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 28
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Our Methodist brethren organized their church November 1835, consisting of 30 members.
MARLBOROUGH.
Rev. GILES LYMAN.
The town was first called Monadnock, No. 5; afterwards New Marlborough from Marlborough, Ms., the original home of many of the first settlers; and when it received a town charter, in 1776, the qualifying word "New" was dropped, leaving the name which it now bears. A grant of this township was made in 1751 or '52, with conditions requiring that the settlement be commenced immediately. On account of the Indian and French war, the conditions of the grant were not complied with. The town was surveyed 1762; and re- chartered in 1764. The grant specifies that "a convenient Meeting-house " shall be built within 10 years from its date. The first meeting of the proprietors in the town, of which there is any record, was in 1776; at which the question of building a Meeting-house was acted on; but the vote to build was not passed till four years after. The building was soon carried so far that the house was used for worship, but many years passed before it was completed. Money to hire preaching was first raised by the town in 1771, and a com- mittee to hire a minister on probation was first appointed in 1774. The church was organized Nov. 11, 1778, consist- ing of eight members; and Mr. Joseph Cummings, from Topsfield, Ms., was ordained pastor at the same time. Ten were received to the church the first year of his ministry .- Twenty six children had been baptized at the close of his pastorate, but most of these baptisms belong to the period which preceded his settlement, and the organization of the church. Mr. Cummings was dismissed Dec. 26, 1780, on the ground of "unfaithfulness," of "being unexemplary in walk, imprudent in conversation, unchristian in comparing, rash in judging, and slandering," and of "profanity."
" The difficulties which subsisted between this church and people did not end at his dismission, but remained a long time after." The church was without a pastor nearly thir- teen years, during which period there was preaching only a
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part of the time, several different persons being employed as candidates for settlement, or without any view to this. Ten were at different times admitted to the church, and a few were dismissed to other churches. There were 64 baptisms, the number being swelled by the adoption of the half way covenant, in 1783.
In 1791 the church "set apart a day for solemn humilia- tion, fasting and prayer, unitedly to seek direction and a blessing on their endeavors for a re-settlement of the gospel and its ordinances in this place." And Sept. 25, 1793, Mr. Halloway Fish was ordained pastor with a salary of £70 yearly, and £ 170 settlement. Mr. Fish was from Upton, Ms., and a graduate of Harvard college. He was serious and devout in his spirit, exemplary in his life, thoroughly orthodox in his opinions, and faithful as a minister of Christ. He was a man of sound judgment, but not distinguished for popular pulpit talents. "The half way covenant" was set aside very soon after his settlement. There were during his ministry two revivals of religion. The first was in the years 1813 and '14, being a gradual work. As the fruits, nearly thirty were added to the church-Rev. Cyrus Stone for many years a missionary in India, now one of the editors of the Mother's Assistant, published at Boston, and Miss Cyn- thia Farrar who is still connected as teacher with the Ahmednuggur station, being of the number. The other revival was in 1822. This was more rapid in its progress, and connected with an addition of 38 to the church. Among those uniting at this time was Rev. Luther Wiswall, for many years settled in the ministry in Brooks, Me., now the worthy pastor of the church in Windham in that State .- Mr. Fish died Sept. 1, 1824, having been pastor almost thirty one years. There were received to the church during this period 174 persons-130 by profession, and 44 by letter. Three hundred and three children were baptized.
Rev. Salmon Bennett was installed pastor here Sept. 27, 1825, with a salary of $300. Mr. Bennett had been before settled in the ministry in Winchester. Eighteen united with the church by profession and seven by letter-in all 25- during his pastorate. Nine united at one time in 1828, in connection with a season of special interest. There were 40 baptisms of children. Mr. Bennett was dismissed April 5, 1831, having been connected with the church as pastor five and a half years,-alledged ground of dismission, the inabil- ity of the church and society "to make up his salary for a whole year." During one year of the time intervening before the settlement of another pastor, Rev. Erastus Curtis
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labored as a supply, and seven were received to the church- five by profession, and two by letter.
Rev. Moses G. Grosvenor was installed pastor May 20, 1835, with a salary of $400. Mr. Grosvenor is a graduate of Dartmouth college, and of Andover theological seminary. He had before labored as settled pastor in Acworth, N. H., and Barre, Ms. The society, having been denied by the town the use of the Meeting-house a part of the time, had, the year previous to Mr. Grosvenor's settlement, built a house at the village, which was dedicated Oct. 29, 1834, about the time when Mr. Grosvenor commenced his labors with them. There was a season of special interest in 1837, -12 uniting with the church in connection with it. Among these was Rev. Wm. C. Whitcomb, who has for some years been the very acceptable pastor of the church in Stoneham, Ms. Thirty two united with the church during Mr. Gros- venor's ministry-24 by profession, and eight by letter .- There were 21 baptisms. Difficulties, growing out of a case of discipline which came before the church the year following his installation, led to his dismission, Dec. 2, 1840.
Rev. Giles Lyman commenced his labors with this church in Dec. 1840. He was from Shelburne, Ms., is a graduate of Amherst college, and of Andover theological seminary, and had before been settled in the ministry in Jaffrey. He has not been installed-impaired health and the state of the society have rendered this inexpedient. At the commence- ment of his labors, the congregation was small, and the church divided and discouraged. A revival of religion, in which the Methodist and Baptist societies participated in common with the Congregational, occurred in 1842, the effects of which were very happy in restoring union, and inspiring confidence in the church. In connection with this revival, 27, mostly youth, and these with few exceptions children of the church, united with the church. A season of special interest was enjoyed in 1852, 12 uniting with the church in connection with it. A gradual increase of the congregation seemed to render expedient an enlargement of the Meeting-house ; which was carried into effect in 1850 .- Seventy two have been added to the church in the fifteen years of Mr. Lyman's connection with it-49 by profession, and 22 by letter. Seventeen children have been baptized. The present number of the church, reckoning absentees, of whom there is a considerable number, is 97. There is a Methodist society, formed about the year 1800, made up partly from this town, and partly from Dublin, Nelson and Roxbury, their house of worship being near the Dublin line.
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NELSON.
The number of members in full communion is 75. There is also a Baptist society, which was organized in 1837. Pres- ent number in the church, 30.
MARLOW **
Was chartered, Oct. 7, 1761, to William Noyes and sixty nine others who resided principally in Lyme, Conn. The first town meeting was in march 1766. The people were generally Baptists. But after a series of years a Meeting- house for Congregationalists was built, and occasional preach- ing was enjoyed, and a church of nine members was formed in 1823. But, after a time, this feeble church became extinct, by the members uniting with the church in New Alstead. Other churches have since been formed in South Marlow.
NELSON.
Rev. W. P. GALE.
This place was settled in 1767. Packersfield was its for- mer name, from Thomas Packer, who owned about half of it. Its present name was given in June 1819. Population in 1810 was 1076; in 1850, 781.
The Congregational church was formed Jan. 31, 1781, at which time Rev. Jacob Foster, a member of the church, was installed pastor. He was a graduate of Harvard in 1754, and had been before settled in the ministry. He was dis- missed Nov. 23, 1791. He is said to have been in sentiment a moderate Calvinist, and a man of good natural and ac- quired abilities, and to have sustained honorably his ministe- rial office. During his ministry twenty seven were added to the church. After a few years absence he returned, and died here Dec. 3, 1798, aged 66.
Mr. Foster was succeeded in his labors early in the spring of 1793 by Rev. Gad Newell. Mr. Newell was born in South- ington, Ct., Sept. 10, 1763. He graduated at New Haven in 1786, and studied theology in Berlin, Ct., with John Smal- ley, D.D. He was ordained as pastor of this church June 11, 1794, and was dismissed Sept. 3, 1841.
During his active ministry, comprising a period of 42
* Sketch by Z. S. Barstow, D.D.
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years, there were added to the church two hundred and nine- ty four-fifty by letter, two hundred and thirty five by pro- fession. There were one hundred and thirty eight baptisms, fifty adults and eighty eight infants. He also joined three hundred couple in marriage, and attended most of the fune- rals that occurred in town, there being five hundred and twenty two deaths during this period.
Mr. Newell has ever been esteemed by his ministerial brethren and the church as orthodox in sentiment, full of faith and good works. He still lives, and exerts an influence for good among this people. The wife of Mr. Newell died Sept. 12, 1840. His only daughter is the wife of Rev. John Emerson, missionary at the Sandwich Islands. His only surviving son is one of the deacons of this church, and is the joy and solace of his father in his declining days.
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Rev. Josiah Ballard was installed as colleague with Mr. Newell, July 12, 1836, and was dismissed by a council con- vened May 5, 1840. During his ministry there were added to the church 60-42 by profession, 18 by letter.
Mr. Daniel French was installed Nov. 3, 1841, and was dismissed Sept. 3, 1851. During his ministry 88 were added to the church-69 by profession, 19 by letter. There were 35 baptisms-14 adults, 21 children. Since the dismissal of Mr. French the church in Nelson has been without a set- tled minister, but have had a stated supply most of the time. Seven have been added to the church during this time, one by profession, six by letter. There have been five infant baptisms. In all there have been connected with the church four hundred and ninety four members. It has sent out two colonies ; one to constitute a church in Roxbury, and another in Harrisville. The present number of the church is ninety four. They have a new and commodious house of worship, erected in 1841. The average number of the congregation on the Sabbath is 150. Rev. W. P. Gale now preaches here.
RICHMOND.«
This town was settled by people from Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It was first granted Feb. 28, 1752, to Joseph Blanchard and others. It has never had a Congre- gational church. There have been two Baptist churches, and a Society of Friends, which in 1820 was large.
* Sketch by Z. S. Barstow, D.D.
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RINDGE.
RINDGE.
Rev. A. W. BURNHAM.
The first settlement was made in this town in 1752; and as early as 1760, as appears from the records, measures were taken to secure preaching. The church was organized, it is believed, near the time of the ordination of the first pastor, Nov. 1765. The original confession of faith, or covenant, has not been found, but the church was evangelical in its profession, though its practice in regard to household bap- tism, during the ministry of the first pastor, was on the plan of "the half way covenant," a period of fifteen years. Soon after the settlement of the second pastor this practice was abolished, and in process of time new articles of faith and form of covenant were adopted, and are still retained by the church, unaltered. This form of creed and covenant, it is understood, was proposed by a committee of the Monadnock Association, of which Rev. Dr. Payson was the chairman, and was at the time adopted, and probably is still used, by nearly all the churches in the Association. This church is thoroughly Calvinistic, receiving, as substantially according to the Bible, the doctrines maintained by Edwards, Dwight, Griffin, Woods, and other lights of the New England churches. This church has remained steadfast, asking, not for some new scheme of doctrine or practice, but, for the "old paths"-marked out by the word of God and trod by the Pilgrim Fathers-"has walked therein and found rest." Amidst all the changes and revolutions that have occurred in the ministry and churches of New England, and which have divided and laid waste so many portions of our Zion, this church has been preserved in peace. It has never been occupied in obtaining and dismissing pastors, calling coun- cils, altering creeds and forms, and seeking and adopting novelties in doctrine or practice. From the disastrous effects of such a course, this church has been mercifully exempted. No schism has ever occurred. Only four times during the eighty nine years of its existence has an ecclesiastical coun- cil been called by this church, and in these instances, for the purpose of settling three pastors, and dismissing one of the three. And whenever the demand for ministerial labor has been beyond the pastor's ability to meet, the ministers of churches in the immediate vicinity, in whose experience and discretion confidence could be placed, have at the request of the pastor himself, kindly "come over and helped."
Under the ministry of the first and second pastors it is
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not known that any general revival of religion was enjoyed ; though, during the long and faithful ministry of Rev. Dr. Payson, the church was greatly built up, enlightened, estab- lished in sound doctrine and good practices, and many, as will be seen in the sequel, were added, and nourished up for the kingdom of heaven. Since the settlement of the present pastor, ten seasons of special attention to spiritual things have been enjoyed ; the two most remarkable were in 1822 and '42, those most limited in extent and fruits were in 1847, '48, '50 and '52.
. From the votes on record it is rendered very probable that preaching was enjoyed, occasionally, at least, previous to the ordination of a pastor. In 1763 the town "unanimously voted to give Mr. Timothy Walker, jr., a call to settle with them in the gospel ministry amongst them in said township, if he seeth fit." There is no record of his reply, but the fact is, he did not "see fit" to accept the invitation. Mr. Walker is believed to be the gentleman afterwards known as the Hon. Timothy Walker of Concord, a son of the first minister of that town, and for many years a judge of the Court, and a leading man in civil affairs.
In Nov. 6, 1765, Rev. Seth Dean from Killingly, Conn., was ordained the first pastor, and was dismissed in Sept. 1780, at his own request ; but why he made this request is not now known. So far as can be ascertained, Mr. Dean was sound in the faith, but facetious, and somewhat eccen- tric.
Rev. Seth Payson, D.D., became pastor of this church by ordination, Dec. 4, 1782. He was a native of Walpole, Ms., a son of the minister of that place, having two brothers, and in process of time, two sons, who were ministers. He was graduated at Harvard university; entered the ministry at an earlier age than was common at that time; possessed a clear, discriminating mind ; had deep experience in spiritual things, and, while he prosecuted the work of the ministry with great ability and faithfulness, and secured in a degree, unusual, even at that day, the confidence and veneration of the "flock over which the Holy Ghost had made him over- seer," he became one of the leading ministers of his denomi- nation in the State, in all ecclesiastical and benevolent con- cerns. After a life of great usefulness, he died Feb. 26, 1820, aged 62, having just entered the thirty eighth year of his ministry.
The present pastor, a native of Dunbarton, son of Dea. Samuel Burnham of that place, and brother of the late Rev. Dr. Burnham of Pembroke, graduated at Dartmouth college
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RINDGE.
1815, pursued the prescribed course of study in the theologi- cal seminary, Andover, Ms., left that institution in the class of 1818, and after being employed in the Home Missionary service, and first Principal of Pembroke Academy, was ordained the immediate successor of Rev. Dr. Payson, pas- tor of this church Nov. 14, 1821,-and "having obtained help of God, continues to this day."
In reviewing the facts above stated it will be seen that the church has been in existence eighty nine years, has had only three pastors ; the ministry of the first was closed at the end of fifteen years, by dismission at his own request ; that of the second, of thirty seven years continuance, ceased at the death of the pastor; while the third, at the end of thirty three years, is still living and able to perform the duties of the pastoral office. Thus, in eighty nine years this church has enjoyed eighty five and a half years pastoral labor-seventy of them by two ministers-and has been des- titute of a pastor only three and a half years ; and it may be added, has for the last twenty five years been destitute of preaching not more, probably, than six Sabbaths.
The first and second pastors were settled and supported by the town. The salary of Rev. Mr. Dean, the first pastor, is not ascertained with accuracy. Dr. Payson received two hundred pounds settlement, as it was called, and eighty pounds salary. This was at length increased, till near the close it was five hundred dollars. About the close of Dr. Payson's ministry a society was formed for the support of the public worship of God,-the first, so far as is known, which was organized in the State, under what was called the "Toleration Act" of the New Hampshire Legislature in 1819. By this society, known by the title of "The First Congregational Church and Society in Rindge," the present pastor was settled, and is supported. His salary was at the first, and so remains unaltered, $400, with the use of the parsonage house and land, valued probably at the time of his ordination at $100 per annum. It is doubtless the intention of the society that the pastor shall receive $ 500 a year. A fact should here be recorded to the praise of this society, and for an example to others : The salary, which is raised by a tax on the members, just as the tax in the town. is assessed, has been paid to the pastor in one sum on the very day specified in the contract, for thirty two years, with the exception of the years when the day of payment fell on the Sabbath ; then, the money has been paid on the preced- ing day. The pastor has had nothing to do in the matter but to receive the amount at the hand of the treasurer and
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sign a receipt already prepared ; and this habit of the people has produced such confidence that the pastor has felt for these thirty years about as sure his salary would come in on the appointed day, as that the sun would rise on that day. Can another instance of this kind be found in the parishes of New England ?
From an examination made several years since, the opin- ion is entertained by the present pastor, that a larger pro- portion of this people is to be reckoned attendants on public worship, than in most of the towns of the State. The whole population is from 1200 to 1300. There is a Methodist Episcopal society in the place. In the Congregational church, the attendance ranges from 150 to 400-average, 275-according to the weather and traveling. At the Meth- odist chapel the attendance is from 50 to 150,-average, 90. It is believed that two-thirds, if not three-fourths, of those in a condition to attend, are justly to be regarded as church going persons. In estimating the number, or proportion, who attend public worship, it is believed to be as correct a method as any that has been adopted, to include all the families whose habit is to attend, and then the number of individuals in those families, who generally are present at worship. In this way the proportion of the whole popula- tion, and the average attendance, can be very nearly ascer- tained. Or, deduct from the population those families, whose habit is to neglect public worship. This is believed to be a more correct and equitable mode than counting the congregation on particular Sabbaths. The prevailing senti- ment and practice among this people is in favor of "keep- ing the Sabbath, reverencing the sanctuary," rendering due respect to the ministry, and sustaining and attending the public worship of God. The tendencies and habits of this people are decidedly conservative, but they are as ready to embark, and, according to their ability are as liberal, in eve- ry department of Christian benevolence, as any other con- gregation in the State. The average yearly amount of monies contributed in the First Congregational Church and Society cannot well be ascertained,-probably, not far from $400. The following statements will show the additions to the church, baptisms, &c .: During the ministry of Mr. Dean from 1765 to 1780 were added chiefly, it is supposed, by letter, 85. In the interval between his dismission and the ordination of his successor, 2. In Dr. Payson's ministry from 1782 to 1820, 229-making the whole number added in the ministry of both, 316. During the present ministry. from 1821 to 1854, have been added by profession, 446 ; by
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ROXBURY.
letter, 83; total, 529. Whole number from the beginning, 845. Present number, 255. Whole number of baptisms, 1327. Deaths in the town since the present ministry com- menced, 675-of church members, 140. The present pastor has probably attended in the town 600 funerals, and solem- nized 241 marriages. Eight men have entered the Congre- gational ministry, and three the Baptist ministry, from this town.
ROXBURY .*
This town was originally part of Nelson, Marlborough, and Keene. It was incorporated in 1812 by the Legislature. The Congregational church was formed Aug. 15, 1816. And the Rev. Christopher Paige, a graduate of Dartmouth in 1784, and who had been before settled, was installed pastor Nov. 21, 1816. But, as difficulties arose, he was dismissed March 2, 1819. From that time to 1837 the church was without a pastor ; but for the most part it had the means of grace. The Rev. Alanson Rawson, who had first labored there as an evangelist, was installed pastor in May 1837. As his family was increasing and he could not live on his salary, he took a dismission May 3, 1842. He afterwards labored successfully in Southborough, Ms., and in New Bos- ton, N. H., but is now disabled.
Jan. 1, 1843, the Rev. Ezra Adams commenced his labors among them, and continued about six years, till he had a call to settle as pastor of the church in Gilsum. The Rev. Beza- leel Smith, a graduate of Dartmouth in 1825, and who had been settled in Mont Vernon, commenced his labors at Roxbury when Mr. Adams left. He continued till he was invited to settle at New Alstead in 1852. Since that time the Rev. S. H. Tolman, a graduate of Brown university in 1811, and who has been settled in various places, labored with them a year. More recently they have had little preaching. The whole number that ever belonged to that church is 107. The present number is but 40. Population in 1820, 366 ; in 1850, 260.
STODDARD .*
Rev. J. S. GAY.
This town was formerly called "Limerick." But at its incorporation Nov. 4, 1774, it was named from Col. Samson
* Sketch by Z. S. Barstow, D.D.
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Stoddard, of Chesterfield, to whom with others it had been granted. It began to be settled in 1769. The Congrega- tional church was formed by a council composed of delegates from Keene, Dublin, and Jaffrey, Sept. 4, 1787, consisting of seven members. In September 1791 this church gave Mr. Solomon Adams a call to settle as pastor, but he was not settled. Oct. 15, 1793, the Rev. Abishai Colton, a graduate of Yale in 1783, was ordained pastor. But he was dismissed October 1795. He died in Vermont, Jan. 12, 1823.
The Rev. Isaac Robinson, D.D., was their next pastor, who was ordained Jan. 5, 1803. He had not the privilege of a collegiate education. But he received an honorary Mas- ter's degree from Dartmouth in 1838, and that of Doctor of Divinity in 1847. He was very able, learned, and faithful. He had few superior to him in the Hebrew and Greek of the Scriptures. He died in July 1854, in the fifty second year of his ministry, the very next Sabbath after he had preached a farewell sermon to his church and people and administered the communion. Rev. Joshua S. Gay now labors here. The church is 45 in number. Population in 1820, 1203 ; in 1850, 1105.
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