USA > New Hampshire > Coos County > History of Coos County, New Hampshire > Part 37
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One amusing feature the writer of this notes in the church records at this early date. The pastor suggested a committee be appointed to confer with Dr. Benjamin Hunking in regard to "his absence from our last com- munion, and from church for several weeks past." The church "did not think it best to take any such steps for the present," and, probably, the worthy old physician was never officially interviewed as to his absence from divine worship and the communion table.
The First Congregational society continued to worship at the court- house during the remainder of the year 1854. The congregation soon began to be sadly troubled by the continued preaching of political sermons by the minister. The years which followed were filled with the significant events which presaged the coming struggle for supremacy between the North and South. The ministers of the Unitarian denomination were untiring in the anti-slavery cause. Mr Rice was a highly conscientious man. He flung himself into the battle of those days with all the strength of a natur- ally combative nature. He could not brook the high-handed acts of the pro-slavery party. The thing was in the air, and the pastor would preach
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HISTORY OF COOS COUNTY.
what his conscience declared to be right. Many of the society did not ap- prove of his course. People dropped out, and those who had the interest of the society at heart saw with great concern that their earnest-hearted minister was injuring the prospects of the new church But Mr. Rice felt. the truth must be spoken "though the heavens fell," and continued his preaching of political sermons. In this way the society lost ground, and many returned to the Orthodox church. But the faithful few-earnest. men and women-who stood loyally by the truth they had gone forth from the Orthodox Congregational church society to proclaim, trusted that in the end the troubles in which the beloved minister had involved the inter- est of the society, would be happily closed, and a new church building bring them into harmonious relations again, and give new zest to the church and society.
So, in 1855, the society began to mature its plans for the erection of a church edifice, and in October, 1856, with great rejoicing, entered into the church building now occupied. It was expected that the completion of the new church would heal the unhappy differences, but such did not prove to be the case. The society was in debt for the new structure, and the pastor continued to preach what he felt should be given unto the town of Lan- caster. At the annual meeting in 1857, it was "resolved, that we will not bring political tongues nor political ears into our solemn assembly. Let it be understood that there are things about which we differ, but we agree in our religion; that it is for our religion that we sustain the relation of pastor and people, and we will not jeopardize the great interests of our religion by officious assertions of right on the one hand, or scrupulous sus- picions of going too far on the other."
But it was only a question of time when the relations of pastor and people must be severed, and Mr. Rice soon realized this, resigning in Sep- tember, 1857. At a meeting called September 28, the society refused to accept his resignation, and Mr. Rice evidently thought it inexpedient to insist on the acceptance of his immediate withdrawal from his pastorate, and sent the following communication to the meeting of October 10: " He was willing to remain six months as their pastor on condition that the society pay him promptly at a certain time, that the pulpit should be en- tirely free, and that they should have but one new sermon each Sunday."
The meeting, after discussing this communication from the pastor, voted to reconsider the vote (passed September 28, 1857.) not to accept the resignation of Rev. Mr. Rice, and then voted to accept of the resignation of Mr. Rice. At this meeting a communication was read from the "Amer- ican Unitarian Association," that it would give the society $100, on con- dition of retaining Mr. Rice as pastor. The society subsequently gave to the official board of the American Unitarian Association its reasons for rejecting its offer of aid in sustaining Mr. Rice in the pastorate, and also
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passed resolutions highly commendatory of Mr. Rice, and his eamest work for the society. Mr. Rice closed his pastorate over the "First Church" and society November 1, 1857. As its first ministry, the pastorate of Mr. Rice will always be interesting to the Unitarian society. He was a manly Christian preacher, and revered by all who knew his rare worth. He came to the society in troublous times, and the day and hour, rather than the man or his opinions, were the cause of his uneasy pastorate.
Mr. Rice was followed by Rev. George (fibbs Channing, a brother of the celebrated William Ellery Channing, D.D. He was a pleasant gentle- man of the old school, and thoroughly alive to his work as a Christian minister. His memory is still revered, and his brief pastorate was happy and peaceful in the extreme. He became resident minister May 23, 1858, and remained pastor until May 8, 1860. At the annual meeting, April 3, 1860, William D. Spaulding, Esq, made the generous proposition of indi- vidnally assuming the indebtedness of the parish. Mr. Spaulding was one of Lancaster's well-known citizens. He had been identified with the society from the beginning of its ecclesiastical existence. Mr. Spaulding (with the exception of George P. Rowell, Esq.,) has been the most gener- ous benefactor the society has thus far had. At the annual meeting, April, 1862. it was voted to amend Article 1 of the Constitution, by erasing "First Congregational Society," and inserting "First Unitarian Society." The reason for this change of corporate name was the objection felt by some members to the term congregational, which seemed to them to be the dis- tinctive title of the "Orthodox Congregational Society." It is truly to be regretted that the parish gave up the historic title of "First Congrega- tional Society," which really preserved the traditions of the old First church.
From 1862 to 1870 the society had a checkered career, sometime having preaching and then closing its doors for an indefinite time. Rev. G. L. Chaney, Rev. George Osgood, Rev. Thomas Howard, Rev. Mr. Edes, Rev. W. W. Newell, Rev. J. L. M. Babcock, supplied the pulpit for a longer or shorter period, Mr. Babcock remaining three years. There is but little to note during these years: the society struggled bravely on. under many adverse circumstances, and nobly worked as a Christian organization.
Rev. Lyman Clark began his ministry December 4. 1870. He is the only clergyman ever installed over the "First Unitarian Church and Society." He was installed July 20, 1871, Rev. Rush R. Shippen preach- ing the installation sermon. The society was quite prosperous under Mr. Clark's ministration. He resigned July 5, 1874. The next regular supply was Rev. R. P. E. Thatcher, who remained a year, from May 1, 1875, to May 1, 1876. At the close of Mr. Thatcher's pastorate the parish seemed to be sinking into a hopeless decline. It had suffered much by deaths and removals. A new Episcopal society drew away some of its former sup-
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porters, the people were getting disheartened and the society took no steps to engage a permanent supply of its pulpit. During the following sum- mers, from 1876, the church was open, but closed the rest of the year. Rev. W. H. Fish, of South Scituate, Mass., preached during the summer months for several years. He encouraged the people that they could and must go on It was generally conceded that after the summer of 1879 it would be inexpedient to continue in the present unsettled way. Rev. Mr. Fish, and Mrs. E. H. Hicks, a member of the executive committee, labored to revive the interest in the society, and, nobly assisted by the old mem- bers of the parish, succeeded, and, in June, 1880, Rev. J. B. Morrison, of Haverhill, Mass., began his work in Lancaster. The people were in earnest, and the society has prospered as never before in its history. At the close of the fifth year of Mr. Morrison's pastorate the society voted to hire him for an indefinite period. In 1883 George P. Rowell, a member of the parish, made an exceedingly generous proposition for the complete repair of the church building. This was done, and Mr. Rowell bore one- quarter of the expense.
No adequate idea of the influence of the First Unitarian society, as a religious power in Lancaster. would be obtained, were the men of the society, identified with it so many years, omitted in this sketch. From the beginning of its history the society has been singularly fortunate in its membership. Hon. John H. White. William D. Spaulding, Esq., Dr. Benjamin Hunking, Dr. John W. Barney, Gov. J. W. Williams, were men of great influence in the town, and well-known throughout the state as very able men. Hon. William Burns, one of New Hampshire's ablest men, from the formation of the society until his death, in 1885, was always its constant friend. Judge William D. Weeks, manliest of men, Benjamin F. Hunking, Esq., Hosea Gray, Esq., and Charles L. Griswold, Esq., (whom the writer found ever ready to lend a helping hand in every good and generous work-a sound business man, a loyal friend, ) were firm supporters of the society under all its varying fortunes of storm and sun shine. Chief among the many others who served it faithfully during years of service, are: Hon. James W. Weeks, who has served on the ex- ecutive committee most of the time since the organization of the parish, and for many years has been the chairman of it, Hon. B. F. Whidden, the first clerk of the society, is still holding office as vice-president, Nelson Kent, Esq .. L. F. Moore, Esq., Frank Smith, Esq., Edward Spaulding, Esq., and W. C. Spaulding, Esq., have labored faithfully for the building up of the society in every way. George P. Rowell, Esq., who, aside from William D. Spaulding, has been the chief benefactor of the parish, has been in the society since his boyhood; William A. White, president of the society, son of Hon. John H. White, the first chairman, has been one of its truest friends. Many others, who have come later than the above named, work
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zealously for the welfare and promotion of the interests of the church and society.
Present officers: James B. Morrison, minister; William A. White, president (since deceased); B. F. Whidden, vice-president; Nelson Kent, clerk: Eugene Leavitt, treasurer; Mrs. W. H. Gray, collector; James W. Weeks, George R. Eaton, L F. Moore, Frank Smith, Edward Spaulding, executive committee; W. H. Thompson, sexton: John H. Quimby, Eugene Leavitt, Mrs. A. M. Wilson, committee on music; J. B. Morrison, Mrs. Dex- ter Chase, Mrs. Nelson Kent, Mrs E. H. Hicks, and Miss Anna Thomp- son, teachers; Mrs. Burleigh Roberts, organist; Eugene S. Leavitt, John H. Quimby, Mrs. Arthur Cowing, Mrs. Eugene Leavitt, choir.
The Ladies' Benevolent Society, connected with the First Congregational society. was formed March 8, 1834. It has been a very valuable auxiliary to the Unitarian society from the beginning of its existence. During all the vicisitudes of the society, the " Ladies' Circle " has never faltered in its good work. The following ladies have occupied the position of president: Mrs. Nancy D. M. Sawyer, Mrs. George M. Rice, Miss Ellen A. White, Mrs. Hosea Gray, Mrs. William Burns, Mrs. L. F. Moore. Mrs. Jacob Hamb- lin, Mrs. W. A. Hicks, Mrs. George R. Eaton. The present officers are: Mrs. George R. Eaton, president: Mrs. John M. Hopkins, vice-president; Mrs. C. L. Griswold, secretary and treasurer; Mrs. L. F. Moore, Mrs. W. H. Gray, Mrs. Frank Smith, Mrs. Warren Merrill, Mrs. James W. Weeks, Jr., directors; Mrs. I. W. Hopkinson, collector.
The Sunday-school is not large, but is in a healthy condition. It was irregularly kept up until the pastorate of Mr. Morrison. Since 1880 the superintendents have been: 1881, Mr. W. A. White; 1882, Rev. J. B. Morrison; from 1882 to the present, Mr. Eugene S. Leavitt.
Rev. James Barnes Morrison is a native of Haverhill. Mass. His paternal ancestors were among the early pioneers of Londonderry, N. H., sturdy, strong men. On the maternal side he descends from prominent families in Essex county. Mass., in whom intellectuality predominates. Mr. Morrison was graduated from Meadville (Pa.) Thelogical seminary, in 1877, settled in Nantucket, Mass., the same year, remained there until 1880, when he commenced his pastoral charge of the First Unitarian church in Lancaster, N. H. How well he has done his work, results best show. Under his faithful care the society has become strong and success- ful. About 1881 he began to hold Sunday evening services in Littleton, going there after his day's labor in Lancaster, and, by his influence, much interest in religious life was awakened, and at present the Unitarians there have a beautiful church, erected at a cost of over 86,000, the money for which was mostly raised by the strenuous and untiring efforts of Mr. Morrison. As a preacher Mr. Morrison is scholarly, earnest and clear, and his hearers feel his honesty and sincerity. As he appears in the pulpit,
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he is free from cant, and evidently consecrated to the work before him, and his ministerial service has been marked by success. Natural and unassum- ing in his manners, a genial and social companion, strong in sympathy, true to all, an energetic and persistent worker, he has, and well merits, the love and esteem of his parishioners and his many friends .- [EDITOR.
Methodism .- No connected early history of Methodism in Lancaster has been preserved. The celebrated Jesse Lee was in this section very early. In his journal he says: "Saturday, September 6, 1800. We set out early in the morning and rode out to Connecticut river at Northumberland meeting-house; there I left my companion, and rode down the river through Lancaster and Dalton." Extracts from Stevens's memorial of Methodism :-
" Time, summer of 1800. Rev. Laban Clark had been holding a discussion concerning Meth- odism, in an adjoining town with Ashbel Webb, and one Savage. 'I informed them,' says Mr. Clark, ' that Mr. Langdon was to preach that night in Lancaster, and wished them to go and hear him. In the evening both Webb and Savage, with their wives, were at the meeting, and many others. Mr. Langdon preached, I exhorted, and we kept up the meeting with singing and praying for some time, and the four were all converted, and went home praising the Lord. We were now able to form a class of between fifteen and twenty; the most of them remained steadfast in the Lord, and my friends, Webb and Savage, both became local preachers.' The preachers passed through another part of Lancaster, where a great agitation ensued. They were assailed by the mob. The ruffain rabble cowered before the courage of Langdon, who was a gigantie and brave man; but they carried off Rosebrook Crawford, and ducked him in the river."
Asa Kent travelled Landaff circuit in 1802. It extended from Rumney to Upper Coos. Lancaster was the stronghold of opposition. Mr. Kent says :-
" The persecutors were determined to keep Methodism out of the place; but a few had been converted, and others had ears to hear. I preached there to a crowded house, with much enlarge- ment and freedom of spirit. Some were a little unruly, but they became quiet upon a mild admo- nition Three days after, I was passing through the Nine Miles Woods, to Littleton, and was over- taken by three sleighs filled with men and women. One cried 'That's the Methodist preacher, let's run him down;' and they set their horses upon full speed. The snow was very deep, and with difficulty I succeeded in getting my horse out of the way, as they passed with loud shouting. * The noise and tumult so disturbed my horse that he became almost unman- agcable."
They told him they had carried one preacher out of Lancaster, and would have no Methodist preaching there, as they had one minister of their own.
In 1801, Benjamin Bishop, the very intemperate village blacksmith, was converted, and a permanent Methodist society established, according to Stevens, in this wise. When Joseph Crawford heard of the expulsion of John Langdon and Rosebrook Crawford from the village, he came here and took the field in defiance of the mob, and preached. Mr. Bishop's wife was awakened under the first sermon; her emotions were so great as to over- power her physical strength. Her husband procured a physician and nurse, and for some time she was treated medically. She was converted, her husband cured of his appetite for liquor, and for a number of years
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their house was a preaching place, and a home for the itinerant. Mrs. Bishop became a most powerful exhorter, and her husband a member of the N. E. conference in 1804 Rev. Ebenezer F. Newell was here in 1807-08. Lewis Bates, a thick set, dark complexioned man, with heavy, strong voice, preached in Lancaster in 1817. "The presence of God was manifested, and a gracious work commenced. Previous to this two Methodist preach- ers had been persecuted and mobbed out of town. I made two more visits to this (Lunenburg) circuit, and preached from its south part up the Con- necticut to Canada."
These facts were recorded in the town books, as then persons not be- longing to, or supporting, any other church body or society, were legally required to pay a tax towards the salary of the Rev. Joseph Willard. Rev. Nathan Felch, Jr., of the Methodist Episcopal church, certifies, Jan- uary 1, 1802, that Benjamin Bishop attends our ministry, and supports the same, being a member of our society. March 1, Mr. Felch certifies that Dennis Stanley attends our church and supports the same. April 23. 1810, Joseph Dennett, preacher, Robert McKoy, steward, certify at Lunenburg that Joel Page, of Lancaster, has joined the Methodist society. April 30, 1814, Joseph Lufkin and Eleazer Phelps certify that Joel Page, of Lancas- ter, is a member of the Methodist society in Lancaster and Guildhall. May 7, 1817, Eleazer S. Phelps, agent for the Methodist society, certifies that Frederic M. Stone has manifested a willingness to support the Gospel, and has attended my meeting, and wishes to be freed from paying Joseph Willard a tax.
During the winter of 1816-17, a Mrs. Hutchins (called Mother Hutch- ins). of Whitefield, came to Lancaster, and by prayer and exhortation caused many to think seriously of the importance of the Gospel, and many who went from curiosity were much impressed, and, after she had labored here for some few weeks zealously in Zion's cause, some twenty converts were brought into the fold. The meetings were held in the " mill- house," school-houses, and even barns, in the different parts of the town. The Lancaster circuit was formed, and the first quarterly meeting held here in 1817, the court-house being used for the preaching services, and from that time until 1827. the Methodists continued to hold all meetings there; two circuit riders preaching alternately. These rode on horseback from place to place and made themselves at home at the houses of their breth- ren. Their calling could not have been a lucrative one, as the presiding elder stated at a quarterly meeting near the close of the year that the two preachers had received from the people under their charge but $30 each for their year's labor.
In 1819-20 a great revival was the result of meetings held in the "old meeting-house," by Rev. Jacob Sanborn, presiding elder, and among those who avowed themselves as believers, was the venerable and highly re-
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spected Judge William Lovejoy. The preachers, during the years 1820- 1827, were Messrs. Davis, Pratt, Plumby, Culver and Baker; then came Norris, Brown, Spaulding, Gardner, Putnam and Stickney. Rev. Orange Scott spent the year 1827 in town, preaching part of the time from the pulpit occupied by Parson Willard, and no worthier man could have filled his place. He endeavored to adjust the differences among the people and unite them in the bonds of Christian charity. H. Wheelock preached in 1829 and 1830.
The first meeting for the organization of the Methodist Episcopal soci- ety was held at the house of Harvey Adams, July 22, 1831. At a subse- quent meeting in August a constitution was adopted and signed by a large number. At this meeting Harvey Adams, zealous in good works, gave land to the society for the site of a parsonage, and, in 1832, the parsonage was completed. In 1834 the church was built; Harvey Adams, Allen Smith, and Joseph Howe were the building committee. These men, good citizens, and strong in their faith, have passed away.
In 1849 the New Hampshire conference was held in this church, Bishop Hamlin presiding. In 1858, during the pastorate of Rev. L. P. Cushman, the house was remodeled and its seating capacity enlarged, at a cost of about $1,300, and rededicated in September of that year. At this time there were 136 members, thirty probationists, 126 Sabbath-school scholars. 156 volumes in the Sunday-school library, and the society paid its minister 8500 per year. In 1869 or 1870 the old parsonage was sold, and a new one built on High street, at a cost of $4,000, and it is one of the best in the conference. The church was again somewhat enlarged in 1873, and a new and elegant organ placed in it. In April, 1878, the New Hampshire conference met with this church, Bishop S. M. Merrill pre- siding.
The society is in a highly prosperous condition. and the zeal and char- acter of its members is shown by their activity in all reforms, and the stand taken by them against all evils that jeopardize our moral, civil, and political institutions.
List of Pastors since 1832 .- S. P. Williams, from 1834; Daniel Field, in 1836 and 1837; L. Hill, in 1838; Amos Kidder, in 1839; John Smith, in 1840; E. B. Morgan, 1841, 1842; J. G. Smith, to 1843: A. T. Bullard, 1844 and 1845; H. H. Hartwell, from 1846; H. Hill, from 1848; J. W. Guernsey, from 1850; L. L. Eastman, from 1852; Josiah Hooper, from 1854; James Adams, from 1856; L. P. Cushman, from 1857; E. R. Wilkins, from 1859; G. W. Bryant, from 1861; S. P. Heath, from 1863; D. J. Smith, from 1866; C. H. Smith, from 1869; Otis Cole, from 1871; J. Noyes, from 1874; N. M. Bailey, 1876 to 1879; D. J. Smith, from 1879 to 1882; W. E. Bennett, 1882 and 1883; A. C. Coult, April, 1884, and during the years 1885 and 1886. Rev. Mr. Bowler is the present (1887) pastor. The members now are con-
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gratulating themselves on their success in financial affairs for the past year. They have paid all running expenses; paid their pastor in full; taken liberal collections for home missions. church extension, and super- annuated ministers; paid the presiding elder's claim; raised $100 for foreign missions, and put nearly $500 in the savings bank for a new church.
Baptist Church .- A Calvinistic Baptist church was organized in 1809, but we find no record of its organization or its ministry, until 1860. Pre- vious to that time the Baptists of Lancaster attended public worship with the inhabitants of Jefferson, as is shown by the following extracts from the early town records. They held their services in a school-house about a mile and a half from Lancaster, on the road to Jefferson :--
"Gentlemen, Selectmen of Lancaster,-
" This may certify that the within named persons have given in these names to the Baptis Society in Jefferson and belong to the same. To wit-
"Samuel Legro, Samuel Springer, Jr., Caleb Page. Samuel Plaisted, Ruling Elder, Jefferson, Feb. 17, 1802. James Hight, Church Clerk, Samuel Plaisted, Ruling Elder; certify in September, 1798, that Isaac Darby has and does belong to the Baptist Society in Jefferson. Samuel Plaisted, Ruling Elder, certifies, Mar. 23, 1802, that Robert Gotham belongs to the Baptist Society in Jeffer- son. James Hight, Church Clerk, certifies, Jan. 12, 1803, that John McIntyre, Emmons Stockwell, Ephraim Stockwell & Liberty Stockwell, belong to the regular Baptist Church in Lancaster & Jefferson It is recorded that Samuel Philbrook has joined the regular Baptist Church in Jefferson & Lancaster, March 9, 1803."
On the last of February. 1860, the Rev. Henry I. Campbell from the Danville association (Vermont) came with a view to look up and call together the scattered Baptists in this vicinity. He visited from house to house. talked and prayed, encouraged the brethren to move onward in the organ- ization of a church; and, through his persevering efforts and the blessing of God, there were found about twenty who were ready to unite in church responsibility ; hence, by virtue of "letters-missive," a council was con- vened on May 12th, "at Lancaster Street, in the Court House, 1 o'clock P. M. Consisting of Delegates from the following Churches: Lunenburgh, Jefferson, North Stratford, Carroll and Rumney."
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