March 2009
From the Historian
It will be a difficult task to follow in the footsteps of Larry Ackerson as the church historian. Having been told that the main duty of the job is to file church information, I thought I could handle chore. There are three filing cabinets in the barn that contain boxes of written materials. I have been given two little keys for two of the cabinets. The third cabinet still has a few empty drawers but no key. So, if anyone would like me file something, I will file it. The Fourth Congregational Church in New Ipswich was destroyed by fire after a lightning strike on July 15, 1902. Built in 1812, it was used as the town meetinghouse until 1832. The 1,116 pound Paul Revere bell was destroyed in the fire. The church as rebuilt and dedicated in 1903. (NIHS).
Andrea Wood
Saturday, August 16th was Larry Ackerson's 40th Children's Fair.
Sunday, August 15th, Larry went to home the Lord.
May the Historian enjoy the Peace and Love of his Creator.
Historian's Corner - July 2008
by Larry Ackerson
The early ecclesiastical system in this town was the same as in all New England towns' the town built the meeting house and owned it; the church chose the pastor and the town raised his salary and every man was taxed and compelled to pay for his support, however much he might differing sentiment. It was thus a sort of an established church, sustained by law. There were advantages in it. It was pleasant to see a whole community walking the same road and assembling under one roof for religious worship, but it was this very system that our forefathers crossed the ocean to escape.
In the early part of this century, nearly all the citizens were of one mind in religious matters. None had ever objected to the ministers tax save the Shakers. There were a very few who professed Anabaptist sentiment and were connected with the church in Mason Village.
The year after they petitioned to be relieved from paying this tax towards the town's ministry and as often did, the town refused to release them, but at last by a law of the State, the standing order was broken up and no man was obliged to pay for preaching other than that which he chose to hear. All denominations being thus put upon an equal footing. The Baptist made application for their portion of the fund, a fund derived from the sale from one right of land reserved by the charter for the support of the ministry.
After several years of refusal, this too was amended in 1820 and it is now equally divided between all denominations which support preaching at least three months in a year.
The fund in 1935 was $1315.68 and the interest generated was about $80.00.
Historian's Corner - June 2008
by Larry Ackerson
In my historian corner last month, I quoted some remarks by Reverend Cecil F.B. Bancroft made at the one hundred fiftieth celebration of our church in 1900 and because of the length of his address I decided to reveal the rest of his address this month.
I quote: "In pioneer days the church was the social center and its educational power was only less than its religious. I sometimes allow myself to wonder what would have been the history of this town if the church had not been established and maintained from that day to this. It has stood consistently and openly for those moral qualities in our citizens which make for right living and good government and has been the highest expression of obedience to the law, unselfish devotion to public welfare and abounding beneficence for those who are in trouble or want.
There is a gloomy side in the history of this church; the long and bitter controversies in matters which seem in far distance not worthy the contention, but this sharp division of opinion among brethren has been an evidence of conscience, of independence and freedom of opinion whether the quarrel was over the location of the meeting house, or the half way covenant or ministerial taxes or an erring brother or minister.
Generations of religious families worshipping God and sustaining the institution of the church have not been tried in this country, and it is not wise to prophesy what would follow, but this we may say, that the character of our honest, frugal, industrious, patriotic, church going and religious ancestors is a legacy in which we proudly and gratefully stand today and an inheritance which most of us desire by our own example and influence to augment and transmit. What is a perfect church but a society of men and women asking for the best that God can give to them and to the community, and giving over to their fellowmen out of a pure strong life, in the name of the Mater, those things which subsist in high principles and a noble self devotion. On this festival, therefore, we do not dwell on the narrowness or bigotry of our forefathers, but on their magnanimity, their rugged sobriety, their fear of God, their devotion to justice and righteousness and their union in Christian patience and love."
Historian's Corner - April 2008
by Larry Ackerson
The early ecclesiastical system in this town was the same as in
all other New England towns. The town built the meeting house and owned
it; the church chose the pastor and paid his salary and every man was taxed and
compelled to pay for his support.
It was thus a sort of established church sustained by law. There were
advantages to this system at least, to see a whole community walking the same
road to church and assembling under the same roof for religious worship, but it
was this same system that our forefathers crossed the ocean to escape.
In the early part of this century, nearly all the citizens were of one mind in
religious matters and very few objected to the ministerial tax except the
Shakers. There were few who professed Anabaptist sentiments who were
connected with the church in Mason Village.
Year after year they tried to be released from paying this tax towards the
ministerial fund but to no avail. Finally the State stepped in and enacted
a law that no man was obliged to pay for preaching other than that which he
chose.
The fund at the time had accumulated to $1,315.68 and the interest was equally
divided between all denominations in town that supported preaching at least
three months in the year.
Historian's Corner - March 2008
by Larry Ackerson
I believe I wrote an article about our first pastor at home time, but felt that I would be interesting to repeat if to the benefit of new members of our church etc, and to some extent I am doing so as the old historian wrote it.
Pastor Stephen Farrar was born in Concord MA and entered Harvard
College when he was thirteen years old, and graduated when he was seventeen.
He commenced preaching in the winter of 1758-1759 and started the first church
in New Ipswich in 1760. He married Eunise Brown of Waltham MA and together
they raised thirteen children. One of them died in infancy. The rest
married and brought up families who spent most of their lives in New Ipswich.
In person he has been described as being about five feet eight inches tall with
a short neck, large head with high forehead, dark hair and dark blue eyes.
In early life his health was not very robust and he was slender, but later in
years his health improved and he became much stouter. It is believed that
at the time of his death he weighed about 175 pounds. His daughter felt
that his health must have been good since he never missed a Sabbath during his
long ministry.
In the proper place he was witty, but never light or frivolous. His
appearance on the street commanded the most profound respect and reverence of
all. He walked with an ivory headed cane, dressed in tri-corner beaver
hat, knee breeches with large buckles, white topped boots and black stockings.
His hair was arranged in the fashion of the day and tied with a black ribbon.
Whoever met him made their obeisance and he always raised his beaver in
recognition, especially to young people. When he approached the Meeting
House on the Sabbath, all made way for him right and left, the men removing
their hats.
In his family he was kind and affectionate. At times he played with his
children as if one of them. His daughter remembers when he would play "run
around the chimney" with her, but when he said, "that's enough" they were
instantly stilled.
As a preacher he excelled. His sermons were in the style of the time, with
many divisions and sub-divisions and his manner in the pulpit was easy. He
was earnest, but sparing of gestures and was not confined to his notes.
His voice was strong and smooth. His preaching was the more impressive
from the obvious fact that his heart was in what he said. Tears often
accompanied his words and all knew them to be the unaffected expression of his
heart. All who knew him spoke of him as a man of God and even young men
studied theology with him which shows he had a reputation for superior
professional gifts.
Rev. Farrar had often said that he hoped his life and his labors might end
together, and his wish was granted. He preached to his own people on
Sunday, June 23, 1809 and died later that day very suddenly at the home of one
of his sons. Such was the man who was pastor of our church for almost
fifty years.
Historian’s Corner - December 2007
by Larry Ackerson
Christmas was always a time of family gatherings in New Ipswich in the early days of the town and one of the big events of the year and if the distance was within the area of a horse and sleigh or “pung” as it was called this was the only means of transportation after the first snowfall which usually came early and I recall this as I grew up in the northern part Maine in the “potato country” where the snow came early, usually around Thanksgiving time.
Here in New Ipswich there was always a town Christmas tree in the old Town Hall decorated with strings of popcorn and cranberries. ornaments made by the children at school from scraps of paper and prominently displayed at the top of the tree, Of course this allowed for competition to see who could make the best star where it would be displayed in this honored spot. Children entertained by speaking pieces, small groups singing or short skits. Santa arrived and each child was given a small box of Christmas candy. One gentleman always gave an orange and they always looked forward to this event as oranges were very scarce in those days and usually were available only on holidays.
One of the Christmas traditions in our Church included the “Christmas Workshop” thanks to the effort of our dear friend the late Bill Thoms and Rev Edgar Randle and this was an annual event for over thirty years. Patients from the State Hospital in Concord, N.H. were invited to a Christmas party sponsored by our church. They arrived about 2PM by bus where each one was greeted by a member of the church who acted as there chaperone for the day. They broke up into groups, some making wreaths, Christmas corsages, laurel roping etc. which was used to decorate the church. Some played bingo while others just wanted to roam around. After a short service when the “Christmas Story” was told to them they enjoyed a hot supper, were presented with a small gift and boarded the bus for their trip back to Concord. We always looked forward to this annual event and someday hope to see it revived.
Historian’s Corner - November
by Larry Ackerson
Two years passed after the death of the first pastor of our church, Stephen Farrar, before another pastor was called and this was not until after a lot of controversy among the members. Finally a call was extended to Reverend Experience Porter at a salary of $500 dollars per year plus twenty five cord of wood. But in consequence of some slanderous report from other towns he had served, prejudices were excited against him and the votes granting him a salary and a supply of wood were both rescinded with but one descended vote and Reverend Porter soon left town, and the pulpit was supplied for a time by a Reverend Burbank. However during this time commenced the second great revival and forty four members were added to the church, so I guess Reverend Porter must have been doing something right. In 1811 the town voted, in concurrence with the church, to give a Mr. Richard Hall a call providing the town could be honorably discharged from their commitment to Reverend Porter. {Note: in those days the church chose the Pastor, but the Town paid his salary.} The ministry of Reverend Hall was faithful and successful to the extent that over two hundred members were added to the church and the first church covenant was introduced. In 1822 Reverend Hall’s health began to fail him and he was forced to give up his ministry in this town. However a controversy arose relative to his salary that he understood would continue for life if he resigned for health reasons, and it was finally decided that his salary would continue only as long as he fulfilled his duties as Christian minister in this town. {Note: as I mentioned previously, in the early days, the church chose the pastor but the town paid his salary.
Historian’s Corner October
by Larry Ackerson
There apparently was no organized singing at the old Meeting House which was built in 1768 and used for forty-five years, but the old historian reveals some interesting facts relative to this important part of our service.
Singing was for a long time strictly congregational, with no special place being assigned for the singers. Soon after the building of the third meeting house, it was proposed to gather the singers into a choir. They set in the gallery which was already being used as free seats, one half for the men and the other half for the women. Two of the men rebelled over this new seating arrangement and they retained their seats.
The leader, apparently the choir director, found himself setting next to one of the disgruntled two and somehow his fiddle bow came in contact with the gray hair of his neighbor. Finally the resistance was so great that the concept of a gallery was given up and the two long seats in the back were assigned to the singers.
When
they stood up to sing, the front rank turned around and faced those behind them
and poured forth volumes at each other with “right good will”. Pastor Farrar
once remarked, “I have often seen David Palmer, preceptor of the Academy rise
and lead off a large choir of mixed voices in a style that would excite the
aspiring ambition of many astonished holders.”