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M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
E ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01148 5940
HISTORICAL MANUAL Central Congregational Church PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND 1852-1902
CHURCH ON ANGELL STREET, 1893.
-
1
HISTORICAL MANUAL
OF THE
Central Congregational Church
PROVIDENCE, R. I.
1852-1902
PROVIDENCE PRESS OF E. L. FREEMAN & SONS 1902
011 19 6947 7
Table of Contents.
Calendar
1-2
Order of Worship 3
Officers.
+
Committees
4-5
Fiftieth Anniversary Exercises.
6-9
Historical Addresses:
Moses E. Torrey. 2032720 10-21
George Harris. 22-26
20-31
Edward C. Moore
31-69
Articles of Faith, with Amendments
70-71
Covenant, 1852.
72
Covenant, 1873.
73
Form of Admission
74-75
By-Laws, 1852
70-77
Rules, IS98 78-79 So
Ministers.
Assistant Ministers So
Stated Supplies. So
Ordinations
S1
Deacons.
Clerks.
52
Treasurers S2
Superintendents of Sunday School
82
Additional Members of Standing Committee
62
The Sunday School 63-84
Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor.
Woman's Home Missionary Association 85-86
Central Church Auxiliary. 57-88
Women's Foreign Missionary Society 88-80
Girls' Mission Circle.
9-09.8
1
Charles W. Huntington.
iv.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Ministering Children's League 90 Portuguese Mission 91
Society Organization:
Officers and Committees 92
Presidents. . 93
Vice-Presidents. 93
Secretaries 93
Treasurers
93
Members of Standing Committee.
93
Charter, with Amendments.
94-96
By-Laws 97-100
Alphabetical List of Members. 102-170
Statistical Table 171-172
Calendar, 1902.
SUNDAY SERVICES.
Morning Worship at 10:45 o'clock.
Afternoon Worship at 4 : 15 o'clock. October Ist to June Ist. Communion of the Lord's Supper-The first Sunday of Jan-
uary, March, May, July, September, and November, at 4: 15 P. M.
Sunday School at 12:15 P. M.
Young Peoples' Society Christian Endeavor at 5:15 P. M. (With consecration service last Sunday in the month).
WEEK-DAY MEETINGS.
Church Prayer Meeting, Thursday evenings at 7:45 o'clock. (With Preparatory Service Thursday evening preceding the Communion.) The Standing Committee meet candi- dates for admission to the church Thursday evenings one week preceding Preparatory Service.
Women's Foreign Missionary Society, Wednesday mornings at 10: 30 o'clock.
Central Church Auxiliary, R. I. Branch (W. B. M.), second Wednesday afternoon in each month, at 4 o'clock.
Ladies' Prayer Meeting, third Wednesday afternoon in eaclı month at 4 o'clock.
Woman's Home Missionary Association, Friday mornings at Io o'clock.
Girls' Mission Circle, second Friday afternoon in each montli at 4 o'clock.
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Ministering Children's League, first Saturday afternoon in each month at 3 o'clock.
Annual Church Meeting, second Monday in November.
AT THE PORTUGUESE MISSION.
SUNDAYS.
Sunday School at 3 P. M.
Evening Service, preaching at 7: 30, with Communion the first Sunday of February, April, June, October, and December.
WEEK DAYS.
Men's Bible Class, Mondays at 1 P. M. Industrial School, Tuesdays at 2 : 30 P. M. School at Link Street, Thursdays at 3 P. M. Evening Service, Fridays at 8 P. M. Children's Class, Saturdays at 3 P. M.
Order of Worship.
MORNING SERVICE.
ORGAN PRELUDE.
SALUTATION-INVOCATION-Fol-
lowed by the Lord's Prayer.
CHANT.
OLD TESTAMENT LESSON.
ANTHEM.
NEW TESTAMENT LESSON.
SANCTUS.
RESPONSIVE READING- Followed by Doxology.
HYMN. SERMON. PRAYER. HYMN. BENEDICTION. ORGAN POSTLUDE.
AFTERNOON SERVICE.
ORGAN PRELUDE.
SALUTATION -INVOCATION- Fol-
lowed by the Lord's Prayer.
RESPONSIVE READING-Followed by the Gloria. SCRIPTURE LESSON.
ANTHEM.
PRAYER.
HYMN.
ADDRESS. HYMN.
PRAYER.
BENEDICTION. ORGAN POSTLUDE.
COMMUNION SERVICE.
ORGAN PRELUDE. SALUTATION- INVOCATION- Fol- lowed by the Lord's Prayer.
CHANT. EPISTLE. ANTHEM. GOSPEL. NUNC DIMITTIS. ADMISSION OF MEMBERS.
HYMN. WORDS OF INSTITUTION AND PRAYER.
SACRAMENT. SILENT PRAYER-The Lord's Prayer.
HYMN. BENEDICTION. ORGAN POSTLUDE.
PRAYER.
RESPONSE.
OFFERTORY ANTHEM. OFFERTORY PRAYER. RESPONSE.
Officers, 1902.
Minister-Edward C. Moore.
Assistant-Gregory D. Walcott.
Deacons-Moses E. Torrey, Edwin Barrows, Thomas B. Stock- well, Jolın W. Danielson, Frederic H. Fuller, Arthur W. Fairchild, Frederick H. Jackson, James C. Kimball.
Clerk-James C. Kimball.
Treasurer-Fletcher S. Mason. Supt. Sunday School-Gregory D. Walcott. Standing Committee (in addition to above officers)-Walter S. Hogg, Charles H. Philbrick, Arthur W. Claflin. Auditor-Edwin Barrows.
COMMITTEES.
Benevolence-Moses E. Torrey, Thomas B. Stockwell, Edwin Barrows : Secretary, George L. Barnes, in care of weekly offerings.
Auxiliary to Benevolence Committee-Miss Ruth A. Haskell, Mrs. Thomas B. Stockwell, Miss Emma G. Weeden, Mrs. Walter S. Hogg, Miss Sarah L. Humphreys. Printing-Thomas B. Stockwell, Edwin Barrows, Moses E. Torrey, James C. Kimball.
Social-Chairman, Mrs. Thomas B. Stockwell; Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Charles A. Catlin.
Young Men's Christian Association-Arthur W. Claflin, Fletcher S. Mason, Seeber Edwards.
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HISTORICAL MANUAL.
Care of Interior of Church-Mrs. Jane E. Brown, Mrs. Addi- son Q. Fisher, Mrs. Wendell P. Hale.
Advisory Committee on Music-Mrs. Francis W. Carpenter, Mrs. Robert W. Burbank, Mrs. Edward S. Allen, Fred- erick H. Jackson, R. Clinton Fuller.
Nominating-Thomas B. Stockwell, John W. Danielson, Fred- eric H. Fuller, Walter S. Hogg, Charles R. Makepeace, Charles W. Bubier, Miss Ruth A. Haskell.
Fiftieth Anniversary Exercises.
The Central Congregational Church, on March 16, 17, and IS, 1902, observed the fiftieth anniversary of its founding in 1852.
An invitation was sent to all absent and former members whose address could be ascertained, and also to all who had been associated in the life and work of the congregation.
Sunday, March 16, morning worship was held at the usual hour, the minister of the church, Edward C. Moore, preaching a sermon appropriate to the occasion.
At the Sunday afternoon service, 4:15, the communion of the Lord's Supper was celebrated, to which service were invited the members of all the neighboring Congregational churches.
Monday, March 17, from 4 to 6, a social meeting of past and present members was held in the chapel, tea being served by the Social Committee of the church.
Monday evening at 7:45, in Memorial chapel, a large con- gregation assembled to hear addresses according to the pro- gramme which had been prepared. Of the S2 original mem- bers only eight are known to be living, five of whom were present. The meeting was opened with devotional exercises conducted by the pastor, the choir assisting in the music.
The first paper read was by Deacon Moses E. Torrey, on the earlier period of the history of the church, particularly the pastorate of Dr. Leonard Swain. President George Harris, of Amherst College, a former pastor, succeeding Dr. Swain, gave the next address, on the period of his own ministry. The
HISTORICAL MANUAL.
Rev. James G. Vose, pastor emeritus of Beneficent Church, concluded the evening addresses, bringing greetings from him- self and the churches of the denomination in the city and vicinity. He expressed his pleasure in participating in the exercises. He complimented the church on the young men it had selected for its ministers. While the Central Church in its formation had drawn many strong members from the other churches, they still had plenty left. The Central Church has always stood for things which were high, noble, and up- lifting. Its beneficence has been large to every worthy cause at home and abroad. It has done a great deal it was pleasant to think of, and has encouraged the other churches. The church has had a great influence upon the community. It has been pleasantly associated with the university and inter- ested in education, many of the professors of the University being connected with it, among whom was Professor Robin- son P. Dunn, one of the best, he felt, that the university had ever had. His own relations with all the pastors had been pleas- ant. Dr. Swain he knew, some time before he became pastor of this church, as a student at Andover. He well remembered his manly bearing and his consistent Christ-like life. The Central Church had been an inspiration and help to all the neighborhood, and he felt that a still larger and fruitful future was before it.
Tuesday, March 18, from 6: 30 to 7 : 30, supper was served. by the Social Committee of the church, to some four hundred members and guests.
At 7:45 exercises were held in the church. After devo- tional services the first paper of the evening was by Rer. Charles W. Huntington, third pastor of the church, succeed- ing Mr. Harris, and now pastor of High Street Congregational Church, Lowell, Mass., the subject of his paper being the period of his own ministry.
8
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Rev. Edward C. Moore, present pastor, read a paper reviewing the life of the church during the thirteen years of his ministry.
Prof. George F. Moore, formerly of Andover Seminary, now of Harvard University, was introduced by the pastor as one who had rendered important services to this church.
Prof. Moore said : It gives me great pleasure to take part in the celebration of this jubilee, to utter my word of con- gratulation on these fifty years of growth and usefulness, and to join with all my heart in your thanksgiving to God for all his goodness to you in them. As I have been listening to the addresses there has come over me the strange feeling we some- times have when we are made to realize how long our memory is ; for my acquaintance with this church goes back over more than a third of its life. I have many memories of services in the old stable and the Blackstone Park chapel. I count it a privilege to have had thus some small share in the work of the church which we are commemorating and to have been asso- ciated in it with men and women, some now translated to the triumphant church, many still full of the Master's business here, who have carried it on. In my knowledge of it this church has always seemed to me to realize in a very high degree the ideal of a society in which the gospel of the Kingdom was not only preached with power but lived with sincerity. This is the best test by which the world judges religion, the one convincing evidence of Christianity. In particular, the inner life of the church has impressed me by the unity of spirit and purpose in which brethren of strong character and diverse minds have differed and agreed and labored together as brethren should. We cannot review any past without hav- . ing our thought to the future, what it shall be. The only liglit that casts its rays down the path before us is that which is shed by the past. In these fifty years of life this church
.
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HISTORICAL MANUAL.
has formed a character, distinct and fixed, which is the best assurance of a future of richer life and larger usefulness, and, as in the courage of that faith you go forward, I bid you God speed.
The Rev. William T. Holmes, assistant minister of this church from 1897 to 1901, and now pastor of the Congrega- tional church in Watertown, Conn., spoke briefly of his pleas- ure at being present. He felt greatly indebted to this church for the privilege of service in it, and to the pastor for the inspiration and help he had been to him. Most young men on leaving the seminary expected to go out into the wilder- ness, at least for a season, some for all their lives, but he had been so fortunate as to come here, and he felt it a great privi- lege to have been sent out to his first field from the Central Church.
After the singing of a hymn, and the benediction, the exercises came to a close.
Historical Addresses.
ADDRESS BY DEACON MOSES F. TORREY.
FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH, AND PASTORATE OF LEONARD SWAIN-1852 TO 1869.
T HE conception of this church, which lies in the mind of those who know it only as it is at present, necessarily differs from that of persons who can recall its entire history. The difference may be expressed by saying that the former class see the church as an organization presenting certain interesting characteristics as they exist now. The latter class see it more as an organism, including its inception, growth, and history, and the progressive evolution of its character, step by step. To them the past is not a blank, but its life still flows with living current intermingling with the ever moving tide of present events.
The position which the church occupies to-day cannot be the result of a sudden bound, nor of any revolution, but is the outcome of principles and virtues which have been active through all its history, and which under the blessing of God have shaped its growth to such degree of symmetry as it pos- sesses. Those principles have been a strong, unwavering evan- gelical faith, a firm conscientiousness, unbroken harmony of action, conspicuous liberality, and an active missionary spirit- all directed and rendered operative by a high degree of edu-
LEONARD SWAIN.
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HISTORICAL MANUAL.
cation and intelligence. A process of evolution has proceeded continuously from the beginning, which never could have been effected without the foundations which were laid in the intelligence, devotion, self-denial, and far-sightedness of the admirable men who guided the church in its early years, and to whom it will ever owe a debt of profound gratitude. This may be said without detracting at all from the merits of those who have figured in later periods of the church's history. Those first were not so far removed from us but that they belong in part to this generation. Their places, in many cases, have become vacant only in recent years, and the mem- ory of all of them is still held in affectionate remembrance.
A complete history of the Central Church will not be ex- pected on this occasion. An attempt will be made only to present a few such sketches as it may be practicable to do, recalling some of the circumstances accompanying the initia- tion of the church, and the characters who were prominent during its early years.
Previous to the year 1852 there were four Congregational churches in Providence on the west side of the river: the Beneficent, the Richmond Street, the High Street, and the Free Church. While on the east side there was none, except a small and short-lived church in the northern part of the city, called the Fifth Congregational Church, which soon be- came extinct. Very considerable numbers of the attendants at these churches resided on the east side, and were subject to the inconvenience of the distance. At different times the project of a church on this side had been discussed. It was considered desirable, not only for the followers of our faith, but as a centre of influence and power in the community. But the time did not seem propitious for action. As early as the year 1836 a charter for the " Benefit Street Congregational Society " was obtained from the General Assembly, and a sub-
12
CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
scription was commenced with the purpose of building. But when the purchase of a lot of land was attempted, the pro- posal was met by a decided refusal to sell for that purpose, much to the astonishment of the committee, who made no railing accusation, but left it on record that "they found it difficult not to infer that there was an attempt to hinder the work." The financial troubles of the year 1837 soon follow- ing. the enterprise was abandoned.
Ten years later, in 1846, the project was revived, the sum of $14,000 was subscribed ; but again similar obstacles were encountered, and the enterprise was dropped a second time. A new charter was, however, obtained in the year 1850, incor- porating "The Benefit Street Congregational Society in the City of Providence," for the purpose " of erecting and main- taining a Meeting House for the public worship of Almighty God, in the City of Providence, and for the purpose of sup- porting and promulgating the Christian Religion according to the rites and usages of the Trinitarian Congregational Churches in the United States."
The society was organized under this charter September 30th, 1850, and a subscription paper was immediately circulated contemplating the raising of forty thousand dollars, which amount was in the sequel found insufficient.
February 17th, 1851, the name was changed to the Central Congregational Society.
March 1st, 1851, the land afterwards occupied by the church was deeded to the society, and building operations were very soon commenced.
In September, 1851, overtures were made by the society to Rev. Leonard Swain, of Nashua, proposing a settlement, and he consented to accept a call when made by the church, which as yet had no existence, provided that the society should be free from indebtedness.
13
HISTORICAL MANUAL.
The church was completed and the sale of pews was held September 30th, 1852. The cost of its erection was 558,991.88. That it was built and finished without incurring a debt is certainly creditable to a church numbering 109 members, at a time when money was much less abundant and fortunes far less in magnitude than now. While the church edifice was in process of erection, on the 8th day of March, 1852, " Agree- ably to a notice read in the several orthodox Congregational churches in this city, on the Sabbath of March 7th, a meeting of such persons as propose to form the Central Congregational Church was held at the house of Deacon William J. King." The names of those persons who intended to unite in the formation of said church were then taken, and the Articles of Faith, previously prepared by Rev. Mr. Swain, were read and ordered to be printed and distributed. They were approved at an adjourned meeting held March 12th.
A committee was appointed to make arrangements for the organization of the church, and a council of churches was convened for that purpose on the 18th of March, 1852, in the Beneficent Church, the pastor of that church, Rev. J. P. Cleve- land, D. D., preaching the sermon, and the other Congrega- tional ministers of Providence and Pawtucket participating in the exercises. "Letters testimonial were read from several churches certifying to the full and regular standing of" eighty-two persons, and these persons constituted the original membership of the church. Eight of them are now known to survive. The number was increased during the year to one hundred and nine.
The first meeting of the newly-formed church was held two days later, March 20th, in the hospitable and spacious parlors of Deacon William J. King. At that meeting it was voted to extend a call to Rev. Leonard Swain to be the pastor. His acceptance was dated April 3d. " Divine services were held
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CENTRAL CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
for the first time in the lecture room of the church on the Sabbath of April 24th. The Rev. Mr. Swain, pastor-elect, preached " from the text " Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it." Every hearer was convinced of the rare ability of the speaker, and his text might well be taken as the motto of all his subsequent labors.
The church was dedicated September 28th, 1852.
Mr. Swain was installed September 29th, 1852, the sermon being preached by Rev. Edwards A. Park, D. D.
The new enterprise was now fairly on its feet. Although the cost of the building had exceeded expectations, it had all been provided for by the liberality of the original contribu- tors. It was evident to all that the pulpit was destined to be a great power in the city, and the church at once took a high position and won the respect and favorable regard of the con- munity.
In renewing these events too much honor cannot be ac- corded to one man who, it is but just to say, was more influ- ential than any other person in bringing the enterprise to a successful accomplishment. Mr. John Kingsbury was indefatigable in his exertions to bring this about; and his judgment carried great weight with all those, both pastor and people, who aided in the plans for establishing the church. All looked to him for counsel and leadership. The portraiture of Judge Samuel Phillips, the founder of Phillips Academy, would, with little modification, apply to him. "He was in- tensely methodical and careful, and of remarkable industry. He was an enthusiast for virtue ; he had an intensely ethical vein, combining with it an impressive sedateness, and cher- ished a special fondness for the young. His Christian sym- metry was completed by his rare estimate of the uses of wealth as the handmaid of learning and religion." His conservative and wise leadership was of great value for many years, until
CHURCH ON BENEFIT STREET, 1852-1893.
.
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HISTORICAL MANUAL.
his death in December, 1874. One who was eminently quali- fied to judge said that Providence then lost its most eminent lay citizen. For twenty years his Bible class for men was a notable feature of the church. The resolutions recorded by the church express the conviction that "without his agency the church would not have commenced its career when it did, and that the edifice in which we worship is itself a monument of his zealous and persistent effort."
Another prominent promoter of the church was Deacon William J. King, who bestowed freely both time and money for its interests. He was chosen as the first superintendent of the Sunday-school, and was pre-eminently fitted for that service by his extraordinary ability as a speaker, and his rare power of interesting the young.
Mr. George L. Claflin made an honorable record as the teacher of the infant department, which came to number over eighty members, all of whose loving hearts he won by his fatherly and sympathetic interest.
Deacon William J. Cross was for many years one of the most constant supporters of the prayer meetings, the Sunday- school, and all good works. His aged widow, highly esteemed, has but very recently left us.
The City Mission of Miss Nancy Marsh cannot be omitted while enumerating some of the devoted laborers who contrib- uted much to the useful character of the church. There were no more earnest prayers and self-denying labors than hers.
The growth of the church under the earnest and able admin- istration of Dr. Swain was rapid and constant. 'In the first three years it received seventy-six members. In 1855 sixty- one members. In 1858 eighty-two members, and in fifteen years about four hundred and sixty members.
Dr. Swain frequently and urgently pressed the command of our Saviour, "Go, work to-day in my vineyard ; " and mission-
.
16
( ENTRAL, CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
ary work became a prominent interest in the church. In the Year 1856 two of the younger members of the church, one of whom was Mr. Benjamin H. Gladding, whose name is still borne by a large commercial house, spent a Sunday afternoon in exploring the northern part of the city for the purpose of ascertaining at what point a mission school was most needed. It was decided to establish one in the vicinity of the Corliss Engine Works. Permission having been obtained to occupy the public schoolhouse, notice was circulated, and on the Sunday appointed a goodly number of teachers and pupils assembled. But they found the house closed against them, and the custodian of the keys (who did not sympathize with the movement ) refused to open the doors. A delay of several months was the consequence. During that time a building was erected for the use of the mission by the liberality of Miss Eliza Angell, on land owned by herself. The school was opened September 7th, 1856, Mr. Gladding being the superin- tendent. The first preaching service was held two weeks later, since which time there have been only brief interruptions of the continuity of the services. In six years it became neces- sary to double the capacity of the chapel, which was soon followed by a second enlargement. The mission bore the name of the Branch School, and the Central Church supplied nearly all the teachers and support.
On June 6th, 1865, the Charles Street Church was organized with twenty-one members, fourteen of whom were dismissed from the Central Church for that purpose. Rev. George Huntington became the pastor, and the membership was soon greatly enlarged, chiefly from the Sunday school. In 1882 a new church edifice was erected, the name of the church having been changed to the North Congregational Church. The cost of the building was $27,832, of which $8, 152 were subscribed by members of the Central Church. The North Church has
17
HISTORICAL MANUAL.
made special mention of Deacon B. H. Gladding and the Hon. George H. Corliss (both of whom were members of the Cell- tral Church until they joined the North Church), in the fol- lowing terms :
" Mr. Gladding was for twenty-two years the superinten- dent of the Sunday school ; and to his efforts, under God, we owe the beginning, the early progress and success of the en- terprise. Not only were his personal efforts indefatigable, but he assumed for a number of years the whole responsibility of the Sunday school and preaching service, collecting what he could from others, and supplying the deficiencies from his own purse."
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