USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lexington > History of the town of Lexington, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement to 1868, Volume I > Part 39
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His first pastorate called out all the enthusiasm of his zeal- ous nature. By inheritance he was generous, hearty, uncon- ventional, courageous, impulsive, and outspoken. These native traits especially attracted the young people to him and rendered him a peculiarly likable companion in a wide and varied circle of friends. He was quickly identified with the social activities of the town and was heartily interested in its public affairs. His ideal for the church was to make it of genuine service in the life of the community and his inspir- ation came from the thought of God as "the Father of the lost Son." His sympathy was keen for those who had gone astray, and he was eager to bring to them the gospel of re- demption and to win them to its powers. The new building which was erected during his pastorate and with his untiring cooperation, he sought to make a church of the open door, aying emphasis upon service and a wide response to the needs of men.
To these ideals the constituency of the church in the main was not unresponsive. Unfortunately, however, there grad-
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ually developed a strained relation between the pastor and a number of his people that seriously interfered with effective work and the realization of their ideals. From both sides efforts seem to have been made to restore harmony, but they were largely unavailing. Hence on May 6, 1894, Mr. Mere- dith offered his resignation, to take effect on June 1. During his brief pastorate twenty-eight new members were added to the church.
With such a cloud hanging over both minister and people, the unfortunate situation suddenly became tragic, for Mr. Meredith fell dead on the street, on the evening of May 8, 1894. This sad event, instead of drawing the people to- gether, intensified the partisan feeling already engendered. It were better to let the veil of silence rest upon this deplor- able chapter, and this brief and necessary reference is made only for the purpose of keeping faith with the facts of history. For a church cannot escape the ill effects of inner turmoil; and the personal antipathies that were developed during this period hindered for a considerable time that complete spirit of harmony which is the condition of full success.
During the ensuing summer Rev. Dr. Edward A. Stem- bridge was engaged to supply the pulpit, and he served as acting pastor for about eighteen months, his preaching being strongly characterized by the evangelistic note.
On March 26, 1896, Rev. Charles Francis Carter was in- stalled as pastor. His previous locations had been in Bur- lington, Vermont, and in Manchester, New Hampshire, where he began his ministry after leaving Andover Theolog- ical Seminary in 1883, a year after his graduation. His class in Yale was that of 1878. The burden of his preaching at the outset laid frequent emphasis on the word "together," and the appeal for loyalty to a higher standard than any human personality found response among the people. This appeared in a growing spirit of conciliation and good-will. Early in the year 1899 a personal canvass entirely without public ap- peal was made by the pastor to see if it were possible to re- move the indebtedness still resting upon the church. By the yearly payment of about five hundred dollars, through the efficiency of the women's organizations, the amount had been reduced to nearly eight thousand dollars. The response was so unanimous and generous that the entire sum was raised and the formal dedication of the church took place on
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October 22, 1899, initial services having been held September 3, 1893. Rev. Dr. Cyrus Hamlin offered the dedicatory prayer, the sermon was preached by the pastor from the text 2 Chron. VI, 2, and in the evening an historical address was given by Rev. E. G. Porter, together with greetings from the other churches of the town and from the Woburn Conference. It was an occasion of deep rejoicing and the gain was far more substantial than the financial item alone would indi- cate, as the removal of the debt carried a pledge of good-will on every hand.
During this year, also, a new form of admission into church membership was adopted. The purpose of this change was to lay the emphasis upon the sincerity of one's personal com- mitment rather than upon theological requirements, and also to recognize the responsibility toward one's fellow men such as is involved in a social conception of Christianity. The cen- tral article, embodying this idea, is the question put for the candidate's response upon entering into the fellowship of the church, " Do you also with us solemnly declare your faith in God, the Father, and in response to his Holy Spirit unre- servedly commit yourself to love and obey Him? Do you en- gage to work in Christ's way of love and service and, seeking in all things to be built up in his likeness, do you accept his spirit to be the ruling spirit in your life?"
In a community of homes the Sunday School always is an important department of the church and here it has been no exception. The list of superintendents includes Mr. Edmund C. Whitney, Mr. F. L. Emery, Mr. A. M. Redman, Mr. James P. Prince, Mr. E. P. Nichols, and Mr. W. C. Hill. During Mr. Emery's term, in 1897, a thorough and advanced system of grading was adopted, placing the main body of the school on a progressive course, with subjects adapted to the different classes, the teachers retaining the same subjects from year to year as the classes moved on. This system was maintained for several years, but gradually a return was made to more traditional methods.
During Mr. Carter's ministry it became the custom to hold a pastor's training class during the fall or winter months for those of the young people who were ready to be instructed in the matter of personal religion. From such groups of boys and girls, about fourteen years of age, who formed these classes, came a large proportion of those who entered the church on
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confession of faith. From 1896 to 1910 there were received by letter seventy-six and sixty-one on confession of faith. This total gain of one hundred and thirty-seven was modified by deaths and dismissions, so that the steady increase of this period brought the total membership to the number of two hundred and thirty in 1910, with a comparatively small num- ber of absentees.
One of the most efficient organizations of Hancock Church has been the society of women, popularly known as the "Thimble Party." With Mrs. Charles C. Goodwin as trus- tee of this organization, it has maintained interest in Home and Foreign Missionary work, has rendered much charitable service both in the community and in missionary fields, has promoted the social relations of the parish in an admirable way, and has shown a financial thrift and foresight of most practical and timely value on many occasions of need. It contributed largely to the expenses of the hardwood floor which was laid in the church in 1905 and the carpet provided at that time for church and chapel; it maintains a fund on which it has drawn repeatedly for special objects and which is now being increased with reference to a parish house. Other material improvements had been made with the modifica- tion of the chancel and the redecoration of the main audito- rium and the chapel in 1901, in connection with the placing of the large window in memory of Mr. Porter. The beautiful copy of Murillo's Immaculate Conception, made by an art- ist of Paris, was hung in the church through the generosity of Mr. Edward P. Bliss, and although this is somewhat of an innovation in Protestant churches, the picture by its own in- herent beauty has won a helpful place in the devout feeling of the congregation.
In the winter of 1907, the men's club of Hancock Church was organized with Mr. Edward P. Nichols as its first Pres- ident. He brought characteristic vigor and enthusiasm to this new project, which at once took its place as a helpful agency in the life of the church. In addition to the usual fea- turcs it has a benefit fund, which has proven of distinct value in giving tangible expression to the feeling of Christian sym- pathy and fellowship when some member is in need.
The broad catholic spirit of the church has been shown in the annual custom since 1890 of holding union services during the summer in association with the congregation of the First
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Parish Church. These were instituted when Rev. C. A. Sta- ples, of the Unitarian Church, was still alive. He found in them a welcome channel for his tolerant and genial soul, while the spirit of fellowship which they had developed found ex- pression in the farewell union service held in Hancock Church at the close of Mr. Carter's ministry there.
In the spring of 1910, Mr. Carter, being called to the Park Congregational Church of Hartford, Connecticut, tendered his resignation, which took effect on June 1. After fourteen years of service the associations with the people had grown very close, and Mr. and Mrs. Carter bore to their new field abundant evidence of friendly regard.
Resolutions adopted by the church were in part as fol- lows: -
"It is with no ordinary regret that this church parts with one whose service has been so long, so faithful, and so efficient. He has brought to us a mind and heart of unusual capacity, and the store- houses of both have been freely opened to our lasting benefit. .. . We are deeply conscious of the fact that the loss which we face is one that will be shared by the whole community, for his humanity has been of the sort which ignores all boundaries."
In similar vein were resolutions from the Ecclesiastical Society: -
"We, the Hancock Congregational Parish, desire to put on record our deep regret, our sincere sorrow, and our sense of loss. We sub- mit he has no 'call' to leave Lexington. He came to a church divided and rent by factions. He leaves a church united and har- monious, its various activities thoroughly organized and in efficient operation. The work he has accomplished cannot be adequately stated in terms. His pulpit service has been of the highest order. To unusual mental equipment he has added deep research and ripe scholarship. He has not preached Theology, but righteousness as portrayed in the life and character of Jesus Christ. He has been liberal and catholic in the highest degree, but never loose. He has taught that the religion of Jesus Christ squares with reason, and that between earnest thinking and spiritual living there is no di- vorce. He has addressed himself to earnest, thoughtful men and women and 'they have heard him gladly.' The full results of his preaching will be known only in the eternal years. In the parish and in the community he has been a 'man among men.' His high personal character, his unfailing courtesy, his deep and tender sympathy have won the respect and affection of all who appreciate the highest qualities of Christian manhood."
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"Mrs. Carter has by her womanly traits, her Christian zeal, her faithful labors and in all social and charitable duties given an ex- ample by which all should profit. While all have felt the cheer and inspiration of her ever welcome presence in the social circle, there are many among us who cherish tender memories of her gentle ministrations in times of sorrow, and of loving, hopeful words fitly spoken to hearts bleeding from the wounds of sore affliction."
After a considerable period of careful search for a new pastor the committee appointed for that purpose reported favorably on the name of Rev. George E. Martin, D.D., re- cently the pastor of the Kirk Street Church in Lowell, Mass- achusetts. Responding favorably to the call, he undertook the work in January, 1911, and was installed on May 26 of that year. A graduate of Yale College in 1872 and of the Yale Divinity School in 1878, with his first pastorate in Brat- tleboro, Vermont, and the charge of two important Presby- terian churches, the First Presbyterian in St. Louis and the Holland Memorial in Philadelphia, he has come to Lexington with the treasure of a wide and mature experience and has entered earnestly upon his ministry in Hancock Church, which already feels the resourcefulness and stimulus of his touch.
The wisdom and devotion of the founders have found abundant justification in this church which during the forty- four years of its existence has grown to a position of recog- nized strength and influence in this historic community.
During the forty-four years of the church's life, six mem- bers have served as Clerk, three of whom have covered thirty- nine years, viz: William R. Cutter, ten years, George E. Muz- zey, fourteen years, and James P. Prince, the present Clerk, fifteen years.
THE CHURCH OF OUR REDEEMER.1 The first service in Lexington according to the Use of the Protestant Episcopal Church was held at the home of Dr. R. M. Lawrence on Wal- tham Street, on Sunday, March 4, 1883, Dr. Lawrence of- ficiating as lay-reader. Services were held at different private houses until April 8, when, by permission of the Selectmen, their room in the Town Hall served as the place of meeting, the Rev. Mr. Rand, of Watertown, officiating. On Sunday,
1 For this material the Committee is indebted to the Rev. George Grey Ballard, Jr. Ed.
REV. EDWARD GRIFFIN PORTER
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May 27, the first service was held in the "Episcopal Chapel," a building on Main Street, owned by Horace B. Davis, and rented by members of the congregation for a term of one year. It had been used as a carpenter's shop. Furnishings were given by St. John's Church, Jamaica Plain, by St. Paul's, Boston, and by private individuals.
From this date until January 6, 1884, services were held regularly in charge of students of the Episcopal Theological School, Cambridge, and of visiting clergymen. Mr. Wilford L. Robbins, of the above school, then began his connection with the incipient parish, which lasted until the close of his rectorship which began June 22, 1884. In the meantime, organization as a congregation was effected on Good Friday, April 11. The following officers were elected: Warden, Dr. R. M. Lawrence; Clerk, Albert Griffiths; Treasurer, George S. Jackson. On the following Easter Monday, April 14, it was voted at a parish meeting to adopt the name of "Church of Our Redeemer." E. I. Garfield, F. G. Davis, and John Morrow were elected Vestrymen.
At a meeting of the Vestry held October 20, it was voted that the Treasurer be authorized to purchase a lot, one hun- dred feet square, at the corner of Oakland and Meriam Streets, the same to be held by Dr. R. M. Lawrence for the Church of Our Redeemer until such time as the latter should be incorporated. An extra twenty-five feet of land fronting on Oakland Street was bought at the same time by the ad- vice of Bishop Paddock.
On October 15, 1885, the parish was incorporated. Di- rectly thereafter Messrs. Robbins, Griffiths, Clarke, Law- rence, and Jackson were elected a Building Committee. Plans for a church building were drawn by Mr. E. A. P. Newcomb, of Boston. The first services were held in the church, St. John Baptist's Day, June 24, 1886: Holy Com- munion at 7 A.M., Morning Prayer at 10.45; Evening Prayer at 7.45 P.M., the Rev. A. C. A. Hall, now Bishop of Vermont, being the preacher at the last service.
During its short life the parish has passed through the ordinary vicissitudes generally experienced by most organi- zations of the kind. Though they have been few in number, strong and devoted men and women have always been found within it. In June, 1910, ground was broken for a small par- ish house. The architect is Mr. Edward Reed, a communi-
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cant of the parish. The contractor is Mr. John McKay, of whose faithfulness too much cannot be said. The Building Committee is composed of Messrs. Ballard, Francis S. Dane, and W. T. Crowther.
Since the resignation of the Rev. W. L. Robbins, the parish has been served by the following: -
From March 25, 1888, to April 1, 1889, Rev. Gustavus Nicolls, rector.
From April, 1889, to June, 1892, lay-readers in charge.
From June 1, 1892, to September 1, 1893, Rev. A. B. Nich- ols, minister in charge.
From March 4, 1894, to May 1, 1895, Rev. J. W. Suter in charge.
From May 1, 1895, to October, 1900, Rev. J. Benton Werner, rector.
From September 1, 1901, Rev. H. H. Ryder in charge.
From October 13, 1901, to June 1, 1902, Mr. F. B. Blod- gett, lay-reader.
From June 1, 1902, to May 18, 1903, Rev. F. B. Blod- gett, minister in charge.
From May 18, 1903, to February 14, 1904, Rev. F. B. Blodgett, rector.
From May 1, 1904, to June 11, 1905, Rev. J. Cullen Ayer, rector.
From October 1, 1905, to July 15, 1908, Rev. W. H. P. Hatch, rector.
From October 1, 1908, to September 1, 1911, Rev. George Grey Ballard, Jr., rector.
From February 2, 1912, Rev. Arthur B. Crichton.
The Corporation as at present constituted consists of the present rector, Rev. Arthur B. Crichton; Senior Warden, Mr. Francis S. Dane; Junior Warden, Mr. W. R. Crowther; Treasurer, Mr. Irving P. Fox; Clerk, Mr. George A. Woods; Vestrymen, Mr. Daniel G. Tyler, Mr. Charles H. Miles.
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SOCIETY1 was organized on the 4th of October, 1903. Sixteen Christian Scientists, resident in Lexington, met on the above date at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leland T. Powers, on Massachusetts Avenue, and per- fected the necessary organization to enable them to hold regular religious services in the town. Mr. Frederick L.
1 The Committee is indebted to Mr. F. L. Emery for this information. Ed.
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Emery and Mrs. Ada Holt Rowse were elected First and Sec- ond Readers, respectively, and Kindergarten Hall, on Forest Street, opposite Muzzey, was leased for a meeting-place.
During the first year Sunday services were held in the afternoon, but since that time in the forenoon.
Regular Wednesday evening meetings for testimonies of Christian Science Healing were established during the year 1907.
The society incorporated as a church on the 21st of April, 1910, and then opened a Free Public Reading-Room in the Bank Building, Massachusetts Avenue, where Christian Sci- ence literature may be read and purchased.
A free public lecture on Christian Science is given in the Town Hall every year, under the auspices of the church, the lecturer being a member of the Board of Lectureship of the Mother Church in Boston.
The readers of the church serve for terms not exceeding three years each.
CHAPTER XVII
EDUCATION
Interest felt in Education - A School-house built, and Schools established - Grammar School - Sometimes a Moving School - Second School-house built - An Academy established in Lexington - The First Normal School located there - Increased Interest in Education - High School established - Present Condition of the Schools - Dr. Lewis's Female Seminary.
IT is worthy of observation that the love of country and the love of learning were always regarded by our fathers as kin- dred affections, - originating in the same general cause and seeking the same great end. They regarded these affections as the offspring of religion and the fruits of an active faith; and they urged a good education and literary and scientific attainments as among the most efficient means of securing piety to God and good-will to his creatures. In their earliest efforts to set up schools and endow the University, they rec- ognized the service of God as the great end to be promoted. In relation to these institutions, they say, -
"We cannot but acknowledge the great goodness of God towards his people in this wilderness, in raising up schools of learning, and especially the College, from which there hath sprung many instru- ments, both in church and state; and we feel that we should show ourselves ungrateful to God, or unfaithful to posterity, if so good a seminary of knowledge and virtue should fall to the ground through any neglect of ours."1
And in establishing the common school system in 1647, they, in language expressive of their distinctive theological tenets, say, -
"It being one chief project of Satan to keep men from the know- ledge of the Scriptures, as in former times keeping them in unknown tongues, so in these latter times by persuading from the use of tongues, that so at least the true sense and meaning of the original might be clouded and corrupted by false glosses of deceivers; to the end that learning may not be buried in the graves of our fathers, in church and commonwealth, the Lord assisting our endeavors. It is
1 Colonial Laws, p. 80.
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therefore ordered by this Court and the authority thereof, - that every township within this jurisdiction, after the Lord hath in- creased them to the number of fifty householders, shall thence forthwith appoint one within their towns, to teach all such children as shall resort to him to write and read."1
The early inhabitants of Lexington appear to have had a realizing sense of the importance of learning, and of the neces- sity of establishing schools as the best means of obtaining it. While united with Cambridge, they petitioned the town to grant a certain sum which they might apply to the support of schools in their midst; and when, by an act of the General Court, they were clothed with power to raise money them- selves for schooling, they were not backward in the good cause. In 1714, the year after the town was incorporated, they voted to "eract" a school-house, and provided that it should be "twenty-eight foot long, twenty foot wide, and eight or nine foot stud."2 This house was situated near the Monument on the Common. In 1715, they voted to open a free grammar school and devoted fifteen pounds to its sup- port. At a meeting, May 14, 1716, the following vote was passed, which shows that the schoolmaster, at that time, must have been abroad: -
"Voted, that all scollers that Cum to school; to pai two pens per week: for Reeding, and: 3: pens per week for righting and siphering and what that amounts to at the years End: so much of the fifteen pounds to be deducted and stopt in the Town Treasury whilst the next year."
Captain Joseph Estabrook was employed as a teacher, and continued his school five months, for which fifteen pounds were paid him from the town treasury. By this time the principle seems to have been settled that a man's school should be kept five months in the year. But although this furnished a pretty good opportunity for the larger scholars, the people could not but perceive that there were wants which this arrangement did not meet. The smaller children in the distant parts of the township could not be accommodated by a school kept in the centre. To remove this difficulty, it was agreed by the selectmen, at a meeting held July 21, 1717,
1 Colonial Laws, p. 186.
2 See Early Schools of Lexington, by A. E. Locke. Proc. Lex. Hist. Soc., Vol. IV. p. 5. Ed.
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"yt Clerk Laurances wife and Epheram Winships wife keep Schools; from ye day of ye Date hereof; until ye Last day of Octo- ber next following; and if they have not Scholers Sufficient as to number: to amount to 5 Shillings # week; at 3 pence # Scholer week; Dureing ye Terme aboveSd; Then ye Town to make up what Shall be wanting of ye 5 Shillings # week."
The next year, they voted
"Yt ye select men set up 5 small schools; one of them at ye school house or center of Sd Town; and four more in ye other Quart's of ye Town; as Conveniently placed as may be to accomodate ye Child' in to Quarters; Sd Schools to be Regulated; by ye same rule as they were ye Last year."
From this time the system of supporting the schools so as to meet the wants of the people may be considered as per- manently established. The changes which were made from time to time were designed to make the system more efficient and useful and to extend rather than curtail the privileges of schooling. And the town was careful to employ instructors of character. The male teachers, when selected from those living in the town, were from the most substantial citizens, and the female teachers were the wives and daughters of some of the first families.
In 1728, the town employed Mr. Ebenezer Hancock, son of their reverend pastor, to teach the grammar school through the year. Mr. Hancock was a graduate of Harvard, and ap- pears to have been a favorite with the people. Subsequently, when he was settled as a colleague with his father, it was with the understanding that he should continue his school.
In 1714, the first school-house was built and was situated on the Common.1 Here the grammar school was usually kept.
1 See Early Schools and Schoolmasters, by Rev. C. A. Staples. Proc. Lex. Hist. Soc., Vol. II, p. 158. This supplements so admirably Mr. Hudson's account that it is here reproduced substantially in full. Ed.
"The first mention of schools upon our town records is in the year following the incorporation of Lexington, viz .: 1714, when, under date of November 2d, it was voted 'to Eract' a school, to be placed 'upon the ground lately bought of Mr, Muzzey,' meaning, of course, what is now the Common. It was to be twenty-eight feet by twenty, and, as the record says, 'eight or nine feet stud,' and finished by October, 1715. The timber used in its construction was to be taken from the town's land.
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