USA > Maine > Knox County > Union > A history of the town of Union, in the county of Lincoln, Maine : to the middle of the nineteenth century, with a family register of the settlers before the year 1800, and of their descendants > Part 16
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Aug. 19, the church voted "that three churches be sent to, in order to settle difficulties between us and Brothers Samuel Hills, Stephen March, and Amos Walker." The disaffected members, however, obtained an ex parte council before the ordination, of which the following is the record : -
" At an ecclesiastical council, convened, in consequence of letters missive from a minority of the church in Union, at the house of Mr. Samuel Hills, Sept. 10, 1806, - present, Rev. Messrs. John Sawyer, Jotham Sewall, Eliphalet Gillett ; delegates, Mr. Benjamin Kelley, Mr. Moses Weymouth, - 16
178
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
chose Rev. John Sawyer moderator, Rev. Eliphalet Gillett scribe.
"Voted Mr. Isaac Robinson, deacon of the church in Hamden, Bangor, and Orrington, a member of the council.
" After prayer by the moderator for light and direction from God,-
" Voted that a letter be sent to Deacon Abijah Hawes, informing him and the church of our being convened in council, and requesting their attendance at the meeting- house at nine o'clock to-morrow morning; also a letter to Mr. True, requesting his attendance at the same time and place, in order that the council may have such information on the subjects of difference between some members of the church as to enable them to give such advice as the existing state of things may require. Adjourned to [to-] morrow morning.
"Sept. 11, 1806, met according to adjournment.
" Voted to proceed to the meeting-house at nine o'clock.
"After prayer by the moderator in the meeting-house, four articles 1 of grievance were submitted to the council by Mr. Samuel Hills, in behalf of the minority of the church. After attention to the subjects of difficulty, and receiving what light could be collected from the aggrieved members of the church and other gentlemen of the parish who
1 The articles were the following : -
"1. We find ourselves aggrieved, that our brethren have declined to accept the offer of the Rev. Mr. Bayley to preach with us, we being destitute, and administer the Lord's supper according to a vote of the church ; and a continued neglect of attending to that ordinance for several months.
" 2. That our brethren have infringed the rights of the church, in deciding a question respecting the rights of the aggrieved in inviting a council to assist in the ordination of Mr. Henry True, which we think belongs exclusively to the church.
"3. That our brethren hold us under discipline, having never brought a specific charge against us, and decline to furnish us, ac- cording to promise, with a copy of a paper, purporting to be articles of accusation against Samuel Hills, Stephen March, and Amos Walker.
"4. We consider it of great importance to a people to have such a minister set over them as thereby the glory of God and the good of their souls may be promoted, and cannot but feel aggrieved that our brethren are disposed to urge forward the settlement of a person whom we do not consider calculated to answer these great and im- portant ends ; especially as we think that more than half of the brethren and sisters collectively are dissatisfied, and that he has not that share in the affections of the people at large, which is necessary to render his ministrations beneficial to them."
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HILLS'S EX PARTE COUNCIL.
attended, the council retired to Mr. Spencer Walcott's, and drew up the following result : -
"' With respect to the first article of complaint, this coun- cil are of opinion, that the church were too inattentive to their vote to receive assistance from the Lincoln Association, and particularly so in neglecting the proposal of Mr. Bayley ; that such neglect was calculated directly to hurt the feelings of the aggrieved brethren and sisters.
"' With respect to the second, this council are of opinion, that, if the church admitted the town-committee to vote with them, or use their influence in determining the right of some of the members, it is a just matter of grievance.
"' With respect to the third, this council do not see that there is sufficient evidence exhibited to prove that the church did formally or regularly hold the aggrieved brethren under discipline ; yet there is too much reason to think that the church acted inconsistently in discovering a disposition to .treat them so, and not doing any thing decidedly ; and also exhibiting charges, and not affording the aggrieved an expli- cit statement of the same, that they might either clear them- selves or plead guilty, appears to this council an unsuitable way of proceeding, and is calculated to give offence.
"'With respect to the fourth article, this council do not feel themselves authorized to determine any thing with respect to Mr. True's qualifications as a preacher of the gos- pel; but think the church ought to act with the greatest caution in so important an affair, and not rashly do any thing that would part asunder the mystical body of Christ in this place ; carefully and tenderly consult the feelings and views of the aggrieved brethren and sisters, and mutually seek direction of God. And, if the aggrieved party do not obtain satisfaction as to Mr. True's qualifications as a gos- pel-minister before ordination, we advise them to lay their difficulties before the ordaining council.'
"The aggrieved members also submitted the following questions : -
"'Question 1. - Can there be a case in church-discipline, in which the first and second steps pointed out in the 18th of Matthew may be dispensed with ?
"' Answer. - This council is of opinion, that, as it is evi- dently the design of gospel-discipline to preserve or restore peace and order to the church, and, as the directions of Christ, in the 18th of Matthew, are very explicit, it must be
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
a very peculiar case to justify the omission of the first and second steps in dealing with an offender.
"' Question 2. - What is the right of the sisters of the church ? and how far may they act, according to the Scrip- ture, in the settlement of a minister, whether they belong to the town or not ?
"'Answer. - We do not consider the sisters of the church as having any right to vote in settling a minister of the gos- pel. But, as they are members of the body of Christ, and are in mutual and solemn covenant with the brethren, they have right to the communion and fellowship of the church in the means of grace and special ordinances of the gos- pel. Therefore the sisters have a right to expect the church will conscientiously seek their Christian edification in settling a minister ; and Christ will esteem it very offensive if any of his flock should be neglected or despised.
"' This council regret that the church could not feel so much of the condescending temper of Christ as to have at- tended the sitting of the council, and assisted them in ob- taining that correct information which is so needful and desirable in determining matters of such importance. Feel- ing the importance of harmony and peace in the churches, the council exhort the friends of Christ in this place to look to Almighty God for the outpouring of his spirit, that they may adopt and pursue all their measures with wisdom, and walk in all the divine statutes and ordinances blameless.
"' Done in council unanimously at Union, on the tenth and eleventh of September, 1806.
"'JOHN SAWYER, Moderator. "'E. GILLETT, Scribe.'"
The church, it seems, took no notice of the move- ment, it being evidently an ex parte affair. However, Sept. 17, they " voted to request Brothers Hill, March, and Walker to join in a mutual council to settle diffi- culties subsisting in the church,-the council to be called at some future day when the church may think proper."
To the council convened for ordination, continues Mr. Huse, -
"A memorial was presented by the three disaffected per- sons, purporting that Mr. True was not the man of their
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MUTUAL COUNCIL.
choice, &c. After attending to the objections, and ex- amining the candidate, the council unanimously voted, 'that the objections were obviated by Mr. True's confession of faith, and by answers he made to questions proposed to him.' Mr. True was ordained September, 1806. Hills, with the other two, continued their opposition to Mr. True; and Hills, in particular, made great exertions to disaffect the people toward him, especially such as he thought could be influenced by him. Hills was, after considerable time had elapsed, censured by the church1 for some of his conduct relating to Mr. True and others."
A year and a half passed. March 23, 1808, the church voted to join in a mutual council. This coun- cil convened in Union, June 29. There were present
I The records upon this subject are as follows : -
Oct. 23, 1806, the church, being convened, " voted, We feel it a duty to notice the complaints laid before the church by Nathan Blake against Brother Samuel Hills." The church met again Oct. 30, and heard the charges and Mr. Hills's defence, and adjourned to Nov. 13. Then, " after assenting to articles of grievance brought by Deacon Hawes and Brother Mitchell, voted to add to the articles of grievance the taking down of the names of men not belonging to the Congregational Society." At the adjourned meeting, Nov. 24, it was voted. "That, on account of the articles of grievance and fault, which we have laid before Brother Samuel Hills, we cannot conscien- tiously commune with him, and do therefore suspend him from our communion till we obtain satisfaction."
The " taking down of names," just mentioned, needs a word of ex- planation. The charge seems to have been that Mr. Hills went to different persons, and, without intimating his purpose, elicited from them remarks or criticisms unfavorable to Mr. True, and then took down the names of these persons as objecting to him. The paper con- taining these names was brought to the pastor elect, on the evening preceding the day when he was to give a reply to the invitation to be settled. He immediately wrote an answer in the negative. At the intermission on the Lord's Day, on the afternoon of which the answer was to be read, the purport of it became known. Great indignation was expressed ; and Mr. Huse, with whom Mr. True had an exchange, was persuaded not to read it. Some persons said they had been mis- understood by Mr. Hills, and others denied what they were charged with saying. Subsequently, as has already been mentioned in Mr. Huse's letter, Mr. True gave an affirmative reply. Mr. Hills sent to Mr. True a note, expressing an inclination to make some statements respecting affairs in town. Mr. Blake. thinking it not expedient for them to have an interview by themselves, accompanied Mr. True ; but Mr. Hills declined saying any thing upon the subject in the presence of a third person.
16*
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
the Rev. Messrs. Scott,1 of Minot; Johnson, of Belfast ; Jotham Sewall, of Chesterville; John Sawyer, of Booth- bay (the last two missionaries); Packard, of Wiscasset; Huse, of Warren; and Bayley, of Newcastle, who was "put on" in place of Rev. Mr. Gillett, of Hallowell, who was invited, but did not attend.
The church, being convened on the same day, " voted, upon the concessions of Brothers Amos Walk- er, Stephen March, and Samuel Hills, before the mu- tual council, to forgive and restore them."
The record of the council, signed by Jonathan Scott1 as moderator, and Hezekiah Packard as scribe, states that, -
" After adjusting the council to the satisfaction of the par- ties, the Rev. Mr. True was requested to exhibit the doings of the church in said town. Upon which the Rev. Mr. True produced articles of charge against their brethren, Samuel Hills, Stephen March, and Amos Walker ; and, after read- ing the same, their reply and defence was called for and ex- hibited. The council resulted as follows, viz. : After a de- liberate, patient, and impartial hearing and investigation of all matters of charge and grievance exhibited by the church against their brethren, Hills, March, and Walker, the coun- cil were happy to find, that, in consequence of explanations and concessions of the accused brethren, the church unani- mously voted they were satisfied. The church, on their part, made such explanations and concessions with regard to the charges produced by said Hills, March, and Walker, as manifested a conciliatory disposition; and we lament, that,
1 Mr. Scott was quartered on Capt. Barrett, with whom Mr. True boarded. It is said that the object was to afford Mr. Scott an oppor- tunity to elicit Mr. True's heresies. The result, however, was differ- ent. Mr. Scott found there was but little difference of sentiment. Friendly letters passed between them afterward. In one dated Oct. 6, 1808, which Mr. Scott wrote to Mr. True, he observes, "I heard your character, as a minister of the gospel, often impeached before the council when I was with you, as you know, in such sentences as these : 'He is not fit to preach the gospel ;' . We cannot be fed by his preaching, &c. &c.' But, while there was nothing specified which ex- hibited the truth and evidence of the assertions, such impeachments did not influence my judgment against you, nor lessen my esteem for you, any at all, neither then when uttered, nor in any moment since."
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CONTINUED OPPOSITION.
although a full reconciliation was truly desirable, we have not the satisfaction of seeing all matters of difficulty done away." The result concludes with several apostolical ex- hortations to the members of the church to promote peace and harmony among themselves.
"Notwithstanding this result," continues Mr. Huse in his letter, "the three members continued restless and dissatis- fied; and, in two or three weeks, they, with nine females, sent a request to the church to be dismissed, that they might join some other church, or form themselves into a new one.1 The church thought themselves unauthorized to grant their request. 2 After a few months, the before- named Sewall came into town, preached several lectures in the town, and upon the borders of adjacent towns. And, while he was with these disaffected persons, a line was sent to Rev. Mr. True, to be communicated to the [church ], signed by these persons, in which they protested against the ‘con- duct of the church, and declare that they withdraw from
1 The request was in the following words : " Brethren, you must be sensible, that we, the undersigned, members of the Congregational Church of Christ in this place, have been for a long time much tried and grieved, that we cannot enjoy Christian communion in this church, agreeable to our desires ; and, as we have made several at- tempts to have our grievances redressed, and as often failed, and now feel ourselves held as it were in bondage, therefore, brethren, we desire your consent, by vote, that we may withdraw our relation from this church, and have the liberty of joining some sister-church, or be formed into a new church, as we may think most expedient. Your compliance, we trust, will save us the trouble of another council, as we cannot feel content to remain in such a disagreeable and unhappy situation."
2 It is not improbable, that the difficulties in Union led to the following determination in the ministerial association : " Warren, Aug. 24, 1808. Voted, that to promote a more perfect union among our churches, and to form a consistory for hearing and ending all questions of discipline, which shall not be settled in each separate church, that each of our churches be invited to send a delegate with the minister to form a consociation." This proposition being brought before the church at Union, Sept. 14, it was voted unanimously to accept the above invitation, and to assist in forming a consistory.
On the same day in which the church agreed to assist in forming a consistory, they voted, " We at present deem it improper to dismiss members of a church, without recommending them, at the same time, to some other church specified in the request." This was in accord- ance with the sentiments of Mr. Scott, who stated in his letter of Oct. 6, 1808, that it would be, "in effect, to unchurch them; and such proceeding has no precedent in the New 'Testament."
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
them, exhort them to repentance, and say they should re- joice to receive any of them who should see the error of their ways, repent, and reform.'
" Directly upon this, and while Mr. Sewall was with them, they proceeded to call an ex parte council ; and, a few days previous to meeting of council, they gave Mr. True notice of what was done, requesting his attendance with the council."
RESULT OF THE COUNCIL.
" Agreeable to letters missive from the aggrieved breth- ren, formerly members of the church of Christ in Union, an ecclesiastical council was convened at the house of Mr. Samuel Hills, Feb. 15, 1809, for the purpose of attending to, and giving advice and counsel, in relation to difficulties, which have for some time past existed in the church.
"Present : Rev. Elders Kiah Bayley, John Sawyer, Jonathan Ward, Amasa Smith, Jotham Sewall, Samuel Sewall, and Jonathan Belden. Delegates : Ebenezer Hag- gett, Sewall Crosby, Moses Weymouth, Ezekiel Avery, Asa Chase, and Thomas Ring. Rev. John Sawyer was chosen moderator, and Rev. Jonathan Belden scribe.
" After prayer by the moderator, the letter missive from the aggrieved brethren was read, in which it was stated, that they had, after long waiting and many painful efforts to settle the difficulties subsisting between them and the majority of the church, finally remonstrated, protested, and withdrawn from them. Finding that the aggrieved had ac- tually separated themselves from the church, the council proceeded to inquire into the grounds and reasons of their conduct in withdrawing. Upon inquiry, the council found that difficulties had existed in the church for more than two years and a half; that, on Sept. 10, 1806, an ecclesi- astical council had been convened by the aggrieved, to give them advice respecting their difficulties ; that the following articles of grievance were laid before the council for their consideration."
Here follow the four articles already printed in the note on page 178; after which, the narrative conti- nues, -
" That no attention was paid to the advice of said council by the church.
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HILLS'S SECOND COUNCIL.
" That, on Sept. 24, 1806, the aggrieved brethren pre- sented to the council convened for the ordination of Mr. True, a remonstrance, expressing their dissatisfaction with his ministrations, and their apprehensions, that, if he was settled, they could not conscientiously attend his ministra- tions ; and that the consequence would be an unhappy sepa- ration of the church ; and that evil consequences, civil and religious, would result to this society.
" That, on Oct. 18, 1806, a complaint was brought by Mr. Blake, who was not a professor of religion, before the church, against Mr. Samuel Hills, containing several heavy charges.
" That, on Nov. 13, 1806, the church exhibited articles of complaint against Brothers March, Walker, and Hills ; and, on Nov. 24, proceeded to suspend Brother Hills from their communion.
" That, after various fruitless efforts to obtain a mutual council to settle their difficulties, the following articles of complaint were, among others, exhibited by the aggrieved against their brethren, May 10, 1808 : -
" 1. That our brethren urged us to take measures to ascertain the opposition to Mr. True, and then blamed us therefor.
"4. In bringing and acting upon charges against the brethren, without sufficient evidence.
"8. In refusing to take a vote upon an acknowledgment of one of the church, although it had been presented nearly five months.
"9. In neglecting, for more than thirteen months, to prosecute the charges brought against some of the brethren.
" 10. That our brethren have not been sufficiently cautious in ad- mitting persons occasionally to the Lord's table." 1
" That, on June 29, 1808, a mutual council was convened to attend to the difficulties existing in the church. That, after the council had heard the charges against the ag- grieved, and some explanations were given, the church voted to restore Messrs. March, Walker, and Hills.
" That the matters of complaint exhibited by the ag- grieved against the church were not settled by the council.
"That, on July 12, 1808, the aggrieved requested the church to let them withdraw their relation to the church ; but were denied their request.
"That, on Sept. 29, 1808, the following articles of com- plaint were exhibited against the church : -
1 The substance of the other articles is comprehended in the sub- sequent charges.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
" To the Rev. Henry True, to be communicated to the church.
"We, the undersigned, beg leave to state, that we feel much wounded and aggrieved by the conduct of the church.
"1. That our brethren have, in open violation of their vote, re- fused to accept of the assistance of some of the Lincoln Association, and have treated, and continue to treat, them with cold neglect.
" 2. That they have infringed the rights of some of the members of the church, in admitting a committee of the town to act with them on matters belonging exclusively to the church.
"3. That they have, in a hasty and inconsiderate manner, urged forward the settlement of Mr. True, contrary to the judgment and feelings of the major part of the brethren and sisters of the church.
"4. That our brethren have disobeyed the commands of Christ, in not taking the private steps in their discipline ; -
"5. In bringing charges against some of the brethren that had no foundation in truth ; -
"6. In allowing Mr. Blake to interfere in the discipline of the church, and using his influence with them, by pleading before them against some of their brethren ; -
" 7. In not consulting the church upon the propriety of coming to the Lord's table under existing difficulties ; -
" 8. In refusing to act upon business regularly brought before them ; -
"9. In transacting important church-business before the hour appointed for church-meeting ; several of the brethren not having arrived, and the said business not having been regularly opened to the church for their consideration, or they notified that such business was to be acted upon at a future meeting.
" SAMUEL HILLS, ·" ST. MARCH,
" In behalf of the aggrieved."
"That, on Nov. 12, 1808, the aggrieved presented a re- monstrance against the conduct of the church, in not at- tending to their complaints.
" That, on Jan. 5, 1809, the aggrieved protested against the conduct of the church, and withdrew from their com- munion.
" That, for more than two years, the aggrieved have been deprived of gospel-ordinances; and that little or no pains have been taken with the sisters, either to give them satis- faction, or to convince them of their error, if they were in one.
" While the council were investigating the business, the Rev. Mr. True and some members of the church, at the special request of the council, attended, and very candidly offered many remarks and explanations and concessions, with a view to throw light upon the subject under consid- eration, for the information of the council.
187
HILLS'S SECOND COUNCIL.
" It was earnestly recommended, both to the church and the aggrieved, that they should make an effort to settle their difficulties. And the council conversed with each party separately to see if no method could be devised for their re-union, but could not discover any way to unite them on gospel-principles.
" All hope of obtaining an object so desirable being at an end, in the view of the council, after a deliberate and atten- tive review of the difficulties submitted for their considera- tion, the council voted unanimously as follows : -
"1. That, in the opinion of this council, the subjects of complaint presented by the aggrieved against the majority are matters of real grievance.
"2. That the articles of complaint were generally supported.
"3. That the covenant-relation between the minority and major- ity of the church in this place is dissolved, in consequence of the breach of covenant on the part of the majority, and the steps taken by the minority ; - on this view of the subject, together with the con- sideration that the minority, upon close examination of their experi- ences and religious opinions, do appear to be qualified, agreeably to the rules of the gospel, to enjoy gospel-ordinances."
" And although many unhappy consequences may follow, yet this council feel themselves justified, and under indispen- sable obligation from Christ's command to feed his sheep and lambs, to assist them by forming them into a church.
" The council deeply deplore the evils that have arisen in this part of our Lord's vineyard, and lament that they should feel a necessity of taking such a painful step. They compas- sionate the deplorable state of that part of the church, whose general conduct, in relation to the subjects of complaint which have come before the council, they are constrained to disap- prove. They ardently pray that God would give them repentance unto life; and they exhort and beseech them to turn to God with all their hearts, with supplication and prayer, and to amend their ways ; to return to their brethren, and endeavor to heal the wounds they have occasioned, and build up the kingdom of Christ in this place.1
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