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 18
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
Ah, Jonathan, happy art thou, if, through the coming vexations and trials of life, thou canst be as solicitous concerning the wrinkles in thy temper as thou art now in thy apparel! And if those trusting, confiding eyes, which timidly caress thee, beaming with a new-found satisfaction and devotion, are never to be blinded with bitter tears of sorrow, thy walk in life must ever be as circumspect and considerate as when we saw thee, on this Sabbath morning, proudly leading thy bride before the gaze of an approving congregation.
255
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
The walls and ceiling were indebted for their color to the useful and wholesome material known as whitewash. Yet in our earliest recollections of the room, nothing remains so vivid as our impressions of the cushions during the long sermons. The patterns of color were evidently selected from Joseph's coat to suit the taste or caprice of the owner. If there were two of the same shade, they were so far removed from each other the similarity was overlooked. Our youthful fancies gave a character to each. The rich sat on purple and crimson ; the pious on brown; the plain, honest, every-day people had cushions of drab; while the cold and unsympathetic were sure to be frozen to a gray. And some there were of different colors woven into the fabric ; the owners of these sometimes went to the Methodist Church, and oftener staid at home. And one there was of changeable hues, which was always tenanted in times of revivals, but was little used meanwhile.
The pulpit, located between the two entrances, was a solid looking structure, - a sort of breastwork for theo- logical artillery. The front and sides were about seven feet high ; the floor within was three feet less in height, and had upon it a sofa and two chairs, for the accommodation of the minister and his guests. The pulpit cushion and uphol- stering were of damask velvet, and the woodwork painted after the color of the meeting-house doors, in accordance with the decree made fifty years earlier, "them to be mahogony." Such was the condition of affairs when, in March, 1871, immediately after the meetings in January and February, to which reference has been made, and at which no decided measures were proposed, it was decided, by a vote of forty-five to eight, to make extensive repairs upon the audience-room. This action, in some measure, may have been hastened by a pledge, made by several
256
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
citizens, that the sum of one thousand dollars should be presented the society, to aid in defraying the expense if certain repairs were made. Additional betterments were subsequently ordered, and the superintendenee of the work was committed to Messrs. Orlando J. Raymond, James B. Robbins, Martin L. Goddard, Arba S. Coffin, and John E. Wood.
The pews were appraised by Bethuel Ellis, of Wineh- endon, Peter Upton, of Jaffrey, and Reuben Puffer, of Ashburnham, who estimated all at ninety per cent. of the amount received for them in 1839. The society promptly settled with the proprietors on this basis, two owners only refusing to receive compensation and come into the arrange- ment.
An addition was built upon the east end of the building to receive the organ. The floor was reduced to a level, a modern pulpit erceted at the east end, and the pews were turned around, to conform with prevailing eustom. Possibly the congregation, with their faces turned to the rising sun, may here read an omen of renewed progress and elevation. The walls and ceiling were newly plastered and frescoed, the halls and vestry thoroughly renovated, and the interior tastefully painted. By additional votes of the society, adopted while the former repairs were being made, new windows were proeured for the audience-room; two eoal- burning furnaces were placed in the vestry, which warm the entire house in a comfortable manner; the exterior of the house was also painted, and one side of the roof was shingled.
In addition to these substantial repairs, the pews were uniformly eushioned, at an expense of more than six hun- dred dollars. The Ladies' Vestry Association generously contributed two hundred dollars for this purpose. The
257
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
ladies of the congregation, encouraged by the earnest efforts of Mrs. Powers, raised above five hundred dollars by subscription, which purchased a suitable carpet for the audience-room. The total expense of these repairs, and of furnishing, was little less than seven thousand dollars, which, in addition to the expense of the organ, procured while the repairs were in progress, has been mainly paid by voluntary subscriptions from the members of the society, aided in no small degree by several generous donations from natives of Rindge, who have thus appropriately expressed a remembrance of the home of their youth. It is believed that the debt of the society will be wholly paid, or reduced to a nominal sum, during another year.
CHAPTER XI.
THE METHODIST CHURCH AND SOCIETY.
Early Preachers .- Lorenzo Dow. - Father Taylor .- First Meeting- House. - Society Organized. - Second Meeting-House. - New Con- stitutions of the Society. - Early Members. - Ministerial Fund. - Peterborough and Rindge Circuit. - Rindge and Richmond Circuit. Rindge made a Station. - The Clergy.
THE METHODIST CHURCH has had adherents in this town from an early date. They have never been strong in numbers, and at first comprised only a few families. Yet they have ever been a hopeful people, and, under many discouraging circumstances, have met and surmounted diffi- culties which many more populous societies would have failed, in courage and in heart, to attack. Two meeting- houses have been built, and for many years stated preaching has been maintained, with little, if any, assistance from the General Conference.
It has been found impossible to give the names of the earlier preachers. They were not fixed in their fields of labor, but were transferred so rapidly from one station to another, that we gain but glimpses of their approaching or retiring presence. When assembled for worship, mysteri- ously there came a minister to preach to them ; from whence he came, or where he went, or the name of the roving preacher, is difficult to determine.
259
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
In the autumn of 1796, Rev. Lorenzo Dow preached to the Methodists in this town. The tradition that this cele- brated preacher was here, on one or more occasions, is unimpeachable. A few aged persons have but recently died who were among his congregation. They were ever fond of describing the deep impression the youthful preacher made upon the minds of his hearers. This corresponds with Mr. Dow's journal. Under date of November 21, 1796, he records : "I preached in Rindge." Mr. Dow was born October 16, 1777, and consequently was but nineteen years of age when he preached in this town. Those who will take the trouble to ascertain will find that Mr. Dow preached in Rindge on Monday, and perhaps embraced Dr. Payson and many of his flock among his congregation.
Several years later a stranger came, and preached with much earnestness and simplicity. In an unusual degree he won the attention of all his hearers. He had then but just begun his useful mission. Uneducated, he called upon one of his congregation to read the hymn, but in his discourse he asked no assistance. In later years, Father Taylor has often preached to larger congregations, and has won the esteem and gratitude of a multitude of men. For many years, the place of meeting on the Sabbath was in some dwelling or school-house, and generally in the northwest part of the town. In 1824 their first meeting-house was erected. The site was purchased of Moses Garfield, and was situated in the northwest corner of the town, nearly opposite the school-house, and in lot twenty or twenty-one in the tenth range. The conveyance was made to Zimri Whitney, Elijah P. Smith, Charles Mavery, Isaac Colburn, and Nathan Upton, trustees, and was dated March 16, 1824.
This location was selected to accommodate the persons in Jaffrey and Fitzwilliam who desired to worship with
260
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
them. Here, for more than a decade, were assembled from Sabbath to Sabbath a respectable number of worshippers.
There were Methodists in other portions of the town who soon felt this location to be a burden, and a more central point was decided upon. Under the provisions of a statute of 1827, authorizing religious bodies to form soci- eties, the Methodists of this town were more formally organized than they had been in the past. In 1834, a society, known as the Methodist Episcopal Society of Rindge, was formed. The preamble to a constitution then adopted is in these words: "Believing in the authenticity of the Christian religion, and feeling ourselves under the most imperative obligations, not only from express command of the Author of our holy religion, but also for the well- being of society, to contribute of our abilities to the pro- motion of the same, therefore, looking to the Great Head of the Church for aid and direction, we do form ourselves into a society, and agree to be governed by the following constitution." Having thus become organized, and clothed with corporate power, with the right to own lands and buildings, the present meeting-house in the centre of the town was soon erected. The site, purchased of Captain Joel Raymond, was conveyed to Isaac Colburn, John P. Symonds, Richard Kimball, Benjamin Stowe, and Joel Raymond, trustees. Evincing a sanguine spirit, which has never forsaken them, as well as a commendable foresight for the demands of the future, they secured by this deed a privilege of enlarging their house, whenever it was found necessary, without any additional purchase of land.
The house was built during the summer and autumn of 1835; the frame was raised on the ninth of September. The exact date of the dedication has not been ascertained, but David Poland, Joseph Robbins, and Edward Loud,
261
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
were paid November 6, 1835, " for their services in apprais- ing slips in the Methodist house in Rindge"; from which it may be inferred the house at this date was substantially finished. The expense of the building when fully completed was $1907.53. The carpenters were Abel Marshall and Porter Hartwell, of Winchendon, and the stone work was done by John E. Lake and William Cutler, of this town. The house has been well preserved by paint and general repairs, the most thorough renovation occurring in 1867, under the direction of a committee, consisting of Oliver Hale, Z. F. Whitney, John Smith, Ezra Page, and H. G. Rice. The parsonage was purchased in 1840, and, as far as known, it has been occupied by the pastor in charge, without interruption, to the present time. The house was repaired in 1858, at an expense of about $325.
In 1842, a revised constitution, drafted by David Stowe, Gilman Bowers, and David Adams, was adopted, the organ- ization having been lost through some informality, in which lawyers very much delight. A third constitution was drafted by Elijah Bemis, George A. Whitney, and Joel Wellington, and adopted May 12, 1864. To the first con- stitution twenty-five names were subscribed, during the eight years of its continuance. They were :-
John P. Symonds. James C. Chadwick.
Lucius Streeter.
Asa Stickney.
Lovell Whitney.
Asa Brewer.
John E. Lake.
Thomas Crumbie.
Benjamin Stowe.
Apollos Griswold.
James Bennett.
Henry Clark.
Benjamin Davidson.
Gilman Bowers.
Amos Ramsdell.
Charles M. Smiley.
Samuel Tarbell. David Stowe.
Charles Cutler.
Servetus Metcalf.
Jonas Munroe.
David Adams.
B. B. Davidson.
Amos B. Russell.
Sylvester T. Symonds.
34
262
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
The present constitution, since its adoption (1864), has received thirty-six signatures. Deducting deaths and re- movals, there now remain less than twenty active members. On several occasions the question of raising the salary of the pastor by taxation has been proposed, but never adopted. The society has succeeded in raising the required amount by subscription. A ministerial fund was created in 1837, by Capt. Joel Raymond, who presented the trustees the sum of four hundred dollars, and seventeen pews, which he owned in the meeting-house. The pews, by the conditions of the donation, were to be rented for the support of the ministry, or, if sold, the amount received in payment was to be added to the four hundred dollars, and the interest was to be used for the same object. The only conditions of the gift obligated the recipients to "raise at least sixty dollars annually, to be applied to the support of preachers of the order of said church." At present this fund is invested in the parsonage.
At the time the society was formed and the new meeting- house was built, the church belonged to the Peterborough and Rindge circuit, and the records, for this period, are preserved by the officers of the Methodist Church in Peter- borough. At a meeting held in this circuit, December 20, 1834, "John P. Symonds, John Whitney, Richard Kimball, Ebenezer Kimball, and Jonas Munroe, were chosen trustees, and John P. Symonds, Joel Raymond, and Jonas Munroe, a committee, to build a meeting-house in Rindge." For several years Richard Kimball was voted a license to preach. The renewal of the license appears upon the records under several dates.
In June, 1840, the Rindge and Richmond circuit was instituted, embracing the towns of Rindge, Fitzwilliam, Richmond, and a part of Jaffrey. At this date the member-
263
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
ship of the church in Rindge was forty-three. To this circuit were assigned Reverends J. C. Cromack and Hub- bard Eastman. The latter was more intimately connected with the church in this town. Two years later, Rindge was made a full station, to which Rev. Converse L. McCurdy was assigned. Not a few who read his name will be reminded of his earnest, loving words, and of the entreaties and tears with which he appealed to the hearts of his hearers. Perhaps the impression he made upon the emo- tions was often as enduring as the appeals of abler men to the intellect. Very few of the Methodists who have labored in this town will be longer remembered than this zealous preacher. It would be a pleasing task to include a paragraph concerning each of the pastors who have been stationed in this town, but the number is too large, and the material at ready command is too limited. They have been faithful laborers in their own parish, and generally on fraternal relations with the pastors of the Congregational Church. Especially has this been the case in later years: Several have taken an active and efficient interest in the schools and other public affairs, and one has represented the town in the Legislature.
CHAPTER XII.
SACRED MUSIC.
Attention Early Paid to this Subject. - First Choristers. - Lining the Hymn. - Fugues. - Instruments and Players. - Anecdote. - Sing- ing Schools. - Other Choristers. - New Organ.
THE references to this subject, left upon the records, indicate that considerable attention was seasonably paid to the encouragement of church music, and that at a very early date a few at least "had learned to sing by rule." The town, acting as a parish, gravely passed several votes about "setting the psalm " and "raising the hymn," without suspicion that such subjects of legislation would soon pass beyond its control. The date of several votes hereafter given indicates that the people were less hostile to innova- tion than the inhabitants of many towns in this vicinity. It is certain at least that these measures were entertained at a comparatively early date. In 1782, a request was made for the assignment of "some particular part of the meeting-house for those persons to set that have learned to sing by rule," and, with commendable liberality, the town granted them "The two hind seats in the mens side and Two in the womens side below." A few years later the singers were promoted to seats in the galleries, and from the first were often styled "the choir." Also in 1782 the
265
SACRED MUSIC.
town chose "Nathaniel Ingalls, David Adams, and David Sherwin to assist Deacon Towne in setting the Psalm," and seven years later the church requested " William Gardner, Eliphalet Wood, Joseph Crumbie, and William Sherwin to officiate as choristers." The small number of hymn-books to be found in the congregations had led to the practice of " lining," or "deaconing," the hymns. The hymn was first read throughout by the minister; then some person, gener- ally one of the deacons-hence the term of "deaconing the hymn," - would read one line, and those in the congre- gation who could sing, and many who thought they could, would render that line with much animation, and with such taste and precision as they were able. Another line was read and then sung, and the process repeated until the last line had been rendered. In this manner one hymn-book would answer for an entire congregation. Near the close of the past century the better verse of Dr. Watts was introduced, and the number of books is said to have been much increased . and the constant repetition of St. Martin's, Mear, York, St. Ann's, Windham, and a few other tunes, which gave little choice between the bold and cheerful major and the mournful and pathetic minor, was relieved by the introduction of many new musical compositions.
The introduction of this new music, more than any other cause, brought the practice of lining the hymns into disuse. Many of the new selections were more intricate in structure, and among them was a class of tunes, difficult of descrip- tion, called fugues. These pieces were very popular for a time, but are seldom heard at the present day. One of the parts would lead, and the others follow in a kind of system- atized hubbub, and each part singing different words were wont to "fly swifter round the wheel of time," until all were in a perfect melée, and then out of the direst confusion
.
266
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
would miraculously approach a period in sudden peace and order and apparent good will, as if they had forgotten and forgiven all cause of their recent contention. The intro- duction of musical instruments as an accompaniment to church music, if ever seriously opposed, as in many places, has left no traces of contention upon the records. And little of interest on this point has been preserved by tradition beyond the fact that the pitch-pipe, violin, bass viol, bassoon, and the usual variety of wind instruments, have each had their day, and were sounded by skillful players. It is equally certain that their use was accompa- nied by the well-remembered tunings during the reading of of the hymn, as if either the instruments were impatient to be played upon, or the musicians unduly anxious to begin. The Townes, the Sherwins, the Carltons, whose mother was Elizabeth Sherwin, the Cutlers, her grandchildren, and several other families, were early and prominently con- nected with the choir. Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, whose mother was also a member of the Sherwin family, in his youth was a player upon the bass viol. The instrument used by him was made by Mr. Braddyll Smith, and is said to have been of superior quality, and to have been played in a masterly manner. Mr. Wilder for a season was the chorister, and officiated in that capacity on the occasion of the ordination of Rev. Dr. Burnham.
On an occasion during the later use of these instruments, and while Mr. Amos Cutler's violin was the centre of attraction, when Dr. Burnham had given out the hymn, containing the lines,
"Oh, may my heart in tune be found, Like David's harp of solemn sound,"
one of the younger members of the choir, whose name is associated with many pleasantries, could not resist the
267
SACRED MUSIC.
temptation to paraphrase the lines, and sing for the edifica- tion of those near him : -
" Oh, may my heart be tuned within, Like Cutler's solemn violin."
Those who heard it say it was done Brown.
If Dr. Payson was little annoyed by contention and opposition to innovations in church music in his own parish, he saw one exhibition of this spirit in another place. He was preaching one Sabbath in exchange at Peterborough. In the congregation sat Matthew Templeton, stern and austere, and opposing with much bitterness all innovations. He called the bass viol "dagon," and the pitch-pipe with equal contempt he denominated "the whistle." On this occasion the hymn had been read by Dr. Payson, the chorister, Mr. Smith, had sounded the pitch-pipe, and the choir began to sing, but soon became confused and stopped, when Mr. Templeton, who occupied a conspicuous seat among the congregation, cried out, in his broad Scotch accent, with much derision : " Mr. Johnny Smith, ye must blaw your whostle agaien."
While the meeting-house was being built in 1796, the town chose a committee to confer with the singers, and ascertain what accommodations they desired in the new house, and instructed them to grant all reasonable requests made by the choir concerning the arrangement of seats for their use. The favor in which the choir was held was also manifested by several appropriations of money for their benefit, which were expended in the maintenance of singing-schools. The earlier musical instruction in this town was conducted solely to increase the efficiency of the choir, and all other styles of music were ignored. The town, in its capacity of parish, made frequent appropria- tions for this purpose, and, in accordance with precedent,
268
HISTORY OF RINDGE.
all persons belonging to other religious denominations were excused from paying any part of the money raised to meet this expense. The name of the first music-teacher of whom any reference can be found is Ichabod Johnson, who con- ducted a school in this town in 1801, and several other schools during the succeeding years. Mr. Johnson also taught a singing-school in New Ipswich, and Kidder's excellent history of that town pays him the following doubtful compliment: "In 1805 or 6, Ichabod Johnson kept a school, and introduced a lighter kind of music. He could not sing himself, but with a good faculty at teaching, and the help of his violin (when he was sober), and assisted by one or two reliable persons on each part, he succeeded in collecting a large school, was popular, and, on the whole, gave an impulse to music generally."
Other instruction in vocal music, which followed in the course of years, was given by Mr. Miller, Dea. Clark, Rev. Mr. Willey, and Mr. Hutchins, from abroad, and Obadiah Carlton, Joseph Davis, George Robbins, and Stephen B. Sherwin, of this town. Rev. Isaac Willey will be remem- bered, in later years, as the efficient agent for Home Missions. The later instructors have been Peter Clark, Prof. C. M. Wyman, Mr. E. B. Barrett, and Prof. G. W. Foster. In the winter of 1819-20, Marshall P. Wilder gave a course of instruction in vocal music. The tuition was free, and the course ended with a grand exhibition, which is vividly and pleasantly remembered by many still living. Among the pieces rendered on this occasion were "Hail- stone Chorus," and "Strike the Cymbals." They did strike them, and in a manner that awoke the amazement of the audience. "The Horse and his Rider," and other selections, which at that time were regarded as difficult pieces of music, were also rendered. All the aged people, "with an
269
SACRED MUSIC.
ear for music," describe this as a little the best entertain- ment ever enjoyed in Rindge.
A new interest in sacred music was awakened soon after the settlement of Dr. Burnham. He possessed fine musical talents, and a sweet, melodious voice, and had made himself an efficient reader of this class of music, which he exceedingly enjoyed, during his connection with the Handel Society at Dartmouth, and the Lockhart Society at the Seminary.
Of the latter society, which was widely known, he was one of the founders, and among the most active and proficient members, and was selected to purchase the in- struments for its use. A few years since, an article which appeared in the "Congregational Quarterly," from the pen of Rev. E. W. Hooker, D. D., who was cotemporary with Dr. Burnham at the Seminary, refers to his connection with this society in these appropriate terms: "Amos W. Burn ham, additional to a rich tenor voice, brought with him from the Handel Society in Dartmouth a skill and taste for expressive reading of the music of the old composers, which rendered him an efficient helper from the outset of the society."
The choir has generally been large in numbers, and at all times has contained considerable musical talent, which was fully appreciated by Dr. Burnham. William Sherwin was chorister much of the time during the ministry of Dr. Payson, and later his son, Stephen B. Sherwin, Esq., efficiently conducted this part of the service for many
years. Other choristers were William Rugg, Col. M. P. Wilder, Joshua C. Towne, Josiah Stratton, Arba S. Coffin, David Stowe, and J. A. Stearns, whose pleasing voice has "set the psalm " for several years. And now the days of the pitch-pipe are over; the bass viol and the violin are
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.