USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Salem > The first centenary of the North church and society, in Salem, Massachusetts > Part 9
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Dr. Brazer's kind, scholarly presence I well remember, and have to confess that one of my earliest impressions of him is as standing at the door of the pew where I was just emerging from a
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sound sleep, and smiling benignantly on his small parishioner who did not then dream of one day himself exercising a soporific influ- ence on future hearers.
The old church I never knew except in its degradations when painted carpets hung up to dry, where the fathers and mothers in that Israel used to come up to their holy place ; but the present church, if I can judge others by myself, must be to many who have gone forth to the ends of the earth, as stately and venerable as any cathedral, with its gray tower and green-mantled walls.
The North Church has had a succession of men of rare and various gifts in its ministry. For many of its children, the voices of its living ministers, present and past, are mingled in the best things which we have in this world to remember; yet the best things which that pulpit said to me in the forming years of life could not speak more eloquently than it used to speak by its silence. That mahogany tower whose beauty seemed to surpass any other carven work spoke as a symbol, and the best testimony of the church was the testimony of the undying words of the New Testament which it has written above its preacher's head as the law of his utterance and the pledge of its own faith and fidelity.
Much has changed in the hundred years, but the freshness and truth of those words, and of the gospel whence they are drawn, have surely gained by the testimony of a century's added life.
The christian lives that have been lived, loving, helpful and strong, in the North Church, and the faith that has been nourished there, are evidences not to be gainsaid, that the Christianity which the church was instituted to teach is real, and that the substance of its faith is fact and truth. Shall we not also take them as promises that the old church will still have work to do and will do it, in the years to come, for God and for Jesus Christ, reconciling the old truth with the new vision?
Yours faithfully, HENRY W. FOOTE.
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JAMAICA PLAIN, July 18, 1872.
GEORGE B. LORING, EsQ.
My Dear Sir :- I have delayed answering your kind invitation to join the North society in celebrating the one hundredth anni- versary of its organization till now, in the hope that I might find myself able to accept it. But as the day is at hand and the in- tense heat continues, I am compelled at the last moment to acknowledge the honor of the invitation with gratitude and to decline it with great regret. Believe me, I should greatly enjoy being with you. My associations with the North society are all interesting and agreeable,- extremely so. My acquaintance with it covers more than a third of its entire history. Forty years ago, when I became minister of the church in Barton Square, the North society contained in its membership as noble a list of men and women, adorning their positions and illuminating the spheres of their various activity, as any parish in the commonwealth could then boast. I recall their presence to-day, as your preacher will do to-morrow, with equal reverence and affection. I remember, with a heart which yearns towards them across the interval of years that separates us, the most gracious cordiality with which they received me, a mere youth, to their refined and charming homes. I can never forget the amiable and courtly Col. Benjamin Pickman, at whose table I was a frequent guest ; nor his exceed- ingly modest but highly cultivated brother and sister, William and Rawlins who, in their tastes and studies, impersonated the best genius of literature, and in their character the simplicity, sincerity and charity of the gospel of Christ. Who that knew him will ever forget the commanding figure and the massive intellect of Dudley Pickman, or his fine powers of conversation? The meek and diffi- dent Frederick Howes rises into this group, a studious man of rare attainments, matched, perhaps, by no other in the society unless, perchance, by a lady of his own family. There is another name
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which will not fail to be remembered with tenderest interest on the occasion ; and I could form no better aspiration for your proceed- ings than that they might be animated by the spirit of that grand- est of men and best of Christians, Leverett Saltonstall.
But I am sorry I began to refer to names because the list is so long, and so many in the same and in less conspicuous walks rush to my attention only to be passed by. Besides the Peabodys who will be fitly commemorated, there is one most friendly face which I love to recall,- that of a neighbor who I suppose never had a christian name, and in respect to whom we were always violating the injunction, " Call no man master," for we never called him anything else but " Master Cole." At the remembrance of these persons and their families and of so many others equally worthy, all the venerations of my heart leap up and mingle with those which I bear towards so great a number in all the parishes of your good city, my long-time and most pleasant home.
Please give the hearty love of their old friend to the North society assembled to-morrow, and believe me,
With sincere regard, yours very truly,
JAMES W. THOMPSON.
PROVIDENCE, July 3, 1872.
FRANCIS H. LEE, EsQ.
Dear Sir :- I deeply regret that I cannot accept your friendly invitation to attend " a celebration of the centennial anniversary of the founding of the North Church and Society in Salem," to take place on Friday, the 19th inst. ; but the semi-centennial an- niversary of the founding of the Rhode Island Historical Society, of which I have been twenty-two years librarian, occurring on the same day, I cannot, as a member of the committee of arrange- ments, with propriety, absent myself on that occasion.
Your note of invitation revived pleasant memories of the years of my ministry in Beverly and of the fraternal intercourse I held
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with the clergy of your city and vicinity. The Ministerial Asso- ciation which embraced the names of the venerable Dr. Prince, of Brazer, Flint, Thompson and Upham, of Salem ; Thayer of Beverly ; Sewall and Bigelow, of Danvers ; Robbins, Pierpont and Swett, of Lynn ; and Hamilton and Waite of Gloucester, combined in. no common degree, high scholarship, devoutness and geniality. Cer- tainly, I have never known a body of men in which the spirit of brotherhood was more strongly developed, or who were more devoted to the work of their profession.
* * * *
* * The mention of these and other names awakens many recollec- tions of men and events in your goodly city of which I may not here speak. And while, in conclusion, I rejoice with you in the honorable record of a century of your society's life, accept assur- ances of my best wishes for its future, and my earnest prayer that its prosperity may be perpetuated until the church on earth shall be merged in the church of the first born in heaven.
Very sincerely yours,
EDWIN M. STONE.
Mr. Willson next read extracts from a letter from S. Endicott Peabody, Esq., who removed a little more than a year ago from Salem to London, England, prefacing the reading by a grateful mention of the deep interest which the writer had always shown in the welfare of the society, and the valuable services he had rendered in the Sunday School, and in other positions. The letter had not been written for public use, but it might be presumed that the writer would not object to the introduction of a few sentences as a greeting from an old friend with whom the society had parted most reluctantly. Mr. Willson also observed that the letter con- tained substantial pecuniary aid towards the expenses of this cele- bration of the society's one hundredth anniversary.
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22 OLD BROAD STREET,
LONDON, June 18, 1872.
My Dear Mr. Willson :- Your friendly note just received re- minds me most pleasantly of the day of jubilee which is at hand for the old North Church, with which for four generations my family have been identified. Whether it will ever be my good fortune to be again an active member of the good old con- gregation I cannot know, but I never enter a church on Sunday without seeing before me, not only the familiar walls of the "Old North," but all the forms and faces of those whom I have known with various degrees of intimacy from earliest childhood to a very mature manhood.
With the sincere hope that the celebration may pass off most agreeably to all who will have the happiness to participate in it, I remain, cordially and gratefully yours,
S. E. PEABODY.
THE PRESIDENT.
I now desire to introduce to you a venerable son of Salem, the Rev. Mr. HODGES.
ADDRESS OF THE REV. R. M. HODGES.
I esteem it a privilege to be present on this memorial occasion. Let me pay a tribute of gratitude to the Author and Preserver of my life, for the kind providence which has upheld and blessed me in being even unto this hour.
Mr. Chairman, I regard it as a special favor to be invited to contribute, in ever so humble degree, to the grateful emotions of this festival. I am not, as you are aware, a member of this family in the great communion of Christians, but at an interesting period of my life, my best affections were strongly attached to the minis- tering servants, and to the public ministrations of the church which
8
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was here gathered one hundred years ago to-day. My recollections of Dr. Barnard bring with them, sentiments of reverence, of grat- itude and love. He did a favor for me which makes his memory dear to me. He was a venerable man and the dignity and urbanity that distinguished his demeanor sat gracefully upon him, for they were the heritage of a succession of worthy progenitors.
Of the saintly Abbot, I have no words in which to clothe my conception of his pure and devout character. It was my privilege for about a year to be his pupil in theological studies and christian training. His teachings and his example I regard as legacies that will never lose their value, and which are presented in a revived light and with renewed emphasis by the observances of this day.
Though debarred the honor of being affiliated to the North Church, I may claim with satisfaction the prerogative of being a son of Salem. The place of one's nativity, in these latter days, has come to be regarded as not an immaterial point in the history of one's life. It has recently been declared, in the interest of no inconsiderable authority, that if one were not born in Boston, it had been better that he was not born at all. This is an unpleasant dilemma, to say the least, for a majority of mortality to be placed in. Although subject to the bereavement of this declaration, having first breathed the air of Salem, I do not consider myself as altogether out of the pale of humanity, inasmuch as my better half was born in the specially favored city, and to that circum- stance and the basis of it, I am ready mainly to attribute the hap- piness that has crowned my days.
I am glad, Mr. Chairman, that I am alive to-day, if it be only a moiety of existence, that I may speak in honor of the place that gave me birth. The merchants of olden time, the Grays, the Peabodys, the Crowninshields pass in review before me, reminding me of magnanimous thoughts and generous deeds. The physicians of former days, the venerable Holyoke, venerable for years, the
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unequivocal Treadwell, firm and decided, the imperturbable Oliver, calm and unimpassioned, are still held in grateful remembrance for the confidence which their skill inspired, and for the ability which their sympathetic affections gave to bear, with fortitude and patience, suffering and disease. And then, the Storys, the Saltonstalls and the Kings, have they not imprinted their names on the jurisprudence of the commonwealth in ineffaceable char- acters? The servants of Christ and preachers of his gospel, Prince, Bentley and Barnard, Worcester, Hopkins and Emerson, Emerson still living and reverently alive in all true hearts, and Bowles, Ballou and Turner, Fisher and Griswold, have they not all been more worthy of their high calling, and have not their words and deeds given purity and dignity to the records of eccle- siastical history ?
Other names, in other walks of life, I am aware, are worthy of respectful notice on this occasion. The names of Bowditch and of Pickering carry with them their own eulogy. But there are two gentlemen, both of them members of the church in whose honor we are assembled to-day, whom I would not fail to pass unnoticed. They are Thomas Cole and Jacob Newman Knapp, both of them holding high places in the now distinguished office of guiding and disciplining the intellectual powers of the young. I doubt if any man in any community ever left a more desirable or a more useful impression upon the minds of so many young ladies, as did the genial and kind-hearted teacher of the school in Federal street, near the Tabernacle Church.
Of Mr. Knapp, although I was not one of his pupils, I am not afraid to speak words too strongly eulogistic. He was a repre- sentative man. He felt deeply all beneficent interests, and exerted himself to advance them in honor. Wherever he went, he carried with him a salutary influence. When you were in his presence, you felt that you were in the presence of a friend, an earnest friend to the advancement in power of humanity. Educated to
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be a minister of the gospel, without any affectation, in his inter- course in society he exerted a beautiful and beneficial influence. I have always classed him with the sainted John Emery Abbot. It is such men whose memory gives dignity and grace not only to this occasion, but to every occasion that confers honor on humanity.
Mr. Chairman, music is regarded as a great moral force. It quells the stormy passions. It gives peace to the troubled mind. It is the handmaid of devotion, preceding and following it with the most grateful effect.
May I not claim for Christianity that it is not only an exponent for love, but that it instigates it. This occasion, which in its primal meaning is in honor of Christianity, ought to be dedicated to the highest power of Christianity. If Christianity is a moral power, creates love, it ought not to be held subordinate to any other power, for where love is, there is peace.
Let me close with one word in tribute to the memory of Dr. Ichabod Nichols. He was an eminent son of this society. He was preeminently a scholar. He was conscientious in the use and improvement of his powers and affections. I have never known a man who labored so assiduously in the intricate recesses of the works and words of God. The truth was to him the supreme good, the most valuable of all possessions. His " Hours with the Evangelists" is a work of consummate power. It shows with whom he delighted to hold communion. Any community, any individual, may well be proud of holding relationship to such a man.,
I have not said a word with reference to our peculiar form of religion. I believe it to be in accordance with the teachings of the evangelical scriptures. After a brief life of study, a life some- what protracted, I am willing to leave it as my testimony, that the interpretation of the word of God, which Dr. Channing has left on record, is the true interpretation ; not on the authority of Dr. Channing, but on the authority of the Holy Spirit.
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THE PRESIDENT.
I am reminded of the educational interest of our community, of the hospitality of those who are interested in this institution ; and I am further reminded that we have been cordially met on this occasion by the Episcopalian denomination of this place. I call upon Mr. D. B. HAGAR, the teacher of this school and a rep- resentative of the Episcopalian faith, to make some remarks.
ADDRESS OF MR. D. B. HAGAR.
Mr. CHAIRMAN :- You have taken me so completely by surprise that I scarcely know how to begin, and I fear you will think I scarcely know how to leave off. The scene before us is a very strange one in this place. I am accustomed to command here, to ask questions, to examine and to endeavor to convert those who come here to what I consider ways of truth. I think the object would be altogether too large to undertake to convert this present assemblage to my views, and it might not prove very successful. I might possibly run through the church catechism, but I fear there would be a great many mistakes. Therefore I shall attempt nothing of the kind. It has been a great pleasure to me to be able to contribute in any way to the pleasures of this occasion, and I was very happy indeed to use my influence to secure for your use the hall in which we are now assembled. I endorse with all my heart one of the leading doctrines of your denomination, and that is, the right to liberty of thought. I believe it is not only a person's right, but I think it should be deemed by him to be both a privilege and a pleasure to think for himself and at the same time to respect the opinions of other people. It has been my good fortune to be associated with members of the Unitarian denomination ; for many years some of my most warm and confi- dential friends have been among the clergy and laity of the Unita- rian church. We have lived together without fighting one another ;
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we have lived very happily indeed. And I esteem it a very great privilege, and it has been a source of profit to me, that I have been enabled to associate with those who hold different views, so different from those which I hold myself. I simply wish to express the gratification I have felt in listening to what has been said, and I can only wish great prosperity to those engaged in doing what they honestly believe to be good and right.
THE PRESIDENT.
I had almost entirely forgotten an important part of the old North Church, the laity, the pillars on which the clergy lean. I introduce to you the Hon. CALEB FOOTE.
ADDRESS OF THE HON. CALEB FOOTE.
MR. CHAIRMAN :- You well know that I am entirely unprepared for this call. If I were as felicitous and ready in eloquence as the chairman of the day I should be proud and glad of the oppor- tunity. As it is I can only borrow at second hand or third hand the quotation from Mr. Hale, and say that " so much has been said," etc. I shall therefore only propose a couple of votes of thanks. I wish to ask you, the members of the congregation here present, to pass such a vote to our beloved pastor for the extremely beautiful, interesting and valuable discourse which he gave to us this forenoon. If it is your pleasure to pass such a vote please express it in the usual manner. [The motion was unanimously carried.] I also wish to propose a vote of thanks to the gentle- man who has so acceptably, so eloquently, so readily and appro- priately conducted the services of this afternoon, for which I think we are under great obligations to him. If you unite in the sentiment with me you will please so express it. [This motion was also carried, nem. con.] And so, Mr. Chairman, the pleas- ant duty which I assumed, in lieu of a speech which would have been unseasonable at this late hour, is satisfactorily concluded.
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Mr. Willson said : I do not propose to speak of the questionable advantage just taken of me, and which calls me to my feet. [Mr. W. having just been conspiring with Mr. Foote to bring on a vote of thanks to the Chairman, but finding himself somewhat astonished at the unexpectedly wide scope of the latter gentleman's motions.] But being up, I am glad of the opportunity which you have given me to say a word in explanation of the absence of Rev. Mr. Frothingham from our festivities to-day. He was expected to be present until a very late day, and to me it is a matter of sincere regret, in common with all his many friends, that he is not here. He promptly accepted the invitation of the committee to meet us, but a few days since sent a note saying that he was on the point of leaving New York to journey in the direction opposite to Salem, and that it was doubtful if he would be able to return to attend these commemorative exercises .*
I desire to express to you, my friends, before I sit down, some- thing of the gratitude which I feel, but which I cannot fully express, for the extreme kindness with which you have received me more than once to-day, and which is indeed a kindness which you have never, on this day, or any other, withheld from me. For these thirteen years-years marked indelibly by changes in many of your households, by no little change in you and me, and by changes memorable indeed and eventful to the country we love - for these thirteen years I have tested your friendship, to find it forbearing, steadfast and true; and it is my great happiness
* The absence of Mr. Frothingham on this occasion caused much disappointment. It left a gap in the pastoral reminiscences of many of the middle-aged members of the society which was seriously felt. His ministry covered a period of intense thought and radical inquiry upon religious questions in which he took a leader's part, and of which the influence will long be seen.
I take the liberty to introduce here a portion of a private note received from Mr. Frothingham since the day of centennial commemoration: "I was very sorry to be absent from your fine occasion in July. But the journey from Sharon Springs in the hot weather, on purpose for that alone, was more than I could face. I ought to have written you a letter to be read, and a sentiment too; unhappily, the thought did not occur to me till a few hours after the time of grace had gone by. The day seemed to spring upon me unawares. Friends spoke of the occasion to me afterwards in terms of great satisfaction, making me sensible that I was the loser by not being there."
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at this moment to believe that I have had your confidence, all the way ; not the less that you may not always have given consent to my opinions, or even agreed with me as to the line of duty. And now, congratulating myself, that it is my exceeding good fortune to come in the right place, in your line of ministers, to enjoy the honors and satisfactions of this day, I give place to the Chairman from whom you are waiting to hear.
RESPONSE OF THE PRESIDENT.
It gives me great pleasure, my friends, to be here on this occa- sion. I certainly am very grateful to you for the kind manner in which you have received my name. I am not accustomed to speak on occasions like this, and if I have conducted myself in a way that has been satisfactory to you, I shall consider it to be entirely owing to the inspiration of the admirable sermon to which we listened this morning. I have had excellent support on every hand, and I assure you that the occasion has been to me of the deepest and most profound interest, recalling as it has to my mind all the associations of my childhood and youth, bringing before me continually the faces of those who imparted to me good coun- sels and religious instruction in the commencement of my life. No man can tell until he has passed through some form of trial and suffering the value of those early principles taught him by his parents. Then it is that the religious faith of his fathers becomes to him of inestimable value, and then it is that he learns to love those in whose care and keeping he is accustomed to repose his religious faith. I am gratified that I have lived to see this occa- sion, and that you bestowed upon me the privilege of presiding here. I am sure that one of the privileges of my life will be that my name will pass down with others in this church as one of those who aided, in a small measure, the faith, the fidelity, the honesty, and the religious fervor of our ancestors. Now, my
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friends, I will call upon you to join in singing the doxology, and that will close the services of this occasion.
DOXOLOGY.
Old Hundred.
From all that dwell below the skies, Let the Creator's praise arise ; Let the Redeemer's name be sung Through every land, by every tongue.
Eternal are Thy mercies, Lord; Eternal truth attends Thy word; Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, Till suns shall rise and set no more.
BENEDICTION.
SOME MEMORANDA
OF THE
CHOIR OF THE NORTH CHURCH OF SALEM;
ITS MEMBERS, ORGANS, HYMN BOOKS AND MUSIC.
BY HENRY K. OLIVER. (131)
1
SOME MEMORANDA OF THE CHOIR.
UPON matters connected with the musical department of the parish, the records are meagre, nothing being found therein till 1795, twenty-three years after the organization of the society. Under date of Dec. 17, 1795, a vote was passed at a meeting of the "Committee of the proprietors of the North Meeting House," held at the house of Joseph Hiller, Esq., E. A. Holyoke being moderator, " that sixty dollars be appropriated for the purpose of instructing young persons belonging to our society in the art of psalmody." A Committee of three, Benjamin Pickman, Esq., Deacon Samuel Holman and Henry Rust, was chosen to carry this vote into effect.
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