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 48
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Again, a visitation of the Lord was realized in 1842 and '43, which brought 50 into the Christian ranks, as soldiers of the cross. Since that time a few have reposed their con- fidence in the Savior, and professed his name before men ; notwithstanding the many and strong adverse influences which surrounded them. For some years last past worldly- mindedness has controled action, and produced spiritual
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apathy, still, some are disposed to pray with David, "O God, cast us not away from thy presence-take not thy Holy Spirit from us."
On reviewing the past-considering the youthful and fee- ble instrument of first gathering and organizing a Congre - gational church in town-the number of powerful revivals which have occurred, when God was as a wall of fire round about the church, and the glory in her midst ; and consider- ing, that he, who was ordained the first pastor, still lives, to discharge the duties of the pastoral office, after an elapse of over 52 years from his first preaching in town, and over 51 years of his pastorate ; all must exclaim, "What hath God wrought !" Where they were "not a people," there they are called the people of God; and when they " had not ob- tained mercy," they "now have obtained mercy."
The Freewill Baptists are found here, and are the only other religious order. Many of the converts in the forego- ing revivals united with them. Elder Benjamin Randall of New Durham was the first to establish this order, and Elder David Knowlton the first minister here who died 1804. His successors-Elders Nathaniel Wilson-Alvah Buzzell-James Morrell, have all passed in quick succession. Elder David Garland, a native resident, only remains, with whom for many years gospel peace and Christian harmony have been maintained. And interchanges of kind offices have mutually been made. The number of their church members is 139. A good degree of endeavor after the uni- ty of the Spirit in the bonds of peace, has manifestly pre- vailed. The pastor is not aware, after half a century of labor, of an individual family, on whom he might call, but that, with a welcome and with expressions of sincere regard, he would be received. The nominal number of the church from its organization, 1804, to the present time, has been 395. One hundred and forty one have died ; 1046 immor- tal spirits have gone the outlet of earth to the spirit world, within the limits of the town, during the last fifty two years. Of this number, 18 were by casualties, and six by suicide-hemp-and steel. The pastor has toiled and labor- ed, till he has preached 6748 times ; married 563 couple ; officiated at nearly 800 funerals in the town, and over 200 in the neighboring towns, and held the office of town clerk for forty years in succession. The mother of Joseph Bun- ker, of wide spread fame during the French and Indian war, an hundred years ago, lived and died in this town 1816, aged 105 years, 8 months and 23 days. Five young men have graduated at Dartmouth, and four have received the
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degree of M.D. The temperance cause prospers. A deep interest is felt in the support of sixteen district schools .- Sabbath Schools are sustained in different parts of the town, during the summer months, and have access to a library of over one thousand volumes, which is divided to three parts of the town, and exchanged once a quarter.
CENTRE HARBOR.
Rev. ALMON BENSON.
Centre Harbor was originally a part of New Hampton .-- It became a separate town by an act of the Legislature, Dec. 2, 1797. The intention of the petitioners was to have had it called Senter Harbor, in honor of the Senter family who were the first permanent settlers in the town. But by a mistake of the clerk of the court, it was recorded Centre Harbor. It began to be settled in 1765.
Congregationalism has been confined chiefly to the easter- ly part of the town. The first settlers were mostly Congre- gational families from Chester, Hampton, Raymond, Can- dia and Londonderry, N. H .; and Ipswich and Halifax, Ms. These families had religious sympathies which united them. But being too poor to sustain the stated means of grace, for several years they attended on the ministrations of Rev. Jeremiah Shaw in Moultonborough. They were obliged to travel either on foot or on horseback a distance of eight to ten miles each way. Yet they were punctual in their attendance. One of their number, when he was past his four score years, said he could recollect only one or two instances in which he had been absent from the house of God on the Sabbath, in consequence of stormy weather, or bad traveling. Where is this spirit now manifested on stormy Sabbaths ? In the mean time they enjoyed occa- sionally the labors of missionaries, who came among them. These missions were generally short, but they were highly prized, and the labors performed were useful in bringing souls to Christ.
The other part of the town was settled by Calvinistic and Freewill Baptists, Methodists, and others whose religious preferences were not well defined, and continues much the same to this day. The religious element is chiefly Freewill Baptist.
As time advanced, the population increased. In 1812 a house of worship was erected by the people in this, the east-
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erly part of the town. This house was built neither by the town, nor by a church or society, but by such individuals as volunteered in the enterprise. It was a free-will offering, and owned as private property. This house was located about a mile west of Centre Harbor village on the road lead- ing from this place to Plymouth. It was about 35 by 40 feet, one story high, the roof coming to a point in the center, and descending to the four sides, with a portico in front .- This house was very humble in appearance compared with churches of more modern date. Yet it answered well the purpose for which it was made. It has recently been taken down, and its materials appropriated to other uses. About the time that this house was built, one for the same purpose was erected in Meredith Third Division, and as the popula- tion was still sparse, the good people of Centre Harbor and Meredith Third Division united for the purpose of maintain- ing religious worship, and agreed to hold their meetings alternately on every other Sabbath at each of these houses. When the house in Centre Harbor was not occupied by the Congregationalists, other evangelical denominations were al- lowed the use of it, and held meetings here occasionally. It is estimated that the attendance on public worship then was one third more in proportion to the population, than it is at the present time. Under the arrangement noticed above, in those days, when neighbors were as brothers, the people long continued together in unity, and, usually, prosperity attend- ed them.
The year 1815 opened a new era in the history of this peo- ple, inasmuch as it was the commencement of the church in its organized form. Rev. Messrs. Shaw, Hidden, Hebard, Turner, Field, and Warren who was laboring here, were on the council called to form the church, Feb. 20, 1815. It consisted of 13 members. Two lived in Moultonborough, two in Meredith Third Division, and nine in Centre Harbor. These all have died, we trust, 'in faith.' Their remembrance is blessed, and their glory remains after them. For an ac- count of this church to its separation from Meredith, see ar- ticle, Meredith Village. In 1832, Meredith Village began to increase rapidly, and showed signs of becoming an important location, and additions to the church had been mostly from Meredith. Hence we find on record the following arrange- ment. "Jan. 10, 1833. Voted that meetings on the Sab- bath be holden hereafter in Meredith Village one half the time, in Meredith Old Meeting-house one fourth of the time, and in Centre Harbor the other fourth." A Meeting-house was at length erected at Meredith Village, and the meetings
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on the Sabbath were wholly removed to that place. Conse- quently, Centre Harbor was left destitute of the means of grace. The few pious souls remaining here mourned as they saw the sanctuary deserted, infidelity and ungodliness in- creasing among them ; and yet there was no hope of having the former order of things restored. In the absence of the means of grace, intemperance, profaneness and Sabbath breaking became prevalent. A gentleman visiting here in 1826, said he had to go out of town to find Sabbath day, (meaning as we suppose public worship.) Even in this state of degeneracy, Centre Harbor, possessing great attractions on account of the beauty of its natural scenery and the healthi- ness of its atmosphere, was fast becoming a place of resort for travellers and tourists to the White Mountains, and a place of rest to business men, from the oppressive heat and the exhausting duties of city life. The population in this vicinity, comprising one hundred families, was not reached to much effect by the means of grace from any other point. In this state of things, the Lord stirred up the minds of a few men to build him an house, with a view to have a new church and society organized which should be identified with the vil- lage in the easterly part of the town, upon the shore of the lake. Some half a dozen men, only one or two of them pro- fessedly pious, and all comparatively poor, pledged them- selves to each other that they would carry forward this en- terprise. Accordingly in the summer of 1837 a neat and commodious house was built, at an expense of about seven- teen hundred dollars; to defray which they paid what they could, begged some, and borrowed some, and so fulfilled their contract.
In the winter following they dedicated their house, and employed Mr. Robert W. Fuller, a member of Gilmanton theological seminary, to preach to them three months. On the 9th of May, 1838, an ecclesiastical council convened at the Meeting-house, for the purpose of organizing, if thought proper, a Congregational church. The members of this coun- cil were from Moultonborough, Sandwich, Plymouth, Mere- dith Village, and Meredith Bridge. After prayer and delib- eration, the council decided to proceed to organize a church. Accordingly, May 10, at 2 o'clock, P. M., the council pro- ceeded to the organization of the church proposed, and to perform the public exercises connected with it. This church consisted of eleven members, four males and seven females. Ten had letters from the church in Meredith, and one from the church in Brighton, Ms. Soon after the formation of this church, Rev. Samuel H. Merrill was employed about a
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year and a half as stated supply. After him Mr. Jabez T. Howard, graduate of Gilmanton theological seminary, sup- plied them a few weeks as candidate for settlement.
October 1, 1840, the present pastor commenced his labors among this people. He came here not to seek a settlement, but to supply a Sabbath or two for Mr. Howard. At the close of the second Sabbath the church and society unani- mously agreed to give him a call to settle with them ; which call was subsequently extended and accepted. He was ordain- ed Dec. 23, 1840, with the promise of a salary of $350, and his firewood. The sum received has averaged about two hun- dred and fifty dollars annually, exclusive of fuel. One hun- dred dollars of this sum is paid by the N. H. M. Society. In view of the past he would say that by the favors of a kind Providence, and by the kindness and forbearance of this peo- ple, he continues with them unto this day-"Witnessing both to small and great, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."
This church, though small at the commencement, has en- joyed the smiles of her living Head. It has not been rent asunder by heresies, nor perverted by popular delusions .- The dews of divine grace have here distilled, and showers occasionally have descended. In the last fifteen years, two protracted meetings have been holden, one in 1841, the other in 1843. The first resulted in little good. The other was demanded by the state of feeling existing among the people. They were drawn together by an impulse which seemed ir- resistible. God was verily in the midst, gathering in his chosen. At the close of that revival only three children of this church over twelve years of age were left without hope in Christ. Since then there has been no general revival, yet additions have been made to the church nearly every year since its formation. From 1838 to 1853, there have been added 19 by letter, and 37 by profession-total, 56. Pres- ent number, 44. Three fourths of all the members that have been connected with this church had pious parents :- also, those who have been excommunicated belong to the one fourth whose parents were not professedly pious. The accessions have been chiefly from the children of the church, and the Sabbath school. The average attendance on public worship through the year is about one hundred. There is no other evangelical denomination in the place, and no other meetings, except an occasional one of Universalists. Our charitable contributions amount to about one dollar to each member of the church. And to whatever cause we may at- tribute the change, it is manifest that among those who do
32
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not profess to be pious, there is less open wickedness and an increasing attention to propriety and decorum.
GILFORD.
Taken from Gilmanton; incorporated June 16, 1812 .- Elder Richard Martin was settled here in 1798 over the first Freewill Baptist society. This church now numbers 159 .- We find it stated by Farmer that there "was a society of Congregationalists" here in 1823, but we find no clue to its history. Gilford academy was incorporated in 1820.
GILMANTON .**
FIRST CHURCH.
The first settlers of Gilmanton were chiefly families desir- ous of having the institutions of the gospel. They came from Exeter and vicinity, or from the northeastern towns in Ms., and brought with them the spirit of enterprise, educa- tion, morality and religion. The township was originally granted by George I. in the year in which he died, 1727, to 215 proprietors, 24 of whom bore the name of Gilman, and seven were ministers. It was provided in the charter that "a Meeting-house should be built for the public worship of God within four years," and that "a proprietor's share be reserved for the first minister of the gospel that shall be set- tled and ordained, and another for a parsonage." The In- dian and French wars and other causes delaying the settle- ment of the town, the proprietors voted, as inducement to settlers, that the shares should be laid out so as to be con- venient " for a parish," and also engaged "as soon as there should be ten families settled in Gilmanton to employ a minister to preach to them."
The first family came into town Dec. 26, 1763, and, in less than one year and eight months, or on the 1st of August, 1765, Rev. Wm. Parsons, having been employed by the pro- prietors, moved into town. He came on horseback with his family, and his furniture was brought on the first ox-cart which had ever entered the town. He was employed annu- ally for ten years, preaching in private houses and school houses in different parts of the town, as neither a Meeting-
* Sketch by Rev. R. M. Sargent.
T
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house had been built nor a church been organized. He was a useful and exemplary minister, and by his preaching and other efforts aided in giving an intelligent, moral and relig- ious character to the inhabitants, and his influence is percep- tible even at the present time. He also taught the schools of the early settlers, even till he was quite advanced in age. He was son of Rev. Joseph Parsons of Salisbury, Ms .; settled at South Hampton, 1753 ; dismissed 1762 ; came to Gilman- ton 1763; died 1796, aged 80.
In May, 1774, Rev. Isaac Smith, who had previously spent a few Sabbaths in town, commenced preaching as a regular supply, having been hired for one year. In August, howev- er, the town gave him a call to settle, his salary to be £ 50 the first year, and to increase £ 5 each year till it was £ 75; and he was to have £75 settlement, also the lands set apart for the first settled minister, and the use of the other minis- terial lands, 30 acres of which were cleared, or to be cleared for him; his salary was also to continue in case of his sick- ness, and he was to reserve three Sabbaths of each year for rest, or visiting friends. While the call was under consid- eration, a committee visited him from Ipswich, Ms., with a call, as he had previously preached there for a little time. But a decided deacon told them firmly that the people of Gilmanton were united in Mr. Smith, and could not let him go. Mr. Smith was ordained Nov. 30, 1774. Rev. Dr. McClintock of Greenland preached the sermon, and Rev. Messrs. Walker of Concord, Foster of Canterbury, Stearns of Epping, Upham of Deerfield, Woodman of Dunbarton, and Dr. Belknap of Dover performed the other services .- Also by concurrence of the same council a Congregational church was gathered consisting of only 5 members, to which however 17 were added during the succeeding year. In 1777 £ 20 was expended in clearing the parsonage land, and £ 75 was given to Rev. Mr. Smith to aid him in building his house. For several years the inhabitants were very har- monious in regard to Rev. Mr. Smith's salary, but as meet- ings of other denominations began to multiply, a disposition was manifested to throw off the town's obligations to the " standing order." First, a proposal was made to have as- sessors and a collector of the minister tax separate from the selectmen and constables, who made and collected the other taxes. Then an effort was made to divide the avails of the ministerial lands among the different societies. This at first failed, but afterwards succeeded.
From 1810 to 1815 no ministerial tax was made out, and no other way was open to Rev. Mr. Smith to obtain lawful
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and just compensation for his services except to commence a suit against the town. When the people met to consider the matter they appointed a committee to try to make a settlement with Rev. Mr. Smith, and it was finally agreed to pay him $1402, which for the sake of peace he accepted, and relinquished all claims upon the town. The salary had previously been raised by the town, and all who did not be- long to any other society were considered as belonging to this, and were taxed accordingly. But all who were regular members of the Baptist society were not taxed, from the first settlement, and all who became members of other societies when they arose, were excused from being taxed to pay the salary of the minister of the town. But after this Rev. Mr. Smith was sustained by voluntary subscription. An Act of Incorporation for the "First Congregational Society" was obtained, and the town as such ceased to have any further responsibility respecting the settlement or support of the ministry. Also it had not been usual previously to tax the minister, but in 1812 and again in 1816 it was voted to tax the property of Rev. Mr. Smith, and since that time the min- isters have paid their taxes, the same as other citizens.
Rev. Mr. Smith died in 1817 after an illness of only three days, in the 73d year of his age, and the 43d of his ministry. His funeral was attended by a large concourse of the citizens of this and neighboring towns. Rev. Mr. Carpenter of Chi- chester preached the sermon, and several other ministers were present. In the burying ground near where he lived and the Meeting-house in which he preached, the church erected an appropriate monument to his memory, and the people generally after his death acknowledged the worth of him to whom they had denied his just dues while he was living. During his ministry 114 had joined the church, the number of baptisms by him was 312, of marriages 396, and funerals 1141. He was a skillful linguist, "reading Latin and Greek almost as readily as English ;" he did much for the cause of education, drafted the excellent constitution of the academy, and fitted several young men for college. As a theologian he was sound and discriminating, agreeing sub- stantially with Dr. Bellamy, with whom he studied theology. As a preacher he was animated, vivacious, clear and pointed. In the earlier part of his ministry his sermons were written in full, but later in life he preached for the most part extem- poraneously. As a pastor he was faithful and beloved by the friends of good order. He had the happy "faculty of saying the right things at the right time, so that they would be re- membered." The church, deeply affected by the loss of their
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faithful minister, were led to increased prayer, effort and re- liance upon God ; a gracious revival was enjoyed, and the seed, long and earnestly sown, sprung up at last. Rev. Jesse Stratton, a graduate of Middlebury college, 1814, recently from Andover seminary, labored for a time with the people, and some 45 were prepared for a public profession.
Rev. Luke A. Spofford, having preached as a candidate, and induced the church to adopt a new doctrinal creed, was ordained June 9, 1819. The revival of the previous year had awakened a religious interest, and tended to make the exer- cises peculiarly solemn and memorable. The sermon was by Rev. Asa Rand of Gorham, Me. The other services were conducted by Rev. Messrs. Wells of Deerfield, Bodwell of Sanbornton, McFarland, D.D. of Concord, Carpenter of Chi- chester, Ainsworth of Jaffrey, Corser of Loudon, Burnham of Pembroke, and Patrick of Canterbury. Rev. Mr. Spofford labored with much care for the spiritual purity of the church, and the good of the whole people, and a gracious revival was enjoyed in 1823. But the field of his labors being very large and the demands of the people very great, he resigned his charge in 1825.
January Ist of that year Rev. Daniel Lancaster commenced supplying the pulpit ; and April 11th the church gave him a call to settle, which he declined. June 9th, Rev. Mr. Spof- ford was dismissed, after six years pastorate, and in July the call was renewed to Rev. Mr. Lancaster, and he returning from Massachusetts accepted and was ordained Sept. 21, 1825. Rev. Mr. Cooke of Acworth preached, and Rev. Messrs. Bodwell, Prentice, Spofford, Cross, George, and Co- nant, performed the other services. Feb. 26, 1826, 25 mem- bers obtained letters of dismission and recommendation for the purpose of forming a new church at the Academy village, the center of the town, three miles west of the First church, and Oct. 12, 1830, 13 more members were dismissed to be formed into a church at the Iron Works village, three miles east. The formation of these two churches and societies in the villages where they were absolutely required, left the First church and society much reduced, as there was scarce- ly any village near its Meeting-house. And though revivals were enjoyed in 1826-7, and again in 1831, yet, the society being unable to afford an adequate support to a minister, Rev. Mr. Lancaster asked a dismission July 15th, 1832, which was acceded to by the church on the 22d, and he was dis- missed on the 25th of the same month. He was pastor of the First church for six years, though for two years he preached half of the time at the Iron Works village, and two
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other years half of the time at the Center village. During his ministry 85 were added to the church; there were 118 baptisms, and over 100 funerals.
Since Rev. Mr. Lancaster's dismission the First church and society have been destitute of a pastor, but have had occasional and sometimes stated supplies. Rev. F. P. Smith, son of their first minister, preached for them through the year 1834. Rev. Josiah Carpenter in 1837, Rev. Dana B. Bradford, and various other members of the theological sem- inary, supplied them for several years. Rev. Wm. Cogswell, D.D. while President of the theological seminary, supplied them on the Sabbath till the illness preceding his death, which occurred April 18, 1850. Rev. James Hobart of Ber- lin, Vt., commonly known as "father Hobart," and Rev. J. C. Page, formerly of Raymond, while residing in town, also Rev. J. W. Jones, a local preacher of the Methodist church, have supplied their pulpit for several seasons. No additions have been made to the church since 1844. Whole number received in all is 311. They own a parsonage and land ad- joining, obtained during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Spofford. The deacons have been Stephen Dudley and John Sanborn, (elected in 1776,) Winslow Page and Benjamin Page, (1803,) Joseph French, (1819,) Moses Page, (1826,) and Theophilus Gilman, (1828.) In September, 1774, the frame of the first Meeting-house was raised, but the house was not prepared to be used for worship till the following season. It was 60 feet by 45, with a porch at each end, with galleries on three sides, a broad aisle six feet wide, and an aisle crossing this, running from end to end, four feet wide, and with narrower aisles passing around to accommodate the wall pews. It was not entirely finished, glazed and plastered, till 1790. In 1807 it was repaired and clapboarded, but it was many years be- fore a stove was introduced, and then with considerable re- luctance on the part of some. The people must have been a hardier race than the present, to sit thus unwarmed through long services. This house stood till 1839 when it was taken down, and a small and comfortable house was erected and dedicated in 1840 on or near the same place.
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