Springfield 1636-1886, History of Town and City, by Mason A. Green ...

SPRINGFIELD, I6S6-1S8G. 75
us in peace from enimies." Mr. Pynclion, in simple faitli, waited for
the grace of (xod to have its perfect work upon sucli of his associates
know liow tliey of the Bay
as were not members of tile church ; we
were continually giving the divine agency an impetus ))y way of
punishments visited upon those not disposed to hasten into the fold.
The Boston authorities, in their attempt to stamp out heresy by clos-
ing the mouth of Error, had only invited an ill-feeluig which often
came out at the public meetings, and sometimes found expression in
harsh words against the ministers themselves. For these offences a
fine was imposed, and upon a repetition of the same it was decreed
that the offender should stand " two howers openly upon a blocke of
fower foote high on a lecture day, with a i>aper fixed on his breast
with this : A
AVantox CiosPKixEi;, written \\\ capitall letters, y' others
may feare & be ashamed of breaknig out into the like wickedness."
This law was over Springfield like other Massachusetts towns, but it
is not known tliat the plantation took advantage of its privileges.
Probably uothuig in the history of the plantation caused deei)er grat-
ification than the definite prospect of ownuig a house of worship, — not
thatched like man}' of the houses on the street, but a veritable framed
and ^-indowed temple in the wilderness. It was in February, 104."^,
that the contract was made in open town-meeting for the l)uilding of
the first Sprnigfieid meeting-house. Kacli inhabitant was to furnish
twenty-eight days' Avork, " when he shall be required by him who shall
undertake y"" buildinge of it." No inhabitant could be forced to work
more than six consecutive days. Thomas Cooper contracted with the
town for the work, and it was satisfactorily performed. The building-
was 40 X -•'' feet in size, '• !» foote betwixt joynts, double studded,"
and had two large windows on either side, aud a smaller window at
each end. There was a large door on the south side, and two smaller
doors elsewhere. Joists were laid for a gallery when it could be af-
forded. The roof was shingled, and was broken by two tow^ers, one
for a bell and one for a " watch-howse." The underpinning was
stone " dawbed " in the oUl style. Cooper received "•' fower score