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 22
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THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Congregational Church in Souhegan West was organized 22 September, 1741, and consisted of Daniel Wilkins, the pastor elect, Samuel Leman, Israel Towne, Samuel Lamson, Caleb Stiles, and Humphrey Hobbs.
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On the following day Mr. Wilkins was ordained and installed as its pastor. Immediately after the ordination services six females were admitted to church membership.
The church was the third formed in Hillsborough county, -that in Nashua, organized in 1685, and that in Notting- ham West (now Hudson), formed in 1737, only preceding it.
The articles of its covenant were as follows :
" We give ourselves up to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, as the only living and true God, and unto Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, Prophet, Priest, and King, avouching the Lord to be our God, and by the assistance of his Holy Spirit to cleave unto this one God and Mediator, as persons in solemn covenant with him.
2. We also promise to give up our natural offspring to the Lord, solemly binding ourselves to walk together in the ways of God's worship, and to cleave to his ordinances according to the rules of his word.
3. We promise to live in the mortification of our sin, and to endeav- our the mortification of it in others, so far as the rules require, and to submit ourselves to the government of Christ in his church, and obey the orders thereof.
4. We promise to train up all under our care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
5. We promise to walk before God in our houses, and maintain the worship of God therein.
6. We promise to study to maintain the peace and purity of the worship of God with us, that the blessing of God may be vouchsafed to this part of his heritage."
Humphrey Hobbs was elected deacon 6 January, 1742- 43, but resigned the following year to enter the military service in the war then in progress against the French and Indians, and James Cochran was elected to fill the vacancy caused by his resignation.
The sacrament of the Lord's supper was usually admin- istered five times in each year.
The first baptism of which we have any record was that of Deborah, daughter of William and Sarah Lancy, in September, 1743,
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Neither Mr. Wilkins or Mr. Barnard left much account of the proceedings of the church during their pastorates, and the little left is now mislaid or lost.
After a ministry of thirty-four years, Mr. Wilkins's faculties, physical and mental, failed, and the town made preparations for settling a colleague. After two or more ineffectual attempts with other parties, Mr. Jeremiah Barn- ard was invited to become colleague pastor with Mr. Wilkins. He accepted the invitation, and was ordained and installed 3 March, 1780. The action of the church in regard to his settlement has been preserved and is here given.
At a church meeting held in Amherst on Tuesday, 9 Nov., 1779, Rev. Jacob Burnap, moderator, it was
" Voted, First that the church were satisfied with the preaching and ministration of Rev. Jeremiah Barnard since he has been among us.
Secondly, Voted to give Mr. Jeremiah Barnard a call and invita- tion to take the pastoral care and oversight of this Church and flock of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to settle with us in the Gospel ministry.
Thirty-one were present, of whom twenty-six voted yea, and five voted nay.
Thirdly, voted to adjourn this meeting till Monday next.
Monday, Nov. 15, 1779. The Ch'ch met according to adjournment. The first vote again called and passed in the affirmative. The second vote again called : yeas, 47 ; nays, 8.
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Dea. Boutwell, Dea. Wilkins, and John Shepard, jr., Esq., were chosen a committee to wait on Mr. Barnard and acquaint him with the pro- ceedings of the church. Amos Flint, John Shepard, jr., Esq., and William Bradford, were chosen a committee to wait upon the Select_ men to request them to call a town-meeting to see if the town will concur in giving Mr. Jeremiah Barnard a call and invitation to settle with us in the work of the Gospel ministry. Attest,
JACOB BURNAP, Moderator.
SAMUEL WILKINS, Clerk.
An account of the long ministry of Mr. Barnard may be found in another place. At last propositions were made to him by the town for the settlement of a colleague to share
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the labors of the ministry with him. To these he returned a favorable answer, and, after hearing a candidate several Sabbaths, the church, at a meeting held 13 January, 1816, voted unanimously that Mr. Nathan Lord be invited to settle in the work of the ministry and take the oversight of this church and congregation, as colleague pastor with Rev. Jeremiah Barnard.
Voted, that Rev. Mr. Barnard furnish Mr. Lord with a copy of the above vote.
Robert Means, Esq., William Fisk, Esq., and Dr. Mat- thias Spalding, were appointed a committee to wait upon the selectmen of the town, acquaint them with the proceed- ings of the church, and request them to call a meeting of the town to see whether the town will concur with the church in the settlement of Mr. Lord in the work of the ministry, as above proposed, and what salary they will offer him for his support.
The town having concurred with the church in giving Mr. Lord an invitation to settle in the ministry in this place, and made satisfactory provision for his support, he signified his acceptance of the call.
A council was called for his examination and ordination, which met 22 May, 1816. The churches represented were those in Dunstable, Bedford, New Boston, Mont Vernon, Lyndeborough, Wilton, Milford, and Brookline. Rev. Thomas Beede was chosen moderator of the council, after which Rev. Jeremiah Barnard and Rev. Asa MeFarland were admitted as members. Mr. Beede then resigned the chair, and Rev. Mr. Barnard was elected moderator, and Mr. Beede scribe.
Documents, consisting of the call of the church, the record of the action of the town, and the answer of Mr. Lord, were then laid before the council, after the reading of which the usual examination of the candidate was made, which, being satisfactory, the council voted to proceed to his
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ordination and installation at half past eleven o'clock this morning.
The exercises on this occasion were :
Prayer by Rev. Thomas Beede, of Wilton.
Sermon by Rev. Asa McFarland, of Concord, from Mark XIII : 4.
Consecrating prayer by Rev. David MeGregor, of Bed- ford.
Charge by Rev. Jeremiah Barnard.
Right hand of fellowship by Rev. Humphrey Moore, of Milford.
Coneluding prayer by Rev. Stephen Chapin, of Mont Vernon.
Samuel Wilkins resigned the office of deacon 1 June, 1816, on account of his age and infirmities, and William Fisk and Dr. Matthias Spalding were elected deacons ; but at a meeting held 1 July following, both declined the acceptance of the office. Richard Boylston and Ephraim Blanchard were then elected, but neither accepted the appointment, and at a meeting held 23 August, 1816, it was voted that the election of deacons be indefinitely post- poned.
The subject was again brought up, shortly after, and a committee was appointed to ascertain the minds of the brethren upon the subject, and to especially inquire who would be willing to serve the church in the office.
5 May, 1817, the committee reported a list of names from which a selection might be made, and, at a meeting held 29 May, David Holmes and Matthias Spalding were chosen, and set apart for the service by prayer.
Dr. Spalding, at that time, retained his connection with the church in Chelmsford, Mass., from which his relations were transferred by letter, dated 16 November, 1817, which was laid before the church in Amherst 3 May, 1818, when it was voted to receive him as a member of the church in this place.
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17 December, 1820. The church voted that it cordially approved the appointment of the twenty-second day of December instant as a day of thanksgiving among the churches in New England, and would observe that day for the same pious purpose. Mr. Lord was requested to pre- pare and deliver a discourse suited to the occasion.
David Holmes resigned the office of deacon 17 April, 1823, and the church voted to accept his resignation.
Edmund Parker was chosen deacon 1 November, 1823, but declined the appointment. Afterward, Amos Elliott was chosen, who accepted it.
A communication from Charles H. Atherton, David Holmes, Ephraim Blanchard, and Elizabeth Holmes, was laid before the church 30 May, 1824, in which they stated that they had united themselves with the "Christian society " in Amherst, and with others contemplated forming a church in said society on Congregational principles : wherefore they requested a vote of the church transferring their connection, as church members, to take effect when they should have become members of the church to be formed. They also asked that it might be accompanied with a certificate of their membership and regular standing, agreeably to the usages of the Congregational churches in New England.
This application was referred to a committee who report- ed, 21 June, 1824, that as the petitioners had already separated themselves from the worship and communion of the church, contrary to the rules of the gospel, the tenor of their covenant engagements, and the usages of the Congre- gational churches in New England, they could no longer be considered members in regular standing, and, therefore, could not be recommended as such. That while the church could not pretend to question the civil right of the peti- tioners to institute such forms of religion as they might deem proper and expedient, and although the exercise of this right had virtually disclaimed the fellowship and
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authority of the church, the church could put no restraint upon them further than to remind them of their covenant obligations, but must leave them to the decision of a higher tribunal.
In conclusion they recommended that whenever the peti- tioners had formed themselves into a church, as proposed, the connection with this church should be considered as dissolved.
Which report was accepted, and the vote recommended was passed unanimously, and a copy was ordered to be transmitted to the petitioners.
A similar communication from Ephraim French and Tim- othy Nichols was answered in like manner.
Mr. Lord's ministry continued until 22 November, 1828, on which day his connection with the town and church was dissolved. He had been suffering for a long time from the effects of a violent cold, which had, at times, prevented him from preaching, and even speaking aloud. Being advised by physicians that his recovery was doubtful, he accepted the presidency of Dartmouth College, which was offered him in August, 1828.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
With the exception of carrying out the agreement entered into with Mr. Barnard in 1780, the agency of the town in the support of the ministry ceased with the resignation of Mr. Lord.
A meeting of the citizens interested in the subject was held 3 October, 1828, at which a society was formed under the name and title of the " Congregational Church and Society " in Amherst.
Edmund Parker was chosen clerk, David McGregor Means, treasurer, John Mack, James Bell, and Richard Boylston, standing committee, and John Secombe, Robert Means, and David Stewart, auditors.
Measures were at once taken for action with the church committee in procuring a supply for the pulpit.
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE CHURCH.
6 October, 1828, Dea. Matthias Spalding, Dea. John Hartshorn, David Fisk, 3d, Elijah Putnam, and Bartholo- mew Dodge, were chosen a committee to act in behalf of the church with a committee of the " Congregational Church and Society" in Amherst in procuring a supply for the desk, or a candidate for settlement, as soon as Mr. Lord ceases to supply the desk.
Edmund Parker was elected clerk.
The committee reported, 1 January, 1829, that they, and the committee appointed by the Congregational Church and Society, had contracted with Mr. Silas Aiken to supply the desk four Sabbaths, which he had done; that they then engaged him to preach four Sabbaths as a candidate for settlement, one of which had passed ; and that the present meeting was called to consider the expediency of giving him a call to settle with the church and society as a gospel minister.
It was then moved and voted that the church invite Mr. Silas Aiken to settle in the work of the gospel ministry with them, and take the oversight and watch of the church and the " Congregational Church and Society," in Amherst, as colleague with Rev. Jeremiah Barnard.
The committee was requested to lay a copy of the proceedings of the church before the society at their annual meeting on Monday next, and ask their concurrence therein, and also in providing a suitable support for Mr. Aiken, and, in case of their concurrence, the committee was authorized to act with the committee of the society in giving him a call.
19 January, 1829. The society voted to concur with the church in their vote giving Mr. Silas Aiken an invitation to settle with them, and take the oversight and watch of the church and of the society, as a gospel minister.
They also agreed to pay him the sum of $600 per annum, for his services, for so long a time as he should
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continue to perform the duties of a pastor to the church, and a minister to the society, the same to be paid in semi- annual installments, and, in case he should wish it, to allow him a vacation of two or three Sabbaths each year.
A record of the action of the church and society was communicated to Mr. Aiken by the committees of the two organizations, accompanied by the following letter :
"AMHERST, JJanuary 19, 1829. Mr. Silas Aiken :
DEAR SIR : The undersigned, a committee of the Church in this place, under the Pastoral care of the Rev. Jeremiah Barnard, and a Committee of the Congregational Church and Society in Amherst, in pursuance of votes of said Church and Society, herewith present you with a copy of the record of the proceedings of the Church, giving you an invitation to settle with them in the work of the Gospel ministry, and take the oversight and watch of the church and Society, as Colleague Pastor over the Church with the Rev. Jeremiah Barnard. Also a copy of the record of the proceedings of the Society, concurring with the Church in giving you said invitation, and fixing the sum they propose to offer you as a support or salary.
The Committee beg leave to add their earnest request that you will accept the invitation and settle with them as their minister.
Should you be pleased to give an affirmative answer, the Church will be ready to enter into a contract for the payment of your salary and make the necessary arrangements for your ordination.
With sentiments of great respect and affection, we are, Dear Sir, your sincere friends.
MATTHIAS SPALDING,
JAMES BELL,
JOHN HARTSHORN, JR.,
JOHN MACK,
ELIJAH PUTNAM, DAVID FISK, 3D.,
RICHARD BOYLSTON,
DAVID McG. MEANS,
BARTHOLOMEW DODGE, EDMUND PARKER,
Committee of the Church. Committee of the Society."
Mr. Aiken's reply :
" To the committees of the Congregational Church &. Society in Amherst :
DEAR BRETHREN & FRIENDS: I acknowledge the receipt of your joint invitation to settle with you in the work of the Gospel Ministry. However arduous and responsible the work to which you have called mne, and however incompetent I must feel myself to perform it in a manner acceptable to God and profitable to you, yet such were the
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circumstances of your request as to render the decision on my part far less difficult than it might otherwise have been.
From the first it has been my purpose to labor in the Lord's vine- yard, wheresoever in his providence he might plainly point me; and, after a prayerful consideration of the subject of your invitation, believing, as I do, that an indication of duty is now given me, I hereby signify my acceptance, and, relying upon the assistance of Almighty God, and moreover upon your Christian kindness and sympathy, I am ready to labor among you in the Gospel of Christ, according to the ability which God giveth.
I will only add that the very recent date of my "license to preach the Gospel," and consequently a want of suitable preparation for the multi. plied duties to which you have been pleased to call me may for some time render exchanges more frequent than otherwise I could have desired.
Yours in Christian affection,
SILAS AIKEN. January 31, 1829."
Mr. Aiken, having accepted the call, a council was called, which met at the chapel 4 March, 1829, and was organized by the choice of Rev. John H. Church, moderator, and Rev. Humphrey Moore, scribe.
After examining the papers laid before them, and the pastor elect, the council voted to proceed to his ordination.
The church, society, and ordaining council, accompanied by a band, marched in procession from the chapel to the meeting-house, where the ordination services were per- formed.
Rev. Mr. Savage, of Bedford, offered the opening prayer.
Rev. Mr. Green, of Boston, preached the sermon.
Rev. Mr. Smith, of Hollis, offered the consecrating prayer.
Rev. Dr. Church, of Pelham, gave the charge.
Rev. Mr. Richards, of Francestown, the right hand of fellowship.
Rev. Mr. Nott, of Dunstable, the address to the church and society.
And Rev. Mr. Bradford, of New Boston, offered the closing prayer.
Pilus Stiker
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The ordination services were interesting and impressive, and were listened to with profound attention by the large audience in attendance. The music, by a select choir, under the direction of Dr. Ambrose Seaton, was excellent.
Hon. Edmund Parker resigned the office of clerk, 8 April, 1829, and Rev. Silas Aiken was chosen in his place. Aaron Lawrence was chosen assistant clerk, and it was voted to contribute the sum of twenty dollars annually, for five years, to the funds of Dartmouth College.
Edmund Parker was elected deacon, 15 May, 1830, and accepted the appointment.
TEMPERANCE.
The following resolutions were adopted by the Congrega- tional Church in 1830, and signed by 224 of its members.
" 1. Resolved, that in our belief the use of ardent spirits has brought disgrace on our highly favored land, and ruin on thousands of our fellow-citizens.
2. Resolved, that it is the duty of every true patriot and friend of his country to exert his utmost endeavors to put an end to this disgraceful and destructive practice.
3. Resolved, that in our opinion the use of ardent spirits has been productive of innumerable evils to the church of Christ; that it has ruined the souls of men, hindered the progress and effect of truth, brought great and deserved reproach on the professors of religion, and through them on the cause of Christ.
4. Resolved, that it is the duty of every professed follower of Christ to use his utmost efforts to put a stop to this great sin, and so remove this stumbling block out of the way, and for this purpose not only to refrain from the use himself, but to use his influence to induce others to refrain.
5. Resolved, that we whose names are subscribed to these resolu- tions, members of this church, will abstain from the use of ardent spirits ourselves, except as a medicine, and will in every proper way discountenance and discourage the use of them in others.
6. Resolved, that we will endeavor, by the blessing of GOD, to live up to the spirit of these resolutions, that in the words of our covenant the blessing of GOD may be vouchsafed to this part of his heritage."
Judge Parker resigned the office of deacon prior to his removal to Nashua, and Abel Downe was chosen to fill the
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vacancy, 21 June, 1836. David Fisk, 3d, was chosen deacon, 18 November, 1836, in place of Dea. Scaton, deccased, and Cyrus Eastman was chosen to that office 30 December, 1836.
30 December, 1836. The meeting-house building com- mittee was authorized to sell and convey all the right the church had in the old chapel building, should they meet with a favorable opportunity so to do, it being understood that the proceeds of the sale were to be applied toward defraying the expense of removing and altering the meet- ing-house.
14 February, 1837. Rev. Mr. Aiken stated to the church, verbally, and in writing, that he had received an invitation to settle with the Park street church, in Boston, in the ministry, which, after due consideration, he had decided to accept. He desired that a mutual council might be called to consider the case, and dismiss him, if they thought proper.
The church reluctantly voted to grant his request, and appointed a committee to join with him in calling a council.
A committee was appointed, 21 February, 1837, to make provision for the accommodation of the council, and to lay before them every thing they might deem proper in regard to the request of Mr. Aiken.
The council met 28 February, and, after hearing the state- ments of the committee and pastor, voted that the connec- tion existing between Mr. Aiken and the church, as pastor and people, be dissolved.
Provision was made, in conjunction with the society, for the supply of the pulpit by candidates and others after the withdrawal of Mr. Aiken, and on the 21st day of August following the church voted to give Mr. Frederick A. Adams a call to settle with them in the work of the ministry, and chose a committee to act in concert with a committee of the society in the matter.
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A call having been given to Mr. Adams, and accepted, a committee was chosen, 2 October, 1837, to act with a com- mittee of the society in calling a council for his ordination.
The council met 14 November. Rev. Ephraim P. Brad- ford was chosen moderator, and Rev. David Perry, scribe. The examination of the candidate being satisfactory, it was voted to proceed to his ordination on the following day, and the parts were assigned as follows :
Invocation and reading of the scriptures, Rev. David Perry, of Hollis.
Introductory prayer, Rev. John W. Salter, of Milford.
Sermon, Rev. Nathan Lord, of Hanover.
Ordaining prayer, Rev. Thomas Savage, of Bedford.
Charge to the pastor, Rev. Humphrey Moore, of Milford.
Right hand of fellowship, Rev. Edwin Jennison, of Mont Vernon.
Address to the people, Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford, of New Boston.
Concluding prayer, Rev. Austin Richards, of Nashua.
19 December, 1837, it was voted to pay $100 from the church funds to the building committee of the meeting- house to relieve them from the liabilities they have neces- sarily incurred in completing the house, and that the same be paid prior to the 1st day of January, 1838. Forty dollars additional was voted to be paid as soon as the same could be spared from the funds of the church.
11 February, 1840, $100 more was voted for the same purpose, fifty dollars to be paid immediately, and fifty dollars more when the state of the treasury would admit of it.
11 August, 1840, Mr. Adams read a communication to the church resigning his office as pastor, which was accepted at a meeting held one week subsequently, and Dr. Matthias Spalding, Aaron Lawrence, and Dea. David Fisk, were appointed a committee to join with Mr. Adams in calling a mutual council for his dismission.
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The council, which met 24 September, 1840, organized by the appointment of Rev. Humphrey Moore as moderator, and Rev. David Perry, seribe. After hearing the state- ments of all parties interested who chose to appear, they voted that the pastoral relation existing between Rev. Mr. Adams and the church in Amherst should be, and hereby is, dissolved.
Nothing appearing against the character of Mr. Adams as a Christian minister, or as a man, he was "cordially recommended to the Church of Christ as an able and faith- ful minister of the Lord Jesus."
At a meeting held 21 December, 1840, the church voted to give Rev. William T. Savage a call to settle with them in the gospel ministry.
11 January, 1841, a committee was chosen
" To extend to Mr. Savage an invitation to settle with us as our ininister, and to contract with him for his annual support."
Mr. Savage gave an affirmative answer to the invitation of the committee, and a council was called by which he was examined, approved, and installed.
The services of installation took place 24 February, 1841, the different parts of the exercises being performed as follows :
Invocation and reading of the scriptures, Rev. David Perry, of Hollis.
Introductory prayer, Rev. James Means, of Concord, Mass.
Sermon, Rev. Thomas Savage, of Bedford.
Prayer of installation, Rev. Austin Richards, of Nashua. Charge to the pastor, Rev. Humphrey Moore, of Milford.
Right hand of fellowship, Rev. Benjamin F. Clark, Chelmsford, Mass.
Address to the people, Rev. Jonathan MeGee, of Nashua.
Concluding prayer, Rev. Stephen T. Allen, of Merri- mack.
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