USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Williamstown > Centennial discourse, delivered in Williamstown, Mass., November 19, 1865 > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
And there was Deacon Stephen Smith of the Baptist church -a true yoke fellow of these good men, though differing from them on this one point of the ordinances of the church. How bright was his flashing eye! and how strongly marked were the lines of his intelligent face. He could construct and bind to- gether an argument as firmly as he could weld the iron which he took from his glowing furnace and laid upon that old anvil by the side of which he stood and toiled so many years. But though he worked in iron with his hands his heart was ever laying up the choicest treasures of golden truth. His integrity no one doubted. His purity of life never lost its brightness. His sons grew up around him bearing his image and three of them are now preaching the gospel which their father so much loved; and his daughters are remembered by us as among the chief and sweetest singers in our choir. The old shop in Water Street has passed away and its occupant has long since turned back to dust and the family are all scattered over the land-but his character shines on in unchanged lustre as we to-day gaze back into the past.
As we turn away from this brief sketch of those who have been office bearers in the church will not all their descendants join me in saying with the beloved Cowper :
" My boast is not that I derive my birth From loins enthroned and rulers of the earth ; But higher far my proud pretensions rise The child of parents passed into the skies."
The Baptist church of which Mr. Smith was a deacon, was first organized about thirty years after the settlement of the town and included in it several "members from Hancock, but was always small and was dissolved in 1811." Three years subsequently an- other Baptist church was formed, and uniting with the members of the Congregational church residing in "Southpart" they to- gether erected a very neat and comfortable meeting house-the Pastor of the Congregational church occupying that pulpit every third Sabbath and the Baptists the other Sabbaths. But few in number and scattered over a large extent of country they have ever found it difficult to sustain the regular and stated preaching
35
of the gospel. At present they have no public meetings as a church, finding it more expedient with their feeble numbers to unite in the services of the Congregational and Methodist churches in the different parts of the town.
And this brings us to consider the many changes that have taken place in Williamstown during the last third of the century now under review.
To those of us who come back as I do after an absence of be- tween 30 and 40 years, these changes are very great and striking. An entire generation has passed into the grave. The gray heads and venerable forms that we once saw in this church and passing up and down these thoroughfares are here no more. They lie in row after row in the graveyard sleeping their last sleep, and the names of not a few are actually forgotten or unknown by those who have taken their places. The old church itself is here. It has indeed in the interior put on a new and more modern look. The lofty arched ceiling, the massive pillars below the galleries and the gracefully fluted columns above supporting the roof, the pul- pit perched up so high against the wall that it cramped the necks of us boys who looked up for any length of time to the preacher, the deacon's seat at the foot with its fixed communion table, and the great broad aisle in the centre where so many of all ages in our successive and glorious revivals stood up so reverently and to the joy of the church to make their public confession of Christ and enter into covenant with His people, the dear old square, roomy pews where we sat surrounded by those we most loved and where the big muffs of our mothers and sisters and their bright foot stoves softened the air of winter around ns-these are all gone forever. . And doubtless it is well; and we rejoice that those who come after us have a house for God so convenient in all its arrangements and so well adapted to the purposes of Divine worship. Outside we find the old church in most respects as it was from the beginning, though we cannot but miss the graceful and lofty steeple which so wakened the wonder of our childhood and helped to connect the church below with the bright heavens into which the spire seemed almost to penetrate. Even the "Pine Apple" which in after years took the place of the departed spire is now gone. But we are glad to know that it is the purpose of those who have made these modern improvements to restore the ancient glories of the steeple of 1798.
36
As we pass down the principal street changes meet us on every side. Not only new and pleasant cottages have sprung up on every side, and some of the old houses put on new and in many cases better forms, but new streets have been opened and the population of the village greatly increased. Park street and Spring street sound strangely in our ears-while Water street as it was with its half dozen houses associated with the names of Capt. Town and Dennis Smith and Dr. Towner and Deacon Smith and Deacon Meacham cannot be recognized in the comparatively crowded dwellings that now meet your eyes. The whole empty space between the Green River Bridge and Smedley's hill thas been turned into a populous street, while Shattuck's Lane (now "Depot street") is being filled up with houses and bids fair to terminate in a busy village on the banks of the Hoosic. The old quiet stillness of the valley has been invaded and broken up for- ever by the shrill whistle of the locomotive and a foreign popula- tion is beginning to work its way among our hills while their hands are busy in most of our homes.
The East and the West colleges standing as they did on bleak hills where the young maples just then planted gave but small promise of their future beauty, have been multiplied into eleven edifices embowered in groves of full grown trees and surrounded by landscape gardening of rare taste and attraction, while the number of professors and students has been more than doubled and the standard of scholarship made equal to that of many and superior to most of the colleges of the land.
And the changes in church relations have been almost as ni- merous. At the commencement of the period now under review the Methodist church was just struggling into existence. They were a feeble band meeting in a private house in Water street to whom a circuit rider came once a month, and who assembled for worship more frequently with their brethren in the adjoining town than in this. But with the increase of the population in connection with the enterprising manufacturers of shoes in Water street and of cotton goods at the foot of Main street, and through the christian fidelity and zeal of a few of their leading men, they soon enjoyed the regular ministrations of the gospel and the or- dinances which Christ has appointed. The private house was exchanged for a public hall; and as their numbers increased they built their very neat and substantial house which stands at the
1
37
head of Water street. The sound of their bell is now heard mingling with that of the Congregational church and of the col- lege chapel calling the people to the worship of God. The num- ber of their communicants has reached one hundred, and a flourishing congregation with Sabbath school and Bible classes is established in that pleasant locality. We welcome them most cordially as a sister church of Christ to the work which our com- mon Saviour has given them and us to do and to enjoy. Holding firmly as they do the great doctrines of a Divine atonement and justification by faith alone in the propitiation for sins made by Jesus Christ, and of the necessity of regeneration by the Holy Ghost, and of a holy life or the "obedience of faith," we re- joice at their success; and our prayer is that in the new century which now begins they may have the happiness of a most lion- ored instrumentality in building up the kingdom of God among us and throughout the world.
While this accession has been made to the number of churches in this part of the town, the members of the Congregational church, more than fifty in number, residing in "Southpart" as it was called forty years ago, have been organized into the 2d Con- gregational church, and for many years have enjoyed the regular ministrations of the sanctuary. And following this, the officers and students of the college have established a church of their own, and for several years past have worshipped by themselves in the college chapel. During this same period the Congrega- tional church in North Adams has been constituted-its original membership consisting almost entirely of members dismissed from this church for the purpose. Regular preaching has also been established in Centreville which in former years sent many regular worshippers to this sanctuary. The result of all has been five additional places of worship instead of the one known of old, and this house which was once crowded in every part has an empty gallery; and though the pews are all rented below, yet they are not all filled as in former times. The membership of the church has also been reduced from over four hundred to less than two hundred and fifty-the great reduction having been occasioned by the organization of so many new congregations, and by the emigration of some of the largest families to the fax: west, while the inroads of death have also done their constant work of exhaustion.
1
38
Against these unfavorable influences a succession of faithful and earnest Pastors have labored with more or less success for thirty years :
The Rev. Joseph Alden from July 3, 1834 to Feb. 10, 1836.
The Rev. Albert Smith from Feb. 11, 1836 to May 6, 1838.
The Rev. Amos Savage from Jan. 22, 1840 to Jan. 30, 1843.
The Rev. Absalom Peters, D. D. from Nov. 20, 1844 to Oct., 1853.
The Rev. Henry R. Hoisington (a returned missionary) sup- plied the pulpit for about three years, and was succeeded by
The Rev. Addison Ballard who resigned his pastorate about one year ago after a most faithful and useful ministry of seven year 3. Since his resignation Prof. Albert Hopkins has occupied the pulpit most of the time to the present antumn.
During this period of 31 years, 427 persons have been received into the church-of these 115 were by letters of dismission from other churches, and 312 on examination and profession of their faith.
From the church records beginning with 1779 we learn that there have been fifteen hundred and ten persons in connection with the church. At present there are on the church Register the names of 290 persons still nominally members, though I un- derstand a large number of these have removed from the town- leaving between 200 and 250 resident members.
Considering then the frequent changes in the pastoral relation during the last thirty years, and the five new congregations that now assemble in distinet places of worship every Sabbath day, we have reason to congratulate ourselves that our venerable church enters upon the new century with so much vigorous life, her membership still numerous enough to sustain the ministra- tions of the gospel at home, and to join in the grand and we trust triumphant assault which is about to be made upon the powers of darkness over the whole world.
The first years of the century which we have now reviewed were passed amid the intense excitements which ended in the Revolutionary war. Then came the war itself rousing all the energies of the people and demanding its sacrifices of comfort and treasure and blood. It is said by his descendants that Nehe- miah Smedley, whose name is first among the original settlers, not only took his crops of wheat and turned them into bread and
39
carted it through the wilderness to our army fighting the battles of Bennington and Fort Edward and Saratoga, but that he actually sunk half the value of his farm in his generous gifts to the cause. Doubtless there were others as patriotic though they have left no descendants among us to tell the story of their de- votion to the infant nation struggling into life.
The last years of the century have been not unlike those with which it began. A second war of independence has been fought and gloriously won; and we rejoice to-day that the children of such fathers have proved themselves not unworthy of their sires. This town with the church and the college immediately arrayed themselves on the side of the Government in its determination to maintain the life of the nation and to destroy forever that gi- gantic evil which had ever been our curse, and which in the just judgment of God threatened to be fatal to liberty all over the world. If I could call over the roll of honor to-day how many names would it be necessary to mention ! Our dead have been left on many battle fields, and some have returned to us to die of disease contracted in the discharge of their hard duty. Some, like the gallant Col. Paul, have risen to high positions by their distinguished merit; while others, like Chaplain Hopkins, have spent their strength in the hospitals of the sick and wounded, and in holding up the dear old flag on the field of conflict and of victory. Some of our daughters like Mrs. Mary Bardwell Marsh have first given up their son's to the cause, and then followed on like ministering angels to care for the suffering in hospital wards crowded with the sick and dying soldiers. We thank God that it was the privilege of so many among us to share in the sublime scenes of the past four years, while we rejoice together in the just and permanent peace which spreads its blessings on every side.
We ought not to close this history of the church without re- minding you that "revivals," or outpourings of the Holy Ghost, have ever been the joyful experience of the Williamstown church, and the grand source as well as proof of her constant vigorous spiritual life. The Rev. Mr. Swift died in the midst of a revival which continued through several years, and he added to the church nearly 300 members. After his death the revival con- tinued with delightful results under the faithful ministrations of President Fitch; and the year preceding the installation of Mr.
A
40
King, while yet without a regular Pastor, 17 persons were brought into the communion of the church. During the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Gridley there were seven revivals-several of them of amazing power-bringing into the church over 600 members, of whom over 500 were received on profession of their faith. There were two revivals in connection with the labors of Rev. Mr. Say- age, during whose pastorate of three years over one hundred were added to the church. During the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Peters 106 were received-most of them during revivals in 1847 and in 1848. The ministry of the Rev. Mr. Hoisington was also signally blessed-especially in 1855-when 50 persons were admitted into the church. So in 1858 and in 1862 under the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Ballard there were gracious quickenings from the Spirit of God by which about 70 persons were added to the church. One result of these revivals has been the introduction of between 30 and 40 young men from those who have first made a profes- sion of their faith in Christ in this church, into the christian min- istry.
The history then of the church and the town is well worthy of our remembrance. Our record of the past, though doubtless marked and marred in the sight of God by the great imperfec- tions which belong to our fallen race, is yet one which illustrates the excellence of the christian life and exalts our views of the riches of the grace of God. To-day, through our sons and daughters who have gone out from our dear old home, we are in fact connected with all parts of the land, and even with the (listant nations of the earth. Our close association as a town with the college has resulted in the liberal education of more of our young men in proportion to our population than can be found in any other town of our county and probably of our State. I can myself recall the names of seventy-five men who have been sent out from the families of this town to occupy important po- sitions in the learned professions-of these 40 are lawyers, 10 physicians, 21 clergymen, and 3 foreign missionaries,-Gordon Hall, Nathan Benjamin, and Marshall D. Sanders.
A very large number of our daughters have intermarried with members of the different learned professions who were educated at the college, and have thus been taken away to distant homes. One of them, Mrs. Mary Perry Ford, has for almost 20 years been toiling by the side of her distinguished husband in the land of Pal-
41
estine itself, while a large number have gone to the home mission- ary fields in the west, and to positions of honor and usefulness in many of the large cities of our own country. In this way the Williamstown church is most intimately connected with every part of the land and her influence extended far and wide on every side. In fact as I review the past history of this church since the establishment of the college here in 1793, I am convinced that no church in the land has occupied a position of greater responsibility; and as events have proved in connection with foreign missions as well as with her own christian life and work, no church has wit- nessed results of a more cheering and blessed character. "The Lord bare them and carried them all the days of old."
And now in conclusion permit me for a few moments to look into the new century which is opening before us.
This town bids fair to increase in population and in wealth with the number of its years. The whole valley of the Hoosic will be filled with a busy people. All these hills around us looking out upon scenery of unsurpassed beauty and magnificence are destined to be covered with rich villas of returned townsmen and others, who will come to breathe the pure mountain air and enjoy the refined literary society which will gather more and more around the beloved college. The college itself entering upon the new century with a President whose published works have given him a national reputation, and whose known devotion to the Kingdom of God has placed him at the head of the great American Society of Foreign Missions, is destined with its strong corps of expe- rienced Professors and its high standard of scholarship, to still greater enlargement and usefulness. And in the midst of all this church is to stand unchanged, we hope, in its attachment to the Bible and the great doctrines of grace, to revivals of religion in connection with the special outpourings of the Holy Ghost, and to foreign missions as the duty of all christians and the certain hope of a lost world.
And the waves of the great sea will still roll on as they have in the past. They will sometimes be " troubled and cast up mire and dirt." But while
"The whole round earth is every way Bound by gold chains about the feet of God,"
the tides of human life that shall press their way through these . vallies and dash against these hills will still be under the control
6
42
of Him who " bare them and carried them all the days of old." You and I will pass away as the drops are exhaled from the crests of the breaking surf, and ascend unseen into the heavens above them. And when our children's children gather here for the Second Centennial may we be able to look down upon them from that world where Time with its cycles of years and centuries gives place to the unchanging bliss and glory of the Heavenly State-AMEN,
ERRATA.
7th page, 13th line from the bottom read " begin" instead of " began"-and on the same page 9 lines below " pyramids" instead of " pyrmids"
14th page, 8th line from the bottom read " origin" instead of "original" 32d page, 11th line from the top read " son" instead of grandson" 35th page, 13th line from the bottom fill up the blank with the word "air" 36th page 13th line from the bottom read "any" instead of "many" 39th page, 12th line from the top read " itself" instead of "themselves"
APPENDIX.
There is ample ground for the belief that Williamstown, no less than the college which bears its name, owes its origin to Ephraim Williams. Having, in 1744, been intrusted with the command of the northern frontiers of the colony, westward from the Connecticut river-he built Fort Massachusetts in the summer of that year, and made it his headquarters, and was thus made acquainted with the Valley of the Hoosac. His quick eye could not fail to mark its beauty and attractiveness as a place of settle- ment. There are sufficient indications, in the public records, that it was owing to his representations, made to the leading men of the western part of the Province, with whom he had acquired great influence, that the General Court, in the winter of 1749 passed the following order :
IN HOUSE REPS. APR 18, 1749.
Ordered, That Col. Dwight & Col. Choato with such as the Hon. Board shall join be a committee to repair to the Province Lands near Hoosuck, as soon as may be, with a skilful surveyor and chainnen under oath, and lay out two Townships of the contents of six iniles square, in the best of the land and in as regular form as may be, joining them together, and return a correct plat of said Townships to this court for their further order thereon. And also to return the course and distanco said Towns bear from Fort Massachusetts.
This order was concurred in by the Council, and Oliver Part- ridge, Esq., was joined to the committee on the part of that body.
The manner in which the committee discharged their duty is set forth in their report made on the 10th of Nov. following, by Oliver Partridge, their chairman. It was as follows, to wit :
Towxs v. 115, p 532.
The com. appt'd by the Great & Gen Court in April last to repair to the Province lands near Hoosuck to lay out two Townships of the contents of six miles square &c Report-
That on the 26 day of October the com. went from Hatfield, and the next day came to Fort Mass-(having obtained Mr Nathaniel Dwight a skilfull Surveyor to
44
survey the Townships) The next day we went out to view the lands, ordered th surveyor to measuro the distance from the fort to the line that is run between this Government & New Hampshire (which was run some years since by Mr. Hazzen) and on Monday & Tuesday following we proceeded to view the lands. In the mean- time directed the Survr to take the courses & distances of ye adjacent mountains, and when we had sufficiently satisfied ourselves in what form the Townships be laid out, we directed the Survr to lay them out agreeable to the plan herewith presented (Having caused the Surv & chainmien to be sworn.)
As to the quantity of intervale contained in the townships, we made no particular measure thereof by the survey, but carefully viewed the townships and would inform that the land en the river, running through the centre of the East Township for more than 4 miles northerly and southerly about half a mile East & West appears rich & good, a considerable part thereof is intervalc.
In the West Township there is no so great quantity of Intervale, but a very val- uable and rich tract of land in the middle of the Township, insomuch that the com. do deem the West Township the most valuable.
Great part of the land in both townships is considerably loaded with timber.
As to the quality of lands adjoining sd townships the Com. would inform that on the East of sd Townships lie the Great Hoosnek Mountain (so-called) which is about 7 miles from side, on which mountain there is a sufficient quantity of land for a township or two-a great part of it is valuable-On the West side of the West town lays a range of mountains, and between the two townships lays another range of mountains over which the dividing line runs-Between the North line of the East town and the Province line the land is mountainous and broken-and the land on the south of sd town is-some very poor and some of it good and accommodable for settlement.
All which is humbly submmitted in the name and by the order of the Committee. OV. PARTRIDGE.
Nov. 10. 1749.
In council Dec. 8. 1749 Read & sent down.
At the next session, January, 1750, the settlement of the town- ships thus laid out was under the consideration of the Legislature, and the result was the adoption by both branches of the following orders :
IN HO. REPS. JANUARY 17, 1749 (1750 NEW STYLE.)
Voted, That Col. Miller and Capt. Livermore with such as the Hon. Council shall appoint be a com. to lay out 63 house lots in the Westernmost Township (Each house lot to draw one sixty third part of sd. Township) one for the first set- tled minister, one for the ministry, and one for the school, as near the centre of the Township as may be with convenience, the said lots to contain 10 or 12 acres each as the Com. shall best judge-said house lots to be adjoining-and also that said Com. be directed to lay out such Highways, streets and lanes to and amongst the house lots as shall be necessary and convenient, and that said Committee have power to admit sixty settlers or inhabitants into said Township-each of them shall be entitled to one sixty third part of said Township upon the conditions following viz .- That each settler pay the Com. upon his being admitted, £6. 13. 6 Lawful money for the use of the Government, and that he shall within the space of Two years from the time of his being admitted build a house 18 feet long, 15 feet wide and seven foot studd, and shall fence five acres of his said house let and bring the same to English grass, or fit it for plowing and raising of wheat or other com., and
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.