USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > A century of church life. A history of the First Congregational church of Marietta, Ohio, with an introduction by Rev. John W. Simpson > Part 2
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Mr. Story arrived at Marietta, March 19, 1789, and preached his first sermon here on the following Sunday, March 22. From that time until 1796 he was in the employ of the Ohio Com- pany and received a portion of his salary from their funds. He probably received a part from the voluntary contributions of the people. In 1790 Mr. Thomas Wallcut drew up a subscrip- tion paper for the purpose of raising money for the support of Mr. Story. ' The paper was as follows: "Whereas, the worship and reverence of the Supreme Ruler of the world is essential to the well-being of society, and is the most solid foundation as well as the surest support of government and good morals with everything useful and ornamental to a civilized people; and whereas, we, the subscribers, are impressed with a sense of the importance of these blessings and of our obligations to secure and transmit them to our posterity to the latest generation, we do promise to give in money or labor what is affixed to our re- spective names."
In the spring of 1789 settlements were commenced at Belpre and Waterford and arrangements were soon made by which Mr. Story preached at each of these places one Sunday in five. The services in Marietta were held in the Northwest block house at Campus Martius, and after 1790 additional services were held at Munsell's Hall, at "the Point." The journey to Belpre and Waterford was made in a row-boat. During the Indian war these journeys were made at longer intervals and he was accom- panied by an armed guard. . Scouts frequently attended them, who examined the forest for traces of a savage foe. On the
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Brefu Putnam
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Sundays when Mr. Story did not preach at these settlements, Colonel Ebenezer Battelle conducted services at Belpre, and Major Dean Tyler at Waterford; both these gentlemen were graduates of Harvard College. Their services consisted of sing- ing, prayer and reading a sermon from some standard author. The New England people, a century ago, were nearly all versed in psalmody and practiced congregational singing. Nearly all the people in the various settlements attended services and paid a proper respect to the ordinances of religion, though many of the men were not church members.
As we now look back through the vista of a century, we can- not fully explain why the Christian people of Marietta waited more than eight years before they organized a church. Two or three churches were organized in the State before the one at Marietta and yet the people here had a regular pastor on the ground almost as soon as any other settlement was commenced and they had established regular Sunday services nine months earlier. We will not judge our brethren of a century ago, for we know the cause of Christ was dear to their hearts. They were in the wilderness, seven hundred miles from their former homes, and the journey must be made on foot, on horseback, or in farm wagons. The trip from Boston to Marietta and return required nearly as much time as is now consumed by a journey around the globe, and subjected one to many more inconven- iences. The mails, after they were established, were quite irregular. Postage was so high and money so scarce that letters . were sent in the knapsacks of friends whenever it was possible. Three months often elapsed after a letter was written before it reached its destination. The attention of the settlers was ab- sorbed in the work of subduing the forests and establishing their homes, and they probably thought, and with a show of reason during the Indian war, that it might become necessary to abandon their enterprise. Some were probably reluctant to sever their connection with the old home church under such circumstances.
There were those in the settlement who were interested in this important subject. General Benjamin Tupper, who was one of the founders and an officer in the church in Chesterfield, Mas-
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sachusetts, anticipating a removal to Marietta, made applica- tion to the Hampshire Association in Massachusetts for a "form of church order and discipline fitted to a church to be collected in a new plantation." Reverends Judd, Strong and Forward were appointed a committee to draft such form "consonant with the scriptures," and deliver it to General Tupper. Diligent search has failed to bring this paper to light. Dr. Wickes, in a semi-centennial sermon preached in 1846, says it was then in existence, and his description of it reveals the fact that while it was congregational in principle, it claimed scriptural author- ity for the office of ruling elder. General Tupper died in 1792, and did not see a church set up at this new plantation. What influence the plan he secured exerted in determining the char- acter of the church when formed, we cannot tell, but they did not adopt the office of ruling elder. December 6, 1796, the Christian people in the various settlements banded themselves together in a church under a simple but comprehensive confes- sion of faith and covenant. Of the original members thirty had been members of Congregational churches in New England and one of a Presbyterian church in Linlithgow, Scotland. These brethren were so far removed from other churches that it was impracticable to secure their counsel, so, by the authority of God's word, they organized themselves into a simple New Testament church, a church of Christ, and there is no record of any vote by which they assumed a denominational name, though from the first the business was transacted by the church. The persons composing the church resided in Marietta, Belpre, Waterford, and Vienna, Virginia; and on this account it re- quired some time to perfect the organization. March 20, 1797, a church meeting was held, at which it was "voted that persons producing evidence to the satisfaction of the church that they are members in regular standing in any regular Congregaational or Presbyterian church, and whose life and conversation whilst with us has been agreeable to the gospel, shall be admitted members of this church, notwithstanding they have not pro- duced regular vouchers of their former membership." Several members were so received. The church was, from the first, broad and catholic in its spirit, and cordially invited members
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of other communions to share in its worship and participate in the sacraments. Mr. Story and his associates were men of broad Christian sympathies and attempted to lay religious foundations sufficiently broad and catholic to embrace all Christians.
When the church was organized the confession and covenant were made very brief and concise, embracing only the funda- mental principles on which all Christians are agreed. It would seem from the records that there were some tenacious Baptists among the early settlers who delighted to discuss their favorite tenets, which embraced the subject of communion. Nov. 14th, 1799, "the church voted unanimously that the pastor, Brother Rufus Putnam and Deacon Spencer be a committee to consider and report at the next meeting what measures may be proper to be adopted by the church respecting admitting to our com- munion such of the Baptist persuasion as may be disposed to commnicate with us." That committee made a report May 12th, 1800, which was unanimously adopted by the church. The report was as follows :
1. "We are of the opinion that sprinkling or affusion is a Scriptural mode of baptism and therefore it is unscriptural and consequently improper for those who have been baptized in this mode to be immersed, there being but one baptism.
2. We do not entertain a doubt that infants are the proper subjects of this ordinance. The infant seed of professors of religion having from the beginning been considered as children of the church and having received the initiating seal, we see no reason why they should now be excluded, and we can find no warrant from Christ or his Apostles for their exclusion, but directly the reverse. In addition to this, the practice of the first ages confirms the sentiment that the infant seed of be- lievers were considered as entitled to the initiating seal of the covenant.
3. Notwithstanding these opinions are firmly believed by us, we yet wish to cultivate and promote a catholic spirit, so far as is consistent with real religion. Therefore, though we can but strongly disapprove of the opinion and practice of those who deny the right of infants to the ordinance of baptism, yet
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we feel willing and even desirous to remove every unnecessary bar to Christian communion and fellowship, hoping that these peculiarities will give way to further light. We therefore in- vite to occasional communion all those of the Baptist persuasion who are willing to commune with us, whose general conduct evinces them to be the sincere friends of Christ."
This deliverance gives no uncertain sound and shows that these men had strong, intelligent convictions and were not afraid to express them; at the same time they were willing to welcome all Christians in their church and give to them the liberty of conscience they claimed for themselves. There were those among the settlers, coming as they did from various parts of the country, who belonged to several different sects and held very tenaciously to their peculiar tenets. The last year of Mr. Story's ministry was clouded by a sectarian controversy, and sev- eral sects were soon struggling for a foothold in the settlement.
April 4, 1797, the church "voted that they would take meas- ures for the settlement of two ministers in colleague as pastors thereof, provided the people of the several settlements where the members of the church reside shall concur therein, and make provision for their support." At the same meeting it was also "voted that Mr. Daniel Story be invited to the office of pastor in this church, provided the people concur and make provision for his support, as expressed in the last vote." Shortly after this meeting, Mr. Story left Marietta to visit his friends in New England, and the business of settling a pastor progressed slowly. Committees were appointed to canvass each settlement, and February 5, 1798, a meeting was held, at which it was reported that the people concurred in the vote of the church, and that sufficient subscriptions had been secured to offer Mr. Story a salary of $300. A subscription paper was circulated on which were several columns to indicate in what commodity individuals would pay their subscription, and a column added in which they voted yea or nay on the question of calling Mr. Story. February 8th, a letter was sent to Mr. Story, giving the result of the canvass, and extending to him the call of the church. April 9th, or sixty days later, an affirm- tive answer was received.
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It was not practicable to convene a council in this distant settlement, therefore on May 15 the church "voted that Rev. Manasseh Cutler be, and is hereby appointed agent for and in behalf of this church, to join with Mr. Daniel Story, the pastor- elect, in convening an ecclesiastical council, for the purpose of ordaining the said pastor-elect, and that Dr. Cutler represent this church in all matters necessary for having the said ordina- tion effected." In accordance with this vote, a council was called by Dr. Cutler and Mr. Story, which convened at Hamil- ton, Massachusetts, August 15, 1798, at which time "Mr. Daniel Story was solemnly ordained as pastor of the church of Marietta and vicinity, in the Northwest Territory of the United States." This ordination was held seven hundred miles from the church, with no member of the church present except the pastor-elect.
The following is an extract from the minutes of that council :
"After suitable examination of the pastor-elect, and mature consideration of the several matters before them, the council came to the following results :
I. Voted unanimously that the council is satisfied with re- spect to the qualifications of Mr. Story for the work of the gospel ministry, and of his being regularly called to be pastor and teacher of the church and association at Marietta and its vicin- ity.
II. Voted unanimously to proceed to the ordination of Mr. Story. The council then went in regular procession to the meeting-house, where the Rev. Thomas Barnard introduced the solemnity by prayer. The Rev. Isaac Story (brother of the candidate) preached from 2 Cor. IV, 5: "For we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." The ordaining prayer was made by the Rev. Eli Forbes, the Rev. Dr. Manasseh Cutler gave the charge, the Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth gave the right hand of fellowship and the Rev. Joseph Dana concluded the solemnities with an address to the throne of grace."
The charge given by Dr. Cutler is found in his recently pub- lished Memoirs. It was Christian and catholic in spirit. The only denominational allusion is as follows: "You have the honor, sir, to be the first regularly ordained and settled minis-
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ter of the Congregational denomination in the extensive country westward of the Alleghany mountains. We, who are convinced that this denomination is most conformable to the sacred scriptures, and, from long experience, think it most consistent with the rights of conscience and religious liberty ; most con- genial with our national government and most favorable to those numerous municipal advantages which well founded . Christian societies endeavor to promote, feel much satisfaction in seeing it transferred to that new country." We, who still believe in the scriptural church polity may well express our regret that such sentiments were not universally prevalent in the New England churches during the next half century.
Dr. Cutler at this time interested himself to procure a man who should return with Mr. Story as colleague in this large and growing parish. A Mr. Perkins, from Plainfield, Conn., was engaged for this position and arrangements were made for his ordination, but a little later he declined to go and the plan was reluctantly abandoned. The result was that two Presbyterian ministers came a few years later and introduced a divisive element, the influence of which was felt for many years.
Mr. Story returned to Marietta, April 3, 1799, and resumed his labors with the church. This, we shall observe, was two years after the vote to call him as a pastor of the church. It seems strange to us, accustomed to the hurry of the present generation, that a period of time nearly equal to an average modern pastorate was consumed in the settlement of the first pastor of this church, but we must continue to bear in mind the distance which separated the settlement from New England, and also that religious as well as secular thought has been greatly quickened during the last century. During Mr. Story's absence the services were principally conducted by laymen and the sacraments were omitted. The first election of deacons was held April 26th, 1799, when Josiah Hart was chosen for Mari- etta; Joseph Spencer for Vienna, Virginia; Benjamin Miles for Belpre, and Nathan Proctor for Waterford. Mr. Story contin- ued his labors in these settlements until March 15th, 1804, when he laid before the church the following communication :
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To the Congregational Church of Christ of Marietta and vicinity:
BRETHREN : After having resided in this neighborhood more than eight years, having assisted in forming this church, and being unanimously called as its pastor when at the distance of eight hundred miles, I relinquished my flattering prospects in that part of the world, took leave of my connection and friends, expecting that our Ecclesiastical union as pastor and church would have been as lasting as life. But such is the instability of human affairs that we know not what will be on the morrow ; and we are frequently disappointed in our most sanguine expec- tations. A variety of reasons, most of which are well known to yourselves, induce me to request a dismission from the church, both as its pastor and as a private member, with such testimo- nials and credentials as are requisite to my being useful in the kingdom of Christ Jesus our Common Lord.
Having a strong attachment to many of my Christian breth- ren and sisters in this and the neighboring towns, it is with deep regret and indescribable pain that I make this proposal. I could not do it did it not appear to be expedient under the present existing circumstances. I entreat your forgivenes for any part of my conduct which has been amiss and whilst I humbly im- plore pardon of God through Jesus Christ, I earnestly request your prayer in my behalf. Now may the God of Peace, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us all perfect in every good work to do his will, working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight. May he enrich this church with all the graces of the Divine Spirit, and increase its numbers with such as shall be saved.
I am, brethren, with sentiments of esteem and brotherly affection, Yours sincerely,
DANIEL STORY.
The church complied with this request by the passage of the following vote :
Whereas, The Rev. Daniel Story has by his letter of this date "requested a dismission from this church, both as its pastor and as a private member, with such testimonials and credentials as are requisite to his being useful in the vineyard of Christ Jesus our Common Lord," and the church taking the same into con- sideration, voted unanimously that the Rev. Daniel Story be and is hereby dismissed from his pastoral relation to this church.
(2) Voted unanimously that the Rev. Daniel Story be and is hereby dismissed from this church as a private member and recommended to the church and people where God in his provi-
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dence shall cast his lot, he being in regular standing in this church."
The church took this important action without the advice of a council, because they were too far removed from other churches to convene a council. Mr. Story never presented his letter to any other church, for he remained in Marietta on ac- count of impaired health, and died here December 30th of the same year (1804).
Mr. Story's ministerial labors were almost entirely with the people in these settlements, where he was pastor for fifteen years. He has been described as "a man of more than ordinary intellectual and literary attainments, a good preacher and very social in his disposition and intercourse." Most of his people were strongly attached to him and his influence was good. He is described as a man slightly below the medium stature, and a contemporary relates that he took his turn on guard during the Indian war.
The period of Mr. Story's ministry was one of trial and hard- ship in the colony. During four years of Indian war most of the families lived within the fortifications and the future of the settlement was considered uncertain. After the restoration of peace the settlers were busily employed clearing their farms and building their homes. Before he came here, Mr. Story in- vested what money he had in Ohio land, supposing his salary would be adequate for his support. His salary was small, and not all paid; as a result he was compelled to sell a portion of his land to supply pressing needs, and after his death the avails of the remainder were not sufficient to pay all his debts. Owing to the demoralization of war and the introduction of infidelity by the French soldiers, there was a low state of religion in the whole country, which condition was shared by the settlers here. Only a few of the men were professors of religion, though most of them seem to have favored religious services. Mr. Story's labors were distributed in the various settlements. Two Sun- days in five he preached respectively at Belpre and Waterford. He also preached in some other neighborhoods. There was no season of special revival during his ministry, but 72 were re- ceived into the church, 19 on confession of faith.
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First Academy
Old Academy.
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The settlement was made by people of much more than aver- age intelligence and influence. Of the original fifteen male members, seven had been officers in the revolutionary army, and some were men of liberal education. Such people were qualified to lay broad foundations for education and religion.
The religious services at Marietta, during the first ten years, were held in the Northwest block house at Campus Martius, and in Munsell's Hall, at "the Point." In 1798 the Muskingum Academy was built on the lot adjoining this church on the northwest. That building was used both as a church and school house until the erection of the present edifice.
The civil and religious institutions of the Northwest have not all sprung from Marietta, for there were other centers of plant- ing and of influence. Here was the first colony, and because the first, our pioneers laid foundations amid great difficulties. For several years in the early history they were liable at any time to find a savage foe behind any tree, stump or log. Money was exceedingly scarce and they had a severe struggle for exist- ence, much more to increase their possessions. Under such circumstances there are strong temptations to neglect public worship and other religious duties, but, by Divine help, the Christian people among the pioneers were enabled to maintain their character in the face of these discouragements. Sunday was very generally observed as a day of rest, and in many log cabins incense arose from household altars. Dr. Manasseh Cutler took great interest in this colony, and although he made but one short visit to Marietta, through his influence as a di- rector, the Ohio Company secured many religious privileges for the settlers. Here was established the first regular preaching in the English language in the Northwest territory, here the first pastor resided, and here the first Congregational church was organized.
CHAPTER II. 1805-1823.
PASTORATE OF REV. SAMUEL P. ROBBINS.
At a church meeting held March 15th, 1804, Wm. R. Put- nam was chosen church clerk. Rufus Putnam, Judson Guitteau and Josiah Hart were appointed a committee "to manage the prudentials of the church until others are chosen in their room. It shall be their duty, or any two of them, to appoint church meetings at such times and places as they may judge necessary, and with the clerk to certify in behalf of the church all special papers and documents sent abroad concerning the church or any of its members." This action was necessary on account of the peculiar condition of affairs connected with the dismissal of Mr. Story, and also from the fact that a Presbyterian Society had been organized, which drew away some members from the church and created some jealousies. After this action the records of the church are silent for a year. We learn from other sources that a committee, probably the same just named, sent an official letter to Pres. Timothy Dwight, D. D., LL. D., of Yale College, in which was the request that he would send them a young man as a candidate for the vacant pulpit. This letter was accompanied by a personal one from Gen. Rufus Putnam, which explained the peculiar condition of the church and community at that time. This letter contains a brief word picture of the man they desired. They said : "We hope he may be one who shall preach the pure gospel of Jesus Christ, with- out teaching for doctrines the opinions of men. One of liberal charity toward those who may differ with him in some points, wherein some of the greatest divines have not been fully agreed. One who, for the sake of displaying learning and talents, will not entertain a common audience with meat which the strong- est have not been fully able to digest; yet we desire and hope
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that he may be one of the first class for literature and science as well as popular talent." Such was the outlook for the young man who was sought as the second pastor of this church.
Early in the year 1803 Rev. Stephen Lindley, a Presbyterian minister from Pennsylvania, drew away a part of the congrega- tion to attend a Presbyterian service. Mr. Story voluntarily relinquished to Mr. Lindley a part of the income from ministe- rial lands for that year. January 18th, 1804, the second relig- ious society was organized in the interest of the Presbyterian Society and continued to draw a share of the ministerial funds until 1816.
It would seem that the Congregational people did not favor this Presbyterian movement, nor did they attend Mr. Lindley's services, for April 16th, 1804, the First Religious Society passed the following resolution :
"Resolved, That it is expedient and it is hereby recommended to the members of this society to meet at the Academy on each Sabbath for public worship; that Deacon Josiah Hart be re- quested to lead the service of the day, and that Abner Lord, William Rufus Putnam, Lewis Cass, Benjamin Tupper and Dudley Woodbridge, Esq., be appointed and requested to read sermons in rotation as they shall agree, whenever we are desti- tute of a preacher."
Members of the church were not diverted by this Presbyterian movement, but we learn from contemporary records that there was some jealousy between the two societies, although they maintained outward friendship, and Mr. Lindley extended the right hand of fellowship at the ordination of the next pastor.
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