USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Sturbridge > Historical sketch of the First Congregational Church, Sturbridge, Mass. : read at the dedication of the new church, May 11, 1910 > Part 6
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Your Committee have taken into their Sierious Consideration what appears to them to bee the Principle matters of Complaint & uneasiness Since the late attempt of a Reformation of Singing by Rule: on the one hand made by the Singers and on the other, by those offended by the conduct of the Singers in some Respects & other matters that have attended Singing; In the first place we Look upon it Necessary & of Importance; that good & Necessary Rules, for the Singing of Psalm Tunes be Learned & observed, & as a Likely means for this Purpose We Introduce the Noble Exhortation given by our Godly Forefathers, Revd Ministers of the Gospel, more than 58 years ago, in their Preface to Mr. Walters Singing Book as follows: And we would encourage all, more particularly our Young People, to accomplish themselves with Skill to Sing the Songs of the Lord, according to the good Rules of Psalmody: Hoping that the Con- sequences of it will be, that not only the Assemblies of Zion will Decently & in order, Carry on this Exercise of Piety, but allso it will be the more introduced into private Families, & become a part of our Family Sacrifice. At the same time we would, above all, exhort, That the main Concern of all may be, to make it not a meer Bodily Exercise but Sing with Grace in their Hearts, & with Minds attentive to the Truth in the Psalms which they Sing, & affected with them; so that in their Hearts they may make a Mel- ody to the Lord. Signed by the Revd MIT Increase Mather Cotton Mather Nehemiah Walter, & others 15 in all.
& now as to the Diffeculties & Discouragements the Singers have Laboured under since their vigorous Exertions of Learning to Sing by Rule often mentioned by them, as their not being Propperly Encouraged, & so many being opposed to Singing by Rule some People's leaving the Meeting House &c., as to Encouraging Singing we hope matters of Discouragement that are really such will soon be removed; if any their be who oppose Singing by Rule or Look upon it not necessary we hope they will weigh that matter in their own minds without Prejudice. Read Said Mr. Walters Reasons & Directtions, on that Subject, & whither or no it is even Possable that a Congregation
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In 1793 the town voted to "appropriate to the use of the Singers the South East Square in the Gallery of the Center Meeting house." At about the same time a grant of £3
Should Join togather in Singing & Carry it on in order, no one Knowing any Rule & so none could observe any; we trust this will Sattisfy them.
another thing mentioned by the Singers is their Persons & Characters being In- juriously Treated; as to this wee know not the Persons nor the Perticular Sircumstances that have attended their offenses: wee hope those Persons will Seriously reflect on their Conduct & See the Importance of their Paying a Sollem regard to that golden Rule (of Doing to others as they would have others do to them)
a nother matter of Discouragement mentioned by the Singers is their not having Liberty to Sing once a Day without Reading line by line &c as to this, the Singers as Individuals have a Right of Private Judgment. they to gather think that is best. the Church has the same Right. wee must strive to Enlighten each other, & hope we shall be lead to do right. Nothing is more common than opposition & Discourage- ment in a good work.
With respect to the matters of uneasiness in the minds of some Relative to the Proceedings of the Singers in some respects Since the late Indeavours of Learning to Sing by Rule in our Congregation in the first place the Singers Ariseing to To Set the Psalm or Strike the Tune when the Quethiser or Quethisers, who were orderly Introduced to do that Duty being Present attempting to do their Duty were Interrup- ted, & this of the Singers was not as wee Suppose don on a Sudden by Supprise, but by before Determination: further their proceeding to Sing without reading line by line, no previous notice being given to those whose whose Duty it was to read, & haveing no vote of the Church passed to Sing without Reading.
In this we Sincerely think many of the Singers are to Blame, Did not Proceed according to the Rules of Decency & good order; by which they have brought a Blemish on the good work they were Engaged in, for which they have good Reason to reflect upon them selves wee hope they will do honour to them selves & the Cause of God: by makeing Sutable Confession herefor. further it is our Real oppinion that their Intro- duceing of Some New Tunes & Especially Omitting Some Old Tunes: whereby Some who were Desirous of joining in Singing were Deprived of the Privilidge: was not for the Peace & Edifycation of our Church & Congregation.
Upon the whole your Committe is Sencible there has been blame on both Sides. wee would by no means Discourage what is good & Praise worthy in our Children & young People in Learning good Arts Rules &c; & in Promoting Psalmody. Wee hope none will. they observing the Rules of good order & Edifycation; any Conduct to the contray wee look upon it to be our Duty to appear against. wee hope that wherein any have Injured the Persons or Characters of the Singers or hendered them in Pro- moting any good work, will be Sencible thereof. we hope we shall all be Inabled to Look at Home in this time of Trouble & Diffeculty: to Know our own Duty & do it. to seek after the things that make for Peac & wherby we may Edify one another.
as to futer Proceeding in Carrying on Singing in Public Worship wee are Sencible that those that Lead need wisdom to Direct them: & that they will make use of Such Tunes as will be for the Peace & Edifycation of our Assembly in General .- & further that Psalms be Sung once on the Sabbath Days at the Concluding of the Divine Servis, by Reading one verse or half stave at once, for the Space of four months next.
Sturbridge August the 21st, 1779
John Morse, Joshua Harding Ralph Wheelock
Committee.
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was made "to Encourage the Revival of Singing in this town"; this was devoted to maintaining a singing school under the direction of the selectmen. Five years later the town voted its approval of a contribution to be taken in church on Thanksgiving day by four specified persons, the proceeds to be placed in the hands of the selectmen to be delivered to "the Society of Singers when they Shall be under the necessary Regulations to receive the same." In 1802 a committee which had been appointed to lay before the town some method for encouraging singing reported: "That the singers are Obliged to spend much time to acquire the art so as to perform that part of public worship decently, & to be at the expence of Books it is but reasonable that the town should grant them the encouragement of paying the master, & as there appears to be a number of Excellent voices that only want Cultivating we recommend that the town grant $60 to be laid out for that purpose to be assessed on the whole town & that the new parish draw in proportion to what they pay." This recommendation was adopted. The following year the Church requested the singers to nominate such persons or persons as they "think most suitable for the service of conducting the singing in public worship" and at a later meeting proceeded to elect the four persons so named "to stand as choristers in the order as they are nominated, and also that the Chh. signify to the singing Society their respects for their past services, and wishes for the further continuance of said services in that important branch of social worship."
In the first half of the nineteenth century the east end of the gallery was made into seats for the singers, who seem to have been accompanied by a goodly orchestra, including violins, a flute, a clarionet, a bass viol and a double bass. Judging from the treasurer's report, their performances for the year 1842 were the most strenuous, for then the charge "For bass viol Strings" mounted to $4.50. In 1840 the practice was begun of raising $50 by subscription to com-
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E
U
THE "OLD CENTER MEETING HOUSE." Built 1784-1789. Its Site, after the Fire of August 5, 1908.
pensate "the leader of the Singers"; later, appropriations were made for this purpose among the regular parish expenses. For many years this service was rendered by Charles Fuller. About 1860 an innovation was introduced in the shape of a melodeon, soon replaced by a heavier one. The first player upon the new-fangled instrument was Theodore Snell, and for three score years from that day to the present the musical Snell family has been a chief dependence in this part of the service of the Church. When a pipe organ was installed in 1876, mainly through the efforts of the Ladies' Benevolent Society, it was erected in the alcove at the rear of the south gallery, opposite the pulpit. Until 1902 the congregation accorded recognition of the singers' efforts by rising, during the second hymn, turning their backs upon the preacher and facing the choir.
THE BUILDING OF THE NEW CHURCH.
Between twelve and one o'clock on the morning of August 5, 1908, during a furious storm, lightning struck the steeple of the old meeting-house and set it on fire. The bell- rope was burned off almost immediately so that the bell could not sound the alarm. The scenes of that night will never be forgotten by those who witnessed them. The fury of the storm, the high-leaping flames, the crash of timbers, the fall of the bell were dramatic, indeed; but that was no place for idle spectators. Willing helpers did all that man could do to rescue every thing that could be removed, and to save the Town Hall and Library, both of which were badly scorched by the fierce heat. In a few hours there remained above the ground hardly a vestige of that noble old meeting- house where four generations of Sturbridge folk had been wont to gather for worship.
In the gloom of the morning after the fire, the first word of cheer was a letter of sympathy from a committee of the Unitarian Society, cordially offering the use of their church
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building at any time we might wish to use it. That warm- hearted invitation and its acceptance are both spread upon the records of our Church. The grace of Christian hospitality shown by our sister Society, in these months when we have been homeless, will long be held in grateful remembrance.
The burning of the old meeting-house was a crushing blow to this Church. The future looked dark. To rebuild seemed a hopeless task. Weighty arguments were advanced against the expediency of building a new church in a community like this. And yet, there was gradually deepening the feeling that we must have a house of worship of our own,-that, however hospitable one's host may be, in church as in private relations, there is no place like home. On the fourteenth of October, 1908, after much anxious debating, it was voted "that we proceed to build a church," and committees were chosen to solicit funds and to consult and report to the Church plans and costs of a suitable building. June 7, 1909, Mr. George H. Clemence was chosen architect, and August 30, Mr. Orrin J. Aldrich's bid for the building contract was accepted. Friends of the old Sturbridge Church have given liberally of money and of service. Money contributions have been received from more than one hundred donors, ranging in amount from one dollar to two thousand dollars. Many, both within and without our church household, have made specific gifts which will add much to the new building's serviceableness. Thus it is due to the generous public spirit of one of our citizens that the clear and cheering tones of the old Revere bell are once more heard, and the tower clock will be a boon to all within sight or hearing of this place .*
To-day, we see here the result of all this striving. It has meant much of devotion, of hard work, of sacrifice. To what end? Sentiment aside, this church family is far more
*The old bell, which had been badly cracked in the fire, was recast by the gift of Mr. Alvin B. Chamberlain. It was erected by Mr. Henry D. Haynes, on a day long to be remembered by the children of the Centre Schools, for their hands "manned the rope" which raised the bell to the belfry. The tower clock was the gift of Mr. Melvin Shepard. The chancel windows and choir screen were given by Mrs.Ellen Hill Fisher; the west window, by Mr. Alvin Morse; the platform furnishings, by Mr. F. L. Chapin
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comfortably housed in this snug, convenient building than ever before. But the love and loyalty which have built this church have not been put forth primarily to enable this church family to "sit at ease in Zion." The building of a new church was a mistake,-a waste of money and of energy sorely needed in other lines of Christian work,-unless this new meeting-house shall be made to minister to nobler Chris- tian living on the part of those who worship here and to a more intelligent, a more generous service of the community.
Less than twenty years ago there was still much talk of the doleful present and the yet more doleful future of the hill town in Massachusetts. Sturbridge and this Church have felt heavy discouragements. The town's population dwindled and its elements shifted,-changes which were pitifully reflected in the lonesome handful of a congregation in the huge old meeting-house which sixty years ago used to be thronged by worshippers from the four corners of the town. But the day for pessimism in Sturbridge is past. In many ways life here has become far more comfortable and attractive than it was twenty or even ten years ago. The change is typified by this very building, in the convenience and com- pleteness of its appointments in contrast with the bare and aus- tere old meeting-house we all loved. The physical facilities for the public worship and social activities of the Church are vastly better here to-day than ever before. What of the will? What of the spirit? The watchword of the new day is co-operation. Close-grouped about our beautiful Stur- bridge Common are our Library, our Town Hall, and two Christian Churches. What may it not mean for the future of this community, if the forces for good for which these stand, are raised to their highest efficiency by cordial co-operation! For you, who make this new meeting-house your church home, in this struggle for the higher life in Sturbridge the question is, are you eager to lend a hand? Are you ready, not to shrink from the problem, but rather to rise to the opportunity, of the Church in the country town.
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APPENDIX A.
LEGACIES AND MEMORIAL GIFTS.
Aside from the donations connected with the building of the new meeting-house, this Church, in the long years of its his- tory, has received many gifts of money, of church furnishings, and of service, which have borne witness to the filial devotion of sons and daughters of this Church, or of those whose fore- fathers worshipped here. Mention should be made of the fol- lowing legacies and memorial gifts. The dates are given the years in which the funds became available.
1844. Mrs. Sarah Harding made this Church her residuary legatee. The legacy amounted to about $250. A part of this sum was used to repair the Vestry, and the rest to pay debts of the Society.
1864. Mrs. Ebenezer Howard's gift of $100 was used for putting blinds upon the Vestry.
1886. James B. Bullock, Esq., of New York City, bequeathed without restriction the sum of $5,000 to this Church, "where his dear parents worshipped for so many years."
1890. A gift of $1000 was received "in memory of deceased parents, who were earnest workers in and for the Church." "The interest only of this sum is to be drawn and used for the support of the gospel in said Church." It was the donor's special request that it should be credited to "a native of the town, though a non-resident."
1891. Miss Sarah M. Wight bequeathed $250 to this Church. At the discretion of her executors it was expended for the painting of the meetinghouse.
1902. Emerson Wight's bequest of $2000 became available. The interest only is to be used for the support of the Church.
1909. William Wight bequeathed the sum of $500 to constitute the "William Wight Fund," the interest of which is to be used for the benefit of this Church.
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APPENDIX B.
DEACONS.
The following is a list of those who have held the office of Deacon since the organization of this Church. The dates indi- cate the years when they began their service. The loss of the book containing the records of Mr. Paine's pastorate makes it impossible to assign dates in the case of Deacons who were chosen during that period. The longest service was that of Deacon Henry Haynes, from his election in 1853 to his death in 1899.
1736, Daniel Fiske
1832, James Chapin
1736, Ebenezer Stearns
1846, Perley Allen
1741, Isaac Newell
1850, David K. Porter
1747, Joshua Baker
1853, Melville Snell
1749, Edward Foster
1764, Moses Weld
1863, Charles Fuller
Job Hamant
1869, Isaac Johnson
Roland Clark
1886, William G. Reed
Eleazar Hebard 1894, Lucius Snell
1807, Joel Plimpton
1899, John F. Hebard
1808, Daniel Plimpton
1900, Henry D. Haynes
1822, Ephraim Lyon
1902, Charles W. Bradford
1826, Zenas Dunton
1904, Benjamin C. Weld
1826, George Davis
1853, Henry Haynes
Joshua Harding
1863, Henry E. Hitchcock
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APPENDIX C.
PROGRAMME OF THE DEDICATION OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH IN STURBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.
Wednesday. the Eleventh of May, Nineteen Hundred and Ten, at Half after Two in the Afternoon.
ORDER OF SERVICES.
ORGAN PRELUDE .- " Pilgrim Chorus Wagner MISS VIOLA G. PACKARD
CALL TO WORSHIP. THE PASTOR
Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Zion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise.
DOXOLOGY. THE CONGREGATION
INVOCATION. THE REV. ALEXANDER WISWALL
QUARTET .-- "Festival Te Deum" Buck
RESPONSIVE READING .-- Selection No. 4 THE REV. JOHN C. HALL
TRIO .-- "The Lord will comfort Zion" Brown SERMON.
THE REV. JOSEPH B. CLARK, D. D.
QUARTET .-- " I shall be satisfied" Brown
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
PROF. GEORGE H. HAYNES
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HYMN .-- No. 177.
THE CONGREGATION
CEREMONY OF DEDICATION.
(The People standing and responding to the Minister.)
Being prospered by the good hand of the Lord our God to finish the work, which in His providence we were called upon to perform,
We do now, with gratitude and joy, solemnly consecrate this church.
To the everlasting God, our heavenly Father; in whom we live and move and have our being; from whom cometh every good and perfect gift; and who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to redeem mankind;
To Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Lord and Saviour, who has promised to be with us alway, even unto the end of the world;
To the praise of the Holy Spirit, Source of life and light, the Comforter whom the Father has sent to guide us into all truth, to convince of sin, and to renew and sanctify the heart,
We dedicate this house.
For worship in prayer and song, for the ministry of the word, for the celebration of the holy sacraments,
We dedicate this house.
For comfort to those who mourn; for strength to those who are tempted, for help in right living,
We dedicate this house.
For the sanctification of the family, for the guidance of childhood, for the salvation of men,
We dedicate this house.
For the fostering of patriotism, for the training of con- science, for aggression against evil,
We dedicate this house.
For the help of the needy, for the promotion of brother- hood, for bringing in the Kingdom of God,
We dedicate this house.
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As a tribute of gratitude and love, a free-will offering of thanksgiving and praise, from those who have tasted the cup of Thy salvation, and experienced the riches of Thy grace,
We, the people of this Church and Congregation, now con- secrating ourselves anew, dedicate this entire building in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
GLORIA PATRI. CONGREGATION
QUARTET .-- "Still, still with Thee" Gerrish
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION. THE PASTOR
QUARTET .-- " Awake, my soul, to joyful lays" Schnecker
PRAYER AND BENEDICTION. THE REV. A. M. RICE
POSTLUDE. Selected
MRS. ARTHUR P. PLIMPTON
THE WESLEY QUARTET OF SPRINGFIELD Miss Josephine E. Floyd, Soprano Miss Josephine E. Floyd, Soprano Mr. J. H. Bailey, Tenor Mrs. William Ritter, Contralto Mr. C. D. Monroe, Basso Miss Viola G. Packard, Organist
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Congregational Church
Sturbridge, Massachusetts
Organized in "New Medfield," September 29, 1736. Incorporated, November 5, 1897.
First Meeting House, built 1733-34, near the site of District No. 1 schoolhouse. Second Meeting House, built 1784-1786, on substantially the present site. Destroyed by lightning and fire, August 5, 1908.
Third Meeting House, dedicated May 11, 1910. Church voted to build, October 14, 1908. Architect, George H. Clemence. Builder, Orrin J. Aldrich.
While the embers of the old Meeting House were still smouldering, there came a message of sympathy from the Unitarian Society, accompanied by a cordial invitation to make use of their Church building. Their continued hospitality during the months when this Church has been without a home, is held in grateful remembrance.
Toward the building of the Meeting House, donations of money have been received from 120 individuals in amounts ranging from one dollar to two thousand dollars. The sum of two hundred dollars was sent by Miss Mary E. Remington of Buffalo, N. Y., a part of this sum having been given in contributions of a few pennies each by Italian children in whom this Church has often shown a generous interest.
Grateful acknowledgement is made of the following gifts:
BELL. Recast from the old Revere Bell, (1833), Mr. Alvin B. Chamberlain TOWER CLOCK, Mr. Melvin Shepard.
CHANCEL WINDOWS AND CHOIR SCREEN, Mrs. Albert L. Fisher of Grafton, in memory of her mother, Emily Wheelock Hill, a native of Sturbridge, and a sometime member of this Church.
WEST WINDOW, Mr. Alvin Morse.
WEATHER VANE, Mrs. Mary M. Gerould.
PULPIT, CHAIRS AND COMMUNION TABLE, Mr. Francis L. Chapin of South- bridge.
PULPIT BIBLE, Mrs. Lucinda M. Snell, in memory of her husband, Lucius Snell.
LINEN FOR COMMUNION TABLE, W. S. Butler & Company of Boston.
EMBROIDERING UPON THE LINEN, Mrs. Frank F. Plimpton of Somerville. ORGAN LAMP, Mr. A. E. Payne of Boston.
CHAIRS FOR SOCIAL ROOM, Mrs. Lucinda M. Snell, Miss Myra E. Snell and Mrs. Mary M. Gerould.
HYMN BOOKS, The Evangelical Free Church, Globe Village, Gilbertville Congregational Church, Warren Congregational Church, Ladies' Society of Congregational Church, Spencer, East Congregational Church, Ware, Mr. Francis L. Chapin, Mr. John F. Hebard.
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