USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Rockford > Golden anniversary exercises, historical record and manual of the Second Congregational church, Rockford, Illinois. November 7, 1849. November 7, 1899 > Part 15
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Divine love is as wide as the world, and narrow denominational lines are unworthy of the intelligence of this closing century. God is leading us into larger faith and clearer knowledge, and step by step we are coming into closer relationship and more perfect harmony.
We shall leave our differences, like castaway baggage on the shore of Time, when we " put out to sea," for, beyond the tide there is fullness of love and eternal peace broods over the blessed.
ROLL CALL AND RESPONSES
OF THE CHARTER MEMBERS AND FORMER PASTORS.
NE of the most pleasant features of the entire celebration was the " Roll Call" of the charter members and former pastors, which took place during the afternoon of Anniversay Day, and the in- terest in this part of the program was heightened by the presence of the following named charter members on the rostrum: Mr. Thos. D. Robert- son, Mrs. Caroline M. Dickerman, Mrs. Harriett W. Cotton, Mrs. Emily G. Dodd, Mrs. Sarah Hyde French and Miss Esther A. Hyde, all of whom responded in a feeling manner when their names were called.
Judge Henry C. Hyde, Mrs. Rebecca Alling and Mrs. Hannah Gor- ham Weldon, the only other living charter members, were unable to be present.
The Rev. Frank P. Woodbury responded in a very happy manner for . the former pastors ; Mrs. Nellie Rose Waugh responded for her father and mother, Mr. Benj. A. Rose and Mrs. Antoinette W. Rose; Mrs. Sarah Hyde French for Judge Henry C. Hyde, Gershom C. Hyde and Lucy C. Hyde ; Mrs. Caroline M. Dickerman for Deacon W. A. Dickerman ; Mrs. O. R. Gorham for Deacon Alonzo Gorham, Hannah Gorham Weldon and Mercy A. Gorham ; Miss Bertha Maguire for Anor Woodruff ; Philip W. Dankey for Mrs. Rebecca Alling ; Mrs. Harriett Pease for Mrs. Anna Levings. The charter members whose names were not responded to directly, were remembered by Miss Beattie in her paper "Charter Members," which she read during anniversary afternoon.
The responses, with a few exceptions, were given without notes or manuscript, and on that account were not preserved for this record.
In addition to the response made by the Rev. Frank P. Woodbury for the former pastors, letters were received from the Rev. Lansing Porter, the first pastor, and the Rev. J. E. Walton, the third pastor. Dr. Walter M. Barrows was remembered by a letter from his wife, Mrs. Mary Dewey Bar- rows, and letters were received from Mr. H. M. Kinney and Mrs. Julia
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Kinney Brearley, son and daughter of the Rev. M. P. Kinney, the fourth pastor.
Mr. Thos. D. Robertson responded as follows :
The movement for the formation of a new church out of that part of the members of the First Congregational Church residing on the west side of Rock river arose from a variety of considerations, the element of local- ity probably the prominent one. But there were further reasons : That the church building which had been formerly occupied by the First church was vacant, and perhaps also because an acceptable leader was on hand to take up the new work.
We had all worshipped together for a number of years in a small, neat wooden building that stood in a beautiful grove of large white oaks, and which is now the southwest corner of Church and Green streets, and the corner of the second block south of the old stone church. These were not marked out with streets and alleys, but in the primeval beauty of the forest. This church was erected partly from money contributed by friends in the east, and partly by the firm of Kent & Brinckerhoff, which firm owned the lot on which the edifice stood, and were, in fact, the owners of nearly all the south part of Rockford on the west side of the river, which land ownership was no doubt partly why they put money into the building.
This building was abandoned by the First Church in 1845, and we of the west side all went over to the new brick church built where the engine house on the east side now stands. For some time before the Second Church was organized, a Sunday School was established which met in the afternoon in the deserted church, and this Sunday School became the nucleus of the new church, so in one sense we can say that our Sunday School is older than the church.
As I said before, here were the impelling motives ; the desire for a church near by, a building all ready and a prospective pastor on the ground, for Rev. Lansing Porter, who had formerly been over the First Church for a number of years, was at this time on a visit in Rockford. And so a few of us met together some time in October, 1849, and agreed to start the movement for a new church, and on October 18th drew up an application to the First Congregational Church asking for letters of dismission to us severally, for the purpose of forming a church to be styled the Second Con- gregational Church of Rockford.
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I well remember the day when your speaker stood up in the meeting of the First Church on October 22, 1849, presented this letter, and giving the reasons somewhat as I have stated them. How hard the request seemed to the old church, for their pastor, Rev. Lewis H. Loss, had, at the same meeting, sent in his resignation, impelled partly by this movement, as the feeling was strong that the church could not stand so large a draft on its members. My recollection is that the matter was referred to a committee to confer with the applicants, and I am sure that at some time I met with such a committee.
The records of the First Church have on them a resolution dated October 22nd, as follows :
" WHEREAS, A request from several brethren asking for letters of dis- mission for the purpose of forming another church ; and
" WHEREAS, Notwithstanding we consider the movement premature and uncalled for, yet we are willing to concede to others what we claim for ourselves, the free exercise of conscientious views; and unwilling to throw any obstacles in their way which shall interrupt the free exercise of Chris- tian fellowship ; therefore
" Resolved, That we grant the prayer of the brethren."
This application was signed by forty-three names; thirty-seven of whom were of the forty-one persons who met at the school house on South Main street, where the Masonic Temple now stands, on the 7th day of November, 1849, and formally organized themselves into a church to be known as the Second Congregational Church of Rockford, and this action was afterwards ratified by a Council which met on November 14th. The Council was composed of Rev. Dexter Clary, Beloit ; Rev. Hutchins Taylor, Rockton ; Rev. Lewis Benedict, Rockton ; Rev. R M. Pearson, Grand De Tour ; Rev. Lansing Porter, Rockford.
The church edifice and lot were purchased from the agents or assig- nees of Kent & Brinckerhoff, they allowing on the purchase price a ratable proportion of what had been donated to help build the building at the first. The building was then put in good order, and at once used for public ser- vice, and Rev. Lansing Porter entered upon his duties as the pastor of the new church.
Hist. Rec. 20.
LETTERS.
HAMBURG, Erie County, N. Y., Oct. 31, 1899. MR. J. B. WHITEHEAD, Rockford, Ill.
My Dear Sir: In acknowledging receipt of the card of invitation from pastor and committee to your Semi-Centennial, I desire to make special mention of your private note. The friendly terms in which you ex- press your personal plea for my attendance are thoroughly appreciated.
It so happens that I am just out of the doctor's hands, and am advised not to undertake so long a journey alone, and also not to expose myself to the demands that very likely would be made upon me in the course of the celebration.
Please express to your pastor and to the committee of invitation my sincerest regrets.
With reciprocal sentiments of esteem,
I am yours, etc.,
LANSING PORTER.
MARSHALL, Mich., Oct. 26, 1899.
MR. J. B. WHITEHEAD.
My Dear Sir: I am sure I can give you no items of interest at the present time.
It has been so long since I left the Second Congregational Church that the current incidents of my pastorate have wholly escaped me. I only bear in mind the great kindness of the people and their amiable patience with the imperfections of their young pastor.
As to being with you on the occasion of your Semi-Centennial, let me first thank your committee for the invitation so courteously and cordially expressed through yourself, which, however, I must not accept for the rea- son that I am absent so long from my parish during the winter months, which I spend at the south, that the limitless indulgence of my people in this respect restrains my freedom at other times.
Still it gives me great pleasure to send my hearty congratulations to the Second Congregational Church on this its semi-centennial of a prosper- ous past, and its present auspicious outlook for the future.
There are doubtless still lingering on this side the river a few old friends who still retain, it may be, a pleasant thought of their minister- ' Lang Syne.' Please give to them an affectionate greeting from him-no longer indeed a young man, but moving cheerfully however and serenely, as an old man, towards the close of that " day whose evening shall be light."
I remain fraternally yours,
J. E. WALTON.
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GREENWICH, Conn., Oct. 31, 1899.
Dear People of the Second Church: Your invitation to attend your golden anniversary exercises and to share the memories and fellowship of a happy reunion with those who have had a part in the life and service of the church has reached its destination in this far away New England parsonage. . The younger members of the family all express an eagerness to accept, and would need very little encouragement to start for Rockford on the next train.
The Rockford Church is the cradle around which cluster their sweetest and tenderest memories, and they all speak of it as " Our Church " or " Papa's Church." I can close my eyes and see your dear familiar faces each in the old place. How kindly those faces were wont to look on us as Sunday after Sunday we filed into church. And what an interest you showed as each new baby came to take a place in our roomy and generous pew!
And then, when sickness invaded our circle and there was a vacant seat in the minister's pew, and sometimes in the pulpit. how quickly you found your way to the parsonage with kind inquiries, a gift of flowers or dainties to tempt the appetite of the invalid ! Truly flowers that never fade! " The varying seasons bring no change to this blossoming!" In days of health and vigor how nobly you co-operated with your pastor in the work he tried to do among you. The beautiful edifice which is your church home, secured under his leadership by your own efforts and sacrifices. What a joy it was to him! And how eagerly he looked forward to the greater work which should come with the greater opportunity! This was only begun when we bade you good-bye. But be sure that each step of yours has been watched with eager interest as a parent watches the career of the loved son who has gone out from under the parental roof. We have rejoiced with you in the young pastor-so full of enthusiasm and so fertile in exped- ients-who has taken up the work and is carrying it forward with such suc- cess. His name was often heard at our family altar.
If Dr. Barrows were with you tonight he would have for you a mes- sage full of encouragement and hope and good cheer. If we listen very closely, in memory we may hear him say:
" Beloved, I wish above all things thou may'st prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." " I thank my God upon every remembrance of thee. Always in every prayer of mine making request " that
The Lord bless thee and keep thee ; that " The Lord make His face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee :" that " The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace."
Ever faithfully yours, MARY DEWEY BARROWS.
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ROCKFORD, November 6, 1899.
BELOVED MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Dear Friends All: As 1 sit in the golden glow of our Jubilee Year and look back in memory to the many friends who started out years ago in the first organization of this church, I can see all along the pathway of life green mounds and tablets of love and affection, where here and there some dear one has fallen and handed over to some younger and stronger one their place in the line, while we who have been spared to cross the threshold of our Fiftieth Anniversary can see five forms and faces to respond to their names. Such thoughts fill our hearts with sorrow as we see all these va- cant places and note that so many dear ones have gone ; but so it must be, you friends of to-day must in the years to come give your places to others. It is a true lesson of life, that persistency of purpose will lead to victory. If we who have brought this church up out of the wilderness can feel proud of our achievement, what ought to be expected of you dear friends to-day, with all the power and strength of a vigorous organization. It must go on for the worship of God and the betterment of humanity.
With a loving goodbye to all, I am, your sister,
MRS. REBECCA ALLING.
WINONA, Minn., October 31, 1899. MR. WM. A. TALCOTT, Rockford, 111.
Dear Friend : It is with regret that I am obliged to decline the very cordial invitation extended to attend the Golden Anniversary exercises of your church and society. It would afford me especial pleasure to be pres- ent on this occasion, as none but the most delightful memories linger around the Rockford church and friends there. Our residence of nearly nine years in your city, and our connection with the church during that period, are bright spots in the memories of my sister and myself. We certainly feel that our Rockford friends are very dear to us, and it would be most gratify- ing to meet them on this occasion. The unusual pressure of business, however, prevents an acceptance of the invitation.
Kindly extend to all who may know us, our kindest regards, and accept for Mrs. Talcott and yourself a double portion. Yours truly, H. M. KINNEY.
WEST DULUTH, November 5, 1899.
MY DEAR MR. TALCOTT.
An invitation to attend the Golden Anniversary exercises of the Second Congregational Church has been received, and it would afford me very great pleasure to accept, but circumstances are such it is impossible. I can only wish for you all as happy an occasion as was the Fortieth Anni- versary which it was my great pleasure to attend.
Most sincerely, JULIA KINNEY BREARLEY.
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When the invitations to the Fiftieth Anniversary were sent out to absent members and friends, and those formerly connected with our church, a special request was made that if they could not attend the celebration, to write a letter and send it to Mr. W. A. Talcott, who had been appointed to - take charge of such letters and read them to the church. The response to this request was so general that it has made it impossible, for lack of space, to print all of the letters in this record, so only those that would be of special, general interest, have been selected, They are as follows :
PRESIDENT'S HOUSE, BELOIT COLLEGE. WOOSTER, Ohio, Nov. 3, 1899.
MY DEAR MR. TALCOTT :
. My being here to share in the inauguration of President Holden in the University of Wooster, makes it uncertain whether I can get to any of the Semi-Centennial Exercises of your church.
If 1 find that I must forego sharing in the feast of good things you spread for your friends, will you accept this expression of hearty congratu- lation on the completion of so rich a half century of church life, and on the bright hopes and possibilities of the coming years.
May the future amply realize all that the past challenges it and inspires it to be.
Very sincerely yours,
EDWARD D. EATON.
BELOIT COLLEGE, BELOIT, WISCONSIN. -
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF THE FACULTY, Oct. 31, 1899.
WM. A. TALCOTT, EsQ., Rockford :
Dear Sir : In behalf of the Faculty of Beloit College, I have the pleasure of acknowledging your invitation to them to attend the celebration of the Semi-Centennial Anniversary of the Second Congregational Church of Rockford, and to extend their greetings and congratulations on this occa- sion. The noble history of the church, its prominence in the work of Chris- tian education, and the generous support which Beloit College has received from its membership we remember with gratitude, and we rejoice to antic- ipate for the church a yet wider usefulness in the days to come.
Very truly yours,
ROBERT C. CHAPIN, Secretary of the Faculty.
PASTOR'S STUDY, DWIGHT PLACE CHURCH, NEW HAVEN, Conn., Nov. 3, 1899.
MY DEAR . MR. TALCOTT :
I sieze the opportunity while your invitation to the Fiftieth Anniversary is fresh in mind to send greetings to the church from Mrs. Leete and my- self. We have shared with you on other occasions of rejoicing, and heart-
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ily congratulate you now on the arrival of the Golden Day. Our hearts, while given to the First Church, had room for yours, and you by many atten- tions showed you had regard for us. Rockford, to me, always meant both sides of the river.
Fifty years seems a long time in the west, but here where we take breakfast with the Pilgrim Fathers and prospect in the afternoon to find the bones of Adam, such a period is hardly to be considered. " Your fifty year old fact ", as O. W. Holmes describes it, is quite uninteresting, very much like a coin just old enough to get a little dull but not used enough yet to have on the delicate ærugo which is the pride of the coin collector because it is Time's exquisite enamel.
But fifty years in the life of a church is of astonishing importance, and an event like your own is well worth the celebrating. It is worth much to connect the past and present, and most of all, as a consequence, to appre- ciate that which is our most valuable possession, and which is neither old or new.
Life is not composed of separate cycles and events. It is not compu- ted by addition or subtraction. Like your own river whose particles are blended into one continuous stream, so the present and the past are mingled and multiplied together. There is no point at which the influences of the past cease and you can say an era altogether different opens. But of all things past it is the spirit and the thought which most truly endures. To this your celebration will appeal. The glories of the past are not in large enterprises nor even in rites and institutions. These are worn away by the chafing hand of time, until we come to the thought which was entombed there, and lo ! that becomes regnant centuries after. The great moral prin- ciples and spiritual aspirations of men are indestructible, and like the ocean currents traverse all the seas. Those thoughts which have touched other minds with a gleam of light shine still on us. Persuasion of something ter- rible in sin, and something inexpressibly good in God. _ Of the absolute command of duty and the beauty of self-sacrifice. Of the possible pardon of sin and the abiding worth of love. These all reappearing in the soul and making one, all ages and all races, compel us to remember the wondrous words of Peter to the Jews, " Ye are the children of the prophets and of the covenants which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham and in thy seed shall all the kingdoms of the earth be blessed." Act 3:25.
But now I have struck a text, and if I don't stop you will suffer. You have heard me before. Our thoughts will be with you, and we congratu- late you on your excellent arrangements.
There are sad reminders in your program, and we do not need the pro- gram either to know the touch of grief at such times as these. Some of your best will come among you only in the spirit, and my brother, the great hearted Dr. Barrows, will not be there to address you. Speaking in his name, if I dare, I would ask you to sing No. 767 of " The Church Hymn- ary," to the grand tune Ella Combe, and as a preface I would say this, that
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which was worthy in the past is that which we need for the future ; the same prayerfulness, the same self-sacrifice, the same gospel of redemption. That which is worth most in our churches is that which can never change. Min- isters and deacons come and go. A new company take the bread and wine, but the Lamb is one slain from the foundation of the world and the never failing celebrant is He who first broke the bread in the upper cham- ber at Jerusalem.
May your gatherings together be in every way as a true communion of the saints. May the promises unto the faithful long ago be renewed to you, the children. In such communion while you link together the present and the past, you will also bridge the dark stream of death, and embrace both this side and that in one city and one church of God.
Sincerely yours,
WM. W. LEETE.
AURORA, Ill,, November 7, 1899.
MY DEAR MR. TALCOTT :
I regret that I cannot be present at the Semi-Centennial of your church this week. I was in hopes I might be able to do so, but the matrimonial fever has broken out here (as it has pretty generally throughout the coun- try and infected even the invincible Dewey), which will require my presence at an interesting operation for the relief of two badly lacerated hearts.
I wish, however, to express my appreciation of this courtesy in remem- bering me with an invitation to this family gathering. Among the pleasant recollections of my stay in Rockford. were the thoughtful attentions of friends in other denominations. I recall with pleasure the privilege of say- ing a few words at the fellowship meeting after your great church rose mag- ically from the ashes, when the lamented Dr. Barrows was your pastor.
And now in closing, I desire to wish your church God speed in all the years of the future, and Congregationalism itself the largest possible useful- ness, for all my ancestors on both sides of the family in Connecticut were Congregationalists, and I feel a family pride in the stock. Trusting that. this reunion may quicken the life of the church and inspire the community to loftier ideals, I remain, very sincerely yours,
JOHN NORRIS HALL, Pastor First M. E. Church.
BURLINGTON, lowa, November 2, 1899.
MY DEAR MR. TALCOTT :
In acknowledgment of the receipt of an invitation to Mrs. Sutherland and myself to the Golden Anniversary exercises of your church, permit me to express to you, and through you to your pastor, the Rev. Mr. Haskell, and other members of the committee of arrangements, our heartiest appre- ciation of the consideration thus shown us.
It is always pleasant to be remembered by old friends and acquaintan- ces, and especially so when the remembrance is associated with an event,
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as in this case, of more than ordinary or passing interest. And I can assure you that it is with the profoundest regret I have to advise you of our ina- bility to be present in person and participate in the felicitations of the occa- sion. May I not, however, ask you to convey to the membership of the church our warmest and most heartfelt congratulations on the completion of its half century of existence, crowned as it has been with such marked prosperity and uniform success. With a past so fruitful in results and abundant in blessing and a future so bright in hope this Golden Anniversary in which the members of the church and their friends are to participate, ought to be, and I doubt not, will be one of exceptional interest and pleas- ure. With warmest regards to your family,
I am ever sincerely yours,
JNO. R. SUTHERLAND.
WINDERMERE STATION, CLEVELAND, O., Nov. 4, 1899.
WM. A. TALCOTT, EsQ., Rockford, Ill. :
Dear Sir and Brother : I desire to acknowledge the receipt of a kind invitation to the Semi-Centennial of the Second Congregational Church and Society of Rockford.
It would give me the greatest pleasure to join with you in your Golden Anniversary exercises were it possible for me to do so.
I regret that other duties will keep me away at this time.
Your invitation brings vividly to my mind the warm welcome extended to us by Dr. and Mrs. Woodbury and many members of the Second Con- gregational Church when I located in Rockford fifteen years ago; and many are the pleasant memories of kind words and sympathetic greetings from those Christian friends all through the years of my residence and labors in your beautiful city. As I now recall their names and features I am reminded that many of those I first knew have passed away from the visible church to the Church Invisible. To-day there is a goodly company of those whom we once knew and loved who are absent in the Blessed Home-Land above. Not the least among those is my true friend and brother, Rev. Dr. Walter M. Barrows, your late pastor and teacher. I knew him well, and can say of him that he was a prince indeed among his breth- ren. There was never a kinder or truer heart among men than was his. His patient and faithful work will never be forgotten in Rockford as long as your beautiful fire-baptized church building shall stand.
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