USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Medway > Fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the Village Congregational Church, Medway, Mass., Friday, Sept. 7, 1888 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7
" He passed through glory's morning gate, And walked in Paradise."
I do not need to characterize him for those of you who knew him. The testimony respecting him is unanimous. His promptness, activity, and zeal in the Master's service were conspicuous even to the casual observer. But by the touch of his heart on men's hearts is he most lovingly remem- bered. His ready sympathy and generous aid to those in trouble, his tender forbearance with the erring and unreliable, his courtesy and kindness toward all -the result of a Christ- like love for all - these were traits of his, the remembrance of which, is as inseparable from his name, as warmth is from sunshine. My own relation to him was of the most harmon- ious nature. The model pastor gracefully became the model parishioner, and while he lived I always found in him a prudent adviser and a sympathetic friend.
There was an unavoidable delay between the acceptance of the call by Mr. Harlow and his installation, but on the date before mentioned, February 13, 1872, an installing council convened, representing the following churches: Church of Christ in Medway, Rev. E. O. Jameson, pastor; Deacon Wil- liam Daniels, delegate. Second Church in Medway, Rev. Stephen Knowlton, pastor; Bro. E. B. Fuller, delegate. Church in Medfield, Rev. J. M. R. Eaton, pastor ; George Davis, delegate. Church in Franklin, Rev. Luther Keene, pastor ; Deacon E. E. Baker, delegate. Church in Milford, Charles D. Herbert, D.D., delegate. Church in Walpole, Rev. Horace R. Trinlow, pastor. Church in Norfolk, Rev. Jesse K. Bragg, pastor; Deacon William Mann, delegate. Church in South Franklin, Bro. N. N. Daniels, delegate.
72
SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE
Church in Holliston, Rev. H. S. Kelsey, pastor ; Deacon · Timothy Daniels, delegate. Church in Hopkinton, Deacon J. A. Fitch, delegate. Church in Wareham, Rev. Isaiah C. Thacher, pastor. Central Church in Middleboro, Deacon Ivory H. Harlow, delegate. Central Square Church in Bridgewater, Rev. Horace Walker, pastor; Bro. A. G. Boyden, delegate. First Church in Chelsea, Deacon C. A. Richardson, delegate. Berkeley Street Church, Boston, Rev. W. B. Wright, pastor ; Franklin Snow, delegate.
Rev. William C. Carruthers, of Calais, Maine, was by vote admitted as a member of the council. The council ap- proving the action of the church and parish, and after exami- nation indorsing the candidate, the installation services took place in the following order: Invocation and Reading of the Scriptures, Rev. William C. Carruthers ; Introductory Prayer, Rev. H. R. Trinlow ; Sermon, Rev. William B. Wright; In- stalling Prayer, Rev. David Sanford; Charge to Pastor, Rev. Isaiah C. Thacher ; Right Hand of Fellowship, Rev. Ephraim O. Jameson; Address to the People, Rev. Horace D. Walker ; Concluding Prayer, Rev. Stephen Knowlton; Benediction by the pastor.
I shall not be expected to speak at length on the history of our church during the present pastorate. Some items testifying to our prosperity, both in material and spiritual interests, may be mentioned as causes for devout gratitude. The clerk of the parish has spoken of the improvements made upon our house of worship, and its surrounding grounds, and the better financial basis on which the parish has been placed during this period. We are humbly grateful to our Heavenly Father that a good measure of spiritual prosperity has also been granted to us. From time to time seasons of special religious interest have been enjoyed, resulting in help- ful additions to our membership.
In 1875 quite a general interest was manifested, and as a result twenty were added to the church on profession. Of these all but two were past thirty years of age; one was eighty ; most were heads of families. In the winter of 1881-
73
VILLAGE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, MEDWAY, MASS.
82 a second interest occurred, which was confined to the young people. Eleven were added to the church, as a result, on profession. The most general interest was enjoyed in 1887, when, in common with most of the churches in our con- ference, in connection with the labors of Evangelist S. M. Sayford, the church was revived and many of the congrega- tion turned to the Lord. At the May communion thirty-one were received on confession of faith, the largest number that has joined the church at one time during its history. The aggregate for the year was forty-eight, all but three uniting on confession of faith.
In closing our notice of the not yet finished history of the present pastorate, suffice it to say that we enter upon our next half-century harmonious in spirit, and better organized and equipped for future efficient service than ever before.
It is fitting that mention should here be made of those officers of the church who stand only second in importance to the pastor - viz., the deacons.
On the 4th of September, 1840, Samuel Allen, George W. Hunt, and Milton M. Fisher were inducted into office with appropriate services. Samuel Allen has the distinction of being the first male child born in Franklin after its incor- poration into a town, and furnished in his character a worthy specimen by which to sample succeeding citizens. He was born of a goodly ancestry and received the training of a Chris- tian home - a training which his life honored. His mother was of Scottish lineage, which included some who held titles. She used sometimes to interest her boys by telling them the story of one of these, a young lord, who deserted his home and came to America. On one occasion, after the boy Samuel had listened to the fascinating story, he went to his father and asked if there were no lords or dukes among his ancestors. The father, putting his hand on the boy's head, said : "No, my son. 'Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.' You come of a godly ancestry. See that you do nothing to disgrace it."
Mr. Allen was a sort of universal genius. Apprenticed
74
SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE
to the carpenter's trade, he studied architecture evenings while his fellow apprentices were playing cards, and made himself master of the art. He draughted and put up a run of circular stairs in the house of Dr. Dean, which were the ad- miration and marvel of the region. He also made musical instruments, and his violins and bass viols gained quite a repu- tation in this locality. He was a singer as well as a player on instruments, and Dr. Ide mentions the fact, in his fiftieth an- niversary sermon, that Mr. Allen led the singing at his ordi- nation in 1814. Later in life he had charge of the carding department of the Cotton Manufacturing Company in Medway. He was a great reader, a man of genial disposition, and uni- versally respected. For a long time he shrank from making a public profession of religion, because he was not satisfied that he had ever experienced that mental and moral convul- sion that was thought by some to be indispensable to the com- mencement of the Christian life.
In the revival of 1839 he received a spiritual impulse that led him to take his stand with God's people, by a public profession of his faith. He honored his profession as a Chris- tian and his office as a deacon. So loyal was he to this church that after his removal from the town it was his custom for some years to return and spend communion Sabbaths here. He died in the faith of the gospel at the advanced age of eighty-eight, in Newport, R. I., where he was at the time residing with his daughter, Mrs. Darius D. Buffum.
George W. Hunt was born in Medway, March 14, 1808. He resided in this village before the church was organized, and was active in the Sabbath-school as teacher and superin- tendent. He subsequently removed to the west village, but returned in 1840. He remained in Medway only five years after his election as deacon, and went from here to Fitchburg, where he joined the First Congregational Church. He was very zealous in the anti-slavery movement, and so much in- terested in making Kansas a free State that he joined the original party that went to Kansas in 1854, under the direc- tion of the New England Emigrant Aid Society. This com
-
John W. Richardson
75
VILLAGE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, MEDWAY, MASS.
pany were the original settlers of Lawrence, and gave to this now prosperous city its name, in honor of the late Amos Lawrence, of Boston. Deacon . Hunt was very active in founding this liberty-loving State. He voted for its free-state constitution, and for Dr. Charles Robinson as its Governor. He lived to see not only Kansas, but the country, redeemed from the curse of slavery. He died in Lawrence, Kansas, March 24, 1870. Some years ago this church, in remem- brance of his services, furnished a dormitory room in Wash- burn College, Topeka, Kansas, which has since been called " the Hunt room."
Milton M. Fisher has just completed his forty-eighth year of service as deacon. A native of Franklin, he removed to this village in 1840, a young man of thirty, equipped by home nurture, by educational advantages, and some business experience, for the responsible and influential position he has held among us. How he has given the initial impulse, and subsequent direction to various projects for our business ad- vancement and prosperity ; how loyal he has ever been to our educational and social interests ; how faithfully he has served this parish as moderator of its meetings, member of its busi- ness committee, and general counselor - this church as deacon, Sunday-school superintendent, standing committee, pastor's assistant and substitute in church services and conference meetings, and as a most liberal supporter and prudent ad- viser ; how he has purchased and laid out a beautiful burial-place for the bodies of those whom we miss from our homes because God hath taken them; how he has given the same to this society by offer today ; how he has always been the adviser first sought for by those in any sort of trouble ; and how com- pletely he has been absorbed in making this celebration a success, - will it not be written in the chronicles of the princes and mighty men of Medway Village ?
John W. Richardson was chosen deacon November I, 1867, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Deacon Allen. With a native modesty which is one of the evidences of merit, he declined the office, but subsequently was induced
76
SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE
to waive his own preferences in deference to the judgment and wishes of others, and since 1868 has performed the duties of this office with increasing faithfulness. Having put on the yoke of discipleship in his youth, he has rendered service to the church in various offices, as Sunday-school teacher and superintendent, and member of the standing committee, for many years. The church is fortunate in possessing a junior deacon so worthy and efficient. Long may he be spared to us !
Two of our members are doing missionary service under the patronage of the American Board of Foreign Missions, viz. : Mrs. Mary Winsor, daughter of the first pastor, who married Rev. Richard Winsor, September 7, 1870, the day of his ordination in this church to the Christian ministry, he being at the time under appointment for service in India. Mr. and Mrs. Winsor have been doing very effective work in Sirur, Poona district, India, for eighteen years past. In addition to the ordinary mission work, Mr. Winsor, seeing the necessity of furnishing the students in mission schools with a trade, by which they might support themselves in the future, established an industrial school, which, under his energetic and wise administration, has demonstrated its value. The British government shows its appreciation of this enter- prise by providing a building and paying one half the expense for land and machinery. Lord Reay, Governor of Bombay, and the Duke of Connaught, commander-in-chief of the Bom- bay army, have written very commendatory letters, after per- sonal inspection of the school. In 1883 Mr. and Mrs.
Winsor, with their family, visited this country. Mr. Winsor spent much of his time, during the visit, in interesting churches and individuals in his work, and securing funds for its enlargement. They returned to their field of labor early in November, 1884, leaving their eldest child, a daughter, in this country to be educated.
One of our boys, George C. Garland, who was born in Medway and spent his youth here, and who at the age of eighteen united with our church, having served as first officer
77
VILLAGE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, MEDWAY, MASS.
of the missionary packet "Morning Star," under Captain Bray, has succeeded to the command, for which he was cmi- nently qualified. His answer, when called upon for a speech at a religious service held on board the last "Morning Star," just before she left Boston, is characteristic of the man : "I am no speech-maker, but if you want anything done, I am ready." Letters are occasionally received from Captain Gar- land by his friends here, which show a deep and growing · interest in his work. Our church is, through these represent- atives, intimately associated with missionary enterprises on both hemispheres.
While none of our young men have entered the Christian ministry, our church has been well represented in the pastoral service through her daughters, who have from time to time been invited into ministerial copartnership. In fact, our church and parish seem to have been the favorite hunting- ground for ministers and lawyers, doctors and school-teachers, manufacturers and merchants, seeking partners. One who ought to know has informed me that within the past thirty- four years, forty-five of our daughters have thus been appro- priated. This is no surprise to me, since I have been impressed, ever since my coming here, with the eminent capabilities of the Medway ladies already in the field, and those who are coming on, for almost any position and service to which Providence may summon them, even though by a token not bigger than a man's hand. Lest there may seem to be an inconsistency between my convictions and conduct, let me remind you that it is the shopkeeper's business to recommend, tie up, and deliver the goods - not to appropri- ate them.
Several sons of our church are doing good service for the world in positions that demand peculiar gifts and attain- ments. Among them I mention Gilbert O. Fay, Ph.D., who has devoted his life to the well-being of one class of unfortu- nates, serving as instructor and preacher in an institution for deaf mutes in Columbus, Ohio, where he spent eighteen ycars, during fourteen of which he held the office of superintendent.
78
SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE
In 1880 he was elected professor in the American Asylum at Hartford, Conn., a position which he still occupies. Although educated for the ministry and licensed to preach, he was never ordained. Yet it is safe to say that he has been a true minister to humanity in the name of Christ, and as a preacher (in his way) has few equals.
Another of our sons, Dr. Theodore W. Fisher, has iden- tified his name and service with another class of unfortunates - the insane. Making mental diseases a specialty for many years, in which he is recognized as an expert, he was ap- pointed superintendent of the Boston Lunatic Hospital in 1880- an office which he has since held to the advantage of the institution and the credit of himself.
Henry B. Richardson, who united with our church in 1858, graduated with the highest honors at Amherst College in 1869. He was instructor in Latin from 1869 to 1873, and classical teacher in the High School in Springfield, Mass., from 1873 to 1876. He then spent two years in study at the University of Leipsic, Germany. Returning to Amherst, he served as instructor in Latin for a year, when he was ap- pointed professor of German, which position he still efficiently holds.
While special mention is made of those who have filled the more prominent places in the service of Christ and humanity, we are not unmindful of the fact that there are many also who, although less conspicuous in their service, by their steady work and prevalent prayers have accomplished results the measure of which the Master only can declare. Not all the stones in a building are face-stones, or carry deco- rations; but the unseen binders and backers, that hold the wall together and give it solidity, do a service without which the building could have no permanence.
From the first this church has been in cordial sympathy with all the organizations inaugurated by our denomination for the promotion of Christ's kingdom in our own and foreign lands. Under the leadership of a pastor who was proverbially benevolent and intensely interested in every project of Chris-
79
VILLAGE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, MEDWAY, MASS.
tian philanthropy, ours could not be otherwise than an active and generous church. The same is true of its attitude to- ward the great political and social reforms which have agitated our country during the period embraced in our church life. It was among the foremost in its advocacy of the abolition of slavery ; its officers were pronounced anti- slavery men at a time when that doctrine was exceedingly unpopular, even in Massachusetts. One of the deacons1 was a pioneer in the anti-slavery movement, and as early as 1833, when a freshman in Amherst College, startled the professor of rhetoric by an original oration upon the theme of " Human Freedom," and was criticised for his bold utterances - a cen- sure which only confirmed him in opinions that he believed were right, although their utterance was unpopular on the platform of a Christian college. He has lived to win and to enjoy the satisfaction of such a triumph.
With such officers it is no marvel to find in the church records, as early as 1842, the approval by unanimous vote of a memorial to the American Board of Commissioners for For- eign Missions, declaring against the impiety of slaveholding, to be sent in connection with neighboring churches, and the adoption of resolutions which practically disfellowshiped all churches in sympathy with slaveholding. Nor does it sur- prise us to be told that during the War of the Rebellion this church and people were in hearty sympathy with the govern- ment, and that the utterances of this platform left no one in doubt of the attitude of this pastor and people upon the issuc of the hour.
One member of the church deserves special notice in this connection -the Rev. Caleb Kimball, who lost his eyesight when a student in Andover Seminary, and in consequence became a writer of helpful books on Christian nurture, instead of a preacher. The latter part of his life was spent here, and he frequently assisted the pastor in the ser- vices of the sanctuary, and was very helpful in the social meetings. He was deeply interested in the events that pre-
I M. M. Fisher.
80
SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE
3
ceded and attended the War of the Rebellion, and was so much affected by the fall of Fort Sumter that he could scarcely eat or sleep for the succeeding week. In the trying times that followed, he was accustomed to utter his soul in public prayer in sentences that for their definiteness, vigor, and directness will never be forgotten by those who heard them. This was one of his petitions, framed in Script- ural language and applied to Jefferson Davis : "O Lord, put a hook in his nose and turn him back." No doubt this loyal old Puritan counted it a striking illustration of how much larger God's answers frequently are, than the measure of our prayers, when he heard that the arch traitor had been cap- tured, not with a hook in his nose, but with the steel hoops of a woman about his heels.
Another incident which shows the feeling of the church and congregation at that time is remembered by many who hear me. On the Sabbath following the assassination of President Lincoln Mr. Sanford was on exchange with a minis- ter from a neighboring town, who was reared at the South and was suspected of not being over-enthusiastic at the suc- cess of the Union forces. By no word in prayer or address at the morning service was there the least intimation that a great calamity had fallen upon the nation. During the inter- mission an indignation meeting was held, and a committee appointed to wait on the visiting clergyman and inform him that his services could be dispensed with in the afternoon. Instead of the regular service, an impromptu meeting was held, at which prominent members of the church and parish addressed the sympathetic audience and Father Kimball offered prayer. It is fair to conclude that what was lacking in the morning, of eulogy to the martyr President and loyalty to the stars and stripes, was more than made up at this extemporized service. It is due to the preacher to say that he assured the committee that it was his intention to make allusion to the death of the President at the afternoon service. The Medway people, being quicker in their sensibilities and earlier in their loyalty, had deemed the event of too much
8I
VILLAGE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, MEDWAY, MASS.
importance to have all notice of it postponed till after dinner ; hence the misunderstanding that relieved the preacher of one service that Sabbath.1
It is perfectly natural that a church so much interested in the liberation of the slaves should, when that result had been reached, be heartily in sympathy with the work of the American Missionary Association in the South. I find in the records, under date of October 5, 1866, a vote to raise $ 150 for this society, for the specific purpose of supporting a teacher among the freedmen. Subsequently Miss Mary M. Fitch, of Holliston, was selected as our representative, and for several years a like amount was raised for this pur-
1 The following persons, whose names appear on the church rolls, did service in the War of the Rebellion :
Dr. Theodore W. Fisher was first commissioned, in 1862, Assistant Sur- geon, and later, Surgeon of the 44th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, and served nine months.
Dr. Alexander LeB. Monroe, in the summer of 1862, there being a scar- city of army surgeons, offered his services and for a time filled the position of Acting Assistant Surgeon in the general hospital at White House, Virginia.
James M. Grant enlisted in 1861 for three years, and was mustered into Company E, 2d Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, and at the expiration of his full term of service was honorably discharged.
William R. Parsons enlisted for three years in 1861, and was mustered into Company E, 2d Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. He was discharged for disability in 1862.
Benjamin C. Tinkham enlisted in 1862 for nine months, was mustered into Company B, 42d Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, and was pro- moted to be a first lieutenant. After his term expired he reënlisted, and was mustered in as captain, in the same company and regiment.
Samuel B. Cary enlisted and was mustered into service in July, 1864, for 100 days, in Company B, 42d Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, and was mustered out in November, 1864.
Richard B. McElroy enlisted in 1864 for one year, and served in Company B, 4th Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. Aften ten months he was mustered out, the war having closed.
Albert Vallet enlisted in 1864 and was mustered into the same company and regiment, but after eight months was discharged for disability.
Lucius H. Taylor enlisted in July, 1863, and was mustered into Company E, 4th Regiment Vermont Volunteers. He served twenty-five months, and was discharged, the war having closed.
Harlan P. Sanford and John W. Cole were for a time employed in the work of the Christian Commission.
82
SEMI-CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE
pose. Our largest contributions have with a single exception, so far as I know, been to the American Missionary Associa- tion. The exception was the present year, when the needs of the Home Missionary Society prompted a special collec- tion, which, with the regular grant from our weekly offering fund, makes our donation to that society for the half year $225.
In respect to the temperance reform, this church declared its position as early as 1841, by unanimously adopting the following resolution :
Resolved, That no person be admitted to this church who uses distilled spirit at all as a beverage.
There has never been any retreat from this position.
While we have never been organized into a system so complete that every member belongs to some organization, he might be at a loss to tell what, at first thought, we have formed and maintained those organizations which we have found to be useful in prosecuting our work. Among these we mention, first, that which bears the most vital and impor- tant relation to the growth and prosperity of the church - the Sunday-school. I have already noticed what may be called the Sunday-school period of this enterprise. Upon the organization of the church this Sunday-school, which had been in a sense motherless, was adopted, and found hence- forth a home and mother, by whose fostering care it has sur- vived all changes, and today, vigorous and strong, honors the fiftieth birthday of its foster mother. Its present enrollment is 193 pupils and 17 teachers and officers-a total of 210. Among its superintendents and teachers occur the names of many who, after serving their own and the rising generation, fell asleep and inherited the rewards of the faithful. The present superintendent is Francis W. Cummings, who has nearly completed three years of punctual and willing service.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.