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CHAPTER IX.

DR. DANA AND THE WALLINGFORD CONTROVERSY.

MR. Whittelsey said before his death, that he observed the symptoms of a latent spirit of strife and division amongst his people, which he expected would discover itself and run high after his decease. After the death of Mr. Whittelsey, the society were for a long time without a pastor, the people were so divided in their opinions and feelings; above twenty candidates having been heard, and they had not been able to unite in the settlement of any candidate whom they had employed. At a Society Meeting, September 5, 1757, it was

"Voted that they would Signify their minds, who they would have to proceed with, in order for Probation, in the Work of ye Ministry, in said Society, by Passing Round and Giving in the Name of ye Gentleman, they would make Choice of, for that purpose, but those that Dont Vote for any, Signify their minds accordingly."

The result of the ballotting was that Mr. Strong1 had

1 Nehemiah Strong was born at Northampton, Mass., in 1728; was graduated at Yale College in 1755; was chosen Tutor in the College in 1757, and continued in the office three years; was soon after settled as a minister in the parish of Turkey Hills in Simsbury, now Granby; was chosen to the Professorship of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Yale College in 1770; resigned the office in 1781, and spent the remainder of his life in retirement. He died at Bridgeport, Conn., Aug. 12, 1807, in the eightieth year of his age.

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thirty-eight votes; Mr. Chauncey Whittelsey, son of Rev. Samuel Whittelsey, had forty-eight; Mr. Holmes, ten; and Mr. Hubbard four votes. Mr. Chauncey Whittelsey had preached among them, to more general satisfaction than any other candidate; but there was such a number in opposition to him, that he refused to settle with them. The association had advised the committee of the church and society to call in three candidates, of whom Mr. Whittelsey should be one, and the other two to be named by the minor party, and to hear them preach six sabbaths each, and then to settle him who should have the major vote, and that the minority should then agree to his settlement. Provided, nevertheless, that if the minor party should refuse to nominate, that then the society might proceed in a regular manner to the settlement of Mr. Whittelsey. This advice, it seems, was not acceptable. There was no prospect that the majority, who were fixed in the choice of Mr. Whittelsey, would recede from their choice in favor of any other man. At a special society meeting at Wallingford, March 28, 1758, it was

"Voted that Ensign Theophilus Doolittle, Lieut. Joseph Royce, Caleb Merriman, Esq., Major Elihu Hall, Mr. Charles Whittelsey, Lieut. Caleb Johnson, and Samuel Hall, Esq., be a Committee to use such Measures, as speedy as may be, in Behalf of said Society, as may be by them tho't proper, con­sidering the difficult Circumstances of said Society, to invite a Candidate or Candidates, to preach in said Society, with the Advice of some Rev'd Gentlemen, that are acquainted with the Circumstances of said Society, some convenient Time, and Report make at their next Society Meeting, of what they have done in the Affair, in order, &c.

"A true Copy. Test. JAMES MILES, Clerk."

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This committee applied to a number of neighboring ministers, who were convened together in the society, upon a day when that church and people were sanctify­ing a fast, who gave them the following advice, drawn up by Mr. Samuel Hall:

"Wallingford, 26th April, 1758.

"We the Subscribers, neighboring Ministers, being desired by Capt. Hall, Maj. Hall, Ensi. Doolittle, Mr. Whittelsey, Lieut. Royce, Lieut. Merriman, and Lieut. Johnson, to give our Advice, what Steps to take under the difficult Circumstan­ces of the first Society in Wallingford, about the Settling a Minister among them, do advise to send to Mr. Holyoke President of Cambridge College, Mr. Appleton, Minister of Cambridge, and Dr. Chauncey of Boston, for their Direction to some suitable Candidate for the Ministry in said Walling­ford.

"samuel whittelsey, samuel hall, isaac stiles, theophilus hall."

The committee upon this advice sent the following letter to Cambridge:

"Wallingford, 28 April, 1758.

"reverend and honoured gentlemen:

"The Committee of the first Society in Wallingford on Consideration of the bereaved and broken circumstances of said Society, by the Death of their late Reverend Pastor, having advised with the Reverend Elders in their Vicinity thereon, do in Comformity of their Advice, and in great, Approbation thereof, hereby most earnestly beg your kind offices for this destitute Flock, to recommend some suitable and worthy Candidate, for the Ministry in this Place; and that you would be pleased to use your great and good Influence with such Candidate, to accept the Invitation, &c.

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"CALEB MERRIMAN, SAMUEL HALL, ELIHU HALL, >Committee." JOSEPH ROYCE, CALEB JOHNSON.

President Holyoke and Mr. Appleton,1 Dr. Chauncey being absent, recommended Mr. James Dana of Cam­bridge, a graduate of Harvard of the class of 1753, and then in his twenty-third year. He was accordingly invited to visit Wallingford to preach as a candidate for settlement. He accepted the invitation, and after he had preached a few Sabbaths, both the church and society, with apparent harmony, extended to him a call to become their pastor. A committee of fifteen2 were ap­pointed " to wait on said Mr. James Dana and Request his acceptance of said Invitation, and Confer with him on Terms and proposals in order to his settle­ment therein."

He accepted the invitation in the following letter:

1 Rev. Mr. Appleton sent the following letter to one of the Wallingford committee:

"DEAR SIR-I congratulate you upon the hopeful prospect &c. Mr. Dana is a young Gentleman of so good natural Powers, and these so well cultivated and enlarged by a close Application in his Studies; and has preserved so clear and unspotted a Character, &c., as may serve very much to recommend him to the Esteem and Choice of a people; and such arc his Capacities, and Thirst after further Attainments, that I am persuaded, if God shall put him, and continue him, in the Ministry for some Years, he will distinguishingly shine among his brethren, &c.

"I am &c., NATHANIEL APPLETON.

"Cambridge, Aug. 11, 1758."

2 Samuel Hall, Elihu Hall, Ensign Theophilus Doolittle, Charles Whittelsey, John Hall, John Peck, Deacon John Hall, Caleb Merriman, Lieut. Joseph Royce, Lieut. Caleb Johnson, Capt. Nathaniel Beadel, Capt. Peter Hall, Capt. Eliakim Hall, Abraham Stanley, John Moss.

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"Wallingford, Sept. 2nd 1758.

"beloved brethren:

"Your Invitation of me to settle among you in the Work of the Gospel Ministry, I received by your Committee chosen for that purpose; and apprehend I have duly consid­ered the same, &c. In Answer to this your invitation, I would say, that having sought divine direction &c. I judge it my Duty to accept, and accordingly, do now declare my Ac­ceptance of the same. I embrace the present Opportunity to testify my grateful Sense, &c. I now stand ready to be intro­duced 'to the Work whereunto I am called,' as soon as convenient Opportunity therefor presents itself, &c.

"james dana."

Mr. Dana agreed to come to Wallingford for ?200 settlement, and ?80 the first year, ?90 the second year, and ?100 "per year annually," as long as he con­tinued in the work of the ministry in their society. There appeared to be a good degree of unanimity in giving him a call to the work of the ministry in the society. None appeared in opposition, though some, and two or three of the committee were not in the vote.

They were not satisfied with respect to his doctrines, and soundness in the faith; and one of the committee made him a visit, with a view of obtaining satisfaction relative to his doctrines, designing, if he could obtain satisfaction relative to them, to act in favor of his ordination. He, in as mild and decent a manner as he knew how, introduced the matter, and asked him a few questions relating to his doctrines and preaching, expecting that Mr. Dana would, at least, attempt to satisfy him with respect to his religious sentiments. But instead of this, to his grief and surprise, as he testified, Mr. Dana answered him very short, and in a loud and boisterous, manner, and treated him with such apparent anger and

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disdain, as he never met with from any gentleman before, declaring that he did not regard the opposition a farthing, or words to that effect; that if there were any objections against what he had delivered in preaching, he would answer them before the ordaining council. Also, Mr. Dana said, he was too young to be examined. Some other gentlemen waited on him between the meetings, to obtain satisfaction for themselves as to his religious sentiments; and particularly desired him to let them know his sentiments with regard to original sin, the saints' perseverance, and with respect to free will and falling from grace. He made them very short an­swers, and said he should not tell. They asked him how he liked the platform. He said he had never seen it, but supposed, if he settled, he should settle upon it. They inquired if he had seen the doctrines of faith which Mr. Whittelsey had used? He told them he had. They in­quired how he liked them? In reply he asked them why they did not ask him how he liked John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and Aesop's fables?1 This treatment, and his refusing to give an account of his doctrines, gave much dissatisfaction; for though both the church and society, with apparent harmony, united in giving Mr. Dana a call, the voting of the call was immediately followed by the organization of a strong opposition, pro­moted, as was supposed, by some of the ministers of the neighborhood. The society, nevertheless, proceeded to vote him a settlement and salary, 140 voting in the affirmative, and 62 in the negative; and Mr. Dana after consulting his friends, declared his acceptance of their

1 Some serious Remarks upon the Rev. Mr. Jonathan Todd's Faithful Narrative, &c., by Edward Eells, A. M., Pastor of the Second Church in Middletown, New Haven, 1760.

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invitation. A committee was appointed to "Mediate between the Rev'd Mr. James Dana and first Church in Wallingford, and the agrieved Brethren." Some of those who had voted in the affirmative now joined the other party, and insisted that Mr. Dana should be re­moved from his pastoral office. Some of the leading men in the opposition entered a complaint against Mr. Dana and the church. Against him as unsound in the faith, and against the church for calling him to the work of the ministry under such circumstances, against so large an opposition on account of his doctrines. The complaint was as follows:

"To the Reverend Mr. Samuel Hall, moderator of the consociation, in New Haven county:

"REVEREND SIR-The petition of us whose names are under written, humbly showeth, that whereas the first society and church in Wallingford have been in pursuit of Mr James Dana, of Cambridge, to settle in the ministry among us, and the said church and society have not taken the steps of the constitution of the government, set forth in the Saybrook platform, reference thereto being had. Furthermore, we the members of said church and society, beg leave to charge Mr. James Dana with declaring in public, some time in June last, that there was no sacrifice for wilful transgressions under the law or gospel. He also delivered, some time in the same month, that to suppose a man's sins are necessary and una­voidable, is to excuse the man from guilt, and lay and cast the blame upon God. Aug. 20th, Mr. Dana took his text out of Chronicles, 28th chapter, 9th verse; under which text he undertook to inform us what were the conditions of our acceptance with God: and saith our obedience must be sin-cere, uniform, willing, universal and persevering; that these were the conditions of our acceptance with God, and what would interest us in his favor; and that it would be suspended until we had fulfilled the above conditions. Sometime in

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July, said Mr. Dana delivered, in one of his sermons, that the gospel makes the practice of the duties of morality, the unchangeable condition of our future happiness. He declared sometime in August or September, that it was not strange if we had new things delivered to us in religion, and supposed we should have further discoveries made to us in every century, till we arrived at a perfect state; which doc­trines we look upon as unfounded, not agreeable to the word of God, or the doctrines of the Saybrook platform, and the confession of faith therein set forth; and he has preached twenty-one sermons in Wallingford, and has wholly omitted the doctrines of the new birth, and the safety of appearing in the righteousness of Christ; and he compared the doctrine of faith that the Rev. Mr. Samuel Whittelsey taught, to AEsop's fables and John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress; which we look upon as unbecoming. We do hereby desire the consociation to be called, to hear these, with other grievances, and deter­mine the whole matter; and we will be at the cost; and the house of Caleb Merriman, Esq., is appointed to meet at. He declares he cares nothing about the opposition.

"Members of said church.

"CALEB MERRIMAN, CALEB JOHNSON, DANIEL CLARK, STREET HALL, LEVI MOSS, of the society.

"A true Copy. Test. SAMUEL HALL, Moderator.

"Dated at Wallingford, September 25th, 1758.1

Thus was commenced the great controversy between the Old Lights and the New Lights, which culminated in the "Wallingfbrd Controversy;" a case which more than all others became a matter of public concern, and opened a distinct era in New England theology and in

1 A Faithful Narrative of the Proceedings, of the First Society and Church in Wallingford, in the Calling and Settling of Rev. Mr. Dana, in the Pastoral Office over them; and of the Doings of the several Councils relative thereto, with some Remarks interspersed. By Jonathan Todd, A. M., New Haven, 1759.

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the history of the "liberties of the churches." Mr. Dana was set apart to the ministry by an Old Light council, in the face of protest from a repectable minor­ity, and against the solemn edict of the "Consociation of New Haven County," which had met in Wallingfbrd to forbid the ordination of a candidate charged with doc­trinal unsoundness, even with Socinian or Arminian proclivities. The bold procedure of ordaining in spite of the prohibition, was a triumph of the principle for which the New Lights had long contended; and the pens of the time were alive in its censure or its defense. It was a triumph also over the power of the "ecclesiastical constitution of the dissenters;" and Noah Hobart, aided by President Clap and other leading divines of the colony, proved to be a champion no more successful here for the Saybrook Platform than he had been in his addresses to the members of the Episcopal separation in New England. Those on the other side found support for their action in the popular voice, as well as in the voice of a body of ministers trained under the influence of Whitefield's teachings.1

Mr. Hall, the moderator of the consociation, by the advice of a number of the neighboring ciders, and after­wards by the advice of the association, before whom he laid the matter, called the consociation, to meet at Wallingford on the 10th day of October, 1758; and he gave out citations under his hand, to Mr. Dana, and the church at Wallingford, notifying them of the meet­ing of the consociation, and requiring them to appear at time and place.

Agreeably to the call, the consociation convened at

1 Beardsley's Hist. of Epis. Church in Conn., I, 195.

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Wallingford, and, whether it was by accident or design is not known; but so it was, that the two councils, the one called by the church and society to ordain Mr. Dana, the other called by the minority to prevent his ordina­tion, met in Wallingford on the same day; and a memorable day it was in the annals of congregational-ism, and in the ecclesiastical history of Connecticut. The council consisted of Rev. Messrs. Noyes, of New Haven, Hall, of Cheshire, Stiles, of North Haven, Ruggles, of Guilford, Hall, of Meriden, Whittelsey, of Milford, John Brown, of Hingham, Mass., and Mr. Whittelsey of New Haven, colleague with Mr. Noyes, and Mr. Fowler, of Guilford, colleague with Mr. Ruggles. They were all members of the association and con­sociation of New Haven county, except Mr. Brown of Hingham.

The council met at Mr. Caleb Merriman's. The mod­erator, as soon as was convenient, proposed to form the body, by choosing a moderator and scribe. This brought on a dispute on the consociation's being called de novo or as a new one; and also on account of some of the members not being qualified according to the constitu­tion. This, however, was soon so far overruled that the council united in choosing a moderator and scribe; and the consociation was opened with prayer. Upon this, Mr. Dana and the church committee, and the complain­ants, came in before the consociation, and the complaint was read. The church then declined to submit to the consociation. The church pleaded that, according to the constitution, it could have no jurisdiction in that case. But they said they were ready to hear and answer all objections made to their proceedings before the ordaining council. The consociation wishing to conduct

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an affair of such moment in the most amicable manner possible, chose a committee, of which one was of the ordaining council, to treat with the parties and attempt some mode of agreement. In this conference, the minority made this proposal by their agents:

"That in case Mr. Dana would submit to an examination by the consociation then met, and they should approve of him as orthodox, they would concur in his ordination; for his principles were their chief difficulty."1

But they insisted that this should be determined by the consociation, and not by the ordination council only. To this, Mr. Dana and the committee would not consent. The consociation adjourned to meet in the meeting house the next morning. In the meantime the gentlemen who had been invited to be of the ordaining council, met by themselves and formed, as was generally supposed, to keep the council alive, that they might act, when the way should be prepared by the consociation. It was not suspected even by some who formed with them, that it was with a design of separating from the consocia­tion. When the consociation met in the morning, according to adjournment, they met with it.

On declaration being made that the council was opened, and that all parties concerned had liberty to be heard, Mr. Dana appeared and denied the jurisdiction of the council, and insisted that the complaint exhibited against him was not cognizable by that body, for he was not one of the associated pastors that might be com­plained of for heresy or scandal to the association; nor, if he were, had there been any complaint of scandal or

1 Mr. Evil's Narrative. That this proposal was made, at this time, is attested by five of the principal men in the minority.

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heresy made to the association against him; nor had there been any careful examination of that matter by them.

With respect to this part of his plea, that he was not one of the associated pastors, and that no complaint had been exhibited against him to the association, etc.; it was observed, that Mr. Dana's preaching to, and accept­ing the call of a consociated church, to take the pastoral charge of it, brought him so far within the reach of the constitution, that he must be subject to the government of the consociated churches. That it was a maxim among all nations, and so founded in the reason of things that it will extend to all communities, civil and sacred, that whoever comes into a community, and reaps the benefits of that body, must be subject to the laws of it. That Mr. Dana was reaping the benefits of a consociated church, and therefore was subject to the laws of the consociated churches, and that, therefore, a charge of scandal or heresy might be brought against him. That a copy of the charge in substance, was given him by those who opposed his ordination, and that they certified him that they were going to Northbury to the associa­tion, and that he refused to attend. That though the complaint was carried to the moderator of the last consociation, yet that it was by his direction laid before the association, and that they had the same opportunity to examine the matter, as if it had been directed to them at the first, and to give advice in the affair; so that Mr. Dana was subject to the constitution. His cause had been so heard by the association, that they judged it to be the duty of the moderator to convene the consociation and advise him to the measure, that Mr. Dana might be heard on the charge exhibited against him.

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Though Mr. Dana denied the jurisdiction of the coun­cil, he expressed his desire to give the pastors and delegates of the churches satisfaction by an open vindi­cation of himself; but at the same time, he gave the consociation to understand that he would not be interro­gated by them on any point of doctrine, or upon the charge, or that he would not be " wire drawn."1

When Mr. Dana had finished what he proposed, the committee of the church and society appeared before the consociation, denied its jurisdiction, and pleaded, first, that the present convention was not a regular consocia­tion, For all of the consociated churches were not in­vited to be present at this council; and the first church in Wallingford had not been notified; and that Mr. Robbins was not a pastor of one of the consociated churches, it was replied, that it never had been the custom of this consociation, to notify a church to send a messenger, when the consociation had been called to con­sider any matter relating to said church, or their pastor; that universal practice had shown that the article in the platform had never been understood in the sense of those who had made the objection.2 With respect to Mr. Robbins it was alleged that he had been received as a member both of the association and consociation; that he was one of the committee of the association and had before sat with the consociation.3

1 Narratives of Messrs. Eells and Todd.

2 It is believed, that there never has been an instance, since the form­ation of the platform to this time, in this county, of sending a letter to a Church or pastor, to sit in a consociation, in which a cause of their own was depending. This would be like notifying a criminal to sit as judge in the very court which was to try him.

3 Trumbull, 2, 484. Dr. Trumbull has related the particulars with

177 Various other objections were brought up and an­swered, and the question was put,

"Whether this consociation have a right to hear and determine, in relation to the complaint exhibited against the proceedings of the first church in Wallingford, with regard to the calling of Mr. James Dana, to settle in the gospel min­istry among them?"

and passed in the affirmative. Upon this, the gentle­men who were of the ordination council, who had, till this time, joined and acted with the consociation, with­drew themselves wholly from it, and entered into, and presented to the consociation the following protest:

"To the Rev. Mr. Samuel Hall, and other elders and messengers of churches, of this county, convened at the house of Caleb Merriman, Esq., in Wallingford, and acting or pre­tending to act, as the consociation of this county. We, the subscribers, do hereby declare our dissent from, and protest against whatever resolves may become into, or determined upon by you, for the following reasons: 1, Because, by the ecclesiastical constitution of this colony, a consociation may subsist by adjournment, for a year; a new consociation was called, and met last May, and continued themselves by ad­journment, and must be therefore now in being; yet the present convention was called together by a new consociation. 2, Because one of the churches under the constitution, in this county, was not notified to attend the consociation by their delegates. 3, Because you have voted, or resolved by a prerogative act, that Mr. Robbins, of Branford, may sit and act as a member of the consociation, who, with his church, have voted out the constitution, and refused to be regulated by it; and accordingly did not lead his church to choose any delegate. 4, Because the special matters which, by com­plaint, lie before you, relating to the first church and society

great honesty of purpose, but not without some bias from his personal and party prejudices.

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in Wallingford, and Mr. James Dana, are so brought, that, were you a, regular consociation, they could not be taken cognizance of by you, consistent with the essential rights of congregational churches, and the plain directions of the con­stitution; and the resolve you have already come into there­upon (if reduced to a precedent) will effectually deprive the churches of their right to choose their own pastors, and to exercise church discipline."1

The consociation met the next morning, according to adjournment, and adopted the following resolutions, viz.:

"Resolved by this consociation, that it shall be esteemed, and it is hereby judged disorderly, for any of the members of this consociation, or any other persons, to proceed to, or be assisting in the ordination of Mr. James Dana, to the gospel ministry, in the first church and society of Wallingford, while the matter is depending before this consociation. And also, it is judged disorderly for the church in Wallingford to pro­ceed in receiving Mr. Dana for their pastor, by ordination; for him to accept thereof, until the complaint against Mr. Dana, and the proceedings of said church, cognizable by consociation, have been heard and determined. There-fore, this consociation earnestly beseech and desire the church to study the things which make for peace; and all members not to be assisting in the ordination of Mr. James Dana, and Mr. Dana not to accept thereof, till the matter is fully weighed and considered by this consociation, and full satisfaction given in the matters lying before this body. Voted.

"Test. warham williams, Scribe."

The consociation, at the same time, sent a resolve which they had previously passed, relative to the case of Mr. Dana, which was in the following words, viz.:

"This consociation having duly weighed and considered, the

1 Mr. Todd's Narrative, p. 40.

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reasons offered by Mr. James Dana, why he is not bound, &c., resolved, that this consociation have cognizance of the matter, and a right over all who present themselves as preachers and candidates for the ministry, in any of the consociated churches of this county; so far at least, as to forbid, where there is occasion, any such candidates or preachers, to preach in any of the consociated churches, or be ordained in and over them, until such candidates or preachers give full satisfaction to this consociation, to such matters of complaint as are regularly brought against them, before this body. Above voted and resolved.

Test. warham williams, Scribe.

"To Mr. James Dana"1

In the morning, before they went to the meeting­house for a public hearing, the ordination council made a proposal for the dissolution of both councils, each leaving their advice to all parties to study the things which make for peace. The consociation declined an acceptance of this proposal, and insisted that they could not put the case out of their hands, and leave it in the power of the church to call another ordination coun­cil, and settle Mr. Dana, before the consociation could come together again. At the same time, they were very desirous that both councils should adjourn, and have further time for consideration. For this purpose, the Rev. Mr. Merrick and others, were appointed a com­mittee, to treat with the ordination council; and they expostulated with them, in as tender and moving a manner as possible, that the matter might be deferred for some time; that the heat which then appeared might in some measure, subside; and they gave them as­surance, that the consociation would adjourn for a considerable time, if they would consent to a similar

1 Mr. Todd's Narrative, pp. 50, 51.

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adjournment. They urged that there was great danger of their breaking all in pieces, and of great and lasting divisions, if any thing was done suddenly.1 But the ordination council could not be persuaded to postpone the affair.

Several of the ordination council, when they per­ceived how matters were going, separated from them, The Rev. Mr. Fowler, colleague with Mr. Ruggles of Guilford, and Esq. Sacket of North Haven, Mr. Stiles, messenger, separated from them immediately, as soon as they perceived they were about to form themselves into a council, distinct and separate from the consociation. Mr. Ruggles also, though he was prevailed upon to sign the protest, yet he was so affected with the affair, that he withdrew from them in the morning, and did not assist in the examination or ordination of Mr. Dana.

The gentlemen of the ordination council having separated themselves from the consociation, after some consultation upon the affair on which they had been convened at Wallingford, put the question,

"Whether this council hath a right to proceed upon matters relative to the ordination of Mr. James Dana, to the pastoral office in the first society in Wallingford, and over the church in said society?"

and the vote passed in the affirmative. Upon the desire of the committee of the church and of Mr. Dana the ordaining council adjourned to the meeting­ house, with a view to give the committee an oppor- tunity to publish their proceedings in calling Mr. Dana, and that he might also have an opportunity

1 Mr. Eells' Narrative, p. 36.

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publicly to manifest his orthodoxy. After this public hearing in the meeting-house, the ordination council returned to Mr. Whittelsey's, the place of their meeting. The following question was then put:

"Whether the church and society have proceeded reg­ularly in their application unto, and call of the said Mr. Dana, to the pastoral office among and over them?"

Voted in the affirmative. The question was also put,

"Whether Mr. Dana hath vindicated himself, with respect to the charges and allegations against him, to the satisfaction of this council?"

Voted in the affirmative. The ordination council then proceeded to an examination of the candidate, and after examination, the council voted their satisfaction, with respect to Mr. Dana's knowledge, orthodoxy, and min­isterial qualifications. Mr. Dana, at the same time, declared his willingness to settle and take the care and charge of the first church in Wallingford under the ecclesiastical constitution of this colony.

The consociation, before the ordination council had determined to ordain Mr. Dana, certified them that there were ninety-five in opposition to Mr. Dana's ordination. They represented that they possessed half the rateable estate in the society.1 The moderator intimated to the ordination council that he considered this as a strong objection to the ordination of Mr. Dana. Some of the opposition were men of high standing in the town, and the largest tax-payers. The ordination council, notwith­standing the prohibition and earnest entreaties of the consociation, proceeded to the important question,

"Whether the council will proceed to the ordination of the

1 Eell's Narrative, pp. 10,11, and 33.

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Mr. James Dana, to the work of the gospel ministry, in said church and society in Wallingford?"

Voted in the affirmative. The Rev. Mr. Todd, one of the council, says,

"We looked upon it, that we were called of God to ordain Mr. Dana."1

The council accordingly proceeded, in the face of the direct and peremptory prohibition of the consociation, to ordain Mr. Dana at Wallingford. The consociation, regarding the case as one of great difficulty, now invited the neighboring consociation of Hartford county to meet with them, that they might have the benefit of their opinion and advice; and such a meeting accordingly took place three weeks afterwards. The council met and formed in a regular manner, and was the most numerous and respectable ever convened before in the colony, consisting of the most learned and pious divines in the counties of Hartford and New Haven, and of the deacons and justice of the peace, the principal men in the respective churches in the two counties. The Rev. Mr. Russell of Middletown was chosen moderator of the consociation from the county of Hartford, a gentleman of great respectability for knowledge, experience, moderation, and for pacific measures, on all occasions. When the consociations had formed, united, and opened with prayer, the committee of the church in Wallingford appeared before them, and denied the regularity and jurisdiction of the council thus united. That the fullest proof might be given of its earnest desire, if possible, to accommodate the difficulties at Wallingford, a committee was appointed to confer with Mr. Dana,

1 Todd's Narrative, p. 50.

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and the parties, concerning a reconciliation. The committee reported the following proposal of the minority, viz.:

"Whereas the Consociation of New Haven county, and the Consociation of Hartford county, south district, being convened at Wallingford, to hear and determine certain difficulties in the first church and society in Wallingford; and said consociation appointing a committee to reconcile the parties, we the subscribers, members of said church and society, and committee of the minor part, do offer at this time, to the church committee, and Mr. Dana, to have the consociation of the south district of Hartford county examine Mr. Dana's notes, referred to in the complaint; and another sermon, preached the 8th day of October last; and also examine Mr. Dana, according to their method of examin­ation, and if they find him sound in the faith of the gospel, (and also examine his moral conduct) and if they find him qualified for a gospel minister, we will consent to him, and re­ceive him as our minister: but if he is not qualified as set forth above, then to have him dismissed.

"JOHN HALL, 2d, STREET HALL, ELIAKIM HALL, CALEB MERRIMAN, DAN. JOHNSON, DANIEL CLARK, ABEL PECK, CALEB JOHNSON, "ISAAC JOHNSON.

"Wallingford, Nov. 2, 1758."

Afterwards, they declared to Mr. Dana and to the council they were willing to concede that which respected his moral character should not be regarded on trial. This proposal was rejected by Mr. Dana. He refused to be examined by the consociation,1 but sent them a written Confession of Faith. Numerous other meetings were called, and various resolutions were passed. Mr.

1 Eells' Narrative, pp. 38, 39.

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Dana denied the regularity and jurisdiction of the con­sociation, and refused to submit to their determinations. At an adjourned meeting at the house of Charles Sperry, in Wallingford, April 3, 1759, the following reso­lution was passed:

"Whereas, this united council have judged Mr. James Dana guilty of scandalous contempt, as expressed in our result; and have used proper measures, in order to bring him to a sense of his sinful conduct, and exercised due patience, he continuing obstinate; we do therefore, according to that divine direction, 2 Thes. III. 6, and according to the rules of our ecclesiastical constitution, declare him to be unworthy of the communion of churches; and that henceforth we will not hold communion with him in any acts of ecclesiastical discipline, or special ordinances; and according to our ecclesiastical constitution, the churches are to approve this sentence, by withdrawing communion with him, which we advise, and expect accordingly."

It was also voted in council, that

"Whereas, the greater part of the first church of Christ in Wallingford, have promoted the ordination of Mr. James Dana, and received him as their pastor, contrary to the prohibition of the consociation of New Haven county, while a charge of heterodoxy lay against him, before said consocia­tion; and chose Samuel Hall, Esq., and others, a committee, instructions to appear before this council, and in the of said church, to deny their jurisdiction, and refuse to submit to their determination; and whereas, this council, (as appears in our result, in the session, Nov. 28th, last) have with respect to Samuel Hall, Esq., and the rest of committee, and all the other members of said church, who acted in choosing the said committee, and giving the instructions aforesaid, that, in case they continue to adhere to the said Mr. Dana, and acknowledge him as their pastor, until the third Tuesday of March next, they shall be judged

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guilty of scandalous contempt, and the sentence of non-communion declared against them. And whereas, the above mentioned Samuel Hall, Esq., etc., have, notwithstanding, continued to adhere to the said Mr. James Dana, and ac­knowledged him as their pastor; we judge said Samuel Hall, Esq. and the rest of the committee, and all the members who acted in choosing said committee, and giving the instructions aforesaid, guilty of scandalous contempt, and proper meas­ures having been taken to bring them to a sense of their sin­ful conduct, and due patience used, they still continuing obstinate; we do now, according to that divine direction, 2 Thessalonians, III. 6, and the rules of our ecclesiastical con­stitution, declare them to be unworthy of the communion of churches; and that, henceforth, we will not hold communion with them, in any acts of ecclesiastical discipline, or special ordinances; and according to the rules of our ecclesiastical constitution, the churches are to approve this sentence, by withdrawing communion from them; which we advise, and expect accordingly. And while we declare those members who adhere to Mr. Dana, and are now under sentence of non-communion, to have fallen off from our ecclesiastical consti­tution; we acknowledge the remaining members as the consociated church in the first society in Wallingford, and are determined to treat them accordingly. This council do ap­point the Rev. Messrs. Jonathan Merrick, John Trumbull, Mark Leavenworth and Benjamin Woodbridge, messengers; deacons Ithiel Russell, Jonathan Guernsey, Mr. Stephen Hopkins, and deacon Theophilus Baldwin, a committee of this council, to stand in that capacity for the space of four months from this date, to whom any, or all the members of the first church in Wallingford, now under the sentence of non communion, may apply; and upon their manifesting repent­ance, they are empowered, in the name of this council, to take off the sentence they are under, and restore them to the privileges of the consociated churches; and if any member shall neglect to apply to the committee aforesaid, within four

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months, they may afterwards apply (if they desire it) to the moderator of the consociation of New Haven county, to call the consociation of New Haven county, to call the consocia­tion of said county, for the purpose aforesaid.

"A complaint being exhibited to this council, dated March 22, 1759, by several members of the first church of Christ in Wallingford, against the Rev. Messrs. Joseph Noyes, Isaac Stiles, Theophilus Hall, Samuel Whittelsey, Jonathan Todd and Chauncey Whittelsey, elders; and Robert Treat, Na­thaniel Ruggles, Thomas Darling and Ezekiel Royse, messen­gers, and members of the consociation of New Haven county for breaking off from said consociation, and aiding and assisting in the ordination of Mr. James Dana, &c.; the persons complained of were properly notified. Several of them appeared personally and others by letters, denying our jurisdiction, &c. The council not thinking it proper to act upon the above said complaint, the complainers withdrew it. This council having already, in our result, condemned the ordination of Mr. Dana, as contrary to the word of God, and the ecclesiastical constitution of the churches in this colony, have therein condemned the ordination council, or those who active therein; we think it our duty more explicitly to declare our judgment relating to them, which is, that they have so violated the good rules of our ecclesiastical constitu­tion, that they ought to be treated as disorderly persons, and not fit to sit in any of our ecclesiastical councils, until they shall clear up their conduct, to the satisfaction of the conso­ciation of New Haven county, for their disorderly breaking off from them, and, aiding and assisting in Mr. Dana's ordi­nation. And we advise the moderator of said consociation, to call the consociation, upon application made to him by said gentlemen."

"Voted in council. Test. warham williams, edward eells,

Scribes of the council."

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Though this council was composed of some of the most respectable gentlemen of the clergy and churches in the colony, for literature, age and candor; and though they took great pains to compromise the difficulties at Wallingford, and appeared to act with coolness and patience, yet their doings were cried out against by the gentlemen of the ordination council, and others who engaged in their cause, as unconstitutional and tyranni­cal, depriving the churches of their most essential rights. Many hard and severe things were said of them. The Rev. Mr. Todd, who was one of the ordination council, wrote a narrative of the transactions at Wallingford, even before the united council had finished their result. The Rev. Mr. Hart of Saybrook1 wrote against it immediately. He wrote in a high and positive strain, condemning the council and insisting that their doings were wholly unconstitutional and inconsistent with the essential rights of the churches.2 The Rev. Mr. Eells,3 who had been one of the scribes of the united council, wrote a narrative of the transactions of the council, supplying such facts and circumstances as Mr. Todd

1 Mr. Hart was born at East Guilford, in 1713; graduated at Yale College in 1732; and was ordained pastor of the First church in Saybrook, Nov. 17, 1736. He had the reputation of being an Arminian; was a vigorous controversal writer, and produced several pamphlets that were much read in their day. He engaged with great zeal in the Wallingford controversy, fully justifying the council that acted in the ordination of Mr. Dana. He had a strong aversion to Hopkinsianism, and is said to have been the first to give that name to the system of doctrine which it now represents.

2 Trumbull, II. 505.

3 Mr. Eells was a son of Rev. Nathaniel Eells of Scituate, Mass.; was graduated at Harvard College in 1733; was ordained pastor of a church in Middletown, Sept. 6, 1738, and died Oct. 12, 1776, ae. 64. He published the Conn. Election Sermon, 1767.

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omitted, noticing some of those things in his narrative which he judged severe, uncharitable and calculated to render his brethren of the council odious and contempti­ble, He also made such general remarks as he supposed were necessary for the vindication of the council. The Rev, Mr. Hobart of Fairfield1 replied in particular to Mr. Hart, in vindication of the council at Wallingford, showing that they had assumed no powers inconsistent with the rights of congregational churches at large, and consequently could not be inconsistent with the ecclesi­astical constitution of the colony, and no more than it was the original design of the Saybrook agreement to give them.2

The separation that originated in this conflict, con­tinued a number of years. Mr. Dana and the ministers who had ordained him, being cut off from all ecclesiastical ministerial intercourse with the other pastors of the county,3 formed an association by themselves, which

1 Noah Hobart was born at Hingham, January 12, 1706. He was a son of Daniel Hobart, and a grandson of the Rev. Peter Hobart, the first pastor of the church in that town. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1724, and was ordained pastor of the First Congregational church in Fairfield, Conn., Feb. 17, 1733. He died December 6, 1773, aged 68. He published in 1754, "Principles of the Congregational Churches," &c.; and in 1761, a vindication of the piece entitled, The Principles of Congre­gational Churches, &c,, applied to the case of the late ordination at Wal-lingford occasioned by remarks made thereon by Mr. Hart

2 There were also published, A letter to the Rev. Mr. Noah Hobart, by R. Walcott; Sonic Remarks upon the claims and doings of the Consociation. &c.. By Andrew Bartholomew, A. M., Pastor of the Church in Hanwinton; The Wallingford Case Stated. &c.

3 Rev, Joseph Howe of Killingly, Conn, in a letter dated February 14, 1771, says, "I have been preaching about a little now and then, at Guilford and Hartford (West Division); I was engaged to preach at the latter place, but got no farther than Wallingford, where I preached for that heretic Dana. I don't know but some will call me as great a one

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continued until the year 1772, or later, when the contro­versy was finally terminated, in consequence of pacific overtures made by the ministers then constituting the consociation.1

The prejudice against Mr. Dana gradually wore away; and even those of his brethren whose views of religious doctrine did not fully accord with his own, neverthe­less, had a high estimate of his talents and character, and did not hesitate to receive him into their pulpits. And when the revolutionary struggle came on, he ren­dered himself particularly popular by the very decided part which he took, both in public and in private, in favor of the American cause. Mr. Whittelsey of New Haven was accustomed to exchange with him at least once while the Legislature was in session; and Mr. Dana, by some of his patriotic sermons preached on these occasions, did much to increase his popularity throughout the State. Many of the members who were predisposed to judge him unfavorably, from having heard his theological views called in question, were so well satisfied with his political orthodoxy, that they came to regard his supposed Arminianism as a very pardonable offense.2

After Mr. Dana was disfellowshiped his party con­tinued in Wallingford, and the minor party applied to the New Haven association, who advised them to meet and carry on public worship among themselves, and to apply to the society committee for the use of the meeting­house, when not occupied, and some members of the

for it. Be that as it will, I meant not to espouse his party, his cause, or his principles."

1 Stiles' Lit. Diary. Bacon's Hist, Dis. 270.

2 Sprague's Annals, I. 566.

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association would meet with them to carry on worship. Accordingly, July 22, 1759, Rev. Mr. Woodbridge1 agreed to officiate for them after Mr. Dana's service in the fore­ noon and in the evening, which he performed. But a grand-jurors' complaint was entered against him, before John Whiting, Esq., at New Haven, July 26, 1759, for holding a disorderly meeting; and on a warrant, August 14, 1756, he was arrested and brought up for trial; and unadvised as to the proper course, pleaded not guilty, and begged delay to take advice; and at the ad­journment, he asked leave to enter a special plea of guilty, so as to bring the case before the Superior Court, which was denied, and the court pronounced him guilty, and he was obliged to pay a fine or suffer imprisonment; and he stood recorded a transgressor. He prayed the General Assembly, April 24, 1760, that said judgment might be reversed, and a restoration made. This was granted in the lower house, but negatived in the upper house. October 4th, he renewed his petition, and the Assembly considering his innocent intentions, and the veneration due the sacred office, ordered the penalty removed and the amount of fine and costs refunded. After the trial of Mr. Dana was ended, the inhab- itants were greatly excited in regard to taxes, and the use of the meeting-house. In May, 1760, ninety-six2

1 Benjamin Woodbridge was son of Rev. John Woodbridge, the first minister of West Springfield, Mass. He was graduated at Yale College in 1740, and was settled at Amity, afterwards called Woodbridge, in remembrance of him,-near New Haven.

2 Names of the petitioners: John Hall Caleb Merriman, Eliakim Hall, Israel Johnson, Elnathan Street, Stephen Hall, Street Hall, John Hall, 2d, Charles Sperry, Stephen Doolittle, Jennings Johnson, Joel Ives, James Royce, Gideon Ives, Jeremiah Hull, Charles Ives, Joseph Francis, Jacob Francis, Thomas Hall, Titus Hall, Ezekiel Hall, Bates Hall, Stephen

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persons petitioned the Assembly that they were opposed to the settlement of Mr. Dana, as they had doubts of his orthodoxy when preaching on probation. But the ma­jority, who were much attached to him, and fearing an investigation, did not take the advice of the association in calling and settling him, and before his ordination, articles of complaint against him were presented to the consociation, which he refused to answer. He and his friends denied the authority of the consociation over them, thus declaring their dissent from the church order before practiced by the church and society, and hence the memorialists ought to be acknowledged as the estab­lished church and society. The consociation had a meeting and dissolved all connection between Mr. Dana and the church and society, but his adherents outvoted the petitioners in the society, and laid rates, &c., for his support. They prayed that the doings of the consocia­tion of the twenty-third of April, 1760, might be defended, and that the petitioners might have the meet-

Peck, Able Peck, Jonathan Hall, Samuel Merriman, Levi Moss, Timothy Hart, John Barker, Samuel Street, Benjamin Ford, Daniel Peck, John Miles, Ebenezer Fitch, Joseph Thomson, Daniel Clark, Caleb Johnson, Enos Page, Elnathan Street, Jun., Abner ----, Joshua Doolittle, David Robinson, Giles Hall, Enos Johnson, Sherben Johnson, Reuben Johnson, Jun., Benj. Johnson, Charles Johnson, Edward Fenn, Samuel Street, Jun., Theophilus Merriman, Hezekiah Johnson, Dayton Johnson, Joseph John­son, John Cook, Jun., Israel Negus, John Cook, John Curtis, Jun., Eph-raim Hall, Benjamin Fenn, Daniel Tuttle, Daniel Johnson, Isaac Hall, Ben'j. Culver, Richard Hackley, Abel Merriman, John Mulbree, Clement Hopson, Samuel Hopson, David Page, Timothy Page, Samuel Miles, Stephen Peck, Jun., Elijah How, Samuel Culver, Reuben Benham, John Austin, Jun., Samuel Hall, Benijah Tyler, Theophilus Jones, Jun., Caleb Hall, 2d, David Hall, John Curtis, Wm. Mullbree, Ambrose Hall, Elna-than Thorp, Joseph Atwater, Wm. Bestow, Seth Plum, Samuel Hopson, Jun., John Dudley, John Thomson, Elisha Brockett, Isaac Johnson, Jun., Samuel Jones.

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ing-house and the immunities pertaining to the First society.1 Mr. Charles Whittelsey, agent for the society, replied:

"That on the death of Mr. Samuel Whittelsey, April, 1758, on the advice of neighboring ministers, Chauncey Whittelsey supplied the pulpit with general approbation, only about seven opposing. But on proposing terms of settlement the cloud of opposition gathered thick, and one third of the voters with the co-operation of some neighboring ministers frustrated their attempt. After this, about twenty candidates succeeded, but no one was approved by the opposing party. And by the advise of neighboring ministers, and vote of the society, Mr. Dana was, March, 1758, introduced by a com­mittee and their doings were approved by a society meeting June 20, 1758. But the Minor party, after a vain endeavor to introduce a Consocional council, which was an irregularity, raised a most violent opposition, and although they were re-leased from rates for the support of Mr. Dana, and allowed to worship by themselves, as provided by assembly, yet they persisted and petitioned the General Assembly. The General Assembly were requested, to subject the Minor party to taxes, or restrain them from interference."

In 1762, John Hall, Caleb Merriman, Eliakim Hall and Isaac Johnson, agents for the "constitutional party" who did not adhere to Mr. Dana, gave a history of the difficulties to the General Assembly, and claimed their rights. They prayed that the society and the public interest might be divided. They had called and settled Mr. Waterman, and further prayed that the major party with Mr. Dana, might be required to render an account of monies received, and be prohibited from collecting of them further rates. In April of the same year, a com-

1 The petition is in the State Library, Ecclesiastical Records, vol. 13, p. 324.

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mittee was appointed to fix the place for a meeting­house within certain limits, specified by vote, and to ac­cept the report locating the house partly on Israel John­son's lot, and partly on the common. On the memorial of John Hall, jun., and others, May 1, 1762, it was enacted that the minor party be incorporated a distinct ecclesiastical society, and that they be "called, known and distinguished by the name of Wells," and that members might enroll their names within six months, and those who arrive of age, or come into the society, may choose to which they will belong. A committee was appointed to locate a meeting-house, so as not to disturb the other society, and to inquire and propose a division of the property.

jpeg THE WELLS MEETING-HOUSE.

The same month, Theophilus Doolittle, Isaac Cook, Samuel Hall, and Reuben Royce, agents for the First society, petitioned that an injunction might be laid on the minor party, prohibiting them from building a meet­ing-house. This petition was negatived. Lydia Moss, Mary Price and others testified that they could hear Mr. Waterman preach, and the deacon read the psalms, at least twenty-five rods from the place of worship; and that the new meeting-house was but eighteen rods from the old one. The same month a committee of the

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minor party petitioned that they had a minister settled over them, and were building a meeting-house; and as some of Mr. Dana's parish threatened to throw down the house, because built partly on the highway, they prayed that the location might be confirmed to them. When the dissentients proceeded to erect a new meeting-house, an attempt was made to arrest their work; and a fight over the trenches dug for the foundations brought together the inhabitants for miles around to participate in the scene, or to witness its issue.

Numerous petitions were sent to the General Assem­bly from both parties, in regard to the division, taxes, &c. May 2, 1765, the agents of the First society in a petition that there could be no absolute property in the old meeting-house, and that the memorialists' leaving was no advantage to those that remained. They prayed therefore liberty to tax the Wells society for repairing the land hanging the bell. The Wells society replied said society and the other societies set off had enjoyed the use of the meeting-house for nearly half a century, and there could be no rule for estimating their interest. As for taxes, they had never paid any, except for schools and some incidental charges. March 25, 1766, it was voted that the First society pay the Wells society £60 for the meeting-house; that the bell be used in common, and that no taxes granted since December 5, 1758, be collected by members of the Wells society. A remonstrance signed by Messrs. Ingersoll and Johnson was sent in, conveying the idea that the meeting-house was not divisible; but it was ordered that the inhabit-ants of the First society pay the inhabitants of the Wells society £60. Execution was granted, and land of Benjamin Atwater was taken and set off to the Wells

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society. At a special meeting of the Wallingford First society, held the last Tuesday in December, 1766, a long petition was read, giving a history of the settlement and church affairs of Wallingford.

"By all which appears that it was a fundamental principle that no planters that were or should be admitted, should with­draw due Maintenance from the Minister or Ministry. Yet nevertheless upon the Ordination of the Rev'd Mr Dana a party of the said Antient Society who Voted and Acted in his Call and Settlement have withdrawn due Maintenance from said Minister, contrary to the Original Contract, League and Covenant, have embroiled us in great Strifes and Conten­tions and now demand a heavy Exaction for the present Meeting House belonging to said first Society in Violation of the first and fundamental principles of said Society. whereupon it is Voted and Agreed that Messrs. John Moss, Benjamin Hall 2d, Daniel Ives, Elihu Hall, Isaac Cook, Peter Hall, Nathaniel Hart and Moses Price be a Committee in behalf of this Society to treat with the members of the present Society of Welles and Expostulate with them on these Matters and Endeavour a Safe and honourable Settlement of that Dispute consistant with the Antient Rights of said first Society and Agreeable with the fundamental Maxims of the first Planters of the same and make Report to this Society. Also to try any other methods to Accomodate the Differences Subsisting between this Society, and the present Society of Welles and make Report to this Society."

The Committee appointed, reported at the next meet­ing that they appointed time and place for the purposes aforesaid, and notified the committee of said society of Wells; but that said committee did not meet. Ten persons, members of the Wells society, in a petition sent to the General Assembly in 1767, stated that long and wearisome had been their contentions; and the decree respecting the old house had opened the wounds

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afresh; they prayed that the said decree might be set aside, as they wished for part of said house, and that they might be free from taxes for the steeple and bell. The agents for the First society in reply said that before the execution was granted they made overtures to come to terras, to make way for peace and a good understand­ing, which was prevented. The levy of the execution would make the breach irreparable. They prayed for a committee to recommend a plan of agreement, and that the execution might be suspended. This was negatived. In October, 1768, Benjamin Atwater petitioned the General Assembly that members of the Wells society entered on his land, and at trial before the Superior Court, August, 1768, they recovered judgment against him, for a large amount of costs; and as the sheriff had no right to do this, to take private property, he prayed said judgment might be set aside. This was nega-tived. April 24, 1769, he renewed his petition, as the decree affected personal rights, that it might be set aside; this was negatived. May 1, 1770, Mr. Atwater renewed his petition, that an execution could not be levied against a corporate body, on an individual. He prayed the decree might be set aside. This was negatived. March 21, 1771, he renewed his petition and presented a long argument, that 1. An assembly cannot award and enforce execution. 2. Which was aganist a society in their corporate capacity. 3. Real Estate cannot be taken except in want of personal estate. He prayed that their judgment might be set aside. This was negatived. Sept. 28, 1772, Oliver Stanley, agent for the First society, petitioned the Gen-Assembly, that the steeple was injured by lightning, he prayed that the cost of repairing, and expense of

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ringing the bell, might be partly paid by the Wells soci­ety. This was negatived. Thus matters progressed for a number of years, dividing the town, and alienating brethren.1

May 3, 1787, the Wells church and society, each by separate vote, declared themselves unable longer to sup­port Mr. Waterman.2 In November, 1788, they voted unanimously that they were "desirous of holding Chris­tian fellowship and communion with the church under the care of Rev. James Noyes, notwithstanding the sen­tence of non-communion passed some years since by a consociated council against said Church." Some of them returned to the old church, and others went to other ecclesiastical organizations; and their church edi­fice passed into the hands of the Episcopalians about 1831.

The controversy at Wallingford was essentially a conflict between the "Old Light" and "New Light" parties.3 Dr. Dana was understood to be of the then

1 The Wells society numbered in the beginning, about fifty members; and at the ordination of their pastor, they were increased to sixty-one. In 1770 they had one hundred and four members.

2 Mr. Waterman was settled October, 1761; dismissed June, 1787; and died November, 1813.

3 At the period of the great attention to religious subjects about the year 1740, the religious part of the community were mostly divided into two parties, the New Lights and the Old Lights. The New Lights were active and zealous in the discharge of every thing which they conceived to be their religious duty, and were in favor of Mr. Whitefield and others itin­erating through the country, stirring up the people to reform, &c. The Old Lights considered much of their zeal as wild-fire, and endeavored to suppress it. The contention between these two parties grew so bitter, that those who were of the New Light party, in some instances, withdrew and formed separate churches from those of the standing order. About thirty separate congregations were formed from 1740 to 1750. Dr. Dana in his

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liberal school of Boston and that region, and of that party which had opposed the revival of religion; his settlement in so large and important a church, would be a triumph of that party, which had already become a minority in the county and in the colony; and there­fore the new light men were determined by all means to prevent the ordination, and when the thing was done to undo it if possible. The ministers constituting the con­sociation of New Haven county were little disposed that one of their prominent churches should be commited to the pastoral care of one whom they considered as having departed so far from their own standard of Christian doctrine. The old light party had previously attempted to use the peculiar constitution of the Connecticut churches as an engine of oppression. They had carried matters with a high hand while they had the power, interfering arbitrarily with the rights of pastors and of churches; and now they found the very enginery which had been so convenient to them, turned against them. The ordination of Mr. Dana marks the complete and final overthrow of the old lights as a dominant party. Their great fortress, "our ecclesiastical constitution" had been seized, and all its guns were turned upon them, A new generation of ministers, trained under the influence of the great awakening, and indoctrinated to

"Century sermon" preached in 1770, says: "No town of the same bigness in the government hath had fewer of the people called separates. In the large parish of New Cheshire, there is not one family of this denomination. In Meriden but two or three. In the old society there are eight or nine families, who assemble for religious worship by themselves." p. 44. A full history of the Old Light and New Light controversy and of separate churches, can be found in Trumbull's Hist. of Conn., 2, 163-195; Tracy's Great Awakening, 310-325; Contributions to the Eccles. Hist. of Conn., 280; Bacon's Hist. Dis., 271.

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some extent with the writings of Edwards and Bellamy, had come. The era of New England theology was opening.

Mr. Dana was a young man at the time of his ordina­tion, and had little acquaintance with the colony, and doubtless took his measures partially from the ordaining council. His theological views when he began to preach were those which in that day were becoming prevalent in the region about Boston; views which there, in the course of one or two generations, beginning with opposition to the extravagances and enthusiasm of the revival, and growing into opposition to what was called bigotry and superstition, ripened into Unitarianism.1 Whatever his sentiments were at the time of his ordina­tion, he doubtless considerably changed them upon further improvement and more mature consideration. He made no secret of it, that he committed numbers of his first sermons to the flames. As the ministers and churches of Connecticut began to be better acquainted with him, and to recover from the fright occasioned by the extraordinary manner in which he was settled, they were constrained to recognize him as a man of great talent and learning, of great judgment and prudence in the management of affairs, of great fearlessness and con­scientiousness in performing what he conceived to be his duty, and of eminent public usefulness.2

James Dana was a descendant, in the third genera-

1 "I do not regard it as right to imply that Dr. Dana was a Unitarian, or that he held doctrines inconsistent with those received in orthodox churches. Vide his confession of faith, and the testimony of the ordain­ing council after his examination, &c. He was suspected, being from Boston. If the views of others ripened into Unitarianism, his did not." Extract from letter of Rev. E. R. Gilbert.

2 Bacon's Hist. Dis., 272.

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tion, from Richard Dana, who was born in 1620, came from England to America and settled at Cambridge, Mass., in 1647, and died April 2, 1690. He was a son of Caleb and Phoebe (Chandler) Dana, and was born, at Cambridge in the year 1735. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1753, and remained there as a resi­dent graduate for several years afterwards, pursuing his theological studies and giving much attention to general literature. In 1758 he was called as pastor of the church at Wallingford, being then, in his twenty-third year. In 1768, he was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Edinburg. His health being very poor in 1785, Mr. James Noyes was chosen as his colleague; but the Doctor's health was soon after, so far restored, that he was able to perform his part of the duties, both public and private, without any serious embarassment.

In 1789, being then in his fifty-fourth year, Dr. Dana called to the pastoral charge of the First church in New Haven, then vacant by the death of the Rev. Chauncey Whittelsey. He accepted the call and was installed on the twenty-ninth of April. The installation sermon was preached by himself, and was published.

After the council for installing him had met, and the prelimanary matters had been attended to, Dr. Dana read a statement of his religious views, written with great care and caution, but containing some pungent allusions to the "new divinity" of that day. After the reading of this document, Dr. Edwards, as the champion, of a newer and more thorough orthodoxy, undertook to examine him by asking him questions. The questioning being finished on Dr. Edwards' part, Dr. Dana retaliated, by proposing a series of questions for the examiner to

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answer.1 Both had prepared themselves beforehand; and both appear to have brought their questions in writing to the place of meeting. Dr. Dana doubtless anticipating some such collision, Dr. Edwards as ap­peared afterwards, did not obtain satisfaction. Whether Dr. Dana was satisfied, we are not informed. Dr. Edwards is said to have expressed the conviction that "Dr. Dana, besides being opposed to the 'new divinity,' was unsound respecting the Trinity, the doctrine of Election, and the doctrine of future punishment." "Yet," says President Stiles, in recording this fact, "all the rest of the council (except Dr. Edwards and Mr. Austin), were satisfied that the Doctor was sound as to all these points." Dr. Bacon,2 in referring to this subject, expresses his full conviction of Dr. Dana's orthodoxy in regard to the doctrine of the Trinity, and of future punishment; but adds, "I think, however, notwithstanding Dr. Stiles' testimony, that his doctrine of Election was nothing more than that which is com­monly known as the Arminian doctrine on that subject." The ministry of Dr. Dana at New Haven was for the most part peaceful and quiet; but none who remember that the great end of the ministry is to "win souls," and by the blessing of God, to bring men under the full power of the gospel of Christ, can call it successful. The average annual addition to the number of commu-

1 These questions can be found in Bacon's Historical Discourses, page 396; also in Stiles' Literary Diary. Dr. Stiles said that he copied these questions "from the original paper which Dr. Dana had before him in his own hand-writing in council, at the time of asking the questions, and from which he asked the questions. Dr. Edwards asked his questions also from a prepared paper, which he brought into the council, took out of his pocket and used."

2 Hist. Dis., 276.

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nicants during his ministry of sixteen years and a half, in New Haven, was only between five and six; ninety-three in all. Two services on the Sabbath, the monthly sacramental lecture, the occasional catechising of the children, and the annual public fast and thanksgiving, were all the religious meetings known in the congrega­tion. Dr. Dana, by his discretion, and his dignified propriety of conduct; by his diligence and courage in visiting the sick, especially in times of pestilence, when other ministers retreated from the danger; by the venerable beauty of all his public performances, particu­larly his prayers; and by his unquestionable reputation, for learning and wisdom, continued to hold the affections of the people much longer than most men could have in similar circumstances.1

Notwithstanding the growing infirmities of age, Dr. Dana appears to have lost nothing of the respect of his people or of the community. But in the winter of 1804, he was confined, for some time, by illness; and Mr. (afterwards Professor) Stuart, having then been recently licensed to preach, was employed to supply the pulpit. His preaching was earnest, direct, and pungent, differing herein from that to which the congregation had been accustomed; and so powerful was the impression made by it that they quickly resolved on an effort to secure Mr. Stuart's labors permanently by settling him as a colleague with Dr. Dana. On the 30th of July, 1805, the society by vote signified their will "that Dr. Dana retire from his pastoral labors." This vote was in effect the dismission of the aged pastor; the younger part of the congregation after listening to the strong,

1 Bacon's Hist. Dis., 278.

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impetuous eloquence of Mr. Stuart, had found out all at once that their pastor, then threescore and ten years old, was indeed an old man. The relation of Dr. Dana to the church and society was formally disolved by an ecclesiastical council in December, 1805; and then the way being clear, the society immediately elected Mr. Stuart to be their pastor.1 Dr. Dana's feelings were deeply wounded by this procedure; and in consequence of it, he attended public worship for several years, in the college chapel.

After Mr. Stuart had left his charge and gone to Andover, Dr. Dana occasionally came back to the old meeting-house to join in worship with those who had formerly constituted his flock. His presence there was grateful to the people, and revived the associations of other days. The society expressed by vote their grati­fication at seeing him, and their wish that he would worship with them statedly. The gentleman who presented him a copy of the vote, gave Dr. Bacon the following account of the interview: "Dr. Dana," said he, "I have a communication for you from the society." "Please to read it sir," said the old man in reply, putting the paper back into the hands of the other, and straight­ening himself up to a little more than his usual dignity. The vote was read distinctly, and with due emphasis. "Please to read it again, sir," said the Doctor, still sitting in stiff and antique dignity, with his thin, ghastly countenance unmoved, as if he were something between a ghost and a monument. Again the communication was read, with earnest desires that it might make a

1 The ordination of Mr Stuart took place on the fifth of March. He was dismissed on the ninth of January, 1810, having been invited to the professorship of Sacred Literature in the Thelogical Seminary at Andover.

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favorable impression. "It is well," said the old man; his voice quivered and broke, as he uttered his reply, "I know not but that I may say, 'Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace.' "

When Mr. (afterwards Dr.) N. W. Taylor was or­dained, April 1812, Dr, Dana officiated as Moderator of the Council, and gave the charge to the candidate. On the first Sabbath after the ordination, Mr. Taylor invited him to take his seat in the pulpit; and there he was regularly found every Sabbath, as long as he was able to public worship. He died after a brief illness, August 18, 1812, at the age of seventy-seven. His funeral sermon was preached by President Dwight.

Jpeg Says Dr. Sprague: "When I entered Yale College in 1811, Dr. Dana was a regular attendant at the public on the Sabbath, in the College chapel. I recol­lect him as the mere shadow of a man, tall, slender, and in his general appearance more ghostly than any being I remember to have seen. He used to sit in the pulpit with Dr. Dwight, and I believe pretty

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uniformly took part in the Communion service. His prayers were remarkably solemn, reverential and impres­sive. The only other public service I ever heard from him was the Charge at the ordination of Mr. Taylor, which was pertinent and excellent, and seemed almost as if he were speaking it from out of his grave. I had never but one interview with him, and my recollection of him then is that he was extremely bland and courteous."1

Says Professor James L. Kingsley, of Yale College: "Dr. Dana, I always thought, had more talent than ap­peared from his publications. The circumstances in which he was early placed led him to be cautious in his language; and habit so confirmed him in an indefinite style of writing that his preaching ordinarily made but little impression on an audience. He sometimes preached in the College chapel, and I have often remarked that for the first third of his sermon he would gain the atten­tion of the students ; for the second third it would be difficult to say whether he retained it or not; and for the last third he would lose it entirely. His sermons had a plan; but a large part of his audience would scarcely perceive it, and were soon lost Dr. Dana con­tinued to write sermons as long as he preached. Old sermons he probably sometimes reproduced ; but this he did seldom. For the sermons he had once delivered, certainly for many of them, he seemed to care little. If the fire was failing, I have seen him, to restore it, use a sermon or sermons. If the time for tea had arrived, and the tea-kettle had not boiled, he would sometimes send a sermon into the kitchen, and perhaps with the remark, ' it will boil now.' He was the best textuary I

1 Annals of the American Pulpit, I, 569.

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have ever known. He would not only refer at once any to its proper place, but if I asked what were the in any book, chapter, and verse of the Bible, he would generally answer correctly. When he had sold or given away his Concordance to a young clergyman, and some surprise was expressed at his doing it, I remember he put a finger to his forehead, and said sport­ively, 'My best Concordance I have retained.' From his peculiar style of writing, he was sometimes thought to mean what he never intended. Thus, when he was leaving his society in New Haven, and he supposed that he should preach to his people but once more, I remember that he said at breakfast on the Sun­ day when he appeared in his desk for the last time, that he should deliver a discourse which he prepared for his people in Wallingford, when he left them in circumstances somewhat similar. That is, when he preached the discourse, it was doubtful whether he should continue any longer in Wallingford, and it was now doubtful whether he should continue any longer with his society in New Haven. He said he had left Wallingford with the best feelings on both sides, and that he had no wish to say in New Haven any thing which might be supposed to proceed from a sense of injury on his part. In taking his Wallingford sermon, he thought he should escape all danger. The sermon I heard. The text was appropriate for the occasion: Phil. I. 27; 'Only let your conversation,' &c. The whole of the discourse was kind and affectionate. It was thought, however, to have been written expressly for the occasion; and some said 'The Doctor has made some very good hits.' Dr. Dana was thought to excel in prayer, especially before the Legislature or in Court. His prayers on such occa-

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sions were written and committed to memory. They were short and very appropriate. On one occasion, one of his friends told him that General P., of the south, distinguished as a civilian, but not much distinguished for his attendance on public worship, had remarked that a prayer which he (Dr. D.) had offered at the opening of the Legislature, was the most impressive prayer to which he had ever listened. 'How many prayers do you think General P. has ever heard?' was the reply. Dr. Dana was a man of gentlemanly and dignified man­ners, and he had a very nice sense of propriety in all his intercourse with others."

Rev. Timothy Mather Cooley, D. D., communicated the following letter to Sprague's Annals of the American Pulpit.

"Granville, May 8, 1854. "My Dear Sir:

"While I was in College, Dr. Dana was minister of the First Church in New Haven; and, during my senior year, I had my home in his family. I had, therefore, a good opportunity of knowing him; and cheerfully com­ply with your request, in giving you my impressions concerning his character. In his person he was strongly marked. He was of a tall and slender form, and had a sort of shadowy appearance that would have dis­tinguished him even in a crowd. He had a sharp, thin face; but his expression was at once benignant and highly intellectual; and his face was a faithful index to his character. His natural temper was free from all asperity, and full of kindness and good will. His man­ners were in a high degree urbane and gentlemanly, and shewed that he had been accustomed always to move in the most polished circles. He was one of the most

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agreeable companions I ever knew, with great intel­lectual resources and a large fund of anecdote; and he accommodate himself with the most graceful ease to the highest and lowest classes; and all were equally delighted with his conversation. In his dress he was remarkably neat, without, however, seeming to be unduly particular. His mind undoubtedly, was of a very high order. He was an acute metaphysician, and had the courage even, to grapple with that intellectual giant of his generation-the elder Jonathan Edwards. He was a remarkably well educated man; had an exact and cultivated taste, and there were few men of his day in New England, whose style of writing was equally pure and faultless. As a preacher, Dr. Dana certainly did not belong to the most orthodox class in New England. His sermons were generally very little of a doctrinal character, and were remarkable rather for a chaste and correct style, and excellent practical suggestions, than for a highly evangelical tone, or for direct and earnest appeals. He had uncommon aptness of mind, and would often introduce passages of Scripture with most striking appropriateness; as, for instance, in preaching President Stiles' funeral sermon, he quoted a passage in reference to him concerning Ezra the Scribe. His character as a preacher was formed about the middle of the last cen­tury, under the influence which then prevailed at Cam- and Boston; and it is probable that the type which it then assumed, though it may have been somewhat modified, remained substantially the same during his life. The last time I saw Dr. Dana was after he had become very old, and had entirely lost his sight. I found him however, just as cheerful as when I had known him in former years. I asked him whether he did not find

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it difficult to be submissive under so grievous a calamity; and he answered with the most perfect serenity and cheerfulness,' Not at all. I would not double an afflic­tion by being unsubmissive under it.'

"Your affectionate friend and brother,

"timothy mather cooley."

The following is believed to be nearly a correct cata­logue of his published works:

Sermon on the death of John Hall, Esq., 1763; Sermon on the death of Chas. Whittelsey, 1764; Two Sermons on faith and inscrutable Providence, preached at Cambridge, 1767; A Century Discourse in Wallingford, 1770; An examination of Edwards on the will (anonymous), 1770; An examination of the same continued, (with his name), 1773; Discourse at the opening of a new place of worship in Kensington, 1774; Election Sermon, 1779; Sermon on the tragical exit of William Beadle, &c., 1782; Yale College subject to the General Assembly, (anonymous), 1784; Sermon on the death of Rev. Chauncey Whittelsey, 1787; Sermon on the nativity of Christ, 1789; Discourse at his own installation, 1789; Discourse on the African Slave Trade, 1790; Discourse at the execution of Joseph Moun­tain, 1790; Three Sermons in the American Preacher, 1791; Discourse at the installation of the Rev. Abiel Holmes, 1792; Discourse at the ordination of Ebenezer Gay, Jr., 1793; Dis­course at the ordination of Elijah Waterman, 1794; Discourse on the folly of practical Atheism, 1794; Discourse on the death of President Stiles, 1795; Two occasional discourses at the beginning of the year, 1801; Sermon at the ordination of Andrew Yates, 1801; Sermon on the death of Ebenezer Grant, March, 1803; Sermon on the character of Scoffers, 1805; Thanksgiving Sermon, 1805; Sermons to young people, 1806.

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