USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Mont Vernon > History of the town of Mont Vernon, New Hampshire > Part 21
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duties and responsibilities, with its joys and sorrows, its smiles and tears. The good God has set your lives in pleasant places and scattered around you with prodigal hand the beauties of wood and field, of hill and mountain, the wavy lines of the smiling plains that stretch and prolong themselves till they meet the sea at its margin.
In my day I have traveled far and wide and seen many of the places famed for their beauty and loveliness. I have stood on Castle Hill in Edinborough and looked down upon the contrasted picture of water and cultivated earth and far-off hills that spread out before and around you there ; I have seen the fields and meadows that roll away from the foot of Windsor Castle in all their wealth of rural loveli- ness ; I have gazed upon the wonders of an Italian landscape, crowded with the fig, the pomegranate, the orange and the lemon when they burst forth into what seems a springtide of eternal bloom; I have crossed and recrossed our great continental uplift, seamed with mar- velous canyons, whose granite, iron and marble walls, painted by storms, gleam with wonders of color as brilliant and variegated as sunset clouds, broken by lofty mountain ranges, whose peaks are covered with eternal snow, where from the mists of ocean are brewed the storm-cloud, which moving from their mountain home and spread- ing their wings in flight until they cover a continent, fertilize it with a wealth of generous waters, and at times terrify it with the wrath of tempests, but nowhere have I looked upon that which has left a more enduring and pleasing recollection upon the mind than that which for a hundred times I have looked out upon from the top of Prospect Hill.
When a century hence some one shall fill the place which I now hold, and to the generation of Mont Vernon men and women then living shall unfold the annals of the hundred years then passed, may the record be as white and free from blot or stain as that which I have been able, all inadequately, to record to you.
SOME HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE CONGREGA- TIONAL CHURCH.
BY HUNTINGTON PORTER SMITHI, CAMBRIDGE, MASS.
The fathers and mothers of this church were of Puritan stock. They had the Puritan spirit, the Puritan religious principle, the Puri- tan faith in God which overcomes the world. They were resolute, intelligent, worthy pioneers, who began the settlement of the place about 1765. They were accustomed to walk from the extreme borders five or six miles to the village below for publie worship. This they did cheerfully until their hearts were moved to prepare a church home nearer their dwellings. In the winter it was common for whole fam- ilies to ride down to church on their ox-sleds. In the summer, during
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the week, they occasionally had preaching in the barns of these remote districts, but they early looked forward to the time when this section should become a separate parish. For this they planned. When a majority of the church in Amherst extended a call to Rev. Jeremiah Barnard, they said they should object to any other settlement until their request to form another parish was granted. "They insisted," says a writer at a later period, "upon having a more pious and more orthodox ministry and proceeded to supply themselves." In Septem- ber, 1780, a council was convened which organized here what was called the Second Church in Amherst.
No records of this church for the first thirteen years are to be found ; but aged men who were living here fifty years ago said the first deacons were Nathaniel Hayward, Richard . Ward and Oliver Carlton. These aged men also gave other information concerning the early days which happily has been preserved. For example, that Rev. Mr. Coggin from Chelmsford, Mass., preached to a large audi- ence in Major Cole's barn which was said to have been just south of the spot where the old meeting-house stands. His sermon was upon the importance of immediately erecting a house of worship. This was in revolutionary times and a large thing for these farmers to undertake, but on the following April, each farm in the community sent in its free will offering of timber for the frame and covering for their house of worship.
The first settler on the hill, Lient. James Woodbury, presented land for the church. Those venerable men to whom we have alluded as living here fifty years ago said that the heaviest timber was drawn upon the snow across the fields and over the walls and fences without obstruction. This was in the month of April, 1781. David said, looking forward to the time when there should be a suitable resting place for the ark of God, "I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to my eyelids until I find out a place for the Lord, a taber- nacle for the mighty one of Jacob." Of like spirit were these pro- genitors. In June, 1781, fifty-four individuals were constituted by the General Court the Second Parish of Amherst. So urgent was the demand for the house that before the floor timbers were laid, it was occupied without any formal dedication. We may well imagine the unfinished walls and roof resounded with fervent prayer and praise. As they were able, they slowly but steadily completed what their longing hearts had prompted them to begin.
During the first winter they worshiped there, sitting upon rough benches, with a single floor, and most of the windows loosely boarded up. "To this place came men and women walking even from the Chestnut Hills, five miles distant, with nothing to warm them but the glad tidings of salvation, which they could scarcely hear for the rag- ing of the wind withont." So says one who wrote at a later day of this beginning. The old fashioned square pews were constructed as families felt able, the "pew-ground," as it was called, being deeded
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by the parish. There was for a time much space left for the benches. The ground for four or five of the square pews was elevated in front of the pulpit and reserved for free seats.
We say of such men, we say of these men, "they builded better than they knew"; but we also say of them they knew they were build- ing well. They knew that the timber that they drew from their farms was the soundest and the best. They knew the foundation upon which they placed those timbers was not shifting sand, but a rock. 'They knew that they were not building for themselves alone but for future generations, and they knew they were building a church for God.
There is an old couplet that runs :
"He who builds a church for God and not for fame Will never mark the marble with his name."
Name and fame were not their ambition.
"Though dead they speak in reason's ear and in example live, Their faith, and hope, and mighty zeal still fresh instruction give."
Looking up to the old meeting-house, recalling its history, and the lives of these faithful men and women, one has an impulse to stand with uncovered head. Men and women of the present day. you have done well to preserve this ever saered edifice, which from afar as well as near "many an eye has daneed to see." You have perpetuated that which shall be an inspiration for braver, nobler liv- ing to yourselves and children, a cause for gratitude to every home- comer. To a remarkable degree the church here and the town have ever been interwoven. Though you now have a more beautiful house of worship, the old meeting-house as the fathers planned, and for which they toiled, is still a link that unites the town and the church. In 1780 and 1781, there was no regular minister. In 1782, a Mr. Powers supplied. In 1783, Mr. Samuel Sargent was called to settle, but deelined the call. Rev. John Bruce was the first pastor. and this was his first and only pastorate. He was born in Marlboro. Mass., in 1757, and entered Dartmouth College at the age of twenty, graduated in 1781, with honor and greatly beloved by his instructors. In 1784, he came here from his theological studies, having declined an invitation to be the pastor at Mason. He remained twenty-five years, this being nearly twice as long as any other minister, and died suddenly, March 12, 1809. The people had gathered as usual on that Sabbath morning for the service when the announcement of his death was made.
Mr. Bruce was eminently a successful minister, greatly endeared to his people, and deeply mourned. The lapse of time has not been permitted to efface his memory, for children's children have sacredly kept it as a rich legacy. Though but fifty-two years of age at the time of his death, such was his dignity of character and graciou-
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bearing that he was known as "Father Bruce." For the first ten years and the last eight when he was here, there are no church records, but in the handwriting of Mr. Bruce there has been brought to light what is undoubtedly a list of members of the church when he became pastor, numbering 110. During the seven years, from 1794 to 1801, it appears that 83 members were added by letter or pro- fession ; 50 were added by profession in the year 1799. This re- vival was the first one known in this section, and awakened much interest far and wide.
As will be noticed, it was in his day that the town was incor- porated. Who first so happily suggested the name of this town? I waited in vain for the town historian to tell us yesterday. Though the right name is as we now see it, others must have been suggested :- West Amherst, Montville, perhaps. But who naturally would be the one to give a name in which all would unite, but the man in whom all hearts were united -the intelligent, sweet-spirited pastor? One afternoon he rides in a chaise from Chestnut hill where he has been making calls. Looking off from a hill-top to this one he has new views or new impressions of the beauty and the verdure of the fields and farms clustering here, and he says " Mont Vernon." So the town votes Mont Vernon. Thus the imagination pictures it.
Rev. John Bruce had four sons, all of whom lived beyond the alloted age of man and passed their entire lives in this town. Deacon John, "Squire Nat," James, and Captain William. How familiar their names : In our boyhood days how familiar their forms and features. Intelligent men, men of worth, they faithfully served the church and the town.
Just eighty years after the first pastor graduated at Dartmouth College his grandson, George Anson Bruce, son of Nathaniel, received his diploma from his grandfather's college, and at the same time and place his townsman and boon companion, George Augustus Marden. The historian of 2003 will have ample occasion to speak of these men.
I will not tarry here to enlarge upon their distinguished record, but simply say that side by side they prepared for college, and passed their four years together there : both served our country in the Civil War, and since then in legislative halls as well as in the arena of life they have greatly honored their native town and state. The future historian will doubtless refer to this period as the "time of the Georges."
The second pastor was the Rev. Stephen Chapin. He had been dismissed from a neighboring church, so I find it written, on account of his "deep and discriminating orthodoxy, and his bold. unadorned, uncompromising style of preaching." He immediately received a call to this church. He remained here nine years, during which time large numbers were added to the church. He was a graduate of Harvard College, and died while President of The Columbian College, Washington. D. C. The cause of his separation from this church
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was from a quarter least expected. A child being presented for bap- tism, Mr. Chapin refused to administer the rite, announcing a change in his views respecting the mode and subject of baptism. So com- pletely were the hearts of the people united in him, that it was sup- posed that the flock would follow the shepherd. but led by the Rev. Humphrey Moore of Milford, they stood their ground in argument, and not a single individual swerved from the faith. "Yet," says the record, "they treated Mr. Chapin with great affection and tenderness."
After an interval of more than a year. Rev. Ebenezer Cheever, a graduate of Bowdoin College, became pastor. He continued until 1823. In 1820, the first Sabbath School was organized. It was held in the old red school-house which stood where the village school-house now stands. The Sabbath School was composed only of children.
Rev. Nathaniel Kingsbury followed Mr. Cheever in a prosperous ministry of thirteen years. The temperance movement began early in Mr. Kingsbury's time. It is on record that there were eight tavern licenses given in one year here. In some of the places a barrel of liquor was sold per week. It was no easy matter to control public opinion. The church seemed on the point of being rent asunder and the minis- ter driven from his post. There is an anecdote which illustrates the times : The new road was being built south of the church. Mr. Kingsbury, passing that way, overtook one of his deacons with "two pails full of grog." The deacon advised the pastor to go on the old road as the workmen were so drunk that he would be insulted. It is mentioned that church members would angrily leave the sanctuary if the subject of temperance was alluded to. But the pastor was faith- ful; devout men and women stood by him, and the truth was finally triumphant. "Intemperance was excommunicated from the commu- nity, as well as from the church."
In this ministry, I notice that on September 4th, 1831, the following persons were received into the church : William Conant and wife, Thomas Cloutman and wife, John Carlton, Timothy Kittredge, Susan Marden, Dr. Daniel Adams. Dr. Adams was a man of con- siderable fame, being the author of Adams's Arithmetic which, in after years some of ns boys and girls knew to a very limited extent and not by heart. In the days of his medical practice, the doctor was a great favorite. To quote from one of the Hutchinsons' well known songs, he was one of those doctors who came "like post with mail but ne'er forgot his calomel." If the baby died, it was a great consolation to feel that it had been under Dr. Adams's care. There was a time when the good doctor led the choir, and with a tuning fork pitched the tune. Here I may as well pause, and speak of some of the traditions and recollections of the choir in the thirties and forties.
Thomas Cloutman was chorister after Dr. Adams. Capt. Clout- man was a sturdy man, erect in figure and with upright hair : prompt, a good timist and drill master. It was "Down, left, right, up, Sing !" with him. Are there any members of Dr. Adams's choir here?
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I hardly dare assume it, but I am confident there are enough of Thomas Cloutman's choir who could, if they would, give us an Old Folks' Concert that would be interesting and inspiring. How we should like to hear them sing :--
"Fly like a youthful hart or roe Over the hills where spices grow"
to the accompaniment of violins and bass viol. Most of that choir are members of the Choir Invisible. but some of them are spared to us.
More of you remember the choirs in the forties rather than in the thirties. Some are born singers. Such were some of these. The pastor enjoyed the singing beyond expression. .. How beautifully Emeline sang today," I heard him exclaim more than once as he came home from a Sabbath service. Emeline Cloutman was only twelve years old when she became a member of the choir. They had an organ then and Esther Cloutman played it. When she was called to join that choir above, her father could no longer remain in this one. If she has her earthly form and face there. it is in harmony with all we imagine of that home. Laurana Smith. the village music teacher and. after Esther Cloutman, church organist, ever faithful at her post of duty : Levi Averill. the organ blower. shall I not speak of him? An illness in childhood left him not entirely what he would otherwise have been ; but he was all there. body and soul. when he played the organ." as he called it.
As you see, I have anticipated the years. Let me again refer to Mr. Kingsbury's time. It was in the latter part of his ministry that a stove was procured for the church. Some few regarded it "too oppressive an innovation to be borne." They claimed it reflected upon the habits of those earlier days. It may also be recorded that in 1837 the church was removed to the other side of the street, re- modeled, and furnished with bell and organ. In 1855. I may add, "with all needed repairs it was supplied with furnaces."
Rev. Edwin Jennison, introduced by Mr. Kingsbury, was in- stalled on the day the latter was dismissed. April 6. 1836. The people regarded Mr. Jennison as unsurpassed by any minister in the county as a sermonizer. On account of failing health he asked for dismissal. and took a voyage to Europe.
Rev. Bezaleel Smith was installed August 19th, 1841. and con- tinned for about nine years. The pastor's son, though but a small boy. may be supposed to have considerable to say of this period, but ministers' children should be careful what they say. You have prob- ably noticed that they are. That was a basic principle in this family. Still the size of the family and that of the salary is public property. therefore this minister's son does not make any break in saying that the family consisted of the parents. six children, and a grandmother. The annual salary was $500, with an annual donation party, if mem-
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ory serves. The donation parties were memorable occasions, On the pages of the church book there are no itemized accounts or state- ments of gross receipts, but this child can testify that anything nourishing was acceptable in the family, from a string of onions or a string of dried apples up to a barrel of flour. The children's warmest thanks were bestowed upon those who sent in pumpkin pies and doughnuts. Alas ! for those country minister's children who never know the joys of the old fashioned donation party. Oh that some genius like the one who wrote of the moss-covered bucket would sing of those joys !
Not only at those parties, but usually, this minister's son was a pretty happy boy. But for a time he felt that he did not have a fair and square deal with the world because he was a minister's son. To him the air upon this hilltop seemed to be blue with that old Satanic falsehood about "ministers' sons and deacons' daughters." The at- mnosphere was cleared one day as by a bolt from heaven when Dr. Davis of Amherst preached upon that subject. He vividly and eloquently illustrated his sermon with anecdotes of successful and listinguished men and women who were children of Christian par- ents, ministers and deacons especially included. The boy does not remember one of the sermons of Humphrey Moore who often supplied his father's pulpit, and not all of his father's, but he does remember that one of Dr. Davis's, and that he went out of church that day, his head erect and as he believes a stronger, better bov. These were the days of tin foot stoves which we boys had to fill from the red hot stove in the vestibule and deposit at our mothers' and grandmothers' feet.
A majority of the church at this time took ultra ground against African slavery and voted, as did other New England churches. to exclude all slave-holders from the pulpit and the Lord's table. Mr. Smith, while abhorring slavery as much as any one, did not believe in that method of expressing his abhorrence. There were those in the South, sincere Christians, who had come into possession of slaves which they thought it their duty to retain and care for. He had a college classmate who was that kind of a slave-holder. The pastor felt that such men should not be excluded from the communion table. We cannot hide that the saints had their little differences then as now. You know the old hymn says :
"They wrestled hard as we do now With sins and doubts and fears."
and probably with one another, as we do now. It is remembered that the pastor said in his farewell sermon :
"When I am willing to have my wife and children placed upon the auction block and sold one by one to the highest bidder, then you may accuse me of being pro-slavery." But these conflicting opinions left no sears which time did not soon obliterate. Nothing has ever
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been wanting on the part of this people to show their affectionate regard for this pastor. his wife, and their children. While here, the wife of his youth was taken from him and her tranquil grave is in vonder cemetery. Later. three of their children were brought here, and are resting by their mother's side.
The name of Conant has been identified with the history of this church for more than eighty years. As we have noticed, William Conant and wife united here on profession of faith September 1st, 1831. The church was not long in finding out that it had in this young man good material for a deacon. May I not say -many deacons, since it was well grounded in the doctrines of foreordina- tion and predestination. Mr. Conant was unanimously chosen for high office just a year after he united with the church. "Once a deacon always a deacon" by Divine right. when such as he are elected. Not a tall man in stature - measured by his soul, he was a large man. He had five sons and three daughters-two pews full. counting the father and mother. They were round. smiling faces. Smiles are usually responsive with children, often leading up to an explosion. I remember. one of this deacon's sons got one of the minister's sons into trouble just by a smile, and the latter came very near being in- vited into the pulpit. I once heard a talented young minister say at a Council in reply to the question, "What led him to choose the min- istry," that he thought it must have been because he always saw the humorous side of things. Was it for this reason that William Co- nant's five mirthful boys all became the best of deacons? Yes, and because the father's veins were full of deacon blood, I should say, and the daughters were of the same type and mould as the sons. From this country church they went, one remaining to fill the father's place. This family fully demonstrates what is undeniably true, that country churches furnish in a large measure the life and strength of the city churches. I wonder it those children heard that sermon alluded to, preached by Dr. Davis more than fifty years ago. They are an illustrious example of the truth that was proclaimed that day.
William H. succeeded his father in office here, and faithfully served the church until laid aside by illness. Only a few months ago some of us came to this fair village and stood beside the open grave of this good friend of the church and our good friend.
The eighth minister of this church was the Rev. Charles D. Her- bert, who remained nearly six years. Mr. Herbert was a man of ardent religions spirit. The Academy was incorporated about the commencement of his ministry. Several of the students took an active part in the work of the church. John F. Colby, of enduring memory, was among these, uniting with the church at that time. With the pastor he was holding neighborhood meetings that fall, 1852, beginning then the work of an earnest Christian from which he never ceased.
The next pastor was the Rev. Charles E. Lord, who served the
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church a little more than four years, leaving here on account of Mrs. Lord's health. The letter of the church to them on their departure is one of special affection and appreciation.
The Rev. George E. Sanborne followed, and although he con- tinned only three years, his ministry was one of great usefulness in uniting more closely the hearts of the people in Christian fellowship. Mr. Sanborne was a man of tender, persuasive spirit, and the light of it pervaded the whole community.
Rev. Benson M. Frink was the next pastor for two years. HIe was a young man of exceptional ability, fully consecrated to his high calling. He went from this church to the Central Church, Portland, Maine. The Council in granting the letter of dismission expressed their warm sympathy in the frequent trials of the church in its changes of ministers, and said : "The ministry of our young brother has been largely blessed in this place."
The parsonage was built at this time. One other special event which occurred during Mr. Frink's stay was the ordination here of C. F. P. Bancroft, Ph. D., who went as teacher and pastor to Look- out Mountain. Dr. Bancroft's wider fame is that of Andover, but he was the successful principal of our Academy for four years. He closely identified himself with the work of the church, often supply- ing the pulpit in the absence of the pastor. While I am not expected to speak here of the Academy, I cannot forbear quoting from the annals published on the 25th anniversary in 1875: "He" [Mr. Ban- croft] *came immediately after graduating at Dartmouth, and when he was but twenty years of age. We are told that his rule was one of love, and not of terror, - a rule that worked very satisfactorily for him since one of his pupils was so effectually subdned that she has been willing to be governed by it to this day." To this quota- tion let me add, that from this favored spot no choicer spirits have ever gone forth than Cecil and Fannie Kittredge Bancroft. Lovely and pleasant in their lives, in their death they were not long divided.
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