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 43
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posed they could keep both covenants ; a large majorit however, acknowledged their inconsistency and admitte the decision of the church to be correct, but all were agree to adhere to the new covenant, and the church must do wit them as they saw fit." Their own leading members were present and said they thought it would be better for al that the separation should then take place. It is a questio whether this vast loss to the strength of the church migh not have been prevented, either by giving better opportuni ties at first for the religious feeling, which was deep, to hav spent itself in appropriate labors, or by admitting the lon: sought evangelist into the field. But of one thing there ca: be no doubt : Mr. Southworth did independently what h believed to be duty-itself a high commendation. MI Southworth was for many years pastor of Dr. Emmons church in Franklin, Ms.
The present pastor, Rev. Robert F. Lawrence, begar preaching here the first Sabbath in November 1838-wai installed January 16, 1839. The people were in deep afflic- tion. But God put forth his arm. A time of revival occur- red which brought more than 40 into the church the first and second years. Again, in 1842, the Spirit was poured out in connection with union meetings, and the churches. uniting, were all blessed-43 came from the world into this church. In 1853 another season of interest brought 24 by profession into this fold of Christ ; 271 have been added in : these seventeen years-by letter 123, and on profession of faith 148. The present number is not far from 200. Sala- ry $625,-$ 700 for two years past.
Twelve or more places for the open sale of strong drink were here seventeen years ago, now the open sale is seen nowhere. In the struggle for progress here, the pastor has cordially united and been faithfully sustained. Letters, mailed abroad, petty injuries to his estate, and the firing of shot into the door of his dwelling, deterred him not from en- treating his fellow citizens to banish intemperance from among them. An illustration of the variety of views entertained respecting his addresses on this subject in former years, may . not be out of place here : One man said of one of his most earnest efforts, that "it could not be endured ;" another, who was no enthusiast, (Hon. Geo. B. Upham,) said, "it seemed to me one of the best addresses on the subject to which I ever had the pleasure of listening."
There have been twelve men furnished from this church for our ministry-George Fargo, David Wright, Manning Ellis, Henry Jones, James McEwen, Seth Farnsworth,
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imon Goss, Henry Chapin, Edward Greeley, Ira Case, oseph Rowell, Lyman White-the last five having become ious during this pastorate. Not far from 570 names, in he aggregate, are on the record, and those who were mem- ers in the twenty five years of which we have no record may fely be reckoned sufficient to carry the total above 600 .- afant baptisms-202 before, and 133 during this pastorate.
A Universalist society is found here of considerable rength. Two Episcopal churches, one nearly coeval in its rigin with this church, number 175 communicants-Rev. [enry Smith, and Rt. Rev. Bishop Carleton Chase, D.D., ectors ; Baptist church, 194-Rev. O. Ayer, pastor; Meth- dist, 283-Rev. F. A. Hewes, pastor. So, nearly one- fth of the inhabitants, allowing the pious who are not embers to offset non-resident members, profess piety-a reat advance on early days. In 1820, with 2290 inhab- ants, the friends of Christ were less than 300-not one- venth of the population.
Sad news for this church arrests the pen of the writer of ais history : the oldest deacon of the church, Jonathan Whitcomb is no more. His end is peace. After the solemn ervices of installation were over, seventeen years ago, he et the pastor, took his hand, and, with that earnest, sol- nn, kind expression of countenance, which those who knew im, will readily recall, said, "And now I wish you to member that you have my affections and confidence until tell you to the contrary." From that moment the pastor's eart reposed entire confidence in him, and he has not been sappointed. Many such steadfast spirits are here, and hers are with our departed brother to-day, in Paradise .- he pastor and his wife and many hearts have them in sweet membrance.
A happy fellowship exists between the churches here- he Baptist, Methodist and Congregational pastors often xchanging pulpits.
CORNISH.
Rev. ALVAH SPAULDING.
Cornish was chartered June 1st, 1763. The ancestors of me of the proprietors and first settlers came from Cornish, ngland, and hence its name. As required to do, the pro- rietors laid out 200 acres of land for the church of England, DO for the society for the propagation of the gospel, and
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200 for the first settled minister. The proprietors, who we. puritans, made ample provision in grants of land for the sun : port of the gospel ministry dissenting from the church ( England. At their first meeting after the survey and div sion of Cornish into lots, they " voted that there be at leaf 150 acres of good land laid out in Cornish and set apar towards supporting a dissenting minister of the gospel i said town." They also voted at a subsequent meeting, "t" give the town 1000 acres as good land as then remained undivided, to enable them to settle and maintain a dissentin; gospel minister among them."
Settlements commenced in 1765. In 1767, the towi numbered thirteen families. Measures were now taken to settle a minister. April 8, 1768, Rev. James Wellman of Sutton, Ms. was called to become their minister. Severa of the families were from the same place, and while residen in Sutton belonged to his congregation, and therefore desirec that he should become their pastor. He was to receive 200 acres, the right of the first minister, and 400 of the 1000 above granted, for a settlement, and for a salary, £ 40 the first year, to increase until it rose to £ 60 English money. Rev. Mr. Wellman immediately moved with his family to Cornish. The citizens of Windsor, Vt. united with Cornish in this effort, with the agreement that he should preach one- third of the time in Windsor ; and that one-third of his salary the first five years should be raised there. A council of churches, Sept. 29, 1768, here organized a church called the Congregational church of Cornish and Windsor, consist- ing of ten members, six of Cornish and four of Windsor, and installed Rev. James Wellman as minister and pastor of the church and towns of Cornish and Windsor. The church was formed under a covenant without any articles of faith. The covenant consisted in the confession of guilt and inabil- ity to do that which is acceptable to God,-the profession of their belief in the Christian religion, as revealed in the Scrip- tures,-in the Scriptures as the word of God, -the acknowl- edgment of their obligations to glorify God by a holy and righteous life,-the consecration of themselves and their chil- dren to God,-and the engagement to walk in love together,- to maintain discipline, -- to keep the Lord's day holy and attend upon the public worship of God,-to maintain family wor- ship, and to train up all under their care in the path of holi- ness and virtue. It was difficult to pay the pastor's salary. Money was very scarce. The town sold the remaining 600 acres of the 1000 given for the support of the gospel, to pay the salary due for the first two years. All the land that
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w remained "for the support of a dissenting ministry," is the parsonage lot of 150 acres. Public worship was held i barns (in summer) and in dwelling-houses (in winter) 11 the fall of 1773, when a Meeting-house was erected on te banks of the Connecticut river. For several years the jople met for public worship clad in garments of home- jade cloth-the men and boys in coarse woolen hats and (pth caps, and woolen striped blue or linen frocks and jnts ; and the women were dressed in woolen or linen gowns ad checked blue aprons. In a few instances, men gathered fr worship on the Sabbath with guns in their hands, from dar of the attack of Indians.
Dissatisfaction soon sprang up in the church respecting ceiving members, and on account of errors in doctrine and jactice. Six brethren withdrew from the communion, and jesented to the church, November 1778, their reason for so ding. The church required them to return or consent to a mutual council. But they disagreed in their views of what Instituted a mutual council. The church convened a coun- ( Jan. 5, 1779. It was regarded as ex parte by the disaf- feted, and they refused to appear before it. The church jw united with them in a mutual council, according to their views, Feb. 3, 1779. The result was accepted by both jrties with the solemnity of shaking of hands and singing a jalm together, in testimony of their mutual forgiveness and ordial fellowship. The withdrawing brethren, in less than de month, requested a dismission and recommendation to de Congregational church in Lebanon, " for the reasons that ley were not edified, and could not enjoy that fellowship in tje church which the word of God requires." The church joposed to recall the late council. The withdrawing breth- in asked for a mutual council to consider their request for (smission. The church deemed this not expedient. The Ithdrawing brethren called a council; it recommended lem to the church in Windsor, Vt. The church in Cornish imonished that church not to receive them. They were, wever, received to occasional communion. The withdraw- g brethren now set up public worship by themselves. Min- iters in the vicinity occasionally preached to them, to pre- tre the way for the organization of another church that hould be Calvinistic in creed. In the fall and winter of 780 a Rev. Mr. Powers labored among them in word and pctrine. A revival of religion attended his ministry. Al- ost every family was affected by that revival in what was lled the eastern part of Cornish, comprising all of the town st of a range of hills in the westerly part of the town, near onnecticut river. Many were converted to God.
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Rev. Mr. Wellman and the church were much tried by thi separate public worship in the eastern part of Cornish ; an by the aid given it by neighboring ministers. They aske the advice of council Dec. 18, 1780. The council approve the action of the church, and their complaint against th withdrawing brethren and ministers. In their result th council say, respecting the revival in progress, " we mean no to oppose any real reformation, which is much needed, nor te - discourage the revival of vital piety ; but we know of no re formation where moral obligations are not adhered to, no: of vital piety where the order of the gospel is essentially de- parted from, and therefore appearances of the former must be fallacious where evidence of the latter is clear and indis- putable." The withdrawing brethren, on the other hand. became more and more dissatisfied with the condition and ; character of the church. They invited a convention of churches, April, 1781, to examine reports and grievous ap- pearances that had, contrary to the order of the gospel, oc- curred in the church of Cornish. The convention met, ap- pointed another session at Lebanon, and sent to Rev. James Wellman and the church the following citation to appear before them :
" To the Rev. James Wellman and the church under his pastoral care :
" Whereas there are public reports and a very glar- ing appearance that many things contrary to the spirit and order of the gospel, have taken place and been indulged among you ; particularly that some of the essential doctrines of our holy religion have been openly spoken of and treated with contempt by some of your members; and that the church have treated matters, which they have professed to take into their solemn consideration, in a manner very un- suitable to the spirit of the gospel, with the evident appear- ance of a driving, boisterous temper: these are to notify you that a large convention of ministers and churches, this day convened, feel themselves in duty bound to look into the aforesaid matters, and have accordingly adjourned to the 2d . Tuesday of June next, to meet at the Meeting-house in Leb- anon, at 2 o'clock, P. M., to hear what evidence will testify in support of the aforesaid public reports; and what you may offer in your own defence, at which time and place you are notified in Christ's name to appear, for the aforesaid pur- pose, by order of the convention.
Attest,
ISAIAH POTTER, Scribe."
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CORNISH.
Rev. Mr. Wellman and the church sent a written message 1| the convention, denying their jurisdiction and refusing to &pear before them : Ist, Because they looked upon them as unconstitutional assembly. 2dly, That if they were a Igular body to govern themselves, they had no right of I wer over them or any warrant to cite them in the name ( Christ, in the manner they had done. 3dly, They viewed tem as fomenters and patronizers of schism and division in te church and town of Cornish. 4thly, They had evidently jejudged the case. 5thly, That after offering the with- cawing brethren a mutual council they had a large council areeable to our constitution, who fully approved of their roceedings with said brethren, and therefore were not ac- cuntable to them ; and 6thly, That if any of their members Id said or done any thing contrary to the genuine doctrines ald spirit of the gospel they meant not to countenance or aprove of it. They also admonished the convention to "ook to their own principles and conduct, and mind their ofn proper business, &c., offering to come under examina- tn as to principles and conduct, making God's word the sindard before suitable judges mutually chosen, if they vuld do the same."
The convention proceeded, and we make the following ex- tict from their result : "The convention unanimously feel temselves greatly surprised, that an incorporate body, who cl themselves a church of Christ, should deny the right of ster churches to look into their conduct and take measures t reclaim them, when they have openly departed from the fith and order of the gospel ; that it is the unanimous opin- in of this convention that the message from the church in (rnish to this convention is an open contempt of the au- tbrity of Christ, and an entire violation of those bonds, vlich are implied in the mutual fellowship of churches ;- ald accordingly this convention do openly declare that they canot continue to own said church as a church of Christ ; ad that they feel themselves in duty bound to withdraw i cmmunion, and renounce fellowship with them in the spec- ordinances of the gospel, until they shall be restored to or charity by visible repentance. The church was not again rbeived to the fellowship of the churches. Rev. Mr. Well- Ian continued to preach to them till October, 1785, when te churches of Claremont and Charlestown convened in council at Cornish, and dissolved the pastoral relation of lev. Mr. Wellman to the church and town. Thus termi- rted the existence of the first Congregational church in Ornish. Her light went out in darkness. The number of
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members received into full communion during her brief ex istence of 17 years, was 64; and the number received t her watch and care by the half way covenant was 42.
June 1781 the town was divided into east and west par- ishes by an act of the Legislature, upon a petition of the cit. izens of Cornish for this purpose. In November of the same year, the withdrawing members of the church of which Mr Wellman was pastor, and others, were, by a council of churches, organized into a church of 21 members, and callec the Congregational church in the East society of Cornish Fifty persons were added to it during the year-the fruits of the revival of the preceding fall and winter. Peace and harmony prevailed in this young church, until the subject of building a Meeting-house, in 1784, became the occasion of much alienation. The church was nearly equally divided. A Meeting-house was erected, but never finished, in the north west part of Cornish, in 1787, and another near the center of the town in 1788. There being little prospect of becoming united in one place of worship, the church asked the advice of Windsor Association of ministers upon the question of being divided into two churches. The associa- tion recommended that the church be divided. But by rea- son of opposition to it by a few of the brethren, who consid- ered a division of the church not the way best adapted to restore union, it was not effected. Efforts were made to settle over the church Rev. Benj. Chapman, who had been for some time laboring among them. But the eastern di- vision of the church thought it not best to settle any min- ister until the difficulties among them were healed. The brethren worshiping at the North church again sought the advice of a council, Sept. 24, 1788. In their result the council say, "gloomy is the thought that a young church which but a few years ago promised to be as a city set on a hill, and to be a light to the world, should so soon become a dark stumbling block, and sink under the guilt of want of confidence in one another," and therefore recommended a day of fasting, and that they confess their faults one to an- other, and give satisfaction in the presence of a committee of the association and solemnly renew their covenant. The eastern portion of the church did not adopt the advice of council; the northern did. The two divisions were now named covenanters, and non-covenanters. Windsor Associa- tion, which was the council above referred to, at a meeting at Cornish, Oct. 14, 1800, retracted their former decision.
Brethren of the east division of the church also sought advice of the churches. An ecclesiastical council at their
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quest convened at Cornish, Oct. 6, 1789. After hearing lese brethren, the council recommended them to occasional mmunion with the church of Christ in Lebanon, Croydon, d Meriden-that they invite the brethren who renewed venant to unite with them in a mutual council, that their fficulties might be settled and they united in the same hurch, or regularly divided into two churches, holding gos- el communion with each other-and that, if the brethren newing covenant refuse to unite in such a council, the ethren who have not renewed covenant obtain a candidate preach among them, with a view to his settlement. The quest to unite in a mutual council, as above recommended, as presented to the brethren who had renewed covenant, it was declined.
Nov. 30, 1790, an ecclesiastical council was convened at e North Meeting-house in Cornish, by the united action the brethren worshiping there and the Congregational ourch in Windsor, Vt., to install Rev. Benjamin Bell, pas- fr of the two churches, for the term of five years, to preach ternately in Windsor and at the North Meeting-house in ornish. The brethren worshiping at the East Meeting- buse remonstrated against the action of the council, if it as to install Rev. Mr. Bell over the church called the Church of Christ in the East part of Cornish." The coun- l, however, proceeded, and Rev. Benjamin Bell was install- over the church of Windsor and that part of the church Cornish worshiping at the North Meeting-house. At the ast Meeting-house there was occasional preaching, but no jistor. The different portions of the church began to be Ensible of the reproach which their unhappy state was linging upon the gospel of Christ. Rev. Mr. Bell closed Jis labors in Cornish April 1795. The two divisions of the durch now began to meet together in conference, and pro- osals for re-union were made and considered. Such confes- son and satisfaction was made by individuals and by the vo parts of the church, that a mutual agreement was made unite in one body. A public confession was adopted by le church Dec. 13, 1795, in which they unitedly confessed eir sins of wrong feeling, words and actions one to another, and prayed that by their future conduct they might manifest te sincerity of their repentance, their love one to another as ethren, and their obedience to the laws of Christ. But ough thus formally united they were not all of one heart and one mind. In the fall and winter of 1798, Rev. Siloam hort labored among them, a faithful and earnest minister the gospel. The Holy Spirit descended in great power, 29
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upon the church and community. This brought the chur together and to their right mind,-the very thing that bret ren themselves, associations of ministers and churches council had, for years, labored in vain to accomplish. Whe God spake, it was done. The church came up out of i dark state beautiful as Tirzah. The brethren were humble in their own sight, and ashamed, each of himself and not . his brother. They came together of one accord. Four su cessive days and one afternoon they spent in prayer, in cor fessing one to another and to the church, and in asking an receiving the forgiveness of one another and the church .- Converts unto righteousness were multiplied. Seventy si were added to the church-the fruit of that gracious visita tion of the Holy Spirit.
In 1799 the church, now united and harmonious, erecte a large and commodious house of worship upon the hill i the center of the town. It was the place of worship of great portion of the inhabitants, and often filled with a con gregation of 800, and, in some instances, 1000.
Sept. 24, 1800, Rev. Joseph Rowell was ordained and installed pastor of the church. Mr. Rowell was a native of Rowley, Ms., a graduate of Dartmouth college, and student in theology under Rev. Dr. Emmons. He was : faithful pastor, and a bold and fearless preacher .. He labor ed on in his work fourteen years, with only the average addi tions to the church of two persons a year. In 1814, a rair : of righteousness descended upon the church and people, and 73 were added to the church. In 1819, the Lord again poured out his Spirit and 28 united with the church. II 1825, the church enjoyed another refreshing from on high and 12 were gathered to their number. In 1828, April 1st, after a ministry of twenty eight years, Mr. Rowell was dis- missed.
In November of the same year Rev. F. W. Clary was installed pastor of this church and people, for five years .- He was born in Rowe, Ms., 1786, graduated at Middlebury college, Vt., 1808, and studied theology at Andover, Ms., ordained and installed pastor of the Congregational church in Dover from 1812 to 1828. The ministry of Mr. Clary was greatly blessed. A season of religious revival was expe- rienced in 1829, and 40 were added to the church. In 1831 the church was revived by the descent of the Holy Spirit among them, and 36 were gathered into the church. He was dismissed October 1834.
Rev. A. Spaulding, born in Townsend, Ms., 1807, gradu- ated at Amherst, Ms., 1831, and at Andover in 1834, was
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Hained and installed pastor of the church Oct. 1835. A shson of revival was granted to the church, 1838, and 25 Tere added to the church.
The peace, harmony and prosperity of the church became interrupted again in 1840. The Meeting-house had grown (l and uncomfortable, especially in the winter season. The gestion of the location of a new Meeting-house, and the vld winds of strange doctrine that blew fiercely at that time der New England, rent the church. Efforts to preserve tje harmony of the church were made in vain. The church elected a new Meeting-house in 1841, on the spot selected If two committees, of persons out of town, mutually chosen, ad by a council of churches, called to consider the difficul- tes of the church,-the decision of which council the breth- In gave their pledge to abide, signed by their own hand .-- Sme, however, withdrew and erected a house of worship a spot chosen by themselves. The withdrawing brethren length united with others in the Methodist connection, a ad now maintain worship of that order.
The number of members of the church at its organization 181, was 21 ; added from 1781 to 1800, 166 ; 1800 to 1828, 17: 1828 to 1835, 96; 1835 to 1856, 85-total, 525. An eclesiastical society organized in connection with the church tok the responsibility of the pecuniary support of the min- ifry. The support of the ministry from 1828 to 1834, was seured by voluntary subscriptions. The church then asumed the responsibility of paying the salary. After otaining subscription of those out of the church, and of lilies in the church, the remainder of the sum to be raised isdivided among the brethren according to their rateable Ells and estates.
A Baptist church was formed in 1791; a Meeting-house etcted in 1800, near the Congregational house. In 1793, a Episcopal church was formed in the west part of Cornish o several of the members of the Congregational church uder the care of Rev. James Wellman, and others in that Art of the town.
CROYDON.
The Congregational church of Croydon was organized Spt. 9, 1778, by the assistance of the Rev. James Wellman, Estor, and Samuel Chase, delegate from the Presbyterian eurch in Cornish, and Rev. Lyman Potter, pastor of a
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