USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Brimfield > Brimfield Congregational Church Records - Vol. VII 1930-1947 > Part 2
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It was voted that the money collected through the envelope system be distributed between home expenses and benevolences as it has been done in the past, and that the money for the Home expenses be turned over to the Parish Treasurer. It was voted to take up a collection to defray the expenses of the supper which had been prepared by the Ladies. The collectiontaken Upon motion of Mr. Williams. Spooner it was voted to ask Mr. Randolph H. Will to continue as our pastor for an indefinite time and that the Parish be asked to concur with us in the matter.
Motion: Voted that the moderator appoint a committee of three to draw upresolutions upon the death of Deacon Edward H. Davenport. The following committee was named! Dea. Wallace S. Moore, Dea. Clarence D. Brown and Gladys H. Campbell, Motion. Upon motion of Miss M. Anna Tar bell it was voted that the following resolutions as read, be accepted by the Church and sent to Mrs. Lillian Brown and that a copy of them be spread upon the Church records: Resolved; that the church deeply regrets the circumstances and misunderstandings that caused the letter of Mrs. Lillian M. Brown asking for with dra wal from church membership.
Resolved; thatin evidence of its present attitude, the church hereby extends to Mrs. Brown a vote of confidence, with an expression of regret for the acceptance of the letter at the meeting held March, 19, 1927. Resolved that these resolutions be spread upon the records, and a copy be sent to Mrs. Brown with the expression of the desire for her fellowship and membership in this church.
Infecting adjourned Respectfully submitte de Lila dys H. Campbell, Click.
motion:
motion:
Motion
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Copy of the (If the annual meeting of the church held resolutions Jan. 2, 1931, it was voted to adopt the following sent to family resolutions and send them to the members of of Deacon Deacon Edward H. Davenport' family Edward H Davenport.
Where as It hath pleased our Heavenly Father to call home to Himself one who was for many years a very faithful and devoted member of our church, be it Resolved, That we, the Congregational Church of Bre infield express to the family of Deacon Edward H. Davenport, our sympathy for the loss of their father, and be it further Resolved, That we thank God for his life and that we express our appreciation of his work by sending these resolutions to his family and by spreading them - upon the records of the church. Committee (Dea. W. S. Moore.
D'ésolutions Dea. C. B. Brown Gladys H. Campbell
(special meeting of the church. Outin I called by the pastor, Mr. Hill, was held after # the morning service, Sunday, March 1, 1931. Feb. 2,1931 Themeeting was presided over by the pastor. The meeting was called to consider action concerning a letter which The. Hill had received from Rev. John W. Lewis, pastor of the Union Church in Springfield, in behalf of Mrs. Constance Elder Thompson who desired a church letter from the Brimfield Churchin order that she might join the Union Churchion Sunday, March 5, 1931.
In the absence of the clock, miss Tarbell was appointed secretary, protem. Un motion of Meacon Clarence /2. Brown it was voted that the rules of the church be suspended and that the request be granted. otid to adjourn. Mary Annax Tarbell, Sich ProTem.
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Meeting Meeting called at the close of the morning service April26,1931. by our pastor, Mr. Hill. Prayer was offered. Delegates, for the 81 st annual meeting of Hampden association to be held at South Hadley Mas. on May 6th 1931, were appointed as follows: "Mr. William A. Spooner, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wheeler and Clarence B. Brown.
Upon the recommendation of the Standing Committee it was voted upon motion of Miss anna Tarbell that the clerk be authorized to send out letters of invitation to the churches of the Hampden County Association to attend an Ecclesiastical Council at Brimfield on May 25th , 1931, for the purpose of examining our candidate, Mr. Will, and if found expedient to proceed to his ordination. Motion made that the rules relative to weeks notice be suspended to legalize this meeting meeting adjourned Gladys H. Campbell, Clerk. May 3, 19 31. Meeting called at the close of the morning service. Thayer was offered by Mr. Hill, who presided. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wheeler, who had been appointed as delegates to the 81st annual meeting asked to have substitutes appointed for their places, as they were uncertain of attending. Therefore Mr.& Mrs. Wallace Moore were appointed. aletter of invitationwas read from the North Cong Church of Springfield Mass. to be present by pastor and delegate at an ecclesiastica council for the purpose ofinstalling Mr. Deck as pastor on Friday, May 15,1931. Mr. Wallace Q. Moore was appointed as our delegate. a second letter of invitation was read from the First Cong Church at Ludlow, to attend another ecclesiastical council meeting there for the purpose of Ilasmining Mr. Lynx townsend and to ordinate + install him, on Thursday, May 21 + 1931. Fr. William
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Spooner was appointed as our delegate. Mr. Clarence B. Brown was appointed as our delegate to the State Conf. of Cong Churches to be held at New Bedford on May 18,19, +20, 1931. meeting adjourned Gladys H. Campbell, Clerk.
invitation
Copy of The Congregational Church of Brimfield letter of To the Congregation al Church of Feeding Hills, Greetings. This church having sought Divine "Hay 4,1931. quid ance, has been led to the choice of Mr. Randolph Hooker Will as it's pastor and teacher, and he has accepted our call.
He therefore, request you to be present by pastor and delegate at an ecclesiastical council in our house of worship on Monday May 25 at 3: 45 o'clock in the afternoon, to examine the candidate and if found expedient to proceed to his ordination and recognition as pastor and to extend to him the fellowship of the churches.
Wishing you grace, mercy, and peace, we are,
Fraternally yours, Clarence B. Brown Wallace D. Moore Standing Charles H. Wheeler Committee Frederick Bissell Gladys H. Campbell, Clerk. The church will recognize as a quorum the presence of pastors and dele gates in atten dance.
The other churchesinvited arc
Lot of the churches invited.
Agawam, First Blandford, First
Chicopee, Third
, Second
East Longmeadow Granville, East, Centre West,
Brimfield, East Chester, First Second
Hampden
Holyoke, First 11 Second
Chicopee , First Falls
Grace
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Churches invited =cont. Huntington, Second Longmeadow Ludlow, First , Union
Springfield, Hope 11 , Emmanuel
11 Park 1 St. John's 11 , Faith 11
Monson Palmer, Thorndike " , Second , Three Rivers =
Sourn Hadley Falls
South wick
Westfield, First
Springfield, First
Second West Springfield, First Mittineague
11 , South , , North
" , Indian Orchard Wilbraham ,
, Memorial "1 North
Other churches or persons outside of Hampden County association. Brighton Cong. Church, Boston, Mass. First Parish Church of Danvers, Mass.
United Church, Three Rivers, Mass.
Baptist Church, Wales, Mass.
Rev. Ralph M. Barker, Gloucester, Mass.
Rev. Arthur S. Thurber, Norwood, R. I.
Rev. N. K. Khachatourian, Providence, R.I.
Rev. Dr. William Allen Knight, Framingham, Mass. Rev. Wm. A. Estabrook, Thetford, Vermont.
meeting
Meeting called at the close of the May 10,1931. morning service by Mr. Will. ( Prayer was offered.
The purpose of the meeting was to see if the church body would empower the Standing Committee to appoint the various committees as required forthe arrangement and carrying on of the work for the Ecclesiastical Council which is to be held May 25 th Such a motion was made and carried motionsmade by Mr. Clarence Brown tosuspend the rules relative to a weeks"
East 7 Wachaque
Tolland
11
Union
notice to legalize this meeting. meeting adjourned. Gladys H. Campbell, Clerk.
a copy of Sursuant to letters missive issued by the the records First Congregational Church of Brimfield, Mass, of the and bearing date of May 5, 1931, an ecclesiastical Examination council convened in the house of worship Ordination of said church at 3:45 S.m. on Monday Randolph it Will May 25, 1931, to examine Randolph Hooker Hill and, if deemed advisable, to ordain him to the Christian ministry and to recognize him as pastor of said church.
The letter-missive was read by Rev. R. P. Morson of Palmer. Rev William Hanley was elected scribe. a quorum being present, Rev. Edward Upson Cowles of Westfield was elected moderator. He constituted the council with prayer. The roll call was responded to as follows :- Church Pastal Delegate
Brimfield, East F. J. Dark Mrs. E. G. Clark
Chicopee , First R. B. Simmons
East Longmeadow
E. M. Ross
F. A. Wheeler
Hampden F. W. Tholen
Holyoke, Grace
Ludlow, First " , Union
Manson Palmer, Thorndike
" Second
, Three Rivers
R. E. REED
Theodore Bachelor
Springfield, North
H. H. Deck
=
, Indiin Orchard
H. Lichmann
Miss Alice Shepherd Wallace Spaulding H. G. Douglas
, Emmanuel , Faith =
C. A. MªKay
Westfield, First E. W. Cowlc.s
G. E. Pratt
" Second West Springfield, First H.L. Oldfield
W. E. Bart Lett Mrs. H. T. Smith A. L. Stewart
Mittineaque W. T. Aiken
Mrs. L. G. Ford Mrs. W. M. Fuller
H. F. Burdon William Nelson S. F. Blomfield Alva Walker
R. S. Guptil
R. R. Morson
Thomas Wallace D. M. Bodfish K. C. NEWEll
South Hadley Falls
L. P. Townsend
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Church Wilbraham
Pastor H.W. Orr
Delegate C. E . Merrick Rev. C.S. Wilder 1 North William Ganley
Brighton
W. S. Anthony Paul Hill
Danvers, First Paul Mayer Fred Nowers Rev. Frederick E. Emrich- Boston, Massachusetts Rev. N. K. Khachatourian, Providence, Rhode Island Rev. Arthur S. Thurber, Norwood, Rhode Island The records of the church were read by H. S. Spooner, The records of the Society were read by its clerk, Fred n. Lawrence! Theserecords supplemented by statements of members of the church and the candidate certified to the call of the council, to the invitation of the church to the candidate to become its pastor, and to his acceptance of the call These records were by vote declared satisfactory. The candidate then presented a verbal statement of his graduation from Gordon Bible College, and yale Theological School and certificates of church, membership and licensure to preach. These were accepted as satisfactory.
He the wiread a paper setting forth his doctrinal beliefs to which he added a fewwords, concerning his religious background and experience. Of its conclusion the roll, was called for furtherexamination of the candidate. at the conclusion of the lamination it was voted that the e laminationitis. arrested and that the council beby itself. The council being by itself it was moved that the examination te sustained and that the council proceed to ordain the candidate; and to recognize him as pastor of the church. It was also voted that the complete roll be called and that all Congregational pastor's. delegates, and invited individuale be
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entitled to vote the roll was then called and vote taken by individual expression. At the conclusion of the roll call the moderator declared the examination to be unanimously sustained.
I was voted that a committee) beappointed to notify the candidate of the results of the council and to arrange with him for the public service of ordination and recognition). Rev. P. R. Marson, Rev. U. M . Ray, Jev . M. Poss were appointed such a committee. The committee, returning reported the following Order of Service which was accepted. Order of the Service Organ Prelude Credo from St. Patrick's Mass Thomas De la Hache Hymn
O God, beneath the guiding hand, Our exiled fathers crossed the sea; And when they trod the wintry strand, With prayer and psalm they worshipped thee .
Thou heard'st , well pleased , the song , the prayer : Thy blessing came; and still its power Shall onward , through all ages, bear The memory of that holy hour.
Laws , freedom , truth , and faith in God Came with those exiles der the waves; And where their pilgrim feet have trod, The God they trusted guards their graves.
And here Thy name , O God of love , Their children's children shall adore, Till these eternal hills remove, And spring adorns the earth no more. Amen. - Leonard Bacon Moderator's Statement and Minutes of the Scribe of the Council Prayer of Invocation The Reverend Ralph Maurice Barker. Anthem by the Choir- O, Sing unto the Lord a New Song - Adams.
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Old Testament Scripture Lesson The Reverend Arthur Shepherd Thurber Solo - How Beautiful Upon the Mountains - F. Flaxington Harker New Testament Scripture Lesson - The Rev. Nushan K. Khachatourian Sermon Rev. Dr. Luther Allen Weigle
Prayer of Ordination Rev. Dr. Frederick E. Emrich Right Hand of Fellowship The Rev. Edward Upson Cowles Hymn
God of the prophets ! bless the prophets'sons ; Elijah's mantle d'er Elisha cast;
Each age its solemn task may claim but once; Make each a nobler, stronger than the last !
Anoint them prophets ! Make their cars attent To The divinest speech ; their hearts awake To human need ; their lips make eloquent To assure the right , and every evil break.
Anoint them priests! Strong intercessors they For pardon , and for charity and peace ! Ah , if with them the world might pass, astray, Into the dear Christ's life of sacrifice!
Make them apostles ! Heralds of Thy cross; Forth may they go to tell all realms Thy grace; Inspired of Thee, may they count all but loss, And stand at last with joy before The face.
O mighty age of prophet-kings, return! Otruth, faith, enrich our urgent time! Lord Jesus Christ, again with us sojourn; A weary world awaits Thy reign sublime ! Amen . Denis Wortman. The Reverend Silas Whitman Anthony
The Charge to the Pastor The Charge to the People Reverend Dr. Frederick Harlan Page Hymn Hark hark, my soul! angelic songs are swelling O'er earth's green fields and ocean's wave-beat shore ; How sweet the truth those blessed strains are telling Of that new life when sin shall be no more! Angeli of Jesus, angels of light Singing to welcome the pilgrims of the night!
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Far, far away, like bells at evening pealing, The voice of Jesus sounds der land and sea , And laden souls by thousands weekly stealing. Kind Shepherd, turn their weary steps to thee.
Onward we go, for still we hear them singing, Come , weary souls , for Jesus bids you come ; And through the dark, it's echoes sweetly ringing, The music of the gospel leads us home.
Angels, sing on your faithful watches keeping: Sing us sweet fragments of the songs above: Till morning's joy shall end the night of weeping, And life's long shadows break in cloudless love. Amen. - Frederick W. Faber.
Silent Prayer (Congregation Seated) Benediction Organ Postlude Priest's March from Athalia Mendelssohn
If e minutes of the ou at were then read and altroved.
it was noted that at the con fusion of the warning itEnige the moderator. declare the council dissolved. Noted that the scribe complet. the minutes and deliver copies to the candidate, to the church, and the Congregational Library in Boston.
Voted, to take recess until eight o'clock this evening The council convened at eight o'clock, and conducted the public service of ordination and recognition in accordance with the foregoing program. at its close the moderator declared Randolph Hooker Hill to be duty ordained as a Christian minister and recognized as pastor of the Brimfield Congregational Church; after which the council dissolved.
Edward Upson Cowles- Moderator William Ganley, Scribe.
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I certify that the foregoing report is a true copy of the minutes of this meeting Gladys It. Campbell, Clerk.
Brimfield, mass. To the Members of the Congregational Church and Mariah at larger; Greetings, my friends: God has been very gracious to me in coming to know and love you all. His Spirit has been with us - not in any display; but in the quiet way of our inner life and in those bonds of service that unite us to the Kingdom of Heaven.
I pray that the Good Will may ever bear its fine fruit in our community life. may the Christ purpose lengthen the cards and strengthen the stakes and bring us all nearer the Divinity that brought us forth and assures our immortality Let us be neight us and friends in our love for God.
I am your pastor and friend, Randolph Hooker Will Upon my Ordination by and in the Brimfield Congregational Church. may 25th , 1931.
Meeting Meeting called to order by Deacon aug 16,1931, Clarence K Brown at the close of the morning services. Since during our pastor's vacation .we have had the gener ous support of the Springfield Boy Scouts and Boys Club Rev. George H. Cummings of Warren ( who willingly substituted upon short notice, the last Sunday that the Boys" Scouts had charge) and Rer Franklin a. Gaylord; it was noted
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that the Clerk be authorized to send these organizations and individuals a vote of thanks from the church for their services. The clerk read a letter from My Hill in which he tendered his resignation as pastor of our church to take place October 1, 1931. 1 pors, motion of Mr. William.S. Spooner,etwas voted to lay the matter over for, onessurek at which-time the church will take necessary action. Noted to adjourn for one week. Respectfully submitted Gladys H. Campbell, Clerk.
Letter of To the Congregational Church and resignation Brimfield, Massachusetts of Rent A Well Dearly beloved friends.
Is sometimes becomes necessary, in the course of human events, to terminate ties and associations of the most heartfelt nature. When I first settled amongst you it was with the ambitious purpose to pursue further a form of study which would lead to a higher academic degree, and the opportunity presents itself this fall. Consequently I am asking you to accept a severance of our relationship as church and pastor on October 1 1 1931. I only regret that I cannot continue inthese trying times, with a people, i whom I have Come to love, who have shown a receptivity to progress high purpose and sterling and effective devotion and grace and charity in the religious life. Protestantism needs as never before faith fulness, sound thinking and united purpose sif a Christian Commonwealth is ever to be builded in this land, or throughout the world
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The challenge comes to us to keep the Light of Christ burn in our hearts that it may burn in all, hearts. What a task is ours in this changing and historic New England and materialistic era! It should gird you for the task with a resolute front and an unfailing courage that can only come by the power of God.
go on to berlin - a great Congregational College in Olivo-in preparation for the fulfillment of an + early ideal foreign service! I need your prayers as you shall always have mine; from the bottom of my heart." Keep the heartwith all diligence for out" of it are the issues of life and remember that the heart of the churchis loving service and charity and good will toward all mankind May God prosper you and keep you and give each and every one of you His peace. Randolph H. Hill Brimfield Inn. August 15, 1931.
Meeting
Meeting called at the close of the Sig. 23,1931, church service and presided over by Deacon Clarence B. Brown.
Mr. Hill's letter of resignation was reread by the Clerk.
It was voted unanimously upon motion of Mr. William D. Spooner, that although we realize that the church and community will sustain a loss in his departir , we accede to the request of our pastor Rev. Randolph If. Hill that our relationship as church and pastor be dissolved on October first; for we recognize that the carrying out of his purpose of further study and
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preparation for his future work will lead to his enlarged usefulness.
It was voted upon motion of Miss M. Inna Tarbell that we express. to mr. Hill nur recognition of his constant presentation i whis preaching of the truth that the spirit of Jesus must prevail in the hearts of men and in world relations in as der that the Kingdom of God may come; of his work with the young people; of his sympathetic ministrations to the afflicted and distressed; also that we express our appreciation of his contribution to worship through his assistance in the installation of our organ and the beautifying of our place of worship,- all with the assurance that he has our heartfelt good wishes and ur prayers!
It was voted to suspend the rules relative to a two weeks notice of the meeting to legalize said, willing meeting adjourned Gladys H. Campbell Clerk
Meeting Il letterwas Load fromthe First Dugig 131 Church of Christ at Longmeadow Dass. requesting that we be present by Pastor and delegat in an Ecclesiastical Council to be held on Tuesday Sept. 8 th , 931 at 4.00 o'clock p. m. to act on the resignation of Rer. Randolph tea man Merrill as their pastor. Noted that Gladys H. Campbell be appointed the delegatesto act with the Pastor, Mr. Hill
Gladys H. Campbell, Clerk.
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Ir peste- q meeting was hed at the close of Och 41931. the morning service with Sea. Clarence Brownas presiding offices. Il tter, 1 vi + r a d bi cy the clark, from Mer: dethier Corell the Seat of the Var q Kidd. of "Pastoral Supply. It was voted to ask the clerk to write to Mr. Covell and invite him to come to our church on Sunday Och. 11th, 1931 ar & preach for us andthen to confer with the Standing committee with relation to the applications, which we have received for pastor,. Net wash, voted by the church that we a bide by his recommendations and hear some of the candidates as he may suggest. Motiontto adjourn. Glades H. Campbell, Clerk.
Meeting (special meeting was held at nov. 2 1931 the close of the, marin q service Sunday Viov. 22,1931. Mr. Clarenie Brown presided an de plaired. thatthestandingcommittee was awriter questionof topchaschurch upon the candidates already heard. (Afterson e discussion Mr. Apro ne s'madera motionthat the churchwas notyetready to vote. uponthe question of a pastore Ale motion tivas, not seconded and later was with drawn. The members discussed the f a c h t h a t the year book, q i v e r the salary paid by our church as $1500 whichis very inviting tothor? looking to a new field. However, as the church is at present in debt and having a struggle to keep along current expenses it was generally agreed that we should offer a salary of not
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more than1200 plus the personal I was voted that the click be. ist usted to write to Mr. Conell, the Lech of the Long Pastoral Supply and to state the case to himand ask him ifany of the candidates whom we Ha we heard would be willing to comme tous for thatamount or less. A letter roas read by the clerk from the Hope Cong Church of Springfield, Mass. inviting us to be presently pastor and delete at an Ecclesiastical Council to be held there 0-22% Mon. Nov. 30, 1931 at 4 o'clock p. m. for the i vistallation of their pastor Jev. Dr. Alfred Grant Walton! Mes Gladys Campbell was appointed as delegate.
(second letter of invitation) wasread from the feeding Hills Conz Church and the Feeding Hills Conq Society in Agawam Mass. invitingus to be present by factor. and delegate a ban Ecclesiastical Council to be held at their house af worship Wed Dec. 9,1931 at Haclock p. m. for an ordination viccand recognition of their, pastor ( arnault B. Jackson. Hiv. William S. Spooner was aprinted delegate.
The meeting was adjourned until called again by the standing committee after the information is received from Mr. Covell. The Suggestion was, made and very generally felt that the meetings should not be held after the morning service since it interferes so badly with the Sunday School session as our lupt ass't. Supt and teachers
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are members of the church and likes to alter I these treetings. Gladys H. L'amphelt ' les k
1 Meeting Meeting of the churchwas held Dec. 6,1 31 shortly after 1 0 o clock a. m.Sunday Klec. 6, 93" her meeting wascalled to reviewed the discussionof themmeti tvrweeks preis.us)andtherequested the clerk to make her report The clerk then reported that lettershad been sent rutspecial delivery to jev. Holder, tev matthews and Mr. Moorhead. Rev. Matthews te le gia p hed, that the af fer of $ 12 11 plus2 the parsonage was acceptable to him). Mr. Moorhead, telephoned that he would considerital$ 1200 + the parsonage. then letter severe read from both Mr. Matthews and Mr. Golder. Mr. Holdersalsostated that he would come to us for the abovesalari. The church were there asked to express their opinione. motion made by Dear. Moore that the churchestend to New Burleigh Y. Matthews a call to become our fastos for the ensuing year! as there was f some discussto: asstorus 'readiness to vote at just this time on this question, Mr. Ha are ) with drew his mation for the timebeing.
UNmotion wasthe noir ade highdea. Warmthat ballots be passed. for a win form al ballot to in formal ux of our choices! This would not fixit forany one candidati -but would give us the concensus of opinioni. Nellie Norcross and Gladijs Campbell acted as tellers. number of votes cast=23 Mr. Matthews 15 Mr. Moorhead 8
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it waseither repeated his originalmotion that we vote by ballot (yes or No) to etter dia call toi tev Kur leigh1. Matthews to become ourfistor for the en suing years. number ofvotes cast = 23
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