USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > The First Evangelical Congregational Church, Cambridgeport, Mass. > Part 11
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When Dr. Beecher arrived at Dr. Chaplin's he went to the mirror and ran his hands up through his hair, and remarked, " Well, I don't know but I do look something like a porcupine after all," and then told the story, for it was too good to keep to himself.
Another little incident may not be untimely, showing how wisely and carefully Dr. Chaplin nursed the growing and deep- ening religious interest. which resulted in the organization of this church, and what a ready and skilful coadjutor he had in Dr. Beecher. The arrival of Dr. Beecher by the coach each Thursday eve at Dr. Chaplin's left only about time enough for the supper before the hour at which the large audience would assemble at the Baptist Meeting-house for the weekly lecture. Seated at the tea-table, the inquiry of Dr. Beecher would be, " Well, Dr. Chaplin, what had I better preach upon to-night ?" Dr. Chaplin had a large practice as a physician, that took him to the homes of all classes. During each week he had most favorable opportunities, which he improved, of learning di- rectly and indirectly the state of the public pulse ; the im- pressions that were being made upon the minds of the thoughtful, the difficulties that beset those who were anxious inquirers, and the criticisms, cavils, and objections of those unfriendly to evangelical religion, - all this, with his intelli- gent and discriminating mind, and his hearty interest in the work, enabled him to prescribe for the spiritual needs of the people better than any stranger could. His reply would be, " Well, I think such a subject," naming it, "treated in such and such ways, is what is most needed to-night, and such a passage will be as good a text as any I have thought of." " Very well," says Dr. Beecher, and the conversation at the table would go on. I well remember seeing Dr. Beecher dur- ing the first singings, with pencil and paper, noting down the heads of his forthcoming powerful discourses, that were to knock away the false foundations upon which some were build-
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> ing, arouse others from their carelessness, guide inquiring minds, and quicken and strengthen those who were Christians in doctrinal knowledge and piety.
The weekly prayer-meetings in Dr. Chaplin's parlor were precious and very profitable seasons. With Dr. Chaplin usu- ally to lead, and Mr. Hubbard and Mr. Barrett, both liberally educated men, as coadjutors, the latter having spent one year at the Theological Seminary at Andover, the expositions of .. Scripture and the practical remarks made were of that high intellectual, as well as warm devotional character, that greatly promoted growth in knowledge as well as growth in grace. These were the first prayer-meetings I ever attended, and the first, I think, ever held in the "Port," except those in the Baptist Church, which could have been organized but a few years before, as I well remember the erection of their first house of worship.
I fitted for Harvard College here, with the intention of pur- suing the regular collegiate course in that institution, and . could have boarded at home ; yet the rules of the College were so rigorous then, that I could not be allowed to go to my own church, but must be compelled to attend the College Chapel on the Sabbath, and sit for four years under Unitarian preach- ing. A friendly council was called, with Dr. Beecher and Dr. Chaplin as members, as to my case, and it was decided that if I went to Harvard, I would be in danger of being injured in iny religious interests, and they advised Amherst College, and to Amherst I went. It was said at the time, I know not how truly, that I was the first one who in two hundred years had left Cambridge to obtain elsewhere a liberal education. How changed are the rules now at Harvard in this respect, for any student may go to any church he may elect, - an indication of progress since fifty years ago.
I very well remember the examination of candidates for the organization of this church, which was held at my mother's
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house, and conducted by Dr. Beecher, and thecommittee of the Hanover Street Church, Boston. But I must not occupy more of your time with the reminiscences of one who was then but a boy. I close by saying that whoever first proposed this celebration suggested a very good idea.
MUSIC, " In May-time."
Dr. Blagden was the next speaker.
Referring to the great good done by the efforts of this church, through the agency of the late Dr. Beecher, in union with Dr. Chaplin and those associated with him, Dr. Blagden said that, in looking back on those times, we should make some allowance for the misapprehension of what are called " Orthodox " doctrines on the part of many of our Unitarian friends. And if we did so we should find that, as in the case of most family quarrels, some degree of error might be at- tributed to each party.
Dr. Beecher, he said, often alluded to this in speaking of what he called " a dead Orthodoxy," in which, while the great truths of the gospel were affirmed and enforced, they were so stated as to include much matter that occasioned needless repellancy, and might seem to imply absurdity. Even now some persons, when they speak of "Orthodox " doctrines, exaggerate the points of what are called Calvinism, and do not regard the fact that, while the great truths of the Calvinistic system are still held and proclaimed, they are stated with more care, and cer- tain difficulties in their statement are avoided, and mistakes corrected. In reference to one of these Dr. Beecher used sometimes to say that " the doctrine of election had been dressed up in bearskins, and all the dogs in Christendom let out on it."
Mr. Blagden further said that to him one of the most en- couraging signs of our times is, that while the great truths or
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doctrines of the gospel are affirmed, and men are exhorted to receive and study, explain and defend, them in their proper applications to the varying circumstances in life, the essentials of true religion are reduced to their simplest elements, and men are taught that they may feel the exceeding evil of sin, and confess and reform from it as they look unto Jesus, the Lamb of God, who taketh it away, and may, in thus doing the will of God, be prepared to " know of the doctrine."
MUSIC, " I long for thee."
Dr. Gilman, who succeeded Rev. Dr. Stearns, was next introduced.
He said he could add but little to what had been so well said by preceding speakers. Salem Street and Pine Street (now the Berkeley Street) churches, in Boston, were organized about the same time as this, and out of the same spirit other battles in the great campaign of fifty years ago, as Dr. Beecher has said. It would be of interest to see a denominational map of this vicinity, of the churches which came into being about the time we are now celebrating. One was at East Cambridge, the Austin Street Church here, North Avenue, and the West Cambridge Church. We are within a mile of the church which the godly Shepard founded two hundred years ago, and . it was here that Eliot's Indian Bible was printed. The Sab- bath school was alluded to. I was impressed with it when I came here. When you have teachers who spend several even- ings each week in preparation for their lessons, you ' may well be assured that a Sunday school will be successful. In regard to sister churches of other denominations in town we may say that this church has always been in agreeable rela- tions with the Methodist, Episcopal, the Baptist, and Rev. Dr. Mason's, in particular. As to Foreign Missions, too, Prospect Street Church has exerted a decided influence. Among the
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missionaries sent out to Bulgaria were Mr. and Mrs. Meriam, the latter formerly Miss Susan Dimond, a very excellent teacher in one of our public schools, both now deceased.
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MUSIC, " When evening's twilight."
The Cambridge pastors, Dr. Furber of Newton Centre, J. E. Vandervoort, Superintendent of the Sabbath School, and John H. Appleton, representing the young men of the church, were expected and prepared with addresses, but at this point, it being half past five o'clock, the exer- cises of the banquet were concluded by the .benediction by Dr. Gilman.
The Social in the evening was, as the best of the wine, at the close of the feast. The hall had been cleared, and a very large assembly, upwards of five hundred persons, old and young, was gathered. It was an entirely infor- mal affair. Mutual greetings, social converse, and gen- eral talking over the events of half a century, all most agreeably interspersed with very fine music on the organ, together afforded a highly enjoyable occasion. Rev. Asa Bullard read several letters from former members of the church, including one each from Rev. Dr. Murray of Prince- ton, Rev. Thomas C. Bisco of Holliston, Rev. Dr. E. Pond of Bangor, Mrs. Louise Faulkner Griffin of New York, Rev. Dr. Karr of Hartford Theological Seminary, Rev. Mr. Twining of Edinburgh, Scotland, Rev. Lyman Gilbert of Brooklyn, N. Y., Dr. Adams of Orange, N. J., Mr. Josiah A. Stearns, brother of Rev. Mr. Stearns, and Mr. Meriam of Rockport, Texas, all expressing great interest in the church, a tender recollection of the happy days of Chris- tian life and work, and bespeaking a glorious success for the future years of this church. Gathered about the organ
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there stood, at the close of this full day, the aged and the young, - 1827 to 1877, - and sang " Auld Lang Syne," and the semi-centennial celebration concluded. It was a delightful, successful, and satisfactory affair, and well calculated to encourage Christians in their way and work.
The Anniversary not merely brought together many of the church who were dispersed throughout this whole region, but it brought also letters representing those who, at their remote houses, cherish with warm affection the church and its membership. Moreover, it quickened some to pen their thoughts in verse. It seems highly appro- priate, therefore, that a chapter in our Memorial Book should be devoted to them.
ORIGINAL HYMNS AND LETTERS.
BY E. D. SANGER.
O Thou, beneath whose guiding hand Our fathers crossed the sea To find, in this fair Western land, Freedom to worship thee,
We come to thank thee for thy love, Thy kindness, and thy care ; And pray, as thou our fathers blest, We may thy blessing share.
Long has this church a bulwark proved 'Gainst waves of error strong, And nobly stood for God and truth, Battling against the wrong.
Here has the gospel's joyful sound Rung out in accents clear, Telling a Saviour's dying love To all both far and near.
In all the years that are to come, As in the fifty past,
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Watch over her we humbly pray, And guide her to the last.
Pastor and people all unite In blessed union still, Firm to maintain, and brave to do The blessed Master's will.
And though all may not join the song When rolls the century round, We trust, at last, a happy band, We may with Christ be found.
BY MRS. MARY L. WYATT.
As backward turn our thoughts to-day O'er fifty years so quickly flown, With reverent grateful hearts we say, " The Lord is mindful of his own."
Our Heavenly Father's name we praise, For constant watch and tender carc, And blessings which have crowned our days Since first this church was formed with prayer.
Then onward let us urge our way, Thus highly favored of our God, And underneath his guiding sway Walk in the path our Saviour trod.
And when at last our journey 's done, And we before the throne shall stand, Forever may we praise the Son A ransomed and unbroken band.
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BY MISS A. S. HAYWARD.
OUR fathers' God ! to whom appears Less than a day these fifty years, Accept the thanks we bring to thee, And deign to bless our jubilee.
We thank thee for thy constant care Over thy children everywhere ; We thank thee that this church of thine Still witnesses for love divine.
For all its strength and usefulness, Present or past, thy name we bless, While all we are, or hope to be, This day anew we give to thee.
When time for us shall be no more, May we, with those who went before Sowing the seed perhaps with tears, Gather the fruit of our fifty years.
BY D. N. R.
LORD, as we leave this hallowed place, Grant us thy blessing and thy grace ; Fill every heart with love to thee, For all thy gifts so large and free.
As thou hast kept us to this hour, Protect us by thy mighty power Through all the future stretching on, Until life's victory be won.
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To do our duty truly, well, And all thy loving mercy tell To those around who know thee not, -- O, may this be our happy lot.
Whate'er the future years may bring, Grant they may leave behind no sting, No wasted years or misspent hours, No dark remorse o'er vanished powers.
They only live who bless their race, Not those who fill earth's lofty place. With love to God, and love to man, May we fulfil our Maker's plan.
BY E. D. SANGER.
WE come, O Lord, with joy to-day, On this glad anniversary, To thank thee for thy loving care, And all the bliss which now we share.
E'er since our fathers crossed the wave, Thou hast been near to guide and save ; In storm and tempest, peril's hour, Hast shielded by thy mighty power.
This church, planted with faith and prayer, Her fifty years to-day doth wear. Through childhood, youth, maturely grown. We proudly claim her as our own.
We render thee our grateful praise For blessings that have crowned her days.
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For noble men and women too, Who to their Master dared be true.
O, make her strong in days to come, Pastor and people join as one ; A bulwark may she ever be 'Gainst tides of infidelity.
Thus, Lord, thy blessings now we pray As here we meet this happy day. O, may we reach that blissful shore, Where we shall meet to part no more.
BY MISS A. S. HAYWARD.
THE years to come are all with thee ; Help us, O God, to make each one A milestone on our homeward way, And place on each thy seal, " Well done."
The years to come are all with thee, The joys they bring will be thy gift ; The burdens they may lay on us Thy loving hand will surely lift:
The years to come are all with thee, And every one its message gives, " Redeem the time ; each deed you do, For good or ill, forever lives."
The years to come are all with thee ; If they be few, why need we care ? Thy wisdom plans ; thy love will grant An answer to our parting prayer.
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The years to come are all with thee ; O Lord, our God through all the past, Abide with us, till one in heart We meet around thy throne at last.
BY MRS. HELEN K. WYMAN.
THE years, O God, have swiftly passed Since here the little seed was sown, Which, nourished by thy tender care, A tall and stately tree has grown.
Beneath its shadow now we rest, And up to thee our eyes we raise, While hearts and voices all unite To render thee a song of praise.
We praise thee for the holy lives That here thy power and grace have shown ; For praying lips that now rejoice Among the ransomed round thy throne.
We praise thee that our hearts are led To thoughts of gratitude this day, That through thy mercy we were won To walk with Christ the heavenly way.
O, in the days that are to come, May we thy grace and glory show, And thus, in thought, in word, in deed, " Praise God from whom all blessings flow."
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REV. KINSLEY TWINING.
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, August 12, 1877.
YOUR letter inviting me to participate with you in the cele- bration of your Semi-Centennial, reached me a little while ago ; and while it gave me great pleasure to be remembered in view of such an occasion, it also cost me a pang of pain to reflect that uncontrollable circumstances so bind me to these foreign shores for the present, as to take away from me all hope of being able to share with you the delightful experiences and recollections of such an occasion.
Thrice happy will you all be when, after such a wonderful gathering into your fold as the past year has witnessed, you assemble to recount God's mercies in the past, to go over the names of those who have glorified and blessed your work by their participation in it, and to drink in new draughts of hope and courage for the future.
I shall mark the day you speak of, and, though far away from you in the body, will be with you in the remembrance of the day, and thanksgiving that it finds you in such a con- dition of spiritual prosperity and general strength.
Tell Brother Hoyt that we who preceded him cannot con- sent to be forgotten among the people of his charge. We must still claim some place among them and some part in the work which, in his time, has been so gloriously crowned.
I am fixed here in Edinburgh probably for several months. We have made quite a wide round through this grand Cal- vinistic land, every part of which witnesses to the solidity of the foundations on which the Reformers built. The Lord's Day stands here sacred and beautiful. The churches are full. There is a strong, vital, aggressive Christianity in the land fighting against sin ; and out of it all has come a sweet, open, strong character, which marks the people in their homes, in
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the shops, and on the streets. May the richest blessings rest on the church and people now and forever ! Amen.
Yours as ever, KINSLEY TWINING.
DEXTER FAIRBANK.
ELIZABETHI, N. J., October 6, 1877.
IT is impossible for me by letter to give you the facts respecting my connection with the Prospect Street Church. Could I have a personal interview, I could no doubt give you a very interesting account of the church from its foundation. My health is poor, and I am obliged to get my grandson to write this. Probably the reason you see my name mentioned so frequently on the church books is because, being a man of leisure at that time, I did all the begging, and raised all the . money for the church with the exception of that given us by our Boston friends. I raised the money for the organ and the vestry. We never were in debt longer than three months, as at the end of that time we always settled up all accounts. Should you be able to visit New York, it is but a half-hour's ride to Elizabeth and I should be very happy to see you, and could give you very many interesting facts concerning the origin of the Prospect Church.
Yours truly, DEXTER FAIRBANK.
J. N. MERIAM.
ROCKPORT, TEXAS, September 11, 1877.
YOUR invitation to be present at the Fiftieth Anniversary of the organization of the First Congregational Church reached us last night. Gladly would we join you if it were possible.
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The occasion brings to mind many interesting and important events in our own history as well as that of the church.
Within the walls of your house of worship, standing before the great congregation, we first took upon ourselves the solemn vows of the church. Our children were brought to your altar in baptismal consecration.
From your midst and under your supervision we were sent out to labor in city mission work. To-day we look back to those years of Christian labor as the most happy and delight- ful of our lives.
You will have many voices to speak of the grand and noble works accomplished by this church during the half- century of its existence.
Permit me to mention a few of those that have come under my own observation.
First, was the building of Stearns Chapel. Very little help, and that in the way of money, came from outside. It was this church that furnished the plans with the means and men to carry them out to their completion. The earnest and hearty co-worker was our lamented brother Dunbar. - How prominently he comes into view in connection with this work. His zeal and untiring energy knew no bounds. His great heart was in the work, much of his time was given to it, and he was the largest contributor in the church. This enterprise, sustained by the contributions, guided by the wisdom, and watered with the prayers of this people, grew and flourished until to-day we behold its result in the flourishing church at the Chapel; and in yonder Pilgrim structure, standing in the shade of those stately elms on Magazine Street. Thus we have in its home mission work a house of worship built and two churches planted. Surely it has been given Prospect Street Church the privilege of exerting a great influence for good in this community, and to accomplish a great and abiding work for the Master. But greater results lie in the
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future for it to work out. God give you the heart and strength to prosecute it. God grant that when we all shall have passed beyond these earthly reunions, there may be awaiting us an abundant entrance into a perfect and eternal union with Christ our Lord.
Affectionately yours, J. N. MERIAM.
MRS. LOUISA G. GRIFFIN.
NEW YORK, August 18, 1877.
I HAVE been invited by friends in Cambridge to join with them in the celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the church, of which you are now pastor. Thinking you may like to hear from the few members still living who composed the original church, and being one of that little band whose name (Louisa G. Faulkner) you will find with those of my honored parents (long since passed from the church militant to the church triumphant) among the first members, I have it in my heart to say how greatly I regret that I may not be present and participate in those pleasant services.
Words fail to express the tender recollections that cluster around that early period of my Christian life. The preaching of that good and eminent man, Dr. Beecher, in Cambridge, and its precious fruits in the revival which followed, will never be forgotten. Closely connected with this was the prayer- meeting at the house of the sainted Dr. Chaplin, the memory of which will never be effaced from my mind. That holy man, with others whose names I might mention, left a deep and abiding impression on my young heart ; and I could not do justice to my own feelings were I not to bless and praise that grace which permitted me the precious privilege of being associated with such a company of godly men and women in my early days.
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That the blessing of the great head of the Church may ever rest upon and crown all your and their efforts, and the same Spirit fill the hearts of all its members, is the earnest prayer of Your friend and sister in Christ,
LOUISA G. GRIFFIN.
MRS. A. J. BARRETT (DEA. SAMUEL).
[Mrs. B. did not receive the invitation until the anniversary was passed. ]
MIDDLEBORO', October 1, 1877.
THE invitation must have been received with other publica- tions and mislaid, but the anniversary pamphlets you were so kind as to send me were duly received ; please accept my thanks for them. I should have greatly enjoyed those ser- vices, and the meeting again of the few friends with whom I have often worshipped in days long since passed away, but never to be forgotten.
I went to Cambridge in 1829. At that time only about two hundred belonged to the congregation. I had a speaking acquaintance with every one, and for several years made it a duty as well as a pleasure to call on all the new-comers, as we called them.
We were rather poor, and it was not easy to raise the seven hundred dollars we paid Dr. Stearns. Very soon the house filled, and we were able to increase the salary, and the little church grew and became too numerous for the little house of worship. We watched its growth with great interest, as you may suppose. My husband was acting Deacon fourteen years. He had a class of young ladies in the Sabbath school, all of whom committed to memory the entire Book of Psalms. I think he did not insist on their doing it, but expressed a wish that they should. During seven years after the church was organized, we met at Mrs. Dr. James Chaplin's every Saturday
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night for prayer and conference. Mr. Hubbard sometimes took the lead of the meeting, at others Mr. Barrett. I shall expect to be greatly interested in the address. A review of the past will bring to my mind many things I cannot recall, I presume, without these reminders.
Mr. Barrett's heart was in the interests of that church. He never withheld from giving when money was wanted, and at the close of every quarter fresh subscriptions had to be made to meet the expenses of the church, the pew-rents not being sufficient. The little bands, none of them rich, were very cheerful givers ; and the ten dollars from our twelve hundred a year was given, I think, as a privilege from Mr. Barrett, and it was often called for the few first years.
It is with great pleasure I watch the prosperity of our church, and indeed it has been remarkable. From that little praying band, three churches, we may say, have grown up, rooted and grounded in the faith and fellowship of our Lord Jesus Christ in fifty years. Were they not all, those seven brothers, pillars in the temple ? Some have gone to their reward, and I have no doubt have heard their welcome, " Well done." The others wait, in hope of that open and abundant entrance.
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