USA > Massachusetts > Sketch of the history of the Boston Society of the New Jerusalem ; with a list of its members > Part 3
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typed, the plates of which have been sold to the General Con- vention by Mr. T. II. Carter and Mr. Otis Clapp : viz., " True Christian Religion," "Conjugial Love," " Heaven and Hell," " Divine Providence," " Doctrines of the Lord, of the Sacred Scriptures, of Life, of Faith, of Charity," "Heavenly Doc- trines," "White Horse," "Brief Exposition," " Summary Exposition," "Influx," "Last Judgment," and "Earths in the Universe." The New-Jerusalem Magazine also was started in Boston, September, 1827, and was published there until July, 1872 - about forty-five years. There was an in- terruption of six months, from January to July, 1854. After that time the Magazine was published "under the sanction, patronage, and direction of the General Convention," and was the property of that body until 1872, when it was dis- continued on account of the lack of adequate support.
In 1843, the Society passed a resolution admitting all " baptized persons " to the exercises of the Sabbath after- noon Church-meetings for instruction in the doctrines of the New-Church, established in 1839 as above. In February, 1847, this rule was so far modified as to admit all who were in the habit of attending the morning services, or of making the New-Jerusalem Church their place of worship on the Sabbath. In July, 1850, these meetings were, by vote of the Society, made unrestrictedly public, and were for a time - and they have been at intervals since - held in the church instead of the vestry.
Dec. 26, 1847. - The Society appointed a Committee to provide for a series of Social Assemblies. The same provi- sion has been made every year since, with the exception of 1852, 1862, and 1872. These assemblies were for many years supported by subscription, and made free to all interested in the doctrines of the New Church.
In July, 1848, the Society joined with the other New- Church Societies of the Massachusetts Association in a pic- nic, in Abington Grove, for the benefit of the Sunday-school children. These gatherings were continued for many years,
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and were pretty generally attended, and apparently much en- joyed by both old and young. More recently the Society has held its picnics independently of the other Societies of the Association.
After about the commencement of the year 1850, Mr. Wor- cester's health having failed (and he, therefore, being unable to perform all the duties of his office), the pulpit was sup- plied about half the time by other ministers. He was led, in May, 1850, to embark for Europe, with a view to the improve- ment of his health. He remained abroad a year, passing most of the time in Italy, and returned to Boston in May, 1851. The pulpit was supplied during his absence, princi- pally, by Rev. T. B. Hayward.
Nov. 9, 1851. - The Church Committee having rendered a report in relation to an Assistant Minister, it was
Resolved, That the suggestions contained in the report be adopted by the Society ; and that it is expedient, under the circumstances in which we are placed, that some one be em- ployed as Assistant Minister.
Feb. 4, 1855. - This vote was reaffirmed as follows :
Voted, That it is expedient for the Church to employ an Assistant Minister, to devote his whole time to the duties of the office, as soon as satisfactory arrangements can be made.
After Mr. Worcester's return from Europe, his health not having been so much restored that he could preach more than two Sabbaths in each month, a Committee was raised to con- sider the subject of providing an Assistant Minister to relieve him from a part of his duties. This Committee never rec- ommended any one for this office.
In 1855, an invitation was extended, by vote of the Society, to Rev. Chauncy Giles, to become its Assistant Minister for one year. This invitation was declined.
Sept. 18, 1851. - The following resolutions were adopted, viz. :
"1. Resolved, That it is desirable to make trial of a series of meetings for doctrinal instruction in the truths of the
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Church, and that the Pastor be requested to make the ar- rangements for conducting the same as soon as convenient ;
"2. Resolved, That said meetings be held in the vestry, till otherwise ordered by the class, on Sabbath afternoons, and be open to all who feel interested to attend."
December, 1852. - The responsive selections (commencing on page thirty-four of the Liturgy, or Book of Worship) were introduced, and, for a considerable time, formed a part of the exercises of public worship in the forenoon, but were afterwards discontinued. It has been thought very desirable to have congregational singing ; and efforts have been made to ac- complish the object, but have proved only partially successful.
Dec. 31, 1854. - A Committee of three was appointed to have in charge the subject of a more extended hospitality, by the members of the Society, towards those who live at a dis- tance, when they may be present to attend the quarterly meetings and other similar meetings.
March 18, 1855. - " The subject of the confirmation-ser- vice, which had been previously considered, was taken from the table ; and it was voted that said service be adopted after the next subsequent meeting." Previous to this time, mem- bership with some New-Church Society had been regarded as a requisite for partaking of the Holy Supper. After the adoption of the confirmation-service, a person might be con- firmed and partake of the Supper, and join the Society or not, at his option.
It is usually at these quarterly meetings that persons are admitted members of the Society. Such persons were for- merly publicly proposed two weeks before their admission. It was then the custom of this Society to have the names of applicants presented at a meeting of the Society one week previous to their being proposed in public .* The Pastor is in
* By a recent vote, the applicants for membership are publicly proposed for admission only one week before joining, and their names are proposed to the Society only two weeks before the quar- terly meeting, instead of three.
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the habit of first mentioning such applications to the Church Committee ; so that convenience would be promoted if applica- tions could be made three weeks or more before the quarterly meeting at which the applicant wishes to be admitted. The Society has, however, several times admitted persons on shorter notice, when there seemed to be good reasons for varying from the established practice.
Twenty-three members of this Society, in addition to the Pastor, have become New-Church ministers, of whom sixteen are now living.
Nov. 11, 1855. - "Voted, That, when applications for the rite of confirmation shall be made, the applicants shall be in- quired of as to their desire to become members of the Society. If they desire to become members, they shall be nominated to the Society, and, on vote, be proposed in public as hereto- fore, and received at the next quarterly meeting ; but, in cases where application is not made in season to allow such nomination and proposal, the applicants may be confirmed, and admitted to the Society at a subsequent meeting, after having been so nominated and proposed." With few excep- tions, those who have desired confirmation have also desired to become members of the Society.
Dec. 16, 1855. - It was "Voted, That, at the next social meeting, a contribution be taken up for the benefit of the poor." A contribution has been taken up annually since this time. The number of recipients of the fund thus provided has not been large, but it is believed to have been productive of much good.
March 27, 1857. - It was "Voted, That the Pastor, in con- sultation with members of the Church Committee, be author- ized to propose the names of candidates for admission to the Society in public, without bringing them before the Church, when in his judgment it may be expedient."
Oct. 10, 1858. - The Society met for the choice of a per- . son to fill the desk, during the ensuing year, when not occu- pied by the Pastor.
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"Voted, That every person write on a ballot the name of that person he would choose for one year ;
"Voted, That this be construed to include the ladies pres- ent."
Forty-three ballots were cast; and, of these, all but five bore the name of Mr. James Reed, who was therefore invited according to the terms of the vote, and accepted the invita- tion.
Oct. 30, 1859. - At a meeting called for the purpose of considering the subject, it was
"Voted unanimously, That Mr. James Reed be invited to become Assistant Minister of this Society, if it be agreeable to the Pastor."
The Pastor having signified to the Society that the invita- tion to Mr. Reed was agreeable to him, and the Corporation (the New-Jerusalem Society) having concurred in the invita- tion, and Mr. Reed having accepted the same, he was or- dained into the first grade of the ministry, and inducted into the office of Assistant Minister, on the day of the quarterly meeting, the first Sunday in April, 1860, by Mr. Worcester, the Pastor of the Society, and the Presiding Minister of the Massachusetts Association.
Mr. Reed was accompanied to the chancel and attended during the service by John II. Wilkins and Theophilus Par- sons to represent the elder part of the Society, and Edwin H. Abbot and Charles Marsh to represent the younger part. A copy of the Word, containing only the inspired books, was presented to him as a part of the ordination-service ; and the whole was concluded by singing the 228th Selection in the Book of Worship, both ministers standing together in the chancel, and facing the Society ; after which, Mr. Worcester pronounced the benediction. The service was throughout very impressive and interesting. Six hundred and sixteen persons were present at the morning service, and three hun- dred and sixteen at the Lord's Supper in the afternoon.
May 19, 1860. - A communication was received from Mrs.
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Lydia Clark and twenty-one other members of the Society, then residing in Waltham, stating that, in consequence of their distance from Boston, meetings for worship had been held in Waltham since about the year 1835 ; that these meet- ings had first been held in the house of Mr. John Clark, and, after his death, had been continued in the same place ; that a chapel had now been erected for public worship by a corpor- ation organized for this purpose ; that it was their unanimous wish to maintain their privileges and responsibilities as mem- bers of this Society ; and requesting that the Pastor would, by suitable religious services, dedicate their chapel to the ser- vice of the Lord and His Church ; and inviting the Society, by its Church Committee or other suitable representation, to attend and assist at the dedication, in testimony of its appro- bation. Whereupon it was
"Resolved, That we have received this communication with great satisfaction, and recognize in this event the goodness of the Lord in providing for the welfare and prosperity of His Church."
The foregoing invitation was accepted by the Society ; and it was recommended to those who could conveniently do so to avail themselves of the privilege of attending the dedication.
Sept. 29, 1861. - "Resolved, That in case of any applica- tion of a member of this Society for having his or her con- nection dissolved, for the purpose of uniting with some other Society of the New-Church, the Pastor, or, in his absence or sickness, the Assistant Minister, have authority to grant the request without bringing it before the Church, unless they see cause for doing so; and that, whenever such request is granted, the fact shall be reported to the Society, and duly entered on the record."
Nov. 16, 1862. - The following preamble and resolution were adopted by a unanimous vote of the Society :
"Whereas, It is understood that the ladies connected with this Church have formed an Association for the purpose . of
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furnishing articles which are needed for the health and com- fort of our soldiers ;
"Resolved, That their enterprise meets the cordial approba- tion of this Society, and is commended to the active co-oper- ation of its members in the way of furnishing pecuniary aid, and by any other means in their power."
The Ladies' Sewing Circle, which was formed soon after the commencement of the war of the rebellion, with special reference to the wants of the soldiers, has been continued to the present time, and has proved most useful, not only as a means of furnishing efficient aid where it was most needed, but by bringing the ladies themselves into pleasant social re- lations in the performance of good uses.
May 31, 1863. - Some remarks having been made by the Assistant Minister with respect to the necessity of effecting a more perfect union among the members of the Society, the following resolutions were presented and adopted :
"Resolved, That in accordance with the views presented by our Assistant Minister, on the subject of effecting a more perfect union among the members of the Society, a meeting of the members be held on the evening of the first Sabbath in July, with the understanding that definite measures be then agreed upon for carrying out the various ends proposed ; "Resolved, That the Pastor and Assistant Minister, in con- currence with the Church Committee, be requested to draw up, so far as they shall be able, a distinct plan of proceed- ings, to be presented to that meeting."
July 5, 1863. - In accordance with a resolution adopted at a previous meeting, the members of the Society were invited to meet in the vestry to organize a regular series of meetings, to be held in that place on the evening of each regular quar- terly meeting of the Society. About sixty members were present. The Assistant Minister read again the remarks he had made at the previous meeting, and, in accordance with a resolution then passed, presented a report, prepared by the
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Pastor and Assistant Minister, with the concurrence of the Church Committee.
The following resolutions were then presented and adopted :
" Whereas, The Society has voted to hold regular meet- ings upon the evenings of those Sundays on which the Holy Supper is administered ; 1818111
"Voted, That these meetings be considered the stated quar- terly meetings of the Society for mutual consultation on such matters as seem important and appropriate, and for social in- tercourse ;
"Voted, That the Church Committee be requested to make, upon the first of these meetings, in January of each year, an annual report containing an abstract of their proceedings- during the past year, together with such remarks and sugges- tions as they think best to offer ;
"Voted, That the Boston Society of the New Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem Society be requested to communicate to us, upon the second of these meetings in April, a statement. of the condition and doings of their respective bodies, to- gether with such recommendations and suggestions about the finances and the external relations of the Church as they may think proper ;
"Voted, That the Pastor, or Assistant Minister, be re- quested to prepare, or cause to be prepared, for each of these quarterly meetings, such an account of the affairs of the So- ciety, and of its members, and of its general spiritual condi- tion, as may be deemed useful and suitable, and to furnish us, by their counsel, all possible light upon the uses which we may each and all properly undertake to perform."
The time of holding these meetings has since been changed to the Monday evening immediately following the quarterly meetings ; and tea and refreshments are provided, mainly by the voluntary contributions of the members of the Society. They are useful in promoting social intercourse among the members, and are the regular business quarterly meetings of the Society. A very pleasant feature of these meetings has
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been the reading of communications from members at a dis- tance.
Oct. 25, 1864. - The following preamble and resolutions, which had been presented at the quarterly meeting in July, were adopted with entire unanimity :
" Whereas, We wish to preserve the peaceful spirit of wor- ship in all our religious exercises, and especially to guard the quiet sphere of the opening services from even the least dis- turbance which may arise from persons going to their seats during the reading of the Word and the administration of the sacrament of Baptism ;
"Resolved, That the Voluntary is the beginning of our wor- ship, and that it is much to be desired that all persons should be in their seats before it closes ;
"Resolved, That upon the ending of the Voluntary the in- ner doors be shut, and so remain, except during the singing, until the preaching of the sermon begins, and that persons · be requested to wait before taking their seats until the doors are opened ;
"Resolved, That it be the duty of the sexton to provide for the fulfilment of this vote, on and after the first Sunday in August, and that the Church Committee be requested to com- municate its contents to all occupants of seats, and to cause the same to be duly notified, and to be posted in suitable places in the building."
This measure has proved a very important one. There had previously been great annoyance from persons coming in late, especially to those whose seats were near the door. The seat- ing of the congregation has since been put under the charge of a committee, called the Committee of Reception, who have rendered most useful service.
Nov. 24, 1864. - Thanksgiving-day. Services were held, and a collection taken up for the benefit of the soldiers amounting to #307.01.
April 2, 1865. - A report of the doings of the Ladies' New-Church Sewing Circle was read, from which it appeared
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that they had expended the sum of $526.84 from May 25, 1864, to April 1, 1865, and that 265 articles of clothing had been distributed in different channels for the soldiers.
April 16, 1865. - "Voted, That a meeting of this Society be held next Sunday at 3 1-2 o'clock, r.M., to consider ' The Times, and their Teachings,' and that those who habitually worship with us be invited to attend."
April 19, 1865. - The Assistant Minister delivered a dis- course, and appropriate religious exercises were observed by this Society on the occasion of the funeral of Abraham Lin- coln, late President of the United States.
April 23, 1865. - Agreeably to the vote passed last Sun- day, the Society met in the vestry this afternoon. The meet- ing was very fully attended, both by members of the Society and those who habitually worship with us. An address was delivered by the Pastor, in which he gave a history of the formation of the government of this country, and considered the origin of the present troubles. The address was fol- lowed by remarks from Professor Parsons, who expressed himself very forcibly on the evil results of slavery, especially the spiritual effects. Remarks were also made by several other gentlemen, the whole meeting occupying over two hours.
In 1865, a new and very complete organ was obtained and paid for by voluntary subscription, at a cost of about $12,000, and placed in the west gallery of the church. Mr. David W. Loring was chiefly instrumental in carrying out the plan, and Jan. 7, 1866, the following resolutions were adopted :
" Resolved, That the Society gratefully recognize the efforts of Mr. D. W. Loring, to which we chiefly owe our new organ, and that the Society tender him their thanks for the great service he has rendered to our worship ;
" Resolved, That a copy of this resolution, and that part of the Church Committee's report which refers to those efforts, be transmitted to Mr. Loring by the clerk."
June 3, 1866. - At a meeting of the General Convention,
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the sacrament of the Holy Supper was administered by the President to six hundred and five communicants.
Jan. 30, 1867. - The Pastor, Mr. Worcester, delivered an address on the subject of Church Music.
Feb. 18, 1867. - It was "Voted, That a permanent Com- mittee on Music, to consist of five persons, the director of music being chairman, be chosen annually by the Society on the nomination of the Church Committee."
April 7, 1867. - A letter from the Rev. Thomas Worcester resigning the office of Pastor of this Society was read by the chairman of the Church Committee.
Mr. Worcester's resignation was received with deep emo- tion and great regret ; and, after a recess of fifteen minutes, the following resolutions, offered by Mr. Parsons, were unan- imously adopted :
" Resolved, That this Church receives, with profound sensi -. bility, the resignation of our beloved Pastor ;
" Resolved, That we acknowledge, with earnest gratitude, his devotion to the service of this Church, and of the Church at large, during nearly half a century. Whatever be our pain at the separation, we submit to his judgment of its necessity. We hope that his usefulness on earth will be long continued ; and we pray that the blessing of the Lord may rest upon it, and upon him."
Mr. Worcester having, in a note to the chairman of the Church Committee, expressed his willingness to meet awhile longer with the doctrinal class, it was "Voted, That the offer of Mr. Worcester to meet awhile longer with the doctrinal class be accepted with gratitude."
It was also " Voted, That this Society recommend to the New-Jerusalem Society (the corporation) the consideration of our pecuniary obligations to Mr. Worcester."
The corporation voted to continue the full amount of Dr. Worcester's salary - twenty-five hundred dollars - during the current year, and the amount of one thousand dollars per annum has been paid him since that time.
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April 16, 1867. - An adjourned meeting of the Society was held, of which Theophilus Parsons was chosen chairman. Remarks were made by several members upon the choice of a Pastor in place of Mr. Worcester, resigned. On motion of P. W. Chandler, it was
" Voted, That this Church does hereby select the Rev. James Reed as our Pastor, and that he be proposed to the New- ' Jerusalem Society for their concurrence.
The chairman declared the above vote passed by a unan- imous rising vote, the ladies also voting.
"Voted, That the chairman be requested to transmit this vote to the said Society ;
"Voted, That it is the opinion and wish of the Church that Mr. Reed, our present Assistant Minister, should supply the pulpit until the action of the Society upon these votes."
The chairman declared the above vote unanimous.
Upon the same evening it was
Voted, That hereafter the business meetings of this society shall be held on week-days.
April 30, 1867. - The Church Committee was increased in number to thirteen ; this continued for one year only.
May 26, 1867. - The Committee on Social Intercourse and Recreation was made a standing committee to be nominated and elected at the same time as the Committee on Music.
It was also voted to establish a standing committee of six, to be called the Committee of Reception, whose duty it should be to have charge of the Church during worship, to receive, seat, and introduce strangers, to superintend the heating and ventilation of the Church, and whatever pertains to the com- fort of the congregation.
" Aug. 25, 1867. - A communication was received from the New-Jerusalem Society, stating that the corporation had unanimously concurred in the selection by the Church of the Rev. James Reed as Pastor of the Church and the Society, and had appointed a committee of three to act in conjunction
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with an equal number to be appointed by the Church, in making the necessary arrangements with the Pastor elect.
After the reading of this communication, Prof. Parsons offered the preamble and votes following : 8
" Whereas, It appears to this Church from a copy of record of the New-Jerusalem Society, that at the meeting of the said Society, held on the twenty-seventh of May, 1867, it was unanimously Voted, That the said Society concurred in the selection of the Rev. James Reed as Pastor of the Church, and of that Society, it is now, by this Church,
" Voted, That this Church confirms, adopts, and repeats its former selection of the Rev. James Reed as Pastor of this Church and Society ; and
" Whereas, This Church is further informed by said copy of record of said Society, that at the said meeting of said Society it was further
" Voted, That in order to carry the above recorded action of this Society into effect, a joint call be given to the Rev. James Reed to become Pastor of the Church and Society, and that Messrs. Peleg W. Chandler, John G. Davis, and John G. Webster be a committee, with an equal number to be joined with them by the Church, to make such arrangements therefor with the Pastor eleet as may be to him satisfactory, and that they thereafter report their proceedings to the Church and Society. It-is now
"Voted, That the said joint call be given to the Rev. James Reed to become Pastor of the Church and Society ; and it is further
"Voted, That be a committee to be joined with the said committee appointed by said Society for the same purposes, and with the same powers and duties for and with which the said committee was appointed by the vote of the said Society above recited, and with power to fill its own va- cancies."
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