USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Plainfield > Topographical description and historical sketch of Plainfield, in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, May, 1834 > Part 3
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For the support of schools, 350,00
For the support of the poor and other neces- sary charges, 300,00
For the repair of highways, 600,00
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Congregational Society.
Previous to the incorporation of Plainfield as a district, the inhabitants attended divine service at Cummington, and formed part of the ministerial charge of the Reverend James Briggs, who was ordained there July 7, 1779. It appears that, on leaving his ministry, measures were almost immediately taken to set up pub- lic worship among themselves; for, on the eleventh of August, 1785, the following vote was passed: " Voted to raise fourteen pounds to hire preaching the present year." Similar votes occur frequently in the early records.
ยท A church of fourteen members was organized here August 31, 1789. The following confession of faith and church covenant were adopted, and have ever since continued in force.
" Confession of Faith.
" Article 1. We believe there is one only living and true God, in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost; and that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
" 2. We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ment are the word of God, and the only rule of faith and practice.
"3. We believe that man was created in the image of God, holy and upright; and that God entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, particularly forbid- ding him to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil upon pain of death.
" 4. We believe that our first parents sinned by eating of the forbidden fruit, and, as Adam was a public head and representa- tive, he, by his disobedience, exposed himself and all his posterity to the wrath of God and everlasting death.
" 5. We believe that God of his mere grace and good pleasure, has determined to save some of the lost children of men; and that those, whom he has thus chosen, he will, in his own time, effectu- ally call and finally save.
"6. We believe that the holy scriptures reveal the only method God has proposed for their salvation, and that, in order to execute
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the purposes of his grace therein, he has appointed his Son Jesus Christ to be the only mediator and Savior of sinners, whom he sent into the world in our nature, "that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life;" and that, through his perfect righteousness and atonement, all, who believe, and no others, are justified and saved.
" 7. We believe that no man in a natural state has a disposition to come to Christ, or power to do any thing, by which he can merit salvation; and that they, who do come, are made willing by the saving influence of God's spirit, working in them to will and do of his own good pleasure.
"8. We believe that, at the last day, Christ will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness, and will receive the righteous to everlasting life, and condemn the wicked to everlasting punish- ment."
" Church Covenant.
" We publicly declare our serious belief of the Christian relig- ion contained in the sacred scriptures of the Old and New Testa- ment, and as is, in general, exhibited in the Assembly's Shorter Catechism; and, in humble reliance on the aid of divine grace, we heartily resolve to conform ourselves to the rules of Christ's holy religion as long as we live.
" We therefore give ourselves to God, to walk with him in a a life of holy obedience, acknowledging our obligations to glorify him in all the duties of the Christian life, in sobriety and godliness, relying on Christ, our Savior, for eternal salvation. Particularly, we desire and engage, in reliance on divine grace, to walk together as a church of Christ in the faith and order of the gospel, accord- ing to all the ordinances of it; conscienciously attending the public worship of God, the sacraments of the New Testament, gospel dis- cipline, and all Christ's holy institutions; communing with and watching over one another according to the rules of the gospel; " studying the things, that make for peace, and things whereby one may edify another."
" We further engage religiously to instruct our offspring in the doctrines of the Christian religion, and carefully to " bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord;" in all relying on
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divine grace, and praying that God would "make us perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in us that, which is well pleasing in his sight."
On the fourteenth of May, 1787, the district voted unanimously to give Mr. James Thomson a call to settle with them in the gospel ministry, (the church having previously passed a similar vote, ) and to give him a yearly salary of sixty pounds in specific articles. This invitation was declined.
August 16, 1787, a committee was appointed " to measure and find the center of Plainfield, and likewise to agree upon a place, which they shall think most proper for erecting a meeting house." May 23, 1791, a spot of ground was agreed on for building a meeting house; and October 27, it was voted to build the meeting house, and that it should be 55 feet and a half by 42 feet and a half. November 23, a committee consisting of Caleb White, captain John Cunningham, captain James Richards, Andrew Cook and John Hamlin was appointed " to procure materials and carry on the building of said meeting house in such a manner as shall be most advantageous to the district, according to their best discre- tion."
April 23, 1792, " Voted that the owners of pews in the meeting house procure rum to raise said building." The meeting house was raised soon after; but, owing to the limited resources of the district at that time, it was not completed till 1797. It was then dedicated on the fifteenth of June; two sermons being preached on the occasion; one by the Reverend Aaron Bascom of Chester, the other by the Reverend John Leland of Partridgefield, now Peru. The meeting house contained 44 pews below and 19 in the gallery. To this number two were afterwards added above, and two below. One pew was reserved for the use of the minister.
March 8, 1791, the church " voted to give Mr. Moses Hallock a call to settle with them in the work of gospel ministry." March 14, the district passed the same vote unanimously, also " voted that the following offers should be made to Mr. Hallock for his settlement and maintenance; to wit, ninety pounds for his settle- ment; and forty-five pounds a year for the two first years, then to increase five pounds a year until it amounts to sixty pounds, there to remain." To this invitation the candidate gave his answer in the negative, on account of infirm health.
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March 8, 1792, the church "voted to renew the call to the said Hallock." In this vote the district concurred, March 12, and made him the same offers for his settlement and salary as before; " his settlement and salary to be paid, one quarter in cash, and the other three quarters in farm produce at cash price."
His answer being in the affirmative, he was ordained July 11. The sermon was preached by the Reverend Samuel Whitman of Goshen, from this text in Ezekiel: " And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean." This dis- course, probably in an enlarged form, was published at Northampton, under the title of " Two Sermons, the Substance of which was preached at the Ordination of the Rev. Moses Hallock, to the Pastoral Care of the Church in Plainfield, July 11, 1792." Of this pamphlet, which is now very scarce, there is a copy in the Antiquarian Hall at Worcester, and another in the library of the writer. It is believed that this is the only sermon or address of any kind delivered in Plainfield, that has ever been committed to the press.
The Reverend Moses Hallock was born on Long Island, Feb- ruary 16, 1760. Before devoting himself to study, he spent some time in the revolutionary army. He received his education at Yale College, where he was graduated in 1788. His studies in divinity were pursued under the instruction of the Reverend Sam- uel Whitman of Goshen, where his parents resided. His labors, during the long period of his ministry, have been acceptable and useful in a remarkable degree. In the discharge of his duty,
" He tried each art, reproved each dull delay,
Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way."-GOLDSMITH. A mutual interchange of good offices between him and the mem- bers of his society has long since closely knit the ties of affection.
There have been several very interesting revivals of religion during his ministry. "It pleased God graciously to pour out his holy spirit upon the people of this place in the year 1790. Its first appearance was on the fifteenth of August; and, in consequence of this glorious work, 17 joined the church in one day." " Tow- ards the close of the year 1797, it pleased God once more to visit this place with a remarkable effusion of his holy spirit. The awakening was, more or less, in almost every part of the town, and,
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in some parts, very powerful. And, in consequence of this mar- velous work of divine grace, 31 persons joined the church thc following year, the most of whom trust they were born of God in this awakening." "July 1, 1798, 24 persons adorned the alley at one time, and appeared to rejoice at an opportunity to confess the Lord Jesus."
In 1800 an excellent bell was procured, partly at the expense of the district, and partly by subscription. It was cast at New Haven by Fenton and Cochran, and weighs about 650 pounds. A bellfry with a steeple, to which is attached a lightning rod, was erected at the same time.
In the early part of the year 1808, there was a great revival of religion, and 34 were admitted to the church on the first of May, and 26 on the third of July.
In 1813, and for some time afterwards, the Unitarian controversy produced considerable excitement; and, in 1816, one brother was suspended from the church, and afterwards excommunicated for publicly dissenting from the creed, and expressing his disbelief of the doctrine of the trinity and the supreme deity of Jesus Christ.
A Sunday school, consisting of 109 scholars, was established here in May, 1819. This has ever since been continued with great and increasing usefulness.
In 1822, two stoves for warming the meeting house were pro- cured, and placed near the pulpit.
In 1823 an elegant London copy of Gurney's Family Bible, published in 1816, and embellished with a series of engravings from paintings by the first artists, was presented for the pulpit by James Hayward, tutor in Harvard College. The practice of publicly reading the scriptures on the Lord's day had been introduced some years before.
January 5, 1823, 10 persons were admitted into the church; No- ' vember 4, 1827, 29 persons were admitted.
June 3, 1829, the Reverend John H. Russ was ordained here as an evangelist by the Mountain Association; sermon by the Reverend William A. Hawley of Hinsdale.
August 23, 1830, the church chose a committee to superintend the monthly distribution of tracts. This distribution has been attended to since, though not with all the regularity, that could be wished.
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In the spring of 1829, the venerable minister of the society, after having discharged the duties of his office with uncommon fidelity for nearly 37 years, made the following communication to his be- loved people.
" To the Inhabitants of the Town of Plainfield.
" My brethren and friends, the time approaches when I shall no longer be your minister. This awfully responsible, though pleasant work must soon be committed to the hands of some other man. I have entered my seventieth year, " and know not the day of my death." When a parent is about to die, he endeavors to set his house in order, that it may be well with his family after his decease. With equal ardor I desire that you, as a religious com- munity, may have a good minister of Jesus Christ when my lips shall be unable to keep knowledge. Before I die, I wish to see my pulpit occupied by such a minister: And may he be far more useful to old and young than his predecessor, and as much respected.
" As soon as you are ready to settle another minister, which will probably be in a year or two, I will consent, the church and con- gregation requesting it, that the ordaining council should dismiss me on the day of ordination.
"It is not uncommon, in cases like this, that the town make some provision for the support of the worn out pastor. Ifyou should please, by legal vote, to commit to my disposal as my own property the pew, which my family occupy, or some other as valuable, and also to exempt me and the little property I may possess from all kinds of taxation during my life, it will be thankfully accepted.
MOSES HALLOCK.
March 2, 1829."
To this communication a committee, appointed for the pur- pose, made the following report:
" To the Inhabitants of the Town of Plainfield.
" Fellow citizens, your committee can not but regard the subject committed to them for consideration as of immense moment, as a subject specially involving both the temporal and eternal interests of the present and succceding generations of the inhabitants of this
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town. Perhaps there is no subject, upon which a town is called to act, that is more calculated to test the stability, or the peace and union of the society, or which is attended with more important results than the dismissing and settling of a minister. Our reverend pastor, in his communication, apprises the people of this town that such an important and trying season among us is not far distant.
" " The time approaches," says he, " when I shall no longer be your minister. This awfully responsible, though pleasant work must soon be committed to the hands of some other man."
" As we are called upon to reply to our minister's proposals, and to act as the first moving committee on the part of the town in advising with reference to future proceedings towards accom- plishing the great object we have in view, we can not but be sensi- ble that an important trust is reposed in us, which requires on our part much caution and deliberation. We hope we shall all be able to treat the subject with that candor, which it demands, and also advise to such measures as will issue in happy results.
" In the first place, we would express our most cordial approba- tion of the course, which our aged pastor has taken to make known his desires to his people, and effect the object he has in view.
" We do regard this communication as a timely and well advised effort on the part of Mr. Hallock to promote the future well- being of his people, and to perpetuate that union and harmony, for which we, as a religious community, have been so long distin- guished. More conciliatory and liberal propositions he could not have made. He hereby evinces that he seeks not ours but us; that he still retains an affectionate regard for the dear people, over which the holy spirit hath so long made him overseer. And his solicitude for us extends beyond the time when he shall have ceased to be our minister, or shall have closed his eyes in death. To use his own similitude: "When a parent is about to die, he en- deavors to set his house in order, that it may be well with his family after his decease. With equal ardor I desire that you, as a religious community, may have a good minister of Jesus Christ when my lips shall be unable to keep knowledge." When we reflect that more than half his days have been spent in our service, and take into consideration the mutual confidence and affection, that have so long subsisted between him and his people, the appa-
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rent success, which has attended his ministry, the harmony and good feeling, which have prevailed in church and society, the several revivals of religion and frequent instances of conversion, which have been witnessed, together with the gradual advance of the church in numbers, and we hope also in piety; we say, when these and other considerations as fruits of his faithfulness urge themselves upon us, the thought of dissolving our connection with him as our pastor is a painful reflection. But, as it is certain, according to the common course of nature, that he must soon be- come unable, either by the infirmities of age or the arrest of death, to officiate in ministerial duties, we, therefore, concur with his proposals, and think it expedient to have another minister settled before his decease, as we shall probably succeed better, and more to the satisfaction of all parties, now than when deprived of the counsel and cooperation of our present minister.
" Concerning the time when we shall settle another minister, Mr. Hallock himself has given intimations in his communication. Should we become united in a candidate, perhaps some period within the limits of the time, which he proposed, which was a year or two, would suit the wishes and convenience of the people as well as any other.
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" In order to avail ourselves of the best and most favorable opportunity of securing a candidate, who will be most likely to answer our desires and comply with our terms, we think it proper for us to put ourselves in readiness so to do. We therefore advise that, according to common custom, there be a committee chosen, of equal numbers from the church and society, to act in concert, whose duty it shall be to look out and engage a suitable person, against the season of trial, as a candidate for our future minister.
" Whether Mr. Hallock shall be dismissed on the day of ordi- nation, as he intimated, or continue as our senior pastor, we do not advise, but submit for future consideration, particularly wishing, however, that the feelings and desires of the two ministers, the present pastor and his successor, may be consulted and complied with.
"As to the pecuniary proposals, which he has made, we consider them as liberal in the extreme. " In cases like this," as he says, " it is not uncommon that the town make some provision for the support of the worn out pastor." This they generally do, either by
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continuing a part of his salary during his life, or by making him a generous donation at the time of his dismission. But Mr. Hallock asks so such provision of us: Indeed, he claims nothing, but barely says, "If you should please, by legal vote, to commit to my disposal as my own property the pew, which my family occupy, or some other as valuable, and also to exempt me and the little property I may possess from all kinds of taxation during my life, it will be thankfully accepted."
" To the granting of these favors and more than these, should it be necessary to his or his family's comfort, we are confident there cannot be a dissenting voice in town.
JAMES RICHARDS,
ROBERT BEALS, ERASTUS BATES,
JOSHUA REED, JOHN PACKARD,
Committee.
JOHN MACK, JOSIAH SHAW, junior,
Plainfield, April 6, 1829."
This year the meeting house was painted anew; the outside white, and the inside, except the pews, of a beautiful cream color. The pulpit was rebuilt by subscription in the modern style; cur- tains of bombazet were furnished for the window, and the pulpit dressed with damask fringed with rich and elegant drapery, all of red, by John Mack, esquire. The house now makes a handsome appearance; indeed, it is believed that few churches, erected forty years since, discover so good a taste, or are, in all respects, so convenient,
July 2, 1830, the following resolution was adopted by the church, " that the practice of dressing in mourning for the loss of friends is needless."
March 1, 1830, the town voted to raise one hundred dollars to. hire a candidate. After hearing one candidate, who, on account of infirm health, was not invited to settle, the Reverend David Kimball preached here on probation; and, on the twenty-fifth of October, the town voted, by a majority of 79 to 9, to invite him to settle with them in the work of the ministry, with a salary of 400 dollars a year. The church passed a similar vote, November 1, and " a call was forwarded to Mr. Kimball, and an answer received, signifying his acceptance."
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March 1, 1831, a council, of which the Reverend Jonathan L. Pomeroy of Worthington acted as moderator, was convened, and voted to proceed to installation the next day. The installation took place accordingly: The hundred and thirty-second psalm was read, and the introductory prayer offered by the Reverend Henry B. Holmes of Goshen; sermon, by the Reverend Thomas Shep- hard of Ashfield, from this text in Exodus, " Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened to me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me?" installation prayer, by the Reverend Jonathan Grout of Hawley; charge to the pastor, by the senior pastor; right hand of fellowship, by the Reverend Roswell Hawks of Cummington; charge to the people, by the Reverend Jonathan L. Pomeroy; concluding prayer, by the Reverend Benjamin F. Clarke of Buckland.
The Reverend David Kimball was born at Hopkinton, New Hampshire, March 18, 1791, and educated at Yale College, the usual honors of which he received in 1818 and 1821. He studied divinity at Andover, and was ordained over the societies in Mar- tinsburg and Lowville, New York, June 29, 1822, and dismissed at his own request, October 17, 1830.
November 6, 1831, 21 persons were admitted to the church, a protracted meeting having been held some time before.
The present number of communicants it is difficult to ascertain, as the members are not always careful to remove their relations with their residence. It is supposed to be nearly 200.
Deacons.
Chosen,
November 15, 1792, John Packard, died September 28, 1807, aged 71;
November 15, 1792, James Richards;
April 29, 1803, Joseph Beals, died July 20, 1813, aged 61;
September 23, 1813, Robert Beals;
June 27, 1828, Erastus Bates, removed to Ohio, May, 1834.
Baptist Society.
A Baptist society was formed in the eastern part of the town, February 25, 1833, the first meeting being called by Asa Thayer under a warrant from Nehemiah Richards, esquire, of Cummington.
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The church was organized June 18, 1833, by an ecclesiastical council, Elder David Wright of Cummington acting as moderator.
" Articles of Faith and Practice.
" Article 1. We believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were written by inspiration of God, and are the only rule of faith and practice.
"Q. We believe that there is but one only living and true God, revealed in the scriptures as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, who are the same in essence, power and glory; and that he exercises a particular providence over all beings and things.
"3. We believe that the first Adam was created perfect, but, by his disobedience to the law of his Creator, himself and all his pos- terity became sinners, and possess a depraved nature, disinclined to doing good, and prone to choose and delight in evil; whence the absolute necessity of regeneration, which can be effected only by almighty power.
" 4. We believe that God from eternity purposed the salvation of sinners by the incarnation, obedience, sufferings, death, resur- rection, ascension and intercession of his beloved Son, who, in the fulness of time, really assumed human nature; and so being truly God and truly man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man, by the sacrifice of himself made suitable atonement for sin, " that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
"5. We believe that the Holy Spirit applies the benefits of Christ's atonement, by convincing us of our sin and misery, re- newing our wills, revealing the glory and ability of Christ to save, and persuading and enabling us to embrace Christ as he is freely offered in the gospel, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.
" 6. We believe that all, who are chosen by the Father, and redeemed by the Son, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, will cer- tainly and finally persevere in faith, obedience and holiness by grace unto eternal life.
" 7. We believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both the just and unjust, and that Christ will come a second time, to judge the world in righteousness, whenhe will punish the wicked
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with everlasting destruction, and introduce the saints into his king- dom of glory to be forever with him.
" 8. We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's day or Christian sabbath, and that it is our duty to assemble on that day for the worship of God in the various exercises of Christian devotion.
" 9. We believe that a visible church of Christ is a number of believers, who have covenanted to maintain together the worship, doctrine, institutions and duties of the gospel of Christ.
" 10. We believe that baptism and the Lord's supper are the special ordinances of Christ's church, to be continued until his second coming; and that those only are to be admitted to the communion of the church, and to participate in all its privileges, who, upon the profession of their faith, have been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
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