USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Worcester > Minutes of the annual meeting Congregational Churches of Massachusetts 1906 > Part 4
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The purpose of economy has been always in the minds of the Directors and of those in charge of the office from the first. It has appeared in the smallness of the room that has been rented for our use; in its furnishing . and equipment alinost entirely without cost to the churches; and in many other particulars that might be mentioned if it were needful to do it.
At its last meeting the Association, upon the recommendation of the Budget Committee, added $200 to the appropriation for our Board to be used in providing metallic filing cases or in the copying of papers and records. Upon full examination it was not judged advisable to procure the cases. The copying has been carried on with great advantage as to convenience and the business efficiency of the office. The work has been much forwarded and its cost lessened through the readiness and capacity of the Secretary's assistant.
The copying is more than half finished at an outlay of less than half the sum appropriated. We should be glad to be allowed to use, during the coming year, so much of the unexpended balance as may be needed to complete the work.
Our financial account, as reported to the Treasurer of the Association, is as follows:
RECEIPTS
Preaching by the Secretary
$545.00
Office fees
565.79
Rebate on rent
46.58
Telephone charges refunded
3.69
Special gift . 1.00
Sale of stamps (to Evangelistic Committee) 5.01
Received from Treasurer of General Association
2,196.86
$3,363.93
EXPENSES
Postage
$72.00
Telephone and telegraph
47.75
Awning, office repairs and sundries
11.90
Record books and stationery 25.83
Printing and binding
11.53
Advertising .
31.80
Traveling expenses
109.02
Rent and care of room
361.20
Assistant's salary 600.00
Additional office help (including copying records) 92.90
Secretary's salary
2,000.00
$3,363.93
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The net cost of our Board to the churches, apart from the special matter of copying above referred to, would be about $2,100, and we recommend that provision be made for the support of the Board for the ensuing year upon the same basis. It will be seen that the cost of the Board is less than two cents for each member of our churches throughout the state, and not three cents, as has been sometimes supposed.
The correspondence connected with the work of the Evangelistic Com- mittee of the Association has been carried on through our office without extra expense except for printing and postage.
The matter of fees or commissions for services rendered by the office has been repeatedly and carefully considered by the Directors. Under the present arrangement, which has held with little change for several years, fees are charged for the furnishing of all occasional supplies, for all supplying with reference to settlement outside of Massachusetts, for all pastoral settlements actually made outside the state, and for all supplying with reference to settlement in Massachusetts by ministers living outside the state; while no charge is made to Massachusetts ministers for oppor- tunities to supply with reference to settlement within the state, and while for pastoral settlements actually effected in the state of Massachusetts no charge is ever made.
The Secretary has been allowed some liberty, within narrow limits, in the remitting or lessening of these fees, as when a minister has gone a long distance to preach as a candidate for small pay, he being himself in such circumstances as to make even a slight relief most welcome. The Directors have felt sure that our churches would not disapprove of this measure of consideration. During the year there was committed to the Secretary, from a most worthy source, ten dollars to be used by him for the relief of ministers in the payment of office fees. The money went, as with all fees, to the Treasury of the Association, though not coming from the ministers thus relieved. Nothing, scarcely, has given to the Secretary more satisfaction than the being allowed to use in such a way even this moderate sum. The times when ministers are looking for settlement are often trying times. If any one should wish to fill again, or to enlarge, this small store for special relief in the payment of fees, the provision would be most gratefully received.
The difficulty of finding pastors for the smaller churches has continued, or even increased. We have often had upon our lists at one time as many as eight or ten such churches for which we could make no immediate pro- vision, or, perhaps, no provision at all. Many of these churches have been outside of Massachusetts, for the proportion of the weaker churches is greater in the states at the north than with us. Yet in our own state the difficulty is serious. There was appointed a sub-committee of the Board, consisting of Rev. Calvin M. Clark, Rev. F. E. Emrich and Mr. Frank L. Fish, to whom the whole matter was referred for consideration. The committee prepared a list of questions covering many features of the
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[1906
case which was sent to a large number of men whose judgment would be likely to be valuable. The replies disclosed a great variety and a consid- erable divergence of opinion. The committee submitted to the Board a careful analysis of the mass of matter received with the general conclusion that relief is to be looked for chiefly in two directions: First, by the further uniting or yoking of churches, and, second, by unions or combina- tions between churches of different denominations - a subject which is beginning to engage wide attention.
The policy of uniting two churches under the care of one man has long been favored and pressed by our Massachusetts Home Missionary Society. The matter comes under our notice as concerned for the supply of pastors. The obstacles in the way of these unions are often stronger in anticipation or in imagination than in reality. To be furnished with a minister for but a part of the time, or, as it is often expressed, " to be furnished with but part of a minister," is looked upon as an indignity and as a denial of some natural right. Such an impression ought to be wholly removed.
There should be prepared, we think, an authorized or regular form or frame of union between two churches, making them for certain purposes to be as one church. Such a model or form of a constitutional, organic union of churches should have its place in our Congregational system. The establishment or existence of such a union would then cease to be a thing abnormal or unusual, and would the sooner be regarded as a fitting result of fellowship and a natural source of strength. It would not be difficult to franie such a constitution of organic union. There should be provision for the manner of its establishment or its termination with the counsel of the churches of the neighborhood or conference. The form should fix the mode of procedure in all matters relating to the settlement, the support and the dismissal of the pastor; it should have a place for the determining the proportion of time and pastoral service that should be given to each church - or each division of the one body; it should pro- pose the appointment of the needful committees and should suggest the various steps that might be taken for mutual reporting, or visiting, and counseling; and it should add a special form for the returns to be made for the " Minutes " of the Association; and all to the intent that for many, if not for most, purposes there should be one body and not two, and that the sense of loyalty and of strength should be gathered greatly about the one united body. It may be that in some cases one church should be organized as a branch of the other, becoming thus one with it; and for such a union there should also be a constitutional form. So, with their places set and their orbits fixed, we might have in our Congregational skies binary stars in larger numbers, shining with a steadier and clearer light.
We recommend that the Association appoint a committee with instruc- tions to prepare and submit at the next annual meeting suitable forms or models of organic union between neighboring churches.
Frequent reference has been made in former reports to the demand
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among our churches for young men in the pastorate. The demand does not abate. It is most persistent and strong with the churches that are smallest. The smaller the church the younger often must be its pastor. There are real advantages of youth that are not to be slighted. It may be that there is a reality of failure among ministers who are not young, and that there are possibly, sometimes, disqualifications with them that ought not to exist. The advantages of youth are thought to be in activity, in hopefulness, in quickness of sympathy and in readiness of receptivity towards new thoughts and methods. The most of these, though belong- ing the more naturally it may be with youth, are appropriate spiritual products of the Christian life itself, and they should be found in their choicest forms with ministers of ripening years. The man who leads in a Christian church should make it sure that the abiding Christian things, faith, hope and love, with their accompanying sensibilities and graces, do not fail to abide and abound with himself. Even as to activity, though it may miss in age the spontaneous movement of youth, yet it ought not to miss the efficiency that comes with practice, and the sustaining power that lies in a firm and steady purpose. The complaint somtimes made that ministers slight their work as they grow old ought never to be heard, or it ought never to have any good reason for being heard. There are pastors of our churches, and pastors of our smaller churches, concerning whom such complaints are not made, and upon whom all the genuine graces of youth are flourishing. If this were true of all who are in the ministry the pastorates of our smaller churches would be more readily and happily filled. These things are spoken no otherwise than in sincere and affection- ate solicitude.
Special effort is made in our office to open fields of labor to the older men. This effort has been increased of late and with some good results.
It is probable, too, that our young ministers might very well take small churches more frequently than they do. It is indeed, perhaps, too much to expect that a young man should choose the smaller of two churches when he might have the larger; yet the beginning with the smaller might not seldom be an advantage in reality to himself, besides the benefit it might bring to the church thus served.
The importance of the place of work with its outward conditions may often be overestimated with respect to its effect on the growth of minis- terial power. It is not uncommon for ministers, especially the younger men, in giving their reasons for seeking a change of pastorate to say that they " desire a place that will bring out the best that is in them." The phrase has become somewhat familiar. It has a certain ground in reason, yet it often involves a misapprehension of the facts and powers of life. We are not mostly too large for our places; our places are mostly too large for us. And it is not the business of the world or of any portion of it to draw out what may be in us, as by a pump. It is our business to refresh the earth ourselves what we can, as by springs of living water.
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The pump, too, if that is depended upon, may often suck and fail to bring out clear water. As to appreciation by others, in a land of widely circulating intelligence it seldom wholly or greatly fails; and it is besides the surpassing glory of the Christian ministry that its chosen appreciations and honors are of God.
There is a natural desire for settlement in prosperous and growing com- munities. One young man wrote to us, from outside New England, defin- ing explicitly the kind of field for which he was looking and to which he thought himself adapted. He wanted a church " on a line of railroad between Boston and New York, in a rather large town, and a place sure to grow." He wanted greatness of a certainty to flow in upon him. It is desirable indeed to be in a growing place, but a very large proportion of our ministers are in places not growing as to Congregational population. Among them are many of the best men, and the work they do is of the Very best that is anywhere done.
We have much knowledge in our office of the trying features of minis- terial service. But even thus it can be said with earnestness, and it ought to be said, that by far the larger part of our brethren in the ministry are happy in their work and useful and prosperous in life and character. For this larger part their relations with the churches they serve are kindly and gracious. Pastoral settlements, too, are usually accomplished without very great delays and almost always without serious disturbances. And even the closing of pastorates is commonly effected with thoughtfulness on either side and in a temper not unbecoming to the membership of a Christian household. It has been pleasant to witness these things. We are thankful for the opportunity to contribute something toward the com- fortable and effective adjustment of these pastoral relations. And we are grateful to the churches and their ministers for their continuing support and continuing patience.
:
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE WORK OF THE CHURCHES
The value of this report will be its frankness. Its failure will be evident in the fact that no amount of statistics, however carefully compiled, can adequately tell of the faithful, protective, quiet work of the people and pastors; only God knows. Yet in a tentative way the general tone of religious life can be known and considerable advantage accrue as the result of inquiry and reply. That is the hope of the Committee. They, at least, have been benefited, and desire to thank heartily the brethren for their uniformly courteous and painstaking answers. Some of them have for- warded carefully written letters in addition to the circular of questions sent them.
Churches have characteristics. The community has not a little to do with the successful working of a church. One church is able to produce more direct results than another. No one church, however, can fairly be compared in its work or methods with another. Each from its environ- ment must determine its duty to the community in the name of the Master.
THE HOPE OF THE CHURCH
Eight questions were submitted to the churches, as follows:
First. (a) Has the Sunday school been successful in holding scholars between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five? If so, how?
The activities of our young people are encouraging. Aside from a tendency of the scholars of the Sunday school to neglect the morning service, the general work in the school is successful. Almost all acknowl- edge a partial failure to hold pupils between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five." There are notable exceptions. Some solutions are offered, but the successful schools in this respect are those which have faithful teachers. Few seem to understand that a class in the Bible school fur- nishes a life opportunity next to the influence of a parent. There are hundreds of hard-working, devoted teachers. In Adams, over a hundred have been added to the school through the Home Department. There have been successful organizations of large classes of young men and ladies under competent leaders. A King Arthur Castle, King's Daughters' Circle and athletic associations have been successful, but the personal element is the key. " Here the battle is fought, won or lost."
(b) Is the Christian Endeavor Society doing faithful and progressive work in the Junior, Intermediate and Senior Departments?
With some exceptions, the Christian Endeavor Society is doing steady
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Report on the Work of the Churches [1906
work throughout the state. This is especially true of the senior and junior societies, although the latter are not so numerous. There are few inter- mediate societies. Yet there is manifestly need of interesting the boys and girls between the ages of the junior and senior societies. The training school of Christian Endeavor should be adjusted to growing boys and girls. In many instances, however, the step from junior to senior, say thirteen to sixteen years, can be taken without any intermediate society. " We have a junior leader who is irresistible." That is the battle won. Some young people's societies in the state are not affiliated with Christian Endeavor, but the large majority of them seem to profit by the conven- tions and fellowship. The assertion of one Boston pastor appears to be generally sustained: " The Endeavor Society still proves the best answer to the Young People's question ever yet given."
THE WORLD-WIDE COMMAND
Second. Is the missionary interest in your church maintaining a normal standing or is it increasing?
The large majority say that it is increasing. The campaign of educa- tion is beginning to tell. In some cases, the contributions have doubled and trebled. One has increased seventy-nine per cent over an average for ten years. Men are contributing who formerly had no belief in missions. Many churches have the advantage of supporting a representative on the foreign field, a Bible woman, or orphan in India, or a missionary pastor. The young people are giving generously along this line, and are taught the value of systematic giving. There is no discrimination between Home and Foreign Missions, - they are equally important. Mission Study Classes, Home Tourist Clubs, Outlook Meetings, have been popular. The Campello church and others have suggestive statements of the yearly work of the church.
According to Secretary Dr. Asher Anderson, Massachusetts has more Congregational churches of foreign descent than any other state in the Union: two Finnish, one Armenian, six French, two German, two Italian, thirteen Swedish, three Scandinavian, two Bohemian, - thirty-one in all. Connecticut has twenty-one, Ohio twenty-seven. The leaven is at work. In some places, the missionary concert is revived with profit. There is a growing desire to know more about missions.
SOMETHING TO GALVANIZE
Third. (a) How have you met the problem of the prayer meeting and the Sunday evening service?
There is doubt if this question should ever be put in the same way again. Is there really any prayer-meeting problem? The meetings are largely the same as they always have been. Some churches strong in the evangelistic spirit have an attendance of from 70 to 100 or 125. One pastor comments, " It goes hard, but it goes," and adds, " It takes the heart out of a man more
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than anything else." Another says, " We make it interesting by variety." Another, one of the largest in the state, uses the same old-fashioned method, . prayer, praise and testimony, - " no new, special, strange, unusual, unique, spectacular methods being employed." The pastors are eager for the success of this meeting, even to " trying everything except standing on my head," as one put it. Others assert that it is the layman's meeting and the responsibility rests largely there. Requesting a deacon or layman to lead occasionally has proved helpful. As to topics, some use the " Congregationalist Handbook," the golden text of the coming Sunday- school lesson, denominational history or subjects adapted to special ends. In Adams and North Adams, also, the church " calls the roll of inembers at the prayer meeting in sections of about twenty-five." Valuable helpers have been "rounded up " by this plan. A ten or fifteen minute social may follow the meeting, sometimes with light refreshments. Formality is the enemy to scout.
Perhaps it is a wise conclusion to reach that, without over-urging people to come, it be quietly said, "Any who desire to pray, let them come." Blessed is that church which believes in and sustains at whatever worldly sacrifice its weekly prayer service.
(b) The history of the Sunday evening service is the history of a people becoming better informed by the public prints than years ago, and the proneness in prosperity to forget God and our brother man. The morn- ing service may properly be attended for one's own bodily and mental rest and spiritual refreshment. The evening service has lost its hold in many places, nine tenths, one pastor thinks, because the people do not realize the necessity of the unsaved and seek to win them to Christ. Dr. Dawson thought it was a mistake to substitute the afternoon service for the evening. If two thirds or one half of Christian people would attend the evening service, in an unselfish spirit, the world would fill the church. Many of the churches are successful in holding fair and sometimes large evening congre- gations. This is often and mainly determined by locality. Yet one of the most studious and hardworking pastors of one of the largest churches in Greater Boston has written, " The second or evening service takes more life out of a man than anything else he does. The majority of the church people feel no responsibility for the service. The rise and fall of numbers is determined by the weather (alas!), the rival attractions elsewhere and special features of the service." Except for special occasions, as " ves- pers " once a month, a number of churches have relinquished their second service, or " telescoped " it with an evening devoted to the young people, frequently the Christian Endeavor Society or Young People's Alliance. One successful pastor in Worcester has two classes of young people Sunday evenings. "Each year there are some who give themselves to Christ, and all are given a strong impulse Christward." The total attendance is large. Grace Church, Holyoke, has a commendable spirit. Its pastor writes, " The Sunday evening problem has been to look out for the people
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who attended. Have had people standing and even turned away. For . several years have planned each Sunday night service weeks ahead. The lantern at least every third Sunday night, and we get the best speakers we can lay hold of. Various organizations of the church have charge of various nights." In the average church the conditions are problematic with an attempt at " pleasant Sunday evening service "; an orchestra or vested choir of young people successful where permanently possible, and where " a few people demand evening service and it is maintained for those few " and where there is " no good music provided." Practical themes are earnestly treated, with " as much cheer and hope as possible," but often with unsatisfactory results.
ELIGIBLE FOR MATRIMONY
Fourth. Has it been possible and advisable for your church to set aside the parish and church system and become a corporate body?
Some churches are not ready for the change; others are patiently wait- ing for it; others, a small minority, think it not advisable; others are say- ing that the incorporated church works "excellently well " and has " proved a blessing." Some are enthusiastic about it. In parishes where nearly all the trustees or parish committee are already church members the transfer is often quite easily and satisfactorily accomplished. It is necessarily a slow and patient process, if it is to be harmonious. A number of our leading churches hold meetings this spring to consider the abandon- ment of a double system and the adoption of the incorporated church idea. In some instances, the historic parish remains, although the transfer of property has or has not been made. Recently organized churches have started' without the parish system and have been incorporated. The Finnish churches of our order have made a good start. They have united the Finnish churches in New England under the name "The Finnish Mission Covenant of Congregational Churches." One church enjoys a unique position, having " four bodies interested in the church and prop- erty; church, parish, proprietors and pew owners." Many persons are in all the bodies. There are enough who are not to make an incorporated church difficult. A pastor, speaking of "archaic machinery," adds, " The proprietors own the church building, the ' Society ' holds the chapel, the church uses both; still there is harmony." The scent of orange blos- soms is in the air, but it is apparent that each church and parish must determine the wedding.
THE LIFE CENTER
Fifth. What evangelistic methods have you employed during the year and with what direct results?
A small number report evangelists or " the Gideons," for a series of special services, oftentimes uniting with the churches of other denomina- tions in the town or city. Some of the Boston pastors sincerely regret
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that arrangements were not made with Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman and his helpers; quite a number have adopted the plan of neighborhood pastors coming in to cooperate in evangelistic meetings. Men like Hillis, Mc- Elveen, Sayford, Pierce, Gale, Chafer, Taft, Byington, Hunnewell, Mac- Fadden, Woodrow and others have spoken wise counsel and preached a winsome, forceful gospel in sections of our state, awakening an evangelistic atmosphere and summoning a " breath of the Spirit " for "ingathering week." Many emphasize the Lenten season by appropriate services. The reaping season is at Easter with some churches. Indications are clear that our preachers believe in " evangelically presenting the Gospel every Sunday," as the " only thing that will permanently win out anywhere."
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