USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Gardiner > Christ Church, Gardiner, Maine : antecedents and history > Part 7
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" Lord, how delightful 'tis to see A whole assembly worship Thee ! At once they sing. at once they pray, And hear of heaven. and learn the way."
The lessons usually involved the repetition of long passages from the Bible. Frequently the little scholars committed to memory, in this way, whole chapters of the Sacred Book ; and in Gardiner there are many men and women who can recite to-day the words which they learned long ago in that first Sunday School of Maine. There was a library, too, with its weekly distribution of books ; and there were prizes, offered for the best scholarship and behavior. These prizes, only a few of which are now in existence, were small black and white pictures, representing allegorically some scriptural truth, and inscribed with appropriate sentiments. In appearance, they resembled the old-fashioned currency, known as "scrip." Their happy possessors were very proud of them, and often had them framed, and hung upon the walls of their home, where, we may imagine, they served as a childish passport to elder hearts. Two of them, which are still in the possession of Mrs. Greenleaf Rogers, call tor a description from their very quaintness. The first presents a landscape, consisting of a rocky hill, over which a steep pathway winds towards a city in the distance. Half way up the ascent, the path branches into two; that path which typifies the way of the sinful, leading downward again, conducts to a pretty clump of willows several erring pilgrims, picturesquely dressed figures, equipped with canes and tall hats. Up the rocky way is clambering a single traveller, also wearing a tall hat, and be- comingly clad in a swallow-tailed coat and knee breeches. In an attitude of protection stands beside him a being, presumably an angel, whose costume consists of a helmet and toga. Beneath are the lines :-
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"THE LITTLE PILGRIM."
There is a path that leads to heaven. All others go astray, Narrow. but pleasant is the road, And Christians love the way.
It leads straight through this world of sin ! And dangers must be past, But those who boldly walk therein Will come to heaven at last."
The second yellowed relic pictures the celestial city, much like the Tower of Pisa, set upon a hill. The approach to the cita- del looks desolate and uninviting. To the left, and lower in the picture, is an object resembling the big gate of a cheerful farm- yard. Through this we catch glimpses of something much like tossing hay, which we infer to be meant for tongues of flame. In their midst are a number of figures, in the usual tall hats and swallow-tails ; and beneath we read ;-
" Broad is the road that leads to death And thousands walk together there; But wisdom shows a narrow path With here and there a traveler."
We can not help wondering, as we scan these artistic produc- tions, if they ever attracted the first children of Christ Church to the dismal roads which they portray as virtue's own. Did the religion of the time never tell the little ones that Heaven had golden streets and gates of pearl?
In the year 1824 an organ was presented to Christ Church by Mr. Gardiner ; and this, though a small instrument, was in use until 1846, when the new one was bought by the Parish. In the same year Captain Arthur Berry also gave the clock, which, from its conspicuous place on the front of the gallery, has measured many a sermon-time for watchful audiences.
In March, 1826, Mr. Olney resigned the rectorship of the Parish, and went to Scarborough, choosing a seaside location for the benefit of his health. After this his preaching was of a desultory nature, as, it was said, Mrs. Olney was unwilling for him to continue in the ministerial calling. Although, during the years of his pastorate here, his early enthusiasm had much diminished, Gardiner has rea- son to remember him with pleasure as a gifted speaker and the first Rector of the "new Church." *The Rev. B. C. Parker then officiated for a short time.
*From papers of the Mass. Historical Society.
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A year after Mr. Olney's departure, it was voted to extend an invitation to the Rev. Eleazar M. P. Wells "to preach in Christ Church one year or till such time within a year as the Parish might be able to offer him a permanent settlement." Owing to a lack of unanimity in the wishes of the Parish concerning him, this man of talents did not settle in Gardiner, but, during the few months of his stay, he won many enthusiastic admirers. He was "a remarka- ble man, with a genius for charity and a child-like love of God." In person he was tall and commanding, with fair hair and a lovely face, whose benignant expression spoke truly of a great soul. His after life of absolute self-sacrifice, first at the chapel of South Bos- ton's Reformatory School, and afterwards as the head of Boston's charitable work at the Chapel and Home on Purchase Street, may well make our people proud that he ministered among them, though only for a short time. It is said of him that, St. Martin- like, he would rob himself of his clothing to give to the poor whom he chanced to meet.
*The Rev. William Horton officiated in Gardiner during the win- ter after Mr. Wells' ministration, and in the spring the Rev. Norris M. Jones, later rector at Saco, filled the pulpit for a few weeks.
The next clergyman of Christ Church was the Rev. Thomas T. W. Mott, whose tenure of office was brief, as his feeble health proved unequal to the rigors of our Northern climate. He was in- stituted by the Rev. Chas. Burroughs, September 28, 1828, and re- signed his rectorship in March, 1830. During this period, he was often obliged to seek change of air, and a great part of his pasto- ral duties devolved upon the Rev. Lot M. Jones, who was employed as a substitute. Mr. Jones was a man of extremely small stature ; and of him it is told, how, one Sunday, having climbed the high pulpit of the Church, above which his head just appeared, he con- vulsed his audience by the announcement of his text ; "It is I ; be not afraid." Notwithstanding his lack of presence, he was a duti- ful, conscientious clergyman, and much loved by the Parish in gen- eral. While here he boarded at the house of Mr. Stephen Young, now owned by Mr. Robinson Reed ; and there he lost a beautiful child. Her tiny, neglected grave is in the south-east corner of the Church burial ground, and on its sunken stone, the curious reader can spell out the few words traced thereon, with the lines :
"This star of comfort. For an instant given, Just rose on earth, Then set, to rise in Heaven."
*From papers of the Mass. Historical Society.
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In 1830, the Rev. Isaac Peck commenced in Gardiner his min- isterial duties, which lasted only a little over a year. He was a boarder at the house of Dr. Silas Holman, that learned genius, who, when, by chance, his boarders sat down to a scanty meal, knew how to impart to it, by his delightful stories, a flavor rarer than that of Arabian spices. The Rev. Mr. Peck was a young man, of dark complexion, and of great promise in his calling. He is remembered, however, chiefly for his enthusiastic and impulsive temperament, which led him into all sorts of eccentricities. So ardent an admirer was he of the eloquence of Daniel Webster and Henry Clay, who were then at the zenith of their fame, that, after reading their speeches, he would often throw himself upon the floor, rolling over and over for the very ecstasy of appreciation. One important event of Mr. Peck's stay was the presentation to the Church of a very handsome, and much needed chandelier. This was a gift from the "Young Ladies' Society," then in full vigor ; and was the central ornament of the Church until a few years ago.
In 1832, the Parish invited to the rectorship a man already high in the ranks of the Church's defenders. This was the Rev. Joel Clap, D. D., one of the pioneers of the faith in Vermont. His father had been the earliest settler of Montgomery, in that State, and for a long time Mrs. Clap was the only white woman of the town. Joel Clap was the first white child born in Montgomery, and was baptized at the age of twelve by a Berkshire clergyman, In 1821, as Bishop Griswold was making his earliest visitation of the diocese, one of the first confirmation services of Northern Ver- mont was held upon the steps of Captain Clap's home. In 1819 Mr. Clap was ordained priest, and entered immediately upon his duties in his native town. Soon afterwards he received the degree of S. T. D. from Norwich University. He was always most zealous for the advancement of religious interests, introducing and establishing the doctrines of the Church in many localities hitherto untaught. In this work, which has endeared his name to the dio- cese of Vermont, he was greatly strengthened by the intimacy of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Griswold, who, in their familiar intercourse, gave him frequent glimpses of the cheery, humourous disposition usually veiled beneath the robe of office.
On Dr. Clap's arrival at Gardiner he found the Parish in a toler- ably flourishing state. He moved at once into the parsonage on Dresden Avenue, and, there, with his large and interesting family,
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spent the eight years which the beauty and benevolence of his character must have made pleasant ones to his parishioners. Per- haps no quality of this holy man deserves notice more than his cheerful endurance of the hardships which were so trying during the severe northern winters. The parsonage, as parsonages are wont to be, was sadly out of repair ; and the Church itself was at best but insufficiently warmed. There was in the cellar a furnace of a primitive kind, communicating heat to the room above by means of an oblong black marble radiator, whose sides were pierced with clover-shaped openings. This stood near the spot now occupied by the lectern, and was a favorite rallying-place for the early church-goers, who stood about it, shivering, and trying to warm their benumbed fingers.
To make matters worse, architectural defects began to manifest themselves in the structure of the Church. The steeple sank some- what, and the roof gave threatening symptoms of falling. Well-or- dered services were held, however, until 1834; though, many a time, during the heavy snow-storms, the dauntless congregation expected that the beams would come clattering down upon their heads. At last, meetings in the Church were suspended for three months, while efforts were made to remedy the faults of the build- ing. Iron rods were inserted in the structure, and these were adapted to screw together the walls, which had gradually spread under the strain of the masonry. In July, 1834, everything was pronounced safe, and the services began again as usual.
Another great annoyance of priest and people was the impossi- bility of lighting the Church properly. Chandelier, side-lamps, and all, failed to produce more than the dimmest of religious lights ; and, consequently, the evening meetings must have been lugubri- ous in tone. However, the rector, just from Vermont, could tell tales of services even more sparse of illumination. In one town where he had preached, the Church was lighted by candles, set around in potatoes, while the people in their pews were obliged to hold the same rude candlesticks, in order to read the responses.
During Dr. Clap's ministry, the old Church building was burned. After it was no longer occupied for services, it had been used for a Sunday School ; and, later, for Methodist prayer-meetings, for a day-school, and, at last, for town-meetings. While in the hands of the Methodists, some of the pews near the centre had been re- moved, a little hearth built, and an inverted potash kettle which was placed there had done the duty of a rude furnace. Gradual-
CHRIST CHURCH.
ST. ANN'S CHURCH. (Second building.)
LICEUM.
FROM A SKETCH MADE ABOUT 1830.
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ly, however, the little edifice had been abandoned by its tenants, and, by 1834, it was reduced to a pitiable state of ruin. The doors had been taken away ; the windows were gone, and hornets' nests hung from every available spot. The lower floor served as a shelter for vagrant cows ; while, above, in the deserted gallery, tramps took refuge to sleep off the effects of bad whiskey.
Late on the night of July 4th, 1834, some young men, who were prolonging at the Gardiner Hotel their celebration of the glorious day, saw the gleam of a fire upon Church Hill. Amid great con- fusion, and cries of "Dr. Holman's house is burning !" the youths ran up the long hill to the Common, where they gathered to watch the flames streaming forth from the old Church. It is one of the stories of the time, that the most convivial of the celebra- tors suddenly appeared among the crowd, with one boot in his hand, rubbing his eyes, as if he had hastily jumped out of bed, to the great amusement of his companions, who had but just quitted with him the flowing bowl of "mine host."
The fire burned merrily, and St. Ann's Church, that had seen the changes of forty seasons, was soon only a memory of the past. The origin of the fire was always a mystery ; but, on the following morning, it was discovered that one of the tar-barrels, stored upon a wharf in the vicinity, was gone, and, in its stead, a sheet of bark was laid upon the ground. This, when lifted, disclosed to view a five dollar bill, doubtless carefully placed there by the conscien- tious incendiary.
Dr. Clap, it may be noticed, was among the first ministers who adopted the surplice, greatly to the astonishment of his hearers, particularly the younger ones, who were accustomed to the con- ventional black robe. He was also the first of our clergymen to hold daily services in Holy Week; and, innovation though they were, he always attracted a goodly congregation ; some of its mem- bers coming regularly from their homes across the Kennebec.
Dr. Clap also had services on Christmas Eve ; and, as is the cus- tom now-a-days, the Church was then made beautiful with odorous fir trimming, twined by the busy hands of the young parishioners. On one of these celebrations, long years ago, the boys and girls had made extra efforts in the line of decoration, and prided them- sel, es especially upon a great Star of Bethlehem, which they sus- pended high in the centre of the chancel. Behind this they hung a lantern, which, itself invisible to the congregation, sent a stream of light filtering through the star in what all agreed to be a most
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effective manner. Their work kept them busy at the Church until a few moments before service-time, when, tired, but satisfied, they hurried home to don their festal garb. One young lady, whose activity had been marked, hastened back to the Church, and took her seat among the worshipers, preparing to listen calmly to the opening sentences, when-horror of horrors! what was that wretched object, swinging to and fro in the chancel, conspicu- ously brilliant among the dark green festoons of the background ? " Father's old barn lantern !" she gasped, as the ludicrousness of the situation broke upon her. The elaborate Star of Bethlehem had in some way fallen from its fastenings, and its incongruous illumination was all that was left to tell the wondering audience of what the young people had fondly thought such a charming deco- ration.
It must have been at or near this time that the "Kenyon Circle" was formed ; a society which worked for funds to aid in the estab- lishment of Kenyon College. Bishop Chase of Ohio interested the people of Gardiner in this worthy undertaking, and spoke eloquently in its behalf from the pulpit of the Church.
In 1835 was incorporated that important organization, the Maine Missionary Society. Dr. Clap was from the first an active member, and in his Church were found such able sustainers of the cause as Messrs. Robert Hallowell Gardiner, Frederick Allen, Phineas Pratt, Arthur Berry, Major Edward Swan and Dr. Joseph Merrill.
Ot all the records that Dr. Clap has left behind him, nothing is more significant than that of his earnest and loving work among the poor. Said one who knew him well, " He would take off his coat, and give it to a poor man whom he met on the street." In his round of parish calls he came one day to the house of one of his humblest parishioners, an old woman, who, for lack of firewood, sat crouching over a chilly hearth. Great was her surprise, a few moments afterwards, to hear the ringing blows of an axe near her door, and to see the clergyman, in his shirt sleeves, vigorously chopping a generous supply of fuel, which he presently brought in to her.
Although so actively identified among the laborers of the Epis- copal Church, Dr. Clap charitably included other religious denomi- nations in his kind consideration. He was interested in the work of all his fellow Christians, and often lent them his personal aid. He was present at some of the revival meetings held by the
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Methodists at the time of his rectorate, and he often spoke to them in their new meeting-house, upon what is known as "the other hill."
It was probably not far from this time that a Unitarian minister from Hallowell preached in Christ Church; and that, from the same pulpit, Dr. Silas Holman, the temperance champion of the city, delivered one of his famous series of lectures on "King Alco- hol," with its never-to-be-forgotten comparison of strong drink to a snake prisoned in a bottle.
In the year 1840, Dr. Clap accepted a call to Vermont, and in March he removed thither. In Gardiner he left many regretful friends ; and a glance at his portrait, now hanging in the lecture room, assures us that Christ Church Parish must have lost much in its resignation of such a sweet, strong spirit. Of him it may be truly said ; "He had a face like a benediction."
An extract from the American Quarterly Church Review thus characterizes him :
"His most striking excellences were humility, modesty, and kindness ; sympathy with sorrow and suffering; and forbearance in judgment. He was also remarkable for an entire surrender of heart and purpose to truth and simplicity. So averse was he, in- deed, to all duplicity, evasion or art, that he was sometimes thought to have been too outspoken, and uncompromising, against all chicanery and artful manœuvring. The character of Dr. Clap's mind was rather solid than brilliant. He excelled more in the wise and judicious application of common knowledge to the every- day business of ordinary life, than in rare speculations and striking antitheses ; more in wise adaptation of common appliances than in the invention of rare and complicated processes, either of thought or of action. Hence he was rather a useful than a showy preacher ; more distinguished for moral and practical instruction and exhortation than for metaphysical spcculations or philosophi- cal subtleties. With him religion was rather a Faith to be re- ceived, a life to lead, than a system of theological opinions. In his social relations, public and private, he will long be remem- bered as a faithful minister and judicious counsellor ; a true friend and affectionate companion."
Mrs. Julia Stevens, the daughter of Dr. Clap, has long been a prominent member of the Church which was blessed by his pres- ence. She has always been a staunch Churchwoman, and a liberal contributor to the parish needs. With her equally zealous family,
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she has let slip no opportunity for the service of the sanctuary, and has been foremost in many a scheme for churchly advance and improvement.
The next clergyman of Christ Church was the Rev. William Robinson Babcock, who came in July, 1840. Gardiner was the first pastoral charge of this young rector, who at once became a universal favorite with his people. His rhetorical powers were as high as his devotion was untiring ; and to these important qualities was added the charm of an impressive and handsome person. He was tall, and erect of carriage, with the most brilliant of black eyes, and the complexion of a Spaniard, heightened by the blue- black tinge of clean-shaven cheek and chin. A peculiarly mellow voice was his ; and he possessed to the full the happy faculty of putting himself upon good terms with each and every parishioner. Not long after his acceptance of the rectorship, Mr. Babcock brought to Gardiner his bride, who was a Miss Pierce, of Rhode Island, and they began life together in the house on Washington street which is now occupied by Captain Jason Collins. The parish, having decided that it was impossible to make the old rec- tory habitable, allowed Mr. Babcock $125.00 for house-rent, in addition to the annual salary of $700.00.
Mr. Babcock had a large garden where Mr. John Stone's house now stands, and, for the sake of exercise in the open air, he spent many hours there among the fruits and vegetables. In this he won the approval of his country neighbors, who still say, with a confirmatory shake of their heads, " Ah, Mr. Babcock ! he was such a pleasant man ! he'd sit down and talk with you by the hour, and never forget to ask after all your family. Considerable of a farmer, too ; could always tell a good cow when he saw her."
The young wife proved a most efficient helpmeet in the parish. She was the first minister's lady who had taken an active part in the work of the Church ; and the younger people, especially, be- gan to show great interest. Beautiful, as she was, she easily won the hearts of everyone. "Why," said a lady, speaking of her childhood spent in Gardiner ; "I used to stare at Mrs. Babcock till I was ashamed of myself ! she was so lovely !" With the valu- able aid of Miss Helen Williamson, Mrs. Babcock organized the first Infant Sunday-school, which, under the faithful care of Miss Williamson and, later, of Miss Annie Esty, has called the children together ever since its early establishment.
The first event of moment, after Mr. Babcock's installation as
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Rector, was the erection of the lecture-room, near the spot for- merly occupied by the Church of St. Ann's. Before Dr. Clap left Gardiner, it had been decided to have such a building, for the use of the Sunday School, and for minor religious services. There was much dissension over the site of the lecture-room, and many were displeased because it was finally placed above some of the graves in the burial-ground ; though, indeed, as the bones of the dead had been interred far out to the corner of School and Dresden Streets, it would have been difficult for the builders to avoid their neighborhood. The matter was at last decided by the Gardiner family, who, properly speaking, were the only ones to be aggrieved, since all the bodies under the lecture-room are those of unknown persons, save for that of Mr. William Gardiner, the builder of the first St. Ann's. Upon the declaration of the family heirs, that they thought the building a fit monument for the remains of the dead, it was decided that the location should not be changed, and the year 1841 saw the lecture-room completed. The expenses were to be paid by subscription, and the "Young Ladies' Society " con- tributed a generous sum for the purpose. The architect of the building was Mr. Francis Richards, the son-in-law of Mr. Gardiner, whose name for some time had been closely interwoven with the interests of the Church ; and who, enrolled for many years among the Wardens or Vestrymen, claims the next place to that of the founder's immediate family in the Parish history. The cost of the little building exceeded the estimate of $1000.00, which had been made, and it is probable that, notwithstanding the efforts of our Churchmen, Mr. Richards was never fully re-imbursed for the sums which he advanced.
Measures were taken at this time to increase the income of the Church. A lot had recently been added to her precincts, which, lying between the Church and the new lecture-room, had been purchased from the estate of Dr. Holman. In accordance with an act of the Massachusetts Legislature, passed in 1807, the parson- age and the lots from the glebe estate, left by Dr. Silvester Gar- diner, were offered for sale.
The parsonage was bought by the Rev. Phineas Pratt, in 1843, and, from time to time, portions of the glebe estate were disposed of, and the money invested in bank stock for the use of the Church. When streets were at last cut through these parts of the city, the land of course rose in value, and the increase of the par- ish funds was thus considerable.
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HISTORY OF CHRIST CHURCH.
The defects of the Church structure called for continual atten- tion. In 1842, thirty feet of the spire was taken down and re- built ; while, a little later, the interior of the edifice was thorough- ly repaired.
A new parsonage had been proposed, but in 1846 the idea was abandoned, and the attention of all was turned towards the pur- chase of an organ. The old one, a present from Mr. Gardiner, was too weak of tone for use in the Church ; and, after its years of faithful service, was soon to be relegated to the lecture room, where it long chimed accompaniments to the hymns of the Sunday School. In the interest of the organ, the "Young Ladies' Society" flew about like busy bees, with countless plans for fairs, sales, sub- scription lists, and all that could pertain to the making of money. They gave several successful fairs ; "levees," as they were some- times called, where æsthetic combinations of tidies and pin- cushions vied with the delicious cookery of our grandmothers for the good of the cause. One of these fairs was held in a hall over Holmes and Robbins' machine shop ; another was in the Town Hall, and still another was in the open air under the green trees of the Common, which the people were slow in learning to keep beautiful for the sake of its generous giver.
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