History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 111

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 111

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The first settled pastor was the Rev. Augustus C. Swain, who was ordained and installed June 25, 1873. He remained with the church less than a year, being dismissed by council April 22, 1874.

The Rev. J. L. Wheeler commenced preaching here in April, 1874, as stated supply, till April 1, 1875. He was ordained in 1869, and came here from Gardi- ner, Mass.

The Rev. J. E. M. Wright became acting pastor July 7, 1875. He was ordained in 1852. He came

from the church in Upton, Mass. The five years of his labors with this church saw the membership of the society reach its largest number, and afterwards suffer from removals. Nearly thirty families in a short period removed from the town, among the number some of the most helpful members and officers of the church. A revival during the latter part of Mr. Wright's ministry here resulted in considerable gain in the membership of the church. Mr. Wright closed his relation April 1, 1880.

For nearly two years the pulpit was supplied by different ministers. In the spring of 1882 it was determined to secure a pastor for the church. In the mean time the chapel was frescoed, the expense being borne by the Ladies' Friendly Society, which from the first has been abundant in labors for the good of the church.

The Rev. Lewis W. Morey was ordained and installed pastor of the church Sept. 6, 1882.

For the sake of definiteness and precision, we will divide the sketch of this ancient parish into separate heads.

I. The Meeting-House .- The town of Needham, on Dec. 25, 1711, voted to build a house for public worship and granted eighty pounds for this purpose, one-half to be paid in money, the other half in labor.

1 By Rev. S. W. Bush.

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

When we consider all the circumstances, this enter- the building was finished. Gradually there came a change over the town. Two villages grew up around the railroad stations,-one at Needham Plains and the other at Grantville. The worshipers of the latter place organized another parish and dedicated a church. Thus the old meeting-house was away from the larger part of the congregation. It was, therefore, necessary to move it to the centre of popu- lation. So it was taken bodily on wheels in 1879 and rolled along the outskirts of the village and placed on its present location near the railroad station. It was entirely refitted, and is now an or- nament and a thing of use and beauty in the centre of the village on " the plain." prise evidenced both courage and faith. It was a costly undertaking. The inhabitants were scattered and lived by dint of the utmost frugality and econ- omy. The real difficulties were increased by a sharp division in respect to the site of the edifice. The | contest became so hot that an appeal was made to the General Court, and this august body appointed a com- mittee to fix the location. The various parties acqui- esced in the decision, even if they were not fully satis- fied. The work of building went on very slowly. The frame was raised in the summer of 1712, but it was not until the next year that money was voted by the town for glazing. Meanwhile services were held in the unfinished meeting-house. There is no re- cord of its being either finished or dedicated. These earnest worshipers were not dependent on cushioned seats, frescoed walls, and heated furnaces. They went in and out of this meeting-house until Sunday, Oct. 17, 1773. On this day a child was christened, and the pastor, the Rev. Mr. West, preached a sermon from Psalm iv. 5: " Offer the sacrifice of righteous- ness, and put your trust in the Lord." During the night following the neighbors were startled as they saw the meeting-house in flames. As the town voted a reward for the discovery of the person who set it on fire, we infer it was the act of an incendiary, but the culprit was never found. These frugal and hardy pioneers met their loss with stout hearts and voted in town meeting two hundred pounds towards rebuilding, and chose a committee of five to proceed at once with the work. The old feud about location again broke out, and the disagreement led to a division of the town into two precincts. The frame of the new house was raised either on the 3d or 4th of August, 1774, and in three weeks the services in the unfinished building were resumed. Gradually, though slowly, the house was finished and remained until 1811, when it was repaired with the addition of a " handsome tower," and on Nov. 15, 1811, a bell was hung and for the first time rung in the town. The same bell is used in | into controversy about the employment of " illiterate the edifice of the First Parish now on " the plains."

As an illustration of the reputation of this bell, the story is told that the meeting-house at Newton Upper Falls having had the bells, both proving unsatisfac- tory, the bell-makers maintained that the defect in tone was caused either by the location of the building or the construction of the tower. To test this the First Parish bell was loaned, and, as it rang out its clear, rich tones in Newton Upper Falls, the judg- ment was that the two bells were at fault.

The old meeting-house was taken down in 1835, and out of its timbers a new frame was made, and

II. The Ministers .- The First Parish has had a succession of faithful and devout ministers. As soon as the parish was organized, the people began to look out for a pastor. A large number of candidates were heard and five received calls to settle, but declined. But, nothing daunted, the people continued their quest. They held special days of fasting and prayer for guidance, and sought advice from the leading ministers of Boston and their neighborhood. After more than eight years of effort, on Dec. 29, 1719, they gave a unanimous call to Mr. Jonathan Town- send, whose acceptance, dated Jan. 25, 1720, was read in town-meeting, " to the great satisfaction of the people." Mr. Townsend was ordained March 23, 1720, and continued his ministry till Sept. 30, 1762, covering a period of forty-two years. The Rev. Stephen Palmer, in his "Century Sermon," thus draws his portrait: "Possessing strong powers of mind, cultivated and improved by education and study, he was enabled to think deeply and correctly." His accurate knowledge of dates, candor, and judg- ment were so marked that his advice was often sought both by his own parishioners and for the set- tlement of controversies and difficulties in the neigh- boring churches. His ministry as a whole was peaceful till, about 1746, the church was plunged teachers" and the right to have separate meetings among themselves. Mr. Townsend, like most of his ministerial brethren, regarded the ministry as an "appointed order of men who are separated unto the gospel of God." He also placed special stress on the importance and value of an educated ministry, so he set his face with firmness against the teaching and practice of the New Lights upon these matters. This led to a split, and some of the disaffected with- drew from the parish. "In the main," says Mr. Palmer, " he was happy with his people, sharing much in their affection and esteem."

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NEEDHAM.

After an interval of two years and seven months, during which period the people in a day of fasting and prayer sought for divine direction, Mr. Samuel West received a call on Nov. 7, 1763, from the church, and on December 5th, following, " the con- gregation concurred." He was ordained April 25, 1764, and continued his ministrations until Nov. 2, 1788, at which time he preached his last sermon. The separation really took place Jan. 12, 1789, when he was dismissed by a vote of the parish. Mr. West gave as a reason for his leaving " a difference of opinion with respect to ministerial support." The differences between the minister and parish so far as indebtedness was concerned was settled by a mutual agreement between the parties. The Rev. Thomas Thacher, as quoted by Dr. Palmer, describes him as " a man of talents, of extensive erudition, and of very amiable and polished manners. This is acknowledged by all who were acquainted with him. While he continued in the ministry here, he was esteemed a faithful and affectionate pastor ; and was highly ac- ceptable to the people of his charge."

The Rev. Stephen Palmer, after a lapse of four years, received a call June 11, 1792. The interval between this call and the resignation of Mr. West was a period of discouragement. But the few and faithful stood firm in their support of the parish. Mr. Hendricus Dow was invited to settle Aug. 2, 1790, but declined, and on June 11, Mr. Stephen Palmer received a call, and was ordained the 7th of November, 1792. Mr. Palmer was the son of a minister, and inherited from his father a love of knowledge. He graduated from Cambridge with academic honors, and entered upon the ministry with interest and devotion. It was dur- ing his life that what the historian, Hildreth, calls the spirit of latitudinarianism began to prevail. Mr. Palmer, though orthodox in his theological opinions, was liberal in his methods of study and conviction. The Rev. John White, of West Dedham, in his funeral discourse on the death of Mr. Palmer, quotes him as saying, "Every man will have a creed of his own. I have mine,-but have no right to impose it upon others, nor have others any right to impose theirs upon me. I have never viewed my opinions to be such mountains, as a different faith cannot remove, nor have I ever yet believed myself to be infallible. He who thinks he has no more light to receive, has seen but little, and he who is not open to convictions is in bondage to himself."

The ministry of Mr. Palmer was marked by fidelity both as a preacher and pastor. As an evidence of the acceptance of his ministrations there are no less than twenty of his publications, most of them either

sermons or addresses on special occasions. The memory of him still remains among the oldest sur- viving members of the parish as a pleasant tradition. He died Oct. 31, 1821.

At the death of Mr. Palmer, the parish at once proceeded to settle a new minister, and the Rev. Wil- liam Ritchie received a call Dec. 12, 1821. The period of his ministry was at the time the doctrinal controversy arose, which led to the separation of the New England Congregational Churches into two dis- tinct bodies known as the Orthodox and Unitarian. Mr. Ritchie sympathized with the Unitarians, and as the ministers of most of the old parishes in the neighborhood were of this drift, he was in fellowship with them. This was a source of disagreement on the part of some of his hearers who were inclined to the more orthodox belief. Still, his ministry was, as a whole, a very useful and harmonious one. Towards its close his health failed, and on Dec. 17, 1841, he resigned his active charge with the request that he might retain his relation as pastor. The correspond- ence between him and the parish abounds in the ex- pressions of mutual kindness and esteem. He alludes to the great changes which had taken place in the parish during his ministry, and expresses his deep interest in the future religious welfare of his beloved parishioners. The letter of the society in reply is both sympathetic and appreciative. His death, which took place Feb. 22, 1842, awakened a deeper feeling of tenderness, and the parish voted to pay his funeral expenses, and his people with loving care placed his remains in the grave, and carried with them the memory of his useful and devoted life.

The Rev. Lyman Maynard, a minister in fellow- ship with the Universalist Church, was installed as the successor of Mr. Ritchie, Sept. 8, 1842. Accord- ing to the arrangement with the parish the settle- ment was for an indefinite term, the parties being at liberty to dissolve the connection on giving each other six months' notice. When the call was given it was also voted that the parish committee call upon Mr. Maynard, and request that he should exchange with clergymen in the vicinity of different denomi- nations within convenient distance. The committee, it would seem, did not inform Mr. Maynard of this arrangement, for in a communication next year he said he would consent to exchange with the Rev. Mr. Partridge, of Newton, and the Rev. Mr. Spear, of Weymouth, both of whom were of the Universalist persuasion ; that had he been informed of the vote of the parish on this subject, he should have hesi- tated before accepting the call. He had known much disunion to grow out of such a course, and had

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

fears of the result. He hoped, however, for the best, and should use his utmost efforts to promote a spirit of harmony in the society. Mr. Maynard's connection closed in 1846, and then followed a series of short settlements. The Rev. C. H. A. Dall's min- istry was from Feb. 7, 1847, to Dec. 1, 1849; the Rev. James F. Hicks, from July 14, 1852, to De- cember, 1853. The Rev. George Channing supplied | the pulpit for the next two years. He was succeeded by Mr. Andrew N. Adams, who was ordained at Needham Nov. 21, 1855. After a brief ministry the Rev. William Barry was next settled, and his min- istry was both devoted and fruitful in good works. He was followed by the Rev. George H. Emerson, D.D., who supplied the pulpit with acceptance. In 1870, after his engagement ended, the society called the Rev. A. B. Voise, who also supplied, in addition, the pulpit of the Unitarian Church at Grantville. ! The service in the First Parish Church was held in the forenoon-that at Grantville in the afternoon. The next year the society at the latter place gave Mr. Voise a call to be their minister, and the Rev. S. W. Bush succeeded him, and still is minister of the First Parish.

III. The Parish and Church .- Like all the old Puritan Congregational Churches, the First Parish had a twofold organization known as the Parish and the ; of the Christian Church, the record adds, which re- Church. The parish organization was devoted chiefly quire a certificate of dismission as well as recommen- dation, this church will comply with request of those members who wish to join another branch of the one Christian Church. to the care of the financial affairs, and the records ' abound in illustrations of the difficulties of the volun- tary system for the support of religious institutions. ' For a long time the First Parish was the only reli- ! gious society in East Needham, and as diversities of religious opinions prevailed, added to the extreme in- dividualism which is inbred in New England Puri- | brother or sister, it was brought before the church. tanism, it was not always easy to raise the minister's salary. Still with these inherent difficulties the members of this old historic society maintained for successive generations the ministrations of the pulpit. The parish records, which have been kept with un- usual accuracy and care, contain full evidence of the earnest fidelity with which the cause of religion was maintained.

The church organization concerned itself with the spiritual affairs of the parish. It was embodied March 23, 1720, and on July 3d following the ordi- nance of the Lord's Supper was first administered, when about fifty communicants were present. Two | live and act together in love and favor, to which Capt. Cook said, Amen. Then the minister gave the tankard into Capt. Cook's hand ; he drank himself and drank to Capt. Fisher. We all drank ut sic finitur. So the matter ended."

deacons, Thomas Metcalf and Josiah Newell, were chosen, and a covenant was signed March 18, 1720. This covenant was very mildly orthodox in its state- ment of belief, and in no way bound its subscribers to a rigid creed. It was silent on those doctrines

which are called Calvinistic, and its definition of the Trinity would be accepted by those who are Sabel- lians. In 1764, October 19th, this covenant was re- newed by the members of the church with an addi- tion practical in its character. No mention is made of a belief in any specific doctrines which have since been emphasized by a large body of the New England Orthodox Congregational Churches. This covenant continued until about 1850, when a new one was adopted. In this, after an acknowledgment and con- fession of sin, the candidate is thus addressed by the minister : " You sincerely and solemnly give up your- selves to God the Father, whom you receive as your God. . . . to the Lord Jesus Christ, and receive him as made of God unto you, wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption." This covenant with verbal alterations, but the same in substance of doctrine, is still used.

In the idea of church-fellowship we can trace a gradual growth. At first the church refused to give members a dismission, and to recommend them to the Baptist, Methodist, and other communions, but in the course of time their ideas broadened, and July 19, 1840, it was voted " as there is but one Christian | Church in the world, they consider it improper to dis- miss from the church." But as there are branches

The early records of the church also abound in de- tails of proceedings growing out of some unchristian conduct. If a member had a grievance against a One incident which illustrates the early period is worthy of mention. In 1736 several of the brethren fell into hot disputes about certain personal matters so that they became angry. The affair was submitted to the church, and after a full hearing the disaffected brethren were exhorted to bury their differences in one common grave of forgetfulness, and for the time to come to live and act towards each other as Chris- tians. They agreed to do this. So, after singing a psalm, the Rev. Mr. Townsend called for a tankard of drink and drank to "the heretofore contending, but now reconciled brethren, praying that all might

The general trend of both church and parish was

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towards what is called liberal Christianity. So the First Parish, like many other old ones in the country, became either Universalist or Unitarian. At present the First Parish holds ecclesiastical relations with the Unitarians, and its members have a reasonable hope in a more prosperous future.

At this time, by reason of the recent death of Rev. A. Harvey and the removal from the town of Deacon The First Baptist Church.1-" During the year George Howland, the church was in a very weak 1853 the people of Needham Plains began to feel the | state. They engaged the services of Rev. S. F. importance of having stated evangelical worship in | Smith, D.D., of Newton. The first five years he this new and rapidly increasing village."

In 1854, Deacon George Howland, of the Second Baptist Church at Newton, employed at his own ex- pense Rev. Amos Webster to canvass the town and preach a few Sundays.

The first service was held September 24th, in the old school-house corner of Great Plain Avenue and | Webster Street, and was attended by fifty-six persons in the morning and seventy-four in the afternoon. In connection a Sunday-school was established, with Deacon George Howland as superintendent.

A subscription paper was put in circulation about this time and nearly two thousand dollars pledged. A society was formed and a house of worship soon com- menced, large enough to seat about four hundred in the audience-room and two hundred in the vestry, at a cost of four thousand two hundred dollars. The vestry only was finished and was opened to public worship early in June, 1855.

The building is situated on the corner of Great Plain and Highland Avenues.

Rev. Amos Webster continued to preach till the following October, when he resigned, and the desk was supplied by different preachers for some time.

May 26, 1856, the church was organized with twenty-five members, George Howland, deacon, and C. M. Dinsmore, clerk. A council, composed of pastors and delegates from ten Baptist Churches, was held June 11th, and the church was recognized as "an independent and regular Baptist Church." Rev. Banson Stow, D.D., preached the sermon on that occasion. A beautiful communion service was pre- sented by Mrs. Nancy Kingsbury.

June 22d the first baptism took place, at which four candidates were immersed and received into the church.

December 7th, Rev. A. F. Willard accepted a call to become its pastor. He remained with the church nine years, although, on account of ill health, he was absent about a year. All this time the church was in debt and the people poor. But he labored faith- fully for the love of the cause, part of the time with-

out any stated salary. On account of ill health he was obliged to resign, Nov. 12, 1865. During his term of office twenty-eight were received from other churches and eighteen baptized.

was with the church hardly money enough could be raised to meet the running expenses, and in the autumn of 1869, when Deacon John Burnham and the clerk, Brother G. F. de Leesdenier, died, it seemed as though the enterprise must be given up. It was at this time that the male members were so few that one man, Deacon William Moseley, held every office in the church, and was also superin- tendent of the Sunday-school. But the faithful efforts and self-denial of the few left were not in vain, and soon the church was strengthened by the addition of new members. In the year 1871 sixteen were baptized and five added by letter, the church debt was paid, principal and interest, amounting to seven hundred and thirty-four dollars, and early in the next year preparations for finishing the audience-room were commenced, and by June all was completed and hand- somely furnished, at an expense of four thousand one hundred and fifty-four dollars, about one thousand of which was raised by the exertions of the pastor in other places.

The house was dedicated, free from debt, June 5, 1872, and a vote passed that the pews should be free. The sermon on this occasion was preached by Rev. William Lamson, D.D., of Brookline.

Aug. 1, 1873, the pastor resigned, having labored with marked success for seven years, twenty-six hav- ing been received by baptism and fourteen by letter.

Dec. 23, 1873, Rev. S. G. Abbott became pastor. During his stay quite a number of improvements were made in the church property, fifteen persons added by baptism, and fourteen by letter. Owing to the removal of several men of means from our town and the general depression of business, the church was unable to continue its relation with the pastor, and he resigned July 1, 1876.

Rev. A. T. Spaulding was settled March, 1877, and labored with good success for eight months, when he died instantly with heart-disease. He was much loved and respected by the church and community.

Rev. S. F. Smith, D.D., again supplied the pulpit until Aug. 29, 1880, when he left for a two-years' trip among the mission-fields in Europe and Asia.

Rev. E. A. Read was called to be pastor June,

1 By Thomas Sutton, Esq.

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

1881, and continued two years, during which time various plans to aid the benevolent organizations of the denomination were formed, which have been quite successful. Since then the old friend of the church, Rev. S. F. Smith, D.D., has supplied the pulpit.

Within a few years a new furnace, organ, and chandelier have been purchased, and the buildings put in good repair and painted, all debts paid, and some money is now in the treasury. The future prosperity seems assured, and the church has ex- tended a call to the Rev. W. H. Clark, of South Norridgewock, Me., to become its pastor. He will commence his labors in February, 1884.

canceling of its debt, and large success has been at- tained. The pastors of this society, in conformity with the itinerant usage of Methodism, have been as follows: J. W. Coolidge, 1867-68; Stephen Cush- ing, 1869-70 ; S. H. Noon, 1871-73; G. R. Bent, 1874-76; W. Silverthorn, 1877; Stephen Cushing, 1878-79; R. W. Harlow, 1880-81; Z. A. Mudge, 1882-83.

CHAPTER XLIII.

NEEDHAM-(Continued).

THE PRESS-CIVIL HISTORY-MILITARY RECORD.

The Needham Chronicle-Changes in Boundary-Line-Valua- tion-Population-Documentary-Representatives -Select- men-Town Clerks-Treasurers-Military Record.

The Needham Chronicle .- The publication of the Needham Chronicle and Wellesley Advertiser, Methodist Episcopal Church, Highlandville.1 --- The Methodist Episcopal Church of Highlandville, a village of Needham, was organized in April, 1867, and the Rev. John W. Coolidge, of the New Eng- land Conference, was appointed its pastor. Previous to this time many influential families of the vicinity had been connected with the Methodist Church in Newton Upper Falls ; its pastors had held frequent religious services among them, resulting, especially in the first paper printed in this town, was founded in 1874 by George W. Southworth, a native of Stough- ton, this county, who had had previous journalistic experience at Stoughton and Marlborough, in response to the express desire for a local paper by the most prominent citizens. The Chronicle enjoys a circula- tion in neighboring towns. At the incorporation of Wellesley the words " and Wellesley Advertiser" were dropped from the heading, and an edition called 1865-66, in a large addition from Highlandville to 1 the Wellesley Advertiser issued since that time for Wellesley. The Chronicle is still under the able management of Mr. Southworth.

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 111

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534