USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Hartford > The fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the Asylum Hill Congregational Church of Hartford, Connecticut, March 21 to 28, 1915 > Part 5
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leadership in strengthened faith and heightened expectation.
In a sense the most tangible incidents in our history are the gains in physical equipment. The founders had ambitious and original plans. They began with a chapel, to serve as both church and Sunday School room, at first fitted with a platform and pews. The erection of the church proper was promptly undertaken and soon completed. The architecture adopted, as in the Park Church, built a year later, was emphatically not that of the colonial meeting-house. The result has unde- niable grace and dignity-with some practical drawbacks. Among these are the obtrusive clus- tered columns, breaking the view from many sit- tings, the rather large space to be heated and lighted, the curiously capricious acoustics, entail- ing an amusing series of attempted remedies, and the tendency of the roof to transform itself into a sieve. For the first year or two the chapel served well enough. But, as the Sunday School expanded, it became painfully crowded. Hence in 1873 came strenuous cries for more room, and in 1880 the Sunday School was forced to move into the church. The only visible outcome of the first agitation, curiously enough, was the fitting up of a kitchen in the basement, over whose advent there was almost as much joy as there was later over its abandonment. Thus we see that it was in 1873 that urgent demands were first made for a Parish House-demands reiterated in sundry forms until silenced in 1903 by the careful planning and erec- [ 73 ]
tion of our present large, convenient and delightful building.
Time fails to recount the steady improvement of the property, and especially to do justice to the final, extensive renovation which gave us these beautiful and sumptuous surroundings. Until after 1880 the church was burdened by its initial debt. But notable additions came early. In 1871 the first organ was put in, costing nearly $5,400, and also our musical bell, the latter chiefly the gift of Mr. C. C. Lyman. In 1875 Mr. Roland Mather gave $19,000 for the beautiful spire surmounting the original square-topped tower. In 1897 the belfry was completed by the insertion of a clock, the gift of Mr. Mather's daughter, Mrs. Turner, and the same year brought the marble font, given by Mr. Chase. Later came the memorial window to Miss Margaret Blythe, the first of a series which now bids fair to be steadily increased. Mention should also be made of the celebration of Mr. Twichell's fiftieth birthday in 1888 by the pur- chase for him of the house on Woodland Street, and of the recent acquisition of the parsonage near the church.
Speaking of equipment suggests a word about the provision for music in our services. The founders had a strong desire to magnify congre- gational singing alone. The first organ, located in the apse, was planned without reference to a choir. This general policy continued for over twenty-five years, though a chorus, as well as a pre- centor, was employed at times to lead the people's
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song. There were several periods when the organ itself was the only support. During this time there was such zest about the singing that visitors often came from a distance to hear it. Singing-classes were more than once carried on, and for years the Choral Union held its concerts here, a large frac- tion of its chorus coming from our ranks. In 1891 the policy was extended to include a formal choir, either a quartet alone or with reinforcements. In recent years this has expanded under Mr. Laubin's skillful direction into a large choral body of fine ability. Organ recitals and striking renderings of vocal works are now part of the usual calendar.
The original organ was a good instrument for its day, though mechanically awkward. From 1883 it passed through several remodelings, by which it was much improved. Finally, in 1911, it was replaced by the magnificent instrument which looks down upon us from yonder gallery. The total expenditure for these instruments has been over $25,000.
Of the eight or nine organists, the longest term of service was that of Mr. Lord, who for fourteen years (1891-1905) endeared himself to all by his fidelity, courtesy and skill. That no individual mention can be made of many singers does not imply that their voices are forgotten or their co- operation is unappreciated.
Under our commanders, and with the appli- ances furnished by our efficient managers, there has been developed an internal organization of many-sided strength. It is hopeless here to re- [ 75]
capitulate the list of our fraternities and guilds, for men and women, for boys and girls, with their philanthropic, instructional or social aims. Some of these, like the Ladies' Benevolent Society, are practically as old as the church; others are still in the experimental stage. Neither can we here re- view the roll of our many office-bearers-our majors, captains and lieutenants-whose intelli- gence, enthusiasm and tact have been indispensable to the inner life of this large and active parish. Concerning these, however, I will make two or three brief notes.
Out of thirty-seven deacons, more than half are gone hence. Among those who remain, Colonel Thompson has been in service more than twenty- five years in all, and Mr. Clark and Mr. Collins only a little less. Reference to the workers in the Sunday School will be made in the special history of that energetic department, which is to be given by Mrs. Macdonald.
Besides these and other usual officers, we have had some that are not always found. In our early years a system of parish visitation by districts was maintained, which did much to knit the members together, to render help in times of trouble, and to win new recruits. Of course, it takes an angel to be a perfect parish visitor; but in those days, apparently, angels were common among us! At several periods a Pastor's Assistant has been em- ployed-one to undertake in a concentrated way the function of visitation. In this office no one has left a more fragrant memory than Mrs. Bartlett,
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for whose wisdom and faith no problem was too hard, no need too hopeless. Her ministry, how- ever, in the nature of things, was not as long or as varied as that of one other pastor's assistant, Mrs. Twichell, to whom also we may well ascribe the name of "saint," not in formal adulation, but out of pure affection.
Let us not omit mention of one other officer of unique value-more regular than any of us in attendance, more diligent in business, and longer in office than any but Mr. Twichell himself-Mr. Livingston, our faithful sexton for thirty years.
The supreme problem before every church is to discover the way in which it may be of definite service to the community. It is often thought enough to get sufficient members to pay for tra- ditional activities. Spiritual benefits to the com- munity are then expected to accrue automatically.
On the side of numbers this church was located where it was bound to grow. Asylum Hill de- veloped rapidly as a residential quarter. When we came, Trinity Church was our only church neighbor. The Baptists followed in 1872, and the lower part of the Cathedral was in use in 1878. These four churches, for their respective constit- uencies, long covered the field which in these latter days is divided between no less than nine churches on the Hill proper, not counting two to the north and three or more to the south. It was inevitable that the four pioneers should prosper.
Our original number was 114. After allowing for deaths and dismissions, the total rose to twice [ 77 ]
this in four years (1869), to three times in nine years (1874), to four times in thirteen years (1878), to five times in about twenty years (1883- 85), to six times in twenty-six years (1891), and to seven times in thirty-three years (1898). Prior to last Sunday the highest figure, 789, was reached in 1898, divided between men and women in the proportion of four to six. By far the largest annual accession was in 1878, when the whole city was stirred by Mr. Moody. After 1900 the total tended to fall off, and in 1911 it was cut down by the removal from the roll of many names carried for years without manifest reason. This dropping of absentees reduced the figure to below 700. Dur- ing the past two years it has been steadily rising, and is now 795. Including those just received, the whole number of persons enrolled since the be- ginning is 2,009.
Mere numbers are no sure sign of church vi- tality. We naturally inquire what such a large body of Christian people has done to declare itself. Without wishing that every church should bristle with agencies bent upon all kinds of exciting ex- ploits, we should all grieve over a large church shut in upon its own private affairs, simply "pros- perous" in a worldly sense and enjoying a decorous social continuity.
No such notion characterized our founders and early promoters. They had positive ideas about the constructive functions of the Sunday School and the prayer meeting. They were attached to the old custom of two full services on Sunday.
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They expected that the work of the minister and all the members would bear fruit in accessions, not only from their own families, but from outside. So, besides opening up the stream of money-gifts which has gone on ever since, they promptly began to busy themselves with aggressive enterprises of a personal nature. Of these I take two examples.
Almost at once some of our good people started to establish a neighborhood center in the region of Flower, Queen and Broad streets. This con- tinued for at least ten years, adding somewhat to both Sunday School and church, and certainly tending to benefit a neglected district. Of this, however, there is to-day no tangible vestige-un- less, perchance, we count the High School and the Theological Seminary as fruits!
In 1873 began the holding of special meetings in the Glenwood district. This effort was much longer maintained, was more inclusive of adults as well as children, and in 1894 led to the forma- tion of the Glenwood Church, which for many years was closely affiliated with us.
If, now, we were to attempt a list of all the en- terprises and institutions in which many of our members have been engaged, both as general sup- porters and as active personal workers, for years and decades together, this address would forth- with become a comprehensive catalogue of the philanthropies of Hartford. The City Mission, the Morgan Street School, the two Christian Asso- ciations, the Union for Home Work, the Charity Organization Society, the Woman's Aid Society, [ 79 ]
the Orphan Asylum, the schools for the blind- these are merely samples of the almost innumer- able fields wherein the irrepressible Christian en- thusiasm of our men and women, young men and maidens, has been persistently and beautifully displayed.
Naturally, we have had close connection with near-by institutions. Our name came from the Hill, which took its title from the American Asy- lum, here located more than forty years before we began. The links with this school have been inti- mate, its principals and teachers often being among our most valued members, its pupils some- times sharing in our services, and its whole life being affected by the spirit of the church. Some- thing similar could be said about our relation to the High School, founded on the Hill in 1869, and to the West Middle School, built in 1873. Almost a whole paper might be devoted to our interesting connection with the Chinese Educa- tional Commission and its sequels, from 1872 on- ward. Until 1886 the Town Alms House stood to the north of us, and there for years a fortnightly service was held on Sunday mornings by Mr. Twichell and a band of young people. Certain of our members, too, were long useful as teachers at the Hartford Jail, and even at the State Prison at Wethersfield.
There were some of our early members who looked askance at the Theological Seminary when it came to the city in 1865, and when it moved up to Broad Street in 1879. Yet, since then, some [ 80 ]
fifteen of its professors have mingled in our ac- tivities, many of its students have taught in our Sunday School, and two of its alumni have become our Associate Pastors. In return, at least a score of our leading members, through large gifts or through personal service as trustees, have been in- strumental in expanding the Seminary to its pres- ent proportions and outlook.
These fragmentary notes upon outside activities are simply hints of the topics of interest that abound in our valuable church records.
Just here let me slip in a word of special recog- nition for the pains taken year after year by a multitude of persons to prepare the minutes and histories of all our constituent departments. There are some gaps and some curious discrepancies, but, on the whole, in our archives, reports and manuals we have a body of information of which we ought to be proud. Beyond all this we have the invalu- able Parish Scrap-Book-thirteen big volumes- compiled with loving care by Mr. Twichell, and now stored beyond the reach of ordinary destruc- tion. The wealth of material in these sources is embarrassing for a mere summarist, as I am to- day. For some future historian they will be a mine of richness. Hence this word of ringing thanks for the infinite toil in them that should not be always thankless.
Among these records are those of our two Treas- urers. The Society Treasurer reports the income of the corporation (chiefly from pew-rentals), with the outlay for salaries, running expenses, and [8] ]
the like. The Church Treasurer registers the gifts of the congregation, with what has been done with the money. There are also records of gifts from the Sunday School and other organizations, as well as of special subscriptions for improvements. And Colonel Thompson, who served as Church Treas- urer for more than twenty-five years, added re- markable accounts of personal gifts and bequests not made through the church. Thus we can make a rough calculation of the money-outgo from our circle since the beginning.
In round numbers, about $200,000 have gone into the church and its equipment, and about $500,000 into salaries and maintenance. The reg- ular contributions, at first secured through district collectors, but since 1878 mainly by the envelope system, have yielded about $250,000, while prob- ably three times this has been otherwise given. The total benevolences, therefore, are not far from $1,000,000. These massive figures are certainly impressive, even though most of us can claim no large share in attaining them.
The record of home expenditure shows a per- sistent determination that the church should have the best that could be afforded, so as to be strong and significant in its environment. Those who have labored upon the problems of our business welfare have had a sure instinct of what a church, maintained with energy and dignity, accomplishes by steadfast existence.
The record of benevolences displays the out- reaching potency of the church, its vicarious par-
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ticipation in the vast enterprise of the Christian betterment and reclamation of the whole world. Part of our gifts have been for objects designated by the givers. Part have been assigned by the Prudential Committee as occasion called. A large part has gone to great societies, to be distributed throughout their several fields. Thus we have lent a hand, often in no small way and for years to- gether, to every phase of philanthropy in the city, to every movement for evangelization and church extension in the State and throughout the Union, to the cause of the Negro, the Indian, the "poor white," the immigrant and the helplessly depen- dent, to the upbuilding and maintenance of many schools and colleges or the support of students in them, to the printing and circulation of Bibles and Christian literature, and to the prosecution of several kinds of missionary work in nearly every continent of the globe.
Would that we could linger upon the many effective workers who have gone forth from us into missionary fields at home or abroad. Let two or three instances suffice. Among our original members was Isaac Pierson, then a Junior in Yale College, who later served for twenty years in North China, and who is now Field Secretary of the Tract Society. Another original member was James H. Roberts, who, after graduating at Yale College and Divinity School, was ordained here in 1877, worked abroad for thirty years, also in North China, and is now in the active pastorate only a few miles from his old home. It was to his church [ 83]
in Kalgan that friends here gave a bell in 1887, of which a notable memorial hangs in the chapel. From about 1870 our roll was dignified by the name of Henry Blodget, who for forty years (from 1854) was another distinguished leader in the
Chinese mission (he died in 1903).
Mrs.
Blodget's name was on our lists for full thirty-five years (till 1904). Then, for nearly fifteen years (since 1901) we have carried a goodly share of the support of Mr. and Mrs. George A. Wilder as our representatives in East Africa, a connection made vital by more than one visit from them to us. Mr. Walter, too, in a measure still belongs to us, even out upon the plains of the Punjab in North- ern India. In these days of international upheaval we do not forget our reasons for peculiar interest in Dr. Bowen and Mr. Crawford in the Turkish Empire. To this list many more names would be added if we were to survey the home field in both education and evangelization.
Surely, with scores of relations like these before us, this church seems like a great nervous ganglion or electrical center whence innumerable filaments or wires spread out in all directions, stretch even across the continents, penetrate into all strata of society, and touch the most enduring interests of human life.
When I began to prepare this address I thought that it afforded the chance for a tribute to the memory of the fine and famous men and women who have wrought among us in unforgettable ways, but whose faces we no longer see. I myself
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have known so many of these, and have received so much from them, that the attempt to character- ize and eulogize them would be most grateful. But when I came to review the roster of those who have thus fallen from our ranks-over 350 in all- I saw that no selection from them could be made that would be at once representative and practical. Some we specially remember for their general, well-rounded, winsome Christianity, some for their fidelity and usefulness in routine parish duties, some for their liberal, but unostentatious, generosity, some for devotion to a single special cause or channel of influence, some for their im- portance in the affairs of the city or the State, some for their national or international reputation. Business men of all varieties, managers of great corporations, bankers, lawyers, physicians, min- isters, teachers, editors, authors, scholars-what a broad and noble list it is, and how it warms the heart to recall, not only how able or famous they were, but how wholesome to know and how in- spiring to touch in the avenues of Christian en- deavor! Each decade builds up for us that heri- tage of honor and dignity from the past which towers like a banner above our marching columns, the message of well-lived lives, which is like to the call of a mighty trumpet.
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For years successive historians have been offi- cially warned that detailed reference was not to be made to the work of the pastor. This sup- pression of facts may have been proper in the annual histories, but it cannot be tolerated at this anniversary. To-day, as we look back over the path by which we have come, we must be under no restraint of utterance about him who not only led us into the Promised Land, but there became our priest and prophet.
Mr. Twichell came here a young man, without experience in guiding a real parish. Doubtless, like other young men, he had to grow into his position partly by discovery and accommodation. He would be the last to say that his lifelong work here was the fruit of exact science. He always went about it with the smallest parade of academic method. His whole temper and training tended otherwise-toward reliance upon intense human sympathies, keen and elastic intuitions, free and virile impulses, as master-keys to each day's duty and each week's problem. He went at his work with the higher skill of the born artist, with whom instinct and feeling are paramount.
What an artist he has been! The ultimate meas- ure of great art is not manner, but manhood ; not method, but message; not cleverness, but creative power. A smaller artist than Mr. Twichell would have had far less to reveal, whether of truth or of himself as teacher. A smaller artist would have exalted externals, would have postured more while saying less, would have been eager for
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"effects" more than results. A smaller artist, in his egotism or pettiness, would have rung false or been worn threadbare in fifty years in a complex circle like this. But here was a great artist in that he was a true and mighty man, wholly intent upon a God-given work, flinging himself into it with a divine joy of creation and construction, and, like the Supreme Artist who was his only Master, pouring forth the golden wealth of a splendid personality in unadulterated love. Every expendi- ture expanded the treasuries of his nature, every achievement lifted him into finer and truer as- pirations.
This quality of high art in ministry has many aspects. Mr. Twichell never overestimated preaching as a function. Neither did he plume himself upon his pulpit eloquence. Yet he did not forget its power or neglect its preparation. His sermons and lectures were regularly written in full, were wrought out slowly and carefully, with a substantial background of reading and reflection, and were delivered with sturdy force and zest. Much the same can be said of his more informal addresses, as at the prayer-meetings and before the Sunday School teachers. The enormous intellec- tual, emotional and moral draft involved in this side of a pastor's life is not much known to his people. If, therefore, we were to say that for nearly fifty years we had had a thoughtful and earnest preacher for a pastor, it would be no small tribute. But Mr. Twichell was much more than this. As experts have testified, he was a great preacher be- [ 87]
cause he accomplished the supreme purpose of preaching in a grand and memorable way. He early fastened upon that which is essential. A ser- mon, for him, was not an essay, fitted for printing and for perusal by the evening light; nor an ora- tion, shrewdly suited to an occasion, and brilliant with virtuosity; nor a mere piece of logic, built up without flaw from premiss to conclusion; nor an instruction, addressed to mental and moral in- feriors ; nor even primarily an exhortation, aimed at those who need to be awakened or reformed. He had no ruling type, so that his method could not be predicted. But you never failed to get a genuine rescript of his stalwart personality, as played upon by the moods and accidents of real life, by multitudinous contacts with people, books and events, by incessant feeding upon the Bible and the Gospel it contains, by the mysterious im- pact of the Holy Spirit. The power of his preach- ing lay not in the way it was done-though that was often surpassingly fine and exquisite-nor in any studied fidelity to a scheme of doctrine or sys- tem of ethics-though these were not absent-but in the glorious display of a rich and royal man- hood, face to face with ultimate realities, with the truths of eternity. Any man with such a quality of manhood, who gives himself as unreservedly to the ministerial career, and who schools himself as diligently in the art of transparent self-expression, can become a great preacher. But how few there are in whom all these factors meet as they did in Mr. Twichell !
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The same artistic genius marked his work as pastor. In our whole church life he was always dominant, seldom as a deliberate organizer or di- rector, rather as a companionable, appreciative partner. His avoidance of dictation disarmed opposition and even disguised his share in action. Yet, as you looked closely, you saw how wisely his weight was thrown, now for advance, now for caution, here in favor of leaders or measures which he trusted, there against what he felt to be dubious. He was seldom wrong, or failed to make his view both plain and persuasive. It was the artist's touch that gave him mastery, not the appeal to abstrac- tions or the assertion of authority.
From Mr. Twichell came much of the church's individuality. He met all classes equally, and was alert to every shade of opinion. He was cognizant of all movements or projects, not inquisitively, but because he loved people and affairs. Thus he was able to deal with the church as a child, a living being, whose freedom was to be shaped more by counsel than by command, a corporate will that might be won and led, if handled with delicacy. He may not have even told himself precisely what he meant this church to be. We simply saw the evolution taking place under his fingers. We were a miscellany of people, diverse in a hundred ways, yet held in union and projected into common ser- vice by a recognized leader. Some of us had hazy notions of what a church is ideally, yet presently we found ourselves intent upon duties and inter- ests which confronted us out of the nature of our [ 89 ]
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