Clark of Amherst; (2) to Hannah, daughter of Samuel Smith. He had five children, Albert R., Lucy C., Dwight W., Frederick, and Sabra D.

Warren S. Howland was born in Conway, Aug. 31, 1798. He learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade, and came to Amherst in 1821, to assist in building the Amherst College chapel. The remainder of his life was spent in Amherst. He was among the best-known contractors and builders in this section, erecting, among other buildings, the Congregational church at the center, now known as College hall, the house built by Amherst College for its president, the church at East Amherst, churches in Pelham and Belchertown, the Russell church in Hadley, besides several private residences in the village. He also assisted in finishing the buildings of the Mt. Pleasant Institute. He early became interested in temperance reform, and furnished no liquors for his workmen or at raisings. after 1827. He was one of the first to assist in organizing an anti-slavery society in Amherst. Mr. Howland served in the state militia, gaining the title of "Col." Howland, by which he was generally known. When the civil war broke out, he was anxious to engage in active military service, but was debarred by age.

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE FIRST CHURCH.-PASTORS AND TERMS OF SERVICE. MEETINGHOUSES.-VESTRY AND AGRICULTURAL HALL.-CHURCH MUSIC. -THE PARSONAGE.-PARISH FUNDS. THE PRESENT CHURCH EDIFICE.

The pastorate of Dr. David Parsons over the First Congregational church, although ushered in by a revolution among its members, was long and successful. He was a man of marked ability, possessing in a high degree those social qualities that make warm and lasting friendships. That he was of more than local reputation is proved by the fact that on one occasion he delivered, on invitation, the " election sermon " before the governor and legislature at Boston; he was, also, on recommendation of President Dwight, appointed professor of theology at Yale College, an honor which he did not accept. Under his care the church prospered exceedingly and large additions were made to its membership. Numerous

anecdotes are related of him, one to the effect that, when expostulated with by a kinsman for regarding things too frequently from a humorous standpoint, he replied, "I know it all, Bro. Howard, and it has been my burden through life, but I suppose after all grace does not cure squint eyes.” On another occasion, it is said, he found his hired man resting in a field where he had been sent to plow. Dr. Parsons told him to take a bush-scythe and cut brush while he was resting. The man thereupon replied that the Dr. ought, on Sunday, while the choir was singing, to take a little flax and hetchel it out.

Dr.

In 1795, trouble arose in the parish concerning Dr. Parsons' ministry, and a vote was passed on the question of dissolving the ministerial relations existing between them, being decided in the negative. Aug. 3, 1819, a committee was appointed to confer with Dr. Parsons, to see if he was willing to be dismissed from the pastorate, and if so, on what terms. Parsons agreed to submit to a mutual council the question of his dismission, and the further question as to what compensation he should receive. The council met, Aug. 31, 1819, and adjourned to the next day, when it decided that the civil contract existing between the parties should be dissolved, and that the parish should pay Dr. Parsons $1,300. Sept. 20, 1819, the parish voted to raise $1,450 for making a final settlement with Dr. Parsons, so that he should have no further claim on the parish.

Sept. 20, 1819, at the meeting when it was voted to raise $1,450 to settle all claims that Dr. Parsons might have against the First parish, the parish made one more and, it is believed, a final effort, to bring about a union with the Second parish. It was voted that a union of the First and Second parishes, so as to constitute but one church and one congregation, under charge of one minister, would be for the furtherance of the Gospel, the peace, tranquility and respectability of the town, and a source of very great economy. The parish offered to unite with the brethren of the Second church, if the latter saw fit, in calling a council of churches from adjacent counties to bring about such union. The calling of Dr. Parsons to the pastorate of the First church had caused the breach that led to the organization of the Second; with the dismission of Dr. Parsons, it was hoped and believed that the differences might be adjusted and the churches united. But the breach had become too wide; the Second church, now firmly established, had no thought of giving up its independence.

Nov. 22, 1819, the First parish voted to unite with the church, if the latter saw fit, in extending a call to Rev. Daniel A. Clark to settle in the ministry, offering him a salary of $675 per annum. The church concurring, Mr. Clark was installed as pastor, Jan. 26, 1820; he had previously been settled at Weymouth and at Southbury, Conn. Mr. Clark was a preacher of great power.

Three volumes of his sermons were published, and were

regarded as among the ablest sermons of the times. In a biographical sketch by Rev. Dr. George Shepard, of Bangor, Me., contained in one of these volumes, he is described as follows: "Mr. Clark's person, voice and entire manner were in perfect keeping with his style, a large masculine frame; a voice harsh, strong, capable of great volume though not very flexible; an action, for the most part, ungraceful, but significant and natural; a countenance bearing bold, strongly marked features at every opening of which the naked and working passions would look intensely out; altogether gave the idea of huge, gigantic power." He was an aggressive reformer, taking a leading part in the warfare, then in its infancy, against intemperance. During his pastorate Amherst College was founded; he took great interest in the enterprise and preached an eloquent sermon at the laying of the corner-stone of the first college building. The closing year of Mr. Clark's ministry was marked by serious dissensions between pastor and people. Nov. 24, 1823, the parish appointed a committee to bring charges against Mr. Clark; April 12, 1824, he was requested to take a dismission, but refused to comply with the request. July 5, 1824, the parish requested the church to unite in calling an ecclesiastical council, to consider the subject of Mr. Clark's dismission, and should he refuse to join them in calling such a council, then an ex-parte council was to be summoned. It was also voted to inform Mr. Clark that it was not the wish of the parish that he should supply the pulpit prior to his dismission. Mr. Clark consented to refer the matter to an ecclesiastical council, and on the advice of this council was dismissed, Aug. 5, 1824. The records contain no hint as to the nature of the charges against him.

Nov. 7, 1825, the parish voted to concur with the church in extending a call to Rev. Royal Washburn to settle in the ministry. The salary offered was $600, and a stipulation was made that either party to the civil contract entered into might terminate the same on giving a six-months' notice to the other party. Mr. Washburn was installed as pastor, Jan. 5, 1826, and continued in the pastorate until his death, Jan. 1, 1833. He was married, in 1827, to Harriet, daughter of Dr. Parsons. Mr. Washburn won the respect and love of his people to a marked degree. He was not only an eloquent preacher, but a loving pastor, whose advice was freely given and highly valued, whose sympathy in the hour of affliction was very grateful, who possessed in full measure the graces that go to round out a Christian character. In May, 1832, Mr. Washburn tendered his resignation to the parish on account of ill health; the parish was unwilling to dismiss him, and voted, Aug. 13, not to sever the connection, but to discharge him from his duties and supply the pulpit for a time.

Nov. 13, 1832, the parish appointed a committee to procure a permanent supply for the pulpit, with reference to the settlement of a minister.