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 16
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As far as possible, the school met its own expenses; and from the Sabbath contribution they paid each year for their quarterlies and Sunday-school papers; also the water, the gas bills, and the janitor's salary. Entertainments given by the Missionary's Temperance Aid and Mutual Improvement Society during its existence netted $525.00, which was ex- pended in recarpeting and refurnishing the office, and in repairing and repainting the Chapel. Entertainments given
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by the school in 1893, netted $500.51. This was expended again in repainting, repairing, and reseating the building.
The Boys' Club
The Boys' Club was established in 1890, and was a cul- minating work of the life-long service of Mr. Buck for the uplifting of the youth of our city. The donor of the fine and perfectly-equipped building for the club was Mr. Matthew C. D. Borden, a son of that mother in Israel whose heart first conceived the work known for so many years as the " Pleasant Street Mission Sabbath School."
Quarto-Centennial
A QUARTO-CENTENNIAL recognition was given Mr. Buck by the Ladies' Beneficent Society at their semi-centennial gath- ering. At the close of the evening, an envelope was handed the missionary. The following letter explains its contents:
FALL RIVER, December 2, 1892.
Dear Mr. Buck, - I take great pleasure in conveying to you the enclosed savings bank deposit of one thousand dollars and check on bank for one hundred and thirteen and 25-100 dollars, as a token of the affection and good-will with which your many friends throughout the city, of all denominations, as well as others who reside in other places, bear toward you.
They have felt it to be both fitting and a great pleasure to express in some manner, on this TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY of the begin- ning of your labors in our midst, their appreciation of your services in ministering to the needs of all classes in the community, both temporal and spiritual, and also their regards for you as a man.
With the earnest wish that your useful life may be spared to us for many years, and that you and yours may be abundantly blessed in both spiritual and temporal things, I remain in behalf of a large number of your friends, S. B. CHASE.
Mr. S. B. CHASE:
FALL RIVER, December 3, 1892.
My dear Sir and " Many Friends," - On opening your valuable and most unexpected bank and check communication, last evening,
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on reaching home, after the delightful semi-centennial of the Benefi- cent Society, I was for a time silent before my family, dazed with surprise. I had no expectation of any recognition of this "QUARTO- CENTENNIAL " of my work in Fall River. The work has brought its own reward, as I have been permitted through these years, to see the happi- ness and improvement carried to so many hearts and homes, while acting as your agent in ministering to the temporal and, I trust, spirit- ual good of so many needy and suffering ones.
No small part of the success and enjoyment of my work has come from the hearty cooperation of all who have been called upon to engage in the many different branches of the same.
How shall I express to you all -" the many friends throughout the city, of all denominations, as well as others in other cities " - my gratitude and obligations for this expression of your great kind- ness and good-will toward me! The eleven hundred and thirteen and a quarter blessings which you have sent to me, I hope I shall be enabled to make to contribute to the happiness of others as well as my own.
It is truly blessed thus to receive. May you all find it true that " it is more blessed to give than to receive." It is my most earnest prayer, that to you all there may be given, by Him " who though rich, for our sakes became poor," manifold more in blessings spiritual as well as temporal.
Most gratefully yours,
E. A. BUCK.
For thirty-eight years the Pleasant Street Mission was the center of earnest, practical religious work. In the growth of the city, conditions changed in this locality, and it became purely a business center. These and other considerations made a radical change advisable, and in 1899, the Pleasant Street Mission Chapel building was sold.
By a singular coincidence, the closing entertainment at the Chapel was held on the fiftieth anniversary of the formation of the mission school. On this occasion, the Mothers' Bible Class presented Mr. Buck with twenty dollars in gold, it being the twentieth anniversary of the formation of the class; also thirty-two roses, significant of the thirty-two years of Mr. Buck's work in the school. This was but one of the many tokens of love and esteem received by Mr. Buck from the
-
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Bible Class. The following Sabbath morning, April 14, 1899, the school met at the usual hour, in the Chapel of the Central Church, Rock Street, where it continued its morning sessions until it was merged into the Noon Bible School, after the death of Mr. Buck (March 9, 1903).
At the annual meeting of the Church, in April, 1899, Mr. Buck, after thirty-two years of service, tendered his resig- nation.
The Church passed the following resolutions, made him " missionary emeritus," also provided for a continuance of his salary, and in these words paid a beautiful tribute to his faithful service, and their appreciation of the same:
Whereas, The Reverend Edwin A. Buck, missionary of the Central Congregational Church of Fall River, has tendered, after a service of thirty-two years, his resignation of that office because of accu- mulated years, and because the conditions and requirements of the present mission work of the Church call for an outlay of strength which he feels to be beyond his powers at seventy-five, therefore, it is
Voted, That his resignation as missionary be and hereby is accepted, with this declaration, that in thus formally relieving him from the heavy responsibilities of the office he has so long and so successfully filled, we do but make a change in form; that we shall ever cherish the memory and example of the faithful service, and consecration to christian ideals, exhibited for an entire generation among us, in the ministrations of the Rev. Edwin A. Buck;
Voted, That we desire and intend that this ministry shall go on among us, as his strength and personal welfare shall warrant; but that he shall count himself free from obligation to render service, except in such manner, and at such times, as the strength given in his age and the promptings of his consecrated heart may direct; and to so provide, it is hereby
Voted, That the Rev. Edwin A. Buck is made " missionary emeri- tus " of Central Church, with salary such as the society may determine. And in further expression of our deep regard for him and his noble life of service,
Be it Resolved, That we gratefully recognize the devotion and unstinted labors of our missionary, in season and out of season; his faithfulness to every trust confided to him, in these long years of
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ministry; the wise counsels given to unnumbered inquirers; the consolations to many a troubled one; his blessed ministrations in sickness and bereavement; his aid in countless good works; and his endearment to the whole community, growing with its growth and strengthening with its strength. His term of service, beginning two years before death ended the pastorate of our lamented Dr. Thurston, has compassed the pastorates of Rev. Michael Burnham, Rev. Eldridge Mix, and Rev. W. W. Jubb, and has now extended into the present pastorate of Rev. William A. Knight about as far as into that of Dr. Thurston. The children have become fathers of the Church; the departments of the Church's work and interests have multiplied; the city has grown from twenty-one thousand to a hundred thou- sand people; notable developments have been made in the commer- cial, industrial, and general community life; institutions have grown from small beginnings until they are numerous and strong; mechan- ics, science, and art have made wonderful transformations; but the tender spirit and sterling fidelity of our beloved missionary have not changed, save to broaden and deepen the channels of his love and devotion.
Work and Expenditures among the French in Fall River A.D. 1868 - 1886
1868. Distribution of Tracts and Testaments.
1871.
Tracts,
$9.00
1871. Tracts,
4.50
1872.
French Tracts,
3.00
1873.
Mr. F. Xavier Smith,
600.00
1874.
Mr. F. Xavier Smith, S
1874.
Paid for French Mission,
80.68
1874.
Paid for French Mission, 10.00
1880.
Paid for Father Chiniquy,
50.70
Rev. Mr. Morrisseau,
580.00
Rev. Mr. Vilatte,
267.00
Rev. Mr. Lafond,
50.00
1885-86.
87.50
Total,
$1,742.38
The French also enjoyed the full use of the Chapel, corner of Pleasant and Sixth streets, from 1868 to 1887.
[Copy of statement made.by Rev. E. A. Buck.]
.
Other items,
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Mission Work Conducted by Miss Caroline Borden
The record of the work of the Pleasant Street Mission School and Rev. E. A. Buck, missionary, may well be supplemented by a brief narrative of the work of Miss Caroline Borden, the daughter of Col. Richard Borden. She was no incon- siderable factor in the missionary activities of those former days, and has ever retained her interest in all the history of the Mission, as the foregoing pages abundantly testify.
She did much of the early work of this school. Annually in the winter she visited all the families represented in the school, making a full record of each in members, daily occu- pation, attendance of children at school or work and church going - more frequently non-church going. In some years the scholars of the school registered more than four hundred whom she visited. From this record she compiled semi- annual reports for the Sunday-school Society.
In doing this work, Miss Borden was convinced that some- thing more was needed to give intelligent stability among the boys of the Mission, and therefore established a Boys' Literary Club. This club continued for several years, holding weekly meetings, opened by Scripture reading. The meetings were always attended by Miss Borden, and a great variety of sub- jects were studied and discussed. The subsequent manhood of its members in integrity and christian character testified to the broad and permanent efficiency of the club.
At a later period, in connection with the Mission, she held on Sundays at the old Central Church, two Bible classes for men, - one for the young men, and one for the older men, at both of which the morning sermon was studied. The class of young men was held at the close of the morning service, and an hour later the older men, having been supplied with light refreshments provided by their teacher, had also
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their hour of Bible study before going to their distant homes. These were occasions of great interest and profit. The class of young men were entertained monthly by her in her home.
Another branch of Miss Borden's mission work was a Sunday- morning service at the City Almshouse, attended by the in- mates from one to eighty years of age. In this she was greatly aided by the superintendent of the almshouse, Mr. Dean, and by his wife and daughters, who, during the week, taught the children in music and in the Bible lessons assigned. Besides the morning service, Sunday-school concerts were often held in the evening. Mr. Andrew Borden, then of the First Congregational Church, accompanied Miss Borden in this work. The City Almshouse Mission continued after Miss Borden was obliged to relinquish it.
Her four-o'clock Bible class on Sunday afternoons, on the New York steamboats, for the men employed in service there, were occasions of great interest.
While she now lives in Boston, she has continued her membership in the Central Church at Fall River. Her activities in home and foreign missionary work go zealously on. Abroad she is especially identified with the American College for Girls at Constantinople, and with the International Institute for Girls in Spain, - the work of Mrs. Alice Gordon Gulick.
After the terrible massacres of the christians in Turkey, in 1895-96, her attention was especially called to the suffering and destitute Armenians. The American people had sent large amounts of money for relief, but strenuous necessity for clothing still existed.
In May, 1896, Miss Borden instituted a work for this relief, which extended over a large section of the United States, with headquarters in Boston, and which continued for several months. To this work she gave unlimited time and strength in every detail. The immediate and abundant response to appeals, made the question of transporting tons of clothing
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a serious one, and Miss Borden addressed a letter to the Cunard Steamship Company at Liverpool, asking for cooperation in this philanthropy by free transportation of this clothing from Boston to Constantinople and Smyrna.
A gracious reply was quickly sent, which stated, “ We have availed ourselves of this opportunity for furthering your views and good work with unfeigned pleasure, and shall always be glad of similar ones."
This work continued for ten months, in which time the Cunard Steamship Company carried nineteen tons in fulfill- ment of their generous promise.
The fifty-nine boxes contained about nine thousand gar- ments of excellent quality, for men, women, and children, which at a low estimate were valued at $10,474.00, to which must be added one hundred and fifty dollars contributed for inland transportation in Turkey.
Letters of gratitude received, fully compensated for this work. Ten boxes were received at one time at Harpoot, the field of Miss Seymour, concerning which a letter said, " We put the boxes into one large building not destroyed by the Turks, and shouted ' Hallelujah,' and then began to distribute the articles to the suffering people."
In recent years, Miss Borden has been in active cooperation with others in the Armenian work in Boston, in educational, evangelistic, and benevolent enterprises, in ministries for mind, body, and soul, and in which she has been sustained and helped by leading clergymen of our denomination and many others.
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Fathers and Mothers' Bible Class
On April 25, 1880, a class was formed in connection with the Pleasant Street Mission, for the study of the Bible. It was called the " Mothers' Bible Class," and was conducted by Mrs. William Carr, Mrs. Charles A. Baker, and Mrs. Joseph A. Bowen. Mrs. William H. Jennings was a teacher for four years, in the absence of Mrs. Bowen.
At the first gathering, twelve were present. This number increased to seventy. Two hundred and thirty have been connected with the class.
In 1883, a Fathers' Class, numbering eight, was formed, with Mr. Charles A. Baker as teacher. It met at the Chapel, in another room, at the same hour with the Mothers' Class, that fathers and mothers might together study the Word of God.
About fifty have been identified with it. Many calls for aid have been responded to, and the mothers have often been helped in their endeavors to secure money for benevolent and charitable purposes.
In connection with the Mothers' Class, in January, 1883, a sewing society, called the " Mission Aid Society," was organ- ized, and held its meetings every two weeks (excepting during the summer months) for seven years.
Committees were appointed to visit the sick, and give practical assistance wherever it was needed; and often desti- tute ones who had no church connection were aided and cheered.
The deep interest of the members for each other had its open manifestation in their benevolent and christian work. Over thirteen hundred and fifty articles of clothing and bedding, seven hundred and fifty of which they contri-
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History and Annals of the
buted themselves, were distributed during the seven years; more than three hundred dollars were expended for persons in need. This sum of money was raised in various ways, by the teachers, and through the voluntary gifts of interested friends.
Beside the aid imparted in their regular work, the Bible class contributed articles valued at twenty-five dollars to a box sent by the Central Church Beneficent Society to the " Remington Mission " in Dakota.
In 1882, the class raised thirty dollars with which to start a library. Various sums have been realized from time to time from entertainments, and new books have been pur- chased. A new library was begun after eighteen years; the old one was then given to a Sunday school where it was received with high appreciation.
Since 1881, a collection has been taken each Sunday, and the sum of $1,563.59 has been contributed. This amount has been distributed in many ways: for home missions; the Armenian Orphan Fund; the famine sufferers in India; the furnishings of a room at the " Home for Aged People in Fall River "; books for a Sunday-school library in California; for the " carpet fund " in our home church, and for the needs of their own members. No account has been kept of money collected for special gifts.
The classes have shown their appreciation of and love for different pastors of the Church by many valued re- membrances - for the missionary, Rev. Mr. Buck; for the teachers; and for Miss Caroline Borden. After Mr. Buck passed away, a large framed photograph of him - a fine like- ness - was presented by them and hung in the Chapel, over his desk.
Miss Borden has always been interested in the work and has shown her remembrance of the classes in many ways, both pleasing and helpful. For a number of years she has pro- vided for an electric-car excursion each summer. She has
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also sent flowers, cards, or booklets at Christmas and Easter.
Very many of the members have been gathered into church fellowship. A mutual bond of sympathy between the teach- ers and classes has always existed. Credit is due the members for the readiness with which they have aided one another in the social gatherings in the houses of their teachers and in their own homes, as well as in the parlors of the church; in their care for the sick and needy; in their floral tributes when any one of their number has died; in their aid to one another in studying the Word of God; and in their contributions in money for benevolent work.
The heaviest grief which ever came to them occurred in the death of their beloved and revered missionary, Rev. E. A. Buck, who in a special manner identified himself with their work. He was a devoted friend, a spiritual guide, an inspira- tion to better living, - one who ever pointed onward and heavenward.
Twenty-Fifth Anniversary
The twenty-fifth anniversary of the class was held in April, 1905, in the church parlors, which were made unusually attractive with flowers and palms, brought in from the Chapel for their decoration. Mrs. Jennings, though absent from the city, remembered the anniversary by a bouquet of beautiful pink roses, twenty-five in number.
Past and present members, with their husbands, also the pastor, the deacons and their wives, - altogether, a company of one hundred, - were assembled. A varied musical pro- gram was enjoyed, and a fine and choicely worded review of the work of the class from its foundation was read by Mrs. Bowen. Each member was presented with a memorial of the occasion, in the form of a decorated card, delicately hand-painted, printed in silver, and containing the following lines :
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History and Annals of the 1880 - 1905 Mothers' Bible Class He hath no need of me in grand affairs, Where fields are lost, or crowns won unawares;
Yet, Master, if I may make one pale flower Bloom brighter, for thy sake, through one short hour;
If I, in harvest fields, where strong ones reap, May bind one golden sheaf, for Love to keep;
May speak one quiet word when all is still, Helping some fainting heart to bear thy will;
Or sing one high, clear song, on which may soar Some glad soul heavenward, I ask no more.
Refreshments were served, and after brief remarks from some of the guests, the evening closed with the hymn, " God be with you till we meet again."
a
Miss HARRIET SEYMOUR Missionary to Turkey in Asia
:
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Central Congregational Church
Woman's Foreign Missionary Society
THE Fall River Auxiliary of the " Woman's Board of Mis- sions," usually called the "Woman's Foreign Missionary Society " of the Congregational churches in Fall River, was organized in the vestry of the First Church, January 25, 1869, by electing Mrs. Richard Borden (who was a vice-president of the Woman's Board in Boston), first director; Mrs. John S. Brayton, recording secretary; Miss Caroline Borden, corresponding secretary; and four ladies, two from the First Church and two from the Central Church, to secure members. Mrs. S. Angier Chace and Mrs. John E. Hills were chosen from the Central Church to serve on that committee.
The Woman's Board in Boston proposed an auxiliary in every Congregational church, but the ladies of the two churches in Fall River thought the best results would be attained by having but one organization in this city.
Officers were chosen from both churches, and the meetings were held alternately in each of the two churches. The ladies of the Fowler Church joined the society in 1880; and after the formation of the French Congregational and Broadway churches, the ladies of those churches were invited to become members. At first all moneys collected were sent to the Woman's Board in Boston, for the general fund; but soon it was suggested that the society support a missionary of its own.
As this system had not as yet been adopted by the Woman's Board of Missions, appeal was made direct to Secretary Clark of the American Board. He heartily approved the plan, and gave to us the names of three women, whom he said, " are the best unmarried women in our work," - two in India, and Miss Harriet Seymour in Harpoot, Turkey.
We chose Miss Seymour at a meeting held in November, 1869, and in a communication dated January 5, 1870, we
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History and Annals of the
sent to her a message of sympathy, and a pledge of prayers for her and her work as follows:
Our dear Miss Seymour, - Ninety-seven ladies, members of the Fall River Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, rejoice, to-day, in the privilege of calling you their missionary, and wish to assure you of their christian love and their warm sympathy. They promise you their prayers, that the Holy Spirit may be given unto you in such full meas- ure that all your labor for the poor women of Turkey may be owned of the Master, and serve his honor and glory.
Mrs. JOHN S. BRAYTON, Secretary.
This association with Miss Seymour, so auspiciously begun, has continued uninterruptedly for the whole thirty-five years of her missionary activities, and has established a bond of loving esteem and friendship which death alone can sever.
Miss Seymour replied :
My heart goes out to you all, this morning, and I long to see your faces in the flesh, the faces of those who for the Master's sake have adopted me, his servant.
When it was suggested to me that I should become a missionary, I said, " Although Turkey seems to me the pleasantest mission field in the world, I do not forget that there are always deprivations and hardships attending the missionary life; yet I fully believe that Christ who has called me to this work, will go with me, and his powerful and loving hand will make my pathway as smooth as is best for me." I am very happy in the thought of my new work. I cannot say my heart is not full, when I think of parting with friends; but at the longest, it will seem but a little while. My best Friend is going with me, and I have learned that his presence makes my day, and when he abides with me, no circumstances can make me unhappy.
Rev. S. M. Campbell, her pastor, writes of her qualifications thus :
She is a young lady of superior christian character, good nature, and talents; with a temper superlatively calm and cheerful; admirable good sense; and very diligent and economical. She will work with others pleasantly, acquire influence rapidly, and keep it with all. She is refined and cultivated. I give up Miss Seymour with a feeling of sacrifice. I have no lady in my church so useful to me.
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Miss Seymour had sailed for Harpoot early in the spring of 1867. While there, she was associated with Miss Warfield in the seminary. They worked together lovingly in the school, until the death of Miss Warfield, February 12, 1873. Since then, Miss Seymour and Miss Bush have been associated together, and have been very happy in their work. They were dear friends in early life. Miss Seymour says, "The longer we live and work here, the more are we assured that the good Father has brought us together."
A part of Miss Seymour's work was to visit out-stations in different places, sometimes accompanied by Dr. Barnum or Rev. Mr. Brown of the Harpoot Mission. In the month of November, 1869, Miss Seymour and Miss Warfield spent two and a half weeks traveling to different stations. Rev. Mr. Brown went with them. During this tour they traveled one hundred and forty miles, visited fourteen stations, and held thirty-four meetings.
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