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 5
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Mr. Maxwell conceived another unique plan, which was carried out on Sunday, November 15, when, by his invitation, the Somerville and Cambridge congregations united in a "Neighborhood Rally" at the East Cambridge church, which for the past few years has been having a hard struggle for existence. It was fitting that our parish, which, in its early days, had received encourage- ment from the then strong East Cambridge church, should do what it could to strengthen and help our weaker sister, now that our positions are reversed.
But to resume. One great accomplishment was not enough, for, no sooner was the convention over, than all thoughts turned to the Biennial Fair, which was to be held December 8-12. It is needless to record that when the time came, everything was ready, and one of our usual (but what other parishes consider phenomenal) suc- cesses was accomplished. Still the people were not wearied with well-doing, and the glorious fiftieth anni- versary celebration, which this volume commemorates, is now an accomplished fact.
We have to-day a religious plant second to none in the city. Every facility for social life, that essential part of the work of a modern church, is here. We have a
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large parish, the members of which are hard workers and liberal givers. We are a united people. But actions speak louder than words, and while in numbers we are one of the smallest denominations in our city, we take natural pride in the fact that all the principal philan- thropies in Somerville, at the present time, were, at the beginning, either started by some one or more of our church people, or had the personal, as well as financial, support of some of its members-notably the Hospital, Day Nursery, Associated Charities, Home for the Aged, Children's Home, and Boys' Club.
It can be readily seen by this that our church occupies an important place in the community. By its works it is known, and we can be pardoned if, once in fifty years, we burst out in a little self-praise.
For a half-century it has stood an emblem of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. May its stout walls, and the hearts of its people, resist the storms of adversity for another five decades, at least, that future generations may enjoy the privileges of its teach- ings as have those of the past.
OFFICERS.
Deacons: John F. Nickerson, C. A. Kirkpatrick, J. Walter Sanborn, Arthur W. Glines, A. A. Wyman, Irv- ing Smith (clerk).
Parish committee: John F. Mills (chairman), L. V. Niles, I. H. Wiley, F. W. Marden, D. W. Sanborn, H. M. Haven (clerk), R. Y. Gifford (treasurer).
THE LADIES' SEWING CIRCLE
BY MRS. S. W. FULLER
This society was organized March 15, 1854. The fol- lowing is a copy of the preamble to the constitution :-
"It is the design of this society to strengthen and in- crease a social feeling among the members, and to assist by its funds any good and commendable enterprise of the religious society with which it is connected, or to contribute to any good object that a majority of the members may designate; and we as members agree to abide by the following constitution."
The names of the original members cannot be ob- tained; two years later, however, in 1856, we find a list in which are the following names :-
Mrs. N. T. Munroe, Mrs. Daniel Pratt, Mrs. Sewall Dodge, Mrs. Nathaniel Daniels, Mrs. John Mandell, Mrs. George Rogers, Mrs. E. Harmon, Mrs. Jennings, Mrs. James Runey, Miss Georgiana Williams, Miss Har- riet Fitz, Mrs. W. Gage, Mrs. Giles, Mrs. H. Bradshaw, Mrs. H. Cutter, Mrs. Seth Stevens, Mrs. Childs, Mrs. George S. Fogg, Miss Martha Hadley, Mrs. George W. Ireland, Mrs. George H. Emerson. Miss A. Horton, Mrs. E. E. Cole, Mrs. Fitch Cutter, Mrs. Charles Mun- roe, Mrs. Charles Williams, Mrs. Abel Fitz, Mrs. Aaron Sargent, Mrs. Charles Tufts, Miss Mary Giles, Mrs. Edwin Daniels, Mrs. E. A. Bacon, Mrs. A. Waters, Mrs. Frank Russell.
The society started with forty-one members. The first president was Mrs. Nancy T. Munroe, for many years the editor, in connection with Mrs. E. A. Bacon, . of the Ladies' Repository, since merged into the Chris-
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tian Leader. The first treasurer was Mrs. Charles Tufts, wife of the founder of Tufts College.
We have not been able to ascertain the name of the first vice-president, or that of the first secretary.
The following have been the successors of Mrs. Mun- roe in office : Mrs. Bradshaw, Mrs. Fuller, Mrs. Skinner, Mrs. Haven, Mrs. Carvill, Mrs. G. W. Ireland, Mrs. Ralph, Mrs. James Lombard, Miss Fannie Glines, Mrs. Eccles, Mrs. F. B. Burrows, Mrs. F. E. Borroughs, Mrs. E. C. Hall, Mrs. C. H. Pratt, and Mrs. L. H. Brown.
In the early days of the society the meetings were held at the homes of the members. This was in the days of the chapel, and the basket of work was carried from place to place. After the building of the first church, which was afterwards destroyed by fire, the meetings were held in the vestry, and supper was partaken of by the ladies present, the gentlemen not putting in an ap- pearance until evening. At the first supper which the writer remembers, which was subsequent to 1858, all were seated at an ordinary sized extension table, such as could be found in any dining-room. There were twelve or fourteen in all, our pastor, Rev. B. K. Russ, being of the number. Each one carried her own napkin, knife, fork, and spoon, and somebody was sure to have an extra one for the minister. The crockery was owned by the Sewing Circle. It all went up in smoke with the rest of the belongings of the church.
The meetings of the society have been held once in two weeks, except during July and August. In the re- port of the secretary of some years since, we find that "the afternoon was spent mostly in conversation and sew- ing." This same report will apply to all regular meetings.
In the days of the Rebellion the society made many articles for the soldiers, articles sewed and articles knitted. At that time meetings were held every after- noon. At the time of the Chicago fire a number of arti-
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cles of clothing were made and word being received that there was a full supply in that desolate city, the articles were sold, and the money sent to Chicago. Twice the society has met at the Little Wanderers' Home and sewed for the inmates of that institution.
The Sewing Circle paid for the carpets, upholstering, organ, and pulpit furnishings of the first church, and when the present building was finished, the same thing was repeated.
The minister's room was furnished, or, perhaps better, the articles in that room were furnished by the Ladies' Circle. It worked for a fair at the North End Mission, helped carpet the vestry, paid part of the quotas to the state convention, newly carpeted the pulpit, contributed towards paying the choir one or more years, made a do- nation to the sanitary commission in the dark days of the Rebellion, paid for improvements in the janitor's rooms, and for sanitary arrangements, bought a pew in the church and paid $500 for the same, furnished a scholarship at Tufts College for four years (it was helped in this by the Sabbath School), made a donation to the Bethany Home, paid $150 toward the expense of the lawsuit in which damages were claimed of the Lowell railroad, occasioned by change of grade in the street, paid for swing doors in the vestibule, paid a small sum towards the church debt, and has contributed a neat little sum towards the new Social Hall. In all, the Sewing Circle has raised about $15,000, the most of which has been paid back into the parish. The bread cast upon the waters returned after many days.
A "recital" of the work in which the Circle has been engaged would hardly be complete without mention of the "suppers" which have been served from time to time. Some seasons it might be said they were served all the time. The evenings have been spent in sociability and the enjoyment of entertainments of various kinds. The similarity of these gatherings has been covered up by
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the application of different names, sometimes to desig- nate a special food which would be served, and some- times to distinguish the character of the entertainment. When the society bought its tables, the report says, "Fifty sat at the first table, and forty-eight at the second." At the present time it has tables, crockery, and silver for a vestry-full. When the first silver was bought, at a cost of $79.23, a "silver supper" was given, to which no ad- mission was charged, but a "silver collection" was taken at the table. These knives, forks, and spoons were all carried away by burglars, and no trace of them has ever been found.
It therefore became necessary to purchase more, and the society has now more than made up its loss.
A spelling match was held in the vestry, under the auspices of the Sewing Circle. This was between mem- bers of the Sabbath School on one side, and any who chose to take part on the other side. The first prize was taken by a member of the Ladies' Sewing Circle. The May-day parties have become a regular feature of the enterprises of this society, and a few years since a very enjoyable entertainment was given of "Living Whist." At one of the sociables held at a private house, Rev. B. K. Russ christened the infant daughter of one of the families of the parish.
Thus, in a very fragmentary way, has the writer of this article endeavored to give a condensed account of the work of the Ladies' Sewing Circle. It has been attended with many tribulations, as there are no records of the secretary further back than 1871.
The society to-day is, as it has always been, one of the strongest and most efficient organizations in the church. Its monthly suppers and socials are now attended by hundreds, many coming from other churches. On an average, $500 or $600 is raised annually from this source alone. In recent years the men have had charge of one
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
supper each fall. The annual supper brings out from three to four hundred guests. Tables, chairs, and dishes for the entertainment of 300 people have been recently purchased, the parlors have been re-decorated and re- furnished, so that now the ladies have facilities for their work second to none in the city.
The annual meeting has been changed from January to May. The following officers have been elected for the coming year : President, Mrs. Lyman Brown; vice- president, Mrs. Ida Smith; secretary, Mrs. J. F. Mills; treasurer, Miss H. Whipple.
THE C. C. C. ( Founder of the Gleaner.)
The C. C. C., or Christian Citizen Club, a society of young men connected with the Cross-street Universalist Society, held its first meeting September 28, 1888. At that time clubs of this name and character were not com- mon; in fact, we are not sure but this was the first one of the kind in the neighborhood of Boston.
This preliminary meeting was called on the invitation of Frank M. Hawes, a teacher in the Sunday School. He gave his views of what the object of a society with such a title ought to be, and later was elected president, secretary, and treasurer of the organization. Two arti- cles of faith were adopted at this time :-
1. A man is the noblest work of God.
2. The proper study of mankind is man.
(Sentiments which would seem to show that one Alex- ander Pope was the real founder of the society.) The club declared unanimously its intention to adopt other articles of faith "as soon as they shall know them." Meetings were to be held once a fortnight through the season.
Besides a half-hour talk of the president on subjects of his own selection, a few minutes each evening were given to the general topics of the day, a special subject being assigned to each member at the preceding meeting. The evening's programme generally ended with a debate.
The club from the start was not seclusive ; young men not in attendance at Cross-street Church became mem- bers, with the entire privileges of the same. On the list of members, during the club's existence, are thirty-one persons, five or six of whom never had any connection with Cross-street.
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...
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It is needless to give the subjects which were debated at these meetings; they were the usual ones propounded in such gatherings. If to-day we smile at them, we must remember that they served their purpose very well, and helped the young men to acquire ease in extemporaneous speaking.
Up to January 1, 1889, eight meetings were held, with an average attendance of 9.8, with A. W. Glines, H. M. Haven, S. C. Earle present at each meeting, William Moore absent once, William T. Hayes absent twice, etc.
The meeting of February 9, 1889, was a social one, that of April 4, Fast Day, was an out-of-doors affair, when the club and their friends took an outing to Blue Hills, via Readville. Each season the club made a visit on the pastor of the society, Rev. C. A. Skinner; the evening of April 18 was so observed.
In the fall of 1889 a chairman for each meeting was appointed, a corresponding secretary was elected, also a treasurer. Mr. Glines was the first chairman, Mr. Earle, corresponding secretary, and Edward Southworth, treas- urer. A constitution was adopted October 26, 1889, and that evening the first number of the C. C. C. Journal ap- peared, edited by A. W. Glines. This was a unique affair. Probably copies of the Journal are still in exist- ence among the relics of past members.
From January, 1889, to January, 1890, eighteen regu- lar meetings were held, with an average attendance of 9.2. The highest record of attendance belongs to the following members, in the order given: Messrs. Haven, Earle, Glines, Hayes, L. Moore, Janvrin, Southworth, etc.
The field meeting for April 3, 1890 (Fast Day) was held at the same place as the year before, Blue Hills, via Readville. A visit on the pastor was made April 19. A second outing, the first time with ladies, was on May 30; the place, Stoneham and Bare Hill. This was a very enjoyable occasion, and it was decided to continue the
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custom. It should be mentioned that Mr. Glines was succeeded this year, as editor, by Horace Harwood.
With the opening of the fall meetings, the officers were: Editor, H. M. Haven; corresponding secretary, Horace Harwood; treasurer, Ned Janvrin. From January, 1890, to January, 1891, seventeen meetings were held, with an average of seven for attendance.
January 1, 1891, found William T. Hayes the editor of the Journal. The visit on the pastor was made April 9. Fast Day, April 2, the club went for its annual tramp, this time across the entire Blue Hills range, from Read- ville to Quincy.
The club gave its first entertainment May 6, 1891, when the two farces, "The Humors of the Strike" and "Gentlemen of the Jury," were presented by the mem- bers. The programme was interspersed with music of an original character. The evening was an enjoyable one, and financially successful. Comments on the perform- ances appeared in the Boston papers and the next week's Somerville Journal. With a part of the proceeds a gold- headed cane, fittingly inscribed, was presented to the pastor, Rev. C. A. Skinner, June 1, 1891, in recognition of his ten years' pastorate and his forty-five years in the Christian ministry.
Saturday, May 30, the second outing with ladies was made to the Lynn woods. The occasion was even more successful than the year before.
In the fall of 1891 Arthur Ware was chosen editor, Mr. Safford corresponding secretary, and Eugene Fuller treasurer. The feasibility of the club's printing a fort- nightly paper in the interests of the Cross-street Society was presented to the members by A. W. Glines at the meeting of November 4.
Christmas eve, December 24, an entertainment was given in the vestry, the shadow pantomime of "Puss in Boots," and tableau from "Mother Goose," by the C. C. C.
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At the opening meeting for 1892, January 9, with nine members present, it was voted to discontinue the C. C. C. Journal with the present number, Vol. V., No. 4. One interesting feature of the paper had been the contribu- tions of Mr. Glines, which never missed a number. He and Acting Editor Ware received a unanimous vote of thanks for their services.
January 23 a prospectus was read of our new paper, which was to be a printed sheet, and to be known as the Gleaner. The project seemed feasible, and the club adopted it. Mr. Glines was made the first editor. This paper made its first appearance February 7, 1892. A notice of the fiftieth meeting of the club, to be observed as ladies' night, appeared in the coming Gleaner. This was March 12. A musical programme was provided, refreshments served, and forty-one, including guests, were in attendance.
The entertainment this spring, under the auspices of the club, was the play of "Our Boys." Charles Soule and an orchestra assisted. The proceeds were devoted to the printing of the Gleaner, and a goodly sum was realized.
April 7 the annual Fast Day walk was made from Danvers railroad station to the Insane Asylum hill, thence to Folly hill, to Ship Rock in Peabody, and home by cars via Lynn.
The pastor was visited by members of the club April 20. May 30 the usual Memorial Day excursion was made, with ladies, to Sharon and Massapoag pond.
Several special meetings were held in the fall in the interest of the Gleaner, the entertainment, "Our Boys," was repeated for the benefit of the paper January 11, 1893, and annual April or May outings have been in vogue from that time to the present (1905), but no regu- lar meeting of the club was held after May 14, 1892. Its gatherings, we are happy to say, were always amicable and its end peaceful. F. M. H.
MRS.IDA SMITH V. P. SEWING CIRCLE
MRS J F. MILLS SECY. SEWING CIRCLE
JJOHN F.AYER HISTORIAN
MISS. HANNAH WHIPPLE TREAS SEWING CIRCLE
MISS. SARAH D. TAYLOR CLERK SUNDAY SCHOOL
HISTORY OF THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
BY ARTHUR W. GLINES
As a schoolboy, my favorite study was history, my leisure moments were spent in reading history, and my ideal successful man was one who could write history.
Thus it was, when invited to write the history of the Sunday School, I inwardly congratulated myself, and said, "Now is my time; at last the long-sought-for op- portunity has come." Alas! I little realized, to use a Gilbertian phrase, that "an historian's lot is not a happy one."
With great enthusiasm I started to read the report of the first teachers' meeting, which occurred January 24, 1854; but during the eight or nine hours which were spent in perusing the records of fifty years, my enthusi- asm gradually oozed away, but my respect for historians increased.
To discover the interesting points in the school's his- tory is like hunting for the proverbial needle in the pro- verbial haystack. As near as I can learn, Charles Wil- liams and Edwin Munroe were the prime movers in the establishing of the school, and the first meetings were held in the building now used as the office of the Somer- ville water department, on Prospect street, but which then stood on Medford street, and was utilized as a primary schoolhouse. .
The first officers were : Superintendent, Charles Wil- liams; vice-superintendent, Edwin Munroe; librarian, Charles Williams, Jr .; secretary, Isaac O. Giles.
One who was a member of the school at this early stage informs me that the attendance was about fifteen, and that its officers and teachers were persons of more than average ability.
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At first the teachers' meetings were held monthly, the different members entertaining, but they were evidently social affairs entirely, as no mention was made of lesson study, and it was seldom any matter of business was dis- cussed. In the spring and summer the school met at 9.30 a. m., and in the fall and winter at 2 p. m. For a short time the hour was 9 a. m. Evidently the Sunday newspaper was not a fetish in those days.
Instead of the record books and collection envelopes now in use, the teachers were obliged to keep the record of attendance on a slip of paper, and care for the collec- tions as best they could for three months, when they were turned over to the treasurer.
A system of promotion for the scholars was first in vogue, and vacations were also believed in, as during the first summer the school was closed for one month.
The library seems to have been the great feature of the school from its beginning; and from the time the first books were presented the school by the East Cambridge Society until the present day, more money has been ex- pended to keep it in good repair and well supplied with books than on any other one department.
In the early days an appropriation for its maintenance was made nearly every year. One small item in 1860 is rather amusing : money to buy slippers for the use of the librarians during the session of the school. They wore them, too, I believe.
Picnics were also in great favor, one being held the second year on July 25, and annually thereafter for many years.
On October 10, 1855, an appropriation for singing books was made, but no mention of a musical instrument is found until June, 1861, when a melodeon was pur- chased, a piano being substituted a year later.
Sunday school concerts, as such, were unknown at first, but Exhibitions were held to which an admission
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was charged. These materially increased the treasury funds, evidently, as $200 were made on one occasion.
A troublesome problem (which still remains unsolved) to increase the attendance at the teachers' meetings oc- casioned the changing of the gatherings from monthly to once in three months in 1858-'59, at which times essays were read, articles in denominational papers discussed, etc.
In 1860 a clock was purchased at the expense of $5; and although our present clock is not the one, it might be, as much of its youthful fastness has disappeared, and it is inclined to be a little behind the times.
For some purpose not made clear in the records, a number of slates were bought in 1860, probably for the use of the younger scholars. And an item in the June 10, 1861, record, requesting the sexton to furnish a pail of water at each session for drinking purposes, shows that the principles and water imbibed in those early days so impressed the young minds that to-day Somerville heads the van of cold water cities in Massachusetts.
The records of 1862 bring to our minds the unhappy event which called so many of the young men from their homes. Several officers and teachers resigned that they might help uphold the nation's honor, protect the Stars and Stripes from insult, and, with God's help, save a na- tion from disruption.
At Christmas, 1863, a collation and tree were given to the children, and something of this sort has been practi- cally a yearly occurrence ever since.
During Anniversary Week in the 'sixties (and 'seven- ties, also, perhaps), mass meetings of all the Sunday School children in the Union were held at Music Hall or Tremont Temple, and special cars were each year pro- vided to convey the school.
It is evident the parish did not run the fairs at first,
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as several mentions are made of profits from fairs, and donations of part of such, to the parish.
Superintendent Charles Williams was succeeded in 1865 by his son, Charles Williams, Jr., who served eight years.
In 1868 the church was burned, and the school for a time was obliged to meet in the Prescott schoolhouse or the town hall (now city hall).
The first reunion of teachers occurred in January, 1870; and in October of that same year the school for the first time began its sessions at 12 m.
The humanity of the teachers of that day is clearly shown by a vote which they passed, allowing a certain young lady the use of the school piano for practicing. There were no houses near the church at that time, and the girl lived in a thickly-populated section. Such deeds as this have done much for the advancement of Chris- tianity !
The International Lessons were not fully adopted until 1877, although partial use was made of them long before that date. Weekly teachers' meetings began at this time, and have continued since without change.
In the year 1873, three superintendents presided over the school: L. P. Hollander for the first three months ; John Viall for five months ; and John F. Ayer for the re- mainder of the year and four years thereafter.
In March, 1873, money was appropriated to purchase mottoes with which "to embellish the vestry walls," These mottoes, after a long and meritorious service, have lately been retired, and the members of the school can devote more time to the spirit of the law in the absence of these "embellishing" letters.
Rev. W. S. Ralph, then the pastor of the church, acted as superintendent during 1878-1879 ; and while under his administration, in January, 1879, the school celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary with appropriate exercises.
Fred Farnsworth was elected superintendent in Janu-
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