USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Gloucester > Exercises at the 50th anniversary of the Evangelical Congregational Church, Gloucester, Mass., Nov. 18, 1879 > Part 3
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Mr. Nickels is represented as of medium height, with broad shoulders, a little stooping and somewhat stout. He married, within a year or more of his ordination, Miss Wilson of Con- necticut, whose delicate health finally resulted in his removal from the Cape. He was born in Pemaquid, Me., Jan. 18, 1805, went to sea in his youth, and was converted and inspired with a desire to preach the Gospel when a mate of a vessel in the West Indies. He was graduated at Brown University in 1830, was principal of an academy in Haverhill two years, tutor at Brown University one year, and was graduated at Andover Seminary in
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1835, taking for his theme on that occasion, "Sources of erroneons views of the Scriptures." Gloucester was his first parish and best loved. After his dismission, he went to New Orleans as seamen's chaplain, founding there a Sailors' Home. He was pastor at Barre, Mass., from 1851 to 1856, but found the climate too severe for his wife, and took the pastorate of the Central Presbyterian Church in Newark, N. J., from 1856 to 1863, where his wife died. This was a great blow to his health and hopes, which resulted in his resignation. He traveled extensively in Europe and the East, remaining abroad for seven years with his only daughter, and then returned to Newark, and afterward residing at New London, Con., where he died July 10, 1878, at the age of seventy-three years. An intimate friend and associate of his at Gloucester writes :- " The people of Gloucester are under a great debt of gratitude to that good man for his faithful and self-denying efforts. But for him, under God, I doubt if their church would have the commanding position it holds to-day." Another ministerial brother, who knew him well for years, writes : "He had all the leading qualifications and faithfully performed the various duties of a good minister of Jesus Christ. His sermons were of moderate length, thronghly studied, and well arranged ; his style was simple and easy, yet pure and classical. Some of his discourses were published, and are models of excellence. They indicate talent, learning and piety, together with good taste and judgment, showing that in this de- partment of ministerial labor, he was a workman that need not be ashamed. If the church and society of which Mr. Nickels was pastor did not increase and prosper so much as might have been ex- pected, it should be remembered that both the pastor and his people had to contend with peculiar difficulties and discouragements. The population of the place was of a mixed character and was very changeable. There existed also in the community a great variety of religious opinions and many injurious practices, which were of long standing and not easily resisted and overcome." Mr. Nickels was regarded as a fine classical scholar, receiving the degree of D. D. from his Alma Mater in 1858. As a man, he was independent, sincere, philanthropie and prayerful ; as a pastor, he was social and sympathetic ; as a preacher, he was exceedingly weighty and solemn.
In the memorial record adopted by the Presbytery of Newark on
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the death of Dr. Nickels, the following are some of the expres- sions of affectionate appreciation : " In the removal by death of our beloved brother, the Rev. Christopher M. Nickels, D. D., this Presbytery, and especially the older members of it, who were closely connected with him for many years, have sustained a heavy loss and been touched with a very tender sorrow. He was a man of no ordinary excellence, quiet, unpretending, but ever vigilant, efficient and strong. He had a manly training, first in the rough experience of a sailor boy, wherein he rose through all the grades of promotion to the promise of the highest as soon as his years would permit, then intellectually, in one of the soundest and most approved of our colleges and the oldest and best equipped of our theological seminaries. As a theologian, he was thoughtful, inquir- ing, adherent, not fond of novelties, but ready to examine all forms and phases of truth, and accepting and availing himself of whatever new light might help him to complete and illustrate it. As a pastor, he was affectionate and assidnous, and as a preacher, he was evangelical, earnest, thorough-going and explicit. He was clear in his statements, often very happy in his illustrations, and in an eminent degree a Bible preacher. In all his transactions, public and private, he impressed himself upon you as a man thor- oughly conscientious, and at the same time thoroughly in earnest. Although for many years separated from us by reason of his im- paired health, which required him to live in a foreign land, the members of the Presbytery, as well as his former people, never ceased to regard him with the sincerest affection, and to welcome his occasional visits among them with the liveliest satisfaction. It was a pleasure and an honor to us all to have the name of such a man enrolled among us. And they who knew him well, heard that honored and beloved name repeated in the calling of the roll with the liveliest, fraternal emotions. They who knew him well will always cherish his memory."
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During his last sickness, he was very patient and happy, speak- ing of death as freely as if it was a journey and he was going home. At one time, he said, "I know I am growing weaker and weaker, and can not live long, but it does not trouble me in the least. I have no fears for the future." He prayed that he might pass away without suffering, and his request was granted ; though 4
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'conscious to the last, he " sweetly fell on sleep." The following lines were found in his Bible, in reference to which he had often said, "Those lines express my own feelings exactly."
" When time seems short and death is near. And I am pressed with doubt and fear. And sins, an overflowing tide, Assail my peace on every side, This thought my refuge still shall be,
I know the Savior died for me.
" His name is Jesus, and he died For guilty sinners crucified ; Content to die, that he might win Their ransom from the death of sin ; No sinner worse than I can be, Therefore I know, he died for me.
" If grace were bought, I could not buy ; If grace were coined, no wealth have I ; By grace alone, I draw my breath, Held up from everlasting death ; Yet, since I know his grace is free, I know the Savior died for me."
Previous to the close of Dr. Nickels' pastorate, the expenses of the society had been paid by subscription, but in 1848, the society appointed assessors to assess and collect the salary. According to this arrangement, if, in the judgement of the committee, a man had the ability and interest to pay ten dollars for the support of preaching, he was " doomed " that amount, and this plan proved. satisfactory for six years.
In Sept., 1848, Rev. Otis Curtis, of Milwaukee, Wis., a mis- sionary agent, preached several Sabbaths, but as the church were not entirely unanimous, it was decided not to extend to him a call.
In Oct., Rev. James Aiken, of Hollis, N. H., preached, andafter it was ascertained that if called, he would become a member of the church, he was invited to settle, and was installed Nov. 22, 1848. Rev. Charles S. Porter, then pastor at Plymouth, preached the sermon, taking for a subject, " The love of God to man as manifest in the gift of his Son," text, 1 JJohn, IV : 7-11. "The prayer of installation was offered by Rev. Samuel Worces-
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ter, D. D., of Salem, the right hand was given by Rev. Edward Lawrence, of Marblehead, and the charge to the pastor by Rev. Brown Emerson. Mr. Aiken was a native of Goffstown, N. H., (Dartmouth, 1839, Union Seminary, 1842), and was or- dained in Hollis, Aug. 30, 1843, where he was a successful pas- tor until his removal to Gloucester. His pastorate here was continued nearly four years, and was attended with religions interest and spiritual growth, twenty-four uniting with the church during that time. Mrs. Aiken was a very efficient Christian worker, and as a singer did much to promote that department of worship, both in the choir and social meetings. Mr. Aiken refers to one rather remarkable fact in his pastorate, that "for two years and four months, he attended only one funeral among the members of his congregation." He was dismissed Sept. 29, 1852, the council, of which Dr. Crowell was moderator, speaking of his ministry as having been " blessed among the people in the eonver- sion of sinners and the edification of saints," and that as a " pas- tor, he had pursued a course of integrity and fidelity, of diligence in doing good, and of zeal for the glory of God and the salvation of men." Mr. Aiken was afterwards pastor in Putney, Vt., Hanover and Dracut, Mass., and now resides in very feeble health in Haverhill, N. H.
While the church was prospered spiritually during Mr. Aiken's ministry, its financial condition was a source of great discourage- ment. The meeting-house had been cheaply constructed, and was not large enough nor good enough in the estimation of many, and a debt of serious dimensions had been gradually accumulating, which threatened future trouble. In 1851, the society talked of enlarging the house by putting a new piece in the centre which would give an addition of sixteen pews, and went so far as to ap- point a committee of repairs, with full power to complete the work, but after a long delay, it was decided, Ang. 9, 1853, to build a new house, and John W. Lowe, Gorham P. Low, Nathaniel Bab- son, Nathaniel Rogers and Deacon Jacob Bacon were chosen as a building committee, and were empowered "to build a new meet- ing-house of such size and cost as in their judgment will meet the wants and ability of the society."
Rev. J. Erskine Edwards, a graduate of Andover in 1835,
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preached the first half of the year 1853, but declined a call to settle on account of ill health, and died at Longwood, Mass., April 3, 1873.
Mr. Junius L. Hatch ( Amherst, 1849, and a student at Union Seminary one year ) preached from June to December, when he was invited to settle, and was ordained and installed Jan. 26, 1854. Rev. Daniel Fitz, of Ipswich, was moderator of the council, and offered the prayer of ordination. Rev. Edward Beecher, D. D., of Boston, preached the sermon . from John, XH : 31, 32, "Now is the judgment of this world ; now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." The exercises were held in the Baptist church and were three hours and a half in length.
The work of building the new church was pushed with great vigor. The old building was sold and removed to the north side of what is now called Mason street, where it was transformed into two commodious dwelling-houses. The vestry was also removed to the same street, where it was put to a similar use. The new house was dedicated March 22, 1855, the pastor preaching " a finished and elaborate discourse " from Isa., Iv : 5, " And the Lord will create upon every dwelling-place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night ; for upon all, the glory shall be a de- fence." The prayer of dedication was by Rev. H. D. Moore, of Portsmouth, who also preached to a large audience in the evening.
The building cost fourteen thousand dollars and was referred to at the time "as a beautiful structure, an ornament to the place, and reflecting much credit upon those who had made so great sac- rifices for the sake of honoring God in his house." The following is a description given at the time in the Gloucester Telegraph : " The main building is sixty-five by forty-nine feet, with a projec- tion in front for a vestibule and organ loft thirty by thirteen and a half feet, and with a vestry in the rear thirty by forty-two feet. The audience room is twenty-eight feet in height, and is lighted at each side by five double circular-headed windows, finished externally with rustics and glazed with tinted glass. The walls are blocked, the ceiling white, paneled in the form of a Greek cross, ornamen- ted with ten circular rosettes through which the gaslight is admitted
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with 'admirable effect. The entrance to the house is through a large and convenient vestibule, with a circular flight of steps on each side leading to the gallery, which is supplied with a fine toned organ, from the manufactory of Stephens & Jewett, of Boston. The floor of the church contains eighty circular slips, uniformly carpeted and cushioned. The pulpit platform is formed by four circular steps passing around its entire front, rising to the height of three feet, and is furnished with sofa and small stand before the preacher. From the platform rises a sereen formed by five panels, with projecting arches supported by columns on which the entabla- ture rests. Above the screen is a recess twelve feet deep by nineteen feet wide, ornamented with a moulded arch and keystone, similar to the recess of the organ loft. The outside finish of the house is in Romanesque style. On the roof of the vestibule stands a pedestal twenty feet square and sixteen high, with heavy base moulding surmounted by a suitable entablature and pediment. Rising from this is a bell tower twenty-eight feet high, supported at the corners by heavy buttresses, ornamented with carved acanthus leaves. On each of its sides is an arched opening formed by two Ionic columns, which support the arched entablature. Immediately above this is an arched pediment returning in upon the base of the spire, allowing sufficient space for a highly ornamented base. Above this rises an octagonal spire to the hight of sixty-eight feet, ornamented with heavy mouldings and surmounted by a gilded Greek cross, making the entire hight from the line of grading one hundred and fifty-three feet. The main entrance to the house is formed by a rustic areh, supported by two Dorie columns, making the recess three feet in depth to the door."
Before the dedication of the house, there had arisen among a portion of the church considerable dissatisfaction in reference to the attitude of the pastor on the subject of amusements. This and other complaints resulted in the calling of a conneil May 28, 1855, consisting of fifteen churches, and inelnding such men as Rev. A. L. Stone, D. D., Rev. Brown Emerson, D. D., Rev. Robert Crowell, D. D., and Rev. C. W. Wallace, D. D., of New Hamp- shire. Three reasons were stated to the council by the church for asking for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, " (1) the dis- satisfaction of the church and society toward their pastor; (2)
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the immoral and unchristian character of the sermons on amuse- ments preached by him ; (3) disbelief of several articles of our faith." The council, after a patient and thorough investigation of the facts and circumstances, unanimously adopted the following result : " That we are constrained to believe that the difficulties in this church have been occasioned mainly by the pastor's indiscretions, especially in preaching two discourses on amusements, parts of which we regard as erroneous, unseriptural, and derogatory to the character of Christ, and that the degree and extent of the dissat- isfaction are such that it would be for the interest of the cause of Christ in the community and the welfare of this church that the pastoral relation be dissolved. We therefore advise that the re- lation be dissolved, upon the acceptance of this result of the coun- cil by the church. In coming to this result, the council would express their deep sympathies with the church in their present trials, and would commend them to the grace of God. urging upon them the importance of studying those things that make for . peace. It is also with unfeigned regret that the council feel com- pelled to say, in regard to the pastor, that until his views and feelings as exhibited in the discourses above alluded to and before the council are changed, we cannot recommend him to the churches as a safe and useful minister of the Gospel."
The dismission of Mr. Hatch threatened for a time to make trouble. Quite a large number thought he had been ill-used by the church and council, and were disposed to help him establish another church and society, but wiser counsels prevailed, the plan was relinquished, and harmony restored. Mr. Hatch soon left town, and afterward withdrew from the denomination.
The church was without pastoral work until Jan., 1856, when Rev. Finlay Wallace, now of Liverpool, Eng., began to supply and remained until Sept. 20 of the same year. Rev. William C. Dickinson also supplied from Nov. 9, 1856, to Oct., 1857, re- fusing a call to settle on account of his health. Mr. Dickinson (Amherst College, 1848, Andover Seminary, 1853, ) after leaving Gloucester preached at the West and was for some years Professor at Lake Forest University, Ill., and is now living in La Fayette, Ind. He writes: " We remember very distinctly and gratefully the rare kindness of the people, and how pleasant our stay with
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them was made. We were impressed with the devotion and self- . sacrificing spirit of many of the members."
April 28, 1858, the church was permitted to receive another pas- tor. Mr. Lysander Dickerman (Brown University, 1851, An- dover, 1856,) was ordained and installed by advice of a council, of which Rev. J. P. Cleaveland, of Lowell, was moderator. Professor Austin Phelps, of Andover Theological Seminary, preached the sermon, text, Rom., 7 : 5, "For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death." The ordaining prayer was by Rev. Wakefield Gale, of Rockport, and the right hand by Rev. David Bremner, also of Rockport. Mr. Dickerman contin- ued pastor until Jan. 19, 1860, when he was dismissed by council and commended to the churches of Christ for his ability and success as a preacher and for his soundness in the faith, "for whom with the experience here gained, they anticipate a successful and happy ministry elsewhere." During Mr. Dickerman's pastorate, the church was prospered, spiritually revived and purified, and sixteen added to the membership. Mr. Dickerman was afterward settled at Weymouth Landing and Quincy, Ill., and is now preaching in California.
Rev. I. C. Thacher, a graduate of Union College and Yale Seminary, who had been a successful pastor at Mattapoisett, South Dennis and Middleboro, was installed as pastor April 26, 1860. Rev. J. P. Cleaveland, then of Lowell, was moderator of the council, and gave the charge to the pastor. The sermon was by Rev. Constantine Blodgett, D. D., of Pawtucket, R. I., from the words, "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth," 2 Tim., 11 : 15. The right hand of fellowship was given by Rev. I. E. Dwinell, of Salem, and the address to the people was by Rev. C. S. Porter, who also preached to his former people in the evening .. Mr. Thacher's pastorate was a long, prosperous and happy one. During his ministry of ten years, one hundred and thirty-three were added to the church, fifty-five in one year, the largest addition in its history, and the membership was in- creased from about a hundred to one hundred and seventy-five. The church had also great financial prosperity. Much more was
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given to charitable objects and more money was expended at home. During the war, large contributions were made to the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, and the congregation gave freely of its members to defend and preserve the union. Nearly if not quite thirty were enrolled in the army and navy, many of them never to return to home and friends.
In the winter of 1862-3, the people decided to annihilate a debt that had been for a long time a thorn in the flesh, and sixteen hun- dred and forty-eight dollars were raised, nine persons giving one hundred dollars each, six giving fifty and six giving twenty-five each, and one hundred and eighty-two dollars were contributed by the ladies, through the efforts of that faithful worker for the church, Miss Mary Low. By the generosity of one of the members of the church, the platform of the pulpit was changed to its present condition, and additional light secured from above.
The beautiful spire which had been regarded as such an ornament to the town was found to be unsafe, and May, 1865, was removed and the present form substituted. One year, a debt of a thousand dollars was reported, and it was paid at once by subscription .. It was during this pastorate that the society began to feel a respon- sibility for the work done at both ends of the church, and appro- priations were made for leading the choir and playing the organ. In 1869, through special efforts on the part of the society, many of the slips in the church were donated by the owners to the society, and from that time to the present, the running expenses have been paid by renting the slips and assessing a tax on those not owned by the society. The fact that the pastor was popular in the com- munity is shown by the record that during his ministry, he was in- vited to attend twenty-one councils. He early identified himself with the temperance movement, and took great interest in the canse of education, and was a member of the School Commitee for sev- eral years. He was dismissed Aug. 18, 1870, by a commeil, of which Rev. E. P. Tenney was moderator, who came to the result, " with profound regret, that the relation between pastor and people so long, so useful, and so happily sustained, should be now brok- en up." Mr. Thacher went immediately to the church in Ware- ham, where he did efficient service seven years, and is now pastor of the church at Lakeville.
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For nearly a year, the church was without a pastor or regular supply. The first call of the church was extended to Rev. L. H. . Blake, of Rowley, which was not accepted. Rev. Seth W. Segur, of Tallmadge, O., was installed June 14, 1871. Of this council, Rev. O. T. Lanphear, D. D., was moderator, and gave the address to the people, and Rev. Alexander McKenzie, of Cambridge, preached the sermon from the words, "Nevertheless they shall be his servants ; that they may know my service, and the service of the kingdoms of the countries," 2 Chron., XII : 8. The sermon was designed to show that the service of God is better for the indi- vidual, and better for the nation, than the service of man. The prayer of installation was by Rev. Geo. N. Anthony, of Peabody, and the right hand by Rev. L. H. Blake, of Rowley. Mr. Segur is spoken of by the people as a man of ardent piety, sound learn- ing, and practical wisdom. He labored faithfully for the best inter- ests of the church, and there was a good degree of spiritual pros- perity, but he felt that he was not satisfying the people, and was therefore dismissed by council Feb. 13, 1873. Mr. Segur was a native of Chittenden, Vt., ( Middlebury College, 1859, An- dover Seminary, 1862, ) and was settled first over the Congre- gational Church, Tallmadge, O. During his pastorate there of nine years, one hundred and thirty-four members were added to the church, and he was greatly beloved by the whole community. He was dismissed April 30, 1871, to accept his call to Gloucester. From this place, he went to West Medway, where he was installed
May 7, 1873. While on a visit to Tallmadge, attending the semi-centennial of the church, he was taken sick, and died Sept. 24, 1875. A friend from Wisconsin writes* of him : "He was what he seemed to be, no airs, no assumption, no cant, but an humble, hearty, devoted, self-forgetting man of God, a good min- ister of Jesus Christ." Another who knew him well at West Medway says : " He was a man throughly loyal to his convictions, and however trying the ordeal, he trod the path of duty and aggressive faithfulness. His expression on one occasion was, 'I shall preach the truth, whatever may be the consequences.'" His successor at Tallmadge, who was with him when he died, writes : " I judge him to have been a man of moderate ability, but of full
*Congregational Quarterly, Jan., 1877.
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devotion to his work and of ready talent. The most of his people were very warmly attached to him, loving him for his goodness and prudence. He died the death of the righteous and his memory is blessed."
June 22, 1873, Rev. F. B. Makepeace, a graduate of Hartford Seminary the same year, began to supply this church as acting pastor, and June 4, 1874, was installed. The sermon was preached by Rev. George H. Gould, D. D., of Worcester, from the words, " Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved." The prayer of installation was offered by Rev. P. B. Davis, of Hyde Park, and the right hand given by Rev. W. H. Teel, of Lanesville. After laboring with this church nearly three years and a half, and giving himself with great enthusiasm to temperance and reform, he found it necessary on account of his health to seek a change of climate, and a council dismissed him Nov. 21, 1876. During his ministry, forty-seven united with the church, making the total membership one hundred and ninety-four, larger than at any previous time. The feelings of the church in reference to his resignation are expressed in this ex- tract from the resolutions passed at the time : " Resolved. that his devotion to the work to which he had been called, and his earnest en- deavor in it, merit our highest gratitude and esteem ; Resolved, that having found in him a faithful servant of Christ, a devoted pastor, a kind and sympathetic friend, we heartily commend him to the churches, praying that the kind hand of God in whom he trusts may ever guide and protect him and his."
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