USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Amherst > History of the town of Amherst, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire (first known as Narraganset township number three, and subsequently as Souhegan West) > Part 21
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In this decision Judge Livermore concurred ; but Judge Farrar, who had before decided that Congregationalists and Universalists were of the same sect, dissented.
The parish afterward voted to raise $250 to pay the execution and contingent expenses of the suit.
Mr. Barnard, and a large majority of his clerical brethren in New England, took decided ground in opposition to the measures adopted by the general government in the contro- versy with Great Britain, which resulted in the declaration of war against that country in 1812; and his hearers on the Sabbath were left in no doubt as to his views on public affairs, which were often expressed with a considerable degree of warmth.
For an unseemly display of temper in the pulpit, he was called to account by the town, at a meeting held for the choice of presidential electors in November, 1812, when a committee, consisting of William Fisk, Jedediah K. Smith, Daniel Warner, John Secombe, and Daniel Campbell, Esq., was appointed to confer with him relative to his late
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MR. BARNARD'S LETTER.
XII.]
" Mysterious conduct in the pulpit on the Sabbath of our Lord, the sixteenth of August last, his conduct generally, and particularly his wilful neglect of duty on the fast of the twentieth of August last."
Clifton Claggett, Charles H. Atherton, and Robert Means, were afterward added to the committee, and quite a controversy was carried on between the parties, of which but little record now remains. One of his letters, sent to the committee-which is not now to be found-was long after- ward spoken of by Esquire Campbell as " Mr. Barnard's great gun."
His parochial labors were greatly increased by the sick- ness which prevailed in town in 1814. His health became impaired. Perhaps traces of the mental malady by which he was afterward afflicted began to make their appearance. Some dissatisfaction with his ministry existed, and the settlement of a colleague, who should share the burdens of the ministry with him, began to be talked of. At a meeting of the town, held 18 September, 1815, Charles H. Atherton, William Fisk, Clifton Claggett, Col. Robert Means, and Matthias Spalding, were appointed a committee to confer with him and ascertain upon what terms he would consent to have a colleague settled with him in the ministry. At an adjourned meeting, held 30 October, 1815, the following communication, received from Mr. Barnard by the commit- tee, was laid before the town :
Gentlemen of the Committee :
I thank the town for their politeness in consulting me upon a subject of so much consequence to their peace and happiness, and by a committee so respectable, of whose friendship to me and regard to the best interests of the town I can entertain no doubt. I had knowl- edge of the objects now contemplated but just before the late town- meeting, and have been no adviser to the steps that have been taken, and I can say I still feel a willingness to serve the town so far as I am able and in the best manner I am capable of; but when I reflect upon the greatness of my labors for the two last years, and the unusual efforts necessary to accomplish them, and consider the reduced state to which those exertions have brought me, both in body and mind, it appears, Gentlemen, impossible I should ever perform
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the duty of a minister through another such general and distressing sickness as either of those with which it hath pleased God to visit this people the two last winters. I am furthermore sensible, Gentle- men, that in my present debilitated state that correctness, precision, and flow of good argument,-so beautiful in composition,-and that energy and pathos so pleasing in delivery, always gratifying to an attentive hearer, which may be hoped for in a man in the prime or meridian of life, is not to be expected of me in this wintry age. From these considerations, Gentlemen, and from a desire that my people may be better furnished with the means of Christian edifica- tion and instruction, I am willing, yea, it will afford me a peculiar pleasure, should it be a gratification to them, to relinquish to the town the one half of my present salary whenever they shall have settled another man with me to take the burden and responsibility of the ministry off of my hands ;- that is, I am willing to relinquish one hundred and fifty dollars annually toward the support of such min- istry out of the sum the town now pay me as a yearly salary, and will relinquish the same ever after the day of his ordination, should such ordination take place in my lifetime. But, Gentlemen, should the town think best to postpone for the present all attempts for securing to themselves a better supply in the way proposed, I shall continue for the present to serve them with pleasure, and in the best manner I am capable of. I have no preference to dying in my bed rather than in my pulpit, and I had rather die promoting the edifica- tion of my people and laying the foundation of their salvation than to be employed in the most lucrative office in the power of man to bestow. Nevertheless, for the better spiritual edification of my people, I sincerely wish they may be agreed to settle a better and more capable man with me, to officiate in my stead ; but, if an object adapted to be so useful and advantageous to the spiritual interest of this people, and so pleasant to me, can not take place, it may be well for Gentle- men to remember that if my performances have depreciated, my salary has depreciated likewise, and if the depreciation of the latter has been the cause of the depreciation of the former, perhaps they may yet find a remedy for the evil under which they suffer, though it be evidently too late to find a remedy that will be effectual. My health is gone, my constitution broken, and I can look for life here but a very little longer.
Wishing, therefore, divine success to attend the measures of the town respecting this important undertaking, I subscribe myself, Gen- tlemen, your most obedient humble servant in the Gospel of Christ.
JEREMIAH BARNARD.
October 28, 1815.
REV. NATHAN LORD.
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SETTLEMENT OF MR. LORD.
XII. ]
After hearing the communication the town chose Charles HI. Atherton, William Fisk, and Col. Robert Means a committee to procure a candidate to preach from four to eight Sabbaths.
SETTLEMENT OF REV. NATHAN LORD.
29 January, 1816. The town voted to concur with the church in giving Mr. Nathan Lord a call to settle as colleague in the work of the ministry with the Rev. Jere- miah Barnard in this town.
William Fisk, John Secombe, Thomas Underwood, Col. Robert Means, Matthias Spalding, William Read, William Dole, Daniel Campbell, jr., Levi Dodge, David Stewart, Richard Boylston, and John Kehew, were appointed a com- mittee to " take into consideration and report to the town at this meeting what compensation the town will offer Mr. Lord as a salary."
After consultation the committee reported that they had unanimously agreed that in their opinion $700 annually paid to Mr. Lord during the time he should officiate as a gospel minister in this town would be a suitable compen- sation for his services, and they recommended that sum for the adoption of the town.
The report of the committee was adopted, and it was further voted that $100, annually, should be added to Mr. Lord's salary after the decease of Mr. Barnard, beside the interest of the money derived from the sale of the minis- terial land.
William Fisk, Robert Means, William Read, Rev. Mr. Barnard, and John Secombe, were appointed a committee to transmit a record of the votes of this meeting to Mr. Lord.
The following letter was received from Mr. Lord, in answer to the communication of the committee of the church and town :
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"SOUTH BERWICK, ME., Feb'y 16, 1816. To the Committees of the Church and Town of Amherst, N. H.
BRETHREN AND FRIENDS: Your respective communications by Capt. Secombe, of the 29th Jan'y, have been under serious considera- tion since that time. I have submitted them to experienced and judicious friends to obtain their counsel respecting them, and have been careful to seek direction from the unerring spirit.
The circumstances in which I have been placed in relation to another people have occasioned much perplexity of mind, having been called by them to settle in the ministry. I have found no small ditti- culty in comparing their invitation with yours. To determine in what ' vineyard' it was my duty to labour has been no easy task, and I have trembled lest I should enter that for which God had not appointed me.
I have, however, been induced, by an increasing conviction of duty and by the united counsel of my friends, to give a negative to the proposals of the people of Arundel. On the same account, I am led to give, and do hereby give an affirmation to your invitation. I accept the proposals of the church and town of Amherst, and I beg leave to say that these proposals are satisfactory, and that the una- nimity with which they were made is highly gratifying to my feelings. My confidence is strengthened by your expressions of good will, and should I become your minister I shall go among you with the senti- ments of the warmest affection, and I trust with sincere desires and resolutions to promote your best good.
It is proper to say that the considerations which have influenced my mind and the minds of my friends in regard to this acceptance of your invitation are briefly the following: The town of Amherst presnts to a minister of the gospel a wide and extensive field of useful. ness. This field has been opened to me without a special hinderance All the indications of providence relating to my settlement among you have been peculiarly striking, both at the time of my preaching at Amherst and in your subsequent measures. In consequence of these things there is a reasonable ground to hope that here I may fulfill the object of my ministry and benefit the church of Christ. And here I avow my object in complying with your proposals. It is to promote the interests of the Christian church. It is . to save my own soul and the souls of other.' And, in the accomplishment of this object, I shall, by the grace of God assisting me, endeavor to regulate myself by the principles of the gospel. I shall know as your minister no party distinctions. I shall seek to understand the mind and will of God as revealed in the holy scriptures, to preach plainly and affectionately the doctrines of Christianity, and enforce its precepts.
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MR. LORD'S LETTER.
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I shall strive to maintain 'the watch and discipline' of the church, to reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. These things, with divine assistance, I shall observe and do, and shall confine myself to the 'ministry of the word,' for ' I have determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him cruci- fied.' But, my brethren, the work of the ministry is arduous. I feel my unworthiness and insufficiency. I shall need your forbearance, your counsel and assistance. Above all I shall need your prayers to God that he would make my way prosperous and that his grace may be sufficient for me. I ask a remembrance in your petitions to the throne of grace that I may be upright, that I may be faithful and successful. I beg leave to present to the church and town of Amherst my most grateful acknowledgments for the exceeding candor, affec- tion, and respect, which have been exercised toward me. And I pray that we may all have the direction of the Holy Spirit, that we may be permitted long to dwell happily together in this world, and at length be gathered with redeemed spirits and enjoy that rest which remaineth for the people of God.
I remain, with affection and respect, Your servant in Christ,
N. Love
Rev'd JEREMIAH BARNARD, C'h Com.
Rev'd JEREMIAH BARNARD,
Messrs. ROBERT MEANS,
WILLIAM FISK,
Committee of the
WILLIAM READ,
Town of Amherst.
JOHN SECOMBE,
P. S. With leave of providence, I expect to be in Amherst by the 28th of the month to attend to such arrangements as may be necessary in consequence of this communication. N. L."
12 March, 1816, the town voted to concur with the church in the ordination of Mr. Nathan Lord on the fourth Wednesday of May next.
John Secombe, Edmund Parker, and Col. Robert Means, were chosen a committee to act with the committee chosen by the church to issue letters missive to other churches to be present on the occasion.
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HISTORY OF AMHERST.
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The Selectmen, Edmund Parker, and Robert Read, were appointed a committee to provide for the council, and make such other arrangements as might be necessary for the ordination.
Maj. Turner Crooker and Capt. Peter Patterson were appointed marshals for the day, and it was voted to pay Mr. Lord one half of his first year's salary at the expiration of six months from his settlement.
Mr. Lord was ordained 22 May, 1816. The sermon on that occasion was preached by Rev. Asa McFarland, of Concord, from Mark XIII ; 4. The charge was given by the senior pastor, and the right hand of fellowship by Rev. Humphrey Moore, of Milford.
Mr. Barnard was styled an Arminian in his religious belief, and had but little sympathy with the views of his Calvinistic brethren. In his church all shades of belief were tolerated, and all had an opportunity, by the system of ministerial exchanges then practiced, to occasionally hear their own peculiar views expounded and enforced.
Mr. Lord, on the contrary, was a decided Calvinist, and his teachings corresponding with his belief, a diversity of opinion among the members of the church soon became apparent.
A report of a conversation between Mr. Lord and a member of his church, shortly before her death, published in the Cabinet in November, 1817, was the commencement of a somewhat protracted correspondence between him and Hon. Charles H. Atherton, carried on in the columns of that paper until the editor declined its further publication.
The discussions then in progress in the churches in Massachusetts, the publication of Dr. Channing's sermon at the ordination of Mr. Sparks, at Baltimore, and the passage of the "toleration law," by the Legislature of tlie State, in June, 1819, intensified the feeling then prevalent.
A Universalist society was formed in town, of which the required notice was published 9 September, 1819, and
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THE UNITARIAN CONTROVERSY.
XII.]
David Holmes, one of the deacons in Mr. Lord's church, published a pamphlet in which he defended the Unitarian doctrines.
In August, 1822, application was made to the selectmen for the use of the meeting-house-then the property of the town-one Sabbath, the desk to be occupied on that day by Rev. Henry Ware, of Cambridge. To this the selectmen gave their consent, officially and personally. The senior pastor was also willing the use of the house should be granted for that purpose, but Mr. Lord objected. Mr. Ware arrived in town for the pupose of filling an engagement to preach, but was met by a letter from Mr. Lord protesting against it, saying it
"Could not be supposed that he would favor his engagement, or acquiesce in the wishes of his friends."
He elosed by saying that he
"Presumed he would at least respect his feelings and rights, so far as to refrain from the use of the desk in this place, for the supply of which he considered himself alone responsible, and which was, there- fore, by received usage, subject to his control."
A communication from Clifton Claggett and others, members of the church in Amherst, of similar tenor, was handed to Mr. Ware at the same time. To each of these communications Mr. Ware returned an appropriate answer before leaving the place. The next day he filled his engagement by preaching at the court-house, and his dis- course was afterward published.
A part of the members of the church, under the care of Mr. Lord, having seceded, application was made by them to the town for the use of the meeting-house such a portion of the whole time as the proportion of their polls and ratable estates should bear to all the polls and ratable estates in town. This, at a special meeting held 18 Novem- ber, 1822, the town refused to grant, the vote standing- yeas, 87 ; nays, 131.
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HISTORY OF AMHERST.
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A similar request, made at the annual meeting in March following, was also denied, the vote standing-yeas, 87 ; nays, 179.
At the annual meeting in March, 1826, the town voted to dismiss an article in the warrant asking that the use of the meeting-house should be granted to the Universalist.society on the second Sunday of the following September.
Two more applications for the use of the house by the Universalists were denied, the vote on the last being-yeas, 42; nays, 91.
In March, 1818, Samuel Wilkins, Robert Means, William Fisk, Daniel Campbell, and David Stewart, were appointed to examine into the business transacted between the town and the Rev. Mr. Barnard, respecting his support during the continuance of the first contract, and also to report whether it was expedient to discharge him from taxes already assessed on him, and excuse him from taxation in future. They reported, 21 September, 1818, that in their opinion it would be equitable that the town should relinquish the taxes assessed on Mr. Barnard's interest in the middle of the town, including one horse and two cows and the real estate on which he now lives, and that for the future he be exempted from taxation on the same. Their report was accepted.
In March, 1820, the town voted that all taxes assessed on Mr. Barnard, except those on his farm and stock now occupied by Joseph Spalding, should be remitted, and that he be excused from taxation this year, except on the property above named.
In March, 1821, they voted to remit all taxes already assessed on Mr. Barnard, and that for the future he should not be taxed.
Eight hundred and fifty dollars was raised annually for the salaries of the ministers until 1823, when the selectmen received the following letter from Mr. Lord :
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THE TOWN MINISTRY.
XII.]
" AMHERST, March 25, 1823. To the Selectmen of Amherst :
GENTLEMEN: The pressure of these times upon the agricultural interest, and the withdrawing of a considerable number of the inhab- itants of this town from the support of the ministry, may have made the burden of the ministerial salary inconvenient to many of the persons who are now called upon to bear it.
Believing it to be the duty of ministers to share, so far as they can consistently do it, in whatever sacrifice may be thought necessary to the maintenance of the Gospel, I am freely disposed to abate some- thing of the terms of my contract made with the town at my ordina- tion. Accordingly, I hereby relinquish one hundred dollars of my stipulated annual salary, which will now, in view of the tax usually assessed on me, be reduced to a sum short of six hundred dollars. And I do this for so long a time as the interests of religion in this place may be thought to require, or the necessary provision for my family will in any wise allow it.
Yours, very respectfully, N. LORD.
Capt. JOHN SECOMBE, Capt. DANIEL CAMPBELL, Mr. ISRAEL FULLER."
From this time until 1828 but $750 annually was assessed to pay the ministers' salaries. In 1828, 8850 was raised, and from 1829 to 1831, inclusive, $150 was voted for that purpose. In March, 1832, the town, not greatly to its credit, voted to dismiss so much of the article in the warrant for the annual meeting as related to Rev. Jeremiah Barnard's salary, and no provision was made for its pay- ment in 1833 or 1834.
1 September, 1834, they voted to make no defence in the action commenced by Rev. Jeremiah Barnard against the town of Amherst.
In January, 1826, Mr. Lord was afflicted with a violent cold, which affected his voice in such a manner that it was with difficulty he could speak. He however continued to supply the desk until the last Sunday in February, when his voice almost entirely failed. From that time until April, 1827, he was unable to preach, and was absent a
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HISTORY OF AMHERST.
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great part of the time on journeys for the recovery of his health. He preached 12 April, 1827, and his voice rapidly improved. In May, 1828, his voice again failed, and, being advised by physicians that the prospect of regaining it for some time at least was small, he accepted the presidency of Dartmouth College, to which he was elected in August of that year.
In consequence of this he asked to be dismissed from the pastoral care of the church.
A committee was appointed by the church, shortly after, to act with the pastor in arranging for the meeting of a council to aet upon the question of his dismissal.
The council met 22 October, 1828, and, after hearing the statements of the parties, voted that the relation existing between Mr. Lord and the church should be dissolved on and after the 22d of November following.
3 November, 1828, the town voted that the contract which existed between the town and Nathan Lord be dissolved, the dissolution to take place when the pastoral relation to the church should be dissolved.
With the exception of carrying out the contract made with Mr. Barnard, the agency of the town, in the support of the ministry, ceased with the dismission of Mr. Lord.
Mr. Barnard died 15 January, 1835, at the age of eighty- four years, nearly all the members of the church and con- gregation at the time of his settlement having preceded him to the grave.
This elosed the town ministry in Amherst. It embraced the pastorates of
Daniel Wilkins, proprietary and town, 42} years ;
Jeremiah Barnard, town and parish, 543 years ;
Nathan Lord, colleague, 12} years.
At the annual meeting in March, 1835, the town voted that the ministerial fund, or so much of it as might be necessary for the purpose, should be appropriated to pay the claim of Rev. Mr. Barnard against the town, and at the
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THE TOWN MINISTRY.
XII.]
next annual meeting the selectmen reported that they had paid, in settlement of an execution in favor of Mr. Barnard's estate, the sum of $476.24.
At a meeting held 22 March, 1836, the town of Mont Vernon voted to take the " ministerial money," so called, to defray the current expenses of the town, the same to be paid into the treasury for that purpose ; and so the avails of the sale of the "lot for the ministry," in Amherst, were disposed of.
The town was fortunate in the selection of its religious teachers. Mr. Wilkins well deserves the title of Father of the town. Among the first of the settlers, he identified himself thoroughly in all movements for their safety and well being. He toiled with them in the forests and fields, shared their poverty, educated their children, and in times of danger encouraged them by his advice and example. It is gratifying to know that in all their bitter dissensions, no one thought of assailing him. The inscription they caused to be engraved on the stone which marks his burial place gives their estimate of his character.
Mr. Barnard was altogether unlike his predecessor. His lot was cast in stormy times, among a divided people, and he possessed a will and energy to breast the storm. Not always wise or prudent in his utterances, his people soon learned that in a contest with him there were blows to take as well give. He lived and prospered where a man of a more quiet and peaceable disposition would have been crushed between the contending factions in the town. More tolerant of religious than political differences, he kept the people of his parish together, and when he retired they were ready to give a cordial welcome to his successor.
Mr. Lord came to his work while yet in the spring-time of life, a thoroughly educated gentleman, with decided convic- tions and an iron will. The civil dissensions in the town had been healed by the incorporation of the different parishes into towns ; but differences of opinion existed in
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HISTORY OF AMHERST.
[Chap.
his church which he was called upon to reconcile or combat. Into this contest he threw himself, with his whole energy, managing his case with consummate skill. The failure of his voice compelled his resignation, but he had thoroughly prepared this place for the reception of his whole-souled, earnest successor, Silas Aiken.
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THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
XIII.]
CHAPTER XIII. CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH .- ITS COVENANT .- SETTLEMENT OF MR. WILKINS AND MR. BARNARD .- SETTLEMENT OF MR. LORD .- THE UNITARIAN CONTROVERSY .- CLOSE OF MR. LORD'S MINISTRY .- ORGANIZATION OF THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY .- SETTLEMENT OF MR. AIKEN .- TEMPERANCE RESOLUTIONS .- RESIGNATION OF MR. AIKEN .- SETTLEMENT OF MR. ADAMS .- HIS RESIGNATION .- SETTLEMENT OF MR. SAVAGE. -ANTI-SLAVERY TROUBLES .- DISMISSAL OF MR. SAVAGE. -SETTLEMENT OF MR. DAVIS .- BUILDING A NEW CHAPEL. -THE " LAWRENCE," "HARTSHORN," AND MUSIC FUNDS .- RESIGNATION OF DR. DAVIS .- SETTLEMENT OF MR. LELAND .- OFFICERS, PRESENT AND PAST, OF THE CHURCH .- ORGANIZA- TION OF THE UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY .- THE CHRISTIAN, OR UNITARIAN, SOCIETY .- SETTLEMENT OF MR. SEWALL .- THE NEW MEETING-HOUSE BUILT .- SOLD TO THE BAPTIST SOCIETY. -THE FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY .- ORGANIZATION OF THE BAP- TIST CHURCH ON CHESTNUT HILL .- REMOVED TO "THE PLAIN."-PURCHASE OF THE NEW MEETING-HOUSE .- PASTORS. THE METHODIST SOCIETY .- ITS ORGANIZATION .- BUILDING AND DEDICATION OF THE CHAPEL. - MINISTERS .- CHURCH MUSIC.
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