USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Gathered in 1707 : a history of the First Congregational Church, Braintree, Massachusetts, 1707-1957 > Part 3
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During Dr. Storrs' missionary leave in the 1830's, after Dr. Park resigned to teach at Amherst College, the pulpit was attended by two colleagues, Rev. Paul Jewett and Rev. William R. Jewett, the latter preaching most of the time, Rev. Storrs not returning to the Church duties until 1836. During the last few years of his life, he was obliged to have assistance, and Rev. Edward P. Tenney and Rev. William S. Hubbell served for that purpose, Rev. Tenney serving for nearly three years.
Although greatly enfeebled in strength, Dr. Storrs attended the services of public worship in the Church on July 6th, 1873, that being the first Sunday of the sixty-third year of his pastorate in Braintree. Without his knowledge, the Church had been specially decorated with flowers in honor of the occasion. The choir and the congregation had taken the last opportunity which they were ever to have to show their reverence and love for their aged pastor. All the services of the morning worship were appropriate and impressive and he was greatly affected.
Dr. Storrs died Monday, Aug. 11, 1873. The funeral was held from the Church on Friday, the 15th, and Dr. Edward A. Park delivered
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the "Memorial Discourse," a printed copy of which is stored in the Church vault. This discourse had been prepared at the earnest wish of Dr. Storrs because of his long and intimate association with Dr. Park.
At a meeting of the Church held at Lyceum Hall, October 16, 1873, the following paper was read by the Clerk, Elias Hayward, unanimously adopted and ordered to be entered upon the Records:
"The members of the First Church in Braintree deeply feeling the loss of our late, beloved Pastor and Teacher, Rev. R. S. Storrs, D.D. by death, are desirous of placing upon the Records a fitting memorial in appreciation of his services among us.
"A shock of corn fully ripe" was a fit emblem placed upon the casket of our Pastor on the day of his burial. As the roses and sweet scented flowers emitted their fragrance into all parts of the Sanctuary on that memorable day, so will the memory of him who for so many years was our faithful shepherd, be fragrant in our minds and memories and cher- ished with filial gratitude to the end of our lives.
"As a preacher of Christ he was excelled by none, equalled by few. His brilliant intellect deeply imbued with the grace of God eminently fitted him for the high position in the Master's service he held for the long period of sixty-two years. He was a friend to the poor and none who asked aid at his door were sent empty away. The chamber of the sick he loved to visit and there it was he seemed to have power with God, as the ferver of his spirit became enkindled and the aspirations of his soul ascended to the Great Physician.
"In him the afflicted ever found a friend and the sym- pathetic tear he mingled with those who wept. To the benevolent and religious objects of the day, his hand and purse were always open. The two societies which appeared to lie nearest his heart and into whose treasuries he gave the largest contribution were the Domestic and Foreign Mission- ary, though other societies, the Tract, Seaman's Friend and Education received his cordial approval and liberal benefac- tions.
"The Sabbath School was an institution of his particular regard though not as practical worker in it himself, his foster- ing care was over it from its organization in 1817, and living
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witness will testify to his urgent and powerful appeals to the children from time to time to become reconciled to God.
"His family visits were ever made with reference to the spiritual wants of his flock, though social and intellectual improvement was held in high estimation by him and it was his aim to cultivate these virtues with the people to the extent of his ability. As a religious counsellor in all matters per- taining to the Church and of the logical questions difficult to adjust we all knew this worth. In the weekly prayer meetings and those held on the evening of the Sabbath for a long series of years, where his greatest mental efforts were made, where his soul was stirred within him and seemed lifted above earth and his urgent appeals made to the heart and conscience of the people inviting them to live for Christ and His King- dom none can forget.
"It was voted that this tribute to our Pastor's memory be entered on the Records of the Church and a copy sent to his bereaved family. Attest: Elias Hayward, Clerk."
Dr. Storrs was buried in the old cemetery and the following in- scriptions can be read on his tombstone:
( West Side of Stone) In memory of Richard Salter Storrs, D.D. Born at Longmeadow, Mass. February 6, 1787 Ordained Pastor of the First Church in Braintree July 3, 1811 Died at Braintree August 11, 1873 in the Eighty-Seventh Year of his age and the Sixty-Third Year of his pastorate
"Father I will that they also Whom thou hast given me Be with me where I am that They may behold my glory which Thou has given me." John 17:24
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"DR. STORRS' CHURCH" OF 1857, SHOWING ORIGINAL TOWER. AT RIGHT, DR. STORRS' HOME
REV. THOMAS A. EMERSON, 1874 - 1885
(East Side of Stone) A reverent student of the scriptures An eloquent preacher An affectionate Pastor A devout Christian Known among the Churches For his wisdom in Council And his fervent zeal in all good works Tenderly beloved by his own people Most of all by his own household The last text on which he preached Presents the lesson of his life And shows the sure ground Of his victorious hope in death "Fear not little flock for it is Your Father's good pleasure To give you the Kingdom."
REV. THOMAS A. EMERSON 1874 - 1885
Born in Wakefield, Dec. 27, 1842; graduated in 1859 from Phil- lips Academy, Andover; graduated in 1863, Phi Beta Kappa, from Yale University; served as paymaster in the United States Navy during the latter days of the Civil War; graduated in 1869 from Andover Seminary; first parish in Wolfboro, N.H., 1869-1872; spent some time traveling abroad visiting Egypt and the Holy Land; installed May 7, 1874 at First Congregational Church, Braintree; married in 1875 Mrs. Frances Hunting Brewster, daughter of Rev. Dr. Robert Crawford, for many years pastor in Deerfield, Mass .; dismissed on July 6, 1885 to Congregational Church, Clinton, Conn .; later served First Congregational Church in Hadley, Mass., for 24 years.
Following Dr. Storrs' death in 1873, Rev. Edward P. Tenney continued as acting pastor at a salary of $2,000, but on September 4, 1873, he and his wife, Ellen, were granted letters of dismission to the Congregational Church in Ashland, to which he had been called. By June, 1873, the committee appointed by the Church to secure a new minister had contacted Rev. Thomas A. Emerson who was spending some months traveling in Europe and the Holy Land.
In September, 1873, Rev. Thomas A. Emerson wrote the following letter to the pastoral supply committee at the First Congregational Church from Interlaken, Switzerland:
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"I must ask you to excuse my delay in answering your notes of June last, as I did not receive them till the latter part of August, and then wished some time for deliberation. Now I enclose my acceptance of your call to be Associate Pastor with Rev. R. S. Storrs, D.D. subject to this condition, that you grant me an annual vacation of five Sabbaths. In your letter nothing is said about this point which is very important to a Pastor. Believing from your past history that you have con- sulted the efficiency and best interests of your pulpit, I know you will readily grant my request. And if Brethren you cannot wait till January for a pastor and are united upon another man, I will reverse my decision and on my return seek some other parish. Since beginning this letter, I have read of the death of your beloved Pastor. I deeply sympathize with the Church and Society at the loss of your leader and for myself I can say I should feel his death, if I became your Pastor, since I valued highly his advice and direction."
And from Rome, Italy on January 23, 1874, he wrote further: "Your note of October 6th stating that my acceptance of your call had arrived, was received at Rome, just as I was departing for Egypt, and Syria. At that time it was impossible to fix upon any day for my installation, as my return might be delayed by many circumstances, and in fact I have been hindered several times. I expected to be at home and with you this month but several things have combined to delay it. First, I lost two weeks last October, a letter from a tourist agent in London being miscarried. Then, with our steamer passengers, I was put into quarantine at Alexandria during which time our steamer for Jaffa sailed, thus causing a delay of three days. Then I was kept in Jerusalem three days longer than we planned by severe storms. At Nazareth, my com- panion fell sick and our dragoman also so that I lost three days on the way back. A heavy gale on the Mediterranean caused a delay of four days. These several delays have length- ened my trip and made my visit to Naples, Rome, Milan and Paris later than I expected. Now, Brethern, I might pass by these cities and reach home by the middle of February, but I cannot believe you would wish to do this. While I am here, wouldn't it be better for you and me that I should remain a while longer, visit these places and look into their treasures?
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This granted, I think I can see my way clear to reach home by the end of March or the first of April. On my arrival we could arrange the day of installation and perform other necessary business. I cannot put on paper how much I am enjoying my trip. I hope to tell you at some time about my tour through the Holy Land, about my visit to Baalbec and Damascus; about my stay as Beyrout where I saw Dr. Cal- houn, known to so many of your people, and give some facts of interest about Egypt and the countries of Europe."
And thus it was that on May 7, 1874, sixteen ministers from Braintree and surrounding towns installed Rev. Thomas A. Emerson by Ecclesiastical Council as pastor. It must be noted in passing that in the initial vote to call Mr. Emerson, it was voted on June 18, 1873, for the first time in the Church's history that "the female members present be invited to vote" (there being 16 females and 14 males present at this meeting).
The affairs of the church seemed to have been in a decline both financially and spiritually at Mr. Emerson's arrival. The clerk's report at the annual meeting in 1876 stated "our whole number of members has been reduced in four years by eleven and our present number is 160. If this reduction should continue at the same rate for 59 years, not a member would remain to keep alive the work left us by the fathers." And by 1879, Mr. Emerson's salary had "voluntarily" been reduced by $100 to $1,100 "as it was all the parish could afford to pay at the present time."
A number of changes were introduced both financially and other- wise. In 1874, the Church had been left some land with the stipulation that a parsonage be built before a certain date, and the Emersons were the first to occupy it. The Sunday School service was held at 3 in the afternoon in place of the vesper service which had been held for many, many years. Regular ushers were appointed by the Assessors for the first time in 1884, and it was voted that "ten percent be levied upon the original appraisal of pews and the system of subscriptions from every person attending church be considered; each person pledging a certain sum for the year, payable on the last Sunday of every month and collected by passing round the boxes, said amount to be enclosed in an envelope on cards with the donor's name, attached and an account kept by the treasurer with each subscriber." This system did not prove too successful, however, and by 1885 the accumulated debt had reached
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$829, and the Assessors proposed another innovation, pledge envelopes. And one final innovation, in 1884, the following vote was adopted in regard to the Standing Committee "that the Standing Committee of the Church shall consist of eight besides the Pastor, instead of six as heretofore, with the understanding that the two additional members be women."
On October 18, 1878, the Church Committee met at the Parson- age and Deacon Hollis exhibited a "silver tankard for the communion table presented to the Church by Mrs. Susannah Dobell in 1773, and it was voted to use the article occasionally at communion seasons." One of the few mentions of any "worldly" events in the 250 years of Church records was the note "September 26th, 1881, the Church observed a day of prayer for the recovery of President Garfield in accordance with a proclamation from the Governor and wishes of authorities in Wash- ington."
On December 28, 1884, Rev. Emerson addressed the following letter of resignation to the Church and Parish:
"I hereby resign my office as Pastor of the Church and as minister of the Parish, the resignation to take effect, according to the terms of my settlement, by the last of June, and perhaps sooner if mutually convenient; and I request the Church and Parish in due time to accept the same and to unite with me in calling an Ecclesiastical Council for my dismission.
"I take this step in order to secure a change which I feel is necessary for my own future good and comfort and also it may be for the good of the people. I desire in resign- ing this office to express my thanks for all the love and kind- ness which you have bestowed upon me and mine in times of joy and in times of sorrow.
"During the eleven years of my pastorate among you, much hard work has been done which does not appear on the surface. The fact that I have been the only Pastor in this part of the town has greatly added to my feeling of respon- sibility, and increased my labors in preaching to the people, in caring for the well, in visiting the sick, and in burying the dead.
"Not without some labor have the evening services been maintained - the mid-week prayer meeting, the missionary concert and the praise meetings. Not without much prayer
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and personal work has the membership of our Church been increased; 70 having joined it, a number rarely equalled in its history, no year having passed without additions.
"While with deep humility I regret that more has not been accomplished for the Master, I am truly thankful that our congregation is full, and our prayer-meetings much larger in numbers, and the membership increased since I came among you.
"The seed even if sometimes sown in weakness has cer- tainly been sown with prayer. And in that great day of account when Pastor and people stand before the Judge, each and all to answer for the fidelity with which we have kept the solemn vows which we entered into at the beginning of this pastorate, may the Lord of the harvest find some fruit to the glory of His name.
"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."
"Yours in Chirstian love, Thomas A. Emerson."
At the Annual Meeting, January 24, 1885, it was resolved that "Whereas our Pastor has resigned his office, to take effect in June, Therefore, Resolved, that while we reluctantly consent to the same, we wish to put on record and express to him and the sister churches, the high esteem in which he is held by us. For, in the eleven years of his pastorate he has ever shown himself a gentleman, a growing Christian, a preacher of increasing ability and power, a lover of the truth, an example of its teachings, and has made an especial growth in love for, and wisdom in, his pastoral work; in all things showing a purpose to do with his might whatsoever his hands found to do, and to feed the Church which God has purchased with his blood; thereby greatly endearing himself to us. We deeply mourn the breaking up of the relation existing between us and shall ever highly esteem and love him and his loving and faithful wife."
In his farewell sermon, Sunday, June 28, 1885, Rev. Emerson preached from the text "Be ye helpers of one another's joys," and said "This is the purpose of the ministry and the obligations resting at all times upon the minister of the Gospel to 'feed the stock' and be an exemplar for good." He next spoke of what he had tried to be to his people, enumerated the changes that had taken place during the 11
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years of his pastorate and that during that time over 70 persons had joined the Church. According to the records, the sermon was listened to with the closest attention and many were visibly affected to tears.
To quote one writer, "Mr. Emerson's sweetness and kindliness of disposition made him an ideal pastor and his intellectual attainments and his spirituality, coupled with his constructive ability and his cul- tivated use of language, had their effect on his preaching."
REV. ALFRED A. ELLSWORTH 1886 - 1900
Born July 12, 1832 in Bath, Me., Studied at Bridgeton and Lewis- ton Academies; graduated in 1858 from Amherst College. Taught school for one year in Colrain, Mass. Attended Union Theological School, New York City, and graduated in 1861 from Andover Theological School. Served churches in Milford, Mass., 1863- 1865, Union Church of Weymouth and Braintree, as supply min- ister; Waterloo, Iowa, five years; First Congregational Church, Galesburg, Ill., nine years. Married in 1862, Angelina G. Cook of Milford. Six children, James D., George D., born in Milford; Alfred J. and Samuel W. in Weymouth, and Julia and Fannie in Waterloo, Iowa. Served the First Congregational Church, Brain- tree, as supply pastor for one year, and was installed as pastor by Ecclesiastical Council Sept. 23, 1886; resigned his pastorate in 1900, and retired to Quincy, where he died January 12, 1910.
After serving the First Congregational Church, as a supply min- ister for nearly a year after his first sermon on August 29, 1885, Mr. Ellsworth was called to a permanent pastorate on June 12, 1886. His letter of acceptance said in part:
"After giving the matter prayerful consideration and with a deep consciousness of my imperfections yet, in the faith that the water of eternal life may be in earthern vessels, and that God is able to bless humble means to the building up of the Kingdom of Christ, and since after almost a year's experience I have found the Church sympathizing helpers in my labors and the congregation ready listeners to the truth presented, giving me reason to believe in a continuance of support; therefore, I herewith accept your invitation to be- come your pastor upon the terms proposed ($1,900 and the use of the parsonage and five weeks annual vacation). Some day early in September next would be agreeable to me as the time to convene the Council.
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"The work before us is arduous, the responsibilities grave. I shall need to draw largely upon your patience, your charity, and your prayers, that Christ's church may be built up in this community, but God's promises are faithful, and we shall be helpers together with Him, if we rely upon His strength and not our own."
Mr. Ellsworth was described by the editor of the Braintree Observer as "a man of rare ability and of mature judgment and it is not straining the truth in the least when we say that the clerical ability of the town has been signally increased by his settlement as pastor of the First Congregational Church. He is a man, moreover, of culture and possesses instinctively fine cultural and literary tastes and he is just the man to catch the inspiration exhalant from the rich association and tradition inseparably connected with the history of the First Church."
Mr. Ellsworth had had many interesting experiences before coming to Braintree. In 1862, he received a call to Milford, Mass. which he accepted and Prof. Edward A. Park of Andover preached the ordination sermon. After three years he was requested by the Congregational Council to undertake the establishment of a church at Newbern, N. C. The first services were held in a hospital, which had been used by the soldiers. An editor of the local paper, objecting strenuously to the establishment of the church, threatened him with hanging if he did not leave the town inside of 24 hours. This threat only increased the interest in the church services and the incident passed off without tragedy. While at Newbern commissions were held by Mr. Ellsworth under the American Home Missionary and the American Missionary Association. Also, he received an appointment under Gen. Howard of the Freedman's Bureau as cashier of the branch of the Freedman's Bank. He made addresses to the Freedman in regard to their political relation and obligations to become educated and thrifty, and his pub- lished tracts afterwards grew into the Republican newspaper in New- bern, arousing opposition to northern interference.
Considerable repair and renovation was accomplished in the Meeting-House during the year of 1885, and the organ was repaired and put in good order, while the furnaces which had been in very poor condition were repaired and rebuilt. But the biggest success of the year was the manner of collecting the yearly income by the newly adopted weekly offering by pledges, and at the close of the first year's trial, one hundred and fifty regular subscribers were listed on the books.
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This financial success encouraged the Church members to start plans to build a vestry or chapel connected to the back of the Meeting-House which would provide a meeting place for small groups, women's or- ganizations, church meetings and the Sunday School.
The Assessor's report for the year 1889 lists many improvements to the Meeting-House: removal of the organ to the rear of the pulpit; a new carpet planned; and the choir and speaker's stand had been rearranged. In 1890, "the Sabbath services were very well attended and have given general satisfaction both as regards the preaching and music. The Sunday School has enjoyed its new conveniences (in the new chapel) and the general gifts and efforts of the members and friends has enabled the Assessors not only to meet current expenses and reduce the Parish debt, but water has been piped into the parsonage and other repairs made." However, in 1892, it was felt necessary to adopt a modification of the pew assignment plan which helped with the revenue but did not solve the financial problems, and the Assessors' reported "probably the financial exhibit of the Parish will never be satisfactory until the receipts equal the expenditures."
At the Annual Meeting in 1895 the following resolution was adopted: "Whereas at the last annual meeting a year ago, the Parish found itself in debt of some hundreds of dollars and looked forward to a year of general depression with the Meeting-House sadly in need of painting and repairs and whereas: a few gentlemen generously came forward and assumed the expense of painting and repairing the church and Mrs. L. W. Thorndike volunteered to furnish the chapel with elec- tric lights and chandelier to our great comfort and delight, therefore voted that the thanks of the parish be extended to the persons referred to and that this vote be spread upon the records." In 1898 the Church voted sufficient money to wire and light the Meeting-House.
At least two of Rev. Ellsworth's sermons have been published and offer some insight into his particular line of expression and sermonizing. Of "Law and Order" delivered on April 5, 1891, he said: "Let us be faithful, as before our God, in the use of our citizenship; let us learn obedience as good soldiers; let us be true to the roll of God and the State, brave and alert for our national integrity. Then, after the rebellious elements of irreligion and illegality and disorder have ex- hausted themselves by their own destructive instruments, we shall see a vigorous nationality, enjoying peace under law; mobs shall be smoth- ered and the people be free." And in a sermon on "Christian Unity,"
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REV. ALFRED A. ELLSWORTH, 1886 - 1900
REV. FREDERICK W. BURROWS, 1901 - 1906
January 1, 1895, he wrote: "National life, patriotism, statesmanship do not attempt to annihilate the very largest scope of individual judg- mnt. Their very existence depends on this liberty, while love of country must be in the heart and this unifies all in any great crisis. The kingdom of God is within you, not in meats and drinks but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Unless these are the principles of unity, there is not spiritual unity. Wherever these are, there is Christ's prayer realized and we should recognize the fact and rejoice in it."
On March 18, 1900, Rev. Ellsworth wrote the following resigna- tion to the Church: "It has long been my purpose to withdraw from this pastorate on the completion of fifteen years' service. The present seems to me a fitting time to carry out my intention, giving you, and allowing myself, the six months' notification stipulated in our compact. My resignation is now offered to the church for their action, and may afterwards be submitted to the parish for their concurrence. At a proper time, I shall be glad to unite with you in calling a mutual council for my dismission. Rejoicing in your growth and prosperity, and wishing you grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father, I am most sincerely, Your brother in Christ, A. A. Ellsworth."
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