USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > Half-century history of the Farmington Avenue Congregational Church > Part 6
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The keys of the church were accepted by Deacon Charles R. Burt of the Society's Committee, with the following words :
" Pardon me, if my remarks at the beginning are of a personal nature. You were elected a member of the building committee, whose duties included the selection of an architect, the choice of plans, and the deciding of many and varied questions incident to the carrying out of these plans. You were the first secre- tary of this committee. You were elected chairman of the sub-committee to select and purchase an organ for this church. When the first chairman of the building committee was taken from most active and efficient service for his Master here to a higher and nobler service beyond this vale, you were called to the full chairmanship. From the outset to this present time you have faithfully and efficiently discharged the manifold duties which have fallen to these offices, as your associates on the committee will abundantly tes- tify. In accepting from you the keys to this sacred
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edifice it becomes me, as the representative of the Pearl Street Congregational Society, to express to you our appreciation of the good work you have wrought here, and our sincere and heartfelt thanks in view of the same.
"In receiving these keys the Society owns its obli- gation as in effect, trustee in charge of the property, which it holds under the law for the uses and purposes of the Farmington Avenue Congregational Church in its noble work for the Master in propagating His gos- pel and extending His kingdom in the world. We recognize at once the privilege and the duty of fur- thering this work to the utmost in this portion of the Lord's vineyard, and are grateful indeed that so de- lightful a place has been provided for work and wor- ship. In the language of the Psalmist now will we exclaim, 'How amiable are Thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts! Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house ; they will be still praising Thee.'"
Thus was that work begun, carried forward, and consummated, which, in about two and one-half years, brought to its final establishment the Farmington Avenue Congregational Church. The only remaining act was of necessity compelled to await the assembling of the next Legislature of Connecticut, when, on the 19th of March, 1901, His Excellency George P. McLean, Governor, approved and signed the act rechristening by its new name the organization, which the founders constituted in the same month exactly half a century ago-the Farmington Avenue Congregational So- ciety. As the maiden changes her name on her wed- ding-day, so has it happened in the history of the Pearl Street Congregational Society. So long as any
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shall live who worshiped in the early sanctuary, the bride will remember the name she bore ; but the time may come, in the far distant future, when her descend- ants will search for it as for the name of a forgotten ancestor. It may be that then the antiquary will take from his shelves the "Half-Century History" of this church, and gather from its pages the story which it has been the task of this pen to tell.
The Kingdom of God moves onward ! It matters little what names we bear, or whether they endure or perish. 'This only is of moment - that in each gen- eration we serve well to hasten the fulfillment. Sc shall we mount "the great world's altar-stairs that slope through darkness up to God."
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.
This volume would be incomplete without some account of the Semi-Centennial Celebration of the Farmington Avenue Congregational Church and Society, which occasion suggested its publication. The date which it was thought proper to observe was March 28, 1851, on which day the " Articles of Asso- ciation " constituting the Society and insuring the formation of the Church, were signed. Although the' Twenty-fifth Anniversary commemorated the organi- zation of the Church, October 15, 1852, the birthday of the Society was that upon which the founders associated themselves together for a religious purpose and entered upon their work of building a house of worship. At this time also they pledged themselves to a definite Confession of Faith and Covenant, which the Church, when formed, was to hold. The Pruden- tial Committee of the Church, therefore, resolved to celebrate the Semi-Centennial of the Church and So- ciety on the 28th and 29th of March, 1901, with a public service on the former date and a reception on the latter, and also to issue a Half-Century History of the organization.
The public service was held as proposed on Thurs- day evening, March 28th, at 7.30 o'clock. The exer- cises were as follows: Organ Prelude, Melody and Intermezzo, H. W. Parker; Introduction to Worship; Doxology; Invocation; Anthem, Te Deum in C,
ELIAS ROOT BEADLE 1852-1863
JONATHAN LEAVITT JENKINS 1864-1866
WILLIAM LEONARD GAGE 1868 -1884
WILLIAM DELOSS LOVE 1885
PASTORS OF THE CHURCH
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Dudley Buck; Scripture Lesson, Psalms LXXXVII, CXXV, CXXVI, and LXVII, followed by prayer, Pro- fessor Clark S. Beardslee; Hymn, "The Church's One Foundation "; Introductory Remarks by the Pastor; Address, "The Religious Life of Hartford Fifty Years Ago," Hon. Nathaniel Shipman ; Anthem, "Crown Him With Many Crowns," P. A. Schnecker ; Address, Rev. Edwin P. Parker, D.D .; Address, Rev. Joseph H. Twichell; Hymn, "I Love Thy Kingdom Lord"; Prayer and Benediction ; Organ Postlude, "Toccata," Geo. MacMaster.
An admirable account of this service, with the addresses in full, was published in the Hartford Courant, March 29th, a copy of which is preserved in the Church Archives. Judge Shipman gave an inter- esting recital of the conditions in Hartford at the time the Church was formed, and appropriately traced the "religious renaissance " which was contemporaneous with its earlier years. In the course of Dr. Parker's most felicitous address he spoke of the Church at the time of his coming to Hartford as follows: "I dis- tinctly recollect that the Pearl Street Church then seemed to me the most wide-awake, active, and flourish- ing church in the city. It was in the vigor of youth. It comprised a great number of fine and promising young men. Its magnetic and sympathetic pastor had a wonderful faculty of inspiring his people with en- thusiasm, and of clustering them about him for work or worship." Dr. Parker concluded his address with these words : "I will pay this Church the well- deserved compliment, or praise, that from the be- ginning until now, it has quietly, but steadfastly stood in this community for positive things; for the
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distinctive beliefs and principles of Congregationalism. It has done so without the slightest illiberality. I think this is one secret of its strength, unity, and usefulness. As it does not seem likely to depart from this course, its future seems to me on that account a hopeful one. May the blessings of God be upon this Church and upon its pastor. 'For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within Thee.'" The Rev. Mr. Twichell spoke in a most interesting reminiscent vein, recalling incidents and scenes in the religious history of Hartford.
Although it was not thought proper to solicit the attendance of other pastors and churches, it being the evening of their mid-week services, many affectionate greetings were received. It was ascertained that of the twenty-six original members of the Society, only two were living,- Mr. Charles H. Langdon of Eliza- beth, N. J., and Mr. Melvin B. Copeland of Middle- town, Conn., both in the impaired health of age. The latter gentleman sent a letter testifying to his pleas- ant recollections of the church and continued interest in it, and he was present the following evening. The Rev. Dr. Jenkins also wrote in affectionate terms, expressing his regret at his inability to be present.
One of the pleasant events of the evening was the reception of the greetings of the First Church, which were expressed to the pastor before the service by their delegate, Mr. Charles T. Wells, and publicly acknowledged. He called attention to the farewell meeting which was held in lieu of the Thursday evening service, October 14, 1852, to take leave of the thirty-six members, who were then dismissed from the First Church, an extended notice of which is found
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in their records. At that time Deacon Turner pre- sented the letter requesting dismission, elsewhere referred to in this volume. The record of their ac- tion upon it is that "Judge Williams, as the senior officer of the church, moved that their request be granted. He parted from these friends with regret, yet he felt called upon to do it cheerfully, for they were going but a short distance from us, to be associated where Christ and Him crucified would be their theme. We separate now with cordial feelings, and he would say to our friends, God be with them and bless them in their work." The motion was seconded by Deacon Weld with good wishes. The record of Dr. Hawes' remarks is as follows: "The pastor said the kind ex- pressions from our brethren awakened feelings of both pleasure and pain in his own bosom. Eighteen of those about to leave had come into the church during his ministry ; many these hands have baptized. His feelings were those of a father parting with his chil- dren. Each successive withdrawal of this kind made a deeper impression upon him. Jacob in his old age was more affected in parting from Benjamin than from Simeon and Joseph. ... Parting with his friends was a great trial. It was, however, a matter of thanks- giving that we now separate in the utmost kindness. The enterprise had received from the first his cordial wishes, and if he had access to the Throne of Grace, he should remember them there." The hymn " Blest be the tie that binds" was sung in concluding this farewell service. Such is the testimony from the records of the mother church as to the spirit in which the Pearl Street Church was founded. Similar feel- ings were entertained by the Second and Third
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churches. Dr. Bushnell wrote at the time in parting with the members who came from the latter church, " It is a true subject of thanksgiving that we are able to part without any of the accusations and petty bicker- ings of jealousy that sometimes attend the organiza- tion of new churches." This spirit has ever since characterized the Pearl Street Church in its relations with sister churches, and the manifestation of this same spirit toward it was noticeable at its Semi- Centennial.
The Semi-Centennial Reception was held on the evening of March 29th, and gathered a large company, many who had been in former years attendants at the Pearl Street Church being present by special invita- tion to unite with the congregation in the celebration. Other churches in the city were well represented by their pastors. The committee of ladies having charge of the reception was as follows: Mrs. Samuel L. Bar- bour, chairman, Mrs. Jonathan B. Bunce, Miss Ellen Case, Mrs. Joseph W. Cone, Mrs. Henry R. Hovey, Mrs. Elmer C. Quiggle, Mrs. Fred. G. Sexton, Mrs. Nathaniel Shipman, Mrs. Edwin Strong, and Mrs. Franklin G. Whitmore. Guests were received in the parlors, refreshments were served in the upper rooms of the parish house, and the organ was played in the course of the evening by Mr. Loveland, the organist of the church. In addition to the pastor, his wife, and the reception committee, the following ladies assisted in receiving: Mrs. William L. Gage, Mrs. William P. Williams, Mrs. Charles R. Burt, Mrs. Federal B. Bridg- man, and Mrs. William Porter.
The rooms of the parish house were beautifully decorated throughout, and the tables were most grace-
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fully served. A register was provided, in which those who were present signed their names underneath the superscription : "We sign our names at this Half- Century way-mark, that posterity may know we passed this place on our journey o'er the sands of time." A souvenir picture of the Pearl Street Church and its four pastors, which had been provided by the recep- tion committee, was distributed.
The following documents and articles of interest in the history of the Church and Society were exhibited : I. Notice calling the meeting, March 3, 1851. 2. Sub- scription List for building the Pearl Street Church, 1851. 3. Report of the building committee. 4. Let- ters of the original members who came from the First, Second, and Third churches. 5. Letter of Nathaniel Shipman, 1852. 6. Minutes of the Council which organized the Pearl Street Church, Oct. 15, 1852. 7. Manuscript and printed lists of the original members. 8. The Church Manuals used in considering the Arti- cles of Faith. 9. Memorandum books showing the sale of seats, December, 1852 and 1853. 10. An unex- pended balance of a Christmas festival fund in war times recently found among the vouchers, being three dollars and sixty-five cents in funds then current. II. A list of members of the Church and Sunday-School who were in the Civil War, made in 1862. 12. The letter sent to the soldiers from the Church, and one which was received by Lieut. Dewitt C. Skilton. 13. Subscription List for the purchase of the Organ in 1856. 14. Printed Order of Service in 1862. 15. The letters of acceptance and resignation of Drs. Beadle, Jenkins, and Gage. 16. A manuscript poem by Dr. Gage, read at the Communion Service, Feb. 3, 1884.
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17. The series of Church Manuals. 18. A collection of photographs of the Pearl Street Church. 19. Two volumes of the Church scrap-books. 20. A seat made from a section of one of the pews of the Pearl Street Church. 21. The capital of one of the columns in the Pearl Street Church. 22. A collection of the singing- books used in the choir under Mr. Pliny Jewell's lead- ership. 23. The three hymn-books used during the half-century. 24. Singing-books used in the Sunday- School. 25. Books which once belonged to Deacons Turner and Eldredge. 26. The pulpit Bible pre- sented by Mr. Newton Case and used during the half- century ; also his book of "Psalms and Hymns," and his picture. 27. Oriental figures used by Dr. Beadle in illustrating the Bible in 1857. 28. "The Idol," found in the store-room of the Pearl Street Church when it was vacated, and once used by Dr. Beadle for instructing the young in foreign missions. 29. "The Hollister Chair," presented to the pastor after the death of Deacon Hollister. 30. A piece of the finial stone of the Pearl Street Church spire, blown down in the gale of Dec. 10, 1878. 31. The copper box which was in the corner-stone of the Pearl Street Church, 1851-1899.
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