USA > Rhode Island > Bristol County > Bristol > Manual of the First Congregational Church, Bristol, R.I., 1687-1872 > Part 8
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Under these trying circumstances, continued through the period of the war, it could hardly be otherwise that Zion should languish, and the work of building her walls halt and almost cease. But though cast down she was not destroyed. Her life, though feeble, still breathed, and in due time a brighter day dawned.
The foregoing account is chiefly condensed from " Annals of Bristol," a series of papers published in " The Bristol Phenix, " in 1845.
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VI.
THE WORK RESUMED .- 1785-1812.
THE CATHOLIC SOCIETY ORGANIZED.
At the close of the war, as soon as the town began to rally from its long prostration, the friends of the Congregational Church took measures to resume with new vigor the work of building up Zion. Some of the leading members of the Congregation at a meeting, 1783, March 31st, opened a scheme for a fund, "the annual interest of which to be appro- priated for the support of an Orthodox Congrega- tional Minister." At a meeting, 1784, September 6th, it was voted to petition the General Assembly for an Act of Incorporation.
The Charter of the "Catholic Congregational Society, of Bristol, R. I.," was granted by the Gen- eral Assembly of the State, 1784, October 4th, " for the purpose of raising a fund by free and voluntary subscriptions, contributions, legacies and donations, for the support of public worship in the Congrega- tional Society in the town of Bristol, of which the Rev. John Burt was the late Pastor."
By the terms of the Charter the Society were re- stricted to the raising of moneys for the purposes named only, " by free and voluntary subscription, contribution, legacy or donation." And if ever there shall be a less number than nine members, then
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" all moneys, bonds, mortgages, deeds, notes, obliga- tions, books and papers of every kind, together with all the estate, both real and personal, whatsoever at that time belonging to the said Catholic Society, shall be given up to and the sole property thereof be vested in the Congregational Society aforesaid, for whose use and benefit the said Catholic Society is instituted."
This Society have continued to act in cooperation with the Church to the present day. The " Ministry Lands," originally entrusted to the town, naturally and properly fell to the care of the Catholic Society, and all the arrangements for the support of the Gos- pel Ministry and for meeting the current expenses of the Church are under its direction.
ERECTION OF THE SECOND HOUSE OF WORSHIP.
Soon after the organization of the Catholic Society, measures were taken for the erection of a new house of worship. The site chosen was at the corner of Hope and Bradford streets. The house was raised, 1784, June 12th, and was finished and dedicated to Almighty God, 1785, January 5th, the day of the ordination of the REV. HENRY WIGHT. The house was of the style of architecture common at that period, with square pews, high pulpit, Deacon's seat in front, and sounding board overhead. At a later period it was thoroughly renovated in the interior by substituting for the square pews the modern style of slips, and neatly covering the walls with "hard finish." It served the congregation until the erection
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of the present house in 1856, when it was given to the town, who removed it to its present site, on the north side of Bradford street, and having thoroughly remodeled the interior, with but little change in the exterior, have since used it for Town purposes.
HENRY WIGHT, D. D .- SIXTH PASTOR.
The REV. HENRY WIGHT, born in Medfield, Mass., in 1753, graduated at Harvard College in 1782, began to preach here 1784, March 14th, and being unanimously chosen to the Pastoral office with the hearty concurrence of the newly formed Catholic Society, he was ordained 1785, January 5th, in con- nection with the interesting services of dedicating the new house of worship. The sermon on this occasion was by the REV. THOMAS PRENTISS, Pastor of the Church in Medfield, Mass., in which Mr. Wight was baptized in infancy and had passed his early years, from the text 2 Corinthians, vi. 3, 4. The ordaining prayer and charge to the Pastor were by the REV. SOLOMON TOWNSEND, of Barrington, and the Right-hand of Fellowship by the REV. ROBERT ROGERSON, of Rehoboth, Mass.
Very soon after the installation of Mr. Wight, the list of Church members was revised, and was found to contain thirty-six names of persons then living, of whom seven were males and twenty-nine were females. On the 21st of March, 1785, the custom of " owning Covenant " which had previously prevailed was abolished by the following votes :
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" Voted, that the half-way Covenant is not consistent with the spirit of the Gospel, and a hindrance to vital piety.
" Voted, that hereafter this Church will have but one Covenant for admission of members to their body."
Dr. Wight continued in the sole pastorate of the Church until 1815, November 13th, when the REV. JOEL MANN was ordained as Colleague Pastor. On the 11th of November, 1828, at his own request, he was dismissed by an Ecclesiastical Council, but con- tinued to reside among his people to the day of his death, in August, 1837, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. His residence was at the corner of High and Bradford streets, the house now occupied by William H. Spooner, Esq. His family consisted of several sons and daughters, who grew up in the Christian faith, and adorned the stations of life which they were called to fill. The eldest, JOHN B. WIGHT, was ordained Pastor of the Congregational Church in East Sudbury, Mass., 1815, January 25th. The sermon on the occasion, which was published with the other parts of the services by the Church, was from Matthew xxviii. 20, by the REV. JOSEPH MCKEAN, LL. D., Professor in Harvard College. The Charge to the Pastor was by his father.
From 1793 to 1833, Dr. Wight was a member of the Board of Fellows of Brown University, and in 1811 received from thence the degree of Doctor in Divinity.
His ministry, continuing for nearly half a century, longer than that of any other pastor, was character-
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ized by Catholicity in intercourse with other denomi- nations, and an amiability of spirit and fidelity to his convictions of right, which won respect and con- fidence. He took an active interest in the political questions of the day, and did not hesitate to intro- duce topics of this nature in his pulpit ministrations, which offended some whose views differed from his and led to their withdrawal from the Society. He was singularly faithful in recording all the votes of the Church, and even the informal proceedings of Conferences and Committee meetings. He also kept for many years quite a full record of current events in the town, particularly of marriages and deaths, ard this book has already proved to be of invaluable worth in proving titles to property and to the boun- ties and pay of soldiers and others who died in the Governmental service.
During the sole pastorate of DR. WIGHT, there were two hundred and twenty-eight additions to the Church membership, and a large number of children and adults were baptized.
His memory is precious to the aged few who yet survive to recall his labors in the days of his strength. The marks of his influence are indelibly traced in the character of the community ; and in the great , day of account we doubt not it will be said of this man, " Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
His mortal remains rest in the Juniper Hill Ceme- tery, and over his grave is erected a memorial stone with the following inscription :
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" The GRAVE of REV. HENRY WIGHT, D. D., Born in Medfield, Mass., May 26. 1752. Graduated at Harvard College, 1782: Settled over the Cong. Church in this place Jan. 5, 1785. Deceased Aug. 12, 1837, in the 86th year of his age, and the 53d of his ministry.
Faithful and kind in the duties of his sacred office, Affectionate and tender in the relations of domestic life, his memory is precious to his surviving kindred and people. With long life was he satisfied and his end was peace.
Remember the words which I spake unto you while I was yet present with you."
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VII.
THE PERIOD OF REVIVALS .- 1812-1830.
THE REVIVAL OF 1812.
Revivals of Religion of remarkable depth and power were enjoyed by many of the Churches of New- England during the early part of the present cen- tury. .
The first signal awakening of this description in this town began to be developed in the summer of 1812, and was promoted through the united efforts of all the Churches among whom there prevailed a delightful harmony.
The REV. ISAAC LEWIS, D. D., of New York, as he was journeying with his wife for her health, tarried for a night in Bristol. Learning of the interesting state of the public mind on the subject of personal religion, he was induced to remain a few days to participate in the good work. It was arranged that he should preach on a week day in the Congrega- tional house, and notice of the service was circulated as far as practicable. As the hour of meeting ap- proached the people en masse turned from their shops, their farms and their homes, and flocked to the Sanctuary. An air of solemnity and earnestness pervaded the crowded assembly. Even those who came from curiosity, or from an impulse which they could hardly define, as they crossed the threshold of
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the House of God, were deeply impressed with the thought that it was an hour of supreme importance to them. The preacher felt the inspiration of the occasion, and preached from the text " Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth," Eccles. xii. 1. The vast audience were deeply moved. Many were convicted of sin and a number then and there resolved to be at peace with God.
From this time the Revival progressed in depth and power, and the labors of DR. LEWIS, in coopera- tion with the pastors, were greatly blessed. Many were converted. Persons who had grown old in sin, broken hearted turned unto the Lord and received pardon. Men and women encompassed by the cares of this world and eagerly pursuing its riches were arrested to care for their never-dying souls and to obtain the enduring riches of heaven. Young men and maidens in the vigor of their strength laid their all upon the altar of God and entered upon the Christian service. For many months the whole interest of the people was absorbed in this mighty work of the Spirit, and the incidents connected with it remained the subject of delightful and thankful record while any of the generation lived who had been made partakers of it.
The influence of this Revival extended to other towns and Churches, and in many places its impres- sions were indellible. At one time, a party of young men from west of the Bay came in a boat for the express purpose of having a " rollicking time," and to disturb the meetings. The Spirit of God met
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them here and some of the number were converted, returned home to carry the good influence with them, and became eminently devoted Christians.
All the Churches in Bristol shared in this glorious Revival. The venerable DR. GRISWOLD, Rector of St. Michael's Espiscopal Church, was also Bishop of the Diocese which then embraced all the New Eng- land States. Entering cordially into the work, his influence was felt not only in his own Church, which, under his Ministry and the holy influence that per- vaded the town, glowed with large results of the Divine Blessing, but throughout the Diocese giving new character and life to many of the Churches. Around him as a leader and example gathered the evangelical elements of the body, and from his Minis- try and Episcopate, the distinguishing sentiments of the Evangelical party received their organized shape and tone.
DR. WIGHT, the pastor of this Church, being ad- vanced in life, from the infirmities of age, could do but little beside the routine work of his calling. Under these circumstances DR. LEWIS was employed as an assistant for a period of six months, and invited to settle as Colleague Pastor. This he de- clined, but during his temporary engagement insti- tuted a class for Doctrinal instruction, embracing over a hundred persons, chiefly converts of the Revival in our congregation. The class met weekly and recited lessons from the Assembly's Shorter Catechism. These were accompanied by familiar but elaborate lectures on the doctrines of the Bible
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By this means Christians were rooted and grounded in the faith, and an Evangelical tone was given to the Church which has ever since characterized it.
The fruits of this gracious Revival were remarka- bly permanent and abiding. The Sabbath services were crowded with attendants. The congregations were serious, earnest, and engaged in worship. The people listened to the faithful preaching of the Gospel with unbroken interest. The meetings for private worship and instruction in the week were well attended. A religious spirit was the very atmos- phere of the place, and the people were united, ready and earnest in every good work. This was the immediate fruit and influence of the great revival of 1812. To the few surviving subjects of it, the recollection to this day is most precious. Their countenances are animated with joy, and their lips are tremulous with grateful emotion, as they speak of the gracious scenes of this remarkable awakening sixty years ago.
JOEL MANN .- SEVENTH PASTOR.
The great revival of 1812 and its results, prepared the way for the settlement of the REV. JOEL MANN, the Seventh Pastor, 1815, November 15th, as a Colleague with DR. WIGHT. He was a native of Oxford, N. H., and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1812. He remained in the Pastoral office until 1826, September 14th, when, at his request, he was dismissed by Ecclesiastical Council, and was after- wards settled in Kingston, Greenwich, Conn., and Salem, Mass.
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His Ministry was eminently successful, and was particularly distinguished for the institution of the Sabbath School, the great revival of 1820, and the erection of " the Hall," accounts of which are given further on. He is still living in a remarkably vigor- ous old age in Brooklyn, N. Y., and is cordially received by his friends and former parishioners on his annual visits to the town.
His residence here was on Bradford street, a few rods east from the present Parsonage, in a house recently owned and occupied by Messadore T. Bennett, Esq., which was destroyed by fire on the 4th of July, 1870.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL BEGUN.
The Sabbath school was first instituted in the town of Bristol in the spring of 1815. Miss Susan Wyatt, associating with herself three others, viz. : Miss Mary A. Bourne, Miss Abby Monroe, and Miss Waity Sanford, opened a school on Sunday afternoons at five o'clock in the school room of her father, Mr. Stutely Wyatt, on High street. This school continued in successful operation until the approach of winter when it was discontinued.
The following year, 1816, Miss Mary T. Borden (afterwards Mrs. Nathaniel Gladding,) opened a school in the south-west basement room of the house on Hope street, now owned and occupied by James E. French, Esq., where she also kept a day school for many years. Here for several years Miss Bor- den, assisted by members of the Church, gave Sab-
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bath instruction to the young. From a small beginning the school grew in interest and importance until in 1820, June 26th, the Church, by a formal vote, took the school under its own charge, appointed a com- mittee to conduct its affairs, and chose teachers for the several classes.
From this time to the present the school has been under the fostering care of the Church, and is re- garded not as a separate institution but as a field of labor for which the Church is responsible. The Superintendent, nominated by the teachers, is elected by the Church at the annual meeting, and to the Church he makes an annual report of its condition.
Previous to 1865, the school was held successively in private rooms and in the various "Halls" that had been provided for conference meetings, etc. But the growth of the school made it necessary to secure a larger place for its sessions, and in the autumn of that year the school was transferred to the House of Worship and was soon doubled in num bers. Here its sessions were regularly held until the completion of the " Memorial Chapel" in 1870, in whose beautiful and convenient rooms it has at last found a Home.
A library of about six hundred volumes is con- nected with the school, arranged in three depart- ments, Youths', Intermediate, and Adult, to which additions are annually made.
THE REVIVAL OF 1820.
During the Winter and Spring of 1819-20, another
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season of extraordinary refreshing from on high was enjoyed. Previous to its manifestation there was nothing special to awaken expectations of it, save that in the weekly meetings of conference and prayer and. the Sabbath services an earnest evangelical spirit prevailed, the habit of family prayer was generally maintained, and songs of praise were heard in the evening hour from many an habitation. Re- specting the progress of this Revival the pastor, the Rev. Joel Mann, writes as follows :
" The meetings became more frequent, and as room in a private house was not sufficient to accommodate the people, they were transferred to the second story of a cabi- net-maker's shop. Here was displayed the power and grace of God, from day to day, in a signal manner. It was the place in which many submitted to the Lord, and found joy and peace in believing.
'. This room became so filled as to be uncomfortable, and another, over a carriage house, was prepared and seated at considerable expense.
"This proving too strait, meetings were held in the church, and at length the large room in the Court House was obtained, which was occupied and filled from evening to evening for many weeks, until needed for a session of the court. Here cases of conscience were tried and de- cided. Here the Omniscient Judge presided, and trembling sinners were arraigned and made to feel and acknowledge their guilt. Here long-standing controversies were settled between Him and them. Here violaters of divine law were convicted, owned the justice of their condemnation, submitted to the disposal of the Judge, and obtained par- doning mercy. The pleadings of God's people were heard, and the blessings for which they sued were granted. The voices of converts proclaimed the riches of divine grace,
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the wonders of redeeming love, and songs of praise burst forth on every side. The Lord Jesus held His court there, presented an indictment to the conscience of many a sin- ner, made him plead guilty, and then discharged him with full and free forgiveness. The scenes enacted there made a new swell of joy in heaven, and brought glory and praise to the divine head of the Church."
As in the Revival of 1812, so in this the work was shared by all the Churches in town, and a delightful spirit of Catholic union prevailed. Bishop Gris- wold, the Rector of St. Michael's Church, had, under his charge, several students for the Ministry, among whom was the venerable Stephen HI. Tyng, Sr., D. D., of New York city. Being suddenly prostrated by sickness, the responsibility of guiding inquirers, holding conference and prayer meetings, etc., de- volved largely upon these students who, under the blessing of the Spirit in this remarkable work, received an impulse and a tone of piety which, in subsequent years, distinguished them as Evangelical preachers and earnest winners of souls. The name of Dr. Tyng especially is familiar to all, and the thrilling watchword, "Stand up for Jesus," uttered by his son in a dying hour, furnished the inspiration of one of the sweetest songs of Zion, sung in every land and language where the story of the Cross is told.
ERECTION OF "THE HALL."
Conference meetings and lectures were first held in private houses and in the Pastor's study or par-
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lor ; but at length the time arrived when a room in a private house no longer answered the wants of the people and resort was had successively to several halls.
The first hall used for this purpose was owned by Joseph Brown, Esq., and stood near the present site of the Methodist Church on State street. It was in the second story, and was also used as a school room by Mr. Wyatt Manchester until his decease. The lower story was used for storing lumber. This was known as the " Blue Hall," until it was sold, re- moved to " the Neck," and made over into a dwell- ing house.
On leaving the " Blue Hall," a small hall in the second story of another building on State street was rented for a short time, but it proving too strait for the wants of the people it was abandoned, and the Court house on the Common was obtained for use, excepting when needed for Court business.
This arrangement not proving satisfactory, meas- ures were taken in the spring of 1821 to erect a Conference Hall. This was completed early in the winter of 1821-2, at a cost of about seven hundred and twenty dollars, under the supervision of Benja- min Wyatt, Benjamin Norris, and Giles Luther, as a Building Committee. It was located near the Parsonage, on the north side of Bradford street. It was a plain structure, measuring forty by thirty feet, with ten feet walls and an arched ceiling. It was furnished with plain wooden seats, but originally the seats on either side of the desk were considerably
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higher than the rest, and were occupied by the elder and more prominent members of the Church. One of the builders wished to have it called " Puritan Hall," and cut those words with considerable care on what he designed for the corner stone, but another with iconoclastic tendencies broke the stone in pieces with a maul, so the edifice was ever spoken of as simply "The Hall."
This Hall served the congregation for more than forty years, and was the scene of many seasons of spiritual refreshing. The farewell meeting held in it, 1870, February 20th, was one of peculiar interest. The room was filled to overflowing. The time was occupied with grateful reminiscences connected with the Hall, and with praise and prayer. After two hours thus occupied, all who had been converted in this Hall or by impressions received in it were re- quested to rise, and about one-third of the entire assembly responded. It was a most affecting testi- mony to the goodness of God experienced within those hallowed walls.
ISAAC LEWIS, D. D .- EIGHTH PASTOR.
After the dismission of Mr. Mann, the hearts of the people turned to the REV. ISAAC LEWIS, D. D., whose labors in the Revival of 1812 were so signally blessed, by which he was greatly endeared to them. With hearty unanimity he was called to the Pastoral office and installed 1828, November 12th. He re sided on Hope street, in the house now owned and occupied by the heirs of the late Major Jacob Bab-
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bitt. He remained in office until a failure of voice compelled him to retire, much to the regret of his people, 1831, September 28. After his dismis- sion he resided in the family of his daughter in New York.
DR. LEWIS, and a brother ZECHARIAH, were twin sons of the Rev. Isaac Lewis, D. D., Sr., born in Wilton, Conn., 1773, January 1st, and were both graduated at Yale College in 1794.
The father was a son of a worthy and respectable farmer in Huntington, Conn., born in 1746, and graduated at Yale College in 1765. His conversion was during his junior year in college under the fol- lowing remarkable circumstances : At that time the whole college was poisoned through the villainy of certain French neutrals. These fellows had taken mortal offence at the conduct of a few wild students, and, though every reasonable effort at reconciliation was made they refused to be reconciled, meditating the most deadly revenge. To accomplish their pur- pose they contrived to visit the kitchen at which the food of the students was prepared, and infused a large quantity of arsenic into one of the dishes that was to be placed before them. A deadly sickness came over all who had eaten of the dish, but by an immediate resort to medical aid most of them were cured, a few were so much affected that they died shortly after. Very soon after this the evangelist Whitefield visited New Haven, and preached in the College Chapel, and made use of this event as a solemn admonition. A profound impression was
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made upon the whole college, and many of the stu- dents were hopefully converted, among them the subject of this notice. After graduation he pursued theological studies under the direction of the Rev. Samuel Buell, of East Hampton, L. I., and of his pastor the Rev. Mr. Mills, of Huntington. Receiv- ing calls to settle at Newport, R. I., and Wilton, Conn., he accepted the latter, and was ordained 1768, October 26th, and was married the same year to Hannah, eldest daughter of Matthew Beale, of New Preston, Conn., a lady every way suited to the sta- tion to which her marriage introduced her. During the Revolutionary struggle he espoused his country's cause with great zeal, served seven months as chap- lain to one of the Connecticut regiments, and after the State troops were disbanded was appointed chap- lain in the Continental army, but his people being unwilling to spare him again he declined the appoint- ment. A few years subsequent to this he labored arduously for a season in a missionary tour to the destitute fields in the vicinity of Dorset, Vt. During his residence in Wilton, he was invited to take charge of a congregation in South Carolina, but de- clined it, chiefly on the ground of his "strong dis- approbation of the system of slavery." Becoming satisfied that the prevailing practice of " the half- way Covenant " was wrong, he took a stand against it, occasioning dissatisfaction among his people and finally leading to his dismission in June, 1786, after a Ministry of nearly eighteen years. On the day of his dismission he was invited to preach at Green-
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