USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > The First Evangelical Congregational Church, Cambridgeport, Mass. > Part 9
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Vacancy, Oct. 22, 1858, to May 1, 1861, 2
7
James O. Murray, May 1, 1861, to Feb. 6, 1865, 3 9
Vacancy, Feb. 6, 1865, to Sept. 12, 1867, 2 7
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
Years. Months.
Kinsley Twining, Sept. 12, 1867, to April 24, 1872, 4 7 Vacancy, April 24, 1872, to Jan. 15, 1873, 9
W. S. Karr, Jan. 15, 1873, to Nov. 22, 1875, 2 8
Vacancy, Nov. 22, 1875, to Sept. 14, 1876, 10 J. S. Hoyt, Sept. 14, 1876.
The first pastorate was the shortest one. The second was the longest. Besides this, not one has been five years, and but one four years in duration. The seven interims have been of full length, averaging one year and seven months each. The seven pastorates average five and a half years each. Without the long term of Dr. Stearns, the five completed pastorates average nearly three years each. Twenty-three years of solid pastorate de- termine the character of a church for a generation to come, and it was the great privilege of this church that such a man as the late W. A. Stearns, D. D., filled that office in it for so long a time. The other pastorates, though brief in duration, were fruitful to the increase and edification of the church, and the affection which existed during these several periods is evinced to-day by both the pastors and people in their frequent and pleasant allusions to each other. The intervals, covering nearly twelve years out of the fifty, suggest the proportion of pauses in cold prayer- meetings, as they occupy about one fourth of the time.
DEACONS.
Seven men were chosen by the mother-church at Jeru- salem to be deacons. As I have read of similar elections recorded in our minutes, I have wondered how many of those seven refused to accept, and I have thought of the persistent declaration of unfitness by Moses as these shrinkings have arrested my attention. Not long since,
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in talking with a pastor over a church of nearly five hundred resident members, I inquired, "How many deacons have you ?" He replied, "Two." "Why," I continued, "why don't you have more ?" "They don't want any more," he said. Perhaps the cruel pens of a godless literature have brought reproach upon this sacred office, so that men prefer to do its work while they are called " committee." We may be doing God service to rally around the office which, " used well, secures a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." The church was without deacons, just as that at Jerusalem was, until it felt the need of them. When it was about five years old it wanted them, and in its blessed freedom it chose them. Two were then ap- pointed, namely, Samuel Barrett and William Fisk, Janu- ary 9, 1833. They both accepted the office at length, but with great reluctance, which at last was overcome only
by the persistent pressure of the brethren. Deacon Barrett resigned upon his removal to Boston, in October, 1846, and William Adams was chosen in August, 1846. He resigned upon his removal to West Cambridge, in May, 1853. Thaddeus B. Bigelow was chosen, February, 1851, and resigned upon his removal to California, De- cember, 1856. William Davis was chosen September, 1854, and resigned upon his removal, March, 1868. Caleb H. Warner was chosen in September, 1854, and resigned in September, 1872. Sumner Albee was chosen in March, 1858. Lucas B. Grover and Henry N. Tilton, in April, 1868. Deacon Fisk died in 1864, thus holding the office thirty-one years; and, although one of the first two deacons, was therefore associated with the oldest of the living deacons, Albee, for six years.
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TABULAR LIST OF DEACONS.
Samuel Barrett, January 9, 1833, to October, 1846.
William Fisk, January, 1833, to 1864.
William Adams, July, 1846, to May, 1854.
Thaddeus B. Bigelow, February, 1851, to December, 1856.
William Davis, September, 1854, to March, 1868.
Caleb H. Warner, September, 1854, to September, 1872.
Sumner Albee, March, 1858.
Lucas B. Grover, April, 1868.
Henry N. Tilton, April, 1868.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
No church history is complete without a list of the members of this committee. Upon their wisdom, their piety, and their good common-sense the conduct of the organization very largely depends. While our polity theoretically makes much of the individual member and takes none of his privileges away from him, it is still the practice of most churches to raise a committee to take in special charge various matters. In this church this com- mittee is elected annually, and consists of nine, of whom the pastor, deacons, and clerk constitute a part. Their duty is to examine all applicants for admission to the church, to act as a committee of inquiry in cases of discipline, to decide what benevolent objects shall be presented for contributions, and to exercise a general supervision over the interests of the church. It may justly be said, that to the men on this committee is due, to a great extent, the uninterrupted prosperity of the organization ; and we, who are now entering upon the fruits of their labors, will look over their names : James P. Chaplin, Samuel Barrett, William J. Hubbard, Rev. D.
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Perry, Enoch Pond (now Dr. Pond of Bangor), Rev. Wil- liam A. Stearns, F. E. Faulkner, William Farwell, Rev. William B. Tappan, Amory Houghton, William Fisk, A. C. Palmer, A. Sweet, A. E. Hildreth, William Davis, M. B. Houghton, A. G. Hammond, Rev. Joseph Haven, Wil- liam Adams, Aaron Ordway, Thaddeus B. Bigelow, Am- brose Chamberlain, James M. Cutter, C. H. Warner, H. M. Tapley, A. C. Smith, E. W. Davis, C. B. Grover, S. Al- bee, Rev. E. W. Gilman, S. Palmer, Rev. D. Tilton, E. M. Dunbar, Rev. J. O. Murray, Rev. Ebenezer Newhall, Wil- liam H. Hidden, A. T. Frothingham, Rev. Kinsley Twin- ing, Aaron Kimball, T. G. Rice, L. B. Grover, H. N. Tilton, C. C. Nichols, R. L. Snow, George A. Richards, Rev. W. S. Karr, Rev. J. S. Hoyt, J. B. Taylor.
CHURCH CLERKS.
Of all the officers of the church, the clerks have been obtained with least difficulty. It may be said, it ought to be said, that the records are in an excellent state of preservation, and, in the main, are quite full. Still, one who wants to see the living church moving along over these pages could suggest many items which are not noted, and also that blank pages left to be written up at some future time, are of about as little worth to a historian as they are in evidence of points in day-books and ledgers at courts of law. It is true that if the handwriting be bad, the white page may please the eye better than the unseemly scrawl; but beauty is not always appreciated .*
* The item which may seem of but little importance at the moment, if not recorded, will, in the future, constitute an object of careful search, and even then cannot be found. For example, in the single matter of recording names of church members, there are upwards of two hundred instances in which the records are incomplete.
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
Without a preacher, a deacon, or a superintendent of Sun- day school, a clerk was appointed, April 20, 1827, or five months before the organization. The signature of S. Bar- rett occurs with great frequency and without interruption until May 3, 1844, or for a little over fourteen years. Then followed, -
July 5, 1844, to January 8, 1845, A. C. Palmer, clerk pro tem. January 8, 1845, to April 17, 1846, William P. Fisk. April 17, 1846, to October 2, 1847, A. E. Hildreth. January 12, 1848, to January 4, 1856, E. W. Davis. January 9, 1856, to January 7, 1857, H. M. Tapley. January 9, 1857, to December 31, 1858, W. R. Broughton. January 5, 1859, to December 30, 1859, Rodney J. Hardy. January 11, 1860, to January 2, 1863, B. R. Tilton. - January 7, 1863, to January 4, 1867, John Savage, Jr .. January 10, 1867, to April 21, 1871, James A. Holmes. May 5, 1871, George A. Richards.
TREASURERS.
February 10, 1828, to January 12, 1842, Samuel Barrett. January 12, 1842, to January 10, 1844, D. O. Dickinson. January 10, 1844, to January 12, 1853, Ambrose Chamber- lain.
January 12, 1853, to January 9, 1856, John E. Morey. January 9, 1856, to January 10, 1867, Caleb H. Warner. January 10, 1867, to January 1, 1868, Eben M. Dunbar. January 1, 1868, to January 11, 1869, James A. Holmes. January 11, 1869, to January 14, 1874, Charles A. Fiske. January 14, 1874, B. R. Tilton.
Reliable as such men were in the care of moneys, the church has exhibited its eminent wisdom in attaching to the office of Treasurer what is as essential to it as is bal- last to a ship, the office of AUDITOR; and such names as
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the following, elected annually, have been Auditors : W. J. Hubbard, D. Fairbank, William Fisk, John Dallinger, Jr., H. M. Chamberlain, Ambrose Chamberlain, A. H. Saf- ford, A. C. Palmer, C. S. Dudley, A. G. Hammond, A. E. Sweet, James C. Fisk, John E. Morey, C. H. Warner, W. P. Fisk, E. M. Dunbar, H. M. Tapley, C. B. Grover, A. T. Frothingham.
TENURE OF CHURCH PROPERTY.
JANUARY 16, 1840, a vote was taken authorizing the transfer of the church property from the hands of Messrs. Fairbank and Faulkner, in whom, with the late Dr. Chap- lin, it was originally vested as Trustees, to the hands of the Deacons of the church and their successors in office. The conveyance, above alluded to, was made by Rufus and William Fisk and their wives to the above-named parties in June, 1827, for the sum of $ 800. The transfer was made in accordance with said vote.
August 12, 1848, a committee was appointed to ascer- tain, from legal counsel, whether the old church site and building could be disposed of, so as to help in construc- tion of the proposed new one. That opinion was given by William J. Hubbard, Esq., and bears date March 8, 1850. It decides that the property can be disposed of by a decree of court, and that the proceeds can be used in construction of a new church ; and that when these funds enter into the construction of the new meeting-house, said new house must be holden in trust, so that the ulti- mate and entire control thereof must be secured to the church in the same manner as provided in the conveyance to the Deacons, in perpetual trust.
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
THIS HOUSE OF WORSHIP
Was erected at a cost, including the organ, which cost $1,400, of $24,584.01, and dedicated June 30, 1852. The proceeds of the house on Norfolk Street, $4,290.80, are in it. It is held in trust by the Deacons of the church, who by this tenure are the authorized conveyers of deeds of pews to such as wish to purchase them upon conditions expressed in said deeds. The same officers of the church are in possession of a similar fee of the Stearns Chapel property. There is a slight difference, however, in their trust. They hold Stearns Chapel subject to direction of the male members of this church. They hold this property in trust for the owners of pews in this meeting-house.
Of the struggles and self-denials encountered in erect- ing the first house of worship we are almost entirely ignorant, but so far as any records show, it was entirely unencumbered when it was first occupied. Tradition, however, tells us of some difference of opinion in select- ing its site.
Entirely different is the case with the present house. The fiftieth anniversary of the dedication of the former is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the dedication of this meeting-house. It is a singular coincidence that within the same house where the first movements were made contemplating the organization of the church and erection of its first meeting-house, just twenty-five years later, met those men who instituted measures to build this. This house was not built by the First Evangelical Congregational Society in Cambridgeport, but for them. Forty-six stock- holders in an association whose articles of copartnership
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS. 129
constitute the body of the subscription paper on which they had signed $15,200, selected the site, adopted the plan, appointed their chairman and secretary, treasurer, and various committees, organized their society under legal advice, adopted such a course as would insure both the avails of the old meeting-house and of a bequest left by the then late Charles Valentine in aid of their project ; in short, made all the arrangements, did all the work, col- lected all the money, paid all the bills, and when it was complete, transferred by legal conveyance the house finished and ready to occupy to the Deacons, to be held by them in trust precisely as the old house was. Of that organization James C. Fisk was secretary, and the first name in the list is that of his father, William Fisk, from whom the site of the old house was bought. Isaac Fay was chairman.
The committee appointed to report favorable, sites for the proposed house were William Fisk, Z. L. Raymond, Newell Bent, T. B. Bigelow, C. F. Chaplin, A. Chamber- lain: The committee to determine size of the house, Jesse Fogg, Aaron Rice, Z. L. Raymond, T. B. Bigelow, and Benjamin Tilton. Building Committee, William Fisk, Calvin Dimick, William Davis, T. B. Bigelow, Aaron Rice, G. T. Gale, Benjamin Tilton, Jesse Fogg, James C. Fisk, E. H. Brabrook, C. F. Chaplin, Isaac Fay, C. Daven- port, Newell Bent, C. H. Allen, Z. L. Raymond. Treas- urer, Ambrose Chamberlain. Trustee, Isaac Fay.
No less than five sites were under consideration, and upon the selection of this site $ 4,037.50 were paid for this lot of land, eighty-five feet on Prospect Street and running back therefrom one hundred and ninety feet. More trouble was encountered in determining the plan
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
of the house. On the 1st of August, 1851, the corner- stone was laid. On the 30th of June, 1852, the house was completed and dedicated. The cost was $24,584.01.
Received from old church and land $4,290.80
Charles Valentine's estate 1,000.00
Subscription and sale of pews 19,293.21
$24,584.01
This house contains one hundred and fifty-six pews, all finished and furnished alike. Lamps were then put into the house at a cost of $155.83, and the Treasurer passed to the stockholders in cash $261.82 of his receipts. When all was done steps were taken to place by legal transfer the whole thing in the hands of the Deacons in trust. After another quarter of a century we can find no better words to express our feelings than those of the Building Committee to the stockholders of the property when they had finished their work. "Your committee cannot but congratulate the stockholders and all inter- ested in this noble enterprise, in the completion of the house and the full payment of the debt; they would also return thanks to that God who has carried us through amid all the darkness that has at times overshadowed us, and brought us out in so happy and prosperous con- dition. We would feel to say, 'God has been with us and blessed us, and to his name be all the praise.'"
In organizing the society great caution was taken to have everything fixed so that no trouble should arise, and that the relations sustained by this new organization to the beloved pastor should be adjusted to the new order of things. Therefore " an invitation is given to the man who had been their pastor twenty-one years to become
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
the minister of the society at a salary of $1,500 per year." The co-operation of church and society has been cheerful and successful for twenty-five years. The society is com- posed exclusively of pew-owners, and in none of its acts does any person not a pew-owner have a vote, or even a voice, whatever office he may hold in the church, or how- ever long he may have hired a pew in the meeting-house, or however punctually paid the pew-rent, or however much money he may have paid for its repair, furniture, or enlargement. In addition to this restriction, in all matters of concurrent action by church and society only the votes of adult male members can be counted. Pew- ownership is the ranking estate in this organization.
OFFICERS OF SOCIETY.
PRUDENTIAL COMMITTEE.
The duties of this committee are set forth in the Consti- tution of the society. It is an office as old as the church. For eighteen years it was chosen by the church. In 1845 a vote prevailed making it to consist of the treasurer, two members of the church, and two members of the society (that is, of pew-owners). The names below indicate into whose hands the secular affairs of the church have been intrusted : Messrs. Fairbank, M. B. Houghton, Hubbard, H. M. Chamberlain, Denton, Charles Valentine, Alden, Hildreth, Bent, William Davis, Fay, Sargent, Raymond, Hayward, G. G. Ryder, J. C. Fisk, E. W. Davis, Gale, Palmer, Dunbar, Frothingham, Fiske, Hidden, Patch, Stevens, A. Towne, Bliss, L. B. Grover, Harding, Burt, Albee.
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HISTORICAL ADDRESS.
TREASURERS.
Until 1852 one treasurer was intrusted with all the funds of both Church and society; since that date the society has had its own officer, whose duties are defined in the Constitution. They have been Messrs. Gates, B. R. Tilton, Savage, and Fiske.
CLERKS.
This office also is twenty-five years of age. On the faithfulness of its incumbents much depends as the future shall look upon us. Up to this time they have been Messrs. J. C. Fisk, Dunbar, Ufford, Savage, Hardy, Rice, and H. N. Tilton.
SEXTONS.
Not while men breathe the air, are sensitive to draughts, and discern between cold and heat, will meet- ing-houses exist without sextons. Not while ministers are men, choirs are composed of human beings, and com- mittees are fallible, can the persons in these positions sustain the burdens and endure the criticism without the help of the sexton. Therefore, in the feeble beginning and in all stages of its growth, every person that goes to church has peculiar feelings, utters certain words, and at least threatens to do certain acts with reference to the sexton. He knows he cannot suit all, nor quite suit any- body, and yet he tries to partially suit as many as he can. Neither the present nor the past generation will be satis- fied without a glance at the sextons to-day :-
Messenger 1827-1829 | J. G. Bicknell. 1854-1855 Ward 1829-1834 J. C. Wilder 1855-1859 Denton 1834-1839 G. R. Turner 1859-1863 Easterbrook 1839-1845 J. G. Bicknell. 1863-1869
R. Litchfield 1845-1854 : J. C. Wilder 1869-1877
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A sexton all the time, and only nine of them. A pas- tor but thirty-eight years out of fifty, and seven of them. Sextons wear longer than pastors on an average, after all the criticisms upon the quality and quantity of the air and light and heat in the meeting-house.
. MUSIC.
This society of pew-owners has the direction of this branch of worship. It appoints annually its Committee on Music. They are intrusted with one of the most troublesome as well as the most important of interests, and upon their fidelity and wisdom depend to a great extent not merely the pleasure and profit of those who come to the house of God, and the attractiveness of ser- vice, but in an eminent degree the spiritual edification of worshippers. During these years the following gentlemen have been appointed on this committee : -
Messrs. Dunbar, L. Valentine, Dimick, Aaron Rice, J. C. Fisk, Goodrich, Cutter, T. G. Rice, Smith, Ufford, Leland, Savage, C. B. Grover, Frothingham, John Appleton, L. B. Grover, Harding, Burt, A. Towne, Harvey, B. R. Tilton, Nichols, and Bill.
A FEW INCIDENTS WHICH THE OLD PEOPLE NARRATE.
The mud through which the people were then obliged to walk is almost forgotten by those who now assemble for worship, but they who tell us what excellent meetings they used to have at Dr. Chaplin's, when they come to speak of the mud, confess their inability to do the subject
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justice, and that they are as unable to find the adjec- tive they want now as they were then to find solid ground.
The New Pulpit. There was originally a good deal of pulpit set away up, but it occurred to Mr. Charles Valen- tine, that less of it nearer earth would be more agreeable. Accordingly the plan was devised, the contract made, the old one torn down, and the desk, used in our ves- try until quite recently, was put up during one week, and without the knowledge of any except Mr. V. and the builder. Dr. Stearns had the reputation of being cool and self-commanding, but it is told of him that, walking into his church that Sabbath morning, as he reached the steps, he looked somewhat as one imagines Peter looked when he " thought it had been a vision," and waited to be persuaded that he was really there in his own church.
They tell of BENJAMIN BIGELOW, the blind old man, who rode in his carriage regularly to the church. His servant led him to the door, whence he walked straight to his seat unassisted. After service, he returned to the door, where the servant met him and conducted him to the carriage.
They tell how JOHN YOUNG, who had lost both arms at one shot from the enemy in a naval engagement, sat near to him, and all the children laughed and the grave people thought, as, after service, he rose, turned round, and by stooping, put his head into the hat, because he had no hands to put the hat on his head.
They tell of MR. FAULKNER, short and stout, with tall and trim Mrs. Faulkner, and of Mr. Faulkner's prelude, while he was getting the tune ready to go, as he said,
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" We will sing ST. ANN's," and began and kept on till he came to the right "aw " faw-aw-aw-aw.
They tell of WATCHMEN. Beechnuts and brimstone are but the barking of a dog that never bites, but things get to be more serious when the torch is applied. It was very near to a fiery trial, when watchmen employed by the church were stationed in Deacon Fisk's house to guard the property from incendiaries.
They tell of MISS PENNIMAN, the blind girl, who played the organ ; and Bruce's Postlude, " The Grand March of Evacuation, " alluded to in his address by the president of the day, though played but once, is yet fresh in the memories of many.
REVIVAL OF 1876 AND 1877.
It was known in all the region that Mr. Moody was to labor in Boston during the season. He was expected January 1, 1877. There were various ways in which preparation was made by different churches to receive him and to take the advantage of the occasion. The peculiarities of the churches and of their pastors were manifest by their attitude in this effort. Nothing was . · more clear than the absolute loyalty of this church to the local church as to the body of which Christ is the Head and in which the Holy Ghost dwells. Quite remote from the Tabernacle as this field, geographically near, is, on account of means of access, but few of the people attended those meetings to any great extent. Yet more could have gone than did go.
Previous, however, to his coming to Boston, a large ac- .cession had been made by letters. Especially from the
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abandoned enterprise at East Cambridge the brethren came into this church.' The audiences steadily increased. The vestry filled to overflowing. Interest in preaching was apparent, and the Holy Ghost's presence and convict- ing grace was very manifest. The communion seasons were of marked interest and solemnity. The whole church seemed of one heart and one mind and one utterance in all the exercises at the conference meeting and in conver- sation. The themes presented were the presence and anxiety and faithfulness of Christ with and for and to the church in order that it might become and remain the saving power in the world. The loss of the soul was also made prominent. Its loss, the darkness into which Christ brought the light of rescue from this estate and not of improvement while in it. "Salvation, not cultivation, was the gospel cry." "Health and wealth for heaven, rather than health and wealth on earth, to be sought after." "Others come into the world for various objects, Christ came to save." "None other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved." These and kindred themes were presented.
The Week of Prayer was observed, and an increase of interest was daily exhibited. The remarks and prayers and songs of praise became more spiritual, and anxiety to engage in the work of leading souls to Christ was apparent among all. Many who had been silent at meetings, moved by the Holy Ghost, and with none of the pressure by the pastor as is often seen in such circumstances, became fre- quent witnesses of what Christ was to them. The hour was found too short for the meeting; and, the pastor's theory and determination to the contrary notwithstanding, often an extra half-hour passed, finding the formal meeting
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still continuing, to be followed by familiar converse on the subject in groups about the room, or as they went to their homes. Beneath the increasing interest alienations van- ished, and complete reconciliations were effected. We soon outgrew the vestry, and for weeks the Sunday and Friday evening gatherings would have filled it twice. They were held in the audience-room, and even the presence of so much unoccupied space and the extent of the audience did not cool the ardor or slacken the utter- ance of the brethren; and often did the pastor stand through the meeting to beckon silence to one who rose to speak in one part of the house until another, in another part of the house, had concluded.
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