USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lowell > Historical sketch of the First Baptist Church, Lowell, Mass. centennial anniversary > Part 3
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of the things they found on their table was a huge cake, described by the sister as about 2 feet long and 1 foot thick-just the way they made cakes in those days. She adds, 'we ate cake until all our taste for good cake was gone, but what should we do with the other two-thirds of it? Luckily, just then we stumbled across some missionaries bound for the frontier, and what was nicer to fill up the whole top section of their supply boxes than the remains of that cake?' "
Dr. Eddy is described as young and handsome, and full of sunshine. He distinguished himself in our midst as a pulpit orator. He never planned to enter politics, but, by a curious twist of cir- cumstances, he awoke one morning to find himself the avowed leader of the Know-Nothing Party. The next surprise was when he innocently attended a Citizens' Meeting for the sake of keeping informed, and went away two hours later to inform his wife that he was the regularly chosen candidate for Speaker of the House. He filled that important station with honor and dignity both to himself and to his community.
The baptisms under Dr. Eddy's excellent preaching became so numerous that the church decided to abandon the Concord River, where great crowds came from far and near to witness the occa- sions, and to instead install facilities within the church building. The "facilities" mentioned consisted of a long, zinc tub fastened underneath the pulpit floor. As often as needed, little steel tracks were lined out down the center aisle for it to run on, and two of the larger-sized Deacons would gently persuade it forward. Not a very beautiful arrangement to be sure, but, if we may judge from the accounts of those days, some very beautiful .moments gathered around those bare, metallic walls and some very beautiful and lovely characters were not ashamed to make use of it.
After eight years of strenuous activity Dr. Eddy felt his strength going. He and his good wife decided that they had better resign and take a rest. He negotiated with a travelling company about a trip to the Gold Coast. The news got out, and before the beloved pastor could resign he found himself being hustled away for a tour of Europe on the kindness and generosity of the church and city at large. He returned greatly strengthened in health and with a little book called "Europa," which was born
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out of his own heart as he travelled from place to place. It was published and met with immediate sale. So delightful was its vein that it was read, discussed, and enjoyed by thousands. Another of Dr. Eddy's books published while a pastor in Lowell was "The Young Man's Friend." It reached the astounding circulation of over 200,000 copies. After eleven eventful years he at length felt led to resign, to become pastor of the Harvard Street Church, Boston. The accessions under his ministry were 904. Excellent soul-winning !
The next pastor was Dr. W. H. Alden. He came in June of 1857, and remained until March of 1864. He is described as a man of long, keen features, well-set, with eyes strong, dark, and penetrating. "Effectiveness" is a keyword of his ministry. He was not silver-tongued, like Eddy. Neither was he State-wide in his influence. But he was noted for his exactness, thoroughness, and statesmanlike handling of the business of the church within the walls of the meeting house. There were 351 accessions under his leadership. The following letter, received in connection with the observance of the 75th anniversary, will indicate the true devo- tion of Dr. Alden :
I am very glad to hear of the prosperity of the Old First Church. I often think of the old friends in Lowell. Many of them have passed away and others will soon be gone. "Part of the host have crossed the flood and part are crossing now." Bye and bye we'll hope to meet them safe in the Promised Land, and then we'll tell to each other in seraphic strains how faithful and how precious we found the Savior here, how glorious we saw His triumphs dis- played and through one eternal day feel and celebrate the sublime wonders of redemption.
"My prayer is that 'the Glory of the latter house may be greater than the former,' and may the Great Head of the Church there record His name !"
Rev. W. E. Stanton came on the field in November of 1865 and continued until June of 1870. He was a kindly natured man with a face ever beaming with sunshine and goodwill. He is de- scribed by Dr. Seymour in the 75th anniversary sermon as "a most lovable, quiet, and comforting. personality." Mr. Stanton and the two Mallory brothers, who succeeded him in the pastorate here, were all classmates at New Hampton Theological Seminary.
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REV. O. F. MALLORY
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REV. T. M. COLWELL. D. D.
REV. JOHN GORDON, D. D.
REV. A. BLACKBURN, D. D.
Dr. Robert Seymour knew them there, the four of them graduating on the same day. Dr. Seymour speaks of the three as "strong, clear-cut men." Dr. Stanton was forced to remove from the North on account of his health. He went to Florida and settled at San Mateo. A letter from that place was received from him to be read at the 75th anniversary I quote :
I regret exceedingly that circumstances will not permit of my being present at the Rededication and Anniversary Exercises of the Old First Church. I suppose I should say "The New First Church", for the changes and improvements have been so great that the old would scarcely be recognized.
It has been 31 years since I closed my pastorate there, and, look- ing over my long life now drawing to a close, the brightest and greenest spot in all these years is found in my five years' pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Lowell, Mass. Most of those who were leaders in the church 30 years ago are in their graves, but some remain ; the same helpful and faithful servants of the Lord as ever. Still the glorious work goes on. New workers' have come to the front. What a grand record the First Church has made in her 75 years' history! What an army of redeemed souls have either en- tered in through the gates into the beautiful city or are on the way! You are fortunate, my brother, in being Pastor of such a church with such a history.
Dr. Stanton was followed by Dr. N. C. Mallory, who came in September of 1870 and continued until June of 1874. He is spoken of as very homiletical. Frequently he would begin the preaching of a sermon by giving his audience his full outline, which was always straightforward and logical. He was smooth, poised, quiet, firm, and steadfast. The accessions under his min- istry were 170. When he left the church it was to accept the Pastorate of the First Baptist Church, Detroit. Several years later he wrote a beautiful letter to our Deacon Floyd in high antici- pation of a trip to Lowell and of meeting all his old friends again.
His brother, Rev. O. E. Mallory, was called to our pastorate to succeed him. He came in March of 1875 and remained until February of 1878. The fiftieth anniversary came during his min- istry, and we find that he handled it with thoughtfulness and pro- portion. The accessions under him were 49. He was not only a preacher, but a poet as well. When Dr. Eddy came back to
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Lowell to deliver the historical sermon of the golden jubilee, he made it known that his sketches would stop with the recent past and leave the present for a future hand. Dr. Mallory, feeling that some mention should be made of the people then living and working, set to work and prepared in couplets the story of the truth of his own day. Mrs. O. E. Mallory proved herself to be an outstand- ing woman in those days. She had great power in touching other lives. She loved missions intensely, and practiced her mission spirit around her own door. One of the latest letters received by her before her death was a note of profound appreciation from a poor woman who had been lifted from the depths through her personal attention. For four years she was practically an invalid and suffered continually, yet she bore her pain with the grace of Christian resignation and endurance.
Dr. T. M. Colwell was next called to our church. He came in May of 1878 and left in August of 1885. He was a talented man, and in many ways a real genius. One of our congregation today describes him as a "fascinating and absorbing personality, congenial and warm." Dr. Seymour declares that it was a great misfortune for both the man and the cause when this truly great preacher became involved in secular business. He began dipping into inventions and eventually moved to Chicago to push his enter- prises. The accessions under his preaching were 293. As indica- tive of the fine spirit of the man, I read you a letter which he sent to Dr. Mallory years ago :
Your kindly letter received. It would give me infinite pleasure to comply to your brotherly request, but you will remember that shortly after I left Lowell our home was burned to the ground and many paper records which I had kept for years were consumed. How- ever, allow me to extend my best wishes to the people of the First Baptist Church, whom I dearly love and esteem, and congratulate them upon the occasion of the rededication of their house of wor- ship.
How could one ever forget such names as Edwards, Brabook, and Dows? On whom has their mantle fallen? Noble women there were, not a few. I have no records, but believe there is One on High that flames cannot devour. Is not Heaven richer with those of the sainted people who have gone from the First Church .?
Many may not know it, but there are few countries on earth where there is not someone who used to worship at this holy shrine; some
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of them were taught as little tots, but who now never speak with more reverence of any earthly name than that of Floyd; toil on, dear brother, and faint not. Your reward is higher than any human eyes can see.
One of the noted things of this church has long been the many prayers from the many lands that have hovered round this Zion offered by those who have worshipped here.
On the removal of Dr. Colwell, Rev. John Gordon was next called to our pulpit. He came in January of 1886 and left in June of the following year. Perhaps many will recall his recent home- going. For years before his death he was a venerated major pro- fessor at Temple University. Viewed superficially, one would con- clude that, due to the brevity of his stay in Lowell, his work here must have been a failure. But when we stop to consider that Alex- ander Blackburn recognized in his work just the preparation that the church needed for the work he had outlined that the church should do, we find that Dr. Gordon, in common with every other minister called to this pulpit, made a unique and real contribution to her strength and progress. Dr. Gordon was a soulwinner, and during his brief stay the church accessions were large. He was also known as one faithful to his pastoral trust, frequently visiting among the sick and helpless.
Now we come to Alexander Blackburn. His dates were Octo- ber, 1887 to March, 1893. How shall I describe him? He was war- rior, diplomat, strategist, theologian, organizer, orator, and what else? His many-sidedness reminds us of the story of how Mark Twain went into the village store to make a small purchase. It was on sale day, and the plan of the day was to give reductions based on the occupation of the customer. When they got through sum- ming up the various occupations of Mr. Twain, and giving the ap- propriate credits in each instance, they found that he owed them nothing in return for the goods, but that, to the contrary, they owed him a balance of fifteen cents. As a warrior, Dr. Blackburn made a name for himself as a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic before coming here. While here he was true to his warrior-like spirit in his many controversies and debates. Roman Catholic theology, the advisibility of interdenominational young people's so- cieties, and prohibition were among the questions dealt with in
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telling fashion by this master of argumentation. As a diplomat, he advertised that the services would be so arranged as to offend no opponent present, and, from all indications, he was really able to so cunningly devise his deft blows as to at the same time literally keep his promise.
As a strategist he seemed to time his great controversies so that by the time the vital point involved would have been fully cov- ered it would be time for the pastor's vacation. He figured, I sup- pose, that he would need a vacation after such heavy onslaughts. But the main object seems to have been to shunt off irrelevant wranglers. Dr. Blackburn, as a man of wide experience, knew that as an aftermath of every hot debate, a whole army of word-mong- erers would split the air with their jargon, introducing into their discussions a wild array of insignificant side-angles. He preferred to fire his heavy artillery straight at the bull's-eye and then leave the pop-gun battlers to themselves.
As a theologian he was continually announcing subjects that called for deeply theological treatment. "Slaves vs. Freemen," "The World vs. Christ," and "Hell vs. Heaven" will suggest the genuineness of his theological disposition. As an organizer he was the father of the "Yoke Bearers and Learners," a young people's society out of which later grew the B. Y. P. U., and, still later, the Christian Endeavor. As an orator he was in wide demand on all patriotic and civic events. His power as a speaker is readily at- tested by the fact that his positions were frequently made objects of editorial comment in papers throughout Massachusetts.
The calibre of the men of the pew during this middle period is clearly indicated in a letter from the pen of Dr. Blackburn in writ- ing from Portland, Oregon, under date of Sept. 27, 1901. He says :
Of the 75 years,-it was my privilege to labor with you some- thing over five,-and no years of all my life have been more pleasant or to me more profitable. I may as well confess it. Sometimes a sort of homesickness comes over me to look into the faces of that company that stood so loyally by me. Such deacons and such mem- bers of the standing committee, such trustees and such ushers, such Sunday school workers, and such WOMEN! If I had you out here on this coast we would set the Baptist banner at the very tops of the mountains. And now that you have that new house, so cozy and convenient, I suppose you will do even greater things.
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That old vestry was not very elegant, but some of the best hours of my life were spent in it. The baptistry was not quite up-to-date, but some very up-to-date people went down into it. I often thank God for souls given to me in those years. If, by the Grace of God, I was permitted to lift the standard a little, those who have followed have set it higher up. The yesterday was glorious, but the today is more glorious, and the future is illumined with the promises of God.
The activities of the period concerned the church, the commu- nity, and the world. Within the church remodelings and improve- ments were continually going on. Within the membership, the busi- ness of the Kingdom was treated with moral earnestness. For one thing we read that a certain prayer meeting committee made it their business to interview every member who persisted in staying away from prayer meeting and require from him his reason. For an- other, a certain temperance committee, under the guidance of Deacon D. P. Bates, was busily persuading one man after another individually concerning the evils of alcohol and persuading him to leave off his cup. In all things, the church's slogan was "We never sleep, and we never close our doors."
The community at large was by no means neglected. There was a Highway and Hedge Committee that went out after the loafers and brought them into church on Sunday mornings. They combed the streets, the depot, the drug stores, and the alleys for ne'er-do-wells. In addition to this, the building itself was made a community center throughout week nights. Lowell then had no beautiful Memorial Auditorium. Consequently, the audience room of the First Baptist Church was frequently the scene of city-wide interests. Among the notable persons who spoke from this plat- form were Count Valdemar Uexkuell, a personal friend of Count Tolstoi, the now celebrated Parkes Cadman, the sainted and revered A. J. Gordon, the eloquent A. C. Dixon, various renowned world travellers, and others.
The energies of this wonderful old church would not stop with membership and community. The world-at-large was taken into its heart. From these sacred halls a host of trained ministers and mis- sionaries and Christian educators have gone into all the earth. I take the liberty of reading two letters that are soundly typical of the spirit of these men toward the old church that nurtured them
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into their life-work. The first is from Rev. F. Arthur Hayward, at the time of the writing pastor of the First Baptist Church of Rhinelander, Wisconsin :
My Dear Pastor and Members of the First Baptist Church :
We. feel proud as a church and pastor to add our few words of congratulation for the seventy-five years of noble work which the Old First Church has accomplished. Personally, no church can ever take the place of my home church, and it is with regret that distance will not allow my wife and myself to be present at the anniversary exercises.
Few, if any, except your much-loved pastor, know how much the church has meant to me. His kind attentions and solid advice, both by letter and personal talks, the deacons' personal interest in me and the many words of encouragement from all have bound me to our dear old church in a way I hardly appreciated until time came for me to leave. One of my strongest resolutions in my life work is to do only that which brings respect and credit to the church to which I am so deeply indebted, and which I dearly love.
The other one is from Harry Hinkley, at the time of writing the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Brewster, Mass. He says :
I regret exceedingly that I cannot be present at the Anniversary and enjoy with you the story of the years and the gathering of the old friends.
My thoughts go back with a great deal of pleasure to the experi- ences of former days spent in Lowell, and among the most pleasant of these are the hours spent in the old church. There were sacred spots to me in that old building, now gone I fear. I remember the post beside which I arose and confessed Christ; the spot in the Ladies' Parlor in which I made that definite consecration which was the entrance upon my life work; and, indeed, that old building was filled with "Bethels" and "Mounts of Transfiguration" where many caught glimpses of the Glorified Christ."
Letters from Dr. H. M. Warren at the time of his pastorate of the beautiful Central Park Baptist Church of New York, N. Y., from Rev. O. Brouillette, at the time of his pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Marlboro, and a host of others on the ever- widening battle line both at home and abroad, likewise bear in- delible evidence that, like her Divine Lord, "her kingdom is from the rivers to the ends of the earth, and of her dominion there shall be no end."
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January 10, 1926
From Alexander Blackburn to the Present Day
W E are dealing this evening with the topic "From Alexander Blackburn to the Present Day." I spoke this morning of general characteristics that mark the second period, in con- trast with the general characteristics of the first period, and I summed up the general characteristics of the first period, starting from 1826 and ending 1846-as organization, struggle, sacrifice. Likewise, the second period, from 1846 to 1893, popularity, dignity and expansion. We come to the distinguishing marks of the period extending from 1893 to the present hour, and, naturally, we do not find it quite so easy to sum up. The determining facts are of so recent date as to have interwound themselves into our personal feelings, so that we can hardly distinguish their historical value from their personal value. We do find three outstanding features worthy of mention. One is, this church has grown in its aesthetic and cultural appreciations. Another is, this church has grown in its moral leadership of current events. Thirdly, this church has shown in an indisputable way a great increase of personal work among the poor and unfortunate.
The improvements made upon the building within and with- out, this beautiful audience room, the lovely ladies' parlor, and the extensive recent repairs, are among the evidences of the church's appreciation of the beautiful. The presence of our ap- propriate pulpit furniture, which was installed under the pastorate of Dr. Wallace, and the wonderful organ given to this church by Mr. A. G. Pollard, under the pastorate of Dr. Ford, are also among the evidences. Mr. Kershaw declares that he had rather play on our organ than any other in the city. This has been an age of cul- tural appreciation.
It has been an age of moral leadership in current events. The church has taken an outstanding position with reference to prohibi-
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tion, "The Rum Crusade," as it has been called from this pulpit. Some of the subjects in this moral leadership series that have been announced for the common good are such as these, "The Cross in the Market Place," "The Golgotha of a Nation," "What Shall We Do With the Foreigners ?" and the "Better-Lowell Movement."
We think of the church as not only extending its influence within the city but as definitely taking upon itself a responsibility to the great army of unemployed in their unfortunate conditions of personal circumstance. The various Sunday school classes have busied themselves in the past years in helping out in this work. The "King's Daughters" have won for themselves an enviable name by the baskets of fruit, flowers, and groceries dispensed among worthy families, as well as their ministrations to the sick. The Charitable Committee of the Board of Deacons has not been unmindful of its trust, seeking out cases of worthy families in need. The fact that this church has had a habit of employing an assistant to the pastor during recent years, whose time has always been given largely to personal ministration to the poor and un- fortunate, is an evidence that this church is taking seriously its responsibility toward those who need friendship, help, and the qualities of good citizenship.
Not only has the Church been helpful at home, but it has car- ried the spirit of helpfulness across the seas to China, Africa, Japan.
Constant appeals have been made for needy places around the globe, and generous contributions have been made continual- ly. Our work in these respects has been so notable that the Foreign Mission Society has seen fit to choose a representative from our midst. I refer to Mr. Wm. T. Sheppard.
Now we come to the ministers of this last period, who have given us great things. Robert G. Seymour, May 5, 1893 to Nov. 30, 1895. Two things stand out in Mr. Seymour's ministry, -- his restatement of Baptist Faith, and the Moody meetings. He answered a long-felt want in giving a pronouncement to what Baptists believe. His book was later used as a standard by Bap- tist churches. We find as mentioned this morning, that in his ministry the celebrated evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, came to this city to hold a revival, our pastor taking a lion-sized share in the
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W.M. T. SHEPPARD
Representative on Board of Managers of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society.
A Roll Call of Ministers and Christian Workers who have gone forth from this Church
MINISTERS
F. A. Haywood
Timothy Baily
Eugene Puffer
Elias L. Magoon
Norris L. Tibbets
J. C. Morrill
(). Brouillette
Columbus Green
Fred Coburn
J. Ellis Guild
Arnold Perron
P. W. Fuller
Ralph Barker
James E. Wiggin
George B. Tompkinson
Eli Dewhurst
Silas F. Dean
CHRISTIAN WORKERS
Wm. H. Stewart
Miss Carrie Jockrow.
Edward T. Lyford
Mrs. Wm. Law Ferguson
William Keese
Miss Ruth Logan
William Slocum
Miss Vander Burg
James Ford
Miss Dorothy Mellen
Harry M. Warren
Miss Marion Parker
Harry Hinckley
Miss Harriet Perron
undertaking and our church standing nobly by. As an indication of the popular esteem in which Dr. Seymour was held, he was asked to return on the 75th anniversary and deliver the historical sermon. He was one of the major secretaries in the American Baptist Publication Society after leaving here. As late as 1914 a mission cruiser was launched in Puget Sound named the "Robert G. Seymour." Rev. C. L. Merriam, in "Pastoral Sketches," says of Dr. Seymour : "As a soldier, educator, traveller, and preacher he proves himself a true patriot, noble philosopher, cultured scholar, faithful follower of the Cross-wise and prudent, ready and aggressive. No other minister in Lowell is equal to him in quality of demonstrated leadership. He is trenchant, eloquent, and forceful as speaker and organizer."
We now come to Acting Pastor Geo. C. Needham, December, 1895 to March, 1896. He came as a celebrated evangelist, and well maintained his reputation while here. Accessions under him were 68 in number. When he left the church it was for the purpose of pursuing his strong evangelistic bent exclusively.
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