USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Church manual : the confession of faith and covenant of the First Congregational Church in (North) Weymouth, Mass., founded 1623 > 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
The services of the evening commenced with a vol- untary, followed by an anthem; after which, prayer was offered by Rev. L. Dickerman, of the Union Church of Weymouth and Braintree. Mr. Francis E. Loud, in behalf of the committee of arrangements, then addressed the assembly as follows :
CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS.
BRETHREN AND FRIENDS :
We congratulate you that, under the smiles of a benign Providence, we are permitted to assemble here this evening, around this ancient altar, crowned as it is with hallowed memories of the past, to offer to our beloved pastor our tribute of affection and respect. We come to unite our hearts in songs of praise and thanksgiving to Almighty God, that he has spared us as a people, and continued to us for so
40
QUARTER-CENTURY CELEBRATION,
many years unbroken, the sacred tie which binds a faithful pastor to his flock.
We offer welcome to all who are our guests here to-night. There are those of sister churches, whose familiar faces remind us of days long gone by, when you with us were accustomed to assemble here to worship.
We are happy to greet the family connections of our pas- tor ; and you, his fathers and brethren in the ministry, hon- ored and revered; and these our friends from abroad, who, in response to our invitation, have come up here with us to celebrate this our glad anniversary; we bid you all a cordial, joyous welcome !
It now only remains for me to introduce to you one who I trust is no stranger to many of us, REV. MR. DYER, of Hingham, who has kindly consented to preside on this occasion.
ADDRESS BY REY. E. P. DYER.
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, sons and daughters of Weymouth : Though I accepted with unfeigned pleasure your polite invitation to be present this evening, I now con- fess to a slight twinge of modesty on being introduced to so large and intelligent an audience. And my embarrassment is by no means diminished by the consideration that I have no grateful reminiscences of other days to recount which might invest this deeply interesting occasion with a single additional charm. The early history of this church and its pastorates are not familiar to me, as they are to some of my venerable and beloved brethren here. Neither has it been my privilege, as it has been theirs, to labor side by side with the honored pastor of this church from the dawn of his min-
41
OLD NORTH CHURCH, WEYMOUTH, MASS.
istry here until now ; and I am utterly at a loss to determine why I am honored with the privilege of participating in this jubilcc, except from your acknowledged courtesy, and from the fact that I am under immense obligations to this church for having furnished the enterprise with which I am connected with one of your best families, whose efficient aid in our choir and in our Sabbath school were to us for many years of inestimable value. But that obligation I supposed you had kindly consented to consider cancelled, on receiving them back again at last, safe and sound, and, I may add, " as good as new." My father was once a worshipper with this congre- gation for about the space of two years, and from my very boyhood I have been taught to regard the Old North Church in Weymouth as " sound in faith, in charity, in patience." I rejoice in its stability, I revere its parental character, I ven- erate its antiquity. When I contemplate its infancy, and count the churches which are its legitimate offspring, some, if not all, of which are represented by pastors and delegates here to-night, I am reminded of the Saviour's beautiful para- ble of the mustard tree and of the birds which lodged in its branches. When in matrimonial life a wedded pair have dwelt together in unity and harmony a quarter of a century, it is customary to send out invitations and assemble joyful relatives and friends from far and near to commemorate the
event by celebrating their "Silver Wedding." They who have been spared in conjugal bonds to greet the return of the twenty-fifth anniversary of their bridal, have been accustomed to receive at such times, besides the silver gifts, the hearty congratulations of their friends that " neither life nor death, nor things present nor things to come " have been suffered to sunder the ties which bound them in such intimate and endearing relations. 4*
42
QUARTER-CENTURY CELEBRATION,
And ought not the silver wedding of this church and pastor to be regarded as an event equally memorable, and worthy to be celebrated with congratulatory addresses and with jubilant songs ?
It sometimes happens in wedded life, I am told, that vari- ous trials and difficulties arise from diversity of taste and temperament. But the wise bear them with meekness and fortitude, and, instead of clamoring for a divorce for every trifling cause, deem it
" Better to bear the ills they have, Than fly to others which they know not of."
In ecclesiastical wedlock there may be trials, sometimes sore trials, but we honor the people and we honor the pastor who, in the fear of God, rise superior to all minor difficulties, and, for Christ's sake, hold on their way, striving together for the faith of the Gospel through the lapse of a quarter century.
And we are here to-night to extend our cordial congratu- lations to this pastor and this people that their ecclesiastical relations have continued so harmoniously and so long. God grant that they may continue while life lasts. In looking back over a period of twenty-five years, it is natural to think of the vicissitudes of hope and fear, of joy and sorrow, which have fallen to the lot of this pastor and his people. What changes have transpired throughout the globe since the dawn of this pastorate ! What changes have occurred even here ! Where are the venerable fathers and mothers in Israel who worshipped here when this then youthful pastor was installed? With few exceptions, alas ! they are not here. Many have been gathered unto their people, and changes have come over the few that yet remain. The children of that day are the active men and women of this. How many solitary ones
٠٠، ٢٨٣٣
43
OLD NORTH CHURCH, WEYMOUTH, MASS.
have here been set in families ! How many brows have received the baptismal seal ! How many new-born souls have here entered into covenant with God and received the emblems of a Saviour's dying love for the first time from this pastor's hands. And O, how many have fallen asleep !
" How many fond eyes full of love Have in the grave been hid !"
But I need not advert to scenes like these, I know they are sacredly embalmed in the memories of this pastor and his people.
I congratulate you, Mr. Chairman, on the honor conferred on you in being called to inaugurate these ceremonies. I congratulate you, my beloved brother, that, having obtained help of God, you have been spared to maintain your ministry among this people so acceptably and so long, that you have lived in such unbroken harmony with your brethren in the ministry, and that your " eye is not" perceptibly "dimmed " nor your " natural force abated," and that, like Joshua of old, you are still entrusted with the leadership of God's people to bring them into the promised land. I congratulate you that among your people there is one family, and I know not how many others there may be, whose members stood here to greet your introduction into this pastorate twenty-five years ago with songs of joy, who, from that day to this, have been attendants on your ministry, your faithful friends, and who are here to-night, an unbroken family, to celebrate the return of the twenty-fifth anniversary of your installation, by the " service of song in house of the Lord."
I congratulate you, beloved christian brethren and people of this congregation, that, when your Aarons and your Hurs
44
QUARTER-CENTURY CELEBRATION,
had disappeared, and your Moses had gone up to Pisgah's top to view the land of promise, the Lord provided you a Joshua to lead the sacramental host. I congratulate you that in your support of the Gospel, in your promptness to pay your minister, in your christian charities, in your boun- tiful liberality, and above all, your soundness in the faith, there has gone abroad of you such an excellent report. We congratulate you, that though so many new societies have gone out from you at different times, you still live, the original and central trunk of the great banyan tree whose branches have taken decp root all around the parent stock.
The Choir then sung the following
ORIGINAL HYMN.
COMPOSED BY SAMUEL WEBB.
Friends, a welcome, warm and living, For our hearts are glad to-night- Five and twenty years are giving Up their garncred store of light.
Acts of kindness, seeds of blessing, By the barren way-side cast- Words of holy cheer expressing, Come like angels o'er the past.
If those years some tares have cherish'd, Love the winnowed harvest gives, And while all their ills have perish'd, In our hearts their good still lives.
45
OLD NORTH CHURCH, WEYMOUTH, MASS.
Lives to gladden and to cheer us, The singing birds of hours fled- Warbling notes that still endear us, To the living and the dead.
The living, whose fond hearts caress us, To whom all our love is given ; The dead, who have gone home to bless us, Leading us from Earth to Heaven.
Father, from our hearts dispelling Every foe to Thee and Love- Fit us for that better dwelling, In Thy mansions built above.
Among the venerable men whose wisdom and piety have given dignity and value to ecclesiastical councils, and who have long been distinguished as standard bearers and watchmen on the walls of Zion, Norfolk Association has had her full share. But the Fathers, where are they ? and the Prophets, do they live for- ever ? How few of these venerable fathers yet remain. I remember to have heard one of them preach an excel- lent sermon, at the ordination of a certain young man, nearly twenty-five years ago. He preached in the open air, by the roadside, in a northeast storm, with his hat on. I am happy to say he is present this evening. I have the pleasure to introduce to you one whom I know you will be glad to hear, REV. DR. STORRS, of Brain- tree, "an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures."
46
QUARTER-CENTURY CELEBRATION,
REV. DR. STORRS' ADDRESS.
MR. PRESIDENT :
" Young men for labor," is a maxim of pagan and chris- tian philosophy alike ; on what principle you overlook it on this occasion it is difficult to divine, unless it be that compas- sion for an old man's infirmities shall arouse the " younger brethren " to higher effort for the covering up of his deficien- cies, or else to bestow the more abundant honor on the part that lacks in force, while glorying in kindliest sentiment.
Be this as it may, it is a sweet privilege to share the pleas- ures of the present sacred and social "re-union " between the pastor and his flock, though one can contribute nothing beyond his personal presence.
Pleasures pure and abundant I am sure must flow in upon you at an hour which suggests a thousand reminiscences of your pastor's carnest labors in the study and the pulpit, of his patient endurance of toils and trials which none but those in like position can comprehend, and of his whole-soulcd devotion to your highest interests.
Few men in these days of change remain so long to guide the flock of which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers ; and fewer still, perhaps, meet so promptly and undeniably the claims of a confiding congregation. God has blessed you - if not beyond a parallel, yet beyond many sister churches - in the person, qualifications and activities of one who so honorably to his Master and himself, so usefully to you, and so gratefully to surrounding congregations and their pastors, has gone in and out before you these five and twenty years, preaching the doctrines, enforcing the duties, and exemplifying the spirit of that Gospel of God which bringeth salvation.
1
47
OLD NORTH CHURCH, WEYMOUTH, MASS.
Even you have not been always so highly favored with pastoral permanency, if the records of two hundred and forty years be reliable ; during that period fifteen individuals have been settled over you in the Lord, making the average of their ministry sixteen years-no contemptible average either, if compared with that of more modern churches ! It may well be said, to the honor of your community, that you are not " given to change " -an honor not to be lightly esteemed in these days of false Christs, and false prophets - when it is so often said, " lo ! here is Christ, or there," and many are ready to believe it! Never can honored names, like those of Tufts, White, Loud, Webb, Bates, Nash, Humphrey, Pratt, Cushing, French, Hunt, and scores beside of by-gone generations, fade from the memory of one who, though an inexperienced youth and a stranger fifty years ago, was as oft regaled with the sweet odors of their faith and love, as he entered their square-pewed sanctuary, and felt himself in the midst of friends, whose kindness threw a veil over his defects, while gratefully to God, they sipped the few drops of honey that fell from the poorly replenished honeycomb of their pro tempore instructor.
Though, since the days of the venerated, but somewhat erratic Norton (farther back I cannot go at present), your pulpit has been twice vacated, and thrice supplied,-God has not taken from you the covenant of his peace, nor suffered the candlestick to be removed from his place. More than fifty years ago, the able man just named, held in my esteem the place of a father - extended to me the right hand of fellow- ship in the services of my ordination-welcomed the young novitiate to his pulpit and the hearts of his people-guided an immature judgment by his counsels-withheld not the balm of consolation from the oft wounded spirit of a son in
48
QUARTER-CENTURY CELEBRATION,
the Gospel, and encouraged effort in God's service, by his example of diligence in study, and in the active duties of his parish ! No man in this circle of associated pastors and churches, stood so high, nor threw abroad a more healthful influence over the religious community, or over those who feared not God nor regarded man. More than any other individual, he was the oracle of the churches, and beyond any other, the idol of his people !
By what steps he descended from this elevation, and lost in a measure the confidence so universally reposed in him, it is not now the time nor place to say, were it possible to settle the question; but he left you with the full conviction on your minds, that wherever infallibility might be found, it was not in the pastor of North Weymouth church! It is pleasant however to say, that till near the close of his ministry among you, his instructions were scriptural and pure-his labors abundant-his spirit devotional - his sympathics active ; and to the end of life, so far as I am aware, no spot nor wrinkle, nor any such thing disfigured his outer garments, to his own discredit, or the dishonor of religion.
With his immediate successor, the Rev. Mr. Bent, my acquaintance began some years before he came to you ; and his earnest piety, combined with superior scholarship and a happy address, gave promise of a long continued pastoral connection and extended usefulness ; a frail constitution however, with health impaired by close application, and an exquisite sensitiveness to undeserved criticisin, induced a depression of spirits that led him to think his usefulness here at an end, and his departure to some other field of labor an urgent duty. In two other important congregations of this State (Falmouth and Amherst), he passed the remnant of his days, sustaining till the end, the character of a faithful
49
OLD NORTH CHURCH, WEYMOUTH, MASS.
servant of God, highly esteemed by all who knew him- deeply lamented by many spiritual children as well as family connections, yet rejoicing to go home, and meet the plaudit, " Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord !"
The anticipated presence of another beloved brother, whose mellifluous voice for years charmed you, whose solid instructions edified you, and whose kindly bearing won uni- versal love, forbids me to speak of him in the warm terms dictated by personal regard; the Lord had need of him in another " garden walled around" -and generously you relin- quished those claims to the services of brother Phillips, which you had fondly hoped, death alone would cancel; while your loss was the gain of others, you have ever rejoiced in his successes elsewhere, and fervently prayed that his life might be long, Heaven-devoted and happy !
Not discouraged by repeated disappointments, you asked of Heaven still another Ascension gift! Your prayer was heard-and the dear brother, whose quarter-century contin- uance you now celebrate was sent you. "In weakness, with much fear and trembling he came ;" with that same fear and trembling he has remained, like Paul at Corinth, work- ing the work of the Lord, until now ; and if the prayers of his brethren be answered, he will complete the full years of his semi-centennial, unless a voice from heaven shall say to him, " Come up higher!" He has the testimony of your conscience, as well as of his own, "that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, he has had his conversation in the world, and more abundantly to youward !" Your present gathering affirms this ; sentiments of love struggle within for fit expression - and emphatically are they uttered in your voices of praise 5
THE NEWDERRY LIBRARY
50
QUARTER-CENTURY CELEBRATION,
and thanksgiving, your social cheer, and the munificent gifts of your hands. One thing only could more delight his love- breathing spirit, amid these scenes of joyousness-to hear from your lips individually and collectively the grateful excla- mation " We have found JESUS !"
In the sacred relation now freshly recognized and strengthened, your pastor has doubtless had his trials, and you have had yours. This is no new thing under the sun. Often is the minister of Christ tossed on the waves of popular commotion, till. like one of old, he falls into a place where two scas meet; and between formalism and fanaticism, conservatism and licentiousness, stable govern- ment and anarchy, his ship sticks fast, is broken, and he escapes to land only by swimming on boards or broken pieces of the ship! Trusting in God, he fails not to reach some hospitable Melita-or better, that haven of rest which no storms disturb, nor aught interrupts his labors for the God of Love! 'Tis a world of discipline in which we live ; hitherto you have borne. and not fainted ; bear up bravely still, under every trial of your faith and patience, for an Almighty arm sustains you ; everlasting love offers its bosom for your pillow ; be faithful to God, nor doubt his faithful- ness to you !
" Happy the man whose hopes rely On Israel's God !"
Gladly would I express more fully the fraternal senti- ments of my heart toward your pastor, and as proof of their sincerity, refer you to the fact, that no root of bitter- ness hath ever sprung up to trouble us-that our intercourse as brethren in the holy ministry has been invariably pleasant, and that our exchanges, though more frequent in
,
51
OLD NORTH CHURCH, WEYMOUTH, MASS.
earlier years, are not less cordial now, when your kind indulgence permits the elder brother to occupy the pulpit of the younger. But, flying time, and the conscious gar -. rulity of age, bid me forbear. Suffice it to say, that the wakeful attention and devout deportment of your Sabbath assemblies, have never been more grateful to my own, and the hearts of my brethren, than honorable to your pastor's fidelity.
And now, that He who sitteth on the holy hill of Zion, may bless your sacred relationship, even more abundantly in the future than the past ; that you may sit long under the droppings of the sanctuary as they fall through the lips of one you have so long and justly loved ; that you may have oft occasion to inquire, " Who are these that fly as clouds, and as doves to their windows?" -and then, that you, and he, with many choice trophies of grace gathered from your domestic circles, may meet in that upper temple, where none who enter come out, but share to eternity the smiles of the enthroned Emanuel, is ever the heart's desire and prayer to God of those who love your pastor, and rejoice in the tokens of God's favor to you all.
This vicinity has been favored by some pastors, who by prudence and sagacity, by precept and example, have contributed to the permanence of the pastoral relation in this neighborhood, to the stability of the churches and to their soundness in the faith. Among these worthy men, there have been not only " Sons of Thunder," but also "Sons of Consolation." There is one present this evening who was not only a member
i.
52
QUARTER-CENTURY CELEBRATION,
of the council which settled this pastor, but who, having been himself the pastor of one of the neighbor- ing churches for nearly half a century, is familiar with the ecclesiastical history of this vicinity, during that lengthened period.
I have the pleasure of introducing the Rev. Jonas Perkins, of Weymouth Landing.
ADDRESS BY REV. JONAS PERKINS.
MR. PRESIDENT,
It is with pleasure, that in connection with the pastor and other members of the Union Church of Weymouth and Braintree, I am permitted, in behalf of that church, to tender a tribute of dutiful respect to our venerable Mother. On recurring to our records, I find that one half of the original members of the Union Church received letters of dismission and recommendation from this ancient church - a larger number than from any other church.
A few reminiscences which occur to my mind as I take a retrospect of nearly fifty years' acquaintance with this people, it may be proper to specify. The aged man to whom reference was made by the speaker who preceded me, was the pastor of this church at the time of my ordina- tion ; his praise had been in all the churches, and in my earlier years I had been taught to revere and esteem him. It was about the time of my settlement in the ministry, that he changed his theological principles and virtually his denomination. To dwell on the event, I have no heart. Suffice it to say, I regard it a moral phenomenon, inexpli-
53
OLD NORTH CHURCH, WEYMOUTH, MASS.
cable and unaccountable. It rendered his dismission a matter of necessity, and absolved his parish from pecuniary obligations. Nevertheless, their respect for him did not cease, and as a token of their gratitude for his past labors as their devoted pastor, they voted him a generous gift.
Being destitute of a minister, the church and parish chose a committee, in whose judgment they confided, to procure a candidate. After due inquiry, the committee engaged Mr. Josiah Bent. When he first appeared in their pulpit, the people seemed to regard him as their minister, and after a due trial of his qualifications, they united har- moniously in settling him. After nine years of faithful, successful, and highly acceptable ministration, he, for rea- sons which involved no disaffection in either party, asked dismission, and his request was kindly and harmoniously granted.
With similar wise precautions, Mr. John C. Phillips was employed as their next candidate, and with like una- nimity was ordained. He was esteemed and beloved, but for reasons which he deemed sufficient, he requested that the connection might be dissolved, and with mutual har- mony the dissolution was effected.
Then, with characteristic prudence in their preliminary steps, they procured and settled their present pastor, the twenty-fifth anniversary of whose ministry we have met to celebrate.
Some of the reasons of the comparatively long continu- ance of the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Emery, it is appropriate briefly to notice.
The reasons on his part are, that he has confined himself to his own proper business, that he has faithfully labored for the spiritual good of his charge, and by this 5*
54
QUARTER-CENTURY CELEBRATION,
means convinced his people that he was worthy of their esteem and confidence. There was at one time, indeed, occasion to fear that his health would fail, and that he would be necessitated to relinquish his ministry. But he resorted to an efficient remedy. Look yonder, and you will see a piece of land which he purchased. There was his gymnasium, a better one than can be found in all Germany. Judicious exercise improved his health, and afforded him strength to elaborate sermons and preach them with energy and impressive eloquence.
On the part of his people also, there have been reasons why he has remained with them so long. They have appreciated his faithful labors for their good. They have cooperated with him, and liberally sustained his measures for promoting the interests of Christ's kingdom. They have by their kind benefaction, strengthened the bonds of mutual friendship. Time after time they have gathered together at his house, as in obedience to the injunction, " Take a present in thine hand, and go to the man of God;" also in conformity to the apostolic law, that to him who ministers to them in spiritual things, they ought to minister in temporal things.
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.