USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 20
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Come as an angel : lience to guide A band of pilgrims on their way ; That safely walking at thy side, We fail not, faint not, turn, nor stray.
Come as a shepherd : guard and keep This fold from hell and earth and sin ; Nourish the lambs, and feed the sheep; The wounded heal, the lost bring in.
Come as a teacher sent from God, Charged his whole counsel to declare ; Lift o'er our ranks the prophet's rod, While we uphold thy hands with prayer.
Come as a watchman : take thy stand Upon thy tower amidst the sky ; And when the sword comes on the land, Call us to fight, or warn to fly.
Come as a messenger of peace, Filled with the Spirit, fired with love ;
Live to behold our large increase, And die to meet us ALL ABOVE.
Mr. Packard continued to preach to this people with ability, earnest- ness, and eminent success, having large audiences, till September 25, 1856, and the relation between pastor and people was dissolved, very much to the regret of the community.
To the South Congregational Church, North Bridewater :
BELOVED BRETHREN :- In presenting this communication, I wish to declare my strong and continued interest in this church and people, and my sincere attachment to them, and I wish that in your records, shall stand my hearty testimony to the honorable and Christian and kind, and unusually affectionate treatment of this entire people towards myself and family from the first day I came among you to the present time. It is neither in my heart, nor in the nature of the case, to utter one word of fault finding or dissatisfaction with this people. I have no expectation of finding equal harmony and favor in this relation in any other place. Still the state of Mrs. Packard's health is such as evidently to render imprudent for her to remain in Campello, whereas there is good reason to hope that a permanent removal to some other climate will effect her re- covery, and nothing short of that is hopeful. I do according therefore to the com- munication presented last Sabbath, ask you to accept the resignation of the pastoral
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relation existing between myself and this church, and to nuite with me in calling a mntnal council to dissolve that relation, according to Congregational order. And may grace, mercy and peace abound to yon all through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Your affectionate Pastor, D. T. PACKARD.
CAMPELLO, September 18, 1856.
The following were members of the council called in the dismission of Rev. David T. Packard :
First Congregational Church of North Bridgewater : Rev. Paul Couch, pastor ; Azel Gurney, delegate.
Porter Evangelical Church of North Bridgewater: Rev. Charles L. Mills, pastor ; Jonathan Keith, delegate.
Congregational Church of Easton : J. W. Morse, delegate.
Union Church of East and West Bridgewater : Deacon John Soule, delegate.
Trinitarian Church of East Bridgewater : Rev. Baalis Sanford, pastor ; Deacon Francis Packard, delegate.
Church of Holbrook: Rev. Ezekiel Russell, pastor ; Erastus Wales, delegate.
The council having organized, Rev. Baalis Sanford was chosen mod- erator ; Rev. Ezekiel Russell, scribe.
After a hearing of all the facts presented, it was
Voted, That the Pastoral relation hitherto subsisting so happily between the Rev. David T. Packard and this church and people be and is hereby dissolved.
The Council cannot withhold the expression of their deep regret that a connection formed some two years since, under circumstances so auspicious both for pastor and people, sealed by the effusions of the Spirit, and continued to the present hour strength- ened and cemented by mutual affection and esteem, should be so soon sundered.
Deeming themselves incompetent to decide upon the validity of the reasons assigned, and avoiding the assumption of that responsibility, they still, in view of all the circum- stances of the case, feel constrained to acquiesce in this result.
The impaired health of the Pastor's family, they trust, will soon be restored, and his usefulness continued in some other sphere. And they therefore commend him to the churches of Christ as an able, faithful, beloved, and without a blemish in his christian or ministerial reputation. They also commend the church and the people for the affec- tion and kindness they have shown to their pastor, and commit them in their dis- appointment and destitution to the care of the Great Shepherd.
E. RUSSELL, Scribe.
A true copy of minutes of Council.
NORTH BRIDGEWATER, Oct. 1, 1856.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
REV. DAVID TEMPLE PACKARD was the son of David and Eliza- beth (Drake) Packard, born in what is now Brockton, August 24, 1824, and passed an uneventful life like most boys of his day, with plenty of work on a farm, and received the rudiments of his education in the district schools, such as his native town afforded. Fitted for college under the private tutorship of his pastor, Rev. Paul Couch, supple- mented by an attendance at the Adelphian Academy in Brockton and Phillips Academy of Andover, Mass. Graduated at Amherst College in August, 1850. Taught the High School at East Braintree, Mass., one year, entered the Theological Seminary at Bangor, Me., in Octo- ber, 1851, where he graduated August 30, 1854, and ere he finished his theological studies he received two calls to take charge of parishes, and finally accepted the one in his native town, in the growing village of Campello, where he was ordained September 21, 1854; dismissed October 1, 1856. From thence he removed to the West, preaching at Rock Island, Ill., and Davenport, Iowa. He returned to Massachusetts in 1858, and early in June was invited to preach for the "First Con- gregational Society in Somerville," Mass., and was installed as the pas- tor of that church September 21, 1860. Soon after that time he received a call to settle as pastor of the Evangelical Church in Brigh- ton, now a part of Boston. While at this place his health became poor from over taxation of his mental powers, and his church gave him a respite from active duties, and in the full appreciation of his worth cheerfully paid his expenses to Minnesota, with the hope that with a change from the rigorous climate in the Eastern States, he might be fully restored to his former vigor. He took up his residence in Los Angeles, California, and assumed the charge of the Congregational Church in that city in the winter of 1874 with great success, and con- tinued to minister to them till 1878. His residence was on one of the prominent heights, overlooking the entire city, having a beautiful land- scape view of the surrounding country. He occupied pulpits in Wilmington and Westminster till he was called to settle over the Con- gregational Church in Stockton in 1879. At about the time his pas- torate was to expire at that place, and he was looking forward to the time when he should return to his beautiful home to enjoy rest for a season, he was called upon to attend a burial service, in the line of his
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ministerial and sacred duties. In so doing his horse became frightened by a band of music, and he was thrown from his carriage, sustaining severe internal injuries, rendering him unconscious for a long time. In a day or two a partial return of his speech and reason appeared, but the silver cord was loosed and the golden bowl was broken, and not- withstanding the best of care and attention from a devoted wife, and the best of medical skill that could be procured, he passed to the as- cended life on Sunday morning, November 28, 1880, in the meridian of his usefulness and in the ripeness of his well disciplined intellect.
In the death of Mr. Packard the Christian church has lost one of its purest and best advocates. Modest, affectionate, learned, noble and sincere, he commanded the respect and confidence of all with whom he associated. He was a man of clear and positive ideas, and presented them with frankness, fairness, clearness and candor. His nature was exuberant with kindly and sympathetic feelings, that shone forth on all occasions.
In the midst of his highest usefulness, abounding in the highest fruits of faith, hope and charity, he has passed into that future for whose vis- ions his believing and praising soul was ever prepared and waiting. In that graveless land his aspiring spirit will find acclivities, grand, bright, and sublime enough to compensate for the trials of earth, and the sud- den and mournful wreck of his useful and beautiful life. His holy work is done, and well done; his life is a part of the history of the church which he loved so devoutly. In many a New England home tears of disappointment and sorrow fell when the news came of his untimely death, and thousands who have attended on his ministry in various por- tions of the country, joined with his bereaved family in their heartfelt grief and sympathy at their irreparable loss. Heaven is now his home, but the church and its records will ever bear upon its pages the name and fidelity of the "good and faithful servant," David Temple Packard.
Mr. Packard married Abbie C., daughter of Captain Hebron May- hew of Chesterfield, Me., July 24, 1855. Children :
I .- Abbie Elizabeth, born in Moline, Ill., March 8, 1857, is a suc- cessful teacher in the High School at Los Angeles, California.
II .- Chester Mayhew, born in Somerville, Mass., September 2, 1860. Died August 26, 1862.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
III .- Charles Granville, born in Brighton, Mass., December 26, 1869. The father died November 28, 1880. The widow died December 26, 1891.
While at Somerville, Mass., Mr. Packard preached a sermon entitled "The Dawn of the Morning." The occasion being the National Fast, December 28, 1862. The sermon was highly spoken of, and his people wanted it published. What other printed publications are extant we know not.
The society were without a pastor from October 1, 1856, to Feb- ruary 3, 1858, during which time various preachers were heard, and March 23, 1857, Rev. Samuel Fiske was invited to become their pas- tor, but declined. Again, July 13, 1857, an invitation was extended to Rev. C. D. Lothrop to settle with them as their gospel minister, noth- ing further having been done about this call.
MINISTRY OF REV. CHARLES W. WOOD .- On the 9th day of De- cember, 1857, Rev. Charles W. Wood, of Ashby, Mass., was invited to become their spiritual leader and pastor. This invitation was accepted, and on the 3d of February, 1858, Mr. Wood was duly installed as pas- tor by a council called for that purpose. January II, 1858, Josiah W. Kingman, esq., Barnabas H. Gray and Russell Alden were chosen a committee of arrangements in relation to the installation of Mr. Wood.
Pursuant to letters missive from the South Congregational Church in North Bridgewater, an ecclesiastical council convened in the vestry of said church February 3, 1858, consisting of the following members :
Church of Andover Theological Seminary : Rev. Austin Phelps.
Church of South Braintree : Rev. Dennis Powers, pastor ; I. David- son, delegate.
Porter Evangelical Church, North Bridgewater: Rev. Charles L. Mills, pastor ; Simeon Leach, delegate.
Central Church of Middleboro': Rev. Isaiah C. Thacher, pastor ; I. M. Pickens, delegate.
First Church of Abington : Rev. Frederick R. Abbe, pastor ; J. L Nash, delegate.
Second Church of Abington : Rev. Henry D. Edwards, pastor ; O. G. Healey, delegate.
Third Church of Abington : Rev. Horace D. Walker, pastor ; Deacon Z. L. Whitney, delegate.
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SOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI.
Union Church of East Bridgewater: Rev. Philo B. Wilcox, pastor ; Sidney Allen, delegate.
Winthrop Church of Holbrook : Stephen Chessman, delegate.
The council was organized by the choice of Rev. Austin Phelps, moderator : and Rev H. D. Walker, scribe.
After the usual examination of the candidate, the following services were arranged, viz .: Invocation and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. Frederick R. Abbe, of Abington ; prayer by Rev. Henry L. Edwards, of South Abington ; sermon by Professor Phelps, of Andover Theolog- ical Seminary ; installing prayer by Rev. P. B. Wilcox ; charge to the pastor, by Rev. Charles L. Mills, of the Porter Church, North Bridge- water; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. Isaiah C. Thacher, of Middle- boro'; address to the people, by Rev. Horace D Walker, of Abington. The day was exceedingly pleasant, and the exercises of a very pleasing kind. The sermon was an eloquent production, and the choir per- formed their part in an admirable manner.
Mr. Wood was a successful preacher and pastor of this church for fourteen years, till May 9, 1872, at which time he tendered his resigna- tion, and asked for a council to dismiss him from his pastoral charge.
Pursuant to letters missive from the South Congregationalist Church of Campello, an ecclesiastical council was convened in the vestry of said church on Wednesday at two o'clock P. M., June 5, 1872, which was organized by the choice of Rev. H. D. Walker, moderator ; and Rev. J. C. Larrabee, scribe. The following persons comprised the council :
Porter Evangelical Church of Brockton : Deacon Simeon Packard, delegate.
Trinity Church of Bridgewater: Rev. H. D. Walker, pastor ; Lewis Hopkins, delegate.
First Church of Randolph : Rev. J. C. Larrabee, pastor ; A. Wales, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Brockton : Rev. H. A. Stevens, pas- tor.
The council having heard the case as presented to them by pastor and people,-
Voted, That with great reluctance we advise the dissolution of the relation existing between Rev. Mr. Wood and the church and parish.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
Voted, That the following should be adopted :
The council, having listened to the case as presented to them, are constrained to ad- vise the dissolution of the pastorate of Rev. Charles W. Wood over the church and society in Campello. They arrived at this conclusion most reluctantly, for thus is severed a connection that has had upon it the smile of the Great Spirit of the church for fourteen years, and one that has retained in the circle of churches a minister of Christ, whose character and ability made his presence and administration a most welcome benediction.
Rarely does any man live so long in any region and among any people, giving less occasion to gainsayers, and so universally and deeply respected and beloved. We do most cordially and fully commend him to the churches of Christ as an able and faithful minister of the gospel, wise to win souls, as a man and citizen in all the relations of life, of great wisdom and ability, whose kindness of heart and rectitude of conduct have been a perpetual testimony for his master.
CAMPELLO, June 5, 1872.
J. C. LARRABEE, Scribe.
Rev. Charles W. Wood was the son of Wilkes Wood ; married, first, Eliza Ann, daughter of Rev. Jonathan Bigelow of Rochester, Septem - ber, 1841 ; second, Mrs. Catherine S. Lemist; daughter of Jonathan Clark, of Gilmanton, N. H. He had four children,-Charles H. W., Edward Clark, Emily Catherine, and Caroline Melville.
Mr. Wood remained with this people fourteen years, having been dismissed at his request June 5, 1872, and removed to Scotland, Bridge- water. He was born in Middleboro', Mass., June 30, 1814 ; fitted for college at Plainfield Academy, Connecticut, and Pierce Academy, Middleboro', Mass .; graduated at Brown University, Providence, R. I., in 1834; graduated at Andover Theological Seminary in 1838; or- dained at Ashby, Mass., October, 1839; at Campello, February, 1858 ; at Scotland, Bridgewater, where he now resides.
MINISTRY OF REV. LEVERETT S. WOODWORTH .- On the 19th day of January, 1874, it was "voted, That this church extend to Mr. Leverett S. Woodworth a call to become our pastor," which was ac- cepted, and S. F. Packard, B. H. Gray, and Preston B. Keith were chosen a committee to make arrangements for the installation. The following persons were members of the Council :
Benificent Church of Providence, R. I. : Rev. James G. Vose, D.D., pastor ; Deacon E. R. Holden, delegate.
Central Square Church of Bridgewater: Rev. H. D. Walker, pastor, Rev. Isaac Dunham, delegate.
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SOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
First Church of Brockton : Deacon John W. Kingman.
Porter Evangelical Church of Brockton : Rev. R. G. S. McNeille, pastor; Isaac Kingman, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Stoughton : Rev. Thomas Wilson, pastor.
Congregational Church of Lakeville: Rev. Charles W. Wood, pas- tor ; Deacon Myrick Hastings, delegate.
Congregational Church of Easton: Rev. A. S. Hudson, pastor ; Albert Drake, delegate.
Congregational Church of Brighton : Rev. H. A. Stevens, pastor.
First Congregational Church of Randolph; Rev. J. C. Larrabee, pastor; A. Wales, delegate.
The council met agreebly to notice at 1:30 o'clock P. M , October 29, 1874, and organized by the choice of Rev. Thomas Wilson, moderator, and Rev. J. C. Larrabee, scribe.
The following was the order of exercises :
I, voluntary ; 2, reading the minutes of council ; 3, invocation, by Rev. A. S. Hudson ; 4, reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. H. D. Walker; 5, anthem; 6, sermon, by J. G. Vose, D.D .; 7, ordaining prayer, by Rev. H. A. Stevens ; 8, hymn ; 9, right hand of fellowship, by Rev. R. G. S. McNeille ; 10, charge to the pastor, by Rev. Charles W. Wood; II, anthem ; 12, address to the people by Rev. Thomas Wilson ; 13, prayer, by Rev. J. C. Larrabee ; 14, hymn ; 15, benedic- tion, by the pastor.
Mr. Woodworth continued to preach to this church until November 11, 1879, at which time he resigned, and a council was called to advise in the matter of his dismission. Deacon George Sawyer, N. H. Wash - burn, and George E. Keith were chosen a committee of arrangements.
Pursuant to letters missive, the following churches were represented on the council :
First Congregational Church of Abington : Rev. George E. Free- man, pastor ; Alvin Vaughn, delegate.
Porter Evangelical Church of Brockton : Rev. Z. T. Sullivan, pas- tor ; Deacon Simeon Packard, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Brockton : Rev. H. L. Kelsey, pas- tor ; O. F. Leach, delegate.
The result of the council is as follows :
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
Voted unanimously, That the action of the church and parish be accepted and sanc- tioned, and that we declare the pastoral relations between the Rev. L. S. Woodworth and this church and parish terminated.
In reaching this conclusion we deeply regret the circumstances that have led Brother Woodworth to be willing to leave this field where for five years he has labored as a faithful, zealous and efficient minister of the Lord Jesus Christ. We express our hearty regrets at his departure from our midst, and commend him most earnestly to the confi- dence and fellowship of the brethren among whom his lot is cast. Wishing him great prosperity in his new field, and praying that the great Head of the Church to ever keep him and his family under his loving care. We extend our warmest sympathies to the church thus bereft of an earnest and faithful pastor. Wishing likewise the gracious guidance of the Chief Shepherd as they shall seek another to fill his place.
REV. GEORGE E. FREEMAN, Moderator.
REV. H. L. KELSEY, Scribe.
MINISTRY OF REV. JOHN T. BLADES - The next pastor settled was Rev. John T. Blades, of Saco, Me., who was invited by vote of the church on July 19, 1880. This call was accepted August 18, 1880. Josiah W. Kingman, esq., N. H. Washburn, and Deacon S. Franklin Packard were chosen a committee of the church to make arrangements for the installation. On the 14th of September, 1880, a council was called at 2 o'clock P. M., composed of the following members :
South Church of Salem: Rev. E. S. Atwood, pastor.
Central Church of Lynn: Rev. A. H. Curwin, pastor ; Henry How- ard, delegate.
Second Church of Dorchester : Rev. E. N. Packard, pastor ; B. C. Hardwick, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Brockton : Rev. H. L. Kelsey, pastor. Central Square Church of Bridgewater : Levi Walker, delegate.
First Church of Braintree : Rev. T. A. Emerson, pastor ; Arza B. Keith, delegate.
Congregational Church of South Braintree: Rev. Edwin Smith, act- ing pastor.
Congregational Church of Scotland : Rev. Charles W. Wood, acting pastor.
Congregational Church of Rockland: Rev. L. C. Ferris, pastor ; Charles W. Howland, delegate.
Congregational Church of South Abington : Rev. F. P. Tompkins, acting pastor.
Winthrop Church of Holbrook : Elisha Holbrook, delegate.
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SOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Union Church of East and West Bridgewater : Walter Severance, delegate.
Congregational Church of East Providence, R. I. : Rev. Leverett S. Woodworth, pastor ; George Curtis, delegate.
After a hearing before the council, and an examination of the doings by church and society and of the candidate, everything having been found satisfactory, it was voted " that the council proceed to the ser- vices of installation in the evening of that day," which were in the fol- lowing order :
I, voluntary on organ ; 2, reading of the minutes of the council ; 3, anthem, "How Beautiful Upon the Mountains," etc .; 4, invocation and reading of the Scriptures ; 5, sermon, by Rev. A. H. Curwin ; 6, 7, installing prayer, by Rev. Charles W. Wood; 8, response ; 9, charge to the pastor, by Rev. E. N. Packard ; 10, right hand of fel- lowship, by Rev. H. L. Kelsey; II, hymn ; 12, address by Rev. E. S. Atwood ; 13, prayer ; 14, anthem; 15, benediction.
Mr. Blades continued his services to this church as pastor for over eight years, when becoming feeble, he sent a letter resigning his position, as follows :
To the Members of the South Church and Society, Campello, Mass. :
DEAR BRETHREN :- Recognizing the good hand of God in bringing me to this church and people, the long continuance of this pastorate, and the blessings that have attended our united efforts in building up the Kingdom of Christ in this community, and trust- ing that God may still bless and prosper this people in the future. Personally, I find that I am suffering from the physical and mental strain occasioned by so long a pastor- ate, and feeling that my future usefulness depends upon rest and a change, I hereby tender my resignation as the pastor of this church and minister of this society, to take effect at such time as the council may decide upon. I trust that you will accept this and unite with me in calling a council of the churches to advise us in this matter.
Wishing you grace, mercy and peace,
I am yours faithfully, JOHN T. BLADES. March 6, 1889.
The church voted to accept of the resignation of the pastor, and also placed the following on the record of the church :
Resolved, That in accepting the resignation of Rev. John T. Blades, as pastor of this church and people, we extend to him our kind wishes for his future success and pros- perity.
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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.
On the 14th of March, 1889, letters missive were sent to the follow- ing churches to unite by council on the 19th of March, 1889, at one o'clock P. M. Meeting was held in the house of worship, agreeably to the above, the following churches being represented, viz :
First Congregational Church, Brockton : Rev. Louis V. Price, pas- tor ; Deacon Charles D. Bingham, delegate.
Porter Evangelical Church of Brockton: Rev. F. A. Warfield, pas- tor ; L. F. Alden, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Randolph: Rev. J. C. Larrabee, pastor ; M. Wales Baker, delegate.
Winthrop Church of Holbrook: Rev. O. S. Dean, pastor; William Gray, delegate.
Union Congregational Church of South Weymouth: Rev. W. H. Bolster, pastor ; S. S. Speare, delegate.
First Congregational Church of Easton : Rev. F. P. Chapin, pastor ; Luke Greenleaf, delegate.
Union Congregational Church of East Bridgewater: Rev. P. M. Griffin, pastor ; George M. Keith, delegate.
The Council passed the following vote :
Voted, That the dissolution of the pastoral relation between the Rev. John T. Blades and this church be authorized from this date.
F. A. WARFIELD, Moderator. P. M. GRIFFIN, Scribe.
The church were without a settled pastor from the date of the doings of the above council, and were dependent upon a supply. After listen- tening to several preachers, Rev. Napoleon B. Thompson, of New York, was invited to supply the pulpit as acting pastor, at a salary of two thousand dollars a year and parsonage. Mr. Thompson began his labors in the pulpit on the 15th day of July, 1889, and continued with this people for four years, till the 15th day of July, 1893, when he ceased to preach to the people of Campello.
Rev. T. A. Emerson, moderator ; Leverett S. Woodworth, scribe.
HOPE CHAPEL .- This chapel is used as a mission church organiz- ation, erected under the auspices of the South Congregational Church, of Campello. In the fall of 1891 the pastor of the South Congregational church felt that the time had arrived when their church should branch
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out in their efforts to give the public the advantages which they were enjoying. After consulting with George E. Keith and enlisting him in the good work, he looked around to find how many were without church privileges. After a while the members of the church decided to locate a chapel at the foot of Myrtle street on Warren avenue, which lot was purchased of the late Mr. Isaac Packard, who gave the society a lot adjoining on the south.
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