USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Medford > History of the town of Medford, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, from its first settlement, in 1630, to the present time, 1855 > Part 26
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Two silver cans, - gift of Turell Tufts, Esq., 1842.
Previously to 1759, there were the following : -
One pewter flagon, - gift of Hon. John Usher. One " "
" Deacon John Whitmore.
Four " " bought by the church.
Two " dishes, - gift of Thomas Tufts, Esq. ; and two pew- ter ones, bought by the church.
One silver baptismal basin, - gift of Mr. John Willis, 1755.
Colonel Royal gave a silver cup to the church in Medford ; but, he being an absentee, suspected of not liking the Amer- can revolution, his agent could not deliver the cup without legislative authority. The following public document will sufficiently explain itself : -
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
" COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
" IN SENATE, Oct. 26, 1781.
" On the petition of David Osgood, pastor of the church of Christ in Medford, in behalf of said church : -
" Resolved, That, for the reason therein mentioned, the agent of the estate of Isaac Royal, Esq., late of Medford, an absentee, be, and is hereby, directed to deliver a certain silver cup, referred to in the said petition, belonging to the said absentee's estate, to the said David Osgood, for the use of the church in Medford, agreeably to the prayer of the said petition, and take a receipt for the same.
" Sent down for concurrence.
" SAMUEL ADAMS, President.
" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Oct. 27, 1781.
" Read and concurred.
" Approved.
NATHANIEL GORHAM, Speaker. JOHN HANCOCK.
" A true copy.
" Attest,
JOHN AVERY, Sec."
" MEDFORD, Nov. 6, 1781.
" Received of Simon Tufts, Esq., agent for the estate of Isaac Royal, Esq., an absentee, the silver cup mentioned in the above order of court. DAVID OSGOOD."
By a resolve of the church, in 1824, the pewter dish was sold, and a silver one purchased, - thus making the furniture of the table entire and appropriate.
RECAPITULATION.
Rev. Aaron Porter, Settled Feb. 11, 1713. Ebenezer 'T'urell, Nov. 25, 1724. David Osgood. Sept. 14, 1774.
Died Jan. 23, 1722.
„, Dec. 8, 1778. Dec. 12, 1822.
Andrew Bigelow,
Caleb Stetson,
Feb. 28, 1827.
John Pierpont,
Aug. 1, 1849.
July 9, 1823. Resigned Jan. 9, 1827. Mar. 24, 1848.
Desiring that full justice should be done to the history of each religious society in the town, I gave public notice in 1853, that whatever account should be furnished of any so- ciety, by its pastor or committee, should be inserted in these pages. The following notices have been sent, and they are accordingly printed without alteration ; and I have only to wish they had been more ample in details. It should be recorded of all the religious societies of Medford, that they
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
live together in peace. All of them are faithful in laboring for the same great and holy end, - the salvation of souls ; and from my inmost heart I wish them all prosperity.
SECOND CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY.
Early in June, 1823, after the death of Rev. David Osgood, and soon after the settlement of Rev. Andrew Bigelow as pastor of the first church, it appeared that the members of the church entertained different views of Christian doctrines ; whereupon several members applied respectfully for letters of dismission, and began to meet by themselves for the worship of God. In their letters addressed to the church, they dis- claim personal unfriendliness, and base their action solely on the ground of different views of the gospel ; particularly, as they say, " respecting the doctrines of the Trinity, the native character of man, the divinity and atonement of Christ, re- generation, and others allied to these."
The following is the closing extract from their request : -
" Under these impressions, dear brethren, we, conscientiously and in the fear of God, ask from the church letters of dismission, for the purpose of forming ourselves, in a regular manner, into a new and separate church ; and while we deeply lament the necessity, which we' think exists, for such a measure, we wish to adopt it from the sole desire of enjoying religious instruction which accords with our views of the system of truth laid down in the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
The following is the closing extract of the reply of the church, after some reasoning and remonstrance : -
"We shall then feel ourselves compelled in conscience, on the principles we have avowed (viz., privilege to determine our own religious convictions), to allow the liberty you ask. In such case, painful as the severance is, it will still meet with our sanction ; and, should your purpose remain unchanged, we formally consent by this our letter.
" In conclusion, permit us to assure you, that, whether in union with or separated from us, we shall ever cherish a lively and affec- tionate solicitude for your spiritual and immortal welfare. We wish you grace, mercy, and peace from our common Lord. It is our hearts' desire, that, whatever new relations you may mutually form, you may be edified therein, and may be built up in the most holy faith ; and we implore of the Lord, that both we and you, and all his people, may glorify him with that holiness which becomes his house for ever."
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
On the 20th of June, 1823, a public meeting was held, and a new society formed, called " The Second Congregational Society of Medford." After the following sabbath, the members of the new society fitted up a hall in the neighbor- hood as a temporary place of worship, and their members gradually increased.
Their pulpit was supplied by neighboring clergymen, and from the Theological Seminary in Andover, till Oct. 2; when seventeen members from the first church, with nine members of other churches who had removed lately to Med- ford, bringing with them letters of dismission, were organized into a church by an ecclesiastical council, of which Rev. William Greenough, of Newton, was chosen Moderator ; and Rev. B. B. Wisner, of Boston, Scribe.
The names of the original members were as follows (the seventeen first mentioned coming from the first church of Medford, the others from abroad) : -
Galen James, Jesse Crosby, Thomas Jameson, Gilbert Blanchard, Mary Clay, Hephsibah Fitch, Nancy Fitch, Mary Magoun, Mary Blanchard, Elizabeth Baily, Harriet G. Rogers, Ann Clay, Mary R. James, Mary Blanchard, 2d, Nancy Jameson, Hannah Crosby, Mary Kidder, James For- sayth, Nathaniel Jaquith, Thompson Kidder, Thomas Pratt, John T. White, Jennet Forsayth, Phebe Pratt, Cynthia White, Lucy Blanchard.
An act incorporating the new society passed the Legisla- ture, Feb. 21, 1824, and measures were adopted for the erection of a house of worship ; which, when completed, was dedicated to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Sept. 1, 1824; and, at the time of the dedication, Rev. Aaron Warner, who had labored with acceptance nearly from the time of the or- ganization of the church, was installed its first pastor.
His ministry of eight years was eminently successful. There were many accessions to the congregation, and above a hundred additions to the church, in which his memory is most affectionately cherished.
He was dismissed at his own request, on account of infirm health in his family, Oct. 2, 1832.
His successor was Rev. Gordon Winslow ; ordained June, 12, 1833, and dismissed Nov. 12, 1834.
After him, Rev. Levi Pratt was installed pastor, Aug. 19, 1835, who died of fever, in the midst of his labors, much lamented, Aug. 9, 1837.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
The next pastor was Rev. A. R. Baker, who was ordained April 25, 1838.
During his ministry, several precious seasons of revival were enjoyed, the church and congregation increased, and larger accommodations in the house of worship became neces- sary. From this time, Zion's children began to say, in pro- phetic language, "Give us room, that we may dwell ; " and the church became, in an important sense, the mother of churches. Besides furnishing members from time to time for the organization of several evangelical churches of other denominations, in July, 1847, she sent out a strong colony, sixty in number, to form the Mystic church of Medford, now a flourishing society.
Mr. Baker, after an efficient and successful ministry of over ten years, was dismissed by the decision of an ecclesias- tical council in September, 1848.
For several years after, the church was without a settled pastor, passing through more than usual trials incident to such a condition ; until, Feb. 25, 1852, Rev. E. P. Marvin, who had been supplying the desk for six months previous, was installed pastor. Under his labors, the society has re- gained more than its former peace and prosperity.
In the spring of 1853, they harmoniously renewed their church edifice, - replacing the desk with an elegant modern one, and the pews with those more commodious and plea- sant ; and, by painting and furnishing tastefully, they have rendered their church one of the most appropriate and plea- sant places of religious worship. The members of the church now number about 170 or 180; and, as they look back at their former experience, they are ready, no doubt, to adopt the language of devout Samuel : " Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."
UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY.
This society was formed March 10, 1831. The meeting- house was built in 1832, and completed Aug. 10th of that year. The desk was supplied by transient preachers till the follow- ing spring. In April, the Rev. Mr. Winslow W. Wright was installed as pastor. He resigned in April, 1835, on account of ill health. Rev. Joseph Banfield was soon settled as his successor, but resigned in 1838. Dr. Hosea Ballou was settled in April, 1838. The meeting-house was remo-
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
delled and enlarged in 1850. The society was kindly invited by the Unitarian parish to use their house for worship while the repairs were making. This invitation was accepted. Rev. Dr .. Ballou, having been called to the Presidency of Tufts's College, resigned in August, 1853 ; and, in April, 1854, the present pastor, G. V. Maxham, was ordained.
The church was organized Jan. 19, 1834; at which time twenty-three persons joined it.
This is the only society of this denomination which has been gathered in Medford. It has great prosperity ; and its Sunday school contains, on an average, one hundred and fifty pupils.
METHODIST SOCIETY.
In the year 1843, no Methodist Episcopal church existed in this place. Some twelve or fifteen individuals, members of that denomination, connected either with a church in Charlestown or the one in Malden, were accustomed to meet each week and hold a class-meeting, which was conducted by one of their number who had been appointed leader.
During the winter of 1843-4, Rev. J. W. Whitman, sta- tioned at Malden, and whose circuit included this town also, preached several times, in a small building, to attentive con- gregations ; and, the Holy Spirit accompanying his earnest endeavors, a gracious revival was the result, and about sixty individuals were brought under a saving religious influence. In the spring of 1844, " Father Pickering," a veteran soldier of our Lord, was stationed, by the New England Conference, at this place. With true apostolic zeal, he organized a church, gathered the trembling ones within the fold, and, by his heavenly teachings, led them on to more perfect trust and confidence in Christ. During this year also, and under his special supervision, - the result of the earnest self-denial of some, and the generous kindness of others, - a plain, neat, and commodious house of worship was erected.
In 1845, Rev. G. W. Frost was appointed to labor here ; and was succeeded, in 1846, by Rev. J. Augustus Adams, a thorough scholar and an earnest Christian, who bent all his energies to the great work of guiding souls heavenward. · The year following, Rev. J. Shepard, a good man and full of the Holy Ghost, was pastor.
In 1848, Rev. I. W. Tucker occupied the same station ;
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
and was followed, in 1849, by Rev. Willard Smith, who, in labors more abundant, was an instrument, in the hands of God, of an untold amount of good in this portion of God's heritage. He labored here two years; and tears, such as were shed for Paul, expressed the sorrow felt at his depart- ure.
During the years 1851-2, the station was filled by Rev. A. D. Morrill, who, as usual, labored with his whole soul for the spiritual benefit of his charge.
In the year 1853, Rev. John Perkins, in the spirit of his Master, and with tender love and zeal, performed the duties of pastor.
He was followed by Rev. Charles Noble ; who was suc- ceeded by Rev. Edward S. Best, to whose watch-care it is now intrusted.
A prosperous and interesting sabbath school has, from the first, been connected with the church, where much good has been done for the rising generation.
Since the commencement of the present year (1855), the house has been neatly repaired, and now presents an inviting aspect to those who worship there.
BAPTIST SOCIETY.
The origin of the first Baptist Society in Medford was in the summer of 1840, when a number of persons of the Bap- tist persuasion, some of whom had long been residents in the town, associated themselves together for the purpose of sus- taining the preaching of the gospel, and especially for open- ing a place of worship for the special accommodation of the many strangers who patrolled our streets and thronged the public square on the sabbath. The use of the Town Hall was secured; and public worship commenced on the 16th of August, 1840. The Rev. Dr. Lucius M. Bolles, of Boston, Secretary of the Baptist Missionary Union, officiated as clergyman, and preached to an interested and attentive audience.
The meetings were continued, with growing zeal, until late in the summer of 1841, when a church was formed, con- sisting of twelve members; and George W. Bosworth, a graduate of the Newton Theological Institution, was invited to become its pastor. A council of delegates from neighbor-
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
ing Baptist churches was convened, Sept. 8, 1841, in the vestry of the Second Congregational meeting-house. After due organization, the council proceeded to examine the arti- cles of faith and covenant of the church ; which were found to be substantially the same as the New Hampshire articles, so called, and such as are generally adopted by the regular Calvinistic Baptist churches in New England. The council then proceeded to examine the pastor elect ; and, after a brief adjournment, the public services of recognizing the church were performed. At the same time, and by the above-named council, George W. Bosworth was publicly ordained to the work of the gospel ministry. Rev. Mr. Bosworth labored in his infant church, with great acceptance and success, for nearly five years ; when he found that the demands of his family required a larger salary, and he removed to a wider field of labor. He reluctantly yielded to a necessity, and left Medford early in 1846, greatly to the grief of the church.
A society was formed to act in concert with the church ; and was incorporated, under the general act of incorporation of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, May 29, 1842, on application of Moses Parsons, Lewis C. Sorntas, Robert L. Ells, William Parsons, and others.
Many inconveniences were experienced by the church and society from worshipping in a place so common, and appro- priated to so many different uses, as the Town Hall. Pre- parations were now made for building a plain and neat chapel for the better accommodation of the worshippers. The very kind and fraternal feeling of Dudley Hall, Esq., enabled them to secure a convenient and eligible piece of land, ad- joining the old burying-ground, near the centre of the town. The society proceeded to erect their chapel during the sum- mer of 1842; being kindly assisted by some of their fellow- citizens, among whom were the late Peter C. Brooks, Esq., and others, and also by friends of adjoining towns.
On the 14th day of September, 1842, their chapel, being finished and ready for occupancy, was publicly dedicated to the service and worship of Almighty God. The church and society, rejoicing that they could now worship under their own vine and fig-tree, gladly removed to their chapel, where they still worship. After the removal of Mr. Bosworth, the church and society were for some months destitute of a pas- tor ; when they united in the election of Rev. B. C. Grafton,
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
formerly of West Cambridge, as their pastor. Rev. Mr. Grafton continued but a few months in this relation, leaving the people again destitute of an under-shepherd. Some months now elapsed ; when Mr. G. F. Danforth, a graduate of New Hampden, N.H., was called, publicly ordained, and installed as pastor. Rev. Mr. Danforth resigned his pastoral relation after the brief period of little more than a year. A destitution of some months followed, when the people again succeeded in calling a minister to supply the sacred desk ; and the Rev. E. K. Fuller, of Somerset, Mass., was invited to fill the sacred office. Rev. Mr. Fuller commenced his labors on the 1st of April, 1849, and continued his work, with much success, until April 1, 1854, - a period of five years.
Notwithstanding the too frequent changes in the pastoral relation, it has been the good fortune of this church and society to enjoy its full share of increase and prosperity. Since its organization, two new societies of the Protestant faith have been formed in Medford, and two new churches have been built. Ours is the only Baptist church in the town ; but the increase of population, and the spread of our faith, have combined to make our present place of worship much too limited to accommodate the regular worshippers ; and we contemplate, as early as practicable, the removal of our meeting-house, and the erection of another, of more modern architecture, and much larger dimensions. We also take pleasure in acknowledging the generous gift of a piece of ground, by Dudley Hall, Esq., for the purpose of enlarging our meeting-house lot. The church and society have recently been so fortunate as to secure the pastoral services of Rev. Thomas E. Keely, the former successful pastor, for a num- ber of years, of the Baptist church in Kingston, Mass. That his labors may be owned and blessed of the great Head of the church, and that the little one may continue, increase, and multiply, bringing glory to God and salvation to souls, is the prayer of the flock.
MYSTIC CHURCH.
This third Congregational Society in Medford had its origin in the second society. From its printed documents, the following history is extracted : -
" In consequence of some difference of opinion in the church, a
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HISTORY OF MEDFORD.
conference of four neighboring clergymen was called, in March' 1847, to whom were submitted statistics and other facts, showing the necessity of increased church accommodation for the orthodox Congregationalists. At this conference, Rev. Mr. Baker and a large number of the brethren of the Second Church were present. As the result, it was the unanimous opinion of the clergymen from abroad, and nearly as unanimously the opinion of the brethren who were present, that it was highly expedient that a new church and congregation should be formed.
" In pursuance of this advice, with the nearly unanimous consent of the Second Church, separate worship was established in the Town Hall, May 9, 1847. A new church, called the Mystic Church, was here organized, with sixty members, by a large ecclesiastical coun- cil, the 6th of July. Rev. Abner B. Warner, a nephew of Rev. Professor Warner, the first pastor of the Second Church, was installed over the Mystic Church, Oct. 27 of the same year.
" FORM OF ADMISSION. - ADDRESS.
" Beloved Friends, - You have presented yourselves before God and his people, and the world, to make a public profession of your faith, and to take on you the bonds of an everlasting covenant.
" We trust you have well considered the nature of this transac- tion, the most solemn and momentous in which a mortal can engage ; that you are prepared by divine grace to renew in public that con- secration to God which you have made in private ; and that you deem it a duty, as well as a privilege, thus to unite yourselves with the followers of Christ.
" Having been duly examined and propounded, and having given your assent in private to the Articles of Faith, you will now pub- licly profess the same.
" CONFESSION OF FAITH.
" ART. 1. - You believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are given by inspiration of God, and that they contain the only perfect rule of faith and practice.
"ART. 2. - You believe in the existence of one eternal, un- changeable, and glorious God, subsisting in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and that these three so exist that they are really and truly God.
" ART. 3. - You believe that God made all things for himself, and that he governs the universe according to the counsel of his own will, and that all events will be made subservient to his wise and benevolent designs.
"ART. 4. - You believe that man was created in the image of God, in a state of rectitude and holiness; that he fell from that state by transgressing the divine law ; and that, in consequence of the original apostasy, the heart of man, in his natural state, is desti- tute of holiness, and inclined to evil; and that all men, previous to regeneration, are dead in trespasses and sins.
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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
"ART. 5. - You believe that Christ Jesus has, by his sufferings and death, made atonement for sin; and that all who are saved are justified wholly by grace, through the redemption which there is in Christ.
" ART. 6. - You believe that salvation is freely offered to all men, and that all men are under obligation immediately to embrace the gospel ; but that such is the depravity of the human heart, that no man will come to Christ until he is renewed by the special agency of the Holy Spirit.
" ART. 7. - You believe that all who embrace the gospel were, from the beginning, chosen unto salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth ; and that they will be kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation.
" ART. 8. - You believe that there will be a resurrection of the just and of the unjust, and a day of general judgment; and that the wicked will go away into punishment, and the righteous into happiness, both of which will be without end.
" ART. 9. - You believe that in this world the Lord Jesus Christ has a visible church, the terms of admission to which are a credible evidence of regeneration, baptism, and a public profession of faith in Christ; that the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper are to be observed to the end of the world; that none but members of the visible church have a right to the Lord's Supper; and that such, and such only, have a right to dedicate their infant offspring · in baptism.
" Do you thus profess and believe ?
" COVENANT.
"You come sensible that you are sinners ; that you have de- parted from your Maker, and have lived under the influence of that carnal mind which is enmity against God; that you have broken his law, and abused his love, and that you are unworthy his favor; and you give up yourselves to this God Jehovah as your God and Father, to the Lord Jesus Christ as your only Saviour, and to the Holy Ghost as your Guide, Sanctifier, and Comforter ; and, in this public manner, you dedicate yourselves to God in the bonds of his everlasting covenant.
" You unreservedly surrender all you have and are to his sove- reign disposal; and engage henceforth to live to him, and not to yourselves.
" Depending on his grace, you promise to perform the various duties you owe to God, to your fellow-creatures, and to yourselves (and to bring up all committed to your care in the nurture and admonition of the Lord).
" You also covenant and engage, that you will sanctify the sab- bath, and adorn your profession by a faithful adherence to the wor- ship of God's house, and by diligently attending on all Christian ordinances, and holding communion in them, with this church, as
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God in his word enjoins ; that you will watch over your brethren in love, faithfully reproving them when they go astray; and that " you will submit to the discipline of Christ in his house, and to the regular administration of it in this church, - seeking its peace and welfare in all things, so long as God shall continue you here.
"Thus you covenant and engage. (Here the church rise.)
"I, then, in the presence of God and these witnesses, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, pronounce you a member of this branch of his visible church ; and we covenant and engage to treat you as such, and, in the connection we now sustain with you, to watch over you in the spirit of meekness and love, as your brethren and sisters in the Lord.
" And now, beloved in Christ, remember that the vows of God are upon you, and will remain through life, in death, at the judg- ment-seat, and for ever. The Lord preserve and guide you in the path of righteousness and peace, give you triumph through faith in the hour of death, and at last receive you and us to that blessed world where our communion and joy shall be for ever perfect. Amen.
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