One of the most interesting early records of our church is “The History of Wars and Fightings (Without Shedding of Blood) in the Baptist Church in Malden” (written by) John Sprague, Sh.Mak One of the Members, together with some Poetry Never Before Published, February 1812.”
Mr. Sprague was a shoemaker and maintained that man had free will and was not predestined to be good or evil. Chamberlain (1918) writes that after the departure of the first pastor (Rev. Pottle) in 1807, the condition of the church deteriorated. The advocates of the Calvinistic and Arminian (free-will) principles were nearly equally divided. Thus, few were admitted to church membership, and many were excluded from membership because they did not believe in the Calvinistic doctrines of the times.
Our first clerk was dismissed in 1811 and returned 20 years later. Of the first 30 names on record, nine were excluded or erased, and five were dismissed, presumably to other churches. John Sprague was probably excluded twice as a heretic. He was excluded 11/26/1811, restored, and the right hand of fellowship was again withdrawn on 4/11/1812, soon after publishing his pamphlet.
Excerpts from his pamphlet follow:
As in my shop one day I wrought, My mind was full, and thus I thought- A little book I’ll now compose, Of one part verse, the other prose
That all who want, or wish to see, May find out what the troubles be; And see if I have done as bad as what you’ll find the elder had
A meeting now was called, they say to hunt up such as go astray; Hirely shepherds, what’s the matter? How you make the sheep to scatter.
Another meeting now had they to hear, report, and turn away and you shall see it was so dark, It puzzled elder, deacon, clerk.
The elder said it meant one thing; The deacon said another; The clerk he found it was not sound and wished it for to smother.
The elder called a meeting next; It seemed the man was much perplext, If you’d been there, O how unstable! Twould make you think of building Bable
My heart’s desire is and I’ll pray, The elder and the deacons may have all their wickedness forgiven, and cease to sin, and seek for heaven.
And when their lives they do look over, and see they’ve sinned against Jehovah, O may they on their knees fall down, Confess to God, lest he should frown. more >
Chamberlain (1918) “The Early Baptists of Malden” in Register of the Malden Historical Society, Vol., 5.
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