USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Littleton > Manual of the First Congregational Church, Littleton, N.H., issued in 1896 > Part 1
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Gc 974.202 L73li 1822065
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01096 4036
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/manualoffirstcon00litt
"Christ also loved the Church and gave himself up for it." -Eph. 5 : 25.
ORGANIZED 1803.
Manual- 1-
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ist.
The First e 0
Congregational
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Littleton, M. D.
ISSUED IN 1896.
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"Ist everyone that sameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness."
-Il Tim. = : 10.
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1822065
PRINTED BY THE WHITE MOUNTAIN REPUBLIC-JOURNAL, LITTLETON, N. H. P.1136
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Complimento c/
LITTLETON, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Palchettoi,
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EDITOR OF STATE PAPERS,
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Statement.
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At the annual meeting of the Congregational Society of Littleton, N. H., 1-96, the pastor was present and stated that the church sorely needed a mannal. Mr. John S. Renfrew volunteered to solicit the necessary funds for its publication. A committee was chosen and instructed to compile and have printed a manual of the church. This being the first printed manual of the church, it required time and much hard work to produce such a treatise as the committee designed to pub- lish. Mr. John F. Tilton has labored unceasingly in prepar- ing the papers which will be found under their proper heads. Others have given much time and willing-hearted effort to make up this volume.
Please reserve all criticism for the next manual. This work is not perfect. It has been a hard matter for your committee, out of so much and so good material, to select such portions as will be of interest and profitable. That the church needed such a guide to her affairs all will make haste to admit. It is confidently hoped that this little book will prove valua- ble history for the present constituency of the church and that it will be an inspiration to "the children's children" to keep the commandments of the Lord God.
By this written record of the fathers and mothers let the coming generation be more zealous to make even better his- tory for the eye of the future. May it come to pass that the kingdom of God shall be advanced and the reign of right- eousness be more speedily ushered in, because, "with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth . confession is made unto salvation."
JOUN S. RENFREW, JOHN F. TILTON, ELLEN J. SANGER,
Committee.
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MANUAL OF THE
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Table of Contents.
Title page, out of church, etc. Statement. Contents.
Congregationalism-History and Principles. Historical sketch.
Reception of members.
Confession of faith and covenant.
Baptism of children.
Rules and by-laws of the church.
Sunday school. Christian Endeavor Society.
Ladies' Missionary Society. Ladies' Social and Charitable Society. Church progress, table. Congregational Society.
, Pastors, ministers, deacons, clerks and treasurers. Children baptized since 1 20. List of members, date and manner of reception. Present membership by years. Blanks for future members and matters of general interest.
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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
history and principles of Congregationalism.
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The church known as the Congregational church has a rich and varied history. Among the Pilgrim Congregationalists within that precious cabin of the Mayflower were William Brewster, William Bradford, John Carver, Edward Winslow and Miles Standish. The Puritans soon followed and settled at Salem, Mass. These, too, viz., John Winthrop, John En- dicott, Thomas Hooker, John Cotton and Richard Mather, made good stuff for Congregationalism.
In 1633 Rev. John Cotton arrived from England and be- came pastor of the first church in Boston Ile may be said to be the father of American Congregationalism, as he gave to all the churches in that region the name "Congregational," a name which most happily expresses the source of its au- thority and the broadness of its faith.
The principles of this church were carly stated by the church at Serooby. It is that "each church or society of Christians * * is a body-corporate, having full power within itself to admit and exclude members; to choose and ordain officers without being accountable to classis, convocations, synods, concils or any jurisdiction whatever." Independent and free in its policy, Congregationalism gives the largest Christian liberty to the disciple and insists upon no denomi- national peculiarities as the basis of fellowship. This church was and is known in England and Wales as the Independent ยท church. Two distinguishing marks of this church are its
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high regard for education and its missionary zeal. This church holds to the absolute equality of all believers under the one headship of Jesus Christ. The local church with every member a right to a voice or a vote on every question is its highest tribunal.
The adherents of this church believe in it because of its freedom and flexibility, its breadth, its independence of any and all ecclesiastical domination, and its simplicity of church government.
We believe the scriptures teach that each individual is re- sponsible to God for his religious faith, and that all who will may approach God directly without the aid of priest, bishop or other dignitaries. The one sentiment emphasized by this church is well put in God's Book of the Law, "One is your teacher and all ye are brethren."
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historical Sketch.
BY A. S. BATCHELLOR.
In 1764, by the grant of a certain tract of land lying on the fifteen-mile falls between Lancaster, Concord, now Lisbon and Lyman, the territory since known as Littleton was first known geographically as Chiswick. This township then had no civilized inhabitants. In 1770 a new grant of the tract was made by the name of Apthorp. This super- ceded Chiswick. Apthorp was settled in the spring of 1770 by Captain Caswell. This name was continned till 1784, when the legislature, at the instance of the proprietors,. di- vided the township, giving one part the name of Littleton for Col. Moses Little, and the other Dalton for Hon. Tristram Dalton, afterwards a United States Senator from Massachusetts. No religious history of Apthorp has been transmitted. The first item in the records in regard to religious matters indicates that in 1790 Rev. Mr. Atkinson ministered to the people of the town for six months. This was probably Rev. Jonathan Atkinson, a graduate of Dartmouth in 1787. March 18, 1800, voted "to choose a committee to direct the selectmen in fixing a senter place in town to holdl town meetings and hold meet- ings for preaching." Voted "Capt. Williams, Capt. Haskins, Andrew Rankin and Mr. Robins be the committee aforesaid." In 1802 the town voted $100 for preaching. In 1>02 or 1803 Rev. John Lord preached for a while in town. The record is as follows: "March 15, 1808. Voted to allow Capt. James
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Williams his account of $7.25 for paying and boarding Rev. John Lord, a minister. Voted to allow Mr. Asa Lewis $5.00 paid to Rev. John Lord." Mr. Lord was a graduate of Dart- mouth in 1799.
The town voted in 1811 to subscribe $200 towards a house for religious worship. Moses Little, Esq., of Newbury, Mass., the principal land proprietor of the town, had offered togive two acres for a building lot. This offer was accepted, and preliminary steps were taken toward the erection of a house of worship. The house, however, was not finally completed till 1815, and it was to be ocenpied by the several denomina- tions uniting in its erection in proportion to the amount they respectively owned. The first house of worship was located near the center of the town, some two miles away from the principal place for business where the village has grown up. In 1834 another house was erected in the village, costing about $2000, and a vestry was built underneath in 1553. In 1874 the church was remodeled, both as to its exterior and interior, and assumed the appearance and conditions as now presented. The present commodious chapel was erected in 1883. The modern parsonage on High street was built in 1888 at a cost of about $6000, and is the only one ever owned by the society.
The Congregational Church was organized in 1803 by Rev. David Goodall, a citizen of the town, and Rev. Asa Carpen- ter, pastor of the church in Waterford, Vt. At its organiza- tion it consisted of about ten members. A few others were soon added, but, having no pastor and enjoying but little ministerial labor, its growth was very slow. In 1820, the time of the settlement of the first pastor, it numbered 35. At the present time the resident and non-resident members in full standing are 234. The whole number that have been connected with the church cannot be accurately given, bat, it. is not far from 700. (For Pastors and Officers sce table.)
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Reception of Members.
The first Covenant and Articles of Faith was adopted by the church about the year 1820. After eleven articles of faith are given they finish with the following statement: "Although the foregoing articles express our present views of some of the most important doctrines of the gospel, yet we feel bound to take the word of God as our rule of faith and practice; not to rest on present attainments but to search the scriptures daily for further light and instruction." After the covenant the following is added : "This our covenant we consider not as creating obligations one toward another, but expressive of the views we have of our obligations as mem- bers of Christ's body of our intentions to walk according to the will of Christ and to promote the interest of his kingdom in this world."
The next covenant was adopted by the church January 22, 1840, "to be read publicly to those presenting themselves for admission to the church." This covenant underwent a few verbal changes in 1873, and continued to be the creed of the church till 1889, when the following was adopted :
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Confession of faith and Covenant.
UPON RECEPTION INTO MEMBERSHIP.
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As the minister read, the names of candidates they shall present themselves be- fore the pulpit, both those coming upon confession and those bringing letters from other churches. Receiving them with such words of Scripture as he may choose, he shall say :
The Lord Jesus Christ has said, "Whosoever shall confess mne before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in heaven." Such confession let us now make, whether for the first time or in renewal of earlier vows.
Confession of Faitb.
I believe in one living and true God, Creator, Preserver, and ruler of all things; absolute in power, glorious in holi- ness, plenteous in mercy and truth.
In the Father Almighty, Lord of an infinite majesty, whose commandment is holy and just and good: who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son for its redemption;
And in Jesus Christ His Son, our Lord, who was in the beginning with God and was God; who became man, and suffered on the eross to take away the sin of the world; He arose from the dead, ascended up on high, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father, whence He shall come to judge the world in righteousness, that every one may receive the things done in the body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad:
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And in the Holy Ghost, the Comforter, Lord and Giver of Life, through whom alone we are renewed, sanctified, and kept unto eternal life; by whose inspiration the Scriptures were given; who, with the Father and the Son, together one God, is supremely to be worshiped and glorified, world with- out end.
Before Almighty God I humbly acknowledge my guiltiness, and casting myself upon His infinite mercy and goodness I trust for the forgiveness of sins, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I believe in one church on earth and in heaven; in one baptism of water and of the Spirit; in the communion of the body and blood of Christ; and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting : AMEN.
The Minister shall then say :
Hear the words of our Lord Jesus: "Go ye therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."
To those baptized In infancy :
You who in childhood were brought into God's covenant with believing parents, do now accept their act as your bap- tism, declaring your belief that the regeneration thereby symbolized has been wrought in your souls by the Holy Ghost?
They assent. To any not baptized :
You who have never been privileged to receive the out- ward seal of the covenant, trusting that your hearts have been renewed and that God has adopted you as children of His grace, will now receive the symbol of your faith in baptism. .
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Candidates shall kneel in turn to receive the rite.
Accepting with heartfelt belief these great truths of the glorious gospel of the blessed God, you do now reverently and joyfully enter into covenant with Him and with this church.
Covenant.
You do seriously, deliberately, and forever, give up your- selves in faith and love and holy obedience to God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, to live not for the world but for Him who hath redeemed you to Himself. You engage that, abiding henceforth in Him, you will strive to cultivate within you the fruits of the Spirit, faithfully seek- ing His promised aid in holy ordinances, in the study of the Word, in sanctifying the Lord's day, and calling upon Him in prayer.
You accept the watch and care of this church. You prom- ise to study its purity and peace; to love and help its memi- bers as brethren; to attend and to contribute to the support of its worship; till we all come, in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
Thus you covenant with God and with us?
We, then, the members of this church, do joyfully receive you into our fellowship and communion, and give thanks to God who hath inclined your heart to fear His name. We promise to treat you with affection, to watch over you with tenderness, and to offer our prayers to the great Head of the church that you may be enabled to fulfill this solemn covenant.
The Minister shall say :
And now, beloved, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the prophets and apostles, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone.
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Here all bow the head in prayer.
For this cause we make supplication unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His spirit in the inner man; that Christ may.dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.
The Lord bless you and keep yon; the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.
Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present yon faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Here the minister in behalf of the church will give to each the right hand of fellowship.
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Baptism of Children.
(Parents desiring to have their children baptized are requested to bring them, if convenient, on Communion Sabbath. They are also requested to give the pastor suitable notice, together with the child's name and date of birth.)
In presenting this child for baptism, you profess your faith in the covenant made by God with Abraham, ratified by Christ, and perpetuated under the Christian dispensation. As Abraham, the father of the faithful, entered into covenant with God, and his seed after him, so do you now covenant with him in the dedication of this child to his service. You hereby engage to be faithful to your parental relations; to pray for and with this child; to instruct him (her) in the doctrines and duties of our holy religion; to set an example of godliness before him (her); and to endeavor, by all the means of divine appointment, relying much upon the gracious influences of the Holy Spirit, to prepare him (her) for full admission to the visible church on earth, and the church tri- umphant in heaven.
Jesus said, "suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God." And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. *
BAPTISM.
PRAYER.
. Mark 10: 14, 16.
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Rules and JBy - Laws.
I.
The officers of the church shall be a pastor, the deacons, clerk, treasurer, auditor, Sunday school superintendent and standing committee.
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The pastor shall be chosen by the church, the society con- curring. Ile shall be a member of the church, shall have the charge of the pulpit and be the moderator of its meetings. It shall be his duty to watch over the spiritual interests of the church, to preach the gospel, to administer the ordinances, attend to the religions instruction of his flock, to plan the church work, to set them to work and to watch over them in the work.
III.
The deacons shall be four in number. Their term of ser- vice shall be four years. They shall be so elected that there shall be but one natural vacaney in a year. It shall be their duty to assist in the administration of the sacraments, to minister to such of the congregation as are in affliction, to bear to the needy ones of the church the church's aid, and to provide for the conduct of the devotional meetings in the absence of the pastor, and in general to assist in the spiritual care of the congregation.
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IV.
The clerk shall be chosen annually and serve for one year. The clerk shall keep the records of the church, together with the important historical facts and statistics of the church; issue letters of dismission by direction of the church, and report to the church at the annual meeting a detailed account of the progress and life of the church for the year.
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The treasurer shall be chosen annually and serve for one year. The office of the treasurer shall be to receive and keep the money of the church and pay it out at the order of the standing committee: take charge of the benevolent contribu- tions and disburse them to authorized receivers whose order or receipt shall be for vouchers, and shall report at the annual meeting.
VI.
The auditor shall be chosen annually and serve one year. He shall audit the accounts of the treasurer and report at the annual meeting.
VII.
The Sunday school superintendent shall be chosen annually by the pastor, deacons, and teachers of the school as electors in accordance with the constitution, and serve for one year. He or she shall be the responsible head of the Sunday school and shall make detailed reports to the church at the annual meeting of the church of its progress and life for the year.
VIII.
The standing committee shall consist of the pastor, who shall be its chairman, the deacons, clerk, superintendent of the Sunday school, president of the Christian Endeavor So- ciety, and two other members of the church chosen annually by the church to serve for one year.
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It shall be the duty of this committee to examine applicants for admission to the church, to supervise matters of discipline and propose and bring before the church such cases as may require its action, to aid the clerk in revising the roll of membership, to recommend annually to the church a plan of systematic beneficence, to promote as far as possible the sys- tematie activity and highest efficiency of the church. They shall keep a record of the proceedings and report annually to the church. The regular meeting of the committee shall be on the first Monday evening of each month.
Membership in the church requires credible evidence of evangelical christian faith and character. Each member has equal and essential rights, powers and privileges, and is under equal obligation with every other member according to his or her ability to promote the temporal and spiritual interests of the church. Persons desiring to unite with the church on profession of faith shall at an appointed time meet the stand- ing committee. who shall report to the church at a regular or special meeting its action, giving the names of such as in their judgment are worthy to become members of the church.
Persons desiring to unite with the church by letter shall present their letter to the standing committee, who will ex- amine the case and if no objection is found recommend the person named in the letter to the church for its action ; when accepted by vote of the church they shall be received to membership in full on their publie assent to the covenant of this church. The names of all persons proposing to unite with the church shall be announced from the pulpit the Sun- day preceding the communion, or in special cases on the Sunday of the communion. ( Any not approved by the standing committee have the right of appeal to the church.)
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All accepted by vote of the church become members by giving their public assent to the confession of faith and covenant at the communion.
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Letters of dismission to another church may be applied for through the pastor or clerk at any church prayer meeting, and if granted by the church shall be issued by the clerk before the end of the following week. The dismission, how- ever, shall not be recorded as complete until a certificate has been returned from the church to which the letter was addressed.
XI.
Members of the church having removed to another place, and there making a home. are advised to take a letter to join some church. If they do not withdraw within a year they shall be reminded of their duty by the pastor or clerk. If they do not respond to this letter, nor to the invitation to be present at the annual fellowship meeting, nor notify some one to answer to their name at the roll call, nor send a letter giving reasons for absence, their names shall be presented to the standing committee and by them to the church for its action. -
XII.
Baptism of infants may be administered at any public service of the church. The church urges upon christian parents the observance of a rite that is the seal of the cov- enant which God extends to the children of believers and by which such children are brought into very close relations to the church, becoming the special subjects of religious influ- ence, consecration and prayer.
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XIII.
There shall be an annual fellowship meeting in the month of November, the date to be determined by the standing com- mittee. All members shall be notified by printed program, and they are expected to respond to their names at roll call, either in person or by letter. This applies to members who live in town and to non-resident members. There shall be a supper in connection with the annual fellowship meeting.
XIV.
The annual meeting for hearing reports from all depart- ments of church work, for election of officers and for other business shall be held in the month of November at such time and place as the standing committee shall designate. At this meeting the general welfare of the church shall be dis- cussed. All officers chosen at this meeting shall enter upon their duties on the first day of January following the election of said officers.
XV.
Special meetings for business may be called by the pastor or the standing committee; any five members can call a business meeting by a written request therefor. All meet- ings for business, including the annual meeting shall be an- nouneed from the pulpit on the Sunday preceding the same. At any regular prayer meeting of the church letters of dis- mission may be granted, steps of discipline inaugurated, the admission of new members voted upon, delegates chosen to represent the church at councils or conventions, and any ac- tion taken with reference to the spiritual welfare of the church, but no other business shall be transacted.
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XVI.
The term of service of all officers and committees in all de- partments of church work shall end with the official year of the same-but all incumbents shall continue in office until their successors are appointed. All retiring officers and com- mittees whose reports are not otherwise ordered will make report of their services at the annual meeting, either through their chairman or the pastor.
XVII.
All elections shall be by ballot and shall be determined by ballot, and shall be determined by a majority of the votes east, except in case of deacons, to whose election a two-thirds vote is necessary.
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