the inhabitants of that society only. Your committee are of opinion that a majority of the parish would not be disposed to adopt any new arrangement, at present, for the purpose contemplated .- We there- fore would add, that we do not deem it expedient at this time to elect parish-officers. We would, however, advise that the town-treasurer should annually exhibit to the selectinen, at or before the March meet- ing, an account current of the money raised for the support of public worship, and the manner in which it has been expended; in order that any person, belonging to this town, may, if he pleases, examine the same, and in that way insure those who do not belong to the Congre- gational society, that no part of their money is used for the parish's purposes.
The report was accepted, and the matter of further organiza- tion of the parish rested until 1834.
The united Congregational church of Pittsfield, now reassum- ing the name and rank of the First Church, voted September 1, 1817, to invite Rev. Heman Humphrey, of Fairfield, Connecti- cut, to settle with them in the gospel ministry. It is not stated that a separate vote of the First and Union churches was had, according to the terms of their agreement. Perhaps their har- mony had already become so ripe, or the choice of Mr. Humphrey was so unanimous, that this ceremony was deemed superfluous.
The parish, on the 17th of September, concurred in the choice by a vote of sixty-eight to eleven, and tendered Mr. Humphrey a salary of nine hundred dollars per annum, on condition that he
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should relinquish all claims to the ministry-land or other property of the town.
Heman Humphrey was born in West Simsbury, now Canton, Hartford county, Connecticut, March 26, 1779. His father, Solomon Humphrey, was a descendant of Michael Humphrey, who emigrated from England to Massachusetts before 1643. In the long line of ancestors between Michael and Heman, were many honorable and reverend men. Solomon, the father of the latter, was born in 1747, and married, a second wife, Hannah, daughter of Capt. John Brown, of West Simsbury, who died while an officer in the war of the revolution, at Harlem Heights ; and from whom also descended that other Capt. John Brown, who died at Harper's Ferry. Heman, the oldest son of this marriage, was the pastor selected by the First Church and Parish of Pitts- field, in 1817. His father was a substantial farmer, and is described as "a man of good common-school education ; of a more than ordinary taste for reading; of good sense and unblem- ished moral character, temperate, industrious, and frugal." The mother was a woman " of uncommon mental capacity, and an eager reader of such books as could be obtained; the number of which, however, was very small." Heman's early education was of the character usually bestowed upon children of such parents in Connecticut, at that time. He thus describes what it was when, at the age of seventeen, he supposed it finished : "I knew almost nothing of geography as taught by globe and maps, was but indifferently versed in the higher rules of arithmetic, and knew nothing of English grammar, except a little found in one of the earlier editions of Webster's spelling-book." He was fond of reading, but his course of study of that kind was con- fined to The New England Primer, Robinson Crusoe, and The Pil- grim's Progress, with an occasional stray number of the Hartford Courant. Shortly after he had graduated from this course of study, the village-pastor succeeded in having a small neighbor- hood library collected, of which Heman made excellent use, often, by the aid of pine-torches or of the kitchen-fire, extending his perusal of its contents far into the night. After his education, in this fashion, was "completed," he spent five summers, as " hired man" on farms in various towns, devoting winters to school-teaching. Fortunately, his fourth summer was spent with Governor Treadwell of Farmington, "a Christian and an exceed-
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