USA > New Hampshire > Sullivan County > Acworth > History of Acworth, with the proceedings of the centennial anniversary, genealogical records, and register of farms > Part 15
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Mr. Cooke preached the doctrines of grace with the fervor of one who had recently experienced them in his own heart, to a people who had never heard them from the lips of a pastor before. Of the effect produced, Dr. E. S. Wright remarks, " The people were at first astonished, then excited, then alarmed, then rebellious, then subdued." A revival ensued, which reached its height in 1817. In the winter of that year, there was a great work of grace in the public schools. In the "Finlay district," the scholars had gathered for a spelling school. As the custom was, the exercises were opened by reciting a lesson in Wilbur's Cate- chism. While this was progressing, great emotion pervaded the assembly, until one of the scholars, overcome by his feelings, broke down in his recitation, whereupon a young man who had recently experienced religion arose and led in prayer, at the close of which the whole school was bathed in tears. Nearly all the older scholars were that winter hopefully converted. Similar scenes were witnessed in the Lynn and McClure districts. Mr. Cooke, in his farewell discourse, says, "The cloud of Divine mercy came over us, and rested, not as did the sun in Gibeon and the moon in the valley of Ajalon, for a lengthened day, but for three whole years! Oh! those years of the right hand of the Most High! My soul
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hath them still in remembrance." During this time, the church increased from seventy members to two hundred and twelve, and a large portion of the old members were awakened to a higher life.
When Mr. Cooke was settled in 1814, the old meeting-house was reported as greatly in need of repairs ; but it was impossible to get a vote of the town to repair it, except upon condition that the other denominations represented by the legal voters should have the privilege of using the house a portion of the time, in proportion to their number. This the Congregationalists were unwilling to agree to, and the house continued to decay, until it leaked so badly that it was impossible to hold meetings in rainy weather. A terrible thunder shower during Sabbath service one day completely flooded it; and measures were immediately taken to build a new one. The pew-holders relinquished their rights, on condition that the materials of the old house should be used in constructing a town-house, which was done in 1821, The new barn belonging to Capt. Ithiel Silsby was fitted up for holding religious services. This barn is now owned by Col. C. K. Brooks, and stands a little north of the church on the east side of the road.
The present church was built in 1821, at a cost of about $6,000. At the time of its erection, it was one of the largest and best churches in the State outside of the large towns. The frame of the pulpit cushion was made by David Montgomery, and was covered with rich crimson velvet by Miss Sally Nesmith, and trimmed with heavy cord and tassels. Many a person will carry to his dying day the impression made upon his youthful mind by the inscription over the pulpit, " Holiness becometh thy house forever, O Lord of Hosts !" The interior has been completely remodeled-tlie galleries and the pulpit taken out and ceiling lowered-but the ar- chitecture of the outside remains in its original beauty and elabo- rate finish, and its graceful steeple will, we hope, be admired by generations yet to come. The elevated site of this church and its lofty steeple, together with his own stature and prominence in the State, gave Mr. Cooke the title of " High Priest of New Hamp- shire." At the dedication of the house, Mr. Cooke preached from I. Chron. xxix. 1, and the next Sabbath from Ezek. xliii. 12.
Mr. Cooke was settled by the town, and until 1820 his salary was collected by tax, those being exempted who were regular supporters of other religious societies. The law, however, was changed in 1819, and it became necessary to vote an appropriation every year. This occasioned a great deal of excitement and dis-
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cussion. The town was nearly evenly divided on the point. Col. Duncan was the leading champion of the "standing order." Upon one occasion, as the house was about to be divided upon the ques- tion, seeing that his side would be defeated, he obtained the floor, and detained the meeting by reading to them the constitution of New Hampshire, until other voters arrived, or as some say until the lateness of the hour compelled adjournment. Upon another occasion when a division was made a satisfactory count could not be made and the parties filed out of the house, and arranged them- selves in two lines, extending down towards the tavern. While they were being counted, one man changed his vote, thus giving a majority of one in favor of raising the salary. The man who changed his vote, afterwards said he seemed to hear a voice say- ing, "Come ye out from among them and be ye separate." After voting for three years to raise the salary, in 1823 it seeming in- expedient to attempt to obtain such a vote, the tax was laid by a committee of the society, in the same way as before. The tax was voluntarily paid, so that practically it made no differ- ence that the town did not vote the appropriation. A change, however, gradually came about, until the tax was laid upon church- members only, which practice has continued until this day. After all others have had the privilege of subscribing what they feel willing to pay, a tax is assessed upon the church-members, which has generally been cheerfully paid.
In the winter of 1826-7 a revival of considerable power was again enjoyed.
Mr. Cooke was dismissed in March, 1829. The cause of his asking for a dismissal, was the disturbance created by the temper- ance movement. With all their virtues it must be confessed that the early inhabitants of Acworth were far from being total absti- nenee men. It seems strange to us that these good men could not see the evils of a practice which often brought into disgrace men otherwise respectable, but custom blinded their eyes. Mr. Cooke himself, like nearly all his brethren in the ministry at that period, had been accustomed, at weddings, funerals and other gatherings, to take a social glass, but he entered upon the temperance reform with his usual earnestness and vehemence. His elders and other prominent supporters not being able to change with the same ra- pidity became almost unanimously opposed to his measures. Mr. Cooke could not brook opposition from those who had always acted with him, therefore he asked for a dismission. On the last Sab-
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bath he ministered to them his text in the morning was from Acts xx. 32 : " And now brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them which are sanctified." In the afternoon from Luke xvi. 2: " Give an account of thy stewardship for thou mayest be no longer steward." Mr. Cooke removed to Lebanon, N. II., where he labored nineteen years. He was dismissed in 1848, and removed to Amherst, Mass., where he preached almost constantly to the surrounding churches, until his death, which oc- curred April 28, 1853. The people of Acworth never lost their attachment to Mr. Cooke, and he fully reciprocated their affec- tion. He was accustomed, after he left Acworth, to tell the fol- lowing story of
THE BAG THAT COULD NOT BE RETURNED.
In the early part of his ministry in one of his pastoral visits, he came to a farm-house among the hills, where he was received as New Englanders wel- comed their minister in the "olden days." The visit over, the good old horse and chaise waiting at the door, the lady of the house· gave him a bag containing samples of her beef or pork, fowls, butter or cheese, or some arti- cles for the comfort of his household. On subsequent visits he sought to re- turn the bag, but invariably failed-the bag, somehow, being always found well filled in his chaise on his arrival home.
The warp of this magic bag was spun from-"The laborer is worthy of his hire," "Let him that is taught in the word commu- nicate unto him that teacheth in all good things." The woof from the native generosity of the Scotch-Irish heart. This was not an isolated case ; there were many such hearts in the homes among the hills of Acworth. In this respect the children have not for- gotten the habits of the fathers.
On the morning of the installation of his successor, Mr. Cooke was seen walking in great agitation to and fro near the church. On being approached by a friend, he said, " This ought never to have been. A little yielding on my part, and a little on theirs, and all might have been well." He was buried at his own request among the people of his first love, and an appropriate monument marks his resting-place, the gift of a loving people.
Soon after Mr. Cooke left, stoves were for the first time intro- duced into the church. "The old meeting-house was especially cold in the winter, and those who came from distant parts of the town, on the coldest days, sat during the long sermons of Mr.
2 . ... W YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN ICUNDATION
Rw Jaseph Merrill.
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SKETCH OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Kimball almost perishing with the cold, while he preached in woolen mittens." The women nearly all carried foot-stoves, and multitudes of them were replenished at noon at the house of James Wallace. Serious objection was made by many to the introduc- tion of stoves. Great fears were entertained of burning down the meeting-house. They were, however, introduced, notwithstanding the fainting of a few nervous people, and the house has stood to the present day unharmed by fire.
Rev. Moses Grosvenor was settled over this church, October 14, 1829. He was a sound and earnest preacher, but not being suited to the character of the people, his ministry was short. He was dismissed, April 25, 1832. His wife taught a school for young ladies while here, and it is believed through her efforts every one of her pupils not previously converted, was brought to Jesus. This revival also included many others, some heads of families.
Rev. Joseph Merrill was settled, October 16, 1833. He was born in 1778, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1806. He was settled in Dracut, Mass., where he had a long and useful min- istry. During a pastorate in Acworth of nearly five years, "he was favored with the confidence and affection of the people." Mr. Merrill was erect and dignified in person, genial and affable in his manners, and sound and interesting as a preacher. He was blessed with an interesting work of grace in this parish. This work be- gan with a church visitation, such as has often been made in this church. The plan has usually been for the brethren to go two by two into every family represented in the church, for the purpose of religious conversation. Good results have usually followed. At this time also, a four days' meeting was held, at which neigh- boring ministers were invited to preach. On the closing day of the meeting, forty or fifty persons assembled in the town-house at an inquiry meeting. At this time Rev. Mr. Burchard, then attracting much attention, was preaching in Springfield, Vt. A majority of the church were eager to have him come to Ac- worth, while some very substantial members stood aloof. He came and the work went on. January 11, 1835, ninety-three were received into the church. A mistake was made in receiving these into communion, in the midst of the intense excitement, yet too much prejudice has existed in reference to those professing con- version in connection with Mr. Burchard's labors. Of those who had previously been regular attendants upon public worship here, and those that remained in town long afterwards, few compara-
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tively fell away. Mr. Merrill was dismissed, July, 1838. He died in 1848, aged seventy years. For three years the church was without a pastor. Rev. Thomas Edwards was settled in 1841, and dismissed in 1843. During his ministry the parsonage was built. Rev. R. W. Fuller succeeded Mr. Edwards, and was for two years stated supply.
Rev. Edwin S. Wright, a graduate of Union College, was or- dained and installed pastor of the church, January 7, 1846. To him the people became warmly attached. He was a good preacher, an excellent pastor, and was the instrument of great good in the parish. In 1847 a revival was enjoyed, and in 1852-3 the spirit of God visited the people with still greater power. He was dis- missed in 1856 on account of his wife's health, and was settled over the Presbyterian Church in Fredonia, N. Y., where he still labors. He has received the degree of D. D. since he left Acworth.
On the 18th of February, 1857, Rev. Amos Foster was in- stalled pastor of the church. He was not a stranger to Acworth. The "Ladies Charitable Society " had lent him a helping hand, while obtaining his education. He had supplied the pulpit during a temporary absence of Mr. Cooke, and the people felt that in some sense they had a share in him. It seemed eminently appro- priate therefore, that after a ministry of thirty years elsewhere, he should return and finish his work here. He was dismissed, June 13, 1866, on account of infirm health and advancing years, greatly to the regret of all his people, for he was much beloved, not only in this, but in the adjoining towns. He retired to a home he had provided for himself in Putney, Vt., where he now resides, preaching as his health permits.
The same council that dismissed Mr. Foster installed his suc- cessor, Rev. J. L. Merrill, a graduate of Dartmouth College, and of Princeton Theological Seminary, and the present pastor of the church.
The whole membership from the beginning has been about 800. Present membership, 142; which is about the average proportion that the members of the Congregational Church have borne to the population of the town since the settlement of Mr. Cooke. For many years a large proportion of the young people who have united with the church have emigrated. Taking at random a sin- gle page of the church records, it was found that two-thirds of those whose membership had ceased, had been dismissed to other churches. On the hills of Acworth, this church has been doing a
J. L, Merrill,
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
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great missionary work in raising up ministers, ministers' wives, officers and lay-members forother churches. Rev. Messrs. Charles Boyter, Jonathan Leavitt, D. D., Abner B. Warner, D. S. Brain- ard, and others, have been stated supplies in this church.
SKETCH OF THE BAPTIST CIIURCII .*
The Baptist Church in Acworth was constituted November 8, 1809, consisting of seventeen members. For some time previous to this date, several Baptist families resided in town, who often met together for prayer and conference. After the organization of the church the members met regularly for religious service, in school-houses and private dwellings, and as they were destitute of a pastor, Joseph Blanchard was chosen to lead them in spiritual things, and a good state of religious feeling was enjoyed. Fre- quent conversions occurred, and accessions were made to the church from time to time. The services, also, of neighboring pastors were frequently obtained, to preach and administer the ordinances ; and their labors, with the prayers of the faithful, were blessed in very many instances to the conversion of souls. This state of things continued with little variation, until 1818, when the church felt their need of a suitable place of worship. Accordingly a neat and commodious house of worship was erected on a site about one-fourth of a mile east of the center village.
It was not until November, 1822, that this church secured the labors of a regular pastor, the Rev. Theophilus B. Adams, of Wil- mot, N. H. We here find a period of thirteen years of destitu- tion of ordained ministers, yet from the records it appears that they were favored with the labors of two licensed ministers, David Cummings and Alfred Abel, who were very successful in winning souls to Christ. The church was edified and blessed under their ministrations, and in order to have the ordinances maintained and administered, these brethren made frequent exchanges with or- dained ministers. It was the practice of this church not to forsake the assembling of themselves together on the Sabbath, even when they had no one to break to them the Bread of Life, and these seasons of destitution of the preached word by His servants were highly interesting and profitable. Much of the interest enjoyed by this church, when they had no one to go in and out before them, and to preach the gospel, may be attributed to the faithful- ness of the devoted brother, Joseph Blanchard, who was elected to
* This sketch was written by Rev. J. L. Whittemore, and approved by the church.
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the office of deacon. Rev. Mr. Adams continued in the pastorate of this church about nine years. He was regarded as an accept- able and successful pastor ; a revival was enjoyed under his min- istry. In May, 1831, he resigned, and settled with the Baptist Church in Unity.
The church was again supplied by Rev. David Cummings, as formerly, until November, 1833, when Rev. Levi Walker assumed the pastorate, preaching one-half of the time here, and the other half in Unity. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles Farrer, who supplied this church and the Unity church alternately, as his pre- decessor had done.
Some time in 1838, the church employed Mr. J. R. Greene, of Cavendish, Vt., as supply, and in June, 1839, the church voted to give him a call, which he accepted, and on the 10th of July follow- ing he was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, by an eccle- siastical council called for that purpose. His term of service with this church was short, but it was attended with the Divine blessing, and many were gathered into the fold of Christ as the fruit of his labors. In the winter or spring of 1840, Mr. Greene resigned, and in April the church voted him a letter of recommendation, and dis- mission to another field of labor. They then secured the services of Rev. Charles Farrer, a former pastor, for some part of the time. His labors were discontinued in 1841, and he was succeeded by Rev. Charles M. Willard, who remained but a short time. In 1842, Rev. Leland Huntley supplied the pulpit one-half the time for one year ; 1843 appears to have been a year of destitution of preaching except as the church could obtain occasional supplies.
In the spring of 1844, the church obtained the services of Rev. Charles R. Nichols for one-half the time. During this year, the church desiring a more eligible and convenient location for their house of worship, it was accordingly taken down and moved to the center of the town, and rebuilt, remodeled, enlarged and fin- ished in a more modern style ; and on the 15th of June it was re- dedicated to the worship of God. Soon after the re-opening of the house Mr. Nichols closed his labors, and the church was again left without a pastor.
In the autumn of this year. the Lord directed one of his ser- vants this way, the Rev. A. H. House, who became pastor of the church, and unlike many of his predecessors, gave his entire time and energies to the work of the ministry. It does not appear from the records that. a revival was enjoyed or any accessions
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made to the church, yet he was regarded as a good pastor. In the year 1846, the church was again without a pastor, but in Oc- tober of this year they secured the services of Rev. Lorenzo Tandy, a licentiate, who preached one year without any particular change in the prospects or condition of the church.
In November, 1847, Rev. David Wright, residing in Claremont, commenced preaching one-half the time for this people, without anything of special importance in the church. He was succeeded by the Rev. Caleb Brown, September 1, 1849. Mr. Brown's min- istry extended from this date until November, 1851, and even af- ter this date he is spoken of as supplying, on one or two occasions. Though no special revival was enjoyed under his ministry, yet he is spoken of as an acceptable preacher. The services of the Rev. Amzi Jones were enjoyed by this church a part of the time dur- ing the years 1853-4. The church was united under his labors, and his preaching was acceptable.
The Rev. David Gage commenced to labor one-half of his time as pastor of this church in May, 1855, and continued without in- terruption until the spring of 1862, preaching alternately to the church in Acworth and Marlow. Mr. Gage continued in the pas- torate longer than any of his predecessors except Mr. Adams, and his ministry was characterized by great harmony and peace among the members, and though no general or special revival was enjoyed, yet the church was often blessed by heavenly seasons, and additions were made to it as the result of his labors.
In September of 1862, the church was blessed with the preach- ing of Mr. W. H. Eaton, a licentiate of the Baptist Church in Hopkinton, N. H. After supplying the church for some months they voted him a unanimous call, which he accepted, and accord- ingly was ordained publicly to the work of the gospel ministry, by an ecclesiastical council, June 18, 1863. Nothing of special importance occurred until the next year, when the church was called to pass through a severe trial in the death of one of her most devoted and efficient members, Dea. John Pearson. In this brief sketch we cannot say all that might justly be said concern- ing this worthy brother, but his sterling worth is still fresh in our memory, and it will never be effaced. Suffice it to say that through life he maintained an exemplary walk and an increasing attach- ment to the church. In the same year, 1864, while the church was lamenting the loss of their senior deacon, the pastor offered his resignation, thus adding sorrow to sorrow. The records of the
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. church show the deep regret they felt in parting with one whose labors and preaching had been blessed to the edification of the church, and the good of souls.
The resignation of Mr. Eaton in August, 1864, is followed by a long period of destitution of pastoral labor, or the preaching of the word, except occasional Sabbath supplies. But in this inter- val, which extended from August, 1864, to March, 1867, the mem- bers availed themselves of the privileges of the Congregational and Methodist Churches, where they were regular attendants upon the means of grace. Besides, it was the practice of this church to meet statedly for prayer every Sabbath evening, in this time of destitution, and those seasons of prayer on "Grout Hill" will long be remembered as the place where the Lord has met and blessed his people.
In March, 1867, the Rev. J. L. Whittcmore, the present incum- bent, visited this church by request of a former pastor, and after supplying a few Sabbaths entered upon the duties of the pasto- rate at once, by the unanimous vote of the church. Public ser- vices were commenced at this time in Union Hall, in the South Village of this town, the church feeling themselves better accom- modated there than at their church in the center. Many of the families connected with the Baptist denomination had moved, or had their residences in the river valley of this town, and therefore, to have their house of worship more easy of access, an effort was made in the autumn of 1867, to take it down and rebuild it at the South Village. This effort was crowned with success, so that on the 2d of July, 1868, the house of worship was again re-opened and re-dedicated to the worship of Almighty God. In connec- tion also with the above named services was one of public recog- nition of their pastor, which service had been deferred to some appropriate place or opportunity.
" Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." During the fifty-ninc years of its history, this church has received to its communion 253 members. Present membership, 67. The following persons have been elected to the office of deacon: Joseph Blanchard, Jo- seph Chatterton, Dan. Orcutt, John Pearson, Horace Campbell, Winslow Allen, Elisha Kempton, George W. Young.
SKETCH OF THE METHODIST CHURCH.
As was the case in many towns, the Congregational Church had a commencement nearly coeval with the charter of the town.
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SKETCH OF THE METHODIST CHURCH.
The hardships common to pioneer life, and the trials connected with their depressed circumstances were met and endured with Christian fortitude, and a high tone of piety, for those days, ex- isted throughout the town. The Congregational Church was all that was needed, and fully satisfied their desire. After a time, as other people settled in town, the Baptist denomination formed an organization, and built a house of worship. These two were then all that were needed, or could be properly supported.
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