USA > Massachusetts > Franklin County > Greenfield > Records of proceedings, etc., in the parish of St. James' Church, Greenfield, from the first formation of the society, September 24th, A. D. 1812 > Part 5
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The entire cost of the church, exclusive of the land and stone, exceeds $11,000., of which Henry W. Clapp, Esq., of Greenfield has generously contributed more than $8,000. The furnishings of the desk, pulpit, altar, chairs, etc., were from the upholstery of B. Woodward & Co .. in Boston, and the cushions for the pews were mostly from the establishment of Mr. A. P. Megrath in Green- field. A beautiful Prayer Book and Bible were given by C. Gayton Pickman, Esq. of Boston. The Sanctuary is thus completed, and all that is wanted is the continued presence of God with devout and holy worshippers."
MR. HENRY W. CLAPP, PARISH BENEFACTOR
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The Bishop's idea of the new church and also his ideas in general with regard to chancel arrangement are set forth in this letter ;-
"Boston, May 29, 1848. My Dear Sir :-
Your favor of 26th is just received. The proper place for the pulpit, I think, is on that side which is nearest to the vestry room, as you have it in the sketch sent me; the desk ought to be on the side farthest off, (unless it be placed under the pulpit) in order to avoid the un- pleasant appearance of a clergyman popping out of the vestry door immediately into the desk, at the commence- ment of divine service. I believe there is no rule, how- ever, about the matter. At Cabotsville the pulpit is on the right as you enter, because the vestry is on that side.
I hope that you will be careful to have both pulpit and reading desk placed as far forward in front of the chancel as your room will allow. The effect is very much destroyed by having them against the wall, as in St. Paul's, Boston (Dr. Vinton's). At Trinity, Boston, and at the Church of the Ascension, New York, they are placed in the true position. The object of placing them against the wall and so far apart, is said to be, in order that the chancel may be entirely seen. But this is not necessary, and the effect of a portion of the chancel being intercepted by an object in front, is rather fine than otherwise, giving an increased perspective. And it ought to be remembered, that if the pulpit is not pretty near the middle aisle, the clergyman does not command the congregation as well with his eye, when preaching.
I was highly pleased with the church, and had but one criticism to make,-viz, that the pulpit was not of the wine-glass shape, which would have been a very beautiful object. But it is a noble structure.
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With kind remembrances to Mrs. Clapp and the rest of your family, I am,
Faithfully yours, (Signed) Manton Eastburn." H. W. Clapp, Esq.
In 1851 a committee was appointed to spend some money "in ornamenting the grounds belonging to St. James' Church." Also at the parish meeting it was re- solved "That we entertain a thankful appreciation for the services so cheerfully and faithfully performed by the gentlemen and ladies who have for the past year officiated in the choir of our church, and that the clerk present a copy of the same to each member of said choir."
In 1852 this kind and considerate vote was passed by the parish. "That for the best interests of St. James' Parish, its Rector, the several families living at too great a distance to go home and return with the intermission allowed heretofore, and for those persons living within sound of the bell, wanting to take a nap after dinner, that the services commence on the first of May and continue until the first of October this year at three o'clock, p. m., during the rest of the year as heretobefore."
In 1853 Mr. H. W. Clapp gave "a commodious and elegant book case for the library room of the church, also a new pulpit cushion". A vote of thanks was ex- tended to him and also to Mr. Thomas W. Ripley "for his long, faithful and efficient services as chorister in St. James' Church, to which in no ordinary degree the interest of the congregation in our services, and the prosperity of the parish have been owing".
Again in 1854 it was voted to improve and fence the grounds provided funds could be obtained, but evi- dently the necessary money was not forthcoming, as
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the article was in the warrant for the next year, and was "passed over". But perhaps other and more serious matters were under consideration. At the parish meet- ing held in this year, 1855, it is to be noted that "prayers were read by the Senior Warden" R. E. Field, Esq., the Rector being sick. For the first time in forty one years, Dr. Strong was absent from his post at an annual meet- ing. A committee was appointed to wait upon him to learn his wishes with regard to permanent clerical as- sistance. For nearly a year the services had been main- tained by the clergy from other parishes. The com- mittee reported that Dr. Strong was desirous that the parish should procure someone to take charge of the parish. An assistant was therefore elected in the per- son of Mr. E. Jessup. Whether or not he ever served, is uncertain. We know that four years later he was called to be Rector, but declined. At any rate, on the 11th day of June following, the venerable Rector of the Parish had "entered into rest".
At a meeting of the Wardens and Vestrymen of the Parish held early in the morning of June 11th, 1855, a few hours after the decease of the Rector, "the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted :-
As the mournful tidings come to us this morning that our beloved Rector "has gone up above", that the tongue which for more than forty years has preached to us "Christ and Him crucified" is silent forever, that that example of dignified humility, Christian forbearance, and comprehensive love is finished; that our House of Prayer is desolate, our community bereaved, we desire to relieve our own anguish and extend our sympathy to the nearer family circle and friends, by a few words expressed :-
Resolved-That in this season of bereavement we offer
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to the family of our Rector our deep sympathy and condolence-
That we cheerfully bear testimony to his faithfulness in his long ministry both in Church and Parish.
We bear witness that our Rector bore himself in his ministry to the honor of God and the wellfare of his Church, to benefit and bless his people, reminding them by precept and example of the graces a Christian should exercise here, and must possess to be accepted by his Lord hereafter.
That he declared to his people the whole Bible, spoken by God, in its broadest principles and minutest require- ments.
While thus we sorrow that the places which have known him shall know him no more, we find comfort that he met the Lord in his coming with his light trimmed and burning, rejoicing to say "death is swal- lowed up in victory"; and we call upon his family to bow with us in resignation to God's will, and with us to bless His Holy Name for all His servants departed this life in His faith and fear."
Other resolutions were adopted by the Church of the Advent in Boston, by Christ Church in Springfield, and by the clergy present at the funeral.
On Sunday, June 17th, the first Sunday after the death of Dr. Strong, memorial services were held in the church. In the morning the sermon was preached by the Rt. Rev. H. W. Lee, Bishop of Iowa, from the text, "My father, my father!" and in the afternoon by the Rev. L. B. Babcock of Dedham, from the words, "Jesus wept".
Of Dr. Strong's character and work it would be hardly possible to say too much. Bishop Williams has perhaps put the thing as well as anyone could. "Priest, Pastor, Man of God, he dwelt thus among his people while
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Along the cool, sequestered vale of life, He kept the noiseless tenor of his way.
"That life may fill no great page in the world's story, but it has a record fairer than any earthly, even that written in the Lamb's own Book of Life.
"Thus serving God and man, and keeping himself "unspotted from the world", the first Rector of this par- ish walked among you for forty-one years of blessed ser- vice, "coveting no man's silver or gold or apparel"; nay, with his "own hands ministering to his necessities and to those that were with him", "knowing nothing among you but Jesus Christ and Him crucified", and "declaring the whole counsel of God", till having almost reached the three score years and ten, he slept in Jesus. He died on St. Barnabas' Day, 1855, and I may truly sum up his character in the words which the Holy Spirit has employed to describe the Apostle and Saint of God, and to set forth the issue of his labors: "He was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith, and much people was added unto the Lord".
In appearance Dr. Strong is described as being "a tall, large man of stately bearing, with a smooth shaven, kind- ly face". His daily life was most simple. After the manner of the country clergy of his period, he worked in his little garden, he sawed his own wood, and made his own fire. He might be seen on a summer morning going to the bank to read the daily New York paper, then a rare luxury. His dress would be that of the gentle- man of his day, a gown of flowered chintz gathered into a yoke at the neck, with large loose sleeves, and falling in long full breadths to his knees, open in front, and floating behind as he walked. He was a charming guest at all social gatherings, full of good stories and apt quo-
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tations. He was especially loved by children and young people. It is told of him that he was very apt when meeting a child on the street to put his hand on his head with a word of benediction. And there are still people living in the town who remember him as a mem- ber of the school committee, blessing the children as they filed past him on the days of his visitations. In those days the lines between churches were very closely drawn, and there was not a great deal of intercourse between the different denominations. But everyone liked Dr. Strong. He preached good, old fashioned sermons on Faith and Sin and Repentance. He was also faith- ful in instructing his people as to all the customs and rites of his own church. His life had in it much of sad- ness, both for him and for his good wife. Nine children were born to them, four girls and five boys. Of these, five died in childhood, and two boys left home when young, leaving only a boy and a girl. Dr. Strong loved children, and his heart must have been very sad at times. And yet, of how great comfort he could be to those of his people who mourned. "I remember when my children died" he is quoted as saying, more than once.
The struggles of Dr. Strong to make both ends meet were difficult in the extreme, and at times, even painful no doubt. There are two subscription papers, dated June 9th, 1834 which tell a story.
"The Rev. T. Strong, having been invited to dis- solve his connection as minister of his parish and to be- come Rector of another, with much greater pecuniary advantages, it may be his duty (under existing circum- stances) however painful the separation both on his part as well as on the part of the members of the parish, to accept the call.
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Now therefore, we the subscribers, ladies of St. James', Greenfield (the other paper read, "gentlemen of St. James' Parish) in token of our attachment to him for his pri- vate and social worth, and in gratitude for his past and hope of his future continued labors with us as a faithful watchman of Jesus Christ, do agree to pay the sums here subscribed by us for the purpose of removing his pecuniary liabilities, so that he may still remain our Rector".
Nearly six hundred dollars were raised on these two papers. His death was a real martyrdom, but he was a patient, good man to the end.
The words on the tablet erected in 1866 to the mem- ory of Dr. Strong, in the chancel of the church, are from the pen of Bishop Williams of Connecticut. They should be recorded here as a splendid tribute to a wonderfully fine man.
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IN JESU TO THE HONORED MEMORY
OF THE REVEREND TITUS STRONG, D. D. A PRIEST IN THE CHURCH OF GOD; FOR XLI YEARS
RECTOR OF ST. JAMES' PARISH; A DIVINE IMBUED WITH APOSTOLIC DOCTRINE, AND ADORNED WITH SOUND LEARNING; A PASTOR FAITHFUL TO THE SOULS COMMITTED TO HIS CHARGE; A MAN ENDOWED WITH SINGULAR GIFTS OF NATURE, AND SANCTIFIED WITH THE BETTER GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST;
THIS MEMORIAL OF THE AFFECTION OF HIS SORROWING FLOCK IS SACRED. BORN JANUARY XXVI, MDCCLXXXVII ENTERED INTO LIFE JUNE XI, MDCCCLV.
YEARS BETWEEN THE RECTORSHIPS OF DR. STRONG AND MR. FINCH.
At the end of June, 1855, a committee consisting of Messrs. John J. Pierce, Henry W. Clapp, and Jonathan Bird was chosen to find Dr. Strong's successor. On the 11th of July, the Rev. William Flint of Charlestown, was elected Rector. On July 23, Mr. Flint signified his intention of accepting the invitation of the parish in the following letter:
"Charlestown, July 23, 1855.
Gents:
Having received from you, the official representatives of St. James' Church, Greenfield, an invitation to become your Rector, I have taken time to give to the subject that serious and prayerful consideration which its im- portance demands. It is no light thing to sever the ties which bind a pastor to his flock. Time and eternity are both included in the issue. But here, I believe, the course of duty and of usefulness is made plain, and therefore trusting that we alike have been guided by the great Head of the Church, I accept the call. May His blessing rest upon us all and souls saved and Chris- tians sanctified and perfected be the fruit of the mutual labor of pastor and people. I ask only that the mantle of the aged servant of God may be given to his suc- cessor, and then shall I know that when death comes, it will have no sting, the grave no victory.
Please to let me know when you expect me to take
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charge that I may know from what time to date my resignation here.
Yours in Xt. and His Church,
R. E. Field,
J. J. Pierce,
(Signed) William Flint."
Committee.
Dr. Flint took up his residence in Greenfield on Sep- tember 9th. The Parish agreed not only to pay him a salary, but also to care for his life insurance. No rectory was offered him because the Church had none. But soon after his coming a committee was appointed "to confer with Mrs. H. Strong and family to see if they would sell their homestead to the Parish for a Parsonage." Evi- dently they would not since in the month of October it was decided to buy Mr. John Ortt's property on Church Street, being the house and land directly east of Dr. Strong's place. No money was in hand so the property was mortgaged and Dr. Flint paid as house rent the amount which would cover the interest on the debt, viz. some $214.00 per annum. In December the vestry voted "that it is not expedient to trim the chancel win- dows at Christmas" but a committee consisting of Simeon Phillips, John L. Tucker and B. F. Popkins was appointed to attend to the rest of the decoration. The interest even in small matters was very great.
In 1856 the vestry "voted to pay Mr. C. Megrath for trimming the lamps for the singers the two past years six dollars." The appropriations made for that same year are interesting by way of comparison :-
For the Rector's salary $1,000.00
Life Insurance (Rector)
35.20
Music 100.00
Sexton 50.00
Boy to blow organ 6.00
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Dr. Flint was quite unwell during much of this year and in July he was voted four Sundays leave of absence in order that he might "rest and regain his health and strength." The Church was, however, to be kept open every Sunday for Morning Service and Sunday school.
In 1857 we notice among other matters of business that the Rector and Mr. James S. Grinnell were a com- mittee "to revive the Sewing Society" which had evi- dently lapsed.
In 1858 "it being suggested to the Vestry that Mr. F. S. Tuckerman wished to have the bell upon the Church exchanged for one of a different tone, it was voted :- "that the Vestry consent to such an exchange provided Mr. F. S. Tuckerman will pay the expense him- self." It is not recorded as to whether or not an ex- change was made, but Mr. Tuckerman being a very gen- erous man was doubtless ready for the Vestry's plain suggestion.
Dr. Flint's health had been failing for some time and in April 1859 he sent in his resignation to take effect at Easter, but before that time, indeed hardly a week after his letter was presented to the Vestry, "God took him." His ministry, though brief, had brought him into close touch with his people. "He was a preacher of ability and the services during his time were attended by large congregations. He was an honest, earnest ad- vocate of Church teaching, a sincere friend, a tactful helper of those who were in need. During his funeral services as a token of the universal esteem and respect in which he was held in the Community the stores and places of business were closed."
At the Easter meeting following Dr. Flint's death Richard E. Field declined to serve longer as warden whereupon it was resolved :-
"That it is with feelings of surprise and regret that the members of the Parish receive the declination of
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Richard E. Field, Esq., longer to act as Senior Warden of this Church, which position he has held now these seven years, with undoubted zeal for the Church, unvary- ing good will towards his fellow men, and unquestioned fidelity to his Master.
Resolved that since his declination proceeds from no abatement of his devotion to the Church nor from any disaffection to any fellow member of the Parish we may confidently ask and receive his counsel and co-operation in all matters concerning the interests of the Church."
For eight months the parish was without a Minister and under the pastoral care of the Rev. W. S. Child for- merly Rector of Christ Church, Springfield.
The first record we find of any tendency toward ri- tualism on the part of the Parish occurred about this time when at a Vestry meeting it was voted "that the Commitee on the Church procure some C. Sticks for the use of the Vestry, and put a lock on a drawer in the library room to keep the same in." In secrecy many things have their beginning.
On the twelfth of December, 1859, the Rev. S. Russell Jones was elected Rector. Mr. Jones' letter of acceptance reads as follows :-
"Burnt Hills, Saratoga County, New York, December 15, 1859.
To Messrs. J. J. Pierce,
J. H. Hollister,
Wardens of St. James' Church, Greenfield, Mass.
Dear Sirs :-
Your official letter of the 12th has just been received, and meets immediate attention. Having previously had some correspondence with a committee of your parish, your invitation to assume the Rectorship of St. James' was not entirely unanticipated. I have therefore pre-
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viously given the subject that consideration which it de- serves; and although the duties may be arduous, the responsibilities many, which will rest upon me, yet trusting that Holy Spirit will direct and aid me in the discharge of every duty, believing that I shall not lack the sympathy and cordial support of every member of the parish. Trusting from what I have learned of your former conduct that we shall mutually seek peace and study above all things to advance the glory of our ador- able Saviour and only Master, Jesus Christ, I am con- strained to accept your invitation, and be assured that during my connection with you if ever I err in the dis- charge of my duties, it shall be in judgment and never in will.
I will make my arrangements to assume my responsi- bilities as Rector on the first of January, 1860.
Trusting this appointment of time will meet your approbation, I am,
Your Servant in Christ,
S. Russell Jones."
Mr. Jones preached his opening sermon on the first day of New Year, 1860, from Acts. 10; 29, "Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying as soon as I was sent for; I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me." During his Rectorship the parish was very prosperous, and congregations unusually large. Sixty- five additional sittings were put into the church. In fact, so many people seemed to want to come that a "free service" was established. To this service which was held at nine o'clock in the morning, there came a large num- ber of German and English families who had hitherto been without a church home. A fine choir of male voices was trained therefor, and altogether the service was said to be most inspiring. On the Sunday before Easter, 1861, it is reported that there were two hundred
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persons, mostly men, at this nine o'clock service. To the convention of that year Mr. Jones made the following report :
"Number of families (Regular services) 95
Number of families (Free services) 85
Baptisms, 49
Confirmations, 48
Marriages, 10
Burials, 14
Communicants, 152
Sunday School Teachers, 12.
Scholars, 95
Contentions are unknown, and brotherly love continues."
At the annual meeting of the parish in 1860, a vote of thanks was extended to Mr. Franklin R. Allen "who after many years of constant attendance in the choir is about to leave us." At this same meeting it was decided to sell the Ortt place which had been used as a parson- age. This was not accomplished, however, until three years later when it was voted "that the subject of selling or exchanging land lying east of the Dr. Strong place, called the Ortt land, for land lying the south side of the church lot be referred to the committee on Parsonage." Within a month the committee recommended the buying of the Hooker Leavitt place, so called, for a parsonage. The sum of $2700. was asked for the property, which is that on which the present Rectory (1912) stands.
In 1861 occurred suddenly the death of Henry B. Clapp, who for a long time had been an interested and loyal worker in the Parish, a member of the vestry and like his father active in all the concerns of the Church. Resolutions of respect and sympathy were adopted by the Parish and put upon the records.
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In 1862 the appropriations were as follows:
Rector's Salary (with house)
$700
Sexton,
60
Fuel, .75
Organ Boy,
8
Convention Assessment,
14
Light, 10
Interest,
210
Taxes,
32
Repairs, (House)
10
Repairs, (Church)
25
Music,
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In 1863 the Hooker Leavitt place lying next to the Church on the south was purchased for a Rectory. On the 10th of August this same year Mr. Jones resigned the Rectorship. His letter follows:
St. James' Rectory, Greenfield, Mass., Aug. 10th, 1863.
To
The Vestry and Wardens of St. James' Church, Beloved in Christ :-
We believe that in the Providence of God all things are overruled for good to those who love our Lord Jesus Christ. By that Providence we have recently received a pressing and most flattering invitation to work in a larger field of labor with the promise of a much larger reward than we now receive for our services.
Considering the present state of St. James and the amount of labor which by the assistance of the Holy Spirit we have been enabled to accomplish within the past three and a half years, viz., that more than fifty adults have been baptized and eighty confirmed, nearly all of whom have become communicants in the Church
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I feel that my work is accomplished among you and that I can henceforth be of more service to my Divine Master and His Church elsewhere.
I do therefore now present you my resignation of the Rectorship of said St. James Church to take effect on the first day of September next.
I may add that during my ministry among you, (as is well known to you all) I have ever labored, not for popularity with the world, not as a man-pleaser, but as the servant of God and His Church, having a duty to perform and endeavoring faithfully to fulfill my ordina- tion vows-to "drive away from the Church all erronious and strange doctrines conterary to the word of God" and "to minister the Doctrine and Sacraments and dicipline of Christ as the Lord hath commanded and as this Church hath received the Same according to the Commandments of God." To this and these by the aid of the Holy Spirit I owe my great success in bringing souls to Christ in this parish as elsewhere; for God works by means and those means are the preached word and the blessed Sacraments of His Church.
May God's Holy Spirit direct you in the choice of my successor; that those children in Christ who through my instrumentality have been brought into the fold, and whom I love as a part of my own family, may not be allowed to wander for the want of a faithful shepherd. I shall always look back upon you with interest; I have too many loved ones in Christ to be indifferent, and my heart shall warm with yours in the hour of joy and grieve when you are sad. May the blessing of God rest upon you and the spirit of God ever guide and protect you, Amen.
S. Russell Jones,
Rector of St. James' Church."
Perhaps we may venture the hope that the spelling
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in Mr. Jones' Prayer-Book was not so bad as he makes it out to be.
The best thing about this letter was the prayer spoken for his successor. It seems to have been answered with particular care for there came to the Parish that year the Rev. Peter Voorhees Finch.
MR. FINCH'S FIRST RECTORSHIP.
Peter Voorhees Finch was born in the Rectory of Christ Church Shrewsbury, New Jersey in 1835. He was graduated from Burlington College in 1854, received the degree of Master of Arts from the same institution in 1858 and also from Trinity College, Hartford, Connecti- cut in 1860.
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