USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Easthampton > Historical address delivered at the centennial celebration, in Easthampton, Mass., July 4, 1876 > Part 5
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It is said that while in the army, he became so ac- customed to the use of tainted meat, that, in after years, he frequently allowed meat to become tainted before cating it, though he could never get any to quite equal that after which he was patterning.
55
TRUST IN GOD.
These figures and facts, which I have been seeking to set before you, meant more to our fathers than they do to you. The statistics I have given, may be dull as you hear them to-day; but they interested them profoundly. If one hundred men were wanted to-day from Easthampton, some of you would be com- pelled to clothe yourself in blue, and take the musket in your hand. Some of you would soon be saying a last farewell to these smiling fields, to these grand old hills, to these pleasant homes, and to those in them whom you dearly love. You know, some of you, what these farewells mean ; though, by a good Provi- dence, they were not to you last farewells. But a four years' war does not drag so heavily as does an eight years' war; and though we suffered in the war for the Union, our sufferings and sacrifices were eclipsed by those of our fathers, in the war for Inde- pendence. And we ought to remember them grate- fully, and cherish the record of their deeds.
The men of that day were men of profound trust in God. Joseph Hawley, for instance, was a man of earnest piety as well as of ardent patriotism. When the faint-hearted suggested in 1774, "Don't put off the boat till you know where you will land," Haw- ley's confident reply was, " God will bring us to a safe harbor." " Their energy," says a historian of the period, " was derived from their sense of the divine power."
This looking to God as their Sovereign, made our fathers dare to break with England at the outset ; and brought them to this country. This controlled the spirit of their sons of the Revolutionary period, and made them set right above title and authority. They went to the peculiar and trying duties of those years
56
OUR MATERIAL GROWTH.
of strife and sacrifice, with seriousness and acknowl- edgment of God, as though they were to engage in acts of worship. Their confidence in God sustained their courage. It was God who gave them wisdom to frame the form of government which they gave to posterity. It was through the unseen pilotage of God, that the ship of State sailed safe through the perils of the early days of the Republic. Let us never forget that God is the source of national secu- rity. He it is who must pilot us, as He piloted our fathers, or we shall go to wreck. The proneness of man to forget God, or ignore his personal agency, is one of our great dangers. As a nation, we have had marvelous material prosperity. Never, since the world stood, has so large a territory been subjugated and peopled, in so short a time. The fertility of inven- tion has operated to make the fertility of the soil available. The methods of tillage and of manufac- ture have been revolutionized in a way greatly to enhance the power of any individual over nature, and enabling each one to harness to his own uses far more of nature's forces than in the days of our fathers. The power of swift locomotion and of in- stantaneous communication, gives us the world for a market, and enables us to feel the pulse of all na- tions. The influx of population from foreign lands has largely increased the material resources of the nation, though at some risk. Our institutions have stood great and repeated strains. We stand strong to-day, notwithstanding that multitudes have departed from God. We have strength, and seem likely to en- dure far into the future. We are at peace with the world, whom we have invited to meet us in a friendly contest in the industrial, and some of the fine arts, in
57
THIE NEED OF CHARACTER.
the city where our fathers, one hundred years ago to-day, published to mankind their Declaration of Independence.
Now, in contemplating this wonderful growth, and this amazing expansion of our power, there is danger that our thoughts will rest too exclusively upon ina- terial greatness ; that we shall exalt skill in workman- ship, and wealth of resources too highly. We may, perhaps, feel undue security as to the perpetuity of the Republic, because it has endured the searching tests of one hundred years. But we have not yet so far stood the test of time, that our institutions are placed beyond contingency. One hundred and sev- enty-five years before the fatal night of Chaldea, Isaiah prophesied her impending fate. But she con- tinued, in reckless disregard of the warning, to court her doom. All this while, at least until near the last, she was steadily increasing in material greatness. But in one night Babylon fell ; and from that time forth the Chaldean became a vassal.
Let us not be over secure. If the Republic is to continue its beneficent existence, it will be because of the virtue and piety of the people.
Nothing is more demonstrable from history, than that a predominantly material civilization speedily becomes a corrupt civilization. And such a civiliza- tion is neither the nurse nor conservator of republics ; but is the mother of abominations, and the foe of the best interests of men. Therefore, it is most import- ant, that the young men and women, who are to-day in training to become pillars in society, should be taught that a nation's highest interests are not ma- terial, but immaterial ; that virtue is of more conse- quence than fortune ; that intellectual attainment is a
8
58
RELIGION A DEFENCE.
worthier object of endeavor than physical gratifica- tion ; that manhood is better than money ; that it is better to lift fallen men to a recognition of their kin- ship with Christ, than to levy tribute upon the bow- els of the earth and the illimitable caverns of the sea, for the decoration and adornment of the home or person, or for ministering to the convenience and comfort of men, desirable though these objects may be ; that it is better for a people to be rich in faith, than in public lands, in piety than in cotton and corn, in love than in a mercantile marine ; that duty is more imperative than pleasure ; that to die for one's country is better than to save life by basely desert- ing her in her hour of need. Of men and women holding this persuasion firmly, and making their practice illustrate and enforce their persuasion, the country has most sore need. They are the salt which will preserve us from decay. The ship of state has by no means outridden its perils ; but is yet environed and beleaguered by them. These perils are not so much material as moral. If the nation does not become bankrupt in character, it will not be likely to become bankrupt in fortune. If it does be- come bankrupt in character, its gold will be a mill- stone about its neck.
The most effectual and, indeed, the only sure, guar- antee of character is love to God. Pure religion, possessing the heart, makes a man not only a safe element in society, but a source of security. As her citizens become truly religious, therefore, a State takes a new lease of life. A religion, however, which God does not inspire, is either a delusion or a sham ; and is, in neither case, a guarantee of character on the part of its devotees. God, therefore, must be in the
59
RELIGION A DEFENCE.
State, and must, in some degree, inspire and guide its citizens ; or a government, in which the citizens are rulers, is fatally wanting in the elements of per- petuity.
Well, indeed, might we to-day, and on other days, with ever increasing fervor, pray: "God save the Commonwealth !" God save the Republic !
NOTE .- Besides the original documents which were consulted in the prep- aration of this Address, the following works were employed as authorities, viz. : Judd's History of Hadley ; Bancroft's History of the United States ; Bradford's and Barry's Ilistories of Massachusetts ; Holland's History of Western Massachusetts ; An Address delivered at Northampton at the close of the Second Century of its settlement, by Rev. William Allen, D. D., and An Historical Address delivered in Southampton, by. Rev. Prof. B. B. Edwarda, D. D.
The manuscript papers left by Col. Elisha Porter, now in custody of one of his descendants, Miss Abby P. Smith, of Hadley, to which the author was kindly allowed access, and for which he makes acknowledgment, were of im- portant service to him. To all who in any way aided him, he also gives thanks. P. W. L.
APPENDIX.
. -
THE EVENTS OF TEN YEARS IN EASTHAMPTON.
THE proclamation of the President of the United States, con- cerning the public observance of the Centennial Anniversary of our national independence, recommended the preparation, delivery, and preservation, of addresses, each setting forth the history of its own locality. It would, however, have been manifestly unsuita- ble for the author of "The History of Easthampton," in a brief address, to review the ground surveyed in that volume. He chose, rather, after sketching the period of settlement, to present an outline picture of the early part of the revolutionary struggle, giving to the picture as much of a local coloring as was possible. But, though it was needless, at present, to re-write the history of the town, it seems suitable to improve the opportunity given by the publication of the address, to bring the history down to the present time, by a brief sketch of the events of the past decade. That is the object of this appendix, which brings the survey of the town's history down to March 15, 1877.
If we look first at the religious interests of the town, we find that no change has occurred in the pastorate of the First Congre- gational Church. Rev. A. M. Colton is still ministering, with acceptance, to the spiritual wants of the people of that society. He is now in the twenty-fourth year of his pastorate, and is still doing good work. The deacons of the First Church are Eleazer W. Hannum, E. Alonzo Clark, and Lauren D. Lyman, the latter of whom was chosen February 3, 1870, to fill the vacancy occa- sioned by the death of Rev. Luther Wright. Few church officers have so long a term of service as that of Deacon Hannum, who has filled his office now for forty-three years. The relations of the First and Payson Churches are, at the present time, more than ever fraternal.
62
CHURCHES.
The latter is now without a pastor. For thirteen years Rev. S. T. Seelye, D. D., performed the duties of that office accepta- bly ; but prolonged ill health recently compelled his resignation. The official relation between pastor and people was terminated January 8, 1877, in accordance with the advice of a council, of which Rev. Gordon Hall, D. D., of Northampton, was moderator, and Rev. E. G. Cobb, of Florence, scribe.
As á citizen and a neighbor, not less than as a pastor, Doctor Seelye would be missed from the community, were he to change his place of residence.
The deacons of this church are C. B. Johnson, E. H. Sawyer, M. H. Leonard, and J. H. Sawyer. The first two were serv- ing ten years ago; and the last two were chosen December 4, 1873, and January 4, 1877, respectively. Within the period under review, A. J. Lyman has filled this office three years, but declined a re-election.
Superintendents of the First Church Sunday-school, in the past ten years, have been Lewis Clapp, Lafayette Clapp, James Keene, and J. H. Judd; and of the Payson Church School, A. B. Lyman, H. J. Bly, J. H. Sawyer, J. K. Richardson, and A. J. Lyman.
The Methodist Church, which was under the pastoral care of Rev. Franklin Furber in 1866, has since enjoyed the ministra- tions of Revs. C. T. Johnson, W. W. Colburn, A. J. Hall, S. O. Dyer, L. A. Bosworth, and now of E. R. Thorndike. Superin- tendents have been F. H. Putnam, O. H. Hill, G. A. Bullock, A. G. Dickenson, and S. W. Pierce. The society had just com- pleted a house of worship in 1866, but was left, by the enter- prise, with a burdensome debt on its hands. It has, at last, suc- ceeded in getting the portion of this burden, which yet remains unpaid, guaranteed by individual members of the society, and of other churches in the place.
Measures looking to the establishment of an Episcopal Church were instituted in 1871, regular services being commenced in that year, under the charge of Rev. B. F. Cooley, as a resident mis- sionary. St. Philip's Parish was organized April 10, 1871, twenty voters of the town being chosen associates. In March, 1872, Mr. Cooley resigned, and next month, Rev. Lewis Green, then and now of Ashfield, took his place. In April, 1872, the record showed fifty-six families, forty-nine communicants, and from eighty to one hundred at the Sunday services. Mr. Green
63
REV. WILLIAM BEMENT.
resigned in the Spring of 1873, whereupon services were sus- pended until Autumn. Then the work of the parish was resumed, and has since continued, under the direction of Rev. J. Sturgis Pearce, Rector of St. John's Church, Northampton. Since that time, a Sunday afternoon service has been held in the Lower Town Hall. The society has secured a desirable site, and is pre- paring to soon erect a modest chapel for its use. The wardens are N. W. Farrar and James Butterworth, the first of whom is superintendent of a Sabbath-school numbering thirty-five chil- dren. Maj. H. E. Alvord is parish clerk.
Before leaving the religious for the secular, mention ought to be made of the recent death, at the age of seventy, of Rev. William Bement, the second minister of our place, and the last who was, during his entire ministry here, pastor of the whole people. From October 16, 1833, to April 1, 1850, he labored here with great zeal and wisdom, and with eminent success; and became greatly endeared to his people, whom, in turn, he regarded with an abiding affection quite remarkable for its intensity-an affec- tion which separation never quenched. He left here to accept a call to the church in Elmira, N. Y., to which now, for many years, Rev. Thomas K. Beecher has been ministering. In El- mira, he "at once commanded the highest respect of the entire community, as a well trained, sound, scriptural preacher of the Gospel ; and as a faithful, attentive, and most acceptable pastor."
He felt parish and pulpit responsibilities with unusual keen- ness ; and, in consequence, under his arduous duties, his health so far gave way as to compel resignation of his charge, after four years' service. After rest, however, he was, for some five years, minister to the Southport Presbyterian Church, where he did a valuable work. Afterwards, for a while, he was superintendent of schools in Elmira, and Secretary of the Board of Education. "To this work he brought excellent scholarship, sound judgment, and unwearying industry." Finally his health gave way, and he suffered periods of great mental depression.
In the hope to counteract these evils, he removed to Jersey City, where he engaged in business. His overwrought brain, however, still gave him occasional trouble, and, early in August last-it is supposed in a paroxysm of pain-he left his home and wandered to the upper part of New York City, to the grounds of the Con- vent of the Sacred Heart. Here, all alone with God, like Moses upon Mount Nebo, he died. Days afterwards the lifeless body
64
HON. SAMUEL WILLISTON.
was found by the sisters, the head resting upon the hand. Thus a noble life came to an end; and it matters now but little to him, that he died unattended and alone. No doubt angels were in waiting, to convoy him to the home of the ransomed. His body received burial in Elmira. His name will be long held in hon- ored remembrance among the people of his first love.
The mention of death is a reminder that the last decade has closed the mortal career of quite a number of our fellow citizens. Though all were missed from their accustomed circles, none of them left so great a vacancy as that occasioned by the death of Hon. Samuel Williston ; of whom simple justice requires that it should be said, that he contributed, very largely, to make East- hampton what it is to-day. The story of his life needs not here to be told. It is "known and read of all men." It has been in part told in previous sketches of the history of the town and sem- inary, in sundry other published sketches, and more fully in Prof. Tyler's admirable commemorative discourse.
Reference will hereafter be made to his last great business en- terprise. To the management of that he devoted his latest years. Far on towards the close of his long life, it was his wont to drive daily to his office, and there to spend hours in oversight of his extended operations. Little by little, however, his powers of body gave way; and the time came when he must leave his busi- ness for other hands, and leave his plans for other executors, and go to his God. A growing assurance of his acceptance with God comforted his last days; though for very many years he had looked to Christ as his Saviour. "I think I am going through safe; indeed, I think I may say I know I am." "If there is anything I hate it is sin ; and I know I love the Lord Jesus Christ and his cause." These were some of his latest utterances.
He died Saturday, July 18th, 1874; and was buried Monday, July 20th, from his own house. This was filled with his relatives and distinguished strangers; while those among whom his life was led, gathered in large concourse upon the lawn about the doors and windows, in expression of their sympathy and sense of loss, and to do honor to his memory. In their midst, upon the lawn, rested the burial casket. Suitable Scripture selections were read by Rev. A. M. Colton, and a brief but touching address was made by his pastor, Rev. Dr. Seelye, who also offered prayer. Deacons of the two churches, in which he had been a deacon, acted as pall-bearers while the remains were borne to the place
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HON. SAMUEL WILLISTON.
of burial. A commemorative discourse was delivered by Prof. W. S. Tyler, D. D., in the Payson Church, on Sunday, September 13th, the whole town uniting in the service.
By his business enterprise, Mr. Williston-not, of course, with- out capable associates-built a town ; established a group of per- manent industries ; and gave employment to thousands, year after year. In doing this, he acquired a large property; but, though he had the means, he was never guilty of lavish personal expenditure. The great bulk of his acquisitions was devoted to uses which would be of public benefit. Nor did he ambitiously allow his property to accumulate, to be divided at death; but charitably appropriated about $1,000,000 during his life time. With this he founded Williston Seminary ; saved Amherst Col- lege from ruin, aiding it in repeated instances ; and gave largely to Iowa College, Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, and the Syr- ian Protestant College at Beirut.
Though his fortune was especially devoted to educational uses, religion was, in his mind, always associated with education; and that he never forgot the church, is proven by numerous gifts for religious purposes, both at home and abroad. The same devotion to public interests characterized his final division of his estate. Though he provided amply for the wants of those whom he had taken to his heart, yet the greater portion of his property was still consecrated to learning. At his death, his estate, less his debts, was valued at about $800,000. Of this sumn he gave, by will, to Mrs. Williston $110,000; to his adopted children, $125,000; to numerous friends and benevolent institutions, $56,000; to Iowa College, $20,000; and to Williston Semi- nary, $400,000; leaving the balance, if any remained, to Am- herst College. His heart was set upon a generous gift to the latter, but as so much of his estate was manufacturing property, it is feared that nothing will remain for it.
The homestead given to Mrs. Williston, and valued at $50,000, she has given to Williston Seminary, after her decease, provided at least one of the permanent buildings is placed upon the grounds, and the whole is kept for the use of the seminary.
With Mr. Williston were associated, in his early life, Revs. Luther Wright and Solomon Lyman, then young men looking for- ward, like himself, to professional life; but not like him destined to be thwarted in their designs. Mr. Williston was the last of the three to pass away, though the same decade closed the life of all, 9
66
DEATH OF CITIZENS.
in their native town. Mr. Wright had the privilege, after teach- ing successfully elsewhere, of aiding his friend in the establish- ment of the seminary ; being its first principal, and holding that position some eight years. For many years after that, he taught a private classical school here. Mr. Lyman, after a useful and earnest life work in several pastorates, came to his native place to spend his remaining days. These two were associated with the church of their fathers, Mr. Wright as a deacon, and were valued helpers there. Other citizens, whose deaths have occurred in this decade, are the writer's father, Daniel F. Lyman, a friend of all these, though younger, a staunch and true man every way, an earnest worker in the church; Capt. Ebenezer Ferry, for a long time one of the three storekeepers here, for twenty years postmaster, for twenty-one years town clerk, well known by all town people and by many successive classes of students ; Samuel Wright, an old time schoolmaster of repute, one of the early town clerks and school committee men of the town; L. Pyncheon Ly- man, a thriving business man in the line of lumber and grain, who held some public trusts; John H. Wells, for many years a principal merchant of the town; George S. Clark, until his death accountant of the Nashawannuck Company and influential in town affairs; Lucas W. Hannum, who returned to his native place late in life, and entered into its affairs with much interest ; Sidney Ferry, Capt. Luke and Lowell Janes, Joel Parsons, Au- gustus Clapp, Dwight and Dennis Lyman, and Zenas, Theodore and Gilbert A. Clark,-all these, representatives of ancient fami- lies of the town, sons of sires honorably associated with its past, and themselves bearing their lot in their day and generation, some of them in their time filling important public station either in town or church. These, and perhaps others whose names do not occur to the writer, have passed from participation in human affairs, to the awards of the future life. And we who remain are each awaiting our turn.
One who passed away not long before the opening of the decade now in review, was Ezekiel White, a man not equaled in the county, except by Sylvester Judd, as an antiquarian. His library was scattered by public auction, some of it, however, falling into appreciative hands. His volumes were largely freighted, upon their margins and by inserted slips of paper, with valuable his- torical and genealogical notes, in his beautiful hand. It would be well worth the effort of the Museum Committee, if they could
67
·
WILLISTON SEMINARY.
secure custody of any of his manuscripts which have not been scattered.
Among those who have taken up their residence elsewhere, perhaps no one will be more greatly missed than Seth Warner. He was thoroughly identified with the town's manufacturing growth; a public spirited and influential citizen; a long time and valued church officer ; and a musical expert whose leadership has wrought most excellent results.
WILLISTON SEMINARY.
Williston Seminary, which, more than anything else, makes our town known throughout the land, is prosperous as of yore ; and, with enlarged scope and increased endowments, is planning for a future of even greater than her past degree of usefulness. Ten years ago, North Hall, the dormitory occupying the former site of the First Church, was approaching completion. An as- tronomical observatory has since been built. The grounds on the street fronts have been enclosed with a substantial and tasteful iron fence, and fronted with a sidewalk of flagging.
During the administration of Rev. Dr. Henshaw, which closed with his resignation of the office of principal at the end of the last school year, the institution has enjoyed a high degree of prosperity. Its progress has been, especially, in the enlarged facilities it has offered for the acquisition of an English educa- tion. The scientific department has been reorganized, and given increased dignity as compared with the classical.
One of the memorable events which fell within Principal Henshaw's administration, was the celebration of the Quarter Centennial, which was held on Anniversary week, July 2, 1867. There was a large attendance of graduates and former pupils. Rev. R. S. Storrs, D. D., of Brooklyn, a former teacher, was ap- pointed President of the day. The literary exercises of the oc- casion took place in the Payson Church, whither the alumni repaired after an address of welcome by the Principal. A histor- ical address was delivered by Prof. William S. Tyler, D. D., of Amherst College, the adviser and trusted friend of the founder, during the whole history of the institution. Rev. N. Adams, D. D., of Boston, in prayer, dedicated the completed buildings to the promotion of learning and religion. An oration was pro- nounced by Prof. Cyrus Northrop, of Yale College. Dinner had been spread in the M. E. Church, and was eaten with a relish.
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