USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > East Boston > History of the Central Square Baptist Church, East Boston : with the articles of faith, church covenant, and list of the members, constituted August 14, 1844 > Part 1
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974.402 3051e 1822070
VALE AISTORIC * MEGHOGY COLLECT **
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01100 8783
HISTORY
OF THE
Central Square Baptist Church, : EAST BOSTON,
WITH THE
ARTICLES OF FAITH,
CHURCH COVENANT.
AND
List of the Members.
Constituted August 14, 1844.
BOSTON : J. M. HEWES, PRINTER, 81 CORNIHILL. 1856.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
1822070
,
1:
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BOSTON. CENTRAL SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH. History of the Central square Baptist church, East Boston, with the articles of faith, church covenant, and list of the members. Constituted August 14, 1844. Boston, Hewes, 1856.
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCHI.
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THE field assigned to this Church is more honored in its historie memories than in its name. From the early days of Colonial history, Noddle's Island was a refuge for the oppressed. Here the eccentric but humane Maverick opened his hospitable door to give shelter to such as he thought had unjustly fallen under the displeasure of the resolute magistrates of Boston .* Here nearly a genera- tion later, the little band of Baptists, who laid the founda- of the first Church of our faith in this city, obtained a , quiet retreat from the interference of the civil authori- ties, and on the Sabbath made a sanctuary of the house of Mr. Gould, then the only resident upon the island. Nearly two hundred years thereafter, and the number of habitations had not increased. The population first began to multiply in A. D. 1832, when the East Boston Com- pany commenced its operations; since which time num- bers and wealth have continued rapidly to accumulate. The date of the commencement of this Society is eleven
* The Episcopalian Maverick of East Boston was in 1635 forbidden " to entertain strangers," Jest they should be of a hereticul turn.
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCHI.
years later, when the population had grown to about four thousand, and when religious societies, viz. the Maverick, Universalist, Methodist Episcopal and Roman Catholic, had planted themselves here and struck their roots into this virgin soil. Twelve years have passed, and we have now a population of more than seventeen thousand in- habitants, nine religious societies, and a rapidly increasing population.
The first measures taken to form a church was carly in the summer of 1843, when an inquiry was started by a brother Nason which led to a careful investigation into the number of persons belonging to Baptist churches in various places residing here, from which it was ascertained that there were not fewer than forty Baptist members. Denied the privileges which they had enjoyed at their spiritual homes, they naturally and mutually sought com- munion with one another, held social meetings in their private dwellings, and united in a hearty fellowship, the memory of which has not yet lost its fragrance. These private privileges created a desire for those more public. An offer of a Hall for publie worship, made by . the East Boston Wharf Company, was accepted, and fitted for the use of a congregation in Oct. 1843, just in season for the performance of the funeral rites of the ex- cellent brother Nason, in whose house the first meeting had been held.
Before entering upon an undertaking involving so great a responsibility, and one to which the brethren felt themselves unequal, a committee of brethren here was chosen to meet a committee of brethren from the city churches, to consider the propriety of an attempt to estab- lish Baptist preaching here. The answer of the churches
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
by their Committee was dated Sept. 2, 1813, and reads thus :-
" Foted, that we recommend to the brethren in East Boston to go forward in their undertaking to establish a Baptist interest in that place ; it being understood, how- ever, that this committee do not hereby pledge the several churches to which they belong to any pecuniary aid in the enterprise."
Some at the time were fearful that we should subtract unduly from the strength of the churches on the other side ; but it was the very general opinion that a church was needed here, and ought to be formed without delay. Looking back upon our natal hour, it is pleasant to re- member that we were not born in a tempest of unfraternal dissensions, nor cradled in the lap of luxury, nor dandled upon the fostering knee of any mother church ; but that the call of God was distinet for us to commence and come into a peaceable possession, and that necessity taught us the true wisdom of' going alone as soon as we were able, and even when in consequence of weakness we were compelled to stagger a little.
Public services were immediately commeneed, and Rev. Hiram A. Graves, then Editor of the Christian Re- flector, was engaged to supply the pulpit one year. Measures were taken to form a church, and early in the next summer the names of those proposing to unite in the formation were obtained. Articles of Faith and a Cove- nant were adopted Ang. 14, 1844, and Nichols Litchfield and Renssalaer Barker, elected deacons. A Council composed of brethren from seven of the churches in the city, the church in Chelsea, Cambridgeport and Hingham,
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
met Nov. 7, of the same year ; and after the usual exami- nation voted to proceed to a recognition.
The services upon that occasion were conducted as follows :- Reading of the Scriptures by Rev. J. W. Ohn- stead, of Chelsea ; Prayer by Rev. J. W. Parker, of Cam- bridgeport ; Sermon by Rev. Baron Stow, of Baldwin Place ; Prayer of Recognition by Rev. William Hague, of Federal st. ; Right Hand of Fellowship by Rev. Rollin II. Neale, of First Church ; Charge by Rev. Robert Turn- bull, of Harvard st .; Prayer by Rev. Sereno Ilowe, of Ilingham.
The church was now fairly established. The onerous duties and feeble health of Mr. Graves, forbade the con- tinuance of his labors beyond the term of his engagement ; and he found a convenient and satisfactory way of release by introducing his venerated father, who received an in- vitation to settle as the pastor of this church at a meeting held Oet. 25, 1844.
This was shortly after accepted. While a cheerful and animating prospeet was opening before the church, a sud- den xcalamity overtook us .. The Hall which had been fitted up with great care, and at an expense of nearly $600, took fire very early in the morning of Jan. 14, 1845, and with every thing in it was burned to the ground, making a total loss to the Society. " Cast down, but not destroyed," the next Sabbath found us worshiping in the Maverick Hall, where we sojourned during four brief months, and then in consequence of the demolition of the building, we were compelled again to remove. The truly eatholie Maverick Society afforded us a convenient place of worship for three months longer, until a new
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
Hall was erected on the former site, and into which we entered, tenants without an abiding place.
Ever since we have looked back upon that as a golden opportunity for building ; but the pecuniary feebleness of the Society hindered the effort, and the sympathy awakened by our misfortunes evanesced without affording us a substantial profit.
The external growth of the church had hitherto de- pended upon accessions from other churches, but in the winter and spring of 1847, a time of spiritual refreshing was enjoyed, and about thirty were added unto the church from the world. After a probation of nine years, the genuineness of the greater portion of those conversions is attested by the sincere and Christian lives of the con- verts.
While the church was in its prosperity, there was given to it that " thorn in the flesh " of all the churches-the , removal of the pastor. After a ministry of three years Mr. Graves handed in his resignation of the pastorate, June 7, 1847. Because he had decided that it was his duty to remove, the church, with great reluctance, con- sented, and he went to Methuen, carrying with him the affection of the church, and the respect of the community in this part of the city.
Then succeeded the unpleasant experience of a shep- herdless flock extending through six months, but which was finally terminated by extending an invitation to Rev. Miles Sanford, recently of Chicago, III., to become pastor. He accepted, and the services of his installation were held Dec. 26, 1847, when Rev. T. F. Caldicott preached the sermon, Rev. R. H. Neale gave the hand of fellowship, Rev. J. Blain charged the candidate, Rev. N. Colver the
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCHI.
church, and Rev. J. Banvard offered the prayer of in- stallation.
The current of history runs smoothly along through the next two years, with no other marked ocenrrence than the now familiar one of change; reminding the church perpetually of its homeless condition. The ne- cessity of leaving the Hall in 1819 set the church to ne- gociating for a building which might serve as a permanent place of worship. The result of all the deliberations was the removal to a new chapel, more commodious, and fin- ished with special reference to the wants of the church and society. The Winthrop Block in which the church worshipped gave it a name by which it was known for more than two years. At the dedication of this new chapel Ang. 19th, 1849, Rev. H. A. Graves preached his last sermon to this people. Long an unwilling exile from his loved country in consequence of ill health, he re- turned from Jamaica in hope of continuing in this vicini- ty. Ilis fond hope was disappointed. Again he re- treated from the rigors of our climate, tarried a few months away, and despairing. of life, returned home the next summer to die. His strength gradually declined until Nov. 3d, 1850, when in a firm hope of a blessed immortality he peacefully expired at the house of his father, at Bristol, R. I. ITis sepulchre is now with us in the beautiful shades of the Woodlawn Cemetery.
The experiment of the " free seat " system had been made before the last removal, but the success did not equal the expectations formed of it, and on entering the new chapel it was abandoned and the customary method of renting pews resumed. Under encouraging prospects the Society moved onward, prospering in the enlarged
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
accommodations and in the hearty confidence existing be- tween pastor and people. A year more filled up its eir- cuit, and then came the repetition of the former trial. Mr. Sanford handed in his resignation in Jan. 1851, not because he had become disaffected towards them, but as the record says, "expressing and cherishing a good feel- ing towards the church and society." He accepted an invitation which had been presented to him by the church in Gloucester, and his labors closed with ns in January, 1851.
The removal of Mr. Sanford chilled somewhat the expectations of the society. The usual effects of the destitution of a pastor followed, prostrating the energies, and scattering the members of the congregation. After an interval of five months, our present pastor, Rev. James N. Sykes, then of Chelsea, accepted an invitation to settle with us, and commenced his labors the first of July, 1851.
The dearth which had sadly afflicted many of the churches for several years, was in the Spring of 1852 gladdened with refreshing showers. Our loved Zion shared in the very general favor. Souls were quickened into life, and the Lord added to the church a number who, we trust, will be found among the blessed.
The long felt want of proper accommodations for social meetings and for the Sabbath school, the embarrassment arising from the necessity of paying annually a large rent, and the serious reluctance of strangers coming into our neighborhood to identify themselves with a Society own- ing no place of worship, united in one plea to persuade to a revival of the enterprise of building. The subject was brought before the Society in a meeting held April
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
6, 1852, and it was there decided that an effort should be made. There seemed to be no other alternative than either to build or to yield to the discouragements and dis- solve the Society. There were too many pleasant associa- tions connected with the past and too strong a conviction of the importance of the fieldl, to yield submissively to the last ; and there seemed to be wanting the pecuniary ability requisite for so important and onerous an under- taking. No place, adequate to the accommodation of the Society, could be discovered which did not involve so great an outlay as to place it quite beyond their power to attempt it.
During two years succeeding, the subject was in almost constant agitation ; subscriptions were raised, and with entire unanimity the site was agreed upon, and the purchase of the lot we now ocenpy was effected. By a special aet of incorporation, the name was changed to that of the Central Square Baptist Society, adapting it to the new location. At length, in the Spring of 1854, the prospects brightened. The subscription was brought up to about $16.000, and the liberal offers of an individual to furnish a loan for the remainder of the cost, induced the Society to adopt a plan and conclude the contract for building ; and early in the spring, the Committee ap- pointed to superintend the building were instructed to commence the work. Services were held at the laying of the corner stone in May ; an address was delivered by the Pastor, and prayer was offered by Rev. J. M. Graves ; with the usual ceremony of depositing documents relat- ing to the Society and the city government. The work proceeded rapidly, and in September we were permitted to enter and oceupy the basement, animated with the
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
pleasant feeling that we had at last arrived at a home. Since the preceding April, the Society, being under the necessity of vacating the chapel which they had occupied for more than four years, had worshipped in the house of the Maverick, now a second time they having presented us with liberal offers of accommodation and granted them gratuitously.
Among the pleasant reminiscences of that period we place these tokens of Christian courtesy, which in addi- tion to that which we improved, were extended to us by the Meridian St. Methodist, and the Unitarian Societies. During this period of changes which often prove disas- trous, the congregation generally remained united, and with cheerful unanimity endured the inconveniences and sustained the responsibilities.
Owing to an unusual and unexpected pressure in the business community, the resources on which the Society had placed reliance were cut off, and this awhile threat- ened serious embarrassments in the autumn of this year. But the resolute zeal of a few individuals met the crisis, and the work went on without the least interruption, un- til in the early part of the ensuing April the work was completed.
The house was publicly dedicated to the worship of God April 4, 1855. On that occasion the Church were gratified with this unusual sight :- All who had served them as pastors since the formation of the church, were present, and by them the services of the dedication were principally performed. They saw the consummation of what they had long and devoutly wished.
The house is built in the Lombardie style of architec- ture-having its tower apart altogether from the main
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
building, but connected with it by a circular lean-to and surmounted by a spire rising one hundred and fifty feet above the level of the pavement. Its dimensions are, in the extreme length, 108 feet; width, fifty-five feet ; main building, seventy-eight feet. It contains one hundred and eighteen pews, and in all its arrangements is chaste, convenient, and in all respects well adapted to the wants of the Church and Society. The entire cost of the land, building and furniture, is about twenty-eight thousand dollars.
Very soon after the dedication of the house, the seal of divine approbation seemed to be laid upon these labors, and an interesting revival of religion commeneed. The minds of the entire congregation seemed to be penetrated with a quiet but powerful influence, and week after week witnessed the hopeful conversion of a very interesting portion of the congregation, thirty-five of whom were added to the Church by baptism.
With these advantages the Society has gone along prospering, gaining in numbers and mutual attachment, and readily and heartily cooperating in whatever de- mands are made upon it. The want of a respectable and convenient place for garnering the sacred dust of our dead has just been supplied at an expense of several hundred dollars, and a beautiful lot been purchased and neatly enclosed with an iron fence in the Woodlawn Cemetery.
The Sabbath School has steadily prospered and in- ereased until it now numbers something over three hun- dred and fifty members, and is supplied with an efficient Board of Officers and faithful Teachers.
T
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
GENERAL REVIEW.
Few words will suffice respecting our general aim and conduct this far. We have endeavored to retain our allegiance to Christ ; knowing no Master but Him, and persuaded that the true position of the disciple is that in which he refuses " to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do less or more"; trusting in his merits alone as the con- dition of pardon, and striving to obtain from his fulness the life of the soul ; and expecting the day when a second time he will appear without sin unto salvation.
Up to the present time we have lived in peace among ourselves and with our neighbors. By mutual concession and by a charitable construction each of the other's acts, we have kept free from intestine broils, and have proved that it is both good and pleasant for " brethren to dwell in unity."
Decided as we always have been in our convictions of truth, and feeling bound to maintain " the faith once de- livered to the saints," we have never been involved in quarrels with others of the great household of faith, being persuaded that " the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." Nor have they ever eneroached upon our religious rights, or done aught to disturb the harmony of good neighborhood. On the contrary, when necessity has pressed heavily upon us, when discourage- ment hung over our prospects, they have come forward not only with words of cheer, but, proving the genuine- ness and sincerity of their words, they have translated them into substantial aets of kindness. For the see- ond time we have enjoyed the hospitality of the Mav- erick Church and Society, and have had presented to us
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HISTORY OF THE CHURCHI.
the same liberal offer of accommodation by three other churches and societies. We propose to continue this friendly religious commerce not by abdicating our convic- tions, but by courteousness to them ; by being as tender of the rights of their consciences and as respectful to- wards their notions of duty, as we are earnest in our own hearts and decided in our own minds. We shall not de- plore it, if, looking upon you from the abodes of the happy, we may witness among you the fulfilment of the Saviour's prayer, already long delayed :- " THAT THEY MAY BE ONE EVEN AS WE ARE ONE."
In view of our past history, we are encouraged to offer the prayer, "Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children, and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us ; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us ; yea, the work of our hands estab- lish thou it."
SUMMARY OF DOCTRINES.
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IT having pleased the great Head of the Church to give us that favor with the people which has obtained for us not only a name among the churches of Christ around ns but also a place in the community, and granted to us a convenient house of worship under circumstances peculiarly pleasing and with evident tokens of the propitions smiles of our Lord and Mas- ter, we have felt it an incumbent duty to declare our Covenant and Christian Fellowship as a body of Christ and bearing the name of the CENTRAL SQUARE BAPTIST CHURCH. With the heart man believeth unto righteousness : so with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. We therefore declare what we believe to be an outline of the true Christian doctrine.
I. We believe that the Holy Bible is a book composed by men who acted under supernatural inspiration; that it is a perfect standard of faith and guide of Christian conduct, and therefore the authoritative judge in all questions of religious doctrine.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son. Heb. i. 1, 2. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly for- nished unto all good works. 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. For the prophecy came
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SUMMARY OF DOCTRINES.
not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Pet. 1. 21. Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you ; searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testi- tied beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should fol- low. I Pet. i. 10, 11. Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David, spake be- fonte concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. Acts i. 16.
II. That there is only one living and true God, infinite in every natural and moral excellence ; and that He has revealed himself as the Father, and the Son, (or the Word, ) and the Holy Ghost,-the same in respect to divine essence, whatever distinction there may be in some respects,-and supremely worthy to be loved and revered, obeyed, confided in und praised.
Hear, O Israel ; the Lord our God is one Lord. Deut. vi. 4. He is the Rock, his work is perfect ; for all his ways are judgment ; a God of truth and without iniquity, just and night is he. Deut. xxvii. 4. The Lord God merciful and gracious, long suffering and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty. Ex. xxxiv. 6, 7. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Cluist Jesus. 1 Tim. xi 5. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him ; and without him was not anything made that was made. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld huis glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Jno. i. 1-3, 14. I and my Father are one. Jno. x. 30. That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son, honoreth not the Father which hath sent him. Jno. v. 23. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matt. xxviii, 19. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost ; and these three are one. 1 Jno. v. 7.
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SUMMARY OF DOCTRINES.
III. That man was created holy, but, by wilfully violating the law of his Maker, he fell from that state : in consequence of this by nature, there is in him no holiness ; we are all in- clined to evil ; and, in that all have sinned, all are " children of wrath," justly exposed to death and other evils, temporal, spiritual and eternal.
And God said let us make man in our image after our likeness. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them. Gen. i. 26, 27. Of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat, for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Gen. ii. 17. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. Gen. iii. 6, 7. Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned ; by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation. Rom. v. 12, 18. The whole head is sick and the whole heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it ; but wounds and bruises and putrefy ing sores. Is. i. 5, 6. What then ? are we better than they ? No, in no wise; for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin ; as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one ; there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable ; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit ; the poison of asps is under their lips ; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood. Destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace have they not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes. Rom. iii. 9-18. And you bath he quickened, who were dead in tres- passes and sins ; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience ; among whom also we all had our conversation in tunes past in the lusts of our tlesh, ful- filling the desires of the flesh and of the mind ; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Eph. xi. 1-3.
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