USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medway > Fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the Village Congregational Church, Medway, Mass., Friday, Sept. 7, 1888 > Part 4
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In place of this church audience, elegantly seated and attentive, another audience rises to my view, filling seats plainly furnished and long since removed. Directly at my left sits Mr. Chestnut, and behind him an auburn-haired boy, unconscious of his destiny as deacon. And then come the Rays and the Clarks and the Turners. Directly in front sits Deacon Allen. Behind him are Mrs. Edena Sanford, and occasionally her sons, and oftener her daughter. Still to the left, across the aisle, occasionally of an afternoon sits Lawyer Lovering. And near him, by some affinity, in a kind of doctor's section, as the years pass, there sit, in irregular attendance, Dr. Brown, Dr. Monroe, Dr. Salisbury, and Dr. Knight. Close by are the Eatons, the Partridges, the Coles, the Masons, the Hurds, Clark Walker, Amos Fisher, Abijah Metcalf, and so on. And over at the west side what a stir there is when Dr. Nathaniel Miller, of River End, sweeps in with his eagle eye and snowy hair, close clipped, a little late ! I sit again in my own pew over there with Polly Wood and Deacon Fisher, and Theodore and his mother and mine, she still using, occasionally, the winter foot-stove. Where did the rest of the children sit In range of my eye there sit again James B. Wilson, Luther Metcalf, Stephen J. Metcalf,
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and the family of the minister, several of whom, and chil- dren's children, we delight to meet today. Across the aisle sits the deaf-mute, Christopher Fisher, sharing in the spirit though not in the letter of the service. Close by are the Danielses, Wyman Adams, Nathaniel Clark, and the Coreys. Nearer the pulpit, upon its right, are Elijah Partridge and Sewall Clark and William Adams, and the Adams sisters, attending always so punctually. And how promptly at the close of the afternoon service, at the last hymn, we all turn about and, standing during the singing, stare at the choir !
The library board, placed upon the pew-tops at the south side of the church, in front of a semi-circular extension of wall space; the bulletin board in the porch, with its publish- ments of intended marriage and its warrants for town meet- ings; the Sabbath-breaking sextons, Abbe, and afterwards Hill; the rugged face of nature in front of the church; the stamping and squealing of horses under the oaks near the east windows - what a crowd of memories return today from the days and years that are dead !
May the growth and expansion of the next fifty years excel the scenes and facts of today as much as the present condition of the Village Church excels those humble begin- nings of which we are reverently and gratefully mindful at this memorial hour !
" After the sons, it is fitting," said the pastor, "that we should hear from the 'sons by marriage,'" and introduced
REV. SAMUEL J. SPALDING, D.D.,
of Newburyport, who married Sarah L., youngest daughter of Hon. Luther and Sarah Metcalf, who thus answered for himself :
MY acquaintance with this church began in 1842. Rev. David Sanford was then in the fullness of his strength and influence. The people of his congregation were by no means homogeneous in their religious views, but their confidence in his kindliness of heart, and in his personal interest in them-
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selves and in their families, was such that they were a thoroughly united flock. He was interested in everything which concerned the individual welfare of his people, and the good of the community. It was through his solicitation that I engaged to open a select school in the village; and on going there, I at once reported myself to Mr. Sanford on Saturday forenoon, as the school was to commence on Monday. It was characteristic of his kind and efficient activity, that he said to me: " Now I wish you to see some of the people of this village, that they may send their children to you on Monday ; and I will be ready to go with you immediately after dinner." Putting aside all his preparations for the Sabbath, he called with me upon more than thirty families ; not waiting for them to come to the door, he simply knocked, and passed directly into the house. Before nine o'clock on Monday morning, we had called on every family in the village who had children likely to attend the school. When we were going our rounds, if any objected that they would like to avail themselves of the school, but they were unable to furnish the required money for tuition, he would say, "Oh, send in your child, and we will see about the tuition !" and he took the responsibility. He was connected with the public schools of the town, and he spared no pains in securing good teachers, and interesting the people in the cause of public education.
As a pastor, Mr. Sanford knew his people intimately. He was the first person in the parish to become aware of any case of illness, or misfortune, or sorrow of any kind. He regarded all the people living in the village as the special objects of his care and interest, whether they attended his church or not; and he was accustomed to call on them all in his regular pastoral visitations. He knew not only their present condition, but where they came from ; and if he were passing through the places with which they were connected, he would seek out their friends to receive and communicate pleasant intelligence. He was a sincere sympathizer with his people in all their sorrow. Nothing touched them that
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did not touch him. He never thought of sparing himself any labor, or any inconvenience, if he could advance the welfare of the people, or minister to their comfort.
Mr. Sanford was very much interested in obtaining employment and situations for his young people; he was an energetic and efficient Young Men's Christian Association and Young People's Society in himself. In several instances, representatives of other religious denominations came to look over this village for the purpose of establishing their own peculiar church here; but they received little encourage- ment, even from those who might be in sympathy with their views, who told them that Mr. Sanford was a good man, and doing a good work here, and they did not wish to separate themselves from his congregation, or favor any divisive influence.
He was greatly esteemed by his fellow clergymen. He was always ready to serve any of his ministerial brethren whenever it was possible to aid them. While he had his own theological views, Mr. Sanford never allowed them to imbitter his feelings, or bar his intercourse with his brethren. He was interested in all true reforms, and his voice and his vote could always be relied upon to carry forward the church to a higher and better Christian life. He was an anti-slavery man, decided and firm in his convictions at a time when even all good men did not see their way clear on this point of practical righteousness.
Nearly all the men whom I knew as prominent in laying the foundation of this religious society have passed away ; as Luther Metcalf, Cary, Wilson, Mason, Sanford, and others whose names it would be pleasant to recall. Deacon M. M. Fisher still remains. This church with its beautiful appoint- ments and surroundings, the village library, Sanford Hall, the stated congregation of intelligent Christian people who worship here-all these have grown out of the wise and beneficent influence which founded this church. It has been signally favored of God in having its second and present pastor in full accord with the spirit and purpose of its
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founders. And today, while we recall the blessed memories of the past, we congratulate you on the possession of such bright prospects for the future. You have been favored, not alone in temporal prosperity, but in the spiritual gifts of divine grace by which large numbers have been brought into the fellowship and communion of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The next " son by marriage " called upon was
REV. CALVIN CUTLER,
of Auburndale, who married Sarah, daughter of Rev. David Sanford, and after her decease, her youngest sister Martha. Mr. Cutler responded as follows :
My Dear Friends : In the order of nature it is not given to a man to say who shall be his father; but this disability he may in part overcome by choosing whom he will for his father-in-law, provided, indeed, that some one else first be willing.
It is true I was not born in this town - I had no voice in that matter. It happened to me, however, to be born just over the border, and if my infant feet never strayed across the line, no doubt my voice might have been heard, and understood by those that ran - if indeed it were not enough to make them run. It happened, too, that my boyhood was passed just beyond the border of the parish where your first pastor was settled before he came to be your minister. His name was a household word in all the region round about. It was common talk how many were the calls he made, how tender his ministrations to the sick, how kind his attentions to the needy and the stranger. His good name gave me courage to apply for a school, and I came here to teach, and became a boarder at his house. There I saw his cordial hospitality regardless of limited means; the agent was always welcome to dine or stay over night; for the poor he always had something to give; and was ready with a word or letter
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of sympathy for the afflicted. He was busy as he could be, and his business seemed to be like the Master's - doing good. This gave alertness to his feet, his tongue, his quill.
The story never could have been true of him that has been told of the great thinker, Jonathan Edwards - how he was riding along on horseback, absorbed in thought, going to the pasture for his cows, and when he came to the fence a boy stood by and politely let down the bars for him. He inquired, "Whose boy are you ?" And the boy replied, "I am John Clark's boy, sir." Soon he came riding back, driving the cows before him, and the same boy stood waiting to put up the bars after him. Again he asked, "Whose boy are you ?" and was answered promptly, " I'm the same man's boy that I was five minutes ago." Rev. Mr. Sanford knew the boys.
A second winter I spent in the same way. And so it happened that while I was looking up to the minister - or ever I was aware - I had fallen in love with one of his daugh- ters, and grew no wiser by it, for afterward it happened a second time; and friends had no pity for me, for they knew that none was needed. So, if I never was a member of this church, it might be said that twice I came within one of it.
And so it's a pleasure to be with you in this celebration, delicious to listen to the very felicitous words that have been spoken. They seem to bring echoes out of the past that like a trumpet waken them that sleep, and the dust is made to speak and bow the knee with the living in grateful homage to God our Saviour.
Those thirty-four, we feel, were wise when they formed themselves into a church. They caught the spirit of the ancient prayer : "Draw me, and I will run after Thee." They stood together, and each was helped by all the rest; and as a church they have counted more for good than they could as individuals ; their light has been brighter, their gifts have been larger. Divine wisdom appointed the church as the channel for receiving and doing good. The hearts of many rejoice at the record of this church. It has had no
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grant from government. It has not been supported by the strength of an ecclesiastical system. It has leaned on no architectural prop nor pomp of ceremonial. But in a good, republican, scriptural way it has finished its first half-century.
It has done a good work. It has suffered responsibility to rest upon individual members. They have considered great questions pertaining to the church and the state and the family. They have learned to think, and to vote, and to give, as Christian citizens. Men, and women, and children have been brought into the kingdom of God, of whom many have fallen asleep, and many that remain will by the recollec- tions of this day be refreshed for renewed service.
Things that are lovely and of good report the church has cherished. Its influence for good upon hearts and lives, upon homes and schools in this community, and in distant lands, will be shown though not measured by what we hear today. The story of the past gives a guiding word for the future. We read it also in the Song of Songs, which is Solomon's : " Go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents."
REMARKS BY REV. SAMUEL J. HORTON, D.D.,
Principal of the Episcopal Academy, Cheshire, Ct.
WITH great pleasure I received the invitation of your pastor to attend the semi-centennial celebration of this church, and take part in its exercises by contributing some- thing in the way of reminiscence.
Although not born in Medway, but near the separating line of this town and Franklin, yet, as I spent the most inter- esting period of my life in this village, I have been claimed as a Medway boy. I am proud to know I am thus regarded, and that many who knew me in my younger days have a most kindly remembrance of me. And surely the memories most dear to me are connected with my life here. There is
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no spot that I take more pleasure in visiting than this delight- ful village " set on a hill." Here everything reminds me, not only of the many years passed since boyhood, of the great changes that have taken place, but of the happy days spent here.
In my wanderings among familiar scenes I visit the rock in the river, at the place which has always been a public lavatory, and find imbedded in the solid stone a portion of an iron rod, placed there by my own hands more than fifty years ago, for the construction of apparatus designed to give effect- ive aid to the bathers in their plunge from the rock into the river.
Not less fixed in my mind than that iron in the rock are the happy memories of this village, and not less enduring than the rock itself the principles imbibed here, which have had an important influence on my life.
I come, then, to express my gratitude, and to show my interest in whatever pertains to the good of this community. I come to congratulate this church on having completed half a century since its organization, at the ceremonies of which I was present, and to recognize how great an instrumentality it has been in aiding religious progress and in bringing souls to the knowledge of the blessed Saviour. If I except a few who have reached an age far beyond the allotted span, I think there are none better acquainted than myself with the cir- cumstances and influences which led to the formation of this religious society.
Before its organization, efforts were made by different denominations of Christians to establish divine worship here. These continued for a time, but were not successful. A Sunday-school was for a time sustained, of which G. W. Hunt was superintendent, and I was one of the teachers.
To the Rev. Dr. Ide, of the West Parish, great credit is due for sustaining for a long period Sunday evening services, and, one evening each week, instructing a Bible class. With all who knew him, I hold the memory of Dr. Ide in the greatest reverence. To his example and teachings I owe
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much. Of strong intellect, of shrewd discernment, a sound reasoner, and a safe counselor, by his sermons and his example he gained an influence which was not lost through the many years of his long life.
Until this church edifice was built, many of the families in the village attended his church in West Medway. While the father and mother and daughters of a family rode to the service on Sunday, the boys were expected to go on foot. It was interesting to see the procession of boys form of a Sunday morning on their way to church. It would start from the lower end of the village with only two or three in the ranks, but would gain accessions as it advanced, and by the time it reached the upper part it was quite large. Many of the rank and file I remember well. I am tempted to give their names. There were Edward and Abram Harding, Edward Eaton, Francis Clark, Orion A. Mason, Edward and George Sanford, Eliab, William Henry, and Alfred Allen, Stephen Whiting, and Luther H. Metcalf. Many of these gained distinction, but only two of this company, besides myself, are now living.
Those were happy days, though sad to think of now. We never tired of the walk and of each other's company, though we were sometimes wearied with the too long and almost continuous services. At times when Dr. Ide, finish- ing the last division of the three heads of his sermon at eighteenthly, came to "reflections," we reached a state of somnolency before "in conclusion " and " finally " ended the afternoon's discourse.
There were many influences at work to end all this, and provide a new place of worship.
While many attended service either at East or West Medway on Sunday, too large a number remained at home. There were earnest souls who felt that something must be done, who saw the necessity of concentrated and organized effort for the religious welfare of the village, and with hearts filled with the love of the Redeemer, they were unwilling to leave any means untried to bring all within His saving influ-
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ence. Some of these died before their prayers were answered. Moses Felt I remember well, a godly man, who was known by all " to have been with Jesus." Philo Sanford died at an advanced age, before his son became pastor of this church. He was a man of religious spirit and of high Chris- tian character. By his own worth, by the benefactions of his grandsons, and by the lasting work of his son in the ministry here, the name of Sanford will always be held in reverence.
In the selection of its first pastor the church was most fortunate. After its organization my association with its members was such that I knew their great anxiety, and that they felt there should be no mistake in the choice of a pastor. A kindly Providence seemed to interpose in their favor. The Rev. David Sanford was unanimously chosen.
He was a native of this village, and brought up with those who afterwards became the people of his charge. It might be thought that on this account there would be preju- dice against him ; but it does not seem, in this village, to hold true that "a prophet is not without honor but in his own country, among his own kin, and in his own house."
Of those known to me as active in the formation of this society, a large proportion have passed away. Among these was Orion Mason, Sr., a man who "walked with God," of humble deportment, yet possessing great energy of character, of most generous disposition, and liberal in his benefactions to every good cause. For his kindness to me I wish here to express my gratitude. When I commenced my studies for the ministry and needed help, without charge he took me into his family, gave me material aid, and thus enabled me successfully to complete my preparation for college, and in vacations I always found a cordial welcome in his home.
Clark Partridge was then in the vigor of his manhood, active in his business pursuits, but not less interested in what pertained to the cause of religion. Deacon Samuel Allen soon after its organization, in mature life, became a member of this church. Many, doubtless, remember him well; a man of refined and cultivated mind, with musical talent and taste,
1
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gifted with inventive genius, witty, genial, and kind, sympa- thizing with and a friend to all ; his last years crowned with the halo of sincere piety, his usefulness was great, and his loss to this society severely felt.
Luther Metcalf, Esq., whose lengthened life but a few years since ended, came at a late hour into the vineyard. Always a man of the highest rectitude and integrity, religion only gave greater strength to his principles, while it had a softening influence upon his character. In intercourse with him in his last years, I was struck with his manifest humility and the strength of his convictions. The brightness of re- ligious hope gave a glow to his sunset sky, and "at evening there was light about him."
As St. Paul gave earnest commendation to those devoted women who labored with him "in the gospel," so should you hold in grateful remembrance those women who here illus- trated the Christian virtues, and gave their influence and aid to the work of Christ. I recall with most reverent feeling Mrs. James Wilson, whose godly life was a pattern to all. No Christian woman ever possessed a gentler, sweeter character. Her heart was overflowing with charity and her love for the Saviour, and the depth of her religious feeling was manifest in every word and act. Her name is surely "written in the Book of Life." Mrs. Edena Sanford was a woman of different stamp, but not unlike her in attachment to the cause of Christ, and in her readiness to do all in her power for its suc- cess. Of great determination and energy, her characteristics were possessed in a high degree by her distinguished sons.
How many estimable women might be mentioned, whose prayerful and zealous efforts I knew in connection with the inception of this church, and who have a bright record in its annals. Most have passed to their reward ; some still linger, who, in their lengthened years, show undiminished zeal, and still are active in every good work.
I cannot refrain from trespassing a moment more upon your time to mention two friends of my youth, whose worth you know and whose loss you cannot cease to deplore. In
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this village the name of Edward Eaton cannot be forgotten. The qualities which gained your respect in later life endeared him to me in his youth.
Shall we not speak of one beloved, who so recently passed away, though he so modestly and humbly forbade words of eulogy in respect to himself? We " seek not his merits to disclose ;" there is no need. We all know the kind- ness and gentleness of his nature, while he possessed great strength of character. With a fondness for intellectual pur- suits he yet applied himself diligently to business, showing not only great ability, but an example of the highest integrity. Ever busy in fulfilling the many trusts committed to his charge, yet he was not neglectful of Christian duty. Oh, sad was the hour to us all, though joyful to him, when Orion A. Mason passed to the "higher life!"
Having spoken of the dead, may I not say a word of the living? I cannot forbear to speak of one who has many years lived among you, and by his lengthened life of usefulness, and his untiring efforts in everything that pertains to the good of this community, has endeared himself to all. His intel- lectual acquirements, his clear judgment, his broad charity, his prudence in counsel and energy in action, his readiness in emergency, his public spirit, his purity of character, and his devotedness to the cause of religion, make your venerable Deacon Milton M. Fisher a blessing to this village and a strong " pillar in the house of the Lord." May his days yet be prolonged, and far distant the time when he will be laid to rest with the fathers in yonder cemetery, which was by him- self designed and beautified, and which, by deed this day, he has generously given to this society to be "a possession for- ever."
And now in closing I will say that I have tried, to the interest of this occasion, to add my memories, which have for their scope the last fifty years. Although not in full harmony with you in respect to church polity, I am not so narrow in my views that I cannot recognize excellence, nor approve
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earnest Christian effort, in organizations which are not after my own pattern.
A new spirit seems to be pervading the Christian world, and charity widely extending its influence. Christians are just finding out that the things in which they agree greatly exceed those in which they differ from each other. I was greatly touched when, a few years since, I received an urgent application from an active member of this church for a con- tribution for the building of an Episcopal chapel in this place ; and I believe the kind disposition which prompted this appli- cation is not wanting in any of the members of this church, and that they all, like many earnest souls, are longing for Christian unity.
And allow me to say that, though so long thought ex- clusive, the Episcopal church is at the present day foremost in its proffers for "organic unity," willing to sink all differ- ences as to form and ceremony, and to adhere alone to what is deemed essential. May God hasten the time when we shall " all see eye to eye," when what is extraneous shall not be deemed essential and what is essential shall alone be re- garded, when all marching under one banner shall realize there is " one body and one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
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