USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > East Haven > The evolution of an old New England Church, being the history of the Old stone church in East Haven, Connecticut > Part 11
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16 H. C. Trumbull, Yale Lectures on the Sunday School, p. 114.
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THE EVOLUTION OF AN OLD NEW ENGLAND CHURCH.
away on August 31, 1889, and was buried in the Old Cemetery, not far from the last resting places of all the ministers who had served the Old Stone Church.
After Mr. Havens' departure for Holton, Kansas, the pulpit was supplied for two years by the Reverend Joseph Alexander Tomlinson. At a special church meeting on October 9, 1877, it was "voted that the Rev. J. Tomlinson be employed for one year and two months, commencing Nov. 1, 1877, to labor with this people." A year later the parishioners in their annual meeting, on October 8, decided unanimously to retain Mr. Tomlinson as supply pastor for twelve months longer.19 Mr. Tomlinson was a graduate of Pennsylvania College, Gettys- burg, in the class of 1869, and had studied one year in the Gettysburg Lutheran Theological Seminary, one year in the Yale Divinity School, and one year in the Andover Theo- logical Seminary, although he never received a degree in theol- ogy.20 He was ordained in the Lutheran Church, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, on September 10, 1872, and before coming to East Haven he served a church of the same denomination in Ghent, New York. Concluding his temporary services in the Old Stone Church on January 1, 1880, he accepted a call to Westbrook, Connecticut, where he remained until 1883. His subsequent pastorates were in Longwood and Orlando, Florida, the former from 1884 until 1887, and the latter from 1887 until 1888. He then retired from the ministry and removed to Philadelphia, where he lived until his death in 1910. Upon taking up the work in East Haven he became a Congrega- tionalist and never returned to the Lutheran Church.21 Mr.
19 Church Records, Vol. I, pp. 85-88; also Ecclesiastical Society Records, Vol. III, pp. 52, 56.
20 Reverend Joseph Alexander Tomlinson was born in Bedford, Pennsyl- vania, March 28, 1844, son of Joseph W. and Catherine Tomlinson. He pre- pared for college by private study. On December 31, 1877, he was married to Miss M. M. Miller, of Philadelphia. See Penn. College Book (1882) ; also General Catalogue of Andover Theological Seminary; also Yale Divinity School General Catalogue, Centennial Issue (1922).
21 Unpublished letters, Church Records, Vol. II. Appendix.
REV. JOSEPH ALEXANDER TOMLINSON
I2I
THE LAST THREE QUARTERS OF A CENTURY.
Tomlinson was a man of unusual dignity and stately bearing, although possessed of numerous idiosyncrasies, which made him appear distant and of taciturn temperament. It was diffi- cult for him to be at ease among his parishioners-a severe handicap in the ministry-but after he became well acquainted he proved to be quite genial.22
Early in the year 1880, the church began to hear candidates for the pastoral office, and among the first to present himself was Mr. Daniel James Clark, a senior in the Hartford Theo- logical Seminary. Winning favor at once, he seemed to be the very man the people were seeking. On February 21, the Ecclesiastical Society, upon recommendation from the church, voted unanimously to extend a call to Mr. Clark.23 Although a tacit understanding was had between the contracting parties within a few weeks, formal acceptance was not received until June 2, when Mr. Clark was ready to begin his active duties. Arrangements were speedily made for the service of ordina- tion, which took place on the afternoon of July 7, the program being as follows:
Prayer and Scripture Reading Rev. John E. Elliot
Sermon
Rev. Burdett Hart
Ordaining Prayer
Rev. Horace C. Hovey
Charge to the Pastor Rev. Amos C. Cheesburgh
Right Hand of Fellowship Rev. W. W. Wordsworth, D.D.
Prayer
Rev. Austin Putnam
Benediction
The Pastor"
Mr. Clark, fresh from seminary and but recently married, brought with him a buoyant spirit of optimism which was so
22 Ibid.
23 Church Records, Vol. I, pp. 101-2, 237. Ecclesiastical Society Records, Vol. III, p. 58. Who's Who in New England, 1916, p. 240. Rev. D. J. Clark was born in Ludlow, Vermont, on July 20, 1848. Educated at Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, and Hartford Theological Seminary. He was married to Miss Alice C. Deming, of Newington, Connecticut, on October 27, 1877.
24 Church Records, Vol. I, pp. 105-7.
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THE EVOLUTION OF AN OLD NEW ENGLAND CHURCH.
contagious that before long every one in the parish was more or less affected.25
The Civil War had been fought sixteen years before, and President Rutherford B. Hayes had recently withdrawn the
23 On September 6, 1885, there occurred a most remarkable scene during the morning communion service. "The pastor, Rev. Mr. Clark, was about finishing the prayer immediately preceding the sermon when a dove lit upon the center gallery in full view of the congregation and began gently cooing. As the clergyman finished his prayer the dove flew to the (south) side gallery and perched on the gallery railing about opposite the clergyman. When the pastor was reading the chapter from which his text was taken the dove cooed when the pastor's tones grew louder and stopped when he paused. The pastor was reading the first chapter of John's Gospel, and when he read the 32d verse and came to the clause, 'I saw the spirit descend- ing from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him,' the dove, which had by its motions indicated an intention of flying to the pastor, flew to the sacred desk and perched directly upon the open pages of the sacred volume. The pastor's text was the 4th verse of the chapter. The dove shortly after flew in a circle over the singers' heads in the side seats and settled down upon the platform below the pulpit, and here it remained throughout the sermon, occasionally emitting a 'coo,' as if in appreciation either of the pastor's words or the share of notice the congregation gave it. At the conclusion of the sermon the pastor stepped down to lead in the sacrament services, and before doing so closed the Bible, whereupon the dove flew up and lit upon the closed book and cooed. The bird thrice stepped off the book and returned to it. It then nestled down by the side of the sacred book and remained there until the sacrament service was closed. The climax here arrived. Mr. Clark finished the service with a few remarks in which, after noting the interruption that the dove had occasioned as having been remarkable in view of the singular coincidences which all had noted, he added that as the Holy Spirit had descended on Christ might not the presence of this winged visitor be taken as emblematical of the presence of the spirit in this church at this time, whereupon the bird flew and lit directly upon the pastor's head. The effect upon the pastor and audience was elec- trical, and where before the dove had been regarded with simple curiosity and had caused smiling faces, now many of the ladies were moved to tears and the whole assembly seemed to be deeply and strangely affected. The pastor took the dove down and held it against his breast, and in that position closed the services with the benediction." New Haven Daily Morning Journal and Courier, Sept. 7, 1885; see also New Haven Register. Mr. Clark has confirmed the above account with the correction that the dove lit upon his head twice, once while reading the Scripture, and, as stated, after concluding the communion service.
REV. DANIEL JAMES CLARK
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THE LAST THREE QUARTERS OF A CENTURY.
troops from the southern states, bringing an end to the "Carpet Bag" government which had proven so unfortunate for the inhabitants of the old Confederacy. The entire country was entering upon a period of peace and prosperity, with no great issues to divide public sentiment and work rancor in individual localities. Hardly had Mr. Clark entered upon his duties when President Hayes came through East Haven on his way to Branford-the old home of his grandfather. "On reaching the church corner, where a large number of the citizens were in waiting, he alighted from his carriage, and was received with a few words of welcome" by the young minister, "to whom he replied very cordially. Referring to the bell that had announced his coming, he expressed his surprise that a bell so clear in its tone, and with such enduring qualities could be obtained in those early years" of the century.26
Less than a year later the country was shocked by the news that President Hayes' successor, James A. Garfield, had been assassinated. When the reports came that the President had succumbed, Mr. Clark summoned his people to a memorial service, there to give fitting expression to their grief and to look to almighty God for comfort. Twenty years passed when the dastardly work was repeated and President William Mckinley became a martyr. Mr. Clark again called his parishioners into the sanctuary to an appropriate memorial service.
Hardly six months had passed after Mr. Clark had entered upon his duties in the pastorate when the first Christian Endeavor Society was organized by the Reverend Francis E. Clark, pastor of the Williston Congregational Church, in Port- land, Maine. The new organization was a development from a social club of boys and girls called the "Mizpah Circle." It differed from other young people's societies in that it empha- sized the religious life rather than the social, all members being required to sign a pledge to attend "every meeting unless
26 D. J. Clark, Historical Sermon, p. 21.
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THE EVOLUTION OF AN OLD NEW ENGLAND CHURCH.
detained by some absolute necessity and that each one will take some part, however slight, in every meeting."27 The new society prospered beyond all expectation and in a very short time other churches began to adopt it, so that in less than five years it had become an international organization, holding annual conventions. The first society formed outside of the United States was in the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1883. State and municipal Christian Endeavor unions were organized with remarkable rapidity. In 1888 Reverend Francis E. Clark or "Father Endeavorer Clark," as he became affectionately termed, made his first journey to foreign lands as the President of the International Christian Endeavor Society.28
A young people's organization had been in existence in the Old Stone Church for some years, but it was primarily social in character. In 1889 a Christian Endeavor Society was formed, followed in 1894 by a Junior Christian Endeavor,29 both of which began at once to train the young people in the religious life. Both societies are still rendering efficient ser- vice, a large percentage of their members becoming confessing Christians upon entering the age of adolescence.
While engaged in his duties of inculcating the spirit of Christian brotherhood in the minds and hearts of his people, creating and perfecting organizations to train the young folk in the principles of the Christian religion, the good pastor received a call from another communion, but the Old Stone Church was his church and the people of East Haven were his people, so he turned a deaf ear to the summons from without. At the annual church meeting, October 11, 1889, the following resolutions were unanimously voted :
"Whereas, at the annual church meeting we learn with regret that our beloved pastor. who has been with us nearly ten years, has received a call to another field; therefore be it
27 F. E. Clark, Memories of Many Men in Many Lands, pp. 77-85.
28 Ibid., pp. 88-9.
29 Church Records, Vol. I, pp. 154-87.
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THE LAST THREE QUARTERS OF A CENTURY.
"Resolved, that we, members of the church, hereby express our love and esteem for him as a pastor and friend, deep appre- ciation of his labor among us, full confidence in his ability and power for good, and earnestly urge him to continue with us, and
"Resolved, that we recommend that the Ecclesiastical Society increase our Pastor's salary as much as warranted by pledges made at its next annual meeting."
The church had published a manual in 1833 and another in 1879. Conditions had so changed that it was deemed expe- dient to supplement the two previous issues with a third, the same to contain revised rules and regulations of the church and a roster of ministers, deacons, and members. This third manual was published in 1892.
The people living to the north of the church in the section of the town known as Foxon, being greatly inconvenienced by having to journey two miles to attend a service of worship, felt the necessity of having their own church where they could maintain a more active religious and social life. Therefore, in 1893, they withdrew and formed the Foxon Congregational Church.30
Mr. Clark and his parishioners were not greatly affected by the beginning of the modern liberal theology, which the second half of the nineteenth century introduced. Charles Darwin, an English scientist, published in 1859, a book entitled The Origin of the Species by Means of Natural Selection. His principal hypothesis was that the higher forms of life have evolved from the lower by the means of natural selection or survival of the fittest; those forms of life not able to adapt themselves to their environment were gradually eliminated in the evolutionary process, which covered millions of years. Man, like other animals, sprang from the lower forms of life, his progenitor being similar to that of the man-like apes. The
80 Church Records, Vol. I, p. 182.
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THE EVOLUTION OF AN OLD NEW ENGLAND CHURCH.
Origin of the Species created an immediate protest from the church people, who believed the new doctrine to be an absolute contradiction to the creation account in the book of Genesis, which postulated that the world and its inhabitants had been created in six days, God resting on the seventh. Darwin was declared to be an atheist and his work was tabooed. Never- theless, he persisted in his researches, elaborating his revolu- tionary theory by numerous publications, and ably assisted by his disciple Thomas Huxley.
About the same time that "Darwinism" began to disturb the tranquillity of the American churches, the new method of biblical study, known as "Higher Criticism," was winning such capable adherents as to become a force too important to be ignored. Thus another element to cause discord was intro- duced. This new method was an attempt to test the historical accuracy of the Bible by literary criticism and comparison with extra-biblical material. The Reformation made such candid and critical inquiry possible, and its beginnings were in the early days of Protestantism. However, the modern tendency began in Germany in the last quarter of the eighteenth century.
The introduction into America of the historical method of biblical research, especially at the time that Darwin was pro- mulgating the doctrine of Evolution according to "natural selection," created a warfare unlike any previous conflict, but equal to any other or all others in its intensity. Members of the Christian church felt that "Darwinism" and "Higher Criti- cism" were incompatible with Christian doctrine and faith, so they vigorously resisted all liberalizing tendencies.
Again the Old Stone Church remained unmoved and untouched. Other communities were invaded and divided but East Haven held fast to the tried and true. Mr. Clark safely guided the thought of the people around the dangers of radi- calism and kept the faith without modification.
As the century drew to a close the Spanish-American War demanded the attention of the public; and East Haven, true
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THE LAST THREE QUARTERS OF A CENTURY.
to her traditions, furnished several young men to the military forces. The pastor of the Old Stone Church keenly felt the righteousness of the cause and availed himself of every oppor- tunity to arouse the martial spirit in the community.31 At the conclusion of the war America suddenly found herself a world power.
When, almost two decades later, the United States became a participant in the World War, Mr. Clark again assumed the duties of arousing public opinion and comforting the loved ones of those who had enlisted in their country's service. The Old Stone Church sent several of her sons and one daughter into the military and naval forces, the majority being assigned to the Twenty-Sixth or "Yankee Division."
With the coming of peace after the defeat of the Central European powers in 1918, Mr. Clark, no longer a young man, began to feel the necessity of being relieved of his responsi- bilities. He had given his life to the Church and he could do no more. He had kept his people free from the tendencies toward radicalism; he had carefully preserved the church traditions and in all ways he had been faithful to his trust. A great occasion in his life and in that of the Church had been in 1911 when he took charge of the services celebrating the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Organization of the Church and delivered an Historical Address of such merit as to be worthy of preservation.32 Eight years later, on October
31 Unpublished letters, Church Records, Vol. II, Appendix.
32 Program of Service.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8TH, 10 A. M.
Organ Prelude-Intermezzo . Bezit Doxology
Invocation-Lord's Prayer
Hymn-740 "O God, Beneath Thy Guiding Hand"
Scripture Lesson- Rev. George W. Banks Anthem-"Wake the Song of Jubilee" Responsive Reading
Gloria
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THE EVOLUTION OF AN OLD NEW ENGLAND CHURCH.
5, 1919, he presented his letter of resignation, to become effec- tive in six months.33
Prayer- Rev. Joseph A. Tomlinson* Hymn-616 "The Church's One Foundation"
Announcements
Offertory-Quartette
Historical Discourse Rev. Daniel J. Clark, Pastor
Prayer
Hymn-625 "O Where are Kings and Empires Now"
Benediction
Organ Postlude-Grand Chorus . Dubois
* Rev. Joseph A. Tomlinson died in 1910. An invitation to be present was sent to his last address, and his name was put on the program.
SUNDAY SCHOOL SESSION AT 12 M. DEACON JOHN SCOVILLE, Superintendent.
Rally Day Exercises.
Address-"The Origin and History of the School Deacon F. B. Street
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8TH, 7 P. M.
Organ Recital-6:30 to 7 o'clock
Prelude to Lohengrin Wagner
Daybreak Spinney
Offertory in E Wely
Canzonet in B flat .Elliot
In The Twilight-(Prayer) Harker Flaxington
Processional March
Clark Scotson
Hymn-599 "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord"
Scripture Lesson
By the Pastor
Anthem-"Sing Alleluia Forth"
Prayer Rev. Harris E. Starr Announcements
Hymn-603 "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken"
Address-Rev. Oscar E. Maurer, D.D.
Pastor of the Mother Church in New Haven, from which the East Haven Church came forth, Oct. 8, 171I.
Violin Obligato Anthem-"My Faith Looks Up to Thee" Mrs. Freeman Burr Address-"Some Early Relations Between the Two Churches" Rev. Isaiah W. Sneath, D.D. Pastor of the Grand Avenue Church, New Haven, the daughter of the East Haven Church, born in 1830.
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THE LAST THREE QUARTERS OF A CENTURY
In accepting the resignation the Church and Ecclesiastical Society concurred in the following resolutions :
"Whereas, The Rev. D. J. Clark, for nearly forty years the beloved pastor of the Old Stone Church, did on the fifth day of October, 1919, tender his resignation, and ask that it be effective six months from date, and at a meeting of the church called November 28th, to take action on such resigna- tion, we unanimously voted not to accept it, but to ask Mr. Clark to reconsider and withdraw his resignation, and at a meeting of the Church held December 5th Mr. Clark made known to us, by letter-'That he still felt the time had come for him to lay down his burden, and pass the responsibility to younger hands, and that we grant his request.' Voted, to accept the resignation of the Rev. D. J. Clark, to be effective July 7th, 1920, forty years from the date of his installation, though in so voting we keenly felt with Mr. Clark, 'How hard a matter, the breaking of bonds between pastor and people that had held so many years.'
"Therefore, Resolved, That we make the Rev. D. J. Clark our Pastor Emeritus, immediately following the termination of his duties as active pastor.
"Resolved, That we make record of our great appreciation of our pastor's long and faithful years of service with us, his high courage and patience, his loving sympathy and comfort in sorrow, his gladness in our joys, and we feel that our church has been specially blessed, in having so talented a man, so true
Solo-"Now the Day is Ended"
Address-"The Church and the Consociation" Rev. George W. Banks
Hymn-606 "Great is the Lord Our God"
Missionary Work of the Church Mrs. Clara B. Forbes
Deacon A. L. Fabrique
Anniversary Poem Mrs. S. W. F. Andrews Music of the Church
Hymn-241 "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name"
Benediction
Organ Postlude-Festal March
. Calkin
33 Church Records, Vol. II, pp. 60-2; also Ecclesiastical Records, Vol. III, pp. 136-38.
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THE EVOLUTION OF AN OLD NEW ENGLAND CHURCH.
a friend to all, and so loyal a citizen its pastor and leader for forty years.
"That for Mrs. Clark we have most sincere admiration and respect, for her wise, loving, and gracious part in all things.
"That we assure our pastor of our continued love, confi- dence and cooperation in all his work and plans, and that it is our united prayer and hope, that as our beloved friends, Mr. and Mrs. Clark, journey toward the sunset of life, that they find the 'rest in green pastures, and the peace of still waters,' where they are so loved and honored among the people.
"Resolved, That we spread these resolutions on the records of our church, and present a copy to our pastor."34
A committee, consisting of E. E. Cowles, C. A. Chipman, J. Scoville, and W. S. Coker, was appointed by the Church and Ecclesiastical Society to find a successor to Mr. Clark. Having been directed to Mr. Harry K. Eversull, a student in Yale University, they made arrangements for him to supply the pulpit for two Sundays. At a church meeting on August 13, 1920, the committee recommended "the name of H. K. Eversull, as pastor of this Church," and the Church voted unanimously to extend him a call. On August 30, the Ecclesi- astical Society concurred.35
Mr. Eversull36 entered upon his duties on October I. Desir- ing to complete his theological studies before being ordained, he postponed asking that a council of the Consociation be called until 1922. On April 7, the Council met in the Old Stone Church and after examining the candidate, unanimously voted to proceed with the solemn service of ordination, accord- ing to the following program :
Church Records, Vol. II, pp. 67-8; also Ecclesiastical Records, Vol. III, pp. 137-8.
35 Church Records, Vol. II, pp. 69-70; also Ecclesiastical Society Records, Vol. III, pp. 142-3.
36 Mr. Harry Kelso Eversull was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, educated in Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Indiana, and Yale University. He was married on September 18, 1920, to Miss Anita Mueller of Highland, Illinois.
REV. HARRY KELSO EVERSULL
I3I
THE LAST THREE QUARTERS OF A CENTURY
Organ Prelude-Traumlied Frank Frysinger
Mrs. Clara B. Forbes
Reading of the Minutes of the Council The Scribe
Hymn 294-How Firm a Foundation
Prayer of Invocation Reverend Allan K. Chalmers Reverend Albert B. Coe
Reading of the Scriptures
Solo-The Lord is My Light Frances Allitsen
Mrs. H. K. Eversull
Sermon Dean Charles R. Brown, D.D., LL.D., S.T.D.
Prayer of Ordination Professor Luther A. Weigle, Ph.D., D.D.
Charge to the Pastor . Reverend Oscar E. Maurer, D.D.
Charge to the People Professor Henry H. Tweedy, D.D.
Right Hand of Fellowship Reverend Daniel J. Clark Hymn 327-O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee Benediction
The Pastor
Organ Postlude-March in E Flat Lefebure Wely87
The changing social conditions had long made imperative the erection of a larger building to supplant or augment the small chapel, for educational and social purposes. An attempt had been made in 1915 to perfect plans for raising the neces- sary funds. A "Parish House Association" was formed, but meeting with a lukewarm response on the part of some and opposition on the part of others, the whole project fell through. It was not the opportune time. When the new pastor reported for duty the parishioners knew that more adequate equipment would have to be provided in order to inaugurate a constructive educational and social program. The pastor immediately dedi- cated himself to the task of building a new parish house. A church meeting was called for April 19, 1921, at which it was voted to "recommend to the First Ecclesiastical Society the construction of a parish house as soon as possible."38 The Ecclesiastical Society met on May 4 and approved the follow- ing resolutions :
"Whereas, The Old Stone Church of East Haven is in great need of a parish house to serve its communicants and friends as a social and parish center, and
37 Church Records, Vol. II, pp. 73-6.
38 Ibid., p. 71.
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THE EVOLUTION OF AN OLD NEW ENGLAND CHURCH.
"Whereas, The members of the Old Stone Church have, in meeting assembled, voted to recommend to the First Ecclesi- astical Society of East Haven the building of a parish house, therefore,
"Be it Resolved, That the First Ecclesiastical Society of East Haven build the best parish house possible at the earliest date possible, and
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