USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > North Middleborough > The history of the Church of North Middleborough, Massachusetts : in six discourses > Part 6
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61
BURIAL OF REV. MR. COLBY.
familiar. In using a manuscript he was not closely confined to it, but appeared to be speaking to his audience with plain- ness and earnestness. If he made a gesture, he seemed un- conscious of it, so absorbed was he in what he was saying. On funeral occasions, where I have often met him, he was sympathetic and comforting. Having lost near relatives, he knew how to speak words of relief. In his intercourse with men he was a perfect gentleman. He was never heard to utter anything bitter or acrimonious against any one. He had some opposers, but treated them with kindness. He was never severe in criticism on the belief of others; was liberal and tolerant toward what he deemed error. He fa- vored and fostered the benevolent movements of the day. Rev. Mr. Colby was of a delicate constitution, of a mild and pleasant countenance, tall in stature, and of a commanding presence. He was cheerful though never boisterous in mirth. His health gradually yielded to the growing infir- mities of age. He said but little about himself or what he had done. I saw him a few days before he died ; his strength was small but his mind calm, his thoughts clear, and his trust in the divine promises unshaken. I observed to him, that he had administered consolation to great numbers whom he had visited on the borders of eternity, and now he must take the same consolation to himself. Without hesita- tion he said, he could. His funeral was attended by all the ministers* in the vicinity. The sermon was preached by Rev. Daniel Huntington of North Bridgewater. The prayer offered by Rev. S. Hopkins Emery of Taunton. Over the grave remarks were made, closing with these words :
"Servant of God, well done,- Rest from thy loved employ; The battle fought, the victory won, Enter thy Master's joy."
Rev. Mr. Huntington, in addressing the people on the day of their pastor's funeral, said : "Brethren and friends, you know, for you have many evidences, that a prophet hath been among you. Some of you can tell when the word of truth, which he dispensed, first reached your hearts and conveyed thither a savor of life unto life, and all of you have in remembrance many precious testimonials of the sincerity and constancy of his devotions to your spiritual welfare;
* I find them named, in part at least, in the records: "Rev. Messrs. Putnam, Thatcher and Bragg, of Middleborough; Gay, Raymond, Hunting. ton and Brigham, of Bridgewater; Maltby and Emery of Taunton; Sanford, Carver and Hall, of Raynham."
62 . CHURCH OF NORTH MIDDLEBOROUGH.
as your spiritual father, he has here fed you with knowledge and understanding, and nourished you up in the words of faith and good doctrine." And he closed with a solemn ap- peal to such as had failed to be savingly blessed by the ministrations of the faithful departed pastor .. Rev. Dr. Davis, of Westfield, says of Mr. Colby: "In his feelings and habits, kind and affable, possessing a well-balanced . mind. Endowed with a large share of common sense, a good preacher, a faithful minister - greatly beloved by his people." In your garden of graves, at its very entrance, near Backus, Reed and Gurney, may be seen the stone of a fourth, on which is inscribed as follows :
Erected by Z. Pratt,. 1853. Rev. Philip Colby,
who died Feb. 27, 1851, in his 72d year. During thirty-four years the esteemed and useful Pastor of the Congregational Church, enjoying the full confidence and affection of his people to the last. He was affable and kind, cherishing self-respect without ostentation or moroseness -combining dignity with simplicity of character, firmness with urbanity. He loved his people for their sake and for Christ's sake. His piety sustained him to the last. His precepts and exam- ple will ever live in sweet remembrance, and though dead, through them, he speaketh still.
Filial love has placed by its side another stone, on which we find inscribed the following :
My Mother,
Eliza S., wife of Rev. Philip Colby, born Feb. 2, 1802; died Nov. 16, 1858.
Thus the husband and the last wife, with their two little ones, rest together, awaiting the morning of the resurrec- tion. And since they all laid themselves down to their long sleep, the only remaining daughter, Harriet, a young wife and mother, ha's been summoned home,-and though their bodies rest in hope, their spirits have already awaked and put on the likeness of their Lord, and so are forever with . each other and with Him, their risen Redeemer.
I have said Mr. Colby, was a writer of hymns. A hymn was found on his study table, after his decease, which was
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MR. COLBY A WRITER OF HYMNS.
printed and sung at his funeral. It is founded on the words of our Saviour, recorded in Luke XXIII : 28-when "there followed Him a great company of people and of women, which also bewailed and lamented Him." , "But Jesus turning unto them, said, daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children." The last two verses of the hymn are as follows :
"So spake the Saviour, and so may the dying, Who dies in the Lord, from guilt's agony free. Say, as in death's cold embrace he is lying, Daughters of Israel, weep not for me.
Weep for yourselves, in corruption remaining, Weep for the conflict, for fierce it must be;
I go where Christ and His people are reigning, Daughters of Zion here, weep not for me."
DISCOURSES
V. AND VI.
PREACHED AUGUST 1st, 1875.
I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. - Ps. LXXVII : 5.
Some ridicule those who become interested in old things, and deeply absorbed in the affairs of " ancient times." And it has come to be regarded as an almost sure sign of failing intellect, at least of one's dotage, if instead of being alive to : passing events, he live in the past, and among a remote ancestry. But why need this be-that a familiarity with what has gone before should beget a distaste for the duty and business of the present hour? Certainly this were a. result of our researches to be deplored. I hope you are not quite weary of accompanying me through the annals of this ancient church. We have come down to the year 1851, when Rev. Mr. Colby died, full of years and full of honors, coming down to the grave, as Job hath it, "in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in, in his season." It was a new experience with this people to be without a pastor. For more than thirty years the same man had ministered among you, in holy things, your spiritual guide and teacher.
65
THE CALL OF REV. MR. BLISS.
According to ministerial usage, the pastors of the Associa- tion supplied your pulpit for a time, for the benefit of the pastor's family. After this, among others, Rev. Mr. Hyde preached, who was regarded with favor. But you at length, in November, 1851, gave Thomas Eliakim Bliss a call to be- come your pastor. A letter just received from him gives an interesting account of his genealogy :
"I bear the ancestral name of my father and grand- father, and great-grandfather and his father -' Thomas Bliss,' as far back certainly as 1636, an old English, Puritan, Commonwealth family. My middle name I take from my mother's father, Eliakim Phelps, and from her brother, Rev. Eliakim Phelps, D. D., the father of Prof. Phelps, of Ando- ver Theological Seminary. My father, Thomas, Bliss, was born, reared, lived and died, in Brimfield, Hampshire County, Mass. My mother, Asenath Phelps, was born and reared. in Belchertown, of the same County and State. I was born in Brimfield. on the 25th of November, 1824, was the young- est of a family of seven children, was reared a farmer until seventeen years of age. An older brother dying, left me, at the age of eighteen, an only son, with the expectation of following this calling all my life. But my father dying very suddenly in his chair, without a will, left me more free to choose my calling than I otherwise would have been. Wish- ing a better education, the farm was rented for a year, with the expectation that I should return to it at the expiration of that time. But ' man proposes, God disposes.' I first took up only the higher English branches, hardly having a thought of a collegiate education. But at the suggestion of my uncle, I concluded to take up Latin with my other studies, and so. step by step, I was led along. When the year came round, the farm was sold, and I kept on with my studies. I fitted for college at Monson academy, and grad- uated at Union College, Schenectady, N.Y., in 1848. During most of my course of study, I was fitting myself for the pro- fession of law, and during my last year in college, took up law as an extra study, preparatory to entering the office of the late Chief-Justice Allen of Worcester, Mass., with whom I had already made an arrangement to this end. But again is it seen to be true, that a man ' deviseth his way, but the Lord directeth his steps.' While teaching school in Leomin- ster, Mass., in February, 1848, my mind was deeply exer- . cised with religious subjects, and then it was, I trust, that the great change took place, which was followed so natu- rally with the choice of my present profession, and with the great desire to preach Christ Jesus, the Saviour of lost sin-
9
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CHURCH OF NORTH MIDDLEBOROUGH.
ners. For some years previous I had been somewhat scep- tical in my views, and argued much against divine things. I tried very hard to believe in Universalism, &c. I wrestled against the sovereignty of God, and everything of that char- acter, and often ' charged God foolishly.' But God, 'who is rich in mercy,' &c.,-you know the rest. I will only say here, that since that beautiful morning in February, 1848, when in words audible to myself and my God, I gave over the conflict, I have never had any serious difficulty on these. questions. They were then settled by a full surrender, and the burden, which then rolled off, has never returned! . In the autumn of 1848, I entered Andover Seminary, and com- pleted my course there in 1851. How I was led to settle in North Middleborough, Dea. Perkins can tell you fully, and how he applied the same rule on Andover Hill that Eliezer, Abraham's servant, did in finding a wife for Isaac."
The answer Laban and Bethuel made to Abraham's servant was, "The thing proceedeth from the Lord." The answer of Mr. Bliss to the messenger of this church on Andover Hill was not otherwise. For his support, were pledged seven hundred dollars. A contract of settlement was drawn up and signed on both sides. . The day of ordi- nation was appointed, the third of March, 1852. Letters missive were sent out inviting the neighboring churches to be represented at that time. But on Sabbath morning, Feb. 28th, the. church edifice was burned, and the ordination necessarily was deferred. The Baptist church kindly invited this people, deprived of their house of worship, to meet with them, the pastor-elect, Rev. Mr. Bliss, occupying the pulpit half of the time. . This invitation was accepted and the arrangement was very satisfactory on both sides. At length, the 2d of June, 1852, this, the third church building which has stood on this site, was so far completed as to warrant the ordination services. Eleven churches were represented in the council called. The sermon was preached by Rev, Jonathan Crane of Attleborough, whose sister Rev. Mr. Bliss afterward married. A letter just received from Mr. Bliss, supplementary to the first, thus refers to his do- mestic relations : "On the 16th of June, 1852, I was mar- ried at Schenectady, N. Y., to Miss Lucinda Hamilton Crane,
67
THE FAMILY OF REV. MR. BLISS.
daughter of Jonathan Crane * of that city. On the 2d May, 1854, was born to us in the parsonage, at North Middle- borough, Catharine Crane Bliss, who was baptized Sept. 1st, 1854, by her uncle, Rev. Mr. Crane, of Attleborough." Al- though compared with the pastorates of his predecessors, Rev. Mr. Bliss was settled but a short time, in this parish, and his family on leaving the place, was only as represented above, the interest begotten in him by a pastorate thus brief, warrants the continuance of our narrative :
" The next year we went to Blackstone, Mass., to live, and there, July 14th, 1858, was born to us Adelia Phelps Bliss, baptized May 4th, 1859, and on May 28th, 1860, Charles Hamilton Bliss was born, baptized. Sept. 2d, 1860. With the hope of saving the life of their mother, we went to re- side at Hancock, Michigan, on Lake Superior, in the summer of 1862. On the 5th of January, 1863, little Charles Hamil- ton died of scarlet fever, and on the 7th of the same month, his little sister, Adelia, followed him of the same disease. On the 8th of July following, the mother joined them in the better land. In her last immediate sickness, resulting from hemorrhage, she had great peace and sweet assurance of hope. Among her last words were, 'I can trust my Saviour." She was a devoted wife and mother, an intelligent and ex- emplary christian - a beautiful spirit. They all now sleep in Vale Cemetery, Schenectady, N. Y. Nearly two years after the death of my first wife. I was married at Memphis, Tenn., on the 31st of May, 1865, to Miss Frances Rowley, who was born in Boston, Mass., lived with her family at Philadelphia for eight years, united with Rev. Albert Barnes' church at twelve years of age, graduated at the Normal school in that city, and afterwards at Abbott Female Semi- nary, Andover, Mass., taught in the Female Seminary at Derry, N. H., for four years. Her children are Alice Blake Bliss, nine years old, Hattie Belle Bliss, seven years old, and Sarah Frances Bliss, five years old. Perhaps I may add that my present wife, while living in Wrentham, Mass., with her family, committed to memory, at the age of seven years, the whole of the Assembly's Catechism, and recited it per- fectly to her pastor, the late Rev. Horace James, and re- ceived a Testament from him as a prize, which she still retains, and which contains, in his hand-writing, the state- . ment of this somewhat remarkable ' feat.'
* Mr. Crane gave a handsome pulpit Bible, now used in the Lecture Room.
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CHURCH OF NORTH MIDDLEBOROUGH.
The pastorate of Rev. Mr. Bliss continued from the 2d of June, 1852, to the 15th of May, 1855, a little less than three years, and the settlement having been according to the " six months' notice " plan, all which the council called had to do, was to enquire if the " six months' notice " had been given on either side, and declare the pastoral relation at an end. In this case, the pastor gave the notice, for rea -. sons which were satisfactory to him, the church and the council. Even this brief pastorate bore rich fruit. Thirty were received to the church ; of these, twenty by profession. Unusual attempts were made to reclaim wandering mem- bers of the church, and the work of discipline was pressed. as some thought, too hard. Thirteen members of the church. ·were cut off, and one restored. Letters of dismission were . granted to four. No account of deaths and funerals after May, 1854. In 1853, twelve funerals were attended by the pastor, and of these, four marked as church members. The first five months of 1854, ten funerals, two of church mem- bers. There is no account of marriages. Two infant bap- tisms only ; one of the pastor's own child. Four ecclesias- tical councils were attended - one to organize a church at East Taunton,-one to dismiss a minister, and two to ordain and install. In November, 1852, the church manual was adopted and printed, which is still used by the church, drawn up with care, and containing not only the church covenant and articles of faith, with scripture proof texts, but a brief historical sketch and ecclesiastical principles and rules,- with questions for self-examination. On leaving North Middleborough, Rev. Mr. Bliss removed to Black- stone, Mass., where he remained six years. Thence, after the death of his first wife, to Memphis, Tennessee, where he remained six years, and already has he been four years. in Denver, Colorado, where he is in charge of what was organized as a congregational church, but, for what seemed satisfactory reasons, changed its relations to Presbytery a few months since. Of this pastor's return to you, making you an " angel's visit," in the winter of 1873-74, you need not that I should speak to you. Many who hear me are
.
THE PASTORATE OF REV. MR. PACKARD. 69
living witnesses to the fidelity and saving results of that brief ministry and those abundant labors of love during that rich harvest season.
I must pass to the next pastorate, which was a still brief er one, and conditioned, like the former, on "a notice," but three months instead of six months. The council convened to install Rev. Charles Packard, the pastor-elect, the 17th of October, 1855, adopted a resolution, drafted and presented, so say the minutes of council, by Rev. Dr. Storrs of Brain- tree, condemning that provision as an injurious innovation. Dr. Storrs preached the sermon, and other parts were as- signed to 'ministers of the vicinity. The council called to terminate the relation that day entered into, met the 22d of October, 1857, the pastorate continuing a few days more than two years. The salary, as of his predecessor, was seven hundred dollars. During this pastorate, the church, through its pastor and delegate, assisted in dismissing two ministers, and installing one. Its pastor also attended an ex-parte council in Fitchburg, called by an aggrieved mem- ber of a church; also, with delegate, assisted in healing church difficulties in Plympton. Two infants were baptized by this pastor, in one family. Two members of the church were dismissed after Mr. Bliss left and before. Mr. Packard came. One was dismissed during his ministry. Thirteen deaths are recorded in 1856, and sixteen in 1857: Four marriages. According to the records, only three were re- ceived to the church, the pastor, his wife and daughter. " It was a time barren of accessions, of numerical increase, and probably the pastor, somewhat discouraged, left. But there may have been, and doubtless was, growth in other directions. Mr. Packard was an interesting and able preacher - a most genial and social christian man and gen- tleman. His intercourse with the people, I judge from remarks I have heard, to have been edifying and improving. It will interest you to hear what his brother, Prof. Packard of Brunswick, Me., writes concerning him : '
"My brother Charles was born at Chelmsford, Mass., April 12, 1801. "The family having removed in 1802 to
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CHURCH OF NORTH MIDDLEBOROUGH.
Wiscasset, Me., his childhood and youth were spent there. He fitted for college in Wiscasset. entered Bowdoin college September, 1813, graduated in 1817 with the Latin ·saluta- tory, taught as assistant in the academy at Portsmouth, N. H., then as assistant in Gorham academy, then in the academy at Hallowell, Me., was a private tutor in the fam- ily of Robert H. Gardiner, Esq., of Gardiner, Me .; studied law with Frederick Allen, Esq., of Gardiner, and finished his studies with Hon. Benjamin Orr of Brunswick. opened an office in Brunswick, and practiced law several years with increasing success and reputation, In 1834 he became inter- ested in a season of revival, attained a christian hope, made a public profession of his faith, soon decided to relinquish his profession as a lawyer. and devote himself to the min- istry of Christ. He studied for that purpose one year at Andover, and then removed with his family to Cincinnati, continued study in Lane Seminary one year, and was settled at Hamilton, Ohio. Through the failing health of his family, after these years' service, he was compelled to return to New England, and was settled in Lan- caster, Mass., where he labored fifteen years. Then about three or four years at East Cambridge and Middle- borough. His last settlement was at Biddeford, Me., where he gained, as ever before, the respect, confidence and love of his people, and as the promise of a revival of God's work was opening upon his labors. was very suddenly summoned to higher service above, Feb. 17, 1864. He married Miss Rebecca Prentiss Kent, Concord, N. H. His children are Charles W .. M. D., New York, a successful physician ; Rev. Edward N., Evanston, Ill., in a successful ministry ; Rev. George T., an Episcopal minister, now without charge; Mary Caroline, married to Mr. Albert G. Tenney of Bruns- wick, Me., and Charlotte Mellen. Ifis widow, with a daugh- ter, resides in Brunswick, Me.
Prof. Packard alludes to the sudden death of his broth- er. It was on this wise, as I learned from another source. He left the house to go to the post office, and after taking a few steps, returned, as if with some presentiment of what might occur, and took an affectionate leave of his wife. It was on his way back, that seized with sudden illness, he entered a friend's house and soon expired. But he was ready. He was a good man, loving Christ and the souls of men for whom Christ died. There is one entry on the record of his ministry here. which I must not omit. Some of you may remember the meeting :
71
RENEWAL OF COVENANT.
" 1857, March 3d, at a regular church meeting, duly notified for the purpose, the brethren and sisters .present solemnly and with many tears renewed their covenant vows, the pastor reading the covenant, and the members assenting to it by rising. The pastor closed with prayer.
Attest : CHARLES PACKARD, Pastor and Clerk."
Some who renewed their covenant and. repeated their vows, with the pastor on that day, are doubtless praising God with this same pastor in the sanctuary above, that such vows were ever spoken, and through God's grace assisting, remembered and kept. Others of the number may be pres- ent to-day, listening to this discourse. A solemn question is it-has that renewal of my covenant resulted in lasting good ?*
The next pastorate was that of Rev. E. G. Little, who commenced his labors with this people in 1857, soon after Mr. Packard left. It was fortunate that a man was found who could so quickly enter into the ministry of the Word among you. And it was "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power," as Paul writes to the Corinthians. "Jan. 1st, 1858"- The record reads : "This day set apart as a day of fasting and prayer. Manifest indications of the presence of the Holy Spirit." Again : "January and February-Witness a powerful revival of religion - christians rejoice and souls are converted by the grace of God." Again : "March Ist- Rev. E. G. Little hired for one year." The experiment of short settlements by council. and brief pastorates, had proved unsatisfactory. After a trial of one year or more,
* This double discourse here closed in the morning. Immediately after service, one of the church said to ine with deep feeling: " I was present at this meeting for renewing the covenant. I remember Mr. Packard's minis- try well. Ife was a most interesting and profitable preacher. I believe the good work of grace at the beginning of his successor's ministry had its rise in the pastorate of Mr. Packard. The seed sown then sprung up." I was glad of this testimony, and I repeated it to the people in the afternoon, add- ing that thus are verified the words of Jesus to His disciples, after His dis- course with the woman of Samaria concerning living water -" One soweth .and another reapeth, that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may re- joice together." Doubtless these two ministers of Christ, Packard and Little,. who have already entered into " the joy of their Lord" in their sowing and reaping " rejoice together " before Ilim, who, in permitting them to do either the one or the other, receives all the praise.
72
CHURCH OF NORTH MIDDLEBOROUGH.
the church unanimously invited Rev. Mr. Little to remain as a permanent pastor. The date of the call was "1859, March 30." The society concurred in this and offered a salary of seven hundred dollars. On the 6th of April, Rev. Mr. Little sent in his letter of acceptance, and on the 13th of this month, he was installed as pastor, by council, Rev. Mr. Maltby, of Taunton, preaching the sermon, and other parts being sustained by neighboring pastors. The records during this pastorate, which extended from the 13th of April, 1859, to Sept. 15th, 1867 - more than eight years, and including the year and a half previous, not far from ten years,-the records of this decade of years are unfortunately very im- perfect, there being absolutely nothing from 1864 to the close of the ministry-the last four years. But the record of the first five years is perhaps sufficiently bright and cheering to make amends for this lack. Hardly any other years in the history of the church present a more glorious result of faithful, persistent christian labor, than the years, 1858 and 1862. The diligent worker for the Master, who went forth weeping, was permitted to gather in the sheaves and shout the glad harvest home. The fruits of those revi- val seasons yet remain, "lights in the world." In the year 1858, were received into the church, thirty-two on profession and four by letter. In 1859, two were received by letter, the pastor and his wife. In 1860, one by profession, and one by letter. In 1861, two by letter. In 1862-another harvest season-received by profession, forty-three, by letter, four, and in 1866, received by profession, four, making the entire number during these five years, ninety-three, and of these all but ten in two years. The baptism of seven infants is recorded during these ten years, three of these. children of the pastor, and two others, in each of two families. Three members of the church were dismissed, according to the records. No record of deaths, funerals, marriages, coun- cils, save the one council of installation.
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