USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Mason > History of the town of Mason, N. H. from the first grant in 1749, to the year 1858 > Part 30
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But if the first twelve years were not distinguished by success in his work, they were a period of singular and scvere trials to himself, in his domestic relations, such as to leave their traces on his character ever after. With his first wife, he lived but three years and one month. She died March 2d, 1794, aged twenty-nine years.
After a single life of a year and a half, he married (November 18th, 1795) Mrs. Rebecca Howard, widow of Samuel Howard, and daughter of Col. Ebenezer Bancroft, of Tyngsborough, Mass. But his house was soon again left des- olate. Consumption took from him the second wife July 2d, 1797. She was twenty-six years and four months of age.
On the 27th of September, 1799, he married Mrs. Abigail Stearns, widow of Edward Stearns, and daughter of Col. Timothy Jones of Bedford, Mass. With her he lived in great harmony and happiness, the remainder of his days, and she still lingers in lonely widowhood, at the home now desolate, where for many years, a numerous and happy family was gathered.
These severe afflictions seem to have had an important influence upon his character; they gave him a capacity to appreciate scenes of sorrow, and enabled him to sympathize with, and console those who were in trial.
It has already been remarked, that the first years of his ministry, were not distinguished by any particular and strik- ing indications of progress. It was a time of quict labor, and preparation for future harvest. In a country community, receiving no accessions from abroad, and sending off con- stantly, many of its most enterprising young people to the cities, and to Vermont and New York, the then distant West, the increase of the church, was usually slow and silent.
In 1802, there was a revival season, which resulted in the addition of forty-four persons to the church. Again in 1812, there was another season of revival, by which twenty-five persons were brought into the church. From this time, until 1826, no time of particular attention to religion, occurred.
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From time to time, persons united with the church, but no period of general interest was seen.
In the year 1826-27, there occurred a more general and powerful revival, than had ever been known in Mason. It was a genuine work of grace, and had immediate and perma- nent effects upon the church and town. Many who have been influential and decided christians, entered the church at that time. The season was one of constant and arduous labor for the pastor ; he preached almost incessantly on week days, in the school houses, and in the private houses of the town, and held frequent meetings for conference and inquiry, that he might know the state of all, and adapt his instructions to their condition.
Rev. John Spaulding, who is pleasantly remembered for his participation in the labors of that season, has furnished some important items, respecting it. He says in a letter, "It was my privilege to be a co-worker with him, to witness the joy of the harvest, as he garnered the seed long before sown. How many scenes and incidents during that work, never to be forgotten! That first prayer-meeting of the youth at the house of Mr. W., one of the daughters of the pastor, there being so impressed, that she went home to weep and to pray, and to give her heart to Christ, that very night. The many meetings for inquiry and prayer, in the pastor's house, meetings of weeping and joy! I seem still to see the heaven-lighted countenance of the good pastor glow, as successively informed that one and another and another, perhaps the last and least expected, had given the heart to Christ."
Several letters of his own remain, in which he gives many facts, concerning this deeply interesting work. From these letters, a better idea of that work can be formed, than from any other source, now accessible. The first of these, is a letter to his son in New York, dated Mason, March 15, 1826. An extract from which, is as follows: "It is with humble gratitude, that I can give you some intelligence more pleasing
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than I could have done a few weeks since. God is manifestly visiting this long barren spot, with some tokens of his special favor. There is, more than formerly, a degree of serious attention in some sections of the town, but it is not general. Religious meetings are frequent in some school houses. Some persons are now, under serious impressions, some greatly distressed, and a few, are already rejoicing in hope of salvation; and many others appear to listen and hear, with attention and feeling. *** * * has had a most distressing season for some weeks, so as not to attend to any work, but he appears to have found relief, and has a supporting hope. None have as yet, joined our church. We hope these are but the first-fruits of a large harvest. The Lord in his mercy grant that I may be able soon to give you a richer account of the displays of his grace, among the people of Mason." The second letter, giving a fuller account, is as follows :
MASON, May 1, 1826.
MY DEAR SON :- My time is so much taken up attending meetings, preaching, &c. that I can spare but little for writing now, and as I scarcely know any thing that is doing on the farm, shall not attempt to tell you any thing concerning it or other worldly affairs. I attend one or more meetings every day in the weck, except Saturday. The attention to religion yet increases. It first appeared in the westerly part of the town and has extended on to the east, like the progress of a cloud driven by the wind and shedding down rain. At pres- ent it seems confined to Mason in a great measure, if not entirely. You remember that a few years since, the neigh- boring towns had a refreshing shower, while not a drop fell on this barren spot. It scemed as if the very lines of the town were a barrier to the influences of the Spirit. I pray that the present refreshing cloud may spread over all our region. I have not ascertained exactly the number of hope- ful converts, but it is probably not much from eighty, in both societies, (the Congregationalist and Baptist.) Thus far the
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work has been different from what has been common in works of revival and reformation. It is principally among the mid- dle aged and heads of families, and the greater part of them men ; comparatively few young men have yet been subjects of converting grace. It is devoutly hoped that where stubborn, irreligious heads of families are made to bow, there is a blessing in reserve for their children. I mourn to sce so little effect on my own family. This day, the concert of prayer was attended, the fullest I have attended in Mason. After that, an enquiry meeting was held at my house; more than forty persons present, not all enquirers. This evening, a very full conference, at J. W's. I have noticed above, stubborn heads of families, but here remark, some of the most moral and regular, have been subjects of as deep and pungent conviction as any. Their names will convey to you all that is needful, to show you that the most moral and immoral, are included in this work of grace. *
I have mentioned these persons, to give you some view of the wonderful work. Several of these men I have named , have their wives with them, either rejoicing in hope, or trem- blingly anxious. And I must name to you, as trophies of divine grace, the distinguished worldlings, * and * * I must not omit to men- tion your friend, W. B. He has had a long season of convic- tion, but has now a very comfortable, if not joyful hope. In short, the greater part of the people of the town, are unusu- ally thoughtful. It is late, and I am weary. I can write no more, only to commend you to God, and the riches of his grace, and devoutly pray that you may share, and your brothers and sisters, in the same divine merey here displayed.
From your Father,
EBENE. HILL.
The next letter written to the same son, further described the progress of the revival.
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MASON, January 12, 1827.
DEAR SON :-* As for news from this region, the report is, the general state of health is good. The weather has been very mild and open until Christmas, then we began to experience Christmas weather. The ground continued bare until new year's day, when a severe snow storm commenced, and now we have an old fashioned winter, snow sufficiently deep, and drifts sufficiently large.
But to come to matters of more importance than all worldly concerns. The state and progress of religion, I think, is still promising in this town. After an apparent declension for some weeks, of the religions excitement and attention which had existed and been so powerful here, in some parts of the town, there is a manifest increased attention. There has been a short wintry season. Christians feared the work of grace was over. They were affected to see the multitude left out of the ark, and, I believe, gave themselves to prayer. The church met once and again for conference, to enquire into their own state of feeling, and to search for the causes of the work of God declining. Their hopes now begin to revive. In some parts of the town, the meetings are full and solemn. Two new cases of deep concern, and at least of conviction of danger, have come to knowledge this week. The last week, Mr. - , who has been wading in deep waters since last spring, fearing for himself, yet contending against God, has discovered that nothing was in the way of his salvation, but his own wicked, rebellious heart, and has joyfully bowed in submission. His difficulties all removed, so that he won- dered at them, and thought he could show every one the way so that they must see it. Alas ! he cannot make them open their eyes. I hope when I write to you again, I shall be able to write you more similar interesting facts. Through the goodness of God, we are all in health.
From your affectionate Father,
EBEN". HILL.
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MASON, January 15, 1827.
Three days later he wrote to his eldest son, residing in Tennessee. In the following extracts from this letter, some additional facts are stated.
MY DEAR CHILDREN :-* * * I have another reason however, for not writing many letters in the year that is passed. We have had a season of unusual religious atten- tion. The revival began in the winter, and for a time, very few, if any in all the town, were not unusually thoughtful and solemn. For six or eight months, I preached as often as once a day, or nearly, besides on the sabbath, and attended many other meetings. You must be sensible my time has been fully occupied, nevertheless, I have not forgotten, but daily remembered my absent, far distant children. 0! may they be the happy partakers of that mercy and grace, which has been displayed here. We have received into the church, sixty-seven members. Above thirty have joined the Baptist church. Probably fifty more entertain hope in Christ. And although the work seems to have abated, new cases of seri- ous concern occur. Among those who have made profession of religion, are our principal young married men, who are taking the places of their fathers, gone and going off the stage. Of my family, only Lucy has made a profession of religion. I hope the rest are not all without some well- grounded hope, of having chosen the better part. O! could I hear from my distant children, that they are wise for them- selves, this would indeed be good news from a far country. Will you not each one, at my request, on the receipt of this letter, sit down and calculate what will be the real profit, to gain the whole world and lose the soul. Since the soul may be lost, and if lost, it is forever lost, every dictate of reason and prudence, urge to attend to the salvation of the soul, before any other concern. We may trifle with solemn subjects, we may frame or admit as forcible, arguments which may make us careless about our souls, or may quiet our minds, when but little moved, but so long as awake to our
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eternal well-being, nothing but hope like an anchor, can sup- port us ; and O! eternity is near ! and as surely as God is holy, so must we be holy, to be happy in him. Consider, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed ?" After death, there can be no change until the judgment, the sen- tence then will be eternal.
From your affectionate Father,
EBENT. HILL.
Such letters as these, show something of the rise and progress of this interesting work of grace, and also, exhibit the pastor's uprightness and skill in the work before him. The direct results of that revival, were the addition of eighty-six members to the Congregational church, and also, a large number to the Baptist church. Religious things were in a better state, for many years following that interesting season, than they had ever been in Mason. There were no new measures used, no protracted meetings in the more recent acceptation of that term, and not much preaching, except by the pastor, and Mr. John Spaulding, a young minis- ter, who was his particular assistant. There was no effort made to gather numbers into the church, but an earnest effort to have all the professed converts well indoctrinated, and thoroughly acquainted with practical religious truth. Time has given good evidence for the greater part of those con- verts, shewing that they were the children of grace ; they have been prominent in all the religious affairs of the town, from that time until the present; they are now found the active members of the churches of Mason and other places, while some of them have gone home, leaving behind them evidence that they sleep in Jesus.
In 1831, the report of the meetings held in Western New York under the name of "three days meetings," attracted attention abroad, and gave rise to the idea of having them in other sections, and on the 19th of April, 1831, a three days
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meeting was commenced in Mason. It was a new thing, and attracted much attention. Many persons who had not been in the habit of attending religious meetings, were induecd to come where the gospel was preached, and there was a general attention to religion among all classes of people, for a time. Several persons were added to the church, apparently the fruits of this meeting and the state of things that followed it, but nothing like a general revival took place.
In 1835, there was a time of religious interest, which resulted in the gathering of thirty-eight persons into the church. This was the last season of revival while Mr. Hill remained sole pastor of the church, and during this season, he was aided for several weeks, by a young man of very decided ability, but somewhat erratic, who did not always carry out the views of the pastor and the more judicious members of the church.
These seasons of revival, were the most prominent points of the long pastoral life of the subject of this sketch; they were the harvests of the seed sown in quietness, and watched and waited for with care, at times when no direct results were apparent. Such times and seasons, when free from sectarian zeal, and when they are, as these were, the out- growth of quiet, permanent influences, are the richest rewards of the pastor's life, seasons of his highest joy and most satis- factory labor, glorious harvest scenes, when the souls of men are gathered into the kingdom of God. Blessed is that minister, whose manner of preaching and course of life, is best adapted to induce and promote them.
While attention should be directed to the seasons of revival in a particular manner, there are many things of a different character, details of common, practical life, that need to be given, in order to exhibit a distinct idea of a New England pastorship, and the general customs of that region during the period of his life. The customs of society are always silently changing, and the changes are, perhaps, as manifest in religious things, as in any other. These
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changes, are also better seen in reviewing the long life of a single individual, than in any other way.
During Mr. Hill's life as a minister, the most remarkable religious revolution that has ever been seen in New England, began, and passed on to its full development; it was the rise and progress of Unitarianism. The germs of this move- ment, are found much farther back, but there was nothing of it visible, for years after he began his active ministry. The Calvinism of the puritans, preserved the forms of its ancient life for many years after its spirit ceased to live in the heart of many of the churches. Few of the New England churches passed through the period of the war of the Revolution, retaining their ancient doctrine and spirit entirely unchanged. But the development of principles is always slow, and it was a long time before this departure from the ancient faith, became fully evident. The time at length came, when those holding doctrines so unlike as the Arminian or Socinian and Calvinistic, could no longer walk together in the same religious fellowship; division must take place. A large majority of the churches in that section of New England, were divided into parties, known as Orthodox and Unitarian. It was a time of difficulty and trial; a time, when the ties that had bound neighbors and families for years in harmony, were to be violently sundered, and two churches, often hostile to each other, or at least, one party feeling that they had been deeply wronged, were found, where but one had been before. In this movement, the pastor of the church of Mason never was a prominent actor. His attachment to the Calvin- istic form of doctrine was strong, and his avowal of his sen- timents, bold and earnest; but he was never in a position to become a partisan.
Neither his natural disposition nor his habits of life, fitted him to be a polemic. In his own parish but little of the Unitarian element developed itself. The church at its organ- . ization, declared itself to be Calvinistie, upon the basis of doctrines set forth in the Westminster Assembly's Catechism.
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Such had always been the faith of its pastor, and in this faith the church and people had been carefully instructed. At an equal remove from the Arminianism of some of the churches in the region, and the Hopkinsianism of others, this church had ever held, with its pastor, a middle ground ; not a middle ground of compromises and concessions, but of sound and rational interpretation and reception of doctrines. But although not called upon to meet and combat in his own parish, what he viewed to be erroneous doctrines, he could not look with indifference on the struggle which took place between the old and new doctrines in his neighborhood. In this controversy the rule he adopted and followed, was that to which he adhered through his long life, that is, first to ascertain what is duty, and then to the extent of his ability to do it, without passion, haste or undue feeling or excitement. In two of the adjoining towns, this disturbing element appear- ed, to the interruption of the ancient harmony and fellowship. In this contingency he, without hesitation, placed himself on the side of those who held to the ancient faith, and aided them by his council and services, and encouraged them to establish for themselves, a church organization, and the insti- tutions of public worship.
In the first portion of his pastorship, the system of Sab- bath School instruction, as now practiced, was not known in this region. But though that important aid, now considered absolutely necessary to the well-being of every church, did not then exist, its place was in a good degree supplied, by the careful attention given to catechetical instruction. In this way, many minds were more thoroughly indoctrinated, than most are, who are taught in the Sabbath Schools of these days. The following extract, from a letter written by one trained in his congregation, gives a picture of the manner of instruction then pursued.
"The last Sabbath of every month, I think it was, the children, not only of the church but of the parish, were gathered together, and seated on the long seats in front of
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the pulpit, the girls on the right hand, and the boys on the left of the broad aisle, to be catechised. Those were happy, pleasant times, I can assure you. Many happy faces were seen on catechising day, as it was called. This was all the real public, personal instruction the children received, when I was young; and, in truth, it was a great and everlasting blessing, to both parents and children ; it was "line upon line, and precept upon precept," not soon to be forgotten."
In this matter of the catechism, his precept and example coincided, for he was ever careful to train his own family, into a thorough knowledge of its principles. His usual custom was, to assemble his whole family on Sabbath after- noon, after the second service, and go through the whole of the Westminster Assembly's Shorter Catechism, with great care, interfusing as he went, his own illustrations and com- ments. This was continued, until the youngest of his family had been trained through it. But although he was attached to the catechism, he hailed with joy the rise of Sabbath Schools. A Sabbath School was permanently established in his congregation, about the year 1816. At that time, he preached a sermon from Eccl. 11. 6: "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good." The same person who has described his manner of catechetical instruction, also describes the introduction of Sabbath Schools, as follows : "Mr. Hill made several trials to have a Sabbath School, but failed, for want of suitable superintendents and teachers. Sometimes a few persons would collect together for a few Sabbaths, and recite verses of hymns, learned probably, years before at home, and a few chapters of the Bible, and then drop away one by one, as their stock of hymns wore away, and the novelty wore off. The first Sabbath School that was kept through the summer, was in 1816. * * * was the superintendent. Three or four females were found, who would go in and hear the children recite their lessons.
,
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It was the first Sabbath School I ever attended. * * would open the school with prayer, and then leave. Some- times he would return in season to close the school, and sometimes we would get tired of waiting, and leave for our dinner. The children had something set down to them, according to the number of verses recited, and when it amounted to one cent, a ticket was given. At the close of the school, the account was reckoned up, and a reward to the value of what each child had earned, was given. From the commencement of the Sabbath School, the [public] catechis- ing was given up."
In his care for his people, Mr. Hill was an industrious pastor, watching closely every opportunity to interest and benefit them. The sick and the afflicted in every part of the town, and of every denomination and character, shared his parochial carc. He considered himself the servant of the whole town, and felt bound to render them all the aid in his power. Whenever any accident or calamity occurred, he was among the first to be sent for, and often, on like occasions, he was called to neighboring towns. Many in town, who neither did anything for his support, nor attended his church, were sure to send for him in time of affliction. A careful observer of disease, his opinions and judgment respecting the condition and prospects of the sick, were often sought for, although he never in any way, intruded upon the physician's profession. A quiet self-possession which never forsook him, and a general knowledge of the common principles of physi- ology, enabled him often in cases of emergency to render useful services, one marked instance of which occurred at Townsend. It was on the occasion of the preparatory lec- ture, which he was to preach. The services had just com- menced, when a sudden shower arising the house was struck by lightning, and one of the worshipers was left apparently dead. It was a scene of confusion and dismay, in which no one seemed to know what should be done. He at once inter- fered and directed what should be done, and saw to the exe-
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cution of his orders, with so much promptness and efficacy, that the happy result was the perfect restoration to life and eventually to health, of the apparently lifeless sufferer.
An incident illustrating the character of Mr. Hill, and shewing the confidence which was placed in him by his parish- ioners, is related thus: One of the members of his church, feeling himself aggrieved with his pastor, on account of some matters growing out of the politics of the day, made a com- plaint against him to the church, which resulted in the calling of a council, before which, the matter was to be laid. As the time for the hearing approached, the complainant found that it was necessary on his part, that the subject matter of his complaint, should be put in proper form, to be presented to the council. The brother, having exhausted his own skill in his efforts to draw up, and present his complaint in proper form, and not succeeding to his mind, finally brought his papers to his accused pastor, whom he was about to bring for trial before the council, and asked his aid in putting his accu- sation into proper form, which was readily and cheerfully given. It may be added, that the council, a large part of which, were the political friends of the complaining brother, after the hearing, by an unanimous vote, exonerated the pas- tor fully, from all the charges in the complaint.
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