History of the First Baptist Church in Wakefield, Mass., 1800-1900

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HISTORY

OF THE

First Baptist Church

IN

WAKEFIELD, MASS.,
1800 — 1900.

Compiled by

Rev. N. R. Everts.

MALDEN :

Printed by Geo. E. Dunbar, 382 Main Street.
1901.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Wakefield Baptist Church, erected in 187 1, Fronttspikce
Old Church, erected in 1836, . . . opp. page 40
Deacon Edward Mansfield, . . . opp. page 56
Present Deacons of the Church, . . opp. page 81
Rev. N. R. Everts, - . . . . opp. page 120

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119784

JUN 21 '1950

8S

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. 1639— 1794.

Settlement of South Reading, now Wakefield —
State of religion — Early prayer meetings — Dr.
Baldwin — Baptisms — Baptist society, branch of
Woburn church. Page 9

CHAPTER II. 1799— 1826.

The first meeting house — Rev. Ebenezer Nelson —
Revival of 1803 — Rev. Thomas Paul — Organi-
zation of the church in 1804 — Warren Associa-
tion— Resignation of Mr. Nelson — Description
and characteristics — Rev. Gustavus F. Davis —
Organization of the Sunday School — Revival of
1820 — Removal of the meeting house to Main
street — Lilley Eaton. Page 15

CHAPTER III. 1828— 1834.

South Reading Academy — First Principals — Resig-
nation of Mr. Davis. Sketch of his life and
characteristics — Rev. Joseph A. Warne — First
missionary — Resignation of Mr. Warne —
Sketch of his life — A deep awakening — Call,
ordination and resignation of Rev. James
Huckens — A period of trial — Free Masonry
and Intemperance — ' ' Showers of Blessing. ' ' Page 23

CHAPTER IV. 1835— 1851.

Rev. Isaac Sawyer — Attitude of the church towards
Slavery — Destruction of the meeting house by
fire — Rebuilding — The new church edifice —
Resignation of Mr Sawyer — Rev. Charles Miller
— Rev. Larkin B. Cole — Rev. Charles Evans-
Baptist Anti-slavery Convention — Edward
Mansfield — Millerism — Resignation of Mr.
Evans — Rev. Paul Adams — Revival of 1847 —
Poor fund — Edward Mansfield elected clerk —
Resignation of Mr. Adams — Call of Rev. Daniel
W. Phillips — Installation — Anniversary of a
prayer meeting in 1801. Page 31

IV CONTENTS.

CHAPTER V. 1853— 1860.

Enlargement of the church edifice — Entertain the
Salem Association — Visitation of the town —
Rendition of Anthony Burns — Death of Dea.
David Smith — Character sketch— Manning W.
Sullivan elected deacon — Revival of 1858 —
Albert G. Sweetser — Death of Noah Smith and
Dea. Jacob Eaton. Descriptions of these men —
Death of Zenas Eaton — A timely gift from Mrs.
Edmund E. Wiley. Page 40

CHAPTER VI. 1861— 1866.

The Rebellion — Loyalty of this church — Francis
Sweetser — First union Thanksgiving service —
Albert G. Sweetser and Edward Mansfield
elected deacons —Resignation of Mr. Phillips —
His ministry here — Sketch of his life — Death of
Dea. Sullivan — Settlement of Rev. George
Bullen — Death of Dea. Stowell — His character-
istics— Death of Eunice Eaton — Her conversion
and noble life — Resignation of Mr. Bullen — His
"Pastoral Reminiscences" — Sketch of his
ministry. Page 49

CHAPTER VII. 1867— 1871.

Rev. James W. Willmarth — Entertain the Salem
Association — The church elects officers of the
Sunday school — Semi-centennial of the Sunday
school — Resignation of Mr. Willmartli — Remi-
niscences of his Pastorate a t Wakefield —
Reunion of the Sunday school — Presentation.

Page 61

CHAPTER VIII. 1871— 1880.

Church edifice burned — Worship in Town Hall —
Rev. Richard M. Nott called — Enter the new
church edifice — Dedication — Entertain Sunday
School Convention — A wise measure — Resigna-
tion of Mr. Nott — Separate Thanksgiving Day
Service — Religious interest — Rev. Charles Key-
ser D.D. — Powerful revival — Death of Dr.
Keyser — Sketch of his ministry — Death of Jonas
R. Evans, the church historian — Rev. R. Rid-

CONTENTS. V

dell — Entertain the Salem Association — Articles
of Faith — Albert H. Sweetser — Ordination of
Frank Iv. Sullivan — Death of Rev. Mr. Nott—
Sketch of his life. Page 69

CHAPTER IX. 1881— 1887.

Church indebtedness — Raising the debt — Assistance
rendered by Congregational church — Eloquent
figures — Resignation of Mr. Riddell — Stephen
A. Lufkin and Robert N. Howard elected
deacons — Rev. Roland D. Grant — Bequest of
Cornelius Sweetser — Rev. D. N. Beach — Bequest
of Mrs. Eunice Hill — Samuel Li. White elected
deacon — Communion wine — Entertain the Sun-
day School Convention — Change order of church
services temporarily — Mr. William Cossum —
Sketch of life and' labors of Rev. Willis F.
Thomas and wife — Three deacons' sons in the
ministry. Page 81

CHAPTER X. 1888— 1890.

Dissolution of the Baptist Society— Evangelistic
meetings conducted by Rev. S. Hartwell Pratt —
Results — Donation of Mrs. Harriet N. Flint —
Centennial of birth of Adoniram Judson — Resig-
nation of Mr. Grant — Sketch of his ministry —
Rev. N. R. Everts — '' Rules of Order" — Cele-
bration of the one hundredth anniversary of the
first Sunday evening prayer meeting in the
town — Portrait of Dea. David Smith — Decide
to withdraw from the Salem Association — Por-
trait of Dea. Martin Stowell — Farewell services
in the old Congregational church — Congrega-
tionalists occupy the Baptist church. Page 90

CHAPTER XI. 1890— 1892.

Ordination of Fritz C. Gleichman — Leaves for Africa
— Death — Memorial service — Sketch of his life —
Mission museum — Union Thanksgiving service
— New order of Sunday services — Enter the Bos-
ton North Association — Organization of Baptist
Young Peoples' Union — Congregational churcb
completed — Parting service in Baptist church —
Resignation of Dea. White. Page 98

VI CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XII. 1893— 1897.

Boston East Association — Harvey B. Evans elected
deacon — Entertain Bible School Convention —
Ordination and installation of Rev. Albert P.
Davis as pastor of the Congregational church —
Woodville Chapel— Bequest of Mrs. Eleanor B.
Toothaker — Miss Georgie Iv. Heath — Messenger
Corps — Bequest of Miss Charlotte N. Evans —
Bequest of Mrs. Harriet N. Flint — Evangelistic
meetings conducted by Rev. C. Iv. Jackson —
— Results — Samuel L. White and Robert N.
Howard elected deacons. Page 107

CHAPTER XIII. 1898— 1900.

Adoption of individual communion cups — Entertain
Boston East Association — Bequest of Franklin
Poole — Death of Dea. Mansfield — Memorial ser-
vices— Dea. White elected church clerk — Easter
Sunday — October Week of Prayer — Baptist
church offered the Universalists for worship —
Religious canvass of the town — Church visitor
appointed. Page 116

CHAPTER XIV. 1900.

Resignation of Mr. Everts — November Week of
Prayer — Closing service in the Congregational
church — Portrait of Dea. Mansfield — A noble
group — Close of Mr. Everts' pastorate — Presen-
tation— Farewell service — Rev. C. Iv. Jackson,
supply — W^atch meeting — Close of the century
— Review. Page 122

APPENDIX.

List of pastors — List of deacons — List of clerks —
List of superintendents — Constituent members
of the church. Page 128

WAKEFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH. Vll

INTRODUCTION.

In the year 1800 a Baptist society in Wakefield-, a4>rattch
o£the Baptist church in Woburn, ereAed a meeting house,
maintained stated preaching on the Lord's day, observed
the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, and
the following year settled a pastor. Although not recog-
nized as an independent church until 1804, the First Bap-
tist Church in Wakefield ma}^ properly be said to have
had its beginning with the century ; and at its close it
seemed eminently fitting that the story of the one hund-
red years of its existence should be told.

In the year 1900 Rev. N. R. Everts, Dea. Samuel L.
White, and Freeman Emmons, Esq., were appointed to
prepare a history of the church for publication. After a
careful review of the church records the other members of
the committee requested Mr. Everts to compile the work
and prepare it for the press. In its preparation the com-
piler has sought to make the history, not only an accurate
record of events, but a useful manual of reference. He
has also sought, by diligent research, to rescue from ob-
livion facts and incidents that seemed worthy of preser-
vation.

The task has been to him a pleasant and profitable one,
and if the result may prove correspondingly pleasant and
profitable, in some degree, to the dear flock with whom
he was permitted to spend twelve happy years of his min-
istry, it will be to him an unspeakable satisfaction. He
embraces this opportunity to gratefully acknowledge his
large indebtedness to all those who have kindly contrib-
uted material, and otherwise assisted in the preparation
of the work.

WAKKFlElvD BAPTIST CHURCH,

* CHAPTER I.

That part of the town of Reading now known as
Wakefield began to be settled in 1639, and was
incorporated as Reading, May 29, 1644. A Con-
gregational church was organized the same year
( 1644) . As other parts of the town became settled,
two other churches of the same order were estab-
lished in other villages, but no Church other than
Congregational existed here for about 160 years.
At the close of the Revolutionary war, religion,
in the sense we understand it, had well nigh disap-
peared from what is now Wakefield. The Puritanic
faith had given place to liberalism. There may
have been some secret disciples, but there were not
many, if any, who were known as experimental
Christians. Yet the consciousness of immortality
and accountability to God was not wholly lost.
About the year 1787 a religious meeting was estab-
lished Sabbath evenings, in the Centre school-
house. After a few weeks, however, it was
discontinued, because some felt that prayer was
an essential part of religious worship, and there
was no one either willing or prepared to perform
such a service. There were some persons who

*This chapter is from the pen of Dea. Edward Mansfield, a por-
tion of a " Historical Sketch of the First Baptist Church in Wake-
field," prepared for the Boston East Association, and printed in the
Minutes of that association for 1893-1894.

lO HISTORY OF THK

were desirous of hearing occasionally different
kinds of preaching, and procured an article to be
inserted in the warrant for the parish meeting, to
see if they could be allowed the use of the parish
meeting house when not otherwise engaged. The
application was refused. But after this, occasional
sermons were preached at private houses by minis-
ters holding Calvinistic views. One of these
preachers was Rev. Thomas Green, a Baptist min-
ister of West Cambridge (now Arlington) . He was
invited, not because he was a Baptist, but because he
was a Calvinist. It is probable that his preaching
had some connection with the conversion of a young
man by the name of Ebenezer Smith, who was
baptized in West Cambridge in 1788. His younger
brother Benjamin, led by his own curiosity and
love of sport, accompanied him to West Cambridge
on the day he was to unite with the Church. The
Lord in His mercy met the youth, convicted him
of sin, and made him feel the need of salvation.
In the following year he united with the same
Church. lu the spring of 1789, two young men,
Lilley Baton and David Smith, were led by ill
health to think seriously of death and the judgment.
This state of mind had not been induced by any
external circumstances. The preaching in the
place was not calculated to alarm sinners, and
there were no private Christians who felt it their
dut}^ to speak to others about the way of salvation.
These two young men deeply sympathized with

wak:^fiki.d baptist church. ii

each other, but they were very ignorant of the
doctrines of grace. Through the summer they
drooped, and all the prescriptions of friends and
physicians were unavailing. A daughter of the
red men of the forest was the first to discover the
true nature of the malady, and to tell the white
men where a cure might be found.

In the latter part of the same year (1789) there
was a revival of religion in what is now Reading.
Meetings were frequent and deeply interesting. A
few people in this village often attended those meet-
ings, and became so much interested in them, that
after due thought and conversation, they solemnly
resolved to establish a religious meeting on Sab-
bath evenings at home, and invite other serious ^
minded young people to unite with them. Accord-
ingly about twenty young persons, male and female,
solemnly covenanted with God and each other to
meet on the Lord's day evenings to worship God.
This is believed to be the first instance of such a
use of the Lord's day evening in this place. To
human appearance the materials for such a meeting
were not to be found in the village. To the sober
inhabitants the idea appeared chimerical and ridic-
ulous, and they predicted an early failure. But
the meeting then established has been contin-
ued till the present time. These meetings were
greatly blessed to the conversion of sinners and
their advancement in knowledge and piety. In
September, 1793, a society was formed of those

12 HISTORY OF THE

who cherished a personal hope of salvation by
grace. They bound themselves to give and receive
counsel, admonition and reproof with meekness,
and to say nothing to wound each other's feelings.
This constitution was signed by nineteen persons,
all males.

Neither of these societies avowedly held Baptist
sentiments. Not all of the members of the one
instituted in 1789 were ever converted. Not all
of the members of the one established in 1793
connected themselves with the Baptists. The
larger part, if not all, of this latter society would
have united with the Parish Churchtif^^he preach-
ing there had met their felt wants. As the case
was, they were thrown on their own responsibility,
to examine the Bible for themselves. Some of
them had often attended on the preaching of Mr. S.
pastor of the Congregational church, in what is now
Reading and agreed with the fundamental senti-
ments set forth in his discourses, but there was
one subject of which they could not make the
scripture account look like the practice of Mr. S.
Still they tried to bring their minds to the practice
of Pedo-Baptists, being sincerely desirous of unit-
ing with them, having friends among them whom
they much respected, and hoping they might find
a way to avoid the reproach of joining a sect who
were so contemptuously spoken of as were the
Baptists. In this state of mind they went to Mr.
S. to see if he could remove the difficulties in their

WAKEFIKI^D BAPTIST CHURCH. 1 3

minds as to his mode of baptism; but his argu-
ments' were unsatisfactory, and they were led,
though reluctantly, to walk in the way they had
so earnestly desired to avoid. Having arrived at
this point, in the spring of 1794, three of them set
out for Boston to introduce themselves to Dr. Bald-
win, and to relate to him what, as they trusted, the
Lord had done for them, with the design of unit-
ing with the church under his care. As Dr. Bald-
win was unacquainted with them, he proposed to
come out to Wakefield to make the necessary
inquiries concerning them, and also to preach. On
the 2ist of April, Dr. Baldwin came into town for
the first time. Encouraged by him the three young
men, lyilley Baton, Jacob Baton and David Smith,
offered themselves to the Baldwin Place Baptist
Church and were received. The fourth of May
was appointed for their baptism. At the hour
when it was known the tid^ would be favorable,
they went forth to the usual place, immediately in
the rear of the meeting house, for the purpose of
attending to the ordinance; but, to their amaze-
ment, it was found that there was no water in the
pond. An evil-minded man had drawn it away ;
but God intended it for good. As there was a
pond in South Reading whose waters could not be
drained, Dr. Baldwin engaged to come out on
Monday, the 12th of May, and baptize them there.
As baptism was then a new thing in town, and
very few in the place had ever seen the ordinance

14 HISTORY OF THE

administered — even the candidates had never wit-
nessed it — there was a great crowd at the water
side. Many had intended to make sport, and some
had even threatened to commit violence. But Dr.
Baldwin, by his dignified presence and gentlemanly
bearing, commanded the respect of all. He dis-
coursed on the^occasion from the words, ' ' We know
that we have passed from death unto life, because
we love the brethren." The preaching and the
administration of the ordinance were attended by
remarkable power. Many were constrained by
their deep convictions to follow Dr. Baldwin into
the house. While he was eating his supper in one
room, another room was full of anxious inquirers.
During the following summer twelve from the town
were baptized, some in Boston, some in Woburn,
and some in South Reading. Subsequently most
of the baptized persons became connected with the
Baptist church in Woburn, and were constituted
into a branch of that church in August, 1794.

WAKKFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 1 5

CHAPTER II.

The first meeting house of the new organization
was erected in 1800. The old church record of this
period says: "In the spring of this year (1800)
we petitioned the people in this place for liberty
to meet in their school house, near the meeting
house where we should have preaching, and the
house not in use by them, but our request was
rejected, which made it appear necessary that we
should build a house for public worship. Accord-
ingly, in December, nineteen persons agreed with
brother Jeremiah Green to build. We purposed to
set the house on common land, where we supposed
it would not be any damage to the town, but we
have been forbid by promises and threats, although
they plead no use for the spot of land. In order to
prevent difficulty we purchased a spot."

The site for the building, undesignated in the
record, was near the residence of the late Sylvanus
Clark, No. 37 Salem street. The record further
says, in summing up the events of the year : "Our
number is now twenty-two, twelve brothers and ten
sisters, all residing in the south part of the town,"
embracing that portion known later as South Read-
ing, and now Wakefield.

The faith and courage of this little band of

l6 HISTORY OF THE)

disciples should not be forgotten. Nineteen persons
uniting to build a meeting house, and that without
the sympathy of their townsmen, or fellow christ-
ians, outside of their communion.

The 14th of May, 1800, after prayer by Elder
Smith, the frame of the meeting house was erected.
It was a small edifice, thirty-eight by thirty-four
feet, with galleries. The devoted little band met
in their new meeting house the first time, Sunday,
July 27th. Three months later the house was com-
pleted, and Wednesday, October 22 d, it was pub-
licly dedicated to divine worship in the presence of
a congregation numbering about four hundred.
The dedication sermon was preached by Dr. Bald-
win from 2 Chron. 6:41. "Now therefore arise;,
O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou and the
ark of thy strength : let thy priests, O Lord God,
be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice
in goodness." Another service was held in the
evening, when Rev. Mr. Bradley preached from the
word "Live." Kz. 16:1. "November i6th,"
continues the record, "we had the unspeakable
privilege of commemorating the love and sufferings
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in the ordi-
nance of the Supper, for the first time at Reading,
and in our meeting house."

One cannot read these faded records of the gene-
sis of this church without catching the glow of
these ancient disciples and being deeply impressed
with the fact that its foundations were laid in a

WAKKFIEIvD BAPTIST CHURCH. 1 7

Spirit of holy consecration and self sacrifice. We
are not surprised to learn that during the following
year they were greatly blessed. In the fall of the
year 1801 Rev. Ebenezer Nelson became their
pastor.

The year 1803 will ever be memorable in the
history of the church for a revival of remarkable
power. Rev. Thomas Paul, an eloquent colored
preacher, then in the fulness of his powers, assisted
Mr. Nelson. The whole town was moved ; the
hardest characters were awed and constrained to
acknowledge that God: was in the work. This was
a part of the great revival of religion that swept the
whole country at the close of the last century and
the opening of the present, and which inaugurated
a deeper spirituality in the American churches.
Said Rev. Dr. Tyler in his work entitled ' ' New
England Revivals : " " Within the period of five or
six years, commencing with 1797, it has been
stated that not less than one hundred and fifty
churches in New England were visited ' with times
of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.' "

Hitherto the Baptists in this town had not formed
themselves into a regular church, but were consid-
ered a branch of the Woburn Baptist church where
many of them joined when they were baptized.
The revival of 1803 had strengthened their num-
bers to such an extent as to warrant their organi-
zation as an independent church. This was
effected January 31, 1804, b}^ a council convened

1 8 HISTORY OF THK

on that date, composed of the pastors and delegates
from "the church in Boston, in Beverly, in Maiden
and Woburn," which gave them public recognition
as an organized church of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The same day Rev. Ebenezer Nelson, who had
been nominally their pastor since 1801, was for-
mally invited to become their pastor and accepted
the invitation. The same year the church united
with the Warren Association of Baptist churches.
From * ' Backus History of the Baptists in New
England ' ' we learn that this Association at that
time extended ' ' over all the old colonies of Ply-
mouth and the Massachusetts, excepting what is
west of Connecticut River, and into three adjoin-
ing states," and the Minutes of the Association in
1805 report fifty-one churches, nine of which were
received at that session, with a total membership

of 4453.

Mr. Nelson remained with this church till
March, 181 5, when the church reluctantly accepted
his resignation, giving him a letter of recommenda-
tion in . which they say ' ' We do now recommend
him to the churches, and all to whom this may
come, as an able minister of the New Testament ;
one who hath been enabled to be in good measure
faithful, a blessing to this church and place, for
whom we desire forever to bless the great Shep-
herd and Bishop of souls." Leaving here he
became pastor of the Baptist church in Maiden
where he died in May, 1825, in the seventy-second

WAKKFIKIyD BAPTIST CHURCH. 1 9

year of his age, and the fortieth of his ministry.
While residing in Maiden he was a member of the
Massachusetts Constitutional Convention of 1820.

Rev. Mr. Nelson has the honor of being the first
pastor of this church, and of safely leading it
through the first years of its church life, a period
usually fraught with perils. He must have been
a wise and judicious man, for during his ministry
with this people, covering more than thirteen years,
a spirit of harmony seems to have prevailed in the
church, and they were blessed with a healthy
growth.

In the History of the Town of Reading we find
these additional facts 'concerning him. "Rev.
Kbenezer Nelson lived on the place long owned
and occupied by H on. _, Thomas Emerson (the
Prentiss house on Common street). Mr. Nelson
came to this town from Middleboro, where he was
born in 1753, and was settled as the pastor of the
Baptist church in South Reading in 1804. He
was then about fifty years old, and, as we remem-
ber him, was rather below the middle stature,
wore a wig and cue, dressed in small clothes, with
knee buckles and shoe buckles. He was not
classically educated, but was well informed and
well read, and a fair, offhand, plain, extemporane-
ous speaker ; was a warm Republican and patriot,
and a zealous advocate of religious freedom ; he
was of a very social and genial disposition ; fond
of humour and could himself tell a pleasant story."

20 HISTORY OF TH:^

During the next three years the church was
without a pastor, but enjoyed constant preaching
on the Sabbath and the hearts of many were turned
unto righteousness. Twenty- two were baptized.

In the spring of 1818 Rev. Gustavus F. Davis,
having accepted a unanimous call from the church,
was formally recognized April 23, and entered
upon an eminently successful pastorate of over
eleven years. The same year a Bible, or Sunday
school, was organized ' ' the first institution of the
kind in the town." The incipient action of the
church in the matter is well worthy of preserva-
tion. The old church record is as follows : " An-
nual meeting April 14, 18 18. After conversing on
the subject of requesting Elder Davis to introduce
catechetical instruction among the children of the
members of this church and those of the Society
whose parents are disposed to send them. Voted
that we approve of the object and request Klder
Davis to attend to catechise ; to hear Scripture
recitations and to offer instructions to our children,
at such times and places as shall be most conven-
ient and suitable."

In 1820 the town enjoyed a precious revival.
"The prayers and exhortations of one of the
school instructors, Mr. Rankin, seemed much
blessed to the religious awakening of his pupils.
From the neighborhood of this school the good
work spread over the town." When the revival
was at its height here, Maiden was visited in like

WAKEFlKlvD BAPTIST CHURCH. 21

manner. About one hundred were hopefully con-
verted in that town, and in Saugus nearly as many
more. In referring to this revival six years after,
Mr. Davis says : ' 'As the fruits of that work, thirty-
six were added to the church under my pastoral
care, and thirty-one to the Congregational Church. ' '

Such was the prosperity of the church that this
year the meeting house was removed from its site
on Salem street to another on Main street, corner
of Crescent, and subsequently enlarged by an
addition of sixteen feet to its length, making its
dimensions thirty-eight by fifty feet, with the ad-
dition of a new porch and a belfry.

In 1822 I/illey Baton died, in his fifty-fourth
year, the eldest of the three brethren who were the
first of the church baptized in this town. He was
a successful business man and from the "organi-
zation of the church had contributed the most
towards its pecuniary aid." He occupied the
house that stands upon the corner of Main and
Salem streets which was erected by him in 1804,
and was, at that time, by far, the most imposing
dwelling in the village. In this house he furnished
a room, free of charge, for the religious, social and
conference meetings of the church. In the third
story of the house was an unfinished hall, furnished
and used for this purpose, especially on Sabbath
evenings. The house was long known as the
"Pilgrims' Hotel," because of the generous wel-
come given to travelling clergymen, and brethren

22 HISTORY OF THE

and sisters of the faith who frequently resorted
thither. After the erection of this house he
opened therein a country store, and in 1813 had
the honor of establishing the first temperance
grocery ever kept in the town.

In 1826, the Lord again visited his people with
^'showers of blessing." Meetings for conference
and prayer, held at first in private houses, were
removed, on account of the increased attendance,
to the school house, and ultimately to the meet-
ing house, to accommodate the people. More
than fifty were hopefully converted, and this year
thirty-six were added to the church by baptism.

WAKE^FIKIyD BAPTIST CHURCH. 23

CHAPTER III.

To this church belongs the credit of founding
one amongst the earliest Baptist institutions of
learning in this country. In the earlier history
of this church, published in 1841 we find the
following :

'* In 1828 an Academy was erected in this place,
by subscription of the Baptist church and society,
to furnish a school for pious young men, who
might here pursue studies preparatory to entering
college, or the Theological Institution at Newton."

There are existing but seven Baptist institu-
tions antedating this school; Brown University,
Providence, R. I., founded in 1 764 ; Hebron Acad-
emy, Hebron, Me., in 1804; Colby College,
Waterville, Me., in 1818 ; Hamilton Theological
Seminary and Colgate University, in Hamilton,
N. Y., in 1 8 19 ; The Columbian University, Wash-
ington, D. C, in 1 82 1, and Newton Theological
Institution in 1825. It will be seen that with the
exception of Brown University and Hebron Acad-
emy the other schools have a priority of ten years
and less over the South Reading Academy, as this
was named.

The founding of this school was probably owing,
in large measure, to the scholarly tastes of the

24 HISTORY OF THE

pastor of this church, Rev. Mr. Davis, who,
though a young man, and with limited advantages
for an early education, pursued the study of the
classics to such an extent that, coupled with his
natural abilities, he won the degree of Master of
Arts, and later of Doctor of Divinity.

It must have been a proud day for the Baptists
of this town when they could point to a flourishing
denominational school in their midst, the product
of their faith and zeal.

The first teachers of this school were Rev. John
Stevens and Rev. Wm. Heath as associate Princi-
pals. Rev. John Stevens D.D., was a graduate
of Middlebury College, Vt., in 1821, and pursued
a course of instruction in Andover Theological
Seminary under the instruction of Moses Stuart,
and was a successful teacher of the classics in
Middlebury College before coming to South Read-
ing. In 1828, he became Professor of Moral and
Intellectual Philosophy in Granville College, O.,
and later was made Professor of Greek and Latin
in Denison University, retaining his position as
Professor of Latin in that Institution till his death
in 1877. Rev. William Heath, the father of Mrs.
Joseph Morton, graduated from Dartmouth College
in 1826. Among his classmates was the late Chief
Justice Chase. For a year after his graduation he
was a tutor in the preparatory department of The
Columbian University at Washington. He then
entered the Newton Theological Institution and

WAKKFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 2$

soon after graduating from the latter institution,
entered upon his duties as Principal of the South
Reading Academy. He was ordained as an
evangelist July i, 1835, and after two brief pastor-
ates in Shelbume Falls and Reading he resided in
Wakefield, and was an active and useful member
of this church tiU his death in 1869.

For several years the school was very flourishing
and maintained a high reputation for its instruc-
tion in English and classical learning. But in
time the falling off of Theological students and
lack of funds necessitated the closing of the institu-
tion. Eventually the building was sold to the town
and was used as a public school building until its
removal a few years since to give place to the
commodious Lincoln school house which stands
upon its site. It then passed into the hands of H.
M. Warren Post, No. 12, G. A. R., and was
removed to Foster street, where it is now occupied
by the Post.

The year following (1829) Mr. Davis having
received a call to the First Baptist Church in
Hartford, Conn., closed his pastorate in July,
having received into the church during his minis-
try here one hundred and six persons, ninety-five
of them by baptism. Mr. Davis retained his
pastorate in Hartford ' ' beloved and respected ' '
till his death in 1836. We are enabled to give
only this brief outline of his short, but eminently
useful life. He was born in Boston in 1797. At

26 HISTORY OF THE

an early age he became an orphan and was
apprenticed to a trade in Worcester where he was
converted at the age of sixteen. He began preach-
ing at seventeen years of age, was ordained at
nineteen, was married at twenty, and settled first
at Preston, Conn., from whence he removed to
this place in 1818, at the age of twenty-one,
removing from here to Hartford, where he died at
thirty- nine years of age.

' ' He had naturally strong powers of mind, a
very tenacious memory, a rapid conception, large
self-possession, and a ready utterance. His style
of address was simple, earnest, pointed and laconic,
well suited to interest a popular audience. He
had an uncommon aptness in employing and
applying Scripture, in his discourses, to passing
events."

This church will never know how largely its
prosperous career may be owing, under God, to
the long and eminently successful pastorates of its
first two ministers which, combined, cover a period
of more than twenty-four years. Another long
pastorate at the middle of the century, that of Dr.
Phillips from 1850 to 1863, has left an indelible
impression upon this church. Do not experience
and observation teach us that long pastorates,
other things being equal, are more productive in
developing the healthy and vigorous growth of a
church, than short pastorates, however brilliant,
with the disturbances which frequent changes

WAKKFIKLD BAPTIST CHURCH. 27

inevitably produce ? It may not be amiss to note
here that of the seventeen ministers this church
has settled during the century the pastorates of
four of them, combined, cover one-half of this
period.

Within three months after the close of the
pastorate of Mr. Davis the church had called and
settled Rev. Joseph A. Warne.

In May of the following year (1830) this church
sent forth its first missionary in the person of Miss
Mary Walton, later Mrs. Blanchard. She pro-
ceeded to a missionary station among the Western
Indians. Under whose auspices she went we are
not informed. Our own Home Mission Society
was not organized until 1832. Ten years later she
was laboring in the country of the Delaware In-
dians near the western boundary of the State of
Missouri. We find no record of her later.

In October, 1830, Mr. Warne was dismissed at
his own request and afterwards became pastor of
the Baptist church in Brookline, Mass. Although
the pastorate of Mr. Warne was brief and without
incident, his name should be cherished as one of
the good and able ministers of this church and the
denomination. Rev. Joseph A. Warne D.D., was
bom in the city of I^ondon, England, in the year
1795, and at an early age united with a Baptist
church in that city. He received a thorough
education in Stepney College and offered himself
as a foreign missionary, but was compelled to

28 HISTORY OF THE

relinquish his purpose owing to feeble health. He
then removed with his wife to this country and
settled in North Carolina. He was pastor at New-
bern and principal of Imwan Academy. Com-
pelled by ill health to make a change, he came
north and was stated supply, or pastor of the First
Church, Providence, R. I., South Reading and
Brookline, Mass., and Sansom Street of Philadel-
phia. About the year 1845 he left the pastorate
and lived in retirement. Later he edited the
Baptist edition of the "Comprehensive Commen-
tary," a work highly and justly prized by our
fathers in the ministry, and which some of us still
retain upon our shelves. The peculiar feature
about his life was his consecration to the cause of
foreign missions. We are told that "when Dr.
Price's children came to this country, and their
own relatives refused to receive them because their
mother was a Burmese, he took them under his
roof and gave them an education." After his
retirement from the pastorate he occupied himself
in making and saving money for foreign missions.
Some time before his death, which occurred early
in 1 88 1, he made over his entire estate to the Mis-
sionary Union, accepting only a small annuity for
himself and wife.

In August, 1 83 1, the church appointed a day of
fasting and prayer, followed by a series of meet-
ings. Several pastors of neighboring Baptist
churches, by invitation, assisted in these meetings

WAKEFIEI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 29

which produced a deep awakening. Although the
church was destitute of a pastor, preaching was
supplied by Rev. John Pratt, principal of the
Academy. As the fruits of this revival forty were
added to the church by baptism.

The following year (1832) Brother James Huck-
ens, a young man from Brown University, was
called to the pastorate of the church, and in Sep-
tember a council convened for the purpose of
ordaining him to the work of the gospel ministry.
Professor Elton of Brown University preached the
sermon on the occasion. Seven months later, in
May, 1833, Mr. Huckens was dismissed at his own
request and became pastor of a Baptist church in
Andover, founded in 1832. He subsequently re-
moved to Charleston, S. C, which was his home
at the time of his death.

The church was now pastorless about two years.
It was passing through a period of sore trial.
The subject of Freemasonry, that was agitating
the churches throughout the land, disturbed this
church, as others, and led to the passage of strong
anti-masonic resolutions in the summer of 1832.
The discussions upon this subject, upon the rights
of women in the church, with frequent discipline
for drunkenness, and other faults of its members,
seem to fill the records of the church for years.
But the Lord safely guided his people through
this troubled period in which many churches were
sadly rent, or went down in the storm.

30 HISTORY OF THK

The church was so deeply exercised over the
evils of intemperance that October 17, 1833, it
passed the following resolution : " Resolved, That
it is contrary to the sentiments and wishes of this
church to receive to church membership any per-
sons who are in the usual habit of taking ardent
spirits as a drink." This seems a mild resolution
in the light of today, but considering that when it
was adopted the drink habit was universal in this
country among all classes, including the clergy,
that in 1830, there were four hundred thousand
confirmed drunkards in the land, "not including
those in some stage of progress toward the fixed
habit," or one for every thirty inhabitants, the
action of this church was an advanced stand upon
this subject of which her sons may be proud today.
And what is more to the point this resolution
seems to have met with no opposition. It is well
to preserve the names of the men who had the
subject under consideration and introduced the
resolution and recommended its adoption, Deacon
Jacob Eaton and Hiram Sweetser.

During the year 1834 the church was supplied
with preaching chiefly, by students from the Theo-
logical Institution at Newton.

WAKBFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 3 1

CHAPTER IV.

In January, 1835, the church extended a call to
Rev. Isaac Sawyer, Jr., of Jay, N. Y., to become
their pastor. The call was accepted and he began
his ministry here in April following.

This year is marked by two noticeable events.
First, the pronounced attitude of the church on
the subject of slavery, in appointing a day of
humiliation and prayer " for our national sins, in
reference to slavery, and that God would dispose
the hearts of those who hold their fellow men in
bondage, to liberate them. ' ' Subsequently a special
prayer meeting for this object was held on the
evening of the last Monday in each month. The
old history adds that ' ' The Salem Baptist Asso-
ciation, of which this church is a member, has
since recommended to the churches composing
that body, the observance of the ' monthly concert
of prayer for the abolition of slavery.' "

Two years later the church took* further action
upon this subject " considering the great injustice
done to slaves who are deprived of their natural
rights, their family and conjugal ties often broken,
in violation of the laws of God ; * * particularly
after learning that the Savannah River Baptist
Association of ministers gave their approval of

32 HISTORY OF THE

licensing slaves, whose husbands or wives were sold
into servitude, and separated from them, to marry
others," and solemnly "voted their disapproba-
tion of such doings, and that they could not con-
scientiously extend to such professors the hand of
fellowship, nor invite them to commune with us
at the sacred table of our Lord. ' '

To appreciate this action of the church one needs
to bear in mind that at that time, and long after,
the churches of the North were greatly divided on
the subject of slavery, and a minister who was
known to hold pronounced anti-slavery views often
found it exceedingly difficult to effect a settlement
with any church.

The other event of the year was the total loss
of their meeting house by fire on the 20th of
December, saving only the Sunday School library
and the clock. This misfortune does not seem
to have disheartened the church. Courteously
declining the use of the Congregational church,
which was promptly offered them for worship, on
the day of the fire they appointed a committee to
finish a hall in the Academy for their use ; and
two days later voted to build another house on the
site of the one destroyed by the fire. The new
church was dedicated in December, 1836. It was
larger, and an improvement upon the former one,
being sixty-eight feet in length and forty-eight
feet in width, with a conference room in the
basement.

WAKEFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH. 33

In the spring of 1836, while worshiping in the
Academy, the church was blessed with an exten-
sive revival, most of the converts being heads of
families. The year seems to have been, in the
main, a prosperous and happy one. Twenty-five
persons were added to the church.

The following year (1837) was, however, one of
trouble, as the records of the church show almost
constant cases of discipline arising from personal
differences between the members.

In the spring of 1838 Rev. Mr. Sawyer resigned
and became pastor of the Baptist church in Deer-
field, N. H., where, in 1840, the church enjoyed
an extensive revival of religion under his ministry.
Mr. Sawyer was a young man, having been in the
ministry about four years before his settlement with
this church. He embraced the views of the Mil-
lerites respecting the speedy coming of Christ, the
close of this dispensation and the dissolution of our
globe, which, apparently, disturbed his relations
with the church and hastened his removal. During
his pastorate here he baptized forty-one persons.

In April, 1838, the same month that Mr. Sawyer
left, the church invited Rev. Charles Miller to
become their pastor. He accepted the invitation,
but his health immediately failed so that he
preached but one Sabbath after his settlement.
He remained upon the field, however, six months,
vainly hoping for recovery, and then resigned.

After an interval of a year and a half, in April,

34 HISTORY OF THE

1840, Rev. Larkin B. Cole entered upon his official
duties as pastor of the church. The year of his
coming was distinguished for revivals of religion
in many parts of the land, this church sharing with
others in the divine quickening. During the
spring and summer twenty-two persons were bap-
tized and added to the church. But in the spring
of 1 84 1 there was a marked dissatisfaction on the
part of many of the members, with the doctrinal
views of the pastor which led to his resignation in
January of the following year.

In February, 1842, the church called Rev»
Charles Evans to the pastorate, who was installed
the following month. He was a native of England
and had been a missionary in the island of
Sumatra. He was a worthy minister, of scholarly
habits, and having the advantage of extensive
travel.

In the records of the church this year, under
date of September 29th, we find the following
minute: " Chose Dea. Jacob Eaton a delegate to
attend the Massachusetts Baptist anti-slavery con-
vention to be holden at Worcester, October 5,
1842." This convention was called through the
columns of the Christian Reflector, a Baptist paper,
published in Boston and later consolidated with
the Watchman. This item is of more than local
interest, as not only indicating the attitude of this
church at that time on the subject of slavery, but of
the denomination throughout the Commonwealth.

WAKKFIEI<D BAPTIST CHURCH. 35

In the fall of this year the church received a
valuable addition in the person of Edward Mans-
field, who, with his estimable wife, joined by-
letter from the First Baptist church in Cambridge.
He was but twenty-nine years of age yet at once
identified himself with the interests of the church,
which he served with Christian zeal, and great
efficiency, till his death, Nov. i6, 1898, completing
to a day his fifty-six years of membership in the
church. It was at his suggestion, and under his
active influence, that in the following year a
singing school was organized, and successfully
conducted in the church. This may have been
the genesis of the musical talent this church has de-
veloped, and for which it has been noted many years.

During this period the Millerite excitement was
at its height, as William Miller, the founder of
this sect, had foretold that the second advent of
Christ, and the destruction of the earth would
occur in 1843. In the spring of that year twenty
persons withdrew from the church and joined the
Millerites. The forbearance of the church with
these deluded followers of Miller was such that
subsequently about one-third of them returned.

In March, 1844, Rev. Mr. Evans closed his
labors with the church. Later he acted for a time
as pastor of two churches in Michigan, and for
fifteen years was an agent of the American Tract
Society. His death occurred in Connecticut,
June, 1869, in the seventy- ninth year of his age.

36 HISTORY OF THE

The following month Rev. Paul Adams became
the pastor of the church. During his ministry the
church enjoyed a period of great harmony, and
many were added to its membership by baptism.
The year 1 847 is memorable as that in which the
church was blessed by one of the most powerful
revivals in its history, the effects of which were felt
in the Congregational church and throughout the
community. The interest began quietly during
the Week of Prayer, the first week in January, and
increased steadily for many weeks marked by a
great awakening in the Sunday School and by
remarkable answers to prayer. A record of the
event says " A time of such general and deep
religious feeling in this place had not been wit-
nessed since the winter of 1803-4." The minutes
of the Association this year report fifty -two persons
added to this church by baptism. The pastor was
assisted in this great revival by " a brother Haynes ' '
(probably Rev. Dudley C. Haynes, pastor of the
Baptist church in Marblehead) and by those
eminent Boston divines. Baron Stowe and
Nathaniel Colver.

August 3, 1848, the church "voted that a con-
tribution be taken after the communion service
next Sabbath to aid destitute members of the
church, and be dispensed according to the judg-
ment of the deacons." This was the beginning of
the customary monthly collections of this church
at its communion services for the poor of the

WAKEFIBI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 37

church and dispensed, as at the first, by the
deacons.

In September of this year Edward Mansfield
was elected clerk of the church ; an office which
he held, and ably filled, till his death. At the
close of this month Mr. Adams finished his labors
with this church, completing a successful pastorate
of nearly four and one-half years. He was after-
ward successively pastor at Newburyport, Mass.
and Newport, N. H.

Following the departure of Mr. Adams the
church was destitute of a pastor fifteen months.
With the opening of the year 1850 Rev. Daniel
W. Phillips, who had declined a previous call
from the church, entered upon his ministry here.
The installation services, January 9th, are notice-
able because of the eminent men who had a part
in them. The sermon was by Pharcellus Church
D. D., a well known writer in the denomination,
and at that time pastor of the Bowdoin Square
church, Boston. The installation prayer was by
the late S. F. Smith D. D., then pastor at Newton
Centre, and the address to the church by Robert
C. Mills D.D., of Salem. These men were then
in the prime of their splendid Christian manhood.
Rev. Reuben Emerson, of the Congregational
church in town, pronounced the benediction.

It was the auspicious opening of a remarkably
successful pastorate of more than thirteen years.
During this year, at the suggestion of the pastor.

38 HISTORY OF THH

*'The Psalmist," so long and favorably known as
the standard hymn book of the denomination in
this country, was, after long consideration, adopted
for the church service in the place of " Winchell's
Watts Hymns," previously used. Another im-
portant step was taken in laying the foundation of
our present plan of systematic beneficence.

The year 185 1 was shadowed by the death of the
aged father of the pastor who was residing here
with his son. Modest, kind and cheerful, he was
known affectionately in the community as "Father
Phillips." This afiiiction was followed later in the
year by the death of the pastor's wife, who is men-
tioned as a lady of intelligence and worth.

March 10, 1852, a special prayer meeting was
held in the vestry of the church, it being the anni-
versary of a meeting for fasting and prayer held
fifty-one years previously in the dwelling house of
Dea. Jacob Eaton. That meeting in 1801 was of
deep solemnity and power. The spirit of God
was manifest in the quickening of the saints and
the conviction of sinners. We are not surprised
to learn from the old records that, in the weeks
following, many turned to the I^ord and were
baptized.

At this anniversary four of those present at that
meeting in 1801, were still living and honored
members of the church. Deacons Jacob Eaton and
David Smith, and brethren Paul Sweetser and
Noah Smith. Two of these were present at this

WAKKFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 39

meeting, Dea. Smith and Noah Smith, the others
sent messages. We can imagine the deep interest
in this meeting, when the venerable Dea. Smith of
fourscore years, one of the three brethren first bap-
tized in the town by Dr. Baldwin in the spring of
1794, told the story of his conversion.

The last of September following, one of these
four, Paul Sweetser, passed away at seventy-three
years of age. He was one of the founders of the
church, a good man, who lived a devout and ex-
emplary life.

40 HISTORY OF THE

CHAPTER V.

The meeting house erected in 1836 was not equal
to the demands of the growing church and its
congregations, and in the summer of 1853 about
$4,000 were expended on enlargement, repairs,
and interior changes. Fourteen feet were added
to its length, besides raising the entire structure,
making provision for a commodious vestry and
committee rooms in the basement. The work was
completed in time to entertain the Salem Associa-
tion, which met with them October 12th and 13th.

During the time the meeting house was under-
going repairs the conference meetings of the church
were held in the chapel of the Congregational
church, which had been kindly offered them, and
the preaching services in the Town Hall.

In December of this year the church divided the
town into five districts, and sent forth ten visitors,
two in each district, who, going together, called
on the people, conversing and praying with them
and distributing religious tracts. We find no
record of special results following this visitation of
the town, although the committee seems to have
been wisely chosen, as we find in the list the names
of those whom this church holds in sacred memory
for their consecrated ability and godly lives.

W "^

WAKKFIKIvD BAPTIST CHURCH. 41

The intense feeling awakened in the northern
states by the passage of the Fugitive Slave I^aw in
1850, and augmented by the repeal of the Missouri
Compromise in 1854, culminated in Massachusetts
in the rendition to slavery of the fugitive slave,
Anthony Burns, in Boston, June 2d of the latter
year. A faint idea of the impression the event
made upon this church and community may be
obtained in the following record of that date in the
church minutes : "Today Anthony Burns, a fugi-
tive slave, has been remanded back to slavery.
The whole community around, and the meeting,
felt the influence. As the members came together
for meeting, the bells were tolling sad notes as for
Freedom's departure. Frequent reference was made
to the transaction of the day, and we felt humbled
before God that we were under the blighting curse
of slavery. ' '

In the spring of 1855 Dea. David Smith died,
after a brief illness, at the ripe age of four score
and three years. He was noted for his faithful
attendance upon the services of the church, and
that he made it a rule to be always present when
the services began. It was a part of his religion
not to disturb the worship of others by his late
arrival. A beautiful example, worthy of imitation.
He was a man of good judgment, and, as an officer
of the church, calm and considerate, noted for the
firmness of his principles and the gravity of his
depTortment.

42 HISTORY OF THK

Soon after his departure steps were taken to fill
the vacancy in the diaconate caused by his death.
Zenas Eaton, who had been elected to the office in
1 84 1, but had never served, was requested to offici-
ate, but declined. Two candidates were then
brought before the church for their choice, Edward
Mansfield and Manning W. Sullivan. Brother
Mansfield was elected. After mature consideration,
in a beautiful letter to the church, breathing the
fine spirit of the man, he gratefully declined the
high honor bestowed upon him. Manning W.
Sullivan was then chosen and accepted the office,
the fourth of the worthy men who have served the
church in this capacity.

The years 1856-57 seem to have been devoid of
special interest. This church shared in the general
apathy that pervaded the churches throughout the
land. But in the spring of 1858 it felt the uplift of
the great revival that was sweeping over this land,
and eventually England and Scotland, and this
j^ear thirty-one were added to the church by bap-
tism, besides many by letter and on experience.
Among those baptized in the month of May, was
brother Albert G. Sweetser. So high did he then
stand in the estimation of his brethren, that in July
following he, with brother Edward Mansfield, was
elected deacon, both of whom declined to serve.
The interest awakened in the church early in the
year was not ephemeral, as the records show a
marked interest and large attendance upon the
meetings of the church to its close.

WAKKFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 43

The year 1859 is marked by the passing away of
two aged and esteemed brethren of the church.
We quote from an unpublished historical sketch of
the church by Jonas Evans : * ' In the spring of this
year (1859) we lost brother Noah Smith, father of
Rev. Francis Smith, of Rhode Island, and grand-
father of Rev. James Wheaton Smith, D.D., of
Philadelphia, Pa. Brother Smith fell dead while
walking in Blackstone street, Boston, in the eighty-
fourth year of his age. * * * Within two weeks
after Brother Smith's death, our aged and venerable
Dea. Jacob Baton died. He was one of the three
young men who, in the autumn of 1789, planned
and agreed to commence a religious Sabbath eve-
ning meeting, which has ever since been held in
this place, and though he was the youngest of the
three he was the leading spirit among them. In
the summer of 1853 these three aged friends met for
the last time in this world, at the house of Dea.
Baton, a few rods from the spot where the above
Sabbath evening meeting was planned. The old-
est, brother Benjamin Smith, died the January
following this interesting interview, in his ninetieth
year, after an illness of but seven days. The next
in age, Dea. David Smith, died the year following,
also after seven days' illness, aged nearly eighty-
four years. Dea. Jacob Baton died after an illness
of ten days, in his eighty-eighth year."

The death of this remarkable man calls for more
than a passing notice. At the time of his baptism,

44 HISTORY OF THE

in 1794, he united with the Baptist church in Wo-
burn, where he was chosen deacon in 1799. At
the organization of this church he became one of
its constituent members. At the first Communion
service after the organization, deacons not having
been chosen, no one appeared to pass the elements.
All eyes were turned toward Jacob Eaton. In
reply to their mute inquiry he said : " It is not
my place. I was a deacon of the church at
Woburn, while I am only a private member here."
A motion was made then and there, and passed
unanimously, appointing him deacon.* And
worthily he filled the office to which he was then
called.

The following description of Deacon Eaton is
taken from his Memoir written by Jonas Evans :
* ' In person Deacon Eaton was about six feet tall,
— ^proportionately large and firmly built. He was
moderate and self-possessed in his temperament,
though quick and comprehensive in his mental
perception. He was disposed to look on the
agreeable aspect of things, to be cheerful and hope-
ful, and to enjoy the good gifts of Providence. In
his manners he was modest and affable ; and being
naturally social and quietly facetious, his company
and conversation, even in old age, was alike pleas-
ing and instructive, both to the aged and the
young. The portrait of him taken when seventy
years old (a copy of which hangs in the vestry of

* See the church records under date of September 30, 1859.

WAKKFlKlvD BAPTIST CHURCH. 45

this church) is a very good resemblance of his
features and indication of his traits of character. ' '

The following are extracts from the address of
his pastor, Dr. Phillips, at his funeral, May 29th :

' ' I knew Deacon Eaton twenty-seven years ago,
when he was little past sixty. The young men at
the Academy (South Reading) were agreed in the
opinion that he was much such a man, both as to
his bodily presence and mental characteristics, as
the patriarch Abraham when he tended his flocks
on the hills of Canaan. That impression has
grown stronger with me till the present time. I
also then, and have ever since, associated him with
Andrew Fuller. The frames of both were massive
and heavy, the features large and open, and the
qualities of mind also were not unlike.

' ' I have some remembrance of the conference
meetings when I first knew Deacon Eaton ; and
my conviction is that there were then many good
speakers, as there have been ever since, yet I have
retained no distinct impression of any one except
Deacon Eaton. It was my opinion then, and I
have not changed it since, that with the exception
of a very few professional speakers, I never have
heard his equal. I always was delighted to see
him get up, for he was of goodly port, — not beau-
tiful, but a person one would never tire to look
at ; yet more was I pleased to see him stand up,
because I expected something worth hearing and
remembering ; for he was accustomed to speak of

46 HISTORY OF the:

excellent things, and the opening of his lips were
right things. His addresses had a beginning,
middle and end to them. They were also new and
fresh, and not wearisome repetitions of worn-out
thoughts. He spoke because he had something to
say, and he had always something worth saying
laid up among his treasures. His mind was
exceedingly well disciplined, though he was but
slenderly indebted to schools or books. For a man
who spoke so much as he did, the almost exhaustless
variety of his addresses was very remarkable ; and
this peculiarity was often referred to with wonder
by the students. There can be no doubt that he
has influenced for good many ministers of the
gospel. The chief characteristics of his public
speaking were weight and solemnity. His voice
was just what might be expected from such a
broad, round chest — it was deep and sonorous.
His thoughts flowed from him like a river with a
broad and free channel. There was no declama-
tion, nor coruscations, but thought — much thought,
warm and living. He was often truly eloquent —
if to impress and to move be criterions of eloquence.
He grasped with great strength and clearness some
of the mightiest elements of the new life, and they
were to him not thoughts merely, but the felt
powers of the world to come. They were wrought
into his experience. His great thought, or sense,
or conviction which principally made him what he
was, was his entire accountability to God.

WAKEFIEI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 47

* * God called him by his grace and gave him to
this church. And this church is much indebted
to him for its high intellectual stamp."

Such was the first deacon of this church ;
primus inter pares. Such were the men who laid
the foundation of this church and were its leaders
for nearly half a century, and left a deep impress
upon their associates and immediate successors,
through whom their influence is felt to-day, and to
whom this church is deeply indebted for its present
strength and stability.

It is well for the present generation to know
that the fathers were not weaklings, that ''there
were giants in those days," and that we do well to
emulate the purity of their lives and their excellen-
cies of mind and spirit, and strive to maintain, if
we cannot excel, the high standard of Christian
living and church membership which they set
before us.

In the following year (i860) another pillar of
the church was removed in the death of Zenas
Eaton, son of Dea. Jacob Baton, at sixty-three
years of age. Converted in the revival of 1820,
for forty years he had been an active, zealous,
member of the church, living a beautiful, conse-
crated life. He seemed to live constantly in view
of the celestial city and longed that all others
should eventually share with him in its blessed-
ness ; and most fervent were his appeals to the
unconverted.

48 HISTORY OF THS

The indebtedness incurred by tlie church in the
enlargement of the meeting house in 1853 was
pressing heavily upon them when they received
this year a generous donation of $2000 from Mrs.
Edmund B. Wiley, now the widow of the Rev.
Horace Baton, enabling them to cancel the debt,
thank God and take courage.

WAKKFlKr<D BAPTIST CHURCH. 49

CHAPTER VI.

The year 1861 opened under the threatening
clouds of the coming Rebellion. This church,
like many others, sought the Lord for help and
deliverance. The first of January was observed
by them, both day and evening, in fasting and
prayer ; ' ' especially for the blessing of God to
rest upon the country and preserve the nation from
anarchy and overthrow; for the President and
officers of the government that they might rule in
the fear of God ; and for the present and incoming
administrations that they might seek of God the
wisdom to direct them in administering the affairs
of a great people."

When, a few months later, the storm burst the
loyalty of this church was unquestioned. In the
record of those days in the history of the town
we find prominently among the patriotic citizens
active in support of the Government the names of
Rev. D. W. Phillips and Edward Mansfield.

This church also sent forth her sons to the war.
The first of these who fell in defence of the Union
was Francis Sweetser, aged twenty- three, who was
mortally wounded in the battle of Fair Oaks, June
25, 1862. He united with the church September
2, 1859. He was an earnest christian, the same in

50 HISTORY OF TH:^

the army as at home, and bore the record of a
brave and faithful soldier.

The chaplain of his regiment, Rev. A. B. Fuller,
gave the following account of the closing scene of
his life: "Private Francis Sweetser, Co. B, i6th
Mass., lay wounded through the abdomen in much
pain, but quiet and smiling, as though the hour
were full of joy to him. 'Thank God,' he said,
' that I am permitted to die for my country ; thank
God yet more that I am prepared.' Then he
modestly added, ' at least I hope I am.' We who
knew him, and his humble christian life in the
regiment, have no doubt of the full assurance of
his faith and that all he hoped is now realized in
bliss. When he died he was in prayer, and in
that position his body grew rigid and remained."

Nothing indicates more forcibly the loyal spirit
of this church than the fact that seventy-nine
members of its congregation enlisted in the Union
army, ten of whom died in the service, and others
returned bearing honorable scars, or suffering from
diseases contracted by the hardships and expos-
ures of army life.

In November of this year (1862) we find the first
record of a union Thanksgiving service of the
Congregational and Baptist churches. The meet-
ing was held in the Baptist church and the sermon
was preached by Dr. Phillips. Neither text nor
theme are given, but we can safely assume that
the sermon was intensely patriotic. Rev. Charles

WAKBFIBI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 5 1

R. Bliss, pastor of the Congregational church,
ofi&ciated in other parts of the service.

In January, 1863, the church felt the need of
electing two deacons. At a very full meeting
called for this purpose, on the 23d of the month,
the two brethren who were elected to this office in
1858, but declined to serve, viz : Albert G. Sweet-
ser and Edward Mansfield, were presented as can-
didates. On proceeding to the election of each
separately, in order that there might not seem to
be any rivalry between them for the office, brother
Mansfield ' ' requested that his name should not be
used in connection with the office," whereupon
brother Sweetser was elected by a large vote.
About two weeks later, Februarys, Edward Mans-
field was elected deacon by an equally decisive
vote. These two brethren, elected practically at
the same time, very nearly of the same age, and
between whom existed a warm friendship through
life, were permitted to serve the church together in
their official relations for thirty -five years, until
the death of Dea. Mansfield in 1898.

In the spring of this year Dr. Phillips resigned
his pastorate to take charge of a school for colored
pupils, under the auspices of the Baptist Home
Mission Society, in Nashville, Tenn., and which
was known later as Roger Williams University, of
which he was president until his death.

Dr. Phillips was a strong man ; probably one
among the ablest and most scholarly of the men

52 HISTORY OF THK

who have held the pastorate of this church, and
second to none in the inculcation of Biblical truth.
One who sat under his ministry, and was well
qualified to judge, says of him : " With a shade of
melancholy in his temperament he was a devoted
student ; had an uncommon share of metaphysical
taste and acumen, and was fond of minute and
extended investigations, less calculated to interest
the masses than more condensed and animated
addresses."

A portion of the time he was here he taught a
Bible class of adults who met him on week day
evenings. Often the discussions waxed warm be-
tween members of the class over obscure passages
or points of doctrine. At such times, we are told,
the doctor would sit in silence, with closed eyes,
and let the disputants entangle themselves till they
would appeal to him for deliverance. Then the
doctor in a few sentences would clear the atmos-
phere, state the subject under dispute correctly,
and present the truth concerning it, and the neces-
sary conclusion, so lucidly as to secure the assent
of all.

The writer quoted above also adds, ' ' He was
remarkable for his discreet and exemplary deport-
ment. His daily christian life won the respect of
all who knew him, and his affectionate sympathy
with the suffering and bereaved has left tender
memories in many hearts."

A warm friendship grew up between him and Rev.

WAKBFlKlyD BAPTIST CHURCH. 53

Reuben Emerson of the Congregational church,
and at the request of the latter he was his constant
religious attendant during his last sickness in i860.

Rev. Daniel W. Phillips was born in South
Wales, June 7, 1809, and died in Nashville, Tenn.,
April 13, 1890. His parents were very poor and
he had but little schooling in his native land.
His thirst for knowledge led him to come to this
country, unacquainted with our language, when
about twenty years of age. Three or four years
later we find him a student in South Reading
Academy, rooming in the house of Jotham Walton
on Baton street, with another student by the name
of Brayton who died last year in Burma, after a
long period of missionary service, tenderly loved
by his disciples, and known by them as Father
Brayton. These young students were very poor
and boarded themselves, living on mush and milk
and roasted potatoes, with the occasional luxury
of a loaf of brown bread. I^eaving the Academy
Mr. Phillips pursued courses of study in Brown
University and Newton Theological Institution,
receiving from Brown University, in 1874, the de-
gree of Doctor of Divinity. He was ordained in
1838 and settled in Medfield, Mass., from which
church he came to the pastorate here.

Probably no pastor of this church ever held so
large a place in the confidence and esteem of this
community as Mr. Phillips through his noble
qualities of mind and heart and long residence
among this people.

54 HISTORY OF TH:e

In the fall of this year brother Manning W.
Sullivan died, aged forty-seven years, having
served the church as deacon a little more than
eight years. "He was esteemed a modest, amia-
ble and conscientious man." A talented son of
his, Rev. Frank L,. Sullivan, is field editor of the
Pacific Baptist, printed in Portland, Oregon.

In January, 1864, Rev. George Bullen entered
upon the pastorate of the church.

In the summer of 1865, Dea. Martin Stowell
died, aged seventy-six. He had been a member
of the church fifty-one years, and served as deacon
forty-seven years. He was a good man, remark-
able for his devotional spirit and his faithfulness
in conversing with others on the subject of per-
sonal religion. An honest man, a sincere friend,
one who endeavored to live in peace with all men,
who let his light shine as a disciple of Christ, and
sought " a better country, that is a heavenly."

A remark of his is well worthy of preservation.
" The influence of a true christian is already felt in
three worlds; not only in this, but in heaven
where it is gratefully recollected by those who
have been benefited by it, and in the w^orld of woe
it is painfully remembered by those who had
opposed or despised it."

He, too, like Dea. Sullivan, left a worthy son
who entered the ministry, Alfred S. Stowell, who
was licensed to preach by this church in 1871, and
was ordained in Salem, N. H., in 1875. At the
present writing he is a pastor at Berlin, N. H.

WAKKFIKLD BAPTIST CHURCH. 55

In January, 1866, passed beyond this life the
last constituent member of the church, sister
Eunice Eaton, widow of Dea. Jacob Eaton, in the
eighty-sixth year of her age.

She was deeply impressed while witnessing the
first baptism in this town in Lake Quannapowitt
in 1794, and was herself baptized in the lake five
years later. Others, too, were impressed while
witnessing the ordinance on that memorable occa-
sion, and in the house where the candidates had
returned, and when the administrator. Dr. Bald-
win, was taking refreshments, in another room a
christian brother was conversing and praying with
those who were ' ' pricked in their hearts ' ' at the
water side, this sister among the number.

She was a worthy wife of the noble man whose
name she bore, and for three score years had been
a "mother in Israel," sympathizing in the afilic-
tions of the church and rejoicing in its prosperity.
Like Phebe of old she was a true ' ' servant of the
church," and like the household of Stephanas she
gave herself "to the ministry of the saints."

In the autumn of this year. Dr. Bullen resigned
because of illness which prevented his preaching a
large part of the year, although he was enabled to
perform pastoral and other duties. The church
accepted his resignation with keen regret, express-
ing their deep sympathy with him in his affliction
and testifying to the high esteem in which he was
held by them because of the christian qualities he
had exhibited.

56 HISTORY OF THK

His pastorate was marked by cordiality and
harmony, notwithstanding severe cases of disci-
pline which his equanimity and tact prevented
from disturbing the church. Although the records
of the church furnish but little material for this
period, happily reminiscences of Dr. Bullen's pas-
torate, which he has kindly furnished the writer,
are all sufficient, and are as follows :

PASTORAI^ RKMINISCKNCKS OF DR. BUI^IvKN.

First of all, it should be said, that my short
pastorate in Wakefield was a very pleasant one.
The church had been much divided for some time,
but it became united, and was very happy. I
loved the church, and felt that the church loved
me.

One of the leading men told me, soon after my
settlement, that when he first saw me, he said to
himself — it had been like him to say it to others
also — " none of us, neither uncle — nor any other
can manage that man." How this impression
was made I hardly know. The preacher had
never thought himself very lordly or commanding.
But none tried to manage him, and it is hoped he
did not try in an unbecoming manner to manage
the church.

One thing impressed me favorably at the very
first, namely, the promptness of the people at the
services, a cardinal virtue, still exercised, I trust.

-I

DEACON EDWARD MANSFIEI^D.

WAKKFIKLD BAPTIST CHURCH. 57

The prayer meetings were always a strength to
me, large, warm, intelligent. Young disciples
could hardly fail of a symmetrical development in
such an atmosphere. No heresies, no hobbies, no
serious clashing of thought ; they were very enjoy-
able and very edifying. Referring to the prayer
meeting, I may mention a special external feature,
the elevated rear row of settees, on which brother
Newhall Sweetser always sat. Here he could
oversee all. Moreover nothing escaped his mental
eye, and nothing was heard with theological indif-
ference.

A single suggestion of the pastor — not a very
important one — failed of sufl&cient favor to be
adopted. The choir was located in the gallery in
the rear of the congregation, and the people were
accustomed at the time of singing to turn and face
the choir. The pastor did not approve of this
habit, and asked that it might be changed. But
public sentiment was against the proposed change,
a few persons were very pronounced in opposition ^
and it was not made. New England conservatism
had a fresh illustration.

On two occasions the pastor felt obliged to take
command of the social meeting. An intelligent
man, who had been excluded from the church
many years before, sought the freedom of this ser-
vice for the ventilation of views not regarded with
favor by th epeople. He was not checked the
first time, but his second attempt was at the very

58 HISTORY OF THE

beginning so unbecoming in manner, in spirit, and
evident persistence, that the pastor decided to
check him. " I would like to say," he continued,
"you had better not," was the pastor's response.
"I wish to explain, I was misunderstood," he
continued — "you had better not," replied the
pastor ; "if you will not allow, ' ' he added — ' ' you
had better not speak, sir." The episode was over.
The vestry was full, the people very quiet, the
sensation deep. But the man's purpose to vindi-
cate himself, and in the vestry too, was not aban-
doned. One of his friends informed the pastor
that he was "not through," to whom the pastor
replied, "he is through," and he was. Doubtless
the friend advised him that he would not be
allowed to speak.

The other occasion was the social afternoon
service on a Fast day, in the time of the war of
the rebellion. A clash came between two repre-
sentatives of the two strong moral forces, — an
occurrence not uncommon in those days, — conser-
vatism, that had almost more affinity with the
South than with the Union, and radicalism, that
could not tolerate anything short of absolute, out-
and-out loyalty to the government, a loyalty born
or strengthened, it might almost be said, of anti-
slavery conviction. Both had had their say, and
the pastor saw that a cyclone was at hand if sum-
mary measures were not adopted. He at once
arose, expressed his dissent from both positions

WAKKFIEI<D BAPTIST CHURCH. 59

advocated, and then "dismissed the assembly."
This was the end. From certain points of view,
both men, it might be claimed, were right, but the
pastor thought both out of time and tune suffi-
ciently to justify applying the cloture.

In 1865, an abiding source of joy was given us
in a most refreshing work of grace. It was a
shower, gentle, sweet, powerful, though not ex-
tensive in time or in the number gathered into the
church. The quality of the work was unexcep-
tionable, the results enduring. The church is still
enjoying the strength of it. Two young men were
brought into the kingdom at that time. I must
write their names, Alfred S. Stowell and Robert
N. Howard. There was a much larger number of
girls, and every one of them, so far as I know,
' ' has witnessed a good confession' ' for thirty-five
years. Though I have had very little personal
knowledge of these whom I then saw coming into
the kingdom and whom I had the privilege of
baptizing, they have been, more than they will
ever know in this world, "my joy and crown."
This gracious visitation came in the late summer,
and its first sign appeared the evening before the
pastor was to leave on his vacation — a little later
than usual. The vacation was given up. How
easily to the pastor !

The last ten or eleven months of my pastorate
were months of sore trial to the pastor and doubt-
less to the church, though of this he received no

6o HISTORY OF THE

hint. Generous sympathy was manifested to him
in his physical prostration. The pulpit was well
supplied by brethren from abroad. Some of the
time during the ten months, the pastor did more
or less pastoral work, but a cloud was over him
and over his relation to the church. When it be-
came clear that only a prolonged rest could give
hope of further usefulness in the ministry, he
resigned. This action was a positive wrench, but
a wrench evidently called for by Providence. How
can a christian minister surrender his pastoral
position without serious pain ! It was a comfort
that the church also shared the pastor's trial these
anxious months, and at the end.

Rev. George Bullen D.D., was born in New
Sharon, Me. He graduated from Waterville Col-
lege, now Colby, in the class of 1853, which
college later conferred on him the degree of Doctor
of Divinity. He entered the Newton Theological
Institution, graduating in 1858. He was ordained
pastor of the church in Skowhegan, Me., in i860,
and entered the army as chaplain in 1863. After
his pastorate here he was settled in 1868 as pastor
of the church in Pawtucket, R. I. He resigned
his pastorate with that church in 1891 to accept a
chair in the Newton Theological Institution and
the secretaryship of the Northern Baptist Educa-
tion Society. He reentered the pastorate in New
I^ondon, N. H., January i, 1900, which position
he still occupies.

WAKEFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 6 1

CHAPTER VII.

In January, 1867, Rev. James W. Willmarth,
who had been on the field, as acting pastor, since
the departure of Dr. Bullen, was invited to settle
with them. The invitation was accepted and after
an enforced absence of six weeks he entered upon
his pastorate here early in March. The interest
which had developed under his earlier labors con-
tinued on his return, and during the spring and
summer many were added to the church by bap-
tism.

In October the Salem Association met again
with this church, having accepted its hospitality
once before in 1853.

The Associational gatherings in those days were
of much more interest to the churches than now,
and were anticipated as the crowning religious
event of the year. They occupied two full days,
the second Wednesday and Thursday of the month,
and were preceded by the Ministers' Union Tues-
day afternoon. The delegates and visitors were
entertained by the families of the church and
society at their homes. Many warm and lifelong
friendships were formed at these gatherings.
This year the attendance was very large, the
committee of the church subsequently reporting an

62 HISTORY OF THE

attendance of six hundred persons. The clerk of
the church proudly records ' ' Yet were all accom-
modated, and, apparently, to the satisfaction of all
the guests. The brethren and sisters and friends
threw open their houses and extended a hearty
welcome. Many families accommodated (on the
first day) ten to thirty persons each. It was done
cheerfully and with feelings of pleasure."

At the annual meeting, April 24, 1868, the
church adopted, in substance, the present method
of electing the officers of the Sunday school, for-
merly elected by the school, and appointing a com-
mittee to have charge of this department of its
work.

May loth, the church celebrated the semi-cen-
tennial of its Sunday school. Unfortunately we
find no record of this important event except in
the History of Reading, and there only a state-
ment of the fact.

In August, 1869, Mr. Willmarth, for reasons
which he states elsewhere, tendered his resigna-
tion to take effect the first of October. The resig-
nation was accepted, and on the above date was
closed a brief, but especially interesting and
profitable pastorate.

Brother Willmarth has kindly placed in the
hands of the writer reminiscences of his pastorate
here which we regret we are unable to print entire,
but we trust nothing of importance, bearing upon
the history of this church, has been omitted.

WAKKFIKLD BAPTIST CHURCH. 63

RKMINISCKNCKS OF MY PASTORATE AT WAKK-
FIKLD, BY DR. WIIvIvMARTH.

My previous pastorates were at Metamora, 111.^
and Amenia, N. Y. After serving the Baptist
church at Rockport, Mass., as stated supply, for
about five months (summer and fall of 1866), I
intended to seek a field of labor in the more genial
climate of the Middle States ; but being invited to
preach for the church in South Reading — now
Wakefield — I arrived there Nov. 30, 1866, and
preached the next Sunday, Dec. 2, for the first
time. Within perhaps about two weeks some
religious interest began to appear. The celebrated
D. L. Moody, now gone to his rest, held one
meeting in the Congregational church. Several
young persons, including some young ladies of
the Baptist congregation, rose as inquirers in that
meeting. The South Reading brethren, with
whom God gave me favor, urged me to remain, at
least for a while, to lead them and labor with them.
This I did, throughout the month of December,
preaching the gospel on Sundays and at the two
evening meetings — Tuesday and Friday — then
maintained by the church. The interest increased ;
several professed to believe in Jesus.

About the New Year (1867) I was disabled by
a severe cold, or influenza, and shut in by a great
blocking snow-storm. I did not improve rapidly^
and therefore as soon as I was able retired (Jan.

64 HISTORY OF THK

24) to my father's house for recuperation, he being
then pastor at Pondville, Vt. Notwithstanding
my illness, and in spite of the ominous predictions
of some in regard to my health, the church called
me to the pastorate before I left South Reading. I
had ample time for consideration during my stay
in Vermont, hesitating long about giving up my
former plan; but at last, guided as I hoped by
divine providence, I accepted the call. I arrived
at South Reading March 8, and held my first
service — a prayer-meeting — as pastor that evening.

During my comparatively brief pastorate we held
no "protracted meetings." But at the beginning
there was a good deal of special interest, and
converts from time to time came into the church
in connection with our regular work, including
personal conversation by the pastor and inquiry
meetings. Twenty-four were baptized, of whom
four were public school teachers ; one of these,
Miss Jane S. Turnbull, afterwards became my
wife. While I was at Wakefield I preached two
hundred seventy sermons, two hundred four-
teen at Wakefield; baptized twenty -two of the
twenty-four who were baptized, married seven
couples and ofiiciated at thirty- three funerals.
Feeling a great interest in a pure version of the
Bible, I promoted quite a general circulation of
the Bible Union New Testament, which was used
in public and social services.

At the town meeting in 1868, my fellow citizens

WAKEFIEI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 65

of South Reading — soon to be known as Wake-
field — did me the honor to elect me a member of
the school committee for a term of three years.
This trust I was obliged to resign before my term
expired on account of removal from the town.
Dea. Edward Mansfield was the efficient superin-
tendent of the Sunday school during the whole of
my pastorate. Dea. A. G. Sweetser had a large
and deeply interested adult Bible class.

In 1867 the younger element desired to hold
something of the nature of a church fair. It was
without precedent and the idea awakened some
opposition. I gave my support and assistance on
condition that no feature should be introduced to
which I should object. By this pledge, loyally
observed, it was assured that nothing having the
taint of gambling or impropriety or offensive to
any reasonable christian, should find place ; and
this effort, the first of its kind, passed off pleasantly
and successfully.

My pastorate at Wakefield was a very pleasant
one. Slight drawbacks there always are and I
can see now that I may sometimes have lacked the
wisdom that comes by experience to those who
will learn ; but I preached the gospel — ' ' the
Ancient Gospel " we used often to call it, meaning
the old, true gospel just as it is given in the New
Testament — as well as I knew how and fearlessly
and I had a host of devoted friends. There were
then only two deacons, Albert G. Sweetser, still

66 HISTORY OF THE

living, honored and active at the age of eighty-five,
and Bdward Mansfield, who died in 1898, at the
age of eighty-five, universally loved and respected.
These two men stood by me, as Aaron and Hur
stood by Moses ; I shall never forget their love,
loyalty and efficiency. There were many others,
faithful brethren and noble women, not a few, a
large number of whom have passed over Jordan, to
a happier clime, and some of whom remain to this
day, whose true piety and warm fidelity to their
pastor are ever to be remembered.

In the summer of 1869 I received a unanimous
call to become pastor of the church in Pemberton,
N. J., and after careful deliberation accepted the
call. Among the reasons which had weight was
the matter of climate and the difference in Sunday
services. At Pemberton there was preaching
morning and evening and Sunday school in the
afternoon. At Wakefield there was preaching A.
M. and P.M. Sunday school preceding the P. M.
service and a prayer meeting in the evening. This
made three services for the pastor and rendered it
impracticable for me to pay much attention to the
Sunday school, except in a general way.

I recall with great pleasure the excellence of the
prayer meetings at Wakefield. They were gener-
ally well attended and we had a large force of men
gifted in prayer and able to speak to edification.
It always seemed to me that this church excelled
in that respect.

WAKKFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 67

It has always been to me a source of great joy
that my pastorate at Wakefield ended at a time
when everything was prosperous and happy, so
that pastor and people parted from each other with
unbroken affection and with sincere regret on both
sides.

From Pemberton, N. J., Rev. Mr. Willmarth
went to the Roxborough Church, Philadelphia,
Pa., in 1878, where he still retains his pastorate,
loved by his church, and honored and esteemed by
his brethren in the ministry. An able preacher,
scholarly, profound and original in his thought, a
pungent writer, and above all crowned with ardent
piety, he worthily bears the degrees of Doctor of
Divinity and Doctor of Laws conferred upon him.

Although the church was unable to settle a
pastor during the year 1870, it was blessed with a
deep religious interest. Many were converted and
united with the church.

April 9, 187 1, Dea. Mansfield resigned his office
of superintendent of the Sunday school, which
position he had held twenty-three consecutive
years to a day. At the annual meeting, the 14th
inst., brother Henry 1,. Haskell was elected his
successor. Wednesday evening following, the 19th
inst., there was a large gathering at a reunion of
the past and present members of the Sunday
school, when an original poem was read by Miss
Georgie L. Heath. During its recital she

68 HISTORY OF THK

presented to Dea. Mansfield, in behalf of the school
and its friends, a gold watch, as an expression of
regard for him, and appreciation of his labors as
superintendent for twenty-three years. From this
somewhat lengthy poem we venture to insert the
following beautiful lines :

' ' In memory of the many happy hours

That we have found within each passing year,
We offer you this token of remembrance
With our best wishes and our love sincere.

Let it remind you of that heavenly city,
Where watchers stand at every pearly gate ;

Where on the golden pavements walk the angels,
And on the crystal sea the ransomed wait.

There is a morn whose fadeless glories brighten,

As year by year eternally flows on ;
And in the country that its rays do brighten,

Christ's chosen ones each wear a starry crown,"

WAKKFIBI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 69

CHAPTER VIII.

Two months from this time the church passed
through a fiery ordeal. The capacity of the church
edifice which they occupied on the corner of Main
and Crescent streets, and which had been enlarged
in 1853, proving now inadequate, the society
decided to build a new one and to this end had
secured the large area, now occupied by them, for
that purpose. Work on the foundation had not
begun when, on the night of the 21st of June their
old edifice was destroyed by an incendiary fire.
Everything was saved from the church with the
exception of the organ and all the furniture of the
singers' gallery which could not be got at.
The large clock in . the vestry was also lost. The
pulpit desk and furniture, the communion table ,^
melodeon, carpets, cushions, etc., were all safely
removed. The old pulpit sofa now occupies a
place on the platform of the large vestry of this
church. On the church there was an insurance of
$8,000, and on the organ of $1,000.

The loss of their meeting house demanded
prompt action in rebuilding and six days after the
fire (June 27th), ground was broken for the new
edifice.

It was a sad company that gathered at the

70 HISTORY OF THK

Covenant meeting in a room ' ' irj the south-east
corner of the new Town House " the last evening
of the month. But God gave them a rich blessing
that evening in the person of one whose heart was
set to music and his lips to song, which were
consecrated to God and have been generously-
given to the services of the sanctuary through the
passing years. The first business of that meeting
was to receive into the membership of the church
Henry P. Pinkham from the First Baptist church
in Nashua, N. H.

Tuesday, Aug. 22d, at six o'clock in the after-
noon, a concourse of people gathered about the
foundation of the new meeting house to witness
the laying of the corner stone of the new edifice.
The exercises were in charge of Mr. G. H.
Sweetser, chairman of the building committee.
Praj^er was offered by Rev. George Bullen, followed
by singing by the choir. Among the speakers
were Rev. J. W. Willmarth, the last settled pastor
of the church, and Rev. George Bullen, his
immediate predecessor. Jonas Evans, an aged
member of this church, who was present at the
laying of the corner stone of the first meeting
house erected by this church, on Salem street,
seventy-one years before, gave interesting remin-
iscences connected with that occasion. The
following hymn, written for this service by Miss
Georgie I^. Heath, was then sung by the congre-
gation with fine effect.

WAKKFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 7 1

[tune:, SII.VER STRKKT.]

Bring forth the corner stone,

Before our waiting eyes,
"Whereon to God's eternal name
- Shall our fair temple rise.

On Christ, the Corner Stone,

Another temple stands.
Guarded by God the Father's eye.

And fashioned by His hands.

'Tis built of living stones !

And through eternal days,
Shall court and transept, arch and aisle

Be vocal with His praise.

Prosper, O God, the work

Our hands have now begun !
Till we shall hail it as complete.
And sing with joy, "'tis done ! "

Before the stone was placed in position Mr.
Sweetser read the following list of articles contained
in the copper box.

Historical sketch of the Baptist church in Wakefield,
with the Articles of Faith.

A brief statistical record of said church from its
organization to the present time.

Memoirs of Dea. Jacob Eaton and Elder George Evans.

Copies of the Christian Watchman and Reflector, the
Christian Era, Wakefield Banner, Baptist Missionary
Magazine, and the Fifty-seventh Annual Report of the
American Baptist Missionary Union.

A copy of the New Version of the New Testament
presented by Rev. J. W. Willmarth, former pastor.

72 HISTORY OF THE)

A hymn written by Miss Georgie L. Heath, to be sung-
at the corner stone this day.

A brief history of the Baptist society in Wakefield,
with a list of its officers.

A brief sketch of the Sabbath school, with the names
of its present officers and teachers.

Two stereoscopic views presented by Mr. Richardson
the artist. One is a view of the Baptist Meeting House
taken in 1870. And the other is a view of the ruins of the
same house, taken on the morning of the 226. of June,
1871, while the fire companies were yet upon the spot.

A gold dollar, deposited by John Rayner of this town,
being a 'portion of his compensation for serving as one of
the three months men in 1861, and also being the first
payment made by this Government to the soldiers in the
war of the great Rebellion.

Various denominations of currency now in use in the
United States.

A portrait of Captain Littlefield, drawn with a pen,
while he was in the act of making the box in which these
articles are deposited.

The stone was then hoisted and adjusted into its
place by deacons Edward Mansfield and Albert G.
Sweetser, assisted by Messrs. William K. Perkins
and Samuel Conant.

Rev. Mr. Willmarth concluded the services with,
prayer.

Nearly thirty years have passed since that
eventful summer day. Time has wrought its
changes. Many of that little company who
participated in the service of that hour in prayer
and praise have gone to ' ' the city which hath the
foundations, whose architect and maker is God.'*

WAKEFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 73

New faces are seen in the stately edifice that rose
above those foundation stones. Another choir
leads the congregation in song, and other lips
proclaim the divine message to men ; but they
sing the sweet old hymns they loved to sing, and
hearts respond to the gospel they loved to hear.

' ' Surely the people is grass. The grass wither-
eth, the flower fadeth ; but the word of our God
shall stand forever."

During the year occupied in building the new
edifice the services of the church were well main-
tained, and a goodly number added to its
membership. Many desirable men were invited to
the pastorate but declined the call. Just as the
year was closing a call was given to Rev. Richard
M. Nott of Aurora, 111., and accepted.

Sunday, June 23, 1872, after worshiping just
one year in the Town Hall, with joyful hearts the
church held its first services in the vestry of the
new edifice, with sermons by Rev. John N. Mur-
dock D.D., of Boston, late Secretary of the
American Baptist Missionary Union. Those who
have listened to this great and good man can well
imagine the fitness and inspiration of his discourses
on this occasion.

When Rev. Mr. Nott began his labors with the
church, Sunday, August 4, 1872, they had been
without a pastor nearly three years. We know not
what causes led to this long interim, possibly it
were not desirable to state them if known, but a

74 HISTORY OF th:^

large portion of the spirit of the fathers must have
rested upon the church that they should have passed
safely through this pastorless period, under the
peculiar circumstances in which they were placed,
without a falling away of many, but rather with
additions to their number ; for during this period
forty-eight were added to the membership of the
church.

The new meeting house was not completed till
the following December, at a cost of land, building
and furnishing, of $70,000. It was dedicated the
nth of that month, with an appropriate sermon by
the pastor. It is well the church did not see the
shadow, nor feel the burden of the coming years.
They faced a debt of $40,000 with a confidence that
seemed well placed in view of the resources at their
command.

June 24, 1873, the Sunday School Convention
of the Salem Association met with the church.
The attendance was very large, the church enter-
taining about five hundred guests from out of
town.

September 9th the church adopted a measure
which she has wisely retained, requiring ' ' that all
letters from other bodies, dismissing members to
this church, should receive the approbation of at
least a majority of the Standing Committee of the
church before being presented for action." At
this time, and for many years previous, the church
had required of those received by letter a relation

WAKKFIEI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 75

of their religious experience at the meeting when
received, or subsequently at an early date. This
requirement, in later years, has fallen into disuse.
In many churches the applicant for membership by
letter is required to appear in person before the
church committee for examination, a prudential
measure that has much in its favor.

Early in the following year (1874) Rev. Mr. Nott
through failing health, was compelled to resign the
pastorate of the church. This he did the last of
February to take effect the following July. The
last Sunday of his pastorate he was permitted to
baptize seven persons into the membership of the
church, including his eldest daughter.

Under date of Thursday, November 26th, we find
the following statement in the church records.
* ' The annual Thanksgiving Day — the Baptists held
separate meeting in their own house of worship.
Heretofore, for many years the Congregationalists,
Baptists and Methodists have held a union meeting.
Our brethren thought there were good reasons for
meeting separately and assume no responsibility
for the 'liberal' acts of other denominations in
regard to the worship on this day. Rev. Mr. Nott
preached from Psalm 67: 3, 4. * I^et the people
praise thee,' etc."

The liberal acts and reasons to which the clerk
refers were these. One of the churches in the
town refused to unite in a union Thanksgiving
service, as heretofore, unless the Universalist

76 HISTORY OF THK

Society were invited to associate with them. This
church recognizing that such a step would be a
practical recognition and fellowship of the Univer-
salist Society as a christian church, and its minister
as a minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, making no
distinction between an evangelical and unevan-
gelical church and ministry, consistently withheld
their consent. As a result of this action from that
time each of the evangelical churches held separate
Thanksgiving services for many years.

Early in the year 1875 there was a religious
awakening, beginning in the Congregational
church and extending into this church where it
steadily increased, calling for special meetings.
These at first were conducted by the church alone
until the services of Rev. Dr. Cummings of Con-
cord, N. H., were secured, who continued with
them two weeks, until the arrival of Rev. Charles
Keyser D.D. of Trenton, N. J., whom the church
had called to the pastorate.

Dr. Keyser began his ministry here the 21st of
March, and the first Sunday of the following month
he was permitted to baptize and welcome into the
church thirteen hopeful converts. Taking up the
work awaiting him Dr. Keyser prosecuted it with
commendable zeal, and the church enjoyed a pre-
cious revival and ingathering, in which the power
of God was manifested in a marked degree.

At meetings for the relation of christian exper-
ience, prior to reception for baptism, which were

WAKEFIEIyD BAPTIST CHURCH. 77

open to the public, we read in one instance that
four hundred persons were present, and in another
instance of three hundred present. During the
year forty were added to the church by baptism.
Prominent among those who are the most steadfast
and faithful in the church today are those who were
gathered in as the fruits of that revival.

It was the last ingathering of the faithful ministry
of Brother Keyser. At the beginning of the fol-
lowing year (1877) his health began to fail and
despite months of cessation from labor he fell
asleep in Jesus September 21st in the house of a
friend where he was visiting, in his fifty-first year.
The Sunday preceding his death he occupied his
pulpit and preached from the significant words
''What have I done?" Jer. 8:6. What he had
done for the glory of God and the welfare of others
is recorded in the imperishable annals of Heaven.
Rev. Charles Keyser D.D. was born in Albany,
N. Y., May 13, 1827. He received his literary and
theological education at Madison, now Colgate,
University and Rochester Theological Seminary.
He was ordained at Wallingford, Conn., in 1851.
He was pastor at Mount Norris, Niagara Falls and
Binghamton, N. Y. ; in Providence, R. I. ; in
Philadelphia, Pa. ; and in Trenton, N. J. ; before
his settlement here. He had a clear mind; was
logical, orthodox, fearless and faithful; and the
multitude of his friends lamented his early and
unexpected death.

78 HISTORY OF THK

In the early summer of this year Jonas Evans, a
prominent member of the church, passed away in
his eighty-fourth year. He was the author of the
Historical Sketch of this church published in 1841,
and of an unpublished Sketch of the church
continued from 1840 to 1867, and a Memoir of
Dea. Jacob Baton, published in 1859. To these
contributions of his pen the writer is largely
indebted in the preparation of this work. Besides
the books mentioned above he published other
works of a similar character, exhibiting in all a
good degree of literary ability and an extensive
and painstaking collection of facts. The records
of the church show that he was an active member,
maintaining throughout his life the esteem and
confidence of his brethren.

In the spring of 1878 the church extended a call
to Rev. R. R. Riddell of South Berwick, Me., who
entered upon his pastorate the first of June. In
the fall of this year the Salem Association met with
this church the third time in its history. The fol-
lowing year was one of quiet growth.

In the spring of 1880 the church, after a careful
revision of their Articles of Faith adopted those in
use at the present time.

The first Sunday in June the church enjoyed a
service of deep interest. At the Covenant meet-
ing, the Friday evening previous, Albert H.
Sweetser, a son of Hon. Paul Hart Sweetser of this
town, who had been a Universalist minister for ten

WAKEFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH. 79

years, related his experience and was accepted for
membership after baptism. Sunday afternoon he
occupied the time of the sermon in stating to a
large congregation his reasons for renouncing the
faith of the denomination with which he had been
connected so long and conspicuously, after which
he was baptized by the pastor, and later in the
month received from the church a license to preach.

Another interesting service was enjoyed by the
church the first of the month following in connec-
tion with the ordination of Frank L. Sullivan, of
whom previous mention has been made in this
history. The son of Dea. Sullivan, born and
reared in this town, the church felt a deep interest
in him and assisted him in securing an education.
Now, at the conclusion of his school life he sought
ordination at their hands. The sermon on this
occasion was preached by Rev. Heman Lincoln
D.D., of Newton Theological Institution, and the
charge to the candidate was given by Rev. William
Hague D.D. of Boston.

In the closing month of the year Rev. Richard
M. Nott, who since his resignation in 1874 had
dwelt among this people, passed on to his reward
in the fiftieth year of his age. Mr. Nott was born
in Nashua, N. H., in March 1831. At the age of
eleven he was converted, and soon after baptized
by his father who was then pastor of the Federal
Street, now Clarendon Street, church, Boston.
He graduated at Waterville, now Colby, College

8o HISTORY OF THE

when about nineteen years old. After teaching
seven years he entered Rochester Theological Sem-
inary, Rochester, N. Y., where he graduated in
1859 and entered immediately upon the pastorate
of the First Church in that city to which he had
been called before his graduation. After six years
of a delightful ministry with them his health failed
and his appreciative people sent him abroad for
recuperation. The physical vigor was never re-
gained. Resigning his pastorate in Rochester he
was successively settled at Atlanta, Ga., and
Aurora, 111., coming from the latter place to the
pastorate here. " He was a superior scholar and
a clear thinker. His early promise was un-
common. Few men were his equals in critical
scholarship and logical acumen. In the Boston
Ministers' Meetings, which he constantly attended,
the great worth of his utterances was readily con-
ceded by all his brethren."

t~^

STEPHEN W. LVFKIN. SAMUEL L. WHITE.

ALBERT G. SWEETSER.
ROBERT N. HOWARD. HARVEY B. EVANS.

PRESKNT DEACONvS OF THE CHURCH.

WAKKFIKIvD BAPTIST CHURCH. 8 1

CHAPTER IX.

The year 1881 is memorable for the culmination
of a period of self denial and sacrifice such as but
few churches, we hope, are called to pass through.
As previously stated, when the present house of
worship was dedicated December 11, 1872, there
rested upon it a debt of $40,000 of which $20,000
was borrowed on a mortgage, and $20,000 became
a floating debt. It was then necessary to raise
annually about $2,500 to meet the current expenses
and about $3,000 to meet the interest on the debt.
At that time the Society was in a strong and
prosperous condition. Then came the hard times.
The panic of 1873 ruined financially some of the
most valued among the members. In 1874 the
floating debt was reduced by the payment of $1,300
which was raised by subscription. In 1876 a
herculean effort was made under Dr. Keyser, then
pastor, to raise the entire amount. Sacrifices
followed and as the result the whole amount of
the debt was subscribed. This was a happy day.
But the remorseless enemies, death and the hard
times, came in and many were obliged to fail on
the payments. In 1879 the amount of principal
and interest had increased to $27,000. Another
effort was made under Mr. Riddell and $7,000 was

82 HISTORY OF THB

paid, reducing the debt to $20,000. This debt
was upon the church January i, 1881. The
burden of it was crushing out the best life of the
church. This was felt by the pastor and others.
Then came, in the providence of God, Mr. Edward
Kimball, a man signally blessed in raising church
debts. Sunday, February 13th, he appeared
before the people, and under his guidance an
effort was made to raise the debt. In the evening
of that day the pledges amounted to $14,250.
The effort was continued during the week and
at the afternoon service the following Sunday
it was announced that the pledges, thus far,
amounted to $18,000. A letter was read from
Rev. D. N. Beach, pastor of the Congregational
church, pledging his people for upwards of $1,400.
A little later a communication from the same
source was handed in pledging an additional $90,
swelling their gift to $1500, bringing tears from
the eyes of the grateful congregation at this
expression of fraternal sympathy. Only $500 was
needed to complete the work and more than this
amount was quickly pledged. These pledges
were speedily redeemed. But the sacrifices made
in the last decade to accomplish this result can
never be told ; nor can the present generation
realize its indebtedness to the noble men and
women who made it possible for it to enjoy, with-
out encumbrance, this beautiful sanctuary.

The following figures are eloquent with meaning.
The total sum of money paid into the church since

WAKKFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 85

its erection began, including interest, outside of
running expenses, etc., was $90,100.14; including
insurance, current expenses, etc., $125,000, besides
from $5,000 to $8,000 for benevolent purposes.

None except those who have passed through a
similar experience can understand, or appreciate,
the Jubilee service held in the church Sunday
evening, January ist, 1882 when, the pledges
redeemed and obligations met, the auditorium of
the church was filled by a grateful and enthusiastic
people. We shall not attempt to describe that
service, nor a similar one held later by the Sunday
school which had furnished the bell at a cost of
$1065.74.

Nov. 5th of this year (1882), Rev. R. R. Riddell
tendered his resignation which was reluctantly
accepted the following evening ; and two sets of
resolutions, " highly appreciative and complimen-
tary to the pastor ' ' were adopted. The same month
brethren Stephen A. lyufkin and Robert N. Howard
were elected to the diaconate. The committee who
presented their names was divided in its report on
the question whether they should be elected for
life, or for a term of years. The church decided
on the former course which had prevailed hitherta
and which obtains at the present time.

The next pastor of the church was Rev. Roland
D. Grant whom the church called and settled in the
spring of 1883. Early in the summer following the
church received a bequest of $1000 under the will of

84 HISTORY OF THK

Cornelius Sweetser, a former resident of this town
and late of Saco, Me. , the interest of the same to
be applied to the purchase of books for the use of
the Sunday school. The annual income is used
exclusively, by vote of the church, for the replen-
ishing of the Sunday school library.

Probably no pastor of the Congregational church
in this place ever endeared himself to this church
as Rev. D. N. Beach ; not only by the earnest
and enthusiastic leadership of his people in their
generous contribution to the liquidation of the
debt upon this church in 1881, but by the kind,
fraternal spirit he manifested in many ways,
especially in his tender ministrations to the sick
and bereaved of this congregation when they were
destitute of a pastor. And when in the fall of
this year the church learned of his resignation they
gracefully expressed their esteem for his christian
character and work, and their deep feeling of
gratitude, and sense of loss, in a series of resolu-
tions, so warm in spirit, and happily worded, as to
leave nothing to be desired.

In the spring of 1885 Mrs. Eunice Hill, an aged
member of this church died, leaving her homestead,
corner of Main and Pearl streets, to this church and
the American Baptist Home Mission Society, the
income from the property to be divided equally
between the church and the Home Mission
Society. Also at the expiration of twenty years
from the death of the donor (May 4, 1885), the

WAKEFlKIvD BAPTIST CHURCH. 85

property to be sold, if the church so desires, and
the proceeds divided equally between the church
and the Home Mission Society.

Mrs. Hill and her husband, Charles H. Hill,
joined this church by letter in 1855, his death pre-
ceding her own but a few months.

The balance of the year was clouded with long
and painful cases of church discipline, with seeking
delinquent members, and revising the church list.

In February of the following year brother Sam-
uel ly. White was elected to the diaconate. At the
annual meeting in April the following important
resolution, introduced by Dr. Samuel Abbott, was
adopted: "Resolved, That after this date (April
8, 1886) wine containing alcohol shall not be
used by this church at the ordinance of the I^ord's
Supper." Rev. Mr. Grant having previously pre-
ferred a request to be released from the pastorate,
the church, at this meeting, declined to grant the
request and earnestly entreated its withdrawal
which was accordingly done.

The month following the Sunday School Con-
vention of the Salem Association met again with
this church after an interim of thirteen years.
Notwithstanding the weather was unfavorable
there was a large and enthusiastic gathering, the
church entertaining about four hundred persons
in the large vestry, for whom ample provision had
been made.

An animated church meeting was held the 27th
of this month in response to a petition of seventy

86 HISTORY OF THE

members for a change in the order of the Sunday-
services. The order then existing was a preach-
ing service in the forenoon, a Sunday school
session in the afternoon followed by a preaching
service, and a prayer and conference meeting in
the evening. The change desired was that during
the months of June, July, August and September
of the present year the following order should be
substituted : preaching at half-past ten in the
morning, Sunday school at noon, prayer meeting
at half-past six in the evening, and preaching at
half-past seven. The meeting closed without final
action. Two weeks later, after another long dis-
cussion, the change was effected by a vote of
thirty-seven to twenty-four.

This was the beginning of repeated and unsuc-
cessful attempts to permanently change the old
order of services until the present order was estab-
lished six years later.

The year 1887 opened auspiciously. There was
an increasing interest in the church and several
baptisms, and many were secretly inquiring after
the way of life. The first of May Mr. Grant left
for a tour of three months in Europe. About the
middle of June Mr. William Cossum, a student at
Colgate University, and a friend of the pastor,
came to supply the pulpit a few weeks, and during
his stay labored earnestly, in the pulpit ai/d out of
it, to reach the hearts of the unconverted and, as
the result of his labors, half a score gave evidence
of a change of heart and, on the return of the

WAKKFIBI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 87

pastor, ten candidates were awaiting baptism at
his hands.

At the covenant meeting in August of this year
Rev. Willis F. Thomas was received into the
membership of the church.

It seems eminently fitting that in this place we
insert a brief sketch of the life and labors of brother
Thomas who, with his wife, holds a large place in
the hearts of this people.

Rev. Willis F. Thomas was born in Henthada,
Burma, in September, 1855. His parents. Rev.
B. C. Thomas and wife, were missionaries of the
American Baptist Missionary Union.

When Mr. Thomas was about twelve years old
his parents were obliged to return to America on
account of ill health ; his father died just as they
were approaching New York harbor. After some
years Mrs. Thomas returned to Burma, leaving
her son to complete his education at Brown Univer-
sity and Newton Theological Institution. While
in America Mr. Thomas joined the Harvard Street
Baptist church, Boston.

After his graduation from Newton, and short
periods of service at Kingston and Winthrop,
Mass., he sailed for Burma in the fall of 1880 and
began his missionary labors at Henthada, Burma.

Miss Emma L. Upham, a member of this church,
was one of the same missionary party which
arrived in Burma late in 1880. She was stationed
at Toungoo, Burma. December 25, 1883, Rev.
W. F. Thomas and Miss Emma I^. Upham were

88 HISTORY OF THE

united in marriage at Toungoo, Burma. Their first
station was at Henthada, Burma. Early in 1884
their attention was called to the work among the
Chins of Arakan, Burma. At that time there was
no mission station or missionary for these wild
people ; but much pioneer work had been done
among them by Mr. Thomas' mother. In 1885
Rev. W. F. Thomas and wife started a mission
station at Sandoway, Arakan, about four hundred
miles from their former home in Henthada. They
were completely isolated from all other mission
stations and their mission suffered much from the
depredations of the dacoits, or wild robbers of the
mountains, but God blessed their labors and many
converts were made.

In 1887 Mr. Thomas and wife, with their son,
were obliged to relinquish their work for a needed
rest in America. They made their home in Wake-
field with Mrs. Thomas' mother. During their
stay here Mr. Thomas joined this church by letter
from the Harvard Street church, Boston.

In the fall of 1888 Mr. Thomas and his wife
returned to Sandoway, Burma, where they labored
among the Chins until about 1894, when Mr.
Thomas was called to Rangoon, Burma, to take
charge of the Burman Bible class. This class was
soon after consolidated with the Karen Theological
Seminary at Insein, Burma.

In 1896 Mr. and Mrs. Thomas again relinquished
their work and spent a year and a half in America,

WAKEFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH. 89

with their three children. They returned to In-
sein, Burma, in the fall of 1897, leaving their son
Albert to receive his education in our Wakefield
public schools.

Mr. Thomas is an earnest, indefatigable worker,
and has done successful work as pioneer mission-
ary and also in the educational work at the Semi-
nary. His love for music is a great help to him
in his labors, and his knowledge of the Chin,
Karen and Burman languages is of great use in
the Seminary where students of many races are
received.

For this interesting sketch of Rev. Mr. Thomas
and his wife we are indebted to Mrs. William C.
Campbell, sister of Mrs. Thomas.

At this same Covenant meeting in August, 1887,
brother Herbert J. White, son of Dea. Samuel L.
White, was given an unlimited license * ' to preach
the gospel as Providence may afford him oppor-
tunity. ' ' Three deacons of this church have fur-
nished each a son to the ministry, all of whom
have honored their worthy sires in their calling
and given abundant evidence that they were sent
of God. In December the church granted a license
to brother " Fritz C. Gleichman, whom we shall
mention more fully later in this history.

The interest developed under the labors of Mr.
Cossum continued after the return of the pastor in
August, and before the close of the year a number
were received into the church by letter and
baptism.

90 HISTORY OF THE

CHAPTER X.

In the spring of 1888 the Congregational church
having in contemplation the removal of their old
house of worship to erect another on its site, this
church promptly offered them the use of their
meeting house during the process of rebuilding.
This offer was gratefully recognized and in due
time accepted. Steps were also taken towards the
dissolution of the Baptist Society which, since the
founding of the church, had existed as a distinct
organization, holding the legal title to all the
property of the church, and responsible for all
legal claims against it. As the members of the
church were members of the society, and the acts
of the society were practically the acts of the
church, there seemed no necessity for its existence,
neither did the laws of Massachusetts require it.
This dissolution of the society was accomplished
by the action of the church March 30th.

During this same month Rev. S. Hartwell Pratt,
assisted by Mr. Birdsall, a gospel singer, spent two
weeks with the church conducting evangelistic
meetings which were greatly blessed. On the
Communion Sunday in May the pastor gave the
hand of fellowship to twenty-seven persons who
had united with the church since the close of the

WAKKPIEI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 9 1

meetings, twenty-four of them by baptism. One
interesting feature of the meetings was the im-
pression made upon persons of mature years. Of
the twenty-four converts who were baptized, thir-
teen of them were over twenty years of age, and of
these, two were fifty years old, one fifty-six, and
four had passed three score years.

If we would labor as faithfully, in the pulpit and
out of it, for the conversion of those of mature
years, as we do now for the conversion of children
and youth, believing that God can save a man as
easily as a boy, we are convinced that we should
see a far larger number of men and women con-
verted and gathered into the churches than obtains
today under the impression that children and
youth are especially subject to the influences of
divine grace.

Early in the summer Mrs. Harriet N. Flint
donated $1,000 to the church, "the interest or
income of the same to be applied towards the pay-
ment of insurance, repairs, and other improvements
on and about the house of worship."

The 9th of August appropriate and deeply
interesting exercises commemorating the one hun-
dredth anniversary of the birth of Adoniram Judson
were held in Maiden, the place of his birth, on *
which occasion this church was represented by
deacons A. G. Sweetser and S. L. White.

Sunday, the 12th of this month, Rev. R. D.
Grant read his resignation to take effect at the

92 HISTORY OF THS

close of the month, he having received a call to the
pastorate of the First Baptist church in Beverly,
Mass. The resignation was accepted on the 25th
of the month, the church passing appropriate reso-
lutions expressing their appreciation of his ability
and fearlessness as a preacher, and their continued
interest in him and his family in the future.

Mr. Grant's pastorates, previous to his coming
here, were at Broadalbin and Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
Since leaving here he has been in the pastorate at
Beverly, Harvard street, Boston, Portland, Ore.,
and Vancouver, B. C, his present pastorate.
While in Portland he received the degree of Doctor
of Divinity. Dr. Grant is a magnetic speaker,
commanding a large hearing and is independent
and fearless in the expression of his thought. He
is a lover of nature and has traveled extensively.
He has fine powers of description and is in large
demand as a lecturer.

Sunday, October 21, Rev. N. R. Everts of
Albany, N. Y., supplied the pulpit. The imme-
diate circumstances leading to his appearance
before the church on that date are not generally
known. The Sunday previous to his coming the
pulpit was occupied by a candidate for the place.
His name, when given the church, was accom-
panied by such flattering testimonials that the
Supply Committee was led to engage him for two
successive Sundays. His sermons that first Sun-
day were so very unsatisfactory that at the close of

WAKEFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 93

the second service the committee met and with one
voice expressed an unwillingness to hear him
another Sunday. But how to get rid of him was
the question. Said one, "Pay him for the two
Sundays and let him go." This was done. Then
the question arose of a supply for the following
Sunday. Looking down the list in the hands of
the committee the eye fell upon the name of Mr.
Everts and some one suggested that they ' ' send
for that Albany man." He came and preached
that Sunday and was requested to remain in town
and preach the following Sunday, resulting in a
call and an entrance upon his ministry here the
first of December following.

Upon the dissolution of the Baptist Society it
became necessary for the church to frame new
rules for its government in order to transact the
business and manage the affairs that hitherto had
been conducted by the Society. Consequently a
committee was appointed at the annual meeting in
1888 to prepare such rules and present them at the
next annual meeting, or at some meeting prior
thereto, for their adoption. At a special church
meeting called for the purpose, March 20th, this
committee made their report, resulting in the
"Rules of Order Governing the Church" which,
with amendments adopted the following year, are
now in use.

Sunday evening, November 17th, the church
celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of the

94 HISTORY OF THH

first Sunday evening prayer meeting believed to
have been held in this town. An account of the
origin of this meeting and its results is given in the
first chapter of this history and need not be re-
peated here. As the seed of this church lay
imbedded in those Sunday evening prayer meet-
ings, which, since its organization it has studiously
maintained, it was fitting that this centennial
celebration should be peculiarly its own. At this
meeting the clerk of the church, Dea. Mansfield,
read a sketch which he had prepared, giving a
history of the appointing of that first prayer meet-
ing, with the names of the persons calling it and
the circumstances leading to it. He also exhibited
a little book, about the size of a pass book, con-
taining the original Covenant then made, and the
fifty-seven names then, and afterwards, attached to
it. He also gave an account of the most promi-
nent prayer meetings and revivals connected with
the Baptists of this town up to a recent date.
Aged members followed with thrilling recitals of
the past, drawn from personal experiences, with
which the present generation was unacquainted.
It was a memorable service and worthy of the
occasion.

The spring of 1890 the church received a fine
crayon portrait of Dea. David Smith, the gift of his
grandson, Mr. Thomas J. Skinner of this town, as,
the donor states, " a token of regard to the church
of my boyhood days." With other portraits of

WAKEFIELD BAPTIST CHURCH. 95

those old-time worthies it looks down upon the
present generation in the vestry of the church.

At the annual meeting this year the church took
an important step in deciding to withdraw from
the Salem Association and join the Boston North.
The reasons for the proposed change were that this
church was geographically out of the bounds of
the Salem Association and within the bounds of
the Boston North; the meetings of the Salem
Association were reached with difficulty, and to
avoid returning home late at night the delegates
and visitors from this church were obliged to lose
the evening sessions. Because of these conditions
very few of the members of the church attended
the Associational gatherings. The meetings of
the Boston North were easily reached with oppor-
tunity for attendance upon all its sessions without
inconvenience.

Very naturally some of the aged members of the
church were not in sympathy with the proposed
change, this church having been one of the
original number of which the Salem Association
was composed at its organization in 1827 and
these faithful ones had been constant attendants
upon its meetings since their entrance into the
church.

At this meeting the subject of the change was
thoroughly discussed and then referred to a com-
mittee to report at an adjourned meeting. The
writer distinctly remembers the meeting of that

g6 HISTORY OF THE

committee of which he and Deacon Mansfield,
who was not in sympathy with the change, were
members. During the discussion of the subject
the deacon sat in silence. When asked to state
his views he only said, reluctantly, "Brethren, I
wish that I had better arguments to advance in
opposition to the change than I am able to give."

It was characteristic of this good man to yield
sentiment to duty, and submit gracefully to the
inevitable. When a member of the church called
on him the morning after the adjourned annual
meeting and said, " We must fight this change,"
he answered, "No, my brother; it is a foregone
conclusion, and I am not going to place myself in a
position where I shall lose my influence with the
members of the church." The attitude of this
brother did more than all else to quiet opposition
and bring about the desired change in a harmonious
spirit.

The following month the church received a
portrait of Dea. Martin Stowell, the gift of his two
sons, John D. Stowell of Chicago, 111., and Rev.
Alfred S. Stowell, at that time pastor of the
Baptist church in Montville, Conn. The presenta-
tion, in behalf of the donors, was happily made by
Deacon Mansfield and gracefully received by
Deacon Sweetser.

Sunday afternoon, May the i8th, farewell services
were held in the old Congregational meeting house,
which was erected in 1768, prior to its being torn

WAKKFIEI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 97

down to give place for the erection of the beautiful
structure in which that church now worships.
The Sunday following, having accepted the offer
made them two years previously, they worshiped
in the Baptist church. The arrangement for the
services of both churches during their occupancy
of the house was as follows : The Congregationalists
occupied the house in the forenoon with their
preaching service, followed by their Sunday school
at noon, and the Baptists occupied the house in
the afternoon with their Sunday school and preach-
ing service as usual. Sunday evenings the
churches united in the prayer service which was
conducted alternately by the two pastors. The
monthly missionary concerts of the two churches
were held, alternately, the first Sunday evening
of each month. The mid-week meetings of the
Congregational church were held in the vestry of
the Universalist church. This arrangement
between the two churches, which proved satisfac-
tory in every respect, prevailed during the twenty-
two months in which the new Congregational
church was in process of erection.

98 HISTORY OF THE

CHAPTER XI.

Thursday afternoon, August 28th, a council
convened in the church to examine brother Fritz
C. Gleichman for ordination to the gospel ministry,
he having completed a course of studies in Colgate
University preparing for missionary labor in the
foreign field. The examination was highly satis-
factory and the ordination services followed in the
evening with the sermon by Rev. C. H. Spalding
D.D., District Secretary of the American Baptist
Home Mission Society, the ordaining prayer by
Rev. J. N. Murdock D.D., Foreign Secretary of
the American Baptist Missionary Union, and the
charge to the candidate by his pastor.

The Sunday evening following, after a sermon
by the pastor, addresses were delivered by Rev.
Mr. Wallace, pastor of the Congregational church,
and brother Gleichman. These were followed by
baptisms, when brother Gleichman administered
the ordinance to his wife whom he had lately
married in Hamilton, N. Y., and who was received
as a candidate for church membership the Friday
evening previous.

The following morning brother Gleichman and
his wife left for their field of labor in the Congo
valley, Africa, from which he never returned,

WAKKFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 99

dying at the mission from the fatal fever of the
country, June 17, 1893, aged thirty-eight years.

Sunday evening, September 17, 1893, a memorial
service was held in the church. The pastor
preached from Psalm 46 : 10, "Be still and know
that I am God." The devoted friend of brother
Gleichman, Mr. George H. Smith, read a sketch
of his life which he had prepared, which was
followed by a tender and appreciative address
delivered by Rev. E. F. Merriam, Recording Sec-
retary of the Missionary Union.

Rev. Fritz Charles Gleichman was born in
Copenhagan, Denmark, November 13, 1855.

The first we know of him is as a little child, not
eight years old, standing on the streets of that city
in mid-winter selling matches and soap ; a father-
less boy whose mother with her children had been
turned into the street a few nights before because
of arrearages of rent. This is all we know of his
childhood. In his youth he was successively a
waiter in a public house, cabin boy aboard ship,
and finally, as steward of a vessel, he entered a
port of Nova Scotia. Here, with difiiculty he found
employment, having abandoned the sea. Later he
came to Boston where, learning of an extensive
Rattan factory in Wakefield, he journeyed to this
place on foot and secured employment in the fac-
tory. One Tuesday evening, a few weeks after
his arrival in town, oppressed with a feeling of
loneliness he strolled upon the streets. On Main

lOO HISTORY OF THE

Street, opposite the Baptist church, he was arrested
by the ringing of the bell, and paused to listen
and watch the people entering the church. When
the bell had ceased ringing he crossed the street,
passed up the walk to the church door, and looked
in. At this moment an elderly gentleman coming
up invited him to enter and gave him a seat by his
side. For weeks afterward, at every prayer meet-
ing, the young Dane could be seen sitting by the
side of his new-found friend, brother Asa Newhall
Sweetser.

In due time he was converted, and was baptized
January 25, 1880. He embraced an opportunity
to study the English language by the help of a
young man in the church, and later went with Dr.
Phillips to Roger Williams University, Nashville,
Tenn. From there he went to a school in Pella,
Iowa. After two years he returned east to earn
money to continue his schooling and finally entered
Colgate University at Hamilton, N. Y., where he
completed full courses in the college and Theolo-
gical Seminary, graduating from the latter in June,
1890. Early in his christian life he longed to
become a missionary, and this purpose controlled
all his preparation in the schools.

The chief characteristics of Mr. Gleichman were
a cheerful spirit, an indomitable will, untiring
energy and an undaunted courage that laughed at
difficulties. He had supreme faith in prayer and
found no greater pleasure than in seeking, by

WAKEFIBI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. lOl

personal efforts, to win souls to Christ. His
widow, Mrs. Boletta Gleichman, and their one son
are residing, at present, in Hamilton, N. Y.

The increased representation of this church in
mission fields, through the appointment of Mr.
Gleichman, suggested the idea of a church mission
museum, to be supplied by articles from the mis-
sion fields in which its members were laboring,
which led to the present exhibit in the vestry of
this church, nearly every article having been fur-
nished by brother Thomas from Burma, or by the
lamented brother Gleichman, or his wife, from the
vaUey of the Congo.

In October the Salem Association, at the request
of this church, held its annual meeting with them
again before the separation. At the evening
session, when the request of this church for dis-
mission was under consideration, kind words of
parting were uttered by representatives of other
churches in the Association and by Dea. Sweetser
of this church who spoke, with deep feeling, of his
life-long interest in the Association and of the
hallowed memories of the past.

In the fall of this year the small vestry, in which
the prayer meetings were then held, was refinished
and decorated, largely through the generosity of
Mrs. Harriet N. Flint who, though residing in
later years in this town, the home of her childhood
and youth, still retained her membership in the
little Baptist church in North Reading with which

I02 HISTORY OF THK

she united, on removing to that town, in 1841,
that they might feel at liberty to call upon her for
any assistance she could render them, while resid-
ing and worshiping here and contributing to the
support of this church.

A union Thanksgiving Day service of the Con-
gregational and Baptist churches was held in this
church in which the pastors of both churches de-
livered addresses. It was the first Thanksgiving
Day service in which the two churches had united
in sixteen years.

The year was one of interesting events, crowned
with the quickening of the spiritual life of the
church and the conversion of sinners. Fifteen
were added to the church by baptism.

The year 1891 opened with delightful union
services during the Week of Prayer, conducted by
the pastors of the two churches. The summer
passed pleasantly with no special incident to be
recorded.

Learning that the Congregationalists purposed
entering their new house of worship in the fall the
pastor felt that the time had arrived when, if ever,
a successful effort could be made to adopt a new
order of Sunday services to be followed when the
church should again have entire control of the
house. The proposed change, substantially the
same as that observed at the present time, was
submitted to the church committee and after full
consideration was, by them, recommended to the

WAKKFIEJI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. IO3

church and went into effect the following year.
The results have proved the wisdom of the change.
A few years since an aged member of the
church, and a teacher in the Sunday school,
said to the writer ' ' I never enjoyed my Sunday
afternoons as I do now, in the quiet study of my
Sunday school lesson for the following Sunday. ' '

In September the church entered the Boston
North Association at its annual meeting held with
the Old Cambridge church, Cambridge. There
was a large attendance from this church and much
satisfaction expressed with the change.

In December a Baptist Young People's Union
was formed out of the young members of the
church and brother Clarence S. Delfendahl chosen
its first president.

Sunday evening, March 6, 1892, a memorable
service was held in the church. For nearly twenty-
two months the Congregationalists had occupied
the church a part of every Sunday for their services
and united with this church in the Sunday evening
prayer meetings. These union prayer meetings had
brought the churches very closely together in chris-
tian fellowship. A warm friendship had grown up
between the pastors who had labored together in
the most cordial relations. The new edifice of the
Congregational church was now completed and
ready for occupancy the following Sunday.

The union meeting this evening partook of the
nature of a farewell service. The audience was

I04 HISTORY OF THK

very large, completely filling the large vestry and
overflowing into the small vestry in the rear.

Rev. R. W. Wallace, pastor of the Congrega-
tional church, read the following paper :

At the morning service of the Wakefield Con-
gregational church on Sunday, March 6th, 1892^
it was unanimously Resolved : That the following
minute be adopted for insertion in the church
records, and that a copy thereof be transmitted to
the Wakefield Baptist church, signed by the
pastor, the Church Clerk and the Clerk of the
Parish.

Christian kindness is one of the queenliest of
virtues. To simply witness its exercise is a glad-
dening sight. But to participate in it, to have it
meted out to us with no narrow heart or stinted
hand, is an experience to be sacredly cherished.
It **blesseth him who gives and him who takes. '^

To us as a church, throughout the many months
in which we have been without our own sanctuary,
such christian kindness has been cordially
extended by our Baptist brethren, by pastor, offi-
cers and members alike. It has made the time of
our sojourning pass more swiftly and pleasantly,
to feel that a sister church offered us so willingly a
sanctuary in which to praise, an altar at which
to pray.

Profoundly sensible of this courtesy, we — the
members and adherents of the Congregational
church — embrace this opportunity of recording

WAKEFIEI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 105

our appreciation of, and gratitude for the good will
of our Baptist brethren, and assure them that their
fraternal act will be cherished as a memory worth
preserving.

Not the least among the blessings of this
affiliation will be the knowledge that these
churches — each in its own way — are laboring for
the extension of the Kingdom of Christ, and look-
ing for the victory of righteousness in the
community to which they belong. Henceforth
there will be greater interest in each other's suc-
cesses and more of prayer for each other's
enlargement.

*' He that receiveth you receiveth me," once said
our Lord. And as a church, we remember that
the honor done to us in the name of christian
fraternity is not only done to us, but also to Him
whose name we all honor, and whose glory we all
seek. And He who does not overlook even the
gift of a cup of cold water, in the name of a
disciple, will not fail to reward this act of christian
courtesy and grace.

Finally, and as we say " farewell," we commend
our hospitable friends to God, and to the word of
His grace, desiring for them the realization of that
word's great promises, and of the blessings which
our God is so ready to give.

ROBEJRT W. WAI.1.ACK, Pastor.
John W. Whitis, Clerk of the Church,
E. B. Bme^rson, Clerk of the Parish.

I06 HISTORY OF THK

Mr. Wallace followed the reading of the paper
with a warm, appreciative address, to which
responses were made by the pastor of this church,
deacons Sweetser and Mansfield, and brother
Henry L. Haskell. But more expressive than
these addresses, though heartfelt, were the hand-
shakings, and the kind informal words of separation
spoken by the lingering people after the benedic-
tion. The delightful relation formed at this time
between these churches has continued unchanged,
and found frequent and courteous expression.

The Thursday evening following their departure
from this church the Congregationalists dedicated
their house of worship with deeply interesting
exercises. The sermon on the occasion was by
their former pastor, Rev. D. N. Beach, and an
impressive prayer of dedication was offered by
their pastor. Rev. R. W. Wallace. Each of the
local pastors delivered short addresses.

A good religious interest prevailed in this church
during the year and fifteen persons were added to
its membership by baptism. Near the close of the
year Dea. S. Iv. White tendered his resignation as
deacon of the church, owing to ill health, and that
he might be relieved from the sense of responsibility
connected with the office. The church reluctantly
accepted his resignation and passed appropriate
resolutions expressing their regret at his resig-
nation, and their sympathy with him in his feeble
state of health.

WAKKFI^I^D BAPTIST CHURCH. IO7

CHAPTER XII.

Rev. Mr. Wallace resigning his pastorate of the
Congregational church early in the following year
(1893), this church bore testimony to their esteem
for him, and well wishes for his future, in resolu-
tions adopted at the Sunday morning service
January 2 2d.

The Boston North Association, into which this
church entered from the Salem Association in
1 89 1, had grown to such dimensions, embracing
fifty-one churches and sixteen thousand one
hundred sixty-two members, that a satisfactory
division was made this year, and a new Association
formed, called the Boston Bast, numbering thirty
churches, with a membership of seven thousand
four hundred fifty- nine. In the division thus made
this church became a member of the new Association
which, at the close of the century, reported thirty-
seven churches with a membership of nine
thousand four hundred sixty-nine. An increase,
within a decade, of seven churches and two
thousand ten members.

This year the Congregational, Baptist and
Methodist churches united in Thanksgiving Day
services for the first time in nineteen years, since

I08 HISTORY OF THB

which these churches have united in worship upon
that day.

The year throughout was a quiet and prosperous
one, with a growing interest in the prayer and
conference meetings and thirteen were added to
the church by baptism. The year was, however,
one of unusual mortality, the pastor being called
upon to officiate at thirty-four funerals, of which
eleven were of members of this church, embracing
several of the aged and most esteemed among them.

For a long time the church had felt the need of
electing a deacon to fill the vacancy caused by the
resignation of Brother White in 1892, the full
board at that time consisting of but four members.
The election occurred in January, 1894. The
meeting was tender, solemn and impressive.
After the reading of appropriate selections from
the Scriptures a half hour was devoted to prayer
for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the selection
to be made. With marked unanimity the choice fell
upon brother Harvey B. Evans who had been a
long time in the minds of the members for the
position, but who had not been brought forward
earlier because of his known objections to assum-
ing the responsibilities of the office. In the hush
following the announcement of the vote the mem-
bers were led in a tender and impressive prayer,
for the blessing of God to follow the selection
made, and to rest upon him who had been called
by his brethren to the solemn office.

WAKKFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. IO9

The history of the past shows that in no matter
has this church shown greater care and discrimi-
nation than in the choice of its deacons, with the
result that they have been judicious leaders of the
church, and safe counsellors and warm supporters
of its pastors.

The following month the first session of the
Boston East Bible School Convention was held
with this church. The attendance was large and
the exercises of deep interest. This school
reported at that time a total membership of three
hundred ninety-seven. At the seventh annual
Convention in 1900 it reported a membership of
four hundred seventy-one, not including a Home
Department of ninety members. The church
clerk reporting this meeting, closes his record as
follows: *'And the entertainment was highly
commended by the five hundred visitors present."

In the latter part of May the Town celebrated
the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of its original
settlement and incorporation as the "Town of
Redding." The Congregational church, whose
organization dates with the settlement of the town,
celebrated its two hundred fiftieth anniversary
Sunday, the 26th, with impressive services. This
church, in common with the other churches of the
town, accepted an invitation by representation to
the evening services, when congratulatory ad-
dresses were delivered by the pastors of the local
and neighboring churches.

no HISTORY OF THE

In the fall Rev. Albert P. Davis, a late graduate
of the Divinity School of Yale College, was called
to succeed Rev. R. W. Wallace in the pastorate of
the Congregational church. His ordination and
installation occurred Nov. 22d, and the Congrega-
tional brethren, in recognition of the kindness of
this church in the past, courteously invited its
pastor to participate in the installation service
and deliver the address to the church, and welcome
the new pastor to the churches and pastors of the
town.

The deepening spiritual interest which had
characterized the church the past two years devel-
oped in a precious work of grace this year and
twenty-five persons were added to the church by
baptism.

The year 1895 was marked by no special inci-
dents, although the church services were well
attended and maintained.

During the pastorate of Mr. Grant a Young
Men's Association was organized in the church,
under whose auspices Sunday religious meetings
were held in the school house in the Woodville
district. The organization lapsed, but the meet-
ings, together with a Sunday school that was
formed, were still continued by the young men,
but with frequent abandonment of the field from
the want of interest by the people of the district.
In time the upper room of the school house, where
the meetings had been held, being needed for

WAKEFIBI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. Ill

school purposes, there was no place available for
their continuance. In the winter of 1895-6 the
Massachusetts Baptist Sunday School Association,
looking over the field, decided to buy a plot of
ground and erect on it a chapel for the mainten-
ance of a Sunday school, and other religious ser-
vices, under the supervision of this church. The
chapel was completed and dedicated Sunday after-
noon, February 16, 1896. Stephen Moore, Esq.,
of Newton, president of the State Sunday School
Association, and State Secretary William W. Main
were present and delivered addresses. Brother
Wilbur H. Flanders of this church was elected
superintendent of the Sunday school, which office
he has held, to the satisfaction of the school and
others, to the present time, and under whose faith-
ful labors the school has steadily grown in numbers
and interest.

At the annual meeting this year (1896) the
church was notified that a legacy of $1000 had
been received from the executor of the will of the
late Mrs. Eleanor B. Toothaker, widow of the late
Dr. Samuel A. Toothaker, ''to be used by the
Baptist church in Wakefield, Mass., for the sup-
port of public worship."

Dr. Toothaker and wife were members of this
church from September, 1838, to November, 1841.

At this same meeting a proposition was made
that the church appoint deaconesses. The propo-
sition was referred to a committee which, after

112 HISTORY OF THE

consideration, reported adversely, and the matter
was dropped.

Sunday evening, April i2tli, the Sunday school
held interesting exercises to the memory of Miss
Georgie L. Heath who died January 19, 1886.
Miss Heath — a sister of Mrs. Joseph Morton —
was a talented lady, of a strong personality, who
thoroughly identified herself with the activities of
the church and Sunday school. She was a gifted
writer and the contributions from her pen not
unfrequently enriched the services of the sanctuary
and the exercises of the Sunday school. The ex-
ercises this evening consisted of recitations from
her poems and a concert exercise arranged by her,
entitled ' 'The Christian lyif e in Praise and Prayer. ' '

The evening was a delightful testimony to the
large place she still held in the memory of those
she had so faithfully served.

She originated the Messenger Corps, whose
beautiful ministrations are well known to the sick
and suffering of this church and congregation. It
sprang from her own private ministries to the sick
and needy, in which she enlisted the co-operation
of a few lady friends who finally organized, about
two years before her death, under the significant
name which she chose for the society. It consists
of a limited number of ladies, whose names are
unknown outside of their circle, and whose bene-
factions are mainly from their own private purses.
A few weeks before her fatal illness Miss Heath

WAKEFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. II3

remarked to a friend ' ' I hope that I have now
established the Messenger Corps on a permanent
basis." A hope in which all may fervently join.
The writer has had frequent opportunities to know
how gratefully the loving ministrations of this
organization are received and appreciated.

Nov. 3, 1896, another of the aged members of
the church passed away, sister Charlotte N, Kvans.
She was a devout christian, and devoted to the
church with which she had been connected nearly
half a centur>^ She was a constant attendant
upon the services of the sanctuary in which she
delighted. Few, if any, of the hearers could give
as complete a report of the sermons preached, of
which she was accustomed to take notes for her
own pleasure and for the benefit of those who
were unable to hear them. At her death she left
to the church $1,000, the income to be used for the
general purposes of the church.

The last of this year Mrs. Harriet N. Flint,
whose gifts to the church have been mentioned in
this history, followed her sister. Miss Charlotte N.
Evans, into the other world. She left a consider-
able fortune and in her will made Newton
Theological Institution and this church residuary
legatees ; two thirds going to Newton to aid indi-
gent students preparing for the ministry, and one
third to this church, the income to be used for the
general purposes of the church. She was a
woman of remarkable business sagacity, and her

114 HISTORY OF THE

religion was eminently practical. Her benefac-
tions, which were numerous, were carefully
considered and intelligently bestowed.

During the summer and fall of this year frequent
conferences were held by the pastors of the
churches over the advisability of union evangel-
istic meetings, to be conducted by an accredited
evangelist. The matter was submitted by them to
their respective church committees, or ofl&cial
boards, upon whose recommendations the churches
arranged for three successive weeks of union
evangelistic meetings to be conducted by Rev. C.
ly. Jackson. They were the first union meetings
of this character ever held in the town.

Rev. Mr. Jackson began his labors, with the
assistance of Mr. Crowell, a gospel singer, Sunday
evening, February 14, 1897. The first week the
meetings were held in the Congregational church,
the second week in the Methodist church, and the
third week in the Baptist church. The conduct
of the meetings was far from any sensational
methods. The sermons were forcible presenta-
tions of Scriptural truth, with direct appeals to the
consciences of the hearers. The interest developed
slowly, but steadily to the end.

The work was thorough and satisfactory, if we
may judge of it by the results manifested in this
church. Of the forty-five candidates for baptism
and church membership this year, thirty-nine
conversions were traced directly, or indirectly, to

WAKEJFlBlyD BAPTIST CHURCH. II5

the influence of these meetings. lyooking over
this list at the present writing nearly all of these
converts are found to be in active church
relationship.

One marked feature of these meetings, similar to
that which characterized the meetings of Mr. Pratt
in 1888, was their influence upon those of adult
age. Of the thirty-nine converts, mentioned
above, twenty-two were above twenty years of age,
and of these fifteen were heads of families.

In the fall of this year brethren Samuel L,. White
and Robert N. Howard, both of whom had pre-
viously served the church in the diaconate, were
elected deacons, increasing the number to six,
instead of four which had been the limit for many
years.

Il6 HISTORY OF THE

CHAPTER XIII.

At the annual meeting in 1898 an advanced step
was taken by the church in considering the propo-
sition to substitute individual cups for the common
cup at the Lord's Supper. The matter was sub-
mitted to a committee which subsequently reported
in favor of the change. Action by the church was
deferred, however, to the Covenant meeting in
September when the change was made by a ballot
vote of sixty- three to twenty-seven, and went into
effect at the Communion service in November.

The natural prejudice against a change from the
old, time honored custom which symbolized so
forcibly the idea of fellowship has, we think, grad-
ually subsided.

The Boston East Association this year held its
fifth anniversary with this church. The opening
sermon by Rev. H. O. Hiscox, of Maiden, was
deeply spiritual and was the key note to all the
services that followed. The interesting exercises
of the day closed with an impressive address at the
evening session by Rev. T. B. Johnson, of L<ynn,
on " Successful Church Work." About four hun-
dred guests were entertained by the church with
its accustomed liberality.

In October Mr. Franklin Poole died, leaving to
the church his estate on Salem street ' ' without

WAKKFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. II7"

conditions, to be retained and rented by the deacons,
or sold and the proceeds invested, or otherwise
appropriated, according to the pleasure and action
of the church."

The wife of Mr. Poole, who died in 1893, was an
active and devoted member of the church for more
than half a century, and previous to her death, by
mutual agreement, this disposition of the property
was to be made at his decease.

On the morning of the i8th of November the
church met with a severe loss in the death of Dea.
Edward Mansfield, who suddenly passed away in
his 86th year. The evening previous he occupied
his accustomed seat in the prayer meeting and
took some part in the service. For a year previous
his health had been failing, but he retained his
mental faculties in a remarkable degree, teaching
a class of ladies in the Sunday school to the last,
and. leading the school in prayer the Sunday pre-
vious to his death.

The writer was a neighbor of his for ten years
and ever found him a courteous christian gentle-
man, a wise and sagacious counsellor, chary of
advice or suggestion, a warm supporter of his pas-
tor, with a quick recognition of his prerogatives.
His long and intimate acquaintance with the
church, in whose affairs he was actively engaged
for more than half a century, rendered his presence
in the committee room invaluable and gave great
weight to|his opinions in the business meetings of

Il8 HISTORY OF THE

the churcli. The records of the church, which he
kept for fifty years with painstaking care, are
remarkably complete and full, little less than an
historical abstract, as such records should be, but
seldom are.

Sunday morning, December 4th, his pastor
preached a memorial sermon from Acts 13: 36,
which was followed by an impressive memorial
service in the evening, in which high tributes to
the character of brother Mansfield, tender testimo-
nies and interesting reminiscences were given by
his former pastor. Dr. Bullen ; by Chester W.
Baton, Esq., and Dea. Morrison, of the Congrega-
tional church ; and by Dea. A. G. Sweetser, brother
B. R. Partridge, superintendent of the Sunday
school, Rev. C. H. Hickok and Dea. S. W. Luf-
kin, of this church, the latter presenting the
following paper from the pastor and deacons of
the church :

"We, the pastor and deacons of this church,
desire to express and place on record our sense of
the deep loss we sustain in the death of our be-
loved brother, Bdward Mansfield, with whom we
were permitted to hold official relations so many
years. His long acquaintance with, and accurate
knowledge of the affairs of the church, and his
untiring devotion to her interests ; his superior
judgment and kindness of spirit, together with his
uniform courtesy and regard for the opinions of
others, rendered him invaluable in our councils,

WAKKFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. II9

and won all our hearts. In his departure we feel
that the church has lost one of her most faithful
servants, and each of us a personal friend." The
first of the following month Dea. S. ly. White was
elected church clerk.

The year 1899 opened propitiously. The ser-
vices of the Week of Prayer were so well attended,
and of such interest, that additional meetings were
held the following week, and during the spring
nine converts entered the church.

On Easter Sunday, which was the first Sunday
in April, the church held an extra service. The
Covenant meeting, usually held the Friday even-
ing preceding the first Sunday in the month, was
held in the auditorium at three o'clock Sunday
afternoon. Many of the aged members were in
attendance. The spirit of the meeting was excel-
lent, and of the one hundred sixty-five present,
one hundred twenty-five participated in the con-
ference. This was followed by the I^ord's Supper
for which the previous meeting seemed to have
made fitting preparation.

On account of the unpleasant weather which so
frequently prevails the first week in January, the
customary Week of Prayer, at the suggestion of
of their pastors, the evangelical churches in the
town decided to substitute some week in the
autumn, upon which the pastors should agree, to
be observed by them as the annual week of prayer.
As a result this year (1899) the second week in

I20 HISTORY OF THE

October was so observed. The services were held
in the separate churches, closing with a union
meeting in the vestry of this church Saturday-
afternoon at three o'clock. Throughout the week
the weather was fine, the attendance good, and
the interest steadily increased.

At the annual meeting the following year (1900)
a much needed action was taken toward preparing
suitable dressing rooms for the candidates for
baptism, culminating in the convenient rooms now
in use over the pastor's ante- room in the church.

On the morning of Saturday, the 21st of July, a
destructive conflagration raged in the centre of the
town, seriously damaging the Universalist church,
whereupon the deacons of this church promptly
offered their society the use of the Baptist church
until their own was ready for re-occupancy. The
offer was courteously declined, they preferring the
use of the Congregational church which had also
been tendered them.

In the autumn a thorough canvass of the town
was made under the direction of the pastors of the
Congregational, Baptist and Methodist churches,
having for its object, a basis for more intelligent
and practical christian work, the reaching of
families and individuals that are non-attendants
upon the services of any of the churches in the
town, and the children who are not in Sunday
schools. The town was divided into three dis-
tricts ; three canvassers were selected, one from
each church, and assigned, one to each district.

REV. N. R. EVERTS.

WAKBFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 121

The work was carefully and conscientiously
performed. After the canvass was completed
brother Frederic Emerson, who was the canvasser
selected from this church, was appointed by the
church as a religious visitor in the town, under
whose faithful labors strangers have been led to
attend the services of the church, and a number of
children brought into the Sunday School.

122 HISTORY OF THB

CHAPTER XIV.

At the close of the morning service, Sunday,
October 21st, Mr. Everts read a letter to his people,
resigning his pastorate of the church to take effect
on or before the first day of December following,
the latter date completing the twelfth year of his
ministry with this church. The resignation was
accepted at the following Covenant meeting,
November 2nd, with a vote to continue the pastor's
salary to January i, 1901. At the prayer meeting,
the week following, kind and appreciative reso-
lutions were passed by the church with reference
to the pastor and his ministry with the church.

The second w^eek in November was observed
this year as the Week of Prayer. The meetings
during the week were marked by unusual interest
in all the churches, and closed with a union meet-
ing in the Congregational church Sunday evening,
November i8th. The auditorium was filled by a
congregation numbering about five hundred fifty
persons and was of remarkable interest. Besides
the remarks of the pastors, forty-three testimonies
were given by the congregation and the Spirit of
God seemed moving the hearts of the people.

Tuesday evening of this week a fine crayon
portrait of the late Dea. Mansfield was presented to

WAKBFIKlyD BAPTIST CHURCH. 1 23

the church by the pastor, in behalf of the donors,
and was received, in behalf of the church, by Dea.
Sweetser. Others followed in tender words,
indicating the large place this good brother holds
in the hearts of this people. His portrait hangs
by the side of his worthy compeers in the diaco-
nate, a noble group, whose holy living and
devotion to the cause of Christ cannot fail to be an
encouragement and inspiration to those who knew
them, or may know of their godly lives and the
faithful service they rendered this church.

It is worthy of mention that the deceased
deacons of this church, with a single exception,
lived to a ripe old age, three of them passing four
score years. Dea. Eaton died in his eighty-eighth
year; Dea. Mansfield in his eighty-sixth year;
Dea. Smith in his eighty-fourth year and Dea.
Stowell in his seventy-seventh year. Dea. Sulli-
van passed away in his forty-eighth year.

At the Covenant meeting, Friday evening,
November 30th, Mr. Everts closed his ministerial
relations with this church. After the benediction,
to his surprise, the people resumed their seats and
he suddenly found himself confronted by a brother
of the church who, tenderly referring to the sepa-
ration of pastor and people, now consummated,
presented him with a purse containing $120 in
gold, the unsolicited gift of individuals of the
church and congregation. Mr. Everts was deeply
moved by this expression of the affection of his

124 HISTORY OF THE

people and could only say, in a broken voice
*' Thank you." The Sunday morning following
the pulpit was supplied by Rev. W. H. Eaton,
Secretary and Superintendent of the Massachu-
setts Baptist Convention, and an esteemed member
of this church.

In the evening a farewell service was given the
retiring pastor by the church, with co-operation
of the Congregational and Methodist churches,
presided over by Rev. Mr. Eaton. The floor and
gallery of the auditorium were filled by the three
congregations, and citizens of the town. Rev.
Charles H. Hickok, a member of this church, led
the congregation in responsive readings from the
Scriptures and Dea. Robert N. Howard offered
prayer. Exceedingly kind and fraternal addresses
were delivered by Rev. Albert P. Davis, pastor of
the Congregational church, and by Rev. Putnam
Webber, pastor of the Methodist church ; and
parting words, in behalf of this church, were
tenderly spoken by Rev. W. H. Eaton.

To these addresses a response was made by Mr.
Everts, in which he said that whatever success
might have attended his ministry here was due to
the uniform courtesy he had always received from
the citizens of the town, and the delightful rela-
tions he had been permitted to sustain with the
churches and their pastors ; but still more was due
to the sympathy and support which, throughout
his entire pastorate, this church, in all its depart-
ments, had generously given him.

WAKEFIBI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 1 25

The remainder of the month the pulpit was sup-
plied, and the mid-week prayer meetings conducted,
by Rev. C. I/. Jackson, whose evangelistic meet-
ings were such a blessing to the town in the late
winter of 1897. His ministry during the month,
and the first Sunday in January following, was
signally blessed in the awakening and conversion
of sinners.

The last night of the century a union Watch
Meeting of the Congregational, Baptist and Metho-
dist churches was held in the Methodist church,
conducted by Rev. Mr. Webber, pastor of the
latter church, and sermons were preached before a
large congregation by Rev. N. R. Everts, Rev. A.
P. Davis, and Rev. C. I/. Jackson; and the event-
ful century fittingly closed with the members of
the three churches bowing together around one
altar in silent prayer.

In reviewing the century one cannot fail to be
impressed with the thought that this church has
been signally blessed of God. If its growth has
been slow it has been sturdy. The obstacles it
encountered in its childhood grounded it in the
faith. In its youth it courageously met and over-
came the perils incident to the Millerite and anti-
Masonic movements. It took strong and ad-
vanced positions with reference to Temperance

126 HISTORY OF THK

and Slavery when such positions were unpopular.
At an early period it was deeply imbued with the
missionary spirit, and its contributions to the
Foreign, Home, and State work have not been
meagre. It stood loyally by the Union during
our late civil w^ar. And in these later years, in-
different to the charge of narrowness and bigotry,
it has stood among the timid and wavering, ' ' con-
tending earnestly for the faith which was once for
all delivered unto the saints." Strong and united
it occupies today an enviable position among its
sister churches in the Commonwealth.

Nor is it difficult to find the secrets of its success-
ful career, on the human side, as we trace its his-
tory. From the first it has chosen its officers from
among its best men, selecting, with great care,
those who seemed especially qualified for the posi-
tions they were called to fill. It has been moder-
ate in counsel, and conservative in thought and
action. It has sought to avoid dissension and
strife, submitting quietly to the decisions of the
majority. Its ministers have been, in the main,
strong men, sound in the faith, fearless in the
defence of the gospel, and highly esteemed in the
community. Under these influences the church
has grown strong and self reliant ; even when
destitute of a pastor for long periods, maintaining
its services, retaining its membership, and enjoy-
ing ' ' seasons of refreshing from the presence of
the Lord."

WAKKFlKlyD BAPTIST CHURCH.

127

May the spirit of the fathers rest upon the chil-
dren and lead them to emulate their virtues, so
that the historian of the coming century of this
church may tread the pathway of the years with
increasing delight, and say ' ' The fathers builded
well, but the latter glory of this house is greater
than the former."

The whole number who have united with the church

since its organization is believed to be
By baptism ....

By letter, experience, etc .
To which add the original number

Total

Losses by death, dismissals, &c.

Present number, Dec. 31, 1900

870

480

67

1417
993

424

128

HISTORY OF TH:^

LIST OF PASTORS SINCE THE ORGANIZATION
OF THE CHURCH TO DEC. 31, 1900.

Pastorate

Began

Ended.

•Rev. Ebenezer Nelson,

Jan. 1804

Apr.

1815.

Rev. Gustavus F. Davis,

Apr. 1818

Aug.

1829.

Rev. Joseph A. Warne,

Nov. 1829

Oct.

1830.

Rev. James Huckens,

Sept. 1832

May

1833.

Rev. Isaac Sawyer,

Apr. 1835

Apr.

1838.

Rev. Charles Miller,

May 1838

Oct.

1838.

Rev. I^arkin B. Cole,

Apr. 1840

Jan.

1842,

Rev. Charles Evans,

May 1842

Mar.

1844.

Rev. Paul S. Adams',

May 1844

Sept.

1848.

Rev. Daniel W. Phillips,

Jan. 1850

May

1863.

Rev. George Bullen,

Jan. 1864

Nov.

1866.

Rev. James W. Willmarth,

Mar. 1867

Oct.

1869.

Rev. Richard M. Nott,

Aug. 1872

July

1874.

llev. Charles Keyser,

Mar. 1875

Sept.

1877.

Rev. R. R. Riddell,

June 1878

Dec.

1882.

Rev. Roland D. Grant,

Apr. 1883

Sept.

1888.

Rev. N. R. Everts,

Dec. 1888

Dec.

iqoo.

♦Rev. Ebenezer Nelson, the first pastor, began preaching in
Wakefield (So. Reading) in 1801.

WAKKFIEI.D BAPTIST CHURCH.

129

LIST OF DEACONS SINCE THE ORGANIZATION
OF THE CHURCH TO DEC. 31, 1900.

Jacob Eaton
David Smith
Martin Stowell
Manning W. Sullivan
Albert G. Sweetser
Edward Mansfield
Stephen W. Lufkin
Robert N. Howard

Moved to Kansas Dec 4, 1885.
Samuel Iv. White

Resigned, Dec. 2, 1892.
Harvey B. Evans

Ei^ECTKD
Jan. 31, 1804
Oct. 30, 1817
Oct. 30, 1817
May 18, 1855
Jan. 23, 1863
Feb. 5, 1863
Nov. 20, 1882
Nov 20, 1882
Re-elected Nov. 5,
Feb. 18, 1886

Re-elected Nov. 5,

Jan. 16, 1894

DIED
May 27, 1859.
Apr. 6, 1855.
June 3, 1865.
Oct. 27, 1863.
Present Dea.
Nov. 16, 1898.
Present Dea.

1897, Present Dea.

1897, Present Dea..
Present Dea.

I30 HISTORY OF THE

IvIST OF CLERKS SINCE THE ORGANIZATION
OF THE CHURCH TO DEC, 31, 1900.

TERM OF SERVICE.
David Smith Jan. 31, 1804 to Feb, 28, 1822.

Wm. Patch Feb. 28, 1822 to May 30, 1823.

Joshua Tweed May 30, 1823 to Apr. 29, 1824.

Robert Wiley Apr. 29, 1824 to 1825.*

Zenas Eaton 1825* to Feb. 18, 1830.

Joseph A. Warne Feb. 25, 1830 to Oct. 28, 1830.

Zenas Eaton Oct. 28, 1830 to Feb. 24, 1831*

Thomas Evans Feb. 24, 1831* to Feb. 2, 1832.

Benj. B. Wiley Feb. 2, 1832 to Feb. 15, 1837.*

i Clerk pro tern. Feb. 15, 1837* to Nov. 16, 1837.
R. C. Wiley j standingClerk. Nov. 16, 1837 to Dec. 12, 1839*
Samuel A. Toothaker Jan. 16, 1840 to Sept. 16, 1841.
Martin Stowell Sept. 16, 1841* to Jan. i, 1847.*

P. S.Adams Clerk pro tern. Feb. 5,1847 to Sept. 7, 1848.
Edw. Mansfield Sept. 7, 1848 to Nov. 16, 1898.

Samuel Iv. White Dec. i, 1898 Present Clerk.

Lyman E. Sweetser Asst. Clerk Apr. 5, 1894 Present Asst.
*These dates are as near as can be ascertained from the old records.

WAKKFIKI.D BAPTIST CHURCH. 131

IvIST OF SUPERINTENDENTS OF THE SUNDAY

SCHOOL SINCE ITS ORGANIZATION IN

1818 TO DEC. 31, 1900.

T^RM OF

f SERVICE.

Gustavus F. Davis

I8I8

to

1829.

Martin Stowell

1829

to

1833.

Harrison Pratt

1833

to

1835.

Jeremiah Chaplin, Jr., three months in

1835.

Loel Sweetser,

1835

to

1840.

Warren Wiley

1840

to

1848.

Edward Mansfield

1848

to

I87I.

Henry ly. Haskell

I87I

to

1877.

Dr. S. W. Abbott

April

to July 1877.

George H. Sweetser

July 1877

to

April 1879.

Henry L. Haskell, 2d term

1879

to

1882.

George H. Smith

April 1882

to

Oct. 1884.

S. A. Lenfest

Oct. 1884

to

April 1887.

Wm. C. Campbell

1887

to

1890.

Geo. H. Smith, 2d term

1890

to

1898.

Edwin R. Partridge, Present Superintendent.

MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH WHEN CONSTITUTED,
JAN. 31, 1804.

Rev. Ebenezer Nelson.
Jacob Eaton.
Cornelius Sweetser.
Jeremiah Green.
Ivilley Eaton.
Eliab Parker.
Joseph Smith.
Caleb Green.
Jonathan Pratt.
Samuel Wiley.
David Smith, Jr.
Noah Smith.
Caleb Eaton.
Thomas Woodward.
Joseph Bryant.
Aaron Sweetser.
Barzilla Reed.
Abel Beard.
Abraham G. Pope.
Adam Hawks, Jr.
Paul Sweetser, Jr.
Nathan Eaton, Jr.
Ebenezer Bryant.
William Dix.
Andrew Walton.
Ebenezer Walton.
Samuel Bryant.
William Crane.
Ebenezer Evans.
George Evans.
Elias Sweetser.
Betsy Nelson.
Susannah Smith.
Ruth Brown.

Naomi Badger.
Polly Deadman.
Martha Green.
Hannah Green.
Polly Vinton.
Dorcas Smith.
Rebecca Eaton.
Mercy Pratt.
Mary Newhall.
Hannah W. Eaton.
Hannah Sweetser.
Phebe Sweetser.
Phebe Smith.
Katy Smith.
Nancy Eaton.
Rebecca Bryant.
Patty Hawks.
Lydia Sweetser.
Lydia Bryant.
Sally Walton.
Hannah Center.
Polly Center.
Mary Bryant.
Katy Eaton.
Martha Nelson.
Lois Nelson.
Nelly Green.
Phebe Green.
Eunice Eaton.
Katura Green.
Eliza Green.
Hannah Hawks.
Sally Vinton.

)i

LUCIUS BEEBE MEMORIAL LIBRARY

3 1392 00132 7158

/

i

11973^

Everts

History of the First

Baptist Church

Wakefield