USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Plymouth > Historical sketch, articles of faith and covenant, principles and rules, and catalogue of members, past and present : of the Congregational Church, Plymouth, N.H > Part 4
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A meeting-house was erected in 1767. It was of logs, 40 feet by 50, and stood facing south, a few rods south of the present road, at the foot of Meeting-house hill, having the stocks and whipping-post in the rear.
This house was burnt by an incendiary in Nov., 1787, for the purpose, no doubt, of hastening the work on the new house, the frame of which had just been raised. In this second house, on the top of the hill, the fathers worshipped God for fifty years, and very hallowed associations cluster around it. It continued to be used as a town-house till 1865, when it was sold at auction. A bell was provided Nov. 12, 1827.
The present house of worship was dedicated Dec., 1836, and first occupied on the Sabbath, Jan. 1, 1837. The chapel was built in 1851.
Mr. Ward's pastorate continued until Jan. 4, 1798, and he resided in town until his death, June 15, 1804. After Mr. Ward's dismission, Mr. Daniel Hardy, a graduate and recent
7
Historical Sketch.
tutor in Dartmouth college, preached " off and on " for six months, and was invited to become pastor. But he declined the call, and spent most of his life in teaching.
The next year Mr. Drury Fairbank accepted the call of the church, and was ordained Jan. 8, 1800. He was a native of Holliston, Mass., born Oct. 13, 1772 ; graduated at Brown University in 1797, and studied theology with Dr. Emmons. His pastorate continued until March 18, 1818. He removed the next year to Littleton, where, after a pastorate of sixteen years, he continued to reside, and died Jan. 11, 1853.
Rev. Jonathan Ward succeeded Mr. Fairbank, and, with- out installation, served the church as acting pastor eleven years. He was a son of the first pastor, born Aug. 24, 1767 ; graduated at Dartmouth college, in 1792, and also studied theology with Dr. Emmons.
His previous and only pastorate was in Alna, Me., of twenty years. After leaving Plymouth, he preached in Brentwood three and a half years, and in various places for shorter periods. He died in Brentwood, Feb. 24, 1860.
Rev. James Hobart, another son of this church, and the first male child born in town, Aug. 2, 1766, labored here for six months after Mr. Ward left. He had just been dismissed from a successful ministry of thirty years in Berlin, Vt., which continued to be his home during many subsequent years of labor among the churches of Vermont and New Hampshire. He died July 16, 1862, aged ninety-six years.
Mr. George Punchard was born in Salem, Mass., June 7, 1806. He was graduated from Dartmouth college in 1826, and studied theology at Andover. He was ordained pas- tor of this church, March 11, 1830, and dismissed March 6, 1844. In the spring of 1842 his health and voice failed, and he was absent six months. Returning, he was still unable to perform pastoral service, and in March, 1843, the church, declining to accept his resignation, gave him leave of absence
8
Historical Sketch.
again for a year, and contributed to his expense for a voyage to Europe. He was never able to resume ministerial service, but found useful employment in editing the Boston Traveller, serving the American Tract Society as its Boston secretary, and in elaborating the History of Congregationalism, the first edition of which, as well as his standard "View of Congrega- tionalism," was written in Plymouth. He died April 2, 1880.
During Mr. Punchard's disability and after his dismission, Rev. Enoch Corser supplied the pulpit a year or more, and Rev. John U. Parsons, for some months.
Rev. William Reed Jewett was installed June 25, 1845. He was born in Rockport, Mass., Sept. 12, 1811, graduated at Amherst in 1831, and Andover, 1834, and had been pas- tor in Griswold, Conn., six years. His ministry continued until July 11, 1862. He was installed again at Fisherville, Sept. 16, 1863; dismissed Sept. 10, 1874, and died Aug. 26, 1882.
Rev. Henry Allen Hazen was born in Hartford, Vt., Dec. 27, 1832; graduated at Dartmouth in 1854, and Andover, 1857 ; ordained for Home Missionary service in Vermont at St. Johnsbury, Feb. 17, 1858, and installed pastor at Ply- mouth, Jan. 21, 1863; dismissed July 15, 1868. In 1867 a new manual was published edited by Mr. Hazen, who prepared a valuable chronological list of the members.
Rev. Cyrus Richardson was ordained pastor Sept. 30, 1869, and dismissed May 1, 1873. During his ministry extensive improvements were made on the church, and a valuable pipe- organ procured.
Rev. Geo. H. Scott was ordained pastor Sept. 3, 1873, and dismissed Sept. 9, 1881. In 1874 the parsonage was built.
Rev. Henry Porter Peck was ordained pastor June 1, 1882, and dismissed Sept. 16, 1889. The present pastor, Rev. Frank G. Clark, was installed Jan. 2, 1890.
9
Historical Sketch.
The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was organized Aug. 10, 1886.
The first basis of doctrinal belief of which we have any record is in the form of a covenant, dated Oct. 22, 1799, but was, probably, the original covenant of the church. April 26, 1816, " Articles of Faith and Practice, together with a short covenant," were adopted. These articles were modified and simplified, without changing the essential doctrines, May 11, 1830, Dec. 1, 1864, and Oct. 30, 1890.
Reception of Members.
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
1. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by inspiration of God, and are the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
2. We believe that there is one only living and true God, mysteriously subsisting in three persons,-Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
3. We believe that God is perfect in all His attributes, unchangeable in His purposes, and universal in His provi- dence, maintaining a righteous government over the universe, and working all things after the counsel of His own will.
4. We believe that man has fallen from the state of per- fection in which he was originally created, and that now all men are by nature destitute of holiness and prone to sin.
5. We believe that regeneration is effected by the agency of the Holy Spirit, and that except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
6. We believe that the Son of God became incarnate, and by His sufferings and death on the cross, the just for the unjust, has made a full atonement for sin, so that God can now be just and justify him that believeth; and that pardon and eternal life are fully, freely, and sincerely offered to all men on the condition of repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
7. We believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust, and a Day of Judgment ;
11
Reception of Members.
and that the wicked will go away into everlasting punish- ment, but the righteous into life eternal.
8. We believe that God has appointed one day in seven to be kept holy unto Him, and that from the resurrection of Christ, the first day of the week is to be, to the end of the world, the Christian Sabbath.
9. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has established a visible church in the world; and that the conditions of its membership are credible evidence of regeneration, baptism, and a public profession of faith in Him.
10. We believe that Christ has appointed the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper; that members of the visible church are entitled to partake of the Supper; and that believ- ers and their offspring only should receive the ordinance of Baptism.
All these things you truly profess and cordially believe ?
BAPTISM.
[The pastor will first address those who come by profession, and who have been baptized in infancy, as follows: ]
You, who were dedicated to God in your childhood in the ordinance of Infant Baptism by your believing parents, do hereby declare your personal acceptance of the same, and your belief that the regeneration thereby signified has been wrought within your soul by the Holy Spirit.
[To others, on confession, the Pastor will say:]
You who trust that your hearts have been renewed by the Holy Spirit, but who have never received the outward seal of the covenant, will now, upon this profession of your faith, present yourselves for the ordinance of Baptism.
[When baptism has been administered, the Pastor will say to those coming by letter: ]
Having heretofore in other churches professed your faith, you now come to us with their commendation. We greet you
12
Reception of Members.
in Christ's name, and ask you, with these others, to enter into covenant with God and with this church.
COVENANT.
In the presence of Almighty God, His holy angels, and this assembly, you do now solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to be your God, the supreme object of your affection, and your portion forever. You cor- dially acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as your Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit as your Sanctifier, Comforter, and Guide.
You cheerfully devote yourself to God in the everlasting covenant of His grace, consecrating all your powers and possessions to His service and glory ; and you promise that through the assistance of His Spirit you will cleave to Him, as your chief good; that you will give diligent attention to His word and ordinances; that you will seek the honor and interest of His kingdom; and that henceforth, denying un- godliness and worldly lusts, you will live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.
You do also cordially join yourself to this church, having assented to its articles of Faith and Government. You en- gage to assist in and submit to its discipline ; to strive earn- estly for its purity, peace, and edification, and to walk with its members in charity, faithfulness, circumspection, meek- ness, and sobriety.
Do you thus covenant with God and with this church ?
[Here the members of the church will rise.]
In consequence of these professions and promises we affec- tionately receive you to our communion, and in the name of Christ declare you entitled to all its visible privileges. We welcome you to this fellowship with us in the blessings of the Gospel, and on our part engage to watch over you and seek your edification.
13
Reception of Members.
May God, in His infinite mercy, give us grace to be faithful to Him, and faithful to each other while we live; that we may be admitted at last, through the atonement of Christ, to the everlasting fellowship of saints and angels, in the presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Baptism of Children,
[FORM WHICH MAY BE USED.]
[At the morning service of the appointed Sunday, after the invocation, the parents present their children for baptism, and the minister ad- dresses them, saying:]
DEARLY BELOVED :- You present yourselves here to conse- crate your child unto God. You rely upon the word of His covenant that He will be a God to His people, and to their chil- dren after them; and, relying on promised grace, you promise that you will faithfully endeavor to bring up this child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, so that lie may be led, through Christ's grace, to own this covenant himself in due time.
This you heartily engage ?
[Baptism is administered, and a short prayer offered, after which the members of the church rise, and the minister adds:]
We, then, the members of this church, receive these children into special relationship of love and care; and we promise to aid you in your parental work by our sympathy, our example, and our prayers. May the Lord bless and keep you and your house, and bring you and them, with all the families that call upon his name, into the mansion of His everlasting rest. Amen.
Principles and Rules.
ADOPTED DECEMBER 10, 1891.
ARTICLE I .- NAME.
This Church shall be called the CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH of Plymouth.
ARTICLE II .- GOVERNMENT.
We hold that all ecclesiastical authority is vested in the local church, which has power to choose its own pastor, elect its own officers, make its own regulations, and conduct its own affairs in general, recognizing as its head only the Lord Jesus Christ.
At the same time we gladly enter into fellowship with other Christian churches of the same order, and consider ourselves bound to seek and expect advice from ecclesiastical councils in the more important affairs of church government.
ARTICLE III .- OFFICERS.
Section 1. The officers of this church shall be a Pastor, four Deacons, a Clerk, Treasurer, Auditor, and a Church Committee.
Sec. 2. The Pastor shall be chosen whenever a vacancy oc- curs. The Clerk, Treasurer, and Auditor shall be chosen at the annual business meeting. One deacon shall be chosen cach year to serve for four years, and one member of the Church Committee to serve for three years.
Sec. 3. All the above named officers shall be chosen by bal- lot, without nomination, unless by a committee appointed for that purpose.
Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the Pastor to preach the Word; to administer the Sacraments; to take the spiritual oversight of the church; and, ordinarily, to act as Moderator in
16
Principles and Rules.
the meetings of the church and Church Committee. He shall give, at the annual meeting, a statement in writing of the num- ber received into the church during the year by letter or by profession; of the number dismissed, deceased, or in any way disciplined; of the number baptized; the whole number of the church, male and female; of the names of all absent members; of the state of religion during the year; of the charities of the church; and of other subjects of general interest,-all of which statements shall be entered upon the records of the churchi.
Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the Deacons to make provi- sion for the regular observance of the Lord's Supper, and to assist in its administration; to aid the Pastor in keeping a spiritual oversight of the individual members of the church, and in organizing them into active labor for the sick, the poor, and the strangers in the parish; to provide leaders for religious meetings for which provision is not otherwise made; and to preside in the absence of the Pastor at business meetings.
Sec. 6. The Clerk shall keep an accurate record of all the business meetings of the church, a register of the members, with dates of admission, dismission, or death, together with a rec- ord of baptisms. He shall prepare and keep a proper catalogue and index of all the members of the church, notify officers, delegates, and committees of their appointment, conduct the official correspondence of the church, and keep on file all im- portant communications and all other valuable papers of the church.
Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to take charge of all money contributed for benevolent purposes, for the ex- penses of the church and the support of its poor, and to dis- burse it to its authorized receivers, and present a report at the annual meeting.
Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the Auditor to audit the accounts of the Treasurers of the church and Sunday-school before they are reported to the church.
Sec. 9. The Church Committee shall consist of three mem- bers of the church, together with the Pastor, Deacons, and Clerk.
It shall be the duty of this Committee to examine all persons who propose to unite with the church either by profession or by letter, and to present to the church the names of those whom they approve. They shall act as a committee of inquiry
17
Principles and Rules.
in all cases of discipline, and conduct any other business that may be referred to them by the church. It shall be their duty to make all necessary arrangements in regard to such plans for benevolence as may be adopted by the church, and provide for the passing of the contribution-boxes when necessary.
ARTICLE IV-MEMBERSHIP.
Sec. 1. Candidates for admission to the church on profession of faithi shall be examined as to their Christian experience, by the Church Committee. If the approval of the Committee be accepted by the church, they shall be propounded to the con- gregation at least one week previous to their public reception. If approved by a two-thirds vote, by ballot, at the next regular business meeting of the church, they shall become members by publicly assenting to the Articles of Faith and Covenant.
Sec. 2. Persons bringing letters from other evangelical church- es, if approved by the Church Committee and accepted by a two-thirds vote, by ballot, at a regular business meeting of the church, shall become members after entering into covenant with the church.
Sec. 3. Members of other churches who worship with us for more than one year are expected to bring letters, unless there be special reasons for delay. A letter dated more than a year previous to its presentation will not be considered valid without satisfactory explanation.
Sec. 4. Members who remove their residence beyond the reach of this church, should, if practicable, at once take letters of dismissal and recommendation to some other church; but no member shall be considered as regularly dismissed from this church until evidence of his reception by another church shall be received. Letters of dismission are valid for one year only from their date.
ARTICLE V .- DISCIPLINE.
Sec. 1. This church holds itself authorized to exercise dis- cipline as a means of vindicating the honor of the Gospel, main- taining its own purity, and reforming and saving offenders. It accepts of Matt. 18: 15-17, as a Divine directory of the principle and spirit, and, so far as practicable, of the process, of church discipline, especially in cases of personal offence.
Sec. 2. Any member brought to trial by the church shall
18
Principles and Rules.
personally be furnished, ten days previous, with a written copy of the charges and the names of the witnesses relied on for proof. The confession of the accused, or the testimony of two witnesses or that which is fairly equivalent, shall be requisite for conviction.
Sec. 3. Every vote of extreme censure shall be announced at a public meeting of the church.
Sec. 4. Any absent member of this church who for two years in succession fails to give satisfactory reasons for not taking a letter of dismission, shall be regarded as violating his covenant relations with the church, and fellowship may be withdrawn after suitable effort has been made to obtain satisfactory rea- sons for the delay.
Fellowship may also be withdrawn, when the member, still resident, has abandoned his connection with this church by two years of absence, or by neglect of its service and communion, and after due notice has been given him of the action intended. · Sec. 5. No vote of censure shall be passed upon any member except by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting.
ARTICLE VI .- SUNDAY-SCHOOL.
Sec. 1. The Sunday-school shall be under the special care of the church and its officers.
Sec. 2. The officers of the Sunday-school may be nominated by the teachers and elected at the regular business meeting of the church in December, at which time the report of the Super- intendent shall be given.
Sec. 3. The Sunday-school year shall correspond with the cal- endar year.
ARTICLE VII .- MEETINGS.
Sec. 1. Public worship shall be observed morning and even- ing on Sunday, unless otherwise ordered by the church.
Sec. 2. The Lord's Supper shall be celebrated ordinarily on the first Sunday of each alternate month, beginning with the first Sunday in January.
Sec. 3. A meeting for prayer and conference shall be held on Thursday evening of each week. The meeting next preceding each Communion shall be made preparatory to the observance of that ordinance.
Sec. 4. Other devotional meetings may be appointed by the
19
Principles and Rules.
Church Committee, as in their judgment the cause of Christ demands.
Sec. 5. The annual business meeting of the church, for the choice of officers and the transaction of other business, shall be hield the second Thursday in February. At this meeting, the Pastor, Treasurer, Treasurer of the Sunday-school, and Audi- tor shall present their reports.
Sec. 6. Business meetings shall be held on the second Thurs- day of each alternate montlı, beginning with February, and at the close of the service preparatory to the Communion.
Sec. 7. At the business meeting in December the business in relation to the Sunday-school shall be transacted and the re- port of the Superintendent given, and a plan of benevolence shall be adopted.
Sec. 8. Special business meetings, of which notice shall be given from the pulpit on Sunday, may be called at any time by the Pastor, or by three of the Church Committee, and shall be called by the Clerk at the written request of seven members.
ARTICLE VIII .- GENERAL PROVISIONS.
Sec. 1. Fifteen members shall constitute a quorum for busi- ness at the annual meeting, and ten at the other meetings for business.
Sec. 2. Letters of dismission may be granted, delegates elect- ed, and other business of like nature may be transacted by the members of the church at any devotional meeting.
Sec. 3. All members, male and female, are entitled and ex- pected to vote.
Sec. 4. Vacancies that may occur during the year may be filled at any regular business meeting, and other officers and conimittees chosen not otherwise specified.
Sec. 5. At each Communion service a contribution shall be made to assist needy members, and to defray incidental ex- penses.
Sec. 6. No alteration shall be made in the foregoing Prin- ciples and Rules, and the Confession of Faith and the Covenant, unless such alteration shall have been proposed at the next reg- ular business meeting previous, due notice given on the Sabbath, and by a vote of two-thirds of the members present and voting. But these Rules may be suspended in particular instances, in whole or in part, at a business meeting, by a unanimous vote of the members present and voting.
Annual Progress of the Church from 1800.
Year.
Received by
Received on
profession.
admissions.
Loss.
Total member-
ship at end of
Year.
Received by
Received on
profession.
admissions.
Total member-
ship at end of year.
1800
Not stated
16
H
57
1825
H
1
5
67
1801
66
60
16
1
72
1826
3
3
3
67
1802
66
5
77
1827
2
1
3
4
66
1803
66
66
4
2
83
1829
4
17
21
4
87
1805
66
6
89
1830
9
46
52
2
137
1806
1
88
1831
2
44
46
10
173
1807
66
3
9
85
1832
4
12
16
11
178
1808
66
5
80
1833
3
6
9
4
183
1809
66
66
1
79
1834
4
4
00
14
177
1810
79
1835
1
18
19
12
184
1811
66
5
1
83
1836
7
7
1
190
1812
3
80
1837
6
2
8
8
190
1813
66
60
2
78
1838
2
2
4
11
183
1814
66
4
74
1839
2
1
3
13
173
1815
66
2
72
1840
1
1
2
10
165
1816
66
19
10
81
1841
3
5
00
19
154
1817
66
66
4
12
73
1842
2
2
11
145
1818
66
60
10
63
1843
9
2
8
7
146
1819
1
5
6
4
65
1844
8
138
1820
1
3
4
6
63
1845
3
3
4
137
1821
3
10
13
1
75
1846
4
7
11
4
144
1822
2
9
11
1
85
1847
3
8
11
7
148
1823
1
1
2
84
1848
co
15
24
5
167
1824
2
2
15
71
1849
H
9
7
9
165
4
81
1828
3
3
6
2
70
1804
letter.
letter.
year.
Total
Total
Loss.
21
Church Progress.
Received by
Received on
profession.
admissions.
Total
Loss.
Total member-
ship at end of
Year.
Received by
Received on
profession.
admissions.
Total member-
ship at end of
year.
1850
3
1
4
8
161
1871
9
3
9
5
131
1851
3
1
4
CT
160
1872
1
4
5
9
127
1852
2
2
1
161
1873
2
11
13
4
136
1853
3
3
6
158
1874
4
9
13
8
141
1854
2
2
6
154
1875
8
10
18
6
153
1855
1
1
12
143
1876
7
9
13
166
1856
4
139
1877
3
36
39
6
199
1857
5
5
8
136
1878
8
4
12
7
204
1858
1
1
2
7
131
1879
3
4
7
8
203
1859
3
2
5
5
131
1880
1
1
10
194
1860
1
1
4
128
1881
4
7
=
12
193
1861
1
1
10
119
1882
13
180
1862
2
2
4
117
1883
1
1
9
175
1863
3
9
12
7
122
1884
1
2
3
13
165
1864
2
or
7
4
125
1885
4
1
Or
10
160
1865
4
4
8
121
1886
1
2
3
4
159
1866
5
116
1887
7
152
1867
3
11
14
12
118
1888
7
145
1868
1
Cr
9
12
112
1889
3
3
4
144
1869
1
111
1890
OT
6
11
18
137
1870
2
30
32
16
127
1891
00
9
14
20
131
SUMMARY OF MEMBERSHIP.
Known membership in 1800,
42
Added without stating method,
83
Added by letter, .
171
On confession,
434
Total membership, .
730
Total loss,
599
Membership, January 1, 1892,
131
.
Year.
letter.
letter.
year.
Total
Loss.
List of Officers
OF THE
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
ORGANIZED APRIL 16, 1764.
PASTORS, and others preaching more than six months.
Yrs. Mos.
REV. NATHAN WARD, . From 1765, 33 66
DRURY FAIRBANK,
1800, 18
JONATHAN WARD,
1818, 11 1
JAMES HOBART,
1829, 6
GEORGE PUNCHARD,
1830, 14
ENOCH CORSER,
1844, 1 6
WILLIAM REED JEWETT, 66
1845, 17
HENRY ALLEN HAZEN
1863, 5 6
CYRUS RICHARDSON,. 1869, 3 7
GEORGE HALE SCOTT,
1873, 8
HENRY PORTER PECK
1882, 7 3
66 FRANK GRAY CLARK,
1890.
DEACONS.
STEPHEN WEBSTER,. From 1767 to 1798
STEPHEN WEBSTER, JR.,
66 1774 " 1788
JOHN WILLOUGHBY,
66 1766 “1834
FRANCIS WORCESTER.
1770 "1792
JOSHUA FLETCHER, 1794 " 1818
BENJAMIN GOULD,. 1801 " 1804
JOTHAM CUMMINGS, JR.,
66 1801 " 1811
ASA ROBBINS,.
1805 " 1835
EBENEZER BARTLETT, JR.,
1805 "1832
JAMES MORRISON, . 66
1831 " 1856
Officers of the Church. 23
ALVAH McQUESTEN, From 1834 to 1867
DAVID C. WEBSTER,.
1856 "1862
WASHINGTON GEORGE,
66 1863 " 1876
WILLIAM W. RUSSELL, JR.,
1868
SIMEON SANBORN,
1872 " 1878
JASON CLARK,
1878
GEORGE P. COOK,.
66 1879
LEMUEL L. DRAPER,
1880
CLERKS.
REV. DRURY FAIRBANK, From 1800 to 1818
JONATHAN CUMMINGS, 1818 " 1819
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