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 7
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For more than thirty years, the Troy Cotton and Woolen Manufactory Corporation had given the use of the lot of land on the northeast corner of Pleasant and Sixth streets for the Central Church Mission Building. At this time, the corpo- ration intimated to the officers of the Society, the probable sale of the land in the near future. The prospects and con- dition of the mission in its vicinage and in other important respects had so changed that it was thought impracticable to move the building, and establish the school elsewhere. The building was accordingly sold. The Mission School then ceased to exist as an independent organization at another center, but was joined with the home school in the "Central Congregational Bible school " organization, with morning ses- sions on Sunday at nine o'clock as usual. All other mission-
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ary meetings, together with Mr. Buck's office, were transferred to the Chapel on Rock Street. A fine roller-top desk was placed in the room by the Rock Street entrance to the Chapel, and here Mr. Buck continued to be found at his well-estab- lished office hours, from ten to twelve each day of the week. A large portrait of Deacon Thomas F. Eddy, the long-time superintendent of the Mission School, was hung above the desk.
1900. In the early part of the year, the Church sent to Elbowoods of Fort Berthold Mission, North Dakota, the communion set in use before adopting the individual com- munion cups (1895). It reached its destination by a long wagon route from the railroad. It will do service in five stations. The missionary who received it sought by question and was successful in identifying our Church with an early association of his own, saying that when he was a student at Andover, he was called down to Fall River to consider assistant parish work in connection with Rev. Michael Burn- ham, pastor.
Beside the regular established meetings, three companies of parishioners are doing good work in their respective departments. First, "The Pastor's Band," of boys and girls, who meet the pastor for twenty-minute lessons in christian teaching regularly each week. Second, " The Boys' Brigade," and third, the "Men's League." Of this last, it has been said, "There is not a heartier or more quietly active organi- zation among us." (See Supplement.)
What a busy place this great church is, each Sabbath day! Eight distinct regular meetings are held in its rooms each Sunday; yet so many are the workers, that no one seems overtaxed, though all the meetings are well cared for. It was impressive, as the noon school was passing out, to hear the singing of two companies of men,- here, the earnest voices of an " Armenian prayer-meeting," in the Chapel, and there the " Chinese Endeavorers " in the parlor of the Church. " Our Church is moving with a steady swing." This means
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that many persons, each in his or her place, having duties intrusted to them, are carrying responsibilities for the joy of doing good. Think of this day-long flow of devotion through these rooms, - of the young, the old, the rich, the poor, the men of many lands, - and your own worship will become better, because your thoughts of God and man will grow broader. On a certain Monday evening there were over thirty boys in line at the "Boys' Brigade " drill. As they left one room of the Chapel, the bimonthly business meeting of the Church opened in another room, while across the yard, through the windows, were seen the church parlors filled with boys and girls, nearly a hundred in number, holding a reunion of Junior Christian Endeavor.
Many of those who attend Central Church have learned to find a quiet but unfailing joy in the flowers beside the pulpit each Sabbath. This is one of the refining, silent ministrations in our church home. Never were the decora- tions of the Church more chaste and beautiful than at Christ- mas time, 1900. Great ropes or festoons of laurel were hung from the high vaulted roof and arches of the Church, and from pillar to pillar, having a peculiarly graceful effect, harmonizing with the style of architecture, and filling the immense spaces with the pendent loops of green. It was one of the most artistic as well as pleasing of the holiday designs worked out by Mr. Remington (C. V. S.) in recent years.
This poetical description was penned at the time by the pastor:
A FUTURE MEMORY
Above, the silent laurel hung Throughout the vaulted House of God; Below, the Christmas joy we sung; The poor, the rich, the old, the young, Who through those holy aisles had trod,- Christ's love o'er all, its spell had flung; Its symbol o'er us, Love had swung.
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1901. We have prepared and printed a Directory for the entire Parish, endeavoring by much labor to make it as com- plete as possible. During this year, a pastor's assistant - Mrs. Mary H. Smith - has been appointed in accordance with the vote of the Church. Her work in the parish has proved most re-assuring and gratifying. (See Supplement.)
Considerable progress has been made in reducing the list of absent members, by inducing them to place their church letters where they now reside. Our parish covers practically the entire city, and one of the efforts we have made, has been to divide the whole field into districts and establish a system- atic method of visiting. The clerk's report shows a mem- bership of six hundred and four.
The pastor and deacons, in their report for 1901, grate- fully recognize the evidences of the Divine Spirit's guidance among us. The harmonious and vigorous working of the many agencies of the Church is recorded. For the faithful- ness and devotion of each office bearer, each committee, each worker, in whatever relation, they would voice the gratitude of the Church and the " Well done " of our Lord. Though there has been an unusual amount of sickness and death about us, the list of those who have left us for the Home above is not remarkably long. There has been no special religious interest, commonly called a revival, though at every regular communion service there have been acces- sions to our membership, for the most part on confession of faith. The methods of teaching and personal influence have been utilized chiefly with reference to the youth of the Church.
In the fall of 1901, the Congregational churches of Boston were confronted with a perplexing question as to the best usefulness of " Berkeley Temple," in its institutional work, and among the large body of clerks, students, and young people in its immediate vicinity. A pastor and preacher with much executive ability was desired; one who should be broad in his sympathies, progressive, and with some practical
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experience in church and pastoral life. In their survey of the field, their judgment finally led them to invite Mr. Knight to this responsible and laborious work. The character of the call, and those making it, as well as the larger sphere of chris- tian work and influence was recognized.
At the close of the midweek prayer-meeting, on Thursday, December 19, 1901, a church meeting was held, at which Deacon Holmes read a letter from the pastor, asking that he be dismissed from this church, to accept a most urgent call to the pastorate of Berkeley Temple, Boston, the resignation to take effect January 12, 1902. The Church and Society accepted the resignation in accordance with the suggestions made, and voted that Mr. Knight's salary be continued until February, 1902. Pursuant to letters missive, a council for dismission met in the parlors of the church, January 3, 1902. After due consideration of the letters and records submitted, the council voted, "That the action of Rev. William A. Knight in resigning, and that of the Church in accepting the resignation, is approved by the council, and the dissolution of the pastoral relation existing between the Central Church and Mr. Knight is advised, to take effect at the time mentioned in the letter of resignation."
Mr. Knight preached his last sermon as pastor of the Church January 12, 1902, from the text, " That the people may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent." -- Zephaniah 3: 9.
Pastor's Assistant
As already mentioned in the annals for 1901, the growth of the parish work and the numerous and insistent calls upon the pastor suggested the need of a pastor's assistant or helper, - one who could atiend to many minor demands, give the pastor more time for study and preparation for his pulpit
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duties, and assist the Relief Committee in its ministrations to the sick and suffering.
Mr. Knight had already found such assistance very useful in some clerical work in which he had secured the services of Mrs. Mary H. Smith, one of our active members and workers in the Beneficent Society and Sunday school.
Provision for a tentative trial of the plan and support through the fall of 1900-1 was made by private subscription. The plan proved so successful that Mrs. Smith has since been permanently employed as "PASTOR'S ASSISTANT,"- the Society voting a regular salary for the purpose at its annual meeting.
A hint of the work which falls to the pastor's assistant is given in the following report, submitted at the annual meeting of the Church, in April, 1902.
REPORT OF PASTOR'S ASSISTANT
The work of a pastor's assistant is of so miscellaneous and personal a character that it is impossible to give a complete report. During the year just closed, 674 parish calls have been made; of these, 216 were calls upon the sick. Money has been given as thought wise for relief. At Christmas and Easter, money for the season's cheer and comfort was intrusted to my stewardship.
Last summer a lady gave money for outings for children and tired mothers. This fund was used for excursions by water and by electrics.
Numbers of books and magazines have been received and distrib- uted, not only in the city but in the outlying neighborhoods where books are not so abundant.
My work has been helped at all times by the hearty cooperation and sympathy of our church people. A new church directory has been compiled. The returns from the " house-to-house visitation," made under the auspices of the District Sunday-school Association, have made it possible to get a very correct list; also to find the stran- gers who have given our church their preference as a church home. It has been a very great pleasure to welcome many such and espe- cially those who have expressed a desire to share with us our church life.
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Since our former pastor, Rev. Mr. Knight, left us, the chairman of the Relief Committee (Mrs. Deacon Holmes) has been a tower of strength, giving wise council and direction.
Respectfully submitted,
FALL RIVER, April, 1902.
MARY H. SMITH.
Men's League of Central Church
In the winter of 1900-1, under the pastorate of Rev. William A. Knight, a club organization was formed among the men of the parish, to carry out certain purposes deemed wise and helpful for the Church and congregation. It fulfilled its mission in the years for which it was planned. An outline of its origin, purpose, and methods is given herewith.
In a conversation of Mr. Knight with several of his young men, members and active workers in church and parish, the idea was conceived of forming a social organization among the young men of the Central Church.
Meetings were held which finally resulted in the formation of a club called the "MEN'S LEAGUE OF CENTRAL CHURCH."
The officers included a chairman, a secretary, and treasurer. The chairman was authorized to appoint a committee of four from the League membership to further the plans of the exec- utive officers. Any man who attended service could make himself a member of the League by simply signing the con- stitution. There was no fee whatsoever, except such as any member was inclined to give, and yet the receipts of the club were ample to carry it along, and also to take care of social gatherings with entertainments.
The officers were changed every six months, and the ad- visory committee every two months. This gave in time all the members a term in the most active work, thereby getting new ideas continually, and having the benefit of the talent of each in his turn.
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The first idea of the League was to break up any feeling of diffidence among parishioners, members and non-members of the Church, and make every one feel that he amounted to something, and that something was expected of him. This was partly accomplished by a most important rule, viz., every member was obliged to know personally every other member. Club members were supposed to wear on Sunday evenings a little button, so that every man with a button, seeing another man with a button, knew that he must be acquainted. If he was not, he must get introduced or he must introduce himself forthwith, and must make the time a pleasant one for his club associate. This obligation rested on each alike and was very successful.
The work of the advisory committee on Sunday evenings was the most important feature of the whole. They were to be on hand early and notice all strangers who came to the evening service, and where they were placed by the ushers. Then some one was designated to go and seat himself near by, and at the close of the service to speak to the stranger in a pleasant way, ask him to come again, and if possible to enlist him among the regular attendants.
The League had meetings sometimes after the regular evening service, and occasionally enjoyed a good song service together. Several socials were held with a supper or refresh- ments, to promote further fellowship and acquaintance.
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Interregnum Between Pastorates
At the annual meeting in April, 1902, the following " Re- trospect " was submitted in place of the regular Annual Report of Pastor and Deacons.
A BRIEF RETROSPECT OF THE CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FALL RIVER, MASS. For the Year ending April 20, 1902
Present Membership; Membership Dismissed and Deceased; Reports of the Church, Sunday Schools and Societies; Benevolences and Notes of the Year.
ENROLLMENT
Membership of the Church, April 21, 1902 (including non-
residents) 604
Membership of the Sunday schools, April 21, 1902: Morning school . 250
Noon school 325
Average congregation for the year 1901-02 (morning service) . 294
Sunday school, average attendance (morning school) 165
Noon school, average attendance 228*
Membership, Fathers' and Mothers' Bible Class 50
Membership, Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor:
Active, 40; Associate, 17; Honorary, 30. Total 96
RECEIVED TO MEMBERSHIP, 1901-02
On confession of faith 21
6
By letter .
27
Dismissed by letter 14
* This average is based on forty sessions.
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MEMBERS DECEASED
Edwin P. Elsbree. Adriana W. Earl.
Edward M. Thurston. Mrs. Mary A. Ravenscroft.
Isabel Jepson.
CHURCH BENEVOLENCES (as per Treasurer)
Union Hospital $82.28
Congregational Church Building Society 119.35
Congregational Sunday-School and Publishing Society 66.53
For Sunday-school work . 75.00
For Children's Home . 173.10
American Missionary Association
338.21
Home Missions
609.39
Foreign Missions:
Mr. and Mrs. Hinman, missionaries in China 805.62
South China Mission, Rev. C. R. Hagar 25.00
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions 190.10
Deacon's Fund (amount on hand)
74.76
CALENDAR WAYMARKS for 1901-02
MONDAY, MAY 6, 1901. Pastors of the city and their wives were entertained in the church parlors by the ladies of our parish.
MAY 18. The Willing Helpers' Society held a festival in the ves- tries of the First Church.
MAY 18. Supplies to value of $175 were sent to our missionaries in China, Mr. and Mrs. Hinman.
MAY 30. Members of morning school with their friends enjoyed an outing at Touisset Park.
JUNE 9. Communion. Three fifths of our resident membership were present.
JUNE 18. Social and entertainment by Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor.
JUNE 19. Morning school voted to send their May collection to our missionaries in China.
SEPTEMBER 1. Senior Christian Endeavor Society resumed its regular meetings. The young man whose tuition this society was paying for in Fisk University was graduated last summer. The society voted to do a similar work this year.
SEPTEMBER 8. All departments of the noon Bible school resumed work to-day.
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SEPTEMBER 15. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was ob- served.
SEPTEMBER 19. The Beneficent Society voted to send boxes to Rev. John Peters, Minnesota, and Rev. Chris Philepsen, Racine, Wis.
OCTOBER 6. Annual meeting of the Beneficent Society. Election of officers. Officers elected: President, Mrs. A. N. Lincoln; vice- president, Mrs. Abner P. Davol; secretary, Mrs. James F. Jackson; treasurer, Miss Maria R. Hicks.
OCTOBER 24. Twenty-first annual meeting of the Old Colony Branch, Foreign Missions, was held in Rochester, Mass. Mrs. Balan- tine, of India, addressed the meeting.
OCTOBER 25. First parish supper of the church year, followed by a social.
OCTOBER 27. Offering for the support of our missionaries in China, Mr. and Mrs. Hinman, $805.00.
NOVEMBER 3. Communion. Fifteen members received.
NOVEMBER 17. Rev. Mr. Beard, of Cambridge, preached.
NOVEMBER 21. Rev. M. Ewing, of Pekin, China, who was there during the siege, spoke in the prayer-meeting.
NOVEMBER 22. Parish supper, followed by musical.
DECEMBER 1. Dr. F. A. Noble, Chicago, preached in the evening.
DECEMBER 8. It having become generally known that Berkeley Temple, Boston, was about to extend a call to our pastor, a few personal words from him to us appeared in our " Messenger." It was with a feeling of homesickness and sadness that this message was penned and read, -for who of us meet change and parting of the ways without sad- ness? - and we all felt that we had come to the beginning of the end of Mr. Knight's pastorate with us. How the young people loved him, and what comfort and cheer he brought to the old! What tender words of comfort to the bereaved! We shall always think of him as with a mind and will to do more than his strength would allow. We hope that in his new field, he will have many hands and hearts to help in the work that waits so hopefully for him.
DECEMBER 12. Church meeting called to hear letter of resignation from Mr. Knight.
DECEMBER 27. Society meeting to act on the resignation.
JANUARY 4, 1902. Annual festival of the morning Sunday school in the Chapel.
JANUARY 10. Parish supper. This was the last gathering where the pastor could be with our people.
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JANUARY 12. Mr. Knight's last sermon. Text: "That the people may all call upon the name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent." Zephaniah 3:9.
JANUARY 18. Pulpit supply, Rev. A. E. Dunning, D.D.
JANUARY 26. Dr. A. E. Dunning preached.
The Chinese Christian Endeavor Society won the "Attendance " Banner for the fourth time consecutively.
JANUARY 28. An entertainment under the auspices of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was given in the Chapel. The proceeds are to be used to furnish a suite of rooms in the Young Men's Christian Association building.
FEBRUARY 9. Dr. Joseph B. Clark, Secretary of the Congrega- tional Home Missionary Society, preached. Annual offering taken.
FEBRUARY 16. Rev.R.W.Scott, D.D., of Newton, supplied the pulpit.
FEBRUARY 20. At a special meeting called at the close of the prayer-meeting service, letters of dismission and recommendation were granted to Rev. and Mrs. Wm. A. Knight and daughter.
FEBRUARY 23. Rev. George Hastings Burgess, of Illinois, preachcd.
FEBRUARY 28. Beneficent Society voted to secure funds for a new carpet for our church by sending subscription cards to the ladies of our parish.
MARCH 2. Communion. Preaching by Rev. A. E. Dunning, D.D. MARCH 6. Last parish supper of the season. Entertainment in the Chapel.
MARCH 9. Rev. J. O. Haarvig, of Allston, Mass., preached.
MARCH 16. Rev. John Calvin Goddard, of Salisbury, Conn.
MARCH 20. Last regular meeting of the Beneficent Society for the season.
MARCH 23. Rev. F. W. Merrick, D.D., of Roxbury, Mass.
MARCH 30. Easter. Preaching by Rev. A. E. Dunning, D.D., in the morning, and in the evening Easter service of both Bible schools.
APRIL 1. Annual meeting of the Young People's Society of Chris- tian Endeavor. Election of officers, followed by social.
APRIL 6. Rev. Angus S. McDonald, of Jacksonville, Fla. In the evening the choir sung the cantata, " Easter Eve and Morn."
APRIL 13. Rev. F. E. Emrich, Ph.D., of South Framingham.
APRIL 20. Rev. Clarence F. Swift, D.D., of Minneapolis.
APRIL 21. Annual church meeting. Voted, " To hold communion services first Sundays in October, January, March, May, and third Sunday in June."
APRIL 25. Annual meeting church Society.
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OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES
PASTOR Rev. WILLIAM A. KNIGHT
DEACONS
Chas. J. Holmes. Chas. A. Baker. Geo. O. Lathrop. Henry H. Earl. Clerk, Walter E. Dow. Treasurer, Richard B. Borden.
CHURCH COMMITTEE Chairman, Rev. William A. Knight.
Deacon Chas. J. Holmes. Charles H. Wells.
Deacon Chas. A. Baker. Rev. Edwin A. Buck, Missionary Emeritus.
Deacon Geo. O. Lathrop. C. V. S. Remington, Supt. Noon School.
Deacon Henry H. Earl. John S. C. Fielden, Supt. Morning School.
Andrew Borden. Walter E. Dow, Clerk.
RELIEF COMMITTEE
Mrs. Elizabeth McWilliams.
Mrs. Chas. A. Baker.
Mrs. Joseph A. Bowen.
Mrs. Annie B. Jennings.
Mrs. Charles J. Holmes.
Miss Abby B. Wrightington.
Mrs. Daniel H. Cornell.
Mrs. George Congdon.
USHERS
Chairman, Walter E. Dow.
Elmer B. Young. Geo. W. Hargraves. Stanley Towle.
Chas. E. Foster. Thomas Lang. Edwin R. Young.
Walter C. Hadley. M. Hartwell Adams. Eugene M. Brown.
Musical Director, Frank L. Andrews. Organist, Thos. V. Walkden.
COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIETY
Alanson J. Abbe. Charles E. Fisher. James W. Brigham. Albert F. Dow. Elmer B. Young.
Clerk and Treasurer, James W. Brigham. -
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Deacon Henry H. Earl Deacon George O. Lathrop Deacon Charles J. Holmes Rev. CLARENCE F. SWIFT, D.D. Deacon Charles A. Baker Deacon Newton R. Earl
Pastor Deacon C. V. S. Remington · Deacon Wilfred D. Fellows
Deacon James W. Brigham
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Rev. Clarence F. Swift, D.D. Seventh Pastor, from A.D. 1902-
1902. On Thursday evening, May 22, a business meeting of the Church was called at the close of the weekly prayer- meeting. Deacon C. J. Holmes, chairman of the Committee on Pulpit Supplies, made a statement of the work which had been done by the committee in looking up a pastor. He then presented a recommendation from them, that the Church extend a call to REV. CLARENCE F. SWIFT, D.D., of Minne- apolis, Minnesota.
From the many letters received, giving information con- cerning Dr. Swift, the clerk read those of most interest. After due consideration and some discussion, it was voted "to proceed to a ballot," which resulted in practically a unani- mous vote to extend to Dr. Swift a call to the pastorate of Central Church. Charles J. Holmes, Richard B. Borden, and Albert F. Dow, in behalf of the Church, and Andrew Borden and John H. Boone, for the Society, were appointed a committee to take the necessary steps for installation, if the call was accepted.
A letter containing the action of the Church and Society, together with the attested copies of the same, signed on be- half of the Society by Henry H. Earl, moderator, and James W. Brigham, clerk, was immediately mailed to Dr. Swift. The following note was also added to the official papers:
Allow us, dear sir, to add to the invitation contained in these votes, the expression of our earnest hope, that you will find it to be the desire of the great Head of the Church that you should accept this call to be our pastor, and name an early day for the installation service.
Praying God to bless you, and all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, we subscribe ourselves,
Yours in the gospel, C. J. HOLMES. R. B. BORDEN. A. F. Dow. ANDREW BORDEN. J. H. BOONE.
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The formal letter of acceptance was read on June 19, 1902, and on July 16 an ecclesiastical council convened in the Chapel at three o'clock P.M., " to review the facts relating to the call of the Rev. Clarence F. Swift, D.D., to the pastorate of the Central Church; to listen to a statement of his views respect- ing christian truth; and, if judged expedient, to assist in the service of installation."
The council convened at the time and place appointed, and subsequently in executive session it was unanimously voted : " that the examination is deemed satisfactory, and that the council proceed to the installation at 7.30 o'clock P.M."
The public services were as follows: Invocation; hymn, ".O God, the Rock of Ages " ; reading of Scripture, Rev. Charles H. Talmage, Taunton; sermon, Rev. Albert M. Hyde, D.D., Toledo, Ohio; hymn, " O everlasting Light " ; install- ing prayer, Rev. Ernest W. Shurtleff, Minneapolis; charge to the pastor, Rev. Albert E. Dunning, D.D., Boston; right hand of fellowship, Rev. Payson W. Lyman, Fall River; charge to the people, Rev. Eldridge Mix, D.D., Worcester; benediction, pastor.
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