USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Watertown > Memorial history of the First Baptist Church : Watertown, Massachusetts. 1830-1930. > Part 3
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REV. B. A. EDWARDS
Rev. B. A. Edwards was called to lead the church in May 1850 and, during his ministry of three and one half years, forty-six new members were welcomed.
Pastor Edwards was a Massachusetts man. He was born in Framingham during the trying days of the War of 1812 and all of his years of service were spent in the Old Bay State.
Grafton, Newtonville, Plymouth, Holliston, Sharon, and Bolton, shared with Watertown the faithful min- istrations of this prophet of God.
Brown University and Newton Theological Institu- tion each contributed a choice alumnus, to the loftiest calling on earth, when Pastor Edwards was ordained in January, 1845.
Henry Drummond aptly portrayed this man of God when he wrote in one of his addresses : "After you have been kind, - after Love has stolen forth into the world, and done its beautiful work, - go back into the shade again, and say nothing about it."
REV. WILLIAM BROWN
Rhode Island was the native state of the next prophet in succession. His intellectual and ministerial train- ing were received at Brown University and Newton
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Theological Institution. After graduation in the class of 1839 he served a number of large churches in the West and East and left behind him in Watertown a record of lasting value.
During the five year period from 1855-1860, forty six members were added to the growing church roll and the first meeting house was torn down to make room for a more commodious structure.
The second edifice was pleasing in its type of archi- tecture. Captain Joseph Sanger, the builder, adopted a novel device in erecting the spire. This graceful landmark was assembled inside a central shaft, extend- ing from the vestibule to the bell tower and then raised slowly and securely to its position in the completed building. This engineering feat has just been dupli- cated in New York where a slender spire of rustless steel was assembled inside of the Chrysler 1046 foot tower and raised to the summit of the tallest building in the world. 1858 and 1930 have much in common when comparisons are drawn.
The second edifice also contained two improvements sorely needed by the church in the conduct of its work. A kitchen and a baptistry were novelties in those days and their installation was viewed with grave concern by some of the devout members. While these improve- ments proved their worth a thousand fold, in the prac- tical administration of church affairs, they provoked earnest discussion and protest.
July 24, 1857 the following resolutions were offered :- "Believing in the supreme right of the church to con- struct its house of worship according to its own con- ception of her necessities.
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Therefore, Resolved: That the introduction of a baptistry (so called) into the new house is a needless expense, and a perversion of the divine ordinance of Baptism as instituted by the Saviour.
Resolved :- That the building committee be in- structed to so alter their plan as to dispense with the so called baptistry." Both resolutions were voted down but the sentiment of the meeting was about evenly divided.
September 14, 1857. The question was considered again and when finally voted down the following pro- test was presented by one of the members with a request that it be entered on the records.
"Whereas it is the duty of every disciple of Christ to 'earnestly contend for the faith which was once de- livered to the Saints.' Therefore voted that the under- signed be permitted to enter this upon record as his protest against this innovation upon the Gospel mode of Baptism."
During the period of construction the Unitarian Church kindly offered the use of their house and vestry for worship and its weekly adjuncts.
The offer of the vestry was accepted and the weekly prayer meetings were held in the church on the hill, but the preaching services were held in the Town Hall. The new house of worship costing $13,795 was dedi- cated September 30, 1858.
April 30, 1858. The church granted a letter to Luther G. Barrett approving of his desire to study for the ministry and September 2, 1859 raised a fund of $66 to aid him during his preparation.
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February 13, 1859. The church voted to raise their proportion of $400 toward paying the debt of the Bap- tist Church in Melrose. The money was raised and paid.
It is a singular coincidence that Rev. Luther G. Bar- rett, retired, is still living at the age of 92, and is a member of the Melrose Church.
Between the resignation of Pastor Brown and the settlement of his successor, the records contain a frater- nal action that brightens the pages of history.
January 17, 1861, voted : "That the use of our vestry on Monday and Friday evenings, with the exception of the Friday preceeding the first Sunday of each month, be tendered to the Phillips Church, whose edifice has recently been destroyed by fire.
VOTED : - "That the clerk notify Rev. S. R. Denning of the above vote tomorrow morning."
Rev. Alfred S. Patton. On March 25, 1861, at a regular business meeting of the church it was voted to extend a call to Rev. Alfred S. Patton, of Roxbury, to become pastor. Sixty-four ballots were cast and all were in the affirmative.
The call of the church was accepted in a letter ex- pressing a fine spirit of appreciation of the honor con- ferred and Pastor Patton began his labors in May, 1861.
During his ministry, which lasted until July, 1864, thirty-three new members were welcomed to church fellowship.
All through this period the civil war was raging and
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North and South were fighting some of the most des- perate battles of all time.
Watertown was a military camp. Uniformed sol- diers were present in church and prayer meetings.
Patriotism ran high as family after family sent their sons to the front.
It was during church time on Sabbath Morning that the disastrous battle of Bull Run was reported. The services were stopped, and men and women repaired to the Town Hall to pick lint for the wounded and bleeding soldiers.
It was during the war period that Rev. A. B. Earle assisted the Pastor in special services. This series of addresses was very effective in arousing inactive church members and making new converts.
Early in Pastor Patton's ministry, David Downie was received by letter from the Tremont Street Bap- tist Church, Roxbury. March, 1862, he was given a Letter of Character that he might receive aid from the Northern Baptist Education Society. This action of the church helped him to pursue his studies in prepara- tion for the christian ministry.
He was dismissed October 9, 1866, to the First Bap- tist Church, Providence, while a student at Brown Uni- versity and welcomed home again November 5, 1869, for his study course at Newton. As a missionary in India he wrote golden history at Nellore and Coonoor.
Pastor Patton was a man of fine presence and had a strong persuasive voice. He and his happy family exer- cised a marked influence for good during their resi- dence in Watertown.
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Between July, 1864, and October, 1865, the church extended a unanimous call to Rev. A. K. P. Small, of Bangor, Maine, to lead the Baptist forces in Water- town, but the call was declined July 11, 1865.
September 3, 1865, the church voted to call a coun- cil to consider the ordination of Luther G. Barrett and on September 17, 1865, he was officially set aside to the work of a long and useful ministry.
September 25, 1865, a notable group of Baptists was received into Watertown Baptist Fellowship: Rev. A. B. Earle, Mrs. Lavinia Earle, James H. Earle, Mary Earle, Edward Earle and Emma J. Earle. The record states : "The relation of the christian experience of each of the above was very interesting and satisfac- tory. This group and their descendents wrote golden lines in the Contribution of the First Baptist Church, Watertown, to the Nineteenth Century.
Rev. W. F. Stubbert. On October 24, 1865, the church voted to extend a call to Rev. W. F. Stubbert, of Randolph, Mass., to become Pastor. This call was accepted and a new leader began his ministry Decem- ber 3, 1865.
His work with the church was hindered by his physi- cal condition which necessitated his absence for many months and finally led to his resignation October 4, 1868.
During these trying days ministerial brethren sup- plied the church without remuneration and the church itself displayed real christian generosity. Sixty-nine new members were received into the church, many of whom became its warm supporters.
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We list a few of these additions: S. H. Coombs, Howard Russell, Stillman March, Herbert Bent, Wm. H. Pevear, Newell Tainter, Wm. Fayes, Ida Nor- cross, Alice Norcross, Josephine Tainter, Emma Gilkey, Emma Porter, Carrie Russell, Estelle Pendle- ton and Emma Bond.
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CHAPTER IV ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF MUSIC
T
HE oldest book of the Bible states that when the foundations of the earth were laid : "The Morning Stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy."
The last book of the Bible, in its description of the New Heaven and New Earth, gives music an exalted place in the perfected program of God.
What lies between?
Charles W. Landon writes: "Music is God's best gift to man, the only art of heaven given to earth, the only art of earth that we take to heaven. But, music, like all our gifts is given us in germ. It is for us to un- fold and develop it by instruction and cultivation."
Carlyle adds : "See deep enough, and you see music- ally; the heart of nature being everywhere music, if you can only reach it."
From its earliest inception the First Baptist Church in Watertown has run true to the best form in its music attitude. Never have her harps been hung on the wil- lows. Never have her melodious upspringings been re- pressed. She has sought to see deeply; to unfold and develop heaven's gift.
Bells
"How sweet the chime of the Sabbath Bells! Each one its creed in music tells, In tones that float upon the air, As soft as song, as sweet as prayer."
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The successive church buildings have never been without a bell. The same bell used in the old, White Meeting House was hung in the new building con- structed in 1858 and, in 1900, it was transferred to the present tower. Here it was used until 1922, when a new bell, the gift of the Ladies' Aid Society, was in- stalled and now renders joyous musical service.
The Service of Dedication was held on Sunday eve- ning, November 4, 1923. In fitting words, Mrs. W. H. Lucas, President of the Society, presented the bell to the church and the Pastor accepted the same on behalf of the church. A brief history of Church Bells was then given, after which the formal dedication was made, prayer offered and the bell tolled.
The far-reaching influence of this noble gift cannot be computed lightly.
Longfellow, in Christus, helps our appreciation of the gift.
"The bells themselves are the best of preachers ;
Their brazen lips are learned teachers,
From their pulpits of stone in the upper air,
Sounding aloft without crack or flaw,
Shriller than trumpets under the law,
Now a sermon and now a prayer ;
The clamorous hammer is the tongue,
This way, that way, beaten and swung; That from mouth of brass, as from mouth of gold,
May be taught the Testaments, New and Old."
Cantata of Moses. On June 8, 1881, the Sunday School Choir presented a noteworthy program. Their
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choral composition, in three parts, was unique in every respect.
The group who followed Carlyle's advice to "See Deep Enough," and who wrote the libretto was com- posed of Mrs. M. T. Rogers, Mr. F. E. Crawford and the Misses Alice I. Norcross, Emma H. McLauthlin, Maria H. Macurdy and Hattie E. Wiswall.
Mr. Clarence A. Marshall, the Director and Or- ganist, composed the music, and Miss Louise W. Pray added her rare talent as Pianist.
THE CHARACTERS
PHARAOH (King of Egypt) Bass, MR. SUMNER COOLIDGE MOSES Baritone, MR. JAMES E. NORCROSS A HEBREW Bass, MR. LUCIUS P. COFFIN
THERMUTHIS (Pharaoh's Daughter),
Soprano, MISS JENNIE MASON JOCHABED (Moses' Mother),
Soprano, MISS HATTIE MCLAUTHLIN ANGEL Soprano, MISS KITTIE LESTER PRIESTS OF NEF, PTAH, RA, OSIRIS WILLIE TOWLE GEORGE MCWHIRTER, GEORGE MUNSON, LOUIS GOODWIN PRIESTESSES OF BUTO, NEITHA, THOTH, ISIS,
ELLA BIXBY, MABEL STILES, LENA MASON, ALICE LESTER
A capacity audience attended the Cantata and voiced its appreciation in frequent applause. The possibilities of home talent were never more signally displayed.
After a half century the echoes are still ringing and, in this brief sketch, a choice group of Baptist youth is recalled to receive the applause and thanks of a new century.
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Sunday Evening Song Services. . Those who stayed away missed an outstanding feature of Watertown's religious activity from 1877 - 1900.
These services were a revelation of the power of united and spontaneous gospel singing.
Precentors James Gilkey and Louis Goodwin were musical live wires and they were re-enforced with a splendid orchestra and young people's chorus.
There was never a Sunday Evening problem on Pas- tor Capen's schedule. For more than two decades, in all weathers, and in spite of all counter attractions, the vestry of the church by the railroad was thronged with happy people who loved to sing the old and new hymns and speak a good word for Jesus Christ.
This musical talent overflowed. Mt. Auburn Chapel and Waverley Cottage meetings, young mission inter- ests of the church, often felt the inspiration of our musi- cal volunteers. Pastor Capen wore his happiest smile, on Sunday evening, as the flood of music and testimony brought hundreds to look into the face of God.
Music at the Y. M. C. A. Why bring that into a history of the First Baptist Church? Because the local Y. M. C. A. started in the Baptist Vestry as the "Asso- ciation of Christian Workmen."
George S. Turner, S. H. Coombs, W. L. Rockwell, A. F. Tolman, W. H. Lucas, F. E. Crawford and their Baptist associates, were consistent boosters of the Red Triangle and for two years your historian was its paid secretary.
During the entire existence of this Young Men's or- ganization the Sunday Afternoon Men's Meeting was
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made a character-forming asset of the town. James Gilkey, Louis Goodwin, Edward Coombs, Randall Capen, Edward Capen, Frank Gilkey, Edward Cole, Olie Halladay and George Critchley deserve decora- tions for their musical fidelity and cooperation and from the land of grateful memory they challenge this historic recognition.
Do the angels still visit Watertown? The Epistle to the Hebrews encourages us to believe that they do.
What must be the musings of the angels as they re- visit Lyman's Block and Otis Building on Sunday af- ternoons?
The Volunteer Choir. From the physical view- point the architects of our three church buildings are a unit in elevating the choir and shutting them in. The why of this agreement must be left to musical conjec- ture and does not seem to have a place in these historic data. Doubtless "Will Rogers" could give some laugh- able reasons if his keen analysis were sought.
Bent's manuscript contains this interesting musical setting :- "The old White Meeting House, with box pews and doors to shut you in - a high pulpit at one end, and a higher gallery at the other, with short red curtains, run on iron rods, to hide the men and women singers."
"At first the only musical instrument was a tuning- fork wielded by the leader Joseph Bird. Then came the orchestra, and later an organ played by Joshua Coolidge, and his son. Antipas Jackson, with his strong bass voice, never failed for forty-five years to carry his part in the service, to the admiration of the
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The Memorial History of The First Baptist Church of Watertown, Massachusetts
James 6. Noscuso.
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Watertown Baptist Church
maidens in the choir. He also furnished the hymn books and Lennox, St. Denis, Peterboro, Boylston and other old time tunes lifted the hearts of the people in their praise."
Volunteer choirs are not always dependable, even after rehearsal. We have listened to Choir discords and helped to produce them and more than once have been glad that the architect elevated the choir gallery and that fashion provided red curtains. On a certain October 8, a certain choir was out of tune with the Infinite and almost everything finite. The result was a travesty on a concord of sweet sounds. But the anthem of October 15 atoned for the fiasco of the previous Sun- day and won a notice of commendation in "Choir Notes" for October 22.
Volunteer week night choir practice and volunteer Sunday anthem production, through a long term of years, are no sinecure. Those who thus unfold and develop Heaven's gift, and continue faithful in their musical well doing, deserve historic mention on earth and an unquestioned right to sing with the white-robed choir in Heaven. Most of us in the pews too often forget to say : "Thank you to our choirs".
The Boy at the Pump. This item caught our eye as we read the Bent manuscript :- "Our present brother, Charles Jackson, sometimes forgot to pump wind enough into the organ".
In the early history of our music the boy at the pump was as essential to anthem production as the soloist in the centre front row. He was a vital factor in making a joyful noise unto the Lord. From experience we
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sympathize with Charles Jackson and his fellow martyrs.
Here is the boy's task :- Watch the wind register with unfaltering vigilance, keep a leaky bellows sup- plied with air when the organist has his eye on "Forte," pump, pump, pump, in hot, cramped, dark quarters among dusty organ pipes, for a compensation of ten cents an hour. That used to be essential to good an- them music, but it is no prize to be grasped.
Now motors, when they do not balk, are responsible to the organist. If the motor refuses to supply power, it is useless to criticise, as it hears all criticism mechani- cally. It says nothing and waits for adjustment. We sympathize with the boys of earlier days who held their peace when "called on the carpet" for negligence, in order to hold their job at ten cents an hour. Modern motors have eliminated the necessity of all such items as these in future church records. October 8, 1858. Voted :-
"That Brother Pratt be instructed to keep boys from the singing gallery excepting the boy whose duty it is to assist the organist." The boy at the pump was, and is, dear to the Father's heart.
We wonder what the God of music thinks of our musical profession when we enclose the blow-boy in an uninviting wind closet, turn our backs upon him when we sing, deprive him of the companionship of his chums, and expect to find this item in the blow- boy's diary for Sunday: "Spent a refreshing hour in the Lord's House today."
From "Christ in the Poetry of Today," copyright by the National Board of the Young Women's Christ-
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ian Associations of the United States of America" we add the readable little poem, by Leonard Feeney, en- titled the "Organ Blower."
"THE ORGAN BLOWER"
That Mary, the Mother Of Jesus, may Have a lovely hymn On her festive day :-
That God Almighty May be adored With tuneful treble And bass and chord :-
That music may mingle With light and flower, On the hot June nights At the Holy Hour :-
Humphrey, the loon, By the dusty rafter Sweats like an ox, And he says: "I haf ter Buy new galluses The mornin' after."
Mrs. Lucy F. Gilkey. One of the earliest of the church quartets was composed of Frank Bird, Lucy Fox, Mary Bird and Joseph Bird. This quartet is remembered with real pleasure by those who were permitted to listen to their sacred selections.
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In the harmonious course of events Fred Masters and Mary Bird were united in marriage and a talented daughter, ever an ardent discoverer of the best, is now the efficient librarian of the Watertown Public Library. Lucy Fox married Frank Gilkey, son of Deacon Royal Gilkey, a promising young man whose early death was felt keenly in the religious life of the church.
Mrs. Gilkey continued long in the choir as the lead- ing soprano soloist in quartet and chorus productions. For many years she was a teacher of vocal culture and some of Watertown's choice musical talent were the product of her careful training. With her gracious manner she won a place in all hearts. She lived in the lively shadow-world of song. Through life she belonged to that divine group of whom Longfellow wrote :-
"God sent his singers upon earth With songs of sadness and of mirth, That they might touch the hearts of men, And bring them back to heaven again."
Two noble sons, both baptized by Pastor Capen, are adding glory to their heritage.
Frank Gilkey, a graduate of Harvard University, has spent thirty-three years as instructor in the Med- ford, Mass., High School where his fine musical talent and pedagogical ability have secured for him a com- manding place among the educational forces of Greater Boston.
Waldo Gilkey, his brother, an alumnus of Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology has so majored in Engineering that his rise in his chosen field of endeavor
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MRS. LUTHER BENT (Eveline A. Wheeler) One of the original Sunday School teachers.
Watertown Baptist Church
has been steady and compelling. As Division Engineer of the New York Water Supply the millions of the densest population in the United States put their con- fidence in his ability to give them each day their daily water.
"Traverse the desert, and then ye can tell What treasures exist in the cold deep well; Sink in despair on the red, parched earth, And then ye may reckon what water is worth." Cook.
Edward Henry Coombs was baptized January 2, 1887, by Pastor Capen. In the musical annals of the church he wrote history of an enduring character. God gave him ten talents and he invested them all in pro- ducing harmony acceptable to the King of Kings.
Mr. Coombs died in Washington, D. C., on his way South for a vacation rest and is buried by the side of his parents in beautiful Mt. Auburn Cemetery.
At a memorial service held Sunday afternoon June 3, 1917, Pastor Charles H. Day paid a fine tribute to this Master of the Keys, entitled : "The End of a Per- fect Day".
We add to our memorial volume a brief extract from Dr. Day's eulogy: "We have listened this afternoon to the music and our hearts have been moved by the harmony of the voice and the sweet strains of the organ. Perhaps the tones of the instrument have re- minded us of one who for many years sat in the organ- ist's seat, and who gave so much of his time, his talent, and his energy to the musical department of this church. It is due to his efforts and his gifts that we
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have so beautiful and efficient an instrument. For its reconstruction he gave $2300. For many years he turned back every cent of his salary as organist to the treasury of the church. After his death we have learned of still another evidence of his thoughtfulness. These benefactions were made quietly and few knew of them.
The church is now glad to make them known and to announce its intention of soon placing on the organ a bronze tablet suitably inscribed with the name and work of our brother. Today he sleeps in yonder ceme- tery and in this hour, amid these surroundings, in this musical service where he would have liked to be, we gladly dedicate our tribute of love and gratitude to his memory.
His life, like Paul's, was not all sunshine. There were battles, there were failures, there were triumphs, and now he has come to the end of the day.
In the presence of the Master, before the throne of God where shines the rainbow of promise, he joins in sweeter and grander music than earthly ears have heard."
The tablet placed on the organ bears this inscrip- tion :-
In Memoriam Edward H. Coombs Organist for Seventeen Years By his generosity this organ was rebuilt November, Nineteen Hundred Twelve
During the long ministry of Dr. Day, special musi- cal services of worship revealed the church ever eager "to unfold and develop heaven's gift." In 1909 and
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1910 the following violinists and cellists enriched the services with concourse of sweet sounds: L. H. Har- rington, John Hackel, Frederick Crawford and James Gordon Gilkey.
In 1919 and 1921 members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and other artists, under the direction of Mr. Paul Shirley, presented Russian, Italian, French and special programs, and helped to make the services of God's Sanctuary none other than holy ground.
The church crosses the threshold of its new century under the musical leadership of Organist and Director Ira L. Chappell and a vested quartet and children's choir.
CHURCH QUARTET Soprano, Helen J. Courtenay Contralto, Madeliene D. Brooks Tenor, Paul M. Dove Baritone, Earle G. Clement. CHOIR
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