USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Hancock > The history of Hancock, New Hampshire, 1764-1889 > Part 21
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CHIAPTER X.
CHURCH HISTORY.
IN the preceding chapter much of what might with equal pro- priety come under this head has been told. As the towns of New England were originally organized, the church and the town were almost one. As we are indebted to Peter Warren for the preserva- tion of the early records of the town, so also are we indebted to Rev. Reed Paige for the preservation of the early records of the Congregational church, which for a large part of the time since the town was organized has been the only church within its borders.
On the 19th of June, 1788, a few persons, members of churches in the towns from whence they had come, met at the house of John Cumings, and took the initial step towards embodying themselves into a church.
The last Thursday in August was set apart for a day of fasting, and the organizing of a Christian church. It was decided to call in the assistance of Rev. Mr. Farrar, of New Ipswich, Rev. Mr. Good- ridge, of Lyndeboro', and Rev. Mr. Miles, of Temple, with dele- gates, for the above purpose.
Another meeting was held Aug. 20th, when the preliminaries were more fully arranged. Mr. Symonds was appointed collector and treasurer, and it was decided that the council should meet at the house of John Cumings at eight o'clock in the morning.
At the time and place appointed, Aug. 28, 1788, the council, con- sisting of the clergymen mentioned above and Timothy Farrar, Esq., of New Ipswich, Esquire Spaulding, of Lyndeboro', and Deacon
189
CHURCH HISTORY.
Cragin, of Temple, met and formed a church, consisting of the fol- lowing members, viz. : -
John Cumings, James Hosley,
Joseph Dodge,
James Duncan,
Sarah Cumings,
Molly Dodge,
Salmon Wood,
John Bowers,
William Williams,
Joseph Symonds,
Sybel Wood,
Elizabeth Bowers,
Mary Willams,
Mittie Symonds,
Samuel Tyrrell,
Susannah Gates,
Abner Whitcomb.
Like most of the Congregational churches of New England at that time, the basis on which this church was organized was a church covenant, which the members signed after it had been approved by the Revs. Messrs. Farrar, Goodridge, and Miles : -
" We whose names are hereunto subscribed, members of various churches, resid- ing in the town of Hancock, having it in our minds to embody into a church by ourselves, and apprehending we are called of God thereunto,
" Do in a most solemn manner renew our covenant with him and enter into cov- enant with one another in the following form, viz .:
" We do in the first place with deep humility of soul, desire to acknowledge our utter unworthiness of the least of all God's mercies unto us-at the same time ad- mire and adore the rich, free grace of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, who tri- umphs over so great unworthiness - who sets before us and offers to us the greatest blessings through him. With an humble dependence on the grace of God we would now thankfully lay hold of his covenant and choose the things that please him, and by the grace of God assisting us, -
" We avouch the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, to be our God, por- tion, and chief good.
" We give up ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, the mediator of the new cove- nant and great head of the church, acknowledging him as the Prophet, Priest, and King of our salvation, relying upon him alone for our acceptance with God.
" We also give up ourselves to God the Holy Ghost as our guide, sanctifier, and comforter, trusting to him to lead us in the way of truth and holiness- And with our- selves we desire to give up our seed after us in an everlasting covenant, never to be forgotten.
"In a firm belief of the great doctrines of our holy religion, contained in the sacred Scriptures, we heartily embrace them as the only rule of our faith and prac- tice ; and it is our sincere purpose and resolution, by divine assistance, to discharge the duties of Christian love and brotherly watchfulness towards each other; to train up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, commanding them and our household, that they may keep the way of the Lord.
"To abstain from excessive drinking and from vain and unprofitable language, and from all other immoral conduct, as far as in our power, and to endeavor that our whole conduct and conversation may be worthy of imitation; To pray with our families and with one another at suitable times; To unite in maintaining the public worship of God among us, and diligently attend upon the institutions and ordinances of the gospel; To submit to all regular and Scriptural discipline in the church, ac- cording to the practice of Congregational churches, and to contribute all in our power to the good order and peaceableness of those administrations. We promise to endeavor to walk in wisdom towards them that are without, for the purpose of ad- vancing the kingdom of Christ; To seek the peace and prosperity of Zion, and endeavor as much as in us lies to live peaceably with all men. In a word, we resolve, in the strength of God, to go on and persevere in the ways of well-doing, praying that we may be steadfast in his covenant, and adorn his religion in all things. Amen."
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Two days after the above covenant was accepted, Josiah Blodgett, Jane Blodgett, Enos Knight, and Levi Priest were received into the communion of the church.
May 15, 1789. William Boutell, Rachel Boutell, Seth Hadley, Samuel Ryan, Sarah Jones, Tabitha Hadley, Eunice Ryan, Lydia Pratt, Jane Duncan, and Mary Tyrrell, and about a year later (May 31, 1790), Daniel Kimball and Sarah Dennis, were also re- ceived into the communion of the church; making in all thirty- three persons who had become members when a call was extended to their first pastor, Rev. Reed Paige, Oct. 5, 1790.
It is not to be presumed that, during the three years that elapsed after the organization of the church before the settlement of Mr. Paige, its members enjoyed to any great extent the privileges they were so anxious to secure for themselves and their families. The organization was a provisional one. No deacons were chosen until Oct. 20, 1791.
It has already been stated that Joseph Symonds was chosen collector and treasurer at the second meeting. At the third meeting, when the church was organized, James Hosley was chosen moderator and clerk, pro tempore; James Hosley, James Dun- can, and Joseph Symonds "A committee to provide the elements for the Lord's Supper, and to wait upon the Table -and to prepare matters on occasion to lay before the chh. till further orders." It is probable that there were other persons in town that were members of churches in towns from whence they came at this time. Robert Duncan, who was the first deacon, remained a member of a church in Londonderry until after he was chosen to that office here; and, were there space, we might adduce others.
At the church meeting Oct. 5, 1790, when the call was extended to Mr. Paige " to settle with us as our Pastor and teacher," there were sixteen members present, and all voted in the affirmative. It will be remembered that the town-meeting at which the vote was taken in regard to the call was on the same day (see page 111); and of the committee then appointed by the town to present to Mr. Paige its proceedings, three were at that time members of the church, and two were not.
Mr. Paige's acceptance of the invitation extended to him we have already given on page 111. The same letter was sent to the church, and is preserved on its records. In justice to Mr. Paige,
191
CHURCH HISTORY.
I wish here to state that the word "Supreme," as we find it in his own handwriting, is spelled correctly.
Mr. Paige's letter of acceptance was dated May 7, 1791. A meeting of the church was called May 23d; sixteen members were present. It was voted unanimously to accept Mr. Paige's answer.
By a mutual understanding between the church and Mr. Paige, the following churches, each represented by pastor and delegate, were invited to assist in the ordination of Mr. Paige. The church made choice of the following: Rev. Stephen Farrar, New Ipswich; Rev. Sewal Goodridge, Lyndeboro'; Rev. Noah Miles, Temple; Rev. David Annan, Peterboro'; Rev. Seth Payson, Rindge; Rev. Moses Bradford, Francestown; Rev. Edward Sprague, Dublin; Rev. Mr. Foster, Packersfield. Mr. Paige made choice of the following: Rev. Nathaniel Emmons, Franklin; Rev. Laban Ainsworth, Jaffrey; Rev. Christopher Paige, Pittsfield ; Rev. Thomas Holt, Hardwick.
The council convened pursuant to letters missive from the Church of Christ in Hancock, Sept. 20,1 1791. The churches of Lyndeboro', Dublin, Temple, Rindge, Jaffrey, Pittsfield, Francestown, Hardwick, and Peterboro' were represented by pastors and delegates. Rev. Sewal Goodridge was chosen moderator, and Rev. Laban Ains- worth scribe. The council was opened by prayer by the moderator, after which it was voted to proceed to ordination. The services were as follows :-
Introductory prayer. .Mr. Holt.
Sermon. .Mr. Holt.
Ordaining prayer and charge. Mr. Ainsworth.
Right-hand of fellowship. Mr. Bradford.
Concluding prayer.
Mr. Paige.
At a meeting of the church, held Oct. 20, 1791, James Hosley was chosen first deacon, but as he declined accepting, Robert Dun- can was chosen first deacon, and Daniel Kimball second deacon. The meeting adjourned, to meet at the house of James Hosley the next Thursday, " by the setting of the sun."
At this adjourned meeting James Duncan was chosen the third deacon. It was voted to purchase a book in which to keep the records, and each male member was to pay nine pence to purchase said book, the overplus to remain in the hands of the treasurer till needed.
1 We have the authority of Mr. Paige for this date. It has, however, been supposed that his ordination took place one day later (Sept. 21), and the town records are authority for this latter date.
192
HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Mr. Symonds was requested "to continue as church treasurer till there be deacons or a deacon of the church."
"Rev. Mr. Paige, Deacon Hosley,1 and Mr. Robert Duncan were chosen a committee to draught a confession of faith, to be laid before the church for their examination and acceptance."
At a church meeting held at the house of Joseph Symonds, Dec. 13, 1791, the report of the committee on the confession of faith was accepted and adopted. On page 22, of the records, may be found another copy of the original church covenant slightly changed in the preamble, but no names are signed to it, although there are blank spaces left for signatures; this has no date. On page 24 we find what may perhaps be termed a renewed covenant, substantially like the first two, but evidently entered into from a feeling that there was need of more interest in religious matters. It begins as follows : -
" Whereas we have reason to believe that religion is in a low and declining state among us, we the subscribers constituting the church of Christ in Hancock, feel it to be our duty as professors of Christianity, most seriously and solemnly to enquire into the state of ourselves, humbly to confess our unworthiness of any of God's mercies, devoutly to implore the sanctifying influences of his holy spirit upon our hearts, and the renewing and sanctifying influences of the same Spirit upon those who are without, that true religion may revive and flourish among us, and consider- ing our present backslidings we feel it to be our duty most seriously and solemnly, with fasting and prayer, to renew covenant with God, and with one another."
At a church meeting dated Sept. 8, 1805, the subject matter of this preamble was discussed ; the Thursday preceding the first Sab- bath in the next November was set apart as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, with the express purpose of renewing the covenant on said day and a committee, composed of the pastor, Deacons Kimball, Boutell, and Kittredge, Esquire Hosley, and Brother Prentice, appointed to examine the confession of faith and church covenant, and report at the next church meeting.
Oct. 31, 1805, " was observed as a day of fasting and prayer by the church, and they did then publicly and solemnly renew cove- nant." Without doubt this was the covenant recorded on page 24, although this record is found on page 89.
1 Mr. Hosley from the first was known as Deacon Hosley in town, having served in that capacity previous to his coming here. Although he was on the committee to draft the confession of faith that was adopted by the church, and all of his subse- quent life an active member in full communion, he was not entirely in sympathy with that confession of faith, and must have accepted it with mental reservation. It is also probable that Mr. Duncan was waiting for this confession of faith to be made before he was willing to connect himself with the church.
193
CHURCH HISTORY.
The meetings of the church do not appear to have been regu- lar, but when there was business of special importance to be transacted they were called. Feb. 28, 1799, was a special occa- sion. Three votes were passed in relation to church attendance, that ought not to be passed over in silence, for they show the earnestness of the active members, and their desire that all things should be done decently and in order, and for the spiritual ad- vancement of the town. The first vote was in regard to sacra- mental lectures. It was declared that they were helpful to all, and that they considered it deplorable that any, whether pro- fessors or not, should not be present ; therefore they pledged themselves to attend, and cause as many of their families to at- tend as could conveniently, and each and every member should be accountable for his neglect. The other two votes were of a little different character, but really with a tendency in the same direction.
It appears that many of the attendants on public worship were in the habit of standing round the meeting-house, or perhaps remain- ing in other houses, after public worship had commenced. This conduct was calculated to interrupt the solemnity of worship, and was offensive to God, as it displayed inattention to the duties of his house; therefore, it was voted " that we will be careful to take our seats before, or as soon as, the teacher shall have entered the desk, cause our families to do the same, and use our influence that others do it likewise."
For fear that lengthy intermissions between the public ser- vices on the Lord's day might have a tendency to encourage unprofitable conversation upon subjects inconsistent with the due observance of holy time, and calculated to drive serious impres- sions from the mind, it was therefore voted that said intermis- sions be not more than three-fourths of an hour at any season of the year.1
The last meeting of the church recorded by Mr. Paige, was held Sept. 1, 1808. Nov. 2, 1816, a meeting was called, at which time Rev. Stephen Chapin was chosen moderator, to preside at said meeting, William Boutell was chosen permanent moderator, and David Nahor permanent clerk. As Mr. Nahor held the impor- tant office of clerk during the interval between the death of Mr.
1 This rule was rescinded by vote of the church Sept. 11, 1828.
13
194
HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Paige and the settlement of Mr. Burgess, his autograph is inserted here : -
David Nahor
No meetings were held for over a year. The winter of 1817-18 was a critical time for the church. Joshua Chandler was in- vited by the town, by a vote of 96 to 26, to settle as the minister of the town (see page 141). The church did not concur in the invita- tion, as Mr. Chandler was not in sympathy with its confession of faith. Mr. Chandler had proposed that a council be called to settle the difference between them. To this the church by vote consented, and designated Rev. Mr. Bradford, of Francestown, and Rev. Mr. Whiton, of Antrim, to be council on the part of the church. John Clark and David Nahor were appointed to confer with Mr. Chan- dler, and David Nahor was appointed agent for the church to give the town any necessary information of the proceedings of the meeting.1
As all the further information we have is simply that on Feb. 24th Mr. Chandler gave his answer to the town in the negative, it is to be presumed that no council was called. Mr. Chandler con- nected himself with the Unitarians, and had several settlements in different towns in Massachusetts. He was an able man, but some- what eccentric.
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In June, 1820, it was voted "to purchase one flagon, four cups, and a bason for the use of the church." April 7, 1821, it was voted " that the church provide a table for the meeting-house, to be made of cherry-tree wood." No objection was to be made if for the same cost to the church a mahogany table was procured.
A decent chair was also to be provided, and what was also com- mendable, it was resolved to meet at the meeting-house for worship on Sabbath days, provided there should be no preacher; also, to attend the monthly concert of prayer.
A call was extended by the church to Archibald Burgess to settle with them in the gospel ministry, Nov. 4, 1822, and David Nahor, Asa Symonds, and Ninian Clark were authorized to extend to Mr. Burgess said call in behalf of the church.
The Congregational society of Hancock having united with the
1 This meeting was held Feb. 2, 1818, the day previous to the town meeting that extended to Mr. Chandler the invitation as stated above.
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ARCHIBALD BURGESS.
195
CHURCH HISTORY.
church in extending to Mr. Burgess a call, the following is the answer of Mr. Burgess to the church and society : -
" HANCOCK, Nov. 16, 1822.
" To the Congregational Church and Society in Hancock.
" Dear Brethren and friends your communication of the 4th and 5th instant inviting me to settle over you in the Gospel ministry, and for reasons not necessary to men- tion I hasten thus early to communicate a reply. By the direction of an overruling Providence I was brought to this place to speak in the name of the Lord Jesus to my dying fellow mortals, to preach the glad tidings of salvation to a people who for years since the death of their beloved pastor have been anxiously desirous of a re- settlement of the ministry among them, but hitherto frustrated When I consider the afflictions of this people how often you have been disappointed, and that the hearts of many have been ready to faint and give up in dispair my feelings would incline me not to add to your disappointments. But there are things which have a discouraging tendency. Altho' there is a good degree of harmony and union at present. When I bring to mind the nature of man, his mutability, the very slender bands which hold societies together, - and that the present union may be dissolved, and this people rent by intestine divisions, and that my self may be the cause - the way looks dark. - Could I with certainty foresee such events, no considerations would prevail with me to tarry- It would be like casting one's self upon the tumul- tuous billows of the ocean to be dashed in pieces by the conflicting elements - but we believe better things concerning you. -
" When one has labored any length of time without seeing any fruit produced it tends to discourage the heart- By your call I have been led to review the re- quirements of a gospel minister, the weight of obligation and the very great respon- sibility resting upon him - and when I consider how inadequate of myself, I am to the great work - When I look forward to that day when minister and people must stand before the 'Judge of the quick and the dead' and conceive of the account which must then be given - When I conceive of the immense responsibility rest- ing upon the head of him who takes the charge of immortal souls - that he must be either a ยท savour of death unto death or of life unto life,' I feel to exclaim with the apostle -' Who is sufficient for these things ' And had we no assurance of divine assistance, we should at once give up the work in despair- But believing in the overruling Providence of God, that he governs all things according to the counsel of his own will - according to infinite wisdom believing that God has established his church on a sure foundation that cannot be moved -that the arm of Omnipo- tence is engaged for its support, even the arm of him who created all things for his own glory, and who is the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last - and that he is pleased to make use of means weak in themselves to accomplish his vast designs,- and that he hath 'put this treasure' (of the gospel) 'in earthen vessels that the ex- cellency of the power may be of God and not of us' and 'hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty,' and knowing that ' our sufficiency is of God' and that altho' weak thro' Christ strengthing us we can do all things - I say when I view the subject in this light I feel encouraged to go forward, yet with fear and trembling. And now after having sought counsel, light and direc- tion from him who is the source of all wisdom, light and grace, with the advice of my friends, and in accordance with my own feelings, conceiving that the path of duty is made plain - I do hereby signify my acceptance of your invitation to the work of the gospel ministry in this place-trusting that you will ever be found ready to support encourage and assist me in the work of the ministry - We look to the Lord for strength grace and mercy, and henceforth ' thy people shall be my peo- ple, and thy God my God.'
" With sincere affection and esteem I subscribe myself your Pastor elect " ARCHIBALD BURGESS."
The pastor elect and church committee in union with a com-
196
HISTORY OF HANCOCK, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
mittee of the society invited the following churches, each to send pastor and delegate, or delegates, to unite in council for the purpose of ordaining Mr. Burgess, if thought proper when met, viz: the churches in Nelson, Francestown, Stoddard, New Boston, Hills- boro', Antrim, Lyndeboro', Keene, Dublin, Canterbury (Conn)., and Peterboro'.
All the above churches, with the exception of Peterboro', were represented in the council, viz .: The church in Francestown, by Rev. Moses Bradford, pastor, and Dea. Buckman Fairbanks, dele- gate; the church in Nelson, by Rev. Gad Newell, pastor, and Dea. Josiah Robbins and Dea. Noah Hardy, delegates; the church in Stoddard, by Rev. Isaac Robinson, pastor, and Dea. Nathaniel Joslyn and Bro. Nathaniel Evans, delegates; the church in New Boston, by Rev. Ephraim P. Bradford, pastor, and Dea. Thomas Cochran, delegate; the church in Hillsboro', by Rev. John Law- ton, pastor, and Rev. Joel How, delegate; the church in Antrim, by Rev. John M. Whiton, pastor, and Dea. Josiah Duncan and Dea. Tristram Sawyer, delegates; the church in Lyndeboro', by Rev. Nathaniel Merrill, pastor, and Dea. Benjamin Goodridge, delegate ; the church in Keene, by Rev. Zedekiah S. Barstow, pastor, and Bro. Abel Blake, delegate; the church in Canterbury, Conn., by Dea. John Barstow and Bro. Amon Burgess, delegates; the church in Dublin, by Rev. Levi W. Leonard, pastor, and Dea. Francis Apple- ton and Bro. Andrew Allison, delegates.
The council was organized by choosing Rev. Moses Bradford moderator, Rev. Levi W. Leonard scribe, and Rev. John M. Whiton, assistant scribe.
Prayer was offered by the moderator, after which satisfactory in- formation having been given in regard to the invitation of the church and society, the degree of unanimity in the call and the answer of the candidate, it was voted to proceed to an examination of the candidate. The examination being satisfactory in all re- spects, and no one dissenting, it was decided to proceed to ordina- tion ; the public exercises to be at 11 o'clock, A. M., Dec. 25, 1822. The order of the service was as follows :-
Introductory prayer. Rev. Mr. Merrill.
Sermon. Rev. Mr. Barstow.
Consecrating prayer. .Rev. Moses Bradford.
Charge.
Rev. Mr. Newell.
Right-hand of fellowship. .Rev. Mr. Whiton.
Charge to the church and people. .Rev. Mr. Robinson.
Concluding prayer.
.Rev. Mr. Lawton.
197
CHURCH HISTORY.
At a church meeting dated May 17, 1810,- which date is evidently an error, as the record is made by David Nahor, clerk, and follows the record of a meeting dated Feb. 2, 1818, - Dea. Daniel Kimball, Dea. William Boutell, David Nahor, Joseph Hills, and John Clark were chosen a committee to take into consideration the confession of faith and covenant of the church, and report thereon any altera- tions or amendments that they might think necessary. This com- mittee did not report until after the ordination of Mr. Burgess ; the date is not given, but it was probably sometime in the summer of 1823. Said report was accepted by the church. Again we realize our incompetency to give a satisfactory history within the limited space allotted for it. We can only say that the changes that were made were not marked : no greater changes than might have been expected in the space of thirty-two years. It was more a re-statement and elaboration of the original covenant and con- fession, than a change, although an attempt was made to modify the extreme Calvinism that had been so objectionable to Deacon Hos- ley, and perhaps others.
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