USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Westfield > Sermon commemorative of the two-hundredth anniversary of the First Congregational church of Westfield, Mass. > Part 3
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*See Appendix G.
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discourses were replete with sentiment, composed with perspicn- ity & adapted to the promotion of godliness. His prayers were solemn and devont, and his delivery was grave and com- manding. Whatever he spoke appeared to come from a feeling heart and it reached the heart which could feel. He had many friends & I believe no enemies. If he had enemies, either they did not know him or did not love good men. There were none whom he treated as enemies or seemed to suspect as such. In a word his ministerial life was a useful pattern to his brethren, and his christian life was an instructive copy to his people."
He was interested in practical science, kept a rain gange and thermometer, and received a premium for an essay on the canker- worm.
Did time permit, I would be glad to give a synopsis of, and extracts from, his last sermon already referred to. The title page, as published, reads as follows : " A sermon on the preser- vation and changes of human life, by Rev. Noah Atwater A. M., late Pastor of the church at Westfield, delivered to his people on the 22nd of November 1801 at the close of the 20th year of his ministry and under a distressing and threatening disorder of body, which soon after terminated his life." The text is Acts xxvi., 22 :- " Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day." The same words from which Dr. Davis preached on the last Sunday of his life. He states that there were then in the town two thousand one hundred and eighty-five souls, and continues : " When I was ordained the number of communicants was 135. Of these, two thirds are gone from us; 70, more than one half, are dead, and 20 have removed to other places ; but 45 remain." He received into the church one hundred and twenty-one members. During the first year of his ministry he visited every family in town, and during the twentieth he almost repeated the task. His advice to his only son, printed with the sermons, shows shrewd observation of men and things, great practical wisdom, sound sense, and ardent piety. In places it is not unworthy of Polonius, in the well-known parting advice to Laertes. I cannot forbear giving a few of its mnost striking injunctions :
" Be above little things & despise them wherever they ap- pear. Be as frugal in your expenses as you can consistently with a decent reputation. Learn the art of being esteemed manly and generous by spending but a little. Always speak and
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walk and act naturally. Be always wise, kind, mild, and conde- scending ; and yet keep at a proper distance from all improper intimacies."
As a token of the estimation in which Mr. Atwater was held, we have the town's action, voting that his family should have free use of the parsonage and ministry land for one year after his death, and that a printed copy of his last sermon should be given to each family in town.
The first evidence of a movement to secure another meeting- house appears on the record of the town under date of April 6th, 1801. when a committee of seventeen was chosen, one from each school district, to select a site for it. As on previous occasions, there was considerable controversy respecting it. Part of the people even thought it expedient to enlarge the building then occupied ; an idea that was earnestly supported during the fol- lowing two years, till the edifice was burned to the ground, as has always been supposed, at the instigation of the opposing party ; but, though the town offered a reward of $300 for the conviction of the incendiary, he was never discovered. The crowded condi- tion of the old building is indicated by the fact that, while it contained thirty-three pews on the ground floor, most of which were six feet square, capable of seating fifteen persons each, or altogether four hundred and ninety-five, the last official seating provided for six hundred and fifty adults, many of whom were heads of families. The report of the seating committee of that year, the original of which is preserved at the Atheneum, con- cludes as follows :
" Your Committee would farther observe, that they find it im- possible to accommodate the inhabitants with seats in the Pews of the House should they all attend meeting they would there- fore recommend that precedence or priority cannot, nor ought not to take place, by reason of any one being named or read off as first in any Pew, but that all have equal right to a seat in the l'ews to which they are assign'd indiscriminately, & that a Spirit of accommodation only can alleviate the embarrassment & be a substitute for our present cram'd situation & condition.
WILLIAM SHEPHARD, per order."
The new meeting-house was located, after considerable discus- sion, where the present building stands, on ground bought by the town for $236. Most of the pews were sold in advance, thereby
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realizing the sum of $6,019 as a building fund, with which, in con- sideration of a right to fifteen pews, the town agreed to finish it and keep it in repair. It was decided by town vote to have two flights of stairs leading up to the pulpit, and subsequently, that they should be winding, in case any one could be found who would pay the difference in cost between that and the straight form. Some people afterward brought into town-meeting a grievance based on the needless sacrifice of space and obstruc- tion to view of the double flight. An ornamental pillar from the front of the old pulpit is on exhibition here to-day. The pew next the pulpit stairs was assigned to the use of the minister for- ever. The building was dedicated January 1st, 1806, the Rev. Mr. Knapp preaching the sermon ; and it was used nearly fifty- five years, then sold for $1000, and moved back, where it still stands, to make way for the present structure. During the time of its use one thousand one hundred and eighty-eight members were received into the church, while during the previous one hundred and twenty-seven years the number reached only nine hundred and fifty-seven.
The first mention of special sacramental utensils for use of the church, is a statement in its record, that "about the year 1785, Mr. Joshua Green of Boston made a present to the church of a Bason to be used at Baptism and the church voted their thanks to him for his kindness." Mr. Atwater afterward left $20 by will to furnish the table, and the church voted to raise an equal sum by subscription ; but the Hon. Samuel Fowler rendered that effort unnecessary by a gift, indicated in an accompanying note as follows : "I with pleasure herewith present to the church in this town two silver plated Flagons (the first cost in London being forty-five dollars) which I hope will be acceptable to the church." These were received with thanks, and his name was engraven on them, with the date of presentation. They are here for inspection to-day. In 1824, the church received by will from the same generous donor, two more flagons and a baptismal basin, the former of which are still in use at communion seasons. After the erection of the marble font by an unknown friend some years ago, the basin was presented to Plymouth Congregational Church of Minneapolis, Minn.
The Rev. Isaac Knapp was ordained to the ministry in this church November 16th, 1803. He was a graduate of Williams
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College in the class of 1800, and served there two years as Tutor before settling here. He died in 1847, in the seventy-fourth year of his age, and the forty-fourth year of his pastorate. After 1835, because of failing health, he was able to preach but little, and was assisted by a colleague.
Though distinctly remembered by many now living, little doc- umentary material available for a biographical sketch remains. Dr. Davis, in the " Hampden Pulpit," characterizes him as " a man of uncommon prudence, of great kindness of disposition, conservative, sound in faith, and who lived agreeable to his pro- fession." He was exceedingly affable, scrupulous for the finer points of etiquette, courtly in his manners. He is said to have bowed always three times on meeting an acquaintance. His pas- torate was marked by peace and harmony among his own people, and he was ever ready to afford wise counsel for the settlement of any disputes brought to him for arbitration. Mr. Bates, in the town bi-centennial address, says: " He knew the wants of his people ; he appreciated the interests of the community ; and few men were more ready to afford more valuable suggestions."
During the latter years of Mr. Knapp's active service, two trifling innovations, one in the service of the church, the other re- lating to the comfort of the worshipers, disturbed some of the people. About 1820 small sums began to be paid for sacred music ; and in 1824 the town voted $75 for sacred music, "to be assessed on Mr. Knapp's salary." If this means, as it seems to, that it was to be deducted therefrom, it must have been an expensive luxury for him, however the people may have enjoyed it, since his salary was only a little above $400, although larger than when first settled. The people had become so accustomed to long pastorates that, when he came, they " voted to add £15 to £100 voted as salary to Mr. Knapp, to commence five years from ordination." The other innovation was in heating the meet- ing-house. In December, 1823, the matter was brought up in town-meeting, when it was decided not to procure stoves and window-blinds, but a committee was appointed to ascertain the cost of the former. For four winters more the people shivered through the services ; but in December, 1827, it was voted, " that the selectmen procure at the expense of the Congregational Society of this town, two stoves together with the pipes not to exceed in amount $80."
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Here I would gladly conclude this discourse, and resume it at another time, in order to have a better opportunity than is now afforded to do justice to the life-work among you of the Rev. Emerson Davis, D. D. My only consolation is in the fact that the memories of so many of you are well stored with facts re- specting him, tenderly and gratefully cherished. No one can become thoroughly acquainted with the present life of this church and this town without recognizing the broad and deep results of his long and faithful ministry. His life here was the out- working of a principle which he selected as the subject of his valedictory oration on graduating from college : "To be useful, the duty and happiness of man." His was a useful life in the broadest sense, bringing to bear upon this community at so many points an elevating and impulsive force, which is still in operation. In the spheres of education, morals and religion, he was ever zealous and efficient ; and in each of them this town owes him a debt of gratitude, which demands that many genera- tions yet to appear should rise up aud call him blessed.
It is a matter of profound satisfaction to all who knew him and have learned to honor him, that she, who was such a worthy help- meet for him, is with us to-day.
Dr. Davis was born in Ware, July 15th, 1798, and was gradu- ated from Williams College in 1821. After having been Precep- tor of the Westfield Academy for fourteen years, he was ordained as colleague of the Rev. Mr. Knapp. His theological training was received under Dr. Griffin, President of Williams, with the interests of which institution he was closely identified, serving as Tutor one year, as Trustee thirty-three years, and as Vice-Presi- dent seven years.
His pastorate here was eminently successful in the best sense of the term. From its commencement, June 1st, 1836, to its close, the church had reason to thank God for it. During its earlier years it was marked by special religious interest ; for many years there were additions to the church at every communion season, and no year of the long period passed, that was not marked by accessions.
The thirtieth anniversary of his settlement, on which he preached a sermon reviewing his ministry, was his last Sunday on earth. The following Friday, June 8th, 1866, sickness sud- suddenly attacked him at teachers' meeting, and he died within
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a short time. President Hopkins says of him in his funeral sermon :
" His qualities of mind were not brilliant ; but he was consci- entious, industrious, punctual, judicious, kind, faithful ; and through these qualities, he gradually won the confidence and affections of the whole community, as well as the devoted love and reverence of his people. * * He came up in his in- fluence imperceptibly, as one of your grand elms. No man per- ceived the moment of its increase ; but at length it stood with its top in the heavens, and with its branches wide spread for beauty and for shade."
The only colony formally organized from this church is that which was started in 1856. A little band of sixty-three persons left their old home, bearing a parent's blessing, and were organ- ized into a church by a council that convened May 22d of that year. They soon afterward erected the commodious and hand- some building in which they still worship, at a cost of about $25,000 ; to which a convenient chapel has since been added. The child has grown to vigorous and stalwart maturity, and now stands and works side by side with the parent. Organized in a true missionary spirit to meet the growing needs of the town, the Second Church has always lived on terms of the utmost harmony with those in the old household ; the utmost kindness and affec- tion mark all their relations with each other, and they cordially unite to carry on the common work of the Lord. After having been served one year by the Rev. Francis Homes, the church settled the Rev. J. S. Bingham as its first pastor in 1857, who was followed, after six years of labor, by the Rev. George Bowler. He was succeeded in June, 1866, by the Rev. Henry Hopkins, whose able and faithful service has been rendered ever since with a tenderness and kindness of heart that have won for him affectionate and grateful friends throughout the community. It is hoped that he will so far imbibe the spirit of the old church as to follow the example of her long line of ministers who con- sidered their settlement a life tenure.
The house of worship which the young organization soon erected, incited the people of the old society to build this struct- ure, at an expense of about $25,000. It was dedicated in 1860, and, I understand, is practically free from indebtedness.
The Rev. E. H. Richardson succeeded Dr. Davis in the pas-
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torate after a year had intervened, and was installed May 1st, 1867, coming here from Providence, R. I. He accepted a call to Hartford, Ct., in 1872, and is now in New Britain, of that state.
He was followed by the Rev. A. J. Titsworth, called from the Seminary in 1873, who resigned in 1878, to accept the pastorate of the First Church at Chelsea.
The departure of these two respected and beloved pastors, who had labored earnestly and efficiently, after five years of ser- vice, occasioned the people great grief and disappointment ; and the expressions of mutual regret and regard that were called forth by the separation, show that both they and the people suffered from it.
It is a remarkable fact in these days of short pastorates and unsettled supplies, that the first six pastors of this church be- gan and ended their ministerial work here, and were laid to rest by their grateful and loving people. Their average term of ser- vice is thirty-two years.
Yonr present pastor was called from Brooklyn, N. Y., and in- stalled May 14th of the current year, beginning the third century of the church's history as its ninth pastor.
The church has been served by thirty deacons, among whom are four Deweys, three Fowlers, three Roots, two Ashleys, three Shepards, two Searles, and two Smiths.
Gen. William Shepard, who has secured an honored place in history through his heroic services in the French and Indian and Revolutionary wars, a friend of Washington and Lafayette, after laying aside his sword, was chosen to the office in 1789, and served twenty-eight years, till his death in 1817, aged eighty. He was one of the most remarkable men ever connected with this church. A copy of the sermon preached at his funeral by Mr. Knapp, is carefully preserved by his great-granddaughter, one of our members, and an extended sketch of his character and career is given in the town bi-centennial address.
The whole number of members who have been connected with this church from its foundation till now, if my count of their names on the church record be correct, is two thousand five hun- dred and seventy-six, received as follows: By Mr. Taylor, two hundred and thirty-one ; by Mr. Bull, two hundred and twenty ; by Mr. Ballantine, four hundred and twenty-two; by Mr. Atwater, one hundred and twenty-one; by Mr. Knapp, six hun- 5
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dred and seventy ; by Dr. Davis, six hundred and fifty-one ; by Mr. Richardson, one hundred and thirty-nine ; by Mr. Titsworth, one hundred and eight; by others, fourteen. They would make a vast company could all be gathered together.
The early history of the Sunday-school is not preserved in any existing records ; but at least two of the scholars first collected still live among us, Mrs. Samuel Horton and Mrs. Frederick Fowler. The latter remembers quite clearly her experience in that capacity, and has in possession an " Evangelical Primer," containing several catechisms, given her for good behavior, and a book of quaint hymns for children. Both these, with the Bible, were studied by the scholars. The school is supposed to have been organized in the spring of 1817, and met in the old Acad- emy Hall for several years. An invitation to act as teachers, addressed to Mr. Zabina Fowler, afterward a deacon, and Miss Nancy, his sister, signed by six directors, is still preserved by one of our people. Mrs. Fowler remembers a visit to the school of Dr. Osgood, of Springfield, who spoke of the work of Robert Raikes in England. The superintendents, so far as I can learn, have consisted of the following brethren, in about the order in which they are here given : Deacons Stearns and Stowe, Mr. Chapman, Deacons Chadwick and Smith, Dr. Goodrich, Mr. Greenough, Rev. Mr. Titsworth, Mr. Todd, and Deacon Frank P. Searle, the present incumbent.
It will doubtless be interesting to know what are the localities of historic interest to this church, and they should be kept clearly in memory. The first meeting-house stood a few rods northwest of the west end of the iron bridge that now crosses Little River, on land afterward used for the town pound, and now owned by Mr. William Todd. The second building stood on the corner of Main and Meadow streets, in what is now Mr. George H. Mosley's garden. The road, now Meadow street, forked, and ran on the east and west side of it. The third house occupied the site of the building we are in, which is the fourth provided by the church. Mr. Taylor lived not far from his meeting-house, on a road running north, a short distance west of it, and died in his son's house, an old red one, that stood till a few years ago on the corner made by the road just mentioned and Main street. Mr. Bull and Mr. Ballantine lived on the south side of Main street, on land running west from the corner of what is now
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Cross street, on land since owned by the late Mr. Caleb Fowler, whose first wife was Mr. Ballantine's granddaughter. Mr. Atwater's house was just west of where the Atheneum now stands. Mr. Knapp's house, since moved to another site, stood just west of Mr. E. R. Van Deusen's house on Franklin street. Dr. Davis lived on Elm street, just north of Arnold, about where Loomis's hardware store now stands. The First and Second Churches each built a commodious and comfortable parsonage several years since. The first four pastors were buried in the old burying-ground, and Mr. Knapp and Dr. Davis in the Pine Hill cemetery. A tablet was placed in the church in memory of Mr. Taylor by Homer and Henry T. Morgan, of New York, two of his descendants, and one to the memory of Dr. Davis was placed here by his people.
The support of the ministry of this church has been partly provided for by sundry gifts to a ministerial fund, amounting now to about $6,500 in the hands of trustees .* It has been de- rived in part by sale of the ministry land, and in part by legacies ; the first of which, in the church books, is that of Samuel Root, probably a son of the third deacon of the church. His will was drawn in 1711.
Many other details of historic interest might be added to this sketch did time permit, but your patience was long since over- taxed.
Two hundred years of the church's life are gone beyond our . power to recall or influence them. The lessons learned by re- viewing them are to be applied to present duties, through whose performance the future may be affected. With devout gratitude for God's mercies, so bountifully vouchsafed during all these years, let us determine to be more faithful in requiting them ; and in glad recognition of the christian usefulness of generations that have been gathered to their fathers, let us follow in their steps, as they have followed Christ; ever lifting heavenward, from zealous hearts, loyal to Him and loyal to this our beloved church, the prayer suggesting that Fast Day sermon two hundred years ago : "The Lord be with us as He was with our Fathers."
*See Appendix H.
Appendix.
A.
The copy of the letter missive, inviting the five churches of Norwich, Windsor,, Springfield, Northampton and Hadley to the council that organized the church here, is partly illegible, through the ravages of time. As an interesting historical docu- ment, it is herewith given as fully as possible :
" Honrd & Revnd ST : together with ye Much Respected chh of Christ at Norwich in which you serve.
After ye manifold Temptations & experienced Difficulties of one nature & another that we ye Professed servants of Christ in this place have met withall, & been delayed thereby, with respect unto ye Interest of Christ in a Gospell instituted Order : it hath graciously pleased ye Divine Omnipresent Preserver, ye father of Spirits & ye God of all Mercy in Christ, so far to shine forth upon us, as to lead us by ye hand, so, through ye same as to bring us to a conclusion among o'selves to fix upon ye last fourth day of ye sixth month uext ensuing, for ye management of that solemn & holy work of entrance into a city fframe, a chh Insti- tuted State. And thereupon in sense of our own Insuffisionsie for it, need of Advice, Directions & Assistance, as also ye Right Hand of Fellowship in, & about ye same : as also considering ye Result of civill Authority in this matter, yt it behooveth us as o' Master to fulfill all Righteousness : & also the custom of the chh of Christ (weh in all commendable things is greatly to be ad- hered unto) harmonizing herein, we have fixt on certain churches to request them to allow unto us their Aide, Help & tfellowship in this business * also desire that you would accept of such a burden of Christ in ye Gospell put upon you by us in this desire, as yt you would send y' Revnd Elders & Messengers to help & incourage us in this worke yt is to be carried on by us upon ye day above mentioned.
Thus earnestly desiring ye Everlasting ffather, ye Prince of Peace & ye Eternall Spirit of love that sitts between ye Cheru- bims, yt is in ye midst of ye Golden Candlesticks & yt speakes unto ye churches, to prevent all impediments, obstructions to
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APPENDIX.
o' motion, to stir you up to all readiness of mind to accept thereof: to give his gratious presence to you, & by & with you unto us, we remaine, subscribing o"selves
Y' Neighbors ffriends, Companions & Brethren in ye common Interest of Christ
WESTFIELD EDWARD TAYLOR SER. DEWY
July 1679 JOHN MAUDESLEY ISAAK PHELPS
ENSIGN SAM LOOMIS JOHN ROOT These for ye Revnd. Mr. J. F. pastor of, together with ye chh of Christ at Norwich."
B.
In his sketch of the first Council, Mr. Taylor records the formal commission from the authorities of the Colony for the task of organizing the church :
I then gave an account of the work of the day and in- quired into the order of our motions hitherto and our liberty for the same from
Civill Authority Church dismission of members.
As for the answer unto the first this following order which was granted the foregoing year was presented and read. August 9th, 1678.
These doe signifie that we approve ye christian people in ye colony of Massachusetts to enter into a church state according to ye rules of Christ and ye laws of ye country in that case pro- vided and in particular the persons hereunder named viz. Mr. Edward Taylor minister, John Maudesly, Samuel Loomis, Isaak Phelps, Thomas Gun, Josiah Dewy and John Root, who have made application to us, who together with such others living in that place whom God hath fitted as living stones for that spiritual building (having testimony of their professed subjection unto ye gospell of Christ) we do allow to enter church state and commend them to ye Lord's gracious blessing. Signed ye day and year above written.
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