In 1849, The first minute in regard to church music is found on the parish records under date of Dec. 4, 1829, when it was voted to raise $40 to pay a singing master. April 29, 1830, the parish voted to allow Aaron Henry 67 cents for cash paid for violin strings. In 1840, the singers were given permission to move to the west side of the meeting-house if they chose to do so. The same year, it was voted that the double bass viol, so called," be repaired at the expense of the parish. As early as 1830, a committee was appointed to assist Mr. Gates in finding a house to hire." it was voted desirable that a house be procured for a parsonage. it was voted to procure a parsonage by purchase or building. May 6, 1840, the parish voted "that the standing committee be consulted by all lecturers that wish to lecture upon any subject of public reform, and get their approbation before entering the meeting-house for the purpose of lecturing upon said subject." As the anti-slavery question was being extensively agitated at this time, and the members of the South parish had shown a deep interest in it, the lecturers at whom this regulation was aimed were doubtless apostles of the anti-slavery crusade. March 8, 1841, the parish voted to procure one cord and a half of good hard wood and prepare it for the stoves and put it into the meeting-house before the first of June; also, to procure some person to make fires in the meeting-house. Dec. 29, 1842, the parish clerk was authorized to procure a “trunk" at the expense of the society suitable for keeping its books and papers in. In early times, the church observed many days of fasting and prayer. In 1877, the church voted to use unfermented wine for sacramental purposes. In When the parish was first organized, it followed the custom of nearly all religious societies in raising funds by a parish tax. Jan. 22, 1830, the following vote was passed: "That the money may be raised hereafter in Said Society by free toleration-that is, that every person may pay the Sum he Sees fitt." In 1836, it was voted to raise money by selling the slips, and the following year, to raise money by assessment. May 12, 1846, it was voted "That the meeting-house be open for all (members of the society or not) who feel disposed to meet with us for public worship, with the privilege of paying according as their conscience shall dictate." 1859 and 1860, a tax was laid upon the members of the parish, who expressed their willingness to be taxed according to their estates. In 1862, some expressed a willingness to pay by subscription, and were allowed to do so, and the balance needed was made up by a tax on those who did not subscribe. In 1867, it was voted to sell the pews at auction to pay current expenses. In 1871, the society appointed trustees to have charge of the bequest of Lieut. Enos Dickinson, and in 1894, it acknowledged a gift of $500 from Mrs. E. J. Williams. CHAPTER XXX. THE NORTH CHURCH AND PARISH. ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS. PASTORS AND TERMS OF SERVICE. OLIVER DICKINSON'S MEETING-HOUSE. THE PEW DEEDS.-THE PULPIT AND COMMUNION SERVICE. THE MINISTERIAL FUND. In 1823, there were but two church organizations in Amherst; in 1826, there were five. The South Congregational church was organized Oct. 14, 1824; the College church, March 7, 1826; the North Congregational church, Nov. 15, 1826. It is probable that the same influences which led to the establishment of a church at South Amherst had part, also, in the organization of still another religious society and church in the north part of the town. The churches, South and North, drew their membership in the beginning from the First and Second churches, but while the South church drew the larger number from the original organization, the North church obtained its original membership largely from the church at East Amherst. When the Second church was organized, a large percentage of its members resided in the north part of the town, and others resident in that section had withdrawn from the First church during the pastorate of Rev. Daniel A. Clark, to unite with the Second church. Mr. Clark was dismissed from the First church, Aug. 5, 1824. He was then invited by residents at North Amherst to conduct religious services on the Sabbath in their part part or the town. He complied with their request, and preached for a time at the school-house in the "City." His were the first regular preaching services to be held at North Amherst. In the summer of 1826, the precise date not being a matter of record, a parish organization was formed by 59 persons, who signed the following agreement: "We whose names are hereunto subscribed do associate and form ourselves into a religious society for the public worship of God and public instruction in the Christian religion. And we do hereby covenant and agree each for himself with said society that we will use our best endeavor to promote the best interests of said society and to obtain for them as soon as may be the powers and privileges of a parish according to law." The "powers and privileges" referred to were the right to assess and collect taxes for parochial purposes, and exemption from taxation by any other parish. The name assumed by the new society was The Congregational Union Society of Amherst." By a special act of the General Court, passed March 17, 1831, this name was changed to "Amherst North Parish." Of the 59 members of the society, eight were women, either widows or those owning property in their own name, who had no vote in parish meetings; of the remainder, only 13 were church members. At the first parish meeting, held June 8, 1826, the following were elected as officers of the society: Moderator, Oliver Dickinson; clerk, Charles Cooley; treasurer, Chester Dickinson; parish committee, Joseph Cowles, Noah Smith, Jr., Daniel Dickinson; assessors, Daniel Russell, Jr., Jonathan Cowls and Ashley Hubbard. The office of collector was put up at auction and struck off to John Ingram, Jr., at two cents on one dollar. The church was organized by an ecclesiastical council which met at the house of Joseph Cowles, Nov. 15, 1826; Rev. Heman Humphrey, D. D., president of Amherst College, served as moderator of the council. Letters of dismission and recommendation were presented by 47 persons, each of whom had previously signed a confession of faith and covenant, which were submitted to the council and pronounced by the latter satisfactory. The council then adjourned to the church building, where the church was formally organized. The first regular meeting of the church was held Dec. 20, 1826, when the following officers were elected: Clerk, Daniel Dickinson; deacons, Daniel Russell, Jr., Ransom Dickinson; treasurer, Ransom Dickinson. At the same meeting, it was voted that the expenses of the Lord's table be met by an equal tax on the members of the church. The first pastor of the church was Rev. William W. Hunt. He was born in Belchertown, Sept. 7, 1796, was graduated at Williams College in 1820, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1824. He first preached for the South parish at Woodstock, Conn., for about a year, and then supplied the church in Conway for a little less than three months. He was ordained as pastor of the church at North Amherst, March 7, 1827, and continued in office until his death, which occurred Oct. 5, 1837. The salary offered him by the parish was $450 per annum. Mr. Hunt was greatly beloved by his parishioners. Although, previous to his settlement, his health had become greatly impaired, he entered into his ministerial labors with an earnestness and enthusiasm that commanded success. During his pastorate of less than eleven years, 111 persons were admitted to the church. A great revival season was experienced in 1831, as a result of which 35 persons were admitted to church membership on confession of their faith. Mr. Hunt was an ardent advocate of the causes of temperance and anti-slavery. In 1838, the church and parish united in calling to the pastorate Rev. Corbin Kidder, but he declined. The same year, a call was extended to Rev. George Cooke; he accepted, and was ordained, Jan. 15, 1839. Mr.. Cooke was a native of Keene, N. H. and was graduated at Dartmouth College in 1832. He served as pastor for thirteen years, and was dismissed on account of ill health, May 20, 1852. During his pastorate 105 persons united with the church. The third pastor of the church was Rev. George E. Fisher, who was installed, Sept. 16, 1852, and continued in office until Jan. 6, 1858. A brief biographical sketch of Mr. Fisher has been given in connection with his pastorate at the Second church. In 1853, the church enjoyed the greatest revival season in its history, 89 persons uniting with it on confession of their faith. The fourth pastor was Rev. John W. Underhill, who was born in Ipswich, April 22, 1829, and was graduated at Amherst College in 1854. He was ordained Oct. 5, 1859, and died in office, Oct. 17, 1862. Mr. Underhill was succeeded by Rev. Daniel H. Rogan, who was born at Kingsport, Tenn., June 4, 1830; he was graduated at Amherst College in 1857, studied theology at Auburn Seminary, and was ordained in Bristol, Tenn., in 1859. On the breaking out of the civil war, he came North, and served successively as pastor of the church at Bernardston and the First church at Greenfield. He was installed as pastor of the church at North Amherst, Oct. 5, 1865, and dismissed, Nov. 21, 1866. In 1864, a call was extended to Rev. William L. Gage, but he declined. In 1864-65, Rev. S. O. Dyer served the church as acting pastor. In 1867, Rev. C. H. S. Williams was called to the pastorate, but declined. The sixth settled pastor was Rev. William D. Herrick, who was born in Methuen, March 26, 1831. He was graduated at Amherst College in 1857, studied theology at Andover Seminary, and was ordained at Redding, Conn., in 1860. He served as pastor of the church in Redding and of the First church in Gardner. He was installed as pastor of the church in North Amherst, Sept. 19, 1867, continuing in the office until May 25, 1874. During his ministry the church enjoyed three revival seasons, one of marked power in 1872, when 53 persons were added to the church on confession of faith. Mr. Herrick was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. George F. Humphreys, who was born in Athol, May 4, 1847. After a partial course at Williams College, he entered Auburn Theological Seminary, where he was graduated. He was installed as pastor of the North Congregational church, Jan. 7, 1875, and was dismissed Nov. 4 of the same year. For two years, 1876–78, Rev. D. W. Marsh, D. D. served the church as acting pastor. The eighth settled pastor was Rev. George H. Johnson, born in Worcester, Dec. 29, 1850, graduated at Harvard College in 1873, and at the theological seminary in Bangor, Me. He was installed over the church in North Amherst, July 3, 1879, and was dismissed, Dec. 31, 1888. During Mr. Johnson's pastorate there was a steady gain in church membership, and in 1885 the church enjoyed a revival season resulting in the addition of 26 persons to membership on confession of faith. To Mr. Johnson the church is also indebted for the preparation of a historical manual of the church and society, published in 1889. Mr. Johnson was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. Eber W. Gaylord, who was born in Union, N. Y., Nov. 27, 1845. He was graduated at Amherst College in 1866, and at Lane Theological Seminary in 1872. He was ordained and installed as pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian church at Georgetown, Md., May 13, 1873. He afterwards served as pastor of Presbyterian churches at Paradise and Wrightsville, Pa. He was installed as pastor of the church at North Amherst, Dec. 4, 1890. The original meeting-house occupied by the society is still in use, though dignified in later years by the name of church. It was built and owned by Oliver Dickinson, “Landlord Oliver," who was the guiding and propelling force in the organization of church and society. This meetinghouse has a history that can hardly be paralleled by that of any other house of worship in New England. It is a monument to the generosity, energy, business sagacity and Christian activity of its originator. Mr. Dickinson was one of the first to suggest the possibility as well as desirability of establishing a church at North Amherst. Having committed himself to the idea, he permitted nothing to stand in the way of its realization. The first step taken was the raising of a church fund, to which Mr. Dickinson and others were liberal contributors. The income of this fund was to be used in paying the salary of a minister; in raising it, the resources of the community had been so heavily taxed it was deemed impossible to secure by further subscription the money needed for building a meeting-house. Here, as in other matters, Oliver Dickinson proved equal to the emergency. He advanced the necessary funds and became responsible for all liabilities. The building was constructed by Capt. Winthrop Clapp of Montague. The stone for the foundation came from Pelham, the residents of North Amherst drawing it with their teams. The people generally contributed freely of their time and labor. Here was repeated, on a smaller scale, the scene enacted five years earlier on the brow of College hill, when the walls of the old South dormitory of Amherst College arose as by magic. There was this difference, however; the dormitory had no Oliver Dickinson to stand behind it and guarantee the payment of all bills. The cost of the building to Mr. Dickinson was $2,900. The corner stone was laid by Rev. Nathan Perkins, at that time pastor of the Second church. There had been the customary dispute as to the location of the building; residents at the "City" desired that it should be placed nearer their homes. The question was settled by Mr. Dickinson, who declared that the house should occupy its present site if he had to pay every cent of the expense. The raising was made a gala occasion, liquor being generously provided and |