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 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24
Further in the same report, the pastor suggests a change in the manner of contributing to religious objects, and recom- mends the inauguration of a system of " proportionate weekly offerings," on a plan similar to that recommended by Rev.
49
Central Congregational Church
George Harris, of Providence, R. I., and already successful in many churches. The idea of the system is, that all money to be given into or through the church treasury shall be pledged annually in advance, proportioned by the contributors to the several objects of their benevolence, and paid weekly in regu- lar amounts in small envelopes provided for the purpose. Such, doubtless, was the thought of pastor and people when this Church adopted the system in the spring of 1878, but local circumstances tended to defeat the working of the plan in its completeness. It was at a time when, as has been previously mentioned, the Church was sorely crippled finan- cially, and strong measures became necessary to tide it over the difficulties, and to assure its future usefulness in the work of the Kingdom. It was therefore decided that, " as a matter of propriety and temporary expediency," the greater part of the gifts of the people should for a time be used for home expenses. It was hoped that the envelope system of weekly offerings, with its opportunity for pledging any amount, would enlist the interest and cooperation of every member of the congregation, and opportunity was given for any who pre- ferred to do so, to assign their gifts to special objects. But the bulk of the contributions for a period of five years was paid into the "General Fund," this necessary diversion of funds from missionary work, which had ever before received our hearty support, being greatly lamented by pastor and people. In April, 1883, a committee, appointed for the pur- pose, recommended a list of five objects to which the contrib- utors were asked to apportion their gifts. But for some reason this plan was not generally participated in, and in the effort to re-establish the habit of contributing to the cause of missions, the old method of annual offerings for special objects was resorted to. In 1886, the American Board of Commis- sioners for Foreign Missions, the Congregational Home Mis- sionary Society, and the American Missionary Association were restored to an annual schedule of offerings. In 1888,
50
History and Annals of the
the Congregational Sunday-School and Publishing Society and the Congregational Union (now the Congregational Church Building Society) were included in the list, and in 1901, the Congregational Education Society was also added. Since 1874, a contribution for the Children's Home of Fall River has been taken at Thanksgiving time, and since 1888, the Fall River (now Union) Hospital has received an Easter offer- ing. Thus has come about the present custom of a weekly offering for current expenses, and eight special annual con- tributions for outside work. Other special offerings are also occasionally made as need requires. The money given at the monthly missionary midweek service has for many years been equally divided between the American Board of Commis- sioners for Foreign Missions, and the Congregational Home Missionary Society. (See Supplement for annual schedule of offerings.)
In the latter part of 1878, a series of evangelistic services was held in the city under the leadership of Rev. George O. Pentecost, D.D., and Mr. George C. Stebbins, and their labors, united with those of the brethren in the churches, " were blessed of God to the quickening of some, and the conversion of others. Extra efforts were made to secure the permanence of such convictions and to cultivate a sense of christian responsibility."
During the same season, a series of neighborhood prayer- meetings was held in the parish, " in which a circle of the brethren and some sisters labored, and these meetings were not only greatly blessed to the laborers themselves," but became " a harvest-field of great richness in sheaves for the church."
The pastor in his annual report says:
Our prayer-meetings during the year have been of marked power, and increase in interest. They are now on Sabbath evenings fre- quently crowded, and the attendance Thursday evenings is greatly enlarged. Brethren are participating in the service who have been hitherto comparatively silent, and new voices are occasionally heard.
1
51
Central Congregational Church
The number of additions to the roll during the year ranks third in the history to the present day, and it is a noticeable fact that among those who joined the Church there were two more males than females.
1879. In accordance with a vote of the Church in April, a printed list of the officers and committees of the Church and Society was framed and hung near the entrance to the audi- torium. Being annually revised, it has ever since proved a great convenience to the people.
1880. At the annual meeting in 1880, Thomas F. Eddy, after twenty-five years of faithful service as clerk of the Church, declined a re-election, and George O. Lathrop was elected to the position.
1881. In February, the Church voted to accept the offer of certain persons to organize a chorus of voices from our own people, as a volunteer choir, for aid in congregational singing, and appointed a committee to cooperate with them in super- vising such a movement. This marks the first effort toward a choir since the adoption of congregational singing in 1869. As long as services were held in the old building, the singing was considered notably good. There were a number of leading voices in the audience, and participation in the singing was very general, so that strangers remarked upon its body and tone. But when the singers were scattered about through the larger auditorium of the new church, and the high vaulted roof left far greater space to be filled, the music lagged and became poorer and poorer. Subsequent to the above vote, a choir of twenty-five or more voices was formed from the young people of the congregation, and under the efficient leadership of the organist, Lyman W. Deane, it proved a valued help during the eighteen years of its existence. Mr. Deane was devoted in his labors for the Church and Sabbath school, and met with the choir for weekly rehearsals. For special occasions an- thems were prepared. He had rare taste in the selection and rendering of church music, and loved his organ. Many are the
مے
£
52
History and Annals of the
nights that he lingered after service to revel in its sweet tones, while groups of people tarried to enjoy the music. Under his direction, in April, 1886, the choir rendered a cantata, “ Under the Palms," and thereby netted one hundred and fifty dollars toward defraying the church debt.
Upon Mr. Deane's resignation, in 1899, after a service of thirty-five years, the music was given into the care of a direc- tor, Frank L. Andrews, with Thomas V. Walkden as organ- ist, and a new quartet and chorus choir was formed. After three years of service Mr. Andrews, finding the duties of the position too arduous in addition to his business cares, resigned, and Mr. Walkden has since served both as organist and director.
The present custom of singing the doxology at the opening of the morning service dates from the time of entering the new church.
At the annual meeting in 1881, Deacon Benjamin Earl resigned his duties as custodian and almoner of the church fund for the relief of needy members, and was succeeded by Deacon Charles J. Holmes. It is worthy of note that the united service of these two deacons in this capacity has covered the whole period of the life of the Church thus far.
During the same year, the old church building was turned around from its original position facing Bedford Street, to that which it now occupies on Rock Street, because of the sale of the front land on Bedford Street for business purposes. It may be mentioned also that the stone, which originally served as the top step at the front entrance of the church, after a time became " The Mooring " at Andrew Borden's residence on Rock Street.
It was also in 1881, that the Society assumed the respon- sibility of the salary of Rev. E. A. Buck as church mis- sionary.
1882. At a regular meeting of the Church held March 13, Mr. Burnham, worn with his strenuous pastorate and seek-
53
Central Congregational Church
ing relief in change, tendered his resignation as pastor, ex- pressing strong affection for the people, and deep regret at parting from them. The Church accepted the resignation and passed resolutions setting forth the peculiar degree in which he had endeared himself to his people, and assuring him of their earnest prayers for God's blessing upon him in his future labors. An ecclesiastical council was convened on April 4, and the official relations of pastor and people were thereby dissolved.
Three years after Mr. Burnham's installation, his salary was raised to three thousand dollars; and so it was continued throughout his pastorate, except that for two years, during the Church's struggles, he voluntarily relinquished the added five hundred dollars. At that time the Society expressed its appreciation of this proof of his sympathy; and still re- membering it with gratitude, upon his retirement from the pastorate, it presented him with one thousand dollars, "as a token of respect and esteem."
54
History and Annals of the
Rev. Eldridge Mix, D.D. Fourth Pastor, A.D. 1882 - 1890
1882. On June 26, the Standing Committee, who had been appointed to supply the pulpit, recommended for pastor, the REV. ELDRIDGE MIX, D.D., who was then pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Orange, N. J. Dr. Mix had been heard in his own pulpit by members of the committee, and had preached in our church. The impression which he had made was so favorable, that when a formal ballot was taken, it was unanimously voted to extend to him a call to become pastor. Thereupon Thomas J. Borden, Thomas F. Eddy, and Charles J. Holmes were chosen from the Church, and Charles A. Baker and Alphonso S. Covel from the Society, to sign the call and, in the event of its acceptance, to make arrangements for the installation. Dr. Mix accepted the invitation and, with the approval of an ecclesiastical council which had been duly convened, was installed on September 27, 1882, the principal features of the program being as follows: Invocation and reading of Scripture, Rev. George M. Boynton, Boston; singing, "O God! we praise thee "; sermon, Rev. Alexander McKenzie, D.D., Cambridge; singing, " Oh, where are kings and empires now "; installing prayer, Rev. Samuel G. Willard, Colchester, Conn .; charge to the pastor, Rev. Michael Burnham, Boston Highlands; right hand of fellowship, Rev. W. W. Adams, D.D., Fall River; address to the people, Rev. A. J. F. Behrends, D.D., Providence; singing, " We bid thee welcome in the name of Jesus "; prayer, Rev. A. H. Heath, New Bedford; doxology; benediction by the pastor.
As soon as Dr. Mix was installed as pastor, he gave his attention in a systematic way to the business of acquainting himself with the members of his parish. A revised list of Church members (then numbering some four hundred and
Rev. ELDRIDGE MIX, D.D. Fourth Pastor, A.D. 1882-1890
55
Central Congregational Church
fifty) was prepared and published in October, 1882. The pastor then adopted the plan of announcing from the pulpit each Sabbath, the district in which he would call on given days of the coming week, and when six months had passed, he reported: "Your pastor has been enabled to call on every family connected with the congregation. Everywhere, in going in and out of your homes, he has been gladdened by a most cordial reception." Such annual visitations were a marked feature of Dr. Mix's ministry.
During the first half-year of service, he also aroused the interest of the young people and guided them in the organi- zation of a "Young People's Pastoral Aid Society." In 1887, this Society identified itself with the Christian En- deavor movement, and under the new name it has continued to the present time. Its history is given later in this volume.
1883. In the latter part of 1883, "Songs of Christian Praise " was introduced for use in Sabbath services and con- ference meetings, in place of the hymn book which had been used for the previous fourteen years.
1884. January 28, the Church considered a revised and somewhat modified form of the "Confession of Faith and Covenant and of the Standing Rules of the Church," which had been prepared with due consideration and care by the pastor and Standing Committee. It was adopted, and a new manual was printed. (See Supplement.)
In April of the same year, there was inaugurated the so- called " Anniversary Service," which was a special feature of Dr. Mix's pastorate. From this time to 1890 inclusive, for the Sabbath evening preceding each annual meeting of the Church, a special program was prepared, consisting mainly of the annual reports of Church officers and minor organizations. This arrangement was made for the purpose of keeping the whole congregation informed concerning the activities of the Church, and with the hope that a wider and more intelligent interest therein might be aroused.
56
History and Annals of the
1885. From the pastor's annual report in April we quote:
One thing of special interest has transpired during the year, in which our Church has borne its full share. The churches of the city have come together with a unity and harmony rare to see among so many denominations, and during the week of prayer have maintained union meetings full of interest and of great profit. These meetings were continued during the following week, and thereafter once a week, through the entire winter. A foundation has been laid for future cooperation for which we may well be devoutly thankful.
On October 22, it was voted " that the Church hereafter use the 'Responsive Readings ' as prepared in the hymn book now in use by the Church, in the regular Sabbath service, the reading to be followed by the singing of the Gloria Patri."
1886. During the early months of 1886, special religious services were again conducted, but this time under the direc- tion of the Standing Committee of this Church only. The pastor reported concerning them as follows:
After the week of prayer, a series of midweek services was inaugu- rated, to deepen the religious interest already existing and, if possible, to bring those who were more or less thoughtful to an immediate decision. The aid of ministers from abroad was secured, who very kindly gave their services in preaching for us. Each service was con- cluded with a brief prayer-meeting. Though the evenings, almost without exception, proved stormy, yet the attendance was quite as large as could have been expected and the results very gratifying. As a consequence of this increase of fidelity and activity on the part of the members of the Church, accompanied by these special services, a larger number than usual have been added to the Church on con- fession of faith. Thirty-five in all have thus joined us, and there are many more whom we hope soon to welcome to our fellowship.
About this time Dr. Mix established the " Central Congrega- tional Church Book Club." A biblical reference library of fifty or more volumes, for the use especially of teachers in the Sabbath schools, was placed in the parlor bookcase. On Saturday afternoons a volunteer librarian was in charge of the books, and, for a time, more or less of the teachers availed
57
Central Congregational Church
themselves of the privilege thus afforded. The books finally became a part of the Stillwell Sabbath school library, and were transferred to the Chapel.
On September 21, 1886, in response to an invitation re- ceived from certain French residents of the city, representa- tives of the Church assisted in the organization of a French Congregational Church and in the installation of a pastor therefor. This church is an outgrowth of the work among the French, which had been fostered for nearly twenty years by Mr. Buck at the Mission Chapel. A church edifice was erected, and representatives of our Church now serve, with others from the First Church, as trustees for holding the property.
During the same year, purchasers were found for the " Old Church" building, with that portion of the lot which had not been previously sold, for the parsonage and lot, and for certain other land, all of which had long been an incumbrance upon the Society. The pastor voiced the rejoicing which was in the hearts of all the people, when he marked this important epoch in our history by these words:
There is one great occasion of thanksgiving which we should not fail gratefully to remember. For the first time in many years, the church is unencumbered by debt. Our beautiful house of worship is truly the Lord's house now, as never before. After all the heroic and self-sacrificing efforts which the Lord has put it into your hearts to make for the achievement of that object, have you not abundant reason to-night " to enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise; to be thankful unto Him and to bless His name ? "
Since this time, the Society has annually raised sufficient funds to meet all expenses.
1887. Early in 1887, the Church participated in the work of taking a church census of the city, which was done under the auspices of the "Ministerial Association."
1888. The year 1888 marks the introduction of the weekly "Church Calendar." The pastor appreciated that the ordinary announcement of notices from the pulpit de-
1
58
History and Annals of the
tracted from the dignity and solemnity of the service, and that the printed page would reach many absent members of the congregation as well as supplement the memory of those who were present. In the beginning he secured the cooperation of the Christian Endeavor Society, which, during the experimental stage, provided and distributed the leaflets. But by April, 1890, the calendar had so far approved itself to the people that the Society assumed the expense of print- ing, and in February, 1891, at the request of the Christian Endeavor Society, the Church appointed a committee to take charge of the compiling and printing. (See copies of the later calendars in the Supplement.)
1889. April 30, being the one hundredth anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as President of the United States, an appropriate public service was held in the auditorium in commemoration of the event. The size and convenience of the church attracts to it many such public assemblies, and the people have ever delighted to use it for patriotic purposes.
Later in the same year, the Church purchased a plat of six burial lots in Oak Grove Cemetery, to be used for the burial of those members who should be unable to provide one for themselves; and some of those who had been buried elsewhere were removed to it. The Church also made provision for erect- ing suitable headstones at each grave, as occasion should require.
1890. On February 19, a "Reunion and Roll-Call " was held. At the suggestion of the pastor, an invitation had been sent to every member of the Church to be present in person if possible, and if that were impracticable, to report by letter. "The occasion was one of great interest and profit. About four hundred reported; some three hundred in person; the rest through friends or by letters. It was a real reunion on the part of those present."
On May 1, Dr. Mix, "with the kindest feelings toward all," requested the Church to unite with him in calling a
59
Central Congregational Church
mutual council for the dissolution of the pastoral relation. In fulfillment of this request a council was convened on the 16th of May, and with profound regret and unanimous expression of the highest esteem for the retiring pastor, it assented to the request of pastor and people.
October marked the final step in the readjustment of the order of Sabbath services, which order, during the previous sixteen years, had been the subject of much discussion and frequent changes. Since the earliest days, and into Mr. Burnham's pastorate, services were held as follows: 10.30 A. M., preaching service; 1.30 P.M., Sabbath school; 2.30 P.M., preaching service, followed bimonthly by the Lord's Supper; and an evening meeting for prayer and conference. In ad- dition to these, many of our members attended the Mission Sabbath school at 9.15 A.M. The first suggestion of a change toward the modern idea of fewer services appears in June, 1874, when the afternoon service was temporarily dispensed with. From this time on, there was a gradual strengthening of the sentiment in favor of making the change permanent, partially because of the growing tendency to lessen the de- mands upon the people, and partially because of the evident necessity of lightening the pastor's duties. In September, 1879, the afternoon service was permanently dropped; in April, 1880, the Sabbath school was changed to 2.30 P.M., and in 1887, monthly evening services in the auditorium were adopted; in October, 1889, a regular preaching service took the place of the prayer and conference meeting, and in October, 1890, Sabbath school was changed to the noon hour; thus completing the present schedule as follows: 10.30 A.M., preach- ing service, with the Lord's Supper at the appointed times; 12 M., Sabbath school; 7 P.M., preaching service.
In the latter part of 1890, electric lights were introduced into the auditorium, the parlor chandeliers having been fitted with electricity five years earlier, at the expense of a parishioner, James B. Harley.
60
History and Annals of the
Rev. William Walker Jubb Fifth Pastor, A.D. 1891 - 1896
After the departure of Dr. Mix, the various departments of church work were continued under the watch and care of the deacons and regularly appointed officers, ably assisted by our missionary, Rev. Mr. Buck. The membership of the Church was about five hundred and thirty.
On May 26, 1890, a committee of nine, viz., Charles J. Holmes, Rev. E. A. Buck, Thomas J. Borden, Charles A. Baker, Simeon B. Chase, Charles E. Fisher, Henry H. Earl, George O. Lathrop, and James C. Eddy, was chosen to select and recommend to the Church a candidate for pastor. A year passed before any one was found to meet the require- ments of the committee.
1891. In April, while the committee had its attention turned in a southerly direction towards a possible pastor, a preacher - Rev. W. Walker Jubb - was crossing the ocean from the east, of whom no one in the Church had ever heard. Friends of this stranger, in Boston, who were also friends of the Church, proposed him to the committee as a pulpit supply for a Sabbath. He was asked to preach April 19, and was heard with such general satisfaction that he was invited to come a second time. He consented, and so deepened the favorable impression already made, that he was urged to come for two more Sabbaths. He came and preached again with still greater acceptance. The committee, hearing most favorable reports of Mr. Jubb, presented his name to the Church for consideration as a candidate for pastor, at the monthly church meeting in May. After a brief discussion and on motion, a ballot was taken resulting in a vote of one hundred and ten yes; two no. In accordance with this vote, a call was extended to Rev. William Walker Jubb, of Mossley, Manchester, England, to become pastor of the Central Church, at a salary of four thousand dollars per annum. All further
-
Rev. WILLIAM WALKER JUBB Fifth Pastor, A.D. 1891-1896
£
61
Central Congregational Church
action was left to the Standing Committee, with power to act. The formal letter of acceptance was received by the Church, June 29, together with the statement that Mr. Jubb would assume the duties of the pastorate the first of Septem- ber following.
Mr. Jubb was installed pastor of the Central Church, Sep- tember 29, 1891. The services of the evening were : Invocation and reading of the Scriptures, Rev. Payson W. Lyman, Fall River; sermon, Rev. Reuen Thomas, D.D., Brookline; in- stalling prayer, Rev. J. G. Vose, D.D., Providence; right hand of fellowship, Rev. Arthur Little, D.D., Dorchester; charge to the pastor, Rev. Eldridge Mix, D.D., Wellesley; address to the people, Rev. Michael Burnham, D.D., Spring- field; benediction, by the pastor.
The Fall River News, September 30, reports as follows:
The Rev. W. Walker Jubb, late of Mossley, England, was installed the fifth pastor of the Central Church last evening, with services of the deepest interest, in presence of a very large congregation. It was an event of no ordinary interest in the history of the Church, and many distinguished clergymen and laymen of the denomination were present in honor of the occasion.
When the " New Church " edifice was built, the construc- tion of the Chapel was deferred; - in part, because the Sab- bath school found ample accommodation in the auditorium of the " Old Church." When, however, that building was sold, and the school had been held for a season in the auditorium and parlors of the New Church, the disadvantages of such a method became more and more obvious, resulting in much discussion and planning. Finally, in December, 1890, a committee consisting of James C. Eddy, Joseph A. Bowen, Edward T. Marvell, Andrew Borden, and Edward B. Jennings, was appointed and authorized to contract for the building of a Chapel, substantially in accordance with terms and specifica- tions of Mr. A. B. Jennings, architect, of New York, at a cost of about eighteen thousand dollars.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.