USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > One hundred years of Mount Vernon Church, 1842-1942 > Part 18
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We return to the lowest story and enter the Chapel. Chapel was the name that Dr. Kirk preferred, though the room was often called the Ves- try. It was a spacious hall about 40 ft. wide by perhaps 65 ft. deep, high- studded, lighted by a series of tall windows on the side nearer Bowdoin St. These windows had big wooden shutters inside, painted white, with movable slats. All the walls, the supporting iron posts, and the ceiling were shiny white. The whole floor was covered with a red and green in- grain carpet, which after the lapse of years became threadbare and rag- ged, and was finally replaced by a new one of more subdued colors. The seats were settees which had reversible backs and were provided with comfortable cushions. They could be moved about as needed, or on oc- casion taken away entirely. At night, cheerful illumination was supplied by half a dozen unpretentious gas chandeliers.
As we enter from the main hall at the back, we are facing the platform, pretty nearly under the church pulpit. To our right, opposite the windows, was a long bare wall, unbroken save by a rather handsome big round clock in the middle, and a door opposite "Room No. I." On the plat- form was a sofa, on which Dr. Herrick sat at the Friday Evening Meet- ings for Prayer and Conference; the Superintendent of the Sunday School
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also presided there. A reading-desk stood on the platform; on the floor in front was a piano. The only picture in the room hung over the sofa; my recollection of it is vague, but I think it was a reproduction of Hol- man Hunt's The Light of the World. Between the windows were some illuminated texts; one, which I have always remembered, was an apho- rism of Dr. Kirk's: An Earnest Heart Finds a Thousand Things To Do, Which a Dull Inquiry after Duty Will Never Discover.
Such was the "Vestry," a spacious room well adapted to its purpose, not ornate, but dignified and comfortable, a pleasant meeting place in the fashion of the time. There must have been hundreds like it in New Eng- land and elsewhere, some of which perhaps still survive unchanged. I have described it in full detail because it was the scene, except for the services held in the main sanctuary on Sunday, of most of the church's indoor or home life and manifold activities.
III
Let us consider these activities in the order of their relative importance. I have already mentioned the Friday evening meetings for Prayer and Conference. It is not necessary to describe them in detail, as such services were formerly universal in the "Evangelical" churches, and are still held in some of them. I knew these services only in Dr. Herrick's time. On a week-day evening in the Chapel he felt free to speak conversationally, in a style less formal than he employed in the pulpit. He was often at his best in these meetings, or perhaps I should say, it was a different kind of best.
Of the Sunday School I shall speak at some length, for I have many memories connected with it. Here is an outline of the session. The Super- intendent announced a hymn, and when it was over read a passage of scripture and offered a short prayer. Then came a few minutes' practice in singing. The time I have now in mind was before the days of "Gospel Hymns," and the two successive books we used (I have forgotten the name of the first; the other was The New Hymnary) had dignified words and good music. I think the singing, however, was rather a feeble effort. The leader would exhort: "Now all together! Everybody sing out!" Un- fortunately my sense of pitch, if existent at all, was as yet entirely un- developed. Called on to sing out, I would do so lustily, but in a voice probably shrill and certainly wildly out of tune. I felt I was making a worthy contribution, and was puzzled when the teacher, Mrs. Bradley I think, whispered in my ear, "Not quite so loud, dear." But I still join in the hymns, to my own great satisfaction and I hope not to the discomfort of others. I did catch Mr. Wellcome's eye, though, the other day, and
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fancied I heard again that gentle voice out of the past, "Not quite so loud, dear." But in the fairly long interval of over seventy years I really have learned something of music; and so I join with the rest, and hope my bass gets by without treading too hard on the toes of harmony.
After singing we settled down to business, each class in its settee-fenced enclosure. Most of the classes used a "Question Book," in which was printed a passage of Scripture, the subject of the day's lesson. The lessons on the Old Testament had to do with the history of the Israelites, illus- trating "God's dealing with his ancient people." Most of the episodes were terrifying, many were sanguinary. I remember Nadab and Abihu, who offered "strange fire"; the naughty children that mocked Elisha; Achan, who failed to turn in all of the loot; and King Agag who, being brought before Samuel for judgment, "came unto him delicately {quite
chipper?} . . And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women child- less, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal." Impressive, and at the same time more than a little gruesome. I wonder whether we are destined to witness that same scene reenacted at the end of the present war, with the parts of Samuel and Agag played respectively by Stalin and Hitler. I can believe that that, or its equivalent, may be right and necessary, but not for vengeance sake. Has not the day come even yet for the Lex Talionis to be scrapped? Must history go on repeating and repeating itself to the end of time, and must the thing that hath been be for ever that which shall be? What if "Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher" did say so? He was a shrewd old realist, and made many keen and wise observations on life, but he certainly was something of a grouch.
I must not give the impression that the lessons were all like those above mentioned. In some years they were based on the New Testament, and dealt with the life and teachings of Jesus; also with Saint Paul and his missionary journeys. I recall further some lessons on the Apocalypse: the messages to the seven churches which were in Asia,-"And unto the an- gel of the church in Thyatira write . . . " I wonder whether the Quiz Kids could name all seven, and tell what message went to each. (No looking in the book!) Then there was one lesson on the architecture of the Celestial City, though I don't know that we were held very strictly to learning the names in order of the precious stones of the twelve founda- tions. And here I am prompted to wonder: if Saint John the Divine should send out today from Patmos a "Revelation, Eighteen Hundred and Fifty Years After," what would it contain? Especially, what would be the messages to the churches which are in the United States? And in Europe-to Hitler's church, and Pastor Niemoller's, and Cardinal Faul- haber's?
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The lesson book gave first, in full, the passage of Scripture for the day, followed by questions on the contents, with the expected answers printed below. These questions were asked around the class, usually in regular order. Of course the lesson was supposed to be studied at home, but that little formality was not always observed, in which case one had only to read the answer from the book. There was also a "Golden Text," to be committed to memory and recited by the school in unison, and a "Central Truth."
The educational value of such a system would naturally depend largely on the way in which it was administered, on the power of the teachers to make the lessons interesting, and on the diligence of the pupils in pre- paring them. For our school a percentage rating might have given the teachers 75% and up, in some cases to near 100%; the pupils, 50%- 60%. But even so I feel sure that we got something out of it. We could hardly fail to be impressed by the life and teaching of Jesus. We learned a little ancient history, and got some knowledge, convenient just now, of the geography of the Near East. Finally, and not least in importance, we were exposed to some of the greatest English prose. There was then, thank Heaven, no Bible in present day American.
Another sort of gain was from our association with the teachers, who took a personal interest in the members of their classes. My sisters and I were most fortunate in this respect. I know that Alice and Marion had great admiration and love for Mrs. Tyler. Of my own teachers I remember a long line. Two whom I recall most clearly were Mr. Joseph Burton and Mr. (later, Dr.) James B. Ayer. Mr. Burton was a young man lately established in business, very kindly and likable. He was the eldest of a family of four pleasant brothers, Joseph, Smith, Hiram, and Jimmie. Mr. Ayer was still in the Medical School; he was something of a hero in my youthful eyes. Mr. Burton and Mr. Ayer both took a friendly interest in their young charges. I have still a Bible which Mr. Ayer gave me at New Year's in 1872; I have always set great store by it. In the class I remember among others Chester Crowell, Hiram Burton, and William Wallace Fenn, later an eminent preacher and Dean of the Harvard Divinity School.
I should add some mention of the superintendents of the school, but here my recollections are vague. Among them I think were Mr. Tower, Mr. Colby, Mr. Bradford Torrey (or am I wrong?). The one who stands out clearly is Mr. William H. Goodnow, a kind and pleasant gentleman, later and for many years one of the Board of Deacons.
The foregoing reminiscences extend to the middle of 1876; there is however, one episode of five or six years later relating to the Sunday School which may be of interest. One day out of a clear sky there fell a
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thunderbolt. Mr. Goodnow led me aside and told me there was a class left without a teacher, and he and they wanted me to take it. It was a class of girls, aetat, perhaps 14-16,-subdebs, Backfische, bupakec. I pointed out to him that though I was a college graduate I was only a few years their senior, that I was not fit for the job, and that they should be taught by an older person. But these grave objections were brushed aside. Mr. Goodnow retorted, "Oh, we all know you, and we want you to take the class. We're not afraid you'll do them any harm." There seemed to be nothing for it; 'twas the finger of fate. But now mark what I was up against. To name only three, there were among my young charges Blanche Goodnow (Mrs. Pratt), daughter of the Superintendent, Margaret Her- rick, daughter of the Minister, and Helen Woods (Mrs. Craig). I don't remember whether we used a lesson book, but in any case I was deter- mined they should learn something worth while, so I made them, and myself, commit the fortieth chapter of Isaiah to memory. Our sessions proceeded with complete decorum, but there was generally a little time left; and those young-do I dare say it ?- imps occasionally made use of it in an adroit (and gentle) badgering of the teacher with innocent-seem- ing questions, "tempting him" (i.e. trying him out). It was the time when the battlelines were being drawn between Modernism and Funda- mentalism, and they wanted to find out what my views were. I always tried to give noncommittal or evasive answers, for I was unwilling to take responsibility of influencing them to my opinion; but I suspect they saw through me and knew well enough what I thought, for they were a sharp-witted bunch. And I guess, too, that Mr. Goodnow was right after all, and that I didn't do them any harm.
I have not even yet told all I remember about the school-the Sunday School Concerts might have a word of mention-but it is time to pass on to other doings that took place in the "Vestry." Among these were the "Church Sociables," three or perhaps four in a season, pleasant gather- ings, largely attended. Settees were placed along the walls, and tables in the centre were spread with an excellent supper. I suspect that for a few of our people this was the principal meal of the day from breakfast on. Refreshments over, there followed pleasant general conversation.
The Pastor's New Year's Reception was also held there. The room had been decorated for the Christmas season with wreaths and long fes- toons of evergreen between the posts. It was a great occasion, with music and of course refreshments. One year an interesting feature was added which had not been planned for. About a quarter before eight, before things were in full swing, a worried, anxious couple, a young man and a young woman, neatly but not elegantly clad, appeared in the entrance hall. She did the talking; he stood by, visibly embarrassed. They had
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planned to be married early that evening, and to take the Portland Steamer, I think it was, at nine o'clock. Through some misunderstanding the minister who was to tie the knot was away from home. They were strangers in Boston and knew not what to do. Passing the church and see- ing it lighted up they had thought there might be a minister present. Was there one, and could he perform the ceremony? Miss Lucy Brown, all sympathy, went to the platform to Dr. Herrick and told him their story. "Sure," he said in a loud jovial voice, "I'll marry them." Miss Brown, dear kind soul that she was, came back and told the couple that all was well. Then she got busy and whispered around a bit. I have an idea that a lace scarf may have been borrowed for the bride, and I remember that an improvised bridal bouquet was placed in her hand. A little procession was mustered, one of the young ladies played a wedding march, Mendels- sohn I think, (though it might have been Wagner) and they moved in state up the aisle. If the bride and groom felt shy and uncomfortable they gave no sign of it. They were duly married, exhorted, and blessed, and our people crowded around and offered congratulations. Then the newly-weds were served with a special little banquet, our own not being yet ready. By this time our unexpected guests felt quite at home. They talked easily and naturally, expressed their gratitude, and departed in good season to catch their boat. I think they must have felt that in truth their (marriage) lines had fallen to them in pleasant places, for in a strange city and after much tribulation they had had a church wedding, with flowers and music, a reception and a banquet. I hope they lived happily ever after, and are now about celebrating their diamond wedding, sur- rounded by a numerous progeny. I wish I knew.
The original plan for these reminiscences has not been completed, but ex- igencies of time and perhaps of space make it necessary to break them off at this point. Perhaps they may be extended at some future day.
E. S. H.
L LETTER OF DR. KIRK, DATED DEC. 8, 1856, CONCERNING THE AMERICAN CHURCH TO BE ESTABLISHED IN PARIS
To the Prudential Committee of Mt Vernon Congr'l Society.
GENTLEMEN & DEAR FRIENDS,
You are aware that I have sometime since been called to preside over the American Church to be formed in the city of Paris.
162 ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF MOUNT VERNON CHURCH
To that application I returned an unqualified refusal, because it merely re- vived a question I had settled years before, and had since seen no reason to determine otherwise. When residing in Paris in 1839 the same proposition was urged upon me.
The organization of the church however, becoming, from year to year more desirable, as the number of citizens visiting Paris, or residing there increases, the residents of that city presented the subject anew to the American and For- eign Christian Union of New York.
Subscriptions for a building were successfully commenced, and the Rev. Mr. Dickinson was appointed to superintend the enterprize. His sudden death in the Autumn, imposed on the committee the necessity of looking for a successor.
On the 1st of Nov. last they passed a series of resolutions to which I refer you.
This proposition removed the chief objection I had entertained to my en- trance upon the work; that is the dissolution of my pastoral ties in Boston. As that was no longer required, I took the subject into serious consideration. And without any very decided conviction that I ought or ought not to go, I acted on the maxim, that it required more light to move than to stand still, and declined the appointment positively & fully. (See B)
To this I received a reply. (See C) Soon another letter came from Mr. McClure, and one from Mr. Phelps. (See D. E)
Here a new element was introduced, which greatly affected my mind, i.e. that if I refused, the enterprise would be abandoned,-so far as to induce this decision; if my friends in Andover, who expressed some doubt about the wisdom of my accepting the appointment, will modify their objections on learning Mr. McClure's statements of the case : if a good supply can be secured for the pulpit; and if leading members of the church and Society present no positive opposition I shall consider it my duty to go. Dr. McClure undertook the task thus assigned him with much zeal. I am now satisfied as to the opinion of my brethren in Andover. The arrangements I had conditionally made there, Dr. McClure made more complete ; so that Prof. Phelps engages to supply the pulpit for two months; Prof. Shedd for six weeks; and Prof. Phelps highly commends a Prof. Boardman of the University of Vermont, who will supply for two months. (See F) Prof. Park will contribute one or two Sundays of preaching.
Now, dear friends I leave the matter with you. If you decide that the inter- ests of the society will suffer so materially by my temporary absence that I ought not to go, I shall cheer-[sic ] refuse the application again & finally. If you, on the contrary present no obsticles, I shall see my way clear to accept it. Be assured I have no solicitude personally to exchange this field of labor for that if it be true as the committee in New York think, that the enterprise depends upon my decision.
Particularly I stipulated that the Secretary of the Foreign Union should lay the matter before certain ministerial brethren, & before some members of this church, and also complete the arrangements I had begun for supplying this pulpit, in my absence, and if no decided opposition to the acceptance were
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made I should accept the call. (D) The result has been a satisfactory arrange- ment, made for the services of the pulpit: (Prof Phelps, Shedd, Boardman) A reply to a communication, which I addressed on the subject to the Pruden- tial Committee of Mt Vernon Society leaves me free to decide that I will ac- cept the appointment to this service in France. (E)
It should then be definitely understood that I propose to embark in a few weeks to commence immediately efforts to assemble the Americans resident in Paris, for worship on the Sabbath, & for a weekly prayer meeting,-to ex- amine the materials there existing for constituting a church of a strictly Cath- olic or Union Character, embracing all evangelical persons willing to unite in it-to organize a church in such form as shall at once satisfy the members of different denominations there, & yet depart from no principle which we deem vital to a church, is the most difficult and the most important work as- signed me .- to superintend, just as I did in the erection of this house, no more, no less, the selection of a site, & the determination of the main features of the building. For five or six months I am to labor in this field, & then by God's good providence return to you. Preaching & organizing the church are then, my main work there. The importance of it is to be judged by the increas- ing numbers of our Countrymen residing in that corrupt city, for a longer or shorter period, & especially the presence there of more than two hundred of our young men subjected to the overwhelming temptations of the place, with no religious influences surrounding them.
There is also a future benefit at which we aim, which can be appreciated only by those who are conversant with our past efforts to evangelize France. We intend always to employ Frenchmen in that work. But to carry out our views, they must be guided by an American Committee resident there. To this church we look for that result.
And, now, dear brethren & friends I need scarcely state to you with what reluctance I have reached my present decision. This proposition has never been for a moment, the object of my pursuit, or even desire when compared with my present field of labor, and my present pastoral connection. In fact I know not how any man can ask for a more favorable position of usefulness, or for the more cordial sympathies, & support of a church and society, than I am permitted to have. Time does not diminish, but grace and experience in- crease my affection for you and for my office.
I have left you twice already for a protracted absence. But in neither case did I experience the pain it now costs me to say farewell. I am not sanguine of the great success in so short a period as six months, only I dare not refuse to go. I therefore, am anxious to go: for I should shrink from the responsibility of letting it fall through. For no other reason am I desirous to go.
If you make no objections to my accepting this appointment I make the following propositions.
1st My salary to cease from the time of leaving the country until my labors as Pastor of Mt Vernon Church shall be resumed.
164 ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF MOUNT VERNON CHURCH
2ยช That the society make its arrangements for supplying the pulpit, at its own expense.
May wisdom from above guide your deliberations and decisions.
Your affectionate friend,
EDW. N. KIRK
BOSTON, Dec. 8th 1856.
M
CALENDARS OF LETTERS OF DR. KIRK AND DEACON AND MRS. SAFFORD IN THE MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE LIBRARY
EDWARD N. KIRK to the Pupils of Mount Holyoke Seminary, Boston, July 11, 1855
Is grateful for the privilege of concentrated prayer with them. Grateful for the teachers. None receives compensation for toil. They train your minds and have parents' and pastors' solicitude for your souls' salvation. Will you not love Christ supremely ?
EDWARD N. KIRK to Miss Chapin, principal, Boston, Dec. 23, 1856 Is disappointed that he is unable to be at the Seminary and address pupils. [Indorsement in Miss Chapin's hand : He had been appointed trustee in July. Was about to sail for Europe. ]
EDWARD N. KIRK to pupils of Mount Holyoke Seminary, Paris, May 21, 1857 Surrounded by display of irreligion and superstition, I realize advantages of being in the U.S. Is a privilege "to come from new and crude civilization to the societies which inherit the best as well as the worst influences of the world's best inhabitants and its brightest periods." Advantages of travel in Europe, removing prejudices, correcting historical imagination, desire for historical knowledge. A plan for historical study. In spite of national evil of slavery, U.S. is best fitted for your labor. Future influence of U.S. and especially of its women. Disinterestedness characterized Mary Lyon. Com- mendation of teachers and students who are carrying forward work and aims of Founder. {Printed in part in Mears, Life of E.N.K., p. 342]
EDWARD N. KIRK to Miss Chapin, Boston, 1857
Home again from Palestine and Paris. May prepare lectures on Palestine. Visits to Mount Holyoke bring great joy because there is a "rich, ripe harvest-
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field to reap for souls." "Everything combines with my ministerial labors, every heart sympathizes with my objects and desires." My sympathy for you and counsel to you not to feel overburdened. "Mrs. Safford will jog my memory." She tells me you desire influence of literary gentlemen. You are right. Must not have a nunnery.
EDWARD N. KIRK to Miss Chapin, Boston, March 1, 1860
Request to write to Dr. Roswell Hitchcock. Miss Homer (M.D.), recom- mended by Dr. Gregory for physician at our school, called. Favorable impres- sion. "Rests with our schools for girls to renovate the female constitution in this country." Indorsement in Miss Chapin's hand states that Miss Homer was employed from 1860 to 1864, followed by other female physicians. Dr. Kirk responsible.
EDWARD N. KIRK to Miss Chapin, Boston, Dec. 14, 1861
Should rejoice to be with you but am engaged in revival scenes in Portland. Mr. Burnham, our assistant editor, more familiar with the Tracts than I, will make selection for you. Remembrances to teachers, Mrs. Mead and Mrs. Carroll. {Printed in part in Mears, Life of E.N.K., pp. 347-348]
EDWARD N. KIRK to Miss Chapin, Boston, Dec. 25, 1861
Peculiarity of the school due to tone that Spirit of God gave through Mary Lyon. Should be no teacher not consecrated. Am sorry not to be with you. Two weeks in Portland, Christmas festival in our Sunday School, and social intercourse of New Year's prevent. {Nearly all in Mears, Life of E.N.K., p. 348]
EDWARD N. KIRK to Miss Chapin, Boston, Dec. 25, 1861 Partial copy of above letter.
EDWARD N. KIRK to Miss Chapin, Rutland, July 27, 1862
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