USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Longmeadow > Proceedings at the centennial celebration of the incorporation of the town of Longmeadow, October 17th, 1883 > Part 26
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After cautioning her son against certain suggestions of discourage- ment from Satan, and setting before him all the encouragements he should have to resolve on God's service, and suggesting to him some sentences of high and holy resolution, she continues :
Some fuch Language I would fain imagine I hear you breathing out in your Solic- itous hours. And may the Father of Mercies hear your Meditations. May he come by his Bleffed Spirit, Awaken you, convince, humble, convert, and Sanctify you. Amen. Lord grant this for thy dear Son's Sake Amen Amen.
Assuming him now to have resolved thus, she goes on to give him the most tender and earnest counsel as to his future Christian life, in words of richest and ripest Christian experience, a part of which, in justice to her, we cannot forbear to quote :
If then you fhould be fo inexpreffibly happy as to receive the Lord Jefus into your heart by faith Oh be Careful 'to walk in him. You muft be continually coming to him Every Day and hour of your life. You muft live upon him every moment-he muft be your Life, your Light, your Joy, your truft, your wifdom, your righteoufnefs, sanctification and everything. You muft never reft without Daily Communion with him and communication from him. If he withdraws from you at any time and hides his face you muft mourn after him and Seek him Sorrowing and let Nothing Elfe Content or Satiffy you.
If ever you truly believe in Chrift you will give up all you are and have and can do unto him and you will only wait to know how he will have you difpofe of all for him. You will confider yourfelf a Steward of what God gives you and you will be bountiful and liberal to fuch as you know the Lord has made his receivers. You muft live in Love. This is the fulfilling of the Law. . .
You will have many better Counfellors than your poor Mother. but I prefume you will take particular notice of what comes from her. I beg you to take thefe as the laft words of your dying Mother and which are the copy of her very heart and foul as it works toward her dear Son. I break off My dear Child leaving you with a God infinitely able and willing to do for you above what I can afk or think. I fubfcribe myfelf your moft Affectionate and Solicitous Mother,
A. D. W., [ABIGAIL DAVENPORT WILLIAMS.]
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The womanly piety of the former days was specially characterized by a certain awe-compelling view of the divine sovereignty. It was the great Jehovah veiled by clouds and darkness, rather than Jesus sit- ting by the well. One of the sweetest and most saintly of the Long- meadow women was Sarah Williston Storrs. Loving, gentle, full of tenderness and sympathy, the grace that she seemed to be grasping after most was submission, rather than hope. And yet through that gate of submission hope entered unawares. At the age of 30, on a Communion Sabbath, she wrote,-
"I have this day been allowed a feat in God's houte and a place at his table. He has fhined in fuch a manner upon my foul as perfectly tranfported me efpecially in receiving the fame. I have long been pleading for a fealed pardon,-a clean, white robe, and white raiment ; and if he had been there in perfon, and told me with his own mouth, and confirmed it by an oath, that thefe my defires were granted, I could not have been more fure. The ordinance, fomehow, was enough,-a sufficient tefti- mony or pledge. I cannot exprefs the gratitude, the joy, the amazement, the afton- ifhment of my foul on a view of his grace, condefcenfion, and mercy in this bleffed inftitution, this plan of atonement ! I longed to fulfil my part of the covenant. I longed to live holinefs, to feel it and act it out, in every breath and thought. Oh that love ! let it ever and forever conftrain me to love ; let thy grace, O bleffed God, be fufficient ! Subdue, captivate, regulate, mortify, and break in pieces as Thou pleafeft ; only effect the work! I cannot be denied; and Thou wilt not deny me. I am fure Thy Word has gone forth ; ' He that believeth fhall be faved.' I can appeal to Thine omnifcience, and believe Thy promife. I know that 'ftrait is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it.' But, glory to God ! I hope I am one of that number. This ardent love, this longing of the foul after perfect enjoyment, is a full teftimony to myfelf that he will enlighten the dark valley, and bid me a joyful welcome into his prefence on high ! Oh that ftate, that world ! I cannot but now join your Chorus ! How fweet are your employments 1 Eternity ! Eternity ! Oh delightful thought ! always wrapped up and growing in the knowl- edge of the great Jehovah. Oh bleffed, bleffed work ! This is my God; and He will be my portion forever."
The long and useful life of Sarah Williams Storrs, the second wife of Pastor Storrs and the granddaughter of Pastor Williams, perhaps as well illustrates those womanly and Christian virtues which were most truly characteristic of our Longmeadow foremothers as do the intensities of Christian fervor already quoted ; while her continuous residence in Longmeadow, from her birth to her burial, makes her somewhat more truly their real representative. The following tribute to her character is from the pen of one to whom she became and for many years remained a tenderly loved and honored second mother- Rev. R. S. Storrs, D.D., of Braintree :
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To all who knew her, her gentleness, purity of sentiment, strength of affection, and unwearied assiduity in promoting the happiness of others, were at once appar- ent. As a wife, mother, sister, friend, and follower of Jesus, she aimed, habitually and successfully, to keep a conscience void of offence by responding promptly to every call of duty, whatever personal sacrifice or self-denial it involved. During the almost twenty-seven years of her widowhood, trusting in her own and her father's God, she sustained the trials of her condition with fortitude, discharged her duties with cheerfulness, and diffused around her the sweet influences of a matured and unostentatious piety.
Nor is it more true that she loved, than that she was beloved. From her birth she had dwelt among her own people-the people of her husband's charge. All knew her well, and all testified their high esteem, through the whole period of her widowed loneliness, by many and substantial tokens ;- it was beyond all her expec- tations, even as it was far beyond the experience of most who are placed in similar circumstances of bereavement. Gratitude and affection prompted her to ascribe it to the uncommon veneration and love cherished for her husband's memory-but a cordial esteem for human excellence of character had far more to do with it than her humility permitted her to acknowledge. A case like this, it is to be feared, is of rare occurrence-where for so many years, and amid so many changes of the minis- try, so tender and unremitting regard has been shown to the widow of a deceased pastor. Among the four pastors who have successively occupied the pulpit of her husband, each has cordially united with the people in their efforts to comfort the widow's heart by kind words, and by the charity that never faileth. For such a people and such pastors, heaven has rich rewards in store, in which coming genera- tions shall share.
Beyond their home influence, the women of Longmeadow have been represented on three continents by their missionary zeal. The Schaufflers, Calhouns, Temples, Raynoldses, Blisses, all eminent mis- sionary names are interwoven in descent through various lines with pastors Williams and Storrs, and deacons Nathaniel Ely, Samuel Raynolds, and Ebenezer Bliss. There was nothing singular that these particular individuals went abroad. It was only significant of the missionary spirit and training of their home life.
Mrs. William Gottlieb Schauffler, who may well stand in these pages as a missionary representative, was the great grand-daughter of Stephen Williams, and the daughter of deacon Samuel Raynolds. She was born in 1802, in the house of deacon Nathaniel Ely. For a while a teacher in New Haven, her cousin, Martha Temple, having departed as the bride of Rev. Daniel Temple, missionary to Greece, she caught the missionary impulse, and went to Constantinople with the family of Rev. Josiah Brewer, the first unmarried missionary who entered the foreign field. She was the pioneer of that system of female education which has proved one of the most benign fruits of gospel influ-
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ence in the Orient. In 1834 she became the wife of Dr. W. G. Schauffler and has been identified through her long and useful life with his distinguished missionary career in the Turkish and Austrian Empires.
As a representative woman among the unmarried sisterhood, the name of Miss Hannah Ely will readily occur to every Longmeadow resident of the past century. Like most others of that honorable sisterhood she was a "spinster " in the happiest sense of the word ; receiving her investiture as such at the old time spinning wheel, to whose homely accompaniment the maidens of old sang as cheerily as do those of the present day to piano or guitar. None the less, how- ever, could she boast her accomplishments of painting and embroidery, and move with all the old time dignity and grace through the mazes of the minuet and quadrille.
Her mother's failing health devolved on this eldest daughter a mat- ron's full share of housewifery, and her taste and skill found congenial development in making home really " sweet home." For a while her accomplishments in the higher education found appropriate scope as the popular preceptress of Monson Academy. Returning to her shin- ing vocation as mistress of the mansion of her widowed father, she became and remained to him the chief stay and support of his declining years. When age had withdrawn him from active service in church and parish and town, the filial and devoted ministrations of his " Hannah " made the secluded evening of his life pass serene and contented to its close.
For many years after her father's death which occurred in 1848 she continued, as sole mistress of the old Ely mansion, to dispense the most generous and graceful hospitalities. Her competent means, the ample accommodations of the old mansion, and her own executive tact as its accomplished mistress made it a chosen center of hospita- ble attraction, and a favorite resort for ministerial candidates and numerous other guests, and for the large family circle of brothers, sisters, nephews, and neices to whom she was ever the beloved and loving " Auntie ; " the single word that is placed upon her headstone as most fitting to summon up a host of memories almost as precious as if " Mother " stood in its place. The church, the benevolent and social institutions, everything wise and good in the village stood identified with the large heart, judicious counsel, and helping hand of Hannah Ely.
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P .- INSTITUTIONS AND CUSTOMS.
The germinal institution of this, as of other New England Towns, was the family-the intelligent, independent, and reverent household. The families were large, numbering from eight to fifteen children“; second and even third marriages were not uncommon, and divorces were unknown. The next institution, in order of time, was the civil compact of the town or precinct meeting ; and that was for the prudential ordering and maintenance of the common welfare-a little republic in itself. The Meeting-House, not an ecclesiastical edifice alone, but a civil one as well, is first erected, and without un- necessary delay a "learned and orthodox minister " is chosen as the indispensable spiritual leader-the spiritual interests leading all the rest. The schoolmaster is his right-hand man ; perhaps "Master Jabe," Yale graduate, classical teacher, and theological expert, capa- ble of training divinity students, as Jabez Colton sometimes did ; or perhaps some collegian who occupies his long winter vacation or his post-graduate year in conducting the public school. Another valua- ble coadjutor is the village doctor ; it may be Dr. Charles Pynchon. "This day"-a rate day-writes Stephen Williams, "I have been reckoning with Dr. Pynchon, who is very ingenious and handsome. The Lord be pleased to reward his kindness. I am exceedingly well pleased with this gentleman's being in the neighborhood." He some- times assists his pastor in the public services, delivering his own med- itations.
A community thus manned and equipped must have, besides the family, church, and school, corresponding institutions of various kinds. We find in the handwriting of Master Jabe, " Rules and Regulations of the Longmeadow Library Society." This is the preamble :
" The Improvement of the Mind in Knowledge and Virtue is the most important Object of Humane Pursuit and most easily obtained by the Perusal of instructive Books. And as the expense of a valuable Collection of these is too great for most persons in their individual Capacity ; We the Subscribers, Inhabitants of the Town of Longmeadow, having heretofore formed ourselves in Some sort into a Society by contributing a Sum of Money and purchasing a Considerable Collection of Valua- ble Books, and being sensible of the Deficiency of our former Rules and Regula- tions ; We therefore Do unite Ourselves into a New and Voluntary Association for the purpose of better Regulating, Maintaining, and increasing our Library for the Benefit of ourselves and those who may hereafter become Proprietors in the Same." Then follow sixteen articles about as elaborate as the Constitution of the United States in Master Jabe's best legal style. One provides that the librarian, who is entitled to such compensation on library days as the Standing Committee shall judge reasonable, "shall give notice of the Time to receive the Books " (from 9 A.M.
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to 2 P.M. with two hours' grace for those who live more than two miles away) "and of the Time of drawing Books " (from 5 P.M. to 8 P.M.) "by causing the Meeting House Bell to be rung at said times." It is also provided that "No Book shall be delivered to any Proprietor but by an audible mentioning of the Title ; and the Pro- prietor who shall first signify his desire of the Book so mentioned shall receive it unless some other Proprietor desire the same. And if two or more Proprietors are desirous of receiving the same Book, it shall be set up at Auction, and the Highest Bidder shall have the same upon paying the Money so Bid to the Treasurer ; pro- vided however that the desire or Bid of any Proprietor shall be considered of none effect if the Price of the Book desired or Bid for together with the price or prices of the Book or Books already received by the Proprietor desiring or Bidding shall ex- ceed such Proprietor's share or shares in the Library." . . " If any Proprietor shall neglect to return his Books by the times limited he shall pay at the following rates-viz : For a Folio, eight pence ; a Quarto, six pence ; an Octavo, four pence ; a Duodecimo, two pence; and the like sum or sumns for his neglect at each succeed- ing Return day till the same are returned."
If the proprietors became too dilatory a wagon was sent around to gather in the books. Ponderous books they were in general, bound in heavy calf, and having no remotest resemblance to the dime novel of the present day, such as "The Specta- tor," "Flavel's Fountain of Life," " Memoirs and Writings of Dr. Robert South," "England's Reformation : A Poem," "Child's Friend."
This association died in the process of time of folios, dry rot and an auction. Its successor, the "Young Men's Library Association," formed December 16, 1839, with Simeon Newell librarian, and Dia- mond Chandler, the next year assistant librarian, James Bliss, Wil- liam Burt, Alford Cooley, Samuel C. Stebbins, committee, was dis- couraged by the fire that consumed the library with the old brick school-house in 1852. It however revived October 9, 1854, through a union that was then consummated with the Longmeadow Lyceum, Dr. T. L. Chapman President, D. E. Burbank Vice-President, W. E. Boies Secretary, S. C. Newell Treasurer, J. W. Lawton Librarian. The Lyceum has become extinct, but the library still exists in a state of suspended animation.
The town meeting, with which the previous precinct meeting was to most intents identical, was an invaluable training school for the rights, duties, and privileges of American citizenship; the votes re- corded in another section of the Appendix are a sufficient illustration. Dr. Williams, or some other clergyman of Springfield, was invited not only to open the town meeting with prayer, but to preach a sermon. The opening prayer is still retained as a Longmeadow custom. At the request of the moderator, with uncovered heads, the citizens rev- erently acknowledge their need of the divine wisdom.
Dr. Williams writes, March 20, 1759, " I went to town and preached ye sermon to ye inhabitants ; ye Lord be pleased to help his people aright to
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improve ye privileges, and graciously help those y' have ye conduct of y publick affairs of the Town." His text on this occasion was Ps. xxix : 9- " The meek will He guide in judgment and the meek will He teach His way." It was a practical and searching homily on pride and its concomi- tant vices, extravagance, self-seeking and idleness ; an excellent civil ser- vice reform tract for the times. " Pride," said the good parson, " is a most impatient vice and can bear nothing. . . .. Accustom yourselves to can- dour and take everything in the best sense. Why should you suppose your neighbor desirous to affront you, when really. he had not the least thought of it? "
The "Charity Meeting " was the vigorous tree early planted and assiduously nurtured, from which have branched out the various benev- olent organizations that for the last half century have been combined in the "Longmeadow Benevolent Association," connected with the old parish, and in similar institutions that have sprung from the same good seed in other parts of the town. More than $40,000 have been dis- bursed in various forms of charity by this society alone .- The Thanks- giving collection for the poor is of ancient origin .- " Women's Boards " are nothing new, as the following document will testify :
To Mrs. Rev. R. S. STORRS, Longmeadow-DEAR MADAM :
The Committee of the Trustees of the Hampshire Missionary Society, take the liberty of transmitting to you, a plan of a FEMALE ASSOCIATION for the purpose of raising a fund, for the purchase and charitable distribution of the Holy Bible and other pious Christian writings among the needy inhabitants of the new settlements of the United States. . . Benevolent and devout women, liberally ministered to our Lord's necessities when he was here on Earth. Many such, now, minister to the spiritual and temporal necessities of his disciples and friends while he is in heaven. This he receives and rewards as a kindness done to himself.
Various Associations of this or a similar nature are, already, instituted by the vir- tues of your sex in New England and have done and continue to do eminent service to our blessed religion.
We solicit you, dear Madam, to be an active instrument of our divine Redeemer by sending the truths of his life-giving word among the poor and suffering inhabit- ants of our New Settlements.
The Committee flatter themselves, that the cause of Jesus will obtain material aid by the benevolent exertions of the liberal and pious women in our town ; and believe that the approbation of your own consciences and the tender mercies of our blessed Redeemer will be your rich and abundant reward. With sentiments of esteem, we are, Dear Madam, your humble servants,
JOSEPH LYMAN, SOLOMON WILLIAMS, WILLIAM BILLINGS, CHARLES PHELPS, Westhampton, Aug. 9, 1803. ENOCH HALE, Committee.
This appeal resulted in a Female Association "of women, either inarried or single, who shall subscribe our Articles "-the most impor- tant of which was the pledge of each subscriber to pay one cent a week, or fifty cents by the year for the charitable purposes above men-
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tioned. Sally Storrs is the leading subscriber, followed by Flavia Field, Anna Hale, Abigail Corkins, Lydia Field, Lydia Field, Jr., Jemima Woolworth, Sebria Cooley, Kezia Steele, Mercy Cooley, Anne Hale, Eunice Cooley, Freelove Chandler, Betsy Williams, Polly Avery, Hannah Perkins, Urania Stebbins, Lydia Field, Eunice Cooley, Jr., Polly Marble, and others, the vanguard of over 200 members, who during the twenty-two years that elapsed before the association became merged into the present "Ladies Benevolent Association," raised and expended for their charitable work $884.03.
The Washington Benevolent Society of Hampden County, institu- ted April 27, 1812, John Hooker President, Edmund Bliss Secretary, had a considerable and highly respectable membership in Long- meadow. Its badge-a portrait of Washington being crowned with a laurel wreath by a female angel blowing a trumpet-with the motto, " Pro Patria," was accompanied by a little volume containing each member's certificate and Washington's Farewell Address, handsomely printed by Thomas Dickman of Springfield, editor of the Federal Spy. It confined its " benevolence," so far as appears, to promoting the interests of the Hamilton-Ames or Federal party of that day, as wrest- ling hard with the Jeffersonian or Republican party.
The first Temperance Society in Longmeadow was organized in August, 1828 ; Elisha Burnham President, Captain Elijah Colton Vice- President, Dr. Hiram Bliss Secretary ; Rev. Baxter Dickinson, Ethan Ely, Esq., Dea. Samuel Raynolds, Major William Burt Directors. It started with large membership and much enthusiasm on the following basis. "No member shall-except as medicine in cases of sickness -- use any distilled spirits in ordinary cases, or furnish any for laborers in his employ." It continued with occasional revivals of interest, but on the whole in diminishing ratio, till April 8, 1841, when it expired.
In 1842 a new Temperance Society was formed, Chauncey Baker President : Carlos Nichols, Adolphus D. Kent, James Bennet, and John Burt Vice-Presidents ; Samuel C. Stebbins Secretary. It was called " The Longmeadow Washingtonian Society," and organized on the total abstinence pledge : "We will not drink any spirituous or malt liquors, wine or cider as a beverage ; " signed by 130 males and 145 females, of whom there are living at present nineteen males and eigh- teen females. A review of these names leads to the conclusion that a pledge is not apt to remain in permanent force, unless sustained by religious obligations. The final record of this society is dated Novem- ber 19, 1845.
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A "Thief Detecting Society " became necessary at one period, and particularly because of the propensity-not yet altogether extinguished -to steal watermelons, which were extensively raised and of choice quality. The watermelon thieves were so alert that it required con- siderable adroitness to catch them. One moonlit night a marauding party from Enfield had tied their horses to the highway fence not far from an attractive watermelon patch. The Longmeadow detectives found the horses, and having fastened one of the fore legs of each to one of his hind legs with twine small enough to be invisible, but strong enough to hold, the leader, Matthew Keep, divided his forces ; a part creeping round to the further side of the watermelon lot, and the rest hiding near the horses. When the onset was made, the thieves hav- ing been allowed time to throw their sacks across their horses' backs and mount, the ambushed men rushed forth-to enjoy the easy cap- ture of the frantic riders and their stumbling nags.
A Cemetery Association was formed in 1872 in the western part of the town, with the object of extending the area of the old bury- ing-ground by the purchase and improvement of adjoining territory. Its first, continuous, and present officers David Booth President, R. S. Storrs Secretary and Treasurer. See Section G, page 209.
Kindred to the above-mentioned association there was formed, Octo- ber 9, 1876, the "Longmeadow Street Improvement Association," also belonging to the western part of the town, whose general object, as stated in Article 1 of its Constitution, " shall be to improve the outward appearance of the village, particularly in respect of road- ways, sidewalks, and the planting and proper care of trees." The association was organized October 21, 1876, by the election of Dr. T. L. Chapman President, E. K. Colton Vice-President, T. F. Cordis Secretary, D. E. Burbank Treasurer.
The " May Breakfast Association " was organized in 1869 at the suggestion of Captain and Mrs. William H. Seamans, its first officers being William H. Seamans President, Thomas F. Condis Treasurer, and William F. Winter Secretary.
It is a social festival and fair, enlisting the united and best efforts of the inhabitants, and especially of the younger portion, with the object of lending a helping hand in any parish or public exigency demanding pecuniary assistance. For several years it accumulated a provisionary fund for furnishing the new church edifice, including the organ. and afterwards was efficient in canceling the debt left at the completion of the new church. It has raised clear of all expenses by its annual celebrations $5,922.35, and proved itself not only a remark- ably attractive social occasion but a well managed business enterprise.
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