USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Brookline > History of Brookline, formerly Raby, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire : with tables of family records and genealogies > Part 23
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"Art. III. We believe that God is revealed in the Scriptures as the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, and that these three are one, and in all the attributes of God-head equal.
"Art. IV. We believe that God governs all things according to his sovereign and eternal purpose yet in such manner as not to impair the freedom of men or his accountability for all his actions.
"Art. V. We believe our first parents fell from the state of holiness in which they were created by transgressing the divine commandment and that in consequence all their descendants are by nature alienated from God and while left to themselves do invariably choose a life of sin.
"Art. VI. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, who is God and man, has by his obedience, suffering and death, made an atonement for sin which is adequate to the salvation of all men, but is effectual in the salvation of only those who accept of its provisions by repentance and faith in Christ.
"Art. VII. We believe that justification is an act of God's free grace whereby he pardons the penitent sinner, and receives him into divine favor, not on account of any works of righteousness done by him, but only for Christ's sake, through faith in His blood.
"Art. VIII. We believe that Christ has a visible church in the world, that its ordinances are baptism, and the Lord's Supper; that it is the duty of Christians to unite with the visible church and observe its sacred ordinances, and that it is the privilege of believeing parents to devote their children to God in baptism.
"Art. IX. We believe that there will be a general resurrection of the just and of the unjust and a day of judgment in which all shall give account to Christ for all the deeds done in the body, and that then the righteous will be received into a state of blessedness and the unrepentant into a state of punishment; both of which will be without end."
The Covenant.
"You do now avouch the Lord Jehovah to be your God and portion forever.
"You acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ to be your Savior, and the Holy Spirit to be your Sanctifier, Comforter and Guide.
"You humbly and cheerfully consecrate to his service all your powers and possessions, and promise that you will seek, above all things, the honor and interests of his kingdom.
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"You cordially join yourselves with his church in a direct and special union, engaging to love and watch over its members, as your brethren, and to receive from them all needful care and admonition; to give dili- gent attendance with them to all parts of instituted worship; to avoid all those worldly amusements which are inconsistent with the spirit of the Gospel and to live a sober, righteous and Godly life.
"All this you do relying upon the merits of the Savior for the pardon of your sins, and beseeching God to prepare and strengthen you for every good work, to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
The James H. Hall Bequest to the Church and Society.
Aug. 15, 1874, James Harvey Hall, an active member of the church and one of the town's leading citizens, died testate. Under the provisions of his will, which was admitted to probate in August in that year, the church and society became beneficiaries in his estate in the sum of two thousand dollars, which they subsequently received. The bequest was set forth in the will as follows:
"To the Orthodox Congregational Church and Society the sum of two thousand dollars to be used as a fund, the interest of which shall be expended for the support of the Gospel in said Church. Provided never- theless that if said Congregational Church and Society shall cease to exist, the said sum shall revert to my beloved wife and my children, Mary Frances Peabody and Edward T. Hall and their heirs."
Meeting-house Repaired and Remodeled. 1875.
During Mr. Sargent's pastorate the meeting-house was remodeled. The work of remodelling was begun April 20, 1875. It was completed in about seven months time. In the course of the work, the original struc- ture was raised from its foundations and the basement, as it exists today, constructed beneath it. The size of the house was also enlarged by the addition to its north end of an extension fifteen feet in length. At the same time the old-fashioned windows were replaced by modern win- dows of stained glass, and the auditorium improved and renovated. The cost of renovation was largely met by a generous donation of one thou- sand dollars, given for that purpose by Mrs. Mary J. Hall, widow of James H. Hall.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING-HOUSE-1875
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
At this time also Mrs. Mary Frances Peabody, widow of George W. Peabody, as a tribute to her husband's memory, presented the church and society with the beautiful and excellent pipe organ which at the present time occupies its appropriate position in the choir loft; and coincident with the reconstruction of the meeting-house, the "Town Clock" was installed in its present position on the church tower.
At the time of its being placed in position on the tower, this clock was said to be a gift to the church, but the name of the donor was with- held from the public; and, although since then a generation of men have come and gone, the name of the donor still remains unknown.
In this year, also, Edward T. Hall, in honor of the memory of his father, James H. Hall, presented the church and society with the bell, which hangs in the church tower at the present time .*
Early in the month of October, 1875, the work of reconstruction was practically completed; and on the 13th day of that month, the recon- structed meeting-house was with appropriate ceremonies rededicated.
Dedicatory Exercises.
Hymn,
Choir.
Sermon, Rev. Charles Wetherbee, Nashua.
Dedicatory Prayer, Rev. J. G. Davis, D.D., Amherst.
Anthem, Choir.
Address by the Pastor, Rev. F. D. Sargent.
Addresses by Rev. D. E. Adams, Wilton; Rev. Hiram L. Kelsey, Hollis; Rev. William E. Bennett of M. E. Church, Brookline; and Rev. Mr. Lincoln of Wilton.
Singing of Doxology.
Benediction.
In 1876, Charles H. Russell and Jefferson Whitcomb were elected deacons of the church; and in 1882 Perley L. Pierce was elected to the same office.
* The bell which originally hung in this tower was purchased by the church and society, soon after the completion of its meeting-house in 1849, from the First Cong. Church and Society of Nashua. When in Nashua it hung in the tower of the old "North Church" in the "Harbor." Originally, it is said to have done service for a Spanish convent in the West Indies; from whence it was brought north by a sailing vessel. In 1875, from some unknown cause, it became cracked, and was removed from the tower. Its materials, so far as available, were used in the construction of the bell presented by Mr. Hall.
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The James N. Tucker Bequest.
In 1882, the Congregational church and society and the Methodist Episcopal Church and society received from the estate of James N. Tucker, of Townsend, Mass., bequests in the sum of one thousand dollars each ($1000).
The Wilkes W. Corey Bequest.
In the same year, 1882, each of said churches and societies received from the estate of Wilkes W. Corey, of Brookline, bequests in the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.).
The conditions attendant upon the bestowal of each of these bequests are set forth in the chapter devoted to the history of the local Methodist Episcopal Church in subsequent pages of this book.
Aug. 25, 1883, Mr. Sargent, after fourteen years of faithful service, tendered to the church and society his resignation, giving as his reasons for so doing impaired health and the possible supposition that a change of pastors would be agreeable as well as beneficial to his parishioners. His resignation was met by the church and society by a prompt and unanimous request that it be withdrawn. But as he still insisted on its being accepted, his parishioners reluctantly consented to call a council to consider it; and, to that end, summoned several of the Congregational churches and societies of the neighboring towns to send delegates to a council to be convened in the Congregational Church Meeting-house in Brookline, Dec. 19, 1883.
The council met at the time and place mentioned in the call. It was constituted of pastors and delegates from the churches in Hollis, Nashua (First and Pilgrim churches), Wilton, Mason, Milford and Mount Vernon.
After due deliberation, during which the church and society joined in protesting against, and presented strong reasons for not accepting, the resignation, it was voted-"that the pastoral duties be not dissolved," and the council was dissolved.
In 1887-88, by an arrangement between himself and his parishioners, Mr. Sargent, for a portion of the time, filled the vacant pulpit of the Con- gregational Church in Townsend, Mass., preaching there in the forenoon and in his home church in the afternoon of each Sunday.
In September, 1888, he again tendered his resignation which, at a meeting of the church and society, November 1, was by his consent laid on the table; but only for a short time. Mr. Sargent was insistent in his
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demands for its consideration; and December 27, it was taken from the table, and a committee for calling a council to consider it appointed. The committee consisted of Rev. F. D. Sargent, Dr. Charles H. Holcombe, Deacon Perley L. Pierce, William J. Smith, J. Alonzo Hall, William H. Hall and George E. Stiles. It attended to its duties and, in response to its summons, on the 15th day of January, A. D., 1890, the members of the council met in the Congregational Church. It was made up of pas- tors and delegates from the churches in Greenville, Hollis, and the First Congregational Church in Nashua.
Rev. George F. Merriam of Greenville was elected moderator, and Rev. Samuel L. Gerould, of Hollis, scribe. The council approved of the resignation, expressed its sympathy with the church, and recommended Mr. Sargent to the churches of Christ.
After severing his connection with the church in Brookline, Mr. Sargent continued for several years to preach in Townsend, but finally accepted a call to the Second Presbyterian Church in Putnam, Conn., a position which at the present time (1914) he still continues to occupy.
REV. FRANK DANA SARGENT was born in Boston, Mass., Nov. 10, 1844. He is a son of John and Louisa (Hunt ) Sargent.
He prepared for college in the public schools of Boston and of Newton, Mass., and graduated from Amherst College in 1866. He studied theology in Newton and Andover Theological semi- naries, graduating from the latter institution in 1869.
Soon after his graduation from Andover and the same year, the Congregational church of this town extended to him a call to fill its vacant pulpit as its pastor. Mr. REV. FRANK D. SARGENT Sargent accepted the call, and at an ecclesiastical council holden in the meeting-house of the church
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and society in Brookline on the 20th day of October, 1869, was ordained to the ministry and installed as pastor of the churchi.
Mr. Sargent's pastorate in Brookline covered a period of twenty-one years in length, extending from 1869 to 1890, during the last four years of which, in connection with his home church, he was in charge of the Con- gregational Church in Townsend, Mass.
During his stay here he was the frequent recipient of flattering invi- tations to accept pastorates in other and wealthier and more influential churches; all of which for many years he invariably declined to accept; conceiving it to be his duty to remain with the church which had been the scene of his public entry into the service of the Master, and which was endeared to him by ties of love and affection formed by many years of most cordial and friendly associations with its members; and being loth to sever his connections with a community in whose midst he had first set up his family altars, and established a home; and of whose people he enjoyed in the highest degree the respect and confidence.
In the latter years of his pastorate, however, while his love and affection for his church and people experienced no change, influenced, doubtless, to some extent by a growing conviction that his opportunities for future usefulness in his work would be largely increased if enjoyed in a larger field of action; and also by a desire to provide his children with better facilities for their education than his position here would enable him to afford them, he decided to sever his connections here; and to that end, in 1890, tendered to the church and society his resignation. After some delay on the part of the church and society, during which both the church and the community made strenuous endeavors to influence him to reconsider his decision, his resignation was accepted. Soon after its ac- ceptance, he removed from Brookline to Putnam, Conn., to take charge of the Congregational Church in that place, over which he was installed as pastor, Sept. 1, 1890; a position which at the present time (1914) he is still occupying.
Mr. Sargent's pastorate in Brookline was a most successful one. The cause of its success is to be found in the fact that he practiced what he preached. His was not a religion of all things to all men, but of the right thing to every man. He thoroughly believed in the truth of the religion which he professed, and, having the courage of his convictions, did not hesitate to proclaim them, if need be, from the housetops.
A preacher of more than ordinary abilities and eloquence, in his pulpit and elsewhere, he avoided display and ostentation, and used his abilities and eloquence to convince and convert his hearers by presenting
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to them the truths of the gospel in plain, simple and direct language which they could understand and comprehend.
Firm and steadfast in the advocacy of his religious convictions, he nevertheless treated with respect the sentiments of those who differed with him in their religious beliefs; even when those beliefs were in direct contradistinction to his own; and, avoiding contention and strife, in a spirit of conciliation, strove to lead them to search the Scriptures, as being the fountain head of all religious truth, rather than by antagoniz- ing their views, to arouse in their souls that spirit of combativeness which would tend to strengthen, rather than to weaken, them in their beliefs.
As a citizen, Mr. Sargent was held in no less esteem than he was held as a pastor. He was public spirited, and always ready to lend his aid and assistance to the advancement of the town and its citizens. Dig- nified and courteous in his deportment and manners, he treated all men as his equals in the Lord, and responded promptly to all calls upon his humanity for aid and assistance upon the part of those who were in dis- tress of mind, body or estate.
He was an earnest and zealous advocate of the cause of education and a warm friend and supporter of the town's public schools; of which, during his residence here, he was many times elected superintendent, and of which their present efficiency and utility is owing in a large measure to his labors in their behalf.
Mr. Sargent was united in marriage to Emma S. Taylor, daughter of Samuel Stevens and Rachel (Hills) Taylor, of Dunstable, Mass., Oct. 21, 1869. Three children, all born in Brookline, have been the result of this marri ge: Bertha Louise, born March 19, 1872; Florence Ger- trude, born July 8, 1878, and Harold Taylor, born Oct. 15, 1885.
The Pastorate of Rev. George L. Todd.
Rev. George L. Todd was called to the pastorate of this church Feb. 18, 1890. He was acting pastor from March to May 8, 1890, when he was ordained to the ministry,
Council of Ordination.
The Council of ordination met in the Congregational Church, and consisted of pastors and delegates from the following churches.
Congregational Church, Greenville,
Rev. George F. Merriam Elisha B. Bennett.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
Congregational Church, Hollis,
Rev. S. L. Gerould,
Franklin P. Colburn.
Congregational Church, Mason,
Rev. F. T. Smith.
Geo. Whittaker.
Congregational Church, Milford,
Rev. W. A. Thomas.
Frederic W. Sawyer.
Congregational Church, New Boston,
Deaon Moses A. Dane.
First Congregational Church, Nashua,
J. P. Todd. Rev. Cyrus Richardson.
A. N. Shepard.
Pilgrim Church, Nashua,
Rev. Geo. W. Grover.
Dea. Kimball Emerson.
Congregational Church,
Pepperell, Mass.,
Rev. C. S. Tomblin.
Rev. Eli Harrington.
Congregational Church, Townsend, Mass., Rev. F. D. Sargent,
Waldo Spaulding.
Order of Exercises.
Reading of Minutes,
Rev. George F. Merriam.
Invocation,
Rev. Cyrus Richardson.
Reading of Scripture,
Rev. Geo. W. Grover.
Prayer,
Rev. C. S. Tomblin.
Sermon,
Rev. W. R. Cochran.
Prayer of Installation,
Rev. Geo. F. Merriam.
Right Hand of Fellowship,
Rev. W. A. Thomas.
Charge to Pastor,
Rev. S. L. Gerould.
Charge to People,
Rev. F. D. Sargent.
Prayer,
Rev. G. N. Bryant.
Benediction,
Pastor.
Mr. Todd's term of service here was brief. But, brief as it was, it was of length sufficient to enable his parishioners to fully realize the fact that in him they had acquired a most worthy successor to Mr. Sargent, and they congratulated themselves accordingly. He labored assiduously and discreetly, both as pastor and citizen, in the performance of his du- ties. He was eloquent and persuasive in the pulpit, and out of it his deeds and words were thoroughly consistent with the religion in which he professed to believe. He had acquired the confidence, respect and esteem of his church and the citizens, and the prospect of a successful
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and profitable pastorate among a harmonious and most friendly people was before him when, on Oct. 5, 1892, he tendered his resignation.
His resignation was reluctantly and sorrowfully accepted by the church and greatly regretted by the citizens. He went from Brookline to the church in Merrimack, Mass., where he was installed as pastor, Oct. 9, 1892.
The following sketch of his life is taken from Rev. F. N. Carter's "Native Ministry of New Hampshire."
GEORGE LORING TODD, D.D., Presbyterian, son of Deacon James Page and Desire (Loring) Todd, was born, June 19, 1859. Pre- paratory studies at Francistown Academy. Graduated at Amherst Col- lege, 1884, and at Auburn Theological Seminary, 1887. Licensed to preach and ordained by the Boston Presbytery, at Lowell, Mass., April 13, 1887. Labored in Northern Michigan, summers of 1885 and 1886. Went to La Paz., Bolivia, South America, to establish a collegiate insti- tute, December, 1887. Succeeded, but was soon turned from his charge by the Jesuits. While waiting for opportunity to return home, engaged in mining works. Vice-consul of the United States there. Left Oct. 29, 1889, reaching New York, Nov. 23, 1889. Acting pastor, Brookline, March to May, 1890; ordained pastor May 8, 1890; dismissed Oct. 5,
1892. Installed Merrimack, Mass., Oct. 9, 1892; dismissed Sept. 9, 1900. First church, Havana, Cuba, October, 1900-01. Superintendent of Reform and Industrial School at Guanajay, Cuba, April, 1901. En- tered again the employ of the Home Missionary Society and pastor, Havana, Cuba, Jan. 1, 1902-04. D. D. from Wheaton College, 1904.
Married Alice, daughter of Elijah Fuller and Elizabeth Jacobs (Dunklee) Gould, at Antrim, Dec. 20, 1886.
At the present time Mr. Todd is still in Cuba, where he is employed in educational work by the United States government.
The Pastorate of Rev. Fred E. Winn.
For nine months immediately following Mr. Todd's resignation, the church was without a settled minister; the pulpit in the meantime being supplied by pastors from the churches in the neighboring towns, and by others who preached as candidates, especially the latter. Listening to candidates for the vacant position finally became monotonous, and be- sides it was felt that it was conducive neither to harmony nor progress in spiritual affairs. Realizing the truth of these facts, June 20, 1893, the church and society united in extending a call to Rev. Fred E. Winn of
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
Hudson. Mr. Winn's settlement was fixed at a salary of seven hundred and fifty dollars per annum and the use of the parsonage. Mr. Winn accepted the call, and was ordained Aug. 31, 1893.
Council of Ordination.
The churches represented in the council were as follows: Congrega- tional Church in Andover Theological Seminary; Congregational Church, Hudson; First Congregational Church, Nashua; Congregational Church, Greenville; First Congregational Church, Merrimack; Congregational Church, Hollis; Congregational Church, Merrimack, Mass .; Congrega- tional Church, Milford; Congregational Church, Amherst; Rev. F. D. Sargent, Putnam, Conn .; Rev. Daniel Goodwin, Mason.
Order of Exercises.
Anthem,
Choir.
Invocation,
Rev. Daniel Goodwin.
Reading of Scripture,
Rev. C. H. Dutton,
Sermon,
Rev. E. J. Hinch.
Ordaining Prayer,
Rev. S. L. Gerould.
Charge to Pastor,
Rev. F. D. Sargent.
Right Hand of Fellowship,
Rev. F. P. Chapin.
Charge to the People,
Rev. G. L. Todd.
Closing Prayer,
Rev. A. J. McGown.
Benediction,
Pastor.
Mr. Winn came here soon after his graduation from Andover The- ological Seminary. The church at the time of his advent had already passed the high water mark of its day of prosperity. Many of those who had been prominent in its councils and generous contributors to its sup- port had passed on. The society was also weakened in numbers, and the congregation diminished in size.
The new pastor entered upon his work with the courage born of faith and the zeal of an enthusiast. Indeed, his zeal in doing his work often- times seemed to race with and outstrip his discretion, especially so in his efforts to advance the cause of temperance, of which he was a most en- thusiastic advocate. In that cause, Mr, Winn evidently felt it to be his duty to "Cry aloud and spare not"; and there appears to be no question but that he did his duty faithfully. He spared no one, whether in or out
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
of the church, whom he deemed guilty of directly or indirectly using, or dealing in, intoxicants. His work for the cause of temperance was un- questionably conscientiously performed. But Providence only knows what of good for the cause he really accomplished. So far as apparent results were concerned, when at the close of a pastorate of less than two years duration, he resigned his charge here, the temperance question was still in statu quo; and the church had barely held its own, having gained ten new members (seven by profession of faith and three by letter ), and dismissed eleven.
Mr. Winn resigned his pastorate, May 17, 1895. His resignation was accepted by the church, May 23 of the same year. At a council held here July 2, 1895, which was constituted of pastors and delegates from the churches in Amherst, Greenville, Hollis and Mason, the acceptance of his resignation by the Brookline church was approved. Mr. Winn's de- parture was regretted by the church, in which he had labored assiduously and faithfully. He left behind him the reputation of being a sincere Christian with the courage of his convictions.
REV. FRED E. WINN, son of William F. and Lucy M. (Richard- son) Winn, was born in Hudson, Dec. 14, 1863. He prepared for college in the public schools of Hudson and at McGaw's Institute, Reeds Ferry; graduated from Dartmouth College in 1887, and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1892. From July, 1892, to April, 1893, he supplied the pulpit of the Congregational Church in Hudson. June 20, 1893, he was called to the pulpit of the Congregational Church of Brookline, where he was ordained Aug. 31, 1893. He was dismissed, at his request, from the Brook- line church May 23, 1895. He went from Brookline to Bennington, where he was installed as pastor of the Congregational Church. From Benning- ton he removed to Bridgeton, Mass., where at the present time (1910) he is pastor of the Congregational Church.
July 25, 1888, Mr. Winn was united in marriage with Sarah C. Moul- ton, daughter of George W. and Hannah H. (Spofford) Moulton of Merrimack.
The Pastorate of Rev. J. Alphonse Belanger.
Nov. 6, 1895, the Congregational Church and society extended a call to the Rev. J. Alphonse Belanger to become their pastor at a salary of seven hundred dollars per annum, the free use of the parsonage and an annual vacation of two weeks duration. Mr. Belanger accepted the call, and was "recognized" Dec. 17, 1895.
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HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF BROOKLINE
The "Council of Recognition" consisted of pastors and delegates from the churches in Mason, Hollis, Amherst, Greenville, Milford, and Townsend, Mass., Rev. F. D. Sargent, Rev. George L. Todd and Rev. Fred E. Winn. The council, upon examination, found that Mr. Belanger was a congregational minister in good and regular standing, but declined to give him the position of an installed pastor, suggesting that, as a con- sequence of its action, he could be dismissed without the necessity of calling a council. In accord with the council's finding, Mr. Belanger was "inducted" into the pulpit Dec. 17, 1895.
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