USA > Rhode Island > Kent County > East Greenwich > History of the town of East Greenwich and adjacent territory, from 1677 to 1877 > Part 10
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Beriah Collins, who was clerk of Greenwich monthly meeting in the early part of the present century, resided in Foster, and was an elder in the Society. He was a very worthy man, and very regular in the attendance of meet- ings, from most of which he lived very remote. He carried on in a limited way the business of tanning leather, and from its profits, together with the productions of a small farm, he contrived to maintain a large family. This re- quired the inculcation of lessons of economy, as well as the practice of industry. He was once visiting at the house of Nicholas Congdon, of Cranston, whose bluntness we have before had occasion to illustrate, when some very fine apples were passed around for their entertainment. Beriah observed that he always told his family to select the specked ones first, and advised that Nicholas should do likewise. "I never serve my friends with rotten apples," said Nicholas in his sturdy way, and Beriah of course subsided.
Beriah Collins died in the summer of 1864, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-two years and four months. Of all the Friends who attended the Greenwich monthly meeting fifty years ago, none are now living. The last survivors were Perez Peck and Deborah Howland.
In addition to the members of the Society at Greenwich meeting, there was usually the constant attendance on First day, of certain people who professed no religion out- wardly, nor did their daily lives and conversation always bear evidence of the work of inward grace. One of this class was followed to meeting one day by the horse he usually rode, where he frisked about the yard, making mis- chief among the sedate and decorus steeds who were stand- ing around harnessed to the carriages. His owner apolo-
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gized to Thomas Anthony for the unbecoming conduct of his favorite horse, by saying that " he loved to go to meet- ing as well as his master." "Yes," replied Thomas, " and it does him about as much good."
One of the characters who used to be the diversion of unstable boyhood was Spencer Hall, who was an attendant at First day meetings. A small sized man, with twinkling eyes, deep set in a rubicund face, he talked loud and gave positive opinions with much assurance. He was always clad in the ancient styles that prevailed prior to the Revo- lution, and made the current coin, (quarters and ninepences), serve as buttons upon his coat and vest. His trousers without suspenders, required an occasional hitch to keep them in place, and in cold weather an overcoat, with a mountain of capes, almost concealed his head. A carriage whip was always carried into the meeting-house for safety, and a refreshing nap prepared the mind for the reception of the sermon. His ancestors were Friends, but the faith which Spencer professed was in the efficacy of Jemima Wilkinson as the Christ and Saviour of mankind, and he was never better pleased than when talking of the so-called miracles of this imposter, and until his death continued to believe in her supernatural power.
It is very seldom that persons of color have ever become members of the Society. The absence of music as an ele- ment of worship, together with silent meetings, fail to accord with the uneasy spirit of pure African devotion. Only two or three instances are upon record, and of these Greenwich meeting claims only one, Phillis Ripton, who was admitted by request or convincement, and continued a consistent member until her death, about the year 1835.
This history of the Society of Friends would be incom- plete without some account of the separation which took place in nearly all of the meetings in New England, in 1844, and which has a tendency not only to greatly lessen the ranks of those who bear the name, but the discussion and controversy provoked have embittered and unsettled the minds of members of both parties, and prevented the youth, who must always be depended upon to fill the places of the aged, from entertaining that love for the faith of their ancestors, and that respect for its forms, which would induce them to follow in their footsteps. It is not within the province of this history to discuss this controversy be- yond what is necessary to a correct understanding of its causes.
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In 1829 a division occurred in most of the yearly meet- ings of America, except New England, in consequence of the preaching and views of Elias Hicks. Both parties claimed then to be Friends and have ever since, although generally known by the names of Orthodox and Hicksite.
About the year 1838 Joseph John Gurney, a member and minister of the London Yearly Meeting, visited Amer- · ica, where he traveled and preached extensively. His pen was prolific, and many books had emanated from it upon religious subjects. It was claimed that these writings con- tained many points of doctrine which differed essentially from the established creed of the Society, and those who . were concerned for the promotion of its ancient principles, wrote and talked of these innovations. A controversy thus arose, based upon doctrinal issues, but finally merged into personal jealousies and animosities, with attempts to enforce rules of government contrary to the long established customs of the Society. One party claimed that the ortho- dox traditions of the Society had been invaded, which would in time destroy its identity, and that as faithful watchmen on the tower of Zion, it was their duty to expose these new lights and give warning of the approach of an enemy. The other party affirmed that all was well, and commanded these sentinels to hold their peace. That there were steadfast Friends in both parties, deeply con- cerned for the preservation of their doctrines and testimo- nies there can be no doubt. But prominent and influential members, carried away by the spirit of domination, were determined to bend every thing to their will, and there was .doubtless some stubbornness in the persistency with which the charges of unsoundness were pressed. Had a more conciliatory spirit prevailed-a little forbearance and charity on one side, greater toleration and freedom of opinion on the other, with less disposition to cavil at faults-they might have continued to worship together. So it has been in all ages of the Christian church, that intoler- ance and even persecution have been born of religious zeal; but it was for the present age to show, that Friends, not- withstanding their profession of high spiritual guidance, are only finite beings, liable to error, and that there is no security without the exercise of constant watchfulness.
In 1844 these dissensions had become so extensive, that they culminated in a division, and New England Yearly Meeting became two distinct bodies, each claiming to be
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the original Society. The division extended to most of the subordinate meetings, and the " world's people " were astonished to learn that a body of Christians, so quiet and peaceful, so patient and forgiving as the Friends, had as- sumed such a belligerent attitude towards their brethren as to attempt their forcible exclusion from houses of public worship.
One party claiming to be the Rhode Island Quarterly Meeting, held its sittings in the meeting-house at East Greenwich, and the other claiming the same name and authority, occupied the Methodist house of worship, until it was removed to Westerly to accommodate a larger num- ber of Friends. The First day meetings of the same body at East Greenwich were held at a private house for some years, until removed to Warwick for the same reason which prompted the removal of the quarterly meeting. The fact that both bodies have continued to decline in numbers is sufficient evidence that they were wanting in those elements . of grace and truth which were the bulwark of the Society in its primitive days.
Whether owing to neglect, perverseness, or disobedience, it is evident that the spirit and power which were once its life and glory have departed. Rather than wear the badge and maintain the rank of true soldiers of the cross, they have reclined like Samson, in the lap of Delilah, until com- pletely shorn of their spiritual strength.
It is doubtful whether the innovations which are gradu- ally creeping into the Society of Friends, are the subject generally of most approval or censure. To those who love the forms and traditions of their fathers, and who love and regard the distinctive traits of the sect, or their peculiar form of worship with reverence, these new ideas must bring unqualified sorrow; but those who are weary of these restrictions and peculiarities, hail with delight the changes which must practically destroy the individuality of the Society. When the doors are thrown wide open, it is not easy to predict when or where the new departure will end.
A convention of delegates from the several yearly meet- ings of America, met in Lynn, Massachusetts, to discuss the subject of First day schools, and the method of conducting them. The meeting continued three days and drew together a large concourse of people. The propriety of the introduc- tion of singing was considered, and much curiosity was manifested to learn the views of the speakers upon this
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delicate subject, a majority of whom seemed to favor the measure.
A reporter of the Boston Globe says : "If there has been any one point which the Friends have adhered to more than another, it is their great aversion to all musical adorn- ments in their worship. Although many a Quaker of modernized views may have his piano and violin in his own house, yet, when he goes to meeting, he does not want to hear the sweet sounds which may have pleased him at home. There has been for some time a tendency to break down this prejudice against singing, and for this reason the ques- tion was put on the programme for discussion."
William F. Mitchell, of New York, approves of singing, and said " it should be introduced into our school at Provi- dence; it is necessary at all our places of learning to reco- cile our children to our worship. They now go to places of worship of other denominations. In spite of all that can · be done, the children are going to sing, and if there cannot be something arranged for their practice, they will sing something which will not be agreeable to Quakers to hear."
Eli Jones, of Maine, said that " singing was expedient in our Friends' day school." He thought there was a desire and tendency to depart from the position which the old fathers of the Quakers held. Some people think that they ought to be left out in the cold, but he would stick to the old worthies as long as he lived ; he admired the old form of worship of the Quakers; he had tried it on the red man and the black man, both in this country and in Africa; he had tried it with Arab and Turk, and Greek, and it worked well. In the "Bible-class I am willing to accept singing without hesitation, but as to introducing it into our meet- ings, I decidedly say no."
Dr. Hartshorn, of Havorford College, believed that "sing- ing was innocent and laudable; it is as natural for some people as for the birds in the fields, for the children espec- ially ; it is not only harmless but necessary in the boarding school, the college, and the First day school, but when we come to consider its introduction into our worship, then he would say it was not necessary, and whether it will be ex- pedient or not, is yet to be decided."
Several others, among whom was Sarah F. Smiley, of Saratoga, approved of singing, while a few opposed it. Should singing and music generally be introduced into the First day schools conducted by Friends, they might just as
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well prepare for its introduction into the meetings for wor- ship, for this would follow as a natural sequence. Then a regularly educated ministry, with written sermons and a fixed salary. But it is hoped that before this takes place, in justice to themselves and the world, the Society will sur- render all claim to being the followers of Fox, Penn and Barclay.
The "Quaker of the olden time," if not already gone, will soon cease to exist. Probably before the end of the present century a Friends' meeting will be among the things that were, and the only evidence of this Society and its members, which were once so numerous, will be found in the memories of age, or on the plain stones which mark the places where their ashes repose.
CHAPTER V.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES .- THE CATHOLIC CON- GREGATIONAL CHURCH OF CHRIST.
THE first information connected with this Church, is found in the schedule of the doings of the General Assem- bly, October, 1772 :
" Whereas a Number of the Inhabitants of East Green- wich, of the Denomination of Christians, called Presbyte- rians or Congregationalists, preferred a Petition, and represented unto this Assembly, That they have, for a long time, labored under the Disadvantage of having no House to meet in for the public Worship of God; And that they are unable, of themselves, to build one; but have great Encouragement from their Brethren, in the neighboring Governments, that they will assist, in Case they, the Peti- tioners can obtain the Grant of a Lottery for that Purpose. And therefore prayed this Assembly to grant them a Lottery, for raising the Sum of Fifteen Hundred Dollars, for building a Presbyterian or Congregational Meeting- House in said Town, and that Messrs. William Johnson, Gideon Mumford, James Searle, and Archibald Crary, may be appointed Managers or Directors of the same : On Con- sideration whereof,
" It is Voted and Resolved, That the aforesaid Petition be, and the same is hereby, granted, under the usual restric- tions : Provided that the said Lottery do not take place until the First Day of May, A. D. 1773: And that the Colony incur no Expence thereby."
In the schedule of the doings of the General Assembly in 1774, is found the following entry :
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" An Act incorporating a religious Society and Congre- gation, by the Name of the Congregational Church in East Greenwich.
" The Governor and Company of the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, in New-England, in America, convened in General Assembly, and sitting, by Adjournment, at East-Greenwich, in the County of Kent in the Colony aforesaid, on the Fourth Monday of August in the Year of our Lord, One Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy-four, and in the Fourteenth Year of the Reign of His Majesty George the Third, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland :
" To all to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting.
" Whereas a Number of Persons of the Presbyterian and Congregational Denominations, Inhabitants of East Green- wich in the County of Kent, and the Towns in the Vicinity thereof, within this Colony, have, for about Four Years past, occasionally assembled together for public Worship after the Congregational Way and Manner : And whereas William Johnson, Gideon Mumford, James Searle, Augustus Mumford, Andrew Boyd, Thomas Hubbard, John Shaw, Ichabod Smith, Archibald Crarey, Joseph Joslyn, Comfort Searle, Robert Taft, and James Murry, Inhabitants of East Greenwich, aforesaid, have voluntarily united and formed themselves into a religious Society, and Congregation, by signing an Instrument, dated the Thirtieth Day of June last past, declaratory of their religious Sentiments, as be- ing agreeable to the Principles, Doctrines, and mode of Worship in the Presbyterian or Congregational Churches, and therein agreeing that the Church hereafter to be gath- ered, and the Ministry hereafter to be settled in said Con- gregation, shall be of the Denomination commonly called Congregational or Presbyterian : And whereas the said Society are now building a House for the public Worship of God, in Pearce Street, in East-Greenwich aforesaid, and are desirous that the said House, and the Lot of Land on which the same shall be erected, together with all other Estates with which they may be hereafter invested, should be legally held to the use, and for the upholding that Mode of Worship, and for the other religious and charitable Pur- poses, for which the same is, or shall be designed, intended, and appropriated. And thereupon they have petitioned this Assembly to grant to them a Charter of Incorporation,
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with the priviledges and Powers hereafter mentioned ; Now therefore, Know Ye that we, the said Governor and Company in General Assembly convened, do for ourselves and Successors, Enact, Grant, Ordain, Constitute, and De- clare, and by the Authority thereof, it is hereby Enacted, Granted, Ordained and Declared, that the said William Johnston, Gideon Mumford, James Searle, Augustus Mum- ford, Andrew Boyd, Thomas Hubbard, John Shaw, Ichabod Smith, Archibald Crary, Joseph Joslyn, Comfort Searle, and Robert Taft, and all such, their Associates, as shall at any and all Times hereafter usually assemble together with them for public Worship, in East Greenwich aforesaid, to- gether with the Church, which may hereafter be gathered within the said Society and Congregation, shall be a body Cor- porate and Politic, with perpetual Succession, to be known in the Law by the Name of the Congregational Church in East-Greenwich in the County of Kent, in the Colony of Rhode-Island, and Providence Plantations. And the same Body Corporate is hereby empowered to hold, and stand and seized of all such Estate, as they may be possessed of ; and also to take, receive, acquire, and hold, Donations Leg- acies, and Grants of Estates both real and personal; and the same to use, occupy, and improve, towards the support of the Pastors, relief of the Poor, or other religious Uses in said Congregation, according to the Will of the Donors, and to the purposes for which the same shall have been designed and appropriated ; All which estates said Congre- gational Church may, and shall take, hold, and stand seized of, and improve, notwithstanding any Misnomer of this Corporation ; and by Whatever Name, or however imper- fectly the same may be decribed in Donations, Legacies or- Assignments and Grants, provided the true Intent and mean- ing of the Assignor or Benefactor be evident. And the said Congregational Church is hereby empowered to lease the real Estate, and also the same to grant, aliene, or hold in Perpetuity, according to the Tenor of the Property therein ; and to let moneys, on Bonds, Mortgages or other Securities, and shall and may be, Persons capable in the Law, as a Body Corporate, in all Courts and Places, to sue and be sued, to defend and pursue to final Judgement and Execu- tion thereon, in all Causes whatsoever, by and in the Names of such Persons, as are hereby declared to be the present Committee of said Body Corporate and Politic, or by, and in, the Names of their Successors in said Office.
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" And it is further Enacted, ordained and declared, That those who for the Time being, and at any and all Times hereafter, shall usually assemble together for public Wor- ship in the Meeting-House now about to be erected in Pearce Street, in East Greenwich, aforesaid, belonging to the said Congregational or Presbyterian Church, shall be deemed, and they are hereby declared, the true and lawful Successors in this Corporation.
" And furthermore, at the Request of the said Society and Congregation, it is declared, That the Ministry to whose use this Corporation is, by this Act, empowered to hold Estates, shall be Congregational, or Presbyterian and Pedo- baptist, and no other : And that when a Church shall be once gathered in this Congregation, the Pastors, in all Successions, be mutually chosen, or dismissed, by the Brethren of the Church, being Communicants in regular Standing in the same, and by the Congregation, that is, by the Concurrence of the respective majorities of those pres- ent at public Meetings, duly notified for that purpose; the Deacons, or any Three Brethren. to notify the Church- Meeting, in this case, and the Committee to notify the Meeting of the Congregation.
" And be it further Enacted, That in Case any Grants or Donations, shall be made to the Pastors, Elders, Deacons, or Brethren, so that a .Limitation thereof to the Church, as distinct from the Congregation, shall be evident, then the same shall vest, and remain in, and be at the Manage- ment and Disposal of the Church and its Successors, in their distinct and separate capacity : And that the Church may lease its Estates, improve its Moneys at Interest by bond or otherwise, and sue for, and recover the same at Law. And all their Transactions respecting the same shall be of full Force, and Legal Validity, without being joined by the Congregation.
" And be it further Enacted, That the secular meetings of this Society shall be called and notified, as usual, by the Committee thereof. And the said Congregation are em- powered, at any such meeting, to chuse a Moderator, elect Committee-men, such, and so many, as they shall from time to time think proper ; and appoint a Secretary, Treasurer and other Officers as they shall judge necessary, and the same at any time to remove, and others. to chuse and appoint in their Stead; And to make such Laws, Rules and Orders, for the necessary Repairs of the Meeting-House, and such
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other By-Laws, and Regulations about the Secular affairs of the said Congregation, as they shall see fit, not contrary to the Laws of this Government: And it is hereby De- clared, That William Johnson, Gideon Mumford, James Searle, Augustus Mumford, John Shaw, Archibald Crary, and Andrew Boyd, be, and remain the present Committee, so long as said Congregation shall continue them, and until they are removed and others chosen in their places.
" And be it further Enacted, That whatever Estate is, or shall be, held by said Congregational Church, either by Purchase or Donation, the same shall never be alienated from the uses and purposes thereof, nor applied towards the support of any other Ministry, or Mode of Worship, than what hath already been described in this Act. And in Case at any Time hereafter any persons of said Con- gregation shall alter, and change their Principles respect- ing Presbyterian Ordination, the Mode of Worship, and other religious Usages practiced or acknowledged in the same; the Individuals, so changing, shall cease to have part in the Management or Appropriation of the Incomes and Profits of the Estate; but the same shall be, and re- main to those, and those only, who shall remain and abide by the original Principles of this Church, who are hereby declared to be the true, and only Successors of this Cor- poration. And they, and such their Successors, shall con- tinue to hold, improve, and enjoy, the Estate to the uses prescribed, and particularly, what shall be appropriated to the Ministry shall be held to the use of such Congrega- tional, or Presbyterian Ministry in said Congregational Church, as is hereinbefore defined, and for no other for- ever.
" In full Testimony of which Grant, the said Governor and Company do hereby Order, that this Act of Incorpor- ation, on an Exemplification thereof, be authenticated by the Signature of the Governor and Secretary, and the Public Seal of this Colony : And the same being delivered to the said Congregational Church, shall be a sufficient Warrant to them, to hold, use, exercise, and enjoy all the Privileges and Powers herein contained."
The church edifice was erected in 1774, the sum sufficient for this purpose being procured from the proceeds of a lot- tery. I cannot find any record of a church organization until October 15th, 1815.
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HISTORY OF EAST GREENWICH.
Extract from the Church Records :
" The Congregational Church of Christ in East Green- wich was organized the fifteenth day of October Anno Domini, one thousand eight hundred and fifteen by the Rev. Daniel Waldo, a missionary from the Massachusetts Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. The persons who entered into covenant were :- Mrs. Mary Coggswell from the first Church in Newport, Mrs. Ann M. Greene from the Second Church in Newport, Mrs. Mahala Salisbury from the first Church in Little Compton. Captain Silas Holmes and his Wife made a profession of religion, and all of them united in giving their assent to the following confession of Faith :
" We believe that there is only one living and true God existing in three persons, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
" That the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the word of God and the only rule of faith and practice.
"That our first Parents by partaking of the forbidden fruit, brought themselves and all their posterity into a state of Sin and Misery.
" That God after the fall, through the Mediator entered into a covenant of grace with man, on condition of repent- ance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ.
" That the Lord Jesus Christ hath appointed the Ordi- nances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper to be observed in his Church until his second coming; the former to be ad- ministered to visible believers and their children only, and the latter to none but visible believers.
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