USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Bedford > Centennial historical discourse of the Presbyterian Church, Bedford, N.H. : delivered Sabbath July 2, 1876 > Part 3
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Mr. Savage was especially remarkable for those bursts of ex- temporaneous eloquence by which he often carried his audience at his will. These occasions were frequent at the communion table and in the religious meetings of ecclesiastical bodies. In the pulpit, also, it was not unusual for him to rise with. the grandeur of his theme, and breaking away from the fetters of his written notes, pour forth a torrent of oratory that swept away every barrier in the hearts of his hearers, and won the assent of their understanding to the truths he uttered.
In many of his discourses he was vividly descriptive, leaving the impress of the pictures he portrayed indelibly fixed in the memory of those who heard him. The writer met with a minis- ter in the Assembly at Chicago, in 1872, who had heard Mr. Savage preach a sermon more than twelve years previous, but which had been so effectually lodged in his recollection that he was able to give a clear analysis of it, and to follow the preacher out in the general development of his theme.
He was a man of varied attainments in literature, having read extensively among classical as well as English authors, and often re-produced the results of his reading with the happiest effect, not only in his public discourses, but in his social intercourse with men. His fine culture as a scholar, his retentive memory, which enabled him to quote from authors almost at will, com- bined with elegance of diction, made him to excel in conversa- tion, and his society was always delighted in by those who knew
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
him best. " Had he been ambitious," said one at his funeral, " he might have stood on the high places of New England."
The memory of Mr. Savage is most tenderly cherished by the congregation to whom he so long ministered. At the time of his dismission they evinced their affectionate regard by placing in his hands a purse of $1000, and after his death they erected to his memory a beautiful and appropriate monument. Many anecdotes are related of him, illustrative of his genial kindness and the never-failing politeness which marked all his intercourse with the world, but the writer has yet to hear the first word that would cast a shadow upon the lustre of his name.
REV. ARTHUR LITTLE was installed pastor of the church on the 3d of January, 1866, by the Presbytery of Londonderry. The late Dr. E. N. Kirk, of Boston, preached the sermon, and the Rev. Dr. C. W. Wallace, of Manchester, delivered the charge to the pastor.
Mr. Little was born in West Boscawen, N. H., May 24th, 1837. He fitted for college at Kimball Union Academy and graduated from Dartmouth, July, 1860. He studied one year at Andover, one year at Princeton; was ordained as chaplain, March 16th, 1863, by a Congregational Council, and spent about two and one-half years in the war as chaplain of the Ist Ver- mont Heavy Artillery.
Mr. Little speaks of his pastorate in Bedford as a most happy and pleasant one. He was highly esteemed and popular with the people of his charge, who were reluctant to part with him. During his pastorate a house was built to be used as a parson- age, by a society formed for the purpose.
On the 22d of September, 1868, Mr. Little was dismissed from his charge, and in October, 1869, was settled over the Congregational church at Fond Du Lac, Wis., where he still remains.
IRA C. TYSON was born in Whitemarsh, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of March, 1830. Learned the printing business, and was engaged in the office of the Germantown Telegraph twelve years. Studied the languages under Prof. Withington, of the Germantown Academy, and entered Union
27
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
Theological Seminary, New York City, in 1859. Graduated in May, 1862. Ordained and installed pastor of the Presbyterian church, Hughsonville, Duchess county, New York, October 6, 1862, by the Presbytery of North River. Dismissed in March, 1869. Installed pastor of the Presbyterian church, Bedford, N. H., May 9th, 1869, by the Presbytery of Londonderry. Rev. James B. Dunn, of Boston, preached the sermon, Rev. William House, of Londonderry, charged the pastor, and Rev. E. M. Kel- logg charged the people. .
The church has enjoyed two seasons of refreshing within the past two years, resulting in an accession to the membership of about 40 on profession of faith. A vestry, built as a memorial of the re-union between the two branches of the Presbyterian church, was dedicated on the 6th of January, 1872. A Young Men's Christian Association was organized in May, 1874, and in January, 1876, the church adopted the Rotary system of elder- ship, electing a full board of twelve elders, in three classes, to serve four years each. The present membership of the church is about 215, and the Sabbath-school is composed of over 300 members, adults and children. The Society is at present en- tirely free from debt, and its church edifice is in a good state of repair. In 1871 the envelope system for benevolent contribu- tions was adopted, and is continued to the present time, (1876.)
The following is a summary of the ministry, eldership and church members :
From date of organization to present time,
I27 years.
Without a pastor from 1749 to 1757,
8
Rev. John Houston, 1757-1778,
2I
Without a pastor from 1778 to 1804,
26 66
Rev. David McGregore, 1804-1825,
2I 66
Rev. Thomas Savage, 1826-1866,
40
Rev. Arthur Little, 1866-1868,
2
66
Ira C. Tyson, 1869-1876, .
66
7
The following have served as elders, with the date of their ordination. In the early history of the church the elders were chosen in town meeting :
28
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
Daniel L. French. 17 57.
James Little, James Gilmore,
1836.
Daniel Mack.
Benjamin Smith, William Moor.
1786.
Silas Dole, James Wallace, John Orr.
1803.
David M'Questen,
1865.
John Craig,
John Houston,
Phineas Aiken,
William Moor.
Gardner Nevins, · Charles Gage, E. P. Parkhurst.
1804.
1867
Jesse Witherspoon, Stephen C. Damon.
1817.
1876.
Stephen Thurston,
John French,
Hugh R. French,
John Orr Houston,
Oliver R. Clark, ·
Richard Dole,
Freeman R. French,
Moody M. Stevens.
Frederick Hodgman,
Nathan W. Cutler,
1832.
Frederick F. French,
John Hodgman.
Thomas Atwood,
Samuel McQueston,
Total, 38.
At the settlement of Mr. McGregore, 1804, the number of names on the church roll was
Added during the pastorate of Mr. McGregore,
166
Mr. Savage,
457
" Mr. Little,
22
" present pastorate,
72
Making a total of
829
In common with other New England churches, this church has suffered much from depletion of its numbers, caused by re-
1847.
James French, Phineas French.
1859. William B. Stevens.
John Holbrook.
II2
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HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
movals to the West, and concentration in the larger towns and cities of the State. This constant drain upon its forces has been one of the most serious obstacles to its growth. It is, however, a source of gratitude to God that the church has thus become a source of supply to other places, and that many of those who have gone out from it have made their mark in the world, and reflected honor upon the place that gave them birth. Many have gone out to preach the Gospel, several have become missionaries, and large numbers have filled prominent places of trust in the land, or acted creditably their part in the common walks of life.
Of those who have gone out from the church to preach the Gospel in other places may be mentioned the names of Rev. Messrs. Joseph Goffe, John Walker, Silas Aiken, Isaac Orr, C. W. Wallace, Daniel L. French, Lemuel Spofford, Ebenezer Chase, Moody A. Stevens, Albert Newton. Of those who have married ministers are : Mrs. Philomela Garret, previously second wife of Samuel Newell, late missionary in India ; Mrs. Jane Harris, Mrs. Mary J. Smith, Mrs. Ann Worcester, Mrs. Mary Moor, Mrs. Harriet M. G. Wood, Mrs. Dolly Bryant (also the wife of a missionary) ; Mrs. Nancy French, Mrs. Polly French, Mrs. Sally Chapin, Mrs. Mary Miltimore, Mrs. Lucretia Clelan, Mrs. Fanny P. House. The last two were daughters of Mr. Savage.
The church has always manifested a missionary spirit, con- tributing some years from four to five hundred dollars to be- nevolent objects, and a monthly concert of prayer for missions is observed, which has been sustained for many years, and is one of the permanent institutions of the church.
From their earliest history the people have been distinguished for their church-going habits, and for their general. attachment to the services of the sanctuary. As already remarked, in their earlier history, being without preaching at home, they were ac- customed to go to Londonderry to Divine service, performing the journey ,often on foot-a distance of twelve miles. In times of religious interest it has been the custom to hold two and three meetings during the day, to attend which, the daily
30
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
business of life has been cheerfully set aside. The Sabbath services are always well attended, as is generally the case with the Thursday afternoon prayer-meeting.
Although in the lapse of time there have been many changes in the ecclesiastical complexion of the people, the older Presby- terians removing and persons of other denominational prefer- ences taking their places, the church has always remained dis- tinctively Presbyterian. This is the more noticeable from the fact that a large proportion of the churches of the State, which were at one time Presbyterian, have changed their ecclesiastical relations, becoming Congregational. There was nothing to have hindered Bedford church from doing likewise, except its loyalty to that form of church government adopted by the fathers, who inaugurated a church polity which they believed in discipline to tend most to their edification. It is hoped the same spirit will animate the church in future, and that they will account it honorable to be identified with the great Presbyterian family, whose doctrinal system, church polity and aggressive vigor, point to it as the church of the future, which, under God, is to grapple most successfully with the forces of infidelity. There certainly appears no desire at present to disturb our ec- clesiastical relations.
A church which traces its history back to colonial days, which struggled with the country through the dark years of the revo- lution, which has grown with the nation to the present day, and still maintains the institutions of religion intact, which during a period of 127 years has had but five settled ministers, whose united pastorates extend over a period of 91 years, and which, notwithstanding the many trials through which it has passed is still strong and prosperous, has certainly occasion, during this year of national jubilee, to thank God for His preserving mercy, and for the distinguished blessings with which it has been vis- ited. Recognizing His good hand in its past history, especially in those seasons of refreshing, which have come, at times, as " streams in the desert," restoring its wasted energies, and im- parting new life and activity to those of its ministry and mem- bership who were fainting by the way, the church enters upon
31
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE.
the new century of the nation with renewed hope and confidence in its covenant-keeping God, and with new purpose of activity in the Saviour's cause.
As we look back over the past to-day, while we see so many reasons to thank God for his goodness, there is also cause for humiliation that many responsibilities have been neglected, and many opportunities of usefulness unimproved. May .we not hope, that with the continued help of our Great Head, the church from this time forth will enter upon a new era of usefulness ; and that we may be able, by the grace of God, to make a record for the church, in which succeeding generations will rejoice and glorify God thereby? That the facts here recorded may serve as a stimulus to greater endeavor, is the improvement we should desire to make of them.
CENTENNIAL
HISTORICAL DISCOURSE
OF THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
BEDFORD, N. H.,
DELIVERED SABBATH, JULY 2, 1876, BY- THE PASTOR,
REV. IRA C. TYSON.
PREPARED BY DIRECTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
MANCHESTER : JOHN B. CLARKE'S STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRESS, 1876.
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