USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampstead > A memorial history of Hampstead, New Hampshire, Congregational Church 1752-1902, Volume II > Part 10
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The following order of exercises were carried ont :
Organ Voluntary. Anthem.
Statement of the Moderator.
Minutes of the Council, by Rev. R. C. Drisko, scribe.
Invocation, by Rev. P. Easterbrook.
Scripture Reading, Rev. J. G. Robertson.
Ilymn.
Sermon, Rev. Dr. Geo. HI. Reed of North Church, Haverhill, Mass. Anthem.
Prayer of installation, Rev. T. C. Pratt.
Response, " Hear my prayer."
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
Charge to the pastor, Rev. A. J. MeKeon.
Right hand of fellowship. Rev. R. C. Drisko.
Anthem.
Address to the people. Rev. Albert Watson.
Hymn and benediction by pastor elect, Rev. R. P. Gardner.
At the communion service held June 3, 1898, Rev. R. P. Gardner, in behalf of Mrs. Mary J. Fellows, presented to the church a new individual communion service, in memory of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard K. Brickett, which was accepted by the church with grateful appreciation.
Sunday, August 4, 1901, Rev. Rufus P. Gardner read his letter of resignation to the people, having been elected to assume the duties of superintendent, and Mrs. Gardner as matron of the New Hampshire State Orphans' Home at Franklin, N. H., his resignation to take effect Sept. 16, 1901.
August 8, 1901, the resignation was regretfully accepted, a council of dismissal not to be called until a successor was installed as pastor of the church.
The clerk read the following letter :-
" Dear People :- Will you allow us to present to you a new com- munion table to take the place of the table that has been used.
Sincerely yours, REv. and MRS. RUFUS P. GARDNER, MISS ADDIE B. and MASTER HAROLD P. GARDNER.
The gift was kindly acknowledged.
EIGHTH PASTORATE.
A call by the church and society was extended to Rev. Walter II. Woodsum of Bath, N. H., to become the eighth pastor, January 24, 1902, to date from the following April 1.
Invitations were sent, April 15, requesting the attendance of the reverend pastor or acting pastor, with a delegate, to meet at the church, 29th inst., to act in respect to the dis- missal of Rev. Rufus P. Gardner and to assist in the instal-
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lation of Rev. W. II. Woodsum. The churches and individ- uals invited were as follows : The Congregational churches of Chester, Candia, East Derry, Atkinson, Kingston, Salem, Bath, First of Nashua, Union of East Hampstead, Congre- gational of Plaistow and North Haverhill, and North Church in Haverhill, Mass., with the Rev. Albert Watson of Wind- ham, Rev. T. C. Pratt of Candia, Rev. Andrew Gibson of Boscawen, Rev. A. B. Howard of Danville, Rev. L. N. Fogg of West Hampstead, and Rev. Myron P. Dickey of Milton.
The council convened at 10 o'clock, April 29, 1902. Rev. R. P. Gardner was dismissed from the pastorate. At one o'clock the following programme was enjoyed, and Rev. Walter H. Woodsum installed as pastor :-
1. Organ voluntary, by Mrs. Frank W. Emerson.
2. Anthem, by the choir, William II. Davis, leader.
3. Preliminary statement, by the moderator.
4. Reading of the minutes of the Council, by the scribe.
5. Invocation, by Theodore C. Pratt, Candia.
6. Reading of the Scriptures.
7. Anthem, by the choir.
8. Sermon, by Rev. Cyrus Richardson, D. D., Nashua. whose text was from Gal. 5: 1, and Ileb. 13: 7, the last clause from Revised Version; topic. " A Congregational Esprit de Corps." treated under two heads. 1. How is this spirit acquired ? 2, Ilow is it manifested? Especial em- phasis was put upon the importance of getting and maintaining our historical bearings, and upon the necessity of keeping our churches in vital touch with each other.
9. Prayer of installation, by Rev. James G. Robertson, Chester.
10. Response, by the choir.
11. Charge to the pastor, by Rev. Albert Watson, Windham.
12. Right hand of fellowship, by Rev. William T. Bartley, Salem.
13. Hymn 679, by the congregation.
14. Charge to the people, by Rev. Rufus P. Gardner. Franklin.
15. Greeting to the people, by Rev. A. B. Howard, Danville.
16. Greeting to the pastor, by Rev. Lewis N. Fogg, West Hampstead.
17. Reception into the fellowship of the church, Rev. and Mrs. Wal- ter II. Woodsum and Mrs. Mary W. Thomas, by the moderator, by vote of the church.
18. Duet, Mrs. Albert II. Little and Miss Mary G. Davis.
19. Concluding prayer, by Rev. John S. Curtis. Candia.
20. Flymn 425, by the congregation.
21. Benediction, by the pastor.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
The following manual was approved Oct. 2, 1902:
ARTICLES OF FAITH. I.
We believe in the One Living and Personal God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of all things and Preserver of same.
II.
We believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, in whom dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, who became flesh and dwelt among us, taking upon Himself our nature, suffered and died for our sins, Ile rose again from the dead and ascended into heaven, where Hle sitteth an Intercessor at the right hand of God, until He shall come again to judge the world in righteousness.
III.
We believe in the Holy Ghost or Spirit, the Lord and giver of life. who is our Comforter, Guide, and Instructor, who operates on men, dead in trespasses and sin, to quicken them to repentance and faith; who wit- nesses to our hearts that we are the sons of God, and empowers us to rise into the full stature of men in Christ Jesus.
IV.
We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God, and are the only authoritative reve- lation of God, and the only sufficient rule for our faith and practice.
V.
We believe that, according to the Scriptures, God made man upright and in His own image, but that he voluntarily departed from his Maker by transgression, and consequently plunged, not only himself, but all his progeny, into a state of sin and alienation from God.
VI.
We believe that the depravity of man argues the necessity of regener- ation in order to become a fit subject for the kingdom of God, that when he is born again, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, but of God, he is viewed righteous before God only on account of the merit of our Lord Jesus Christ.
VII.
We believe that Christ has a church militant, and for its benefits hath appointed the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper, to be ob- served in His church, in remembrance of Him, till He comes the second time without sin unto salvation.
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VIII.
Finally we believe there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and of the unjust, the righteous to life eternal, but the wicked to everlasting punishment.
THE COVENANT.
In the presence of God, angels and men. we avoneh the Lord Jehovah to be our God. the object of our supreme affection and our protection forever. We cordially acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ in all His mediatorial offices, Prophet. Priest and King, as our only Lord and Saviour and final Judge: and the Holy Spirit as our Sanetifier, Com- forter and Guide. We humbly and cheerfully devote ourselves to God in the everlasting covenant of His grace, eleaving to Him as our chief good, consecrating our faculties and powers to Ilis service and glory. We unreservedly covenant and promise through the help of divine grace, without which we can do nothing. that we will give diligent attention to the word and ordinances of God and to prayer: that we will seek the honor of His name and the interests of Ilis kingdom: and that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we will live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. We cordially join ourselves to this church as a true church of Jesus Christ, promising subjection to its rules and discipline, and solemnly covenanting to strive, as much as in us lies, to promote its peace, purity. edification and prosperity, and to walk with its members in christian love, faithfulness, watchfulness, meekness and sobriety.
Trusting in the grace of God, do you thus covenant and engage with us?
FORM OF ADMISSION INTO THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE CHURCH.
The candidates rise, and are addressed by the pastor as follows, or to similar purport :-
Belored-You present yourselves, in this publie manner, to confess Jesus Christ before men. and to unite with His Visible Church. The confession you now make, and the engagements into which you now enter, are of the most solemn moment. May the God of all grace, who hath called you unto ITis eternal glory, by Christ Jesus, strengthen you. and give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe.
Ye are not come unto the mount that burned with fire. But ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto the eity of the living God. the heaven- ly Jerusalem; and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born which are written in heaven, and
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
to God the Judge of all, and to Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the new covenant.
Faithful is Ile that calleth you. who also will do it.
[The Confession of Faith of the church is now read.]
Do you heartily join with us in the substance of this confession, and profess your belief of these things?
You will now enter into covenant with God and with this church.
[The covenant of the church is now read.]
Trusting in the grace of God. do you thus covenant and engage?
In consequence of these confessions and engagements we, the mem- bers of this church [here the members of the church rise] affectionately receive you into our holy fellowship in full communion, and promise, in the strength of divine grace, to watch over you and seek your editi- cation with Christian affection and tenderness as long as you shall con- tinne with ns.
And now, beloved in the Lord, the vows of God are upon you. Hav- ing put on Christ, let it be your care to walk in Him, henceforth, in newness of life. There are given unto you exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature. Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of Ilis might. Take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand in the evil day. Be faithful unto death, and you shall receive a crown of life.
Now unto Ilim that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you 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.
FORM OF PUBLIC CONSECRATION OF CHILDREN.
The name of the child is to be given to the pastor in writing, with the date of birth, and also the names of its parents.
The children are presented, while some of the following, or similar, selections of Seriptures are read :-
The merey of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and Ilis righteousness unto children's children; to such as keep llis covenant, and to those that remember Ilis commandments to do them .- Ps. cili : 17, 18.
The children of Thy servants shall continne, and their seed shall be established before Thee .- Ps. cit : 28.
I will pour My spirit upon thy seed, and My blessing upon thine off- spring .- Isa. rlic : 3.
For the promise is unto you and to your children .- Acts ii : 39.
Jesus said, suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not. for of such is the kingdom of heaven .- Matt. xix : 14.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house .- Acts rci : 31.
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HAMPSTEAD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
And when she had weaned him, she took him and brought him to the house of the Lord. And she said, for this chill I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Ilim; therefore, also, I have returned him whom I have obtained (marginal rendering) to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord. And the child did minister unto the Lord. and grew before the Lord .- I Sam. i: 24, 27, 28, and ii : 11, 21.'
Fathers bring your children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord .- Eph. ri: 4.
Catechise a child in his way (marginal rendering), and when he is old he will not depart from it .- Prot. rrii: 6.
I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. - II Tim. i: 12.
[To the child.] God grant that, from a child you may know the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus .- II Tim. ill : 15.
Then follows prayer.
Administration of the rite-addressing the parents-Do you hereby honestly and sincerely, believing that you are thns commanded to do by the Lord, conseerate this, your child, unto God, to be llis eternally, believing that he accepts this, your gift, which is holy and acceptable in His sight, and considering your child as a holy trust committed unto yon of the Lord, you do here promise to lead them in the ways of right- eonsness, and that they are the Lord's, bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?
Then the minister places his hands, moistened in clean water from the font (a symbol of cleansing), upon the head of the child, and makes presentation of the child unto the Lord by consecrating it in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost-Amen.
Following with the concluding prayer.
PRINCIPLES AND RULES OF ORDER.
OF THE CHURCH. I.
This church desires to be conformed as far as possible to the order and discipline of the Apostolic churches, as set forth in the New Tes- tament.
II.
We believe that Congregationalism is that system of church govern- ment in which the Scriptures are recognized as the only authoritative guide respecting church order and discipline, and which maintains that, according to the Scriptures, a church is a company of confessed Chris-
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tians, who, having covenanted and associated together to worship God and to celebrate religious ordinances, are authorized to elect necessary officers, to make by-laws, to discipline offending members, and to act authoritatively and conclusively upon all appropriate business, inde- pendently of the control of any person or persons whatever; at the same time we appreciate the privileges and recognize the duties which belong to the communion of the several congregations of believers. We extend to other churches holding the common faith and maintaining the com- mon order, and receive from them the fellowship and counsel which the New Testament requires: and we seek the promotion of peace and charity with all churches of our Lord. Jesus Christ.
OF THE OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH.
Il1.
The officers of this church shall consist of a pastor, deacons, clerk, treasurer, and superintendent of the Sunday school, who, together with so many other members, not less than two, as may be determined at each annual meeting for the year ensuing, shall constitute the standing committee.
IV.
1. The pastor of this church shall be a member of it and its standing moderator.
2. In the absence of the pastor, or when church action respecting him is to be taken, the deacon senior in office, who is present, shall preside, unless three members request a moderator be chosen by ballot, when it shall be done.
B. When a pastor is to be chosen, the name of the person proposed shall be presented at least one week before he can be voted for.
4. The vote shall be by ballot.
5. The votes of two-thirds of the members qualified to vote, present and voting at a meeting duly notified for this purpose, shall be neces- sary to constitute an election.
6. No one shall become pastor of this church who does not assent to its confession of faith and covenant.
V.
1. To the deacons, according to seniority in office, pertains the office of moderator, when necessary: that of assisting in the administration of the Lord's supper, and of aiding the pastor generally in the spiritual care of the church.
2. The number of deacons shall be determined from time to time.
3. Their term of office shall be the number of years that they are deacons, so elected that the term of office of one shall expire each year and a new one be elected each year for the full term.
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4. When a deacon is to be chosen to fill a vacancy, the standing eom- mittee shall give notice of the proposed election at least one week before the vote shall be taken.
5. The vote shall be by ballot.
6. The votes of two-thirds of the members qualified to vote, present and voting, at a meeting duly notified for this purpose, shall be neces- sary to constitute an election.
VI.
The standing committee shall examine all applicants for admission to the fellowship of the church and present to it a report of the names of such as they approve, candidates whom they may not approve having the right to appeal to the whole church.
This committee shall also act as a committee of preliminary inquiry in all cases of discipline, and the church will listen to no such case not presented to it by them, except in the way of appeal from their decis- ion. This committee shall also have a general oversight of the affairs of the church, and shall present a report of the conditions of the church and the doings of the committee at each annual meeting.
VII.
The clerk shall keep the records of the church and shall present his records of each church meeting for approval to the standing committee, at their meeting next succeeding that church meeting, whose approval, entered by the chairman on its face, shall validate the records.
VIII.
The treasurer shall have charge of all moneys of the church, and make report at each annual meeting.
IX.
The superintendent of the Sunday school shall have the general over- sight of the affairs of the school, and make report of its conditions. doings and prospects at each annual meeting.
The superintendent, assistant superintendent and the superintendents of the various departments of the Sunday school, together with the pastor, shall appoint the secretary, the treasurer, the librarian, and any other necessary officers of the Sunday school, who. together with the superintendents and the pastor. shall constitute a board of government for the school. Plans for raising money and all expenditure of same shall first be submitted to the board of government for their approval. They shall also seek to promote the good and well-being of the Sunday school generally.
XI.
Other officers and committees may be chosen for the convenient ordering of affairs. as the church may see fit.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCHI.
XII.
1. The qualifications for membership are: First, evidence of repen- tance and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ: and, second, assent in sub- stance to the confession of faith and covenant of the church; and all persons uniting with the church shall sign its confession of faith, cove- nant, and rules and by-laws, with their full name, in a book kept for that purpose.
2. All candidates for admission into the church shall be examined by the standing committee.
3. If approved, they shall be propounded to the church at least one week before the vote is to be taken on their reception.
4. Such as have been approved by vote of the church and have been publicly admitted into membership, shall be " members in good and regular standing."
XIII.
1. Members of this church removing from its neighborhood will be expected to take letters of dismission and recommendation to the church with which they worship within one year, or render satisfactory excuse for not doing so, and communicate annually to the church their desire to retain their membership and those who neither take their letters within one year, nor yet communicate once a year their desire to retain their membership, shall have letters of dismission and recommendation as " members in good and regular standing " only to the date of their departure from this place, and their names shall be placed on the " re- tired list, " under the direction of the standing committee.
2. Letters of dismission and recommendation are valid for six months only from their date; dismission shall take effect when notice is received of the reception of the applicant by another church.
3. No letter of dismission and recommendation shall be given by this church except to an individual church of evangelical faith, to be speci- tied in the letter.
XIV.
1. Members of this church who have absented themselves from its worship or ordinances for one year without rendering satisfactory excuse, shall not be considered " members in good and regular stand- ing." and their names shall be placed on the "retired list," under the direction of the standing committee, as long as such habitual absence continues.
2. Members whose names are on the "retired list " shall not vote in business meetings of the church.
3. The church censures are: admonition, suspension from church privileges, and excommunication.
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4. As this church regards the object of its discipline and censures to be two-fold, as much for the restoration of the offender as for the justi- fication of the body, it hereby declares its judgment that the acts of "suspension from church privileges," or "excommunication," while they cut off their subject from all church privileges, do not cut him off from any church duty, or from all church relation, leaving him not a member, but a disfranchised member of the spiritual body corporate, as such it will always pray and labor for his return; and the clerk shall keep a record of the names of all from whom the church has withdrawn its communion.
5. This church regards the rule laid down by our Lord in Matthew xviii: 15-17, to be the regular course of procedure in all cases of disci- pline.
OF THE ORDINANCES OF WORSHIP. XV.
1. The meetings for public worship shall be at such times, and the order of service shall be so arranged as the church may direct.
2. The sacrament of the Lord's supper shall be administered usually on the first Sabbath of every other month, commencing with JJanuary.
3. The admission of members and public consecration of children shall ordinarily be at the same season.
4. A prayer meeting shall be held ordinarily on Thursday evening of each week.
5. The meeting next previous to the Lord's supper shall be prepara- tory to that sacrament.
6. Other meetings may be appointed from time to time by the church.
BUSINESS AND ANNUAL MEETINGS, ELECTIONS, ETC.
XVI.
1. Business may be legally done at the elose of any regular meeting of the church.
2. A special business meeting may be called at any time, when in the opinion of the standing committee it is expedient, or shall be called on the written application to the pastor, or in his absence or refusal, to the deaeon senior in office, of five members.
3. Special business shall always be notified from the pulpit the Sabbath previous, or in exigencies where greater haste is expedient, by written or personal notice served upon every resident member and the object of the meeting specified.
4. Members of the church only are entitled to vote upon business before it.
5. All business meetings should be opened with prayer.
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CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
XVII.
1. The annual meeting of the church shall be held just previous to the first Sunday in January, on such day as the standing committee may appoint.
2. At the annual meeting the church shall elect necessary officers, vote on the collections for the ensuing year for missionary and benevo- lent purposes, and act on any other business that may be presented to it at that time.
3. The order of business at the annual meeting shall be as follows :-
1. Reading of the Scriptures and prayer.
2. Roll call.
3. Reading of records of last annual meeting.
4. Choice of deacon for full term by ballot.
5. Choice of clerk for ensuing year by ballot.
6. Report of treasurer and auditor.
7. Action thereon.
8. Choice of treasurer for ensuing year by ballot.
9. Choice of auditor for ensuing year by ballot.
10. Report of standing committee.
11. Action thereon-when necessary.
12. Fixing the number of standing committee for the ensuing year.
13. Choice of standing committee by ballot.
14. Report of the superintendents of the Sunday school.
15. Choice of superintendents by ballot.
16. Unfinished business.
17. New business.
18. Prayer and adjournment.
IN GENERAL.
XVIII.
No alteration shall be made in these rules except at a regular meet- ing of the church, after notice of the exact nature of the proposed change at a regular meeting of the church at least one week previous, and by vote of three-fourths of the members qualified to vote, present and voting. This rule shall not, however, be so construed as to forbid the suspension of any rule for a single meeting, provided the church shall see fit unanimously to order such suspension.
PASTORS, 1752-1902.
Rev. Henry True, June 3, 1752, to May 22, 1782. Rev. John Kelly, Dec. 5, 1792, to Oct. 12, 1836.
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Rev. John M. C. Bartley, Oct. 12, 1836, to Dec. 9. 1859. Rev. Theodore C. Pratt, June 11, 1859, to Jan. 6, 1870. Rev. Ebenezer W. Bullard. Dec. 14, 1870, to Oct. 25, 1875. Rev. Albert Watson, March 23, 1876, to June 11, 1893. Rev. Rufus P. Gardner. Nov. 1, 1893, to Sept. 16, 1901. Rev. Walter H. Woodsum, April 29, 1902.
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