Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1894 edition. Excerpt: ... June 26, 1890, he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from his Alma Mater. The formation of a second church in Grotou dates back to the summer of 1825, when the venerable Dr. Chaplin, enfeebled by age, became so infirm that he required the help of an assistant. At that time he was well past eighty years, and the powers of a vigorous manhood were beginning to fail him. On Sunday afternoon, July 10, 1825, a very hot day, Dr. Chaplin, near the end of his sermon, fainted in his pulpit; and soon after the question of settling a colleague pastor came up. This matter gave rise to much controversy and discussion, and resulted in a division of the old parish into two societies. It happened during a period when throughout the Commonwealth many of the Congregational Churches were undergoing great changes in their creed, and were forming new lines of theological belief. Few persons of the present day are aware of the bitter animosity that prevailed in New England at that time, when these churches were torn asunder by internal dissensions, and of the sectarian feeling that followed the division of the parishes. At the beginning of the troubles the Reverend John Todd, a graduate of the Andover Theological Seminary in the class of 1825, had received a call to become a colleague pastor with Rev. Dr. Chaplin, but which, owing to certain informalities, was never recognized by the town, and over his settlement the main controversy had arisen. The second society, in ado up of those who had now separated from the First Parish, was duly organized and a house of worship built, which was dedicated to the service of God on January 3,1827, and at the same time Mr. Todd was ordained in the ministry. He remained as pastor of this society, which...