USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Semi-centennial manual, Winthrop Church (Charlestown), Boston, Mass.; with historical sketch and list of members from Jan. 9, 1833, to Jan. 9, 1883 > Part 7
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A church may increase in size by additions to its member- ship, and it may diminish as the years roll by ; but in spiritual stature its membership may be full grown at any period of its history. Such was the character of this church at its birth. It took its first step, as the framers and signers of the Cove- nant declare, after "mature deliberation." Its first words
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were, " We believe that the cause of Evangelical piety will be promoted by the formation of a second Orthodox Congre- gational Church in this place." The letter of the twoscore men and women who were moved to establish this church, addressed in respectful and affectionate language to the pa- rent church, reads as follows : " Facts demonstrate that this town, embracing a population of nine thousand souls, is not adequately furnished with houses for public worship or the means of grace ; and we feel that we are called upon, by every consideration that can awaken sympathy or excite compassion, to do our utmost that these precious souls may be brought into the fold of the Redeemer."
They also say in the same letter, that they believe "the contemplated separation will materially augment the happi- ness and usefulness of the individual members, as well as the strength and prosperity of both branches of the same glorious community."
These words are the words of mature minds and expe- rienced souls. When a little gathering of these earnest hearts met, on the 23d of November, 1832, in the quiet par- lor of Dea. Flint's house, on the corner of what was then called Bow and Arrow Streets, and when they pledged, in the truest spirit of self-sacrifice, their contributions to the work, such was the enthusiasm of the hour that one youth not quite seventeen years of age, though not a church mem- ber, gladly placed opposite his name the sum of seventeen dollars, which he must save out of the wages which he was just beginning to receive for his daily labor. We need not say that he became afterwards a strong member of this church. And when on the evening of the 9th of January, 1833, the band of forty-four members (fourteen men and twenty-one women from the Frst Parish,* six from other churches and three on profession) was organized into the new church, it was not as an infant in its cradle, but as a man full grown, capable of understanding and performing the word and purposes of God.
* This was exactly the number from the original First Church of Boston who formed the First Parish Church in Charlestown, A. D. 1632.
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The First Church worshipped at that time in a huge wooden structure, venerable with historical associations of two hundred years, although the building itself was only fifty years old.
In the aisle stood the little company (eight of whom are still living, four are now members of this church, and six are present here with us to day) .* The scene, as told by an eye-witness, was most impressive.
On the council called to organize the new body were the pastor and delegates from two churches (Salem Street and Bowdoin Street) now extinct ; also the pastor and delegate of Park Street Church, and a delegate from the Union Church, together with ministers and delegates from other churches out of town. Not one of that council is now living ; but when I mention the revered names of the Revs. Joel 'Lindley, Hubbard Winslow, Amos Blanchard, David Greene, and Brothers Julius A. Palmer and John Gulliver, you will at once perceive the character of the men of which it was composed. Of this council, Rev. Samuel Gile, from the church at Milton, was moderator and Rev. Amos Blanch- ard scribe.
Already a confession of faith had been framed and adopted, and when the sermon had been preached by Rev. Mr. Blan- chard, the members of the new organization solmenly en- tered into covenant with God and each other, and were pronounced a regularly organized church.
Thus the Winthrop Church came into being. Its first meeting (Jan. 11, 1833) after its formation, at the house of Amos Tufts, reveals to us the tone of its spirituality and the ripeness of its powers. After the transaction of necessary business, relating to the choice of deacons, clerk, and the organization of a Sabbath school, " the interesting occasiont was improved . . . in a spirit of humble gratitude and praise."
" The occasion and the circumstances," writes William
* Eliza H. Flint, Hannah B. Sweetser, Martha S. Hovey ( Mrs. S. P. Skil- ton), Mrs. Wm. ( Eliza B. K.) Tufts, Reuben Swan, Lemuel Gulliver, Mrs. Elizabeth T. Barnes, Mrs. Caroline H. Brewster.
t See Records, page 18.
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Tufts, the newly elected clerk, "loudly demanded of us the entire consecration of ourselves, our all, to the blessed work of promoting the kingdom of our Divine Redeemer and the salvation of immortal souls."
The first public services of the new organization were held in the Town Hall, on the spot where the Public Library now stands.
"Some who were then children remember the eagerness with which they went up those rude stairs, into a hall, which though devoid of all outward attractions, seemed filled with the glory of the ancient temple." Rev. Jacob Abbott, prin- cipal of the Mt. Vernon School, Boston, officiated.
Among other preachers in that hall, during those early days, was Dr. William Adams, of New York, whose courtly grace, eloquence, and spiritual fervor produced a marked impression on the audience, in contrast with the homely furnishings of the place of meeting. At that time the sing- ing was accompanied by a double bass-viol and a clarionet. It was not long however before a meeting-house was built on Union Street for the new parish, a structure " beau- tiful in its simplicity," as Dr. Blagden said of it soon after it was occupied. By November, 1833, it was ready for use. Its cost, with land and organ, was about $14,000 .* In it the congregation grew from a handful to fill its walls, and when the present edifice was built on Green Street, the site of the old structure was occupied by three brick dwell- ing-houses, the homes of Dea. Mackintire and the brothers Nathan A. and Samuel F. Tufts. Thus the hallowed associa- tions of that consecrated spot were continued.t With such a beginning and with such leaders, who can wonder that " the work of their hands was established upon them " ?
A church is apt to perpetuate the influences under which it is founded, and to mould its future upon the principles which distinguish it at first. The spirit of its founders lives
* William Byrnes was the organist for over twenty-five years, devoting himself heart and soul to the service of sacred song. The leading members of Winthrop Church have often been members of the choir.
t A pew-door from the old meeting-house was placed in the hall closet of each of the above houses, and still remains.
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in the choice of similar successors, and seldom do violent changes destroy the original purpose and polity of a godly beginning. Let us then dwell a few moments on the char- acter of the principal movers in the new enterprise.
The first deacon of Winthrop Church was Amos Tufts. He had been a deacon in the First Parish Church, and was seventy years old when elected to the same office in the new church. "His liberal and comprehensive mind," says his biographer, * " had a 'happy facility ' for appreciating and accepting any projects and improvements which were un- known in his early days." "Firm, self-controlled, and con- scientious, his religious character was marked by ardor, humility, and simplicity."
He lived only seven years after this church was organized, but left to us as his legacy, five sons in the glory of their man- hood, and one daughter, Mrs. E. P. Mackintire, all of them active and prominent members of this society.t
Then came the "Trio of Deacons," who were identified with the life and history of the church for nearly a quarter of a century of its existence, - Chester Adams, Simeon Flint, and Eliab P. Mackintire.
Dea. Chester Adams was as his pastor said of him "one of the long-headed men, who are of incalculable service in any church ; and his judgment was seldom biassed by any over-sanguine feeling." For thirty-three years cashier, and eight years president of a bank, there were times " when he manifested great decision and resolution, confronting knavery with a most searching glance, and bringing out its cringing and terrified confessions of guilt. He was the last man with whom the rogue would have cared to deal." # In the move- ment to form the Winthrop Church, he lent his aid especially to make the whole basis of its organization as sound as pos- sible. Elected a deacon in 1840, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Amos Tufts, he died in 1855, leaving a worthy successor in his son, the late Dea. James Adams,
* Rev. Daniel Crosby (funeral sermon).
t Joseph F., Amos, Nathan A., William, and Samuel F. Tufts.
# From funeral sermon, by Rev. B. Tappan.
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who in resolution of character and affection for this church carried forward the work so nobly begun. Yonder clock was a gift to the church from Chester Adams in 1835.
Dea. Simeon Flint was a somewhat different man. "Sun- ny, benignant, guileless, and tender, decided in character, forcible, but concise in word, of tact in management, and with a rare spirit of conciliation, he had withal a ready humor, which brought sunshine into many a shady place." His store on Main Street, near Henley Street, was called the " Winthrop Exchange " by those who were accustomed on their way to town to stop in for a morning call.
During those early years, the conversation of the brethren in that place of almost daily meeting would turn on such questions as the following : " Were any persons newly im- pressed on the Sabbath ? " " For whom shall we especially pray this week ? " and " Where can we now work the best ?"
And so in constant, unobtrusive labor and prayer the good deacon gave his time, his house, his store to the Lord's work. Who can estimate the value of such a disciple in the upbuild- ing of a church ?
Of Dea. Flint, Rev. Benjamin Tappan writes, " I was ad- mitted to great intimacy and received great kindness from him." " How often have I heard him pray so simply and con- fidingly to his 'dear Saviour.' I saw him on his death- bed with almost the face of a saint in glory. I shall never forget him." He died Oct. 20, 1857, leaving behind the memory of one upon whom indeed was the " beauty of the Lord."
Dea. Eliab P. Mackintire, the last of the " Trio of Deacons," was perhaps the most marked figure in the early history of this church, and remained as a "pillar" in it for thirty-one years. He was fitted, both by natural gifts and a devoted piety, for prominence in the church of Christ. He had the rare faculty of leading without exciting envy. He could guide without giving offence, and command respect without usurping the prerogatives of others. As deacon thirty-one years, superintendent of the Sabbath school three years, and treasurer of the church twenty-four years, he was so fully identified with this society, that when the Winthrop
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Church was spoken of anywhere, he was at once brought to mind.
His heart was bound up in its welfare, and his time and strength were given to its care.
His example was its support, and his means were always at its disposal, according to his ability. A man of great energy and piety, he will long be remembered as a leader without ambition, and a landmark in the history of this church.
There are other names, which ought not to be passed by, of men and women devoted to this society in the period of its early formation and growth.
John Gammell, or " Father" Gammell (as he was famil- iarly known), was a man of singular gifts in the sphere he long occupied as a missionary to the poor of Charlestown. 'Quaint in speech and manners, almost blind, he possessed such rare native wit and such a pure soul, that his presence shed light wherever he went ; apt in poetical and Scriptural quotations, he was most interesting in social meetings, but equally welcome as the almoner of the church and the in- spirer of spiritual fervor.
Rev. Jared Curtis, the "dear old chaplain " of the State Prison, had " a heart as light and gay as a child," but which was always overflowing with sympathy and affection.
Rev. William S. Porter, an earnest worker; Rev. Asa Bullard, still the children's welcome friend; Dea. Mat- thew Skilton, dignified and firm ; S. Putnam Skilton, a young man at that time,, mild and gentle, but consistent in every- thing; Lemuel Gulliver, now living at Somerville ; Rev. Dr. Hooker, "fervent and apostolic."
Also, Joseph F. Tufts, sharing the burden; of the work, his wife a true fellow-worker ; Reuben Swan, Jr , a teacher, and influential ; Christopher C. Dean, a useful superintendent, and the treasurer of the Massachusetts Sabbath SchoolSociety ; Rev. L. I. Hoadley, kind and gentlemanly, scholarly and good ; Dea. Henry Hill, a very earnest, hearty Christian in speech and manner ; George Swan, prominent in the choir and long a teacher of the Warren School ; Thomas G. Lee, superintend- ent of the McLean Asylum, some of whose patients he would
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occasionally bring to church ; Norman Seaver, William Carle- ton, and others, who are now living.
Many women also, equally important and helpful, may be found on the church record of those early days, but for whose faithful and unwearied devotion the new responsibil- ities of the enterprise could not have been met. " A circle of them, all warm friends, met together for weekly prayer, having seasons of wonderful blessings and enjoyment, - Mrs. Vinal, Mrs. Gilbert Tufts, Mrs. Mackintire, Mrs. Heman Doane, Mrs. Jaquith, Mrs. Kendall, and Mrs. Souther."
But perhaps God's best gift to this society, in those times of labor and self-denial, was the first pastor of the Winthrop Church, Rev. Daniel Crosby. Installed over this church and society Aug. 14, 1833, - sermon by Rev. G. W. Blag- den, - in the full bloom of his powers, with a thorough spirit- ual preparation for his work, and a ripe experience in another parish (Conway, Mass.), this man of thirty-four years became the animating soul of the new enterprise from the very first.
" He understood," says the Rev. David Green in a sermon at his funeral, " the nature and responsibility of his work " " As a public religious teacher he was lucid, scriptural and rational. There was a vein of common-sense and practical- ness, an honesty of intention, and a directness of aim," which gave his discourses " a peculiar freshness and charm."
" His appeals to the conscience and heart were adapted to melt the hardest transgressors."
"He brought forth no new theological speculations." He gained a peculiar hold on the younger portion of his congregation. He held strong views of human deprav- ity, but he also knew the gospel remedy. As a pastor, he was ever watchful and laborious, and did not spare his strength while any work remained to be done. He gave the church a great missionary impulse. His monthly concert exercises are said to have been remarkable for the interest they awakened, and for the originality of his methods. With- out being distinguished for uncommon graces of person or manner, " with no fascinations of elocution, or style, or fancy," he secured such universal respect and love that the results of his ministry here, of eight years and nine months
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were wonderful. By the blessing of God upon his faithful exertions, this church was enlarged in four distinct and pow erful revivals of religion.
" He was willing to wear out," says his biographer, and, when cautioned against overwork, would only reply, " I love the work ; souls are perishing : how can I desist ?" He was " almost imprudent " in his disregard of health and life. He lived but a few months after his resignation of this charge, but he left the church, which he took when composed of only forty-four members, two hundred and sixty-seven strong, one hundred and fifty-three persons having been added by pro- fession, and one hundred and twenty-four by letter, during his ministry .*
The two sad events, the dismission of Mr. Crosby on ac- count of ill health, May 18, 1842, and his death Feb. 28, 1843, closed the history of the first ten years of Winthrop Church. One of the first members, a lady still warmly en- gaging with us in every good work, writes of that first decade as follows : " Who that lived during those early years will forget the weekly meetings held in private houses ? Huge wood fires we well remember, and feeble lights, with often very primitive surroundings, but rooms so full that no more could enter. Saturday-evening meetings of a few friends, to ask a blessing on the services of the Sabbath. Also larger meetings of a similar kind in the pastor's study. To us, the house on the corner of High and School Streets was a hallowed place."
" The study, an ' upper room," is well remembered. In that house our beloved pastor died, and from it passed to glory.
His grave is at Mt. Auburn, in a lot belonging to one of his parishioners, an old man, who, in his old age, was converted under Mr. Crosby's ministrations.
Over the dear pastor's grave a tablet inscribed with words of reverent love was placed by his grateful flock. His wife, whom no one knew but to love, now lives at Waterbury, Conn.
* The year 1836 was remarkable for its ingathering of many, who became a strong, working element in the church for years afterwards.
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During times of special religious interest, morning meet- ings, beginning at six o'clock, were also held. Before day- light, and sometimes through banks of snow, we remember setting forth. But what of that? Such warm, fervent prayers, such pleadings for God's spirit, give a melody to the memory of a morning hour of prayer which words can- not disclose.
But the golden days of that decade (continues the same writer) were the four glorious seasons of revival. Con- verts from among the old and the young, becoming knit to- gether in Christian love, stood up in groups of twenty-seven, twenty-four, eighteen, in the aisle of the Union Street Church, until the number of one hundred and fifty-one was reached.
Some of them still live, working in different churches as well as in our own. Most of them, however, have now passed away.
The almost glorified face of the pastor, as those for whom he had labored and prayed night and day stood before him, comes vividly to mind. No aid had been sought from outside sources. The pastor and the church had quietly worked, had earnestly prayed, and the harvest followed."
It is no wonder that the " beauty of the Lord " was upon a church thus begun and continued. It is not strange that the work of such hands and hearts has been " established," and that its glory now " appears unto the children " of these faithful disciples.
The times in which they labored were such as would now be called primitive, in comparison with the era in which we live.
Boston in 1833 had not been much enlarged in area for one hundred years .* There was but one free avenue to it from the suburbs, and that was over Roxbury Neck. East Boston was then scarcely more than a barren waste. South Boston had only about five thousand inhabitants. There was but a handful of houses between what is now Dover Street and the Roxbury line.
* See report of E. J. Howard to Boston Board of Trade, 1880.
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The lands east and west of Washington Street on the Neck were pastures, and a portion of the Common was used for feed- ing cows. Beacon Street opposite the Common contained the houses of the new aristocracy, while the older families of Boston clung to their homesteads on Tremont, Summer, Franklin, Federal, High, and Purchase Streets, and on Fort Hill. Dock Square was the business centre of the city. .The old " hourlies " had just begun to ply between the city and Cambridge, Roxbury, and South Boston. The public houses were inns and taverns. The sign of "St. George and the Dragon " swung in 1830 over the entrance of the old Marlboro Hotel, on Washington Street. At that time, the Albany stage started through the arched gateway of Earl's Coffee House each week.
The old Hancock House, still in possession of the gov- ernor's family, was standing hard by the State House ; and many old buildings carried one back beyond the days of the Revolution. Fifty years ago, the project of a railroad from Boston to Albany was undertaken with many misgivings. The able editor of the Boston Courier pronounced it in 1830 as " useless as a railroad from Boston to the moon." Within ten years however, six railroads had their trains regularly running out of the city.
Charlestown then had about nine thousand inhabitants. Some here present remember how it appeared forty or fifty years ago. The half-built Monument, with a derrick at the top and caving banks of sand on all sides beneath it, was slowly growing towards the skies. None of the fine public buildings now ornamenting our streets had been erected. Only the Harvard Unitarian Church edifice, of all our pres- ent meeting-houses, lifted its spire to heaven.
Bunker Hill was a lofty pasture, with one or two farm- houses upon it. Where Bartlett Street now runs, deep gullies, with a line of clay ponds, ran down to Mystic River, towards a point near the beginning of the old ungainly bridge to Chelsea. There was hardly a single brick block out of Main Street, the mansions of the wealthier inhabitants being mostly large, square, wooden houses, surrounded by extensive walls and garden plots.
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Where our Winthrop Church now stands, a garden full of blooming trees and plants made the street in reality " Green " in spring and summer. The pastor's house had a large garden, and High Street was very different in appearance from what it is now. No stately mansions surrounded Mon- ument Square. One could stand near the Monument and see an open space to the Mystic River. The Navy Yard was where it now is, and gave importance to the town. The present First Parish Church was not built ; our mag- nificent school-houses are creations of a later date, and City Square was not much better than an empty open space. The training-field, now Winthrop Square, was a play-ground (would that something like it existed still !) for the sports of boys and girls.
Charlestown was a sort of suburb of Boston, and the city folks moved into it to get a breath of country air.
I need not recount to you the changes of this memorable half-century, not only in our goodly city, but throughout our land and the world. Railroads, telegraphs, ocean cables, telephones, immigration, the press, the postal service, and all the multiplied appliances of public and domestic con- venience, have made the former days seem homely in com- parison with the times in which we live.
But, humble or not, those were the days for Christian consecration and self-denying devotion to the church of Christ. We may be thankful that the founders of this church lived in those days, before the full resources of this country had brought wealth and a foreign population, to change the tone and standard of living, and to foster the new ideas with which we must contend. It is true that when the Winthrop Church was founded, the Unitarian controversy had been waging for fifteen years. It is true also, that our first members speak of Charlestown as having a very large proportion of per- sons who did not attend church. They bewailed Sunday dese- cration and other departures from godly living. We may also suppose that human nature was about the same in their day as in ours ; but at that time stricter rules of conduct were in vogue, - the catechism was taught, and the church kept stated days of fasting and devotion several times a year.
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The young people came to the monthly missionary concerts with all the eagerness that our youth now flock to secular and, not always harmless entertainments. Protracted meet- ings and frequent revivals were also considered as indispen- sable to a healthy growth of spirituality in the church. Let us praise our God for the soil in which our church was planted, and see to it that the fruit we offer is as sweet and sound.
Following this first decade, ever memorable in the history of our church, came six years more, during which the meet- ing-house in Union Street continued to be occcupied.
The Rev. John Humphrey, son of President Humphrey of Amherst College, was there installed Nov. 30, 1842, and re- mained as pastor until March 26, 1847, a period of four years and four months, during which twenty-four persons united on profession and forty-nine by letter.
"Mr. Humphrey entered upon his work at a most favorable time. The previous spring a precious revival season had been enjoyed, and the influence of it still lingered among the people.
"The first name entered upon the list of membership after Mr. Humphrey's settlement was that of James Adams,* Jan. 1, 1843. How well he honored his profession we all know. Of the seventy-three persons who united during this pastor- ate, six are now members of this church. But before two years had passed it was evident that the pastor's health was not equal to the requirements of his position. Unusually delicate, he was often unable to preach one sermon on Sun- day, and frequently the deacons were called upon to conduct the evening meetings. Of this young minister, only twenty- six years of age when he entered upon this charge, Rev. W. I. Buddington, in the memoirs which he wrote of him, says,
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