Harvard College, was chairman, wrote as directed, the writer, however, dying before the next session. There were then twenty-four Associations in Massachusetts Proper, whose names and number of members were these:-Barnstable, 7, Bay, 10, Berkshire, 17, Boston, 16, Brookfield, 13, Cambridge, 11, Dedham, 8, Eastham, 6, Essex Middle, 10, Hampshire Central, 14, Hampshire North, 12, Hampshire North East, 4, Hampshire South, 12, Haverhill, 7, Marlboro', 10, Mendon, 12, Mountain, 12, Plymouth, 17, Salem, 12, Unity, 7, Westford, 7, Westminster, 11, Wilmington, 9, Worcester, 7; there was also one in Maine, viz., Woolwich, 6. Several of the Associations appear to have made no reply; of those who did act, the letters of fifteen are preserved among the valuable collections of the Congregational Library Association, and were to the following effect: MOUNTAIN was unanimous in the same direction, (Theodore Hinsdale, Moderator.) WESTFORD, meeting at Dracut, (Paul Litchfield being Moderator, and Freegrace Reynolds 5 Scribe,) not only approved the plan, but also suggested the Assembly's Catechism as a proper platform. Several Associations were undecided. PLYMOUTH, (Joseph Barker, Scribe,) did not sufficiently understand the object. SALEM, (May 15, 1805, Thomas Barnard,' Scribe,) declined to express an opinion, but appointed Dr. Cutler of Hamilton, a delegate, for the sake of information. BARNSTABLE, (John Simpkins, Moderator,) was in favor of some plan to secure "uniform method of ecclesiastical government and discipline," but objected to any attempt "to compel assent to any creed or confession of faith of human devising;" it joined the General Associa a 8 in New Hampshire; STEPHEN PEABODY was minister at Atkinson, N. H., where he was ordained Nov. 25, BERKSHIRE assented to the proposal, 1772. He died May 23, 1819. April 16, 1805, (Stephen West,1 Moderator.) BROOKFIELD did the same February 12, 1805, (Ephraim Ward,2 Moderator.) HAMPSHIRE CENTRAL “approved," (Enoch Hale being Scribe pro tem.) HAMPSHIRE NORTH "cordially approved," (Jonathan Grant, Scribe.) HAVERHILL Voted favorably May 17, 1805, Stephen Peabody writing the answer. 4 PAUL LITCHFIELD was born in Scituate, Ms., March 12, 1752; grad. H. C., 1775; studied Divinity with Dr. West, of Stockbridge; was ordained Pastor of the Church in Carlisle, Nov. 7, 1781, and died Nov. 5, 1827. 1 STEPHEN WEST, D.D., was born in Tolland, Ct., Nov. 13, 1735; graduated at Yale College, 1755; studied theology with Rev. Timothy Woodbridge, of Hatfield; was Chaplain for more than six years at Hoosack Fort; accepted, in Nov. 1758, a proposal to succeed Jonathan Edwards, in the Indian Mission at Stockbridge, and was ordained there June 15, 1759. In a few years he gave up the Indian portion of his charge, and confined himself to the increasing body of English. He was dismissed Aug. 27, 1818, after having had a colleague for nearly eight years. He received the degree of D.D., from Dartmouth College, in 1792, and was one of the original Trustees of Williams College. He died May 15, 1819. 504 persons united with the Church during his pastorate. 2 EPHRAIM WARD was born in Newton, Ms., in 1741; grad. H. C., 1763; was ordained Pastor of the Church in West Brookfield, Oct. 23, 1771, and died March 19, 1818. "He was a plain, practical, evangelical preacher."-Ward's Newton. 3 Haverhill Association then covered a few towns 5 FREEGRACE REYNOLDS was born at Somers, Ct., Jan. 20, 1767; grad. Yale, 1787; studied Divinity with Dr. Backus, of Somers; was ordained Pastor of the Church at Wilmington, Oct. 29, 1795; was dismissed June 9, 1830; was installed Pastor of the Church in Leverett, Ms., Nov. 1832; resigned in 1839; returned to Wilmington, and died there Dec. 8, 1854.-General Association Minutes. 6 JOSEPH BARKER was born in Bradford Ct., Oct. 19, 1751, being son of Joseph Barker; grad. Yale, 1771; was ordained in Middleboro', over the 1st Church, Dec. 5, 1781; died July 25, 1815. Mr. Barker took a lively interest in politics, and for one term or more represented his District in the U. S. House of Representatives.-Dr. Putnam's Hist. Sermons. 7 THOMAS BARNARD, D.D., was first Pastor of the North Church, Salem, where he was ordained Jan. 13, 1788. He was a native of Newbury, born Feb. 5, 1748; was graduated at Harvard 1766; received the degree of D.D., from Edinburgh, in 1794. He died of apoplexy, Oct. 1, 1814. 8 JOHN SIMPKINS was a native of Boston, Ms., born in 1768; grad. Harvard, 1786; ordained at Brewster, Ms., Oct. 19, 1791, and continued Pastor until 1881, when he was dismissed; he afterwards returned to Boston. Mr. Simpkins never took a decided position in the separation between the Orthodox and Unitarians, but towards the last of his life, at least, leaned toward the latter. 1 PHINEHAS WHITNEY was born in Weston, Ms., April 24, 1740; grad. H. C., 1759; was ordained over the 1st Church in Shirley, Ms., June 23, 1762, and died Dec. 13, 1919. Mr. Whitney was three times married: (1) to Miriam Willard, (2) to Lydia Bowes, (3) widow Jane Garfield. He had ten children; his second son, Rev. Nicholas B. Whitney, born March 21, 1772; grad. H. C., 1793; was minister at Hingham, and died in 1835.-N. E. Hist.-Gen. Reg. 2 JOSEPH DANA, D.D., son of Joseph and Mary Dana, was born in Pomfret, Ct., Nov. 2, 1742; grad. Yale, 1760; studied theology with Rev. Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Hart, of Preston, Ct.; was ordained over the South Church in Ipswich, Ms., Nov. 7, 1765. He received the degree of D.D. from Harvard College, in 1801. He died Nov. 16, 1827. The venerable Rev. Dr. Dana, of Newburyport, is a son. 3 PETER WHITNEY, son of Rev. Aaron Whitney, of Petersham, was born in Petersham, Sept. 6, 1744; grad. H. C., 1762; was ordained over the 1st Church in Northboro', Nov. 4, 1767; he fell dead, as he was crossing the threshold of his house, Feb. 29, 1816. He was the author of a valuable History of Worcester County. He married, March 11, 1768, Julia Lambert, of Reading, and had eleven children. His second son, Peter, born in Northboro', Jan. 19, 1770, grad. H. C., 1791; was ordained over the 1st Church, Quincy, Feb. 5, 1800, and died March 3, 1843. Two of Peter's sons became clergymen, viz: George, and Frederick Augustus. George was born at Quincy, July 2, 1804; grad. H. C., 1824; was theologically educated at Cambridge Divinity School; was ordained Pastor of the 2d Church in Roxbury, (now Rev. Mr. Wilson's, in West Roxbury,) June 15, 1831, and installed associate Pastor with Rev. Dr. Thomas Gray, at Jamaica Plain, Feb. 10, 1836. He married, Dec. 15, 1825, Ann Greenough, only daughter of Rev. Dr. Gray, and died April 2, 1842; his widow, a highly respected lady, still lives at Jamaica Plain; Frederick Augustus was born in Quincy, Sept. 13, 1812; grad. H. C., 1832; theologically educated at Cambridge; was ordained Pastor of the 1st Church, Brighton, Feb. 21, 1844.-N. E. Hist.-Gen. Register. declining, (1) that the "Convention is sufficient" to secure all the good results contemplated, (2) that there might be excited an unnecessary jealousy on the part of the people against the clergy, and (3) that if its object was to secure uniformity of creed, that was totally impossible. WORCESTER, (Joseph Sumner,* Moderator,) dissented unanimously, alleging (1) the impracticability of the plan, on account of the "number," " distance," and "disagreement" of the clergy, (2) that it was dangerous to the peace and liberty of Congregational Churches," by reason of probable attempts to enforce uniform "discipline,” (3) that it would "increase the jealousy of the people against the body of the clergy," and (4) that "the useful purposes contemplated by the motion may be more effectually answered under the influence of the Convention of Ministers." BOSTON entered into a long and labored argument in opposition to the plan, in a paper now existing in its records, as well as in the copy communicated to the committee; it was adopted May 5, 1805; after expressing its approval of the "sentiments in which the proposal appears to have originated,”-in (quoting from the letter addressed to them,)" that the Christian harmony and friendly cooperation of the ministers of the Gospel are concerns of high mutual benefit, and conduce generally to increase their usefulness in the church of God," they proceed to express their disbelief in the efficacy of the plan to promote either such harmony or usefulness; as to co-operation it considers the annual Convention as "sufficient for mutual encouragement and assistance," the several Associations as highly conducive to the improvement, solace and incitement of individuals," and Ec 4 JOSEPH SUMNER, D.D., son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Griffin) Sumner, was born in Pomfret, Ct., Jan. 19, 1740; was graduated at Yale College in 1759; D.D. at Harvard, 1814, and at Columbia; ordained in Shrewsbury Ms., June 23, 1762, and died Dec. 9, 1824. "During the period of sixty-two years," says Rev. Aaron Bancroft, in his funeral sermon, "he was never absent from the stated communion of his Church."-Sumner Genealogy. 1 3 next session, held at Washington, June 26th, 1805, the number was still less; only three-Berkshire, Mountain, and Hampshire North-appeared. Berkshire was represented by Rev. Messrs. Ephraim Judson, and Alvan Hyde; 2 Mountain by Theodore Hinsdale and William J. Ballantine; Hampshire North by Rufus Wells and Enoch Hale. Of its proceedings neither records nor traditions exist. Only the same three Associations were represented the next year, 1806, at Hatfield. At that meeting a change was made in the rules; such that the Secretaryship was for a three years' term, and that the Secretary and the minister of the place of meeting, be ex officio members, their respective Associations retaining their right to appoint the two delegates allowed to each. This rule and this method of representation, has continued to the present time unchanged. Rev. 1 EPHRAIM JUDSON, son of Elnathan and Rebecca Judson, was born in Woodbury, Ct., Dec. 5, 1737; clesiastical Councils, as a "profitable and edifying communion" for ministers and churches; and while it would favor any suitable plan to increase these advantages, yet considering "the state of religious opinions," say they, "and the spirit and circumstances of the times, we are led to believe that no practicable plan of this nature can be formed, and we are apprehensive that the proposed measure for promoting harmony will be more likely to interrupt it;"-it thought that, by the discussion of doctrinal bases, there would resultan erection of barriers between those who at present are not formally separated, and the bonds of union would be strengthened between those only who are already sufficiently cemented." It insists equally strongly that usefulness will be impaired, rather than assisted, particularly by the tendency to uphold " human standards of opinion," which might be so active in creating prejudice against dissentients, that there would be a "spirit of uncharitableness and censoriousness produced, and the teachers of religion placed under powerful temptations either to shun declaring the whole counsel of God, or to teach for doctrines the commandments of men." The whole paper, while conceived and expressed in a kind and courteous spirit, yet clearly shows that the main obstacle to a union, was their own departure brother, Adoniram, was father to the missionary of from the doctrinal views of the earlier New England clergy, an obstacle of whose existence the Boston Association was evidently itself conscious. In addition to the above, it is also known that CAMBRIDGE and MENDON Associations dissented, the latter on grounds which prevented its union with the General Association up to 1841. This effort through the Convention direct, common sense preaching." "Solemn, grave, appears to have had little effect, except to have excited feelings of estrangement. Certainly, it neither caused the Convention to become a General Association, nor brought in additional District Associations. We have seen that only five Associations were represented in 1804. At the grad. Yale, 1763; studied theology with Rev. Dr. Bellamy; was ordained in Chelsea, (Norwich) Ct., Oct. 3, 1771; was dismissed Dec. 15, 1778; was settled in Taunton, Ms., in 1780; resigned in 1789; was settled in Sheffield, in May, 1791, and died Feb. 23, 1813. "He was an able, sound, and faithful preacher. His labors were very much blessed. A number of young men studied Divinity with him." A portrait of him, with a full and interesting account, is in Emery's valuable "Ministry of Taunton." His that name. 2 ALVAN HYDE, D.D., son of Joseph Hyde, was born in Norwich, Ct., Feb. 2, 1768; grad. Dartmouth, 1788; studied theology with Rev. Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Backus, at Somers; was ordained at Lee, Ms., June 6, 1792; married, April 1793, Lucy, daughter of Benj. Fessenden, of Sandwich; D.D., Dartmouth, 1812; died Dec. 4, 1833. During his ministry, 704 persons united with the Church in Lee. "Dr. Hyde belonged to the old school of New England Theology." "Without calling any man master, he believed in the Westminster Catechism." "A model of plain, and correct." 3 WILLIAM G. BALLANTINE was born in Westfield, Ms.,; grad H. C., 1771; studied Divinity with Rev. Dr. Parsons, of Amherst; was ordained Pastor of the 4 RUFUS WELLS was born in Deerfield, Ms., in 1764; settled at Whately, Sept. 25, 1771, and died Nov. 8, 1834. "He was esteemed a useful minister." 1 EBENEZER FITCH, D.D., was at this time President of Williams College. Born in Norwich, Ct., Sept. 26, 1756, being son of Jabez and Lydia (HuntIngton) Fitch; grad. Yale, 1777; from 1780 to 1783, Tutor in Yale College; engaged in business in 1788, with Henry Daggett, of New Haven, which proved unsuccessful; Tutor again, and Librarian from 1786 to 1791; made a public profession of religion in May 1787; in Oct. 1791, entered on the duties of Preceptor of an Academy at Williamstown, Ms., which in June 1793, became a College, of which he was the first President; resigned May 1815. June 17, 1795, he had been "ordained to the work of the ministry," "by the Berkshire Association," In the autumn of 1815, he became Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in West Bloomfield, N. Y.; resigned Nov. 1827, and died March 21, 1833.-(See Sprague.) 2 JAMES BRIGGS was born in Newton, Ms., Jan. 18, 1746; grad. Yale, 1775; ordained Pastor of the Church in Cummington, Ms., July 7, 1779, where he had been preaching for several years previous; died Dec. 7, 1825. He "was a very useful and respectable minister." When he was settled, the town voted to give him 200 acres of good land and £60 (estimated by rye at 3s. 4d. a bushel,) for "settlement," and £50 salary, to be increased by £5 a year till it reached £60, estimated by rye, as above; by beef at 20d. a pound, and flax at 8d. a pound. 3 JOSIAH SPALDING was born in Plainfield, Ct., Jan. 10, 1751; grad. Yale, 1778; ordained at Uxbridge, Sept. 11, 1782; dismissed Oct. 28, 1787; was installed in Washington, Aug. 1788; after dismission he was installed in Buckland in 1794, where he died, May 8, 1823. "He was a faithful preacher, and of evangelical sentiments. His name is cherished with much respect." 4 JOEL HAYES was born in 1754; was settled in South Hadley, Ms., Oct. 23, 1782, as colleague Pastor with Rev. John Woodbridge, and became sole Pastor the next year; died July 1827. He was a man of kind feelings, and in the pulpit was remarkable for great plainness of speech.' He was a firm believer in the doctrines of grace, and did not hesitate to preach them with boldness." 5 SAMUEL AUSTIN, D.D., one of the prime movers in the formation of the General Association, was of Worcester; he was born in New Haven, Ct., Oct. 7, Spring and Isaac Braman;' Enoch Hale, as Secretary, and Gordon Dorrance, minister of the place, were also members. It will be seen that Essex Middle (now existing as Essex North, 97 years old,) and Worcester South (now extinct,) were present for the first time. Rev. Dr. West was Moderator, and Rev. Samuel Austin, Scribe, the business of the Scribe being then, as now, to record the proceedings of the session and place them in the hands of the Secretary. The proceedings of that session were, in part, published in the Panoplist; either in that form or in a separate pamphlet their publication has since been continued, and affords excellent data for recording its history, although not even the body itself has a complete set of its Minutes. In connection with this publication in the Panoplist, was 1760; was in his youth soldier in the army, as substitute for his father; commenced the study of law, but entered College, and grad. at Yale, 1783; commenced his theological studies with Rev. Dr. Jonathan Edwards; was ordained in New Haven, (Fairhaven Society,) Nov. 9, 1786; resigned three years afterwards; was installed Sept. 29, 1790, over the 1st Church in Worcester; D.D. at Williams, 1807; in July 1815, President of the University of Vermont, where he remained about six years; he was pastor of a Church in Newport, R. I., for four years, but resigned it, and never again settled; he died in the family of his nephew, Rev. Samuel H. Riddel, then of Glastonbury, Ct, Dec. 4, 1830. "His piety was habitual and ardent, deep and discriminating." "The topics on which he delighted most to dwell were the benevolence, the sovereignty, and the glory of God; the great system of redemption; the character of Christ, and his sufferings, with their extensive result on the universe, and especially in the sanctification and salvation of his chosen people."(See Sprague's Annals.) 6 SAMUEL SPRING, D.D., the venerated Pastor at Newburyport, so instrumental in the establishment of Andover Theological Seminary. Born at Northbridge, Feb. 27, 1746; grad. College New Jersey, 1771; ordained Aug. 6, 1777; died March 4, 1819. 7 ISAAC BRAMAN still survives, the sole remaining member of that session, and is still the pastor (now senior,) of the Church in Georgetown, Ms., where he was ordained June 7, 1797. He was born in Norton, July 5, 1770; grad. H. C., 1794. 8 GORDON DORRANCE was born in Sterling, Ct.,; grad. Dartmouth, 1786; studied theology with Rev. Dr. Levi Hart, of N. Preston, (now Griswold) Ct.; ordained Pastor of the Church in Windsor, Ms., July 1, 1795; was dismissed July 15, 1834; and died in Attica, N. Y., where he resided with his son. issued a statement of the plan and object of the organization, from which quotations have already been made. In consequence either of the statement in the Panoplist, or of the writing of the Secretary to various Associations inviting their presence, we find that at the session in Worcester, on the last Wednesday in June, 1808, several new Associations were represented. In addition to Berkshire, Mountain, Hampshire Central, (the old Hampshire North under a new title,) Worcester South, and Westminster, we find Hampshire North (a new body which took the name dropped by the old Hampshire North, and which is now Franklin,) and Haverhill; several gentlemen were also present who were invited to sit as honorary members, viz: Reverends Joseph Pope and Zephaniah S. Moore of Brookfield Association, Samuel Stearns and Joseph Chickering, of Andover Association, and Samuel Worcester of Salem Ministerial Conference, a body in 3 1 JOSEPH POPE was born in Brooklyn, Ct., in 1746; grad. H. C. 1770; was settled in Spencer, Ms., Oct. 20, 1773, and continued "a respectable and useful minister, until Nov. 1818, when he was seized with a paralysis, after which he survived more than seven years unable to perform any official duties" He died March 8, 1826. 2 ZEPHANIAH S. MOORE, D. D., afterwards Professor of Languages in Dartmouth College, still later President of Williams College, and subsequently, President of Amherst College, was at this time pastor of the Church in Leicester, where he was ordained June 10, 1798. Born in Palmer, Me., Nov. 20, 1770, died June 25, 1823. 3 SAMUEL STEARNS was Minister of Bedford. Son of Rev. Josiah Stearns, of Epping, N. H., he was born April 8, 1770; grad. H. C., 1794; studied Theology under the care of Rev. Jonathan French, of Andover (whose daughter Abigail he married ;) was ordained in Bradford, April 27, 1795, and continued the pastor, with great faithfulnes and success, until his death, Dec. 26, 1834. Rev. Dr. W. A. Stearns, President of Amherst College, is his son. 4 SAMUEL WORCESTER, D.D., was then of Salem. Foremost in every good work,-the General Association were fortunate in obtaining his support. Born in Hollis, N. H., Nov. 1, 1770; grad. Dartmouth, 1795; was ordained at Fitchburg, Ms., Sept. 27, 1797; was dismissed Sept. 8, 1802; was installed pastor of the Tabernacle Church, Salem, April 20, 1803; and died at Brainard, Tenn., June 7, 1821. Full and interesting details of this good and eminent man are preserved in the life of Dr. Worcester, by his son, Rev. 5 which the Orthordox portion of the ministers of that vicinity had the preponderance, but which never joined the General Association, and which disbanded when the opposite majority in the Salem Association was reversed by gradual accessions. Rev. Joseph Lee presided at this session; Rev. Alvan Hyde was Scribe, and Rev. Asahel Huntington preached the public lecture, from Acts. ii: 42: "And they continued steadfast in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and prayer." Steps were taken to form a connection with the General Association of Connecticut, by sending Drs. Lyman and Austin as delegates to that body. Several Associations from the eastern part of the State having now been induced to come in, the session of 1809 was held at Newburyport, June 28, at the house of Rev. Dr. Spring, to which, other eastern Associations sent delegates simply to obtain information; these were Salem, Salem Ministerial Conference, and Cambridge; the latter two never united with this body; the former one did at the next session. Dr. Lyman was moderator, Leonard Woods, Scribe, and Dr. Austin preached the sermon. At this session two delegates appeared from Connecticut and articles of correspondence agreed upon, which are still in force, with the exception of that proviso which gave the delegates the right of voting in the body to which they were sent. Rules were also adopted regulating the annual meeting of the Association. And it is a fact worthy of note, that while slight modifications have from time to time been made in the language or purport of the Rules, to put them in better working order, no changes have thus far been made affecting the purposes, plans, or general Samuel M. Worcester, D.D.; a work which is one of the richest contributions to our eccleasistical history. 5 ASAHEL HUNTINGTON was born in Franklin, Ct., March 17, 1761; grad. Dart. 1786; ordained in Topsfield, Ms., Nov. 12, 1789; died April 22, 1813. "A successful and useful ministry." "Discriminating and faithful." Elisha Huntington, M.D., of Lowell, and Asahel Huntington, Esq., of Salem, are sons. |