USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Fairfield > Exercises at the unveiling of a tablet recording the names of the ministers in the First Church of Christ, Fairfield, Conn > Part 1
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Go 974.602 F161fai 1844942
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
M 3 1833 01148 6948 E
MINISTERS IN THE PRIME
ANCIENT SOCIETY
FAIRFIELD CONNECTICUT
ANK SAMUEL CHILD
CONNECTICUT
THE
LIBRARY
1844942
EXERCISES
AT THE UNVEILING OF A TABLET RECORDING THE NAMES OF THE MINISTERS
IN THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST FAIRFIELD · CONNECTICUT
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/exercisesatunvei00unse
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT.
1639
PASTORS
REV. JOHN JONES REV. SAMUEL WAKEMAN
REV. JOSEPH WEBB
REV NOAH HOBART REV ANDREW ELIOT
REV. HEMAN HUMPHREY D.D.LL.D.
REV NATHANIEL HEWIT D.D.
1644-1664 1665-1692 1694-1739 1733-1775 1774-1805 1807-1817 1818-1897 1898-1834
REV. JOHN HUNTER KEV. LYMAN HATWATER D.D.LL.D. 1835-1854
REV. WILLIS LORD D.D.LL.D REV. ALEXANDER MC LEAN D.D.
1854-1856
1857-1866 1866-1879
REV. EDWARD E.RANKIN D.D. REV. GEORGE S. BURROUGHS DD.LL.D. 1880-1864
REV. JOHN E BUSHNELL D.D REV. FRANK S. CHILD DD.
1884-LEBE
~175-5
1849
THE TABLET
The tablet is constructed of standard United States bronze, the length being three feet and nine inches, the height three feet and six inches. It is divided into three sections : that on the left contain- ing a bas-relief of the meetinghouse erected in 1745 and burned by the British in 1779; that on the right containing a bas-relief of the house erected in 1849 and burned in 1890; the central section is in- scribed with the names of the ministers who have served the parish and the dates of their respective pastorates. A double palm with a wreath is placed in the upper part of the middle section with the name of the church and the date 1639. Panels of oak and ivy frame the tablet.
THE ORDER OF EXERCISES
VOLUNTARY
I DOXOLOGY
II INVOCATION The Lord's Prayer.
III
ANTHEM " How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings."
IV
PSALM XIX AND PSALM CXXXIX
V
GLORIA PATRI
VI
THE SCRIPTURE LESSON I Corinthians XII
5
HYMN
* " Come Thou, Almighty King, Help us Thy Name to sing, Help us to praise."
-
VIII
PRAYER
IX
HYMN
" All hail the power of Jesus' name, Let angels prostrate fall."
X OFFERTORY
XI
HISTORICAL ADDRESS
XII
PRAYER
XIII
HYMN " Onward christian soldiers, Marching as to war."
1
1
6
XIV
BENEDICTION
XV
SALUTATION
(The congregation before the tablet.)
" Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ-Amen."
XVI
THE STATEMENT
This historical tablet now presented to the church by Miss Jen- nings contains the names of the ministers who have served the parish, and the dates of their respective pastorates, extending over a period nearly two hundred and sixty-five years long.
This chaste, lettered piece of bronze reminds us that we are fel- low workers with these servants-that the men of the past and the men of the present are co-laborers together with God in a service continuous, endless, and forever blessed.
" They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firma- ment, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever."
" How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tid- ings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth."
" Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the Church of Jesus Christ, throughout all ages, world without end-Amen."
7
XVII
THE PRAYER
Almighty God, we thank Thee that Thou didst send into the world Thy Son our Saviour so that through faith in Him we might gain everlasting life.
We thank Thee for the Christian Church whose head and inform- ing spirit is Jesus Christ our Lord.
We rejoice that Thou hast committed unto men the ministry of Glad Tidings, and that it pleases Thee to make Thy children helpers in the spread of the Gospel and the universal sway of the Kingdom.
Accept, we pray Thee, the offering which we now make. As . these names are written in witness upon this tablet of bronze, write Thou for a witness the name of Jesus Christ upon the tablets of our hearts. As we adorn this temple with precious gifts, adorn the temple of each heart with the more precious gifts of Thy grace and love.
We beseech Thee, grant that Thy servants live and serve in the unity of the faith and the bonds of peace, and that this Zion ever be filled with the saving presence of the Lord and King of Glory.
And all praise and honor and worship shall be given unto the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, world without end-Amen.
" The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all-Amen."
XVIII
THE UNVEILING OF THE TABLET By Mrs. Jane A. Kippen. XIX
" How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word."
8
HISTORICAL ADDRESS
By Rev. Frank S. Child, D.D.
The letters V.D.M. are often appended to the official signature of the old pastor in this parish. Minister of the Word of God is the suggestive and honorable title indicated. And the records show that these elect men lived and wrought in the spirit and the power of this descriptive phrase.
The unique place held by the New England parson in his com- munity is illustrated by the history of this venerable parish. The all-round, many-sided, indefatigable servant of the people, they re- posed in him the utmost confidence, they instinctively turned to him on all occasions. His office was exalted, and yet the minister was thoroughly a man of the world, touching life at every point, con- versant with the common and uncommon needs of every individual. Not only was he a preacher, scholar, teacher, pastor, but he ran his own farm, took pupils into his family, showed a practical turn for affairs, and managed the schools of the town. The parson could prescribe remedies in case of sickness, tinker a kettle, mend a har- ness, or repair an oxcart, strike a good bargain with the deacon, write books, show " a good judgment on the secularities," using the phrase of Crockett, and shape the politics of his constituents. Jared Eliot, minister of Guilford and a noted politician, was " undoubt- edly the first physician in his day in Connecticut," and settled the legal disputes of the neighborhood with such justice and wisdom that he often acted as judge between contentious individuals.
The history of this parish speaks to facts in the case. The Fair- field ministers gave themselves to their people with a generous adap-
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tation and a multiform activity which indicated that they were the peers of New England's most eminent parish leaders.
It is unnecessary to advert to the early importance of this town. As the capital of the county it held a position of commanding influ- ence for several generations, giving its ministers ample opportunity for the full exercise of their gifts. You remember that Mr. Caner, rector of Trinity Church in Fairfield, removed from this exacting field in 1747 and became rector of King's Chapel, Boston, a smaller parish, " not so much out of any lucrative views," he writes, " as out of regard to the weakness of my constitution, which had become un- equal to the duties of the large mission of Fairfield."
It is a remarkable ministerial succession recorded by the tablet unveiled to-day in this historic place.
The pastors of our church have been educated men, favored with the discipline and culture imparted by college and university. John Jones, the first minister of the parish, was a graduate of Jesus Col- lege, Cambridge; a gentleman of refinement, the friend of Governor Winthrop. Samuel Wakeman may properly be called a Harvard man, although obstacles prevented his graduation. Joseph Webb matricu- lated at Harvard. During his second year, when only sixteen years old, the faculty disciplined him for certain abuses which he put upon the freshmen, which event imperiled the completion of his course. An apology on his part, however, enabled him to right himself with his instructors so that he received his diploma with the other members of his class. It was simply a case of youthful, aggressive, mischievous conduct, revealing a very lively disposition and a willingness to take his share of fun. Noah Hobart and Andrew Eliot also received their degrees at Harvard, standing well in their work. Heman Hum- phrey, Nathaniel Hewit, Lyman H. Atwater, Edward E. Rankin, and John E. Bushnell studied at Yale. John Hunter was a Union man, standing high among his mates. Willis Lord received his de- gree from the hand of President Mark Hopkins of Williams.
IO
Alexander McLean spent his happy academic days on the beautifully wooded hillside crowned by Hamilton College. George S. Bur- roughs honored Princeton as his Alma Mater. It is a significant fact that the men who have served this parish with fidelity and distinction based their labors upon the solid foundations of the most thorough preparation.
These men evinced a high grade of scholarship, so that in their pulpit ministrations and their personal contributions to the life of the times they made profound impression. Public education was the special contention of these men. They had large part in directing local school affairs, the town or village school being their particular charge. Frequently have the pastors of this church taken active share in giving instruction to the children of the parish. Mr. Webb joined with the far-sighted band of brother ministers in Connecticut to found Yale College, bestowing a portion of his library upon the infant institution. For many years he was an efficient and enthusi- astic member of the Yale corporation, seeking in various ways to promote the interests of the college. Andrew Eliot had been an in- structor in Harvard College for ten years before he accepted the pastorate of our church. A handsome silver loving cup presented by his students, and now treasured by a descendant, testifies to their esteem and affection. Heman Humphrey was a scholar of such force and learning that Amherst College made him president. His career as educator has become a portion of educational history in New England.
Dr. Hewit was one of the founders and a frequent bene- factor of Hartford Theological Seminary. Lyman H. Atwater accepted a call to the chair of philosophy in Princeton, after nine- teen years of earnest, fruitful ministry in this parish. And such was the confidence reposed in him that he filled the vacant chair of the presidency until a successor relieved him of those onerous duties. Willis Lord's scholarship won him wide fame, so that he served suc-
II
cessively as professor of Biblical literature in Lane Theological Seminary, professor of ecclesiastical and Biblical history in Chi- cago Theological Seminary, and president of Wooster University, Ohio. George S. Burroughs showed extraordinary proficiency in lin- guistic studies. He taught Biblical literature in Amherst College for several years, managed the affairs of Wabash College, Indiana, as president, during a critical period, and gave his last days to most congenial tasks in Oberlin, as professor of Hebrew and cognate languages.
In addition to such services as we have named, other pastors of this church have been widely useful and generously active as trus- tees and helpers in numerous institutions of learning.
The literary services of the men are worth our review. A culti- vated, studious minister of the Gospel in New England takes nat- urally to this form of intellectual exercise. The conspicuous book makers were for many generations found among the clergy, while the great names of our literature show traces of the inspiration dating back to the minister's family as a fountain head of life.
Sermon work constituted an important part of this early liter- ature. The graphic, quaint, forcible style shown by Mr. Wakeman in his famous election sermon well illustrates the standard of com- position. Two little books, written by Noah Hobart during the heated controversy between champions of the Congregational and the Episcopal faith, excited considerable interest in New England. We preserve them as characteristic exponents of the times. Dr. Dwight pays high tribute to Mr. Hobart, observing that his writ- ings " display a degree of skill and acumen that mark their author as one of the leading spirits of his time." His successor, Andrew Eliot, was a member of the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sci- ences and of the Massachusetts Historical Society, contributing to both associations as occasion arose. Several of his letters, now in the possession of the latter society, give vivid and striking descriptions of
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life through the period of the American Revolution. Mr. Eliot's library was a notable collection of standard works. At the burning of the town it became part of the sacrifice to liberty; but Dr. Howard of Boston, touched with profound sympathy for Mr. Eliot in this great loss, preached upon the subject in the New North Church, and sent the young brother a contribution toward a new purchase of books.
Dr. Humphrey became a frequent writer for the press. Several of his books attained wide circulation. He published " Essays on the Sabbath," " Tour in France, Great Britain, and Belgium," " Do- mestic Education," " Letters to a Son in the Ministry," "Life and Writings of Professor Fiske," " Life of Thomas H. Gallaudet," and "Sketches and History of Revivals."
. Dr. Atwater was for years the editor of the Princeton Review, a writer upon philosophical and religious themes, and the author of a work on logic. Dr. Lord's book on " Christian Theology for the People " was only one of numerous writings given to the public through a long literary career. The names of varied contributions to the literature of the day on the part of these and other ministers in this church would make a formidable array of subjects.
The ministers of the parish have been true to their heritage of leadership, and forged to the front in their public services. The history of religion in the colony and State shows that Fairfield pastors shared not inconspicuously in affairs. It might be the preaching of election sermons, participating in the deliberations of important com- mittees, having a hand in the building of the Cambridge platform, or presiding over the annual meeting of the State Association.
The three great names in temperance reform, during the early years of the nineteenth century, were Beecher, Humphrey, and Hewit. But the chief credit belongs to Dr. Humphrey of drawing up that remarkable report on intemperance presented to the Fairfield Asso- ciation of Ministers in 1813-a paper which is not only said to be
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the first temperance tract published in this country, but also one of the most influential. Dr. Humphrey's six sermons on the subject gave him a national reputation. The work which Dr. Hewit did in behalf of temperance made him a commanding figure in this country and in England. His splendid Websterian eloquence be- came one of the marked forces in the mighty campaign against this foe of society. "I have often listened to flights of eloquence from Dr. Hewit," said Judge Sherman, " that I have never heard equaled by mortal man." This tremendous force and enginery was conse- crated to the great reform movement. When Dr. Hewit was made secretary of the Boston Temperance Society, although the ties which bound him to this parish were strong, he felt constrained to assume the work which offered such vast opportunities for the exercise of his peculiar, masterful gifts.
Another minister of our church served in a secretarial office. Dr. McLean became secretary of the American Bible Society in 1878, and devoted himself to this sphere of Christian influence for the last twenty-four years of his life.
The head of a college or university is chiefly an executive servant. The fact that three pastors here have attained the presidency of a college or university, and that others have been invited to similar places of usefulness emphasizes the spirit of noteworthy leadership.
The patriotism of the men whose names appear upon the tablet is a most delightful memory. John Jones had been an ordained priest in the Church of England, but for conscience's sake he went forth to seek a new country. It tested one's worth and faith-this exile and self-sacrifice-but he proved himself a man loyal to the high ideal, and wrought zealously, undeviatingly for the good of this new country.
His successors no less appreciated their independency. It was stalwart Christian patriotism which rang through the election sermons preached by these ministers, the pulpit being a perennial spring of
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the loftiest sentiments and the noblest impulses which concerned the good of the State. Never did any indifferent or disloyal words fall from the lips of these far-sighted, optimistic preachers. The same spirit which prompted Mr. Eliot to encourage his people unto the largest sacrifices and the bravest services fired his predecessors and his successors in their eloquent inculcation of the love of country. For two years, during the American Revolution, Mr. Eliot relin- quished his salary. "I have been with you in prosperity," he said, " I will stay with you in your adversity." There are those living who recall the stand taken by Dr. McLean at the time our Civil War waged. Loyal to the heart's core, he uttered no uncertain counsels, pressing with all urgency the claims of country, counting popular- ity and friendship as things of little importance when set over against the call to preserve the integrity of the nation.
But in following the life narrative of these men, that which makes the profoundest impression upon the observer is their noteworthy and exalted character. The first five ministers enjoyed a life pas- torate, wearing the harness to the day of final triumph, the average period of service here being over thirty-one years, the Nestor among them Noah Hobart, who ministered in the parish during four full decades.
Such remarkable service speaks volumes, not only in praise of these pastors but likewise in praise of their people. Relations of a most tender and beautiful character blessed the generations measured by this period. The shorter pastorates of the later years are ex- plained by the fact that Fairfield had become a small community in comparison with the growing cities of our land, so that when men of uniformly high caliber and rich promise spent their early years of faithful, happy labor in the parish, they were invariably called to the larger and more important fields.
As we read the names inscribed upon this chaste bronze page of history, which graces the entrance to our sanctuary, we will pause
15
1. 1
and gaze with quickened interest upon the portraits vividly distinct to the mind's eye :
The Rev. John Jones, Puritan divine of the Church of England, independent minister in a non-conforming church of New England, scholar in exile, gentleman, uncomplaining sufferer, self-denying friend, a founder of the new order of things, fearless, ingenious, workful, true to the faith dominating his rugged spirit. His por- trait shows him in gown and bands, the conventional garb of the Puritan divine in his pulpit.
The Rev. Samuel Wakeman, first ministerial product of the west- ern soil to minister unto this people in the land of his nativity, lover of books (his library was apprized at £54, 50s, 6d, a large sum for early days in New England), diligent student, aggressive preacher, robust and prosperous farmer, community counselor, man of property (his estate amounted to nearly a thousand pounds), and widely influential in public affairs, an honored father in Israel, trans- mitting to numerous descendants the precious heritage of the righteous.
The Rev. Joseph Webb, a merry, exuberant son of Harvard toned down by several years of arduous and varied labors to a calm, observant, sympathetic workman, lines of deep thought and noble purpose traceable in his face, strength and zeal characteristic of the man; " hospitable in his house," writes his biographer, " steady in his friendships, free and facetious in his conversation " (many of these worthies shone in bright and humorous talk) ; " a gentleman of probity and piety," says another eulogist, " of distinguished eru- dition in grammar, rhetoric, logic, and theology, appearing most free of affectation." The inventory of his estate tells us what man- ner of clothes were worn by Mr. Webb, namely: shoes with silver buckles, homespun worsted stockings, knee breeches of plush with silver buttons, a "good shirt," a calamanco vest, black broadcloth coat (apprized at six pounds), a great coat of broadcloth, a wig, a
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silk handkerchief, a wide-brimmed soft hat, a pair of spectacles, and white gloves.
The Rev. Noah Hobart, a man of vigorous body and intellect -tireless, efficient through forty years ministry-" laborious stu- dent," acute and learned-adorning " the doctrine which he pro- fessed by an exemplary life "-I quote the first President Dwight, his intimate friend-a born ecclesiastic and controversialist-re- vered in all the colony as a conservative and eminent leader-the champion of orthodoxy, Presbyterial ordination and the established church of Connecticut-a servant who lived out his full span of life in rich enjoyment of work-preaching his two sermons " with more than his accustomed animation " the very last Sabbath of life-con- versing with freedom and composure in the hour of translation itself.
The Rev. Andrew Eliot, worthy son of a distinguished father -- lover of books and the midnight oil, (his library, destroyed by the great conflagration, was one of the most extensive in the colony) - a genial and attractive personality, making strong attachments and binding men to himself by enduring ties-a judicious and affectionate pastor, " unentangled with the things of this life "-candid and simple in his piety, brave and wise in spirit, urbane and happy in manners ; as one of his biographers writes, he " conciliated the esteem of all ranks."
The Rev. Heman Humphrey, D.D., LL.D., ardent workman, profound thinker, guide of young men, passionate reformer, his great heart beating in sweet accord with his active brain-a many- sided helper, practical, imaginative, spiritual, progressive-touching life with quickening energy in variety of ways-illustrating by word and deed, book and character the exalted principles which dominated him through an eventful career. It is a face of gracious refinement and splendid, abounding manliness which looks down upon us from the canvas.
The Rev. Nathaniel Hewit, a rugged, forceful representative
17
of the early Puritan leaders-Carlyle-like in the massiveness and frank insistence of his awakening individuality-the rich, deep, elo- quent speech flowing with majestic sweep like some river, the revela- tion of rare mastership in assemblies-stern advocate of righteous- ness, true defender of the faith, magnetic yet playful, imperious but prayerful-combining the active and the passive virtues, a wondrous blending of paradoxical forces. The streams of subtle influence con- tinue their rich fertilization and the end is not yet.
The Rev. John Hunter, admired and beloved friend of Judge Sherman-his name suggestive of the sport particularly dear to him, tramping through field and forest in eager pursuit of game, to the annoyance of staid, old-fashioned people-a devotee of books and nature, well versed in both realms-frank and enthusiastic-a keen wit sparing neither friend nor foe, his shafts not seldom fired while standing in the pulpit, the aim sure and the effect startling-a man of imagination and writer of verses, impulsive, eccentric, coura- geous, his very excess of spirits pushing him to such extremes that depressing reaction often ensued with attendant suffering.
The Rev. Lyman H. Atwater, D.D., LL.D., a man whose mas- sive frame seemed the fitting vehicle of his great mind and generous spirit-weight, solidity, resource, power, words interpretative of the person-a cultivated and learned teacher, a strong, Biblical preacher, a citizen whose judgment and courtesy proved to be large elements in shaping village life. Blessed with keen sense of humor and good common sense; straightforward and outspoken, he never made an enemy, his sterling Christian manliness working for the perpetual improvement and uplift of parish and society.
The Rev. Willis Lord, D.D., LL.D., a minister with student caste of countenance and tell-tale expression of absorbing medita- tion, eloquent and profound in speech, sympathetic, ambitious, a laborer whose physical strength did not equal the tasks which pressed themselves upon his consideration, industrious and energetic, heedful
18
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when called to sacrifice self, a servant seeking ever rightly to divide the word. of life and incorporate the truth into his own vital man- hood.
The Rev. Alexander McLean, a buoyant, tireless worker- abounding in the good cheer of the gospel-witty, social, and popu- lar with a bent toward practical affairs and a mind quick to adapt itself to fresh conditions-orthodox to the backbone with early Scotch orthodoxy-a genial companion, loyal citizen, happy sports- man, generous friend-he loved merriment, children and righteous- ness, and he proved himself ever the champion of justice, progress, and the nobler manhood.
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