USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Bedford > History of Bedford, New Hampshire, from 1737 : being statistics compiled on the occasion of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town, May 15, 1900 > Part 32
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Rev. Thomas Savage was the minister in Bedford when the first history of the town was published in 1851. A short time before his- death he was succeeded in his pastorate by Rev. Arthur Little, who continued in Bedford but a short time. He was succeeded by Rev. Ira C. Tyson, who speaks of Mr. Savage as follows :
Returning North in 1824 he supplied the pulpit of Dr. Codman of Dorchester for one year, during his absence, and immediately after received his first invitation to preach in this town. Mr. Savage en- tered upon his life-work here under very encouraging circumstances. He was young, vigorous, finely educated, and fully imbued with the
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spirit and energy needed for his work. He was earnest in his piety, remarkable for the urbanity of his manners, and for the genial kind- ness of his disposition. He was, withal, an eloquent preacher, pos- sessing superior pulpit address and power, and soon won to himself the affection of his people, the esteem of his ministerial brethren, and the respect and confidence of the people of that part of the state, where, during his long pastorate, his name became the synonym, not of what it literally imported, but of those virtues which are the em- bodiment of a perfect Christian gentleman. Politeness-genuine Christian politeness-was, in fact, his distinguishing characteristic. To a temperament naturally genial, were added the refinements of education, and the graces of the Christian life, making him, says Dr. Wallace, in his memorial discourse, " a model for the young, a pat- tern for the Christian, and an example to be imitated by that profes- sion to which he was an ornament."
In the freshness and vigor of his early life Mr. Savage devoted himself to the work of the ministry, and the results of his labors were soon apparent. He immediately brought to the attention of the session the duty of systematic visitation, and a plan was adopted that had for its object "a revival of religion," by bringing the ques- tion personally to the attention of all. The town was divided into districts, and committees of visitation appointed to go from house to house, pledging themselves " unitedly to engage in the work, imme- diately to go about it, and not to grow cold or weary in it." The Sabbath school which had been previously held in schoolhouses, without much interest, was now transferred to the church and held during intervals of divine service, with happy effects. On the 11th of October, 1827, a Thursday afternoon prayer meeting was com- menced, which has continued without interruption until the present day, now almost fifty years. In 1829 a temperance reform began and a temperance society was formed, through the joint influence of Mr. Savage and a temperance discourse delivered by Dr. Justin Edwards. The result of this movement was, that whereas seven places were licensed in the town during 1829, by the selectmen, for the sale of ardent spirits, only two were licensed the following year.
These Christian efforts were ordered, in the providence of God, as preliminary to that wonderful work of grace which swept over the country in 1831. The church at Bedford was a partaker, to a large degree, in that revival season, and accessions were made at that time which have had a lasting influence upon the church and the world. At the May communion of that year five were added on profession of faith; in September, ninety-one; and the following January sev- enteen, making one hundred and thirteen in all. This was certainly a most encouraging result for the young pastor, and for a country church it certainly evinces a work of no ordinary magnitude. Many of those brought into the church at that time became bright and hining lights in the world; nearly all of them continued to adorn
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the Christian profession to the end of life, and some still survive to attest to the present generation the genuine nature of the work of divine grace in their hearts.
It was during this revival year that the question of building a new meeting-house first took definite shape. The old building had stood and served its purpose for a period of seventy-five years, and was now too small and inconvenient to meet the wants of the growing congregation. During the year 1831 subscriptions were started and an association formed for building a meeting-house. The building was finished during the following year, and on Christmas day, De- cember 25, 1832, the house in which we now worship was solemnly dedicated to the worship of Almighty God.
In the succeeding years Mr. Savage continued to enjoy the confi- dence of his people, and accessions were yearly made to the mem- bership of the church, as fruits of his ministry. In an historical dis- course, prepared and published during 1841, he reported that two hundred and seventy-two had been added to the church on profes- sion since his settlement, being an average of eighteen per year.
On the 19th of May, 1850, the town celebrated the centennial anniversary of its incorporation. It was a great day for Bedford. Many distinguished visitors, former residents of the town, and oth- ers, were present. It was estimated that about two thousand per- sons participated in the festivities. The Hon. Isaac O. Barnes, of Boston, a native of Bedford, delivered the centennial address. A history of the town-the joint work of Rev. Mr. Savage, Dr. P. P. Woodbury, and Mr. William Patten-was published, embracing most of the facts of interest connected with the town history up to that date. It was the result of great labor, and is an unusually interest- ing book of its kind.
Once more, near the close of his ministry, Mr. Savage was per- mitted to witness the divine approval of his labors in a revival of religion. In 1864 a revival began in Manchester, in connection with the preaching of the evangelist, Rev. A. B. Earle. The work ex- tended to Bedford. Special meetings were held, and a deep and general interest prevailed. As a result, seventy-two persons united with the church during the year on profession of faith.
On the 3d of January, 1866, the pastoral relation between the Rev. Thomas Savage and the church in Bedford was dissolved by the Presbytery of Londonderry. The pastorate of Mr. Savage ex- tended over a period of nearly forty years, and embraced the most important period of the church's history. He had succeeded in bind- ing the church together in harmonious action in all Christian work, and bringing it forward to rank with the strong churches in the state. His pastorate, on the whole, was eminently successful, and the influence of his labors will long be felt upon the cause of relig- ion in this community.
Mr. Savage did not long survive the termination of his pastorate. He died on the 8th of May, 1866, aged 72 years.
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" As a preacher," says Dr. Wallace, " Mr. Savage was practical and impressive. He did not dwell so much on the distinctive doctrines of the gospel as many preachers. He did not preach theology as a system. Yet he preached salvation only by the cross. But its doc- trines were mingled with precepts as the leaven pervades the mass in which it is hidden. They appeared not as the veins penetrate the marble, but as the painter's color shades the whole."
Another says, "My earliest recollections of Mr. Savage go back to the first years of his ministry in Bedford. The impression that he made on my young heart was that he was a powerful and pathetic preacher. He lodged his texts, subjects, and manner firmly in my memory. In the revivals of thirty years ago I remember him as one of the most active of laborers. He never seemed more at home and joyous than in the inquiry room. So earnest, affectionate, and per- suasive was he that he drew all our hearts towards himself and his Saviour."
A writer in the Boston Recorder, soon after his death, says of him :
His pulpit efforts were often signally felicitous, and not a few will remember-after the General Association of 1864, at Manchester, had voted to offer special thanks for converting grace vouchsafed to the congregation-how in prayer he took the great assembly up bodily to the gates of Heaven, so that we could almost hear the songs of joy resounding within.
Mr. Savage was especially remarkable for those bursts of extem- poraneous 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 minister 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 develop- ment of his theme.
He was a man of varied attainments in literature, having read extensively among classical as well as English authors, and often reproduced 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, combined with elegance of
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diction, made him to excel in conversation, and his society was always delighted in by those who knew 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 hand a purse of $1,000, 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.
One who knew him well has thus described him:
He was social naturally and eminently. He was social as a man, a Christian, and a minister; at all times ever the urbane and genial Christian gentleman. Domestic in his tastes and feelings, he was attached to his family and home by the fondest of ties. He was the vivacious and inspiriting soul of his household, always enjoying himself in the happiness of those who were dear to him. Of a hos- pitable nature, with heart and home he ever extended a sincere wel- come to all. He abounded in anecdote and reminiscence, and was the animating spirit of the social gathering and the ministerial asso- ciation. He always knew when to relate an anecdote and when to stop. His keen wit abounded in the apt repartee, but left no sting.
His character was unique. Other men would not remind one of him nor he recall others. His identity was his own.
His own way of saying and doing things was peculiar to himself and yet pleasing to others. It was often said of some effort of his, "It was like Mr. Savage." In or out of the pulpit he was never still. If he were in the pulpit while another was preaching he was sure to do his part of the gesticulating with head and hands. It has been remarked of him that he had much of the actor about him. With his well modulated voice, attitude, and features, he would per- sonify any emotion with masterly power. If he related an incident or described a scene, one was sure to see what he saw. He was liberal minded and of a generous nature, and had no sympathy with narrow-mindedness and bigotry, he loved breadth of view and a generous benevolence. He would not be narrow, he could not be made so, and many young teachers, being examined for their first school, had reason to thank him for adroitly helping them out of difficulties, instead of allowing them to fail through embarrassment or confusion.
As a preacher he was beloved not only by his own parish, but warmly welcomed by all the churches of his round of exchanges. His voice was full and rich, of unusual compass and variety, and he spoke with surpassing intonation.
A member of his congregation said of him, "I never knew him
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dull in the utterance of a sermon. He felt an interest in it himself and threw that interest into the hearts of his hearers. Indeed, I have long regarded him as one of the most eloquent speakers to whom I ever listened. He was practical and impressive, and although he did not dwell on the distinctive doctrines of the Bible, yet its doctrines were mingled with precept as the leaven pervades the mass in which it is hidden. The manner of his delivery was so free, so far removed from monotony, and uttered in a voice of so wide compass and which even in a whisper would fill the house, that he was always interesting."
A brother minister remarked of him : "He was one of the brightest examples of Christian cheerfulness, hopefulness, buoyancy, courtesy, and kindness that it was ever my privilege to know. It was these natural virtues and depths of sensibility refined by his education and piety, which gave to his public utterances at times a most ten- der and melting pathos. I have often listened to Brother Savage when he seemed to have lifted the flood gates of his heart and poured upon his audience the whole tide of his own sensibilities, without one particle of reserve, carrying us along with the strong current of his emotions. His expressions were choice and touching. He breathed out his own emotions in the most classic language of the ages."
Another minister contemporary with him, spoke thus of his life in Bedford: "He stood at the center of the influence that tended to elevate and bless the staunch and excellent town of Bedford. For a long series of years he united the hearts of the people in devotion to the highest human ends and the glory of God. With mutual and social culture he was ever in sympathy with all the people.
As the years rolled past Mr. Savage became much impressed with the fact of his being the last of his early ministerial circle, and by the certainty of a not far distant departure for himself. His ser- mons partook of this spirit, and in one of them after preaching from the text, " We all do fade as a leaf," many in his congregation weep- ing from beginning to end of the sermon, he alluded most tenderly to those of his companions who had gone before him, and said with a power and pathos peculiarly his own :
" I feel like one who treads alone Some banquet hall deserted, Whose lights are fled, whose garlands dead, And all but me departed."
At the expiration of Mr. Savage's forty years' pastorate a celebra- tion was held in commemoration of the event. Many sons and daughters returned to their native place to aid in honoring their be- loved pastor. Many ministers and prominent gentlemen from neigh- boring towns were also present. The programme for the day was under the direction of John A. McGaw, Esq., and was entertaining and appropriate, showing the esteem in which Mr. Savage was held
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by his people. The speeches of the distinguished gentlemen present were filled with wit and expressions of regard for the aged pastor of the church who had labored so long and faithfully.
The last years of Mr. Savage's life are beautifully and touchingly described by Rev. Dr. Wallace in his memorial address :
During the forty years of our acquaintance I never saw the shadow of a cloud resting on his sunny spirit. The closing period of his life seemed like the evening of a summer's day, when all is calm and quiet ; when the sun painting in beauty and brightness the hillside, the horizen, the cloud lingering near, forming a golden pathway in which to sink to rest. It was painful for him to lay aside the work of the ministry. But as his fortieth anniversary drew near he be- came convinced that the same Master who called him to the work bade him retire. He prepared a sermon for the occasion on the text, . " And thou shalt remember all the ways which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years." In this sermon he reviewed his long pas- torate, recounted the dealings of God with him and his people, ascribing all honor to sovereign grace for the success which had attended his ministry. This was his last written sermon. He closed with these lines which for beauty and adaptedness are seldom sur- passed :
" Let me go, the day is breaking, Earthly scenes are fading fast, Joys that now my heart's awaking, Hopes and fears are with the past. Earthly missions now are darkling, And the city's golden glow Gleams before me pure and sparkling In the distance. Let me go."
ARTHUR LITTLE.
The Rev. Arthur Little was born in Boscawen, May 24, 1837, the son of Simeon B. and Harriet (Boyd) Little. He finished his preparation for college at Kimball Union academy, graduating there in July, 1856, and completed the course at Dartmouth college in 1860. He began his theological studies at Andover Theological seminary, remaining there one year. He then went to Princeton, but before a year was completed, entered the army as a chaplain in March, 1863. He was in the military service nearly two and a half years, serving with the First Vermont Heavy Artillery.
He was ordained to the ministry at Webster, N. H., March 16, 1865. He was installed pastor of the Presbyterian church of Bed- ford, January 3, 1866, and remained here until November, 1868, when he withdrew to accept a call to the pastorate of the First Congrega- tional church at Fond Du Lac, Wis. His next charge was the New
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England church of Chicago, where he was installed in February, 1878. He came to the Second church of Dorchester, Mass., Jan- uary 30, 1889, where he has since labored.
Dartmouth college conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1880. He served one term as moderator of the National Congregational Council, and has been twice a delegate to the International Congregational Council, once in London and again at Boston. He was a corporate member of the American Board, and president of Bradford academy. The name of his first wife was Laura Elizabeth Frost, by whom he had one child, Mary, wife 'of John M. Thompson, M. D., of Portland, Me. Later he married Elizabeth A. Wales, of Dorchester, Mass.
IRA C. TYSON.
The Rev. Ira C. Tyson, son of William and Mary Hallowell Ty- son, was born March 3, 1830, at Whitemarsh, Pa. After acquir- ing a common school education he entered the office of the Ger- mantown Telegraph at the age of sixteen years, and learned the printer's trade, at which he worked until September, 1858. He united with the Market Square Presbyterian church in 1856, and the following year began his preparation for the ministry, studying Latin and Greek under the tutorship of the principal of German- town academy. In September, 1858, he removed to New York city, completing a collegiate course under a private tutor. He then entered the Union Theological seminary, graduating in 1862, and was licensed by the Fourth Presbytery of Philadelphia. He began preaching at Hughsonville, N. Y., July 5, 1862, and in the follow- ing October was ordained and installed as the pastor of the Presby- terian church there. He came to Bedford from Hughsonville in April, 1869, and was installed here the following May by the Pres- bytery of Londonderry. He resigned here in August, 1879, and was stated supply at Londonderry, where he was installed as pastor in June, 1881. He accepted a call to Jerseyville, Ill., and began work there June 1, 1883, and was installed in the September following. He remained there twelve years, when he suffered a slight paralytic shock, making it impossible for him to continue the work of so large a charge. He served as stated supply at Shawneetown, Ill., for a time, and then removed to Denver, where some of his children had located. He continued to preach there until his death suddenly of neuralgia of the heart, July 22, 1901.
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Mr. Tyson married Fanny L. Hunt of Germantown, May 16, 1853. She died January 22, 1857. He married Henrietta Sperling of New York, May 22, 1862, who still survives him. By the latter he had five children : Edward R., born October 13, 1863, and died April 1, 1874; Louis J., born June 25, 1865; Fanny L., born March 25, 1867 ; Mary L., born January 8, 1870, and Charles W., born Janu- ary 16, 1875.
Mr. Tyson served four years as stated clerk of Boston Presbytery, and nine years as stated clerk of Alton (Ill.) Presbytery. He also served as moderator of all the Presbyteries with which he was con- nected, and was once moderator of the Synod of New York. In 1889 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Blackburn university of New York.
Of his service here a fellow pastor writes :
It was my privilege and joy to be acquainted with the Rev. Ira C. Tyson, D. D., for nearly the entire term of his ministry, and inti- mately so while he was in Bedford, N. H., as we then both belonged to the Boston Presbytery, of which he was for many years the Stated Clerk, an office which he filled with great acceptance.
As a preacher he followed closely in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul, making the doctrines of Christ and Him crucified the central thought of all his sermons, never however neglecting such truths as tended to build up, establish and strengthen the believer and develop in him the Christ manhood and the Christ spirit; while as a com- forter of the sorrowing, he was indeed a true "son of Consolation."
As a pastor he gave special attention to the music of the church and the Sabbath school. For this he was preeminently qualified, possessing, by nature and cultivation, a fine voice and a thorough knowledge of music.
While fully consecrated to his pulpit and pastoral work, he was ever ready to lend a helping hand to all civic and moral reforms, especially that of temperance; to the advancement of this cause he gave much time and thought. This was very noticeable in the part he took in arranging for a New England Ministerial convention, held in Boston some years ago, and a paper which he read at that time on "The Wines of Scripture " showed that he had given to that and kindred questions much earnest and painstaking study.
But as with our brother beloved,
"The day is done, the shades of night are gathering deeper, Hark! from the skies there falls the voice of One! Lay down thy task and rest, my royal reaper, Thy work is done."
And of his work in Jerseyville, another writes :
It is with pleasure that I record the very high estimate in which Rev. Dr. I. C. Tyson was held as pastor of the First Presbyterian
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church in Jerseyville, Ill., for fourteen years-the longest pastorate this church and the Presbytery with which it was connected has ever known. Dr. Tyson was looked upon by all as eminently a man of God; fully consecrated to the Gospel Ministry; of more than ordinary intellectual power that could grasp and hold doc- trinal truth in its simplicity and purity. He was earnest in winning souls to Christ, courteous in his daily intercourse with those he met socially, and ever the warm friend of all needing a friend. He shared freely of his means in acts of benevolence, and sympathized from the depth of a warm heart with those who sorrowed. Like Paul, he determined not to know anything among us save Jesus Christ and him crucified, and his daily walk emphasized his public teaching.
DANIEL H. COLCORD.
The Rev. Daniel H. Colcord was born in Danvers, Mass., January 10, 1851, son of Eben Payson and Sarah (Towne) Colcord. She was of the seventh generation from William Towne, of Braceby, Eng- land, who settled in Salem, Mass., in 1640, and on her mother's side, was of the fourth generation from Sarah Putnam, sister of Gen. Israel Putnam. Eben P. Colcord was a descendant of Edward Col- cord, who settled in Dover, N. H., in 1632.
The subject of this sketch was the third son and eighth and youngest child of the family. He attended the public schools of Danvers, and graduated from Amherst college in 1878, and from Andover seminary in 1881.
He married Pamelia J. Mudge of Danvers, October 27, 1881. They have had four children, Herbert P. and Lucy W., both of whom were born and died in Bedford at an early age, and Ralph M. and Miriam J., both born in Monrovia, Cal.
Mr. Colcord became pastor of the Bedford church September 8, 1881, in which position he continued until April 13, 1887.
ALBERT D. SMITH.
The Rev. Albert D. Smith was born in Mercer, Me., August 12, 1855, the son of David Welts and Emma Willard (Hibbard) Smith. After the death of his father in 1872, the family removed to West- boro, Mass., where he prepared for college in the high school, and entered Amherst in 1875, graduating in 1879. For the six years following he taught school in Granby and Holliston, Mass., and Peterborough, N. H. In 1885 he entered Andover Theological
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