USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Fall River > History, annals and sketches of the Central Church of Fall River, Massachusetts : A.D. 1842-A.D. 1905 : with portraits and views > Part 14
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During the years 1903 and 1904 two socials were held, one for the Junior Department and one for the Intermediate, Senior, and Normal Departments.
Sabbath-school concerts have for many years been success- fully carried on, largely in later years through the efforts of the Primary Department.
For a number of years, the younger children and their households have been made happy at the close of the Easter concert exercises, by the distribution among the little ones of flowers and potted plants. The children have also been encouraged to bring flowering plants to Sabbath school on Easter Sunday, to be sent to the sick and "shut-in " of the parish.
Teachers' meetings for the study of the lesson were occa- sionally held for brief seasons, alluded to in the records for 1874 and 1880, but the practice was not very persistent. Since 1902, however, regular monthly meetings have been held in the south parlor, which have proved helpful. They offer opportunity for full discussion of the needs of the school, for prayer, and occasionally for the teaching of the lesson.
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The school has been blessed with a long line of able and devoted superintendents, a list of whose names is given in the Supplement. The most notable, probably, among them all, one whose name can be mentioned without exciting the least envy, was Robert K. Remington, that ardent worker in righteousness, whose love, life, and enthusiasm has been an inspiration to multitudes of young lives. Confined at first to Sabbath schools in his own town, his efforts later broad- ened to state work through the State Association, and still later, to Young Men's Christian Association work in our own and neighboring states.
Sunday-school concerts were given in the auditorium of the Church, enlisting the cooperation of all the classes, as well as the Primary Department, and securing and interest- ing large audiences. Picnics were occasionally given in the summer. New lesson books were introduced; and brighter, livelier music was provided and sung, under the direction of Mr. Lyman W. Deane as organist and Messrs. Charles Durfee and Newton R. Earl, the assistant superintendents.
Many men and women of the Church have, as teachers, impressed themselves deeply upon the young life of the community.
The name of Mrs. Jesse Eddy should have especial mention, as one who, in the early years of the church life, served long as assistant superintendent.
· On October 30, 1898, a "Testimonial " to the present (1905) superintendent was given by vote of the Church, when he resigned his position, to which he was later reelected.
It is as follows:
To CLINTON V. S. REMINGTON:
Our dear Brother, - Not many now among us recall the begin- ning of your life work in our Sunday school, but many are they who cherish the assurance that the close of your loving activities here is still in the unknown future. As you now resign the superintendency of our home school into the hands of one whom you have desired to
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receive it, we ask you, on behalf of the Church, to accept this testimo- nial as a tribute of love, and a token of appreciation of the service so faithfully performed. Your devotion has been as manifest and as unfailing as the presence of your flowers in the rooms of our church and chapel. The flowers must fade, but the memory of your devotion here cannot fade while we, who have worked at your side, shall live; and when our lives together in this church are ended, we believe your " work of faith and labor of love " shall be told as a memorial of you and " be had in remembrance in the sight of God." We bestow this tribute, as upon one midway in a course well run, believing that you are of those who shall receive, when at last the course is finished, not the chaplet of fading leaves, but " the crown of glory that fadeth not away."
There have been seasons when the interest of the congre- gation in the Sabbath school has flagged, and it has been diffi- cult to secure enough teachers; but always the work has revived and the workers have rallied to its support. At pres- ent (1905) the school is fully organized, well-equipped, and supplied with a full corps of officers and teachers. It de- serves now, as ever, the name of " The Nursery of the Church."
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The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor
The Pastoral Aid Society, A.D. 1883 - 1887
THE first Christian Endeavor society had been formed in Portland, Me., by Rev. Francis E. Clark, in February, 1881. An article by Dr. Clark, entitled, " How One Church Cares for Its Young People," printed in The Congregationalist in August, 1881, was read by many pastors, anxious to find some method better than they had known before, of reaching and training their young people for christian service; but the movement which has since become world-wide had but just got fairly under way, so that when our Pastoral Aid Society was or- ganized, less than sixty Endeavor societies were on record.
On a Sunday in February, 1883, the young people of our parish were invited to meet in the south parlor at the close of the session of the Sunday school, to consider the subject of forming a society to aid the pastor in his work with and for young people. The need and the design of the society was explained by Dr. Mix. A constitution was presented and adopted at this or at a subsequent meeting. The question as to why such an organization was needed was answered in this document as follows:
The need of some agency to deepen the early, serious impressions of children and youth, and to cultivate a positive and strong chris- tian character in the younger membership of our churches, has led to the formation of " The Pastoral Aid Society " or the Society of Chris- tian Endeavor.
Two classes of members were provided for, and four committees. The membership of the society when fully organized was one hundred and eight, sixty active and forty- eight associate members, of whom sixty-two were mem- bers of the Church.
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The first officers of the society were Alphonso S. Covel, president; Rufus W. Bassett, vice-president; George S. Brig- ham, secretary and treasurer; and the first " heads of com- mittees " were Henry H. Earl of the Lookout; Charles E. Fisher of the Devotional, and James F. Jackson of the Social Committee. The officers and the heads of committees formed the Executive Committee. A year later the officers chosen were: Henry H. Earl, president; James A. Kinghorn, vice- president; and Hervey Burnham, secretary and treasurer; while the membership of committees was as follows: Look- out, Geo. S. Brigham, Charles E. Fisher, Anna C. Holmes, Ella Sheen, Annie C. Bush, and N. Evelyn Buck. Devotional, Albert J. Martin, Alphonso S. Covel, Earl F. Pearce, Mary L. Holmes, Sarah A. Emerson, and Bessie A. Armstrong. Social, Anna H. Borden, Annie E. Sheen, Isabel J. Fraser, Rufus W. Bassett and Nathan Durfee.
The time appointed for the weekly devotional meeting was Tuesday evening, at 7.30 o'clock. That the society fully met the expectations of the pastor is shown in the following extracts from his annual reports to the Church. In that of April, 1883, he said:
It is with pleasure we note the organization of a Young People's Pastoral Aid Society. It has had a promising beginning, and bids fair to be very serviceable in developing and training the young people of our Church for activity and usefulness in the future.
A year later he reported " a manifest deepening of interest in religious things on the part of the younger members of the Church." In April, 1885, he said:
The Pastoral Aid Society has indeed been what its name implies in many ways. In bringing the young people of our congregation into closer acquaintance with each other, concentrating their interests and affection around the Church, making those who are strangers among us feel at home with us, and most of all in training themselves for future service in the Church, they have accomplished much.
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The social gatherings of the society, to which all of the young people of the congregation (especially any strangers) were usually publicly invited, are still remembered with pleasure, and were of value in attracting young people to our church and in promoting the mutual acquaintance of those attending. The occasional entertainments to which an admission fee was charged, and at which articles were on sale, were always liberally patronized, and provided a goodly sum of money for benevolent and missionary objects. The weekly devotional meeting was well sustained, and exerted a continual influence for good upon all who entered into the spirit of the gathering for prayer and testimony.
The society sent delegates to the annual conventions of the Christian Endeavor societies: being represented at the Old Orchard Beach convention by Mr. Henry H. Earl, and at Saratoga by Miss Elizabeth M. Johnston. As reports of these conventions and subsequent state conventions were brought back by the delegates, a feeling that their society, so similar in its aims and methods to the Endeavor society, should be- come more closely affiliated by adopting the name and the characteristic prayer-meeting pledge of that organization, grew upon some of the members of the Pastoral Aid Society, and at the annual meeting of the society in October, 1887, the matter having been brought to the attention of the meeting by the report of a delegate strongly recommending such action, it was voted, after a friendly discussion, to change the name of the society to the " YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR "; to prepare a new constitution, and to make a fresh start, by having as members of the new society those willing to sign the new constitution as a pledge of their willing- ness to live up to its requirements. A good-sized committee, representing, as far as possible, the various opinions expressed in the meeting, was appointed to act with the pastor, in pre- paring a constitution and by-laws. The meetings of this committee at the home of one of the members of the society,
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the careful and earnest consideration of each article and sec- tion of the constitution, with the entirely harmonious agree- ment finally reached, meant much for the vigorous life of the future society. In the constitution, which was adopted by the society without change, the prayer-meeting pledge of regular attendance and participation was made stronger, provision was made for a new class of members - the " Hon- orary " - and for additional committees.
Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor A.D. 1887 - 1905
The new society began its career with thirty-eight active and sixteen associate members. The first officers of the society were Alanson J. Abbe, president; James W. Brigham, vice-president; Charles H. Wells, secretary and treasurer. The chairmen of committees were: Earl F. Pearce, Lookout; N. Evelyn Buck, Devotional; Elizabeth M. Johnston, Social; Helen A. E. Pearce, Calling, and Anna H. Borden, Flower.
The society soon changed the time of holding the weekly devotional meeting from Tuesday to Sunday evening. The rea- son for the change was the hope of securing a larger attendance, particularly of those not professing to be christians. These hopes were fully realized. In the annual report of the presi- dent of the society, presented to the Church in April, 1888, it was stated that the total membership had increased from fifty-four to eighty-eight, and the average attendance at the prayer-meeting from thirty-nine to ninety-five. A little later, and for several years continuously, the average attendance on pleasant Sunday evenings was not far from one hun- dred and twenty, and on stormy evenings about half this number.
By this time, Christian Endeavor societies were being formed very rapidly in all directions. The letters of inquiry and
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requests for information sent to Dr. Clark became so numer- ous that he could not properly attend to them. In his own words: "There was no organization to print or circulate literature. In fact, there was no treasury at all, except the private purses of one or two people, who were frequently called to dip into them to pay for the postage stamps and the letter paper required in answering the very numerous requests for information which began to be received." Out of this need grew the " United Society of Christian Endeavor," formed at one of the annual conventions, solely for the purpose of disseminating information. For a while the necessary ex- penses were met by voluntary contributions made at the an- nual conventions; but these becoming exhausted and the need continuing, it was reluctantly decided to send an appeal to the individual societies, asking that on the forthcoming anni- versary of the formation of the first Endeavor society, an offering be made to relieve the pressing necessities of the work. As the result of a very successful entertainment, our society responded to this appeal by sending eighty dollars, and thus had a large share in making it possible to continue the spread of the Christian Endeavor idea to all parts of the world.
At the conclusion of a successful series of organ recitals, arranged by organist Lyman W. Deane and Henry H. Earl, under the auspices of the Endeavor Society, it was voted, " that one hundred and fifty dollars of the funds of the society be deposited in the Five Cents Savings Bank to the credit of 'The Chapel Fund,' and the bank book handed to the treas- urer of the Central Congregational Society." Thus was made the first contribution toward the erection of our church Chapel, and it was made at a time when no definite steps had been taken in raising money for that purpose.
Following the organization of the United Society of Chris- tian Endeavor, and the growth of societies in other denomi- nations than our own, came the idea of joining the individual societies of a community into local unions of Christian En-
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deavor. As the oldest society in Fall River, our society sent an invitation to the other societies of the city, asking them to send representatives to a meeting in our church parlor, to consider the advisability of forming such a union here. The union was formed, and has existed to the present time, - the " Fall River Local Union," growing from a membership at its organization of three societies to one of more than twenty in 1905. As the senior society, Central Church has always headed the list of societies, and has frequently provided the officers for the local body.
A review of the work accomplished by the Pastoral Aid Society and its successor, the Society of Christian Endeavor, would be very incomplete without a reference to one feature of their work which has been barely mentioned in this article as yet, namely, the work of the various committees. While the weekly prayer-meeting is the central feature, another object of the society is the training of its members for christian service along other lines of effort. Its ideal is to give every member something to do; to find appropriate work for the rank and file as well as for a few leaders. The constitution of the Pastoral Aid Society provided for the appointment of three committees besides the Executive. With the growth in membership of the Endeavor Society, other desirable lines of work became apparent, and other committees were formed to meet the need. When there was no longer definite work for a committee it was discontinued. Each committee reported in writing at the monthly business meeting, con- cerning the work of the previous month. The work on the committees gives opportunity for the most practical christian service. That this is so a résumé of the duties of the several committees will prove.
The Lookout Committee proposed new members after care- fully acquainting them with the requirements of the active or the associate member's pledge, as the case might be, and exercised a kindly watch and care over all the members,
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endeavoring, especially, to secure a faithful attendance upon the meetings and a prompt performance of all duties. In the work of this committee, the chairman, in particular, who was usually one of the older members of the society, found many opportunities for the most earnest personal work. A tactful approach at a favorable time, would often result in an associate member's decision to become an active member, which always involved, first, the open and public confession of faith mani- fested by uniting with the Church.
The Devotional Committee had charge of the prayer-meet- ing, saw that a topic was assigned and a leader appointed. The members of the committee were always willing to assist an inexperienced leader in planning a meeting, and were ready to take part promptly, after the leader had opened the meet- ing. They also suggested ways of taking part in the meeting to the timid or careless members. A large share of the work of these two committees did not appear on the surface, but much patient, prayerful effort is represented in the service thus rendered to the society and the Church.
The work of the Social Committee was mostly performed in a more public manner. But the planning and conducting of sociables and entertainments was not the whole of its duties. The clause in the constitution, " to increase their mutual acquaintance," was made the particular aim of this committee, and the young person who came to a social gather- ing as a stranger, became their especial care. Sometimes the social gathering was an outdoor affair, as when a picnic was arranged, one Fourth of July, at Stone Bridge; and again when another Independence Day was happily spent at Plym- outh, Mass., after an evening devoted to examining photo- graphs of the points of interest there, and listening to brief descriptions of incidents in the lives of the forefathers.
The work of the Calling Committee is apparent from its name. Calls were made, not necessarily by members of the committee, but at their suggestion, on young people who were
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sick, or on strangers, or on those who had but a slight acquaint- ance in the society. For a time a Welcoming Committee was annually appointed to speak to strangers at the young people's meeting, or at the church service. Later this was merged with the Calling Committee.
The Flower Committee, when appointed, looked after the decoration of the church at Easter and Christmas, and, in connection with Mr. C. V. S. Remington and the Calling Committee, attended to the distribution of flowers from the pulpit, after the evening service, to the sick of the Church and - congregation.
The Missionary Committee, not at first among the list of committees, but since a permanent fixture, arranged the pro- gram for occasional missionary meetings, and also attended to the receiving and distributing of money contributed for missionary objects. As much as one hundred and twenty dollars was annually appropriated for several years in this way, the Missionary Committee, after correspondence with the Missionary Boards of our denomination, recommending, and the society voting, the amounts. Almost continually from the time of the Pastoral Aid Society to the present, the societies have annually assumed the support of a colored student at some school or college in the South. The American Board has also received a large proportion of their gifts, and the other denominational societies have been assisted. Local charities have not been forgotten. The contributions to the Chapel Fund and to the United Society of Christian Endeavor have already been noted.
The Sunday-school Committee was appointed to cooperate with the superintendent of the school in ways which he might suggest, also to invite members of the school to become mem- bers of the society and vice versa. At times this committee supplied teachers each Sunday for classes without a teacher.
When there was special need, a Music Committee has been appointed to serve for a time. The hearty, spirited singing
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has always been a pleasing feature of the young people's meeting. The special need of a Music Committee has arisen with a change of hymn books, when the selection of the book has been under consideration, and when the books having been received, an opening praise service has been instituted in order that the new hymns might be learned.
Last on the list of committees, but by no means least in value of service rendered, was the Temperance Committee. An occasional temperance meeting at the regular Sunday even- ing service was arranged and conducted by this committee; but its chief work was done at the Mission Chapel under the direction of Rev. E. A. Buck. For several years a regular Saturday-evening temperance meeting, with some form of entertainment, refreshments and a temperance address by Mr. Buck, or some one else, was conducted, with good attend- ance and interest.
To give, in one sentence, the results of the twenty-two years' existence of the Pastoral Aid and Endeavor societies, it can with truth be said, that they have to a good degree accomplished the objects sought by the organizer of the first- named society, viz., "They have aided in promoting the spiritual life of their members, in facilitating their mutual acquaintance, and in preparing them for usefulness in Christ's service."
The Junior Society of Christian Endeavor
A Junior Society of Christian Endeavor was organized in 1895, with Miss Carrie L. Borden and Miss Elizabeth M. Johnston as superintendents. There was a large number of boys and girls, members of the Sunday school, not old enough to join the older Endeavor society, yet who, it was felt, could be brought to take a stand for Christ and helped to continue in the christian way by an organization, on the Christian Endeavor plan, adapted to their capacities.
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A weekly afternoon devotional meeting was held, usually conducted by the Juniors themselves, sometimes addressed by the pastor or others. Several of the committees of the older society were just as appropriate and just as useful in the junior society. Interest in missionary objects and contribu- tions for their support were also prominent features of the Junior work. In 1901, when the Pastor's Band was formed for a special course of instruction by the pastor, the Junior Society of Christian Endeavor was merged into that organi- zation.
The Chinese Society of Christian Endeavor
As the work in the Sunday school for the Chinamen of the city progressed, and some of the men gave evidence of an in- terest in the christian religion, the leaders in the work began to feel that some form of religious service should be inaugu- rated that would give opportunity for participation by the men. A visit to the city by Yong Kay, a Chinese missionary from Boston, resulted in the organization, on February 7, 1898, of a Chinese Society of Christian Endeavor on the same lines as similar societies among the Chinese of other cities, with Miss M. Elizabeth McClintock as superintendent, and Mr. Carl Remington as secretary and treasurer.
From a report by Miss Adelaide B. Whipp, the present secretary, the following facts are taken: The society numbered only four members at the start, two active and two associate members. The largest membership at any time since has been sixteen. The present membership is twelve, two active and ten associate members. Two of the original members are still in the society. Thirty-six different men have been members.
As far as possible, meetings are conducted as in other Endeavor societies, with reading of Bible verses; singing and prayer in Chinese and English; consecration meeting, with
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reading of pledge and roll-call; and monthly collection for missions. The attendance at the meetings has not been con- fined to the members of the society. Often as many as twenty- eight Chinamen have remained for the Endeavor meeting. Those interested in the society have found encouragement in the faithful attendance, continued interest, and liberal giving of the men. One member has professed the christian religion, and has united with our Church. A member, absent for a time in a western state, never fails to send a letter to be read at the consecration meeting, with an offering enclosed.
The gifts to missionary and Christian Endeavor work have amounted to $361.10, and have been made to the following- named objects: American Board: Foochow Mission (Mr. and Mrs. Hinman), Japanese Mission (Mr. and Mrs. Cobb), South China Mission (Dr. C. R. Hager, where the support of a native worker for a year has just been assumed); American Mission- ary Association (Chinese work in California); Congregational Sunday-School and Publishing Society (Chinese work in New England); United Society of Christian Endeavor (for work in China), and the state, county, and city Endeavor unions, for current expenses.
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