USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Watertown > Memorial history of the First Baptist Church : Watertown, Massachusetts. 1830-1930. > Part 8
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Very early in life he showed rare qualities of leader- ship and his influence over his youthful associates was always a force for righteousness.
High School preparation found him ready to enter Harvard University. Here he completed his four academic years in three years, and was graduated with a B. A. degree and a "Cum Laude" in Philosophy.
In 1899 he entered Newton Theological Institution where he maintained the same high standards of schol- arship and deepened his consecration to his chosen life work. In 1901, he married Clara Dunham, one of the choice spirits in the younger set of the Watertown church, and their home life was ideal. The happy story of his wedding and ordination may be found in the special section devoted to the ministry of James Grant. These episodes are given a place of honor in this section because they were the first of such events to take place in the new church edifice. In August, 1902, he was settled in South Paris, Maine, a good state and a good town for an initial settlement.
His phenomenal success here was followed by record- breaking victories at Winter Hill, Somerville, and Roger Williams Memorial Church, Washington, D. C.
The First Baptist Church, Lowell, where he had barely commenced his work, promised to eclipse in kingdom results all previous triumphs, when he was translated at the age of thirty-nine.
Mr. and Mrs. Pinkham, in all of their parishes, ma- jored in Organized Bible Classes for men and women, and their intensive methods of religious training yielded large and profitable harvests on each yield en- trusted to their care.
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The qualifying age was sixty years. (See Page 61) Given by the young people of the church to the older people. OLD FOLKS' PARTY, JULY 25, 1870
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Watertown Baptist Church
The Watertown Church, rich in its roster of trained men and women sent out to "Mould the Life of the Century," always feels a new surge of gratitude when the name of Hermon Spencer Pinkham is called.
Clara Dunham Pinkham was baptized May 18, 1890, by Pastor Capen and was married to Rev. Hermon S. Pinkham, in the Watertown Baptist Church by Pastor James Grant. Her career reflects the highest credit on all who had to do with her training and promo- tion. We append a leaf from a personal letter : "The old Watertown church, and the many friends in it, form one of the brightest spots in my life".
Her contribution to denominational advancement has been phenomenal. She was the organizer and teacher of the Mizpah Class for Women in the Win- ter Hill Baptist Church, Somerville; also organizer and teacher of the Mizpah Class in the Roger Williams Memorial Church, Washington, D. C.
For two years, 1916-1918, she was dean of the Bap- tist Missionary Training School, Chicago, Ill., and for eight years, 1918-1926, president of the school, succeed- ing Dr. Warren P. Behan.
Since 1926 she has been a member of the National Board of the Woman's American Baptist Home Mis- sion Society, serving on its Finance, Educational and Publication Committees. She is also a member of the New York District Board of Missions for the Baptists of the largest city in America.
"Bonnie Brae" and "Chittenden" have a rare charm for this talented worker. They join with an indis- soluble bond Long Island and the Vermont Hills.
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May all of their voices be vibrant with the music that springs from the heart of God.
Watertown is a sacred shrine in the thought of this consecrated moulder of life.
W. W. Rugg was a Vermont gift to the electorate of Massachusetts and he has qualified as an able and effi- cient citizen. ' Vermont Academy and Brown Univer- sity own him as an alumnus and he has honored his Alma Mater.
As a member of the First Baptist Church, Water- town, he has proved a real asset in character and serv- ice and upheld his best family traditions.
For fifteen years he was superintendent of the Sun- day School, and, without stint, gave constructive thought to the development of a Grade A School.
A personal friend of the historian paid several visits to the school, during this period of Superintendent Rugg's leadership. Out of the dimming years come these allusions to those visits. When a teacher in Her- bert Bent's department asked : "What is the lesson to- day?" One little fellow raised his hand and said: "If it is anything worser than Jezebel I move we don't have it." On another occasion the visitor taught a class of high school girls. To her personal question : "Do we live to eat or eat to live?" there flashed back this answer : "Depends on whether you are a man or a woman, most men live to eat." Her reaction on these visits was this historic comment: "You had to be awake in that school." For fifteen years Mr. Rugg has been secretary of the Boston Bethel Baptist City Mission So- ciety and has helped to guide it through its changes and
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to solve its problems. The year just closed has been one of the best in the history of the society and its an- niversary banquet and exercises formed a notable event in the record of city evangelization.
Mr. Rugg was a member of the Special Committee that raised the balance of the mortgage indebtedness on the church and gave one of the addresses at the an- nual meeting when the mortgage was burned.
He was one of the five donors of the "Deed to a plot of land" that will provide ample room for an impera- tive enlargement of the present church building to meet the religious program of the new century.
Mr. Rugg married Emma Coolidge, an alumna of Wellesley College, and a direct descendant of one of the liberal and devoted founders of the Watertown church. Their son, William C. Rugg, enlisted in the S. N. T. C. during the world war and his name is given an historic rating on the Honor Roll of the church.
James H. Gilkey, son of Deacon Royal Gilkey, was baptized April 14, 1878.
During his residence in Watertown he left a deep religious impress upon all phases of church life. He sang, taught, confessed and prayed his way into the hearts of his fellow men. The modest home on Gilkey Court was rich in hallowed family associations and kingdom influence. It is a great thing for a father and mother to say with devout sincerity: "Here are we Lord," and then be able to add with equal sincerity : "and the children Thou hast given us," but this is the classic record of the household at the end of the court.
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The Watertown Church Circle contributed some of its finest spirits when the voice of the Lord said : "Up get you out into the region of Cayuga." In Ithaca, by the Lake, there is a latch string always out, for those who used to work and worship with those elect saints, James H. and Mrs. Gilkey.
Since July, 1919, Mr. Gilkey has been "Auditor of Vouchers" for the New York State College of Agricul- ture at Cornell University and he is still busy, although the "1859 Machine" needs careful attention in order to handle the increasing college work.
Very reluctantly, in August, 1929, he was obliged to relinquish the additional enjoyable work on behalf of the First Baptist Church of Brooktondale, N. Y. Here, for more than five years, he has "defended the faith which has once for all been delivered to the saints," and has made the sweet cadences of Christ's "Blessed Hope" help form a symphony out of the char- acter of his hearers.
Deacon Royal Gilkey, Sr., one of the outstanding fig- ures in the photograph of the "Old Folks' Party," once wrote to the historian on the occasion of the latter's or- dination. It contained this terse suggestion with ref- erence to preaching the gospel: "Never clip the King's coin, nor muffle the edge of the sword".
A full century of American life, the like of which has not been duplicated since the dawn of time, has felt the arresting and urging impact of the genius of one family of the Watertown church whose christian loyalty has never been successfully challenged.
We feel sure that an On-Going God in the Twen- tieth Century could use other consecrated generations.
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REV. EDWARD A. CAPEN Pastor 1877 - 1900
Watertown Baptist Church
Charles W. Gilkey was born in Watertown, Mass., and baptized November 4, 1894, by Pastor Capen. From life's earliest hour devoted parents consecrated him to the service of God. His "teens" were charac- ter tones in the symphony of young manhood. He was the first president of the Junior Department, of the Watertown Y. M. C. A., and was at that time a marked lad.
Harvard University and Union Theological Semi- nary enriched his keen mental faculties and gave him a broad and sympathetic outlook on life.
On graduation he was ordained November, 1910, in the present church building, during the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Day.
Revs. James Grant, Harry Emerson Fosdick, A. K. Parker and Alexander H. Abbott, who shared in the service, never officiated at a holier dedication: it was a prize opportunity to be grasped. The strategic Hyde Park Church in Chicago was his first and only parish.
Here he made an Interdenominational, International reputation as a clear thinker, sane leader, sincere ad- viser of college youth, and devoted ally of the religion of Jesus Christ. Few leaders in America have envis- aged with greater clarity the changes, slogans and de- mands of the past two restless decades and prescribed such dependable remedies. As the First Dean of the Chapel of Chicago University both the Orient, where he has lectured, and the Occident, where he lives and works, will follow with deepening pride the future decades of the christian influence of this son of prom- ise.
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He married Geraldine G. Brown, of Chicago, whose two children, Mary Jane and Langdon Brown Gilkey will help bear the "goodness of God to the fourth gen- eration".
James Gordon Gilkey. December ninth has a rich significance for this son of the church.
December 9, 1900, the new church building in Watertown was formally dedicated. At the morning service Pastor Capen preached his farewell sermon and administered the rite of baptism to a group of candi- dates including James Gordon Gilkey. At the eve- ning service Pastor Grant delivered his inaugural ad- dress to an audience that thronged the edifice.
The date thus becomes a triple anniversary, for this son of the church and its glory will be intensified with the passing years.
Harvard University and Union Theological Semi- nary shaped the intellectual preparation of this prom- ising candidate for ordination.
The Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church and the South Congregational Church, at Springfield, have shared all of Pastor Gilkey's active ministry to date and they have been years characterized by an inspiring and compelling leadership of a forward-looking prophet of God. His has been an abundant life. In addition to his home task he has delivered messages at North- field conferences, College Vespers, East and West, and at Forums of many sorts. Eager groups of youth spe- cialists, trade and social organizations and the pulpits of all denominations have welcomed his heartening words. Radio thousands have listened in, when he was
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on the air, and then proceeded to act out the good they received.
In a virile manner he has helped to shape the relig- ious thinking of his day and correct its irreligious life. He often changes emphases in such a happy manner that the Press is quick to recognize a new translation and give it front page endorsement. Then droning prophets of gloom suddenly discover that a Psalm of Praise from a free, healthy soul is better for any age than a dirge from captives in a strange land.
Dr. Gilkey chose for his life partner Miss Calma Howe, of Cambridge, Mass., and James Gordon, Jr., Margaret Howe and Edith B. Gilkey are a forward- looking trio who are proud of their Dad.
During the past three years of his residence in Springfield he has served Amherst College as Professor of Biblical History in addition to his varied activities and the International Y. M. C. A. College, always cov- eting the best gifts, has just arranged with Dr. Gilkey to deliver his courses on Biblical Literature at their famous school.
The writer of this volume never reads of fresh honors labelled J. G. G., that he does not turn to his treas- ure vault and re-read "Boston from Harvard Bridge," the Harvard Prize Poem written by undergraduate Gilkey. It was an inspiring sign of promise in the springtime of a consecrated soul.
Royal Gilkey. Ruskin in "The Stones of Venice" has bequeathed these data for our reflection. "Educa- tion is the leading of human souls to what is best, and making what is best out of them : and these two objects
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are always attained together, and by the same means. The training which makes men happiest in themselves also makes them most serviceable to others."
Leading to the best and making the best out of those entrusted to his care has been the life work of Royal Gilkey. In giving the hand-maid of religion a vital emphasis he has added strength and beauty to his fam- ily name.
From 1911 - 1919 he was Assistant Professor at Cor- nell University. From 1919 - 1921 he was Principal of the Greene, N. Y., High School. From 1921 - 1930 he has taught Science in the Ithaca, N. Y., High School. New York State College for Teachers con- ferred on him the M. A. degree and his thesis was pub- lished by the School Review of Chicago, Ill., in Octo- ber, 1929.
He married Eunice W. Jackson and in a home of culture and refinement the parents are leading to what is best a promising quartet Eunice W. Gilkey and Ray- mond W., Royal C., and George J. Gilkey.
On this auspicious anniversary the Watertown church records with justifiable pride the achievements of Royal, the Educator.
Gladys Gilkey shares with her three brothers, Charles, Gordon and Royal, the success that treads on the heels of every right effort. Her early years were spent in Watertown, a pupil of its grade schools and a regular attendant of the First Baptist Church School. After one year at the Newton High School she re- moved with her parents to Ithaca, New York, and fin- ished her college preparation in that city.
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She won the competitive New York State Scholar- ship examination, receiving the then highest marks that had been achieved. She was also awarded the "Blau- velt Scholarship," by Cornell University. These two scholarships paid her entire tuition and all college ex- penses during the complete four years' course in Cor- nell University from which she graduated in 1919.
In 1920 she was married to James B. Calkins, of Ithaca, an alumnus of Cornell, and three children have been born to enrich their home life.
During her entire educational career, Mrs. Calkins has been very active in christian work, teaching classes in Sunday School and Bible Study courses in various Summer Student conferences. She is engaged as leader and teacher of one of the courses in Bible Study at the Student Conference to be held in June, 1930, at Eagles- mere, Pa.
Highly trained, spiritual youth is the finest blessing our age can know. Its example is contagious, its touch is vitalizing and its influence abides for good.
Whenever Mrs. Calkins responds to urgent appeals for constructive leadership, she leaves behind, as a holy benediction, a livelier perception of human worth and a transfiguring picture of "God With Us".
Alexander H. Abbott, one of the promising young men trained in the Watertown Baptist Church, was baptized by Pastor Capen, January, 1896.
On graduation from the Watertown Schools he en- tered Brown University where he became a popular student and won fame for his prowess in athletics.
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Brunonians sing his praises as a star end on the Var- sity Football Team.
March 31, 1905, while Pastor Grant was still its be- loved leader, the Watertown Church granted Abbott a license to preach and he entered Union Theological Seminary to prepare for his chosen life work.
September 6, 1907, he was ordained in his home church the ordination sermon being preached by Rev. W. H. P. Faunce, D. D., President of Brown Univer- sity.
Mr. Abbott was called to the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Albany, New York, and entered upon the leadership of this strong church with many tokens of promise. In the fullness of time he was called to suc- ceed the noted leader at the historic Congregational Church, Norwich, Conn., where he is maintaining its best traditions and moulding its life.
Randall T. Capen was baptized January 30, 1885, by his honored father. Such a privilege comes to but few men : we may well believe it was a happy moment for both.
The Public Schools of Watertown, Harvard Univer- sity and Newton Theological Institution each left their impress on a rare soul. The many forms of christian service which the Watertown church offered were eag- erly improved by this son of promise and kept the years of his adolescent life in tune with the infinite.
On graduation in the Class of 1898, he was ordained in the First Baptist Church, Watertown, June 16, 1898. The ordination sermon was preached by Rev. George
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C. Lorimer, D. D., and the charge to the candidate was given by his father.
After making a deep impression upon the young people in Belfast, Maine, and Madison, Wisconsin, where his American pastorates were held, he turned his face toward the East and sailed for China, Novem- ber, 1904.
Here for a quarter of a century he has labored in the Boys' School at Swatow and is now its official head. Kah-Kuang Academy, under his masterful leadership, is the recognized model for both state and missionary schools in that great city.
A recent letter to the "Homeland Friends" was printed in the calendar of the Watertown Church in April, 1930. We quote from the letter : "Oh, its a joy just to live in China. * * * * There's a thrill here in life for life's own sake."
There's an apostolic ring to the enthusiasm of this son of an American Historic Church.
The "Coming of a Capen" to China has been like the glad day that came to the Watertown Church.
He has surpassed his father in length of service, but none are prouder of the achievement and what it has meant to an awakening Orient, than the glorified fam- ily who anticipate another "Coming" that will spell Beatific Service for all in the presence of the King.
Fred Earle Pinkham was received by letter in 1889 and holds it a matter of pride that he grew up in the Watertown Church and was one of Pastor Capen's al- lies. He has never forgotten the inspiration of his Alma Mater.
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For three years he represented the American Bap- tist Publication Society at the Main Store and in the field. During this period he was Deacon of the Second Baptist Church, Germantown. Since 1920, he has been manager of the Retail Department of the Fleming H. Revell Co., one of the best known publishing houses in the country.
He resides in Rutherford, New Jersey, where he has been deacon of the Baptist Church and superintendent of its Church School for almost a decade.
Bergen County leads the county organizations of the state of New Jersey. Mr. Pinkham was a member of the County Y. M. C. A. Committee from 1924 - 1929.
He served the County Council of Religious Educa- tion in various official positions and was elected presi- dent for two years in 1929. He is a member of the New Jersey State Council of Religious Education and served as moderator of the North Baptist Association including the three northern counties of the state.
He is a charter member and second vice-president of Rutherford Chapter, Sons of American Revolution.
He is a force for righteousness in his adopted state.
Carolina Lassman Pinkham was baptized by Pastor Capen April 3, 1892. For sixteen years she was super- intendent of the Primary Department of the Water- town Baptist School, a hallowed and controlling ap- prenticeship. New Jersey has been blessed by Water- town's gift of this choice young woman.
She has been in demand as teacher at schools of methods at Ocean Park, Me., Collegeville, Penna., Hightstown and Blairstown, N. J.
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She was a member of the New Jersey Council of Religious Education and is now county superintendent for Junior Work of Bergen County.
She is superintendent of the Junior Department of Rutherford Baptist Church School; secretary-treas- urer of the Woman's Council of the Rutherford Churches, and is regarded as an authority on Junior and Primary Work by the leaders of Religious Educa- tion in the County and State.
At present she is taking a special course at Union Theological Seminary on "Church School Methods and Children's Work".
We do not wonder that the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pinkham is active in Sunday School and Young Peo- ple's Work.
In Watertown we paraphrase with real pride Shake- speare's observation : "How far our little candle throws its beams".
Mrs. Gertrude Brown Lee was an active member of the group of young people who received the benefit of Pastor Capen's instruction and inspiration and by whom she was baptized.
She was married to Rev. W. A. Lee, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and Newton Theological Institution, Class of 1906. Professor Percival Bake- man of Shanghai College, China, and Rev. Floyd Carr, the enthusiastic promoter of the Royal Ambassador Boys' Camps, were Newton classmates of Mr. Lee. After pastorates in Baptist and Congregational Churches west and south, and war work, in this coun-
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try, under the Y. M. C. A., Mr. Lee accepted the call of the Congregational Church, Jamaica Plain District, Boston, Mass., where he is rendering most effective service. Mr. Lee is widely known as the author of the hymn, "Newton Blest Newton," sung at all the New- ton Alumni gatherings.
Mrs. Lee has proved an able and efficient leader and partner in all church activities. She is a splendid rep- resentative of the overflow of our Baptist life.
Rocena Stockwell, daughter of Ira and Mary Stock- well, was born in Hyde Park, and baptized by Pastor E. A. Capen. On graduation from the Watertown High School, she entered Radcliffe College, where she won her degree and then enrolled as student at the Hartford School of Religious Pedagogy. With this superb edu- cational equipment she began work at the Syrian Mis- sion in Boston. Here she served with rare devotion as a moulder of life for ten years.
Her gracious manner made her a welcome speaker- guest at the missionary functions of the churches in Greater Boston, and won many friends for this promis- ing field of city evangelization.
Miss Stockwell's years of service form a valuable ad- dition to the inventory of one hundred years of church activity.
Rev. F. W. Lockwood and wife were received by Letter in May, 1916, and given the Hand of Fellowship by Dr. Day. Mr. Lockwood is an alumnus of the School of the Prophets, in Rochester, New York, now known, to the new century, as "The Colgate-Rochester Divinity School".
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He was ordained to the ministry at Titusville, Penna., and served successively the large churches at Ossining, New York, and Pittsfield, Mass. In Greater Boston, and its outreachings, he is a fine example of the value of Interim Pastors. Such churches as the First Baptist, Chelsea; First Baptist, Putnam, Conn .; North Avenue Baptist, Cambridge, and others, rise up to call his interim leadership "blessed". He is a unifier and welder of religious forces at a time when they most need a friend. "And God hath set some in the church" to be "helps". Mr. Lockwood rejoices in such an assign- ment and his Watertown associates are honored in the service he renders.
John Mervin Hull was a student at Newton from 1878-80, and was ordained at Windsor, Vermont, Sep- tember 15, 1880. After serving churches at Windsor, Vermont, Kingston and Weston, Mass., owing to failing health, he was obliged to leave the active pastorate for a literary career. For twenty-three years his name was a household name in Sunday School and Young Peo- ple's Circles and thousands have read his stories with keen delight.
Though for many years a non-resident by necessity, Pastor Hull greatly honored the Watertown church by keeping his name on our roll.
Toward the last of his life, Pastor and Mrs. Hull were granted letters of dismission to unite with the Baptist Church at Ludlow, Vermont, and among the hills he loved so well he passed away December 12, 1929.
During the last year of his life he wrote, the his-
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torian to be, the following lines and we use them to en- rich our Honor Roll of religious leaders.
THE HILLS OF HOME. The Hills of Home! I love them When summer breezes blow; With sunny skies above them, Or still beneath the snow. From deeply hidden fountains Break cool, refreshing springs ; The storm upon the mountains Majestic music sings. Yet often in the distance I see the Heavenly Hills ; The sight, with sweet insistence, My soul with gladness fills. For soon those hills supernal Shall nearer, nearer be, At last, in peace eternal, The Hills of Home for me.
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