USA > New Hampshire > The New Hampshire churches : comprising histories of the Congregational and Presbyterian churches in the state, with notices of other denominations: also containing many interesting incidents connected with the first settlement of towns > Part 20
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199
MANCHESTER.
Sabbath service which was commenced and sustained in what is now the heart of the city of Manchester. During the summer of 1839, it became apparent that the interests of religion would be advanced by a union of the Presbyterian church at Manchester center and the Congregational church at Amoskeag village, and to have the same, when united, located at the new village of Manchester. This union was effected Aug. 15, 1839, and the church thus formed became what is now The First Congregational Church in the city of Manchester. Previous to this union, Moses Noyes was the deacon of the Presbyterian church, and Daniel Farmer of the Congregational church, and by agreement of parties they retained the same office in the new church. The articles of faith and covenant, and the name of the Amoskeag church, were accepted. The articles are strongly Calvanistic in doc- trine. At the time of the union the church consisted of 28 members. Since that time 424 have been added-298 by letter and 126 by profession of faith-making 452. Of these four have been excluded-39 have deceased-128 have been dismissed to other churches, and 273 is the number of the present membership.
Soon after the organization of the church in its present form, Nahum Baldwin and Hiram Brown were chosen dea- cons, and at a later period, 1848, Henry Lancaster and Hol- brook Chandler were appointed to the same office. All these brethren still survive, and have ever been united with the pastor in maintaining the order, discipline, harmony and spirituality of the church, and have thereby added much to his usefulness as a minister of Christ. Seasons of religious interest have been enjoyed. In 1842, 26 were received on profession of faith ; in 1850, 17; and in 1852, 12. No year has passed without some additions to the church by profes- sion. And not a few have been converted, who have united with other churches as they returned to their homes in other parts of the State. General peace and harmony have pre- vailed among the members of this church. They have been united in doctrine, in labors to promote spirituality, and. in regard to the moral questions of the day. In respect to all these subjects, they have been found walking, in a good degree, in the fear of God and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. The contributions of this church for charitable pur- poses, during some years past, have been between $ 700 and $1000.
In April, 1838, a religious society was formed at Amos- keag. It was known by the name of The First Congrega- tional Society in Amoskeag village. The spirit and design
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
of this society may be seen from the following extract from the Preamble: "The object of this association is to support and enjoy more effectually the institutions of our holy reli- gion. Our belief is in the reality of a Divine Revelation, our desire is to know its truths-zealously to maintain these is our fixed purpose. We unite in the fear of God. For success our hope is in the riches of his mercy. Praying for divine assistance, for purity of intention, mutual affec- tion, a love for the truth and a holy concern for our best interests, we unite for the furtherance of our object." At the organization of the society, Daniel Farmer was chosen president, and Geo. W. Kimball secretary. The name of the society has since been changed to The Congregational Society in Manchester. Among the first things attempted by this society was the erection of a house of worship. Va- rious plans were proposed and different sites were mention- ed. Finally, in the spring of 1839, the society commenced building their present house of worship. It was completed the following autumn, and dedicated in November of the same year. The house is built of wood-64 feet wide by 81 long, without galleries or a tower, and at an expense includ- ing land of about $5500, though the land, valued at about $ 500, was given by the "Amoskeag Land and Water Power Company." The house contained 122 pews and would accommodate about 650 persons. At a subsequent period this house was enlarged. It is now 100 feet long and 64 wide-contains 164 pews and will accommodate 900 persons. The expense of the enlargement was about $3000. The society also own a vestry which cost about $1500. They have an organ in their house of worship which cost about $1500. Other additions and improvements have been made, which, together with the increased value of property in this city, would make the whole amount of the property of the society at the present time, about $14,000 or $15,000, on which there is a debt of $6000. All the expenses of the support of the institutions of religion are sustained by a tax on the pews, which are owned by the society. For the year 1854 the amount collected was $2674,63. This society has always made a liberal provision for the support of the gospel, as well as having allowed their pastor seasons of rest, and supplying the pulpit during his absence.
Mr. C. W. Wallace, then a licentiate of the Londonderry Presbytery, commenced his labors in connection with the first Congregational church and society on the last Sabbath in April, 1839. He did not commence preaching as a can- didate for settlement He continued, however, to supply the
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201
MANCHESTER.
pulpit until Nov. of the same year, when he received a call to settle as the pastor of the church and society. The call was accepted, and on the 8th of Jan. 1840, he was ordained. Of the council convened on this occasion, Rev. C. P. Brad- ford was chosen moderator, Rev. J. Clement scribe, and Rev. E. L. Parker assistant scribe. Thirteen churches were invi- ted to be represented on the council, each having a pastor. Of these, only Rev. Thomas Savage of Bedford retains the position then occupied, while the moderator, the assistant scribe, Rev. Dr. Burnham of Pembroke who offered the introductory prayer, and Rev. U. C. Burnap of Lowell who preached the sermon, have been called to their rest and reward. The pastor of this church was the first minister ever ordained and installed in the town, and his settlement occurred ninety years after the town was incorporated.
Some facts connected with the early history of this town may be worthy of a permanent record. Soon after the incorporation of the town, efforts were made to support the gospel. In 1753 a call was extended to Rev. Mr. McDowell to settle in the ministry. He declined. Twenty years after, a call was presented to Rev. George Gilmore. He likewise declined, and the town continued to employ some clergyman to preach a few Sabbaths each year. But it does not appear that any minister was ever settled in this town or became a permanent resident of it, until a very recent period. In the latter part of the last century, a house of worship was erected but never entirely finished. It was occupied only a portion of the time. As a striking collateral fact, and an evidence that the gospel promotes education, it is worthy of notice, that, it was not until very near the close of the last century that public schools were established in this town .- As one of the results of this absence of the gospel and pub- lic schools, for nearly a century after the settlement of the town, neither lawyer, doctor, or minister, were found among its permanent inhabitants. And so far as known no man born in town during that period, devoted his life to the pursuit of either of those professions. In this respect however, there is now a very decided improvement. The Presbyterian church was the first church organized in town. Soon after, a Methodist church was formed which still continues. The whole number of religious societies of all denominations within the city is thirteen, viz : three Congregational, two Episcopal Methodist, one Wesleyan Methodist, two Bap- tist, one Free Will Baptist, one Episcopal, one Papal church, one Unitarian, one Universalist.
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202
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
MANCHESTER.
FRANKLIN ST. CHURCH .- Rev. S. C. BARTLETT.
This, the second Congregational church, was formed in 1844, by colonization from the First church. The crowded state of that congregation, and the prospect of a rapid influx of population into the city, had led many individuals, includ- ing the pastor of the First church, seriously to consider the expediency of organizing a second church and society. The first public movement was made on the 27th of April .- After the adjournment of the annual meeting of the First Congregational society, held on that day, another meeting was organized by the persons present, and a resolution was introduced, affirming the expediency of immediate measures for the formation of a second church and society. The Resolution was discussed and laid upon the table ; and a committee, consisting of Rev. C. W. Wallace, Asa O. Colby, Abram Brigham, Andrew Moody and W. G. Means, (all pro- fessors of religion,) was appointed to make further inquiries. After one week, the committee reported strongly in favor of the project ; and the Resolution of the previous meeting was adopted. On the 7th of May, at a meeting publicly called for the purpose, a constitution for a second Congrega- tional society was presented, discussed, adopted, and signed by sixteen individuals. Josiah Crosby, M.D., was chosen President, and Abram Brigham, Clerk and Treasurer. Legal notice of the existence of the Society was given in the Man- chester Memorial on the 23d of May, signed by twenty six individuals. The society immediately hired the town hall as a place of worship, at a rent of $150 a year, and com- menced public services on the first Sabbath of June.
A committee had been appointed on the 20th of May, to confer with the First church on the expediency of forming a a new church. The result was, that an ecclesiastical council of ministers and delegates from nine neighboring churches --- Rev. A. Burnham, moderator, and Rev. P. B. Day, scribe, --- assembled on the 27th of June 1844, at the house of Rev. C. W. Wallace ; and on the same day organized the second Congregational, now named The Franklin Street Church. It was composed of twenty members ; eight of them from the First church, and the remainder, members of various churches, who had been waiting for this movement. David Brigham was the first deacon chosen, and Thomas Carleton the second.
The first pastor was Henry M. Dexter, then recently from
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203
MANCHESTER.
Andover theological seminary, who received a unanimous call, and was ordained Nov. 6, 1844. Sermon by Rev. E. N. Kirk of Boston. Salary, $ 800 the first year, $ 900 the sec- ond, $ 1000 afterwards. After a faithful ministry, Mr. Dex- ter was dismissed March 14, 1849, to the very deep regret of the church and people. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry S. Clarke, installed September 26th of the same year ; ser- mon by Rev. Walter Clarke of Hartford, Conn. On account of his health, Mr. Clarke, after an acceptable ministry, was dismissed July 1, 1852.
The present incumbent, Rev. Samuel C. Bartlett, was in- stalled Nov. 3, 1852 ; sermon by Rev. N. Lord, D.D. The salary was, in March 1854, by spontaneous and unanimous vote of the society raised to $ 1200.
From the formation of the church the number of members received by profession is 105, and by letter, 262. Present number of members 246. No powerful revivals have been enjoyed. The means of grace, however, have been accom- panied by occasional influences of the Divine Spirit. In the year 1850, 25 individuals were received to the church by profession. During the year ending July 3, 1854, 21 were added in like manner, nearly all being members of the Sab- bath School.
The history of this church and society has been marked by much wisdom and efficiency, and entire harmony of action. The enterprise was commenced among a population then so changing, that of the first 60 members of the church, only 20 remain at the end of ten years. They experienced very serious embarrassments in securing a place of worship .- They were called to part with two successful pastors in the first eight years. But every movement from the beginning has been maturely considered and firmly made. The enter- prise was commenced with the full and hearty concurrence of the First church. Stable men took charge of it. The means of support were ascertained before a preacher was engaged. A church edifice was not erected till it could be done so as to meet the permanent wants of the congrega- tion. However reluctant to, part with their pastors, the people have done it in kindness, and united perfectly upon their successors. The pastoral office has been left vacant the shortest practicable time ; and the endeavor has been made to introduce into the pulpit only those candidates, in regard to whom there was supposed to be some reasonable prospect of mutual satisfaction. The society has thus main- tained a high degree of outward prosperity, and has attained the stability of older congregations.
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
The first place of worship was the Town hall. In ten weeks the hall was burnt ; and the congregation temporarily occupied a small chapel now stanting on Central street ; then Patten's hall ; and subsequently the new City hall. The project of erecting a house of worship, which was contem- plated from the beginning, began to be seriously agitated in 1846. Subscriptions to the amount of $ 2900 were raised to commence the effort. A lot of land on Franklin street was given to the society, by the liberality of the Amoskeag Man- ufacturing Company. A plan was prepared by a committee, in consultation with Mr. Bond, an architect of Boston .- The house was commenced early in 1847, and dedicated December 22nd of the same year. Sermon by the pastor, Rev. H. M. Dexter. It is a neat edifice of brick, measuring ninety feet by seventy, with an audience room capable of seating 1050 persons. The basement contains a large lec- ture room, a smaller one, and a third room fitted up for com- mittee meetings, sewing circles and similar purposes. The house and fixtures cost about $ 12,000 ; besides the organ, built by Simmons of Boston, at a cost of $ 1900 more.
The church observes the Monthly Concert and the Sab- bath School Concert of prayer on the first two Sabbaths of each month, and meetings for prayer and Christian confer- ence on the remaining Sabbath evenings. There is a weekly lecture or a conference meeting on Thursday evening, at which time all ordinary church business is transacted. Can- didates for admission to the church are examined by the standing committee. Members received from other churches by letter, publicly assent to the covenant. The Sabbath School is continued through the year ; and teachers' meetings are regularly held. There is a Maternal Association, the children being present at the quarterly meetings ; and a La- dies' Sewing Circle once a fortnight, accompanied during the winter by a social gathering in the evening.
Money is raised for the support of the gospel by rent of the pews. Collections are taken in church for benevolent objects, regularly once in two months; also at the Monthly concert and Sabbath School concert ; and money is raised for Foreign Missions and for the City Mission by subscription. The amount thus collected in 1854 was $870. Other con- siderable sums solicited among the society by agents for causes not on the regular list, are not included.
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MANCHESTER.
MANCHESTER.
CHRISTIAN MISSION CHURCH .- Rev. T. P. SAWIN.
In the spring of 1847, Rev. J. L. Seymour was employed by the friends of religion to act as city missionary in this place. A hall was rented, in which he opened a Sabbath School and conducted religious service. The idea of institut- ing a Free Chapel was suggested and favorably regarded .- To this object the "Amoskeag Manufacturing and Water Power Company," gave a lot of land considered worth $1000, and by the contribution of individuals and also of the Congregational and Presbyterian churches of the State, the building was completed in the fall of 1850, at an expense of about $3000, capable of seating 400 people.
The "Manchester City Missionary Society" was legally organized April 24, 1850, and hold the property by a tenure requiring "that no rent or tax shall be assessed on any slip or seat in said house of public worship, and that it forever be kept open and free for the poor in the city of Manches- ter."
The society employs a clerical missionary and meets its annual expenses ; 1st, by the income of $1000, bequeathed for the purpose by the late Thomas D. Merrill of Concord ; 2d, by the appropriation of $150 by the State Missionary Society ; 3d, by donations or contributions from the two Congregational churches in the city and in the chapel. Du- ring the erection of the chapel no missionary was employed, and Rev. Mr. Seymour having been called to another field of labor, Rev. T. P. Sawin, then of Harwich, Ms., was invit- ed, who commenced his duties April, 1851. After a few months, it was thought desirable, especially by those who labored in the Mission Sabbath School and attended the chapel service, that a church be organized into which might be gathered the results of missionary labor. This was effect- ed by an ecclesiastical council, Dec. 30, 1852, under its present name ; 17 members were then united in covenant, to which 10 were added within two months. The whole number that have united is 44; deducting the dismissions and deaths, the present number is 36. The number of adult baptisms, nine; infants, five. The church was organized with the distinct understanding, that whenever its own interests, the success of the mission, or the cause of religion requires, it may leave the chapel and provide for itself else- where. The church in its present connection with the mis- sion elects the missionary for its pastor, and in all respects
206
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
is Congregational. It is fully believed that no missionary field in New Hampshire more richly repays the benefactions required to sustain it.
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MASON.
Most of the early settlers of this town were poor, but industrious men. A good number were professors of reli- gion ; but none of them of more than common education for that day. Instead of forming their settlement in a compact neighborhood, they were so widely scattered as to render it almost impracticable, for a time, for them to have schools for their children.
Many of the original proprietors manifested regard for religious institutions, and a willingness to aid the settlers in their feeble state to maintain public religious worship. And these men, brought up in the early habits of New England, and taught to regard the Sabbath as an holy day, did not feel themselves relieved from unpleasant restraint when located in the wilderness, where they had no place to meet for religious worship on the Lord's day. Poor as they were they willingly contributed of their scanty substance to obtain preaching part of the time. Nor were they satisfied with occasional preaching, or for a part of the year. They early sought to have a minister settled among them ; and actually gave a call to two gentlemen to become their minister, before they had formed into a church state, and, considering their circumstances, made them fair offers. Their regard for religion was equally shown in preparing a house for reli- gious meetings. Within three or four years from the date of the charter the proprietors, with the inhabitants, erected a Meeting-house. True, it was small, and never was thor- oughly finished ; yet, compared with the ability of the peo- ple, equal to some elegant houses of the present day. This house stood, and was used for public meetings, nearly forty years.
The town was incorporated in the year 1768, and then called Mason. Four years from this date a church was gathered in the place. At this time an ecclesiastical coun- cil was convened for the purpose of embodying a church, and ordaining their pastor elect, Mr. Jonathan Searle. In the covenant transaction between themselves and God, the church was called a Calvinistic church, and in their articles of faith, they say, "We cordially adhere to the principles of
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207
MASON.
religion (at least to the substance of them) contained in the Shorter Catechism of the Assembly of Divines." The whole number of brethren who subscribed the covenant was 12- and after being declared "a distinct church regularly and scripturally embodied," they by vote admitted the sisters, nine in number, as members. Soon after the ordination of Rev. Mr. Searle, unhappy difficulties arose between the pas- tor and the flock, which issued in his dismission in about nine years after his settlement. At this time or soon after, Mr. Searle ceased from preaching, but, being constituted a civil magistrate, he officiated in this capacity, and lived in the town to an advanced age. During the ministry of Mr. Searle only 23 were added to the church; 14 by profession, and nine by letter ; and 11 were admitted to own the cove- nant, as it was called, according to the practice of most churches in New England at that day. Between this period and the year 1790 the church record shows the admission of only one member. True, several members of other churches had located in the town, but did not remove their relation to this mourning church for several years. What a long death-like sleep ! Yet in the latter part of this sad night, it pleased God to cause some mercy drops to fall, though this church as a visible body was not then increased. About the year 1785, God in mercy visited this section of country, and caused a great revival of religion in his people, and of his work in converting sinners, particularly in New Ipswich, under the ministry of the venerable Farrar. From this place the work extended to some other towns and churches ; and this part of the vineyard was not wholly passed by, although it was in a deplorable state. Some few Christians in Mason were awakened, and began to apply themselves to their long neglected duty ; and many of the people, espec- ially of the young, flocked to the solemn meetings in New Ipswich, and were filled with wonder. Soon some were con- victed of sin, and became anxious for their souls' salvation, and after a time rejoiced in hope of pardoning mercy. But such was the state of the church in Mason, destitute of a minister, broken, disspirited, that the converts sought to unite with the church of New Ipswich; to which they had become tenderly attached by that acquaintance with the members which had been brought about by their intercourse, and by that mutual love which new born souls who have mourned and wept, and prayed and rejoiced together, must feel. Their request was granted on condition that they remove their relation whenever the church in Mason should become settled.
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
It may be considered as a happy effect of this revival, that the church and congregation in Mason were moved to seek the immediate settlement of a gospel minister. Rev. Ebenezer Hill became their pastor Nov. 3, 1790. About this time, the members of other churches resident in the town, as well as those who united with the church in New Ipswich, removed their relation, and the church in Mason then con- sisted of 36 members, and in 1845 it numbered about 260 resident members. The years 1801-2 were indeed years of the right hand of God. After a long season in which few were persuaded to embrace the Savior, and Christians were in a deep sleep, it pleased a gracious God to awaken his people, and, at length, to grant such a refreshing rain upon this thirsty part of his heritage as had never before been enjoyed in this place. The number gathered into the church as the fruit of this revival, was 54 members. Some also were added to the Baptist church. It did then seem as if there would not be such a lowering down from this happy state as is like dark night after a bright and glorious day .- Such mournful changes have been witnessed here. But God is rich in grace although his people are unfaithful. In the year 1812, another, though shorter season of gracious visita- tion, was granted, when 25 were added to the number of vis- ible believers. This, like a short wintry day, was succeeded by a long night ; and only now and then one joined the visi- ble people of God, until the year 1826. This was a year more distinguished than any other had been in the annals of this church. God wrought gloriously-every part of the town was graciously visited, and it was so manifestly the work of God that for a time all opposition seemed to be put down. The fruit of this revival was 62 added this year, and 19 the next, making 81, besides about 40 who united with the Baptists. In the year 1831, 21 were added, and in the years 1834-5 were added 32.
In the year 1836, Nov. 23, Rev. Andrew Reed was install- ed colleague pastor of the church and was dismissed from his pastoral relation and recommended to the churches, Dec. 11, 1839. During his ministry, the addition to the church was 23 by letter and profession.
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