burg was invited to participate. By the rules of the society the president was required at the close of the debate to review the arguments and announce his decision. At the close of this discussion the president made this deliverance: "Gentlemen of the Lyceum, it appears from the debate that the two towns started with the same amount of politeness, and further, that Leominster has used hers and Fitchburg has not, consequently, Fitchburg has the most left." REV. JOHN PAYSON, FITCHBURG'S FIRST MINISTER. Read at a meeting of the Society, February 17, 1896. BY JAMES F. D. GARFIELD. Previous to the incorporation of the town of Fitchburg its territory was included in the limits of Lunenburg; and to the centre of Lunenburg the scattered inhabitants of this section went to transact the town business. There, Sabbath after Sabbath, with a regularity unknown to the present generation, they congregated for public worship; and thither they carried their dead for burial, over roads at best mere cart paths—or, more properly, bridle paths-for the saddle and the pillion served in the place of vehicles, on ordinary occasions, and slowly, on horseback or on foot, they made their way, through brook and stream, over hill and through valley, along the rough and often dangerous ways. When, in 1757 the inhabitants of this westerly part of Lunenburg sought to become a separate town, as a remedy for the inconveniences of their situation, the easterly portion showed a decided opposition; but at length, in 1764, they gave their assent, the western section was set off, and the name of John Fitch, at the head of the petition to the General Court for an act of incorporation, perhaps suggested a name for the new town. The territory thus erected into a town contained about two hundred and fifty inhabitants, numbering some forty-three or forty-four families, widely scattered over these hills and valleys. According to Torrey, but a single house had at this time been erected in what was afterwards known as the "Old City," and in all the rest of the valley where afterwards the houses became so thickly clustered there was not a house to be seen; and he adds: "The winds which swept down through the valley of the Nashua sighed through the pines which here formed a dense forest." In 1764, the year of the incorporation of the town, the inhabitants voted to have preaching for six weeks. The services were held in the tavern of Samuel Hunt, on what is now Pearl street. The preacher was Rev. Peter Whitney, afterwards for many years the minister of Northborough. These meetings, so far as we know, were the first religious services ever held in the town. In 1766 the town voted to build a meeting-house. It was an humble edifice, small in size and severely plain in its architecture. It was several years in building-in fact, it is said never to have been thoroughly finished. It was built at odd jobs, as the resources of the people would allow. First the frame was raised and covered with boards; after a time a floor was laid and the outside finished; windows were later supplied, or, as the record says, the house was "glassed" and finally colored, which being interpreted means, it was painted yellow. A pulpit was erected "for the minister to preach in," galleries were built with stairs leading to them, the pew ground was "dignified," and the house "seated." This meeting-house was built on a lot given by Capt. Thỏmas Cowdin, was located on what is now Crescent street, and was always unsightly, and always uncomfortable; but the people built according to their means, being few in number and of resources slender; for with them pay as you go was the only practical way. With a meeting-house in sight, the next thing was to secure a minister. In May, 1767, the town voted to observe a day of fasting and prayer, to ask the divine guidance in giving some one a call to settle in the gospel ministry. A call was first given to Rev. Samuel Angier, who declined the invitation to settle.* In November of the * Samuel Angier, son of Rev. John Angier of Braintree, and grandson of Rev. Samuel Angier of Rehoboth and Watertown, was born in Bridgewater 1723, graduate of Harvard University 1763. He was settled as colleague with his father at Bridgewater, 1767, and was sole pastor there after the death of his father (1787) until his death, January 18, 1805. He married Judith Smith, a daughter of Rev. Josiah Smith of Pembroke. No children. same year Rev. John Payson was given a call, and he consented to become their pastor. Mr. Payson, born January 6, 1746, was a son of Rev. Phillips Payson, of Walpole, Mass., and a younger brother of Rev. Samuel Payson, the much lamented minister of Lunenburg, who had died several years previously, after a brief pastorate of less than six months. The town now had a meetinghouse and a pastor-elect. On the 7th of January, 1768, a church was organized and the Cambridge Platform was adopted as the rule of church discipline. On the 27th of the same month Mr. Payson was ordained. As to the articles of faith and covenant of the church, the record is silent; but the Synod which framed the Cambridge Platform unanimously recommended the Westminster Confession of Faith to the churches, as the rule of their faith; and it is fair to presume that the Westminster Confession and Catechism fairly represented the religious sentiments of the first minister and the first church of Fitchburg. That Mr. Payson was a Calvinist, of the strictest sort, there can be no question. The sermon at his ordination was preached by his brother, Rev. Phillips Payson, pastor of the church in Chelsea. The sermon was printed, and this Society has the good fortune to own a copy (the only one of which we have any knowledge), which was very appropriately presented as the first donation to the Society's collections. Perhaps I shall be pardoned for quoting an extract or two. Near the close of the sermon, addressing himself to the candidate, he'says: * * * * * * * "No business or concern in life is so momentous as the pastoral care; no profession or order of men bound by such sacred and solemn ties. With a mind deeply impressed with the importance of the thing, let me particularly address myself to you, my dear brother, that are now entering into this sacred and important office. In preaching the gospel labor to do it by manifestation of the truth, commending yourself to every man's conscience in the sight of God. Let purity of doctrine and fervency of address distinguish your preaching. And as to the more intricate doctrines of revelation you will endeavor to preserve them pure in the words of inspiration; and never set up your own reason above Scripture, nor your own sentiments as a standard for others; but as far as your influence may extend, endeavor to cultivate a candid and charitable spirit. * * * "In your faithful care of souls, never forget your own, but live, as well as preach, the gospel. Never suffer your fancy to fly away with your reason; nor your humour, interest or passion to blind or bribe your conscience. “Sensible of your own mortality, you will be quickened to improve every talent, every moment of time. Nor can I forbear here minding you and myself of our own dear brother deceased, that in this view is a most solemn monitor to us both. His untimely death being by this occasion brought fresh to mind, we are now led by the feelings of humanity to drop a tender tear into his moldered urn; should your time for labor be no longer than his!-but I forbear. I most heartily, my dear brother, wish you every good; but wishes seem to be too slender tokens of the affection of my mind; I therefore, with my whole soul, commend you to him who can bless you and make you a blessing, keep you from falling, and finally present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy." Then addressing himself to the people: * “Beloved of this church and society, suffer me to recommend to your remembrance what you have been hearing of the importance of the ministry; * and should my brother be faithful among you, you will never withhold your friendship from him; and always esteem his reputation too sacred to sacrifice to common fame or your own humours. The comfort of his life, and the success of his ministry under God, lay much with you. You may easily harass his mind, and involve yourselves in broils, and give Satan an advantage against you, which he will readily improve to your ruin. But we hope better things. Your peace and harmony will always be your beauty and strength." * * * Mr. Payson was settled on a salary of £60; and it is related that in the stormy times of the Revolution, though his salary was always promptly paid, yet owing to the depreciation of the currency and its worthlessness as a circulating medium, he was reduced to a destitute condition. In March, 1778, a subscription paper was passed among the inhabitants, that they might contrib ute of "the necessaries of life anything that they pleased" for his support; in acknowledgment of which he expressed himself well satisfied with what the town had done. In 1780 the town voted to pay him eleven thousand dollars (of course in the depreciated currency) to make up the loss which he had already sustained. Rev. John Payson married in Lynn, Mass., November 18, 1772, Anna Perkins. She was a daughter of William and Sarah (Stearns) Perkins and was born in Lynn, September 29, 1742. She died in Fitchburg April 8, 1802. They had four children, John, William, Anna and Sarah. |