■ I Stoddard, N.H. The Creed and Covenant of the Orthodox Congregational Church At Stoddard, N.H. ■ ^ OF Pft/Jg^v OCT %OG/GAL St^ AN 'ssnDDjAg ' Du i soya ayoiAvo Aq pajn4DD^nuDyy yaaNia lJiMdwvd INflOWOlOHd IS1C7 •A3 CREED AND COVENANT, ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, AT STODDARD, N. II. CATALOGUE OF ITS MEMBERS. TO JUXE 1. 1862. KEENE: PRIN'TEfl AT Till: NEW-HAMP3IIIKE SENTINEL JOB OFFICE, 1862. CREED AND COVENANT, ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, AT STODDARD, N. H CATALOGUE OF ITS MEMBERS, TO JUNE 1, 1862. KEENE: PRINTED AX THE NEW-HAMPSHIRE SENTINEL JOB OFFICE. 1862. SKETCH This town was formerly called " Limeric." It was first settled about 1769. It was incorporated Nov. 4, 1774, when its name was changed to Stoddard, in honor of Col. Sampson Stoddard of Chesterfield, to whom, with others, it had been granted. The Congregational Church was organized Sept. 4, 1787, by a council composed of Rev. Edward Sprague of Dub- lin and delegate, Rev. Aaron Hall of Keene and delegate, with Dea. Daniel Emery as delegate from Jaffrey. Ten persons, professors of religion, presented themselves and were constituted a Church. In Sept., 1791, a call was voted to Mr. Solomon Adams, to settle as Pastor of the Church, but the invitation was not ac- cepted. Oct. 16. 1793, Mr. Abishai Colton, a graduate of Yale College in 1 783, was ordained and installed, but was dismissed July 21, 1795. A call was next extended to Mr. Stephen Williams, in 1799, but tradition says it was not accepted. Dec. 30, 1800, a call was voted to Mr. Robertson Smile, but according to the above authority it was not accepted. Rev. Isaac Robinson was the next Pastor, who was ordained Jan. 5, 1803. He received the degree of D. D. from Dart- mouth College in 1847. His connection with the Church was suddenly terminated by his decease, July 9, 1854, having been its Pastor fifty-one years. Rev. Joshua S. Gay and Rev. N. W. Sheldon, with others, supplied the pulpit after the death of Dr. Robinson, until May, 1860, when Mr. Samuel L. Gerould, who was educated at Dartmouth College, and Union Theological Seminary, com- menced his labors. After preaching as a licentiate for nearly a year and a half, he was ordained and installed as Pastor, Oct. 2. 1861. This Church has enjoyed two seasons of special revival since its formation, the former immediately after the settlement of Dr. Robinson in 1803, the other in the year 1822, in connection ■with the labors of Rev. Moses Gerould, then a student for the ministry. Although these have been the only seasons of special religious awakening the town has witnessed, yet, in almost every year, more or less have made a public profession of religion. The town, at its first annual meeting, March 30, 1775, made provision for preaching, by voting £30 for that purpose. An appropriation was made at nearly every succeeding annual town meeting, for a like purpose, until that custom was dropped. — The first meeting-house was erected by the town near the height of land on the hill south of Abner Knowl ton's, in 1782. This was occupied but a few years, when a more commodious edifice was erected in 1789, a few rods west of where Edward Morse's house stands. Both of these were built by the town, and were used as town houses. The present house of worship was erected by the Congregational Society in 1836. In 1858, the Church came into possession of a farm and buildings thereon situated, willed to it by the late Mr. Stephen Adams, the income of which was to be applied to the support of the Gospel. In 1854, Mr. A. P. Nichols willed his farm, situated in the western part of the town, to the Church, for the same purpose. The Church, however, are not to come into possession of the latter until the decease of the testator's wife. In 1861, E. B. Towne, Esq., of Raynham, Ms., purchased and presented to the Church and Society a neat and commodious house, to be used as a parsonage. By this, and by other generous acts, he has proved himself "a friend indeed" to the interests of Zion in this place. The records of the Church for the first few years were kept in a loose manner, (on separate slips of paper,) and the proba- bility is that some records are lost. The mark of interrogation in the list of names, indicates doubt as to the matter where it is placed, o)' that it is unknown: e, g. — when placed after John Spaulding"s name, it indicates that it is doubtful whether he joined the Church by organization, or afterward by profession, there being no record of it. In the toivn records, I find that about the time of the formation of the Church, a call was ex- tended by the town to Mr. Enoch Pond to settle here in the ministry, which, however, was not accepted. In 1860, no Confession of Faith or Covenant of the Church could be found, as it was never placed on the records. The present Confession and Covenant were adopted in 1861. The By-Laws were also adopted at the same time. The Confession of Faith and Covenant, on which the Church was formed, which was signed in person by each one who joined the Church, was lost Jjef ore the pastorate of Dr. Robinson. It would seem, however, that some were dissatisfied with it, as it was voted Oct. 15, 1791 "That the Confession of Faith signed by the Church should not be a bar to hinder any person joining the Church, if they witnessed a good confession according to Scrip- ture." Early in 1798, a Confession of Faith, drafted by Rev. Levi Lankton of New Alstead, was adopted by the Church, which, so far as anything is known to the contrary, was the one which was used until 1860. Our fathers were more strict in their discipline than some of their descendants. At a Church Meeting Oct. 29, 1807, it was unanimously voted : — " 1 — That we will punctually and faithfully attend the pre- paratory lectures, and endeavor that as many of our families as conveniently can, shall attend likewise. 2 — That if any brother or sister neglect to attend on any preparatory lecture, he or she shall be called to account for the neglect. 3 — Chose Dea. Ward Eddy and Dea. Ephraim Adams a committee, to inquire of those who may not attend preparatory lectures, the reason of their neglect, and report the same to the Church. 4 — That if any member of the Church shall perform any 6 manual labor, or journey, or visit on the Sabbath, such member shall be called upon by the Church to give account for the same.' ; And in 1834 it was voted "a disciplinable offence" for "any brother of the Church who pays a tax, to refuse to contribute his proportion to the support of preaching." CONFESSION OF FAITH. ADOPTED JAN. 10, 1861„ Art. 1. — We believe in one only living and true God, existing in three persons, equal in every divine attribute : the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Art.* 2 — We believe that this one God is the Creator, Pre- server and Ruler of the Universe, and that all intelligent beings are bound to love and obey him. Art. 3 — ~We believe that the Bible is the Word of God ; that it was given by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and is the sufficient and only rule of faith and practice. Art. 4. — We believe that all mankind are by nature sinful, and that for their sins they deserve eternal death.. Art'. 5. — We believe that Jesus Christ, by his sufferings and death, has made an atonement for the sins of the world, through which alone pardon is offered in the gospel to all who will re- pent and believe. Art. 6. — We believe the depravity of men to be such, that they never accept this offer of pardon, unless their hearts are renewed by the Holy Spirit. Art. 7. — We believe that those who are once regenerated will never utterly apostatize, but be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation. Art. 8. — We believe that the soul will live forever; and that there will be a resurrection of bodies both of the righteous and the wicked ; and a day of final judgment ; and that the wicked will go away into everlasting punishment, and the righteous into life eternal. To these articles of faith do you give your assent ? COVENANT. Confessing and bewailing the depravity of your hearts, and the manifold transgressions of your lives, and resolving, in the strength of God, henceforward to renounce all sin, you do sol- emnly avouch the LorcV Jehovah to be your God and portion, the object of your supreme love and delight ; the Lord Jesus to be your Savior from sin and death, your Prophet to instruct you, your Priest to atone and intercede for you, your King to rule, protect and enrich you ; and the Holy Spirit to be your Sanctifier, Comforter and Guide. To this Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, you do now, without reserve, give your- self away, in a covenant never to be revoked, to be his willing servant forever, to observe all his commandments and ordinances, in the sanctuary, in the family, and in the closet. You do also bind yourself by covenant to this Church, to watch over us in the Lord, to seek our purity, peace and edification, and to sub- mit to the government and discipline of Christ as here ad- ministered. Thus do you (severally) covenant with God and his people? (Baptism here administered.) (Church arise.) We, therefore, in consequence of these professions and engagements, do affectionately receive you as a member of this Church, and in the name of Christ, declare you entitled to all its privileges. We welcome you to this fellowship with us in the labors and blessings, the trials and rewards of the gospel; and on our part, engage to watch over you and seek your edification, so long as you shall continue among us. Should you have occasion to remove, it will be your duty to seek, and ours to grant, a recommendation to some other Church, for hereafter you cannot withdraw from the watch and communion of the Church, without breaking your solemn covenant. {Church sit.) And now, beloved in the Lord, remember that the vows of God are upon you. They will remain with you through life, in death, at the judgment-seat, and forever. Nor is this to you an unwelcome thought. You rejoice rather in the permanency of these sacred and precious bonds. Remember, too, that here- after the eyes of the world will be upon you ; and as you con- duct yourself, so will religion be honored or disgraced. Only let your conversation be as becometh the gospel of Christ, and you will be a credit and a comfort to us ; but if it be otherwise, you will be to us a grief of heart, and bring reproach on the Savior's name. But, beloved in the Lord, we are persuaded better things of you, though we thus speak. May the Lord support and guide you through this transitory life, and when its warfare is all accomplished, bring us all together into that blessed church where our communion shall be forever perfect, and our joy forever full. Amen. STANDING RULES. ADOPTED JAN. 10, I860. Art. 1. — A Christian Church we understand to be, and wc accordingly declare this Church to be, an association of pro- fessed believers in Christ, for mutual watchfulness, for the enjoyment of Christian ordinances, and the maintenance of the worship of Grod. Art. 2. — The permanent officers of this Church shall be a Pastor and two Deacons. The officer for the year shall be a Clerk, who, with the Pastor and Deacons, shall constitute a Committee for the general oversight of the interests of the Church. Art. 3. — The permanent officers shall be elected by ballot ; the Clerk by acclamation. Art. 4— The Church will meet for prayer and conference on Tuesday evening of each week. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper shall be administered (when possible) on the first Sab- baths of January, March, May, July, September and Novem- ber ; and there shall be a preparatory lecture on the Thursday afternoon previous. 9 Art. 5. — A business meeting may be called on any Sabbath, or weekly meeting for prayer, or on the day of the sacramental lecture, at the request of two members. All such meetings shall be called by a notice read from the pulpit on the Sabbath. The annual meeting for election of Clerk, shall be on the day of the sacramental lecture next preceding the communion in November. Art. 6. — Candidates will be admitted by election upon reg- ular business meetings only. Those who are not received from other Churches by letter, will be examined by the Church Committee, in the presence of the Church, and will make a public profession. Art. 7. — It is expected that members, on removing from town, will ask for letters of dismission and recommendation. — Persons receiving such letters are still regarded as members of this Church, until the Pastor or Clerk is notified that they have entered into covenant, either with the particular Church to which their letters are addressed, or with some other of evan- gelical character. Art. 8. — It shall be the duty of every member of the Church to pay annually the sum of ten cents to the Deacons, for the support of the communion table. Art. 9. — The following objects shall receive the support of the Church by annual contributions, viz : the Foreign Mission- ary, the American Bible Society, and the New Hampshire Missionary Society. When possible, these objects shall be pre- sented by the Pastor on the second Sabbaths of April, July and October, respectively. This does not prevent collections for other objects at other times. Art. 10. — No person, a member of another Church of Christ, who has taken residence with us, and has resided with us for one year without taking a letter of dismission and recom- mendation to us, shall be allowed to commune with us at the Lord's table, unless an excuse for such delay be rendered, which is deemed by the Church to be sufficient: 9 10 Art. 11. — Any member of this Church who goes out from us for the purpose of taking residence in another place where there is a sister Church, and remains there one year without asking a letter of dismission, shall be written to by the Clerk, reminding him of his duty ; and if he then fail to apply for a letter, or to render a suitable excuse, his name shall, at the expiration of the second year of leaving us, be erased from the Church list. Art. 12. — Any member who habitually neglects the weekly meeting for prayer, or Divine worship on the Sabbath, or the preparatory lectures, or the communion table, without a good reason, shall be regarded as worthy of discipline. Art. 13. — No person shall be expelled from the Church, until the charge against him (or her) shall be presented in writing, and an opportunity given for reply. Art. 14. — In all cases of discipline, the rule laid down in Matt. 18 : 15-18, shall be strictly followed ; and no complaint can be entertained by the Church of a member, until the com- plainant has complied with that rule. Pastors. Rev. Abishai Colton, Rev. Isaac Robinson, D.D. Rev. Samuel L. G-erould, Deacons. Ephraim Adams, Ward Eddy, Nathaniel Joslin, Peter Rice, Lucas Thompson, Luke Joslin, Rufus Wilson, Timothy Hunt, Acceded. Oct. 16, 1793, Jan. 5, 1803, Oct. 2, 1861. Acceded. Oct. 22, 1793, Oct. 22, 1793, June 28, 1810, Jan. 10, 1822, April 15, 1830, April 25, 1833, Nov. 10, 1860. Nov. 10, 1860. Retired. July 21, 1795. *July 9, 1854. Retired. * April 28, 1803. May 25, 1817. (?) *Nov. 15, 1829. *March 6, 1836. Jan. 27, 1856. '-Died. 11 CATALOGUE OF MEMBERS. l by letter, o. by organization. * deceased. t dismissed. J excommunicated. When not otherwise designated, it is to be understood that the individual joined by profession. Ward Eddy, 1787, t Dummerston, Vt., May 25, 1817. Mrs. Ward Eddy, o n f do. John Spaulding, (?) n t Washington, 1793. Mrs. John Spaulding, tt t do. Thomas Nichols, " * Eleazer Blake, it t Rindge, (?) Soloman Adams, tt * Timothy Thompson, a * Mrs. Foster, a * Ephraim Adams, '< * April 28, 1823. Nathaniel Evans, a * Feb. 5, 1845. Ebenezer Wright, a * Mrs. Ebenezer Wright, tt * Benjamin Howard, a * Enoch Pond, a * Mrs. Eleazer Blake, tt t Rindge, (?) Mrs. Nathaniel Evans, a * Sept. 15, 1833. Mrs. Thomas Nichols, " * William Dutton, tt * Mrs. Job Brooks, Aug 23, 1789, * Sept. 1, 1828. Nathan Procter, Sept. 27, " t April 15, 1790. Mrs. Hannah Wilson, July 12, 1794, t Townshend, Ms. June 17, 1804. Mrs. Abagail Fisher, << it it * May 2, 1814. Mrs. Lavina Messenger, L Wrentham, Ms. July 12. 1794. * July 20, 1820. Eben Hazleton, Sept. 1, 1794. # Mrs. Eben Hazleton, " a « * Nathan Hardy, tt 14, " * Nathaniel Joslin, it 21, a * Mrs. N. Joslin, ti a tt * Samuel Farnsworth, Nov. 23, tt * Mrs. S. Farnsworth, it << ti * Molly Hardy, Dec •7, n * I. Robinson, L [?) Jan. 4, 1803. # July 9, 1854. Mrs. Mary Turner, l .Pres. Nottin Uh. W. ?ham, (?) * April 24, 1813. Mrs. Lydia Blodgett, May 29, 1803. * Edward Phelps, ' a tt * Mrs. E. Phelps, ' tt ti * David Joslin, c it tt t May 14, 182S Mrs. D. Joslin, ( (( tt * Isaiah Hardy, * (C %t # Mrs. I. Hardy, ' tt " * Mrs. Mary Taggard, ' tt a * May 25, 1856. Mrs. Sarah Taggard, ' it a * Mrs. Hepzibah Davis, t " tt ♦ May 21, 1851. 12 Asuhel Purmenter, Mrs. A. Parmenter, Obadiah Jenkins, Noah Barden, Mrs. N. Barden, Mrs. Sally Procter, Mrs. Nancy Knight, Betsy Morrison, John Holt, Mrs. J. Holt, Mrs. Betsy Morrison, Abigail Wright, Mrs. Lucy Richardson, Mrs. Rebecca Reed, Mrs. Lydia Reed, Mrs. Anne Ball, Mrs. Mary Robb, Mrs. Lucy Jenkins, Elijah Dodge, Betsy Adams, Mrs. Rebecca Spaulding, Nathan Richardson, Mrs. Lydia Kemp, Lydia Kent, Joel Wilson, Mrs. J. Wilson, Mrs. Edna Stacy, Mrs. Eunice Chase, Mrs. Rebecca Richardson, Isaiah Reed, Mrs. Lucy Barden, Mrs. Polly Barden, Mrs. Sarah Howard, Mrs. Lydia Tarbell, John Stephens, Betsey E. Thompson, Esther Adams, John Curtice, Mrs. J. Curtice, Dorcas Richardson, Mrs. Eunice Boutwell, Mrs. Sally Chambers, Elizabeth Richardson, Annas Hale, Thirza Dodge, Benjamin Tarbell, John Ball, Mrs. Catherine Knight, Sarah Barrett, Mrs. Betsey Cram, Mrs. Diadema AVright, David Wilkinson, Mrs. D. Wilkinson, Mrs. Sarah Curtice, Elizabeth Dunn, Parniela Foster, Polly Curtice, Susanna Merrill, Mrs. Maruli Korah, l Gill, Ms. do. L •• " do. Sept. 4, 1803. Nov. 26, 1833. Jan. 1, 1796. l Greenfield, " L " " Oct. 2, " tt tt * * * * "23," Nov. 13, " It u • * * March 4, Oct. 25, 1860. 1838 Nov. 20, " Dec. 4, " * * * Jan. 18, 1804, * t t Fairfax , Vt May 8, Jan. 8, , Feb. 9, 1857 1861 1817 ", :: * " " :: :: <« u t t * Antrim, Jan. 8, Dec. 18, 1861 1854 it ti t Elizabe 22, thtown, N. Y 1810. ,Nov a tt