USA > New Hampshire > Grafton County > Bristol > History of the town of Bristol, Grafton County, New Hampshire, Volume I > Part 34
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3. We believe that man was made in the image of God, that he might know, love, and obey God, and enjoy him forever ; that our first parents, by disobedience, fell under the righteous condemnation of God ; and that all men are so alienated from God that there is no salvation from the guilt and power of sin except through God's redeeming grace.
4. We believe that God would have all men return to him; that to this end he has made himself known, not only through the works of nature, the course of His providence, and the consciences of men, but also through supernatural revelations made especially to a chosen people, and above all, when the fullness of time was come, through Jesus Christ His Son.
5. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the record of God's revelation of himself in the work of redemption ; that they were written by men under the special guidance of the Holy Spirit ; that they are able to make wise unto salvation; and that they constitute the authoritative standard, by which religious teaching and human conduct are to be regulated and judged.
6. We believe that the love of God to sinful men has found its highest expression in the redemptive work of his Son; who became man,. uniting his divine nature with our human nature in one person ; who was tempted like other men, yet without sin; who, by his humiliation, his holy obedience, his sufferings, his death on the cross, and his resur- rection, became a perfect Redeemer ; whose sacrifice of himself for the sin of the world declares the righteousness of God, and is the sole and sufficient ground of forgiveness and reconciliation with him.
7. We believe that Jesus Christ, after he had risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, as the one mediator between God and man, he carries forward his work of saving men; that he sends the Holy Spirit to convict them of sin, and to lead them to repentance and faith; and that those who through renewing grace turn to righteousness, and trust in Jesus Christ as their Redeemer, receive for his sake the forgiveness of their sins, and are made the children of God.
8. We believe that those who are thus regenerated and justified grow in sanctified character through fellowship with Christ, the indwell- ing of the Holy Spirit, and obedience to the truth; that a holy life is the
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL .
fruit and evidence of saving faith ; and that the believer's hope of con- tinuance in such a life is in the preserving grace of God.
9. We believe that Jesus Christ came to establish among men the kingdom of God, the reign of truth and love, righteousness and peace ; that to Jesus Christ, the Head of this kingdom, Christians are directly responsible in faith and conduct; and that to him all have immediate access without mediatorial or priestly intervention.
IO. We believe that the Church of Christ, invisible and spiritual, comprises all true believers, whose duty it is to associate themselves in churches, for the maintenance of worship, for the promotion of spiritual growth and fellowship, and for the conversion of men; that these churches, under the guidance of the Holy Scriptures and in fellowship with one another, may determine-each for itself-their organization, statements of belief, and forms of worship, may appoint and set apart their own ministers, and should co-operate in the work which Christ has committed to them for the furtherance of the gospel throughout the world.
II. We believe in the observance of the Lord's Day, as a day of holy rest and worship; in the ministry of the word; and in the two sacra- ments, which Christ has appointed for His church ; baptism, to be admin- istered to believers and their children, as the sign of cleansing from sin, of union to Christ, and the impartation of the Holy Spirit; and the Lord's Supper, as a symbol of his atoning death, a seal of its efficacy, and a means whereby he confirms and strengthens the spiritual union and communion of believers with himself.
12. We believe in the ultimate prevalence of the kingdom of Christ over all the earth ; in the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; in the resurrection of the dead; and in a final judgment, the issues of which are everlasting punishment and everlast- ing life.
Mr. Pillsbury had a successful pastorate of over six years. He tendered his resignation Nov. 13, 1888, and was dismissed by council Nov. 22. The ecclesiastical council which dismissed him was composed of Rev. Quincy Blakely, Campton ; Rev. W. W. Dow, and Dea. Geo. B. Pulsifer, Danbury ; Rev. J. H. Bliss, and John D. Kirk, Franklin; Dea. Samuel Wells, Hebron ; Rev. H. P. Peck, Plymouth, and Rev. E. H. Greeley, D.D., Concord.
In the summer of 1886, further improvements were made in the church edifice. An addition was made to the west end to accommodate the organ and choir behind the pulpit.
Rev. Geo. W. Patterson succeeded Mr. Pillsbury, and he was ordained Dec. 11, 1888, at 7 o'clock p. m., by an ecclesiastical council. The invocation was by Rev. W. A. Nealy, pastor of the Free Baptist church, Bristol, and the Scriptures were read by Rev. J. H. Bliss, Franklin. The sermon was by Rev. W. J. Tucker, D.D., of Andover, Mass., now president of Dartmouth college. The ordination prayer was offered by Rev. F. D. Ayer, D.D .; the charge was by Rev. E. H. Greeley, D.D .; the right hand of fellowship by Rev. C. C. Sampson, Tilton, and prayer by Rev. Otis Cole, pastor of the Methodist church, Bristol. The other members of the council were C. S. Parker, Concord ; David E.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, REMODELED 1870
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. ECCLESIASTICAL - CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
Willard, Concord ; J. D. Kirk, Franklin ; Hon. James W. Pat- terson, Hanover ; George E. Colburn, Groton, and George A. Sumner, Hill. Mr. Patterson labored here till April 13, 1890.
Rev. John W. Savage accepted a call as acting pastor of this church Nov. 27, 1890, and continued to fill this position till August, 1902. Mr. Savage was born in Somers, New York, Feb. 3, 1833. His preparation for the ministry included three years at Howard college ; one year at Harvard ; two years at the Newton Theological institute, and one year at the Bangor Theological seminary. He was ordained in 1863. Before coming to Bristol he filled pastorates at Bluehill, Me .; Kennebunkport, Me .; Dover, N. H .; Canton, Mass .; North Stonington, Conn., and Cohas- set, Mass. He is now serving the Congregational church at Greenfield. Mr. Savage is a ripe scholar and an accomplished gentleman, a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and his presence is al- ways a welcome addition to any gathering. In Bristol he served five years on the board of education, two years as superin- tendent.
Rev. H. F. Graham succeeded Mr. Savage as a supply.
For vestry purposes the society continued to use the hall in the second story of Boardman's block till the block was destroyed by fire in April, 1889. From this time, it occupied the second story of the postoffice block till 1896, when it moved into rooms in Taylor & Merrill's new block on Spring street, which are still used as vestries.
The first bell was placed in the belfry of the Congregational church in 1832, and the first clock about 1836. The clock had but one face-on the north. This bell was replaced about 1844 by another. Both these bells and the clock were paid for by public subscription, and the bell was used for public pur- poses. Sunday morning, Mar. 2, 1884, while being rung for ser- vice, this bell was cracked. At the November election, follow- ing, the town appropriated $250 to aid in purchasing another, on condition that the town ,continue to use it for fire and clock purposes. The new bell was hung Dec. 22, 1884. It weighs 1,500 pounds, and is tuned to the key of G. The clock did con- stant service till 1882, when the town purchased the present four-faced clock at an expense of $500. It was placed in posi- tion in July of that year.
MEMBERSHIP
At the end of the first year after the church was organized, the membership was 17. In 1830, it was 28 ; in 1840, 39. In 1844, under the pastorate of Rev. Daniel O. Morton, with an addition of 16, there was a reported increase from 38 to 80. In 1848, the membership was reported as 85; in 1858, 81; 1868, 75. In 1871, under the pastorate of Rev. Silas Ketchum, there was a gain of 51, a total of 133; in 1875, 129; 1876, 141. In
20a
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
1885, the membership was 116; in 1892, 130. The next year, there were reported 30 removals and a membership of 100. The present membership is 70.
PASTORS
Rev. Samuel Arnold, 1826-May, 1828.
Rev. Job Cushman, June, 1828-August, 1829.
Rev. John S. Winter, October, 1831-March, 1837.
Rev. John Wellman, May, 1837-1841.
Rev. Joel Wright, as early as June, 1841-early in 1842. Rev. Daniel O. Morton, June 8, 1842-Mar. 25, 1852.
Rev. Joseph Garland, June, 1852-January, 1857.
Rev. John Clark, January, 1857-June 1, 1858.
Rev. William S. Spaulding, February, 1859-1861.
Rev. Charles F. Abbott, Aug. 14, 1861-July 1, 1866.
Rev. Silas Ketchum, November, 1866-May 2, 1875. Rev. Albert W. Moore, May, 1875-May, 1877.
Rev. John M. Hart, May, 1877-May, 1878.
Rev. Edwin L. Jaggar, May, 1879-May 10, 1881.
Rev. Hervey G. Pillsbury, May, 1882-Nov. 22, 1888.
Rev. George W. Patterson, December, 1888-April 13, 1890. Rev. John W. Savage, Nov. 27, 1890-Aug. 2, 1902.
Rev. Hugh F. Graham, August, 1902.
DEACONS
At the organization of the church, John Gutterson of Alex- andria was elected deacon. He continued to serve till Decem- ber, 1827, when he removed to another town.
Peter Wells and John S. Bryant were elected April 14, 1833. Luther Winchester was elected June 10, 1837.
Chester Stone and Gardner Bowers were elected Sept. 24, 1842. Both had filled this office in other churches, Mr. Bowers at Franklin. They were ordained Jan. 15, 1843. Rev. E. B. Tracey, of Boscawen, preached the ordination sermon ; Rev. Isaac Knight, of Franklin, offered prayer, and the pastor im- posed hands.
A. B. Sanborn, of New Hampton, was a deacon before unit- ing with this church. He acted as deacon here for several years previous to 1852, when he removed to Sanbornton, and his place was filled by Deacon Samuel Danforth, who had been a deacon in the church at Dana, Mass.
B. L. Boardman was also acting deacon here for some years.
Calvin Cass was elected in 1863 ; Jonathan Merrill, in 1863, and John F. Cass was elected Oct. 17, 1871. All these con- tinued to act till their death.
Nathan B. Buttrick was elected Oct. 17, 1871, and George W. Sumner, April 16, 1879, and are still serving.
CHAPTER XXV
ECCLESIASTICAL-FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH AND SOCIETY
'Tis heaven alone that is given away, 'Tis only God may be had for the asking. - Lowell.
The Freewill Baptist denomination had its birth in New Durham, June 30, 1780. It was planted in fertile soil, and spread rapidly in the central part of the state. Probably the first decade of its existence had not passed before preachers of this denomination had penetrated this region and secured adherents to the new creed.
In March, 1803, Rev. David Fisk removed from Boscawen to the east bank of the Pemigewasset river opposite the lower part of Bristol, and settled on what is still known as the Fisk farm. He commenced at once to hold preaching services at his house, and some were converted. These united with a few of the Freewill Baptist faith then residing in Bridgewater village and monthly meetings were held, half the time on the Bridge- water side of the river and half the time on the New Hampton side.
One of those living in Bridgewater village who united with this band was Dr. Timothy Kelly. He was a man of much strength of character, and occasionally preached or held meet- ings as an exhorter. He thought it a matter only of his own concern how much spirituous liquors he consumed, and when his brethren sought to labor with him on this account he rebelled and broke up the society. Then a band of twelve organized another society with Rev. David Fisk at the head, as before. In 1810, ' Mr. Fisk was ordained and given authority to admin- ister the sacraments ; viz., "baptizing, administering the Lord's
I In 1804, this new denomination had so increased that it received legal recognition in the state by the passage in the legislature of a resolu- tion "that the people of this state commonly known by the name of Freewill Anti pedo Baptist church and Society shall be considered as a distinct religious sect or denomination, with all the privileges as such agreeably to the constitution."
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
Supper, washing the saint's feet, and anointing the sick with oil." This society was called the "Second Freewill Baptist Church of New Hampton."
In Bristol village there was occasional preaching by minis- ters of this denomination in the Methodist chapel and in other places. In 1829, there was an extensive revival of religion in the Second Freewill Baptist church in New Hampton under the labors of Elder Dudley Pettingill, the fruit of which extended to Bristol village. The next year, the Fisk meeting-house in New Hampton was built.
It will thus be seen that Freewill Baptist influences were at work in this community many years before there was a church or society of this denomination in Bristol village.
On the establishment of the church at Bristol some of the Freewill Baptist organizations, in the near-by outlying districts, lost their vitality and soon ceased to exist. The members of the Second Church in New Hampton voted, in 1854, to disband, a part taking letters to the First Freewill Baptist church at New Hampton village, and a part to the new church at Bristol; the church in the Borough ceased to exist ; and a society at South Alexandria lost its identity, and some of its members became a part of the Bristol society.
The Bristol society was organized Sept. 20, 1845, under the name of The Bristol and Alexandria Freewill Baptist Society. The word Alexandria was inserted because some of the organi- zers were from South Alexandria, as noted above, and not because it was a union society of the two towns. Steps were at once taken looking to the erection of a meeting-house ; and Stephen Nelson, Favor Locke, William W. Pattee, and John M. R. Emmons were made a committee to select a location. It was decided to build a church forty-two feet wide and long enough to contain fifty-two pews. Thirty of the pews in the proposed church were subscribed for, but this was not enough to warrant building, and action was delayed till March, 1847, when the directors purchased of Walter Sleeepr for $50 the old Methodist chapel. The chapel was at once repaired and the pews sold to cover the expense.
Preaching was sustained more or less of the time from the organization of the society ; Rev. Ebenezer Fisk and Rev. David Calley being each engaged for one-third of the time. Elder Calley commenced his services in the spring of 1847, and was supplying this people at the time of the organization of the church, at which time he was chosen pastor. On the 21st of September, 1848, the Freewill Baptist church was organized in the old chapel. The council consisted of Elders Fisk, Calley, and Amos Brown. The charge was given by Elder Fisk. October 3, following, Favor Locke and William Eaton were elected deacons, and the following covenant was adopted :
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ECCLESIASTICAL - FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH
COVENANT OF THE FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH IN BRISTOL, ADOPTED OCTOBER 3, 1848.
Preamble.
Having been brought, as we humbly trust, by divine grace to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, through whose merits alone we hope to be saved ; and believing that God requires us to unite our efforts to promote the interests of Christ's Kingdom on the earth, in order more clearly to understand our duty to God, to one another, and to the world, we adopt the following as our
Church Covenant.
This church shall be known as the Free Will Baptist Church in Bris- tol. We agree to take the Holy Scriptures for our only rule of faith and practice, and to reject as human and dangerous whatever they do not require as of divine authority. We believe that the Treatise on the Faith of the Free Will Baptists contains a summary of the doctrines of the Bible, which we agree to own and defend according to the best of our ability. We solemnly covenant before God that we will strive by his assisting grace to exemplify our confession by a practice, which shall correspond to all which we have above professed. And we do now give ourselves publickly and renewedly to God to love and serve him till death -and to his people to live together with them in brotherly love and union. And we do solemnly covenant, that we will exercise a mutual Christian care and watchfulness over one another and will faithfully labor for the promotion of each others spiritual wellfare by fervent prayer, faithful admonitions and affectionate rebuke if necessary- will endeavor to restore the erring in the spirit of meekness, and labor to- gether by prayer, precept and example for the salvation of sinners.
We do covenant that we will contribute of our substance for the support of a faithful ministry among us, and the necessary means of grace, and will be devoted to the needy and especially to the poor of our own church ; and we will as far as we are able attend upon the public worship of God, and the stated meeting of the church, and will [ pray ] for its prosperity and uplifting in the most holy faith ; and we will not forsake it in adversity, but will bear each others burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. We will constantly maintain secret and family devotions, and we will religiously instruct those under our care, and will cordially cooperate with those who minister to us in holy things and will esteem them highly for their works sake.
We covenant that we will not traffic in nor use intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and that we will sustain the other benevolent enterprises of the day, as missions, Sabbath schools, moral reform, anti-slavery educa- tion, and all others which in the use of holy means, tend to the glory of God and the wellfare of men.
We covenant and agree that we will love all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ, and that we will avoid all extravagance and sinful conform- ity to the world, and will abstain from all sinful amusements, as theatre, dancing and gambling, and from all vain festivals, and will refrain from all unchaste and profane conversation, and from the reading of wicked and corrupting publications. We will walk circumspectly towards those without, that the cause of God be not reproached on our account.
And may the God of peace sanctify us wholly and preserve us blame- less to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to join the glorified around the throne of God in ascribing blessing and honor and glory and power unto him that sitteth on the throne and unto the Lamb forever and ever. Amen.
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
Those who united with the church at its organization were William Eaton, Favor Locke and wife, John M. R. Emmons and wife, Mrs. Isaac Swett, Mrs. Sally Perkins, and Benjamin Q. Fellows.
Rev. David Calley closed his first pastorate of this church May 1, 1849, being obliged to relinquish public speaking on ac- count of a throat trouble. Rev. Francis P. Newell succeeded him, and served till May 18, 1850.
In March, 1850, Elder Fisk proposed that the old chapel be torn down and a new edifice erected from the material, on land offered by him on Summer street. This was done a few months later and the present church was erected. The new edifice cost $1, 260, and $900 was realized from the sale of pews. This work was done largely through the efforts and means of Elder Fisk, and he took the unsold pews in the new church as compensa- tion. The pews in the old church were appraised at $r each, and Gilman Ingalls, Jr., Stephen Nelson, and Joseph Kidder were the building committee.
The new church was 40 X 48 feet square, and contained fifty-four pews. These were on a level except the singing seats in the south end which were raised two and three steps. The pul- pit was between the two doors in the north end. Four years later, the basement was completed for a vestry.
The first pastor in the new church was Rev. Samuel P. Fer- nald, who commenced his services here the same day that his predecessor retired. He continued here till September, 1853, when he closed a most acceptable pastorate. Mr. Fernald was born in North Berwick, Me., May 25, 1809. He was ordained at East Wolfeboro, May 26, 1833. He held pastorates at East Tilton, Northwood, Candia, Gilmanton Iron Works, where he remained nine years, Bristol, three years, Northwood, Ports- mouth, Goshen, Me., Moultonboro, Tuftonboro, closing his pastorate at the last named place in 1870. He subsequently served one year at Holderness, two years at Water Village, and at Holderness again one year. He died in North Berwick, Me., June 9, 1888. I
On the retirement of Mr. Fernald, Rev. David Calley again assumed the pastorate of this church and continued till 1860, serving seven years. During this time, he saw the society placed on a firm basis and general prosperity attend it.
Rev. Hiram S. Sleeper labored here from May 20, 1860, till March, 1862. Mr. Sleeper was born in New Sharon, Me., Jan. II, 18II. He was licensed to preach by the Farmington quar- terly meeting in 1839, and was ordained in December, 1842. He served as pastor of the Freewill Baptist church at Gardner, Me., for two years; at Monhegan, Me .; at Phippsburg, Me.,
I See Genealogies.
REV. DAVID CALLEY
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ECCLESIASTICAL - FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH
four years. After preaching fifteen years, he entered the New Hampton Biblical Institute, but left before the end of the year to accept a call to the pastorate of the church at Upper Gilmanton, where he remained five years from November, 1855. After his Bristol pastorate, he served four years at Loudon, and was pastor of the Freewill Baptist church at Meredith Center when he died, Aug. 11, 1867.
Rev. David Calley, for the third time, became pastor of this church on the retirement of Mr. Sleeper, and continued another seven years. During this last pastorate, the church edifice was remodeled (1867). Ten feet was added to its length on the south, entries were made in the front end, the orchestra and the pulpit were transposed, the pews turned round and a furnace placed in the basement. These changes cost $800, of which $5co was raised by an assessment on the pews.
Rev. David Calley professed religion at the age of twenty- three, and the next year (1837) he received a license to preach. In May, 1842, he was ordained at the Sandwich Quarterly meet- ing, and the next month he became the pastor of the Freewill Baptist church at No. Tunbridge, Vt., where he remained till April, 1847. He then resigned and went to Plymouth to care for his father in his last sickness. During his residence at Plymouth, he preached at Holderness and other places, and commenced his labors as a supply for the church at Bristol. After retiring from his first pastorate at Bristol, he preached but once for three years ; but, in 1852, he resumed public work and continued in the active work of the pastorate for forty years. After his second pastorate at Bristol, he returned to North Tun- bridge, Vt., where he remained three years and then again returned to the Bristol church for another seven years. Mr. Calley thus served sixteen years as pastor of the Bristol church. To no one man does this church owe more than to Rev. David Calley. He was a man of great natural abilities, an excellent preacher, devoted, godly, and his pure life and disinterested labors endeared him to all classes in the community. He was of fine personal presence, standing six feet, two inches high. After retiring from the work in Bristol, he labored two years in Alexandria ; eight years in Sandwich ; two years again in Alex- andria, and five years in North Sandwich till 1887, Center Sandwich, South Tamworth, and Meredith Center, where he closed his pastoral labors in May, 1892. Mr. Calley is still living in Bristol at the good age of eighty-seven, beloved and respected by all. He still does occasional service.
Rev. George J. Abbott commenced to serve this people as pastor June 1, 1870, and continued till September, 1873. In 1872, the audience room was finely frescoed. Mr. Abbott was born in Jackson, Me., in 1830. He was educated at New Hampton and ordained, June, 1858, at Unity. His pastorates
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HISTORY OF BRISTOL
were South Monteville, Wayne, and Dover, Me .; Gonic, Bris- tol, Hampton ; Apponaug, R. I., and at Oakland, Me., where he died Nov. 3, 1883, aged fifty-three years.
Rev. Lewis Malvern served this church as pastor from September, 1873, till March, 1876. Mr. Malvern was born in Cheltenham, England, June 9, 1846. He was educated at New Hampton, licensed to preach in 1867; and ordained by the Sandwich Quarterly meeting June 3, 1874. His first pastorate was Bristol, and his work here greatly strengthened this church and increased its membership. During his pastorate, a pipe organ' was placed in the church at a cost of $800. He left Bris- tol, and went to Laconia, thence to Manchester, and again to Laconia, where he filled a long pastorate. He is now pastor of a church in Portland, Me.
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