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 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
454
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
the conduct of the young people in the gallery, with an allu- sion to the perfect propriety manifested by the crowded gal- leries of young people where he spent the last Sabbath, had the desired effect, and from this time there was a manifest disposition among all classes to conduct with decorum in the house of God. Balls were a favorite amusement for the young and middle-aged people during the winter season. They reg- ularly held two a week. The young men would spend in this way from $20 to $40 each during a winter.
June 3, 1839, the Union church met at the vestry in Langdon, and "voted that Langdon be the center place of church meetings for business, communion, &c., till it shall be deemed expedient to meet somewhere else." Feb. 11, 1840, the church voted to change the name to the "First Evangelical Congregational Church of Christ in Langdon." At this time the state of things assumed the appearance of prosperity. Proposals were made to Mr. Wood to settle with them and receive ordination as their pastor. This proposition occasioned severe spiritual trials. To accede to it would be the abandonment of his cherished plans. But after much meditation and prayer, he decided to settle with this church in the ministry, and was ordained its pastor April 8, 1840. During this year four were added to the church by letter. Infants baptized, five.
The services of ordination had a most happy effect. The way of the Spirit was being cast up. During the winter of 1840-41 the Holy Spirit descended, giving power and effect to the preached word. This state of things required an increase in the number of meetings and religious labors. In these Mr. Wood requested the assistance of brother Law- rence of Claremont, who very kindly and heartily came and entered into the work with him. It was a time of awful solemnity. Several cases were of peculiar interest. "There came a heavy fall of snow and the roads were utterly impas- sable, and one family, situated more than two miles from the Meeting-house and the physician, found themselves in great distress-they thought they were sick and must attempt to get the physician, but the furious wind and the heaps of snow at once convinced them that the attempt would be futile. They were, they hardly knew how, led to the Bible and to God, in prayer, and they soon found that relief at the foot of the cross which they needed. The Great Physician came, notwithstanding the tempest, and healed their sin-sick souls. Another case, deeply interesting, was that of a young man, a son of an atheist, and who also embraced the same cheerless error. He worked as a hired
-
-
-
455
LANGDON.
man in the same family for several seasons, and he was engaged for the ensuing summer. The head of this family had just hopefully experienced religion. The day on which the young man was to commence work for the season arriv- ed, and, having engaged another young man of his own stamp to accompany him, they went expecting, as he after- wards said, that their presence would so intimidate the man that he would omit family prayer. If he did, he should pronounce his religion a farce. At the appointed time, the family seated themselves and he took the Bible and read the account given of the rich man and Lazarus. The attention of the young man was arrested, riveted. He could not cavil. He thought all noticed his embarrassment. He dared not look up. At length the Scripture reading was finished and the man knelt and offered to God a most simple, penitent, earnest prayer, at the close of which he immediately left the room. A short time after this, this same young man came to the meeting for religious conversation and prayer, at the pastor's study, with his employer. He here expressed a trembling hope that he had given himself to the Savior, and related the above account of his first religious impressions. This narrative greatly affected his employer, who immediate- ly exclaimed, "this must be the work of God-all of God, for I never felt so ashamed of the performance of my reli- gious duties as on that occasion. I expected to be made the object of ridicule and contempt, but God made it the mani- festation of his wisdom and power. To God be all the glory." As the result of this season of refreshing, 13 were added to the church, eight of whom received the ordinance of baptism. During the winter and spring of 1841-2, efforts were made for the erection of a Meeting-house. Having already purchased a house for a parsonage and obligated themselves to pay $550, and expended a considerable sum in repairs to render it inhabitable, and paying between two and three per cent. on their grand list for the preaching of the gospel, yet they subscribed $700 towards the erection of a Meeting-house. There was a sad accident at the rais- ing of the frame, by which one man was instantly killed, and several others more or less severely bruised. This event threw a cloud of gloom over the hearts of the church and others who wished well to their cause. The house was fin- ished and dedicated Oct. 29, 1842.
During the preceding season several important members removed their residence from town and were no longer espe- cially interested in the prosperity of this little Zion. The Meeting-house and land on which it stands were not wholly
456
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
paid for. The burden rested so heavily on those remaining as to quite discourage them. But looking up to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, whence cometh help to the distressed, and crying earnestly to him, "Help us, O Lord our God for we rest on thee," they determined to make another earnest effort. The pastor, who had already obtain- ed subscriptions from the neighboring churches and in Bos- ton and vicinity to the amount of $700, made another and a successful appeal for help. The debt was paid and the house and land on which it stood became subject to the con- trol of the church, and the rent of the slips appropriated to the support of the preaching of the gospel. The peace desired, in the erection of this Sanctuary, was fully secured.
The church had to this time struggled incessantly against many adversaries and with great disadvantages. But instead of being consumed or weakened, she, like oppressed Israel in Egypt, increased the more. On the day the house was dedicated, to what one member expressed, all the rest hear- tily subscribed. "I know not," said he, "that I have a straw less or am one cent the poorer for the lumber, labor and time I have spent in building this house for God. I have been blest, prospered and succeeded in every thing I have undertaken far beyond my largest expectations. Truly God is faithful to his promise." The church now being delivered out of the hands of her enemies, might serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness. But the church as a body inclined too much to the side of carnal rest and inac- tivity. Under a sense of duty Mr. Wood asked a dissolu- tion of the pastoral relation, which was obtained in the month of January 1849. He is now settled in Townshend, Vt.
No minister has been installed here since Mr. Wood left. Rev. Nelson Barbour labored as stated supply from March 1849 to March 1852, and Rev. Edwin Jennison from May 1852 to March 1854. After Mr. Jennison left, the pulpit was supplied most of the time by Rev. S. R. Arms of Spring- field, Vt., till September 1854, when Rev. C. Taylor com- menced laboring here as stated supply. Contributions to benevolent objects, since 1849, amount to nearly $ 200, most of it to the N. H. Missionary Society. Since Mr. Wood left the number of infant baptisms is 21, and the additions to the church 22. The open opposition to the truth here is much less now than formerly. A large proportion of the inhabitants take a decided stand in favor of temperance ; and in point of morality and good order, this town will probably compare favorably with other towns in New Eng- land. The town is now a notable instance of the reformato- ry power of evangelical truth in society generally.
457
LEMPSTER.
LEMPSTER.
Rev. ROBERT PAGE.
The church was organized Nov. 13, 1781, with seven male members. Rev. Elias Fisher, having preached here half a year, was ordained as pastor Sept. 25, 1787. He continued in that office till his decease May 22, 1831, nearly 44 years. For a few years before his death however, through the infirmities of age, he did not preach. Four had been added before his settlement, and 200 were added before he received a colleague. Rev. Charles M. Brown was settled as colleague Sept. 18, 1828. He was dismissed Nov. 16, 1830. Rev. Broughton White supplied the desk afterward two or three years. Rev. Ebenezer Coleman was installed as pastor Dec. 3, 1834; he was dismissed Sept. 25, 1838 ; about 50 had been added since Mr. Brown was settled. Rev. Samuel H. Tolman commenced preaching here June 2, 1839 ; he closed his labors in April 1844 ; 35 were added in his time. Rev. Daniel Sawyer, after others had preached in the place, was ordained as pastor May 13, 1846 ; he was dismissed Nov. 7, 1850 ; 22 were added in his ministry. Rev. Robert Page commenced preaching here in April 1851. His labors with the church are still continued ; 23 have been added to the church-21 by profession. All who have belonged to the church number 337. The present number is 85 ; 29 males, and 56 females. Baptisms from the beginning have been 433. The records were burnt in 1846, so that the history cannot be made perfect.
From an aged man, now member of the second church, we learn that in 1798 a revival followed the preaching of a funeral sermon from Ps. 12 : 1. More than forty joined the Congregational church, and 40 children were baptized in one day. In 1823, there was an extensive revival reaching to all parts of the town ; more than fifty joined the Congrega- tional church, and still more joined other denominations. In 1831, a revival commenced under the labors of Rev. Brough- ton White in the S. E. School District ; it spread gradually till all parts of the town shared largely in the work. This continued more than two years, and more than forty joined the Congregational church. There was a similar season of refreshing while Mr. Tolman ministered to this people. The church received an unction from the Holy One which has never been wholly lost.
Since the present minister came to the place there has been another revival. It commenced in October 1853. A hope
30
458
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
of such a season had been created once or twice before, espe- cially by the state of feeling in the church. That hope had been destroyed by the passing away of the feeling which inspired it. And now the prospect was very dark. Never before, since he came to the place, was the aspect of things so discouraging. The prayer meeting was thinner than ever, and " the way of the Lord" seemed farther from being " pre- pared" by his people than at any time before. When the revival commenced it took the church by surprise. They were not looking for it, and the general confession was that they were not prepared for it. It was almost like a rain from a cloudless sky.
It first appeared in the select school taught by a pious student of Dartmouth college. Two young ladies, one of whom had been somewhat anxious about her salvation for months, and the other for a year or two,-but who had not made it known,-were much more deeply impressed on a Sabbath in October, and that week began to hope, as did two others also, that they had " passed from death unto life." The work went on rapidly till some twenty five or more had come to indulge the same hope, the most of them within the space of four weeks. It seemed like a summer shower-sud- den, and soon over. Convictions were generally deep and short. The subjects were generally young-nearly all under thirty, and most of them under twenty. The greater part had had their attention awakened, more or less, for weeks or months before the revival commenced. Sixteen-includ- ing two who were not subjects of this revival-united with the church Jan. 1, 1854. Four others joined in March. All of these, except three or four, had parents, one or both of whom were professors of religion.
This was a striking display of the sovereignty of God in the gift of his Spirit. The church were not, as a body, ear- nestly praying for it, and they acknowledged that they had not "prepared the way of the Lord." And though there was a reviving in the church, after the work began, yet this was not by any means so general as might have been expect- ed. And there were other things, beside the lack of deep general interest, to grieve the Spirit of God. The work, from beginning to end, was by the wonderful sovereignty of God. And in another respect this sovereignty appeared,- the year before, there were revivals in about all the neigh- boring churches, and in the Methodist church in this town ; but all was the coldness of death here. Now the Spirit of God was poured out here, and on none of the surrounding churches. " He causeth it to rain upon one city, and caus-
459
LEMPSTER.
eth it not to rain upon another city." " Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight."
The Articles of the church recognize infant baptism as Scriptural ; but the Covenant does not absolutely require it. Most of the church practice it, but a few do not. Some do not, because their children are not, in this thing, under their control. The Lord's Supper is administered every alternate month beginning with January, as is common with most of our churches. Mr. Fisher, settled by the town, was to have a ministerial lot of land, £ 30 as a settlement, and £ 40 as salary, which was to be increased yearly, until it amounted to £ 70 ; also his fire wood. The salary of Mr. Brown was $ 400. Since Mr. Fisher's death the ministers have occu- pied the parsonage, given by Mr. Fisher, and consisting at present of 60 or 70 acres of land, mostly pasturage and wood land, with a comfortable house and other buildings. Besides this, the society have given, for some years, $ 200 and the wood drawn and partly prepared for the fire. The church have given for a few years, for the various objects of benev- olence, from $ 70 to more than $ 100 annually.
The first settlers, who came here a little more than 80 years ago, were mostly from Connecticut. They very soon set up the public worship of God, some years before any preacher of the gospel came here. That worship has always been maintained. For some years it was in private houses ; then in a school house. A Meeting-house was built, after a long trial to fix on the spot, in 1794. This was removed, in the course of some thirty years or more, to the principal vil- lage in the town. At length the Congregational society, not being permitted to occupy it all the time, built a new house. This occasioned the going off of many, who united with the Methodists in building another house. Two members of this church, trained up here, studied for the ministry. One of these died before completing his studies,-the other went to the South to teach, and is also dead. Two others, though not born here, were for some years members of the church, and are now in the ministry. One other person, raised up in the town, is now a Congregational minister, though he was not a member of this church.
Extract from the sermon of Mr. Fisher at the dedication of the Meeting-house in 1822 : "It is more than time that I should close my discourse. But before we separate, I feel constrained to single out from this promiscuous assembly, who have honored us with their presence and assistance this day, the members of my dear congregation, to whom I have for so many years dispensed the word of life, with whom I have
460
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
lived in such remarkable harmony and peace, and from whom I must shortly take my final leave. My dear brethren and friends : I must shortly exchange this sacred desk for a sable coffin, and this holy mansion for the house appointed for all the living. O that I may obtain mercy of the Lord upon that all-important day !
" But if, before my departure, I could see my congrega- tion of one heart and one mind-all united in upholding the worship of God, and building up the cause and interest of our Divine Redeemer in this place-could I see one more uni- versal attention to religion before I die-could I have a hope- ful prospect that a more worthy successor will take my place when my head is laid in the dust-it seems as though it would make my setting sun look pleasant, and afford a cheer- ing ray to lighten me through the dark and gloomy valley that I must shortly pass. I can say no more ; my tears must speak the rest !" In the following year the revival came.
LEMPSTER.
SECOND CHURCH.
This church was organized Feb. 1st, 1837, of 19 members. It received from the First church ten persons. The whole number of members is 63-present number 23-deaths 10. Infant baptisms 15. One brother is studying for the ministry. The Meeting-house stands 100 rods east from the geographical center of the town. The grave yard is 30 rods south-east from the Meeting-house. This was selected in June 1773, by Dea. Samuel Roundy, a few days after Rufus Beekus was killed by a falling tree, and was the first white person interred on the spot, and it has been used by the town (excepting a few families,) ever since. The Con- gregational Right under the charter of the King of Eng- land, comprising 200 acres, lay within one mile north-east of Center Meeting-house. The oldest member of this church, Samuel Roundy, now 86 years of age, has been a member 56 years, and has read the Family Bible through in course more than one hundred times since it was given him by his father, (Dea. S. Roundy,) in 1821, and for twenty years before this had practiced reading it in course as all Chris- tians should do. A practical belief in the Old as well as New Testament as the Word of God, is the only preventive against embracing every new ism.
* Sketch by Dea. R. Roundy.
.
--
-
461
MERIDEN.
The following ministers have labored with this church :- Rev. Messrs. Stephen Rogers, Justus L. Janes, S. S. Arnold, Samuel Mason, Aaron Waitt, A. S. Swift, J. Peabody. The first eight years the congregation was twice as large as it now is. The Methodist church numbers from forty to fifty .- Three ministers of this order have been raised up, and within thirty years eight Universalist ministers. Since 1836, there have been three or four seasons of religious interest.
MERIDEN.
Rev. AMOS BLANCHARD.
On the 7th of February 1780 the town of Plainfield voted that the inhabitants in the east part of the town might unite with the inhabitants of the west part of New Grantham in the support of the gospel. The first meeting, of which record is made, relating to parish business, was held May 23, 1796. The subject matter of this meeting was to raise a fund of £1000, the interest of which was to be applied to the support of a gospel minister in this parish .- A committee was chosen for this purpose, and after discuss- ing the subject for a few meetings it was abandoned.
The name of Meriden was given to this parish by the late Dr. Woods of Boscawen, who was the first preacher employ- ed here after the separation took place, and to whom the naming of the parish was entrusted. The name was proba- bly taken from a parish of that name, in the town of Wal- lingford, New Haven county, Conn. The parish itself was incorporated in 1780 or '81. A revival of religion was enjoyed under the preaching of Dr. Woods, who commenced his ministry here. As the result of this revival, on the 2d of May 1780, a Congregational church was organized by the Rev. Josiah Potter of Lebanon, consisting of 14 members. The church extended a call to Dr. Woods, which he declin- ed. In 1782-3 another revival of religion was enjoyed, dur- ing which the church extended a call to Mr. Nahum Sar- gent, which he declined.
Rev. Experience Estabrook, a member of the Londonder- ry Presbytery was installed the first pastor of this church, June 6, 1787. As the old Meeting-house was small, and in an unfinished and dilapidated condition, his installation took place in the open air. He was dismissed by a mutual coun- cil, May 7, 1792. It appears, however, by a vote of the church, Aug. 22, 1793, that Mr. Estabrook continued to
462
SULLIVAN COUNTY.
supply the pulpit and administer the ordinances for some time after his dismission. There is no record of the number added, or dismissed during his ministry, though it is stated that the church was much diminished by removals and deaths till 1799.
Mr. Siloam Short was ordained and installed over this church, Nov. 7, 1799. After his settlement the church enjoyed a period of great prosperity. The congregation was large, the house being literally filled on the Sabbath. Dur- ing his brief ministry, a very interesting revival of religion was enjoyed, which increased the number of members to about 100. Mr. Short died very suddenly of scarlet fever, Sept. 29, 1803, aged 32, and in the fourth year of his minis- try. Mr. Short was an eminent Christian and a devoted and faithful minister. He had a good report of them that are without. Those now in the church, and others who remember him, speak of him with much affection even to this day. His labors were greatly blessed, and his death proved a severe affliction to the church.
Mr. David Dickinson, a licentiate of the Brookfield Asso- ciation, Ms., was ordained and installed pastor of the church July 4, 1804. Mr. Dickinson had been a physician, pre- vious to his entering the ministry. He continued pastor of the church till June 25, 1819. During this period the church was in a very unsettled state. Cases of discipline and excommunication were frequent. Religion was low, a few were added to the church. The records are so imper- fect that no accurate statistics can be given.
Mr. Dana Clayes, a graduate of Andover theological semi- nary, was ordained and installed over this church, July 4, 1821, and sustained the pastoral relation till Oct. 17, 1837. So far as the records show, there were added to the church during his ministry 74 individuals by profession, and 25 by letter ; 24 were dismissed, and 27 children were baptized .- No record seems to have been made of deaths or excommu- nications. During the latter part of Mr. Clayes' ministry an unhappy state of alienation existed between the minister and a majority of the members of the church, and much bit- terness among the brethren. This continued so long, and to such a degree, as to result in great injury to the cause of Christ in this place. Its sad results admonish Christians to avoid strifes and division, and, "if it be possible" to live peaceably with all men ;" and it warns ministers especially, in all that concerns them personally, to "leave off conten- tion before it is meddled with." From 1837 to 1840 the church was without a pastor, but employed Rev. Edward
- ---
- --------- -----
-
463
MERIDEN.
Cleaveland, for one year. While destitute of a pastor three were added to the church by profession, three by letter, seventeen were dismissed, three died, and eight children were baptized.
Rev. Amos Blanchard, a native of Peacham, Vt., and graduate of Andover theological seminary, was installed pastor of this church Jan. 8, 1840. Since his installation to Oct. 1, 1854, 60 individuals have united with the church on profession of their faith ; 48 by letter ; 20 have been remov- ed by death ; 25 have been dismissed, and 27 infants have been baptized. There have been two cases of discipline ; no excisions from the church.
Several seasons of religious interest have been enjoyed, principally though not wholly, connected with Kimball Union Academy. During the first of these seasons about 40 of the students indulged hope ; in the second, 12 ; in the third, 10, and during the fourth, about 20. Several have indulged hopes at other times ; but as the majority of those hopefully converted were residents in other places, but few comparatively have connected themselves with this church. As nearly as can be ascertained, the church now numbers 104 members.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTICES. The first house for public wor- ship built in this parish was 30 feet by 40. It was very low posted and boarded up and down like a barn. It was never clapboarded. It had only one door, five or six places for windows, which, with two or three exceptions, were closed with rough boards. The interior was likewise unfinished ; the naked timbers were in sight ; three or four rough parti- tions constituted what were called pews ; and as a substitute for a pulpit, there was a rude enclosure resembling a pen .-- The remainder of the floor was covered with rough benches, for the accommodation of the congregation at large. This was erected in 1783, and was occupied as a place for public worship and school room, and perhaps occasional town meet- ings till March 1797, when, by vote of the parish, it was sold at public auction.
On the 24th of October 1796 it was voted in parish meet- ing to build a new Meeting-house, the size of the present house before its re-construction, 60 feet by 50, with a stee- ple on one end and a porch on the other. This house was erected at a cost of $4,400. The parish voted that the house should be equally free to all denominations of Chris- tians ; and that any proprietor should have the right to introduce a preacher of his own denomination into the desk, any Sabbath, or on any week day, when it was not supplied
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.