An historical discourse delivered at West Brookfield, Mass. (Volume 2) online

together a large assembly from a wide region of country, and perhaps
exceeded in interest and enjoyment the expectations even of the most
sanguine.

OFFICERS OF THE DAY.

PRESIDENT,
Rev. FRANCIS HORTON.

VICE presidents,
Dea. GEORGE MERRIAM, Rev. ELIAKIM PHELPS, D. D.,

Dea. JACOB DUPEE, ADOLPHUS HAMILTON, Esq.,

Dea. ALFRED WHITE.

• COMMITTEE OF RECEPTION,

S. D. LIVERMORE, A. C. GLEASON,

C. E. SMITH.

CinEF MARSHAL,
HARRISON BARNES.

ASSISTANT marshals,
EBENEZER B. LYNDE, GEORGE W. BILSS,

LEWIS GLEASON, JOSEPH S. GLEASON,

IRA M. SOUTHWORTH, GEORGE W. STONE.



109

ORDER OF EXERCISES.
MORNING.

VoLUXTARY — -Anthem.
Tun e — Den mark.

Before Jehovali's awful throne,

Ye nations, bow with sacred joy :
Know that the Lord is God alone ;

He can create, and he destroy.

His sovereign power, without our aid,

Made us of clay, and formed us men ;
And when, like wand'ring sheep, we stray.ed,

He brought us to his fold again.

We are his people, we his care,

Our souls, and all our mortal frame :
"What lasting honors shall we rear,
Almighty Maker, to thy name ?

We'll crowd thy gates with thankful songs,

High as the heaven our voices raise ;
And earth, with her ten thousand tongues,

Shall fill thy courts with sounding praise.

Wide as the word is thy command,

Vast as eternity, thy love :
Firm as a rock thy truth shall stand.

When rolling years shall cease to move.

Invocation and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Joshua Coit,
of Brookfield.

Singing.
Heavenly Father, graciously hear us ;

Hear the petitions we offer before Thee ;
Let thy mercy rest upon us ;
Heavenly Father, graciously hear uS ;
Hear our prayer, Hear our prayer.

PjtAYER, by Kev. L. S. Parker, of Derry, New Hampshire.



110

Anniversary Hymn.

[Words by Miss Carrie A. Parker, of Derry, New Hampsliire.]
Tune — Dedham.

Thrice fifty years have swiftly flown,

Since first a little band
Of Christian laborers set this vine,

And trained with loving hand.

The Lord hath visited His vine
With showers of heavenly grace,

And blessed His waiting children's eyes
With shining of His face.

The precious seed in weakness sown,

And watered well with tears,
Hath grown unto a noble tree.

And generous fruitage bears.

While humble souls have watched and prayed,

And with temptation fought,
God hath made bare his own right arm.

And great deliverance brought.

His hand hath loosed the captive's bonds,

He bade the slave go free ;
His voice the heathen nations calls

To Christian liberty.

And now his still, small voice is heard
Throiigh our redeemed land :
" Go, Christians, in my vineyard work.
Nor longer idle stand."

Not the anointed ones alone,

As preachers, now are sent ;
But all whose hearts have felt His love.

And wills to His have bent.

Instead of sires, the children stand ;

To us may grace be given
To follow them in faithfulness.

And share their joy in Heaven.

Historical Discourse, (in part,) by Rev. S. Dunham.



Ill

Hymn.

Tu n e — Ha rvard.

No change of time shall ever shock

My trust, O Lord, in thee ;
For thou hast always been my Rock,

A sure defence to me.

Thou my deliv'rer art, O God;

j\Iy trust is in thy power :
Thou art my shield from foes abroad,

My safeguard, and my tower.

Benediction, by Rev. Dr. Phelps.

Recess— Collation.

AFTERNOON.
Hymn — The Church's Welcome.

Children of Zion ! -what harp-notes are stealing,
So soft o'er our senses, so soothingly sweet ?

'Tis the music of angels, their raptures revealing,
That you have been bro't to the Holy One's feet.

Children of Zion ! we join in their welcome,
'Tis sweet to lie low at that blessed retreat.

Children of Zion ! no longer in sadness.

Refrain from the feast that your Savior hath given ;

Come, taste of the cup of salvation with gladness.
And think of the banquet still sweeter in heaven.

Children of Zion ! our hearts bid you welcome

To the church of the ransomed, the kingdom of heaven.

Children of Zion ! we joyfully hail you.

Who've entered the sheep-fold thro' Jesus, the door ;

While pilgrims on earth, tho' the foe may assail you,
Press forward, and soon will the conflict be o'er.

Children of Zion ! Oh ! welcome, thrice welcome !

Till we meet where the foe shall oppress you no more.

Historical Papers : The Deacons and Meeting-Houscs, by Rev. S.
Dunham.



112

Hymn.

Tune — Ohnutz.

Far down the ages now,

Much of her journey done,-
The pilgrim church pursues her %\a}',

Until her crown be won.

The story of the past

Come up before her view ;
How will it seem to suit her still —

Old, and yet ever new !

It is the oft-told tale

Of sin and weariness,
Of grace and love yet flowing down

To pardon and to bless.

No wider is the gate.

No broader is the way,
No smoother is the ancient path,

That leads to life and day.

No sweeter is the cup,

Nor less our lot of ill :
'Twas tribulation ages since,

'Tis tribulation still.

No slacker grows the fight,

No feebler is the foe.
Nor less the need of armor tried,

Of shield and spear and bow.

Thus onward still we press

Through evil and throUj^'h good, —
Through pain and poverty and want.

Through peril and through blood.

Still faithful to our God,

And to our Captain true,
We follow where he leads the way.

The kingdom in our view.

Address, by Rov. Eliakim Phelps, U. D., of Jersey City, New Jcr.'-ev,
IvKMAUKS, by Kev. L. S. Parker, of Doiry, New Ilampsliire.



113

Historical Sketch : IVIinisters from the Church and Parish, by Rev.
S. Dunham.

Hymn.
Tune — Coronation.
Oh ! 'twas a joyful sound to hear
Our tribes devoutly say :
" Up, Israel, to the temple haste,
And keep your festal day ! "

At Salem's courts we must appear,

With our assembled powers,
In strong and beauteous order ranged.

Like her united towers.

Oh, pray we then for Salem's peace ! %

For they shall prosperous be,
Thou holy city of our God,

Who bear true love to thee.

May peace within thy sacred walls

A constant guest be found ;
With plenty and prosperity

Thy palaces be crowned.

Poem : Memorials of Brookfield, by Rev. F. Horton, of Barrington,
Rhode Island.

Remarks, by Hon. Amasa Walker, of North Brookfield.
Prayer, by Rev. William B. Bond, of Palmer.

Hymn.

Tune — Dismission.
Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing,

Bid us all depart in peace ;
Still on gospel manna feeding.
Pure, seraphic love increase ;
Fill each breast with consolation,

Up to thee our voices raise ;
When we reach that blissful station.
Then we'll give thee noble praise.
And we'll sing Hallelujah,
To God and tlie Lamb ;
Hallelujah forever, — Amen.

Benediction, by Rev. Mr. Horton.
15



114



THE COLLATION.

Through the efficient exertions of the Committee who were entrusted
with the task of providing the entertainment, this part of the day's ex-
ercises was rendered a complete success.

Previous to the day, this Committee appointed and made skillful dis-
position of the following ample corps of assistants, to superintend and
aid in the distribution of the refreshments, viz : —

Anson Giffin Jr., Mrs. E. B. Taintor, Mrs. W. A. Marcy, Mrs. San-
ford Adams, Mrs. B. P. Aikin, Mrs. Doct. Blodgett, Mrs. Doct. Forbes,
Mrs. L. H. Chamberlain, Mrs. M. J. Miller, IVIi's. Sarah J. Rawson, Mrs.
Gk W. BUss, Mrs. Enos Gilbert, Mrs. W. A. Blair, Misses Abbie C.
Blackmer, Eugenia Taintor, Ella G. Paige, Maria Reed, Ida E. Reed,
Laura A. Giddings, Ida R. Giddings, Emma Rawson, Emma Sprout,
Nettie Jackson, Clara J. Dane, Susie Beaman, Carrie M. Gleason, Annie
Brown, Ann Elizabeth C. Gleason, Lottie M. White, Anna E. Bruce,
Mary Jones, Julia Mirick, Lottie Miller, Arvilla Stone, Alice A. Rich-
ards, Messrs. Eddie F. Livermore, Alfred C. White, Frank L. Bailey,
Alvin W. Gilbert, Augustus N. Makejieace, Charles S. Southworth,
Albert W. Bliss.

At the close of the morning services, all who were present were in-
vited to repair to the Town Hall, where a plentiful supply of provisions,
of divers sorts, was in readiness, having being brought, by previous
request, from every quarter of the town. The large audience was mar-
shaled at the church, and proceeded to the hall in the following order : —
Committee of Arrangements ; President and Officers of the day; Clergy
and Invited Guests ; Strangers and Citizens generally.

The blessing having been invoked by Dr. Phelps, the appeals of
hunger were sated by a repast which, as the Worcester Daily Spy of the
next morning said, " was bountifully sufficient, good and well arranged,
and set forth to the satisfaction of all who were privileged to partake."



At a meeting of the Church, held November 1, 18C7, it was voted
that measures be taken for publishing the doings of the anniversary
celebration, and the following persons were appointed a Committee on
publication : — A. C. Gleason, S. D. Liveumore, Dea. J. Dupee, Rev.
S. DuNUAM, W. A. Blair.

This Committee subsequently met, and by vote requested Rev. S.



115

Dunham to prepare an Appendix for the press,,and authorized him to
take the general superintendence of the publication.



LETTER FROM GOVERNOR BULLOCK.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Department, )

Boston, October 14, 1867. )
My Dear Sir : — I am disappointed in failing to make my engagements
such as to permit me to visit you on Wednesday. The One Hundred
and Fiftieth Anniversary of the organization of your church is of it-
self a most interesting event even in a Commonwealth which we are
accustomed to call ancient. Added to this is the equal interest attached
to the old town of Brookfield, which was for so many years scarcely
second in political importance in the County of Worcester.

The town and the church in their historical relations cannot easily be
separated ; and it becomes to me a source of unfeigned regret that I
cannot unite with you in commemorating the striking reminiscences
which upon the present occasion will be awakened.

I am, my Dear Sir, with great respect and esteem,
Most truly, your obedient servant,

'ALEX. H. BULLOCK.
The Rev. Samuel Dunham. •

LETTER FROM REV. AUSTIN PHELPS, D. D., PROFESSOR IN THE THEO-
LOGICAL- SEMINARY AT ANDOVER.

Andover, Mass., September 18, 18G7.
Rev. S. Dunham : Dear Brother : — I am sorry that I cannot attend
the Celebration at West Brookfield, but the state of my health puts it
out of my power. INIy father, I think, will be there, and would doubt-
less be ready to fill any gap, should such a thing occur, — which is not
probable. Your chief concern probably will be to stop the talkers.

I would, with great pleasure, be present, and speak just five minutes,
watch in hand, — if my health would permit me to go.

Very truly yours, AUSTIN PHELPS.

LETTER FROM REV. CALEB SPRAGUE HENRY, D. D., OF NEWBURGH,

NEW YORK.

Newburgh, N. Y., October, 14, 1867.
My Dear Sir : — Your kind invitation to the Celebration of the One
Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the organization of the Congre-
gational Church in West Brookfield reached me in due season, but got
mislaid until to-day I found it. I had meantime forgotten the day fixed
for the festival ; and now I perceive it is so near at hand that I am



116

afraid this will not reach you before the day. I am the more sorry
because events have occurred which will render it impossible for me to
be present. It would give me great, very great pleasure to be there on
the occasion. It is the church of my early childhood. The venerable
image of Father Ward is one of the liveliest recollections of my childish
days,- — his white wig, his benignant face, his exquisite courtesy.

It was in that old white building on the north side of " the plain "
that I first went to the Holy Communion. Of that church my vener-
able father was for many years a member. In the burial ground lies the
body of my mother, and I suppose, of many more whom I once knew.

All these and many other associations with West Brookfield, would
make it very pleasant for me to visit the place. I am sorry I cannot
do so now. I live in the hope of doing so yet at some future day.

Very truly and respectfully yours, C. S. HENRY.

S. D. LiVERMORB.
EXTRACT OP A LETTER FROM REV. JOSEPH VAILL, D. D., OF PALMER.

Palmer, September 20, 1867.
Dear Brother Dunham : — You allude to the anticipated Anniver-
sary. It would give me great pleasure to be present, and I shall make
an effort to do so. Aiipecial adjourned meeting of the Corporation of
Amherst College is to take place about that time. If it does not occur
on that week, I know of no obstacle to prevent my attendance.

I am truly and fatcrnally yours, • JOSEPH VAILL.



NOTE I.

The following petition is taken from the Appendix to IVIr. Foot's His-
torical Discourse on Brookfield, as being peculiarly appropriate to be
preserved in connection with a history of the church :

The petition of the inhabitants of Brookfield to the Honored Gen-
eral Court assembled at Boston, November 1698, humbly showeth : —

First, That we seem to be called of God to continue our habitation
in this place ; we are low in the world, and it would be a breaking thing
to our estates to remove to any other plantation. And the land here
is very capable of entertaining a considerable body of people ; though
inhabitants have been slow to come to us by reason of the war, yet
the land is very encouraging, capable to afford a comfortable subsist-
ence to many families.

Second, That it is an intolerable burden to continue as we have done,
without the preaching of the word. God doth require not only family
worship, but his pulilic worship. It is "the ordinance of God that, on



117

the Sabbath day, there should be an holy convocation ; and that his word
be preached by those who are able and faithful ; and our necessities
put us upon it earnestly to desire it ; both we and our children need
the instructions, rebukes and encouragements of the word ; the dark-
ness and deadness of our own hearts, together with the many snares
that are in the world, are an experimental conviction to us that we need
all those helps and advantages that God hath sanctified for our good.

Third, That we are not able at present to maintain the worship of
God ; we are but twelve families, and are not of estate sufficient to give
suitable encouragement to a minister ; we are willing to do to the
outside of our ability ; but though as much as can be expected from us,
it will not amount to such a sum as a minister may reasonably require
for his labor.

Fourth, That if this Honored Court would please to pity us, and grant
us some help for a few years, for the maintenance of a godly, able min-
ister, besides the advantage that it may be to these few families that
are here, it would be a means of bringing many other inhabitants to us,
whereby we shall be so far assisted that we may of ourselves be able
to uphold the worship of God, and not be burdensome to others.

Under these considerations we humbly beg, that this Honored Court
would exercise compassion to us, and assign some relief to us out of
the public treasury, which we shall look upon, not only as a testimony
of your zeal for the worship of God, but also of your tender compas-
sion to the souls of those whom God hath made you fathers of: and
your petitioners shall pray, &c.

Read November 23, 1698.

In answer to the above petition, —

Ordered that there be twenty pounds paid out of the public Treasury
of this Province, towards the support of an orthodox minister for one
year to commence from the time of the settlement of such minister
amongst them.

Sent up to the Honorable the Lieutenant Governor and Council for
Concurrence. Nathaniel Byfield, Speaker.

Signed.
Samuel O. Owen, Thomas Barnes, Hervey Gilbert,

Stephen Gennings, Jno. Woolcott, James Pettee,

Samuel Davie, William Barnes, Thomas Parsons,

Thomas Rich, Abyan Bartlett, Daniel Price.

Jon. Clary, • Joseph Marks, John Pettee.

Read in Council, November 24, 1698, and voted a concurrence with

the Representatives.

Isaiah Addington, Secretary.



118



NOTE 11.

Terms of settlement as proposed to Mr. Ward, and his answer of

acceptance.

At a legal meeting of the first precinct in the town of Brookfield on
Monday the 26th day of August, 1771, the parish passed a vote of con-
currence with the church in the choice of Mr. Ephraim Ward of Newton
for the minister of the church and congregation in this place. And then,

" Voted, That upon the said Mr. Ward becoming the ordained minister
of this Church and Congregation, there be given, granted and paid to
him the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds lawful money of this Prov-
ince as a settlement, to enable him to settle in this place as a minister, —
the one half to be paid to him at the end of one year from the day of
his ordination, and the other half in two years from said day.

Voted, That upon condition the said Mr. Ward shall become the or-
dained minister of this Church and Congregration, and upon condition
the said Mr. Ward shall not claim any right or interest arising from
the ministerial land now sold, that there be given, granted and paid
to the said Mr. Ward, the sum of sixty pounds as a salary for the first
year, and the like sum for the second year, at the end of each year ;
and the sum of sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence for the
third year ; and the last mentioned sum every year afterwards, during
his carrying on the work of the Gospel ministry in this precinct, — the
said salary to commence at the day of his acceptance of this grant and
closing with the terms thereof, the money to be computed at the rate
of six shillings and eight pence per ounce silver ; but to be paid in the
then current money of this Province.

Voted, That in case the said Mr. Ward shall, for one year together
during his ministry, be rendered unable to perform the publick duty of
his office personally, he shall be allowed the one-lialf of the above-
granted salary, and no more, during his continuance in the relation of a
minister to this people, unless he shall be restored to health, and per-
form said duty.

Voted, That there be given, granted and delivered to said Mr. Ward
at his dwelling-house annually in said precinct thirty cords of fire-wood
during his continuance in the ministry here, to commence when he shall
begin house-keeping, the said wood to be eight feet in length.

Voted, That the foregoing grants and this contract is upon the ex-
press condition the said Mr. Ward shall make no claim to any ministerial
land in this town, or the incomes arising by the sale thereof ; but the
same shall be and remain with the people to enable them to pay the
salary before granted."



119

Mr. Ward signified his acceptance of the above terms, September
13th, in the following words : —

" To Jedidiali Foster Esq., Moderator of a meeting in the first precinct in

Brookfield, to be communicated.

Gentlemen: — After the most mature, deliberate consideration (the
time would admit) of the general invitation you have given me to settle
among you, and take upon me the pagtoral care of the Church and Congre-
gation in this precinct, considering the encouragement you gave as a set-
tlement, and the sum you offer as a salary, although not agreeable to my
expectations, and attended with some peculiar restrictions, yet for the
sake of the peace of the society, and hoping for the continuance of your
friendship and affection, I accept of your proposals, and do hereby signify
my closing with the terms thereof. Praying that, by the divine aid and
assistance,! may faithfully discharge the important trust when committed
to me ; wishing that grace, mercy and peace may be multiplied in this place ;
and that we may long be mutual blessings and comforts to each other in
this life, and finally meet and rejoice together in endless happiness,

I remain, Gentlemen, your sincere friend and humble servant,

EPHRAIM WARD.

Brookfield, first precinct, September 13, 1771."

NOTE III.

THE ORIGINAL AND PRESENT COVENANT OF THE CHURCH.

You do now in the presence of the great and holy GOD, the elect
Angels, and this assembly of witnesses, enter into a solemn and per-
petual covenant, never to be forgotten, never to be broken.

You sincerely and cordially give up yourself to that GOD whose
name alone is JEHOVAH ; taking GOD the Father to be your GOD
and Father, GOD the son to be your only Saviour and Kedeemer,
GOD the Holy Ghost to be your Sanctifier and Comforter.

You submit yourself to Christ, and accej)t him as the Erophet, Priest,
and I^ng of your soul, the Great Head of the Church, and the only Media-
tor of the covenant of grace; promising that by the assistance of the Holy
Spirit you will keep the covenant of the Lord inviolably ; that you will
cleave to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith and ( Jospel obedience ; — and will
endeavor to reform your life as to all known sin, whether open or secret ;
— will live in the conscientious discharge of all duty toward GOD and
man; — walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord
blamelessly ; — that you will endeavor that the inward temper of your
mind be conformed to GOD's will and word ; — and that you will follow
the excellent example which Christ has set you for the rule of your life.

You also give up yourself to this Church in the Ivord ; and freely



120

covenant and bind yourself to walk as a regular member of Christ's .
church ; to obey them that have rule over you in the Lord — to read
GOD's word, and to live in the practice of social and secret prayer, and
in diligent attendance on the word preached, and ordinances adminis-
tered : and relying on the grace and all-suflficiency of Christ, which are
sufficient for you — You promise to walk according to what you now
know, or shall know to be your duty.

Do you sincerely and cordially consent to the covenant now proposed ?

We then receive you as a sincere disciple of Christ and a member of
the same church with ourselves, promising, so long as GOD shall con-
tinue you among us, to watch over you with meekness and brotherly
love ; and may the Lord add to the numbers and graces of his church ,
and finally bring us all to join the general Assembly, and Church of the
First-born, whose names are written in heaven. Amen.



NOTE IV.

The number of members of which the church was composed when
Mr. Ward's ministry commenced, in 1771, is not ascertained. We gather
from the Catalogue about ninety names. But as the record of admis-
sions begins only fourteen years earlier, (in 1758), many names are un-
doubtedly lost.

The following table, carefully compiled by Mr. Cordley (former
pastor) from the Catalogue prepared by himself, and continued by the
present pastor, indicates the annual increase or decrease in the member-
ship of the Church during each pastorate for the last half century, be-
ginning with the year 1816.

Mr. Phelps was settled October 23, 1816.



Year.


Month.


Additions.


Removals.


Members.


1816


October 23,






236


1817


January 1,


4


4


236


1818


January 1,


13


11


238


1819


January 1,


57


6


289


1820


January 1,


65


14


340


1821


January 1,


8


9


339


1822


January 1,


10


10


339


1823


January 1,




6


333


1824


January 1,


2


13


322


1825


January 1,


2


12


312


1826


January 1,


4


13


303


1826


October 25,


8


16


290



Mr. Phelps was dismissed October 25, 1826.



121

Mr. Foot was settled October 25, 1826.



Year.


Month.


Additions.


Removals.


Members.


1827


January 1,


1


1


290


1828


January 1,


84


13


361


1829


January 1,


13


8


366


1830


January 1,


7


9


364


1831


January 1,


11


IG


359


1832


January 1,


6


19


345


1832


May 1,


1


4


342



Mr. Foot was dismissed May 1, 1832.
Mr. Horton was settled August 15, 1832.



Ye.ir.


Month.


Additions.


Removals.


Members.


1832


August 15




4


338


1833


Jauuary 1


10


12


336


1834


January 1


11


24


323


1835


January 1


8


21


310


1836


January 1


99


28


381


1837


January 1


6


12


375


1888


January 1


11


19


367


1839


January 1


2


18


351


1840


January 1


29


21


359


1841


January 1


3


14


348


1841


September


15, 11


14


345



Mr. Horton was dismissed September 15, 1841.



Year.


Month.


Additions.


Removals.


Members.


1842
1842


January 1,
January 12,


1


6 340
1 340



Mr. Chase was settled January 12, 1842.