In January, 1696, Mr. Nathaniel Clap, of Dorchester, in
Massachusetts Bay, a graduate of Howard College, by the advice of the
minister of Boston, came to Newport and preached till his death. It was
not, however, until the year 1720, that a church was gathered and
organized, and Mr. Clap was ordained and installed its pastor. November
20th, the church consisted of the following fourteen male members, viz.:
Nathaniel Clap, John Reynolds, Thomas Brown, Culbert Campbell, Ebenezer
Davenport, William Sanford, Richard Clark, Job Bisset, Joshua Statson,
Kendal Nichols, (he was an influential merchant of Newport, and died
Sept 18, 1767, aged 81 years,) John Mayhem, James Carey, Nathaniel
Townsend, and John Labeer.
The church under Mr. Clap's ministry flourished, and
additions were gradually made to its numbers for about three years, when
the sacrament of the Lord's Supper ceased to be administered by the
pastor, and at the same time he refused to administer the ordinance of
Baptism to a child of Mr. Kendal Nichols, who with his wife were
communicants of the church. He thought his church was not pure, and that
its members were "not of sufficiently holy conversation" for the holy
ordinance.
In the original correspondence, (still extant,) between Mr.
Clap and Mr. and Mrs. Nichols, on the subject of his refusal to baptize
the infant of the latter, there is assigned no reason for
such refusal, but a distrust on the part of Mr. Clap, of the Christian
state of Mr. and Mrs. Nichols.
This course on the part of Mr. Clap gave great offence, and
was the commencement of a fire that continued to burn for many years.
The church and congregation revered their pastor, and admired him as a
truly evangelical apostolical preacher, but were displeased with his
rigid course of discipline and church government.
In July 20th, 1724, the church addressed a respectful
application to their pastor, soliciting his consent to have recourse to
other churches for sacramental privileges, if bodily weakness was the
only reason of his denying or withholding them, but without success.
Mr. Clap, in answer to a remonstrance from B. Ellery
and S. Vernon, Esq., said:
I came here by the advice of the Rev. minister of Boston. I
have continued here by his advice; I have preached the Gospel here. As
for you who are trying to drive me away, I would have you to consider
the awful account you will have to give for the damnation of the souls
that will be lost for the want of my preaching."
Although Mr. Clap was not inclined to assign a plausible
reason, or one that was satisfactory to the church, in the singular
course which he took in refusing to baptize the child of Mr. and Mrs.
Nichols, and subsequently in suspending the holy ordinance of Communion,
yet tradition has informed us, that there was a valid
reason in his mind, which led him to pursue such a course. It was owing
to a remark made to him soon after his taking possession of the
parsonage, which he understood was built expressly for him by Mr.
Nichols. A former member of his church, who called upon him soon after
he was quietly settled in his new home, on learning his gratification of
the favor which had been conferred upon him by Mr. Nichols, she very
indiscreetly remarked, that as long as he remained the pastor of the
church, the house was his. On Mr. Clap's interrogating her where she had
derived her information of this fact, she replied that she had it from
Mr. Nichols. This, no doubt, led him to suspect that a possibility
existed of an attempt to dissolve the connection, which at that period
was viewed as solemn and as sacred as the marriage contract. The least
allusion to such an event was considered in the light of a gross insult.
And it has been also said that on Mr. Nichols calling upon Mr. Clap,
he was received with coldness, and that he at once put the
question to Mr. Nichols, wishing to know of him whose house this was. On
being told it was his, he then requested Mr. Nichols at once to leave
it.
This shows that he retained a degree of self respect, however
his conduct may be viewed by the pigmies and dwarfs of the present day.
In the view of Mr. Clap, it looked like an invasion of his rights, which
if not checked in the bud, might lead to disastrous consequences to the
church and to the ministry. This is the most probable reason which can
be assignod for his singular conduct
In the year 1745, Mr. Callender published a discourse
occasioned by the death of his friend, the Rev. Mr. Clap, in which he
pays a high tribute of affectionate veneration to his memory. Mr.
Callonder's sermon was founded on Hebrews xiii., 7,8. The prominent
traits in his character are faithfully delineated in the following
extracts from this sermon:
" The main stroke in his character, was his eminent sanctity
and pioty, and an ardent desire to promote the knowledge and practice of
true godliness in others. As his understanding was above the common
level, so was his learning, though he studiously concealed it. He
thought his station required more than common instances of innocency,
self-denial, and caution. He abounded in contrivances to do good, by
scattering books of piety and virtue, not such as minister
questions and strife, but godly edifying, and put himself to a very
considerable expense, that he might by this method awaken the careless
and secure, comfort the feeble minded, succor the tempted, instruct the
ignorant, and quicken, animate, and encourage all. He abounded in acts
of charity to the poor and necessitous, to whom he was a kind father and
guardian. In life, he was a public blessing, as an able minister of the
New Testament, an example of unspotted piety, and an honor to religion.
There are two things in which he excelled in so remarkable a manner,
that I must not omit them: his care about the education of children, and
his concern for the instruction of servants.
"The conclusion of his life and
ministry, was a peaceful and happy death, without those raptures which
some boast of, but with perfect resignation to the will of God, and good
hope and humble confidence in Christ Jesus, who was the sum of his
doctrine, and the end of his conversation."
"While he was eminently pious, he was at
the same time very eccentric. "The administrator of his estate informed
the writer, that he found among the papers and dust of his study,
which he never allowed to be swept, several hundred dollars, in
many little parcels, wrapped in orange peel or paper, which had probably
fallen from his table, without observation or subsequent search; and
likewise, another sum of considerable amount, on the shelves of his closet, in paper, and
orange-peel.
"There was likewise a barrel, almost full of tops, which he
had purchased of boys in the street, to show his disapprobation of the
vain sport. It was his custom to Walk out in a black velvet cap, and in
a gown girded about his loins. In one side of it he would carry books,
and in the other cakes, and with one or the other of which he would
generally succeed in purchasing of boys their tops, and would give them
kind advice, so that instead of fleeing from him, they loved to see him
approach."—Reminiscences of Hopkins.
Their next step, July, 1725, was to
propose a colleague, as a means of allaying all uneasiness; this, Mr.
Clap declined. The church and congregation were determined, and the
services of Mr. Bass were obtained for a short season, and after him,
Mr. John Adams; this must have been some time in 1727. Mr. Clap, after a
while, utterly refused any association with Mr. Adams, and
entirely occupied the pulpit on the Lord's day, not giving opportunity
to the other to preach. This exasperated the people to such a degree,
that nearly half of both churches and congregations withdrew, and
met in a separate place, under Mr. Adams' ministry.
In 1728, an ex-parte Council of Churches was convened on the
3rd of April, which, after solemn supplication to God for his gracious
presence and direction, came to the following result, unanimously agreed
in, upon mature deliberation. The Council then went on to say, "that as
Mr. Adams had received a valid call to the colleagueship with Mr. Clap,
they affectionately advised Mr. Clap and his friends to consent to Mr.
Adams' ordination; and if they would not, they recommended the aggrieved
party to use the same house of worship, for the time being, one in the
morning and the other in the evening, with their respective pastors."Mr.
Clap persisted in having no intercourse with Mr. Adams.
Tradition informs us, that when the Council had assembled at
the parsonage, to endeavor to adjust the differences which existed
between a portion of the church and Mr. Gap, he came from his study with
a plate in his hand, containing as many figs as there were ministers
present, and after handing them round, until he came to the last,
remarked, "here is a fig for you all; and immediately retired to his
study. This illustrates the moral courage of the ministry at that
day.
A new church was organised, and Mr. Adams ordained their
pastor, April 11th, 1728. The Lord's Supper was administered on Lord's
day, May 11th, 1728. The place of worship where Mr. Clap then preached,
was situated in Tanner-street, and its occupancy by Mr. Adams, contrary
to his wishes, was so displeasing to him, that he would not consent to
preach in it again. A new house was erected, which at present is
occupied by the Unitarian Society, under the pastoral care of the Rev.
Mr. Brooks. When the house was completed, and they had brought him the
key, the first question he asked, was, "Is it paid for?" On being
informed that a small balance remained unsettled, he handed back the
key, and not until the debt was cancelled would he consent to occupy the
house, which was quickly done. Such was the moral principle of that
day.
Mr. Whitfield, in his Journal, in his remarks on Mr. Clap,
says, "His countenance was very heavenly, and he prayed most
affectionately for a blessing on my coming to Rhode Island. I could not
but think I was sitting by one of the patriarchs."
Dean Berkley was intimate with Mr. Clap, and often spoke of
his good deeds, and exemplary character. He said, "Before I saw Father
Clap, I thought the Bishop of Rome had the most grave aspect of any man
I ever saw; but really, the minister of Newport has the most venerable
appearance."
The Rev. Mr. Clap continued his pastoral care over the First
Church, until his death, though he abandoned the house, as before
remarked, to Mr. Adams and his Church.
1733. This year, the Second Congregational Church built a new
meetinghouse, in Clarke-street.
The Rev. Mr. Adams was dismissed, February 25th,
1729—1730.
April 21st, 1731, the Rev, James Searing was ordained over
the Second Church. He died January 6th, 1755, aged fifty years.
May, 1740, the Rev. Joseph Gardner was ordained co-pastor
with Mr. Clap, over the First Church, and was dismissed June 10th,
1743.
June 20th, 1744, Jonathan Helier was ordained co-pastor with
Mr. Clap, over the First Church, and died May 27th, 1745. He was a very
ingenious and excellent man.
October 30th, 1745, the Rev Nathaniel Clap died, at the
advanced age of seventy-eight years. His remains lay in the Arnold
burial ground, at the rear of the Unitarian Church.
October 29th, 1746, the Rev. William Vinal was ordained
pastor of the First Church, and was dismissed September 21st, 1768.
April 11th, 1755, Rev. Samuel Hopkins was installed pastor of
the First Congregational Church.
October 22d, 1755, Rev. Ezra Stiles was ordained pastor of
the Second Congregational Church. It was a most curious coincidence that
two such minds should have been settled over Newport churches the same
year.
At the settlement of these distinguished divines, Hopkins and
Stiles, over the churches in Newport, they were in a flourishing
condition, and continued so many years, and many additions
were made to them; but, in 1744, the difficulties connected with the
relations that existed between Great Britain and her American Colonies,
began to give warning of the conflict that ensued. Newport began to
decline, commerce forsook her wharfs, many dwellings were emptied of
their inhabitants, and the churches were in a great measure forsaken.
Dr. Hopkins had removed his family; and, in 1776, he himself left, and
returned to reside with his family in Great Barrington,
Massachusetts.
On the 23rd of October, 1775, the remnant of the Second
Society met, and determined it to be inexpedient to continue public
worship during the winter, in consideration of the tumultuous and
evacuated state of the town. In the following March, their pastor left
Newport, and these churches were destitute of ministers, and their
members scattered abroad.
Both the houses of worship, during the war, had been used as
barracks for the soldiers. The bell of the First Church was carried to
England, and the pulpit, pews, and fixtures, were demolished. The Second
Church fared but little better for, though the pulpit was left standing,
the enemy had put up a chimney in the middle of it, and destroyed the
pews below, and in the gallery.
In the spring of 1780, Dr. Hopkins returned to his parish, to
witness a scene of desolation and misery; Borne of the members of the
church and congregation had died, many had sought other homes, and those
that remained, were so impoverished and dispirited, that only a few had
the moral courage to think of reviving their church. But they were
eventually able to succeed.
It has already been remarked, that the enemy had completely
destroyed the interior of the church, and their limited resources
prevented their refitting it, only in a plain manner. For years, there
was no paint on the pews, and the impression was visibly seen in the
aisles, where the British soldiers had struck the muzzles of their guns.
The people of Taunton very kindly gave them the pulpit, which continued
to be graced with Hopkins, and his successors, so long as the place of
worship was used by the society.
But although there was no outward adorning, yet an amount of
piety existed at that period, which more than supplied its place. The female members of his church were many of them
eminently pious. There was Madam Osborne, Susannah Anthony, Hannah
Johnson, Mrs. Donely, with many others, of whoso praise is in all
the churches." The writings of Madam Osborne and Susannah Anthony are to
be met with in the Sabbath School libraries of the land. They were
the poor of this world, but rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom
which God hath prepared for them that love him." They were to Doctor
Hopkins what Aaron and Hur were to Moses, they stayed up his hands, and
encouraged his heart under the conflicts and trials which, as a soldier
of the cross, he was called to endure. At that period, there was
something witnessed like the primitive times, when love bound the church
together as one. The world had not then the complete ascendency in the
human heart There was a renunciation of "the world, the
flesh, and the devil," and a childlike spirit seemed to characterize the
church.
During the war, Dr. Stiles had accepted the presidency of
Yale College, although he was not formally dismissed from them pastoral
charge till after the peace; consequently, on their return to Newport,
the Second Church found themselves without a pastor, and continued in
that state till the 24th of May, 1786, on which day the Rev. William
Patton was ordained their minister.
President Stiles was one of the most learned men that our
country has ever produced. As a scholar, he was familiar with every
department of learning. He had a profound and critical knowledge of the
Latin, Greek, French, and Hebrew languages; in the Samaritan, Chaldee,
Syriac, and Arabic, he had made considerable progress, and he had
bestowed somo attention on the Persic and Coptic. He had a passion for
history, and an intimate acquaintance with the rabbinical writings, and
with those of the fathers of the Christian Church. As a preacher, he was
impressive and eloquent; and the excellence of his sermons was enhanced
by the energy of his delivery, and by the unction which pervaded them.
His catholic spirit embraced men of every nation, sect, and party. In
the cause of civil and religious liberty, he was enthusiastic In his
discourse on Christian union, he says: "There ought to be no
restrictions on the conscience of an honest and sober
believer of revelation."
The following appropriate remarks are from the pen of
Chancellor Kent, one of Dr. Stiles' pupils.
"A more constant and devoted friend to the Revolution and
independence of his country, never existed. He had anticipated it as
early as the year 1700, and the whole soul was enlisted in favor of
every measure which led on gradually to the formation and establishment
of the American Union. He was distinguished for the dignity of his
department, the politeness of his address, and the urbanity of his
manners." President Stiles was for more than twenty years a resident and
distinguished ornament of Rhode Island.
December 20th, 1803, Rev. Samuel Hopkins, D.D., died aged 82
years. In his death, the church sustained a heavy loss.
Though not eloquent, as was Dr. Stiles, yet there was a
solemnity in his preaching which carried conviction to the understanding
and heart, and shewed the sincerity of his mind, as one in whom you
could rely. Decision of character was preeminently conspicuous in his
whole character—a trait seldom to be met with at the present day. His
theological views were somewhat peculiar, and gave great offence, though
his opponents were constrained to admit his honesty.
He was a target at which the arrows of malice were thrown,
but he stood, as he remarked, "like a brazen wall, unhurt." Charles
Cahoone, who was skeptical in his views, and rather eccentric, was
disposed to annoy the Doctor by sending persons to him to buy brimstone.
Such conduct was highly displeasing to the Doctor, but it never deterred
him from preaching what he believed to be the truth. Gahoone was a
carver, and a specimen of his work may be seen on the roof of the house
of Engine No. VI., at the head of King-street It represents old Breton,
an English rigger, dressed in his petticoat, trowsers, and cocked hat,
with the pig-tail tobacco hanging out of his pocket. It is a facsimile
of the person.
"Dr. Hopkins was a distinguished divine. His mind was
discerning, and his application was almost unequaled. He sometimes
devoted to his studies eighteen hours in a day. One of his peculiar
sentiments, was that the inability of sinners is moral, not natural; but this is only saying that
their inability consists in disinclination of heart, or of opposition of
will, to what is good. Combining the Calvinistic doctrine that God has
foreordained whatsoever comes to pass, with his views of the nature of
sin as consisting entirely in the intention or disposition of the mind,
he inferred that it was no impeachment upon the character of the most
righteous Disposer of all events, to say, not only that He had decreed
the existence of sin, but that He exerted His own power to produce it.
The design being benevolent, he contended that no more iniquity could be
attached to this act, than to the bare permission of sin. This is
another of his peculiarities. From his view of the nature of holiness,
as consisting in disinterested benevolence, he also inferred that a
Christian should be willing to perish forever, to be forever miserable,
if it should be necessary for the glory of God and the good of the
universe that he should encounter this destruction.
"Instead of the Calvinistic doctrine of the strict imputation
of Adam's sin, and of the righteousness of Christ, he chose rather to
adopt the language of Scripture in saying, that on account of the first
transgression, men were made or constituted sinners, and that men are
justified on account of the righteousness of Christ, or through the
redemption which there is in him. Another of his peculiarities is, that
all sin consists in selfishness."
He was a man of large stature, and well proportioned; dressed
in the costume of the age, with a full bottomed wig, he presented an
imposing appearance.
Sept 12, 1804, Rev. Caleb T. Tenney was installed pastor of
the First Church, and was dismissed May 29th, 1815.
Aug. 23d, 1815, Rev. Calvin Hitchcock was installed over the
First Church, and was dismissed August 23d, 1820.
July 25th, 1821, Rev. Samuel Austin, D. D., was installed
pastor of the Firet Church, and was dismissed in 1826. Dr. Austin,
previous to his coming to Newport, had been President of Burlington
College, Vermont He was an able expositor of the Scriptures.
He was succeeded by Rev. William Torrey, January, 1827, who
was dismissed in May, 1829, rather unceremoniously.
March 24th, 1830, Rev. William Beecher was ordained pastor of
the First Church, and dismissed June 23d, 1833.
April 18th, 1833, Rev. William Patten was dismissed from his
pastoral charge over the Second Church, after having ministered to his
people for the long period of forty-seven years. If great success did
not attend his ministrations, if additions were not as numerous as in
some instances, nevertheless he was a pious and devoted servant of
Christ, and was strongly endeared to the members of his Church.
Dr. Patten was a fine classical scholar. There was no attempt
at display in the pulpit; he delivered the truth, and left it with God
to apply it to the hearts and consciences of his hearers. Tho reason
assigned for his dismission, was that the Church had been long in a
declining state. This was not of sufficient weight to dissolve a
connection which had existed for nearly half a century. Dr. Patten had
spent the energies of his youth in their service; he had reared up a
large family in their midst raid all his dearest associations were
there. It was painful to his mind to be under the
necessity of turning his back on the people of his charge, and to take
up his residence in a spot where the changes had been so great in the
period of nearly half a century, that he scarcely knew any of the
inhabitants.
It would have been far better, had the church and society
proposed a colleague, and allowed the venerable servant of God to have
lived and died in their midst.
Dr. Patten, though dignified in manners, and commanding the
respect of all, was yet very companionable, and at times highly amusing.
A Mrs. K., a lady from the South, and connected with some of the first
families, became insane, and was placed in the family of Rev. William
Patten. She was rather disposed to sneer at his pretensions to the
ministerial office, which he pleasantly submitted to. Subsequently,
Brown University conferred on him the degree of D. D. Mrs. K. continued
her attacks, when the Doctor remarked, " Why, Mrs. K, I am really
surprised that a lady of your rank and dignity, will condescend so low
as to insult a Doctor of Divinity." She appeared greatly surprised at
the announcement "You a D. D. F.?" "Yes, madam; do you require my
credentials ?" "No, sir," she replied; and from that moment, as he
informed the author, she was always respectful. The Doctor jocosely
remarked that this was all the benefit he derived from tho
Doctorate.
For many years, the Second Church was destitute of a single
male member, and was indebted to the Deacons of the First Church for the
duties which pertain to that office, in the celebration of the Lord's
Supper. In 1833, a project for uniting these two churches in one began
to be talked of, and gradually gained favor, until at length, on the
24th of May, 1833, the work was consummated.
On the 26th of Sept., 1839, the Rev. A. Henry Dumont was
installed, by an Ecclesiastical Council, the first pastor of the United
Church.
The societies being united in one, deemed it expedient to
erect a new house of worship, which was accordingly done. This house was
solemnly dedicated to the worship of the Triune God, on the 4th of June,
1834.
The present pastor is tho Rev. Thatcher Thayer, who succeeded
the Rev. Mr. Dumont, and who is highly esteemed by his people.
The two Congregational Churches, up to the time of the death
of Dr. Hopkins, enjoyed the most entire harmony. So pure and deep was
the sympathy of the two pastors, that they called each other by the
appellations of father and son. The last time that Dr. Hopkins walked
out with Dr. Patten, who at that time was comparatively a young man, and
accompanied him home, Dr. Hopkins said, "What need have I any more of a
cane, since I have your arm;" and gave his cane or long staff, mounted
with ivory, into the hands of Dr. Patten, who used it afterwards, and
reckoned it among his choice things. They were like David and Jonathan,
"pleasant and lovely in their lives," and in their resting place on
earth they are not divided. They repose in front of the Spring-street
church.
A strong desire is expressed by the family of the late
lamented Dr. Patten, that a monument be erected to his memory, and we
trust, for the honor of the town, that no obstacles will be thrown in
the way of the accomplishment of the Object.
At the same time, the church and society over which Dr.
Hopkins presided for so many years, should erect a suitable monument to
his memory, or join with the family of Dr. Patten in the praiseworthy
undertaking.
The estimation in which Dr. Hopkins writings were held in
Scotland, led the College at Edinburgh to confer on him the degree of
D.D. It was a high honor, and showed that they highly appreciated his
talents as an able theologian.
Dr. Hopkins salary, for many years, did not exceed $200 per
annum, and tho parsonage house, which is still standing. His study would
only admit of a table, with just sufficient room to move round it; it
was there he wrote his System of Divinity, which cost him ten years
labor, and for the copyright of which he obtained $800.
A wealthy lady of his church, Mrs. Wright, was in the habit
of furnishing himself and wife, which then comprisod his family, dinner
three times a week from her own table; and he and his companion would
often take tea out, with some of his parishioners, who were always
gratified with the visit of their pastor. Dr. Hopkins often remarked
that he would not exchange his situation for an increase of salary, so
delighted was he with Newport, and the affectionate church over which he
ministered.
But few such self-sacrificing spirits are to bo met with in
this world. It was the flock, and not the fleece he was after. He had
consecrated himself to the work of the Gospel ministry, and in that
service he labored until removed by death. He looked for higher honors
than earth could possibly confer, as the reward of his labors and toils
in the service of his Lord and Master. A faithful minister will
proclaim the truth to both saint and sinner; be will not shun to declare
tho whole counsel of God. The commission which he professes to have
received, binds him to the faithful performance of this duty. His office
is not one of earthly appointment, if well understood—though many at
this day seem to view it so, by the cautious manner in which they wield
the weapons of the Gospel, lest the minds of their hearers should be
disturbed. It was not so with Hopkins and his associates; they believed
that the investiture was from Jehovah, and that obedience was required
of all who bore the vessels of tho sanctuary. They put their trust
entirely in God, and not in man for a blessing on their labors of love.
Such were the divines Clark, Callender, Stiles, Hopkins, Brown, Clap,
Thurston, and Patten, who graced the pulpits of that day.
1787.—Last Saturday night arrived here Capt. Benjamin Pearce,
in the brig Elizabeth, sixty-three days from Copenhagen, bringing a bell
of about 1,100 lbs. weight, for the Second Congregational
Church of the City of Newport. "The City of Newport" is cast on the
bell. It is now in the belfry of theUnion Congregational Church, in
Spring-street.
