Historical notice of the Congregational church in Dudley

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I N

DUDLEY.

HISTORICAL NOTICE

OF THE

CONGREGATIONAL CHUIK H

I N

DUDLEY, ^'^^

W I T H T n E

ARTICLES OF rilTB, COVENANT, ke.

WORCESTER:
PRINTED BY HENRY J . H O W L A N D ,

18 45.

r

Source tmkiinTi^

HISTORICAL NOTICE.

The precise time, when the Congregational church, in
Dudley, was organized, cannot now be ascertained ; as there
are, extant, no records of the church, during the ministry of
the first pastor. It is probable, however, that it was organ-
ized, sometime during the year 1732 ; the year, in which
the town was incorporated. For, as appears, from the
town records, the inhabitants immediately took measures to
procure a religious teacher, and maintain public worship ;
and in a vote of the town, the following year, on this sub-
ject, reference is made to an action of the church, as then
existing. The first person, who received a call to settle in
the ministry, in the township of Dudley, was Mr. Isaac
Richardson. And, though an Ecclesiastical Council was
called for the purpose ; yet for some reason, not now
known, the proposed ordination never took place.

PASTORS.

Rev. PEARLY HOWE, Ordained Jane 12, 1735. Dis-
missed, 1743. Mr. Howe v\^as from Killingly, (Con.)
Graduated at II. U. 1731.

Rev. CHARLES GLEASON, Ordained, Oct. 17U.
Died, May, 1790. From Brookline, (Mass.) Grad-
uated at II. U. 1738.

Rev. JOSHUA JOHNSON, Installed, Dec. 1790. Dis-
missed, May, 1796. From Woodstock, (Con.) Grad-
uated at Y. C. 177o.

Rev. ABIEL WILLIAMS, Ordained June 12, 1799.
Dismissed, March 16, 1831. From Raynham,
(Mass.) Graduated at B. U. 1795.

Rev. JAMES H. FRANCIS, Ordained Ang. 24, 1831.
Dismissed June 26, 1837. From Weathersfield,
(Con.) Graduated at Y. C. 1826.

Rev. WALTER FOLLET, Installed Nov. 2, 1837. Dis-
missed Sept. 28, 1841. From Williston, (Vt.) Grad-
uated at M. C. 1825, and first settled in Soutliboro'.

Rev. JOSHUA BATES, D. D. Installed March 22, 1843.
From Cohasset, (Mass.) Graduated at H. IT. 1800.
First settled at Dedham, March 16, 1803. Inaugu-
rated Pres. of M. C. March 18, 1818.

DEACONS

Joseph Edmunds, elected,

deceased

Benjamin Conant,

a

u

Jonathan Newell,

a

1745

a

Jacob Bradbury,

a

1763

i(

Abijah Newell,

u

1770

u

Edward Davis,

a

1770 '

- iC

Jason Phipps,

u

1773

a

Jonathan Bacon,

a

1795

(I

William Healj,

a

1812

Resigned,

Simson Earned,

a

1820

11

Charles Carpenter,

((

1833

(t

Abner Perry,

li

1833

Ephraim Upham, Jr

a

1844

Hiram Newell,

a

1844

The number of members at the time of the organization
of the Church, and the number admitted to Communion,
and to Baptism, during the ministry of the first pastor, (for
the reason named before,) cannot be now ascertained. But
the following statement with reference to admissions both
to Communion and Baptism, during the ministry of each

succeeding pastor, including the several intervening periods,
is probably correct.

Mr. Gleason admitted to Com. 145, To Baptism, 857.

Mr. Johnson " " 48, " 79.

Mr. Williams " " 190, « 219.

Mr. Francis <• " 74, " 26.

Mr. Follet " " 29, " 15.

CONFESSION OF FAITH.

(Realised and Adopted, 1843.)

You, A B , and C D , being about to

enter publicly into Covenant with God and this Church, do
now, in the presence of this assembly, solemnly declare
your faith m Him and in the truth of his Word : Particu-
larly,

1. You profess to believe, that there is one only, living
and true God ; the Creator and Governor of the world ; —
a Being, self-existent, independent, eternal and unchangea-
ble ; possessing almighty power and unlimited knowledge ;
infinitely wise and holy, just and good.

2. You believe, that this wise Creator and righteous
and benevolent Governor of the Universe has given to man
a revelation of his will ; contained in the Scriptures of the
Old and New Testaments ; — that these Scriptures, com-
monly called the Bible, were all given by the inspiration of
God ; and written by holy men, as they were moved by the
Holy Ghost ; so that they are truly the Word of God, fur-

1*

nishing a safe and perfect rule of faith and practice for
man , — teaching us all that we need to know, in order to
become wise unto salvation ; and all that we must do, to be
saved.

3. While the sacred Scriptures confirm the doctrine of
the unity of God ; they, nevertheless teach us, as you be-
lieve, that he exists in a mysterious and threefold manner ;
and, as our Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier, has reveal-
ed himself, under the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spir-
it ; and that we are required to acknowledge our depen-
dence on him, in these several relations ; according to the
prescribed form of baptism ; and the apostolic benediction,
pronounced on believers.

4. You believe, that God created man and angels — all
beings and all things, for his own glory, and the manifesta-
tion of his glorious character and attributes — especially of
his power, wisdom, goodness, justice, mercy and truth ;
and that he governs the woi'ld, according to the wise and
benevolent counsels of his own will ; doing his pleasure in
the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth,
causing all things to work together for good to them that
love him, who are the called according to his purpose.

5. Concerning the human race, you believe, that God
created our first parents holy and happy, in his own moral
image ; that they, however, did not continue in this state of
holiness, but fell into a state of sin and misery — by trans-
gi-ession defaced the image of God originally impressed on
their hearts, lost communion with him, became rebels
against his authority, and consequently subject to death,
temporal, spiritual and eternal. And, since that, which is
born of the flesh is flesh, yon believe, that all their descend-
ants, in their natural state, are morally depraved — entirely
destitute of holiness, and prone to evil ; — that, in order to
become reconciled to God and finally be made happy with
him, in heaven, they must, therefore, be born again — born

of the Spirit — renewed in the spirit of their minds — created
anew, after God, in righteousness and true holiness.

G. For this reconciliation of fallen men to God — for
their pardon, sane tifi cation and eternal salvation, you be-
lieve, that ample provision is made in the glorious plan of
redemption, as revealed to us in the gospel, throngh the ev-
erlasting mercy of the Fathe"V, the merits and mediation of
the Son, and the sanctifjang influences of the Holy Spirit.

7. Concerning the Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ,
you believe, that he united in himself the human and di-
vine natures — that he was truly the Son of God and the
son of man — Emmanuel — God manifest in the flesh — in
"wdiom dwelt all the fulness of the godhead bodily ; — that in
consequence of this union of the divine and human natures
in him, he became a fit Mediator, and the only qualified
Mediator, between God and man — an all-suflicient Savior —
able to save, even to the uttermost, all that come unto God
by him ; — that for this purpose, he became obedient unto
death — bare our sins in his own body on the cross — died,
the just for the unjust ; so that God can now be just, and
the justifier of all that believe in Jesus.

8. But, while you consider the atonement and mediation
of Christ ample and sufiicient for the salvation of all man-
kind ; you believe, that it actually becom.es effectual to sal-
vation only to those, who believe on him, and exercise re-
pentance toward God, under the renewing and sanctifying
influences of the Holy S[)irit.

9. Concerning the Holy Spirit, you believe, that he
proceedeth from the Father and the Son ; and is therefore,
truly divine ; possessing and manifesting all the divine at-
tributes ; — that his office, in the plan of man's redemption,
is to convince of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment — to
lead the convinced sinner to Christ, and through faith to
apply to him the atonement — to encourage him to repent,
help him under his infirmities, and to sanctify his soul — to

seal him unto the day of redemption, to comfort him in
hope, and to give him an earnest of an eternal inheritance
in heaven.

10. You believe, such is the wickedness and depravity
of the human heart, that no one would accept the offered
salvation, and become reconciled to God through Christ,
without the aid of the Holy Spirit ; but that all, who yield
to the blessed influences of this Spirit, and become willing
to forsake their sins, and turn unto the service of God — to
believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and obey the gospel,
may be sure of obtaining the grace which they need.

11. Hence you believe, that all, who are saved, are
saved by grace, and justified through faith ; being chosen of
God to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and
belief of the truth.

12. You believe, that to them, who are thus in Christ
Jesus, and who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit,
there is no condemnation ; because feeling their depen-
dance, and asking for divine assistance ; they have the
promise of the Holy Spirit, to guide them into all truth,
and strengthen them for every duty ; and they may there-
fore go on their way rejoicing, being kept by the power of
God, through faith unto salvation.

13. You believe, that the special ordinances of the gos-
pel are two — Baptism and the Lord's Supper ; and that all
believers are required to observe them, according to the di-
rection and example of Christ and his apostles.

14. You believe, that it is the duty of christians; and
especially of those, who are members of the same church —
under the bonds of the same covenant, to watch over one
another in love ; to assemble together for public worship,
especially on the Lord's day — and thus mutually to help
each other forward unto the kingdom of heaven, as well as
to strive together to promote the cause of the Redeemer
and the salvation of the world.

9

15. Finally, you believe, that there will be a resurrec-
tion of the dead — both of the just and of the unjust ; a gen-
eral judgment of all mankind, when every one shall receive
sentence, according to his character — that a final separa-
tion of the righteous from the wicked will then take place ;
and that the blessedness of the former and the misery of
the latter will alike be eternal and without end.

These acknowledgments and professions you, and each of
you^ here pvhlicly and solemnly make !

(N. B, here baptisms and prayer, if required.)

COVENANT.

You do now publicly and solemnly dedicate yourselves to
the service of the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son and Holy
Spirit ; entering into an everlasting Covenant with Him ;
and promising, by his grace assisting you, to walk in all the
ordinances and statutes of the Lord blameless.

Relying on the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus
Christ, for pardon and justification, you engage, to study
his word, obey his precepts and follow his example.

Acknowledging the Holy Spirit, as your Sanctifier, you
here declare your purpose, to yield to his holy influences,
follow his heavenly guidance, and seek his efficient aid, to
enlighten, sanctify, comfort, and save you and yours, and
all for whom Christ died ; and for whom you are taught, in
the Scriptures, to pray.

Viewing this as a regularly constituted church of Christ —
built upon the foundation of the prophets and apostles, Je-

10

sus Christ himself being the chief corner stone, you do now
cordially join yourselves to it ; desiring to become living
members of it, and engaging to seek its peace, edification,
purity, and spiritual prosperity ; — promising to give and re-
ceive counsel and reproof, with meekness and fidelity, and to
submit to the discipline, authorised and enjoined in the gos-
pel ; — 'Covenanting to walk in love and fellowship with its
members ; and with them to attend on the public worship
of God, and the ordinances of his house ; while he, in his
providence, shall give you the opportunity, and allow you
the blessed privilege.

Do you thus covenant and promise ?

"We then, the members of this church,* in view of the pro-
fessions and promises, which you have now made, and the
evidence which you have given of your sincerity and devo-
tion to the service of God, affectionately receive you to our
fellowship and communion ; and, in the name of Christ, we
declare you to be members of his visible church ; entitled
to all its privilges, and under all the obligations, which this
sacred relation imposes. We bid you welcome to a partici-
pation of these blessings of the gospel, with us ; and, in our
turn we promise to watch over you, with christian affection ;
and to conduct towards you, in all respects, as becomes the
disciples of Christ, and members of the household of faith.

" And now may the God of peace, who brought again
from the dead, the Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the
sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant make
you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in
you that, which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus
Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever : Amen^^

*Here the whole church should rise.

11

BY-LAWS,

OR RULES OF ADMISSION AND DISMISSION.

1 . With a view to tlie examination of Candidates for ad-
mission to the church, a Committee of five, including the
pastor and deacons, shall be annually appointed, and may
serve, till others are appointed in tlmii j: Uice. At their
meetings for examining candidates, however, any other
members of the church, who choose, may attend, and take
part in this labor of love.

2. When any persons wish to become members of the
church, they may apply to the pastor, or, in his absence, to
one of the deacons, who will cause a meeting of the Exam-
ining Committee to be called, for the special purpose of
conversation with these applicants.

3. In all cases, in which the Committee are satisfied
with the qualifications of the applicants, they shall be pub-
licly propounded, for the information and consideration of
the members of the clmrch, at least, tAvo weeks before the
time of the proposed admission ; and, at the close of service
on the day of the pre]>aratory lecture, or at some other reg-
ular church meeting, the case of such propounded Candi-
dates shall be reported to the church ; and action shall be
taken on the question of their admission.

4. If the church are satisfied with the report of the Ex-
amining Committee, or by personal conversation with the
persons propounded, and vote to receive them ; they may
be publicly received, before the communion service, on the
next Lord's day, or at any other suitable time. And in ad-
mitting members hereafter, the preceding Articles of Faith
and form of Covenant shall be used,

0. Any person, who is already a member of some other
church, in fellowship with this, on presenting to the Com^

12

mittee of the diurch a Certificate of dismission and recom-
mendation, may be propounded, as above provided ; and,
if no valid objection is made, may be admitted by vote of
the church, and the name entered in the church records, as
a member, without any further formal profession.

6. All persons, members of other churches, in felloAVship
with this, who attend public worsJiip with this church, shall
be invdted to the privileges of occasional communion, for
the space of one year from the time of removal into the vi-
cinity ; or, till they have opportunity to remove their rela-
tion, according to Congregational Usage.

7. Members of this church, removing from the place,
and thus finding it convenient to attend public worship else-
where, may, if in good standing, have letters of dismis-
sion and recommendation to any other church, in fellowship
with this ; and members thus removing are expected to
call for their letters of dismission, within a year after their
removal.

Names of the Resident Members of the Church,

living at the time of printing this, Dec. 1844.

Time of Admission.

J^rames.

Remaiks.

1791, Sept. 18,

Lydia Curtis,

W,*

Nov. 27,

Mary Perry,

W.

1799, June 12,

Rev. Abiel Williams

h

1800, Sept. 14,

William Healy,

Deacon,

1801, Nov. 2,

Asenath Jordan,

m.

1806, July 7,

Ephraim Upham,

1810, Bee. 30,

Reuben Taft,

1814, June 5,

Simpson Larned,
Samuel P. Knight,

Deacon.

Harriet Knight,

m.

Paul Dodge,

Rhoda Dodge,

m.

Phinehas Bemis,

Mary Bemis,

m.

Aug. 7,

Mary Barker,

s.

1815, June 4,

Polly Davis,

m.

Aug. 6,

Sophia Bacon,

m.

Betsey S. Bacon,

s.

1816, April 4,

George Bacon,

Esther Bacon,

m.

Aug. 4,

Juda Corbin,

m.

Oct. 13,

RosannaT. Pope,

m.

1819, March 28,

Sarah Williams,
Abiel Elwell,

m.

Rachel Elwell,

m.

Becca Healy,

w.

Prudence Taft,

m.

* M. denotes Married,— S. Single,
2

_W. Widow

14

1610, March 27,

Harriet Davi.>,

w. now Phipps.

Dorcas Corbiii,

s.

Luther Corhiii,

June 6,

Chester Curtis,

Liicinda Curtis,

m.

Sally ]Marcy,

w.

Albigence W. Williams,

Becca D. Williams,

m.

Dec. 0,

Iiuldah Davis,

m.

1820, Dec. 3,

Kathan Jolmson,

Ruhamah Johnson,

m.

1822, April 7,

Susan Bemis,

s.

1828, March 2,

Davis Larned,

*

Mary Laiiied^

m.

Betsey Davis,

m-.

Walter Upham,

Epliraim Upham, Jr.

Deacon.

Davis Larned, Jr.

Phebe H. Elwell,

m. now Upham.

Abner Perry,

Deacon.

Polly Perry,

m.

Mary Perry,

m.

Sally Davis,

m.

1828, May 4,

Polly Healy,
Davis Healy,

w.

July,

Zeruiah Williams,

m. now Healy.

Elizabeth Larned,

m. now Davis.

Sally Dodge,

m.

1831, >fov. 6,

Henry Ilaskell,
Reuben Davis

Nancy Eddy,

m.

Hannah Robinson,

w.

1832, March 4,

John A. Larned,

Faithful Lee,

s.

Mary R. Pope,

s.

15

I8;i2,

JMuivli 4,
]Mav G,

July 1,
Sept. 2,

1833,
INIaj 5,

183G,
Jan. 1,
March 0,

April 20,
May 1,

Sept. 11,

1838,
Jan. 5,

Marc'li 4,

INIary S. Larnod.
Lemuel Ilealy,
Louisa Brown,
Lydia Ilealy,
Eivira ^Y. Ilealy,
Zineeya Hancock,

Sallv Curtis,

///.now UpJtcun.

m. now Klvgshury.
s.
m. by letter from N. Haven.

771.

m. now Deluiiy.

May 4,
July 8,

1839,
Jan. 4,
Sept. 1,

Almli-a Moulton,
William Upliam,
Sylvia Corbin,
Esther C. Jewett,
Sophia Gore,
Sylvia Gore,
Louisa Eddy,
Diana Jacobs,
Betsey Bacon,
Electa Upham,
Iliram Newell, Deacon
Rebecca Newell,
Lorania Upham,
Austin Upham,
David Perry,
William Perry
Diana L. Wilson,
Sarah Perry,
Samuel II Davis,
IMelissa Curtis,
Charles II. Perry,
Mary N. Perry,
Charlotte Webster,
Abigail Stone,

771. by let. fromFramingham

s,

//^

s.

s.

s.

?)).

m.

m.

m.
w.

1 >y letter from Thompson.

by let. from Thompson,
by let. from Woodstock.
by let. from AVoodstock.
by letter from Townsend.
, by let. from Townsend.
by letter from Oxford.

bv let. from N. Haven.

771.
711.

by let. from Soiithbridge.
by let. from Thompson.

16

Sept. 6,

1843,
March 22,

1841,
Mai-ch 7, Hiram B. Child,

Fanny Child,

Irene Child,

Maria T. Hancock,

Danforth Rawson,

Almira Rawson,

Elizabeth Upham,

Rev. Joshua Bates,
Maria S. Bates,

June SO, William Healy, Jr.
Sophia Healy,
Lydia H. Davis,

July 2, Lucian W. Curtis,
Maria M. Williams,
Maria Bates,
1844, Emeline Elwell,

March 1, Elvira Fales,

Sept. 5, Ruth Vinton,

Eliza S. Patton,

Nov. 1, Hannah Larned,

by let. from Woodstock.

s. " «

5.

by let. from Woodstock.
7n. " «

m. by let. from Calv. Chh.
Worcester.
\ by letter from Middle-
m. ) bury, Vt.

") by letter from South-
m. ) bridge.

m. from Phil. Chh. Boston.

s.
s.
s.

s. by letter from Bowdoin
St. Chh. Boston.
m. by letter from Charlton.
^v. by let. from Bloomfield,

N.J.
w. by let. from N. Jersey.