USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wakefield > History of the First Baptist Church in Wakefield, Mass., 1800-1900 > Part 4
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advocated, and then "dismissed the assembly." This was the end. From certain points of view, both men, it might be claimed, were right, but the pastor thought both out of time and tune suffi- ciently to justify applying the cloture.
In 1865, an abiding source of joy was given us in a most refreshing work of grace. It was a shower, gentle, sweet, powerful, though not ex- tensive in time or in the number gathered into the church. The quality of the work was unexcep- tionable, the results enduring. The church is still enjoying the strength of it. Two young men were brought into the kingdom at that time. I must write their names, Alfred S. Stowell and Robert N. Howard. There was a much larger number of girls, and every one of them, so far as I know, " has witnessed a good confession" for thirty-five years. Though I have had very little personal knowledge of these whom I then saw coming into the kingdom and whom I had the privilege of baptizing, they have been, more than they will ever know in this world, "my joy and crown." This gracious visitation came in the late summer, and its first sign appeared the evening before the pastor was to leave on his vacation - a little later than usual. The vacation was given up. How easily to the pastor !
The last ten or eleven months of my pastorate were months of sore trial to the pastor and doubt- less to the church, though of this he received no
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hint. Generous sympathy was manifested to him in his physical prostration. The pulpit was well supplied by brethren from abroad. Some of the time during the ten months, the pastor did more or less pastoral work, but a cloud was over him and over his relation to the church. When it be- came clear that only a prolonged rest could give hope of further usefulness in the ministry, he resigned. This action was a positive wrench, but a wrench evidently called for by Providence. How can a christian minister surrender his pastoral position without serious pain! It was a comfort that the church also shared the pastor's trial these anxious months, and at the end.
Rev. George Bullen D.D., was born in New Sharon, Me. He graduated from Waterville Col- lege, now Colby, in the class of 1853, which college later conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He entered the Newton Theological Institution, graduating in 1858. He was ordained pastor of the church in Skowhegan, Me., in 1860, and entered the army as chaplain in 1863. After his pastorate here he was settled in 1868 as pastor of the church in Pawtucket, R. I. He resigned his pastorate with that church in 1891 to accept a. chair in the Newton Theological Institution and the secretaryship of the Northern Baptist Educa- tion Society. He reentered the pastorate in New London, N. H., January 1, 1900, which position he still occupies.
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CHAPTER VII.
In January, 1867, Rev. James W. Willmarth, who had been on the field, as acting pastor, since the departure of Dr. Bullen, was invited to settle with them. The invitation was accepted and after an enforced absence of six weeks he entered upon his pastorate here early in March. The interest which had developed under his earlier labors con- tinued on his return, and during the spring and summer many were added to the church by bap- tism.
In October the Salem Association met again with this church, having accepted its hospitality once before in 1853.
The Associational gatherings in those days were of much more interest to the churches than now, and "were anticipated as the crowning religious event of the year. They occupied two full days, the second Wednesday and Thursday of the month, and were preceded by the Ministers' Union Tues- day afternoon. The delegates and visitors were entertained by the families of the church and society at their homes. Many warm and lifelong friendships were formed at these gatherings. This year the attendance was very large, the committee of the church subsequently reporting an
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attendance of six hundred persons. The clerk of the church proudly records "Yet were all accom- modated, and, apparently, to the satisfaction of all the guests. The brethren and sisters and friends threw open their houses and extended a hearty welcome. Many families accommodated (on the first day) ten to thirty persons each. It was done cheerfully and with feelings of pleasure."
At the annual meeting, April 24, 1868, the church adopted, in substance, the present method of electing the officers of the Sunday school, for- merly elected by the school, and appointing a com- mittee to have charge of this department of its work.
May 10th, the church celebrated the semi-cen- tennial of its Sunday school. Unfortunately we find no record of this important event except in the History of Reading, and there only a state- ment of the fact.
In August, 1869, Mr. Willmarth, for reasons which he states elsewhere, tendered his resigna- tion to take effect the first of October. The resig- nation was accepted, and on the above date was closed a brief, but especially interesting and profitable pastorate.
Brother Willmarth has kindly placed in the hands of the writer reminiscences of his pastorate here which we regret we are unable to print entire, but we trust nothing of importance, bearing upon the history of this church, has been omitted.
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REMINISCENCES OF MY PASTORATE AT WAKE- FIELD, BY DR. WILLMARTH.
My previous pastorates were at Metamora, Ill., and Amenia, N. Y. After serving the Baptist church at Rockport, Mass., as stated supply, for about five months (summer and fall of 1866), I intended to seek a field of labor in the more genial climate of the Middle States; but being invited to preach for the church in South Reading -now Wakefield -I arrived there Nov. 30, 1866, and preached the next Sunday, Dec. 2, for the first time. Within perhaps about two weeks some religious interest began to appear. The celebrated D. L. Moody, now gone to his rest, held one meeting in the Congregational church. Several young persons, including some young ladies of the Baptist congregation, rose as inquirers in that meeting. The South Reading brethren, with whom God gave me favor, urged me to remain, at least for a while, to lead them and labor with them. This I did, throughout the month of December, preaching the gospel on Sundays and at the two evening meetings-Tuesday and Friday -then maintained by the church. The interest increased ; several professed to believe in Jesus.
About the New Year (1867) I was disabled by a severe cold, or influenza, and shut in by a great blocking snow-storm. I did not improve rapidly, and therefore as soon as I was able retired (Jan.
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24) to my father's house for recuperation, he being then pastor at Pondville, Vt. Notwithstanding my illness, and in spite of the ominous predictions of some in regard to my health, the church called me to the pastorate before I left South Reading. I had ample time for consideration during my stay in' Vermont, hesitating long about giving up my former plan; but at last, guided as I hoped by divine providence, I accepted the call. I arrived at South Reading March 8, and held my first service - a prayer-meeting-as pastor that evening.
During my comparatively brief pastorate we held no "protracted meetings." But at the beginning there was a good deal of special interest, and converts from time to time came into the church in connection with our regular work, including personal conversation by the pastor and inquiry meetings. Twenty-four were baptized, of whom four were public school teachers; one of these, Miss Jane S. Turnbull, afterwards became my wife. While I was at Wakefield I preached two hundred seventy sermons, two hundred four- teen at Wakefield; baptized twenty-two of the twenty-four who were baptized, married seven couples and officiated at thirty-three funerals. Feeling a great interest in a pure version of the Bible, I promoted quite a general circulation of the Bible Union New Testament, which was used in public and social services.
At the town meeting in 1868, my fellow citizens
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of South Reading -soon to be known as Wake- field -did me the honor to elect me a member of the school committee for a term of three years. This trust I was obliged to resign before my term expired on account of removal from the town. Dea. Edward Mansfield was the efficient superin- tendent of the Sunday school during the whole of my pastorate. Dea. A. G. Sweetser had a large and deeply interested adult Bible class.
In 1867 the younger element desired to hold something of the nature of a church fair. It was without precedent and the idea awakened some opposition. I gave my support and assistance on condition that no feature should be introduced to which I should object. By this pledge, loyally observed, it was assured that nothing having the taint of gambling or impropriety or offensive to any reasonable christian, should find place; and this effort, the first of its kind, passed off pleasantly and successfully.
My pastorate at Wakefield was a very pleasant one. Slight drawbacks there always are and I can see now that I may sometimes have lacked the wisdom that comes by experience to those who will learn; but I preached the gospel- "the Ancient Gospel " we used often to call it, meaning the old, true gospel just as it is given in the New Testament - as well as I knew how and fearlessly, and I had a host of devoted friends. There were then only two deacons, Albert G. Sweetser, still
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living, honored and active at the age of eighty-five, and Edward Mansfield, who died in 1898, at the age of eighty-five, universally loved and respected. These two men stood by me, as Aaron and Hur stood by Moses; I shall never forget their love, loyalty and efficiency. There were many others, faithful brethren and noble women, not a few, a large number of whom have passed over Jordan, to a happier clime, and some of whom remain to this day, whose true piety and warm fidelity to their pastor are ever to be remembered.
In the summer of 1869 I received a unanimous call to become pastor of the church in Pemberton, N. J., and after careful deliberation accepted the call. Among the reasons which had weight was the matter of climate and the difference in Sunday services. At Pemberton there was preaching morning and evening and Sunday school in the afternoon. At Wakefield there was preaching A. M. and P. M. Sunday school preceding the P. M. service and a prayer meeting in the evening. This made three services for the pastor and rendered it impracticable for me to pay much attention to the Sunday school, except in a general way.
I recall with great pleasure the excellence of the prayer meetings at Wakefield. They were gener- ally well attended and we had a large force of men gifted in prayer and able to speak to edification. It always seemed to me that this church excelled in that respect.
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It has always been to me a source of great joy that my pastorate at Wakefield ended at a time when everything was prosperous and happy, so that pastor and people parted from each other with unbroken affection and with sincere regret on both sides.
From Pemberton, N. J., Rev. Mr. Willmarth went to the Roxborough Church, Philadelphia, Pa., in 1878, where he still retains his pastorate, loved by his church, and honored and esteemed by his brethren in the ministry. An able preacher, scholarly, profound and original in his thought, a. pungent writer, and above all crowned with ardent piety, he worthily bears the degrees of Doctor of Divinity and Doctor of Laws conferred upon him.
Although the church was unable to settle a pastor during the year 1870, it was blessed with a. deep religious interest. Many were converted and united with the church.
April 9, 1871, Dea. Mansfield resigned his office of superintendent of the Sunday school, which position he had held twenty-three consecutive years to a day. At the annual meeting, the 14th inst., brother Henry L. Haskell was elected his. successor. Wednesday evening following, the 19th inst., there was a large gathering at a reunion of the past and present members of the Sunday school, when an original poem was read by Miss Georgie L. Heath. During its recital she
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presented to Dea. Mansfield, in behalf of the school and its friends, a gold watch, as an expression of regard for him, and appreciation of his labors as superintendent for twenty-three years. From this somewhat lengthy poem we venture to insert the following beautiful lines :
"In memory of the many happy hours That we have found within each passing year, We offer you this token of remembrance With our best wishes and our love sincere.
Let it remind you of that heavenly city, Where watchers stand at every pearly gate;
Where on the golden pavements walk the angels, And on the crystal sea the ransomed wait.
There is a morn whose fadeless glories brighten, As year by year eternally flows on ;
And in the country that its rays do brighten,
Christ's chosen ones each wear a starry crown,"
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CHAPTER VIII.
Two months from this time the church passed through a fiery ordeal. The capacity of the church edifice which they occupied on the corner of Main and Crescent streets, and which had been enlarged in 1853, proving now inadequate, the society decided to build a new one and to this end had secured the large area, now occupied by them, for that purpose. Work on the foundation had not begun when, on the night of the 21st of June their old edifice was destroyed by an incendiary fire. Everything was saved from the church with the exception of the organ and all the furniture of the singers' gallery which could not be got at ... The large clock in the vestry was also lost. The pulpit desk and furniture, the communion table, melodeon, carpets, cushions, etc., were all safely removed. The old pulpit sofa now occupies a place on the platform of the large vestry of this. church. On the church there was an insurance of $8,000, and on the organ of $1,000.
The loss of their meeting house demanded prompt action in rebuilding and six days after the fire (June 27th), ground was broken for the new edifice.
It was a sad company that gathered at the
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Covenant meeting in a room "in the south-east corner of the new Town House " the last evening of the month. But God gave them a rich blessing that evening in the person of one whose heart was set to music and his lips to song, which were consecrated to God and have been generously given to the services of the sanctuary through the passing years. The first business of that meeting was to receive into the membership of the church Henry P. Pinkham from the First Baptist church in Nashua, N. H.
Tuesday, Aug. 22d, at six o'clock in the after- noon, a concourse of people gathered about the foundation of the new meeting house to witness the laying of the corner stone of the new edifice. The exercises were in charge of Mr. G. H. Sweetser, chairman of the building committee. Prayer was offered by Rev. George Bullen, followed by singing by the choir. Among the speakers were Rev. J. W. Willmarth, the last settled pastor of the church, and Rev. George Bullen, his immediate predecessor. Jonas Evans, an aged member of this church, who was present at the laying of the corner stone of the first meeting house erected by this church, on Salem street, seventy-one years before, gave interesting remin- iscences connected with that occasion. The following hymn, written for this service by Miss Georgie L. Heath, was then sung by the congre- gation with fine effect.
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[ TUNE, SILVER STREET. ]
Bring forth the corner stone, Before our waiting eyes, Whereon to God's eternal name Shall our fair temple rise.
On Christ, the Corner Stone, Another temple stands, Guarded by God the Father's eye, And fashioned by His hands.
'Tis built of living stones ! And through eternal days, Shall court and transept, arch and aisle Be vocal with His praise.
Prosper, O God, the work Our hands have now begun ! Till we shall hail it as complete, And sing with joy, " 'tis done ! "
Before the stone was placed in position Mr. Sweetser read the following list of articles contained in the copper box.
Historical sketch of the Baptist church in Wakefield, with the Articles of Faith.
A brief statistical record of said church from its organization to the present time.
Memoirs of Dea. Jacob Eaton and Elder George Evans.
Copies of the Christian Watchman and Reflector, the Christian Era, Wakefield Banner, Baptist Missionary Magazine, and the Fifty-seventh Annual Report of the American Baptist Missionary Union.
A copy of the New Version of the New Testament presented by Rev. J. W. Willmarth, former pastor.
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A hymn written by Miss Georgie L. Heath, to be sung at the corner stone this day.
A brief history of the Baptist society in Wakefield, with a list of its officers.
A brief sketch of the Sabbath school, with the names of its present officers and teachers.
Two stereoscopic views presented by Mr. Richardson the artist. One is a view of the Baptist Meeting House taken in 1870. And the other is a view of the ruins of the same house, taken on the morning of the 22d of June, 1871, while the fire companies were yet upon the spot.
A gold dollar, deposited by John Rayner of this town, being a portion of his compensation for serving as one of the three months men in 1861, and also being the first payment made by this Government to the soldiers in the war of the great Rebellion.
Various denominations of currency now in use in the United States.
A portrait of Captain Littlefield, drawn with a pen, while he was in the act of making the box in which these articles are deposited.
The stone was then hoisted and adjusted into its place by deacons Edward Mansfield and Albert G. Sweetser, assisted by Messrs. William K. Perkins and Samuel Conant.
Rev. Mr. Willmarth concluded the services with prayer.
Nearly thirty years have passed since that eventful summer day. Time has wrought its changes. Many of that little company who participated in the service of that hour in prayer and praise have gone to " the city which hath the foundations, whose architect and maker is God."
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New faces are seen in the stately edifice that rose above those foundation stones. Another choir leads the congregation in song, and other lips proclaim the divine message to men; but they sing the sweet old hymns they loved to sing, and hearts respond to the gospel they loved to hear.
"Surely the people is grass. The grass wither- eth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever."
During the year occupied in building the new edifice the services of the church were well main- tained, and a goodly number added to its membership. Many desirable men were invited to the pastorate but declined the call. Just as the year was closing a call was given to Rev. Richard M. Nott of Aurora, Ill., and accepted.
Sunday, June 23, 1872, after worshiping just one year in the Town Hall, with joyful hearts the church held its first services in the vestry of the new edifice, with sermons by Rev. John N. Mur- dock D.D., of Boston, late Secretary of the American Baptist Missionary Union. Those who have listened to this great and good man can well imagine the fitness and inspiration of his discourses on this occasion.
When Rev. Mr. Nott began his labors with the church, Sunday, August 4, 1872, they had been without a pastor nearly three years. We know not what causes led to this long interim, possibly it were not desirable to state them if known, but a
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large portion of the spirit of the fathers must have rested upon the church that they should have passed safely through this pastorless period, under the peculiar circumstances in which they were placed, without a falling away of many, but rather with additions to their number; for during this period forty-eight were added to the membership of the church.
The new meeting house was not completed till the following December, at a cost of land, building and furnishing, of $70,000. It was dedicated the IIth of that month, with an appropriate sermon by the pastor. It is well the church did not see the shadow, nor feel the burden of the coming years. They faced a debt of $40,000 with a confidence that seemed well placed in view of the resources at their command.
June 24, 1873, the Sunday School Convention of the Salem Association met with the church. The attendance was very large, the church enter- taining about five hundred guests from out of town.
September 9th the church adopted a measure which she has wisely retained, requiring "that all letters from other bodies, dismissing members to this church, should receive the approbation of at least a majority of the Standing Committee of the church before being presented for action." At this time, and for many years previous, the church had required of those received by letter a relation
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of their religious experience at the meeting when received, or subsequently at an early date. This requirement, in later years, has fallen into disuse. In many churches the applicant for membership by letter is required to appear in person before the church committee for examination, a prudential measure that has much in its favor.
Early in the following year ( 1874) Rev. Mr. Nott through failing health, was compelled to resign the pastorate of the church. This he did the last of February to take effect the following July. The last Sunday of his pastorate he was permitted to baptize seven persons into the membership of the church, including his eldest daughter.
Under date of Thursday, November 26th, we find the following statement in the church records. "The annual Thanksgiving Day-the Baptists held separate meeting in their own house of worship. Heretofore, for many years the Congregationalists, Baptists and Methodists have held a union meeting. Our brethren thought there were good reasons for meeting separately and assume no responsibility for the 'liberal' acts of other denominations in regard to the worship on this day. Rev. Mr. Nott preached from Psalm 67: 3, 4. 'Let the people praise thee,' etc."
The liberal acts and reasons to which the clerk refers were these. One of the churches in the town refused to unite in a union Thanksgiving service, as heretofore, unless the Universalist
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Society were invited to associate with them. This church recognizing that such a step would be a practical recognition and fellowship of the Univer- salist Society as a christian church, and its minister as a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, making no distinction between an evangelical and unevan- gelical church and ministry, consistently withheld their consent. As a result of this action from that time each of the evangelical churches held separate Thanksgiving services for many years.
Early in the year 1875 there was a religious awakening, beginning in the Congregational church and extending into this church where it steadily increased, calling for special meetings. These at first were conducted by the church alone until the services of Rev. Dr. Cummings of Con- cord, N. H., were secured, who continued with them two weeks, until the arrival of Rev. Charles Keyser D.D. of Trenton, N. J., whom the church had called to the pastorate.
Dr. Keyser began his ministry here the 21st of March, and the first Sunday of the following month he was permitted to baptize and welcome into the church thirteen hopeful converts. Taking up the work awaiting him Dr. Keyser prosecuted it with commendable zeal, and the church enjoyed a pre- cious revival and ingathering, in which the power of God was manifested in a marked degree.
At meetings for the relation of christian experi- ence, prior to reception for baptism, which were
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open to the public, we read in one instance that four hundred persons were present, and in another instance of three hundred present. During the year forty were added to the church by baptism. Prominent among those who are the most steadfast and faithful in the church today are those who were gathered in as the fruits of that revival.
It was the last ingathering of the faithful ministry of Brother Keyser. At the beginning of the fol- lowing year (1877) his health began to fail and despite months of cessation from labor he fell asleep in Jesus September 2Ist in the house of a friend where he was visiting, in his fifty-first year. The Sunday preceding his death he occupied his pulpit and preached from the significant words " What have I done?" Jer. 8:6. What he had done for the glory of God and the welfare of others is recorded in the imperishable annals of Heaven. Rev. Charles Keyser D.D. was born in Albany, N. Y., May 13, 1827. He received his literary and theological education at Madison, now Colgate, University and Rochester Theological Seminary. He was ordained at Wallingford, Conn., in 1851. He was pastor at Mount Norris, Niagara Falls and Binghamton, N. Y .; in Providence, R. I .; in Philadelphia, Pa .; and in Trenton, N. J. ; before his settlement here. He had a clear mind; was logical, orthodox, fearless and faithful; and the multitude of his friends lamented his early and unexpected death.
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