USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Bridgewater > Semi-centennial discourse before the First Congregational society in Bridgewater, delivered on Lord's day, 17th September, 1871 > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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Christianity. They coincide each with the other. A true life, the first characteristic of which is benev- olence, has its spring in God, through the Spirit of Christ. It is the highest honor to which humanity can aspire. It is an honor attainable here only with many imperfections, and to be consummated in eternity alone.
My friends, I greet you gladly on the present occasion. You are, except in a very few instances, but the children and grand-children of those who saw me, in my youth, dedicate myself to the ser- vice of God, in the Kingdom of His beloved Son ; a service which I never for one moment desired to relinquish. I can look back upon the scenes and duties of my ministry, and think with gratitude that, amidst the contending elements of party strife, I never, in any one instance, gave occasion for alienation of heart from me; and, moreover, I am happy in the reflection that my affection for all the people of Bridgewater, whatever may have been their opinions in regard to theological theories, has been sincerely reciprocated by them. Memories crowd upon my mind; memories suggestive of lessons which are not even now without their in- struction. The signs of thrift and happiness that meet the eye in these streets and these homes show, in a marked manner, the steps of progress
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since fifty years ago. The fathers and mothers who here joined with me in the worship of God, though lost to sight, are yet to memory dear. Their virtues, as depicted in my own mind, if they were portrayed in the minds of some of you as the virtues of those whom you fondly loved, would, I apprehend, touch affections of a heavenly origin and of a heavenly end.
Vain were it, my friends, that this opportunity of reviving recollections of the tenderest character was given to me and to you, if it fail to impart new animation and brightness to the principles and hopes of the Christian life. Oh, friends ! what- ever else fail you, let not the hope of heaven fail you, because of your negligence or indifference. As mortal and immortal beings, your duty and your happiness are involved each in the other. A benef- icent God requires nothing of you but what your own highest interests, as beings having mental and affectional capacities, would demand. How much greater are your obligations as beings born for im- mortality !
My brother, I greet you cordially as one of my successors in the ministry here. May the Holy Spirit be richly vouchsafed to you. Guard this Church that it may live the true life. And, that it may so live, see to it that it draws its life from the
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Fountain of Truth. A servant of the Divine Mas- ter, a Church, the life of which "is hid with Christ in God," each reflecting the light of the other, and mutually giving and receiving vitality, may these be ever open sources of vigor and zeal in the exercise of your sacred office. And may the record which the years to come shall make be a record of prog- ress and of prosperity, over which they, in future generations, who shall be permitted to read it, will rejoice with exceeding joy. God speed thee, my brother!
Brethren, the grave awaits me. It is not proba- ble that Providence has in charge for me a greater or more grateful labor than that which I have now performed. It will be a pleasant reflection, in the closing hours of my life, that the latest words I was permitted to utter in my official capacity were words of Christian counsel and of Christian cheer to the people of my early charge, the First Church of Christ in Bridgewater. Dear friends, God bless you; God bless you all. Farewell.
HISTORICAL NOTES.
HISTORICAL NOTES.
B RIDGEWATER, as originally constituted, was a large township, embracing an area of some sixty or seventy square miles. It was divided into four par- ishes, taking the distinctive names of the cardinal points. The action of the town in relation to its civil interests took place annually, and as often as might be necessary, at meetings of the people legally assembled in the West Parish, the oldest in the possession of corporate rights.
In August, 1820, according to the Assistant Marshal's return of the census, -including Titicut Parish, which numbered 322, -the entire population of the Bridgewater Parishes was 5,662. The State census in 1865 gave the number of inhabitants as 15,333. The official census of the United States in 1870 gave the number as 16,490.
Ineffectual attempts, at various times, were made by all the parishes, except the West, prior to 1821, to be incorporated as independent towns. On the 15th of Jan- uary, 1821, the Legislature gave to the North Parish the name of "North Bridgewater," with the right of manag- ing its public affairs. On the 16th of February, 1822, a similar right, with the name of "West Bridgewater," was granted to the West Parish ; and in the year follow- ing, 1823, on the 14th of June, the East Parish, adopting
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the name of "East Bridgewater," was legally permitted to assume the privileges and responsibilities of a free corporation. The original charter was thus left in the possession of the South Parish, with the ancestral name of "Bridgewater."
The number of inhabitants in the "South Parish " in 1820 was 1,692. An official record of 1830 gives the number as 1,855. In 1865, the State census reported the number of inhabitants in "Bridgewater " to be 4, 196. The United States census of 1870 gives 3,660, a dimin- ished number. There were 18 public schools in 1870, with an average attendance of 521 scholars in winter, and 496 in summer.
My first visit to Bridgewater, in reference to its relig- ious interests, was in February, 1820. It was the cus- tom, supported by law, at that remote period, for the town-clerk publicly to announce in the meeting-house, after the people and minister were assembled on the Lord's day, the intention of marriage by parties whom it concerned. This was always a matter of peculiar interest.
Another custom was, - a custom of courtesy, - for the occupants of pews on the centre aisle of the church, while the minister was passing in, to rise, and to remain in that position until he had ascended the pulpit. The same ceremony recurred at the close of public worship, on his departure from the church. This custom, however, was abolished soon after I came into office, at my request.
Another custom that prevailed at the time under review, but which is now, I believe, not generally observed, was that of having written notes publicly read from the pulpit, asking for special prayers for individuals or fami- lies in affliction ; or imploring the interposition of a
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beneficent Providence in behalf of the sick. Occasion- ally thank-offerings were presented for restoration to health, or the opening of a new source of domestic happi- ness. Departures on long journeys, and safe returns to loved homes, called for intercession and invited thanksgiving in the worship of God. At the present day it is deemed more in accordance with a delicate sensibility, and more in the spirit of a true Christian sympathy, to embrace in our devotional affections at the public altar all who, whether in joy or in sorrow, in anxiety, or in relief from danger, have particularly come under the discipline of Divine Providence. I regard this remembrance, at the Throne of Grace, of dependent, suffering, rejoicing humanity, as one of the most beautiful offices of prayer, and one of the blessed incidents of communion with God. There, at that Throne, which is everywhere, the baptized of the Father and of the Son may meet and be spiritually one, par- takers of the true life.
At the beginning of the summer of 1821, I was again invited to supply the pulpit of the First Congregational Society in the South Parish of Bridgewater. On the 2d of July a call was extended to me to assume the official charge of the Church, and the pastoral care of the peo- ple. On Sunday, the 22d of July, my affirmative reply to this call was read to the congregation by the Rev. RICHARD BRIGGS of Mansfield.
Of the ten gentlemen who were appointed a committee in behalf of the Parish to invite me " to settle with them as their gospel minister," not one is now living. The Parish Clerk also, whose name appears in the official document, is numbered with the dead.
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The following list is presented for the historical interest it may have : -
Deacon JAMES ALGER . . Born 22 Oct., 1770, died 2 Nov., 1844.
Deacon CORNELIUS HOLMES " 3 Dec., 1754, 17 Oct., 1847. NATHAN LAZELL, Esq. 20 June, 1832. " IS May, 1759,
Dr. NOAH FEARING " 28 Nov., 1769, " 20 June, 1824.
Capt. BENJAMIN POPE " 13 May, 1765,
17 Mch., 1846.
SETH WASHBURN, Esq. " 23 Sep., 1776, 29 April, 1858. NATHAN MITCHELL, Esq. " 16 Oct., 1762,
IO June, 1845.
DANIEL MITCHELL, Esq. " 13 June, 1767, ", 16 April, 1847.
SYLVANUS PRATT
" 20 May, 1770, " 11 Jan., 1833.
ALPHEUS FORBES " 30 June, 1756,
12 April, 1839.
Attest,
HOLMES SPRAGUE, Clerk.
H. SPRAGUE .
Born 21 Dec., 1783, died 13 Oct, 1869.
The record may be here appropriately made that all the members of the Church, twenty-five males and thirty-eight females, who were active and acting at the time of my ordination, have deceased.
The council invited to solemnize my ordination was convened on the 12th of September, 1821, in the Academy building, then occupying a part of the present site of the hotel. Rev. JOHN REED, D.D., of the West Parish, was chosen Moderator ; and Rev. JOHN GORHAM PAL- FREY, of the Church in Bratthe Square, Boston, Scribe. After an explicit examination of the candidate as to his theological education, religious character, and motives for desiring the sacred office, and a presentation of a written summary of his Christian belief, it was voted to attend his ordination at the meeting-house. During a short recess, there was a meeting of the brethren of the Church, presided over, in accordance with a vote of the council, by Rev. JAMES KENDALL, of Plymouth, when
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the candidate was admitted to full membership by the voice of the Church, and the new relation was presented to the Throne of Grace for consecration by the presiding clergyman. The candidate was robed in the clerical dress of the time, consisting of a cassock, belt, gown and bands. This rich and costly suit was the gift of the ladies of the Parish; an appropriate and pleasing ex- pression of their interest in the occasion, and of their good hope of the ministry inaugurated. The procession, preceded by a band of music and the Executive Com- mittee of the Parish, marched to the church, where the solemnities took place in the following order: Rev. RALPH SANGER, of Dover, offered the introductory prayer ; Rev. CHARLES LOWELL, of the West Church, Boston, preached the sermon from Acts xx. 20; Rev. THADDEUS MASON HARRIS, D.D., of the First Parish in Dorchester, offered the ordaining prayer ; Rev. JOHN PRINCE, LL.D., of the First Church in Salem, gave the charge; Rev. CHARLES BRIGGS, of the First Church in Lexington, presented the Right Hand of Fellowship, and Rev. JOHN GORHAM PALFREY, of the Church in Brattle Square, Boston, made the concluding prayer. The benediction was pronounced by the newly ordained pastor. The sermon and charge were printed. Not- withstanding unfavorable weather, the occasion had gathered a large and attentive audience. After the public services, the council and invited guests dined in the Academy hall, which was handsomely decorated. Rev. PETER WHITNEY, of the First Congregational Church in Quincy, asked the Divine blessing ; and Rev. EDWARD RICHMOND, D.D., of the Third Congrega- tional Church in Dorchester, returned thanks.
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On the Lord's day following my ordination, I preached on the reciprocal duties of pastor and people. In the forenoon, the text was 2 Tim. iv. 5, which led my thoughts to self-admonition. In the afternoon, the text was I Thess. v. 12, 13, which suggested the duties of the Church and Society in view of the new relation that had been formed.
My parish register contains the names of one hundred and eighty families.
In 1822, April 9, I began a course of religious instruc- tion specially for the improvement of children.
In 1823, July 6th, a Sunday School was organized.
In 1828, June 10th, a juvenile library was opened.
In 1831, May and June, there was an unusual interest in regard to religion ; and many, by the blessing of God, through the teachings of His Son, were led to feel and to acknowledge their Christian obligations and privileges.
In 1832, January, February, March, scarlatina pre- vailed among children. A large number died.
In the course of my ministry I married eighty-four couples.
The average number of deaths annually was twenty.
The notes in this relation might be extended, but the object contemplated is answered at this point.
Early in 1822, a " Congregational Trinitarian Society " was organized, and a house of worship for its use erected in the southern part of the town. After a union of a few years, a portion of this parish, with
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its minister, - still living, honored, and esteemed, though in the serene twilight of old age, - thought it proper to form themselves into a new body of Christians, and to establish a new place of worship in the central village.
In 1824, March IIth, a society, in accordance with the doctrines of Emmanuel Swedenborg, was instituted ; and on the 20th September, 1871, a new and commo- dious house of worship was solemnly set apart for its use.
There is also a Roman Catholic Church in the town. In 1821, besides the Congregational, there was one other, - the Protestant Episcopal Church, -in Bridge- water. Since that time there have been added four houses of public worship. May truth and hope, illu- mined by purity and love, be inscribed on their walls !
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