USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Danvers > Exercises in celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the First Church, Congregational, Danvers, Massachusetts: October 8th to 15th, 1922; with an address at the centennial of the Sunday School, November 17th, 1918 > Part 9
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The shifting hour glass fulfilled of rest,- We take you back tonight upon the stage That you may read this old Colonial page: And, as the leaves of centuries unfold, Find Puritans, and other folk enscrolled; Should laughter fail, not so the living Truth,- That keeps its words, archaic or uncouth !
*
Come back with us, for through its misty door, With silent step the past returns once more; And, playing gentle ghosts, our cast behold ! Witness these scenes, and hear their story told, And whether, friends, our play shall please or pall, We ask your kindly patience for us all !
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EPISODE I. COMING FROM CHURCH, 1672 Prologue
And now at first we beg our friends to see Our forefathers, a goodly company
Of men courageous; women, children too, Return from worshiping, as they were wont to do, In Salem town, too far for them to go In summer's sunshine or in winter's snow.
A church their own their hearts desire to see
In "Salem Farms"-and ask, "Why can't it be ?"
Slow music-Grand Chorus. . Guilmant (Enter people, walking wearily, giving the impression that they are coming home from church in distant Salem.)
Participants
Fred. H. Nowers Mrs. Henry H. Thomas
Mrs. Ernest E. Putnam Loring Goodale
Mrs. Aubrey W. Gates Henry H. Thomas
Mrs. Ralph Knowlton Ralph Knowlton
H. Otis Verry
Children-Edward Wallace, Ina Wallace, Frieda Woodman. The Resolve to Petition the General Court
Richard Hutchinson (Fred H. Nowers)-" 'Tis nine miles to Salem town, too long by far and too great a distance from the place of meeting, both for the transaction of business and for public worship."
Thomas Fuller (Loring Goodale)-"Nay, the mother church we must adhere to. You know that Bray Wilkins, of Will's Hill, most strongly objects to this decided break."
Richard Hutchinson-"Harken, neighbor, unto me. We will the General Court petition for a separate parochial or- ganization. Come, let us arrange for an assembly wherein the farmers may discuss and agree upon the matter."
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EPISODE II. CHURCH ORGANIZED, 1689 Prologue
Draw back the curtain, let the stage be clear, As these, the sturdy signers of our covenant appear. There is John Putnam and his wife Rebecca, Bray Wilkins, too, and his wife Anna; Mary, wife to Samuel Abbie, Persis Way, Ezekiel Cheever; Sarah, Mistress Joshua Rea. These, and others, first their hearts to heaven incline, Then on the Covenant their names they sign. And "As one candle may light a thousand, So the light here kindled hath shone to Many, yea ! in some sort to our whole nation."
Music-York and other melodies from Father Kemp
Participants-Minister, Charles H. Preston. Others same as in scene one, without the children.
Minister-Dearly beloved brethren, we are gathered for the reading and signing of the covenant by which we shall establish ourselves as the Church of Christ in Salem Village. (The minister reads the covenant.)
1
Covenant*
We resolve uprightly to study what is our duty, and to make it our grief, and reckon it our shame, whereinsoever we find ourselves to come short in the discharge of it, and for pardon thereof humbly to betake ourselves to the Blood of the Everlasting Covenant.
And that we may keep this covenant, and all the branches of it, inviolable forever, being sensible that we can do nothing of ourselves,
*This part, up to where the people sign their names, is taken verbatim from the original covenant.
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We humbly implore the help and grace of our Mediator may be sufficient for us : Beseeching that whilst we are work- ing out our own salvation, with fear and trembling, He would graciously work in us both to will and to do. And that He, being the Great Shepherd of our souls, would lead us into the paths of righteousness, for his own Name's sake and at lengthi receive us all into the inheritance of the saints in Light.
(Minister and members sign covenant.)
Minister-We, true Christians, united by a willing cove- nant made with God, have placed ourselves under His gov- ernment keeping the divine law in a Holy Communion. We would hold our religion pure by making our lives accord with our daily reading of the Bible.
Minister-Beloved brethren, repeat after me: We cove- nant with God and with one another,
All-We covenant with God and with one another,
Minister-To walk in all His ways made known or to be made known to us,
All-To walk in all His ways made known or to be made known to us,
Minister-According to our best endeavor whatever it shall cost us,
All-According to our best endeavor whatever it shall cost us.
Minister (reading from the Bible)-Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, what- soever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good re- port; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Amen.
(Minister pronounces benediction, gathers up his papers and
goes to the door, bidding his people farewell.)
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EPISODE III. WITCHCRAFT, 1692 Prologue
When Ignorance, her mantle not yet furled, Summoned the powers of the underworld, Men saw in every shade and dusky nook The Devil waiting with a sable book; And each poor woman, destitute and bare, They thought was leagued with Powers of the Air And yet, there was no Christian country round Wherein some guiltless witch had not been drowned ! Now, ancient Danvers, at it was behold, In those far-off days whose story oft is told, The grim days when "Witchcraft" was the cry, When folks declared that they saw witches fly On devils' broomsticks straight across the moon, While the wind piped by night a witch's tune; Till Knowledge, supplanting Suspicion and base Fear, Brought ease and peace to all the country here. Grant us your patience : lend your eyes as well, The rest our pageant now will strive to tell.
Music-From pageant, Darkness and Light.
Pantomime
Entering in groups of two and three, the following take po- sition upon the stage : Mrs. C. L. Stone, Miss Mary Roberts, F. H. Nowers, Chester E. Wheeler, Frieda Woodman, Ray- mond Swinerton.
Coming on the dim stage and approaching the groups:
First, Superstition (Miss Mary Pitman), with black gar- ments, peaked hat, masked eyes.
People in agitated conversation.
Second, Fear (Mrs. Charles H. Preston), in guise of a witch, creeps in crouching attitude toward the groups. Peo- ple struck with consternation.
Third, Light (Mrs. Clarence W. Wentworth), attired in white, as an angel of peace. Welcomed by the people. Super- stition and Fear slink away.
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EPISODE IV. FOUNDING THE DAY SCHOOL, 1708 Prologue
Once on a time, our academic ways
Were trod in simpler guise. In other days Our fathers learned the hornbook and the rule, They toed the line or topped the dunce's stool ; An ancient dame presided as they read, And if they erred, her thimble rapped each head ; Each little girl a sampler made, in time, And wrought thereon her simple faith in rhyme. School masters, too, were oft austere, They ruled by birch, the rod severe ; Nor knew they then the power of love, As the chief instrument to improve The minds and hearts of docile youth And lead them to the Fane of Truth. 'Twas Joseph Green, beloved pastor, who, With knowledge large and vision lofty, true, Established here what now you are to see,
The first school taught in this community.
View not these artless ranks with laughing scorn,
Here was the higher education born ! Music-Old melody, Come, Come, Away
At last of scene-Faith. Mendelssohn
Participants
The minister, Rev. Joseph Green .H. H. Thomas
School Committeeman Frank T. Ferguson Teacher, Mrs. Katherine Daland. Mrs. Anna P. Marsh Pupils-Robert House, Clayton Wallace, Celia Stone, Marion Mugridge, Louise Swinerton, Nancy Marsh.
The children sing, the minister is not pleased. Two little fellows get to fighting and have to sit in the corner, wearing dunce caps.
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FIRST CHURCH, CONGREGATIONAL, DANVERS, MASS.
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EPISODE V. IN DAYS OF PARSON CLARK, ABOUT 1750 Prologue
Next, to the Village Church let us repair,- A queer old sombre structure, nearly square,
With a four-sided roof, surmounted by Its own epitome, a square belfry, In which a little bell, securely hung, Is by depending rope in broad aisle rung ; On one side of the aisle are seats for men, And on the other, seats and a sheep pen For good old women. There, to warm their feet, Was seen an article now obsolete,- A sort of basket tub of braided straw, Or husks, in which is placed a heated stone, Which does half-frozen limbs superbly thaw, And warm the marrow of the oldest bone; Side galleries, too, there are, for boys and men, And women young ;- a cock-loft negro pen. Beneath the pulpit is the deacons' seat, Where faces shine with piety replete ;- Reflect the lights, which from the pulpit fall,- Reflect and send them to the hearts of all.
The remainder of the prologue consisted of lines given in the Historical Address (see page 31).
The scene is after the service. The older people are dis- cussing the sermon and other sacred things with becoming solemnity, while a group of young people standing by are unable to control their propensity for fun and gossip. Con- sequently they suffer severe condemnation by the elders, which is expressed in look and gesture.
Music-Unrest (gossipy) Mendelssohn
Participants
Representing Older and Middle-aged-Messrs. George R. Tanch, F. T. Ferguson, Chester E. Wheeler, Wendell Durkee; Mrs. C. L. Stone, Mrs. C. H. Preston.
Young People-Mrs. Chester F. Voorhees, Ruth Gates, Evelyn Sawyer, Earle Knowlton, Charles S. Tapley.
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EPISODE VI. REVOLUTIONARY PERIOD, FEBRUARY 26, 1775. DISMISSING CONGREGATION AT THE FIRST CHURCH AND SCENE AT LESLIE BRIDGE, SALEM
I see and wonder, how for principle,
The ever-ruling concentrated will
Of a few people can and will maintain
Their rights assailed, and greater freedom gain,
From every effort made to put them down By church or state, by mitre or by crown.
The followers of principle, they go Where'er it leads, be it through joy or woe. So with our fathers, men of Danvers town,
And Salem, too. This be their just renown, First to resist their king in arms; lo! they Frighten his troops from their precincts away. And when a second visit they propose, In arms they Leslie at North Bridge oppose.
Within its shade of elm and oak The church of the First Parish stood ; There Sunday found the rural folk And some esteemed of gentle blood. The pastor came; his sunny locks Hallowed his brow of thought and care; And calmly as shepherds lead their flocks He led into the house of prayer. He raised his voice; the prayer was strong, The psalm was warrior David's song ; The text a few short words of might,- "The Lord of Hosts shall arm the right." He spoke of wrongs too long endured, Of sacred rights to be secured ; Then from his patriot tongue of flame The startling words for freedom came. But lo ! another voice is heard. A messenger has now appeared. The British troops are on the way
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From Marblehead across the bay, To seek the cannon, cherished long To fight the enemy so strong. Even as he heard, his frame renewed In eloquence of attitude, From startled pew to breathless choir The pastor swept his glance of fire. Then suddenly his mantle wide His hands impatient flung aside, And lo! he met their wondering eyes Complete in all a warrior's guise. Then striding from the desk he went To save their treasured armament. That story brave, to make it clear, We now repeat in picture here.
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Scene 1. In the Church Music-Church Hymns
The pastor, Benjamin Wadsworth (Chester E. Wheeler), is delivering his sermon when the messenger boy (George Wettlaufer) brings word that the British are coming from Marblehead to search for concealed arms and ammunition.
The pastor dismisses the congregation and hastens, with the minute men, to "Leslie Bridge."
Scene 2. At the Draw Bridge*
(Enter Col. Leslie (Geo. R. Tanch), Col. Pickering (Leonard Ramsdell), Rev. Mr. Wadsworth in military uniform, and Rev. Thomas Barnard (Sidney Swinerton).)
Leslie (addressing Pickering)-"Can you not, sir, exert your influence to persuade these rebels to allow the king's troops to pass along the king's highway on the king's busi- ness ?"
Pickering-"It is not the king's business to take posses- sion of property belonging to private individuals, nor is this, sir, the king's highway. This road, sir, is also private prop- erty. It does not belong, sir, to the king. As for the can- non you are looking for, find them if you can! Take them if you can! They will never be surrendered !"
Leslie-"Make way there for the king's troops, or I shall order them to fire upon you."
Mr. Barnard-"You cannot commit this violation against innocent men here, on this holy day, without sinning against God and humanity. Let me, therefore, entreat you to return."
Leslie-"And pray, who are you, sir ?"
Mr. Barnard-"I am Thomas Barnard, a minister of the gospel, and my brother minister, Mr. Wadsworth, stands with me in this protest.
*Some features of this episode are idealized. Mr. Wadsworth dismissed his congregation and was present at the bridge. The part assigned him there, however, is fanciful and was given for pictorial effect. Let Salem charge it to "poetic license" and accept apologies.
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Leslie-"I have my orders from Gen. Gage to cross this bridge, and I cannot in honor fail to carry out these orders. Will you, sir, permit these men to lower the draw?"
Mr. Barnard-"If you will give your word of honor that you will not march more than thirty rods beyond the bridge and will then return, I am sure Col. Pickering will allow you to pass over."
Pickering-If he will go but thirty rods beyond the bridge and make no attempt to disturb private property he may pass."
Leslie-"I give you the word of an English officer, sir."
Pickering-"Lower the draw."
Colonel Leslie salutes and withdraws, followed by Pick- ering and Wadsworth.
Withdrawal effected to tune of Washington March, called the Drum and Fife March, a favorite with the Continental Army and played at the battle of Yorktown.
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EPISODE VII. THE FIRST CHOIR. TIME OF DR. WADSWORTH
Prologue
Today we worship God with harp and violin, With choirs great and organ. Our temples now within All instruments of sweetness are found, our hearts to raise In penitence or gladness, our voices high in praise.
Not so when first our fathers made these shores their home. Within those early sacred fanes no instruments did come. The voice alone in broken tune upraised the song to God. The words from the Bay Psalm Book expressed their reverent mood.
Such words as these which follow were wafted to the sky In holy strains from God-filled hearts to the Blest One on high.
"I to the hills lift up mine eyes, From whence shall come mine aid. Mine help doth from Jehovah come, Which heav'n and earth hath made."
The melodies were few but strong, like Windsor, Litchfield, too,
A pitch pipe gave the setting ; a deacon did renew The memory of the people, by reading line by line,
And after each all joined once more to sing the song divine. When instruments were introduced, what trouble they did make !
The clarinet and fiddle and the bass viol take
The joy from out the service for many a one whose heart Rejects the new, clings to the old, nor will from it depart. A choir find we in our church in Doctor Wadsworth's day. They in the rearmost gallery sat and showed the better way To sing the songs of Zion, nor in our worship strong, Has choir failed us since that time, to roll our praise along. The generation just agone, whom many here recall,
In the noble strains upraised their hearts, of Father Kemp and all
THE "WHITE CHURCH." INTERIOR AFTER REMODELING
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FIRST CHURCH, CONGREGATIONAL, DANVERS, MASS.
The dear, delightful melodies which sing themselves today. They have a place in memory, which will be theirs alway. There's Invitation, Northfield, and Lenox, Victory, Strike the Cymbal, Jedediah, and Hail, Columbia,
But deep within our heart of hearts ('tis there where'er we roam) ;
We sing it oft, Oh! hear it now, Jerusalem, My Home.
The Anniversary Chorus here appeared and sang "Jeru- salem, My Glorious Home (Lowell Mason), from Father Kemp's Old Folks Concert Music.
505421 A
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THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
EPISODE VIII. SUNDAY SCHOOL ORGANIZED, 1818 Prologue
Foremost as patriot, founder of our choir, Good Parson Benjamin Wadsworth. He pressed on to acquire Yet more renown and honor, and greater service give In teaching Holy Scripture, that men might learn to live The better in the spirit of their most loving Lord By knowledge of and trusting the Bible's sacred Word. Hence our Sunday School arises in year eighteen eighteen, Among the first to organize in all the world, 'tis seen. Our present Deacon Richmond, and Superintendent, too, As Deacon Samuel Preston we ask you now to view. And with him see the little ones. The scene shows well the way,
How teaching was conducted in that now distant day.
Music-"There is a happy land," played softly throughout the scene
Participants
William Richmond, as Supt. Samuel Preston. Pupils: Roland Demsey, Henry Mitchell, Robert House, Clayton Wallace, Thelma Cross, Marion Mugridge, Louise Swinerton, Celia Stone, Ina Wallace, Frieda Woodman
Song by School-"Little drops of water, little grains of sand." Superintendent gives each a penny as a "reward of merit."
Some of the boys have a slight personal encounter, where- upon they are rebuked by the Superintendent in the classic lines from Isaac Watts, beginning "Let dogs delight to bark and bite, For God hath made them so."
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EPISODE IX. LADIES' BENEVOLENT SOCIETY, ORGANIZED 1832 Prologue
Arouse thee, staid and starveling Muse of mine,
Thou poor relation of the "heathen nine,"
And sing a song heroic, of the days When our First Church was led to novel ways By certain women, whose progressive scheme Was doubtless styled a visionary dream !
But they could plan a thing, and bear it through,- The dames who lived in 1832.
The dames who formed the new society Could ply the needle very skilfully.
From house to house, they used to meet to sew,
To stitch fine linen shirts, whose price would go Into the poor-fund, to assist, not rogues,
But Andover's poor, struggling theologues. For this cause, also, did they bind the shoe,- The dames who lived in 1832.
When the times change, our lives must change with them ; So, in our day, we do not meet to hem ;
Sewing is done at home, on a machine,
When missionary barrels loom large on the scene, Leaving the meetings free for social schemes, Or for discussing literary themes.
So come with us now and we shall view Those dames who lived in 1832.
(Meeting of Society. Sewing on missionary barrel for Mr. Daniel Lane, Andover theologue, about to go as mission- ary to Iowa .* Members are knitting, sewing, spinning, and transacting business.)
Participants
Mrs. Annie W. Gardner, presiding (as Mrs. Braman, first president) ; Mrs. Elbridge Gilford, Mrs. Edwin Dutcher, Mrs. F. E. Sawyer, Mrs. Frank C. Prentiss, Mrs. James L. Wentworth, Mrs. Ellen P. Wadsworth.
Music-Rockingham and other old hymn tunes
*An actual occurrence. The Benevolent Society outfitted Mr. Lane, who went out as a missionary with the famous "Iowa Band" in 1843.
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EPISODE X. THE SYMBOLS OF THE CHURCH 4
Prologue
We have striven to tell you the story Of two hundred and fifty years; To tell you in word and picture And music that thrills and cheers, Of the beautiful days that are bygone, Of men and women that loved, And prayed and labored and suffered, That the Master might not be removed
From the hearts of their generation, Or any that ever should come; That God might reign in His glory In this, their church and their home.
We tell them over and over, The beautiful tales of the past ; Of Green and Wadsworth and Braman And others down to the last, That children may know the inheritance That comes to us out of the years, To make us Christian and loyal, And banish sorrows and fears.
We have tried to tell you the chapters By word and picture tonight. There is much that is left unuttered, Though cherished in memory bright. Now think once again of the glories Of the days beyond recall ; Of the words that stand out as symbols, Combining, revealing them all.
There are Faith and Hope, twin virtues, And Peace-but rising above And greater than all the others, Immortal, unchangeable Love.
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We've received this gift from the Fathers, We are keepers of their choice bequest. May the God of our Fathers be with us, Till we too shall enter their rest.
Music-"Our God, our help in ages past"-tune of St. Anne Contemplation-Holy City .. Gaul
Faith (Miss Mary Pitman)-The Lord is my Shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pas- tures. He leadeth me beside the still waters.
My soul doth magnify the Lord and my spirit hath rejoiced in God, my Saviour.
Now Faith is assurance of things hoped for, a convicition of things not seen. For by it the elders had witness borne to them. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar. And what shall I more say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah; of David and Samuel and the prophets, who through Faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness . .. from weakness were made strong.
Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our Faith.
Hope (Mrs. Chester F. Voorhees)-Jehovah is my por- tion, saith my soul. Therefore will I hope in Him. It is good that a man should hope and quietly wait for the sal- vation of Jehovah. Therefore let us rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but let us also rejoice in our tribulations. Knowing that tribulation worketh patience ; and patience, probation ; and probation, hope ; and hope put- teth not to shame; because the love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Ghost which was given unto us.
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Ghost.
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Love (Mrs. Clarence W. Wentworth)-If I speak with tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am be- come sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mys- teries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.
Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil.
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
Peace (Miss Olive Durkee)-He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God; in him will I trust.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night: nor for the arrow that flieth by day :
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
If ye continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts through Christ Jesus. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
The Child (Marion Mugridge)-Finally, brethren, be per- fect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith ; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the
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love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church, by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
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