USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > History of Newton, Massachusetts : town and city, from its earliest settlement to the present time, 1630-1880 > Part 41
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A compliance with your invitation will, I am aware, place me in a situation of awful responsibility. It will impose upon me duties which are almost over- whelming,- dutics which are difficult to perform, and which will have an important bearing on our present and eternal welfare,-dutics, too, which will probably be attended with momentous and everlasting consequences to coming generations. Yet when Providence plainly calls, we must never shrink from the path of duty, however difficult and rugged it may be.
Having deliberated for some time upon your invitation, in its various bear- ings,- the proposals and duties attending it, and my own insufficiency and frailty, -in fine, having frequently spread the whole subject before him who controls all things, and sought for aid and direction, I have concluded it is my duty to accept of your invitation ; and I do it with pleasure, hoping that my motives are such as conscience and God will approve.
Praying that this decision may meet the approbation of our heavenly Father,-that it may result in the prosperity and continued harmony of this church and society, in our mutual growth in grace, in the salvation of many immortal souls, and in the promotion of the Redeemer's cause,
I remain yours, in the bonds of Christian affection, JAMES BATES.
At the ordination service, November 14, 1827, by vote of the Council, Rev. Dr. Holmes, of Cambridge, offered the opening prayer ; Rev. Dr. Wis- ner, of the Old South church in Boston, preached the sermon; Rev. Mr. Greenough, of West Newton, offered the prayer of ordination; Rev. Dr. Homer, senior pastor, gave the charge; Rev. Edward Beecher, of Park Street church, Boston, the hand of fellowship; Rev. Dr. Codman, of Dorchester, addressed the people, and Rev. Dr. Jenks, of the Green Street church, Boston, offered the concluding prayer.
Early in the ministry of Mr. Bates (February, 1828), the Hon. William Jackson was elected Deacon, and inducted into office by solemn ordination. The Record says (April 11, 1828),-
"VOTED, that we proceed to set apart brother William Jackson as Deacon by prayer and the imposition of hands, according to apostolic usage. The two pastors then set apart brother Jackson according to the vote of the church. The senior pastor offered the consecrating prayer."
In April, 1830, a revised Confession of faith and covenant was adopted by the church. The original Articles of Faith, if such existed, were doubtless consumed with the house of Mr. Meriam in 1770.
In April, 1770, twenty-two days after the fire, the church united in the renewal of a form of faith and covenant in which all could unite. This covenant was publicly renewed, near the beginning of the pastorate of Dr. Homer.
424
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
There is something very touching and beautiful in the religious spirit of the fathers of the church. Their habit of recognizing their obligations to God stands in strong contrast with heartless formalism. In the days of calamity, after the Records of their church history were consumed, and affliction had come upon their pastor, they recognized God by a solemn renewal of covenant with him and with one another. It was by cherishing such a spirit, that they were nerved to the grave exigencies which were to come upon the country during the next ten years of trial, hardship and sorrow ; - pledged to " play the man," in their patriotic struggles, and to sympathize with and help one another in the days " that tried men's souls." And when the noise of battle was hushed, and peace reigned over the regenerated land, how delightful it is to see them acknowledging God in the blessings of the new government ; and, with the establishment of the country on a new and constitutional basis, hastening to accompany their patriotic rejoicings with a new engagement of fidelity to their vows of mutual sympathy and Christian communion. The religious part of the history of the fathers of Newton in 1770 and 1783, is full of interest and instruc- tive suggestion to their posterity.
Mr. Bates resigned his pastorship in February, 1839, and his connection with the church was dissolved the following April. As a pastor and preacher, Mr. Bates was declared by the church to be " arduous, devoted, affectionate and inadequately requited ;" and the members expressed their " heartfelt obligations to him for his self-denying, affectionate and faithful labors as a minister among this people, and their earnest desires for his future happi- ness and usefulness." The period of his ministry was character- ized by great spiritual prosperity. More were added to the church, during the seasons of special religious interest that marked his min- istry, than in any similar period previously within its history. And though the modern growth of the town had not commenced, the spiritual harvest then enjoyed would, at any subsequent period, have been regarded as grand and wonderful.
REV. JAMES BATES was born in Randolph, Vt., January 17, 1799. His paternal ancestors were among the first settlers of Middleborough and Duxbury, Mass. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1822, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1826. He was ordained at Newton, as colleague with the Rev. Dr. Homer, November 14, 1827, with a salary of five hundred dollars
425
REV. WILLIAM BUSHNELL.
per annum. He married June 4, 1828, Emily Atwood, of Haver- hill, the youngest sister of Harriet Newell, the proto-martyr of American missions. During the years 1826-7,- several members of the church, who " walked irregularly," were removed from its fellowship, the senior pastor, however, opposing the movement, saying, in the words of the New Testament, "Let both grow together until harvest." In 1831, a second revival of religion commenced, which continued about two years. During the min- istry of Mr. Bates more than two hundred were admitted to the church. In the whole period of his ministry in Newton he was detained from his official duties by sickness only three Sabbaths. After leaving Newton he was settled in Granby, Mass., and Cen- tre Village, Conn. He died in Granby, December 9, 1865, aged sixty-six. "His preaching was plain and unpretending, a model of Gospel simplicity and truthfulness. His ministry seemed to be always blessed. He was unwearied in visiting the families of his parish, in district meetings, and in the care of the Sunday and other schools."*
Mr. Bates was efficient in the establishment of the Female Seminary at Newton Centre, and also in organizing Lyceums and public lectures, when they were a new thing in the United States. He prepared and delivered three lectures in the first Lyceum course ever undertaken in Newton. Newton owes much to his efficiency in connection with the Sabbath School. He is said to have been the first to introduce singing into the Sabbath School. ยก
After the dismission of Mr. Bates, the church was without a pastor about three years. For more than one year of this period, the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. S. S. Smith, afterwards pastor at Westminster. Eighteen were admitted to the church in 1840 and two in 1841.
In April, 1842, the church and society united in calling to the pastorate the Rev. William Bushnell, who was in Newton a year and three months before the decease of Dr. Homer; and thus the few ministerial services which the ex-pastor was able to perform overlapped into the term of service of his successor. Thus the younger pastor was permitted to profit by the experience of the elder, and to learn from his lips the peculiarities of the field he was to cultivate. Their intercourse was always genial and friendly. A spirit of enterprise began to stir in the community,
* Boston Recorder. + MS. letter of his son, Edward P. Bates, Esq.
426
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
which the presence of a younger pastor was well adapted to foster and guide. Three important projects,-1. The organization of the Eliot church, composed chiefly of members colonized from the First Congregational church,- 2. The crection of a new meet- ing-house on the site of the building which had been occupied since 1805,-and, 3. The introduction of railroad facilities into Newton Centre were the main features of the period of Mr. Bush- nell's brief ministry, which lasted only four years and seven months. He resigned his charge December 13, 1846.
REV. WILLIAM BUSHNELL was born in Saybrook (now West- brook), Conn., April 14, 1801, and graduated at Yale College in 1828, in the same class with Prof. Henry N. Day, John Van Buren, and the late Horace Binney, jr. He studied theology in New Haven, and while in the Seminary supplied the Congregational church in Stratford ten weeks. His labors there resulted in the conversion of upwards of seventy persons, who became active and useful members of the church. He was ordained in the summer of 1832 in North Killingly, Conn., where he labored in the min- istry till April, 1835. After this Mr. Bushnell preached a short time in New Jersey, and then became pastor in Beverly, Mass., where he remained till May, 1842. He was installed pastor of - the First church in Newton, May 27, 1842, and resigned December 13, 1846.
During the ministry of Mr. Bushnell, as intimated above, thirty- one members of the church asked a dismission, for the purpose of forming the Eliot church at Newton Corner. The measure was eminently wise, and useful alike to the old church and to the new body. The proceedings were conducted in so fraternal a manner, that the cordial fellowship of all the members remained unimpaired. Three others shortly afterwards took letters to the Eliot church. This movement was originated and brought to its consummation under the guidance and direction of that eminently wise counsellor and judicious Christian adviser, the late Deacon William Jackson.
During the ministry of Mr. Bushnell, the new church edifice (the fifth) was built, and dedicated March 24, 1847. The erec- tion of this structure was largely owing to the influence of Mr. Bushnell. There was some opposition to it on various grounds. But after the pastor had preached two sermons relating to the sub- ject,-the last founded on Ezra VII : 27, "Blessed be the Lord
2. L. Fuller
427
ORDINATION OF REV. D. L. FURBER.
God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusa- lem,"- those who thought the old one good enough, with some repairs, yielded to those who desired a better one.
After relinquishing his pastorate at Newton, Mr. Bushnell acted as agent of the American Seamen's Friend Society, still residing in Newton, and afterwards studied medicine and became a prac- titioner in Boston, of the Homeopathic School, and died in East Boston, April 28, 1879, aged seventy-eight.
While Mr. Bushnell was pastor at Newton Centre, he became interested in the early measures which resulted in the construction of the railroad between Needham and Boston, afterwards Woon- socket and Boston. Having heard an intimation from a fellow- citizen that such an enterprise was feasible, Mr. Bushnell, with a neighbor, consulted an agriculturist in Brookline on the subject, but learned that the people of that town did not favor it. Their gardens would be disturbed, and many strangers introduced into the place, which they deemed undesirable. In the meantime, the people of Woonsocket became interested to secure a closer con- nection with Boston, and finally Mr. Bushnell and his associate applied to the late Otis Pettee, Esq., of Newton Upper Falls, who was at once deeply interested and resolved to make the enterprise a success. Mr. Pettee was a man who never failed to accomplish his purpose, and this was in due time achieved. But Mr. Pettee died just before the railroad as far as Needham was in operation.
Mr. Pettee was the first President of the Corporation, which has been known successively as the Air Line, the Charles River Branch, the Hartford and Erie, and the New York and New Eng- land Railroad.
While the new church edifice of the First Parish was in pro- cess of erection, the church and congregation, by invitation of the First Baptist church, held their worship on the Sabbath in the meeting-house of the latter.
After the resignation of Mr. Bushnell, the Society remained without a pastor nearly a year. During this period, March 24, 1847, the new church was dedicated.
On the 28th of May, 1847, Mr. Daniel Little Furber received a unanimous call to the pastorship, which was accepted, and he was ordained December 1, 1847. Twelve churches were invited to be present by their pastors and delegates. Rev. Lyman Gilbert, of
428
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
West Newton, was Moderator of the Council, and Rev. A. Swasey, of Brighton, scribe. The sermon on the occasion was by Rev. Nehemiah Adams, of the Union church, Essex Street, Boston ; ordaining prayer by Rev. Silas Aiken, of Park Street church, Boston ; charge by Rev. Christopher Marsh, of West Roxbury ; right hand of fellowship by the late Rev. Leonard Swain, of Nashua, N. H., afterwards of Providence, R. I .; address to the people by Rev. S. W. Hanks, of Lowell.
In March, 1851, Hon. William Jackson, of the Eliot church, but previously an active member and deacon of the First Parish, having been removed by death, the church passed appropriate resolutions.
At the church meeting November 27, 1857, revised Articles of Faith, with Rules of Order, were adopted. The only difference between the new articles and those which had existed previously was in forms of expression.
In August, 1868, several members were dismissed to form a new Congregational church in Newtonville.
In June, 1870, the pastor left his work, to travel for a year in Europe. In 1869, the church and chapel were enlarged and improved. During a large portion of the summer months, the church held no public worship. Afterwards public services were held in the hall of the old school-house which stood at the north- erly corner of Station Street, on the site of the present Methodist church ; then, in the hall of the new school-house (until it was destroyed by fire), and finally in their own chapel, until the altera- tions on the meeting-house were completed. An invitation was extended to the church and congregation, as on a former occasion, by the First Baptist Society to worship with them as long as con- venient and agreeable, and the invitation was received with thanks.
In January, 1870, by vote of the church, the office of deacon was made temporary, a new election to be held annually, and each incumbent to serve only four years. A former incumbent might be re-elected for another term. This provision was directed to take effect at the succeeding annual meeting, "at which meeting one deacon shall be chosen for four years, one for three, one for two, and one for one."
On the 30th of May, 1872, twenty-four of the members, male and female, were dismissed, to form the Congregational church at Newton Highlands.
429
CORRESPONDENCE.
The following letter of good will and sympathy was addressed to the members dismissed for the purpose of uniting in this new organization :
To the brethren and sisters who asked and received dismission from the First church in Newton, to organize a Congregational church at Newton Highlands :
DEAR FRIENDS,- At a late meeting of the members of the Old church, where so many of you have for so many years, and even from your infancy, had your religious home,-our own hearts were deeply moved at the thought that our mutual church relations by your request must be dissolved.
But such is the order of the Providence of God in this world. We how- ever rejoice in the noble purpose you propose to yourselves to accomplish. May the richest blessings of the Great Head of the church abound towards you, and the Newton Highlands Congregational church be a heavenly beacon light to multitudes in this world of sin, guiding them to the New Jerusalem. The church have directed me to express to you in the following resolutions its sentiments of Christian regard and affection.
Resolved, That recognizing the duty of the disciples of Christ, in their in- dividual and associate capacity, as members of his church, to promote his kingdom in this world,-we hereby express to our brethren and sisters who have asked a dismission from the First church in Newton for the purpose of being organized in a Congregational church at Newton Highlands, our hearty sympathy and prayers for the prosperity and success of the proposed enter- prise.
Resolved, That while expressing our regret at the severing of church rela- tions, which have for so many years contributed so much of pleasure and profit to our social and Christian life, we will still and ever be one in the spirit of Christ our Lord and Master and in the fellowship of the saints ; and will ever hope and pray that this fellowship may be consummated in the per- fection of the fellowship of heaven.
Resolved, That this church and society cordially tender to our brethren and sisters at the Highlands our meeting-house and vestry, as they may desire, to complete the formation of their church and society and the ordination of a pastor ; and that in calling a Council, we will esteem it a privilege and pleas- ure to share in the labor of providing for and entertaining the members of that ecclesiastical body.
Attest, B. WOOD, Clerk of the Church.
NEWTON CENTRE, June 10, 1872.
This letter called forth the following reply :
Letter of Christian fellowship and affection from brethren and sisters at Newton Highlands.
To the First Congregational Church, Newton Centre :
It is with feelings of deep regret that we separate from the church we have loved from our earliest infancy, and where the associations were all so
430
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
pleasant. But as the Providence of God seems to call us to another part of his vineyard, we trust we shall cheerfully perform the duties devolving upon us in this new relation; but shall ever retain an interest in, and pray for the prosperity of, our mother church, and its long tried and much loved pastor.
At a recent meeting of church members at Newton Highlands, a unani- mous vote of thanks was tendered you for your kind invitation in regard to the Council, and the offer was gratefully accepted. We also received with pleasure your kind expressions of interest in us, and ask that we may ever be remembered in your prayers. "
That God's blessing may ever rest on the First church, hallowed by so many pleasant associations, is the prayer of those who leave.
In behalf of whom I subscribe myself
Your brother in Christ,
SAMUEL N. WOODWARD, Clerk pro tem.
June 26, 1872.
June 21, 1872, a revised form of the Articles of Faith and By- laws of the First church was adopted.
The services connected with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the settlement of Mr. Furber, as pastor of the First Congregational church, December 1 and 2, 1872, were of sufficient historical importance to claim a notice here. On Sabbath afternoon, Dec. 1st, Mr. Furber preached a sermon (text -I. Cor. II : 2), review- ing the work of his pastorate in Newton. On the wall, behind the pulpit, was a wreath, inclosing the date of the formation of the church (July 30, 1664), and on the right and left of it, the dates of the beginning of Mr. Furber's settlement and of the twenty- fifth anniversary (1847-1872). Among the historical facts stated in the sermon, it was said that at the commencement of this period of twenty-five years, the Society was weak and small, but resolute, and determined to live. The church edifice was small, containing about sixty pews. Now, after the lapse of a quarter of a century, there are one hundred and fifty pews, well filled every Sabbath. The church had just been depleted by the dismission of thirty-four members, to form the Eliot church at Newton Corner, and it had only about eighty members left, and fifty families. The church edifice, then recently built, has been twice enlarged. At that date there were several aged people in the parish. The average age of ten of the most noted of them was a little over eighty-six years each. Six members of the Society fell in the war of the Rebellion. Others died from the sufferings they endured at the South. Five young men, members of the church, have recently entered the min- istry. During this period the church has received as members.
431
DR. FURBER'S THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY.
three hundred and sixteen persons, about one-half of them by profession. In the same period, eighty-two have deceased.
A fitting close of the history of this ancient church is furnished in the following extracts from a sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Furber, December 1, 1877, the thirtieth anniversary of his settle- ment.
The history of this church shows that it has favored permanence in the pastoral relation. One of my predecessors was here twenty-two years, another forty, another forty-two, another fifty-seven. This church in the two hundred and thirteen years of its existence has never dismissed but two pas- tors. One of these was Mr. Bates, who was dismissed, as I have been told, in order to save the feelings of Dr. Homer, the aged senior pastor with whom Mr. Bates was colleague, and the other was Mr. Bushnell, who resigned at a time when the church, weakened by heavy losses occasioned by the forma- tion of the Eliot church, hardly felt able to support a minister.
I was ordained to the Christian ministry thirty years ago in this house, and in the pulpit that stood where this one now does. The house was then new and small. It had been dedicated about eight months, and contained sixty pews. There was no organ, but a bass-viol and other instruments, and a choir of considerable size. The vestry in which the evening meetings were held was a small, low-roofed building, not very well lighted. The meeting- house grounds were not inclosed, and the public travel was directly through them.
The deacons were Deacon Paul and Deacon Cook. Deacon Ebenezer White was still living, past eighty years of age and too infirm to attend meetings. He came to church on the first Sabbath after my ordination and never after that. Deacon Paul had been in office a little more than two years, having been chosen to fill the place made vacant by the resignation of Deacon Jackson, at the time the Eliot church was formed. He held the office eighteen years, until his death in 1863, at the age of seventy. Deacon Cook had been in office about a year and a half, having been elected at the time of Deacon Woodward's death in 1846. He held the office nearly twenty-six years, until his death in 1872, at the age of seventy-five.
Of those who were members of this church thirty years ago, only thirteen are now seen in our Sabbath congregations. Of the one hundred and ninety- six whose deaths are recorded upon our books, forty-one were under ten years of age; twenty-four were over seventy; twenty were over eighty, and four were over ninety.
Thirty years ago the church had been weakened by the loss of more than thirty of its members, who had just left to form the Eliot church, among whom were some of the most active and efficient members of the church, and some of its most liberal givers. In less than a year after the formation of the Eliot church, occurred the death of Deacon Elijah F. Woodward, who had been deacon, and leader of the choir, and Superintendent of the Sunday School more than thirty years. Deacon Jackson had been in office seven- teen years, and he and Deacon Woodward had been the pillars of the church.
432
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
Here then was left a small church of about one hundred members and a parish of a little more than fifty families. They very naturally felt that they were few and weak, and were ready to ask, " By whom shall Jacob now arise, for he is small." And there were some who even raised the question whether it would not be better to dissolve the old church and unite with the Eliot church. Some proposed moving the church to the vicinity of Upper Falls. But these suggestions were answered with a very decided negative. And it was determined to pull down the old meeting-house in which the wor- shippers felt so far apart from each other, and to build a new and smaller house. The house was completed and dedicated, and we began our work together on the first of December, 1847. Our organ was purchased soon afterwards. There was then no railroad to this place, and the growth of the place was slow. But in seven years it became necessary to enlarge the meet- ing-house by adding twenty pews. At the same time the chapel was built, smaller than it now is, a cheerful and pleasant room. In 1868 we parted with nine of our members, living at Newtonville, on the occasion of the for- mation of the new church in that place. In 1869-70, the meeting-house was again enlarged to more than twice its original size, and to almost twice the size it had after the first enlargement. The chapel was also enlarged, and a committee room and other adjuncts provided, at a cost of about $22,000. In 1872 we dismissed twenty-four members to form the church at Newton High- lands. We have parted with most valuable and beloved members for the formation of new churches; sixty-seven have thus gone out from us in thirty- two years; and some of the best material the church had. In 1848 our benevolent contributions amounted to less than $100. Now we give from $2,000 to $3,000 a year. We now number scarcely one hundred and twenty families.
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