USA > Vermont > Addison County > Cornwall > History of the town of Cornwall, Vermont > Part 14
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The Society offered Mr. Bushnell $240 as a settlement, according
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to the fashion of the times, and as a salary $300 annually, with thirty cords of wood delivered at his door --- the $300 to be paid, one-half in money and one-half in wheat. Shortly after his set- tlement the wood was commuted for thirty dollars in money ; and thereafter until 1819, the salary was called three hundred and thirty dollars to be paid as above. From that date it was four hun. dred dollars including the wood.
Having been previously ordained as an evangelist, Mr. Bush- nell was installed Pastor of the Church in Cornwall. The Coun- cil convened for his installation, May 25, 1803, was composed of Rev. Messrs. Graves, Haynes, Chapin, Kent and Ball, and their delegates.
Soon after his settlement Mr. Bushnell married Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Ezra Smith of Richmond, afterward of Burlington. and purchased that part of the original ministerial lot-about one hundred acres with the house - which Mr. Tolman had occupied during his residence in Cornwall. This farm Mr. Bushnell man- aged skilfully and profitably, though he performed, personally, but little manual labor ; and in this house he lived until about 1816, when he built the commodious dwelling in which he died.
The ministry of Mr. Bushnell in Cornwall commenced when most of the early settlers had not passed the period of middle age. By them he was promptly and cordially sustained in his endeavors to maintain discipline, and to enforce the rules of Christian morality. His ministry continued until most of these men had finished their work and gone to their reward. Offences came, as they will always come so long as the Church is imperfect, but they were marked, admonished and visited by summary discipline, either reforming the offender, or excluding him from fellowship. The results were obvious in the vitality and energy of the Church. Its growth was steady and vigorous; it was favored with frequently recurring seasons of revival, and its influence was felt, as the influence of a consistent and active church only, can be fels, in the surrounding community.
The Pastorate of Mr. Bushnell continued one-third of a century, bis dismission having taken place May 25, 1836, just thirty-three
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years from the date of his installation. The immediate cause of his dismission was some disaffection on the part of a portion of his people, growing out of his disapproval of the mode of conducting revivals of religion by the agency of evangelists, especially of Rev. Mr. Burchard, which, at that period, was much in vogue through- out this region. Mr. Bushnell remarked to the writer of this nar- rative, that he attended through eighteen successive days, one of the protracted meetings held in an adjacent town, earnestly en- deavoring to gain light in regard to the propriety of such mnodes of conducting religious services, and in regard to his own duty as a pastor, to give or withheld his approbation. He was constrained to disapprove, and this conviction which led him to discourage such & service among his own people, eventually led to his separation from a pastoral charge which he had so long and so faithfully sustained. He did not ask a dismission, but left all to his people. His own language in reference to his dismission was, " I had nothing to do in bringing it about. When my people got ready, they put me in the boat and rowed me ashore; and when safely landed, I was verily happier than I had been during the ten preceding years." -- By this remark he evidently meant that he was relieved of weighty responsibility, while he had the most gratifying evidence that he still retained the undiminished respect and affection of those, with very few exceptions, for whom he had labored. This evidence was apparent in the fact that from the time of his dismission, he was invited by both church and society, to supply the pulpit as before, which he continued to do, until the settlement of his successor. It is, perhaps, but justice to the memory of Mr. Bushnell to remark that his wisdom, and the correctness of his decision, have been ap- proved in the action, if not in the language of the ministry and churches of this region, since from that time none have wished to repeat the measures, and most admit them to be of doubtful expe- diency.
After his dismission, the labors of Mr. Bushnell, were sought by such churches of the vicinity, as were destitute of pastors, his Jabors having long been held in high appreciation. He supplied the church in New Haven many months, during which time, occurred
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an interesting revival. He also labored for a considerable period in Bristol, and subsequently supplied the church in Weybridge. His ministerial labors in the aggregate, after his dismission from Corn- wall, amounted to seven years, during which period he did not lack employment more than two or three Sabbaths. While yet able to preach, he once remarked, in view of some premonitory symptoms of bronchial disease, " No wonder my throat is failing. If it had been made of hardened steel instead of flesh and blood, it would
have been worn out long ago." He became gradually enfeebled, and for the last two years of his life was unable to speak at all in public. He died August 25, 1846, at the age of seventy-six, of consumption, by which disease, five of his eight children, -four daughters and one son,-all of whom had been spared to maturity, were carried to their graves before him ; and by which, also, the life of Mrs. Bushnell was terminated on the 26th of March following his own decease. One of their children died in infancy, leaving but two who survived them-Jedediah S. Bushnell, Esq., of Mid- dlebury, and Abigail, wife of Rev. Hiram Bingham, of Windham, Ohio, late professor of Natural Sciences, in Marietta College.
In the Spring before Mr. Bushnell's doccase, the Congregational Society resolved to remodel their house of worship. The plan finally adopted after much consideration, involved an entire change both in the exterior and interior of the structure. To Mr. Bush- nell, this project occasioned much grief. The commencement of his ministry in Cornwall, was intimately connected with the building of the old house, the services of his installation having been attended upon a temporary covering of its floor timbers. With lively inter- est he had watched its progress, till he saw it completed in the most finished and beautiful style of that period. There, year after year, he had proclaimed with fearlessness and with tenderness the utter- ances of revealed truth. There,
" By him the violated law spoke out Its thunders, and by him, in strains as sweet As angels use, the Gospel whispered peace."
There, he had witnessed the power of the Spirit, sealing instruction, carrying conviction to the impenitent, bowing the stubborn in sub- mission, and attuning their hearts to the songs of thanksgiving
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and praise. Every portion of the edifice had become, from these associations, sacred in his eyes. Not only the pulpit, but the gallery, the seats, the columns, the arches, the ornaments, all were regarded by him with the same hallowed emotions. The sacrifice of all these things to the spirit of modern innovation, seemed to him not only a reckless waste of money, of which he was a most prudent and discreet guardian-it seemed scarcely less than sacrilege.
During the progress of the work, he was unable to attend public worship on the Sabbath, and he witnessed it only as he occasionally passed, when riding for his health. As the work drew near its completion, and he had opportunity to view the finish of its exterior, and to learn the arrangement of its interior, his feelings were sooth- ed, and he remarked : " I was opposed to the changes in the meet- ing house, and thought I never should be reconciled, but I am un- expectedly pleased with its appearance, and when the pews are sold, I wish one conveniently located to be purchased for my family. I shall probably never occupy it in person, for it would not be sur- prising if I do not live two weeks, but I hope Mrs. Bushnell may need it ; and it is pleasant to me to think that my grand-son, after I am in my grave, may occupy the head of that pew as a member
of the congregation."
Mr. Bushnell judged rightly about the
continuance of his life. He died in two weeks from this conversa- tion, and as the meeting house was not in condition to be used, his funeral was attended in the Lecture Room, where the Sabbath services were temporarily held. An impressive and appropriate sermon was preached by Rev. S. W. Magill, the pastor of the church.
REV. JEDEDIAH BUSHNELL was born in Saybrook, Connecticut, November 26th, 1769. His father died when he was six years old, and at the age of sixteen he was apprenticed to a tanner and shoe- maker, whose practice of sprinkling water upon his leather to make it weigh well, often awakened the decided though suppressed disap- probation of his more scrupulous ward. Having fulfilled his agree- ment with his employer, he established himself in business, with a very scanty outfit, both of tools and stock. He industriously pur-
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sued his calling about two years, when his attention was called to his spiritual condition by an incident sufficiently interesting to warrant its relation. " While Mr. Bushnell was engaged in his bark mill, a traveler called to inquire the way. Having obtained the desired information, the stranger lingered, as he was turning away, to inquire whether his informant was in the way of life .- Impressed with the belief that he was unconverted, he addressed to him a few words in a manner which indicated tender solicitude for his salvation, adding the stanza from Watts :
" Sinners awake betimes ; ye fools be wise, Awake before the dreadful morning rise, Change your vain thoughts, your crooked ways amend, Fly to the Savior, make the Judge your friend."
The admonition was effectual, and resulted in Mr. Bushnell's conversion. HIe was now anxious to acquire an education for the ministry, that he might be useful to others, and he commenced a course of classical study - entered Williams College in 1798, and graduated in 1797, meeting the expenses of his College course by his earnings in teaching, added to the carefully treasured avails of his industry and economy while pursuing his trade. He pursued theological study with Rev. Mr. Johnson, of Sheffield, Mass., and early became known as a revival preacher. From the commence- ment of his ministry till he began his labors in Cornwall-a period of about five years - he was mostly employed by the Connecticut Missionary Society to labor in the "new settlements" of New York and Western Vermont. As a laborer in the last named field, he became acquainted in Cornwall.
It has never been claimed by the most ardent admirers of " Fa- ther Bushnell," (for by this appellation he was long known by his brethren, ) that his intellectual powers were remarkable for their brilliancy. He had rather a combination of endowments which prepare their possessor for distinguished usefulness in any sphere of action.
He possessed the power of self-control. HIe rarely manifested any other excitement of feeling than that which indicated tender solicitude for the welfare of his fellow-beings. The allurements which intice many into indiscretions and into unprofitable, if not
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dangerous avocations, had little influence over him. He steadily directed his energies to doing good. His decisions, too, were apt to be impartial. A rule which he early adopted, and to which he in- flexibly adhered, was never to give an opinion in a disputed case till he had heard both sides. This rendered him preeminently a peace- maker ; his opinions helping to allay strife instead of promoting it.
He was endowed with unusual insight into human character, hav- ing learned bumap nature from communion with himself and his Bible. Few men are so deeply versed in this science. Hence he was peculiarly skillful in the adaptation of means to ends, and rarely failed in carrying any measure which he deemed necessary for the good of his people. This, too, often rendered his admoni- tions and reproofs peculiarly pungent and powerful, while it fore- stalled angry feeling and disarmed opposition. Two or three ex- amples may perhaps be appositely related.
While once engaged in making pastoral visits, he intended to call on one of his deacons whom he highly esteemed, but as he drew near the house, he saw the deacon engaged with a pair of refrac- tory oxen, by whose stubbornness he was so far provoked as to ex- hibit unbecoming irritation. Mr. Bushnell rode up to the fence, and accosting him mildly, said : " I was going to call to-day, but I see Dea. is not at home, and I will pass along, and call another time."'
While conversing on one occasion with a neighbor, a man not remarkable for his veracity or honesty approached them and began to assure Mr. Bushnell that if he would employ him to do a certain job of repairs, alluded to, he would not only supply the defects of former workmen, but put the thing permanently beyond the need of repairs. Mr. Bushnell simply replied : " Neither neighbor- - nor I are any too honest, and I do not certainly know, Mr. A-, as you are."
A young man who had just completed his course of theological study, with much promise of usefulness, once called on Mr. Bush- nell to consult him about a field of labor. He was kindly received and assured that there was plenty of work to do in every direction- Mr. B. at the same time naming several destitute places which were
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not particularly attractive. The young man having listened with some uneasiness, intimated that after having expended so much time and labor in fitting himself for usefulness, it might be allow- able for him to seek a more eligible location.
" A more eligible location !" repeated Father Bushnell. " Go to Ripton " - a town on the mountain, sparsely settled, which, at that time had not enjoyed much spiritual culture, -- "Go to Ripton and throw yourself into the work. Break up the fallow ground. Pray for the Spirit : I know two or three who will pray with you. Kindle a fire that shall shine over Lake Champlain and illuminate the hills beyond. The people from all the towns will inquire what does this light mean ? Who kindled it ? And the answer will be,
James a zealous young minister, went up to Ripton, and earnestly engaged in the work of doing good, and by the blessing of God upon his labors, this is the result. . And the people of Mid- dlebury and Burlington and Keeseville, and other towns, will say that it is just what we want here. And if any of them happen to be without a minister, they will say, let us bestir ourselves, and make out a call before we lose him. Seeing this light in Ripton, there will be plenty who will desire your services. Seriously, James, if you want an eligible position, I advise you to go to Ripton."
A young man who had fallen into a state of spiritual darkness and despondency, once called on Father B. for counsel. After sufficient conversation to ascertain the young man's feelings, the counsel given was, " Go through streets and visit every family and converse with all you meet respecting the salvation of their souls, and in three or four days, call on me again." The young man did as directed, and when he called on Father B. the second time, his despondency had given place to light and joy.
It was the practice of Mr. Bushnell in the early part of his min- istry in Cornwall, whenever he had help on the Sabbath, to go and preach to some destitute parish in the vicinity. In -, where he not unfrequently went, there was a man who, for some years was a member of the Congregational Church, and was accustomed to en- tertain Mr. Bushnell, whenever he supplied their pulpit. At length this man became a universalist, and was exceedingly zealous in improving every opportunity, private and public, to urge his senti- ments on the attention of others. Mr. Bushnell, who had ceased to be his guest after the change in his views, according to his prac-
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tice, one Sabbath supplied the pulpit. This, the universalist thought would be a favorable opportunity to hold a public discussion with the preacher. So at the close of the morning service, he placed himself in the porch, through which those in the house were obliged to pass, and accosted Mr. Bushnell as he came along in the crowd. In a moment every eye was fixed, and every ear attent. Mr. Bushnell saw at a glance his opportunity, and the following conversation ensued : Said the universalist, " I used to think just as you have preached this morning, but I have found out an casier way to Heaven." I believe all men will be saved." " Ah !" said Mr. B., " do you pray in your family any more regu- larly or fervently than you used to ?" " No, I don't believe in the necessity of family prayer." Do you read your Bible any more than you used to ?" " No." " Do you pray in secret, any more than you used to ?" " No." " I do not see as you have be- come any better man by the change," said Mr. Bushnell, and pass- ed out of the porch, leaving his would-be opponent and his hearers, to their own reflections.
He rarely engaged in controversy. In the pulpit he chose rather to present the simple truths of the Dible, always giving especial prominence to the sovereignty of God, and the depravity and de- pendence of man, believing with John Newton, that if he could fill the minds of his people with truth, error would of course be exclu- ded. A few days before his decease, he said to the writer of this sketch, "I have been taking a careful review of my ministry, and I have concluded that if I were to live my life over again, though I would try to preach better, I should preach the same truths I have preached, and in the same manner ; for I have never known souls converted by controversy, or philosophical speculations." Though possessing few of the graces of oratory, his preaching was charac- terized by a directness, tenderness and earnestness, which always rendered it impressive. Few preachers have been more aptly described in the lines of Cowper.
-"Simple, grave, sincere, In doctrine uncorrupt ; in language plain, And plain in manner ; decent, solemn, chaste, And natural in gesture ; much impressed
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Himself, as conscious of his awful charge,
And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds May feel it too; affectionate in look, And tender in addres, as well becomes A messenger of grace to guilty men."
The piety of Mr. Bushnell was consistent. No regard to inter- est could induce him to swerve from principle. An instance it point is related as follows : He was accustomed to regard Satur- day evening as a part of the Sabbath, and consequently to be hal. lowed like the rest of the day. It once happened that late on Saturday afternoon, a man called to purchase a horse which Mr. Bushnell wished to sell. The horse was produced and the price named; the only price. The man hesitated, hoping by bantering to obtain it for a less sum. While he was thus delaying, the sun went down, and Mr. Bushnell's Sabbath had commenced. "I will pay your price and take the horse," said the man. "Not till Monday morning," was the reply. "My Sabbath has begun and: I can do no more secular business till Monday." Impressed with the inflexible principle of Mr. B., the man returned on Monday and took the animal. He never gave occasion to any to reproach relig- ion. On the contrary his people always felt that he was sincere, that the service of God was the business of his life. In respect to his ordinary dealings, his people sometimes said, "Mr. Bushnell is very precise." " But no man charged him with dishonesty. In this particular he was above suspicion. His precept, therefore, was always enforced by the eloquence of his example.
He was accustomed to conduct his meetings for conference and prayer with less of formality than most pastors of his time. He was accustomed to encourage young converts, even those very young in years, to express their feelings freely in meetings for social con- ference-so much so as sometimes to elicit cautions from his breth- ren in the ministry, who thought it safer that such persons should in silence listen to the counsels of age and experience. He was. however, a lover of perfect order and propriety. He loved to hear the female voice in praise, and to have it often heard in supplication in the female circle. But he never encouraged females to exhort, or to lead in audible prayer in the promiscuous assembly. To a
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female of his charge who once remonstrated with him for not en- couraging the sisters freely to take part in promiscuous meetings, he replied : " There are some females, by whose remarks and prayers I doubt not I might be edified, but the trouble is that such cannot be induced to speak at all."
It was not his practice first to say to the convicted sinner : "Go, pray for forgiveness," but like Christ to say, repent and believe. He taught not that regeneration consists in resolving to lead a new life, but in becoming new creatures in Christ, through the Holy Spirit. He taught not that asking the prayers of Christians is a step towards Heaven. He taught rather that no duty is acceptably done, that no prayer is acceptably offered, unless proceeding from a penitent heart.
The whole ministry of Father Bushnell was unobtrusive and noiseless. He sought not the honor which cometh from man. IIe sought rather the seal of divine approbation upon his labors, as manifest in the conversion of his bearers, and in their preparation for usefulness .. For the latter purpose he encouraged such youth of his charge as he believed to possess piety and capacity for use- fulness in the ministry, to seek an education for that profession. To make their path as easy as possible, he became himself their teachi- er while they were preparing for College. Though ever ready to bear bis part with his brethren in measures for the advancement of Zion, he preferred to labor within the limits of his own pastoral charge. He once remarked, " I love best to preach to my own people, and so exclusively have my sermons been prepared with reference to their wants, that I often find it difficult to select one adapted to another pulpit when I exchange." The results of a ministry thus devoted to his special charge, were of the happiest kind. The Spirit often descended as showers upon the mown grass. Revivals silent but powerful in their influence were frequent --- numbering fourteen during his ministry. Many were brought to espouse the cause of Christ, with a steady and unwavering attachment.
Unlike many aged ex-ministers, Father Bushnell was the firm and sympathizing friend of his successors in the pulpit he had so
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long filled, always defending them against any aspersions cast upon them by their people, and covering as far as possible, with the mantle of charity, their trivial errors or defects. In this he was consistent from the hour of his dismission to that of his decease.
The views of Mr. Bushnell as to the most desirable attributes of Ministerial character, may be learned from the outline of his " Farewell Sermon," preached at the time of his dismission - the only one of his sermons ever published.
Having selected as a text Num. 27 : 16,-" Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of ull flesh, set a man over the congrega- tion ;" he proceeds to describe the man whom he would desire to have set over them as a Pastor. Ile should be a man of approved and eminent piety-a man of discreet prudence-a man of educa- tion-a man of simple verity -a man of studious habits-a man well versed in systematic theology-a man who makes the sancti- fication of the Church and the conversion of sinners the great object of his life - should be a zealous preacher - should not be greedy of the world-should not be fond of debate-should be no boaster-should never ridicule-should be a man of much prayer a man ready to confess his mistakes and faults-should not be abrupt and rough in his manners - should be a promoter of revivals of religion and a supporter of all the benevolent institu- tions of the day, which, in his judgment are so managed, as to advance the common interests of mankind.
It may not be amiss to cite Mr. Bushnell's views of the treat- ment his people should render to such a minister.
" Receive him as one placed over you in the Lord-be affection- ate to him - respect hit: for his office sake-be careful of your minister's character-do not make him an offender for a word, or for small mistakes-let your deportment toward him be always in simple verity-never repeat his failings, if you discover any, lo your families-do not decour too much of his time in your inter- course with him-do not demand more visiting of your pastor than four able ministers areable to perform, and attend to their other ministerial duties-be careful to satisfy your pastor's temporal necessities-lay before him your cases of conscience-pray much for him-if he sins, proceed regularly against him as the Gos- pel directs, and let him be heard and tried at a regular tribunal.
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