USA > New Hampshire > Cheshire County > Rindge > History of the town of Rindge, New Hampshire, from the date of the Rowley Canada or Massachusetts charter, to the present time, 1736-1874, with a genealogical register of the Rindge families > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
The house was dedicated, with appropriate ceremonies, January 11, 1797, about two and one-half years from the vote of the town to build the same. The sermon was preached by Dr. Payson, and the following hymn, written for the occasion, was sung :-
" Blessings unnumbered claim our praise, Blessings of Nature and of Grace; For comforts here and hopes above, Praise to the eternal source of love.
"That we have leave to serve the Lord, To pray, to praise, and read His word, To hear the Gospel's joyful sound, Let glory to His name redound.
+HH
A.C. CONVERSE, DEL.
"RUSSELL RICHARDSON-SU
SECOND MEETING HOUSE IN RINDGE. BUILT, 1796. REMODELLED, 1839 AND 1871.
241
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
" Free from restraints imposed by men, From Persecution's hateful reign, Duty and Love our worship guide, We walk secure where conscience leads.
" We thank thee, Lord, that through our land Thy sacred temples frequent stand, Where gracious souls their love proclaim, And learn the glories of Thy name.
"For this fair house unstained with blood, We thank the bounty of our God. 'Twas He who raised these walls in peace, And brought the top stone forth with grace.
"Here let Thy power and glory shine; Here, Lord, let fellowship divine Bless the attendants at Thy gate, Who for Thy holy teachings wait.
" To humble souls these blessings yield, Which Jacob found in Bethel's field. May they, by gracious visits given, Own their God's house, the gate of heaven.
"Oh! Hasten, Lord, this happy hour, When all shall feel Thy gracious power, And the wide world a temple be, Where all shall join in praising Thee."
This was the last time the town as a parish assumed any considerable expense in regard to the meeting-house, and in this instance the burden was not onerous, since the proceeds of the sale of the pews were sufficient to cover about three-fourths of the whole expense.
In 1817, four additional pews were built upon each side of the central aisle; two were reserved for public uses, and the remaining six were sold for sums which added above three hundred dollars to the public treasury. With the exception of paint and shingles, to make good the wear of
242
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
years, no repairs of importance were made until 1839, when the house was thoroughly remodelled, and the interior so changed as to lose its former identity. These repairs were made by the new parish, the town being relieved from all liability or expense.
In the carly history of the town as a parish, reference was made to several petitions and protests of persons enter- taining different religious opinions, and seeking a release from the ministerial tax. Nothing more is heard upon this subject for more than thirty years. Near the close of the past century, by virtue of laws then enacted, any person belonging to some other society, and regularly contributing to the support of the minister thereof, was excused by the town from this tax, on the presentation of a proper certifi- cate making the fact known to the town. These certificates were substantially like the specimens transcribed : -
This is to certify that George Metcalf of Rindge attends public worship with the Methodists in Rindge and freely con- tributes to the support of their ministry.
JESSE LEE, Elder.
Rindge, Feb. 18, 1796.
The following locates Mr. Page at a considerable dis- tance from the society with which he was connected : -
ROCKINGHAM [Vt] March 2 1797.
This may certify whom it may concern that Daniel Page of Rindge belongeth to the Universalists society in this town and contributes to the support of the same.
SOLOMON WRIGHT, Moderator.
These certificates were not numerous. Seventeen were excused from the assessment of 1800; in 1810 there were nine; and in 1819, the last time a tax for this purpose was
243
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
assessed under the authority of the town, the number was increased to twenty-five. During this time the number of resident tax-payers was about two hundred and fifty, which represents the existence of an unusual unanimity in relig- ious sentiment.
A majority of the persons presenting certificates were Methodists. This little band of Christians, whose activity was crowned with many blessings, will be noticed in con- nection with an account of the organization and growth of that society. Another person not taxed was Ebenezer Stratton, who was prominently connected with an associa- tion of Baptists, residing mainly in the adjoining towns. Meetings were sometimes held at his house in the north part of the town, and Elder Elliot preached there on sev- eral occasions. These persons were afterwards included in the churches of this denomination gathered at New Ipswich and Jaffrey.
Although in the enjoyment of rare concord and agree- ment in opinion, this town is found prepared, several years in advance of its neighbors, to sever the existing connection between the church and the town. Rindge was among the first, if not the first town, in the State to acknowledge a violation of individual rights in the maintenance of a municipal parish. Such a system was not in harmony with the prevailing theory of government. The laws of the State had opened the way for a more satisfactory method, and important changes were immediately made. In the language of a statute, approved July 1, 1819: "Each sect or denomination of Christians in this State may associate and form societies, may admit members, may establish rules and by-laws for their regulation and government, and shall have all the corporate powers which may be necessary to assess and raise money by taxes upon the polls and ratable
244
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
estates of the members of such associations, and to collect and appropriate the same for the purpose of building and repairing houses of public worship, and for the support of the ministry." There was also a tolerant provision that no person should be taxed by such society, or be considered a member thereof, without "his consent was first had and obtained," and any person having voluntarily become a member of an association of this character was at liberty to withdraw at any time, and be no longer liable for any part of the expenses of the society.
Immediately advantage was taken of the liberal provi- sions of the new statute. Rev. Dr. Burnham, in a discourse delivered on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of his « pastorate in this town, makes the following accurate and happy statement concerning the association then formed : " The society was constituted in March, 1820," and is believed to be the first that was formed in this State under what was denominated the 'Toleration Act' of 1819. Such an organization was, at that time, a new thing. Questions, doubts, and difficulties were felt and foreseen ; but, 'moved by a desire,' as the founders say, 'of enjoying among ourselves, and of transmitting to our posterity the enjoyment and benefits accruing from the public worship of God, and the ordinances of the Gospel,' these 'good men and true' organized the Association known then, and ever since, by the name and style of 'The First Congrega- tional Church and Society in Rindge.' Eighty-one persons, it is supposed, affixed their names to the Constitution at the organization of the society."
The constitution then adopted, a model of clear state- ment, was the result of much debate and deliberation. Its general provisions were determined during the last months of the life of Rev. Dr. Payson, and, whenever he was able
245
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
to confer with the members of his parish, the benefit of his opinions was received. It fell to the lot of William B. Calhoun to clothe in words the result of these delibera- tions. The instrument reflects credit upon the ability of the author and the wisdom of his sage advisers. Noah R. Cook, Esq., had, at this time, an office in Rindge, and Mr. Calhoun was pursuing his legal studies under his direction. He soon after left the home of his youth to enter upon the duties of an honored and successful life. Since the organ- ization of the society more than four hundred different per- sons have been members. The whole number of signatures is four hundred and sixty-six, but a few names of persons who have withdrawn and again joined are more than once subscribed. The whole number whose names appear on the first tax-list is one hundred and thirty-two; these may properly be considered as original members of the society.
The only persons living who became members at the time the society was constituted are Joseph Page, Luke Rugg, and Lovell Whitney, of Rindge, Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, of Boston, and Col. Ezekiel Jewett, of Lockport, New York. The town, being no longer a parish, still nom- inally owned the meeting-house which was occupied by the society recently formed. The Methodists, at a town- meeting held in 1826, made a request that the meeting- house be at their disposal a part of the time in proportion to their interest as citizens in the same. Their request was answered by a report of a committee, to whom their petition had been referred, "that it was the intention of the town when the meeting-house was built, and the expecta- tion of the individuals who purchased the pews therein, that it should be used by that denomination of Christians only which then composed almost exclusively the inhab- itants of the town." It was also answered, and more con-
32
246
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
vincingly, that the town had been at small expense in building the house, since the moneys received from the sale of the pews had been nearly or quite sufficient to meet the expense. And in remuneration. for its agency in building, the town had enjoyed the privilege of holding town-meetings and transacting other public business in the house, and in this manner had been satisfactorily compen- sated for all it had done; and, finally, that it would be an act of injustice to the owners of the pews to bar them the free use, or grant others the use, of the same. In connection with this position some important concessions were made. In the further language of the report a desire was expressed " that a liberal and conciliatory course should be pursued by the town." It was then agreed that persons belonging to other denominations should be excused from the expense of keeping the house in repair, and all other expense, "except sweeping the meeting-house immediately after town-meetings." This arrangement appears to have been accepted as final. If the town had been more equally divided, the question might have been the occasion of con- siderable strife. The freedom which was secured from future expense of repairing the house may have been the main result which the Methodist society had in view, since at this time they had a meeting-house of their own. The animus of their request is not otherwise easily explained. The prevailing denomination, having thus re- tained possession of the meeting-house, were not generous in requiring their guests, on town-meeting days, to sweep out their proportion of the dust. It was a sad breach of the laws of hospitality. The issue, however, was between the town and the petitioners, and not between the two religious societies ; and while it was the town that determined the result, the Congregational society was a controlling element
·
2
247
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
in this action, and must be held responsible for the vote of the town. The subject was never revived, and several years later when, with certain reservations, the meeting- house was more formally ceded to the Congregational society, it was done with little, if any, earnest opposition. During eighteen years after the town ceased to constitute an active parish, the entire meeting-house was under its control. It gave permission to introduce a stove ; it voted repairs; it ordered the ringing of the bell, but justly excused all persons belonging to other denominations from paying their proportion of the taxes assessed for these purposes. This condition of affairs could not long continue. One corporation was ordering and conducting the prudential affairs, while persons mainly belonging to another were taxed to pay the cost.
The Congregational society, which was organized at the commencement of this era, had been favored with concord and prosperity. The annual assessments for current ex- penses were promptly paid, and the burden of sustaining the public ministrations of the gospel had fallen heavily upon no one. When the wear of forty years and the increasing demand of the times for more commodious and expensive houses of worship began to be felt, it was plainly apparent that the town, reluctantly, if at all, would propose any substantial improvements. The society, however, is found ready for an undertaking of considerable magnitude. The town had no other than a secular use for the meeting- house, and apparently was quite ready to grant the society more extended privileges therein than it had formerly en- joyed, especially the privilege of keeping the house in repair, and of making any desired improvements it might elect. In March, 1839, a mutual agreement was made between the two corporations concerning their separate future rights and
248
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
obligations for all time to come. The town proposed and the society adopted the following : -
" If said society will agree that the town may have that part of the ground floor which is East of the West side of the center aisle as the house now stands for a Town Hall and Committee Room and that the Town and Society shall have equal right to pass in & out of the front door of the house and will agree that the town have the privilege of occupying said Hall & Committee Room at all times except Sundays for the following purposes in addition to that of the town business, viz: for an academy or high school ; for Lectures of various Kinds such as Astronemy &c. and all other equally still and civil purposes, (Religious meetings excepted) also for singing schools and any other pur- poses which the Town may wish to occupy the same for on Tuesdays Wednesdays Fridays and Saturdays and all other such times and such only as will not disturb or annoy the said society in the free use of the other parts of the house ; and also agree that the town may have the lumber which is now in the free seats in the galleries, THEN the town will for these privileges finish the hall and committee room or finish it all for a hall as the town may think proper, and will build a fire-place in the Hall also one in the committee room and will carry the chimneys to the floor of the Meeting room above the same, to correspond with the societys plan for the same whenever the society wishes to have them built, Provided, the society will have the funnel from a stove in the Vestry pass through the hall to one of the chimneys in such a manner that it will be convenient to have the funnel from a stove in the hall go into it. And the Town further agree that the Congregational Society and Methodist Society may have the free use of the Bell for their respective purposes. It is to be understood that each society are to use due care in ringing the bell so as not to interrupt each other in their public worship. Reserving to the town the free use of the same at all times for all town purposes with free access thereto, and the town will keep
249
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
the bell and its appendages in repair and also build a new cupola above it whenever it is deemed expedient and likewise the town will agree that the said society shall have the full control and exclusive right of the contemplated meeting room and vestry at all times ; it is expected that the society will keep the outside of the house in repair.
The society proceeded at once to remodel their new possessions. The galleries were removed, a partition floor was laid, and an entirely new audience-room fitted up upon it and over the Town Hall, and the space assigned for a vestry.' The porch, which was built at the east end of the meeting-house as a means of access to the galleries, was removed, while the porch at the west end, which also formed the base of the bell deck, was filled out on each side to complete the regular outline of the building ; and this also added several feet to its length. The steeple was rebuilt, and reduced about twelve feet in height. It is supposed by many that this humiliating plan was carried into execu- tion in order to afford the Rindge Engine Company the satisfaction of raising a stream of water above its summit. Their grandest efforts had failed to rival the old steeple, and now, alas, the spire must be reduced to the plane of their abilities. It should here be stated that the society previously had voted to make these repairs, provided the town will consent. This consent being had, as already shown, the work was pressed forward with energy, but not without considerable legislation and efficient committees.
Samuel L. Wilder, Esq., Col. Jason B. Perry, Oratio P. Allen, Levi Hubbard, and Joseph Brooks had the honor of presenting the general recommendations concerning the amount and nature of the repairs. Another committee, composed of Oratio P. Allen, David Hale, Luke Rugg, Joshua Converse, Esq., and Levi Hubbard, reported that
250
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
they had consulted the pew-owners as requested by the society, and that a large majority are in favor of the proposed alteration. They also recommended that the pews in the old house be appraised by a disinterested committee, and, after the audience-room is completed, the new pews be appraised for an amount sufficient to pay for the old pews, and the cost of all the repairs. These rec- ommendations were adopted, and Capt. Zachariah Shelden and John Prichard, of Fitchburg, and E. Murdock, Esq., of Winchendon, were requested to estimate the value of the old pews. The appraisal of this committee ranged from $13 to $2.50, and the aggregate was less than one- eighth of the amount originally paid to the town for the same pews. A few were dissatisfied with this award; but, in the language of the report of one of the committees, "a large majority are in favor of the proposed repairs." These accepted the amount of the appraisal as one of the neces- sary sacrifices of the undertaking. The few remaining, as is usual in such cases, were powerless in opposing a measure introduced by a majority for the public good.
Capt. Luke Rugg, Oratio P. Allen, Esq., and Col. Jason B. Perry were selected "to prepare a plan embrac- ing the general outlines of the repairs to be made." To this committee belongs the credit of the many conveniences connected with the remodelled house, even to the present time, since the general features embraced in their report are still preserved. The audience-room as then constructed will be easily represented by comparison with the present, and while the repairs and changes made in 1871 are being noticed, the arrangement of the interior will be more par- ticularly brought to view.
The committee under whose supervision the house was remodelled was chosen in November, 1838, and consisted of
.
251
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
Oratio P. Allen, Jason B. Perry, and Levi Howe. These, with Luke Rugg and Levi Hubbard, were also selected to appraise the pews in the new audience-room. One of the most eligible was selected for the use of the family of the pastor, several as free slips, and the remainder sold for $3773.25.
A subscription of $400 was raised to defray the expense of the repairs upon the steeple, and about $150 received for materials sold. The cost of the repairs amounted to $3,645.95. After paying for the old pews and interest on the money advanced, a balance of about $130 was still on hand, which was subsequently expended in minor repairs upon the meeting-house and parsonage.
The dedication occurred December 25, 1839. Rev. Messrs. Sabin, of Fitzwilliam, Wood, of Ashby, and Morton, of Winchendon, assisted in the exercises. The sermon was preached by Mr. Burnham, from the text: "We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years." An event occurred during the progress of the repairs which will find few parallels, and should be noticed. Mr. Erastus Spaulding, of Jaffrey, one of the carpenters, fell from a staging around the bell deck to the ground, a distance of more than fifty feet, but received no permanent or serious injury. Many said it was providential, while others styled it a lucky escape ; but without disputing the point, Mr. Spaulding arose from the ground, and said he was satisfied with the result, and did not care to try it again. Mr. Spaulding resided subsequently in Troy, New Hampshire, where his wife, Mahala (Baker) Spaulding, was fatally burned by the firing of a kettle of varnish that was upon a stove in the room where she was sitting. Afterwards he removed to Keene, and died in that place.
252
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
When the town ceded the meeting-house to the society, a little more than one-half of the ground floor, as then existing, was reserved for a town hall and committee room ; but the entire space was included in the hall, and the committee room never had an existence except on paper. The walls as then finished remain unchanged to the present day. The settees in present use were purchased in 1859, when the last of the ancient pews were removed.
The bell has ever been the property of the town. The first was purchased in 1817. Two, after several years of service, have become worthless, and their places supplied by a new purchase. The present bell was procured in 1856; its weight is fifteen hundred and seventy-four pounds, and few in quality of tone are its superiors. The ancient custom of ringing the bell at noon and nine in the evening is still preserved. The space reserved in 1839 for a vestry was unemployed for several years. It was finally finished, and furnished with settees, about 1855, and has since been used as a lecture-room.
For thirty years the sound of the hammer is unheard. A convenient and substantial church edifice was fully appreciated and enjoyed; and through these years the pages of the records are the simple annals of the choice of the customary officers and of uniform expenditures.
The first note of renovation is heard early in the year 1871. Through the untiring and earnest efforts of very many, an expensive pipe organ had been secured. Several society meetings were held, in January and February of this year, to decide upon some alterations to accommodate the instrument when it was ready to be placed in position. It is reasonably certain that no very extensive repairs were at first contemplated. The audience room was more com- modious and inviting in appearance than was generally
253
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
found in rural towns. With the exception of the organ room, the contour and size of the room were the same as at present. The vestibules and entrances are unchanged. The floor was an inclined plane. As it was once described, it inclined up as you went in, and inclined down as you came out. The east end of the floor was about two feet higher than at the entrance ; and as one proceeded from the pulpit, which was between the doors, each pew was slightly raised above the one before it; and the last six rows of seats were abruptly raised several feet, and were approached by a series of steps corresponding with each aisle. Of these the central seats were for the choir, and nearly all of the remainder, styled the galleries, were free seats. The audi- ence was seated facing the entrances. That several expen- sive church edifices of this period were constructed on the same plan, is recorded as a fact worthy of mention, and with a hope of justifying our fathers in adopting a style now quite obsolete. This construction of the audience- room was the occasion of some well remembered incidents. It several times happened that when a stranger was to preach, he would pass the pulpit in ignorance of its location, until faithful Deacon Breed would arise from his seat, and point out to him the narrow path that led to the sacred desk. Whatever may have been the most weighty reasons that led to the adoption of an unfashionable arrangement of the pews, it has often been seriously asserted that it was for the relief of any who desired to witness each arrival, and otherwise whose revolving heads would keep the score of assembling attendants. It is highly probable that it was more especially for the mutual satisfaction of the entire congregation, and those persons who " came out bride," -a peculiar phrase which has a clearly defined meaning. It is remembered that the attendance at church of a newly
33
254
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
wedded pair, for the first time after the marriage ceremony, was awaited on the Sabbath morning with a peculiar expec- tation, accompanied by many sly glances at the door until the entrance of the expected twain. The groom comes with an important air and a new found dignity ; and timidly beside him, arm-in-arm for this occasion only, is the blushing bride, with her downcast eyes, keeping abreast with five steps to every three proclamations of progress from the vociferous boots of her spouse, which proclaim their master's happiness in well modulated squeaks and joyful cadences. As they approach the pew, the groom, with a dexterous sweep of the hand, throws aside the twin appendages of his swallow-tailed coat, disposes of his hat, and triumph- antly seats himself with one masterly contortion. The audience, radiant with satisfaction and approbation, at once direct their attention to the sacred desk, as if willing the services should now commence, leaving the groom to profound contemplation of himself and of his wife, and the accompanying enjoyment of a reasonable measure of happiness, still expressing in every movement an earnest solicitude that no wrinkles be untimely added to his new attire, -for that must serve on important occasions for many years to come.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.