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 6
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History and Annals of the
On October 19, 1891, the building committee reported the completion of the Chapel as far as they were authorized to go. The report was accepted and the committee continued.
The same month the pastor presented a plan for special services to be held on the last Sabbath evening of each month. The plan was approved by the Church and the first meeting was held November 29, the subject of the pastor's address being: "I Can't Help It." These evenings were very popular, as was shown by the large attendance,- sometimes more than a thousand persons being present.
1892. January 14, the pastor stated the substance of a request from some of the pastors of the city, for the Central Church to hold a "Union Communion " service at an early date. The Church by vote complied with the request, and ordered the following invitation to be sent to the pastors of the city :
FALL RIVER, January 21, 1892.
TO THE PASTOR OF - - CHURCH :
Dear Sir, - I have the pleasure of communicating to you, the following action taken by the Central Church, January 14, 1892, and would kindly request you, to bring it to the attention of your church people in such a way as you may deem best.
Very respectfully yours, etc., GEORGE O. LATHROP, Clerk of the Central Congregational Church.
A UNION COMMUNION SERVICE
A communication having been received, expressing the desire of many of the pastors of the city, that the Central Congregational Church should hold a " Union Communion" service, voted, "That we gladly assent to the request, and appoint the pastor and deacons a com- mittee, to fix upon the time and date, and to make all necessary arrangements for holding such service." In accordance with the above vote, the Central Church will hold a Union Communion Service in the audience room of its church, Rock Street, Monday evening, February 8, 1892, at 7.30 o'clock, and cordially invites all members
CHAPEL OF CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Corner Rock and Bank Streets, Fall River, Mass.
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of churches who hold Christ as their Head, and are in good and regular standing in their respective churches, to sit with it, at the table of our common Lord.
W. W. JUBB, Pastor. C. J. HOLMES, C. A. BAKER, GEO. O. LATHROP, H. H. EARL, Deacons.
The service was held as stated, and a very large number accepted the invitation to be present. The pastors and officers of different churches assisted in the service.
At the close of the year 1891, the pastor, believing that " reading makes a full man, writing an exact man, conversa- tion a ready man," organized the " Central Church Literary Society," for the promotion of social and literary improve- ment. Nine meetings were held during the first year. Many of the programs were of special interest, e. g., " Pro- tection versus Free Trade," " A Mock Congress," "Lecture on John Bright," "Illustrated Magazine," and "Ladies' Night " being among the most interesting. The society proved a great success financially, and was very popular, the average attendance for the season being one hundred. This society maintained its active work for a period of three years.
1892. In April, the Chapel building committee reported:
The Chapel has been completed and furnished, during the last financial. year, without any debt, except that covered by pledges. Our thanks are especially due the ladies, for the entertainment given in the Chapel, from which we received $200.00; to the Literary Society, for their liberal donation of $100.00; to the pastor, for contribution from the monthly Sabbath evenings' services of $58.84; and to the Sabbath school for their gift of $165.05.
(Signed) JAS. C. EDDY, Jos. A. BOWEN, ED. T. MARVELL, ED. B. JENNINGS, C. E. FISHER, Committee.
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At the annual meeting, April, 1892, the following minute was adopted on motion of Mr. Henry H. Earl:
We recall with pleasure the continued labors of Brother C. V. S. Remington in the supply and beautiful arrangements of flowers for the platform, from Sabbath to Sabbath. In their absence, we experience a sense of loss; in their presence our souls are lifted up; worship seems easier, purer, more spiritual. In their subsequent distribution by the young women of the Christian Endeavor, joy and gladness are brought to many an invalid, and a sense of contact with the active, visible Church of Christ created, which will be a solace to many a weary hour, a potent help to "fight the good fight of faith."
Through all these succeeding years and down to the present time [1905], Mr. Remington has unfailingly continued, Sunday after Sunday, to bring flowers - at once beautiful and sometimes rare, but always bright and fragrant, - to gratify the senses of sight and smell, and to stimulate the love and emotions of praise and gratitude to the Giver of all good things, the Creator of life and light.
Mr. Jubb was largely instrumental in the formation, March 28, 1892, of the "Fall River Congregational Club." "The object of the club, as stated in its by-laws, is a social hour, with refreshments, and the discussion of ecclesiastical, social, and national topics by members and invited guests." At first, the club met sometimes in the chapel of the Central Church, and sometimes in the vestries of the First Church; but the latter rooms proving most convenient for the use of the club, the meetings have been held there exclusively for several years. The club has proved eminently successful in bring- ing together the members of the various Congregational churches of the city and suburbs, for social intercourse, and the discussion of public and literary themes.
In June, the pastor presented for consideration, the estab- lishment of a " Mission at Globe Village," and stated that the Standing Committee had adopted the following resolu- tion, to wit, " That this committee look with favor upon the
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establishment of a Mission at Globe Village, provided such measure shall seem wise to a joint committee to be appointed from this and the other Congregational churches of the city." The Church adopted the resolution of the committee and appointed the pastor, Simeon B. Chase, and Andrew Borden, members of the joint committee, and in January, 1893, the Broadway Mission at Globe Village was formally opened.
In the spring of 1892, it was voted "to celebrate the FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY of the organization of the Church, - NOVEMBER 16, 1892, - and to give to the Standing Com- mittee full authority to complete all arrangements for the same."
In the fall of the year a circular was issued, calling atten- tion to the date, and that the day would be held in remem- brance by simple and appropriate services on the preceding Sabbath, November 13, 1892. The program as outlined made provision for a special sermon by the pastor in the morning, the reading of historical papers in the afternoon, and brief addresses from former pastors and others in the evening.
The observance of the day proved of great interest to large audiences. A report of the exercises, together with the program, letters, papers, and extracts from sermons will be found in a later chapter of this volume.
1893. The report of the assessors read at the annual meeting of the Society in April, 1893, says:
We congratulate the Society on having completed FIFTY YEARS of its existence. It was organized, January 20, 1843, with thirteen mem- bers. To-day it has a membership of seventy. The Society has passed through a great variety of experiences. It has had its days of dark- ness, as well as its bright, clear days. It has felt the depressing in- fluence of debt, and has had the joy of release from the burden of debt. Fortunately, it has never suffered severely from a difference of opinion among its members, and we trust this harmony of feeling and unanimity of purpose, will continue to abide with it in the future.
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In the early part of the year the " Ladies' Prayer-Meeting " (which for a time had been discontinued), under the leader- ship of Mrs. Jubb awakened to new life, and " did run well for a season, but finally fell into a long sleep which has lasted to the present time."
In February an ORNAMENTAL TABLET, with gilt lettering, giving the names and addresses of pastor and janitor, together with the hours for holding the regular Sabbath and midweek services, was placed on the front of the church tower.
1895. In May, the Standing Committee was instructed to procure " Individual Cups " for use at the communion service (by a vote of fifty-five yes, six no). On the first Sabbath of July following, the individual cups were used for the first time in this church and have ever since been approved as a most acceptable change from former methods.
1896. April. The pastor and deacons' annual report con- tains this statement :
The church edifice has been in more active use the past year than ever before. Three state conventions, viz., the Woman's Board of Missions, the State Sunday-School Convention, and the Methodist Conference, have all tested its size, convenience, and practical use- fulness, and have been abundantly satisfied, and high in their encomiums of praise.
On Sunday, July 19, 1896, at the close of the morning serv- ice, Rev. Dr. W. W. Adams, who had occupied the pulpit, read a letter from Rev. Mr. Jubb, presenting his resignation as pastor of the Church, to take effect on September 29, the fifth anniversary of his installation into that office. The letter is as follows:
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CENTRAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY, FALL RIVER:
Dear Friends, - When I accepted the pastorate of your Church and Society in 1891, I resolved that I would not leave you of my own accord for at least five years. I felt that this was due to the people who had so generously paid for my removal, with that of my family, from England. Though there was no engagement for any specified
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number of years, there was a distinct statement made by me, that I should feel myself in honor bound to remain for a term of not less than five years. That term will expire in the early autumn, and as my vacation will include most of the intervening time, I have thought it best to decide, now, what my future course shall be, and make known to you my decision before I leave for England.
For a long time, more than a year, I have felt that a change of pastorate at the end of my five years' service might be advisable, and this feeling I have made known to my intimate ministerial friends. The reasons which led me to this conclusion seemed to me to be weighty and somewhat commanding. I have also felt, of late, that if I were to make any change in the near future, perhaps this might be the most appropriate time in which to make it, and upon this I have resolved. I beg, therefore, to present my resignation as pastor of your Church and Society, such resignation to take effect on September 29, the fifth anniversary of my installation, or as soon thereafter as a council can be conveniently called.
In doing this, I wish to express my sincere appreciation of all the kindness which I have received since I came among you. The friend- ships which my family and I have formed in the Central Church are very dear to us, and will, I hope, be more or less abiding. Wherever our lot may be cast, we shall always have a kind thought for the sympa- thetic and helpful companions of our early American life. I am, I know, only voicing the feeling of every member of my own household, when I wish for you, a speedy, happy, and prosperous settlement. May grace, mercy, and peace ever abide with you all. I am,
Yours sincerely,
(Signed) W. WALKER JUBB.
Dr. Adams then read a call for a special church meeting to be held the following evening, Monday, July 20, at eight o'clock. At this time the resignation was formally presented to the Church, when it was accepted, and the following letter was ordered sent to Mr. Jubb, who had gone to England :
Rev. W. W. JUBB:
Dear Sir, - Your letter of resignation having been read by Dr. Adams from the pulpit, Sunday, July 19, 1896, a church meeting was called on the next Monday evening, at which the resignation was
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accepted in accordance with the tenor thereof, that is to say, to take effect September 29, 1896, and a committee appointed to unite with you, and a committee from the Society, to call the customary council. The Society subsequently met and voted to accept the resignation, and appoint a cominittee to unite with you and the Church, in calling the council. Church committee: Charles J. Holmes, Thomas J. Borden, Henry H. Earl. Society committee: Joseph A. Bowen, Edward B. Jennings. At the society meeting, it was also voted that the recommendation of the Church to continue your salary to December 1, 1896, be adopted. I am desired by the committee to give you for- mal notice of the action of both bodies, and to ask your suggestions as to when it is desirable to call the council, and what churches you would like to have invited; also to receive any other suggestions you might like to make. In general conversation, it was thought some time about the middle of September might be a convenient and suitable time for calling the council; but not knowing your plans, it was left open for action when we hear from you.
Yours very truly, JAMES W. BRIGHAM, Clerk, on behalf of the Committee.
This letter was addressed to Mr. Jubb, at Memorial Hall, Farringdon Street, London, England.
Report of the Council
The council called to review the proceedings of the Central Church and Society in regard to the resignation of their pastor, Rev. W. Walker Jubb, met at the Central Church, September 16, 1896. They examined the papers and records of the Church and the Society and the correspondence with Mr. Jubb. The council, in view of the unanimous agree- ment of pastor and people thus far, approved the action on the part of the pastor, Church, and Society, as regular and harmonious, and declared the relation dissolved, to take effect September 29, 1896.
After the resignation of Mr. Jubb, Deacons Charles J. Holmes, and Henry H. Earl were appointed a sub-committee to supply the pulpit; while Mr. Holmes, by virtue of his office
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as senior deacon, assumed the duty of caring for the conduct of the weekly and monthly meetings. These were regularly held, and special meetings were called when required. All other interests of the Church were considered as presented, the aim being to have all the ordinances and services of the Church regularly observed. There was a membership then existing of about five hundred and forty. A circular sent out by the Standing Committee, calling for the united and prayerful efforts of the whole Church for her welfare, had a most salutary influence.
This circular read as follows:
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, FALL RIVER, MASS., October 10, 1896.
Dear Brethren and Sisters,
Members of the Central Congregational Church :
In the providence of God, we are to be without a regular pastor, for a little time at least. The interim cannot fail to be an anxious period for your committee, and we desire to make an earnest appeal to each member to give more than usual effort for the success of our church work. Will you in harmony with this request, do all in your power to sustain our religious gatherings; support the Sunday morn- ing and evening services; attend the Thursday evening meetings; and by your constant presence encourage each the other? Do not forget the Sunday school. The superintendent wants your hearty support. Enter the Bible class and so influence our younger pupils to gather for the study of the Word of God. By voice and presence will you not kindly help to bring all our church membership into action and har- mony with the Master's desire?
Sincerely your brethren in Christ,
CHARLES J. HOLMES, CHARLES A. BAKER, GEORGE O. LATHROP, HENRY H. EARL, EDWIN A. BUCK, CLINTON V. S. REMINGTON, ANDREW BORDEN, JAMES W. BRIGHAM,
Standing Committee.
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Rev. William A. Knight Sixth Pastor, A.D. 1897 - 1902
1897. A special church meeting was called on September 20, 1897, to hear the report of the committee on pulpit supply. That report presented the name of REV. WILLIAM ALLEN KNIGHT, of Saginaw, Mich., as the unanimous recommendation of the Standing Committee for the office of pastor. After due consideration, a ballot was ordered, resulting in an affirma- tive vote of eighty-five yes; six no.
A committee of three, namely, Charles J. Holmes, Richard B. Borden, and Albert F. Dow, was appointed to unite with a committee from the Society in extending the invitation to Mr. Knight to become pastor, and upon his acceptance to take the necessary steps preparatory to his installation. The Society met September 30, and voted unanimously to join in the call, and appointed Henry H. Earl and Edward B. Jennings as its committee.
Mr. Knight's letter of acceptance was received on Octo- ber 4, and a call was immediately issued for an ecclesiastical council, to be held on October 20, 1897.
The council met at 2.30 o'clock P.M., on the date men- tioned, and after the usual examination of papers, records, and candidate, it was unanimously voted to proceed to the installation of Mr. Knight in the evening, at 7.45 o'clock, with services as follows: Invocation, Rev. E. A. Buck; read- ing of Scripture, Rev. H. G. Megathlin, F.R. [Broadway Church]; singing, " O Worship the King, all glorious above"; sermon, Rev. Wm. E. Barton, D.D., Boston; singing, “O where are kings and empires now " ; installing prayer, Rev. Eldridge Mix, D.D., Worcester; charge to the pastor, Rev. William H. Davis, D.D., Newton; right hand of fellowship, Rev. Francis J. Van Horn, Beverly; address to the people, Rev. Matthew C. Julien, New Bedford; singing, " With
Rev. WILLIAM ALLEN KNIGHT Sixth Pastor, A.D. 1897-1902
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heavenly power, O Lord, defend " ; concluding prayer, Rev. Payson W. Lyman, Fall River; doxology, " Praise God from whom all blessings flow "; benediction by the pastor.
The life of the Church during Mr. Knight's pastorate is best portrayed by successive extracts from the annual reports of pastor and deacons. Not many new or startling events occurred to mark its outward relations to other work and workers, but its life was largely the development of its in- ternal affairs and spiritual interests.
1897. December 19, the pastor writes:
The hearty manner of our people in the support of the midweek prayer-meeting is a pleasant feature of our church life. The people come steadily and in large numbers. They take hold of the meeting. " I am a stranger," said one, "but I am thoroughly enjoying the few meetings I have been with you." That is as it should be. Our meet- ings should be joy-bringers, and help-givers.
From the formation of the Church in 1842 until 1898, the first week of each new year was set apart as "The Week of Prayer," according to the general usage in Congregational churches. Meetings were held in the olden time every evening, except possibly Saturday evening, and two, three, and sometimes four afternoons. Special topics were assigned for the various services.
In January of 1898, it was decided to observe "Passion Week " in our church as " The Week of Prayer," rather than the first week in January. The calendar for January 9, mentioned the change, and said, "The pastor desires to direct the attention of the whole parish to a consecutive reading of the life of Christ from now until Easter, culminat- ing in our observance of " Passion Week." On each evening of that week, except Saturday, a service was held in the Chapel, with a descriptive address by the pastor, portraying the scenes in each successive day in the last week of our Lord's ministry. The whole service was most profitable and impress-
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ive. In March, forty-seven of the young people of the parish between the ages of ten and eighteen, met the pastor as mem- bers of an "Easter Company," for christian teaching and conversation. Topics, " What is it to become a christian ?" " How to become a christian," and " How to make progress."
After the summer vacation, the pastor, through the medium of the calendar, sent his cordial greetings to each member of the Church, and summoned them, one and all, to come into touch with church life at the opening of the new year. All were asked to assist in making a kind of roll-call, by sending to the pastor a postal card with their full name and address.
1898. In the autumn of 1898, by direction of the church officers, the cloister door of the church, facing the Chapel, was opened daily between the hours of 9 and 11 A.M. and 1 and 4 P.M. that any who wished might stop to rest body or soul; to feel the singular beauty and charm of our church home; or to find a place for prayer and quiet communion with God.
November 6, the " Messenger " announced that some of the members of the Church were interested, and ready to assist in holding cottage prayer-meetings through the winter. Any who would welcome such a gathering in their homes were invited to leave their names with Deacon Lathrop. During New Year's week, meetings were held in several sections of the parish, and later two were regularly held each week through the winter, one usually at the parsonage, and another in the south or southeast part of the city.
In October, the " weekly calendar " came to us with a new name, " Our Church Messenger," and an increased length of some two inches, which greatly improved its appearance, while it furnished more space for notes and information. "Its mission is to free the pulpit from announcements; to reach the whole parish with messages and items about our church life; and to preserve matters of interest for reference."
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At the suggestion of the officers of the American Board, $800 of the sum contributed in 1898 by Central Church for foreign missions, was appropriated towards the payment of the salaries of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Hinman, missionaries recently assigned to Shaowu station of the Foochow Mission, China. The Church heartily approved the action of the Board, and the year following, when transmitting their annual offering, the treasurer was directed to notify the Board to continue to devote so much thereof, as might be necessary, to pay in full the salaries of Mr. and Mrs. Hinman, and to request that they be known as the " Foreign missionaries of the Central Church of Fall River," - though acting under the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
One section of the large bookcase in the south parlor was set apart for a "Hinman Cabinet." Pictures, pamphlets, and articles, sent from our missionaries in China, letters, and everything which would help to acquaint our people with the life and work of our missionaries in far-off Shaowu was to be gathered there for preservation and inspection.
A peculiar circumstance and pleasant surprise was to learn from a private letter that a description of the Central Church in Fall River, U. S. A., appeared not long since in a paper, The Avedapa, printed in Constantinople, Turkey. Nothing is known of the occasion of this notice.
1899. Early in the succeeding year (1899), the health of Mr. Knight became considerably impaired, though he did not give up his pulpit ministrations. At this juncture, an opportunity offering for him to take a sea-voyage to the West Indies, his parishioners seized the occasion to present him with a generous purse of money, to give him a midwinter vacation and the chance to seek renewed health in this milder clime. Its successful issue is voiced in the following pastoral mes- sage, copied from the February " Church Messenger."
For the generous goodness of his parishioners, too abounding to be itemized; for the stay in the June-like sunshine of Bermuda; for
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deepened love; for restored health, the pastor begs to offer his affec- tionate gratitude. The thoughtful kindness to his family, the faith- fulness of officers and workers in caring for the Church's interests, the genial heartiness of all words and gifts and deeds, charming away the disappointment occasioned by absence from work at this season, have been as beneficent and beautiful in their influence as the sunny air and flowering hills of Bermuda.
1899. April. The annual church meeting held in April, is memorable for the vigorous, diversified church life indicated, and for the unanimity and good feeling which prevailed throughout. It will long be remembered for that impress- ive scene when the beloved missionary - Rev. Edwin A. Buck - presented his resignation and the Church made him "Missionary Emeritus." The Church accepted his resigna- tion with this declaration, that " in thus formally relieving him from the responsibilities of office, we do but make a change in form: that we desire and intend that his ministry shall go on among us, as his strength and health shall permit, only counting himself free from obligation to service." By a unanimous vote, Mr. Buck's salary of twelve hundred dol- lars per annum was continued.
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