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 23
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* Sketch by Dea. Josiah Kittredge.
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NEW BOSTON.
and by death, 11. Among the latter was Dea. David Bald- win, to fill whose office Redford W. Lane was subsequently elected. The church now numbers 182 members-223 hav- ing been added to the church since its organization less than ten years ago. There have been 34 infant baptisms .- The amount contributed for the various benevolent objects will not vary much from $1000, annually,-some years more. One member of this church has finished his theological course at Andover, and has been preaching in Illinois for more than a year,-one now in college has the ministry in view. The pastor receives $ 1300.
NEW BOSTON.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Settlements began to be made here in 1733. A grant was given of it to some men of Boston in 1736. New Hampshire incorporated it in 1763. These dates illustrate the fact that the settlement, grant, and incorporation of towns often occurred at different periods of time, and, this fact being overlooked, many have mistaken the date of one of these events for that of another. Much confusion has hence arisen. The residence of the grantees-Boston-sug- gested its name, New Boston.
Dr. Whiton says that no record of the time of the forma- tion of the church exists, but Farmer gives 1768 as the period. Dr. Whiton allows this to be the probable date .- Rev. Solomon Moore, born in Newtown, Limavady, Ireland, educated at Glasgow, was settled here Sept. 6, 1768. He is represented as a man of estimable qualities and a good preacher. He was suspected of opposing the American Revolution. Some earnest whigs among his people, for a time, would not hear him preach. He was arrested, charg- ed with opposition to the cause of freedom, carried to Exe- ter the temporary capital of the State, and, it is thought, suffered a brief imprisonment. He subsequently professed allegiance to the State and had a comfortable ministry until his decease May 3, 1803, at the age of 67. He was a Cal- vanist, but not of the "strictest" school.
Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford was born in Milford, in 1776, a son of Harvard in 1803, and was ordained, Feb. 26, 1806, pastor of this church. His pastorate extended to his death Dec. 15, 1845, at 69 years of age. During his ministry of thirty nine years and ten months he saw the great goodness
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
of the Lord. He was a finished scholar, gave much time to the study of the original Scriptures. About 1816 he was appointed by the Legislature one of three men to investi- gate the affairs of Dartmouth college, and his was one of the names at one time before the public to fill the vacant chair of the presidency of that institution.
Seasons of revival were enjoyed during his ministry. In 1814 an unusual attention to serious things was witnessed here. Many of the youth were affected. It seemed to be connected with a grievous sickness which preceded it. In 1830, 155 members were reported. In 1832 another season of the manifestation of the grace of God occurred, and 75 were admitted to the joys and toils of the church of Christ. And again in 1836 the heavenly sanctuary shed its influence upon this favored people and 60 were added to the visible kingdom of our Lord.
Mr. Bradford was a man whose character cannot be prop- erly noticed here. Rev. J. G. Davis who was present at his funeral writes of him and of that scene :- "During the last five years of his life, no dissentient voice had been uttered in all the deliberations and votes of his society. Yet there were times in his ministry when the question of removal was urged upon his attention as a matter of duty. In a time of deep embarrassment, when asked 'why he did not go,' he replied, 'nothing but a remembrance of my final account keeps me at New Boston.' In the season of his severest privations he was not without the sympathy of many, while, at a later period, his people abounded in the riches of their liberality. Spirituality of mind marked the latter portion of his life. 'I wonder' said he, at one time, ' that Christians do not speak more frequently of their pros- pects and future home.''Precious heaven,' he exclaimed, to a friend a few days before his decease.
Twenty two ministers of the gospel, of different names, but common faith, gathered about the remains of the eldest of their number. Disease had touched him lightly, and the stroke of the great leveller was scarcely visible. A smile rested on his noble and expressive features, and he lay like a strong man stretched in sleep. The calm benignity of his nature seemed triumphant even in death. We moved to the house of God, a building erected under his own super- vision in the prime of his ministry. On the table at which he had so often ministered in the choicest symbols of reli- gion, lay the father, the friend, and the pastor of that peo- ple. The choir sung a hymn whose burden was of rest. The eldest of the surviving ministers led in prayer.
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231
NEW IPSWICH.
'Unless I greatly err,' said the preacher, Rev. Dr. Whi- ton, 'the judgment of this assembly will sustain the remark, that in going through all the circles of society in our county, probably no death could have occurred, that would have called forth a larger public tribute of regrets and tears.' --- The judgment of the assembly did sustain the remark. The whole congregation wept.
He was interred in the old burial ground on the hill-side, near the site of the former Meeting-house, at a point which overlooks the rest of the yard. The spot was well chosen, as if that he who had led them in life, should rest nearer the heavens, and be their leader at the resurrection."
His successor, Rev. E. M. Kellogg, was installed in 1846 and dismissed by the Presbytery in 1852, and is now pastor at Mason Village. Some members were annually added during his ministry.
The present members of the church number 165. They are abundantly able to sustain a pastor, and will doubtless evince that ability ; although it would not be remarkable, if, with such an eminent instance of ministerial excellence as Mr. Bradford presented for so many years to their view, in full remembrance, they should find a spirit of forbearance and a charitable judgment needful, both in the selection and permanent support of the man whom the Holy Ghost may make their next "overseer."
NEW IPSWICH.
Rev. SAMUEL LEE.
New Ipswich was originally settled by men who feared God and recognized their obligations to sustain the institu- tions of religion. The original grant by which they became proprietors of the soil makes a reservation of a certain piece of land for the support, in part, of the Christian ministry. This grant is dated April 17, 1750. At the first legal meet- ing of the proprietors held the 20th of June following, it was " voted to choose a committee to provide a proper person to preach in said town." A similar vote was passed the year following, and also the subject of building a Meeting-house discussed. In 1752 it was " voted to have constant preach- ing in said town for the future, and to build a Meeting- house." This house was not completed till the year 1754. Nov. 26, 1754, it was "voted to come into some method to settle a minister in this place ;" also, "to set apart the first
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
Wednesday in January next for a day of fasting and prayer to God for his directing of us in the choice of a minister." Feb. 4th, 1755, " voted that Mr. Peter Powers be our gospel minister." A committee was chosen to confer with Mr. Powers and report at an adjourned meeting. At this meet- ing, April 29th, it was "voted not to comply with Mr. Pow- ers' principles concerning baptism, that he would not admit any to baptism without they came to full communion." Mr. Deliverance Smith was afterward invited to become their pastor, and declined.
Nov. 26, 1759, Mr. Stephen Farrar received a call which he accepted, but was not ordained till the following year. Oct. 21, 1760, a council was convened for the twofold pur- pose of organizing a church, and of ordaining Mr. Farrar as its pastor. The church was organized that day, and Mr. Farrar ordained the day following.
The ministry of Mr. Farrar is probably the most impor- tant particular in the history of New Ipswich, and contrib- uted, preeminently, to render the place what it has been and now is-a place distinguished for its steadfast adherence to the religion of the Puritans. Mr. Farrar's ministry was able. Although not a man of extensive reading, he was an inde- pendent and correct thinker. His ministry was evangelical. At a period when so many in the sacred office in New Eng- land were evidently unconverted, and as a consequence Ar- minian, Mr. Farrar steadfastly adhered to "the faith once delivered to the saints." His ministry was faithful. He feared God and Him only ; and according to the standard of that day, discharged with fearlessness, yet with affection, the duties of a pastor and of a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. His ministry was long. Settled at the early age of 21 years, he continued to labor, with that affection which commences in "first love " and matures and strengthens, though its ardor may abate, with advancing years, up to the hour literally, (for he died in a fit,) of his death. This oc- curred in his 70th year. He died June 23, 1809.
There seems to have been but one general revival during the ministry of Mr. Farrar. That was such as to merit particular notice. The writer has taken much pains to ga- ther the facts from living witnesses who were the subjects of the work. This revival commenced in the autumn of 1785, and continued through the winter and into the summer fol- lowing. Of the feelings that preceded the revival, on the part of Christians, little can be learned, as no one who was then such is now among this people. It seems there was less of expectation of a revival than Christians now have
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NEW IPSWICH.
learned to entertain ; though there was much tenderness and concern for the souls of men. It should also be remem- bered that this was a period of great darkness and declension in the New England churches ; being about forty years after the revivals in the day of Edwards, and seven years previous to the revivals which commenced in Connecticut under Grif- fin in 1792 ; and that, to the re-action of the excesses of the revivals of 1740 in some respects so glorious, were now added the baleful influences of the Revolution, and of the French infidelity that came to us with the aid so essential to our armies from that nation. The Christians of that day knew not what a revival was. When it occurred, it was a thing entirely novel. The following incident witnessed by the per- son who related it, though himself at the time an uncon- verted man, is full of meaning in this connection : About a year before the revival, Mr. Farrar was at the house of his father, who was a member of the church, and conversing with him on the state of religion at the time. In the course of the conversation Mr. Farrar remarked, "I have now been more than twenty years in my ministry here, and know not that I have done any good," and burst into tears and wept freely. This is significant of what were the feelings of at least the minister, and probably of some others of the church for a period previous to the outpouring of the Spirit upon the people.
As stated above, the revival began in the fall. The sud- den death of a young lady had great effect upon the public mind. In the latter part of December the solemnity had become very deep and general. On Sabbath preceding the first Wednesday in January, 1786, Mr. Farrar preached from Isa. 32: 2-"A man shall be a hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest,"-with great effect. On the following Wednesday occurred a Quarterly Church Fast, which the church, it seems, had been accustomed to observe, not as the means especially of preparing the way for a revi- val, but for the general purpose of promoting their sanctifi- cation. This meeting was attended by unwonted numbers, not only of the church, but of others. Upon this assembly the Spirit came down in Pentecostal power. All were sub- dued. After the meeting was closed, the people did not dis- perse for nearly an hour, but staid, anxious to converse on the subject of their own personal religion. The report of what transpired at this meeting, as made by those who were present, had a thrilling effect upon the people generally. Such scenes were unknown in that day. None living had witnessed the like. Hence the novelty of the facts, as well
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
as their intrinsic importance, deepened the interest of the occasion.
From this time through the winter, the work was "with power." The excitement was very great. The winter was severe and the snow deep, but it did not cool the burning zeal. Successive meetings were often held during the whole day, and by adjournment from one place to another. At these conference meetings individuals would sometimes arise, and in their distress exclaim, "What can I do to be saved?" So anxious were people to attend meetings that the sick were carried and laid on beds. Mr. Farrar attended these meet- ings as far as possible, and preached without notes-preached in tears, literally, and his auditors sobbing around him. In some cases, when private dwellings could not accommodate the many who attended, he would resort to the barn; and with his auditors around him on the floor, and above him on the scaffold, dispense to them the word of life. So great was the demand for ministerial labor that clergymen from the neighboring churches came to the aid of the overburdened pastor. The members of the church also were abundant in labors. They made it their great business to converse with the impenitent to convert them to Christ. Young converts at once put on the harness as if enlisted in the service of Christ.
The time during which persons were under conviction in this revival is thought to have been about three weeks. The subjects of the work were of all ages, from children of four, seven, and twelve years, up to extreme old age. And, if we may judge from such of them as have been living within the last twenty years, the conversions must have been genuine, and the consecration to Christ full and practical. So far as known, a solitary individual alone remains, a monument of the grace of this memorable period. As the fruits of this revival, there were added to the church during the year 1786, 88 members, and in the year following, 10, by which the church was more than doubled, there being but 91 members before.
This work of grace was followed by revivals in neighbor- ing places, especially in Temple and Ashby. On election day in 1786, the young people of New Ipswich went to Ash- by to hold a religious meeting with the young people of that place. The minister of Ashby was present, as also Mr. Far- rar, but the exercises were conducted, chiefly, by the young converts from New Ipswich. They told what God had done for their souls, and exhorted their young friends to repent.
There was no other revival during the ministry of Mr.
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NEW IPSWICH.
Farrar though it continued more than twenty years. From a document in the handwriting of Mr. Farrar, with the cap- tion "Persons who have owned the Covenant," it appears that the "half-way covenant," so called, was observed by the church from 1762 to 1771, at least.
Rev. Richard Hall succeeded Mr. Farrar. He was ordain- ed March 12, 1812. After receiving his call, he could not immediately be ordained. The pulpit meanwhile was occu- pied by Rev. John Burbanks, under whose labors a revival commenced, so that when Mr. Hall entered upon his pro- fessional duties, he found himself amid the responsibilities and encouragements of a powerful work of the Spirit. As the fruits of this revival, 140 united with the church in the years 1811, '12 and '13. Another revival occurred in 1821, in which year and the following, 73 were added to the church -a harvest gathered at great expense to the pastor. He fell a victim to excessive labors. He bled at the lungs, and, after two years of suffering, died July 13, 1824, aged 40 .- Mr. Hall was born in Mansfield, Conn., was educated at Middlebury, Vt., and at the theological seminary Andover, Ms. His ministry was successful, and he enjoyed in a high degree the confidence, and the love of his church. As a pastor, he was affectionate and affable. As a preacher, fearless and faithful, his manner partaking largely of the severe. He was an intelligent, and self-vindicating disciple of the "exercise" school of his day.
Rev. Isaac R. Barbour was next pastor of the church; ordained March 8, 1826, and dismissed in September of the same year.
Rev. Charles Walker was ordained Feb. 28, 1827-dis- missed Aug. 26, 1835. The ministry of Mr. Walker cover- ed a period in the history of the American churches of great interest. It was preeminently the period of revivals. In the blessings that were poured upon our land the church in New Ipswich shared largely. In the years 1831-2 large additions were made to the church. Appended to the list of church members Mr. Walker left the following : "The church in 1827 numbers 173 members. From my settlement Feb. 1827, to Feb. 1835-eight years-there were added 173 by profession, 131 of whom were baptized in their infancy ; 43 by letter. About 50 removals and deaths." But these blessings came not unmingled. A melancholy feature in the history of this period is the record of its, literally, ceaseless troubles. During the ministry of Mr. Walker of but eight and a half years, there were held 106 meetings of the church for business ; many of them, it is said, beginning in the
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
afternoon, continued till late in the evening ; two ecclesias- tical references; two mutual councils, and one ex parte council-all having reference to the difficulties of the church.
Mr. Walker was succeeded in the pastoral office by the present incumbent, Rev. Samuel Lee, who was pastor of the Evangelical church in Sherburne, Ms., when called by the church in New Ipswich. He was installed pastor of the church May 5th, 1836. The day in which to write the history of his pastorate is yet future ; 299 have united with the church since his connection with it. It may, perhaps, be proper to remark that the spirit of trouble which manifested itself in Mr. Walker's day was not dismissed with him, but continued to exhibit its power under his successor, till, in 1852 a second church, constituted under the law of elective affinity, was organized. Since this time the First church has known much of "the peace of God ;" has remodeled its Meeting-house, and is in external prosperity. "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."
NEW IPSWICH.
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The second Congregational church in New Ipswich was organized Oct. 9, 1851, with 57 members-21 males, 36 females. Most of these were dismissed from the first church at their own request, for the specified purpose of being organized into another church. It was believed that the best interests of religion among this people required this organi- zation. After worshiping a few months in a hall, the society purchased a church edifice and re-fitted it in a convenient form. A Sabbath School was immediately organized with some 85 or 90 members. Donations in Bibles, Testaments, and Sabbath School books, were received from various indi- viduals from abroad. A reed organ, clock, and other church furniture, were also presented to the society.
A pastor, Rev. J. Ballard, was installed July 14, 1852, and dismissed in 1855. Since the organization of the church, 25 have been added to their number, making a total of 82 members ; the additions being, eleven by profession, and fourteen by letter. The society have raised and appropri- ated for purposes of religious worship, about $ 4400. The last year, they contributed $ 114 to charitable objects abroad. The average attendance on public worship is sup- posed to be about 150.
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PELHAM.
PELHAM .*
Rev. CHARLES ROCKWELL.
The town of Pelham was incorporated July 5, 1746 .- Previous to this time, the east part of the town had been under the jurisdiction of Dracut, and the west part under that of Dunstable, so that when the town was incorporated there were quite a number of families in the town, and so the subject of building a Meeting-house and of procuring a minister received a more prompt and early attention than it might otherwise have done. The same year in which the town was incorporated, the people voted to build a Meeting- house and to expend £ 60 for preaching, and it was sustain- ed most of the time till a minister was settled in the place.
At a town meeting June 3, 1751, Rev. James Hobbs was chosen "their gospel minister." They gave him £70 old tenor as a settlement, and £ 40 old tenor as an annual sala- ry ; and at another meeting, soon after, they gave him £ 100 in addition to his settlement, and £100 in five annual instalments, in addition to his salary ; and also 25 cords of fire wood annually. The church in Pelham was formed, (consisting of ten men,) and Mr. Hobbs was ordained its first pastor Nov. 13, 1751. He was Arminian in sentiment ; and the covenant that was, at that time, adopted by the church was in accordance with those sentiments. Mr. Hobbs died June 20, 1765. Thirty seven persons came into the church in his time.
The town next invited Amos Moody to become their min- ister ; and they proposed to give him £ 70 sterling money as a settlement, and £ 55 as an annual salary. He was ordain- ed Nov. 20, 1755. His sentiments were similar to those of his predecessor. During the ministry of Mr. Hobbs, and for twelve or fifteen years under Mr. Moody the people were harmonious, and were in the confidence of their ministers, but in 1780 to 1792, in which year Mr. Moody was dismiss- ed, much evidence exists that he had lost the confidence of the people, as a minister. The opposition to him was so great that a new parish was formed, and when, in 1791 or '92 the new parish was about to form a church and settle a minister, it was thought by many of the leading men of both parishes that an effort should be made to unite the town again, and the result of that effort was, that if Mr. Moody would withdraw, and leave the town to choose a new minister, the existing difficulties might all be settled.
* Facts by Mr. A. Gage.
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HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY.
Accordingly he was dismissed Oct. 24, 1792. He had admitted 61 members to the church. The seceding parish then united with the old parish, but it was about six years before a minister was settled in the place. During those six years 25 candidates had been employed, to two or three of whom invitations to settle had been presented, but were not accepted for want of unanimity or harmony among the people. Twenty members were received, while they were without a pastor.
A town meeting, Aug. 27, 1798, unanimously invited to the oversight of the church Mr. John Hubbard Church, and promised him $500 as a settlement, and $333,33 as an annual salary. He was ordained Oct. 31, 1798. The cove- nant adopted at the formation of the church was modified and made more Calvinistic near the close of Mr. Moody's labors. No confession of faith had been adopted until the day before the ordination of Dr. Church. Then, at a church meeting held for the purpose, he presented a confession of faith, and also a covenant which were adopted by the church, which were entirely orthodox in sentiment, and which, with some little revision, remain in use at the present time. Dr. Church remained pastor until Sept. 30, 1835, in which time he received into the church 191 members. In his letter of res- ignation he says, "For a considerable time past, I have been desirous that my place should be filled with a more active. and useful servant of Christ. I am much gratified with the present prospect of its being done." The church and socie- ty had a short time previously voted, unanimously, a call to Mr. John Keep to become their pastor, and voted him $ 550 as an annual salary and the privilege of being absent four Sabbaths in each year. He accepted the call and was ordained Sept. 30, 1835. In the summer of 1841 Mr. Keep's health failed him so much, that he felt it to be his duty to ask a dismission. He was dismissed Oct. 13, 1841, having admitted 40 persons to membership in the church .- In the summer of 1842, Rev. Jacob Chapman was called to the work of the ministry here, but he did not settle because there was a want of unanimity in the votes of the church and society.
In Jan. 1843 a unanimous call was given to Rev. Cyrus W. Allen. He was installed Feb. 1, 1843. He continued to be the pastor until May 1847, when, at an ecclesiastical council convened to take into consideration the expediency of dissolving the pastoral relation, Mr. Allen stated, "that he deemed it necessary to his comfort and usefulness that he should remove from his present field of labor." He was
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