History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 125

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 125

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1 City Press, June 13, 1883.

2 By H. C. Parker.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

ing-house of its own. In August of this same year the frame of a house was raised, on which occasion a public ceremony took place, with an address by the pastor. A writer in the Universalist Trumpet said : " A great concourse of people assembled to witness it. The day was fine. The raising was complete without the occurrence of an accident, and without the use of ardent spirits, but with the assistance of ardent friends." This house was dedicated Decem- ber 23, 1829. In his address to the people on this oc- casion, Mr. Whittemore said : "You have been prospered almost beyond a paraliel. Many societies have to struggle for years before they attain that maturity which you have attained in a short time. I can hardly believe the testimony of my own senses when I see so large a society and so convenient a house erected in a town where a few years ago the name we bear was scarcely known." In his address at the services, Father Streeter charged his hearers if they saw folly on the wing to shoot it down, which figure of speech, in the month of the opposition, was interpreted to mean, " If you see an Orthodox any- where, shoot him !"

On this day Mr. Skinner was publicly installed as pastor of the society, and with him as its leader it seemed to have a brilliant future before it. But if its rise and progress were phenomenal, its decline and fall were equally so. Mr. Skinner was called to Balti- more in 1831, and with his departure the ardor of the young protestants was somewhat abated. He was soon followed by the Rev. Daniel D. Smith in a brief and uneventful ministry. In 1834 the Rev. A. L. Balch became pastor of the society. His term of service was also short. There are records of a " Dor- cas Society" formed in January of this year, contain- ing in its list of members many familiar names of ladies, living and dead, who were active in works of benevolence.

The next pastor of the society was Rev. John Gregory, installed in 1836. During his pastorate a wave of temperance agitation swept over the country, engulfing many a weak church and putting asunder many a strong one. It struck both the Baptist and Universalist Societies of Woburn, putting them in peril. Mr. Gregory took ground against the teeto- talers, maintaining with Paul that it was a good thing to take a little something for the stomach's sake. He published his views in a little book, which he called "The Bramble," in which he contended that it was right and just and a matter of duty for men to use intoxicating drinks, giving copious Scripture-texts in support of his position. He had many strong oppo- nents in his own flock, and also in the denomination at large. Ministers refused to exchange with him, and attacks poured in upon him. He was a horn controversialist and reveled in these fightings. But this kind of controversy was not well calculated to strengthen a young and feeble church. Some who had been carnest workers were alienated by it, and it

was deemed necessary that he should retire from the pastorate. So distracted was the society by this agita- tion that it voted that the doors of the church be closed against all lectures on temperance and aboli- tion.

After Mr. Gregory came a man of very different temperament, a mild and lovable spirit, the Rev. J. C. Waldo, son-in-law of Father Ballou, and under whose ministry a strong Universalist Church had been established in Lynn. He came in 1837 and was en- gaged with the hope that he might restore peace to the troubled waters. But he remained with the church but a brief time, and with the close of his pastorate the " First Universalist Society of Woburn " became extinct. The property of the society was purchased by the town, and the meeting-house con- verted into a town hall. It still stands and is near the depot of the Boston and Lowell Railroad, and is now nsed as an armory.

It was expected by many that when the town pur- chased this property it would be the end of Univer- salism in Woburn. But very soon after this (1841) the "Second Universalist Society of Woburn " was formed, adopting what is known as the "Winchester Confession " as its theological basis. At the very outset it voted that it was in no way responsible for any act of the first society, especially the act relating to temperance and abolition lectures. In April, 1843, the Rev. W. B. Randolph was asked to preach for the society for such money as could be raised for his support. A new church was built and dedicated on Nov. 22d of the following year. This house was situated on the corner of Main and Walnut Streets; it was sold to the Methodists in 1865, and was de- stroyed by fire in 1873. It was in this house, and while Mr. Randolph was pastor, that Rev. Thomas Starr King and Rev. A. D. Mayo preached in Woburn their first sermons, one occupying the pulpit in the morning and the other in the afternoon. The pastor- ate of Mr. Randolph was a short one, and with his departure the public services of the Second Univer- salist Society came to an end.

Previous to the coming of Mr. Randolph and the building of the Second Universalist Church, certain liberal-minded persons interested in the principles of the Unitarian faith had held occasional services, the Rev. Mr. Stetson being the first to preach this gospel in Woburn. Their services were for a while held in the Town Hall, alternating with the meetings which the Universalists held there previous to building their new church. During the pastorate of Mr. Rau- dolph the Unitarians held no meetings, but after his retirement they held services regularly in the Town Hall until 1846, when they accepted the offer of the Universalists to use their church " for such preaching as they might wish to obtain." Among the preachers of this time were Rev. Dr. Francis, Rev. W. H. Chan- ning and the Rev. T. W. Higginson, who preached frequently for the society in its inception. On the

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31st of March, 1847, a warrant was issued by A. H. Nelson, Esq., upon petition of parties described as "members of a Religious Society not incorporated," summoning all members of said religious society to assemble at the vestry of the Universalist meeting- house in Woburn on the 8th day of April following, to act upon the usual business involved in the organ- ization of a legal society, etc., etc. The meeting was held as directed, with the choice of A. H. Nelson, Esq., moderator, and John Johnson, Jr., clerk. The regular parish officers were chosen, and it. was voted that the society be called the First Unitarian Society in Woburn. For six months thereafter the pulpit was supplied by Rev. John A. Buckingham, who devoted himself chiefly to the task of getting the society into condition for doing effectnal work. It was during his ministry that the Ladies' Charitable Society was formed, its first recorded meeting being Jan. 6, 1848, at the residence of Mrs. Albert Nelson. Twenty-two ladies were present, and the first officers of the Society were chosen. For many years it has been its custom to hold its meetings on the first Thars- day of each month, the ladies gathering at 4 o'clock P.M., and the gentlemen at 6.30 o'clock for tea. The records of this society show that in the year 1862 it met 33 times and made 528 articles for the soldiers, and in 1863 it met 32 times and made 483 articles for the soldiers. From the day of its organization until the present time it has been an indispensable agent in the social and benevolent life and work of the parish.

The first settled pastor of the society was Rev. Henry F. Edes, who was installed July' 6, 1848. Early in his pastorate he organized a church body within the parish, which organization adopted a church covenant and certain articles of faith prepared by the pastor. In February of the following year a parish library was formed, Mr. Edes at the time preaching a sermon on books and reading. In 1856 this was merged into the Public Library of the town. Under the lead of J. C. Park, Esq., an attempt was made to organize a Sunday-school, but for some reason the movement failed. Under the pastorate of Mr. Edes the society was not strong, having little of the cohesive power necessary to the life of a fresh enterprise, and owing to some dissatisfaction the pastor was dismissed, June 16, 1843. After his retirement the society continued to hold meetings regularly, although there was very little interest manifested, and it become a debatable question whether it were wise to continue its existence. In October, 1851, an informal meeting was called to con- sider the question of closing up its affairs. In March of the next year another meeting was called to see if the two elements-Unitarians and Universalists could not unite and form a strong society, and another warrant was issued by John Nelson, Esq., on petition of twenty-one gentlemen, for a meeting of parties interested in organizing a "Unitarian Religious

Parish." A new organization, April 10, 1852, was the ' result of this meeting. It was voted that the clerk be directed to inscribe on the records of the parish the following declaration : " We whose names are herennder written, desire and agree to become mem- bers of the First Unitarian Parish in Woburn, and that all persons who shall sign said declaration shall thereby become members of said Parish." It was voted that the annual meeting of the parish be held the first Monday in April, and this is the organization of the society as it now exists. Nearly a year elapsed after this before the settlement of a pastor, and in this interval there were three clergymen who preached very frequently and very acceptably to the people. They were the Revs. T. W. Higginson and O. W. Wight, both subsequently distinguished in literary circles; and George F. Simmons, a young man of fine culture, who was called (January 10, 1853) to the pastorate of the society, at a salary of $800 a year, but who did not accept the invitation.

At a parish meeting in March, 1853, it was unani- mously voted to invite John M. Masters to become pastor of the society at a salary of $1000 a year. At the same meeting a subscription paper was circulated for the purchase of an organ, resulting in the sum of $1000, and a committee was appointed to purchase an instrument. Mr. Masters, accepting the call, was ordained and installed as pastor of the society April 28, 1853. In the services of the occasion many well- known persons took part. Revs. William R. Alger, F. D. Huntington, A. B. Fuller, better known as "Chaplain Fuller," and Thomas Starr King. That the society was prosperous at this time is evident from the fact that it was necessary to add twenty pews to the church to accommodate those who wished to attend the services (in 1854).

In 1853, under the lead of Mr. George M. Champ- ney, a Sunday-school was organized, with Mr. Champ- ney as its first superintendent, a position which he held for many years. The school soon numbered sixty-five scholars and has continued a prosperous life down to the present time. Mr. Masters' health failing, he was compelled to resign March 25, 1855.

At a meeting held April 7, 1856, which was described as large and spirited, a "unanimous, enthusiastic and warm-hearted " call was extended to the Rev. Mr. Pope of Somerville to become pastor of the society, but the call was declined. It was not till April, 1857, that the Rev. R. P. Stebbins, D.D., formerly president of the Meadville Theological School, was installed as the successor of Mr. Masters. The pas- torate of Dr. Stebbins covered a period of about six years, during which time the society steadily increased in numbers and influence. He was much interested in the public schools and did much to increase their usefulness. He was a preacher of great rhetorical power and a zealous defender of the faith he cherished. His resignation as pastor of the society came as a great surprise, November 28, 1863.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

The society was not long in finding his successor, the Rev. Eli Fay, who was installed as pastor April 14, 1864. Very soon after his settlement the Unitarian Society of Winchester was organized, which drew away members from both the Medford and Woburn parishes.

In 1866 the Unitarian Society at North Woburn was formed, Mr. Fay assisting in its organization. The chapel which it now owns and in which religious services are occasionally held was dedicated on Jan- mary 10, 1875. Through its Sewing Circle and its Sunday-school, which meets every Sunday, and has been for many years in charge of Mr. A. R. Linscott, this society has done effectual work for the cause of liberal religion.

For some time before the coming of Mr. Fay the meeting-house belonging to the Second Universalist Society had been inadequate to the needs of the parish. To accommodate the growing congregation, it was finally decided to purchase the house that the Congregationalists had vacated, which was done at a cost of $4250, and on the purchasing of this property the old meeting-house was turned over to the Method- ists. The Unitarians at once proceeded to enlarge and remodel their house, and it was dedicated to Unitarian purposes April 12, 1865. The cost of the property in its enlarged and improved state was about $42,500. That the society was able to raise so much money at this time-it all being paid for into about $2500-shows that it had gained very rapidly in members and power since its reorganization in 1853. Mr. Fay was very popular as a lecturer on practical themes, and his Sunday evening discourses always drew very large congregations.

In the time of Dr. Stebbins' pastorate a Natural His- tory Association had been organized, and under the auspices of this society many public lectures on scien- tific themes were given in the Unitarian vestry during the ministry of Mr. Fay, aud lectures of this character given from time to time have constituted a part of the parish work for many years. Owing to ill-health, Mr. Fay resigned February 20, 1867. The society gave him a year's absence, supplying the pulpit in the mean time, hoping that the rest would restore him to health. But finding at the end of the year that he was unable to resume his charge, the relation was severed at his request, and the society was again forced to look for another pastor. He was found in the person of William S. Barnes, who was installed January 17,1869, and for more than ten years, or until April 1, 1879, ministered devotedly to his people. In 1870 a large organ of fine tone and mechanism was placed in the church at an expense of $9000. In 1874 the parish received a generous legacy of $5000 under the pro- vision of the will of Mr. Timothy Winn, who had long been actively interested in the welfare of the society. By vote of the parish this sum was appropria- ted in part towards the cancellation of the debt of the parish. The remainder, added to the gifts of indi-

viduals, was used in the purchase of an estate on Main Street to be used on a parsonage, the purchase price of which was $7000. This estate was deeded to the parish without encumbrance other than certain re- strictions relating to its use as a parsonage.

The death of Hon. Jonathan Bowers Winn, which occurred December 12, 1873, removed from the parish one who had been its strongest support. By his will he gave to the society the sum of $5000 which was set apart as a prominent fund, the income to be used for current parish expenses. To this fund was added, in 1876, the munificent legacy to the parish of the sum of $1500 by his son, Charles Bowers Winn, lamented for his early taking off and immortalized in the hearts of the inhabitants of Woburn for his gift to them of & princely sum in trust for library pur- poses.

In November, 1879, Rev. George H. Young became the minister of the society, and after a faithful service of nearly four years resigned October 29, 1883, to enter a wider field of work.

By the will of Hon. Charles Choate, who died Feb- uary 15, 1883, the church and parish of which he was a stanch friend and zealous upholder were not for- gotten, and the society received from his executor the sum of $5000, which was added to the permanent fund of the parish.

A code of by-laws adopted by the parish May 8, 1883, recognized the equality of women in the parish, and they were given all the privileges of parish mem- bership, and since that time have been represented on each successive Board of Parish Committee.

Rev. Henry A. Westall was chosen pastor April 11, 1884, and his resignation was accepted December I, 1886. It was during his pastorate that the Friday Night Club was formed, October 30, 1886, its pur- pose being to cultivate the literary and social life of the young people of the parish. And it has been of great help to the society in many ways. Its first president was Albert Thompson and its secretary Harry A. Brackett, and the club has had, from the first, an average membership of over one hundred.

March 27, 1888, Rev. Henry C. Parker was invited to the pastorate, and at this writing holds that posi- tion.

In October of the same year the Unitarian Club was organized, with Colonel Grosvenor as its presi- dent, and Charles B. Bryant secretary, a club for men only, its purpose being to increase the interest of the men in the work of the church. Fortnightly meet- ings are held, at which papers are read on subjects of general interest to the members. The club has al- ready proven itself a valuable auxiliary of the parish.

In January, 1889, a society called the Merry Work- ers, composed of children of the Sunday-school, was organized. By fairs and entertainments it raises money for what is called Country Week. It gives each year twelve poor children from the city a visit in the country of about two weeks; and it is expected

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that this will be a permanent society within the parish.

Since the reorganization of the parish, in 1853, there has been no serious break or falling away of members, but for the greater part a steady increase of interest on the part of all, and the church has be- come more and more a power for good in the commu- nity. The old bitterness that existed between the first Liberal Societies and the churches of a different faith has entirely died away. Only the most pleasant and friendly, social relations exist between it and the other parishes of the city. And with its various organizations it can, perhaps, be truly said, that it was never in better condition for doing real con- structive religious work than at this present time.

Methodist Episcopal Church.1 - The Methodist Episcopal Church in Woburn was organized by Rev. Amos Binney, presiding elder, February 1, 1851. It embraced ten members. Previous to this date there had been, for a greater part of a year, occasional preaching in the town house, Revs. Horace Vail, Leonard P. Frost and John W. Mer- rill, D.D., being the preachers. There had been also resident in town a few Methodists-some, if not most, of whom were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Medford. These had, for some time, been organized as a class, whose meetings nearly all punc- tually attended. During the spring, after the regular organization of the church, in 1851, Rev. Hollis Kendall was appointed, by the presiding elder, as a stated preacher. The town-house, which had been rented, Angust II, 1850, as the place of assembly, was still used for that purpose. And Mr. Kendall, who was earnest and laborious in his work, was suc- cessful beyond the expectation of any of the people. When he left his charge, in 1852, though only a sin- gle year had elapsed, the original ten had nearly trebled, so that he left to the charge of his successor twenty-seven members in full church fellowship and twelve probationers.

Mr. Kendall was succeeded, in April, 1852, by Rev. J. B. Holman, who is said to have made the first permanent church record. His term of service, like that of his predecessor, was short, closing in the spring of 1853.

The first preacher, regularly appointed by the Conference, was Rev. Mr. Cary, who entered upon his labor in the spring of 1853, but, leaving before the expiration of that year, was succeeded by the Rev. H. R. Parmenter, from the Biblical Institute at Con- cord, N. H., who supplied the pulpit for the re- mainder of the Conference year.

In the spring of 1854 Rev. George Sutherland be- came, by appointment, the minister of the church. He remained two years and was very successful in

his work. During his ministry a small chapel, Jo- cated on Main Street, corner of Mann's Court, was filled to overflowing with attentive and earnest hearers.

In 1856 Mr. Sutherland was succeeded by Rev. Thomas B. Treadwell, who, after serving one year, was succeeded, in 1857, by Rev. J. A. Ames, who re- mained through two years of marked prosperity.

Iu 1859 Rev. Moses P. Webster was sent by the Conference and served one year, when, in the spring of 1860, he was succeeded by Rev. Bartholomew Othman, who remained two years. In 1862, the church having failed to ask for a preacher, the bishop and presiding elder sent, as a supply, Rev. Kinsman Atkinson, who remained one year. In April, 1863, Rev. Miles Barney, a student from Con- cord, N. H., succeeded, and remained one year.

According to the testimony of a subsequent pastor, the years 1862 and 1863 were a season of great trial. " Many were ready to give up the organization, and, but for a few determined spirits, the church must have broken up. For a long time the records show no con- versions, no baptisms and no marriages. In fact, the church seems to have been crippled socially, finan- cially and spiritually." 2

In the spring of 1864, Rev. N. D. George, who was sent by the presiding elder, succeeded, with the aid of the church, in obtaining money or pledges nearly sufficient to enable them to purchase the Unitarian Church on Main Street, which its owners were about to abandon. About one-half of the needed $5000 was collected, when, in 1865, Mr. George was succeeded by Rev. Matthew M. Parkhurst. The building was pur- chased in the spring of that year, the balance of the subscription, $2500, being collected and paid. The house, after being repaired, furnished with carpet, cushions, a new pulpit, altar, chairs and gas-fixtures, was re-opened May 17, 1865. In 1867 it was raised sufficiently to admit of the construction of vestries be- neath the main andience-rooms.

Rev. Mr. Parkhurst, leaving in the spring of 1868, was immediately succeeded by Rev. John A. Lansing, who, in 1870, was succeeded by Rev. Cyrus L. East- man, and he, in 1872, by Rev. William J. Hamble- ton. During the ministry of Mr. Hambleton the church edifice, which the society had, at the cost of so much labor and sacrifice, happily secured, was, with other buildings adjacent, laid in ashes by the most disastrons fire ever known in Woburn. March 6, 1873, the day of this event, will long be remembered as a day of sore trial. Yet the people speedily rallied and, as soon as possible, proceeded to erect, on nearly the same spot, the edifice now occupied by them. On Fast Day, April 2, 1874, a little more than one year after their loss, they publicly dedicated the new sanctuary, Rev. R. R. Meredith, then of Springfield, preaching the sermon. Rev. Mr. Hambleton, who had witnessed

1 For a large part of the material of this sketch the writer gratefully acknowledges lis indebtednese to Mr. Thomas Wilson, who, as secretary of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, both kindly and promptly rendered the needed assistance.

L. T.

2 Rev. M. M. Parkhurst.

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HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

the loss of the former house, was permitted, before he left for another field, to witness and rejoice over the consecration of the new and more convenient church- home.

Mr. Hambleton was succeeded, in the spring of 1874, by Rev. Charles A. Merrill, who, in 1876, was succeeded by Rev. Charles H. Hannaford, and he, in 1878, by Rev. William J. Pomfret, each remaining two years.

In April, 1880, Rev. Volney M. Simons succeeded Mr. Pomfret and, in 1883, Rev. Nathaniel B. Fisk succeeded Mr. Simons, each supplying three years. From the spring of 1886 to the spring of 1888 the pulpit was occupied by Rev. M. Emory Wright. and from 1888 to April, 1889, by Rev. Lyman D. Bragg. In 1889 Rev. Hugh Montgomery succeeded Mr. Bragg, and is now the minister.

In concluding this sketch of a history covering less than forty years, the present writer is happy to say that the Methodist Episcopal Church of Woburn has, with the exception of brief seasons of trial, been blessed with marked prosperity and tokens of useful- ness.

The North Woburn Chapel Association .- From the families in North Woburn affiliating with the Unitar- ian Society in Woburn there was organized, July 17, 1860, a society bearing the name of "The Young Men's Liberal Christian Association." No regular worship was maintained and they had no stated place for worship. But the association retained their organ- ization and met at some appointed place, on special occasions. In 1874 a neat and convenient chapel was erected on Minot Street, which was dedicated January 10, 1875. Rev. William S. Barnes, theu the pastor of the Unitarian Church at Woburn Centre, preached a sermon on the occasion, from John 1: 14: " And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among

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History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 125

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & co
Number of Pages: 1034