USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Princeton > The history of Princeton, Worcester county, Mass. from its first settlement; with a sketch of the present religious controversy in that place. Designed for the use of the inhabitants > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
73
HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
town. They were connected with the Baptist church at Templeton, at that time, I believe, the only one in the vicin- ity. Baptist preaching was had in town probably three or four times a year, at the house of Mr. Perry. Some sixty years since, Joshua Everett, father of the present Messrs. William and Joshua Everett, removed from Westminster to Princeton, and was a supporter of the peculiar sentiments of the Baptists, although not a professor until some years subse- quent, when he connected himself with the above mentioned church at Templeton. About the same time some two or three more of the inhabitants embraced the same sentiments, and were united to the same church. Preaching was still occasionally had in the town. The infrequency of this was partly owing to the then difficulty of obtaining Baptist preach- ers, but mainly to an inability to support them. About the year 1805, the Rev. Elisha Andrews commenced preaching to the Baptists in Princeton, at the residence of William Ever- ett, usually spending with them eight or ten Sabbaths in each year. Mr. Andrews may in fact be regarded almost in the light of a father to the Baptists of the vicinity. Possessed of a strong judgement and a quick discernment, with an un- bounded fund of anecdote, his conversational powers ren- dered him a no less agreeable and fascinating companion at the fire-side, than his deep and fervent piety an exemplary and influential preacher. He was and is one of the best refu- tations of what has been unjustly charged upon vital piety- a supposed tendency to render men gloomy and misanthropic. Mr. Andrews continued his labors until 1819. During this period several additions were made to the church, and towards the close of it their relation was removed from that in Tem- pleton to a branch church in Hoiden. In 1819 the Rev. John Walker of Holden, was engaged to preach to them one fourth of the time, and continued his labor for three years. During his ministry, there was an interesting revival, in which some fifteen became connected with the church in Holden. Their meetings, at this time, were held usually at the "north school-house." Ir 1822 they were regularly dismissed from the church in Holden, and on the 31st of July, of that year, were duly organized as a church of Christ in Princeton. In 1823 Mr. Walker confined his labors exclusively to the church ir Holden, and the Rev. Mr. Andrews was again em-
10
74
HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
ployed one half of the time at Princeton. He continued with them nearly two years, when the society were again depend- ent upon temporary engagements for a supply of their pulpit, until 1836, when the Rev. Elias Johnson became their min- ister, preaching alternate Sabbaths in Princeton and West- minster. Mr. Johnson continued pastor of the church until 1830. During his ministry there was another revival, in which some twenty-five were added to the church. In Sep- tember, 1830, the Rev. Appleton Morse received and ac- cepted a call from the society to become their minister, and was ordained in the October following. Mr. Morse, like his predecessor, divided his labors between Westminster and Princeton, until the spring of 1831, when they were confined exclusively to the church in the latter place. The church now, for the first time, enjoyed the constant undivided labors of a settled pastor. During Mr. Morse's ministry, which con- tinued two years, twenty-five or thirty were added to the church. He was dismissed at his request in April, 1832. From the date of this event the church were destitute of a settled minister for more than two years, although their desk was usually supplied from temporary sources. In 1834, the Rev. Nehemiah G. Lovell of Newton, received and accepted the call of the church and society to become their pastor, and was ordained on the 10th of July of the same year. He con- tinued their minister until November, 1836, when he was dismissed, and became pastor of the Baptist church in Am- herst. Immediately on the dismissal of Mr. Lovell, the Rev. Mason Ball commenced preaching to the society, and soon after received and accepted a unanimous call to become their minister, and entered immediately on the duties of his station. Mr. Ball is the present mmister. The church now numbers eighty-five members, and there have been three branch churches connected with it, which are now each organized as distinct churches-one in Westminster, one in Fitchburg, and one in Leominster.
Baptist worship in Princeton was held in private dwellings, or in school-houses, until 1828, when the present house was erected, at an expense of $2,000. It is a seat, plain brick edifice, of moderate size, without bell or spire, but adapted to the convenience of the society. Its situation is unfortunate, being about a mile north of the centre of the town. Its loca-
75
HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
tion will probably ere long be changed to accord with the wishes of a large portion of the society .*
I now resume the history of the present controversy in the congregational church-a controversy unnecessary, unholy, and one which, sundering the ties of Christian fellowship, and mingling the cultivation of the peaceful religion of Jesus, in sacrilegious union with the most unhallowed feelings, passions, and prejudices, has tarnished the purity of the church, and in thus destroying its proper influence in the promotion of piety, has left a fearful responsibility resting on those who have been and are active in spreading the spirit of discord, and who, in the revival of feelings forgotten, or wrongs atoned for, are busy in exciting jealousies and animosities, which must invariably di- vide, weaken, perhaps destroy, all active exertion among those, no small share of whose usefulness depends on their harmony. Let men, with the full consciousness of this responsibility then, pause, reflect, and before further action or opposition, be cer- tain that they are not mistaking the dictates of passion for the voice of wisdom, the promptings of wilfulness for the admoni- tions of conscience, or the unhallowed decisions of prejudice and obstinacy for the inspiring and uncompromising impulses of religion. One thing is certain, the cause of Christ is injur- ed by this event. On some one rests the responsibility. To every participator in the controversy, therefore, comes home the fearfully meaning question of the trembling disciples, Lord, is it I? His conscience must answer.
In May, 1832, owing to ill health, the Rev. Mr. Clarke asked and received from his society a dissolution of his minis- rial relation. At this time it is unquestionably true, that a large portion of his church, although satisfied to remain under his ministry, were orthodox in sentiment, and in the event of his dismissal would and did prefer the settlement of a Calvin- istic pastor. To the society this very question was submitted, and a vote that the pulpit be supplied by orthodox clergymen passed by a considerable majority. In the existence of this state of feeling, as an orthodox society already existed in town, it was thought advisable, instead of settling another minister of the same sentiments, if possible, to unite on just and Christian
* For most of the facts in this account of the Baptist society, I an indebt- ed to the kindness of Dea. J. T. Everett, to whom I take this opportunity to return my thanks.
76
HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
terms with the church and society already existing, since one house of worship could easily accommodate, and one clergy- man discharge, all the parochial duties in the event of a union. With these feelings, and with a view to such an event, the congregational society, at their meeting for the dismissal of Mr. Clarke, held May 21st, 1832, passed the following vote :-
"On motion, voted, that the committee appointed to supply ยท the pulpit be authorized and instructed to wait on the standing or prudential committee of the evangelical orthodox* society, and request the committee of that society to call a meet- ing of said society, as soon as may be, to ascertain whether the said society feel disposed to unite with the congregational society in settling a minister, and if so, to choose a committee consisting of an equal number chosen by the congregational society, to co-operate with them in inviting a candidate to preach to both societies, or take such other measures as said committee and the committee of said evangelical orthodox so- ciety may deem expedient to effect a union of said societies."
This vote being communicated to the evangelical congrega- tional society, led to the following action :-
" At a meeting of the evangelical congregational society, held at their meeting-house, holden on Monday, the 14th day of June inst. to take into consideration the request of the con- gregational society, by their committee, to see if the evan- gelical congregational society will unite with that society in settling a minister over both societies, after due deliberation, passed the following vote, to wit :-
On motion, voted, that we cannot comply with said request for two reasons ; first, we have a minister whom we respect, and under whose ministry we are united and happy.
Second, we do not feel authorized to act on the subject as proposed, because we feel that it is proper and right that the church should have the first move in all measures preparatory to the settlement of a pastor."
The door being thus effectually closed against all further measures towards a union, the congregational church proceed- ed to the appropriate measures for the settlement of an ortho- dox minister, and, on the third of April, 1833, invited the
* The word " orthodox" should have been written " congregational." The mistake arose in copying from some of the certificates of that society, filed in the Clerk's office, in which their prudential committee made the mistake.
HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
Rev. John P. Cowles, who had then just completed his theo- logical studies at Yale College, to become their pastor .* Mr. Cowles having accepted this invitation was ordained on the 19th of July. The services on this occasion were as fol- lows :- The introductory prayer by the Rev. Hubbard Wins- low, Boston ; the ordaining prayer by the Rev. Dr. Murdock, New-Haven ; the charge by the Rev. Mr. Mann, Westmin- ster ; the right hand of fellowship by the Rev. A. E. Phelps, Boston ; the address to the church and people by Rev. Mr. Clarke, Rutland ; and the concluding prayer by the Rev. Mr. Allen of Shrewsbury. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Linsley, of Park-street church, Boston.
Previous to Mr. Cowles's settlement, the church had sub- stituted the Covenant and Confession in use by the original church, while under the ministry of Mr. Russell, for that in- troduced by Mr. Clarke. By this avowal of their sentiments, and the recognition of the council, they were admitted to Christian fellowship as an evangelical church-a fact to be kept in view from its bearing on subsequent events.
Mr. Cowles continued pastor of the church until October, 1834, when he asked and received a dismission. This was thought a favorable opening for a renewal of the proposals for a union. The advice of the council, convened for the dis- mission of Mr. Cowles, relative to such proposals, was ac- cordingly asked. Their reply will be learned from the fol- lowing communication, made to the evangelical congregational church, and which is the recommencement of the efforts for a union. This communication led to the appointment of the appropriate committees, and the call of the council proposed. The result of the council appears in connexion with the com-
* The fact of Mr. Cowles's settlement and ministry, for a year or more, as also that of his church being in fellowship with those of evangelical sen- timents in the neighborhood, or in other words the recognition of the con- gregational as an orthodox church in regular standing, the Rev. Mr. Phil- lips does not mention in his " Appeal," professing to be an impartial account of the religious difficulties in this place. Nor is he less silent as to the fact of the adoption of a new covenant and confession of faith by the church at Mr. Cowles's settlement. He labors throughout his pamphlet to convey the impression, that the design of the friends of union, as well as the councils convened, was to embody with an orthodox church, one of de- cidedly unitarian sentiments, fresh from a unitarian pastor. Whereas the fact was, there were in Princeton, when the successful measures for a union were put in train, as we shall presently see, two orthodox churches, of regular standing, which it was proposed to unite in one.
78
HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
munication, both of which were printed and circulated at the time of their date.
To the Evangelical Congregational Church in Princeton, under the pas- toral care of the Rev. Mr. Phillips :
Rev. and Beloved,-The undersigned, having been appointed a Commit- tee by the Congregational Church, for the purpose of making a communica- tion to your Church, would respectfully lay before you the doings of the said Congregational Church, and the advice of an Ecclesiastical Council, lately convened in this place.
At a meeting of the Congregational Church, Oct. 26, 1834, a Committee was appointed to ask the advice of the Ecclesiastical Council, which was then to be convened on the 28th of said month, for the dismission of Rev. John P. Cowles, in relation to what course it was the duty of said Church to pursue, and what measures to adopt, under the existing circumstances of the religious affairs of this place.
The said Committee attended to the duty of their appointment, and re- ceived from said Council the following result :
" The advice of this Council having been asked by the Congregational Church in regard to the course they should take provided Mr. Cowles be dismissed, the Council advise to the following measure : That said Church propose to the Evangelical Congregational Church to unite in choosing a Mutual Orthodox Council to settle the following points-
1st. Shall a union be effected between the two Churches ? And if so-
2d. On what ground shall such union be effected ? " SAMUEL GAY, Moderator. CYRUS MANN, Scribe.
At a meeting of the Church, Oct. 29th, the foregoing result and advice of Council was laid before the said Church, and accepted; and Deacon Charles Russell and Caleb Dana, and Brother Charles B. Temple, were appointed a Committee to present to the Evangelical Church a copy of the advice of said Council, and to adopt measures to carry the same into effect.
Agreeably to the advice of said Council, and in full accordance with our own views and feelings, we do now, in behalf of the Congregational Church, propose to unite with your Church in inviting a Mutual Orthodox Council for the purposes mentioned in the result of said Council.
In making this request, we wish to add, that we, in common, doubtless, with you, regard it as exceedingly desirable, for the interests of religion in this place, that all those in these two Churches, who coincide in their views of the doctrines and duties of the Gospel, and give credible evidence of their being the children of God, should be united in one Church, and under one pastor. We do not regard a union as desirable except on such conditions, and on such grounds, as shall ensure to you and to us a prospect of purity, as well as peace and harmony. Under such conditions we do desire it, for the sake of that cause which we equally profess to love. We deeply lament the division which has long existed in this town, and our prayer to God is, that it may soon be terminated in that way, and in that way only which will be for his glory and for the spiritual benefit of his chosen people. And that this desirable end may be effected, we desire, on our part, to remove every reasonable objection. We propose to unite with you in calling a Mutual Council, because we do believe that there are questions, arising out of the character and relations of these Churches, which affect so vitally the best interests of the people of this place, as well as the Church of Christ, that neither of these Churches is at liberty to disregard them.
Should your Church accede to this proposition and request, we trust there would be no disagreement in selecting a Mutual Council, of approved or-
79
HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
thodox Ministers in this Commonwealth, which would be entirely satisfac- tory to both Churches. We wish to be distinctly understood that we are will- ing to submit the whole case, in all its parts, to the decision of such a Council .*
And now, Christian Brethren, we respectfully ask you to give this sub- ject, as we trust you will, your serious and prayerful consideration. And may the great Head of the Church vouchsafe to you, and to us, his grace, guidance and direction, and lead us in the path of duty-to the exercise of those Christian feelings and to the adoption of such measures, as shall redound to his glory and the spiritual and everlasting good of his people.
Yours, with Christian affection,
CHARLES RUSSELL, CALEB DANA, Committee
CHARLES B. TEMPLE,
Princeton, Nov. 14, 1834.
The foregoing is a copy of a communication from the Church lately under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Cowles, to the Church under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Phillips.
MINUTES OF COUNCIL.
In accordance with letters missive from the Congregational Church in Princeton, lately under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Cowles, and the Church in the same place under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Phillips, an Ecclesiastical Council was convened at the house of John Brooks, Esq. Dec. 17, 1834.
Were present from the Church of Christ in North Brookfield, Rev. Tho. Snell, P., Dea. Jos. A. Moore, Del.
From the Congregational Church in Templeton, Rev. Samuel P. Bates, P., Br. Jon. Cutting, Del.
From the Congregational Church in Westminster, Rev. Cyrus Mann, P., Dea. Benj. Wood, Del.
From the Congregational Church in Harvard, Rev. George Fisher, P., Dea. Rich. Whitney, Del.
From the Congregational Church in Bolton, Rev. John W. Chickering, P., Dea. Augustine Holcomb, Del.
* Compare the passage in italics, with the following from the Rev. Mr. Phillips's " Appeal." " Wherever the fault may have been, the original church and their pastor were both led to suppose, that the congregational church had concluded to allow the union to be formed under the ministry of the present pastor," when probably most of " the circumstances which" in Mr. Phillips's view, "concurred to hinder the success of the result," would have vanished. We say with Mr. Phillips, " wherever the fault may have been" from which this impression arose, if any one entertained it ex- cept himself, it was not the fault of the communication. One of the prop- ositions which the communication of the congregational church proposed to submit to the Council was, " On what ground shall such union be effect- ed." Mr. Phillips seems to have read it, " On what ground shall such union be effected, without dismissing the present pastor." Mr. Phillips himself first introduced to the council the matter of his dismission by the repeated instruction to them, that "they were not to touch his case." " Not even if the cause of Christ requires it," was the keen and silencing re- buke of the Rev. Moderator. I am the apologist or defender of neither party to the controversy, yet truth seemed to demand the correction of this error in the " Appeal."
80
HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
From the Calvinist Church in Worcester, Rev. John S. C. Abbott, P., Br. Jonas B. Allen, Del.
From the Church of Christ in Holden, Rev. Wm. P. Paine, P.
The Council was organized by choosing Rev. Dr. Snell, Moderator, and Rev. John S. C. Abbott, Scribe.
The deliberations of the Council were introduced by prayer by the Mod- erator.
Charles Russell, Esq. Caleb Dana, and Charles B. Temple appeared as a Committee of the Church under the late care of the Rev. Mr. Cowles.
Rev. Mr. Phillips, Samuel Stratton, Israel Howe and Ephraim Beaman appeared as a Committee of the Church under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Phillips.
Rev. Mr. Phillips, in behalf of the Committee from the Church of which he is pastor, stated their views and feelings respecting the object for which the Council was convened, and the desirableness of a union of the Churches.
Charles Russell, Esq. in behalf of the Committee from the Congrega- tional Church, then made a statement of their views and wishes with regard to the proposed union, and of the efforts they had made for its accomplish- ment.
Other members of both Committees also made communications to the Council.
The Committees then retired, and the Rev. Mr. Mann, in behalf of the Council, sought divine guidance to aid in our deliberations.
Several hours were then passed, in discussing the subject in all its varied aspects.
Messrs. Abbott, Snell and Chickering were appointed a Committee to re- port upon the result of Council.
Adjourned to meet at seven o'clock, to-morrow morning.
THURSDAY MORNING, Dec. 18, 1834.
Council met according to adjournment. More information being desired, to aid in coming to some useful result, the Committee from the Church under the late care of the Rev. Mr. Cowles, again appeared and made fur- ther statements.
Rev. Mr. Phillips also appeared and communicated additional information respecting the views of the Church and Society with which he is con- nected.
The Committee appointed to report a result of Council, reported the fol- lowing, which was unanimously adopted.
RESULT OF COUNCIL.
The Council deems the union of the two Churches exceedingly desirable both as it regards the peace of the town and the prosperity of Religion. The Council is also very much gratified with the truly Christian spirit, manifested in the communication made by the Committee of the Church lately under the care of the Rev. Mr. Cowles, and with their candor and moderation; and have full confidence in the purity of the motives which led them to make an effort for a reconciliation. Animated by these feelings, we sincerely hope that the suggestions which may be made by the Council, and the terms proposed, will be acceptable to both parties and promotive of their mutual edification. The council are aware of difficulties in the way, but do not feel that they are insurmountable. Christians are often called upon to make sacrifices, but if they are sacrifices of feeling, and not of prin- ciple, they ought to be made.
The Council is of opinion that the whole subject is involved in two questions.
81
HISTORY OF PRINCETON.
1. The first question respects the possibility of a union of the two Church- es which shall promote the cause of truth, purity and peace.
The Council is of opinion that the orthodox portion of the Church lately under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Cowles, and of the Church under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Phillips, may become one united and happy Church. And the plan of union the Council would recommend is this, viz : that the Rev. Messrs. Bates of Templeton, Mann of Westminster, and Paine of Holden, be a Committee to satisfy themselves, at a proper time and when duly notified, of the personal piety of such members of the first named Church, as desire the union, and recommend them to the other Church by letter ; and that by virtue of this letter of recommendation, they become embodied with the Church now under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Phillips.
2. The second question has suggested itself to our minds in a form like the following : Is there a sufficient degree of harmony in the views of these two parishes, to authorize the hope that they may unite in listening to, and supporting, sound evangelical ministrations ?
.
This question we hope we are not mistaken in answering likewise in the affirmative. As to the mode of union, we would recommend that the So- ciety connected with Mr. Phillips's Church should unite with the other, and in one united Church and Society, sustain and enjoy the ordinances and privileges of the Gospel.
.
3. The third and only remaining question respects the pastoral and min- isterial relations of the proposed united Church and Society. The only difficulty on this point, arises from the fact, that the two Churches and Societies, as they now exist, are not on equal ground in this respect. The one have a pastor whom they respect and love, who has been with them in times of anxiety and trial, and between whom and themselves there exist ties of too sacred and tender a nature to be sundered, except by the volun- tary motion and action of the parties concerned. The other has no pastor, nor has it, from the nature of the case, that attachment to the pastor of the other Church which would doubtless have existed, had he been for as many years their pastor. To the removal of this difficulty this Council are con- strained to feel themselves inadequate, since they cannot control the affec- tions of the one body, nor, unrequested and unauthorized, touch the pas- toral relations of the other. We are not prepared, on the one hand, to say that all the prejudices and preferences can or should be given up by Mr. Cowles's late people ; nor, on the other hand, require either the Rev. Mr. Phillips or his Church to make a sacrifice of the duty and expediency of which they must be the judges. However, then, in view of all the facts, which have come to our knowledge, our private opinion respecting duty and expediency in this matter, may differ from that of Rev. Mr. Phillips's Church, as expressed by him as the organ of their Committee, we feel oblig- ed to leave the matter to the consideration and decision of themselves and their pastor.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.