J.Q. Bittinger, Ppstor. Centennisl Discourse Fi-nst Con2:rea:ational Churdi Haverhill, N.H. BX7I50 .H35F5 B6 B6 9t^o MIN 14 1918 J CENTENNIAL DISCOURSE. CENTENNIAL DISCOURSE. I UN 14 191« A HISTORY^%£?iMLl!^ OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, HAVERHILL, N. H. BY J. Q. BITTINGER, Pastor. PRINTED BY THE CLAREMONT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, CLAKEMONT, N. H. NOTE. July 9, 1876, was recommended to the Congregational churches of New Hampshire as a day for holding Cen- tennial services. The Church in Haverhill observed the day by two services, one in the morning, on which occa- sion the following sketch of the church formed a principal part of the exercises, the other in the afternoon which was devoted to the Sabbath school. Short addresses were made by the superintendent, P. H. Kimball, giving a history of the school from its organization ; by Rev. James Aiken on the origin and history of Sabbath schools in general; and by Dr. Phineas Spaulding on the rela- tion of Sabbath school work to the conversion of souls. DISCOURSE. Amongst the many forces which have wrought during the past century in the wonderful progress and civiliza- tion of our country, the foremost place must be assigned the Christian church. Without entering into a discussion of the general proposition, it will be my chief purpose on the present oc3asion to give a sketch of this church and trace its influence on the moral and religious welfare of this community. Like every other Christian church its lines of light and power have extended far beyond those -who are the object of its more immediate care — its good and noble work going forward wherever any of its mem- bers maintain a living Christian faith and example. Its chief labor is here ; it has also a part in the general mould- ing of the nation's moral life. The first Congregational Church of Haverhill was or- ganized October 13, 1790, about thirty years after the set- tlement of the town. The early inhabitants were princi- pally from Massachusetts, and were distinguished for their strict religious principles and their regard for the Sabbath. The town of Newbury, Vt., was settled about the same time that Haverhill w-as, and both settlements were inti- mately related in their religious affairs, — the people of Haverhill attending divine service in Newbury for the most part until the organization of this church. At a town meeting of the proprietors of Newbury in the sum- mer of 1763, — the year in which both Newbury and Ha- verhill were chartered, — it was voted " to unite with Ha- verhill in paying a preacher for the term of two or three months this fall and winter." The year following a church IV was organized at Kewbury composed of members from both sides of the river, and also au ecclesiastical society was formed, and this union continued for nearly twenty years.- The church at Newbury was the first church or- ganized in the Connecticut Valley north of Charlestown, N. H., the Rev. Peter Powers being its first pastor. So remote was the church from sister churches that in call- ing a council for installation it was voted that the place of meeting should be " down country where it was thoui^ht best," Hollis, N. H. being selected as the place. Mr. Powers preached his own installation sermon. Daring the Revolutionary war from fear of the tories and Indians, Mr. Powers took refuge on this side of the river in the . house of Col. Johnston, a member of his church, preach- ing occasionally in a block house to the soldiers and in- habitants. This block house was situated on the premis- es now occupied by the residence of Mr. Harry Johnston and sister. • After his dismission from Newbury, in 1782, he preached for a year or more at Haverhill. From the close of his labors here until 1791 there was no stated preaching in the town. Daring this interval of about six or seven years efforts were made by vote of the town to secure preaching, but owing to a want of harmony be- tween the north end and the south end those efforts were defeated. In January, 1788, it was voted to divide the town into two parishes, but this vote was not carried into effect. Subsequently, in 1789, an article was put in the warrant to see if the town would raise money for preach- ing, but the proposition was defeated. The inhabitants of the south end now petitioned the Legislature for a di- vision of the town in the hope that by such division they could secure the preaching of the gospel, and alleged this as the reason of their petition. Meantime at a town meet- ing ill 1790 a vote was carried to raise £ 40 for preaching which seems to have been spent for that purpose. In August of the same year a town maeting was hald to see if the town would unite in th3 settle:n3at of a ministar who should preach part of the time at the maeting house at the south end and part of the tims in the Court House or some place in Horse-meadow in proportion to the taxes paid at each end of the town, and a committee was ap- pointed and directed to hire the Rav. Mr. B3II on proba- tion. The people seam to have baen quite earnest in this movement, since in Saptember of the sama year, the £ 40 baing nearly expanded, the town voted another £ 40 for the same purpose. The moral and religious condition of the community during the somewhat long period whan they were deprived of the preached gospel had become very alarming. Ini- quity and irreligion held full sway. Practically there was no Sabbath, and only three parsons in all the south part of the town were professing Christians. Two of these were Col. Charles Johnston and the Hon. James Wood- ward. But in the midst of this moral waste and wicked- ness thoughts of God came into the hearts of men. "When I thought of tha Sabbath-breaking, aad that thare ware no people here to pray for me," was the remark of one, "I became alarmed." Cartainly, a valid ground for alarm. A powerful revival of religion now began and prevailed so universally in all the south end, that not a family from the Pierm )nt line to the D^w farm was un- moved. The people being without a religious guida the Rav. Dr. Burroughs of Hinover cama upon the grounl and did the work of afliithful pastor, visiting from house to house, and speaking and praying with the people. And VI thus whilst the dissensions of men were defeating the ef- forts for a permanent ministry, God caused the " wrath of men to praise him, and the remainder of wrath he re- strained." This religious awakening was the beginning of this church which was organized with a membership of twenty three persons. The Rev. Eden Burroughs D. D., of Han- over, the Rev. Mr. Ward of Plymouth, and Dr. Asa Burton of Thetford, Vt., assisted in the organization. Others were soon a