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 5
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Thus the pastor and his flock have mutually cemented their union, and both parties have contributed to the per- manency of his pastoral relation.
Besides, such a parish as this, affording a pastor the prospect of successful labor, and assuring him of the advantage of kind coadjutors, may well be regarded by a young minister as his paradisc. But a paradise is not complete without an EvE. Though it is true that the first Eve was instrumental of ousting both her husband and herself from the original paradise, it is not so with all
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modern Eves; but, in the present instance, the reverse. And my brother will not regard it an offence to be reminded that in the honor of this occasion he is not alone.
If now I may be permitted to utter the sentiment of my heart, in reference to the time to come, it is my derout desire that my beloved successor, and the church of which he is pastor, may enjoy the same happy fellowship with this parent church and her pastor, that has subsisted ever since the organization of the younger body.
My dear brother Emery, may you still hold on your way, and may your ministry among the beloved people of your charge, in connection with their prayers and cooperation be abundantly blessed. May the result be, the conversion of many of future generations to Christ, who as his redeemed ones, shall adorn his diadem while he is crowned Lord of all.
The following hymn was then sung by the congre- gation.
ORIGINAL HYMN.
COMPOSED BY REV. E. P. DYER.
TUNE - Missionary Hymn.
Twelve scores of years have vanished, Since here the Pilgrims came ; From childhood's home self banished Through love for Jesus' name. They came with faith undaunted, And, counting gold but dross, In Wessagusset planted The standard of the cross.
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The Rock of our salvation To this dark land unknown, Became their sure foundation, Their Zion's corner-stone. Faith saw, while heavenward soaring Their children's children here,
The triune God adoring Through many a rolling year.
From Heaven's Eternal portals, With what divine delight Must they, now crowned Immortals, Look down on us to-night. To see their children standing Where once the Fathers stood, Their songs of Praise ascending To God, their Fathers' God.
Here, heralds, heaven-appointed, In long and lustrous line, Have stood, by grace annointed, Proclaiming truth divine : The gospel doctrine heeding, Each aimed to bless his charge
To living waters leading And pastures fair and large.
. While here to-night we gather, And all our sins confess, We pray Thee, Holy Father, The living Pastor bless ;
مكامخزن سلشر
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OLD NORTH CHURCH, WEYMOUTH, MASS.
Who, faith by service proving, With mingled hopes and fears, Has preached here, loved and loving, These five and twenty years.
His Bishopric maintaining, The last of all his line, May he, thy grace sustaining, Still preach the truth divine. With heart and spirit fervent, As on Time's river rolls, Give him, as Christ's own servant, A multitude of souls.
Bless, Lord, this Pastor's labors, God bless this ancient flock, Bless all these numerous neighbors- From this parental stock. And when of Christian union, All earthly ties are riven, God grant us sweet communion And fellowship in Heaven.
You have now heard from the only two pastors present who were members of the ecclesiastical council which assisted at the installation of this pastor. As this is a sort of Family Festival it is desirable that we hear from some of those who have married into the family. Connecticut has been reputed to be a good State for furnishing ministers' wives, but the eldest
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daughter of this church has received from that State an excellent husband. Permit me to introduce Rer. JAMES P. TERRY, of South Weymouth.
ADDRESS BY REV. JAMES P. TERRY.
The eldest daughter offers to her venerable and venerated mother her filial greetings, and most cordially congratulates her and her respected consort on the occasion that has brought us together. Though farther removed and longer absent from the old homestead than her junior sisters, yet she would be behind no one of them in expressions of filial regard, and is pleased to share with them the maternal invi- tation and hospitality.
If the mother is venerable through age, the daughter can boast of years; for her records show that she began her separate existence but a little short of a century and a half ago.
"September 18th, 1723. The day being set apart and observed by the inhabitants of the upper end of the town for a day of fasting and prayer, these ten persons whose names are suffixed to this covenant, viz, James Bailey, Gideon Tirrell, Jacob Turner, John Nash, Benjamin Orcutt, Joseph Shaw, Jolin Vinson, Ebenezer Hovey, Ebenezer Vin- son, Samuel Whitman and Abraham Beal, after solemn invocation of God by prayer, and a distinct consideration of the several 'paragrafts' in the before written covenant, did solemnly consent thereunto, and subscribe it with their own hands, before the Reverend Elders of several churches con- vened on this occasion, and in the afternoon did openly
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acknowledge the same in the face of the congregation, and were solemnly embodied into a church by
THOMAS PAINE, Pastor of Weymouth."
Their reason for taking this step is stated in a remon- strance made many years after to the General Court, against the petition of the north precinct for dividing the town. " Our forefathers," they say, " laboring under great incon- venience in attending public worship at the then place of worship, the meetinghouse being at almost the north end of the town, it being long and narrow, as expressed in their petition, they took measures to be better accommodated for public worship, and took measures for a separate parish, though vigorously opposed." It is no unusual thing for a parent to oppose a daughter when seeking for herself a new home. And in this case, as usual, the daughter had her own way.
Previously to their being organized into a church, these ten persons had made choice of Mr. James Bailey for their pastor. Three days after, he was ordained. He died in 1766, aged sixty-nine, after a ministry of forty-three years. The second pastor was Rev. Simcon Williams, whose reply to the call of the parish was in these words :
"To the second parish in Weymouth. Gent , I accept your invitation to the work of the ministry, and expect a maintenance.
From your obedient servant,
SIMEON WILLIAMS."
The parish voted to " vendue the provisions " for his ordi- nation ; and it was bid off by Capt. William Holbrook, for £14 13s. 4d.
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Mr. Williams died in 1819, aged seventy-six, after a min- istry of fifty-one years. The third pastor, Rev. Wm. Tyler, was dismissed in 1831, after a ministry of twelve years. Two pastorates, one of a year and a half, the other of nine years, intervened between him and the present incumbent.
There are indications that the daughter received a goodly training in her carly home, especially that she was well indoctrinated and thoroughly catechized, and even had as a part of her dowry a New England Primer, for one of the ' paragrafts ' above referred to is this : " We profess a serious belief in the christian religion contained in the Holy Scrip- tures, and exhibited to us in the Catechism of the Reverend Assembly of Divines." The same 'paragraft' remains, and from that day to this has been the only creed of the church, to which all who are received by profession give their assent. If this steadfast adherence to the good old way is the result of early training, it verifies the proverb, " train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Encouraged by parental example it may be pre- sumed that the child will continue to honor her early training, and will never be ashamed of her dowry, nor cast it away, as an antiquated thing, among old rubbish.
It appears that the daughter did not willingly relinquish her claim to the maternal estate, for on the records are such votes as the following :
" March, 1739. Voted, That Capt. John Vinson, &c., be a Committee to put in a petition to General Court for our parts of the incomes of the parsonage in the north precinct."
" May 28, 1739. Voted, To raise £10 for the Committee chosen to prosecute any that pull down the parsonage house belonging to the town."
In 1784 a committee was appointed to " demand, sue for
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and prosecute to final judgment and execution, for our right in the parsonage lying near burying hill." In the remon- strance just referred to, they speak of it as " a very valuable parsonage farm which both parishes for several years improved together, but at length disputes arose, and after two lawsuits they recovered it from us." So the parsonage is yours. At the time the second church was formed, there was but one school in the town. Six years after it was " voted to know whether the town will agree with precinct to have two schools, one in the north, the other in the south precinct, or our proportion of the town, or else totally to clear the south precinct of paying anything to the town school whither it is now kept." The result was the establishment of a school in the south parish. For many years building school houses, hiring teachers, and other matters pertaining to education, constituted a considerable part of the regular parish business.
There was for several years a controversy between the two parishes in regard to a division of the town, the north pre- cinct petitioning the General Court at least four times for a division, and the south following each petition with a remon- strance. In one of these they say, " We pray your honors that we may not be dealt worse with than ever any town in this Commonwealth ever was, or at least that we know of or ever heard of, by being left the minority and less able to be represented in the Great and General Court than they that petition to separate." As the town is yet undivided it is evident that secession was not favored by the Great and Gen- eral Court, and that the petitioners had leave to withdraw.
With the settlement of this question terminated all differ- ences between the two parishes, and they have since moved on harmoniously in their separate spheres of usefulness. And it is with great pleasure that the south precinct is per- 6
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mitted to congratulate the north precinct and their esteemed pastor on this twenty-fifth anniversary of his settlement. And may a kind Providence permit a renewal of the congratula- tions on a fiftieth anniversary.
Another daughter of this church has recently espoused a "helpmeet," and though scarcely yet returned from the wedding tour, I know you will be happy to hear from her beloved consort, REV. J. P. LANE, of East Weymouth.
ADDRESS BY REV. JAMES P. LANE.
MR. PRESIDENT AND FRIENDS :
It gives me great pleasure personally, and as the official representative of the Congregational Church in East Wey- mouth, to be present on this occasion, and to extend hearty congratulations to this mother church and its venerated pastor.
Although my acquaintance with you is of recent origin, and of much shorter duration than that of those who have already addressed you, yet it has been marked with pleasing associations that will ever remain fresh in remembrance. Never can I forget the solemnities of the day, about two years ago, when with " laying on of hands," I was ordained to the work of the Gospel ministry, and installed pastor of the church at East Village. The fervor and carnestness of peti- tion with which your pastor offered the consecrating prayer on that occasion, awakened towards him gratitude and love, and the cordial greeting which he then gave me, and the warm fraternal kindness which he since has ever shown me,
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are indellibly stamped upon my heart. I therefore rejoice personally with him in all the festivities of this glad hour, and with this church who bring their quarter-century offer- ' ings of respect to their beloved Teacher and Guide.
In behalf of the church which I represent, I am happy to say, we are glad to be here. We love to look back to the past and call to remembrance the days, long since gone, when in this house and with this people, we praised and worshipped God together. The people of my charge who formerly attended worship here, often speak of those old days as a pleasing reminiscence, and although their interests for many years have centered elsewhere, their best wishes attend this mother church, and they rejoice with her on this festal occasion. Often have they spoken of the times, when from all parts of the "Old North Parish," the people came together to worship God, filling this house to its utmost capacity. And some of them with deep tenderness of feeling have spoken of the revival days, when in the old school house they attended the daily morning prayer meetings with you, and there rejoiced in the manifest presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
With one heart do we unite in the sentiment, which has already been given by several speakers before me. May this pastor and church remain together in the bonds of unity, loving and serving God another quarter-century. May the influence of this Zion be a light in the community to illumine the way of salvation, and be honored as the instrument of God's power in the conversion of sinners and the sanctification of his people. May this pastor be blessed in all his labors here till his work on earth shall cease and his reward in heaven be begun; and may this church, through those labors and others that may succeed, continue
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to the end of time, and be built up in the most holy and sound faith.
ORIGINAL HYMN.
COMPOSED BY SAMUEL WEBB.
We bow before Thy holy throne, While rich the good appears, Broadcast by Thy dear hand alone, O'er five and twenty years ; Let Thy kind care preserve us still, Father, to love and do Thy will.
In youth Thy servant came to keep Thy fold -'mid hopes and fears, And he hath lived to sow and reap Through five and twenty years. Give him the strength to labor on, Till Earth is vanquished, Heaven won. Give him the love of all Thy fold, And while it soothes and cheers, May he Thy love and grace unfold For five and twenty years. Years blest by Thee, years free from strife, And nourished by the bread of Life.
Bless all Thy servant's future hours, Till Heaven's bright goal appears,
Thronged with saved souls, the gather'd flow'rs Of five and twenty years. Then may he hear, from Thy dear Son,
These words of cheer, " Well done-well done !"
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I once had a beloved classmate, by whose side it was my privilege to sit in the recitation room, delving in Hebrew roots. I expected great things for him then ; I need not say he has not disappointed my hopes. And I am glad he has made out so well as to marry into this amiable family and take charge of the young- est daughter. Let me introduce to you the Rev. S. L. ROCKWOOD, pastor of the Pilgrim Church in North Weymouth.
REV. S. L. ROCKWOOD'S ADDRESS.
After some preliminary remarks, Rev. S. L. Rock- WOOD continued.
MR. PRESIDENT :
You alluded very appropriately to the mysterious ways of Providence in bringing us here, side by side, to continue an acquaintance so early and pleasantly commenced.
Fellow citizens ! It has often seemed strange to me that I could so readily conform to the habits and customs of Weymouth. Truc, she is not without her faults. But I can say-
" With all her faults, I love her still."
There is an explanation of all this. In a sense-
"I was to the manor born."
In the rich heritage that has come down from the fathers of Weymouth, I have as deep an interest as any of you. In the early settlement of this place my ancestry, on both my 6*
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father's and mother's side, were here. There runs in my veins the blood of at least eight of the first settlers of this place, residing here previous to 1633. On my mother's side I had ancestry here from 1624 to 1644.
At that latter date it appears " that the planters and their stock had so increased that the place had become too strait for them," and the church as a body, with their pastor, Rev. Mr. Newman, emigrated to Rehoboth (now Seekonk), leav- ing only a minority here. At the same time my ancestry removed to Dorchester and that vicinity. Afterwards a part of them were among the first settlers of Sherborn. But, like dutiful children, they remembered Weymouth, the place of their first settlement. And you, mindful of your roving chil- dren, did not forget them. I learn from a MSS. journal of
Judge Sewall that you sent your pastor, Rev. Mr. Torrey, "Thursday, March, 1665," and assisted at the organization of the first church in that town, and the ordina- tion of their first pastor. A part of my ancestry were among the members of that church. In that town I was born. And there I joined the church. And after these many years I come back to the old spot to become the pastor of your youngest daughter church. Whatever your feelings may be towards me, I have a double interest in you.
But I came here to speak for your youngest daughter. She is young in years. The Pilgrim Church of North We,- mouth was organized Nov. 11, 1852, with fifty-one members, all of whom brought letters from the First Congregational Church of Weymouth. You know her history. Though you were reluctant to let her go, yet when you saw that she would do as daughters often do, with their parents consent or without it, you bade her go in peace, and to go with your blessing. Your blessing did go with her, -your kind wishes
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and beneficence. You have loved her and been faithful to her as the child of your age. . And to-night with your other children she comes to rejoice with you, to pay her respects to her venerated mother and to the beloved pastor of a quarter of a century. Some of the members of my church took an active part in securing him as your pastor. They are here to-night to greet him, and to rejoice with you in this jubilee.
I well recollect the first time I saw your pastor. It was while I was at the Theological Institution at Andover. One Friday morning I went up to his mother's room. I had well nigh said to my mother's room. For she was my mother as well as his. Many of us ministers have been glad to call her mother. I thank God that her life has been spared, that time has laid his rod so lightly upon her, and that, if not present to-night, she is near us and was here with us to enjoy the interesting services of yesterday afternoon.
It seems to me that I see your pastor now as I saw him then, twenty-five years since. It is all true that our vener- ated father in the ministry told us-" that he came among you in great bodily weakness, and with many misgivings." As I then saw him he was very feeble, suffering from an affection of the throat with influenza, and trembling lest he should not be able to meet his engagement and preach for you (as he was to do) for the first time the following Sabbath. He was then sick and under his mother's nursing care, scarcely able to speak louder than in a whisper.
Yet God gave him strength to meet that appointment. God inclined you to call him to become your pastor. God has continued him here so long a time, an able and beloved minister of the Gospel. Great are your obligations to God for such a gift. But has he been a faithful pastor to you, and you a faithful people to him ? Here let me bear witness
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that both pastor and church have been kind, true and faithful to the youngest daughter church. I have ever found him true and faithful as an own brother. I thank God you have such a pastor. I rejoice with you to-night as many of my beloved people do, and my prayer is that God would bless him in the future as he has done in the past, only more abundantly. And so may God bless this ancient church and all this beloved people.
There is represented here to-night, one grand-daugh- ter of this church, the eldest daughter of the eldest daughter. At such a family gathering as this, the children's children are always welcome. Maine has furnished this grand-daughter with a " spouse " from whom you will wish to hear, REV. S. H. HAYES, of South Weymouth.
ADDRESS BY REV. S. H. HAYES.
MR. PRESIDENT :
I am pleased to stand here on this festal occasion, and amid this kindred gathering to represent the grand-daughter of this venerable church. I feel it an honor to be remem- bered, and to be present, but did not dream of being called upon to utter a word.
But being granted this kind indulgence, I will say that grand-children are pleased to visit the ancestral homes and are proud of ancestral honors; and we are proud of the venerable names that adorn these walls ; of the precious associations that cluster about them; of all the hallowed
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an +
اليتعليم كلاسمكريب ٥ ١
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OLD NORTH CHURCH, WEYMOUTH, MASS.
memories of the past, and proud that such blood runs in our veins.
And I may confess also, that grand-children are charmed , with all the pleasant things they find in their visits to the old ancestral homestead, and it affords us peculiar delight to look upon this capacious house, so tastefully decorated, and this large assembly of joyful faces ; to listen to these grand choral symphonies, and these eloquent addresses, and to notice the very judicious arrangements so admirably carried out this evening.
But we will not forget the good old maxim which our wise grandmothers taught us, that " children must be seen and not heard," and therefore thanking you for this special privilege, and craving a place in the cherished memories and a share in the blessings of this ancient church, I will not waste another moment of your precious time.
ORIGINAL HYMN.
COMPOSED BY DEACON J. A. PALMER.
TUNE - " Auld Lang Syne."
Our hymn of life has oft been sung Through many a passing year, In social strains, with grateful tongues, Oft mingled with a tear : But now in friendliness we meet, Our sympathies entwine, With heart and hand, each other greet, Like days of " Auld Lang Syne."
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The Pastor, still our faithful guide O'er life's uncertain' way, Has watched, if joy or grief betide, Or fair or stormy day : To-night in friendliness we meet, Our sympathies entwine, With heart and hand each other greet, Like days of " Auld Lang Syne."
His be the gift the word to preach, Ours be the grace to hear, His to console, and pray, and teach, Ours to support and cheer : We still in friendliness may meet, Our sympathies entwine, With heart and hand each other greet, Like days of " Auld Lang Syne."
When friends shall meet on earth no more, When changing years shall cease, When spirits perfect upward soar To realms of joy and peace - Pastor and People, may we stand Around the throne above - A ransomed, an unbroken band, And sing Redeeming Love.
After all, pastors like to hear a few words in social meetings from intelligent laymen. Modesty sometimes makes them a little diffident, but when they do speak
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and have something to say you will bear me witness that they speak to the point. You will now listen to a few practical remarks from the Chairman of the Com- mittee, F. E. LOUD, Esq.
ADDRESS TO THE PASTOR.
BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE.
BELOVED PASTOR :
It now becomes my pleasing duty, in behalf of the church and people of your charge, to present to you this testimonial of our esteem and affection. While we look back upon the many pleasant recollections of the quarter of a century you have passed among us, our hearts flow out in gratitude to the Giver of all good, that he has prolonged your life and health, and given you strength to perform the varied duties of this relation.
You have long participated in our joys and our afflictions ; our prosperity has been yours, and our griefs and sorrows have met your sympathy. May this token be to you a memorial of our gratitude for all your labors of love, and a pledge of our continued affection to you and yours.
Accept it, sir, and with it we offer our earnest prayer that many years of usefulness may yet be granted you, and that the Great Head of the church will own and bless your labors among us in the salvation of many souls, as crowns of your rejoicing.
The pastor, so nearly as he can recall his words, responded as follows :
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THE PASTOR'S REPLY.
MR. CHAIRMAN :
This to me is an hour of visions and revelations. Thank- fully - the word does not half express the feeling, but is the best I can call up on the moment-thankfully I accept this rich and beautiful gift and the kind words with which you have presented it. While I live, each piece of it will be to me a precious treasure, all the more prized because " a testi- monial of esteem and affection" from a beloved people to their pastor, after a service of twenty-five years.
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