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HISTORY OF THE GENERAL CONVENTION OF CONGREGATIONAL AND PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS IN VERMONT.

[Prepared by Rev. Thomas A. Merrill, D. D., Register.]

THE importance of being organized as a body, doubtless occurred to the ministers of Vermont, at an early period of its history. But no definite arrangement appears to have been made till 1795. The annual Commencement at Dartmouth College was the occasion on which the first meeting for consultation was held.

The Records of the Convention commence with the following words:

"At a meeting of Delegates from the several Bodies of ministers in the State of Vermont, convened by circular letters at the house of President John Wheelock, Aug. 27, 1795, were present, Rev. Messrs. Job Swift, Samuel Whiting, Lyman Potter, Asa Burton, and Martin Tullar. Mr. Whiting was chosen Moderator and Mr. Tullar Scribe." "It was unanimously agreed that there be in future a General Convention of Ministers" in the State of Vermont, and that "all Associations and Presbyteries composed of ministers regularly introduced shall be allowed to send two members to said Convention; and in any county in the State, where there shall not be more than one regular minister, he shall for the present be entitled to a seat in the Convention." It was declared: "The general object and design of this Convention shall be to consult union and friendship among ministers; and the general interest and well-being of the churches." They "agreed that the first meeting of said Convention shall be on the third Tuesday of June next, at evening, at the house of Mr. Whiting of Rockingham, and that the preacher be appointed by the Royalton Association."

The preceding extracts compose the substance of the record of this meeting. Agreeably to the preceding arrangement, the first meeting of the Convention was held at Rockingham, June 21, 1796. The number present is not stated in the Record. At most there was a delegation from the three Associations only, that are mentioned in the records of the next year. One great object aimed at by this meeting was to unite ministers "into Associations or Presbyteries," and churches in Consociations, or "into such connection and society, as that they may put strength into each other's hands by mutual watch." The Convention proposed the inquiry to be answered by the Associations, "Whether it be thought expedient to form any connection with the General Conventions of New Hampshire and Massachusetts and the General Association of Connecticut." It was resolved to choose a Register, “whose business it shall be to keep a record of all the doings of the Convention from time to time, as they may be transmitted to him by the scribe." In 1797, he was made a member of the Convention, ex officio, and in 1801, Treasurer. The minister of the parish was not admitted to a seat in the body till 1802.

In 1797 and 1798, the Convention was attended by two Delegates from each of the following Associations-Windham, Royalton, and "the Association in the Western District." As the State at this time, sent two representatives to Congress, it was politically divided into Eastern and Western Districts. The Association on the west side of the Green Mountain, took its name from the congressional district, in which its members resided. And even when, after this political division ceased, the Association was divided by the line between Rutland and Addison counties, the new Associations were first called the Southern and Northern Associations of the Western District. The Southern, from which Pawlet Association was set off, is now called Rutland. The Northern soon took the name Northwestern, which they gave up on their division, as appropriate to the new Association, which still retains that name, and took the name of Addison.

As the population and ministers of Vermont were continually increasing by

immigration from different parts of the country, though chiefly from the two contiguous New England States and Connecticut, and were to a great extent strangers to each other, the Convention, from its first organization, appears to have been extremely anxious that the Orthodox ministers and churches, and most of them were such, should become united in Associations and Consociations, somewhat like Connecticut. This subject was agitated in the Convention every year, till, in 1799, they report apparently with much satisfaction, "that Windham Association with the churches in the same county, and the Association in the Western District, with the churches in that vicinity, have consociated." They still "request other Associations to use their endeavors to form into Consociations according to what has been previously recommended by Convention." Orange Association, (the northern members of which were afterwards organized as Coos Association, and finally took the name of Caledonia Association,) was this year for the first time represented in the Convention, and had doubtless been recently organized. It embraced the territory on both sides of Connecticut river which had been occupied by the Grafton Presbytery. This Presbytery about this time discontinued its meetings. Neither this nor any other Presbytery was ever represented in the Convention. As there never has been but an exceedingly small number of Presbyterian ministers or churches in Vermont, the word Presbyterian was probably introduced into the title of the Convention by its originators, with a reference to this Presbytery.

In 1801, two Delegates, "Rev. Messrs. Simon Waterman, and Nathan Perkins," attended the Convention from the General Association of Connecticut. They were authorized to consummate a union between the two bodies, which was cheerfully acceded to. A similar arrangement was subsequently made, at different times, with several other Ecclesiastical bodies. To quote from the printed minutes of 1827, "The principles of union with these several bodies are substantially the same, viz: the Convention sends to each of them one or two Delegates or Commissioners annually, and they each send annually to the Convention the same number." These Delegates have the same right of sitting, debating and voting, as the body to which they are sent. For a more particular account, see Assembly's Digest, p. 300. At the request of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, the Convention consented, in 1834, that so far as these two bodies were concerned, their Delegates should not vote.

Though the Convention never had any ecclesiastical authority, and never claimed any, nor desired any, they ever considered themselves as guardians of the churches, as set to watch for their welfare, and as bound to use all their influence to promote their spiritual interests. The Convention, some of the Associations and the Consociations of the Western District, manifested an extreme solicitude to have the many vacant churches supplied with preaching as far as practicable; and urged the importance of having the settled ministers occasionally perform missionary tours of a few weeks, looking to the pastors in the vicinity to supply their pulpits, during their absence, except one Sabbath. By this means many destitute churches were cheered and blessed with ordinances, and strengthened. The Convention enjoined this course, at their first meeting in 1796, and did not cease from time to time to urge it on the Associations, even many years after a Missionary Society was organized in the State. They were, at the same time, solicitous to guard the churches against the labors of those incorrect in sentiment and immoral in practice.

In 1800, they commenced the annual appointment of a "Committee of Credentials, whose duty it shall be to examine and certify the standing and regularity of those who come to, or go from us, under the title of ministers; and to prevent impositions from those of doubtful or bad character." Many churches had suffered severely. This procedure was casting the aegis of protection over those who were disposed to proceed cautiously.

Solicitude for the vacant churches induced the Convention, in 1807, at their meeting in the study of the present Register, to form themselves into a society to be known by the name and style of the "Vermont Missionary Society." All the business of the Society was to be transacted "by twelve Trustees, who

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were authorized to institute and superintend the publication of a periodical work." The Trustees met without delay, and by the mere influence of a circular to the churches, soon found $750 at their disposal for missionary purposes. During the first year they appointed nine missionaries to labor for terms of from nine to thirty-two weeks each. They also, as they had been directed, reported a Constitution to the Convention, which, as adopted in 1808, made the Missionary Society consist of the Convention for the time being, and of all other persons who gave a stipulated sum to the funds of the Society. The Congregational churches of Vermont made this Society the organ of their missionary operations, till the rise, in 1818, of the Vermont Juvenile, now Vermont Domestic Missionary Society.

The Convention this year, 1808, took up the subject of Tracts. But not having time to mature a plan for their circulation, they referred the whole subject to the Trustees of the Missionary Society. The result was the organization of the Vermont Tract Society, which, till the rise of the New England Tract Society in Boston, continued to publish, as well as circulate Tracts. Wishing to cooperate with that institution, the "Convention," in 1814, recommended "the formation of Auxiliary Tract Societies in the respective towns, to receive Tracts from the New England Society," and that the operations of the Vermont Tract Society should cease. For further particulars in regard to the Missionary and Tract Societies, and to the operations of the Consociations on the west side of the mountain, in promoting the cause of missions, the reader is referred to the Adviser, vol. i. pp. 17, 68, and 179; to the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine, vol. vi. p. 432; to the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine and Religious Intelligencer, vol. ii. p. 305; to the Panoplist, vol. iii. p. 380.

The Convention also resolved, that it is "expedient, that a periodical publication of a religious nature be established in this State." They accordingly appointed twelve editors, and committed the whole concern to their care. The consequence of this arrangement was the establishment of the Adviser or Vermont Evangelical Magazine, which was commenced in January, 1809, at Middlebury, and continued seven years. The Adviser was always entirely under the control of the General Convention, as they appointed the editors annually. The profits were pledged to the Missionary Society. This work was very generally patronized by the Congregational denomination, and the number published sometimes exceeded 2,500.

In 1809, "The Convention deeply lamenting the too prevalent neglect of catechetical instruction, recommended to the Trustees of the Missionary Society, to address the public in general and ministers and churches in particular, on this highly important subject; and to take measures for printing a cheap edition of the Primer." The result was an Address, (written by the late Dr. Burton, and published in the Adviser, vol. iii. p. 295,) and an edition of 10,000 Primers, embracing valuable matter only, and consisting chiefly of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism, and Watts's Divine Songs. These were distributed over the whole State, and purchased generally in quantities at cost, by the churches or a few individuals in each town, and distributed gratuitously.

The Convention was one of the first public bodies that gave a warning voice on the danger of using ardent spirits as a beverage. They commenced in 1811, and spoke from time to time in louder and louder tones, till in 1834, they resolved that they "deem the obligations resting on every friend of his country and of man to contribute to the utmost to the cause of temperance, as undeniable and imperative; and that they therefore regard every professor of religion who forbears associating himself with a Temperance Society, and especially every one who indulges himself in the use of ardent spirits, as greatly wanting in his duty, and as helping by his example and influence, to retard a reformation of the highest importance to individual and public virtue and happiness."

From the first organization of the Convention, they deplored the want of competent religious teachers in Vermont. As early as 1804, a Society had been established in the west part of the State, (being probably the first regularly organized Education Society in the country,) "whose object" was

"to aid pious and ingenious young men in indigent circumstances, to acquire education for the work of the gospel ministry." See Pan. vol. ii. p. 237. In 1811, the Associations in the east part of the State, north of Windham county, determined to go still further, and to establish a Theological Institution, "designed for those who have as yet had only a common education." When the Convention was appealed to "to patronize it," they were not satisfied with the plan, and appointed a Committee "to propose such arrangement as would render the Seminary more extensively useful." In the event a public meeting was held, and an Academy established, to aid "in fitting for college" "pious young men in indigent circumstances," and in completing "the education of such as are so fitted," at existing institutions. This seminary, in consequence of the donation of Mr. Kimball of Plainfield, N. H., was finally located at that place and bore his name. Adviser, vol. iii. p. 341, vol. iv. p. 309; Connecticut Magazine and Evangelical Intelligencer, vol. vi. pp. 37 and 71.

The subject of a Theological Seminary in Vermont has often been before the Convention. The fact that so many pious men reared up and passing through the first and second stages of education with constitutions and habits and modes of reasoning adapted to the State, and that so few of them after completing theological studies abroad ever return, has affected many minds. The Convention have appointed committees on the subject and passed resolutions. But no adequate means have been at command, and no effectual measures have been taken or hardly attempted; though the Convention went so far in 1836 as to resolve, "That the present situation of our Zion and the history of our past efforts to reform her desolations, go to show not only the expediency, but absolute necessity and duty now to make a vigorous and powerful effort to furnish the facilities within our own bounds for pious young men to obtain a thorough theological education."

February 2, 1820, a State Society was formed, by the name of "the Northwestern Branch of the American Education Society." This Branch has been well sustained by the pastors and churches, and especially so by the officers and guardians of the literary institutions of Vermont. It has hitherto been efficient in furnishing young men for the ministry, and in raising funds for their education; and it seems destined to perform an important instrumentality in supplying the world with able and faithful ambassadors of the cross.

In 1812, the Convention deemed it important that a Bible Society should be established in Vermont. They accordingly resolved, "That a Committee, without distinction of denominations, be appointed to prepare and digest a plan for the organization and government of said Society." A large committee of clergymen and laymen, in different parts of the State, was appointed, and, through their agency, the Vermont Bible Society was organized at the meeting of the Legislature in the following month.

Reformation in the morals of the community engrossed a great share of the time and energies of the Convention in 1813. They prepared and published a Constitution, which they recommended to be adopted, ("with such alterations as" each "Society shall deem expedient,") by every town in the State. Though those who strictly followed the advice of the Convention formed Societies "for the encouragement of good morals and the suppression of vice," still the sins of "profaneness, profanation of the Sabbath, and the intemperate use of spirituous liquors," were chiefly aimed at by the Convention, and by the organizations which they brought into being. A very strong interest was extensively excited on this subject, and was followed, at least in some parts of the State, by a manifest reformation, especially in regard to travelling on the Sabbath.

The next and following years the subject of Sabbath mails was considered, and numerous petitions against this desecration of the Sabbath were forwarded to Congress, in conformity with the recommendations of the Convention.

In 1817, the Convention adopted a regulation, to which they have uniformly adhered that the Register should lay before them, at the commencement of every session, a docket of the ordinary business. The consequence has been, that the Convention, instead of being obliged to wait for a committee of overtures to report, are ready the moment they are organized to proceed to business.

Their progress in entering on business was much accelerated by a subsequent resolution, that the Register and minister of the parish shall prepare the roll. By this course the delay occasioned by reading certificates of membership is saved.

In 1818, it was proposed by the New England bodies in correspondence, to have a kind of standing committee, or committee of union, in which all the different bodies should be represented annually. Though the Convention has generally been swift to follow the older New England States, yet, in this instance, they declined, though from year to year solicited to unite, uniformly professing that they could see no material benefits as likely to result from such a committee.

The Convention from time to time had urged the importance of having the churches form into Consociations. Ascertaining in 1822 that nearly or quite all the churches on the west side of the mountain were consociated, and that three Consociations had been organized on the eastern side, they resolved so to alter their Constitution, that Consociations might be represented in the Convention.

The Convention, in their anxiety to promote a knowledge of the Scriptures, instituted, in 1825, two Societies. One consisting of the Convention and such persons as subscribe one dollar annually, and ten dollars to be members for life, was denominated the "Vermont Sabbath School Union." The other was a Society to promote the formation and prosperity of Bible Classes." It consisted of the Convention for the time being and such other persons as they may invite to act with them. Both these Societies held their anniversaries in connection with the meeting of the Convention, and contributed no small amount of influence to promote the objects for which they were instituted. The latter Society after a few years was merged in the former, which still continues.

A committee in 1825 was appointed "to take into consideration the expediency of establishing a religious newspaper." After various consultations, the Vermont Chronicle was established at Bellows Falls, in January, 1826, and the present editor consented to take the whole pecuniary responsibility on himself. The Convention, at their meeting in 1826, were much gratified to find a paper in successful operation, and threw in all the influence they were capable of exerting to promote its circulation.

In 1834, a Tract was laid before the Convention, prepared by a committee appointed the previous year, on the duties and responsibilities of Christian parents. The committee to whom it was referred, after speaking of it in terms of decided approbation, stated "that they deem it highly desirable that a copy of the Address should be placed in the hands of every Christian parent in all our churches." A large edition was printed, and very many churches took a sufficient number of copies to supply every family.

The first and succeeding years after the organization of the Convention, attempts were made to procure to be "printed" full statistics in regard to the ecclesiastical condition of Vermont. But the successive committees, for several years, were very inefficient. In 1802, a part of the original object was secured. A report was accepted, representing that there were in the State "settled ministers of the Congregational order, 38; dismissed ministers continuing to labor in the ministry, 10; licensed candidates for the ministry, 6." The next year, 1803, a catalogue of the names of ministers was made out, and is appended to this sketch. The Convention has annually, for several years, published a statistical table of the ministers and churches. They attempted, in 1835, to accomplish much more,-to prepare for the American Quarterly Register a statistical account and summary sketch of the ministers and churches, including revivals, from the first settlement of the State. Whether the Convention will be able to awaken sufficient interest in ministers to furnish the historical account of their own parishes; and to secure committees, who will have leisure and activity enough to carry the plan through, is yet to be determined. It could not be ascertained, in 1837, that reports of but two counties, Addison and Caledonia, were so far perfected, as to be ready for publication.

Vermont, in common with other States, has entered, with much promptitude, the field of benevolence. The previous history shows that, in some things, the

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