USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > Hand-book of High Street Congregational Church, Providence, R.I. : containing the constitution, confession of faith, covenant, rules, officers, calendar, list of members and items of history No. III, 1861 > Part 2
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From his associates and successors in office, here and in Brooklyn, I have gleaned a few me- morials, which you will gladly cherish. " He was," one writes, "a tall man, rather spare, with a pale face and light blue eyes. His bear- ing was dignified ; his movement was slow ; his total appearance and manner were suggestive of clearness, evenness and Christian strength of character." Without particularly engaging qualities as a preacher, wearying too often by elaborate length, yet " there was a force of char- acter and a Christian earnestness of belief and of love behind what he said, which was far bet- ter than fancy or oratory." Another relates : " I am told that he had a skill in urging the claims of religion upon individuals comparable, in some degree, to that which Dr. Spencer pos- sessed; that his greatest successes were achieved in that way. *
* He took the more obvious views of a subject ; always succeeded in making himself well understood, and fed his people with good solid thought."
A touching record of the love that lingered with the Church for this pastor is found in Re- cords, vol. I., dated December 5th, 1848. A
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paper was then road, stating that tidings of his severe bodily indisposition, and of his seeking release from his pastoral charge, had come. It then affectionately recalls him as the first and highly esteemed pastor, " coming among us in his carly manhood;" and " as the instrument employed by divine grace to win us to the sav- ing knowledge and embrace of the Saviour whom he preached." It closes with the assur- ance of "sincere and heartfelt sympathy in his present affliction. and that prayer shall not cease to be made by them in his behalf;" for his recovery, or "for the richest consolations of the gospel, and a continued antepast of the joys of that inheritance which awaits the faithful minister of Jesus Christ."
The pastor next selected, REV. NATHANIEL SMITH FOLsom, carly eminent for his acquisitions and personal excellencies. within less than two years from his settlement disowned the essential doctrines of the gospel. as held by the Church, turned from his ministry among them to that of another faith, in which he is now doing dis- tinguished service.
After a destitution of nearly a year, Rev. LEONARD STICKNEY PARKER was received as pastor. In his band the sheaves were numer- ous. About two hundred and fifty names were added to the record during the two years and nine months of his ministry. It was a period of excessively rapid growth. Sickness and sore domestic bereavement led to the termination of his esteemed ministry October 5th, 1843.
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Rev. ARTHUR GRANGER, the fourth pastor, was called suddenly to his reward after a min- istry of only thirteen months. His death oc- curred August 2d, 1845. A father in our Israel has written of him : " He was a man of God, much beloved by the people of his charge. He was faithful and prompt in the discharge of every duty ; a very acceptable preacher and a good pastor. His labors were highly apprecia- ted by the church and congregation, and the attendance upon his ministry was uniformly good." Ilis burial was among his people ; but by removal, his dust now rests in the Locust Grove Cemetery, Elmwood.
On the church records (vol. I. p. 264,) is found a very full and tender account of his death and burial. A few portions are copied :
"Saturday, August 2d, 1845. At 5} o'clock, A. M., departed this life, in the triumphs of faith, and in hope of a glorious resurrection and a blissful immortality, Rev. Arthur Granger, the beloved pastor of the High Street Congrega- tional Church."
" Mr. Granger was born in Suffield. Conn .. April 14th, 1803; pursued academical studies at Mor- ristown, N. J .; theological at Princeton, N. J. He was ordained as pastor of the Second Con- gregational Church in Medfield, Mass., May 20th, 1831. Ile afterwards preached in Wil- mington, Del., Meriden and Middletown, Ct. His labors among us as our pastor have been faith- ful, untiring, and even beyond his strength, and many who sat under his ministry will. through- out eternity, have abundant reason to bless God that they were ever permitted to hear divine 3
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truth from his lips. * * Never again shall we meet him in the circle of prayer,-never again receive counsel and admonition from his lips .- But at the final judgment, when all will stand before the throne of the Lamb, shall we once more behold him clothed with Christ's right- eousness and wearing a crown of glory."
His last sermon was from the words, " blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God ;" and it is remembered that in his weariness he left the manuscript in the pulpit Bible, where it was found at the hour of his funeral.
The funeral was on Sabbath. August 3d, in the afternoon. Rev. Thomas T. Waterman of- fered prayer ; Rev. James N. Granger, of First Baptist Church, and Rev. Mark Tucker, D. D., addressed the assembly. Dr. Tucker closed the services with prayer and benediction. "Ilis remains were followed to the tomb by his family, several clergymen, officers and members of the Church, and a large number of the society and other citizens."
Rev. WILLIAM JAMES BREED's ministry of three and a half years, was enriched by an in- crease of above eighty members to the Church. His faithful and laborious service for the Church closed April 13th, 1852. He continues in the Master's service, being pastor of a church in an adjoining State.
The memorable revivals, during the ministry of Rev. SAMUEL WOLCOTT, added about two hun- dred and fifty to the Church. His pastorate is included between April 20th, 1853, and Septem- ber 12th, 1859, the longest one of the series.
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The sanctuary was enlarged, and the accommo- dations increased ; twenty-four new pews were added, making the number one hundred and twenty ; the basement wholly rebuilt, and fin- ished into five commodious rooms. The ex- pense of this work exceeded ten thousand dol- lars.
From the founding, this church has enrolled six hundred and seventy names as members, which is an average of about twenty-seven ac- cessions each year. For a youthful church, planted in so unfruitful ground as this was, we esteem this record remarkable. To the glory of infinite grace we would rehearse it. Each pastorate, except the two shortest ones, had " times of refreshing." and of that of Rev. Mr. Granger, it is told, "near the close of his labors there was a marked increase of attendance upon divine service, an unusual awakening in the church." During the third and fifth pastorates, the outpourings of the Spirit were very remark- able. Such " large increase" is seen on but few records. They were days of power and glory in the church.
Two, of the six pastors received by this church, have gone to their reward. and one departed from his professed faith while in your service, and all these ministries average but four years each, with destitutions of pastoral care scattered through the quarter of a century-amounting to four years and two-thirds; and yet, through all these ever perilous changes and want of pastoral care, the Great Shepherd has kept the flock in peace. No pastorate has ended by the desire or movement of the Church. Each retiring
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pastor has separated from the people from a sense of his own personal duty. No division, or " sharp contention" has arisen in those times of temptation, nor has the " bond of unity," nor " the golden chain that binds," been parted asunder during these years. The present pas- tor, after a lapse of seven years from a former call to your service, was recalled and settled in the pastorate, with but a single communion sea- son between that at which your last pastor gave his parting blessing to the endeared and sor- rowing flock, and the beginning of his service in that ordinance.
Onward the impulse marking the birth of this Church,-shall it not be the impulse of its full age! "Ready for every good work," its prayers and alms have gone up for a me- morial of it through all these years. In carn- est hostility to that sorrowful curse, intem- perance ; and to the dark guilt of slavery, has it always stood up, and having done all, may it always thus stand. In its Sabbath School more than three thousand tico hundred pupils have been enrolled, and a record of every session of the School been written ; of these pupils more than three hundred are counted as converts to Christ. The Superintendent leading these lambs in still green pastures, has served in that office now twenty-two years.
Many painful excisions from the membership have been needful, that the Word of God should be obeyed-" put away from among yourselves that wicked person,"-and to prevent Christ from being " wounded in the house of his friends." But he holding the Seven Stars in his hand, has
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not been provoked to remove the candlestick out of its place. Through almost a generation this " house of prayer for all people" has opened its inviting doors, and has proved, we trust, the gate of Heaven to many souls. May many generations to come sit under this goodly vine, and hear of "Christ and Him crucified,"-the only hope for souls under the wrath and curse of Him who, though he " will by no means clear the guilty," vet "so loved the world that ho gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever be- lieveth in him should not perish, but have ever- lasting life !"
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APPENDIX.
The Standing Committee being directed by the Church to arrange for the installation of Rev. Mr. Whiting, were also empowered to arrange a series of services suitable for a Quarter Century Memorial Observance, to be held jointly with the induction of the pastor. They accordingly ad- dressed the Circular following to all former pastors, and to non-resident members of the Church.
- [CIRCULAR. ] QUARTER CENTURY MEMORIAL DAY.
The High Street Church and Congregation. Providence, R. I., mindful of God's care and mercy toward them since their beginning, will observe the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of their founding as a Memorial Day, on Wednesday, De- cember 21st. The installation of the Pastor elect, Rev. LYMAN WHITING, will be united with the observance. They hereby affectionately invite all present members of the church, wherever residing ; all surviving former pastors, officers, and all former members now united to other churches, to join them in these Memorial services. Reli- gious, social and commemorative services, historical reci- tals, devout reminiscences, fraternal greetings and devo- tional exercises will engage the assembly.
A RECEPTION INTERVIEW will be held on the evening preceding, (Tuesday, 20th,) in the lecture room, to which the church specially invites all returning friends and other guests, for the renewal of acquaintance, for christian greet-
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ings and brief devotions. An Address of Welcome will there be made. A Memorial Prayer Meeting at 9, a. m., Wednesday, 21st. Assembling of Council at 10, a. m. Special Memorial Services at 2, p. m., arranged by Com- mittee. Installation of the Pastor at 7. p. m. Friends and guests from abroad will please send notice of their intention to be present to Dea. S. H. Tabor, that the needed hospi- talities may be arranged for them.
James Eames, Isaac N. Beach, Stephen HI. Tabor, Samuel K. Thompson, Amos C. Barstow, Samuel A. Winsor, Edwin Knight, Edward 1. Pabodie, Committee of Arrangements.
PROVIDENCE, Dec. Ist. 1859.
Agreeably to the Circular, the services, as fol- lows, were held.
MEMORIAL SERVICES, DEC. 20 AND 21, 1859. IN LECTURE ROOM.
Reception Interview, for social greetings and renewal of acquaintance. Doors open at 63.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME,-A. C. Barstow.
RESPONSES from guests, and various exercises.
WEDNESDAY.
IX. A. M. MEMORIAL PRAYER MEETING.
X. A. M. ASSEMBLING OF COUNCIL, for examination of the Pastor elect, etc.
II. P. M. PUBLIC MEMORIAL SERVICES,-the Pastor elect presiding.
DEVITIONS,-Rev. L. S. Parker.
By arrangement, the following topics :
Preliminary History,-Dea. Josiah Chapin.
Extracts from Original Records,-Chester Pratt, the first Clerk of Church.
The Deceased Pastors,-Rev. C. Blodgett and others.
Revivals and Spiritual History,-Rev. L. S. Parker, and voluntary responses.
Sabbath School Record and History,-A. C. Barstow and others.
. Closing Prayer,-Rev. Mr. Parker.
Each speaker will occupy 10 minutes.
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HYMN. BY REV. W. H. THAYER.
With heart to heart. and hand in hand, 'Mid joys and hopes and fears, We've walked, a favor'd Christian band, These Five-and-Twenty Years.
Tie after tie has formed anew ;- Still heart to heart endears ;- They've hallow'd our communion through These Five-and-Twenty Years.
Bright mem'ries round the present throng, As recollection cheers ; Like stars of light they shine along These Five-and-Twenty years.
While death, with surest aim, hath cut Dear ties, mid flowing tears, Our gracious God hath left us not, These Five-and-Twenty years.
Thanks for his goodness, so divine ! The darkest sky it clears : O God ! be all the glory thine, These Five-and Twenty years.
The Installation Services were held at 7 o'clock, P. M.
ORDER OF EXERCISES.
Singing,-ANTHEM.
Introductory Prayer,-Rev. C. Blodgett.
Selections of Scripture,-Rev. C. Cushing.
Singing, -HYMN 557.
SERMON,-Rev. Jacob Manning.
Installing Prayer,-Rev. Leonard Swain, D. D. Singing,-SELECTION 44. Charge to the Pastor,-Jonathan Leavitt, D. D. Right Hand of Fellowship,-Rev. A. H. Clapp. Address to the People,-Rev. L. S. Parker. Concluding Prayer,-Prest. Barnas Sears, D. D. Singing,-HYMN 128. Benediction,-By the Pastor.
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These joint services were reported in the papers of the city, and in some of the religious journals in other cities. The accounts published in the Providence Evening Press and the New York Evangelist are below.
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HIGH ST. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,-Quarter Century Memorial .- It would have been hardly possible to have se- lected an evening better adapted to keep people from a friendly gathering than last evening : " the skies not only poured out water," but the ground itself was almost a standing pool in consequence of the snow that fell in the afternoon : yet, in spite of all this, the spacious lecture room of the High Street Church was nearly filled with past and present members of the church and invited guests, who, regardless of the storm without, succeeded in making all genial sunshine within.
At this Reception Interview " Welcome Home" greeted these returning children as they entered the " outer court" and passed thence into the Lecture Room, which the fair and willing hands of the younger members of the church had tastefully and appropriately decorated for the occa- sion with evergreen wreaths, festoons and bouquets of flowers, and intermingling with these, upon the walls of the room, the following scriptural mottoes :
" I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High."
" And these stones shall be for a memorial."
"One fold, one Shepherd."
" For we are all one in Christ Jesus."
In the rear of the desk, occupying the place of honor, we saw a portrait of the late Pastor, Rev. Samuel Wolcott, and, over this, " Dee. 18th,-'34, and '59 :" directly under this " Lewis and Granger, 'being dead yet speaketh.'" These were former pastors of the church.
. On the sides of the room were portraits of Gilbert Rich- mond and Harriet Ware, deceased, of the original 40 who organized the church ; also Dea. H. B. Knight, Wm. Cha-
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pin, Esq., of Lawrence. Mass .. and Samuel B. Halliday, of New York, former members, now living, were represented by portraits.
There were present on this occasion Rev. Leonard S. Parker-a former much beloved Pastor-silver-haired Deacons, formerly connected with this church, venerable fathers and inothers in Israel, come home once more, and perhaps for the last time. numerous other past members less advanced in life, Rev. Dr. Shepard, of Bristol, Rev. .A. H. Clapp and Rev. Wi. P. Doe, of this city. Rev. Mr. Knight, of Kansas, officers of other Congregational church- es in this city, together with a large number of resident members, assembled to meet their brothers and sisters formerly in this connection.
The earlier part of the evening was spent in friendly greetings and social intercourse.
At 8 o'clock Rev. Lyman Whiting. Pastor elect. Modera- tor for the evening, called the meeting to order. in invo- cation prayer was offered by Rev. Dr. Shepard, of Bristol. Appropriate selections from scripture were then read by Rev. Mr. Whiting.
Next in order came the following Address of Welcome, by Hon. A. C. Barstow, of this city :
Mr. Moderator, Fathers and Brethren : As the day suc- ceeds the night, as the sunshine follows the shower, or as the joyous spring-time comes after the cold and dreary win- ter, so do these seasons of cordial greeting and joyful wel- come follow sad adieus. tearful partings or long separa- tions. As the pleasures of the genial spring-time are heightened by a remembrance of the rigors of winter, so the rigors of winter are softened by the sweet anticipations of spring. Separations are the winter of our friendship, while these cordial re-unions and welcomes are its pleas- ant spring.
It is, therefore, a merciful providence that we have a past and a future, which are thus linked to the present by the golden chain of memory and hope. While hope illumi- nates the future with anticipations of promised good, and thus relieves the present from pressure of sorrow and care, memory-life's recording angel-freights every present moment with the garnered treasures of the past.
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Thus we are permitted, this evening, to revel amid the pleasures of the past ; and this is our thanksgiving season for the spiritual mercies which memory recalls. To-day the church calls home her absent sons and daughters, and once more, as of old, we "walk to the house of God in company."
The precious memories of his childhood's home were thus sweetly sung by a New England poct :
"How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood, When fond recollection presents to my view
The orchard, the meadow, the deep tangled wildwood, And every loved spot which my infancy knew.
The wide-spreading pond. and the mill that stood by it, The bridge, and the rock where the cataract fell, The cot of my father, the dairy house nigh it,
And e'en the rude bucket that hung in the well."
But more precious, and sweeter far to those who aided in laying these foundations, were the memories which rushed upon their minds as they crossed yonder threshhold this evening. They link the present to the time when the foun- dations of this sanctuary were laid ; when the walls went up with thanksgivings ; when the top-stone was brought in with rejoicing ; when we listened to the first music of its bell; when its walls gave back the first echoes of prayer and praise : when the youthful pastor was ordained; when the children were first gathered here for instruction in the Holy Word; when that word was first made quick and powerful in the hearts of the hearers : when the joy of angels mingled with our own over the first convert to righteousness ; and when, from time to time, other con- verts followed, as the full harvest follows the first fruits."
Familiar forms gather around us ; familiar voices greet our ears-forms and voices of the absent and the departed. Old friendships are renewed, old affections revived, old joys re-kindled, as we stand amid scenes which awaken the memories of the past.
It is made my pleasant duty, this evening, to welcome you to these scenes and these pleasant memories ; not be- cause I am the sire of this household, or the patriarch of this tribe, or the shepherd of this flock, nor yet because of
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seniority of years. (at the organization I was the youngest but one of the male members. ) but rather, possibly, because of seniority of office.
In the name, then, of the High Street Congregational Church, reverend and beloved fathers and brethren, we bid you welcome. We extend to you our hand of fellow- ship. We open to you our arms, our hearts, our homes. We welcome you to our firesides, our sanctuaries, our altars.
First-in honor. if not in historical order-we welcome these former Pastors. Pleasant memories crowd upon your minds as they do upon ours, in connection with your ministries here. They were not barren ministries. You were permitted to reap as well as sow ; and since your de- parture other hands hath gathered from the seed of your planting. Our children. who received the seal of the cov- enant from your hands. arise this evening to call you blessed. Happy men. The promise is fulfilled. You now " come again with rejoicing, bringing your sheaves with you." But I am reminded that you are linked to us by sad as well as pleasant memories ; for here one of you parted with CAROLINE. the lovely companion of his youth, and her dust is with us to this day. And the other with little ELLEN and EMMA. two of the treasured gems of his house- hold. But they are not lost. They
" Have reached the shore, Where tempests never beat, nor billows roar."
We welcome. also, with peculiar pleasure, such as may be present of the original band of forty. who constituted this Church. They are not all here. About one third the number have finished their course, and others are far dis- tant.
"Oh! the lost, the unforgotten, Though the world be oft forgot ; Oh ! the shrouded and the lonely, In our hearts they perish not,"
How mysterious the ways of Providence ! The youngest of that band was first called away, and the oldest still sur- vives. "The last shall be first." Among those who are present I recognize one of the two Deacons first chosen, and the other is here by letter. We felt then that the
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Holy Ghost had separated them for this work, and time has seemed to verify our judgment, for they are Deacons still, though in other communions. The name of one of them appears upon our record with distinguished honor, as the originator and principal founder of this enterprise. We remember his labors and toils, his prayers and tears, his carly and liberal contributions, his long continued and generous benefactions. while it, was in the infancy of its strength. Though other men have entered into your la- bors, be assured, dear sir, that you are not forgotten.
I recognize others also,-the Aarons and Hurs of this . enterprise. God knows how well you sustained the hands of the leader in the days of our Israel's weakness. Among the records of gratitude which we make on this onr memo- rial day, none shall be more hearty and tender than this. that the three men on whom, in the early years of this enterprise, fell, to a large extent, the cost of building this sanctuary, and of sustaining worship in it. are here to share with us the pleasures of this evening. They were then in the vigor of a mature manhood, but the frosts of more than three score and ten winters have now settled npon the heads of two of them. Venerable fathers ! our affections for you shall increase with your increasing years. Nor for you alone. Your companions, and others-the fathers and mothers of our youthful Israel-who with you conse- crated their service unto the Lord, share. this evening, in our affectionate welcome ! While others. your associates in this work, though younger than yourselves, have fainted and fallen, you are spared to see this day, and rejoice in the memories of the past. Long may you live to see the increase which God gives to faithful planting and water- ing.
I recognize, also, a few representatives of those scores or hundreds who have been added to our communion du- ring these twenty-five years, but who now hold other cov- enant relations. Many others of your number are here in spirit, some by letter, and a few-too few-are faithfully imaged by the hand of art. Among these, onr late beloved Pastor, by the courtesy of him who just now succeeds him in the sacred office, occupies this sacred spot which for years he filled so well. 4
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" Faithful remembrancer of one so dear,
O welcome guest, though unexpected here !"
Many of you, like the Apostles when scattered abroad, " went everywhere preaching the word." and therefore we give you joyful greeting this evening. Though you " went out from us, you are still of ns," and our hearts warm towards you.
I recognize, also, many representatives of sister church- es-some of them from churches which first gave us to this work, then their contributions to aid it, and then, with other churches of our order, their warm right hand of fel- lowship in it.
Brethren, we were grateful then, and are grateful still for your aid and your sympathy. As you look around you this evening, you do not regret any sacrifices then made. You now feel richer for all you gave, and happier for all you suffered. Behold what God hath wrought. "The little one has become a thousand." The little band of for- ty has become the second in size of the churches of our order in the State. Be encouraged. therefore, not only to "strengthen the things that remain." but also, as God opens the way, to again " lay foundations for other gen- erations." Most heartily do we welcome you personally, and also as the representatives of your brethren, to this our semi-jubilee.
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