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 25
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In July 1842, twenty members of this church were dismissed, at their request, and recommended as proper persons to be constituted into a church at Paper Mill Village. This church and society possess a permanent fund of about $3000, the interest of which is appropriated to the support of the gospel among themselves. But this fund does not tend to the increase of Christian activity or benevolence. The amount annually given by this church and society, for benevolent objects, is about sixty dollars. The average attendance on public evangelical worship, in this town, cannot be much more than 350 persons. The whole number of members of the church from the first, is about 340; and infant baptisms, 360. This church has furnished four men for the ministry.
The church now is only a remnant of its former self. The present circumstances of the church differ widely from what they were forty years ago. Then, this was quite a business place. Here were men of large property and commanding influence, a goodly number of whom were members of the church. But these men are either dead or have left the place ; and the business is gone. The present population of the parish consists, almost entirely, of far- mers-good livers, respectable, but not wealthy. Hence it is easy to judge of the difference in question. The annual additions to the church, have not, for some years, been equal to the number of those who die and emigrate. The youth, at an early age, nearly all leave the place. 17
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The last of July 1850, Rev. S. G. Tenney commenced his labors with this church, and is their minister at the present time.
In Dec. 1790, a Calvinist Baptist Church was organized in this place ; and for many years, it was very prosperous, and became quite numerous. At length, in connection with the Universalists, they erected and occupied a Meeting-house at Paper Mill Village; and, finally, the church became extinct.
ALSTEAD EAST.
Rev. BEZALEEL SMITH.
A number of individuals residing in the east part of Alstead, becoming dissatisfied with the minister of the town on account of his apparent want of vital godliness and purity of morals, sought letters of dismission from the church, for the purpose of forming a new one among themselves. Being denied this privilege, by importunity and perseverance, they, at length, obtained letters to become connected with churches in other towns ; and from these they were dismissed and organized-eighteen in number-into a church Nov. 20, 1788.
Sept. 2, 1789, Rev. Levi Lankton from Southington, Conn. a graduate of Yale, was settled over them in the gospel ministry. And though, on account of a feeble voice and slow delivery, his manner was not regarded as interesting, the matter of his sermons was always good. Practical, dis- criminating, biblical, his public discourses and private con- versation ever seemed to flow from a heart overflowing with love to God and love to man. Thus he scattered the seed of divine truth, watering it with his tears, and following it with his prayers ; yet it apparently yielded but little fruit in his own time. Only 93 were admitted to the church during his ministry of a third of a century. But the precious grain was not lost-it was found "after many days." His holy example and godly conversation were ever an excellent comment on the doctrines he inculcated, and thus he became, what his people and their descendants denominated, " an every day preacher." Though his con- nection with the church was not formally dissolved until a successor was appointed, he left the people in June 1823, and went to reside with his only child, who married Mr. William Fay of Westborough, Ms. He removed subse- quently with the family to Marietta, Ohio, where he died,
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with heaven full in view, about the year 1843. On account of the failure of his voice he was unable to speak much in public for sometime previous to his resignation, but his influ- ence was deeply felt and by many appreciated. An emi- nently pious lady exclaimed, as she saw him turn away from the place, " The glory is departed from Israel."
Her words seemed almost prophetic ; for, from this time, through some adverse influences, iniquity came in like a flood, threatening to destroy all the good seed that had ever been sown. The church became greatly reduced, and it was believed by neighboring ministers that it must die. The gospel was, indeed, dispensed a portion of the time, by dif- ferent ministers, but it did not stay the tide of irreligion that was bearing down upon them. After Mr. Lankton left, the care of the church was committed to Rev. Mr. Arnold, pastor of the first church, who acted as its modera- tor, and soon became their spiritual teacher one fourth of the time.
Such was the arrangement in 1826, when Mr. Moses Gerould, from Stoddard, commenced the study of theology with Mr. Arnold. Their conversation, soon after this, turned upon the condition of the people in the east parish, and Mr. Gerould incidentally remarked, "I should be willing to go over and hold a religious meeting with them, once a week, if they would like." The proposal was made and accepted. Meetings were commenced Sabbath evening Oct. 15th, which became increasingly full, solemn and interesting. On one of these occasions a man arose altogether unexpectedly, and declared his intention of seeking an interest in Christ ; and, requesting the prayers of God's people, he entreated his companions to commence with him a life of religion. A. scene of deep and thrilling interest ensued. Nearly the whole audience were bathed in tears. The meeting closed- the people dispersed, but a revival of religion had com- menced which continued through the ensuing winter with great power and glorious results. The little church which had for some time contained no men as members, and but two women under 50 years of age, and only about 25 in all, became enlarged and strengthened by the addition of more than seventy individuals ; some forty of whom were heads of families. Numbers cherished the Christian's hope who did not then profess religion, and numbers also from other places, who connected themselves with other churches, making near- ly one hundred who, in the course of that revival, became the hopeful subjects of renewing grace. Thus the seed which was so carefully sowed and faithfully watered by that
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man of God, their first minister, produced an abundant har- vest. To the honor of God and as an incentive to prayer, it should be recorded that a few devoted ones, in this little church, continued, during all this season of darkness and abounding evil, to wrestle with God in secret, sometimes in social gatherings, that he would appear in his glory, and build up Zion by bringing their sons and daughters within her sacred inclosure. And in the result, it was found that many of the young, for months previous, had had their attention directed to the concerns of their souls and were thus prepared for the more effectual operations of the Divine Spirit.
At the earnest solicitation of the people, Mr. Gerould, who had passed the winter with them teaching school and attend- ing religious meetings, in May obtained license to preach the gospel, and entered upon the responsible duty here, where mutual interest and attachment had become exceedingly strong. Influenced by the continued, earnest desire of the people, he consented at the expiration of a year, to take upon him the oversight of this flock-now numbering 100- as pastor. He was set apart to this work by solemn ordina- tion, May 22, 1828 ; the civil contract being for five years.
Besides occasional conversions, there were two other revi- vals of considerable extent and power, during his ministry ; one in 1834-5, which brought nearly 50 into the church, and another in 1840 and '41 which added 18 more to the professed followers of Christ ; making 139, in all, who came out from the world and owned the Saviour while he labored among them. And though no disaffection was manifested towards him, the relation was dissolved July 2, 1844, having continued more than sixteen years.
Mr. Alvah C. Page, after preaching as a candidate for a time, was installed pastor here, the 22d of October following. Remaining with them nearly three years, he was dismissed May 19, 1847. Five were added to the church in his time. Rev. James. W. Perkins immediately succeeded him, and was installed the following autumn. Considerable interest in spiritual things was manifested, on the part of the young especially, at the time of his installation, and a revival ensued, which resulted in twenty five or thirty hopeful con- versions. Mr. Perkin's ministry continued until June 16, 1852, a period of about five years, and was terminated in consequence of the failure of his health. Thirty seven were added to the church while he was its pastor; and the same council which dissolved the connection of Mr. Perkins, installed Rev. Bezaleel Smith, who still continues his pasto- ral labors in that highly favored portion of our Zion.
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Eight young men have entered the ministry (one of them being connected with the first church,) in the Congregation- al denomination ; two others, leaving that church, became Methodist ministers; and two are now preparing for the sacred office. One who commenced a course of study with the same object in view, abandoned it on account of the fail- ure of his eyes; another, of much promise, died while a member of college, and three young ladies have become greatly useful as the wives of ministers.
Thus the influence of the first minister, especially, is descending to following generations, and extending over the world, to the honor of religion and the glory of God. He laid foundations which have not been destroyed.
ALSTEAD-PAPER MILL VILLAGE.
Rev. BENJAMIN OBER.
The Congregational church in Paper Mill Village was organized Aug. 3, 1842. It was formed of members from the following churches : 20 from the church at the Center, eight from the church in Langdon, one from the church in Acworth, and one from the church in East Alstead. Three were united by profession, making the whole number 33.
The reason for the formation of this church grew out of the location of its members. This village is in the north west part of Alstead three miles from the church in the center, making it inconvenient for those residing here to attend worship there. Another consideration : there was a large and pressing population here, with only one Meeting- house and that an Universalist-a majority of the inhabit- ants favoring that denomination. Here was the home and field of the early labors of the notorious Abner Kneeland, and the seeds of error sown by him have brought forth an abundant harvest. As a natural consequence, the soil was unfavorable to the growth of an evangelical religion. The church has never been blessed with a revival of religion ; owing, perhaps, not so much to the fact that infidelity was so strongly rooted here, as to the fact that they have never enjoyed the ministration of a stated or settled ministry .- The pulpit has been supplied during the twelve years of its existence, by five different ministers as "stated supplies."
Their first minister was Rev. Darwin Adams, who remain- ed with them about three years. He was succeeded by Rev. John Lawrence, who supplied them one year. He was
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followed by Rev. S. S. Arnold, who continued with them a little over two years. After him, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. E. Jennison and Rev. G. S. Kemp.
The present minister, Rev. Benjamin Ober, commenced his labors in May 1854. It is to be hoped that this church will soon learn the necessity of a stated ministry to their spiritual enlargement. There have been but four additions to the church by profession, since its organization, one of them at the last communion. Sixteen have been added by letter, making the whole number, that have been connected with the church, 56. There have been 13 dismissions, 10 deaths and one excommunication, leaving the present num- ber, 32. The average attendance upon the Sabbath is about 80. The sum contributed annually to benevolent objects, about $30. The amount contributed for the support of the gospel about $300. There is no parsonage or fund belong- ing to the society. There have been no remarkable events to chronicle, connected with this church. Its existence has been short. Its history must be brief.
CHESTERFIELD .*
This town was granted in 1752 to twelve persons by the name of Willard, and 52 others. The first settlement was made in 1761. The Congregational church was formed in 1771 ; and the Rev. Abraham Wood, a graduate of Harvard in 1767, was ordained the first pastor Dec. 31, 1772. He continued to labor till April 29th, 1823, when the Rev. John Walker was installed his colleague. Mr. Wood continued till the following October, when he died at Ches- terfield, aged 75. The Rev. John Walker was a graduate of Dartmouth in 1808. He had been before settled at Green- field, N. H. Mr. Walker continued pastor till April 22, 1829, when he was dismissed. He afterward went to the West and is now in Vermont. The Rev. Elihu Smith, a graduate of Dartmouth in 1804, and who had been previously settled at Castleton, Vt., was installed as Mr. Walker's successor, May 23, 1832, although his labors began in the year 1830. He continued pastor till Dec. 2, 1834, when he was dismissed. Twenty-six were added in his ministry. He has since been laboring in various places, and is now in Vermont. Rev. J. Ballard was here in 1835, and Rev: Mr. Beckley for three years afterwards.
* Sketch by Z. BARSTOW, D.D.
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Rev. B. E. Hale was settled here Aug. 31, 1842. Consid- erable religious interest was manifested during his ministry of about five years. Thirty were added to the church. Rev. Messrs. Patten, Marble, and Newhall followed, each in a short ministry. But the cause of religion has not been in the ascendant. The present number of this church is 53. Population in 1820, 2110; in 1850, 1680.
DUBLIN .*
Rev. E. F. ABBOTT.
The first settlement of this town is supposed to have been made about 1750. In 1775 the population had reached 305. The town was incorporated in March, 1771. In May of the same year a meeting was called and the town organized, ac- cording to the provision made in the charter. At different times the subject of raising money to hire preaching was brought before the proprietors ; yet it does not appear they ever appropriated any for that purpose. All that was ap- plied to that purpose must have been furnished by the set- tlers themselves, and this must have been but little, previous to the incorporation of the town. We are told that the first sermon preached in the township, was at Eli Morse's in the autumn of 1767. It was preached by the Rev. Samuel Locke, who at length became President of Harvard college. It is probable that the ministers in the vicinity preached at different times for the new settlers in Dublin ; for they came from towns in which the institutions of religion were main- tained, and would appreciate the influences of the gospel. This would lead us to suppose that they would secure preach- ing as often as practicable. The Rev. Joseph Farrar of Lin- coln, after preaching twelve Sabbaths, received a call Oct. 17, 1771, from the town, to settle with them as their gospel minister. He was ordained June 10, 1772, and the first church was organized on the day of his ordination. He graduated at Harvard college in 1767. He was considered a man of more than ordinary talents, and faithful in discharge- ing the duties of his office. But after two or three years he began to entertain strange fancies-a state of mind which was supposed to arise from bodily infirmities. And, as his mind became more disordered, the church became uneasy, and a council was called to consider the matter. They advised that he be suspended from the exercise of his ministerial
* Sketch by Rev. G. S. Kemp.
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office for the space of six months. But before the term of suspension expired, in accordance with the wishes of both pastor and church, he was dismissed June 7, 1776. A meet- ing was held on the day of Mr. Farrar's dismission, and the selectmen were instructed to hire preaching six months. They were instructed to procure three preachers. Receipts show that several were obtained.
In August 1777, they voted to settle Mr. Edward Sprague. The salary voted was sixty pounds. He also received ten pounds a year until it should make a hundred pounds as a settlement, in case he should continue their minister for the term of ten years. And besides, they were to furnish him with thirty cords of firewood annually. On this ground Mr. Sprague accepted the call, and on the 12th of Nov. 1777 was ordained over the church and society. The ordination ser- mon was preached by Rev. Dr. Langdon, then president of Harvard college. By an instrument executed Nov. 20, 1777, Mr. Sprague relinquished his settlement-money of a hun- dred pounds for a lease of the ministry lot. At this time the church numbered forty. At length Mr. Sprague's salary of sixty pounds became wholly inadequate to his support, in consequence of the depreciation of paper money. In 1781 it became almost worthless, though in March 1779 the town voted to give him 160 pounds; and in September following voted to make his salary as good as when settled. An anec- dote is widely circulated of him, "that his people once pro- posed to increase his salary, but he begged them not to do it, for it plagued him almost to death to get what they had already agreed to pay him." In 1801 Mr. Sprague received from his father's estate a considerable amount of money ; after this he proposed to relinquish his salary on certain con- ditions, viz. " that he should retain his pastoral connection with the church, have the right of supplying the desk with men of piety and good ability, and that the town pay for the services of such preachers." This proposition was accepted.
Mr. Sprague died 1817. The year following the town voted to erect a monument to perpetuate his memory. At his death the church numbered one hundred and five.
" Rev. Edward Sprague was born at Boston May 20, 1750, graduated at Cambridge 1770, died Dec. 16, 1817. A min- ister of that day says of him, "When Mr. Sprague came to Dublin he was a moderate Calvinist, but not an accurate dis- tinguisher of doctrines." After he received his portion from his father's estate, when anything was said concerning serious things, he was more inclined to the practice of punning. Yet in the desk he was generally solemn. Many times when speaking
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of the six painful hours the Saviour suffered, he wept. He did not introduce doctrines into the pulpit to any great ex- tent. Yet he held the doctrine of the Trinity firmly, and the singing of Watt's Doxologies was his delight. When once in conversation with a pious lady, he expressed his regret be- cause the faculty at Cambridge had fallen into the way of thinking as they did in regard to Unitarianism. He did not understand Hopkins sufficiently to go the full length of his belief, and therefore made expressions which have prejudiced the minds of many against Calvinistic doctrines to this day. Still he taught the Assembly's Catechism to the children, probably the first half of his ministry ; and late in his min- istry he said to his hearers, "that little book (Assembly's Catechism) is too much neglected." The late Rev. Phineas Cooke came once to preach for Mr. Sprague. Mr. Sprague asked him "if he was orthodox." Mr. Cooke replied, " that he guessed he was sufficiently so for one day." Mr. Sprague was for peace. On one occasion the singers disagreed and finally separated. He asked them, "what Jesus Christ had done to them that they could not sing his praises?" Many of the common anecdotes about Mr. Sprague were mere fic- tion, and some were a gross enlargement on facts. He took a great interest in the Revolution. He said that he, in com- pany with another young man, walked out of Boston the night the British came in, and he projected the plan of cut- ting the posts to Cambridge bridge, so as to let the British down if they came on. Mr. Sprague was a Federalist. He so much blamed the British for letting Bonaparte escape from Elba, that he said he would not go across the street to prevent him from giving them a good whipping. He at one time said "he did not like those military parades, for they excited the pride of the officers." A few weeks before his death, in speaking of the wars and commotion in Europe, he said, "We shall get out of the way of it soon I hope." He preached his last sermon in usual health; after closing, he made a few remarks to the people, in which he stated that he had administered the gospel to them forty years: The next Tuesday evening he was thrown from an open carriage, and one ancle dislocated and the ligaments parted, which in less than seven days produced mortification and death. He bequeathed to the town $5000, the interest of which was to be paid to the minister of the Congregational persuasion who shall be regularly ordained and statedly preach in the Con- gregational society, so called. But the interest of this fund, in June 5th, 1820, was voted by the town to the Unitarian society, and which they continue to hold under the guise of
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Congregationalists. A blinder perversion could not be carrried out ; because there is not a Unitarian who does not oppose every doctrine of the Bible which is essential to salvation .- They pretend to hold with John Robinson, the founder of Con- gregationalism ; but their sentiments and John Robinson's, any farther than church polity is concerned, have no more affinity than light and darkness. They are an outright de- parture from the faith of the Puritan Congregationalists, from John Robinson's day to this. And they cannot date farther back than about 1803 in this country, to the first publishing and preaching of their doctrines. Mr. Sprague gave to the town of Dublin in his will, over $ 6000 for the support of schools. In 1811 the town voted to exempt Mr. Sprague's property from taxation. The year following Mr. Sprague's death, his widow, Hannah Sprague, died July 10, 1818, a Christian indeed. She gave the principal part of her property to the N. H. Missionary Society.
"A retrospective view of Mr. Sprague's ministry furnishes an example to ministers, to beware of neglecting to preach all the great doctrines of the Bible in season; for at the time of Mr. Sprague's death the common people and a large part of his church knew not what persuasion they were of, nor "what manner of spirit they were of." Universalism was strongly advocated but by few. By many Unitarianism was hardly known by name ; and when a minister was want- ed, it was said, it would not do to send to Connecticut for one, lest they should get a stiff Hopkinsian; though it is said that the committee for procuring a minister, once wrote to a certain institution in that State to have one sent, but appended to the letter certain instructions with regard to
tenets. But the corresponding officer of the faculty said in answer, "that they did not furnish such men as they de- sired." After this, Cambridge was the principal place of re- sort for procuring ministers."
After the death of Mr. Sprague, some seven candidates were employed, when they at length made choice of Mr. Levi Leonard as their minister. He was ordained on Wednes- day, Sept. 6, 1820, on a salary of $600-$300 of which was furnished by the legacy given by Mr. Sprague evidently for a very different purpose. It seems that the Rev. Dr. Barstow of Keene was not satisfied with the doctrinal views of Mr. Leonard and took no part in the exercises of his ordination.
The congregation we are told was known as an Orthodox church and society, but, on account of the looseness of their views in regard to the great and fundamental doctrines of the Bible, fell in with the views of Mr. Leonard to a great
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extent, and, in the course of two years, or in 1822, became so much Unitarian as to abandon the use of Dr. Watts' hymns, and introduce a collection suited to that denomina- tion. From the commencement of Mr. Leonard's ministry, some were dissatisfied with his preaching. They considered his doctrinal tenets a gross departure from the plain and simple teachings of the Bible. Nor did this uneasiness long continue without attempts to secure more satisfying and safer instruction. As soon as 1827, measures were taken tor the formation of a second church and society. Several members requested letters of dismission, which were granted. Letters missive were sent out by these members and an ecclesiastical council was convened at the house of Joseph Appleton, Esq., at ten o'clock, Nov. 21, 1827. The breth- ren were called upon to present the business the council were called to consider. Accordingly, a document was pre- sented certifying their regular standing in the first church, and their dismissal from it whenever they should be formed into another body. The council inquired what was intended, in the letter missive, by their differing essentially from Mr. Leonard's church ? In answer, they made it appear that they held to the great doctrines of the gospel in accordance with the orthodox churches of New England. In view of this, the council proceeded to organize a church consisting of eight members. They adopted the confession of faith and covenant, usually received by the Monadnock Association .--- At first their meetings were held in private houses and in the different school houses. For a while they occupied the Meeting-house their proportion of the time, which was every thirteenth Sabbath. Afterwards they were permitted to occupy the Town hall, in case they would give up their privilege of occupying the Meeting-house their part of the time on Sabbath days, and insure the hall from injury in consequence of occupying it. In 1835 they built a church, which was completed and dedicated in 1836. The sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Bouton of Concord. During this time they employed different preachers, the Rev. Samuel Harris preaching as stated supply two years. In the sum- mer of 1836, the Rev. James Tisdale was engaged, and con- tinued to supply them three years. In September, 1840, Mr. Henry A. Kendall received a call to settle as their minister, and accepted the call. He was ordained Oct. 21, 1840. In June 1850, Rev. H. A. Kendall requested a dismission from the church, which took place by advice of council in July following.
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