USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > History of Newton, Massachusetts : town and city, from its earliest settlement to the present time, 1630-1880 > Part 48
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The First Baptist church in Newton was organized when churches of that faith in Massachusetts were few in number. But, like a fruitful vine, its branches have grown thriftily, and reached abroad very widely. Mr. Grafton used to say, in his latter days, that "taking his own church as the centre of a circle, the radius of which should be forty miles, there could not be found in that circle, when he became the pastor of the church in Newton, but eight Baptist churches ;" at his death, there were more than sixty. Several of these churches were, directly or indi- rectly, offshoots from that. The greater part of these churches became flourishing bodies, sustaining their own pastors, and enjoy- ing their religious institutions and privileges, and most of them contributing largely in aid of the benevolent enterprises by which the present age is distinguished.
The last sermon preached in the old meeting-house was by the Rev. Mr. Willard, from the text, Exodus XXXIII : 15, "If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence."
The meeting-house was built in 1835-6. The land on which it was placed was given for the purpose by a member of the church, Mrs. Anna White, widow of Ebenezer King. It had seventy-six pews on the lower floor, of which six, in the northwest corner of the house, were appropriated to the use of the students of the The- ological Institution. The clock was transferred from the old meeting-house. The first organ, constructed by Mr. Bilson, a
497
REV. MR. WILLARD.
young artisan of Newton, was placed in the house in the begin- ning of the year 1840. This meeting-house was re-modelled in 1855-6, and re-opened for public worship, January 31, 1856. The interior was again changed in 1869, and a new organ was put in. Another improvement was made in 1874, increasing the number of pews.
The chapel, attached to the meeting-house, was built in 1860, at an expense of about $2,600. On Lord's day, December 2, 1860, it was opened for its destined service by appropriate exer- cises.
After the decease of Mr. Grafton, his colleague, Mr. Willard, remained sole pastor, and continued in office till July 10, 1838, when he resigned his charge. Thus Mr. Willard was connected with the church and society, as colleague and afterwards as sole pastor, two years and seven months. The number of persons admitted to the church during his ministry was seventeen.
REV. FREDERICK AUGUSTUS WILLARD was born March 4, 1807, in Lancaster, Mass., where his father was a Baptist minister. He graduated at Amherst College in 1826, and at the Newton Theo- logical Institution in 1830. He was Lecturer on Chemistry in the Vermont Medical School at Castleton, and in Waterville College, in 1830-1, and ordained pastor of the First Baptist church in Wor- cester, Mass., in 1832, whence he removed to Newton. Having left Newton, he resided in Louisville, Ky., as teacher in a Young Ladies' Institute, from 1839 to 1843. He was afterwards pastor successively in South Danvers, South Abington and Needham, Mass., and died in Philadelphia, Pa., March 17, 1866, and was buried there, in Woodland cemetery. He was twice married, and had two children, neither of whom survived him. The text of his last sermon was, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," and these words are inscribed on his tombstone.
After the dismission of Mr. Willard, the resources of the church, weakened by the dismission of members, and affected by the financial troubles of 1837, was inadequate to the entire support of a pastor. Professor Ripley consented to become acting pastor, so far as his duties in the Theological Institution would permit. This arrangement extended from November 30, 1838, till Septem- ber 4, 1840, when hope revived, and efforts were renewed for the permanent occupancy of the pulpit by a regular pastor.
32
498
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
Meanwhile, all the ordinary services were maintained ; and, dur- ing this interval of three and a half years, thirty-nine were admit- ted to the church. The church had then reached the period of its greatest weakness and discouragement. Other villages in the town, stimulated by railroad facilities, had grown in vigor and pop- ulation ; but there were no indications of growth in the business or population of the centre of Newton. There were no railroad advantages, and no profitable industry tended to plant itself here. But some of " the ancient men before the house " were steadfast in principle and in faith. They believed that the tide would return. They were confident that the sacrifices of the fathers would be like seed, bringing, after this night of weeping, a harvest of joy.
During the first sixty-two years of its history, the church num- bered seven hundred and six members, and had three pastors. Persons of all ages and in various circumstances, belonging not. only in Newton, but also in other towns, are recorded in its cata- logue. Occasional note was made of the ages of new members. when they came into the church. This is only when the person was distinguished by youth, or by extreme age. Among the num- ber so designated, one is marked as eight years of age at the time of baptism, two aged ten, three aged eleven, seven aged twelve, two aged thirteen, etc. ; and, at the other extreme of life, one aged seventy-one ; one, seventy-three ; one, seventy-five ; one, eighty, and one, ninety. One was deaf and dumb, and one blind.
Other churches originated mainly from the First Baptist church in Newton, or were largely indebted to it for their original mem- bers. The following may be named : Weston, Framingham, Cam- bridgeport (first), West Cambridge (Arlington), Roxbury (Dud- ley Street), First Lowell, Brookline, Watertown, Newton Upper Falls, and West Newton. The Baptist church in Framingham was, for a season, a branch of this ; for in the Records, under date of August 25, 1787, we find these items: "Attended to the request of our brethren from Framingham, to have the ordinance of the Lord's Supper administered to them in their own town, as a branch of this church." "VOTED, that this church grant them their request, and give them their hearty fellowship therein."
In January, 1842, the Rev. S. F. Smith, formerly pastor in Waterville, Me., became pastor of the church, and continued in service till June 30, 1854,-holding, at the same time, the office of editor of the Christian Review.
499
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Rev. Oakman S. Stearns, formerly pastor at Newark, N. J., became pastor September 23, 1855, and remained until May 31, 1868, when he resigned, and became a professor in the New- ton Theological Institution.
These two pastors held office about twelve and a half years each, and before the close of this quarter of a century, the period of weakness had happily passed away.
Rev. W. N. Clarke, formerly of Keene, N. H., commenced his pastoral labors May 16, 1869, and closed them May 1, 1880. The number of additions to the church during that period was two hundred and fifty-eight.
Mr. Clarke writes, concerning the period of his pastorate, as follows :
The largest number admitted to the church in any one year was in 1873, when sixty-three persons were added to the church. In 1877 the number was fifty-three. The former of these revivals was one of the most delightful that the church ever experienced, as it brought into our fellowship a large circle of young persons belonging to our own families. The same was true of the latter also ; but many circumstances conspired to add a special charm to our remembrances of the revival of 1873. The instantaneous death of Dr. Lincoln's son was the immediate occasion of its beginning, and its ending was only the passing over of special revival interest into a strong, steady and happy Christian life in the whole church.
The house of worship was freshly repaired in May, 1879. After it had been used six weeks, the gale of July 16th partly wrenched the spire off from the house, and made it necessary to repeat much of the work that had just been done.
In 1865, when a committee was preparing a " Manual," the church voted to authorize the committee to use, as the name of the church, "The Baptist Church, at Newton Centre; " whereupon they proceeded to use, instead, "The Newton Centre Baptist Church."
The number of original members, thirty-nine, was increased to ninety-two at the close of Mr. Blood's service. The number added during Mr. Grafton's ministry, to the time of the settle- ment of his colleague, was five hundred and sixty-one ; and dur- ing Mr. Willard's pastoral connection, seventeen. The number added from July 29, 1838, to the close of 1841, including the period of Professor Ripley's service, was thirty-nine. During the ministry of Dr. Smith, one hundred and six were admit- ted ; and during the interval between its close and the supplying of the vacancy, in September, 1855, fifteen. During the ministry of Dr. Stearns, two hundred and two were admitted, and five during
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HISTORY OF NEWTON.
the interval which followed ; and while Dr. Clarke was pastor, two hundred and fifty-eight. The entire number of members, from the beginning of the history to May, 1880, is 1,216.
PASTORS.
*Caleb Blood, -
Aug. - , 1780-Nov. 7, 1787
*Joseph Grafton,
*F. Augustus Willard,
- June 18, 1788-Dec. 16, 1836 Nov. 25, 1835-July 29, 1838 Nov. 30, 1838-Sept. 4, 1840
*Prof. Henry Jones Ripley, Acting Pastor, S. F. Smith,
- Jan. 1, 1842-June 30, 1854 Sept. 23, 1855-May 31, 1868
Oakman Sprague Stearns,
William Newton Clarke, - May 16, 1869-May 1, 1880
* Deceased.
DEACONS.
* John Shepard,
Dec. 27, 1780
* Jeremiah Richardson,
Sept. 18, 1788
* Samuel Holt,
Aug. 24, 1797
* Noah King, April 2, 1812 -
t Elijah Corey,
April 2, 1812
* Thomas Hovey,
July -, 1818
* Josiah Bacon,
April 3, 1828
* Reuben Stone,
April 3, 1828
t Perez Lothrop,
April 3, 1828
+ Isaac Keyes,
Nov. 4, 1832
*Eben Stone, -
Nov. 4, 1832 March 5, 1837
Z. Erastus Coffin,
Jan. 3, 1858
David N. B. Coffin,
March 6, 1859
¡Asa R. Trowbridge,
April 6, 1862
James S. Newell, March 3, 1867
Gustavus Forbes, -
- March 3, 1867
* Deceased while in office.
+ Dismissed to other churches.
CLERKS.
Thomas Hastings,
July 5, 1780
Samuel Sampson, Caleb Blood,
June 12, 1781
Nathan Dana,
- Dec. - , 1787
Joseph Grafton,
June 4, 1789
F. Augustus Willard,
Dec. 31, 1835 -
Henry J. Ripley, -
Aug. 30, 1838
S. F. Smith,
- June 2, 1842
- Dec. 27, 1780
+E. Davis White,
501
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
Henry J. Ripley, -
Aug.
3, 1854
George O. Sanborn,
Nov. 3, 1865
Henry J. Ripley, -
Jan.
3, 1867
Ezra Palmer Gould,
- Dec. 31, 1869
TREASURERS.
John Shepard,
April 20, 1781
David Bartlett,
June 12, 1781
Jeremiah Richardson,
June 9, 1782
Eljiah Corey,
Feb. 3, 1814
Seth Davis,
July -, 1818
John Bullough,
-
June 2, 1842
E. Davis White,
Dec. 30, 1847
Eben Stone,
-
Feb. 2, 1854
E. Davis White,
Jan. 4, 1855
Henry J. Ripley,
July 31, 1856
George O. Sanborn,
Jan. 9, 1866
Dwight Chester,
Jan. 2, 1874
MINISTERS RECEIVING LICENSE TO PREACH OR ORDAINED BY THIS CHURCH.
Nathan Dana, licensed, Jan. 3, 1789; ordained, Nov. 30, 1793.
Charles Train, licensed, May 8, 1806.
Hadley Proctor, licensed (probably April), 1817.
Francis G. Macomber, licensed, Nov., 1820.
Prof. Horatio B. Hackett, ordained, Dec. 8, 1839.
Daniel A. W. Smith, licensed, Feb. 19, 1862; ordained, July 26, 1863.
Edward O. Stevens, licensed, Feb. 26, 1863; ordained, Oct. 23, 1864.
Henry F. Colby, licensed, May 3, 1866.
Isaac S. Hamblen, ordained, May 3, 1866.
Josiah R. Goddard, ordained, Sept. 15, 1867.
Sylvester B. Partridge, ordained, Sept. 20, 1868.
Samuel B. Morse, ordained, Aug. 3, 1869.
George A. Wilkins, licensed, July 5, 1873.
Knut Arwid Ostergren, ordained, June 20, 1875.
George D. Brewerton, licensed, June 11, 1876.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
The Sabbath School, one of the earliest in Massachusetts, was commenced in June, 1818, by Mrs. Clarice Hyde, mother of Ex-Mayor Hyde, with fifteen scholars. She had two associates in the work, Miss Lucinda Brackett and Miss Eliza Miller. The sessions were held at first in a small building near the corner of Clark and Centre Streets, and was afterwards removed to the gal- lery of the old Baptist church. For several years it was continued only during the summer months, and was conducted wholly by
502
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
female teachers, until the establishment of the Theological Institu- tion in 1825. From that date, for several years, the school found teachers and superintendents among the students. The first male teacher in the school was Mr. Henry Durell. The infant depart- ment was first organized by the wife of Professor Chase, the first professor in the Theological Institution. The following, as nearly as can be ascertained, have been the superintendents :
Prof. Irah Chase,
Prof. Henry J. Ripley,
Edward A. Stevens,
George W. Samson,
Sanford Leach, J. S. Eaton,
*E. Davis White,
Albert Baldwin, Joseph H. Warder, J. G. Gunderson, Prof. Alvah Hovey, Thomas Nickerson, H. Lincoln Chase, George S. Dexter,
James S. Newell, Gustavus Forbes,
Thomas L. Rogers,
Dwight Chester, S. M. Tourtellot.
* In office fourteen years.
BEQUESTS.
1. Colonel Stephen Dana, of Brighton, deceased about 1820, a member of the Baptist Society in Newton, husband of Mrs. Eleanor Dana, who became a member of this church August 25, 1780, left " to the Baptist church and society in Newton the sum of four hundred dollars, for the purpose of aiding in the support of a public Teacher of piety, religion and morality, of the Bap- tist persuasion, to be laid out at the discretion of a committee, chosen by said church and society for that purpose." This sum was gradually disposed of in making up deficiencies for the sup- port of the Pastor.
2. Mrs. Nancy Foster, a member of this church, deceased about 1825, left to the church a legacy which proved of inestimable importance in relieving the Society of debt, at a critical period, and a portion of which, five hundred dollars, is still held as a fund for the benefit of indigent members.
3. Mrs. Esther McNoah, another member, who deceased December 27, 1849, left a legacy of one hundred and fifty dollars for the benefit of indigent members. This sum has, several years since, been expended.
4. Mr. Henry Smith, of West Newton, a member who died in 1871, left seven hundred and fifty dollars, to be invested under the direction of the deacons, and " the interest to be wholly expended for the support of the gospel ministry " in this church.
503
CHOIR OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
CHOIR OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
In 1817 the choir of the First Baptist church was composed of singers from various parts of Newton and vicinity, Brookline, Brighton, Watertown and Waltham. The leader at that time was Mr. Thomas Richardson, of Oak Hill, who always sang soprano. When no instrument was present to give the key-note of the tune to be sung, the leader, taking his wooden pitch-pipe, drew out the little pipe within, on which were printed the first seven letters of the alphabet, and setting it to the letter with which the tune com- menced, he sounded the tone ; upon which the whole choir, repeat- ing the sound with the syllable belonging to it, rose and sang the hymn or psalm. There was generally a bass viol, as an accom- paniment, sometimes, two,-played by Messrs. Charles and Walter Richards. Two brothers Oliver often came from Waltham, one of them an excellent bass singer, the other a skilful player on the bassoon, which the choir regarded as a valuable addition.
Among the singers were Mrs. Nancy Richards, Charles and Enoch Richards, James Norcross, Walter Richards, Charles Pet- tee, Samuel Trowbridge, and the two brothers Oliver, from Wal- tham. The singing-books in use were, first, the Billings and Holden Collection ; afterwards, the Bridgewater Collection.
About 1826 Mr. (afterwards Rev.) Jonathan Aldrich, then a student in the Theological Institution, became leader of the choir, and many new members were added to it, viz., two sisters Cheney, Louisa and Dorothy Richards, Evelina Trowbridge (after- wards Mrs. R. Bacon), Lucinda Brackett, Eunice Bixby, Mrs. Willis, Mary Davis (afterwards Mrs. Rev. F. A. Willard), Re- becca and Abigail Cunningham, Nancy Ellis, Asa F. Smith, Samuel Scott, Oliver Plympton, George Richards, N. Richards Harbach, Enoch Perkins, Antipas Jackson, Isaac Keyes, Amos Hyde, Alpheus Trowbridge. The instruments used in the choir at that time were two clarionets, played by Messrs. Cheney and Wil- liam Hall, and a trombone, played by Mr. Frank Hyde. In 1827, Mr. Asa R. Trowbridge brought into the choir a double bass viol, the first instrument of the kind used in Newton. In later
years, he played, in the church music, successively, the double bass viol, small bass viol, violin, bassoon, trombone and octave flute. In 1831 he was chosen leader of the choir, and served in that office seven years. The singing-book used, the latter part of the time, was the Boston Handel and Haydn Society's Collection.
504
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
After Mr. Aldrich resigned the charge of the choir (1827), Mr. (afterwards Rev.) Benjamin C. Wade, of the same class in the Institution (1829), was elected to fill the place. He reorganized the choir, bringing in some additions to it, and selecting leaders of each part. Of these, Miss Nancy Richards was leader of the alto, and Miss Evelina Trowbridge, of the soprano. Under the management of Mr. Wade, the singing of this choir took a high rank in the town. At this period, frequent meetings were held at the Spring Hotel, Watertown ; the Ellis Hotel, Newton Upper Falls ; Mancy Thornton's Hotel, near Newton Centre, and at the Theological Institution, for the practice of choruses and anthems from the Handel and Haydn Society's Collection, under direction of Mr. Wade. These festivals brought together the singers of Newton and vicinity, and furnished a pastime at the same time fascinating and improving.
The following paper read December 19, 1877, by the pastor, Rev. Dr. W. N. Clarke, on the fiftieth anniversary of the raising of the church clock to its place in the meeting-house by Deacon Reuben Stone, contains many shreds of history :
On its face is the inscription : "Presented by Reuben Stone, 1827." It had its origin in Boston, near the old Roxbury line. A little above North- ampton Street, there were three Willards, who made clocks and repaired them,- first, together, and afterwards, in separate establishments. One of them was Aaron Willard, jr., and in his shop this clock was made. At what date in 1827, Reuben Stone made its acquaintance, I cannot say. I have been told that when father Grafton fairly found his freedom, he had a way of preaching long sermons. But I can hardly think the clock was set up as a warning to the minister. But Reuben Stone thought a clock would be use- ful to the church, and by such a bargain as he was able to make with Aaron Willard, jr., he provided one.
Reuben Stone was a man of substance. He lived where Samuel Stone lives now, on Dedham Street, near the end of Parker Street; but there was no Parker Street then. He had not long been a member of the church. He was baptized in 1823, when he was forty-three years old. On the 3d of April, 1828, he was chosen deacon; his service, however, was but short, for he died on the 3d of August,-just four months after his induction to the deacon's office. The clock was not his only contribution to the church. He had two children, and only two. His daughter, Martha by name, was bap- tized June 3d, of that same year, 1827. She changed her state without changing her name and, as the wife of David Stone, and now the mother of Reuben Stone, she is still a member of this church, though fifty years have passed; and her son, Deacon Eben Stone, was a member of the church five years before his father, having been converted in childhood, and on a sick
505
REMINISCENCES.
bed. The 7th of next June will be the sixtieth anniversary of his baptism, and the 4th of last November was the forty-fifth anniversary of his choice to the deacon's office. This church has seen the times "when days were dark and friends were few ;" but Deacon Stone has been always faithful.
In the old church there was a gallery around three sides of the house, on the front of which, facing the pulpit, the clock found its place, fifty years ago. The house was then some forty-five years old.
Mr. Grafton, who first saw this silent but expressive face before him in 1827, was then entering upon the fortieth year of his first and only pastorate. He was then fully seventy years old; a short man, with a brown wig, and with wonderfully keen black eyes ; he wore short breeches and knee-buckles to the end of his days. He was a sound and fervent preacher, and he brought forth fruit in old age. In this year 1827, in which the clock came in, ninety- seven persons were added to the church, almost all of them on profession of faith; and in 1832, when father Grafton was seventy-five years old, the number was a hundred.
For nine years the clock remained where it was first placed. The pastor's voice grew feebler, and other voices were often heard in its stead. A helper in the pastorate came, by and by,- Mr. Willard,- a tall, thin man, a fluent man, a man of many words because words came easily. The Theological Institution had become an important element in Newton, and the church removed its place of worship to the present lot, in order to give better accommodation to professors and students, and to make better provision for the anniversaries of the Seminary. But for this friendly desire, we should very likely be worshipping up by the pond until this day. And so the clock was to be taken down. But a surprise was first to come. Father Grafton was expected to preach a parting sermon in the old place, on the 18th of December, 1836. But on Wednesday the 14th, he fell sick, and on the 16th, Friday, his long life was ended, in the peace of God. Instead of his parting sermon, his funeral was held in the old house on the 20th; and never again were public services held within its walls. Pastor and house ended their service together. It must have been on the 21st of December, forty- one years ago,- the day of all the year when clocks do most of their work in the dark, that this clock was fastened to the front of the gallery in the new meeting-house. It was probably in the old place on the 20th, the day of the funeral, and it was probably in the new place on the 22d, when the services of dedication were held.
The new house was on the present site, but it was not the house that we know. It was smaller. Instead of a tower at the corner, it had a square box of a steeple, over the ridgepole. It was painted white. Within, there was a broad aisle in the midst, and there were two side-aisles ; but these were not next to the wall as now. Outside of them, there ran along each wall a row of pews facing towards the centre of the house. There was a gallery across the front end for the singers. The whole was extremely plain, for the house was built in poverty, and the sin of worldly display was kept in check by circumstances which the church could not control. Mr. Willard little thought that some in a later generation would be tempted to smile at his way
506
HISTORY OF NEWTON.
of putting things in his next letter to the Association. "In the erection of this house," he says, " dependent as we were, after our own most strenuous exertions, upon the assistance of our friends in other places, we felt bound to study that plainness in the finish which is alike demanded by Christian frugality and good taste."
The clock was put upon the front of the gallery, and there it remained during Mr. Willard's short ministry, during the temporary service of Dr. Ripley, and during the twelve and a half years of Dr. Smith's pastorate. From the same position it first saw Dr. Stearns in the pastor's place. But in a few years after that, the pews were reconstructed, the gallery came down, the front of the house was built out, the tower was erected. Then first, not much more than twenty years ago, the church attained the dignity of a bell. The organ was put where the clock now is, and the clock took its place between the windows, on the south wall of the house at the right of the pulpit. Once more, just as the present pastor came, the house was par- tially reconstructed, the organ took its present place near the pulpit, and the clock was fastened high upon the front wall opposite the preacher.
Our clock, however, is not as demonstrative as its neighbor in the Congre- gational church. That clock strikes the hours with one penetrating and urgent stroke, even in prayer-time. But that is a venerable clock, much more venerable, in fact, than ours. Whoever looks upon its face may read, " John Rogers, Newton, made and gave it, 1761." So it had been ticking for a century when the rebels fired on Sumter. This John Rogers is said to have been a lineal descendant of John Rogers the martyr, who was burned at Smithfield.
Our clock once suffered from a trouble well known in its family. The Willard clocks, when they reached a certain age,-just past majority,- had a way of showing a certain cutaneous affection about the face, in fact, of peeling; and Deacon Stone has recorded that in September, 1851, he took the clock down in a badly cracked and peeled condition, and had the face re- painted, and put it up again, on the front of the gallery.
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