History of Swansea, Massachusetts, 1667-1917; - citizen hylbom blog

Churches 109
drew, declaring "the Lord Jesus Christ the great head of the
Church to be their leader, and the Scriptures a rule to govern
their faith and practice by, and receive their principles and
doctrine from." This action was taken Feb. 10, 1820. The
church thereby regained the freedom, says the record, "which
it enjoyed under the pastoral care of Job and Russell Mason
before it was considered a branch of the yearly meeting."
From that time to the present all persons giving satisfactory
evidence of Christian character have been welcomed to the
communion, and also to membership in the church. A few
years ago the church united with the "Rhode Island and
Massachusetts Christian Conference," but this relation
does not restrict fellowship, as the Conference discards doctrinal
tests in regard to subjects concerning which Christians
differ in opinion.
As there was for thirteen years a congregation without a
church, so there was a religious service without a clergyman.
The record book says, "We upheld a religious meeting partly
by some improving their gifts among us and partly by helps
from other places." In 1693, Thomas Barnes was ordedned
pastor. It has been represented that he was a man of some
note in Plymouth Colony. He was one of the original proprietors
of the town, although a very young man when the
first settlement occurred. According to the system of "ranking"
adopted soon after the charter of Swansea was obtained,
Mr. Barnes belonged to the "second class" of the landed
aristocracy, as did also Samuel Luther, who succeeded John
Myles as pastor of the Baptist Church. The Colonial Records
afford incidental but positive proof that the "court" acknowledged
the validity of his claim to be recognized as a clergyman,
notwithstanding he was a "Separatist." The church record
says, "Our beloved elder, Thomas Barnes, continued with us
till June 8, 1706, and then it pleased God to remove him by
death." When he assumed the duties of pastor the church
consisted of only seventeen members. There is no statement
on record of the number received in the thirteen years of his
ministry, but nine years after his decease the church had one
hundred and twenty-nine members. Making due allowance
for losses by death and from other causes, it will be perceived
that the increase was remarkable. This growth affords
evidence of the efficiency of both Mr. Barnes and his immediate
successor.
Among the former soldiers of Cromwell who came to this
country was one Samson Mason. From him are descended
most of the rather numerous families of that name now residing
in this vicinity. Six of his sons were living in or near