USA > Massachusetts > Berkshire County > Pittsfield > Jubilee of the South Congregational Church : November the eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth and sixteenth, nineteen hundred > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11
There are others who are to take the time this evening and I want simply to read to you two or three letters which have come to hand and which are of interest to all the members of this church and to those who were acquainted with the writers.
108
Book of the Jubilee.
DR. HARRIS' LETTER.
New Haven, Conn., Dec. 28, 1898. Mr. F. E. Peirson, My Dear Sir:
I have received your letter of December 20, requesting me, as the first pastor of the South church in Pittsfield, to give some reminiscences of my experience and history of the church at the time of its organization. I had no personal knowledge of the proceedings previous to the organization of the church, but I understood that the Christian brethren and sisters who constituted the church were actuated by the conviction that the population of Pittsfield had so increased and was increasing as to render another church necessary in order to meet the needs of the increasing population and most effectively to pro- mote the interests of Christ's kingdom in the town. The re- sult has shown the wisdom of this movement as meeting this demand,
Rev. Dr. Humphrey, ex-president of Amherst college, was one of the prominent leaders in the organization and develop- ment of the new church. It was he who first directed my atten- tion to it. He was giving a course of lectures in Conway, Mass., where I was pastor, and stayed with me at my house. During this visit he had much to say of thisnew enterprise in Pittsfield, the need of it, and its prospects of growth and usefulness in meeting the needs of the increasing population. It was he who mentioned my name to the committee of the church. In com- pliance with their request I went to Pittsfield and preached. On my visit there I conferred with several members of the church. I also conferred with Rev. Dr. Todd, pastor of the First church. He spoke in the highest terms of the character and standing of the members of the new church. While natur- ally expressing his regret that so many and so excellent mem-
---
109
Book of the Jubilee.
bers were leaving his church, he made the impression on me that he expected that the new church would grow and meet a real need. During all my pastorate there Dr. Todd in all his intercourse with me was cordial and friendly.
I was installed pastor of the South church March 12,1851. In accordance with the custom of the time on Sunday there were the regular services of public worship with the preaching of a ser- mon, both forenoon and afternoon; the Sunday school; in the evening a less formal service in the lecture room, conducted by the pastor, in the exercises of which the brethren took part; but the pastor was expected to make the opening address. There was also a mid-week evening lecture. Dr. Todd proposed that the two churches unite in this mid-week service. This arrange- ment was carried out during my pastorate. The lecture was given in the lecture-room of each church on alternate weeks, the pastors of the two churches also officiating alternately.
My pastorate continued only four and one-half years, from March 1851 to September 1855. During this time one hun- dred and twenty-seven persons united with the church; the growth of the church proved the wisdom of organizing it.
I enjoyed my work as pastor of the church and became much interested in the families of the congregation and in the work of the church and have ever since retained a cordial interest in it and its prosperity. I received also very kind attention from not a few members of Dr. Todd's church and congregation.
I have always remembered your father with cordial interest.
Very truly yours,
SAMUEL HARRIS.
LETTER FROM MRS. HELEN DUNHAM LITTLE.
To the dear South Congregational Church of Pittsfield -a loyal and congratulatory greeting :
110
Book of the Jubilee.
It has been asked that I send some memories of the "begin- nings of things" in this church, but I am afraid I cannot give anything like what might and ought to be said.
My first impressions are of the earnestness and sincerity of those who started with the organization and their willing and eager self-sacrifice. "The people had a mind to work" and they worked prayerfully too. I had occasion to know something of their spirit as I went about collecting money for the lights. How easy it was to get the ninety dollars, (I think it was), for, that chandelier! and how beautiful it was in our eyes when, at last, it was in its place! It was bought in Boston, selected by a member of Dr. Nehemiah Adams', now the Union church, a man of esthetic taste and culture and bought with all the dis- counts, no small matter for us. It was my privilege to contri- bute my services as organist for a year or more-a matter of $125, in those days. The organ, which some of you remember, with its classic white front, its nearly forty stops, one of which, the Vox humano, was the best I ever heard in any organ, its three banks of keys, and more than an octave and a half of ped- als, was a marvel of beauty and sweetness. Often, during the voluntary I would hear in a loud whisper, "pull out the trum- pet! pull out the trumpet!" and turning would see the shining, eager face of Mr. W. M. Walker, who could never get too much of the organ.
In the gallery was a chorus choir nearly filling the seats in front, while those on either side were filled by young ladies from the institute. What the young people now-a-days know as "Maplewood" was known then as the "Young Ladies' Insti- tute" a very flourishing and brilliant school, Rev. Wellington Tyler, Principal, and he was a staunch and helpful friend of this church.
Mr. Crossman was our chorister and his niece, Miss Mary
111
Book of the Jubilee.
Whitney, our soprano soloist. One of the gifted ones from the school, Miss Hill, often sung for us a solo, to our delight.
My associations were mostly with the choir, but I well remem- ber the faces of those who occupied the front seats, before the pulpit-Dr. Coleman and his sister Maria, Miss Helen Brown, Miss Sarah Humphrey, Miss Henrietta Danforth and her sister, Mrs. Roberts, Nancy Harrison, the Misses Frost and others.
But those first pleasant years were also years of trial and chas- tening. I think Maria Robinson, the lovely, promising daugh- ter of our good Deacon Robinson, who, thank God, is still with us, was the first to be promoted to the higher school, but not the last. Other "angels on earth," many mothers in Israel, left us during the first two years and made us feel bereaved. After these deaths Mr. Harris preached a wonderful course of four sermons on heaven, which I have always wished had been print- ed.
Then that dreadful fire which consumed the pride of our eyes-the comely church and that beautiful, graceful spire! There was no doubt about it ever-It always pointed heaven- ward, for all the "country round." I confess I have always held a secret hope it might sometime be restored, They said it was beautiful to look at as the flames crept up to the top, but alas! it meant too much to us to enjoy its beauty.
As to the rank and file of that little company "there were giants in those days," giants in prayer and service-so many were entirely competent to take charge of meetings, "to edifica- tion"-one, especially, I remember, whose heart seemed always in a revival-always ready to talk lovingly of the things of the kingdom and to work for it-(J. H. D.). We had a grand leader in good Dr. Humphrey, who was untiring in his interest and devotion to the church, always wise in council, and effici- ent in service and then came Mr. Harris-so spiritual-clear as
112
Book of the Jubilee.
sunlight in his teachings, making the way of life so attractive- did he not lead us "in green pastures" and "by still waters ?" A very angel of comfort in a sick room-a benediction of peace and strength in the presence of death. How many clouds he lifted from sorrowing and doubtful hearts-taking them from the "slough of despond" and planting their feet on the Rock Christ Jesus, opening in advance the heavenly gates to many a longing soul !
But time would fail me to mention the Daniels and Elijahs and Jeremiahs of those early days; the Loises and the Eunices. There was good brother Stoddard who kept his vow always to speak for his Master, in meeting, and whose quaint, pithy say- ings and illustrations are still remembered and are a power for good. One of his illustrations about repentance was striking as he told it. Going through deep woods, the way is easy so long as you keep in the straight path, for the light at the end makes it plain-but the moment you step out of the path you lose sight of the light and all is dark and you are lost in the thick underbrush. You cannot go back across lots-but must go step by step over the way you have wandered to the point from which you started-there is no round-a-bout way.
His faith was simple, but strong, and in prayer he talked with his Father as a child. One of his petitions was, "Make us willing to do little errands for Thee."
There was Mr. Beebe, too, father of James M. of Boston, one of the most successful business men there, who had not been a church-going man but who went beyond us all in fitting up his pew luxuriously, cushioning its back, furnishing foot stools and hymn books liberally, and best of all, occupying it himself.
The Sabbath School too-with its wide-awake, faithful, gen- ial superintendent-its "Infant Class" (not Primary Depart- ment!") of forty five under one teacher, who always were pres-
113
Book of the Jubilee.
ent at the opening and closing exercises of the school-Where are they now? Some have "passed on" -- but others ! must be working for the Master, in his vineyard-some in this dear church of our love and our desire.
And the time of good things has not passed. There is still self-denying faithful effort-still there are praying hearts, con- secrated lives, of which others will speak and in which I rejoice and from my heart I say, "God bless the South Congregational Church of Pittsfield --- its consecrated pastor and its people --- its officers-its choir-its Sabbath School and the little ones."
May we all be gathered sometime in our Father's house to the family re-union to "glory, honor, immortality and eternal life."
HELEN DUNHAM LITTLE,
Charter Member.
EXTRACT FROM LETTER OF PROFESSOR ALFRED M. FLETCHER.
Your pastor and you, yourselves, were kindly and patient with young organists. The church was a good religious home and there was a deal of helpful influence from its services and mem- bers.
Mr. Rice, in the choir, was kind, like a father, and has been ever since. He sang his part in his modest way; he harmonized with any thing or any body and was a kind of choir Moses lead- ing us out of our darker troubles or little "scraps" into a tuneful frame of mind.
There was, however, a man, a friend of yours and of mine, who was in truth your musician. His interest never flagged ; he loved the language of music and talked in it to God and man. He heard and remembered, not only sermons, but songs, volun-
114
Book of the Jubilee.
taries and interludes. So he interested himself in all human affairs; so especially did his life concern itself with music and so, most of all, I think in the music of the church. Every step toward the new organ was watched by him with the keenest in- terest and when it came, it was a sincere regret not to be there and lead him to it, to see him caress it, trace out its form, so gently, with his sensitive finger tips and to leave him to his worship-just that once.
I have often wondered if the people of Pittsfield-even the people of this church, fully appreciate the power of good influ- ence in Vinet Walker's life.
It is something to us to have felt the value of such concentra- tion of memory.
It is much to live beside a man who had so much to endure and won such a victory of patience and love. It is more than good fortune to have a friend who did all this and, more than all, had faith in you and in me and in God.
Ever since that autumn day, when the leaves were falling- that beautiful-that glorious day !-- when you sang in the church and he heard it above, when you found it harder to sing and he easier than ever to hear, when you left his body under the bright, red leaves, on the old Berkshire hillside and his soul was at peace in the eternal hills, an old word has a new meaning to us. "Blessed are they that have not seen and yet, have believed,"
Yours with sincere good wishes for the church and greetings to its people.
A. M. FLETCHER.
EXTRACT FROM LETTER OF THE REV. R. A. ROBINSON.
Margaret Academy, Onancock, Va., Nov. 9, 1900. My Dear Smart:
Your Jubilee program has just come. The occasion has a
115
Book of the Jubilee.
sweet peculiar interest to me. It recalls so much that is dear to me. Certain names are eloquent. I forbear to seem to make distinctions.
But amongst the sainted ones who have been "caught up," dear to all lovers of good, one name, one face, one voice seems to be haloed, as 'twere exhaling heavenly comfort-Deacon Peirson.
Oh! that this Jubilee Memorial may make quick and tender all the dear memories of past fellowship and so make effectual all efforts for holy service for the future.
Affectionately yours,
R. A. ROBINSON.
.
1
DEACON WILLIAM ROBINSON
ADDRESS
BY DEACON WILLIAM ROBINSON.
I had a notice, a few days ago, that I should be called upon to make a speech, as they called it. Well, I have not made up my mind what to say. I remember, on one occasion, Jesus told Peter to go out and cast a hook and take the first fish that came up. Perhaps we shall have to practice on that. Peter went out; he knew exactly where to cast his hook; he knew just when to pull on the line to catch the fish and he was successful. He got the money out of the fish, to pay the demand of himself and Jesus. He put it into the contribution box. As I understand it, the South Church has been fishing for the last year or two and has been successful. We got enough money to pay our debts, money in the fish's mouth, and we stand square with the world. That is well. The house of God is free from incumbrance, and we are free from the burden which has been hanging upon us for a good while.
There is another thing. In calling to his disciples, Jesus said to them: "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." They followed Him and they were successful. That is just what the South Church has been doing for the last fifty years, fishers of men and women and children, and the appearance of things to-night rather looks as though we had been successful.
I look back fifty years and Pittsfield looks so much different now than it did fifty years ago that I should not know the place. I should hardly know myself. The churches have kept pace
118
Book of the Jubilee.
pretty well with the city; I don't know as they have come up fully to the line, but they have done pretty well. I have a deep sympathy for all the churches of Pittsfield because I sympa- thize with the men. I have been associated with the leading men of most all of them, and if they are in prosperity, I am glad. If they are in adversity, I am sad.
Well, I stand here, a representative of a family of twelve, all grown up people but one; one of the family died in infancy. All the rest grew up and had families and I am the only man on earth that belonged to that family, to stand here and tell the story. Not one of that family died without a good hope of eternal life.
But that is not what I am going to say. There is another subject that has lain upon my mind with some weight. The original members of this church have nearly all of them passed away. We call them dead. They are not dead. They never were more alive than to-day, never had more life and interest than they have, and it is a pleasure for us to feel that they are still living under more favorable circumstances than we are our- selves.
I read the history of Dr. Todd some ten years ago. I knew Dr. Todd pretty well and so did you. In the history of his death it is stated that he shouted "Glory, glory, glory" three times and then he died. What is it that makes a man, when he is going to die, shout with such earnestness' "Glory" three times? It is what is beyond. It is just what our friends, whom we call dead, are enjoying tonight. We are here in this house dedicated to the service of the living God, but they are in circumstances that are wonderfully more interesting and desira- ble than we can get anywhere on earth. We ought to be glad that we could do something for them to fit them for a higher scene of living than we can have on earth. And we did those
119
Book of the Jubilee.
things. I can testify of men and women that stood up and la- bored and prayed and sang and did everything they could to ad- Vance the interests of the people of the South Church.
Now, friends, we are in good condition. We are all right to go forward. Don't let us slack our interest; don't let us slack anything that promises advancement and more light and blessed- ness. Let us do what we can.
Our Father in heaven, we come to Thee to ask that we may be fitted for the discharge of the duties that devolve upon us. May we do all we can for the honor of Thy name, for the advance- ment of the interests of Thy kingdom, and for the salvation of men. This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
ADDRESS
BY JOHN BASCOM, D. D., LL. D.
Members of the South Church and Congregation: Though my knowledge of Pittsfield extends beyond the period of the life of this church, I have none the less been so much of an out- sider that I can add nothing to those memories which you have been refreshing for the past three days. Perhaps you will be willing that the words now spoken shall be a little more remote and a little more critical. The one thing which would per- haps strike a disinterested observer of this Jubilee would be that it is so thoroughly identified with a single church; that you have set apart these days for its celebration; that it is your own activity in the past, with its successes and failures, that are called to mind. Though the other churches of this city may be with you-they are with you in sympathy-yet it is your own anniversary. This accords in large measure with our Congre- gational polity. It is marked, above all religious polities, for its particularism, for its individualism; and therefore it is very exceptional in the religious history of the world. The religions of the world have, for the most part, been received by individuals from large ecclesiastical bodies, and men have shared their con- victions with their neighbors. There comes from this particul- arism of our Congregational polity the largest sense of individ- ual responsibility and of individual liberty. What we achieve we must primarily achieve by our own efforts, and we have no great promise of rewards or honors leading us to enter into
122
Book of the Jubilee.
religious work in connection with any other portion of the king- dom of Christ. This individualism stands in marked contrast with the prevailing tendency of our times. This tendency is to organize, to unite in large numbers for the accomplishment either of narrow or comprehensive ends. Other churches are taking into consideration the fitness of striving to unite them- selves in a more comprehensive way, and this effort on their part arises in connection with the larger churches rather than in connection with those whose numbers are less numerous. We, as Congregationalists, it is not likely, can take any great part in a movement of that kind. We probably would feel concern- ing such an organization that it would be a burden which neither we nor our fathers were able to bear. Yet, in spite of this separation of ourselves in the religious world, there is noth- ing more organic, nothing more comprehensive in the relation of its members to each other, than the kingdom of heaven. What I wish to present is the connection of these two things, our particularism as a Congregational Church, and the organic force of the kingdom of heaven. How can these two things be brought together? I think the first purpose of a church,- of any form of combination for the sake of spiritual ends,-is to receive the current revelation of God, to apprehend the spec- ial light that falls upon us in our generation. This was the purpose of the prophets and of the apostles in their time- to apprehend the new light and stand on terms of immediate con- nection with the divine truth as applicable to them, then and there. The period over which the life of this church extends ha's been one remarkable in the history of the world for its religious revelation, the revelation of God. None of us, however atten- tive we may have been, have received more than a fraction of this vision of truth. Only a small portion of us have been able to stand out in this sunlight of the divine presence, which
123
Book of the Jubilee.
has shone upon us with such wonderful clearness in the years that have passed over this church. For the receiving of this di- vine truth by the world it seems to me our Congregational pol- ity is especially fitted. We are not compelled to take it any fas- ter than we are prepared to take it, nor are we restrained from moving forward as rapidly as the revelation comes to us. Noth- ing can be more special, nothing can be more particular, than God's dealings with the human mind in connection with the rev- elation of His kingdom and of His love and of Ilis purposes in the world. Only when we are gathered together in such num- bers that we understand each other, can talk with each other, can pray and meditate in reference to the divine truth, are we in the condition best fitted for that revelation. The particular- ism of our Congregational polity puts us on the terms of largest freedom and intercourse with the revelation of life and light which falls upon us in our own generation. We are not under the shadow or under the restraint, or even under the guidance, of an ecclesiastical organization to such a degree as to embarrass our individual measurements and apprehensions.
The second purpose of a church comprehends its active mis- sion. It is to carry forward this truth into the kingdom of heaven, to build up the kingdom of heaven. This king- dom of heaven is capable of receiving and demands this individual labor which you and I, united in a church, are best prepared to put forth. We are not to look upon the world as a vale of tears. It is in some sense a vale of tears, but more and more should it seem to us to be filled with sunlight. Can we not, in connection with our particularism, enter into the organic forces of the kingdom of heaven more perfectly than we could enter into them in connection with our relations to a larger and apparently more comprehensive and organic church? There is nothing so organic as the kingdom of heaven. It in-
124
Book of the Jubilee.
volves new and fitting relations in the civil world, in the econo- mic world, in the social world, in the religious world. We cease to have the idea, under our narrow polity, that the world is to be gathered into our church, but rather that the life of our church is to pour itself into the world. It is not that politics is to enter the pulpit, but that the pulpit is to enter politics. It is not that the world about us is to sit under our instruction, but that the spirit of our instruction is to be of that masterful kind that shall go out into the world for its subjugation. It is our duty to order the social conditions of the world in a Christ-like temper. Can we not individually best express this Christ-like temper which is to go with the church and from the church into the world? It matters not where the trolley cars are running, nor in what direction. What we ask is, Where is the power generated? The great question is not the number of churches that are to be united in the kingdom of heaven, nor the relations that are to be established between them, nor the variety of ser- vice that is to be rendered by them; the great question is, Whence is to come the spiritual power by which these various things are to be done ?' It is altogether a question of life. In the organic world it is the living cell, the simple form of life, that is absorbed into the larger forms of life, and comes to rule them. So must it be in the kingdom of heaven. It is the in- dividual life taken up into this larger life and made a portion of it which is to introduce this kingdom of heaven. Because of our individualism and our particularism, among all the things that are to be absorbed into that one comprehensive organiza- tion, the kingdom of heaven, there is room for us in the mani- fold relations of faith and of spiritual activity.
Probably no fifty years in the world's history has, on the whole, been equivalent to the fifty years which you have just passed through in the variety of revelation, bearing directly or
125
Book of the Jubilee.
indirectly on the kingdom of God. It is not probable that, in the next fifty years, there will be an equivalent amount of reve- lation; but there should be, in those fifty years, more activity, more application of the truth, a better understanding of where the truth carries us in the world, of what obligations it lays upon us in our business relations, how it builds up and governs society, than in the fifty years that have now passed by, or than in any fifty years that have come to the world. This church is called to these fifty years. We stand at the threshold of this future, to take all that has been so liberally granted us and return it to the world in that one momentous fact, the kingdom of heaven. How far is this South Church prepared to stand between the present and the future, to receive the things that have come to it through God's Word, through God's work, through service everywhere, through those even who have denied His name-to take this revelation that has come from all directions and turn it into the kingdom of heaven? This is the labor and this the prom- ise of the fifty years that lie before you. In proportion as we enter into this work that which we already enjoy in so large a measure will come to us in more abundant ministrations. We shall not have light except as we use that light for the great ends of obedience and sanctification under the divine purpose.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.