USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > History of the First Universalist Church in Somerville, Mass., illustrated : a souvenir of the fiftieth anniversary, celebrated February 15-21, 1904 > Part 2
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Up to 1861, it was the custom to have two sermons each Sunday, morning and afternoon. September 1, 1861, Rev. B. K. Russ was engaged as pastor for one year, with the understanding that there should be one service each Sunday. In April, 1862, he was settled as permanent pastor, and thus the custom of engaging the minister by the year was for the time abandoned.
In March, 1862, John Dugan, Louis Horton, and C. L. .
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Shaw were admitted to membership. In March, 1864, W. D. Barnett, L. P. Hollander, S. W. Fuller, W. H. Pierce, A. Eddy, D. B. Perkins, B. P. Lovejoy, G. W. Daniels, and D. W. Hapgood were added, and in March, 1865, J. E. Carver, Obadiah Merritt, and C. B. Hollander were admitted.
Up to this time ('65), Edwin Munroe, Jr., had been treasurer, but now declined the nomination, and Stephen W. Fuller was chosen to fill his place. Mr. Munroe was, however, again elected chairman of the standing committee, holding this latter position until 1867.
During the pastorates of Rev. D. H. Clark and Rev. Benjamin K. Russ, sociables were held frequently at the homes of some of the parishioners. These were well attended, and were lively and entertaining. Games were indulged in, and music, and, in some houses, dancing added to the attractiveness of these occasions. Among the games most popular were "Copenhagen," "Turn the Cover," "Blind Man's Buff," "Pillow," and others which have long since been outgrown because, probably, of our urban environment all these later years. We of the younger element of those years look back with many pleasant memories of the attractive features of those so- ciables, particularly when we found ourselves at certain homes.
These years, 1861 to 1866, were years of war, as well,-years of anxiety, years of sorrow and mourning: The frequent calls for volunteers kept the town, in a way, excited; martial music from time to time, and the de- parture of this company and that for the South, stirred up the people to a realizing sense of the struggle and the magnitude of the undertaking.
When, as the fighting progressed, it was considered of the first importance to care for the wounded and sick in the army hospitals, especially after a great battle had been fought, the Sunday services were practically given up, that the men and women might prepare lint and
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bandages and other supplies to be rushed to the front for the help of the poor fellows maimed and bleeding. Then busy hands filled many barrels and packing-cases, and started them on their mission of good will. With the contributions went the earnest prayers of the workers for the success of the Union armies, and particularly for the safety of the brave boys from our own firesides.
On the eve of departure, it was a common thing for a company of recruits to attend services in some church, and I recall an instance when a company attended the Sunday service in this church,-a fine body of young, stalwart, physically perfect manhood, the very best of the community,-for war always demands the best to do its bidding. That the parish contributed its portion I have no hesitation in affirming; the older of you can recall readily the individuals that went out from amongst us.
During these years an innovation was introduced; the pastor appeared in ministerial gown, a practice which was continued during the entire term of his pastorate.
In March and April, 1866, J. C. Appleton, James M. Clark, John Viall, John B. Johnson, Horace Haskins, David Sanborn, Jr., Caleb B. Bradbury, T. J. Colby, and W. W. Merrick were added to the list of members. In March, 1867, Charles G. Pope and Albert H. Russell were voted in.
The wooden church was burned on the night of Janu- ary 21, 1868, meeting the common fate of nearly every church and schoolhouse in the town. In three days ar- rangements were made whereby Sunday services were held in the hall of the Prescott schoolhouse in East Somerville, the pew-owners agreeing to pay the same rental there that they had been paying in the church.
Agitation at once began concerning a location for the proposed new building, and Rev. B. K. Russ, B. S. Bin- ney, Edwin Munroe, Jr., Erastus E. Cole, George W. Hadley, and Caleb Rand were appointed to take the matter into consideration and report at a later meeting.
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Two sites were named, located on the two corners of Cross street and Runey place. The original location had its advocates, but a suggestion to re-locate there was voted down several times. The parish, by a vote of twenty to fourteen, decided upon the Stevens lot, so called, one of the two before mentioned, and a committee was empowered to procure a bond for a deed. The situation was strained, the feeling was intense. The ad- vocates of the new location considered the change of vital consequence to the parish. The railroad was becoming more and more an objection. On the other hand, the parish was poor; the new location, if purchased, meant a material addition to the cost of the new structure. The original lot, by the terms of its deed, could not be sold by the parish, but if abandoned, reverted to Mr. Tufts or his heirs; and after a protracted struggle, the old loca- tion was finally agreed upon, and this present building erected in due course of time, an additional strip of land adjoining the original lot being purchased of Nathan Tufts, the better to accommodate the needs of the parish. For a number of years a row of horse-sheds stood on part of the land now covered by Social Hall. This de- cision caused some of the advocates of the new location to withdraw from the parish.
Charles Williams, who had been clerk of the parish since 1854, declined a re-election at the annual meeting in March, 1871. His death occurred June 30, 1871.
The parish could hardly be said to prosper during the years from 1870 to 1873. The interest was noticeably less,-quite a number had given up their sittings, and a desire to make a change in the pastorate was more and more apparent. Mr. Russ was aware of the feeling, and at the annual meeting in March, 1873, he sent in his res- ignation. There were more withdrawals from the parish when Mr. Russ left us,-so many, indeed, that it was feared that the parish might be seriously crippled, but the very fact of the marked dropping off only seemed to
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stimulate those who remained to greater effort, to larger sacrifice for the cause. The vacancies were soon made good, and the affairs of the parish assumed their normal condition.
Among those added to the parish during the succeed- ing months were some great workers, who have done much during all these years past to establish the society on a firm basis, Mr. and Mrs. Horatio Williams, George Stevens, George D. Haven, S. R. Briggs, James and Lewis Lombard being among those added.
It was at such critical times as this that the Ladies' Sewing Circle did great work for the parish. Always of the utmost value in furthering the objects of the society, always alert and abounding in resourceful methods for replenishing the treasury, or of imparting new life to the flagging courage or the wilting enthusiasm of the over- worked parishioners, they stood as an object lesson of indomitable devotion and loyalty to the cause of this church. Upon occasions without number, it was their attitude and their optimism, their magnificent executive ability, and their resourcefulness and stick-to-it-iveness that saved the society from certain disintegration. To the honor of the society be it said that from the very organization of the parish there have been closely, vitally connected with it many women of exceptional mental capacity and marked administrative and executive ability. All the way along have these traits stood forth, the pres- ent members comparing well with those of the years gone by. Still eminently devoted and characteristically loyal, the society can but prosper with their help, and the cause of Universalism must receive an added lustre because these lives have been wrought into its very tenets, and have graced the progress of its development in the hearts of the old First Parish of Somerville.
There was no decision as to the successor of the Rev. B. K. Russ for eight or nine months. On December 6, 1873, the standing committee was authorized to give
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Rev. George L. Demarest a call, at a salary of $2,000 a year; the singular thing about it was that the call was never extended, but in three weeks' time the vote whereby the standing committee was authorized to call Mr. Demarest was re-considered, and in its stead a vote was passed to call the Rev. George H. Vibbert.
The coming of Mr. Vibbert was the occasion of re- newed and added interest in the affairs of the parish. He attracted people to the church. The high tide of numerical prosperity and general interest in parish affairs was reached. At the regular Sunday morning meetings every available seat was occupied, while at the evening services the throngs literally surged into the church. Extra seats were brought in, every aisle was crowded. The preacher's presentation of Universalism was pointed and forcible, given in a manner that held the undivided attention of the great audience. The eloquence and versatility of the minister were greatly appreciated and favorably commented upon. When the congregation was dismissed, the sidewalks, yes, the streets near by were crowded with the people wending their way home- ward.
Accessions continued, and the preacher declared it necessary to build an addition to the meeting-house. For a time it seemed that such a course would be advis- able. So great was the interest in the work of the parish, that nearly every evening in the week some attractive programme was being carried out whereby the society would be benefited; and to most of us it seemed that we were at the church more than in our homes. Soon after his coming, in March, 1874, at a sociable and sup- per given in the vestry, the matter of paying the church debt, amounting at this time to $13,800, was discussed, and an attempt made to provide for its payment. A call for subscriptions resulted in pledges for $14,600, or more by $800 than the amount of the indebtedness. These pledges were payable in installments, with the
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usual result that only about half enough money was raised to pay the outstanding obligations, for we find the debt stated a little later as being $7,200.
In 1875, '76, and '77 Mr. Vibbert was re-elected, but the enthusiasm in the later years of his pastorate had died out, and the congregations had dwindled greatly. In July, 1877, he resigned.
As had been the custom whenever the parish was without a pastor, many candidates were heard, but not till December, 1877, did the parish decide upon a suc- cessor, when the standing committee was authorized to invite the Rev. W. S. Ralph to become the pastor, a posi- tion which he held until the summer of 1880. It was during the pastorate of Mr. Ralph, January 21, 1879, that the parish received a bequest of $5,000 from Mrs. Han- nah Tufts, widow of the late Charles Tufts, and she pro- vided that a portion of the amount should be used to purchase and put in position in the church tower a clock and bell. The great blank dials had stared from the tower for ten years; the lack of a church bell had been a sore trial to the parish all these years. Therefore, when it became known that Mrs. Tufts had left money to the parish, a part of which must be used to procure both clock and bell, the gratitude and joy of the members were manifest in a marked degree. It was considered worthy of a great demonstration, and arrangements were made to celebrate, March 2, 1880, the completion of the work. The bell and the hangings, including the hoisting into the tower, cost $848.84. The clock complete, $500. Necessary repairs of the tower, $369.67. The total, $1,718.51. The remainder of the bequest was applied toward the payment of the debt of the society.
The celebration of this event took the form of an ex- cellent supper and entertainment, which were enjoyed by a large gathering. After supper the company assembled in the church, where a musical and literary programme was presented. It opened with a piano solo by Miss
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Emma Taylor, which was followed by the reading of these original verses, by Mrs. Nancy Thorning Munroe, entitled "The Clock and the Bell" :-
Silent for years stood the steeple tower, It never summoned to prayer, Nor told the years of the sainted dead, Nor greeted the bridal pair.
The hours went by, but it gave no sign, Of their flight no record kept ; It never startled the watcher's ear, Nor awakened those who slept.
The people gathered for prayer and praise, Though no bell swung in the tower ; And greetings gave on the Sabbath morn, Though no clock struck forth the hour.
A voice said, "Place in your house of prayer, That the people all may hear, A clock to measure the passing hours, And a bell both loud and clear."
So they builded a scaffold stout and strong, And up in the steeple tower
They placed a bell of sonorous sound, And a clock to strike the hour.
And for this we hold a joyous feast ; Let her name be treasured well,
Whose bounty gave to our silent tower The voices of clock and bell.
Be mute no longer, from steeple tower Afar let the sound be borne, And ring the thronging worshippers in On each blessed Sunday morn.
For the bridal train, a joyous peal Ring merrily out, O bell ! For our loved ones borne to their sainted rest, Sound low the funeral knell.
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Ring out alarm for the lurid flame, Ring aid its rage to stay, And add your peal to the clash and clang That ushers in Freedom's day,
Ring clear and sweet and strong, O bell ! Give the gospel tidings voice, Speak "Peace on earth and good will to men," Glad news to all, rejoice !
The poem was followed by several exercises, recitative and musical, including an original poem by the pastor, Rev. W. S. Ralph, who, by the way, was something of a poet himself. Many will remember one of his poems, entitled "Whistling in Heaven," which was widely copied throughout the country, and received with popular favor. His effort on this occasion was entitled "The Bell," and minutely and beautifully described the casting, hanging, and ringing. The occasion overflowed with success.
During the pastorate of Mr. Ralph, the parish could hardly be said to have grown numerically. In April, 1879, it is recorded that twenty-eight names were dropped from the membership upon a single occasion.
In July, 1879, the Winter-Hill Society was organized. Only five or six belonging to this parish were instru- mental in establishing this society, and the recognition of it by the convention in July was a surprise to the First Parish. Later quite a number of our people living within easy distance of the new society united with it; this at a time when we could ill afford any depletion of our ranks, and the loss of these families was seriously felt at the time.
Another season of unrest while candidates were being heard occurred from the summer of 1880 to March, 1881, when the society extended a call to the late Rev. Charles H. Eaton to become its pastor. Mr. Eaton was then settled in Palmer, Mass. He, however, declined the in- vitation ; possibly he had at this time a similar proposi-
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tion under consideration from the Church of the Divine Paternity in New York, for in a very short time it was announced that he had accepted a call there. Subse-, quently, by a unanimous vote, the society manifested its right good sense by calling Rev. Charles A. Skinner, of Melrose. For ten years, as you know, he was pastor here, beloved by all, during his pastorate, and still be- loved by us all because of his fatherly interest in the parish, his upright life and Christian graces. We take great pleasure in greeting him here to-night, and sin- cerely hope he may be spared yet many years to favor us with his gracious presence upon every important or an- niversary occasion.
At the time of Mr. Skinner's coming, we can judge somewhat of the strength of the parish by presenting a few figures.
The pew rentals had amounted annually to about $1,800, and the appropriations $3,200. These rentals increased materially, for in 1882 they were $2,457, the next year $2,517, in 1886 they reached $2,812, while the appropriations were increased' to $4,000 during these years. The mortgage had been reduced to $3,450, at which figure it remained up to the time of its final pay- ment a few years ago.
In 1886 the apartments which had been occupied by the janitor since the church was finished were taken for the use of the ladies of the parish. The par- lors were the outcome. Sanitary and toilet improve- ments were also introduced, and great satisfaction was manifest on every side. These expenses were borne by the Ladies' Sewing Circle and the Sunday School,-the former giving $300, and the latter $404.50, the parish having voted to take and re-model the apartments, "pro- vided the same can be accomplished without expense to the society."
In 1885 there occurred a very interesting and enjoy- able event. It was a feature of the third annual gentle-
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men's supper, and about 300 ladies and gentlemen were present. It consisted of a public recognition of the pub- lic spirit and devotion to the Universalist faith of the late Charles Tufts and his wife. Because they donated the land upon which this house stands, and had been for so long a period staunch friends of the parish, an interested friend of the society thought it would be a good idea to have life-sized crayon portraits of these good people made, properly framed, and hung on the walls of the vestry.
Accordingly he set about the task of raising by sub- scription the necessary funds; in due time the portraits were produced, framed in heavy gold frames. In for- mally presenting them to the society, he referred to the substantial donations Mr. and Mrs. Tufts had made from time to time for upbuilding the denomination.
Mr. Skinner, in behalf of the society, accepted the por- traits, which were already in place on the walls of the vestry.
Rev. Dr. Emerson, the first pastor, paid a deserved tribute to the Tufts family, saying, among other things, that he himself brought before Mr. Tufts the needs of the young parish many years before, and the donation of the land followed soon after. An entertainment of decided merit followed the presentation and acceptance of the portraits.
A similar affair occurred when the crayon portraits of Rev. and Mrs. Charles A. Skinner were presented, through the efforts of the same friend, a short time after the above took place. The portrait of Mrs. Skinner was duly presented, and, by way of a surprise to Mr. Skinner, . his own portrait was brought forward. As in the case of the presentation of the Tufts pictures, there was an at- tractive dramatic entertainment furnished, and it was at a late hour when the meeting broke up. Altogether it, also, was a very enjoyable occasion, and one long to be remembered by all so fortunate as to be present.
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In 1890 the interior of the church was re-decorated, and a general brightening of the auditorium took place, at a cost of about $2,100.
In 1891 William P. Mitchell, who had been treasurer for fourteen years, declined a re-election. A. Hodgman was elected to succeed Mr. Mitchell, serving with great credit up to the time of his death in 1898, when Arthur W. Glines became treasurer.
At the time of the raising of the grade of Cross street and the putting in place of the present steel bridge by the Boston & Maine railroad, the parish claimed damages to the amount of $4,000. A long legal conflict was the result, the final decision being that the society property was not injured, and therefore no damages could be col- lected. But it cost the society $720 to find this out. Here, again, the women of the parish contributed,-the Sewing Society, $150; the Christian Endeavor Society, $100; the Merry Workers, $100; and the balance, about $400, was raised by the women, who put a committee at work soliciting subscriptions, with the above result, thus adding another to the long list of successful efforts to relieve the parish in times of financial straits.
I cannot close this rambling sketch of the society with- out again alluding by name to the more prominent men and women of early years, who devoted so much of their thought, so much of their time, vitality, and money to the upbuilding of the cause of Universalism in our midst.
I recall the first and foremost of that little company, Ira Thorpe; it was due to him more than to any other that steps were taken to organize a parish here, although his suggestions were promptly and favorably acted upon by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tufts, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Munroe, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Erastus E. Cole, Charles Wil- liams, Mr. and Mrs. J. Q. Twombly, Mr. and Mrs. James S. Runey, Francis Russell, David Russell, Reuben Hor- ton and his sons, Charles Williams, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. George W. Ireland, and John Hunnewell, Charles Tufts,
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as donor of the land and friend of the parish, Edwin Mun- roe, Jr., as treasurer and chairman of the standing com- mittee for so many years, Charles Williams, as clerk of the parish and superintendent of the Sunday School for a long term of years, J. Q. Twombly, collector, and long a member of the standing committee, Erastus E. Cole, with years of service as committeeman and adviser, Charles Williams, Jr., as superintendent of the Sunday School for many years, John Hunnewell, clerk of the parish, George W. Ireland, committeeman and generous giver, Reuben Horton, a staunch friend and member of the standing committee, while the wives of the above- named, together with Mrs. Charles Munroe, Mr. and Mrs. Sweetzer Munroe, Francis Russell, and David Rus- sell, were not a whit behind in their zeal and earnestness in helping on the work of the infant society.
The bequest of the late Mrs. Tufts, amounting to $5,000, has been referred to; the society has received other amounts from time to time: One of $2,000 from the estate of a Mr. Hutchinson; another of $500 from the late Joseph Clark ; and a third of $1,000 from the late Deacon George W. Ireland,-altogether, $8,500.
I have also prepared a statement showing the terms of office of the several superintendents of the Sunday School, also of the parish treasurers, clerks, and the members of the standing committees from the organiza- tion of the society to the present time, which may be of value should the parish desire to print the proceedings of the semi-centennial celebration.
In the limited time allowed me, I have endeavored to present as much of historical interest as possible up to the year 1891. The more recent happenings are familiar to you all.
ANNIVERSARY HYMN
BY F. M. HAWES
Blest be the spot that we call home, Where dwell sweet peace and love ; And blest the church, O God, that guides To Thy dear home above.
Here week by week our voices lift Glad hymns of love and praise, To Him who giveth every gift, And crowneth all our days.
Here have we heard Life's stirring word, As on some Pisgah's height, And oft our souls on eagle's wings Have mounted with delight.
All hallowed be this sacred spot, Whose memories so dear Can brighten e'en the darkest lot, Bring earth to heaven more near.
SPEECH OF REV. CHARLES CONKLIN, D. D. Superintendent of Universalist Churches of Massachusetts
The hour is late, and you have listened long and well to a most interesting and inspiring history. I will take but the time to offer in a single word the congratulations of the 125 sister Universalist Churches in Massachusetts, who have been strengthened by your increasing strength and honored by your accumulating honors. You must not think that any written history or spoken message can gather up and preserve the sum of your achievements or mark the confines of your influence as a church. The silent, but forceful, influences of this sanctuary, felt in heart and mind as comfort, or spiritual dynamic, mould- ing character, shaping public opinion-these do not lend themselves to statistics. Innumerable vibrations of holy aspiration, of brotherly sympathy, of missionary zeal have gone forth from this sanctuary to do their part toward the Christianization of the world. God, who in the past has blessed this parish with rich prosperity, has ever conditioned that prosperity upon faithfulness, and holds before you those conditions to-day. The crown of fervent life is for those who are faithful unto the end. ' May the successors of those who have proved their faith- fulness here demonstrate their worthiness to follow such a splendid host.
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ADDRESS BY REV. CHARLES A. SKINNER
As I am one of the back numbers, it is not inappro- priate, perhaps, that I should speak of memories and associations stretching back not only to fifty years ago, to the time of the organization of this parish, but to the times and events and work before, that made possible this church.
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