Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-01-28

Installation of Rev. Merrill r Richardson
over the salem Street Church.


Webster of Hopklnton, scribe. Rev. DIR. Sweet
ser offered prayer. The letters missive were then
read, one calling council for the dissolution of
the pastoral relations now existing, the second
calling council for the purpose of examining
the fitness of the individual to whom call has
been extended. 1t was stated that different dele.
gates were chosen to the different councils, and
by the letters it not evident who constituted
the council for the dismissal Of Rev. George
Bushnell.
On motion Of Rev. Mr.. Marvin of Winchendon,
the credentials Of the members of the first coun-
Gil were collected, in order to ascertain who were
members. Letters from Mr.. Bushnell to the
church and society read, and the minutes
OF the meetings at which they were considered
| by which it seems MIR. Bushnell was released
/ from his duties pastor.
Rev. Nj. Marvin, at the request of the scribe,
was chosen assistant scribe.
On motion of Rev. Mr.. Paine OF Holden, the
action of the church and society was sanctioned,
and Rev. Mr.. Bushnell was dismissed.
On motion Of Rev. Mr.. James of Worcester,
committee of three appointed to embody in
suitable form the action Of the council, and to
frame recommendation Of Mr.. Bushnell to 9th,
err churches. The committee consisted of Rev.
George Allen and Rev. H James of Worcester,
and Col. A. Dewitt of Oxford
The council then adjourned until such time as
the committee shall be ready to report.
The council for the installation Of Rev Mr..
Richardson was organized with the same officers
| as the first council.
The proceedings of the church and society rel
alive to extending the call to Mr.. Richardson
were then read, followed by the reply of Mr.. R.
accepting the call.
John A. Dana, ESQ.,, stated that he had state
ment in behalf of himself and the minority of the
church and society. which he wished to read at
| some time.
On motion he was requested to read it at this
time.
Mr.. Dana proceeded 10 read the statement, Civ.
ing an account of the several meetings relative to
extending a call to Mr. Richardson. showing
that it has been by small msjoritiesthat every
| movement in favor of Mr. R. has been carried
through-and stating that Mr.. r had canvassed
for himself whenever he had had an opportunity
HI read paper signed by twenty FIVE members of
the church and nineteen members of the parish
averring that they were opposed to the settlement
of Mr.. R. over the society.
Hon. Charles White desired to ask Mr.. Dana
some question relative to his statements. Per-
mission being granted, he requested an explana-
ton Of some statements relative to the amount Of
| pew property owned by those fAvoring and those
! opposing Mr.. r., also relating to the statement
| of Mr. Dana that Mr.. r. made request to
| preach here, and the further statement that he
canvassed for himself. 1t was shown that Mr.. R.
was invited here, and invited by both his oppo-
| nents and his friends to make himself acquainted
| with the facts, to do which was his object
| in calling in members of the opposition,
and inquirlng of them tae facts, which has
been styled canvassng for himself Mr.. White
then made statement analysing the opposition
and claiming that some six or eight of the oppo-
stion were pleased with Mr.. r. and his preach
ing, and opposed him simply because there was
any opposition. Some six OF eight Others we're
not regular attendants upon public worship in
this place, but had for some time attended other
places, at all, yet were legally connected
with this society He also stated that it was his
belief that the society was composed of such ma
terials-that it would be impossible for them to
unite on any man.
He said that greater personal effort had been
put forth in opposition to Mr.. R. than was ever
before put forth in Worcester
Mr.. Dana said that the hardest thing he had
ever SAID ON this subject to represent the &C.
ton of the majority in this matter.
Mr.. White presented paper signed by between
ninety and one hundred gentlemen, stating that
they were in favor of Mr.. R., anu wished him
settled over the society. Statements were made
by Messrs. Dana and White, in behalf of the
minority and majority, respectively.
Mr.. John C. Newton made some statements for
the committee, in relation to some of the names
on the minority remonstrance, showing that
some seventeen of the individuals who signed
that psper were not regular attendants on public
worship here, and some of them had not been for
months-some not for years.
Rev. Dr. Paine of Holden said that great
deal had been said about the feelings and senti-
ments of the gentlemen, who had been very free.
| ly spoken Of, but he would like, if it could be
had, some expression of the sentiments of the
female portion of the congregation.
Mr.. White said that in his opinion nine tenths
| Of the ladies were in favor Of Mr.. R. Some of
the ladies had suggested the propriety of circu.
lating paper among themselves, and he had told
them that perhaps the Council would not think
it proper, for which he was very sorry now.
Mr.. Dana dissented from Mr.. Whites opinion
DR. Bardwell of Oxford moved that if the COM
mittee and remonstrants have presented theis
respective claims and statements as fully as they
desire, the Council retire and consider the subject
by themselves. Adopted.
The report of the committee OF the first Coun-
Gil was then submitted as follows:
Voted. That, regretling the dissolution of the
connection which has so happily and usefully ex-
| listed for so many years, between the Rev George
| Bushnell and the Salem street Church and soci-
| ETY., it is our pleasure to recommend him to all
churches of our Lord Jesus Christ, as a learned.
skillul faithful, and successful minister Of the
| Gospel, much esteemed and beloved by his breth.
| rem in the ministry, and having the confidence of
the churches in this city and vicinity.
The minutes OF the Council were read, and a
feeling and appropriate prayer offered by Rev.
DR. sweetser, when the first Council was dis.
solved.
The private session Of the Council continued
until half past two, when they adjourned for din
ner. Converting again at half-past three, let
ter was read fom the Council which dismissed
Nj. r. from his pastoral relation over the church
in Teryville, Connecticut Mr.. Richardson was
then called upon to state his views on the main
points of theology.
After the examination Of the candidate on the
various points Of Orthodox theology, the Coun.
| Gil went into another private session and a was