USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Haverhill > Semi-centennial of Center Congregational Church and Society, Haverhill, Mass., with a Historical discourse > Part 2
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On Sept. 8, 1870, the church voted unanimously to call Rev. C. M. Hyde* of Brimfield, Mass., to be their pastor. Hle accepted and was installed Nov. 15, 1870. The ser- mon was preached by Rev. Dr. Perkins of Ware.
Mr., now Dr., Hyde, brought to his work here experi- ence, good scholarship, executive ability, single-hearted devotion, a winning, Christian spirit and engaging man- ners. Church and society prospered, for the most part. under his lead. Several thousand dollars of debt were paid and the work of a second re-building of this edifice was suggested, and well-nigh begun. A Young People's organization for social and literary purposes flourished for a time with good results. The spiritual life of the church was well sustained, the workers and givers doing well their part. The pastorate continued five years and one month, in which time seventy-three persons were added to the membership. After receiving Dr. Hyde's letter of resignation the church voted to request him to withdraw it. Declining to do so he was dismissed Dec. 16, 1875.
Dr. Hyde has now, for several years, been prominent as the Principal of the American Board's Training School. in Honolulu, for preparing Hawaian young men for the ministry, and is at the head of the Board's educational work in the Hawaian Islands.
In the Nation's centennial year, Oct. 5th. 1876, the church unanimously vated to call the present pastor. i The call was accepted Oct. Bist, and the installation * Dr. Hyde enjoys the distant tion of receiving the largest vote the church ever gave for a pastor
; Previously settled in Worcester, in Volume, Ils., and Newton, lown.
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took place Nov. 23rd. The sermon was preached by Kev. Dr. J. L. Withrow of Park St. Church, Boston. The his- tory made and making during the seven years which this pastorate has continued must be recorded in outline only. It may not be improper to quote from the report furnished the Conference by the clerk of the church. He says: "Soon after the settlement of the present pastor, a blessed revival commenced, which extended to the neighboring churches until the entire community became moved with religions feeling."> This was a year of the right hand of the Most High. After we had seen in this church twenty-five conversions, union meetings were held for several weeks with rich blessing for the Baptist. and Methodist as well as Congregational churches, Fifty- eight, forty on confession, were received to our mem- bership that year. A most auspicious opening of the new pastorate, for which elnach and pastor gave praise- Inl thanks to God. . The church strengthened the new pastor by giving him instant confidence and cordial sup- port. With good volume of movement the work of the church has continued while the volume has been in- creased by seasons of special religions interest. renewing onr faith and adding, by conversion, to our numbers. Up to this time, during the present pastorate, one hundred and sixty-eight have been received to the membership.
A marked enterprise of this period has been a second re-building and enlarging of the church edifice. This was in 1878. The people had for some time felt the in- sufficiency of the vestry situated at a distance from the church on Vestry Street, for the various purposes of church work. This andienee room, too, was deficient in important elements of pleasantness and convenience in view of the purposes of worship. Accordingly, with a " mind to work," the people seenred the marked change which we have enjoyed five years. The old vestry was .See Minutes of Gen'l Ass'u. for Is78, p. 41.
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sold. This edifice was raised so as to give space for commodious rooms below, adapted to varied purposes comprehended in our work, including necessities for the Sabbath School. New pews were put into the audience room, and new walls and ceiling with modern, tasteful freseo decorations. This pulpit was placed here by the generosity of two members of the church-our revered senior deacon* and our beloved and lamented brother. W. Stickney Chase.f The cost of the re-building was 88,500. Not through division, but through harmony of sentiment the work was joyously and successfully carried to completion. The re-dedication services were on Nov. 19, 1878, the pastor preaching, the several clergymen of the city churches being present and assisting. It was impossible to add materially to our pew-room, and in our growing city the house has been too strait for us for four years.
In the spring.of 1877 church and society voted to have the second preaching service, in the evening instead of in the afternoon. For six years, large congregations comprising many of the dear young people of our city, have been present at the evening services. Soon after we entered the re-built edifice a paid quartet was introduced for leading in the service of song. after many years of congregational singing solely, led by the organ or a precenter. When the re-building en- terprise was finished the society had purchased or re- ceived as donations all the remaining pews owned by individuals, so that there are here no private rights of property save in hymn books and footstools, and when we occupied the re-built edifice the society had provided for raising necessary expenses by rental of pews instead of by subscription. These changes have been received with universal favor and show excellent results. In
·Jos. Flanders. t Died Oct, G, 1881.
Of the slx hymns sung each Sabbath the congregation sing four.
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October last the church took important action. intro- during with prompt and hearty unanimity a new hymn- book, * which finds growing favor and is increasingly help- ful for public worship.
But the hour for making record of history is drawing to a close. Much that has transpired must be forever unwritten history .- much that has been noble. inspiring. Christian, and some that has been quite the opposite.
No one can deny that the old church has made hon- orable record. Its deacons have been, and are, bulwarks of " Zion." Gratefully we " mark " them "well."
Very many of the eight hundred and sixty-three per- sons that have come into its membership in fifty years have been, and are, "towers " of Christian strength and beauty in Zion. The Christian homes of the church are " palaces" in Zion which we love to " consider." The list of faithful church and parish clerks is not forgotten. f The Sabbath School doing a good and efficient fifty years work is not left out of mind or appreciation. The be- nevolence of the people taking shape in our Ladies' So- ciety, the Harriet Newell Mission Band, The Woman's Home Missionary Society, and in regular contributions by Sabbath School, congregation and single individuals, a considerable and generous aggregate, shall be faith- fully recorded though time fails me to read that record.
This church stood firmly for human rights when slav- ery cursed our land, passing strong, outspoken but rea- sonable anti-slavery resolutions in 1811. when such action tended to make churches and men unpopular. The canse of temperance, including the principle of total abstinence, has had vigorous support and encouragement from this people. It was this church that first opened its doors under Dr. Hyde's leal to the Union Temper- ance meeting, now held so long without interruption. Sunday afternoons in the various churches.
"" Songs of Christian Praise, " by Dr. C. H. Richards. ISee Appendix.
.Appendix.
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The discipline of the church bas been faithful and Christian, restorative, not punitive. With all other churches this has had its share of " crooked sticks" but has never failed to find good timber, even in them.
But the books of our first half-century, with their varied record, are closed. We open those of the see- and. We turn our faces to the future. praying that it's glory of Christian life and work, it's glory of revivals with plentiful ingatherings and rich, spiritual refreshing .. may be greater than the great glory of the past. We will continue to be as we have been, a conservatively progressive and a progressively conservative church. We will keep the " faith once for all* delivered to the saints" aad endeavor to let that faith be known by our works. But, my dear people, for all this, the time is short at most. Our earthly house of this tabernacle is dissolving. This house of worship itself shall be the plaything of time. The proudest structures of human art ermuble into dust. The temple where om Loid tanght is in ruins. " The Parthenon, which Phidias built on the Acropolis now lifts a dinned and broken splendor into the violet ether of Athens." Only the invisible arebi- tecture of God in the human soul abides-the building not made with hands eternal in the heavens. God's mi- written history, " the things that are not seen," is etel- nal. Let us, therefore, over and always seck first the kingdom of God. Let our lives ever be fronting the gates of pearl. And when, through Infinite grace. those gates open finally to receive us into the church triumpbit. having endured unto the end. we shall sit at His feet or walk the golden streets in His company, pastors and pro- ple, and join with the redeemed multitude whom no man can number, ascribing blessing and dominion and glory and honor and power to Him that sitteth upon the throne. and to the Lamb forever and ever. Amen.
· Revised version.
HISTORICAL APPENDIX.
The Semi-Centennial Exercises of Center Church and Society.
The Center Congregational Church and Society made proper and reverent recognition of the semi-centennial anniversary by exercises commencing on Sunday, Sept. 30th, and closing on Monday evening, Oct. 1st.
On Sunday morning the pastor, Rev. Henry E. Barnes, preached a very appropriate and eloquent sermon, l'e- viewing the history of the parish, and giving many valuable incidents and facts connected with its origin and growth as a separate organization from the old First Parish.
In the evening the chapel was filled with an inter- ested audience, composed largely of members of the church, to join in a service of thanksgiving and praise. The singing was led by the church choir and the Sun- day school chorus, and the service of song was spirited, and the whole occasion was one long to be remembered. The meeting was addressed by the pastor, who spoke of the steadfast faith of the church through all its his- tory. Rev. A. J. Sessions of Beverly, the only surviving member of the Council that settled Rev. Dr. Lawrence. was present and gave a very pleasant address, speaking especially of Dr. Lawrence and of the incidents of his ministry. Mr. A. P. Nichols spoke of his knowledge of the ministry of Res. Joseph Whittlesey, and of many personal recollections of that early time. Remarks were also made by Mr. George Marston and Mr. Hazen .M. Chase, both of whom referred to pleasant incidents re- lating to the history of the church.
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Dr. Crowell spoke of his knowledge of Rev. B. F. Hosford, and related many touching incidents in the life of that beloved pastor. He also spoke of Deacons Chase and Ames, and of their devotion to the interests of the church.
On Monday evening the ladies of the Sewing Society observed their semi-centennial anniversary by giving a dinner to the people of the parish. About four hundred partook of the festivities of the occasion. Dr. Crowell. who was President of the evening, read a report of the society showing the work of the ladies during the last fifty years. Mr. H. P. Fairbanks, the superintendent. read a historical sketch of the Sunday School, and Mr. J. M. Poor followed with the subjoined sketch of the Center society. The pastor, the Rev. A. J. Sessions and the President of the evening, also gave very interesting addresses.
The exercises throughout were spirited and appropri- ate, a worthy memorial of fifty years' service in the work of the Divine Master and Lord.
Historical. Report of Ladies' Sewing Society, of the Center Church.
BY MRO. E. J. BATCHELDER.
Shortly after the organization of the Center Church in Angust 1833, through the efforts and energy of Mrs. Whittlesey, the zealous wife of the first pastor of this church, aided by several other earnest, working ladies. . society was formed called " The Ladies' Sewing Society." and the following constitution adopted :
CONSTITUTION.
The undersigned associate themselves as a Sewing Society, to be guided by the following rules ;
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Ist, Its object shall be to aid the cause of Home Missions, and other benevolent enterprises, devoting, from time to time, the avails of its in- Justries, in such a manner as the managers, with the concurrence of the members, shall deem expedient.
2nd. Each member shall pay at the beginning of each year the sum ot 25 cents.
3rd, The meetings shall be held once in two weeks.
4th, The officers shall consist of a President, five Directresses, and a Secretary, who shall act as Treasurer, to be chosen annually at the first meeting in September.
5th, It shall be the duty of the Directresses to provide employment for the members, and superintend their work ; and of the Secretary to keep a record of all the receipts and expenditures, of all donations re- ceived, money paid out, and to make a report at the annual meeting.
The Constitution was amended Jan. 17, 1877, by the addition of two Vice Presidents, and a Collector. Also the time of the annual meeting was changed from Sep- tember to January, and the annual tax from 25 cents to 50 cents.
This society began with a membership of about forty-five, and of this number nearly all have passed on to a brighter world where they have found rest from their labors.
Since the formation of this body. fifty years ago, it has struggled on through the ups and downs that are in- cident to such organizations. In reviewing the records it appears that the ladies who have been interested in this society have been prospered and enabled to accomplish a large amount of benevolent work.
It is to be regretted that, for a space of thirteen years, there is no record to be found of the meetings, officers, or work of the society, but from what is learned from a few of its members still living. it seems that the ardent work in the Master's cause was not abated dning those years which to us are a blank.
In reviewing the list of members we frequently read the word "deceased " against a name, and quite as often do we find a new name added, so that at no time has the number been less than in the first years of its exist-
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ence. Of course, no account of the work of the thirteen years alluded to can be given, but for the remaining thirty-seven years the receipts of this society from taxes. donations, work and fines are $6,668.00
The ladies have been greatly interested in the cause of Home Missions, having at different times sent twenty. seven barrels and boxes of supplies to ministers' families laboring in the field. The total value of which is esti- mated at upwards of $2,000.00.
For repairs, and furnishing the church and vestry have been expended 83153.24.
Two barrels of clothing were sent to the soldiers dur- ing the war, valned at $125.00.
Contributions to the Soldiers' Fair, about 8225.00.
Two barrels of clothing were sent to the sufferers by fire in Wisconsin, valued at abont $100.00.
Donations to local benevolent societies, 8391.00.
Many other smaller gifts have found their way to pas- tors, libraries, and members of the society who needed aid, and to various other worthy objects.
Although there have been much hard labor and much self-denial practiced, and executive force used by its ac- tive members, to be constant in attendance, and to sie- veed in doing what they have, it has also been a pleasure to accomplish so much good.
At the present time the society has eighty-one mem- bers. In the fifty years there have been only eight Presidents, viz :
MRS. M. WHITLESEY MRS SAMUEL, CHASE
" E. A. LAWRENCE " C. M. HYDE
" B. F. IlOSFORD " 11. E. BARNES " R. G. WALKER " C. E. KELLEY
With five Vice-Presidents :
MRS. J. CROWELL. " C. E. KELLEY " C. A. KEMAL ..
MRS I. E. SMITH " WM. JEFFERS
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The office of Secretary and Treasurer has been filled by only five ladies :
Miss M. J. MARSH MRS. GEORGE W. KELLEY
MRS. M. A. WHITLESSEY
E. II. BATCHELDER
Miss M. C. How.
The Collector's office has been filled by the following six ladies :
MISS FANNY P. CHASE
MISS LILLA MARSH
MRS. D. EMERY MRS. C. II. ORDWAY
" Wx. JEFFERS
" LAROY S. CHASK.
Historical Sketch of the Sabbath School.
PRESENTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, MR. H. P. FAIRBANKS .*
The first Sabbath School in Haverhill was formed in the month of July, 1817. Previous to this time there had been no public religious instruction of children ex- cept occasional " catechising" by the minister.
The school was organized at the suggestion and under the direction of two eminently pious young ladies, Miss Gibson and Miss Paget of Charleston, S. C., who were spending the summer here for the benefit of their health, and boarded with Mrs. Atwood, the mother of Harriet Newell.
These ladies met with the hearty co-operation of the pastor, Rev. Mr. Dodge, and several ladies and gentle- men of the church, and by their exertions a very interesting school was formed, but not withont many misgivings among the timid as to its success. Its novelty also formed an objection in some minds.
Great efforts were made to bring in those children
*The facts relating to the carly history of Sunday Schools in Haverhill were gath- ered by Dr. Crowell, several years since, from persons then living, who assisted in organizing the first Sunday School in Haverhill.
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who were not under direct religious influences at home, and many families were visited to indnee parents to let their children attend. The master of the town school was enlisted in the good work, and through his influi- ence many of the boys were brought into the school.
During the sunner abont ninety girls and fifty boys were gathered into the school. The boys met each Sabbath in the meeting-house, and the girls in the old town school-house, formerly standing on the Common. The female department was conducted entirely by the ladies, Misses Gibson and Paget acting as Superintend- ents. The exercises at the meeting-honse were con- ducted by the minister and the brethren of the church, and the time was spent in devotional exercises, singing, reciting the Catechism, and verses from the Bible, aud closed by repeating the Lord's prayer in concert. The two sexes were kept separate about a year, when they were united, forming one school.
. It must be remembered that none but children, and for the most part little children, were admitted to the school at the early period of its existence, and it was not until several years after that adults were induced to attend. The exercises were sometimes varied in the different classes, according to the taste or judgment of the teacher ; some relied wholly upon the shorter cate- chism to interest and instrnet, while others taught the little hymns of Dr. Watts to the children of their charge. One lady, a former teacher in our school, in- formed the writer that she had a vivid recollection of standing before her teacher and repeating with meh solemnity,
" How doth the little busy bee Improve each shining hour,"
or,
" Let dogs delight to bark and bite."
Others remember the pretty cradle hymn, commencing " Ilush, my dear, lie still and slumber."
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It was not very common for children to sing in those days ; that part of devotion was thought to belong to the fathers and mothers. But one of the teachers ven- tured upon the innovation of introducing this delightful element into her class. The effect was very happy, and the school considered it quite a luxury to listen. One of the hymns was the one commencing,
" The day is past and gone."
Some of the little songs found in the N. E. Primer were also ventured upon.
One of the most active men connected with the early history of the school was Mr. James Bates, the master of the town school, afterward a minister of the gospel, and settled in Newton, Mass. He was a man of decided piety, and possessed of great patience and perseverance. Through his influence and labors the school increased in numbers, and the interest was much enhanced. He also labored earnestly out of the school, and established meetings on the outskirts of the village which were. in- strumental in doing much good among a class that seldom attended public worship. His wife, a sister of Harriet Newell, was also very active in the good work ; like- wise her sisters, Mrs. Hardy, Mrs. Warren, and Miss Sarah Atwood. Miss Elizabeth Marsh, (afterward Mrs. E. C. Ames) and her sisters Harriett and Rebecca, and Miss Elisabeth Ayer also gave their efficient services to the work.
I cannot learn for a certainty whether there were any regular superintendents at this early period of the school's history, but at a later time this care was as- sumed by the preceptors of the Haverhill Academy, or the masters of the town school. The first preceptor was Mr. Oliver Carleton, late of Salem, who took an active interest in the school. as did also his successors, Mr. Eben Smith and Mr. Christopher Nichols. Mr. N. was unwearied in his exertions for the religious cul-
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ture of the young. He became a minister of Christ and was settled in Gloucester, Mass. His personal labors, with many of his intimate friends resulted, under God, in their conversion. He will long be remembered by his pupils in the Academy and also by the members of the Sabbath school at that time, and by all who knew him, as a man of warm heart and earnest ac- tivity in every good work. Both of the former senior deacons of this church wore induced by him to enter the school. Dea. Ames, who was not then a professor of religion, was invited to assist in the singing ; by this means he became interested in the school, and took charge of a class upon the condition that Dea. Chase should do the same. They both entered upon the good work with as much benefit to their own hearts as to those of their classes.
Mr. Gilman Parker, afterward a superintendent in this school, attributed his conversion, through Christ, to the faithful and affectionate conversation and personal ap- peals of his friend Nichols.
Very efficient service was also rendered by Mr. Gideon Dana, master of the town school, afterward a minister . of Christ, and, until recently, laboring in the West. Many of us remember Mr. D. as a man of great amia- bility of character, and dearly beloved by all of his pupils. He was equally popular and useful in. the Sab- bath school, and through his active and patient labors many children were added to the school.
Among others who also labored efficiently in the school may be mentioned John Varmmm, Esq., who, after his conversion, became much engaged in all of the interests of the church of Christ, and frequently visited the school and addressed the children.
Isaac R. How, Esq .. gave an earnest heart and ready hand to the work, and labored in various ways for the good of the school. He was influential in inter-
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esting the adults of the church and community in S. S. instruction, and wrote and published in 1833 an essay entitled "Adults in Sunday-schools." This was distrib- nted among this class of the community, and was pro- dnetive of much good in inducing many to attend the school.
In addition to the school, a Bible class was formed under the instruction of the pastor, Rev. Mr. Dodge, and met at the parsonage Sabbath evenings. Teachers' meetings were also held on Saturday evenings at the residence of Mrs. Marsh, for a review of the lessons and prayer. Occasionally the teachers invited their classes to meet them at their houses to spend an hour in con- versation, social entertainment and prayer.
Promptness in attendance was particularly enjoined by the teachers, and many inducements were held ont to promote regularity. One of our former, senior deacons who became a teacher in 1832, informed the writer that if a scholar in his class was absent he always visited him during the week to know the cause, nor would he rest satisfied until the delinquent was fully restored to the class. A good example by which we all may profit.
An attempt was also made during the ministry of Rev. Dudley Phelps to establish a mission school in the upper part of the village, for the instruction of a class of youth rather deficient in the knowledge of the things desirable to be understood, but full of another kind which they did not fail to manifest, in spite of the pres- ence of minister, deacon and teacher. It was truly a labor of love under difficulties, but the spirit of disorder and misrule finally prevailed, and the project was aban- doned. Mission schools have since been held in that part of the town with better snecess, and for some time one was sustained by this school while under the care of Mr. Kittredge as superintendent. The school contin- used to hold its sessions in the meeting-house until after
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