History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894, Part 22

Author: Kingman, Bradford, 1831-1903. 4n
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1170

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Brockton > History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894 > Part 22

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from an appropriate selection (No. 80, Psalm lxxxiv.). After which Psalm cxxxii. and others were read responsively by both pastor and peo- ple of the society standing, mostly in front of the desk, and responding as an act on their part of offering up the house to the worship and ser- vice of the Lord. The music was not only appropriate, but well per- formed. 'After the exercises were over, a collation was partaken of in the hall below by nearly all who had been present, including many from the neighboring societies, and a very pleasant season of social interview closed the exercises of the day.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CHURCH TEMPLE .- This church is situated on a spacious lot of ground, bordered with trees of considerable size, fronting the west, The dimensions of the main building are sev- enty-nine by fifty-six feet. It is built in the Italian style, with a plain square tower at the west (front) end, eighty-eight feet in height, and twenty-two feet square, projecting ten and a half feet forward from the main building. The entrance in front is by a wide double door into the vestibule, from which there is an ascent by eleven easy steps into side entries, or lobbies, from which one enters the body of the church. This measures sixty one by forty-five feet, and contains one hundred and two pews, all on the main floor, there being no side galleries. They are arranged in semi-circular order, without doors, cushioned, and cov- ered with crimson damask. The floor is handsomely carpeted, and walls and ceiling elegantly painted in fresco. On the east side is a pro- jection of four feet deep by thirty-two wide, a space for the tabernacle, a repository for the word in the centre, and for a small private room each side of it. The tabernacle consists of an ark of fine cabinet-work. overhung with crimson curtains. Over it is the inscription in large let- ters, " Behold the tabernacle of God is with man." To the right of it, but standing out in front, on the edge of the platform, is the pulpit, which is of octagonal form and, like the tabernacle, of black walnut. The communion-table stands at the left side. The organ-loft is within the body of the tower, opposite the pulpit, having in front a small gallery for the singers, elevated about eight feet above the pew-floor. There is a basement of brick, affording space for a hall under the whole main building, to which there is an entrance from the vestibule within, and also by doors from without, at the northwest and southwest cor-

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ners. The superstructure is of wood, colored in imitation of freestone. The house is provided with a good-toned organ, of suitable size and capacity, manufactured by George Stevens, esq.

Martin Wales, esq., of Stoughton, presented the society with two thousand dollars towards paying the expense of building the new house. Chandler Sprague, Lyman Clark, and George W. Bryant were building committee ; Jason Perkins, contractor.

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY .- Mr. Goddard lived to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination on the nineteenth day of Septem- ber, 1889, which was a noteworthy occasion. There was a large gathering of friends of the aged clergyman, among whom were Rev. Warren Goddard, of Providence, R. I .; Rev. W. Hinkley, of Brookline ; Rev. J. E. Werren, of Abington ; G. F. Stearns, of Mansfield; Rev. Henry E. Goddard, Rev. F. A. Warfield, and Rev. Frank P. Parkin, of Brockton ; Messrs. F. E. White, Ellis Brett, Henry Bryant, George S. Bryant, Rufus C. Kimball, Eben G. Rhodes, Rufus P. Kingman, Fred R. French, and Charles Lincoln, of Brockton, beside many others.

The services on this occasion commenced promptly at two o'clock P. M., organist T. P. Swift playing a voluntary, after which the church choir, composed of E. S. Laird, George Knight and Misses Bertha Nash and Alice Wade, sang an anthem, "The Lord's My Light." Scriptures were read by Rev. T. O. Paine, LL.D. of Elmwood, followed with prayer. After singing of the " Portuguese Hymn" by the congrega- tion, Rev. Joseph Pettee, a life long friend of Mr. Goddard, a clergy- man of Abington, made the address, and said :

His labors have looked constantly to the end of making the power and great glory in which the Lord is now revealing himself a reality in the church in the world. In his teaching he has had constantly the end in view, whether it has been in his conscious thought or not, to contribute to the result; and he not only did this in the beginning of his work, he has continued to do it. This interior reception to which he has applied himself needs continually to be taking place, and to be performing effective work in thisdi- rection, to be laboring successfully to give these high and holy truths a large place in the generations as they come forward, is to do the work of charity, of love to the neigh- bor, in one of its highest forms; for it is promoting in men the development of that which, by bringing them near to the Lord and much under His influence, is greatly improving their well-being and happiness.

After remarks by F. A. Dewson, esq., of Newton, for the laity, " Blest be the Tie that Binds Our Hearts in Christian Love " was sung

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by the congregation, after which Rufus C. Kimball made an address in behalf of the Brockton Society. Rev. T. F. Wright, of Bridgewater, representative of the societies in the vicinity of Brockton, said :

We all know Mr. Goddard, and only to love him. Cicero gives a description of an " old in young and young in old " man, which fits this venerable clergyman very well.

After some further remarks by Rev. Mr. Wright, he read the fol - lowing poem by Miss Olive F. Howard :

'Tis fifty years ago to-day Since our good pastor came

To lead us in the way of life And heavenly truths proclaim.

But few among his people now Can recollect the time

When he was ordained in our midst, In ripened manhood's prime.

New Churchmen then were looked upon As half insane, or mad ;

One scarcely dared believe the truth. Or own it if he had.

He came to tell us of the Lord, The only life and light ;

That His commandments must be kept If we would live aright.

More precious far than gold or gems Is His most holy word ;

We must forsake our sins, and love Our neighbors and the Lord.

For us our pastor spent his strength : Our good he always sought ; By precept and example, too, He faithfully has taught.

He labored through discouragements And trials most severe,

But Providence protected him And brought him safely here.

Some seed that he had sown in hearts That seemed both hard and cold, May yet spring up to bless his hand, And bear a thousand-fold.

The little band of members then, Who met each Sabbath day,

Have done their earthly work, and all But one have passed away.

And others came to fill their place Within the house of prayer; Yet still we miss the aged ones Who lately worshiped here.

But like a full and ripened sheaf Our aged pastor stands, And patiently and calmly waits The angel reaper's hand.

His faithful partner by his side Has bravely done her best To make him happy in his age, And his last days be blest.

His children, usefully engaged Each in their various ways, Stand up to crown his life, and smooth His now declining days.

And when he bids this world adieu Then may he hear the word: " Well done, thou good and faithful one, Thou servant of the Lord."

Now, dear pastor, bless this people ; Charge them that they do not stray -- That in love they may be united- Bless them, ere you pass away.

Marien Goddard

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Mr. James Reed then read the following original poem :

Friend of my infancy and youth, No less beloved in manhood's prime,

Thou faithful minister of truth Through fifty years of earthly time.

Most gladly do I join my feet With those that come, a grateful throng,

To bring the loving tribute meet Of speech and poesy and song.

A single word is mine to say, First spoken by our Lord above, Then caught by angels on its way To earth : that blessed word is love.

Faith, hope and love :- these three abide, To gladden all our heavenward way ;

To bid the storms of sin subside, To turn our darkness into day.

And truly, as the apostle saith, Love is the greatest of the three ; It sweetens all our hope and faith, And crowns this golden jubilee.

The following original hymn, by Miss Olive F. Howard, was then sung to the tune of " Greenville :"

Heavenly Father, be thou with us As we now assemble here ;

Aged pastor with his people, Where he's lived for fifty year.

Ever with the young 'tis spring-time, Manhood calls it summers hours ;

But 'tis autumn with the aged- Autumn fruits and autumn flowers.

Very aged ones find winter Cold and frosty with its gloom;

But 'tis cheered by hopes of spring-time In the world beyond the tomb.

Heavenly Father, smile upon us, Throw thy loving sunlight o'er Both the pastor and the people ; Bless them now and evermore.

Mr. Goddard lived but a short time after the above occasion, having for several weeks been gradually failing in health, till Tuesday evening at six o'clock on the 29th day of October, 1889, he passed away.

REV. WARREN GODDARD, the late lamented and highly respected citizen, as well as beloved pastor of the New Jerusalem Church in Brockton, was the son of Dr. John and Mary (Langdon) Goddard, born in Portsmouth, N. H., September 12, 1800. Mr. Goddard has an ancestry of which one might well be proud. The family is one of the early settlers in New England, and have always been prominent in the building up of and caring for the interests of the town of their adop- tion.

The first of this name which we find is William Goddard, of London, England, the seventh son of Edward Goddard, a wealthy farmer of Norfolk. He came to America in 1665, and his wife with three sons 30

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came over the following year, and settled in Watertown, where he was a school teacher, or one "to teach such as should be sent to hini to learn the Latin tongue."

Joseph, the son of William, settled on a farm in Brookline, Mass., and married Deborah Treadway, and had a son John, 1669, who mar- ried, September 4, 1729, Hannah Stone, who removed from Brookline to Worcester, Mass., in 1745, leaving John, born May 28, 1730, who married Hannah, born July 16, 1735, daughter of Nathaniel Seaver, and granddaughter of Benjamin and Susanna White, one of the earliest settlers of Brookline, and a prominent as well as a wealthy citizen, on the old homestead. He was a representative from Brookline six years. They had a son John, November 12, 1756. Graduated from Harvard College, was a physician in Portsmouth, and afterward a druggist. Married Mary, daughter of Rev. Samuel Langdon, D.D., of Portsmouth, afterwards president of Harvard College The subject of this sketch was fitted for college at Portsmouth Academy, and entered Harvard University September, 1815, one year in advance; graduated from there in the class of August, 1818, with the celebrated lawyer, Hon. Sidney Bartlett, Dr. Thomas Worcester, Dr. Farley Brooks, and other distinguished men of a generation ago. He lived to become one of the old- est graduates in point of age and in point of graduation. In the spring of 1819 Mr. Goddard became satisfied of the truths contained in the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, and entered as a student of theology in the family of Rev. Thaddeus M. Harris, D.D., of Dorchester, Mass-

Upon the completion of his studies, there was but one society of the New Church in all New England, that in Boston, with scarcely a score of members, and that already provided with a pastor elect, and the few societies in the United States being also provided with ministers, he was obliged to postpone his former purpose of entering the ministry until there should be some society needing ministerial services.

At this time an opening presented itself in the academy at Sandwich, Mass. He therefore accepted the office of principal, and was very suc- cessful, commencing with twelve pupils, all belonging in that town. Soon after this applications for admission continued to increase, first from the adjoining towns, then from more distant places, even as far south as South Carolina. At the end of two years he commenced and

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pursued the study of law in the office of the late Lieutenant-Governor John Reed, of Yarmouth, Mass., and was admitted to the bar of Barn- stable county ; practiced law two years in Barnstable, and nearly a year in Boston, in connection with Professor Parsons, when, becoming dissatisfied with the practice, so far as it related to the management before juries, he relinquished the practice of law, and accepted an ap- pointment as principal of the English and classical school at Princeton, Mass., where he labored two or three years with signal success. Several societies having during this time been formed, and needing ministerial services, Mr. Goddard returned to the profession of his first choice, and after preaching and receiving several calls to settle in Abington, Port- land, and North Bridgewater (now Brockton), he at length settled at the latter place, where he was installed September 19, 1839, and where he has continued to labor in the ministry until 1865, when he resigned. He was one of the most acceptable and useful New Church ministers to be found in the country.

We have seen that Mr. Goddard has been a school teacher, a lawyer, and a clergyman in the course of his useful and upright life,

Mr. Goddard married first, Mary, daughter of Melatiah Tobey, of Sandwich, Mass., August 6, 1829.

Children :

I-Benjamin, born August 27, 1832, Catherine Badger of Everett.

II-Joseph Warren, born August II, 1835, died March 9, 1838.

III-Mary, born November 7, 1837, died May 19, 1862.

IV-John, born October 9, 1839, Mary E. Burnham of Chicago, Ill. V-James Frederic, born January 28, 1842, married Virginia Burn- ham of Chicago, Ill. (See his biography in this volume.)

VI-Nathaniel Langdon, born June 6, 1847, died September 6, 1847.

The mother died July 4, 1827. He then married Sarah, daughter of Captain John and Betsy Eldridge, of Yarmouth, Mass., January I, 1849.

Children :

VII-Warren, born October 10, 1849, married Alice C. Wellington of Brookline. (See biographical notice in this volume.)

VIII-Sarah Eldridge, born November 15, 1850.

XI-Henry Edward, born May 20, 1852, married first, Mary E. Out- calt of Cincinnati, Ohio, second, Harriet S. Faxon of Brockton.

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X-Asa Eldridge, born April 2, 1854. Jennie B. Beaman of Cincin- nati, Ohio, formerly a teacher in Washington University, of St. Louis, Mo., but is now assistant principal of the Waltham New Jerusalem school of Waltham, Mass., a school in which boys and girls are fitted for college.

MINISTRY OF REV. HENRY EDWARD GODDARD -The present pas- tor is the son of Rev. Warren and Sarah (Eldridge) Goddard ; was born in Brockton, May 20, 1852, graduated at the high school in his native town in 1871. Graduated with high honor in his class and took the first position as an essay writer, and in rhetoric. The degree of A.B. was conferred on him in 1875. After a three years' course of study in the New Jerusalem Theological School, at Waltham, Mass., and one year at Cornell University, he became assistant pastor of the New Jeru- salem Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was ordained pastor of the church in Brockton, September 24, 1876, Rev. Joseph Pettee, of Abing- ton, Mass., preaching the sermon on that occasion. Mr. Goddard has served the town on the school committee three years.

In February, 1893, Mr. Goddard made an extensive tour to the Med- iterranean, visiting the Holy Land, traveling and studying thoroughly the whole country, including Palestine, Rome, Egypt and other noted localities.

Mr. Goddard married first, Mary E. Outcalt, of Cincinnati, Ohio, December 31, 1878.

Children :

I-Samuel Warren, born February 5, 1881.

II-Ruth, born September 2, 1884.

The mother died June 28, 1887. He then married Harriet S., born November 18, 1859, daughter of William and Clarrissa (Seamans) Faxon of Brockton, May 7, 1889.

Rev. Warren Goddard preached for twenty- five years and resigned. After his retirement, Rev. Messrs. Mitchell, Seward and others filled the pulpit, but there was no settled minister for eleven years, till Rev. Henry E. Goddard was ordained pastor of the church, thus making forty-six years of service in the pulpit by father and son.

In 1884 the society made many alterations in the church building, adding rooms and in other ways greatly improving the edifice.

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In. November, 1891, many improvements and changes were made in the church edifice, among which we note the following. The organ was removed from the front gallery to a niche built for that purpose be- side the pulpit at the east end. The woodwork of the chancel has been changed to oak, and the pulpit furniture is of the same material. The communion table has the following carved on its front: " In remembrance of me." The interior has been newly carpeted, and the pews newly upholstered in brown cover. Electric lights have been introduced with two brass chandeliers, which were the gift of Mrs. F. L. Hathaway, and various changes in the vestry and rooms below, which are of the best, including an elegant room in which the " Young People's Society " hold their weekly meetings.

But the crowning excellence of all these improvements are the memorial windows of colored glass, of which we give a brief descrip- tion.

MEMORIAL WINDOWS .- From the earliest days there has been a de- sire to perpetuate the memory of those whom we have held dear, and there are various methods by which we can show our regard for our de- parted friends. A common one is by erection of marble or granite monuments in the graveyards and cemeteries, but of all the various kinds of memorials to our deceased friends, nothing surpasses the brasses or tablets, and the memorial windows placed in our churches, where one has been a supporter and believer in the doctrines of that particular church. In the erection of memorial windows to worthy objects of our attention and respect, a lesson is taught to future generations. Memo- rial buildings are one form of commemoration of loved ones, but the memorial windows are exceedingly appropriate, and are a lasting tribute to departed worth.

During the extensive alterations and changes made in the above named church, 1891, several of these memorials were placed in the win- dows of the New Jerusalem Church edifice in Brockton, which are from the manufactory of F. M. Whipple & Co., of Boston.

Prominent among these is the window to the memory of the late Josiah Packard, which is on the northeast corner of the church, and ad- joining the organ section. The background has a blue coloring, repre- senting the sky, while in the foreground is a purple dove suspended in

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the air. An urn is in the body of the window, from which proceeds a vinc. The inscription on the window is as follows :

JOSIAH AND BETSEY (DENNY) PACKARD. 1802-1864. 1802-1873.

Next comes the window erected to the memory of George W. Bry- ant, by his widow, Mrs. Lucy W. Bryant. It has a center panel with pink background, scroll pattern in handsome colors, and a pretty border. In the center of the whole is a cross with a golden crown. The inscription reads :

IN MEMORY OF GEORGE W. BRYANT. 1810-1883.

The next window is rich in design, containing in the centre a sheaf of wheat, the whole surmounted by a delicate sprig. In a scroll panel is this inscription :

IN MEMORY OF SAMUEL AND MARY CARLTON HOWARD. 1799-1875. 1800-1859.

An elegant window is that contributed by the children of Captain Henry French. The design is something of an oriental order, with borders within borders, with a beautiful shade of yellow for a back- ground. It is studded with jewels and has a scroll top.

In the center is an open Bible, on the leaf of which on either side one may read on the left hand : "Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be," while on the opposite leaf are the words included in the Lord's prayer, "Thy name, Thy kingdom come, They will be done."

The inscription on the above window is as follows :

IN MEMORY OF HENRY AND EMILY FRENCH. 1798-1889. 1805-1884.

Directly opposite the pulpit to the left, on the south side of the church, is a window to the memory of Zibeon Shaw and his wife. This has a beautiful shade of light green for a background ; in the center of an oval is a full figure in purple, at the feet of which, in a scroll, are the words "Holy, Holy, Holy." On a yellow ground is the inscription :

IN MEMORY OF ZIBEON AND MARCIA D. SHAW. 1810-1854. 1824-1857.

A window to the memory of Charles L. Hathaway is the next con- tribution to these memorial windows, by Mrs. Hathaway. It has a

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foliated border of pretty design, and as Mr. Hathaway was a person of fine tastes and had a great fondness for Jacqueminot roses, a bunch of this beautiful plant is enclosed in a circle, forming the central figure of the window, while the top of the window has an Easter lily, emblem- atical of purity. The inscription on this window is as follows :

IN MEMORY OF CHARLES LITTLE HATHAWAY. 1815-1884.

The middle window on the south side of the church is the gift of Mrs. W. L. Reed, having for its center a blue cross surmounted by palms, in a golden ground. A wreath surrounds the inscription, as follows :

IN MEMORY OF LYMAN CLARK. 1807-1885.

This is said to be among the finest of the group of windows.

The New Church society has placed a window to commemorate Daniel Hudson Howard, who has for a long time been a firm believer in the doctrines of this church, and has written much for the New Jerusalem Magazine and the New Jerusalem Messenger.

The prominent features of the window to his memory are those which denote two special traits in his life. The top of the window has a closed volume, representing his love for reading, and the center contains a red flower, denoting him as a botanist. The inscription reads as follows :

IN MEMORY OF D. HUDSON HOWARD. 1814-1884.

Last, but not the least, we mention the society window on the west front of the church, and near the gallery. The subject of this window was taken from a scene in the parable of the lost sheep, as found in the fifteenth chapter of Luke, emblematic of the Good Shepherd. This window is said to be a memorial to the late pastor of the church, and is a very appropriate as well as elegant piece of work

The following are the church officers for 1893 : Rev. Henry E. God- dard, pastor; Thomas H. West, J. Willard Packard, B. Ellis Eaton, B. F. Battles, church committee ; B. Ellis Eaton, secretary; Fred. R. French, treasurer and superintendent of the Sunday-school; Joseph Hewett, librarian ; Thomas P. Swift, organist.

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YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY .- Connected with this church there is an association known as the " Young People's Society," organized April 29, 1890, with the following officers : President, Fred. R. French ; vice-president, Miss Mabel H. Herrod; secretary and treasurer, Miss Emma H. Lewis. Meetings are held on Sabbath evenings. Executive Committec-William L. Puffer, Mrs. Henry E. Goddard, John Robbins, Miss Anna Hathaway, president.

QUAKERS OR FRIENDS .- There was an association or society of Friends in North Bridgewater, formed April 26, 1838, and consisted of twenty-five members, as appears by record, which is as follows :

We, the undersigned, hereby become members of a Society forming of this sect, called Quakers, and do hereby agree to subject ourselves to the rules and regulations which shall be adopted by said Society, in the town of North Bridgewater:

Michael O. Neil,

John Leonard,

William Ripley,

Nahum J. Smith,

John R. Morrill,

Charles S. Johnson,

Cyrus Packard,

M. B. Peirce,

Jarvis D. Smith,

Jacob W. Crosby,

Jabez D. Lamson,

Thomas Batchelder,

Edward Southworth, jr.,

Ambrose Packard,

Edwin W. Bosworth,

Daniel Guild.

Josiah Fuller,

Noah Blodgett,

Charles L. Hathaway,

John L. Skinner,

Nathan Packard,

Roswell Richardson, Apollos O. Howard,

Jeremiah Stetson, jr.

Reuben S. Webster,

At the request of Nahum J. Smith and twenty-four other members, a meeting was called by Hon Jesse Perkins, esq., a justice of the peace, which met at the hall of Colonel Edward Southworth, April 30, 1838, at 7 o'clock P. M., for the purpose of organization, at which time Ed- ward Southworth, jr., was chosen clerk, who took the oath of affirma- tion in the usual form; Jacob W. Crosby, Nahum J. Smith, John L. Skinner were chosen overseers; Cyrus Packard treasurer and collector, besides a committee to prepare a constitution and by-laws ; meeting then adjourned to May 8, 1838. The " meeting met according to ad- journment, and after discussing various matters connected with the society, adjourned to June 7," when they again came together for friendly conversation, and again adjourned sine die.

The above is the latest record to be found concerning this society, . and it is presumed that the society did not flourish for any length of time.

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History of Brockton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts, 1656-1894, Part 22

Author: Kingman, Bradford, 1831-1903. 4n Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co. Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Kingman, Bradford, 1831-1903. 4n
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : D. Mason & Co.
Number of Pages: 1170