^.«^. wm ^^i : :^ 5N^ L^Tai LIBRARYJ)F^NGRESS, Chap, p YA PRESENTED BY UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ^ f^^ C\ }^^ " ^ ft - ;^i«r MEMORIAL OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF MALDEN MASSACHUSETTS May, 1899 HON. ELISHA S. and MRS. MARY D. CONVERSE MEMORIAL OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF MALDEN MASSACHUSETTS May, 1899 Praise to our God ; throngh all otir fast His mighty arm hath held us fast ; Till wars and perils, toils and tears have brought the rich and fruitful years. Ellerton CAMBRIDGE ^rmtrt at SEfje ^Inibergitg Press 1900 .^>^ 51596 Comim'ttrc an tijc f^ftcmorial Uoliime. DELORAINE P. COREY, Chairman. ARTHUR M. CUM MINGS, Secretary. SYLVESTER BAXTER. WILLIAM B. DE LAS CASAS. GEORGE E. GAY. CONTENTS. Page PREPARATION 1 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE 4 ORGANIZATION 8 WORK OF THE COMMITTEES 14 INVITED GUESTS 17 POLICE SERVICE 21 PRESS COMMITTEE 22 Saturdav, May 20. PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES 27 Aaron C. Dowse 30 Mayor Charles L. Dean 31 Ode, Arthur M. Cummings 33 John Langdon Sullivan, M.D 34 George E. Gay 36 Marcellus Coggan 38 John E. Farnham 40 Erastus B. Powers 42 George A. Littlefield 44 Frank A. Hill 50 CAPTAIN DODD'S TROOPERS 53 RECEPTION AT THE FIRST CHURCH 54 Rev. Henry H. French, D.D 55 Rev. Aaron C. Adams, D.D 57 Rev. Addison P. Foster, D.D 60 Rev. Joshua W. Wellman, D.D 62 Rev. Charles H. Pope 68 JUBILEE ENTERTAINMENT 71 vii viii CONTENTS Page Sunday, Mat 21. COMMEMORATIVE SERVICES 75 First Chuuch 75 First Parish 9t'' Centre Methodist Episcopal Church 102 First Baptist Church Ill Church of the Immaculate Conception 117 Church of the Sacred Hearts 123 Maplewood Methodist Episcopal Church 124 St. Paul's Church 131 Linden^ Methodist Episcopal Church . . . 137 First Unitarian Congregational Church 141 St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Linden 147 CELEBRATION BY THE FREE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS 149 George H. Conley 151 UNION RELIGIOUS SERVICE 154 Rev. Edwin H. Hughes 157 Rev. Henry H. French, D.D 159 Rt. Rev. William Lawrence, D.D 161 OVERFLOW MEETING 170 Rev. William I. Haven 170 Rev. Frederick Edwards 171 Monday, May 22. EXERCISES OF MONDAY 177 ATHLETIC AND FIELD SPORTS 179 Water Sports 179 Bicycle Races 181 Track and Field Sports 182 Gaelic Foot-Ball 184 Base-Ball 184 Obstacle Races 184 Golf 185 BALLOON ASCENSION 185 CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENTS 186 LITERARY AND MUSICAL EXERCISES 189 Chorus and Orchestra 191 Introduction, Mayor Charles L. Dean 197 Invocation, Rev. Richard Neagle 198 Address of Welcome, Deloraine P. Corey 199 CONTENTS ix Page LITERAEY AND MUSICAL EXERCISES, Continued. Ode, John Langdon Spllivan, M.D 202 Oration, Arthur H. Wellman 202 Poem, "Old Malden," Rev. Theron Brown 219 Festival Anthem, Obadiah B. Brown 230 PROMENADE CONCERT AND BALL 231 Tuesday, Mat 23. EXERCISES OF TUESDAY 237 MILITARY AND CIVIC PARADE 239 Roster of the Parade 241 FIREWORKS 253 BANQUET 2.54 Eugene Nelson 257 William N. Osgood 257 Gov. Roger Wolcott 258 George F. Hoar 261 Mayor Charles L. Dean 262 Elisha S. Converse 265 Ernest W. Roberts 267 William B. de las Casas 270 John L. Bates 274 Alfred E. Cox 278 Col. Curtis Guild, Jr 279 Rev. Edwin H. Hughes 283 In General. HISTORIC LOAN EXHIBITION 291 HISTORIC SPOTS 317 GRAVES OF REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS AND OTHERS . . . 323 CORRESPONDENCE, ETC 325 AFTERMATH 332 RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES 339 ILLUSTRATIONS. Page Hon. Elisha S. and Mrs. Mary D. Converse .... Fivntispiece Portraits — The Executive Committee (1) facing 4 The Executive Committee (2) . 8 Chairmen of Committees (I) 12 Chairmen of Committees (2) 16 Chairmen of Committees (3) 20 Charles L. Dean, Mayor 24 High School — Reproduction of First Schoolhouse . . 28 The Anniversary Building 32 The City Hall 40 Converse Memorial Building — Malden Public Library. 48 Central Square and Pleasant Street 64 Central Square and Main Street 80 The First Baptist Church 112 Portraits — The Orator, etc 176 Program Title — Literary and Musical Exercises . . 196 Souvenir Plate 254 Menu Cover 256 The Banquet Hall — Anniversary Building 272 The Parade — Chief Marshal Harry E. Converse and Staff 96 Wenepoykin Tribe, L O. R. M 104 Puritans and Indians — St. Mary's Catholic T. A. Society 120 ■ Float — St. Mary's Catholic T. A. Society 128 First Battalion Cavalry, M. V. M 136 The Governor's Carriage 144 The Artillery — " Rough Walkers " 152 Indians — St. Mary's Catholic T. A. Society 160 Veteran Firemen (Everett) 168 Everett High School Boys — Ancient Fire Engine . 184 Hand Engine Endeavor, No. 3, North Malden, 1846 192 xi xii ILL US TRA TIONS Page The Escort — First Corps Cadets, M. V. M. (1) . . . facing 208 First Corps Cadets, M. V. M. (2) 216 The Review — The Governor Arriving at the Reviewing Stand 224 First Regiment Heavy Artillery, M. V. M 232 First Battalion Cavalry, M. V. M 240 U. S. Grant Post 4 (Melrose) 246 The Rough Walkers — Fourth Division 260 Portion of Sixth Division (Melrose) 266 Portion of Seventh Division 276 Central Square — After the Review 282 Loan Exhibition. Plan of Rooms 290 Design for Cover of Catalogue 292 Portraits and Malden Views 298 Exhibition of Portraits 304 The Parlor 308 Faulkner School Collection 316 THE CELEBRATION OF THE Two IIui^DRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF MALUEN. THE PREPARATION. THE territor}' now covered by the cities of Maiden, Everett, and INIelrose was originally a portion of the common lands per- taining to the settlement of Charlestown ; and it first appears under the name of Mystic Side in 1634, when a division was made of the uplands lying along tiie margin of the marshes of the North and South rivers. Other allotments were subsequently made, the largest and most important of which was in 1638, bv whicii most of the land south of the Middlesex and Scadan Fells became sulyect to private ownership. Some settlements may have been made at an early date at Moulton's Island and Sweetser's Point; but there is no certain knowledge of an actual settlement until 1640, when several house- holders were mentioned and a ferry was established upon the Mystic. Earl}' in 1649, settlers having increased, a cliurch was gathered, and an agreement for a separation was made with Charlestown, by which the territory known as Mystic Side was to become a distinct town, with the exception of that section whicli now forms the south- western portion of the present city of Everett, which remained with the parent town until 1726. This agreement was soon confirmed by the General Court ; and the following entries upon the records of the colony record the incorporation of the town of Maiden : — "ri(i49: "I Upon the petition of JMistick side men, they are I\Ldui? granted to be a distinct tovvue, & the name thereof to be called Mauldon." "r 1649: "j Jii answer to the petition of seu'U inhabitants of .Misticke Mistickc side, their request is graunted, viz., to he a named distinct tonne of tliemselves, & the name thereof to Maulden. i at i i " be JMaulden. 2 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY The final action of the court occurring on May 11, 1G49, O.S., fixes tlie birtliday of the town upon May 21, N.S. Our fathers of the eigliteentli century had neither the time nor the means, had they possessed the desire, for local celebi-ations ; and the one hundredth and the one hundred and fiftieth anniversaries of the town passed without notice. In 1849, with more leisure and money and a grow- ing interest in matters of local history, the two hundredth anniversary was celebrated, May 23, with due observance and rejoicing. A record of this celebration, the precursor of the |)i-esent volume, was issued under the title of 77ie Bi- Centennial Book of Maiden^ in which may be found much that will interest and instruct the lover of tlie stories of tlie olden time. The question of a celebration of tlie com[)letion of a quarter- millennium had been discussed in a sliglit degree, but no general attention had been drawn towards the matter until tlie Hon. John E. Farnham, in his inaugural address as mayor of the city, January 3, 1898, presented it to the city council and the inhabitants in tlie following words : — '^ In 1899, Maiden will be entitled to celebrate the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its incorporation as a town. Maiden be- came a town in 1649, and a city in 1882. Tlie town was incorporated under the statute passed in 1G49, May 2d: -Upon the petition of Mistickside men, they are granted to be a distinct towne, and the name thereof to be called Mauldon.' " This is an event which few communities are privileged to com- memorate, and it should be fittingly celebrated. It may be best to take some action this year so that there shall be ample provision for so important an event."' The first action was taken by the Maiden Historical Society, March 21, when a committee, consisting of Deloraine P. Core}*, Arthur H. Wellman, and Frank P^. Woodward, was appointed " to prepare in outline a plan for the proper observance of the two hun- dred and fiftieth anniversary of the incorporation of the town of Maiden, and to present the same to the cit}- government for its action tliereon." With the assistance of Mayor Farnham, who was earnest in the furtherance of the desires of the committee, the following order was prepared and introduced into the city council by Councilman J. Arthur Pierce. IN COMMON COUNCIL. Maldex, April 12, 1898. Ordered, Tliat a Committee to be composed of the Mayor, Chair- man of the Board of Aldermen, President of the Common Council, 7.V THE CITY COUNCIL — BOARD OF TRADE 6 and one Alderman, to be named I)}' the Mayor, and two members of the Common Council, to be named by the President of the Common Council, and eleven Citizens, to be named b}' the Mayor, be ap- pointed, to take into consideration the advisability of the celebration of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of tiie incorporation of the town of Maiden ; and, in case they deem it advisable to have such celebration, to suggest some organization for carrying out such cele- bration and to make such further recommendations pertinent to the matter, as may to them seem best, and report to the City Council. Adopted in Common Council, Ai)ril 12, 1898. Adopted in Board of Aldermen, April 18, 1898. Approved by his Honor, the Mayor, April 21, 1898. The committee constituted by this order and completed by the appointments of the mayor was as follows: — Hon. John E. P\arnham, Mayor. James O. Otis, C ha innan of the 13 oar d of Aldermen. WiLLARD E. Robinson, Alderman. Edward L. Bkowne, President of the. Common Council. J. Arthur Pikuce, Councilman. Frank S. Arnold, Councilman. Hon. Elisha 8. Converse. Edwin Hawkridge. Samuel E. Jordan. Hon. Arthur H. Wellman. Joshua H. Millett. Rev. Richard Neagle. Deloraine p. Corey. Arthur M. Cummings. Maurice Dinneen. Nathan Newhall. Mrs. Sarah F. Sargent. In the meantime the Maiden Board of Trade had taken the following action : — April 13, 1898. Voted, That the president be and hereby' is authorized to appoint a committee of ten members, of which the presi- dent shall be one, to act in conjunction with the committees of the cit}' council and of other organizations in the matter of celebrating the quarter-millennial anniversary- of the incorporation of Maiden as a town, in the ^ear 1899. Committer. Alfred E. Cox. George H. Fall. Charles F. Shute. Harry H. Barrett. Phineas W. Sprague. Henry E. Turner. Joseph C. Robinson. John G. Chandler. John P. Holden. Albert Ammann. 4 TWO HUXDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY The coniniittees thus foiiued, with the addition of Aaron C. Dowse, chairman of the school board, and George E. Gay, superintendent of schools, held a meeting of conference, by the invitation of the mayor, at the city hall on the evening of May 20, at which Mayor Farnham presided and Alderman James O. Otis was chosen secretary. The meeting was one of enthusiasm ; but as there was no general knowl- edge of the proper scope of the intended celebration, no definite plan was presented. After an informal exchange of views a sub-com- mittee, consisting of Alfred PI Cox, Delorainc P. Corey, James F. Eaton, Phineas W. Sprague, and Joshua H. Millett, was appointed to consider the vvliole subject and to make such recommendations as niiglit seem desirable and practicable. Tiie sub-committee was organized witli Delorainc P. Corey as cliair- man and Phineas W. Sprague as secretary. Mr. Eaton soon after resigned, and his [)lace upon the (committee was not filled. Many pro- tracted meetings were held, and tlie members of the cominittee labored earnestly to outline a plan which in its appropriate and varied features would contain matter which would appeal to all sections and classes. In tlie selection of committees care was used tliat all the many interests of the city might be recognized, and that all might feel a personal interest in the success of the celebration. A tliorough survey of the ground which was to be covered was not to be perfected in a few days ; and the work of the committee was not completed until July 11, when its report was presented to the joint committee and ad()[)ted by a unanimous vote. On the same evening the report was adopted bj' the city committee as its own report for transmission to the cit}' council ; and as such it was presented at a special meeting of the common council, July 12, and referred to the committee on finance. It was subsequently returned to the council, and the order which accompanied it was passed and approved l)y the mayor as Order Xo. 481. This report, which was adoi)ted without a change in any particular, furnished a broad plan of preparation, which was subsequently carried out in detail with admirable fidelity by the several committees which it created. REPORT. Malden, June 27, 1898. To t/te committee appointed to take into consideration the matte}- of a proposed celebration of the two hundred and Jiftieth anniversary of' the incorporation of Maiden : — Your committee, having been instructed to present a definite plan embodying suitable provisions for carrying into efl!'ect the second portion of the instructions given by. the city government, viz. : to suggest some organization for carrying out such celebration, and to George H. Chase Edward L. Browne EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (1) Alfred E. Cox Chairman RuFus H. Sawyer Charles R. Elder REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE 5 make such further recommendations pertuient to tlie matter as may seem best, hereby reports : — Your committee iias carefully gathered information from the pub- lished reports of similar celebrations held in otlier Massachusetts cities and towns and from other sources ; and has considered the same in connection with our conditions. Tiie results thus gained from the experience of others have been of much value and will materially aid the committee to which will be entrusted the execution of the plans which are proposed. The inhabitants of IMystic Side were allowed to become a "dis- tinct town of themselves," IMay 11, 1649, O. S. The two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of this incorporation will full upon Ma}' 21st, 1899 ; and it is recommended that tiie event be celebrated on the 22nd and 23rd days of May, 1899. The subject in all its bearings having been considered, it is recommended that the celebration shall occupy two days, in order that the confusion and distraction arising from the crowding into one day of many events of interest may be avoided, and that the con- venience and enjoyment of all may be ensured. In this your com- mittee has been guided not only by tlie judgment of its own members, but b}' the experience of those cities and towns in which successful celebrations have taken place. In pursuance of the duties imposed upon your committee, a pro- visional program has been adopted, fixing in a broad manner the events of each da}', the details of which shall be arranged and per- fected by the executive committee mentioned in the accompanying order. Such a program, in its proper performance, will be dignified and worthy of the occasion and the city ; and it contains in itself such varied elements of interest as will appeal to all. PROGRAM. Sunday, May 21st: On the Sunday before the celebration, all the churches of tiie city are to be requested to hold memorial services, at which the pastors, or others, may deliver historical sermons or addresses, and such other exercises may be given as shall be appro- priate to the day and the occasion. Monday, Ma}' 22nd : The day will be introduced by the ringing of bells and the firing of salutes. During the forenoon, there will be the reception and entertain- ment of invited guests, who will receive the hospitality of the city and be taken to the several points of interest. In the afternoon, the literary exercises will consist of a historical oration or address, and other literary and musical exercises. This 6 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY will bo followed by a banquet, at which short addresses will be given by guests and others. The day will be closed by a promenade con- cert and ball. During the day, athletic and field sports will take place at con- venient [)oints, band concerts will be given, and children's entertain- ments will be provided. TuKSDAY, May 'i.'jrd : Daring the forenoon, athletic and field sports and children's entertainments may be continued, if found to be desirable. Tlie feature of the day will be a military and civic procession, in vvliich the schools, oiganizations, trades, etc., shall have prominent parts. In the evening, fireworks and illuminations, with band concerts, will close the celel)ration. In Gkneral : During the celebration, a loan exhibition should l)e held, at which articles connected with our town or state and national history, and other objects of historical or personal interest, may be shown. Preparator}' to the celebration, historic spots should be marked, either permanently, for the benefit of posterity, or temporarily. After the celebration, a memorial volume should be prepared, con- taining an account of tlie proceedings of the several days, with the sermons, addresses, and other literar}' exercises, in full, and such other matter as ma_y be found desirable. Public buildings should be appropriately decked during the cele- bration and illuminated u[)on the evening of the last day ; and it is recommended that the citizens generally be requested to decorate their residences and places of business. For the purpose of carrying into efifect this proposed program, your committee ofllers for your consideration a general committee of two hundred citizens, organized into sui)-committees, each having a distinct purpose, as set forth in the accompanying order. In the furtherance of the purposes of this committee, there is herewith presented the draft of a proposed order for presentation to the city council, which has been drawn with the intent that the recommendations of this report ma}' be effectually carried out ; and it is trusted that it will receive such consideration from you and from the city government as will tend to make the celebration successful and worthy, in tlie fullest measure, of our predecessors and ourselves. It is further recommended that the city of Elverett and the town of Melrose be invited by action of the city government, or otherwise, to participate in the celebration of the birthday of our common mother, the old town of Maiden. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE 7 Your committee recommends that the sum of Ten Tliousand Dollars be a[)propriated In' the city council to meet the expenses of the celebration as proposed. Respectfully submitted, Deloraine p. Cohey. Joshua H. Millett. Alfred E. Cox. Phineas W. Sprague. O R D E R. Ordered^ That a general committee of two hundred persons, resi- dents of Maiden, of which tlie mayor for the time being shall be chairman, consisting of the following named persons, be and liereb}- is appointed to make arrangements for and to take charge of the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversar}- of the incor- poration of the town of Maiden, to l)e held upon the twenty-second and twenty-third days of May, A.D. 1899, to be organized as follows : — \_IIere the members of the (jeneral committee icere specified and their position upon the several sub-committees fixed, the chairmun of each co^nmittee being designated. Some changes subsequently oc- curred by resignations and otherwise. The organization of the comtnittee as existing at the time of the celebration follows this order.'] The executive committee shall have the direction of the several sub-committees of tlie general committee, shall determine and author- ize all their expenditures, and shall define their respective duties ; and it is hereb}- directed to appoint a reception committee of fift\- men and twenty-five women, citizens of Maiden, of which the Hon. Elisha S. Converse shall be chairman ; and it ma}' fill such vacancies as may occur in the several sub-committees. A majority' of each sub-committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. All bills of expenditures authorized shall be approved b}' the sub-committee making the same, and shall be certified by the finance committee, or a sub-committee thereof, dulj- authorized, and be sent to the city auditor for his action as provided by the city ordinances. Nothing herein shall permit any con^mittee to bind the city of Maiden, by an}* agreement or contract involving the expenditure of mone}- for the pui-poses of said celebration, unless the same shall have been authorized by vote of a majority of the executive committee ; and said executive committee shall not have power to confer such authority to such committee until an appropriation for the purposes of said celebration shall have been made b}' the city council. TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE. C!)atrmnn of t\)t General Committee. LFntil January 1, 1899, John E. Faknham, Mayor. After January 1, 1899, Charles L. Dean, Mayor. ifinnnce Committff. Elisha 8. Converse, Chairman. John J. Kelley, Secretary. Charles L. Davenport. Willavd B. Ferguson. James F. Eaton. James Fierce. Everett J. Stevens. Crccntibf Committer. Alfred E. Cox, Chairman. Albert Ammann, Clerk. Edward L. Browne. Pliineas W. Spragne. George H. Cliase. Henrj' E. Turner. Charles R. Elder. Joseph F. Wiggin. Rufus H. Sawyer. Daniel P. Wise. Committee on 31ni)itation0. John E. Faknil\m, Chairman. Clarence O. Walker, Secretary. William B. Buckminster. Rev. Henr\- H. French. Allan J. Chase. Rev. Henry O. Hiscox. Marcelliis Coggan. James Pierce. P^lisha S. Converse. John W. Pettengill. Albert H. Davenport. Everett J. Stevens. Charles L. Dean. Joseph F. Wiggin. Henry Winn. Committee on iliteiarv Cvercises;. Deloraine p. Couey, Chairman. James B. Upham, Secretary. Rev. James F. Albion. Thomas E. Major. Harvey L. Boutwell. Joshua H. Millett. Rev. Edwin H. Hughes. Rev. Richard Neagle. Arthur H. W^ellman. Henry E. Turner Daniel P. Wise EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (2) Joseph F. WiaoiN Albert Ammann Clerk Phineas W. Spraoue THE ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE Committee on a^usical cBrcrcis^fsf. Ohadiah B. Brown, Chairman. John M. Cokbett, Secretary. Frank H. Carlisle. Samuel E. Jordan. Mrs. Harry E. Converse, John W. Little. M. Morton Holmes. Mrs. Herbert E. Morey. Mrs. Chas. H. Sprague. Committre on spilitaii' anu Cibic paraDe, Hakry E. Converse, Chairman. Harry P. Ballard, Secretary. Alvin E, Bliss. Elmore E. Locke. Hiram S. Coburn. Charles W. McClearn. Fi-ank F. Clapp. Charles P. Nutter. Edward E. Currier. Clarence A. Perkins. Albert L. Decatur. John H Phipps. John M. Devir. John A. Powers. Maurice Dinneen. Charles F. Shute. Charles E. Farmer. John W. Soule. Frederick J. Foss. John E. Staples. Thomas AV. Hough. George W. Stiles. Frank L. Locke. Harvey L. Thompson. Thomas Trac}'. Committre on ^alutesft 2r>ecoration0, anD ifiretDorks. Charles Schumaker, Chairman. Daniel J. Pyne, Secretary. Rudolph Bossardt. Owen PI Rooney. Fred S. Ehvell. James E. Ryder. George G. Hill. George W. W. Saville. Clarence D. Huston. Lucius C. Smith. James Long. Charles G. Warren. Tenney Morse. Thomas P. West. Edward M. Whittle. Committee on Cuncl) anD ^anriuet. Eugene Nelson, Chairman. William G. A. Turner, Secretary. Frank S. Arnold. Thomas E. Lenehan. Charles Barker. Walter R. ISLacdonald. Andrew J. Freeman. William N. Osgood. Henry E. Greene. James O. Otis. 10 TWO HUNDRED AXD FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY Frank J. Perkins. Frank A. Thompson. Willard E. Robinson. Artluir W. Walker. Edward G. Wise. Committee on promrnaDf Concert anD llBall. Elisiia W. Cobb, Chairman. William H, Winship, Secretary. John G. Chandler. Elmore E. Loeke. Mrs. E:iisha W. Cobb. INIrs. Elmore E. Locke. Mrs. Harry E. Converse. Daniel P. S. Page. John W. Little. Fred T. Ryder. Everell F. Sweet. Committee on i^ltl^lettcs; nntj jTielD Sports, Harrie S. Abbott, Chairman. J^UGENE C. Upton, Secretary. William ¥j. Cochrane. John J. McCorraack. Owen P. Doonan. John J. Qneneth. Edwin F. Kelley. William W. Trafton. James McCarthy. William IL Winship. Committee on Cl)ilDren'0 entertainments;. Nathaniel W. Stakbird, Chairman. Frederick J. Smith, Secretary. Mrs. Frank J. Bartlett. Mrs. Peter J. McGuire. Maurice Dinneen. George Pronty. George H. Fall. G. Louis Richards. George E. Gay. William H. Ruston. William J. Hobbs. Mrs. Rufus H. Sawyer. Mrs. Alfred H. Jones. Mrs. George W. Walker. Mrs. Daniel P. Wise. Committee on /. Mrs. Haivev L. Boutwell. John W. Dnike. Charles M. Bnice. Lynde Sullivan. Mrs. Uriah B. Campbell. John J. Walsh. Mrs. Heniv Winn. ©ciural Ralph K. Abbott. Mrs. Albert Ammann. AViUiam E. Barker. Henry O. Barrett. Frank J. Bartlett. George H. Bates. James R. Boomer. Edward S. Booth. James Breslin. WiUiam H. Bnrrows. Mrs. Frank H. Carlisle. Mrs. Allan J. Chase. Edward J. Connell. Mrs. Henry D. Corbett. Deloraine P. Corey. Mrs. Albert D. Crombie. Frank F. Cntting. Herbert Damon. Mrs. Fred C. Uavis. Charles L. Dean. Charles E. Dennett. Charles L. P^aton. Frederick W. Eaton. Mrs. Willard B. Ferguson Thomas J. Garrity. Warren F. Gould. Mrs. George L. Gould. Conimittrc. Peter Gratf'am. George H. Graves. Mrs. Matthew C. Grier. Arthur G. Griffin. William A. Hastings. William D. Hawley. Mrs. Thomas W. Hough. Mrs. William H. James. William O. Lovell. Charles R. Magee. Fred T. A. McLeod. Webster L. Melvin. Mrs. Joshua H. Millett. George A. Minott. Mrs. C. Maria NordstrouL Mrs. Jabez P. Parker. Mrs. Frank J. Perkins. Charles Fl. Ransom. Frederick A. Robinson. Mrs. AVillard E. Robinson, Mrs. Arthur L. Robinson. Godfrey Ryder. Mrs. Thomas A. Sawtell. . William Schofield. Alvin L. Smith. Louis D. Starbird. Mrs. Everett J. Stevens. 14 TWO HUNDRED AXD FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY Odiorne Swain, Edmund S. Wellington, C. Morris Tredick. Mrs. James H, Whitaker. Mrs. Henry E. Turner. Charles A. Whittemore. Mis. Eugene C. Upton. William A. Wilde. Edward M. Waite. Charles H. Wise. Howard P. Wise. Cflfbratton Committrr from SBclrosr. Lkvi S. Gould, ClutirvKiii. Sidne}- H. l*>uttrick. Elbridge H. Goss. George R. Jones. John Larrabee. Chailes H. Adams. Stephen V. Kcyes. B. Marvin Fernald. Willis C. Goss. Celebration Committee from Ctierett. CnAULEs Bruce, Chairman. Charles Manser. John J. Heme. AVilliam J. Brickley. Augustus S. Marshall. Charles F. Washburn. P^ugene C. Ford. Francis W. Dana, Jr. John F. Homans. Immediateh" upon the acceptance of the report and the passage of the order by tlie city council, the executive committee organized and began its preliminary work, holding its first meeting on the even- ing of August 10, 1898, and regular meetings on each Wednesday evening thereafter. Albert Ammann was elected clerk. On the even- ing of August 17, the chairmen of the sub-committees met with the executive committee for conference. The work whicli was to be done by the several committees, acting independently in their own departments but in harmony with all, was explained by the chairman and the necessary lines of concerted action were defined. An appropriation of twenty-five hundred dollars fi'om the treasure- fund was made by the city council for immediate expenses, leaving the question of a final and adequate appropriation for consideration when the several committees could make their estimates with a clear understanding of what would be necessary-. Most of the remainder of the year [)assed in consideration of the work which was to be done, and in perfecting" the carefully formed scheme of details, which was actively taken up when the city appro- priation was made in Januar}-. In the meantime the various organi- zations of tiie city, outside of the committees, were actively planning their parts in the coming celebration. Tlie chairman of the executive TrO/Z/v OF THE COMMITTEE 15 committee, as president of the Board of Trade, addressed the follow- ing communication to his associates in November: — Maldex, November 30, 1898. To THE Members ok the JMalden Board of Trade. Gentlemen : Active and earnest work, in preparation for the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of tlie settlement of Maiden, is being prosecuted by the various sub-comtnittees ; and 1 would suggest that the Board of Trade can render efficient aid by interesting all of the firms and cor- porations engaged in business in Maiden, and inducing them to take an active part in this celebration, — b}' participating in the parade ; by assisting in the entertainment of guests ; by decorations ; by placing in their advertisements and upon their stationery notices of this important event ; and in various other Avays assisting the executive connnittee. Alfred E. Cox, President. In reply to this communication a committee was appointed, which rendered efficient service in interesting business men and the inhabi- tants of the several waixls in the matter. The committee was com- posed of the following gentlemen : — Ward 1. "WiLLAKD E. Robinson. Ward 4. Asher F. Black. 2. John J. Kellev. 5. Webster L. Melvin. 3. C. Morris Tredick. 6. Frank A. Thompson. Ward 7. OuiN A. Falconer. By the end of the year, the committees had perfected their plans so far as to rendei- their estimates of the expenditures on which the final appropriation should be based ; and upon the organization of the new cit}' government, the executive committee asked tlie cit^" council for fifteen thousand dollars in addition to the appropriation of 1898. Mayor Dean in his inaugural, Januars' 2, said : — " On May 22 and 23 next, our city is to celebrate the two hun- dred and fiftieth anniversai-y of the incorporation of Maiden as a town. This event is of great importance, and full}- merits the attention which it is receiving. The arrangements for this celebration are in competent hands, and we may safely count upon its reflecting credit upon our city and adding to its renown. Ample provisions should be made to meet the expense necessary to make the affair a success, and I recommend immediate action upon this matter." On the evening of January 17, both branches of the city council acting in concurrence, the required appropriation was granted from the treasury fund ; and the celebration being placed upon a firm financial basis, the further work of preparation was actively pushed. Communication was had with the mayor of Everett and the select- men of Melrose, inviting the participation of those municipalities as portions of the old town. The city government of Everett appointed 16 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY a special committee of its members, but no fiirtlier official part was taken in the celebration. Many of the inhabitants of Everett, how- ever, took an active part and rendered active and valualile service, while others joined in llie parade of May 23. A town meeting in Melrose voted to cooperate with the Maiden committee, and a com- mittee of nine was chosen to effect arrangements ; and later, by authorit}' of a special act passed b}' the legislature for that purpose, an api)ropriation of five hundred dollars was made to meet tlie ex- penses. An entire division i-epresented Melrose on the da}' of the parade. An early difficulty presented itself in the absence of anv building in Maiden of a capacity sufficient to meet the needs of the celebration. This difficulty was solved by the offer of the Hon. P^lisha S. Converse of the use of the lot on Pleasant Street near Washington Street, on which a music hall is now being l)uilt, on wliich a temporary' building, officiall}' known as the Anniversarj- Building, was erected. This building, of which the main structure was one hundred and six feet b}' one hundred and twenty feet, with a lean-to at the rear of twenty-two feet by one hundred and twenty feet, and a kitchen adjoining, ten feet \>\ eighty feet, provided in the auditorium aiul galleries chair- room for over thirty-two hundred persons, while the stage, which was furnished with graduated seats lor the uses of a chorus, gave room for nearl}' three hundred more. It was designed by Tristram Griffin, under whose supervision it was ei-ectetl ; and the material and labor were furnished by the firm of Clark & Melanson, the senior member of which built the timber frame of tiie pavilion used at the celebration in 1849. The building was wired and lighted during the celebration b}' tiie Maiden Electric Co., without expense to the cit}'. Here were held all the indoor exercises of the celebration, closing with the ban- quet on the evening of May 23. It was allowed to remain a few days, and was used b}- the Salvation Army for meetings on the evenings of Sundav and Monday, May 28-29, when Commander Booth-Tucker was present. It was then removed b}- the contractors. The committee on invitations sent out over one thousand engraved circular letters inviting "all sons and daughters of Maiden, former residents, and those interested in its history " to be present on the days of the celel)ration. Over one hundred persons, prominent b}' their participation in public afl^airs and otherwise, were invited to become the special guests of the cit}'. CHAIRMEN (2) John H. Farnham Edward H. Evans Invitations Charles D. McCarthy, M.D. Transportation and Carriages EcoENE Nelson Emerijencij Charles Schumaker BaiHjuet Lyman H. Richards Salutes, etc. Police Regtdalions INVITED GUESTS 17 INVITED GUESTS. Roger Wolcott, Governor of Massachusetts. W. Murray Crane, Lt.- Governor of Massachusetts. THE GOVERNOR'S STAFF. Saimiol Dalton, A. G. Robert A. Blood, S. G. Francis H. Appleton, C. G. James L. Carter, I. G. Rock wood Hoar, J. A. G. Fred W. Wellington, A. I. G. William C. Capelle, A. A. G. Richard H. Morgan, A. I. G. Gordon Dexter, A. I. G. Harry E. Converse, A. Q. G. Frank B Roger Morgan, A. Q. G. Edward B. Robins, A. A. G. J. Parson Bradle}-, A. A. G. Frank L. Locke, A. I. G. James T. Soutter, A. I. G. Richard D. Sears, A. A. G. James A. Frje, A. I. G. John D. Billings, A. D. C. William D. Sohier, A. D. C. George R. Jewett, A. D. C. Stevens, A. D. C. NATIONAL AND STATE OFFICERS. John D. Long, Secretary of the JSFacy, Washington. George F. Hoar, U. S. Senate. Henr}' Cabot Lodge, IT. S. Senate. Ernest W. Roberts, U. S. House of Mejjresentatlces. William M. Olin, Secretary of State, Mass. Edward P. Shaw, State Treasurer, Mass. John W. Kimball, State Auditor, 3Iass. Hosea M. Knowlton, Attorney- General, 3Iass. George E. Smith, President Mass. Senate. John L. Bates, Speaker Mass. House of Representatives. MAYORS. Edward A. Fitch, Maldon, Co. Ess* 3x, EnQ William J. Cronin, Paintucket, B. I. Benjamin D. Webber, Beverly, Mass. Josiah Qiiinc}', Boston, u Emery M. Low, Brockton, (( Edgar R. Champlin, Cambridge, u Seth J. Littlefield, Chelsea, i i Dennis Murphy, Chicopee, (( Arthur W. Hatch, 2 Everett, (( 18 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY Amos W. Jackson, Samuel Anderson, William W. French, John C. Chase, Arthur B. Chapin, James H. Eaton, Jeremiah Crowle}', William 8hci)herd, Edward J. Plunkett, Lewis H. Lovering, Charles S. Ashley, Thomas Huse, Pxlward B. Wilson, H. Torre}- Cad}-, John L. Mather, William W. W'hiting, Harrison A. Keith, James H. Turner, George O. Proctor, Dwight O. Gilmore, Nathaniel J. W. Ush, Geo. L. Mayberry, William F. Davis, Rufus B. Dodge, Jr., I^all Hiver, Mass. Fitchhiir'g,, ' ' Gloucester., " HaverJdll., " Holyoke., " Laiorence., ' ' Loioell, ' ' Lynn, "■ ' Marlborough., "■ Medford, " JSferc Bedford, " Neioharyport., " Newton, '■ ' No. Adams., " Northampton, ' ' Pitts field, " Q nine I/, '"'• Salem, " Somermlle, " Springfield, ' ' Taunton, " Waltham, ' ' Wohurn, " Worcester, ' ' CITY OFFICERS. Charles Bruce, President Board of Aldermen, Everett. Francis W. Dana, Jr., President Common Council, Everett. Fulton H. Parker, Chairm.an Board of Aldermen, Medford. William I. Parker, President Common Council, Medford. Sidney H. Buttrick, L. Frank Hinckley, Jonathan C. Howes, Charles J. Barton, William A. Carrie, Alfred S. Hall, B. Frank De Butts, Michael Sullivan, Joseph G. S towers, George M. Ingalls, Walter S. Keens, SELECTMEN. Melrose, Mass. Revere, Stoneham, INVITED GUESTS 19 Sidney A. Hill, Stoneh<(m, Mass. George H. Allen, "■ "■ George W. Walker, Maiden, 1881. John W. Allen, " John M. Devir, '' " John P. Ilolden, " " Tristram Griffin, " " CITIZENS OF MELROSE Who have been Selectmen of Maiden. OFFICERS OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY. Levi S. Gould, County Commissioner. Samuel O. Upham, " '* Francis Bigelow, " " Henry G. Cashing, Sheriff. Joseph O. Ilayden, Treasurer. Theodore C. Hurd, Clerk of Courts. Charles W. Eliot, President Harvard Universiti/. Rev. Elmer H. Capen, President Tufts College. Charles Francis Adams, President Massachusetts Historical So. Samuel A. Green, Librarian Massachusetts Historical So. Edward G. Porter, President Neio England Historic-Genealogical So. John Ward Dean, Librarian Neio England Historic- Genealogical So. Lucius Tuttle, President Hoston and Maine Railroad. John H. Burdakin, Register of Deeds, Norfolk Co. Col. J. McE. Hyde, U. S. A., Boston. Carroll D. Wright, Washington, D. C. Rev. William I. Haven, New York, N. Y. Rev. Edward Judson, D.D., Neic York, N. Y. Rev. W. H. P. Faunce, D.D., New York, N. Y. Marvin Lincoln, Washington, D. C Bernard R. Green, Washington, D. C. Rev. John Coleman Adams, D.D., Brooklgn, N. Y. Rev. Daniel W. Faunce, D.D., Pawtncket, R. I. Howard jM. Ilolden, Kansas City, Mo. Rev. Daniel P. Livermore, D.D., Melrose, Mass. Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, Melrose, 31ass. George P^merson, Melrose, JIass. Alonzo H. Evans, Ecerett, JIass. Wilson Quint, Ecerett, Mass. Mrs. Charles Carleton CotHn, Boston, 3Iass. Elisha D. Eldridge, Lyun, 3Jass. 20 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY Upon the reception coinmittee devolved the duty of giving welcome and attendance to the guests of the city during the celebration. Sub- committees were appointed to perfect the details, which were carried out with complete success. Invited guests, who were designated by small bow-badges of white ribbon with blue knots, were met at the railroad stations and elsewhere by members of the coinmittee and conve^'ed in carriages to the city hall, where they were received by the mayor. Here the headquarters of the committee were established, lunch was served, and cari'iages were in readiness to take guests to the various points of interest. Tickets wei'e furnished for the several functions of the celebration ; and entertaiiunent was provided for those who remained in the city over night. A sub-corninittee was in session at the public lil)rar3', where guests and visitors were requested to register. Suitable blanks were pro- vided for each pei'son ; and the collection of autographs and personal information resulting is one of much present interest. These sheets, alphabetically arranged and elegantly bound in eight thick volumes, are now preserved in the public library, where they will remain as a permanent reminder of the celebration, ever increasing in historical value. For the convenience of visitors and otliers, the bureau of informa- tion established stations at three central points : on Florence Street near the railroad station, on Fei ly Street near the railroad station, and in Central Square. These stations were open from eight a. m. until nine p. m. on Monday and Tuesday. Tents were located as stations on Monday, during the continuance of the sports, at F'erry- way Green, Webster Park, Cradock Field, and at the reservoir in Fellsmere Park. All the stations were supplied with directories, l)rograms, tiuie-tables, lists of restaurants and boarding-houses, and otlier printed matter for imparting information to the public; and well-informed attendants were on duty, who gave general satisfaction by their painstaking and courtesy. While the games were in progress on Monda}", the tents were open to the representatives of the Red Cross Corps, and valuable assistance was given in several cases of minor injuries. This committee sa^s in its report : — '' It is an admitted fact that Maiden cared for a greater number of people during its celebration than was ever gathered together in a suburban city in this vicinity. When it is considered that a large proportion were strangers, and that few if any coinplaints were heard, the committee feels justified in believing that its efforts were to a great extent successful, and added to the success of the celebration." 'l"he duties of the committee on emergenc}' were of much impor- tance, although no serious accident occurred. Invitations were ex- tended to about twenty resident physicians to act in conjunction with Nathaniel W. Starbird Children'' s Enlertainmnnts William D. Serrat Bureau of Information CHAIRMEN (.3) Frank E. Woodward Historic Loan Eihibition Roland W. Toppan I'. C. Reception Committee Samuel Tilden Printing and Badges THE POLICE SERVICE 21 the committee, which were all cheeiTiilly accepted. Mcnil)ers of this volunteer corps were assigned to various sections; and during the entire celebration a constant vigilancte was maintained b}- them throughout the city. During the field and water sports, there were seventeen accidents, and on the second day three more, which came under the care of this emergency corps. During tlie passage of the procession on Tuesday, a private ol)servation-stand became over- crowded and collapsed, but no serious n.'sults ensued. The commit- tee says in its report; "• We wish to ex[)ress publicly our heartiest thanks and appreciation to those physicians wlio rendered such kind and eflicient service during the celebration." The admirable manner in wliich the city was policed during the celebration has been the subject of much i)raise. This department was in the hands of the mayor and the standing aldermanic police committee, to wliom was added a sub-committee of tlie celebration committee on police i-egulations. The celebration practically ])egan on Saturday, May 20, and for the first two days the police service was performed l\y the local force of twenty-nine regulars and ten specials, to which was added on tlie subsequent days a force of eighty-five men drawn from the neighboring cities and towns. The detective force was composed of Boston inspectors, men from the state force, and Pinkerton men. The extra force, not including the regular Maiden police and Maiden specials, was on duty day and night for the last two days, equal to an additional force of two hun- dred and twenty-four men. The immediate command was in Chief Samuel M. Emerton of the Maiden force. The committee in its final report says : — " Chief Emerton is deserving of much praise in the manner in which all details were carried out ; and praise should also be accorded to each man of the regular foice, the specials, and all visit- ing police for the intelligent manner in dealing with the vast crowd which thronged our sti'eets, and for the cheerfid way in which they attended to all their duties." The work of the mounted and unmountec^police on the day of the procession was superb and elicited many remarks of praise. Military men who were present stated that in all their ex[)erience with proces- sions they had never seen policing equal it. The entire procession was kept clear of small-boy followings, the streets were free from teams and other obstructions, and Central Square, at the time of the review, was kept absolutel}' clear of sight-seers from curb to curb. In view of the large crowds of people which were gathered here, estimated b}' conservative authorities as not less than one hundred and fifty thousand on the day of the parade, and b\- others made much larger, it speaks well for the general good order of the city that 22 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY during the last two ilays but fifteen arrests were made. A number of supposed crooks were warned to leave the city and obeyed the warning. One case of entering and two of pocket-picking were reported to the police, the total value of the property so lost being less than one hundred dollars. An important factor in the preparation and final success of the celebration was the work of tlie press committee, wliich, though offlcialh' known as a reception committee, extended its labors over a wide and fertile field. Realizing that the greatest possible publicitj' would inure to the benefit of tlie ciiy and increase the effect of the celebration, it was determined to afford to the representatives of the press, both before and during tlie celebration, every facility for the performance of their difiilcult and liighly important work ; and the com- mittee carefully shaped its course with that end in view. The energy of its chairman, Aaron C. Dowse, and his long experience in everything connected with the public press, seconded by its indefati- gable secretary, Charles T. Hall, and the hearty cooperation of its members, were pioductive of the best results both in the progress and conclusion of its work. The representatives of the Boston i)apers were called together, and man}- valuable suggestions were made by the working-members of the press, which were subsequently acted upon. Later, the local and suburban newspaper men were convened and the plans of the committee were carefully outlined. An illustrated seven-column article, prepared by Arthur M. Cum'.uings of the committee, was stereotyped and was used l\y about fifty representative papers of New England. Additional items were given out from time to time, and several of the Boston t)apers published profusely illustrated articles relating to Maiden and its histor\\ Pending the celebration, everj'thing that could be obtained in advance, as the oration, addresses, poem, order of parade, etc., was printed and sent in slips to the different papers, and was in type leady for prompt publication at the close of the several exercises, without the intervention of the reporters. The result was that these reports in a complete and relial)le form were given a space much larger than would liave been possible had each reporter been com- pelled, in the confusion and haste of affairs, to search out and obtain this matter for himself. Headquarters were established at the Board of Trade rooms on Pleasant Street, where ample accommodations were provided for the visiting rei)resentatives of the press, both ladies and gentlemen. These rooms were o[)en during the week preceding and during the celebration, members of the committee and attendants being present to render any assistance that might be desired. By the courtes}' of THE PRESS COMMITTEE 23 the New England Telephone and Telegraph Co., direct telephone commnnication was furnished ; and the Remington Typewriter Co. placed ten of its best machines in the rooms for the use of the report- ers. Badges were given to accredited representatives of the press, which admitted the wearers everywhere ; and a tally-ho and carriages were provided, which enabled the reporters to visit all parts of the cit}'. More than three hundred newspaper men were registered at the press headquarters, where a continuous lunch was served, and the clatter of the typewriters and the coming and going of busy men gave evidence of the work that was being done. All these facilities were in constant use by men from every New England state, who looked upon Maiden as a new cit}' grown into their vision, a revelation, which next da\' or next week was heralded to their own people. Tlie celebration was mentioned in thousands of papers throughout the country, even journals as far distant as Texas and California giving it space. Ever}- item referring to the celebra- tion which it has been possible to obtain has been placed in a large scrap-book, prepared by the press committee, which will be preserved in the public library. It was facetiously said that the facilities afforded and the resultant entliusiasm of the reporters caused the Boston papers to lose their " sense of proportion ; " and that Maiden had " discovered itself" and made its existence known to the world. Never was a local celebra- tion given equal space in the Boston and suburban papers. A few days after the celebration, the Boston Traveler printed this observation : — " I admire Maiden for its beaut}' and respect it for its municipal integrit}', over which the breath of scandal rarel}' hovers, but I re- spectfully submit that neither it nor any other city, save ours, is entitled to anything like the vast areas of space given its celebration by Boston papers, to the exclusion, very likel}', of news of real impor- tance. Now and then our journals lose their sense of proportion entireh', and the Maiden affair furnished an excellent illustration of the fact," The activity of the committee and the attention which was paid to the comfort and convenience of its guests were appreciated by the reporters and other representatives of the press, and were widel}' acknowledged after the celebration. The work of other committees is fully shown in the statement of the results which they attained, as in those of the banquet, the parade, and other events of the celebration. There was no com- mittee appointed whose members did not do efficient work in the de- partments to which the}' were assigned ; and all are entitled to equal honor. The unanimity of feeling from the first, and the general bar mony of action which prevailed to the last, were evidences of a sincere loyalty to the city and a subordination of all private wishes to the 24 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY great good of the whole. The cause of the success of the celebration was the united labor of disinterested and earnest men and women ; and that may be summed up in one word, used in its strictest sense, — Cooperatiofi. It has been seen that tlie motive and controlling power of the work of preparation was in the executive committee, to which all the other committees were subordinate and to wliich all looked for direc- tion and authority. The labors of this committee were exacting and sometimes perplexing, as unforeseen difficulties arose and as ways and means were to be considered and decided. Wliile due praise may be given to each and all of this committee, a sketch of the preparation of the celebration would be incomplete were the active chairman of the executive committee not especiall}' mentioned with commendation. His clear head and persistent will gave wise direction and earnest support to the work of the various committees, and his ardor incited a corresponding ardor that made certain the successful result. During the celebration, the members of the committees were designated by official badges which were thus described : — " Made of solid metal, gilded and lacquered, fancy engraved top bar witli tlie name of the respective sub-committee thereon, shown in soft black enamel ; round medallion bottom piece representing the city seal of Maiden in the centre, and ' 2o0tli Anniversary, 1649-1899 ' in the outer circle." The reception committee for the ready identification b}' guests wore the badge on a crimson ribbon. In the following pages the chronicle of four days is given with such minuteness as is possible, and with a care which aims to make the record authoritative. All that is left of the celebration is its story in the printed page and the memories of those who participated there- in. To a later generation, naught but the story will remain, and the celebration which to us is a matter of congratulation and pride may seem to them as simple and inadequate as tlie celebration of 1849 now seems to us. The bright gatherings of children, the crowded streets, and the loud rejoicings, the music and the decorations, the voices of the orators and the sweet singers, the life and beauty of the ball and the banquet, the bright days tliat with their sunshine and mildness made the smiling face of nature more beautiful, all have passed away. Yet in the words that were spoken and in the record of that which was done such evidences of loyalty to city, state, and nation, and to the memory of the fathers, of good-will to men, and of hope in the future, may be found as will make our successors to hold us in equal honor with tlie fathers, and to give us that meed which belongs to those who, revering the past, work in the present with hope for the coming ages and a sincere trust in the everlasting care of God. CHARLES L. DEAN Mayor PROGRAM. SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1899. 2 P.M. Public School Exeijcises. 5 P.M. Captain Dodd's Troopers. 7 P.M. Reception at the First Church. 8 P.M. Jubilee Entertainment. EXERCISES OF SATURDAY. PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES. THE part taken by the public schools was one of the most sug- gestive and pleasing of the celebration. As the schools lie at the foundation of good citizenship, and the future of our city depends upon those who are to come out of them, to them was appropriately given the honor of the opening exercises of the occasion. All matters pertaining to their preparation were wisel}' left in the hands of the school committee, an adequate appropriation having been made bj' the executive committee for that puri)ose. Coincident with the purposes of the celebration was the prepara- tion of a PnhUc School Sonve)n}\ which was issued in an octavo volume of two hundred and forty -two pages, and should be in the hands of every citizen who values the advantages of popular educa- tion. This volume contains numerous illustrations, comprising views of schoolhonses, grou[)s of teachers and scholars, interesting features of school work, etc. ; and by the example of actual work it presents a vivid and instructive view of the present condition of the schools of the city. Eminent educators have pronounced it to be the most com- plete and satisfactory outline of every-day educational work ever printed. At the Paris Exposition, in 1900, it will probabl}- tell the story of the INIalden of to-day more completeh' than any educational record will give tliat of an}- other American city ; and in 1949, when the three hundredth anniversar}- will engage the attention of our suc- cessors, it will be of the greatest value as a means of correctly measuring the advance which the first half of the twentieth century will make in educational matters. Much that appears of value now ma}' be found as inadequate then as the methods of 1849 now appear to us, in their comparative crudeness and simplicity. To illustrate the beginnings of school work in New England, a facsimile of the first schoolhouse built here, in 1712, was erected on the grounds of tlie High School, at the corner of Salem and Ferry Streets. It appears in the foreground of the view of the High School in the present volume. The original building stood at the southerly corner of the present Main and Pleasant Streets, with a door on the 27 28 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY latter street. It was used as a scliooUiouse, sometimes as a watch- house, uutil 1730, when it vvas given to Thomas Degresha, the hell- man and grave-digger. It is described as follows : — " The first scliool house in Maiden would have made a soi'ry figure by the side of those of the present da}'. It was neither imposing nor elegant. Hardly could it have been convenient, except that to the simple farmers of that da}' anything was of convenience that afforded a shelter from the heats of summer and the storms of winter. It was ' bult 20 foots jn length 16 foots wide 6 foot stud between joints.' A chimne}', ' nere seven foots between y" gams,' decreased the capac- it}' of the room; and when its spacious ' harth ' was blazing with its pile of green logs the phj'sical discomfort of the child who sat on the nearest bench could only have been equalled l\y that of the unfortu- nate shiverer who sat by the door. Of course, it was of one story, and its walls were filled with brick ' to y* plaets,' in that good cold- defj'ing fashion whicii ma}' j'et be foinid in some old houses, and which puts to shame the shams of modern construction. It had ' two windores one on y*^ Soiitli and y° other on y*^ Est,' and one ' dower of plain Boords.' " The reproduction contained a representation of the probable furni- ture of the old building ; but tiie pine benches and rude desks looked inappropriately new and out of place, until a few boys, who were sent into the building with their jack-knives, proved that the rising generation has still a knowledge of some of the arts of the past. The furniture was soon reduced to the condition of that of the old brick schoolhouse which many of us remember, and in the ornamentation of which some of us learned the first rudiments of the carver's art. Preliminary exercises were held in many of the schools on Friday, May 19, consisting of literar}' and musical selections appropriate to the coming celebration. At the High School, Dr. Frank B. Siears presented a large American flag, which was raised soon after in the presence of the scholars. Interesting original essays on subjects con- nected with the history of Maiden were read by several pupils, and portions of the oration and poem of the celebration of 1849 were recited with effect. During the celebration, the principal school Iniildings bore appro- priate mottoes as a part of the official decorations. They were as follows : — Belmont School : The true function of the school is the forma- tion of character. Centre School : The public school is the people's university. Converse School: All education is self-education. Emerson School : Thought is the great work of life. Faulkner School : Victor}- over ignorance is the greatest of all victories. PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES 29 High School [^^e?'.'] : He who masters himself may master all things. High School [ Old'] : An educated hand makes au educated brain. Lincoln School : Education brings out ever}' latent virtue. Linden School: Men are grown, not manufactured. The culmination of the work of the school committee was the gathering of the public schools in the Annivei'sary Uuilding on the afternoon of Saturdny, May "iO, in which about two thousand children partici[)ated. The schools tiUed the entire floor of the house, the stage l)eing occupied by past and piesent members of the school com- mittee and invited guests. The (lay had been somewhat threatening; but it was noticed, as a ha[)py augury for tiie success of the celebration, that the sun, which had been ol)scnred, shone through the clouds just as the first strains of America broke tiie anticipator^" silence of the great gatliering. During tlie address of Mr. Littlefield the electric lights were turned on, as the clouds had again obscured the sky, bringing out with sudden clearness the happy faces and the brilliant colors of the dresses of the children. The fine effect, as observed from the stage, incited the speaker to compare the gathering of the children to the star-spangled banner, which was received with applause. At two o'clock the notes of the overture to Suppe's Beautiful Galatea called the assembly to order; and, at tiie conclusion of the number, the Invocation was offered by the Rev. Joshua W. Well- man, D.D., a former member of the school committee. The schools and the audience then sang — AMERICA. M\- country, 'l is of tliee. Sweet land of libert}', Of thee I sing ; Land where my fathers died. Land of the Pilgrims' pride, From every mountain side Let freedom ring. My native country, thee — Land of the noble free — Thy name I love ; I love thy rocks and rills. Thy woods and tem[)led hills ; My heart wnth rapture thrills Like that above. Let music swell the breeze. And ring from all the trees Sweet freedom's song. Let mortal tongues awake ; Let all that breathe partake ; Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong. Our fathers' God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee v/e sin'g ; Long may our land be bright With freedom's holy light; Protect us by Thy might. Great God, our King! 30 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVEBSARY Aaron C. Dowse, the chairman of the school committee, as chair- man of the meeting, then made ^ THE IXTKODUCTORY ADDRESS. I^ast and Present Members of the School Covimittee^ Members of the City Government, Invited Guests: — In belialf of these — the briglitest gems in Maiden's crown — it is xwy pleasant dnty and high privilege to welcome you to the first public exercises incident to Mai- den's two hundred and fiftieth anniversary celebration. It is, indeed, fitting i-hat our school children, the pride of the present and the hope of the future, be accorded the first place on our anniversary program ; that their sweet voices, in the melod}" of patriotic song, dedicate this building. We are proud of this beautiful city of homes ; proud of its well kept streets and its manj' material excellences. We point to it as a God-fearing, law-abiding, well governed Massachusetts munici- pality. And ever as we strive to better its condition, as we seek to make Maiden even more attractive and more nearly perfect in every department of municipal life, we do it not for ourselves, but for these, our children, the controlling influence as truly now as in the years when in mature manhood and womanhood they — " Finish what we begin, And all we fail of win." This May day, with its sun and rain, and these bright, rosy-faced children, on whose cheeks sometimes forms tlie rainbow of tears and laughter, — how typical one of the other ! " Summer is dumb, and faint with dust and heat; This is the tuneful month when every sound is sweet. Thrill, youthful heart; soar upward, limpid voice; Blossoming time is come — rejoice, rejoice, rejoice ! " It is a far cry from the Maiden of 1712, and the little schoolhouse on yonder green, with — " The warping floor, the battered seat, The jackknife's carved initial," to the Maiden of 1899, with its many school buildings valued at eight hundred thousand dollars ; a far cry from that day, when half a score of children " went storming out at playing," to this day w hen in the same territorial limits are twelve thousand public-school children. Who can paint the picture of 1949 ? We upon this platform can see it onl}' in prophecy ; but man}' of you, m}' children, may know its reality. I stood one da}' in that grand palace hall, near Paris, where emperors were crowned and where presidents are elected. Upon the PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES 31 wall is the picture of a wounded soldier ; look at it from any point of view — directly in front, from left or right — and the eyes of that sol- dier look into your own. I may forget the beauty of that hall ; I may forget its costly decorations and the splendor of its overarching walls, but I can never forget that painting, that soldier, those beseeching eyes. And so I feel that when the enthusiasm of sport and game and entertainment has been tempered b}' the experience of years, when the sound of salute and clang of bell is but a faint echo of far- off days, when the pomp and dazzle of decoration and parade grow dim upon the vision, even then you will remember this May-day after- noon and these exercises in which, and of which, you are the living, moving spirit. Children (I had almost said, ui}- children), as you welcome these our guests, so also do we welcome you. For you we labor, with you we renew our youth, b}- you we send our word of cheer to the Maiden of the future. •' Ye are better than all the ballads That ever were sung or said; For ye arc the living poems And all the rest are dead." A medley by the band, introducing tiie Suioance River, the Red, W/dte, ami Blue, the Star-SpangJed Ranner, and other patriotic-and popular airs, followed ; after which the chairman presented the first speaker. The Chairman. — We have such a multiplicity of good things, such a wealth of eloquence and wit, that the order of the dav, " made and provided," is clear-cut, concise, — not over-long addresses b}' many, rather than elaborate discourses b}' few. The framers of our city charter, while allowing aldermen and councilmen to be elected by wards, appreciated the paramount impor- tance of our public schools, and enacted into law the requirement that the school committee must be elected at large by all the voters in all the wards. The mayor is the only other public official thus elected, and b}- provision of the charter he, too, is made a member of the school committee — its chairman, ex officio. The Mayor of Maiden, Hon. Charles L. Dean. ADDRESS OF MAYOR CHARLES L. DEAX. 3Ir. Chairman, ScJiool Children of Maiden, and Ladies and Gentlemen: — As I stand before you in my capacity as mayor, I feel deeply the honor of being privileged to assist in inaugurating the cere- monies of the next three days, commemorating the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of the town of Maiden. o2 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSAnV And especially do 1 feel it a great privilege and eminently fitting that it should be to a large gathering of the children that these words should be spoken. I congratulate the meml)ers of the school committee on the results of their earnest and faithful work in furthering the educational inter- ests of this city ; and sufficient evidence of this work is given us to-da}* as we look into the bright eyes and intelligent faces before us, assur- ing us that behind these lie ininds being trained to think and observe. Our schools, as we see them to-day, show, in a great measure, the faithful labor and thought of all wdio have held an honored position on the school committee in the past. Our superintendents also have been al)le and especially successful in their work. We are all proud of our present superintendent, who was for several years principal of our High School. He lias honored every position he has been called to fill ; and it is in all our memories that his work here was interrupted for a year that he might represent the educational interests of Massachusetts at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893. He takes a front rank among the educatoi's of this commonwealth to-day. The principals of our schools and all tiie teachers connected with them, many of whom have given long jears of earnest and faithful service to the work, are all to be most heartily congratulated upon their excellent standing. To them belongs the credit, for without their heart}' cooperation and untiring work, day by day, this visible result would not be possible. This, carried on for a long series of years as a town and then as a city, has placed the schools of Maiden in the front rank among the schools of Massachusetts, which are famous tlie world ovei" for tlieir excellence. I wish to extend niy sincere congratulations to all who have taken a part in accom[)lishing these results. It is a work of which you may well be proud. The children before me to-day will with difficulty appreciate the difference between their beautiful schoolhouses, fitted with ever}" modern convenience to make learning eas}' and a pleasure, with their large sunny, well ventilated rooms, and the traditional red schoolhouse of years ago, with its one small room and uncomfortable benches, and an iron stove in the middle, which jour present mayor can fully de- scribe from his early recollections. From these same red schoolhouses have come, however, down from the hills of New Hampshire and Vermont men who have taken leading places in our large cities, in the busy marts of life, in the national and state governments, and in various positions of trust throughout the country. How much more, then, with every advantage which thought and money can offer, should you accomplish! And we are not disap- PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES 33 pointed in this, for we find our High School receiving the blight minds from the lower grades. Its membership is increasing every 3ear, and we are proud of it ; for we know tliat tliose who have had tlie inestimable opportunity of a college training have gone from our High Scliool to Harvard, Yale, Boston University, Smith, and Vassar with high rank, and have graduated with honor to tliemselves and tlie schools which nourished them. Not only that, but those who were but the children of yesterday have come out of our schools, and are occup3-ing prominent positions in the community and in our public affairs to-day. We trust and hope that you children of to-day are fitting yourselves for these positions of trust and honor in the future. The people of the town and city of Maiden have been as a unit in doing all in their power to advance its educational interests. Since Maiden became a cit}', in 1882, about six hundred thousand dollars have been expended in new school buildings. I most firmly believe that tills department of tlie city will advance steadily, keeping pace witii the rapid growth of our population, in the future as in the past. ODE BY ARTHUR MARK CUMMINGS. Music, Fair Harvard. SCHOOL CHORUS. Fair City, rejoice, mid these jubilant throngs, As th}' children assemble to-day, "With pageants, and banners, and garlands, and songs, Their tribute of honor to pav. And among us yet others are standing unseen, Sober-clad and of visage austere : The\' have noiselessly come from tiieir low tents of green To partake of our festival cheer. O rugged forefathers and mothers, the years Bring rich triumphs to crown your repose : The vine in the wilderness planted with tears Hath blossomed like Sharon's sweet rose. God Unchanging, with us, as with them, be Thy grace ; Be our purpose as lofty and pure. When beside them we lie, in our last resting-place, Maj' our mein'ry as nobly endure. The Chairman. — We much regret that the inclemency of the weather prevents the attendance here tliis afternoon of the man whose name is in all our thoughts when we enter our beautiful public library 3 34 T]VO HUNDRED AXD FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY or stroll through the shady lanes in Pine Banks. " Oh ! he sits high in all our hearts." — Maiden's first citizen, the Honorable, ay, always Honorable, Elisha S. Converse ' The oldest living ex-meinber of the school committee in point of service is William S. Stearns, — a well known Boston law3-er, — whose absence from the state prevents his presence here to-da}'. He was a member of the school committee in 1849, just (ift\' 3ears ago. Rev. Aaron C. Adams, D.D., now of Wethersville, Conn., was a member of the school committee in 1854, as were also Rev. Daniel P. Livermore, D.D., of Melrose, and Matthias Crocker of this city. Dr. Livennore is confined to his home by illness, — his distinguished wife. Mar}- A. Livermore, expressing in a letter to the committee regret at their inability to be present. Dr. Adams, responding to our invita- tion, wrote : "I am not old enough to forget Maiden and m\' old Maiden friends way back in the 'oO's ; specially, as members of the school committee, Mr. Blanchard, whom I early lost sight of, Mr. Charles Carleton Coffin, with whom I maintained a good deal of intimacy to the end, and Rev. D. P. Livermore, whose doxy and mine, religioush', were a good way apart, yet in no way hindered our co- operation and good-fellowship." George D. B. Blanchard was a member of the committee in 1856, and James F. Eaton in 1857. Dr. J. Langdon Sullivan's service on the connnittee dates back to 1852, forty-seven years ; and thirty-eight years ago in the stormy days of '61 he was chairman of the school -committee. "■ Ours," said he, in the report of that year, '' is the age of progress, of expansion." True then, true now ; then eleven hun- dred children and twenty-three teachers, now five thousand children and one hundred and sixty teachers. "The office of school commit- tee," he tells us in his quaint way, "is no sinecure; its responsibili- ties are great ; its anxieties and perplexities manifold. The species of service they who accept it are called to render is one which towns seldom appreciate, and for which they are never grateful." In clos- ing this report he says : " When the future shall do justice to us, let it be said in our praise, 'They dared to speak the truth.' " I present one whose coming into many of our homes has been a benediction — the good physician, the poet, the man who " dared to speak the truth," Dr. J. Langdon Sullivan. ADDRESS BY JOIIX LANGDON SULLIVAN, M.D. 3Ir. Chairmav, X,adit-s and Gentlemen, and Pupils of the 3Ialden /Schools: — I think it a privilege to be born and brought up in Maiden. I think it a privilege to be brought up in Maiden, even though born elsewhere. In a few words let me saj- wh}'. In point of j^ PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES 35 natural beaiitv and hcaltlifiilness of situation, few towns excel our own. Maiden enjoys a great and increasing material prosperity. Its schools are excellent, inferior indeed to none in the commonwealth. Of these characteristics of our fair and flourishing city, all her citizens are prond. But it is not on account of these only that I esteem it as a high privilege to be born and brought up in the sunshine and shadows of old Mystic Side. It is first and chiefly because of the moral and spiritual influences with which Maiden surrounds and pro- tects her children and youth. A single illustration and T am done. As long as Maiden shall exist as a cit}-, so long shall the illustrious exam[)le of the noblest use of wealth set by her ciiief citizen and first multi-millionaire — tliat of making his large means contribute to the well-being and ha{)piness of an entire community — command tlie admiration and challenge the emulation of men. So long as Maklen shall exist as a city, from generation to generation shall that example awaken in other gener- ous bosoms a like spirit of disinterested Christian benevolence. That which thou sowest shalt thou surely reap. This is one only of the formative influences wherewith Maiden shapes, as with a potter's wheel, the plastic mind of youth. Amongst the hundreds of young persons to-da}- within these walls assembled, it is probable that the opportunities and obligations of great wealth shall hereafter devolve on more than one. Let each of you, my 3'oung friends, here and now firmly resolve, and cherish as firmly through life, the resolution that, if Heaven shall ever vouchsafe to you, individually-, an opportunity to do good on a grand scale, the record- ing angel's pen shall, on the same page with Maiden's great living benefactor, write you too as one who loves his fellow-men. FREEDOM, OUR QUEEN. i Music by John K. Paixe. Words by 0. W. Holmes. SUNG BY MISS MARIE LUCIIINI. Land where the banners wave last in the sun. Blazoned with star clusters, many in one. Floating o'er prairie and mountain and sea; Hark! 'tis the voice of thy children to thee ! Here at thine altar our vows we renew Still in th}' cause to be loval and true, — True to thy flag on the field and the wave, Living to honor it, dying to save ! ^ Words by permission of Houf^litdu, Mifflin & Company, jniblishers of Dr. Holmes's works. 36 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY Motlier of heroes ! if perfidy's blight Fall on a star in th}' garland of liglit, Sound but one bugle blast ! Lo, at the sign Armies all panoplied wheel into line. Hope of the world ! thou hast broken its chains, — • Wear th}' bright arms while a t3"rant remains ; Stand for the right till the nations shall own Freedom tlieir sovereign, with Law for her throne ! Freedom ! sweet Freedom ! our voices resound, Queen b}' God's l)lessing, unsceptrcd, uncrowned ! Freedom, sweet Freedom, our pulses repeat. Warm with her life-blood, as long as the}" beat! Fold the broad banner-stripes over her breast, — Crown her with star-jewels Queen of the AVest ! Earth for her heritage, God for her friend. She shall reign over us, world without end ! The Chairman. — We regret that time prevents more than a passing allusion to the excellent services rendered our cit}' by the men who have so abh' filled the office of superintendent of schools. Among the dead, George W. Copeland and William H. Lambert; among tlie living, our esteemed fellow-citizen, William A. Wilde, whose first official act in 1872 was the donation of five hundred dollars to the town for the purchase of maps, etc., for the schools ; that veteran in school work, Charles A. Daniels, — ma}- his days be long upon the earth, — whose modesty alone prevents his having a i)lace on this pro- gram. Let the i)resent speak. •" To-day Is a better day than yester- day." Our sup(;rintendent, your superintendent, George H Gay. ADDRESS BY GEORGE E. GAY. This day looks back two hundred and fifty years. It sees a score of houses, the same number of miserable farms. It looks toward the sea, down a silent and useless river. It sees twoscore men, women, boys, and girls, — such men, such women, such boys, and such girls as never before in the liistor}' of the world started out into a new land to make a new home and found a new nation. Around them were the members of a race that had held this land from time immemorial. They were a lazy race. They had never harnessed the forces of nature. They worked only that they might eat, and having eaten, they idled till hunger compelled them again to seek food. To-day these farms are noble parks, broad avenues, beautiful streets. Yonder river goes to the sea freighted with the wealth of the world. PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES 61 I have asked myself, Win' this change? Why shoiihl a score of Puritans, landing on this desert shore but two hundred and fifty years ago, make such a change as this? The land was here, the trees were here, all the forces of nature were here. This little stream of ours had been rolling to the sea for a thousand years, but no man had ever used its force until your ancestors put a grist-mill beside it. What marked these men that made our history ? As I have read that wonderful stor}' of the early life of this town, which everybody in Maiden is reading to-da^-, I think I have noticed two or three things in the eyes and in the hearts of these men and women, which account for all the growth wliich this township has had. First, I find the purpose to do and to be. The Indian had a purpose not to do, and a purpose not to be. The white man came to do and to be something worthy of the God who made him. The white man's axe felled the trees ; the white man's sickle mowed the grain ; the white man's hand reared the buildings; the white man's word rang out; the white man's sword won liberty. He dared to do because he first dared to be. I find another quality that characterized these ancestors of yours. They were an industrious company of people ; oi', if there were a drone among them, he was, like all drones everywhere, an incubus, — a load which the workers had to carry. I find another element, another characteristic in these men, and if I am rigiit, this third thing was the most important of the three, and has had more to do with the material and the moral prosperity of our city than any other force. What is this which thus distinguishes our ancestors? It is the spirit of self-denial, — the willingness to bury the emotion, the feeling, the passion, the desire of the moment in order to win the reward that lies at the end of toil. And every house in this city, every stone in its pavements, every brick in its school- houses, is there because some man, some woman, some boy, or some girl has denied himself for the present in order that he, or others, might have and win and enjoy in the future. The past is behind ; the future is before us. Two hundred and fifty years hence what shall this city be? If its people are marked by the same high purpose, by the same willingness to do, by the same gift, yea, divinest gift of self-sacrifice, this public spirit which looks forward, — then the growth of the next quarter-millennium shall be as great as the growth of the past. These men, these women, these boys and girls whom we look back to, have passed away ; but ever3' one who has contributed toward the grow'th of the city in these ways has left behind the result of his labor and the inspiration of his example. I stand every day and look at the noblest building in this city, aye, at one of the noblest buildings in the world, the INIalden Public 38 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY Library ; and to nie it is not a pulilic library at all. It is what its name says it is, a memorial building. A memorial to whom? A memorial to a young man stricken down at his post of dut}'. I would that every bo^- and girl, as he or slie enters those walls, would sa}', looking reverentl}' toward him in whose memory this building rises, " I too will do the work that is set for me to do ; 1 too will die at m}' post." TO THEE, O COUNTRY! Music by Julius Eichberg. SCHOOL CHOIJUS. To thee, O country-, great and free, With trusting hearts we cling; Our A'oices, tuned b\- joAOUS love, Thy pow 'r and praises sing. Upon thy mighty, faithful heart We lay our burdens down ; Thou art the only friend who feels Their weight without a frown. For thee we daily work and strive, To thee we give our love ; For thee with fervor deep we pray To Him who dwells above. O God, preserve our fatherland, Let Peace its ruler be, And let her happy kingdom stretch From north to southmost sea. The Chaikman. — It was as a member of the school committee, and in the discharge of the duties of that high office, that Marcellus Coggan, Esq., first gained the confidence of the peoi)le, — a confidence that led to his election as mayor. Ex-Ma} or and ex-Chairman of the school committee, Hon. Marcellus Coggan. ADDRESS BY THE HOX. ]\L\RCEI.LUS COGGAN. Felkno Citizens: — When I received from your chairman an in- vitation to speak this afternoon, the question occurred to me to ask. What can I say? That question comes at this moment with very terrific force — what can I say? The past brings up so many memo- ries, the future suggests so many things, that it is ver}- difficult to select the most fitting thing to be said upon an occasion like this. But humanity is as a gi-eat river, rolling onward and onward with its PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES 39 mighty waters, and finally depositing us all in the great ocean of eter- nity. And of all tiie interesting exercises to which the city of Maiden will be invited during this celebration, none will be of so much interest to yon, none will give me so great a pleasure, as this present occasion. To look into the faces of those who are to be the future citizens of our municipalit}', of our commonwealth, and of our repul)lic, and to contemplate what they are to furnish for their city, their common- wealth, and the nation, is a most interesting privilege ; and as we sit here and contemplate all tliis, tlie thought occurs to me that if one generation of American youth would devote their time, their training, and their energies, unselfislily, regardless, entirely regardless, of self, to the cause of humanity, the tyranny of the world would tremble before it wlien it came on the stage of action. It will be but a short time before the youth of this city will take their places on the stage of active life. You have been fortunate in the hour of your birth. You have been most fortunate in the circumstances which have sur- rounded your training. You are fortunate in your school ; you are fortunate in your parents ; and that is what makes this occasion the most interesting of all the events of this two hundred and fiftieth anniversary : because here is centred the heart of our homes, the very focus of our affection ; and when that is set forth as the object of the devotion of any people, you may be sure there is a deep and a lasting interest in it. I am aware, my young friends, tliat I must be brief in what I have to say ; and I want to sav to you that I never shall be old enougli not to be able, as long as reason is u[)on its throne, to participate in your pleasures, to rejoice with you in your joys, and to wish and hope that when 30U sliall come to the hour of manhood and of womanhood you ma}' take hold upon the duties of citizenship, and resolve that your effort shall be given to the cause of the generations that shall come after you, as the generations that have gone before you have given their efforts in your behalf. In this way, and onl}' in this wav, can these free American institutions, which give you so raucii to enjoy, which furnish to you such great opportunities, be per- petuated for successive generations. And let me ask you now to take with you one thought of the future, and to remember that citi- zenship is close upon you. Its duties, its responsibilities, are your own, almost within your grasp, and I urge you earnestly to take up the work of preparing for those duties and performing your part in the history of your raunicipalit}-, of your commonwealth and your country. 40 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY STARS AND STRIPES FOREVER. Words by J. H. Milliken. March (Sousa). BAND AND CHORUS. All hiiil to the stripes and the stars ! It 's the flag of the fearless and free ; Hurrah for our own gallant tars, Who uphold it on e\'vy sea. And hurrah for our heroes in blue, Who are marching in Liberty's name ; Oh, ma}- our glorious flag Forever wave o'er true and brave In endless fame ! All hail to the flag ! May its folds E'er protect those who freedom would find. And may each new star that it holds Mark an era of peace to mankind. Let nations " remember the ' Maine.' " The spirit of Lil)erty 's aflame ; Oh, ma3' our glorious flag Forever wave o'er true and brave In endless fame ! The Chairman. — So recently a member of our committee that we have hardly ceased looking for his presence at our regular meet- ings, — a man man}- of these children have met in the schoolroom, for. he was a frequent observer of their work , — it seems but a renewal of acquaintanceship to introduce ex-Mayor John E. Farnham. ADDRESS BY THE HON. JOHN E. FARNHAM. To me this is the most interesting portion of our celebration ; and if I had been asked to choose some part of it where I might have had the privilege of saying one word, it would have been right here in the presence of these fresh young faces. I once heard the late Governor Robinson say that Massachusetts was noted chiefly for but two pro- ductions, namel}', her annual crop of ice, and her men and women ; and here we have before us her noblest production, — her little men and women. Now I promise you that I will not speak longer than five minutes, for that is the time that is allowed to me this afteinoon ; and in that short time what can I sav, or what can be said fitting for THE CITY HALL PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES 41 an occasion like this? You know it is taught in our history books tliat the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth was an accident. Well, the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth was an accident, — they in- tended to land on the shores of New Jersey ; but the fact that the Pilgrims sailed, and the reason why they sailed, from Holland and from England, was no accident, and that is the chief question with us. They sailed, and we see the result here. And that little band of Pil- grims, and the Puritans also, started, it seems to us, right. They started from the presumption that the school and the government must go hand in hand. They believed that the one was dependent upon the other, and tliat without free schools the state was not safe. And do 30U realize that, with Plymouth settled in 1620 and Boston in 1630, in 1636, six 3eais after the settlement of Boston, an order or a bill was passed appropriating four thousand pounds for the purpose of establishing a university? That, my friends, was thirteen years before Maiden became a town. And do you realize, also, that two years before Maiden became a town, in 1647, the first act was passed which established a pulilic-school system in the United States? Now that princi[)le. enacted away back there — and our school system, remember, is two hundred and fifty years old — that system and that principle recognized there have been recognized by the Congress of the United States, when, in the great boundless lands of the AVest, a cer- tain portion of those lands is required to be given up for the purposes of the public schools. It is said that a little learning is a dangerous thing. If this is so, I am afraid it is dangerous to all of us ; for there is nobody that possesses any more than a little learning. But we do say that, ever3"thing else being equal, a little learning is a good thing and tends to make better citizens. Oh, I wish I had in the few minutes at mv command the eloquence and the ability to present to you, and the ability to bring forth in you, some great truth that would be of value to you in the future. We all know that, if 30U will use the talents you possess to the best of your abilit3-, wherever 3'ou go in the future, and the older you grow, you will look back with a great deal of pleasure and pride to this celebration. Now I want to say one word more. Daniel Webster, in one of his great orations, said that if the United States had done nothing more than to produce such a character as Washington, it was a grand success. And that character of Washington is what it seems to me we should stud3' to- da3' more than everything else. And if we humbh' learn of him and at his feet, I know that our lives will not have been spent in vain. The Chairman. — " The public school will perform its best and noblest work if it shall endow its pupils with moral integrity, a well disciplined mind, and a sound and vigorous bodv." These words, 42 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY which ring so true, I find in the report of the school committee for 1889, a report written b}' the able and scholarly chairman of that year, Erastus B. Powers, Esq. ADDRESS BY ERASTUS B. POWERS. 3Ir. (Jhdirman and Scholars of the Public Schools of the City of Maiden : — It is an inspiration to stand this day in your presence. Lord Macaulay, in magnificent words, has described the great audi- ence that assembled to commemorate the trial of AVarren Hastings. There were gathered there, from every part of that enlightened and prosperous realm, the representatives of every walk of life. And so in this vast audience that is assembled to-da}' within these walls are included the dear ones of the home, the pride of the school, and the future hope of the city of INIalden and the commonwealth of Massa- chusetts. With most of us who are this da}' to address 3'ou, the sun of life has reached its meridian. With man}' it is descending the western skies. Our duties will soon become yours ; and as the best preparation for those duties, allow me most modestly to recommend to you — and in this da}' I trust I need not add the qualifying distinction, without regard to sex — a careful reading and study of political his- tory and of the science of civil government. You stand upon the threshold of the most important era, certainly of one of tlie most important eras, in our national life. There will be abundant needs for the labors of the scholar, tlie wisdom of the statesman, and the fidelity of the patriot. Vast accumulations of organized capital are con- fronted b}' the forces of organized lal)or. Socialistic ideas and prin- ciples are rapidly taking deep and permanent root in the body politic. Demagogues ma}' indeed widen the breach and incite violence, but it is your duty, tlie duty of the American scholar, to devise and enact those legislative enactments that shall conduce to the security and freedom of labor, to the rights of the citizen, and tiie security of gov- ernment. We do not despair of the republic. We have an aVjiding and abundant confidence that in the solution of this great and difficult problem the descendants of those heroic forefathers who two hundred and fifty years ago laid broad and deep the foundations of civil liberty upon the shores of this western world, will bear well their part. We have an abiding and an abundant confidence that you will bear your part in triumphantly moulding into the higher life of a state and nation the supremacy of law and the freedom of the citizen. In your high school course what happens? The most efficient instruments of mental culture and discipline are the Greek and Latin languages. Those of you who have faithfully pursued those studies in the public schools will bear testimony that they have a higher purpose and utility PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES 43 than to vex the dreams of the schoolboy. But, after all, they are but the instruments of the mental oymnasium. Their influence does not extend, except in that direction, beyond the doors of the public school, the college, or the university. With the exception of the master- l)ieces of half a dozen authors which very few of us can, and nobody does, read in the original, little of their literature has been preserved, and it would avail us little if it had. Let me, then, as an elder, but not as a better, commend to you, in the shi-eds and patches of time which \o\\ have during your school course, and in tlie more abundant oppor- tunities of your future life, the careful reading and stud}' of the best works in jour own language. A taste for what is highest and best in literature is not onl}' the ornament of age, but it is the protec- tion of youth. Fortunate is the scholar who has learned to read and appreciate the elegant expression and the musical cadence of the Sketch Book, the magnificent word-painting of the J^ssays o?i Warren Hastings and Jolui Milton, and the iunnortal panegyric upon Marie Antoinette, or those many passages in Hamlet which, going to the depth of both mind, and heart, and sonl, have become interwoven with the very texture of our common speech. Is there any danger that such a scholar, having perused such works as these, will ever feed and batten on the moor of that sensational literature which this age scatters upon ns more abundantly than the autumnal leaves that fall in Vallombrosa? The English language is worth}' of the study and the admiration of the scholar and the citizen. It speaks to the ear like Italian, to the sense of beaut}' like the Greek, to the mind like the German. It is as universal as our race and as individual as ourselves. It contains within its garnered treasures more of the gems of beauty and wisdom, more of the history of civilization and the growth of in- dividuals and nations, than pertains to any other language, living or dead. Now, if it occurs to you scholars that all this has a little taint of the schoolroom, yon must remember that before I entered upon my present profession I was a teacher, and the ruling passion is strong. MARYLAND! MY MARYLAND! SCHOOL CHOKUS. Thou wilt not cower in the dust, Maryland ! my Maryland ! Thy beaming sword shall never rust, Maryland ! my Maryland ! Remember Carroll's sacred trust, Remember Howard's warlike thrust, And all thy slumb'rers with the just, Maryland ! my Maryland ! 44 T WO H UNDR ED AND FIF TIE TH A NNI VERSA R Y Thou wilt not yield the Vandal toll, Marjdand ! my Maryland ! Thou wilt not crook to his control, Maryland ! ni}' Maryland ! Better the fire upon thee roll, Better the shot, the blade, the bowl, Than crucifixion of the soul, Maryland ! my IMaryland ! I see no blusli upon thy cheek, Maryland ! m}- Maryland ! Though thou wast ever bravely meek, Maryland ! my Maryland ! For life and death, for woe and weal. Thy peerless chivahy reveal. And gird thy beauteous limbs with steel, Maryland ! my Maryland ! I hear the distant tlunider hum, Maryland ! my Maryland I The Old Line bugle, fife, and drum, Maryland ! m}" Maryland ! Come ! to tliine own heroic throng, Tliat stalks with Liberty along, And ring thy dauntless slogan song, Maryland ! my Maryland ! The Chairman. — In 1877 the town of Maiden created the office of superintendent of schools, and George A. Littlefield for two years served our people in that capacity. "A teacher to succeed in Mai- den — " I quote from his first report — " must be especiall}' sensible, ingenious, scholarly, and self-reliant." As true to-day as twenty years ago. We are doubly glad to welcome this distinguished resident of Rhode Island, the Hon. George A. Littlefield of Providence. ADDRESS BY THE HON. GEORGE A. LITTLEFIELD. It gives me great pleasure to meet again the scholars and teachers of Maiden, and among them so many of my old friends. It was a great many years ago, one spring, a little earlier than this, that I first had the good fortune to come to Maiden. Having heard that the princi- palship of your West School was vacant, I boldly applied for it, offer- ing to withdraw in the course of a month or two if my services were not acceptable. I came on trial, and the fact was dul}' announced ; but PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES 45 there never was a prouder moment in ni}' life tlian when, after three months' trial, I was told I might remain for a year ; and the next six or seven years of n)y life were spent here as the principal of the Centre School and as superintendent of the schools. Those were among the most enjoyable years I ever experienced. That old Centre Schoolhouse, whicli not one of you ever saw, is a dear memory to some of us here. The day it burned down was a bitter cold one in winter. The fire broke out in the afternoon, just before the time for the school to o[)en. Many of tiie scholars were already in their seats. They left, unconscious of danger, when the teachers told them they might have half an hour to play that afternoon until the bell should call them in. The device was successful in emptying the building without a panic, but the old school-bell never rang again. It was an able and devoted school committee that had charge of the schools of IMalden in those days; and, judging fj-oin the present admirable character of your scholars, the same wise manage- ment has continued. Their purpose in school affairs seems to be, as it always should he, to consider ever}- proposition upon its own par- ticular merits. The schools, of course, should be organized and classified, so far as it is possible, for the benefit of the individual pupils ; but they should never be graded for the sake of grading into unalterable grooves cut in chilled steel. One of tlie noteworthy features of the school work then, as I trust it still is, was the cordial cooperation which always existed between the teachers and the i)arents, between the [)arents and the teachers. Their joint purpose seemed to be, as it always should be, to make the common school attractive to every child in the communit}-. The good teacher, like a good pastor, will be a welcome iutluence and an inspi- ration. The parents' responsibility ceases when the children start for school. Daniel Webster's motiier understood this. She set a true example in the community in that time by attempting to teach her son herself; and then by denying herself everything to keep him at school, and by weaving and dyeing the garments which he wore when at Exeter Academy. But the first attempt in declamation broke down in tears. And though he was the cause of tears to that fond mother, she was 3'et to see him recognized with orators such as Demosthenes, Burke, and Chatham, as one of the seven wonders of the world of oratory. Of the young people and the teachers with whom I had the honor to be associated in this city I cannot speak too appreciativelN'. They seemed to be the ver}' best friends I had in the world ; and so long as I continue to wear this little endless band of gold — the only thing, I suppose, about me that I bring back to Maiden — this little band of gold the}' gave me — I shall always think my regard was recipro- 46 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY cated. Why, it was a Maiden High School girl, a graduate of that valuable institute of learning, with whom in the church near by I had the honor to exchange life-long promises, which, I trust, have never yet gone to protest. Notwithstanding quite a wide experience of education after leav- ing Maiden, I can truly say tliat I am in no small degree indebted to this good city of Maiden and to my experience here for my very fundamental conception of tlie ideal of the teacher, — the teacher in whose ears the song of the ninety and nine rings right on forever until she brings the last child into the fold of virtue and honor, — the teacher who is absorbed with just such devotion and honor to her pupils, and who has just such a patient willingness to set them right for the thousandth time, who has such an abiding confidence in them and such a yearning love for them, as only the tenderest mother or the Great Teacher Himself has for them. Ah, my friends, teaching is a fine art, demanding in the artist not only character, scholarship, culture, and method, but also such a powerful aesthetic imagination, such a love of beauty, and such an abiding sense of tlie immortahty of the children as shall inspire the teacher at every step. The material upon which the teaclier works is more priceless than precious gems, more tangible than wood and iron ; for it is not known to be subject to sucli cliange as the transmutation of forces. Remember that every turn of the wheel and every stroke of the brush shall make or mar, botli for time and eternity. It is indeed the material of a human soul wliicii the teacher fasliions ; it is the living, winged spirit, a radiant being rising into view out of the illimitable past. Its course for a time is through this terrestrial atmosphere. It comes for a time within finite gaze, but at length it passes away out of sight without the slightest slackening of speed. " Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting. The Soul within us, our life's star, Has bad elsewhere its setting And Cometh from afar. Not in entire forgetfulness, Nor yet in utter nakedness, Like trailing clouds of glory do we come, From God, who is our home." As has been well said, for the whole ground has been covered, it is eminently fitting that a great quarter-millennium celebration should open with this first exhibition of the public school. No other interest of the community is more important. We never tire in this land of declaring that we are all born free and equal. Now do we not talk about it every time we pay you a visit? It is vastly more important PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES 47 to reineniber that we slionUl remain free and equal than that we are born free and equal ; and the chief agency to that end consists in this noble system of common schools. Ah, I thank the electrician for lighting up here the red on their cheeks, the white on their hands, and the glow of their eyes. Or is it a Star-Spangled Banner I am thinking of? Ah, I sa}' there is no other interest in the community more important than this — no other agency more A'aluable than our common schools. It is the chief force of our economical epoch. Wh}' an}^ attempt springing from motives of false economy' or exclusiveness to limit the advantages of free education to that select few whose leisure and means permit them to do nothing else but to attend school for twenty to twenty-five years? If it is the idea that they will monopolize the successes of life, — an}- such attempt is rebuked b}' every page of our history. There is no spirit of oriental caste in America. It was a young Amei-ican who admitted that his father was a swine-herd. "Yes," he replied to the high-born idler, "and if vour father had been a swine-herd you would have been one too." Ah, friends, what is a grander privilege in this realm, whether we consider it as a form of life endowment for ourselves or as a provision for our children, than the right to place those children under the care of teachers who shall be just as worthy as the father, in his capacit}^ of citizen, sees fit to demand, — teachers whose morning hymn shall never cease? With Dr. Watts, we can say : — " Could I in stature reach the pole, Or grasp the ocean with a span, I would be measured by my soul, — • The mind 's the standard of the man." Well, I must not detain you. What an admirable example 3-our Massachusetts speakers set here. One thought in closing. You are indeed fortunate. You are to be co-related with this great historic anniversary of yours, upon which you are to spend several days look- ing backwards, and especially forward during the centurj- ; and which falls in the brilliant close of the nineteenth century, when for the first time the eyes of the whole world are concentrated upon America. Our countr}' is the product of four hundred years of growth out of widel}' varied peoples and territories. But up to the spring of 1898 we had lived as a nation in comparative isolation. The great powers of the world knew little of our existence, and held us only in ill- defined respect. In the matter of armies, they had the idea that the ideal, the typical soldier, is the German, who will march right up to the cannon's mouth and cut into pieces the enemy's platoons without ever swerving from company front. In the matter of navies, they viewed as invincible the British battle-ship. 48 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY Now, 1113' friends, the charge of the American volunteer up San Juan hill and the performance of the American fleet at Manila Bay compelled a pause in these establislied trains of thought, and taught the world that at least there are others. Why, the Spanish admiral over there at Manila knew, before a single shot was fired, that he would be annihihited, when he saw the American squadron steaming in there and lining up in that encircling naval procession, as if the}- feared nothing in the heaven above, in the earth beneath, and espe- cially' in the waters under the earth. Ah, the supreme lesson for 3'ou, my young friends, out of that crisis — I know what you are thinking . of, but it is not that. It is not in tlie magnificent courage, sublime and stead}', of our Green Mountain admiral, Dewe}' — Dewej', you know, had been down there at Mobile Bay, like Farragut, the old sea dog. It lies not in his sublime courage ; it lies rather, for young people who are preparing for the battle of life, right in the cool, un- wavering nerve, the scientific accuracy of the American sailor and the men behind the guns. They never wearied. Now, boys, don't you wear}' with the multiplication-table. The American sailor had never wearied witli year after year of unceasing target-practice ; and the target wliich he had in 1898 was the mediaeval civilization, which he knocked off the western continent. Why, your able superintendent talks about the power to do and be. What better illustration do you want of it than that numerical precision of American shot and shell curving over there with mathematical precision, and landing, one after another, right in the vitals of those Spanish monarchs? Ah, my friends, and best of all, what better illustration do you ask, boy or man who knows so much, and so many things which are not so, than was symbolized by the harmless activity of the Spaniards? If you were Rhode Islanders, I should have something to sa}' about our Tea Party there. Now who of you, as a loyal son of Massachusetts, was not reminded, in reading of the impregnable position taken by our fleet — by the "Boston" and b}' the other noble ships — of that passage referred to in Webster's immortal reply to Haynes? — " Mr. President, I shall not enter upon any encomiums upon Massachusetts. There she is. Behold and judge for yourselves. There is her history. The world knows it by heart. The past at least is secure. There is Boston, and Concord, and Bunker Hill, and there they will remain forever." Well, now, a good deal of what 1 have said has been for the benefit of the .young folks, and 3'ou must excuse me, for I did not see your program before coming here. I have just one thought in con- clusion. It will not take me five minutes. It is not only true that the eyes of the world for the first time are concentrated u[)on America. It is also true that young America himself, for the first time, is seeing PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES 49 liimsolf i 1 the mirror of the whole world. Why, he grew a eentur}-, he grew to man's estate, in those one hnndred and thirteen days of 1898. I e realizes now that he is actuall}' within the circle of nations, and henceforth must do a grown-np son's part in the world's work. Besides his phenomenal success, if 30U believe it on the fourth of Jul}', 30Ling America will become more modest as the Nears go on, learning, as he does, all the goodness there is in other forms of government. Wliy, think of our nearness to England. That near- ness has been increased by the Spanish war as never before. Shake- speare is common to both tiiese countries, and the Englisli language has been shown to be grander than ever before. It is not, only the richest storehouse in iiistory, but it re[)resents the strongest civilizing force in existence. If now these two great branches of the Anglo- Saxon race on both sides of the Atlantic shall stoop to take up the white man's burden, as it is to be presumed that they will, who can estimate the uplift of civilization wliich will follow? As a member of the bar, not because I love teaching best, I am interested in that great thought to which I shall now call your atten- tion. Positively my last appearance. But it is a matter that has been mentioned in all the law books. I think that in the next gener- ation it will command profound attention. The supreme reverence of other countries for America, as the^- study us, is our unique position in the matter of constitutional law. The framing and intei-pretation of written constitutions, with penalties to secure their enforcement and the administration of government under them, is the great his- toric differentiation of America fi'om all other countries. Our forty- four written state constitutions supjjort and are supported by the great keystone of the United States, each preserving perfect equipoise in its legislative, executive, and judicial functions. Now the touch- stone of all these great title-deeds is the perfect equality of all men, without the slightest hereditary diffei-ences. I verilal)ly believe that it is this principle of equality, infusing itself into this thought of America, which is to be chiefly credited, not only with our political advancement, but with the advancement of this country' in all the arts and sciences. Constitutional law here, to be sure, has had great issues to meet. There was at the outset a troul)lesome question rela- tive to the power of the great states and the small ones. It was happil}' settled in the plan of our constitution, which gave Rhode Island, for example, as many senators as Massachusetts. There was the crucial test in the early days, when the courts dared to i)ut their feet down and declare a law unconstitutional and set it aside. New grounds when that was first broken, my young friends. Ah, there was a masterlj' division of powers between the national and the state governments, not recognized, not admitted, until our civil war con- 4 50 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY firmed it, but now established in n law steady as the basis of the social system, our great central sun of local government having not the slightest wish to disturb the local routine of states so long as it conforms to the law of the sj'stem. Well, those problems touched upon do not trouble me here. The trespasses of the mone\- power when it becomes unscrupulous, and the differences of capital and labor seem not insurmountable in the light of those things of which I liave spoken. The whole people, so long as it is Christian and educated, is wiser and stronger than any class of the people. Abraham Lincoln's definition of our government is scientifically exact, — a government of the people, for the people, and b}' the people. " Yet, God, we thank Tliee for this bouiiKiOus birthright of the free, Where wanderers from afar may come and breathe the air of liberty. Still may her flowers nntrampled spring. Her harvests wave, her cities rise ; And yet, till time shall fold her wing, Remain earth's loveliest Paradise." I MARCH OF OUR NATION. SCHOOL CHORUS. Adam Geibel. Onward, march onward, dear land of the free: Spread thy proud flag over land and o'er sea. Sing it with glory, and sing it with raiglit. Virtue, and honor, and freedom, and right. God, Father of nations, unto Thee we sing : Guard, guide, and protect us, — our almighty King. Still e'er may we follow Thj' precepts divine. And may sweet Freedom's bright star on us shine. The Chairman. — From the days of Horace Mann to the present time the state has manifested a deep interest in our public schools, and never more so than now. Always welcome where educational matters are discussed, equally at home in college hall or primary schoolroom, we deem it high honor to have with us the secretary of the State Board of Education, Hon. Frank A. Hill. ADDRESS BY THE HOX. FRANK A. HILL. I HAVE to give fift3' 3-ears of Maiden's history in five minutes. I give it up, Mr. Chairman. It cannot be done, at least by myself. So I propose to limit myself to the heads of my discourse, and to those heads only. Here they are, in all their baldness and possibly in all their shininess, if they have that qualit}-. PUBLIC SCHOOL EXERCISES 51 1. The Ijoys and giiis of Mulden in 1G49 by no possilnlity could have foreseen the wonderful development of Maiden during these two hundred and fifty years. The boys and girls of Maiden to-da}- can surve}' it all. There is where you all have the great advantage. 2. The Maiden of 1649 had faith in public schools, but lacked the administration. The Maiden of 1899 has faith in public schools and does not lack the administration. Witness this beautiful and hopeful occasion and all that it signifies. 3. Exclusively for the Maiden girls. In 1649, girls did not attend the public schools. They M-ere not forbidden to do so, so far as I can find out, but it was not the custom. The}' went to dame schools, and learned their letters, and that was enough. One hundred and Aft}- years later, the girls began to appear on the outskirts of the public school systems, in summer schools, like Alpine flowers bridg- ing the glaciers. To-da^', nobody dreams of asking where they are in the public schools, but rather where the}" are not. 4. The idea of a cultivated, educated girl in 1649 was scouted. 5. There were some good people in those days who even thought that the woman Avho had literary tastes was on the verge of insanitv. Just a bit of history to clinch. 6. Governor Winthrop, in his history of New England, 1640 to 1649, — my notes say he began to stop writing history when INIaldeu began to make history, — Governor Wintiirop tells in that historv a very pathetic story about Mrs. Hopkins, wife of the governor in Hartford, Conn., how she was fallen into a sad infirmity, no less than the loss of her reason from the reading and writing of books. Jf Mrs. Hopkins, said the good governor, had minded her household affairs and such things as belong to women, and had not gone out of her wa}- and calling to meddle with things which belong to men, whose minds are stronger, she had not lost her wits. 7. Teachers, my young friends, in themselves, will never insure a noble womanhood or a noble manhood. 8. It is imperative that there shall be a ligiit use of teachers. Alone they count for nothing — nay, I sometimes think that X\\q\ ai'e worse than nothing. 9. These are times for trusts, gigantic trusts, organizations, steel trusts, coal trusts, wool trusts, bicycle trusts, and what not. Let me commend to each one of you a trust. The trusts of the time will some of them be solid and good. But some of them are mei-e rain- bow bubbles, that are destined in time to burst. p]ach one of vou can be the promoter of a trust. Who and what shall be the parties to that trust? Let me name a few. Your parents or school teacheis, then the goodly system of Maiden, your integrity, your amltition, your zeal, your persistency, your determination, vour indomitable 52 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY pluck to make the most of yourself. Organize all these things in a trust. It is not necessary to go to New Jersey to do it. The stock of this trust is all preferred, the dividends are guaranteed, as they sa}' in the stock market. The world is short, so far as the stock of such a trust is concerned. Be long, as they say, in that stock. The stock is certain to rise above par. It is above par already. I am sure that such a trust can never be an iridescent bubble. But my time is up. Two hundred and fifty years from now your great-great-great- grandchildren — how many greats shall I say? — will undoubtedly assemble just as we are assembled hereto-day to talk it all over. Let us hope that in that far distant time the Maiden of those days will look back witli as much pride upon five hundred years as the Maiden of to-day looks back with pride upon her two hundred and fifty years. You are here, mv young friends, to celebrate the past, to welcome the future, to give this goodly city a send-off on its second quarter- millennium. Let that send-off be a magnificent one. You can give Maiden such a send-otf, if you onh' will — a magnificent send-off, that will be a credit to your ancestry-, an honor to jourself, and an inspiration to those who come after you. THE STAR-SPAXGLED BANNER. Solo by Miss Makik E. Luohini. school chorus. Oh, say. can you see, by the dawn's early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O'er tlie ramparts we watched were so gallantl}' streaming? And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air. Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Choriisj Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O 'er the land of the free and the home of the brave ? On the sliore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes, What is tliat which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfulh' blows, half conceals, half discloses? Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam ; In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream. Chorus: 'T is the star-spangled banner : oh, longma}' it wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. CAPT. DODD'S TROOPERS 53 Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the wild war's desolatioii ; Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued laud Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation ! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto : " In God is our trust." Chorus : And the star-spangled banner in triumph sliall wave O'er the land of the free and tiie home of the brave. CAPTAIN DODD'S TROOPERS. It was owing to the timely' and energetic action of Chairman Cox and the hearty assistance of Senator Lodge that permission was obtained from the War Department for the presence of troop F, of the third U. S. cavalr}', at the celebration. This noted troop, which has distinguished itself by its service in the West and at El Cane}' and Santiago, is considered the best drilled troop in the regular army. Capt. George A. Dodd, its commander, one of the best cavalry officers in the service, has brought it to a high state of disftipline and efficiency, wliich was vvell sliovvn in the several drill exhibitions which were given here. The troop arrived in Maiden on the- afternoon of Monday, May 15, and proceeded to its quarters at the stables of the Lynn & Boston R. R. Co., at Broadway Square, where all the necessary conveniences for the comfort of the men had been provided by the committee on athletic and field sports. On the afternoon of the next day it started on a march through the surrounding countr}-, camping the first night at Wakefield, and returning to its quarters in Maiden on Friday. The soldierl}' appearance of the men as they passed through the city made a good impression, and their order and manly bearing made many friends while they remained in Maiden. The first pul)lic exhibition here was given at Ferryway Green on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of a large crowd of spectators- Stewart's Military Band was stationed upon the field and gave a short concert previous to tlie arrival of the troop, which came upon the field while Sousa's El Capitan was being played. The 3Ialden Ecening Neios said of this drill : — "Captain Dodd and Lieutenant Howard rode on to the fiehl the cynosure of ten thousand people, who gave them a roar of applause. The crowd was probably the largest ever gathered in Maiden. The 54 T]VO HUNDRED AXD FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY fiel'l is just right to drill in. The rough riding that followed the iniisical drill was a great sight, and every small bo}' who saw it declared it heat a circus. '•'• The band was stationed in the corner of the field, and to its music the troop then executed the silent musical drill, which has made it so renowned. Being in line, right by file was executed, and al»out the field in single column galloped those intelligent steeds, on whose backs sat their gallant riders as though a part of the horse. Then followed a series of evolutions, which it almost passes belief could be executed l)y horses and men ; and the thousands of specta- tors were so completely surprised that it was some time before they could bring themselves to applaud. "Captain Dodd, superbly mounted on his chestnut mare, Cadet, directed the whole I)y a wave of the hand, and the eye of the first sergeant was ever upon him. Being in line, distances were opened to the front, and the horses circled to the I'ight and left and then assembled backwards. Right by twos was executed sideways, each horse sidling to the right, and then by twos on the gallop in double circle about the field, halting, forming an arcli of drawn sabres, under which the lines passed in reverse. Squads of eight were formed, and, after evolutions of much grace and finish, column was formed and more of the intricacies of fine evolutionar}- riding exhibited. All kinds of paces were exhibited, the horses assuming the different steps at the pressure of the knee and rein. Ambling sideways, galloping, trotting, loping, and walking were shown in all the degrees ; and the unison between man and horse was indeed beautiful to see. The drill closed by three love-pats on the horses' necks, and amidst the plaudits of the assembly they galloped to quarters for dinner," Similar exhibitions were given during the forenoon and afternoon of Monday ; and the troop participated in the parade on Tuesday-, occupying a position of honor in the line as special guests of the city. On AVednesday the command broke camp and started for its post at Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont. RECEPTION AT THE FIRST CHURCH. Rev. IIexrv Hugh French, D.D., Pastor. The church at jMalden was gathered, on a date now unknown, a short time previous to the action of the General Court which established the new town. Its existence, therefore, is coeval with that of Maiden ; and the completion of its first quarter-millennium was made the occa- sion of a series of interesting commemorative services, the first of RECEPTION AT THE FIRST CHURCH 55 which was held on the evening of Saturday, May 20. This was pre- ceded by a pleasant social reception, in wliich many of the past as well as of the present members of the church participated. After a season of introductions and renewal of old acquaintance, the company proceeded to the auditorium of the cliurch, where tlie service began with a /So)if/ of Welcome, arranged for the occasion by John Langdon Sullivan, M.D. SONG OF WELCOME. Music bji Mrs. H. II. A. Beacu. Welcome, tlu'ice welcome to the people of the Lord ! Welcome to tlie hearers, who are doers of the word ! Let ever}' heart go up to Him in songs of holy cheer, Wiiose loving-kindness brought our fathers here. Welcome, welcome, welcome to the followers of the meek And lowly son of David, the Saviour we adore, The bright and morning Star that led Faith's exiles to the bleak New England coast, the wild and dreary savage-haunted shore — To build an altar in the waste, as Abraham did of yore. Welcome, welcome to the scions of the faithful ^aw. Who braved an exile's doom, an angry winter sea. All savage hate and monarch's ire might do, And perished, smiling as they died, to leave tlieir children free. Flag of the race to Faith and Freedom true, Hallowed stars illumine every clime beneath the sun. And bring the i)eace that makes the nations one ! IXTRODUCTORY ADDRESS BY THE PASTOR. 3I;j Friends : — We are reminded here to-night that the old is ever new, that the past is always present. God adds no new material to the original resources of creation, as the 3'ears and cycles pass. He only projects new personalities into the ever-widening sphere of human existence, who shall manipulate the old material into ever fresher forms by better methods. Thus it comes about that the present is, partially at least, the product of the past. No more surely does the soil, out of which spring the flowers and the grass and the trees, rest upon a rocky foundation laid in ages gone, than the life of to-day rests upon the life of yesterda}-. As the course of bi-ick which the mason laj's to-day is imposed upon the course he laid yesterday, so the structure of our human life is reared little by little, each suc- cessive age dependent upon all that has gone before. 56 TWO HUNDRED AXD FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY Nothing can be more fitting, tlien, tlian for the present to recognize and do homage to the past. He is a dastard who loses reverence for his father ; and we are ungrateful if we fail to keep forever green in our hearts the memor}' of the sacred dead. We ma}' look back on their work, quaint and incomplete and often timid and halting, with something of a feeling of pit}'. Indeed, we can hardly repress a smile at the steeple-liat, the tithing-master, the ducking-stool, and the stocks. But when we get beneath the surface and view their solid and lasting achievements ; when we touch the deep current of heroic purpose, that moved them to found a nation whose God should be Jehovah, our pity changes to awe, and we accord them their rightful place in history. Through bleak winds, and drifting snows, and savage arrows, and starving winters these men pressed their sublime way into immor- tality. Their axes rang in the frosty air and the forests were cUiared as by magic. Their plows grated in the virgin soil and soon the wil- derness began to blossom as the rose. Streams were dammed to sing the song of labor ; and rivers were bridged for the feet of the coming millions ; and in the shining pathway have sprung up splendid cities and opulent states, filled with tlie glories of a great civilization and luminous with the signs of the reigning Christ. 1649 is a focal point in history. Across the sea, the immortal form of Gustavus Adolphus, the Snow King, as he was contemptuously called b}' Ferdinand of Germany, has just grown cold upon the battle- field of LlUzen ; and the Thirty Years War has ended with the Peace of Westphalia. Cromwell has seized in his iron grasp the reins of power dropping from the dead hands of Charles the First. To these two men, the Protector of England and the Snow King from the North, it seems to have been given to rescue the Reformation itself from the reaction which had set in so strongly toward Catholi- cism after the deatli of the Reformers. At any rate, from tliat point forward, Protestantism assumed the ascendenc}' in the Christian world. And there were other giants in those days. Francis Bacon, the profound reasoner, and William Shakespeare, tlie greatest dramatist of all time, are but a few years dead, while their works are creeping into enduring fame. Milton, Cromwell's secretary of state, and Puritan poet; Richelieu, the Cardinal statesman of France ; Descartes, whose Cor/ito, ergo sum laid tlie foundation for a new philosophy, — all belong to this age. Galileo is but seven years in tlie toml), and his sublime discoveries, notwithstanding his weak recantation of them before the Inquisition, are revolutionizing the world of science. On this side the sea, three little blotches on the map, Plymouth, New Amsterdam, Jamestown, tell the meagre story. For, though one hundred and fifty years had now passed since Columbus landed at RECEPTION AT THE FIRST CHURCH 57 San Salvador, less than two hundred thousand white men were on these shores. Harvard College was founded ten years before this, it is true, and in the same jear was printed the first publication in the New World, — an almanac; but po[)ular education and the power of the press were in the most embryonic state. It was a day of begin- nings — fitful, hesitating, tentative. The heroism that could accom- plish anytliing under such adverse conditions falls not short of the sublime. Onlv a faith in God, absolutely unshakable, could have held the fathers to their task. Of course, such men would have a church ; and in their e3es it would be tiie most important of institutions. It is worth our remem- brance that, when the}' had nothing for luxur\- and hardly enough for the bare necessities of existence, the}- provided so well for the church of God. The}' builded better than tliey knew, no doubt ; and yet who shall say that to some prophetic minds in that early day there was not given the vision of the church of this age, grown from feeble beginnings into a majestic organism, destined to fill the whole earth with the glory of Christ? Other men have labored, and we have entered into their labors. That tells the whole story. And we meet on this anniversary occasion gladly to acknowledge our debt to them and to pledge our- selves anew to the work of transmitting to those who shall come after us the priceless heritage of the past. May we become more and more worthy of the sacred trust imposed upon us by the ever living dead, and by the solemn behest of Him who is '' the same yesterday, to-day, and forever." ADDRESS BY THE REV. AARON CHESTER ADAMS, D.D. Pastor, 1852-1857. Among the most pleasant years of a very pleasant ministry, sti-etching on from twenty-four years old to eighty-four, I have always reckoned my five or six years at Maiden. The very name has come to be as music to me, and was to at least one other, till she was called up by the tones of a higher and more attractive music to bow with those who bow around the throne. I almost make myself believe to-night that you who sit before me are the same people that I used to meet in the sanctuary, and the prayer meeting, and the Sabbath-school, and the home so many years ago. In thought and feeling, I am still, many times, in the old church edifice, — a new one comparatively it was then ; and I am look- ing out from tlie pulpit upon the congregation as it was in my day. There is, indeed, a blur over my eyes and I cannot see clearly ; and yet the old familiar faces are there. Half a dozen pews from the 58 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY pulpit and on the middle aisle sits, still, our good Deacon Sargent ; and I seem to see him as plainl}' — 3'es, more so ! — as I see 3'ou, listen- ing with heart and soul when the gospel is preached, and taking it as patiently as he can when the preacher undertakes matters which seem to him a little outside of his real calling. When we sing, and he sings with us, of Christ and his redeeming love, how his eyes shine, and his bosom swells, and his voice rises to a note of triumph ! We feel sure that, let who will be silent for a da}- before the throne, his voice is always Ijeard. Right opposite sits James Eaton, a Baptist in the forenoon, but for his good wife's sake and I suspect for his own sake too, a Congre- gationalist iu the afternoon. A sort of man who averages not more than one to a congregation ; his mercurial temperament and quick sympathy', his unconscious smile and nod of assent to ever}' good point the preacher makes, and to some tliat are not good, making it seem almost as if it were laid upon him to give the responses for the whole congregation. On the other side again, and a little farther back, sits Philip Sidney Page, well named for the chivalrous Philip of two centuries ago, one who, giving much and asking little, is eager for the prosperity of the church, and not at all eager to have it supposed that the secret of tliat prosperit}' is in any special measure due to him. A gentleman in business life ! Not far awa}' is Albert Norton, — " Brother Norton" as we always called him, a man who for nearness to God and a lifelong communion with God miglit almost be set down vvitli Moses and Elijah ; a man who prayed iu his houseiiold, and prayed in liis closet, and prayed as he walked the street, and prayed when the brethren prayed, and when the}' were silent, and prayed when the minister preached, and prayed when he himself lay down at night and in the night and in the morn- ing. What I thus say I know, for I have walked with him and talked with him ; and I have lived iu his house and lain down at night with only a thin partition-wall between us. I still seem to hear the deep tones of his praying voice whenever I think of him. This ownership is a rich estate, that is laid up " where neither moth nor rust dotli cor- rupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal," for a church to have such a man among its names. " Norton," said some one, " would get up a prayer meeting in the bottomless pit." Other men there were among our brethren who were men of mark, varying of course in degree, yet precious of memory. There was San- ford B. French, intermediate iu a sort between the " old settlers " and the "new comers," a man who made the business of the church his business and worked for it at every turn. His business and its central location gave him opportunities tliat many others could not have ; and RECEPTION AT THE FIRST CHURCH 59 he emigrated years after and built up, along with otliers, another Maiden in the West. There, too, was Gershom L. Fall, our democrat, for we kept one such, who loved the Maiden church as well as an}' of us ; and who bore patiently what he did not like, now and then, for the sake of ten times as much that lie did like. And there was Samuel L. Gerry, the artist, and John H. Shap- leigh, and the patient and much-enduring Deacon Fisher. I never was in a churcii, before or since, where, when it came to the prayer meeting, so many could be depended upon to make the meeting, while the pastor sat below and took his turn only with the rest. Two of oi'.r brethren were newer men tlian the rest ; and 1 wish to speak of them somewhat particularly. Thomas S. Williams, the superintendent of the Boston and Maine Railroad, was one. His bur- dens were heavy, not only b}' reason of his secular work, but b}' reason of his Sunday work as originator and superintendent of the Edgeworth Sunday-school. Nine men out of ten would have said, and perhaps rightly, that they must have the Sunday for absolute rest. I have been sorrj' ever since that I did not, as a part of ni}' duty as his min- ister, urge that view ufjon him. Mr. Williams was read}* to give for the church as well as to work for it, and that without waiting, as a stranger sometimes does, for a long term of naturalization. He was ready from tlie beginning. I had preached one Sunday- with reference to the church tlebt, and started out bright and earl}' on Monday morn- ing to see what could be done about it. Coming upon Mr. Williams in the course of the day, he presumably being little acquainted with our affairs, I introduced the subject in a half-apologetic way. He re- sponded at once : ''1 will not trouble you, Mr. Adams, to go over the ground. That debt ought to be paid ; and you will find in that little package two hundred and fifty dollars — about what I think I can do at present. I thought I would have it ready against you came around." It was about a tenth of the whole amount needed ; and as in his plan of giving it belonged to the Lord already, it was not hard to give. I had just come out of church one Sunday when a stranger ap- proached me and said : " This is Mr. Adams, I believe. My name is Coffin. I have come here to live, and I want to get acquainted with the minister." He got acquainted with the minister, and the minister with him. The church got acquainted with him, and the schools ; and by and by Boston, and Massachusetts, and New England, and the soldiei's, and the sailors, and the statesmen, and the men and women of many lands got acquainted with him. We bless God to-day at the remembrance of our Charles Carleton Coffin, gone now in the ripeness of his life, and yet when he was just beginning a life that shall never die. 60 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY I liave said nothing of many things and many persons connected with Maiden daj's and with that very short portion of my own life that was spent here, of the kindl}- friends and neighbors, tlie trusted and honored physicians, the associates on the school board, the Christian ministers, alike those with whom I was closest in faith and those from whom at some points I was obliged to widely differ, the Sunday- school and its leaders — the little ones for years were gathered in what we called the " small vestry," under the care of one whose name is named every day in heaven, but not an}- longer on earth. Of these we must be silent, and wait. The day is coming when people and minister, pupils and teachers, wives and husbands, cliildren and parents, so they be in Christ bj' a real trust and love, shall meet to part no more. God grant that we may thus meet in due time ; and meanwhile ma}- God bless the Maiden that was, and the Maiden that is, and the Maiden that is to be, through years and generations and ages yet to come. , LETTER TO THE CHURCH BY THE REV. ADDISOX PlNNEO FOSTER, D.I). Pastor, 1871-1872. Bo.sTOx, May 17, 1899. To The First Church of Malden. Dear Friends : — I regret extremely that previous engagements make it impossible for me to accept the kind invitation you have ex- tended me to be present at the observance of the two hundred and fiftieth anuiversar}' of jour church. My whole heart is with you on this occasion, and it is a disappointment that I cannot be present in person . It is a remarkable thing when an organization like yours can look back on two hundred and fifty 3-ears of effective Christian life. An organization like yours, with so long a life, could not fail in all these years to develop a marked individuality of its own. It has been welded together by these succeeding decades under the influence of godly and strongly marked men like your famous Dr. McClure. How wonderfully your opportunities have grown with the passage of the years ! For a long time the Maiden church did a modest work for a small rural population gathered on the narrow strip of land — manifestly an ancient sea beach — that lies between the wild, rocky hills back of it, and the broad salt-marsh in front of it. But in course of time the little communit\- became a thriving village and stretched itself up among the gorges of the hills. At last it so grew as to climb the hill-tops and become a city. The church grew correspond- RECEPTION AT THE FIRST CHURCH 61 iiigly, till now it is one of the largest in the state, and, for that matter, in the land. My thought goes back to the years I spent with you as your pastor. They were years not without anxiety, but, nevertheless, years of rich privilege and years in which were many things I recall with thankfulness. I came to you while the new church building was in process of erection and while worship was conducted in the old town- hall. The hall served us well, but we were very thankful when we found ourselves at last in the beautiful new churcii. The old hall had become unpleasant to me in consequence of a trying experience of mine there. I was present in the hall at a week-night public meeting of the citizens ; and I was unexpectedly called on to make a speech and talk against time, while some committee was preparing a report for which the audience was waiting. Fancy the distress of an inex- perienced young man, who had no gift at political speech-making. I was unspeakably thankful when the committee came in to report ; and I have ever}' reason to suppose that the audience shared my feelings. I recall with great pleasure the social life of the church in those old days. The monthly social gatherings in the church were alwaj's well attended and were occasions of great interest. The long tables in the vestry were loaded with good New England substantial, not forgetting Boston beans; and those who sat down to the tables were most neighborly and in the best of spirits. There was a delightful habit prevalent of giving little neigliborhood teas. Half a dozen families, living near together, would meet from house to house for an evening", and have tea on little tables set about the rooms in conven- ient corners. Happil}' for the pastor and his wife, they were always invited. The prayer meetings of the church, as 1 look back upon them, were something rich and rare. There was a coterie of earnest men in those days, who had great gifts for interesting and helping us all b}- their utterances in the prayer meeting. Some of them are with you still, among them Mr. Stevens, and Mr. Gay, and Mr. Chadwick ; but others have been called to their heavenly home : Mr. Gleason, who always had some vivid word to say about his experiences with children ; Mr. Crawford, who was sure to illuminate his talks b}' stories of the White Mountains ; Mr. Smith, who was always sweet and spiritual in his thought ; Mr. Haven, whose prayers were tender and earnest; Mr. Swett, who brouglit his practical business life to bear on religious themes ; Mr. Carey, whose tall form commanded attention as he spoke simply and earnestly ; and, latterly Mr. Coverly, whose scholarly thought never failed to impress us. My whole heart is thrilled as I think of the dear young people of those days. It seemed to me then that there were none like them, 62 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY so bright, so beautiful and earnest were the}-. There was a precious work of grace among them, and man}- came into the church. It was before the days of Christian Endeavor societies ; l)ut at the time we had no need of tlie organization, for the Spirit of God filled ever}- heart and bound all together without formal organization. There were among the young people just starting out in those days, the Stevenses, the Dexters, the Walkers, the Bradlej-s, the Pages, the Gleasons, the Goddards, the Careys, the SA-lvesters, the Holdens, and man}- more. How I loved them all ; and I venture to believe that on their part they felt kindly toward their pastor. Tlicre is a fine French clock in my house to-day which the young people of those days gave me to keep me up to time. For that matter, I carry, as my inseparable friend and monitor, a watch which bears an inscrip- tion declaring it was given me by Maiden friends in September, 1871. My friends, I warmly congratulate you that God has led you and your fathers through all these years. He has brought you out into a large place. He has given you a name and an influence second to none. With the rich experiences of two hundred and fifty years behind you, you have acquired a momentum and a strength in re- ligious service that make successful work easy to you, and that must give your pastor constant delight. With the most cordial good wishes, T am, Sincerely }ours, Addison P. Foster. ADDRESS BY THE REV. JOSHUA WYMAX WELLMAX, D.D.i Pastor,'! 874-1 883. It hardly seems proper for me to intrench upon the time of other speakers to-night, as I am to preach the historical sermon to morrow. Yet, I am thankful for the opportunity to speak briefly of a few things this evening. At the outset, let me frankly confess that my recent study of the history of this ancient church has convinced me that I made a serious mistake in not prosecuting this study at an earlier date. I sav this more especially for the benefit of my brethren in the ministry. I can see now that it would have been a measureless help to my usefulness in various directions, if, at the very beginning of each of tlie three pastorates with which I have been intrusted, I liad entered vigorously upon the work of making myself familiar with the history, in all its 1 This address was not written out until several weeks after it was delivered. Conseqiienth', while it is substantially, it is not exactly as spoken. RECEPTION AT THE FIRST CHURCH 63 departments and details, of the cluircb with which I was to labor in the ministr}'. The growth and experiences of a chnrch in our de- nomination are quite different from those of a church in an}- other denomination. This is emphatically true of an}' one of our ancient churches. Moreover, the history of each Congregational church, as compared with that of any other of like polity, is more or less unique. Every church has had its own peculiar experiences, which have largely determined its character. It has had its ov/n struggles and sacrifices, its own successes and failures, its own peculiar helps and hindrances, inspirations, and discouragements. The leading and most valuable members in one church may be quite different, in tiieir formative in- fluence upon church character and life, from the leading and most valu- able members in another church. The pastorates in one church may have produced in the members and in the community a type of reli- gious thought and feeling quite different from that produced by the pastorates of another church. Each church has its own memories, some tender and purifying, others sad and depressing; also its own sacred traditions and precedents, of which it is justly proud and which still mould its character and determine its action. Now if a pastor is profoundly ignorant, and remains thus ignorant, of all this unique history, very likely he will move among these sacred memories, traditions, and beliefs of the church as a wild boar would move through a garden of flowers. Without knowing it, almost in- evitably, he will shock his people, disturb their harmony and peace, dash their hopes in himself, deprive them of much of tlie communion and comfort they previously had in public worship and church work, and destroy much if not all of his own personal influence in the com- munity. Any pastor who would be successful in his ministry must in a certain real and true sense become one with his people. He must, at least, be appreciative of their fond memories and traditions, of their established precedents and ways, and of their dearest religious beliefs and hopes. But how can he do this if he knows nothing of the histor}- of his church and people? With my i)resent views, if I could begin my ministry again, I would at the very commencement of a pastorate, and at any sacrifice of time and labor, make myself thoroughly acquainted with the liistory of the church to which I was to minister. I wish also to call attention to a feu- of the earlier pastors of our church. It is to the honor of this First Church that during the first century and a half of its history it was ministered to by several men who were possessed of great ability and became eminent in their profession. The very first minister, Marmaduke Matthews, was a graduate of All Souls' College, Oxford University; and there are indications of his superior scholarship. He seems to have excelled 64 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY as a linguist, for be was accustomed to instruct his people respecting the deeper meanings of original words and expressions in the Hebrew and Greek Testaments. The second minister was also a man of commanding abilit}' and scholarship. Though born in Yorkshire, England, October 18, 1631, he was educated at Harvard College, from which he was graduated in 1651, his name in the catalogue occupying the place of honor at the head of his class. Soon after his graduation he was appointed tutor, and became distinguished for his fidelity and success as a teacher. He was also promptl}' elected as "a fellow," which made him a mem- ber of the college corporation. Some 3'ears later he was considered as a candidate for the presidencj* of the college. He was a man of literary ability, and became famous as a poet. His chief poetic pro- duction was The Day of Doom, so called, — not an attractive title in our da}', yet not very unlike the name. Paradise Lost, given to the great epic of his distinguished contemporary in England, John Milton. Wigglesworth's poem was not equal to that of Milton ; yet for several generations it was wonderfully popular in New England. His biographer, John Ward Dean, A.M., affirms that the large sale of the book, considering the small population of the country at that time, " indicates a popularity' almost, if not quite, equal to that of Uncle Tom'' s Cabin in our time." In those early days, three books, at least, were almost sure to be found in every Puritan home in New England, nameh' : the Bible, the Shorter Catechism, and The Day of Doon\. It' is a fact of some historical interest to us that while in the middle of the seventeentii century the greatest Puritan bard in England was John Milton, the greatest Puritan bard in New England was Michael Wigglesworth, the second minister of this First Church in Maiden. It has been quite customary in modern times for a certain class of writers and speakers, when wishing to give the public some account of Michael Wigglesworth, to quote from Tlie Day of Doom only a single stanza, and that the one which describes in very i-ealistic lan- guage the sufferings of the lost, thus making upon uninformed minds the impression that Mr. Wigglesworth not onl}' held most revolting beliefs, but also was himself possessed of a most offensive character. The untruthfulness and unfairness of this representation are indicated by the fact that the distinguished scholar and writer. Rev. Anch'ew P. Peabod}', D.D., although himself a Unitarian and an opponent of many of Mr. Wigglesworth's religious beliefs, was yet honest and honorable enough to make careful examination of the life and char- acter of Mr. Wigglesworth, and then to affirm that he " was a man of the beatitudes, a physician to the bodies no less than to the souls of his parishioners, genial and devotedly kind in the relations and duties RECEPTION AT THE FIRST CHURCH 65 of his social and professional life, and distinguished — even in those days of abounding sanctity — for the singleness and purity of heart that characterized his whole walk and conversation." In view of such biographical facts and testimonies as these, this church may well be proud to have had among its early ministers the distinguished Michael Wigglesworth. Passing b}' Mr. Wigglesworth's three colleagues and his imme- diate successor, Rev. David Parsons, we come to the Rev. Joseph Emerson, the seventh minister of this church. He was a notable man, and has some notable descendants. His pastorate began Octo- ber 31, 1721, and continued to his death, — forty-five years. He was born April 20, 1700, in Chelmsford, Mass., son of P^dward and Rebecca (Waldo) Emerson of Newbury. He was a precocious child ; entered Harvard College at the age of thirteen ; graduated at the age of seventeen ; began to preach at the age of eighteen ; and at the age of twenty-one he was ordained pastor of the Church of Christ in Maiden. He married, December 27, 1721, Miss Mary Moody, daughter of Mr. Samuel Moody, the famous and eccentric minister of York, Me. The^' had thirteen cliildren, nine sons and four daughters. Their second son, William, entered the ministr\- and settled at Con- cord, Mass., and his son, the Rev. William Emerson, Jr., was the father of Ralph Waldo ICmerson, the celebrated philosopher and poet of Concord, who obviously was the great-grandson of the Rev. Joseph Emerson of Maiden. Joseph Emerson was an able, learned, and godl}- man. He be- longed to the best type of earl}- New England ministers. A studious scholar, he read his Latin and Greek classics to the last days of his life. A stanch Puritan in faith and character, he was an earnest and impressive preacher, never hesitated to rebuke sin when tliere was an occasion to rebuke it, yet was trul}- affectionate towards all his people, and full of tenderness and sympathy for any who were in trouble. He had the pastoral instinct and great executive abilit\'. During his ministry, a fierce conflict was waged in the parish upon the question of locating a new meeting-house. The parish, as well as the town, then included the present territories of Everett and Mel- rose. The people of South Maiden wished the new meeting-house to be erected on the old site near Bell Rock. The people of North Maiden and those of Maiden Centre wished the new house to be erected in the village, on the site of the present Universalist Church. The conflict was long and bittei-. The judicial courts and even the General Court were called upon to interpose. Yet through all the heat and strife of parties, the pastor, the Rev. Joseph Emerson, carried a level head and an even hand, often rebuking on either side wrong speech and action, and uttering only words that made for 5 66 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY peace. Although another meeting-house was eventually erected in South Maiden, the minister appears to have accomplished the won- derful feat of passing through the entire conflict without losing the confidence or respect of either party. His moral and religious devel- opment from his infanc3', it would seem, was productive of unusual fullness and S3'mmetry of character. Such development ma}- have been caused by his heart}' acceptance of the whole Bible (and not simpl}- some fragments of it) as the ^Yord of God. It takes the whole Bible to malie a whole man. Such a man, God, in his ap- pointed wa}' through His spirit and holy word, prepared and gave to this church to guide it through one of the most perilous passages in all its history. And this church, on this anniversary day, may well thank God for the gift of such a minister at such a critical time. Mr. Emerson was succeeded by another gifted minister, the Rev. Peter Thacher, who, at the age of onl}' eighteen years, was ordained, September 19, 1770, the eighth pastor of this First Church. He was born in Milton, Mass., March 21, 1752, and was the son of Oxen- bridge Thacher, an eminent lawyer. Graduating at Harvard in 1769, at the age of seventeen, he was soon ready for his life-work in the Christian ministry. He was young, but was possessed in a remark- able degree of the gift of eloquence. George Whitefield is said to have called him " tiie young Elijah," and to have esteemed him " the ablest preacher in America." Hon. Harrison Gray Otis affirms that Mr. Thacher, after his settlement in Maiden, " soon came to be re- garded as a model of the pulpit orator." It was while he was pastor of this church that Mr. Thacher wrote those immortal Instructions, burning with the fire of patriotic sentiment, which the town of Maiden gave to her representatives as slie sent them to the General Court and to the Continental Congress. The effect of those words was electrical. They thrilled tlie country like a war-cry. Those words of a Maiden minister were the morning guns of the Revolution. Mr. Thacher continued in his Maiden pastorate fourteen 3ears, or until 1784, when he accepted a call to the Brattle Street Church in Boston. Such were some of the earlier ministers of the First Church of Christ in Maiden. Rev. Michael Wigglesworth, the famous Puritan poet of New P^ngland ; Rev. Joseph P^merson, the classical scholar and model pastor; and the Rev. Peter Thacher, D.D., the great preacher, — these are names of historic men, who were eminent in their day, and whose fame will go down the ages. Two of them were never pastors of any other chui-ch than this, and their graves are with us to this day. In later ^-ears, likewise, this church has been blessed with the services of some able and distinguished ministers, of whom I might properly speak if there were time. Nor should the deacons of this R E CEP TlOX A r THE FIR S T CII UR CH 6 7 churcli be forgotten. Tliere has been a large number of tlieni along these two hiuidrecl and fifty ^-ears. The}- deserve to be honored. The office of deacon in tlie Church of Christ is as trul\- of divine ap- pointment and authority as is the office of pastor and teacher. Had biographical sketches of all the deacons of former years in this ancient church been preserved, the}' would furnish information which would now be of abounding interest. Of the later ministers, I must mention one, the Rev. Alexander Wilson McClure, D.D. He liad two pastorates here, one of ten years, beginning in 1832, and another of four j'ears, ending in 1852. His first pastorate covered the latter part of a very critical i)eriod in the history of this cluircli. The church had been de})rived of its meeting-house and of all its material treasures. Its very existence had been threatened. IMr. McClure wlien called to Maiden was young, yet lie was wise and brave. He was a brilliant writer and preacher. Thoroughly evangelical in faith, he was a man of i-eady and forceful speech. Few o[)ponents were willing to meet liiin a second time in public debate. He proved to be the man for the place and time, and soon brought the church into the jo}- of renewed faith and hope. He had little patience with wrong-doers. Even his best friends thought that sometimes he used too severe language in rebuk- ing sin. Deacon Thomas Sargent, the senior deacon at the time I began my pastorate here, who is still remembered in our church with great respect and afl^ection, once told me a good stor}' illustrative of Dr. McClure's genius and wit. One Sabbath the Doctor, in his sermon, in rebuking some wrono-- doing used his sharp tongue rather too freely, as some of his hearers thought. Good Deacon Sargent himself was troubled. He feared such severity of language would drive some people away from the church. Finally he concluded he must s[)eak to his pastor and entreat him to lessen somewhat the sharpness of his rebukes. It so happened that Dr. McClure soon called ui)on his deacon, and the latter improved his opportunity faithfully. He repeated some of the hard language which his minister had used the preceding Sabbath, and gentl}- requested him to be more moderate in his words. Di-. McClure received the admonition in the spirit in which it was given. Indeed, he confessed that, peiliaps, he had been too hard u[)on the sinners in Maiden. He said he would think the matter over, and tiy to do better. In fact, he seemed so subdued and penitent that the deacon was almost sorry he had mentioned the matter to hiui. The next Sabbath Dr. McClure went into the pul[)it and for the first hymn to be sung, gave out, from VYatts's Psalms and Hi/nnis^ the thirty-ninth Psalm, common metre, first part. The subject of the hymn was the use of the tongue. There were foiu- stanzas in it, the 68 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY first three of wliicli were confessional and ver}- penitential, while the fourth stanza was of a decidedly different character. The first three verses Dr. McClure read slowl}' with bended form and bowed head, in low, distressed, penitential tones, as if he were about to break into tears. Good Deacon Sargent, as he listened, was sorry enough that he had said a word to his pastor about his severe language. Those three stanzas were as follows : — " Thus I resolved before the Lord, ' Now will I watch mj tongue, Lest I let slip one sinful word, Or do my neighbor wrong.' " If I am e'er constrained to stay With men of Hves profane, I '11 set a double guard that day. Nor let my talk be vain. " I '11 scarce allow my lips to spenk The pious thoughts I feel, Lest scoffers should th' occasion take To mock my holy zeal." Then the minister, straightening up his bended form, and flinging his bowed head aloft, with flashing eye, and in thunderous, threatening tones, read the fourth stanza, which was as follows : — '* Yet, if some proper hour appear, I '11 not be over-awed ; But let the scoffing sinners hear That I can speak for God." Deacon Sargent added that when the dramatic reading of the whole hymn was concluded, he had grave doubts whether his pastor was so very penitent after all. ADDRESS BY THE REV. CHARLES IL POPE, Pastor of the First Parish Church, Charlestown, [The Mother Church.] It is a great privilege to present the congratulations of the old First Parish Church of Charlestown to so matronly a daughter. Let me ask you to go back with me to the time when the Maiden church arose. Recall the very men who were then on this ground. See, first, the Rev. Francis Bright, the first person definitely engaged to do ministerial service in New P^ngland, who was called from his parish at Rayleigh, in Essex, February 2, 1628-9, by The Massachusetts Bay RECEPTION AT THE FIRST CHURCH 69 Companj' in England, to go to their plantation and preach to the company's servants. He was a passenger in the " Lyon's Whelp," arriving at Salem May 11, 1629, and came soon to this region, we may believe. Here, doubtless, the Spragne brothers lieard his sermons to the workmen who were laying out Charlestown's first streets and ei'ecting the '■' Great House," which was to be the execu- tive mansion of the coming governor. Mr. Bright steps back into obscurity ; and we see the Rev. John Wilson, another of the men selected in England for pastoral work here, wlio came in tlie fleet with Winthrop, Dudley, and Johnson, began to preach July 10, and joined with those three leaders, July 30, 1630, in the covenant of the First Church. Under the famous oak-tree he preached man}' a good sermon, says Roger Clap. Within rifle-shot of that tree, on all sides of what we now call City Square, were the members of that church domiciled, some resting in tents, to be sure ; and our First Parish Church, which greets you to-night, was a fact of history. To be sure, the thirst of some of the officials and people led them over the ba}' ; and the Rev. John Blackstone's invitation to ampler supplies of drink induced the majorit}- to move to the hills and dales of Shawmut ; by which means the First Church of Charlestown took the name of the First Church of Boston. But those who still resided on the north bank of the Charles were a valuable portion of the congregation, and steadfastly attended services and bore their part in building and sup- porting, till, after two hard winters of ferrying across ice-covered waters, the}' said, " Hold." Then came the dismission of a good party, and a reorganization on the old spot, November 2, 1632. A third minister now appears, the Rev. Thomas James, who did faithful service three years ; but he was displaced by his colleague, the Rev. Zechariah Symmes, after some months of melanchol}' and jealous experience, and some vain efforts of neighboring "elders" at the adjustment of personal differ- ences. But the good man knew enough to sacrifice himself to the good of the church ; and he went back to an English parish, dying at Needham Market, in 1683. And then our fathers' God sent over a choice spirit to take the place left vacant in Charlestown ; one of the sons of an honest butcher of old Southwark, well-educated, refined, devoted, came with his bride to live by the Charles and Mystic. John Harvard, a minister of high abilities, but already under the grasp of consumption, it would seem, preached a few months, as his strength would allow, and then entered into rest. Among his cares was the duty of aiding in the deliberations over the embryonic " colledge ; " for the General Court had voted that the teaching elders of the six nearest churches should be the overseers of that institution. Without doubt it was this circumstance which led him to devote a moietv of 70 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY his estate to the college, anticipating the wide importance of the work of educating the youth of the land. He died less than thirty-one ^ears of age ; hut his counsels for a \ear and his gift in perpetuo mark his life as one of the most useful careers of all the pioneers of Massachusetts. Before a year had gone, his widovv and his parish had become the portion of the Rev. Thomas Allen, who came to assist Mr. Symmes. It was during their joint pastorate that the dwellers at Mystic Side asked to be allowed to withdraw from the congregation at Charlestown, as they had now developed into a distinct settlement. The same motives which led to the reorganization at Charlestown, in 1632, were impelling them to this step. They were desirous to worship in a way that would be convenient for their families. One of the men, Lieut. Ralpli Sprague, for example, had been a member of all three of the bands of worshippers. He had been a parishioner of Mr. Bright and of Mr. Wilson in 1629 and 1630 ; he had then gone faithfully over to Boston, carrying at least one of his babes thither for the sweet rite of christening. He had written his name with the baud who covenanted the second time at Charlestown, and had carried other little ones the long miles that lay between his Mystic Side home and the shore near the old oak. Now it was time that Mrs. Sprague and the coming Spragues should be considered. But not only did personal motives like this enter into the affair. The cause of Cluist could be advanced better by extending the bounds of Zion. New churches are a part of the life of the great Holy Catholic Church. Wluit is the forming of a new church hut the growth of a bud on a branch of a vine? The Lord Jesus, as He has said, is The Vine ; those that love and trust Him are the branches. Three kinds of buds spring from living branches : those which are to expand into leaves, — the graces and pleasures of religion ; those which will develop into fruit, — the practical benefits which Christianity confers upon the world ; and those that are to extend as branches, along which the life of the Vine ma}' pass to other lives, till the world is filled with salvation. Now a vine ma}' lean upon a trellis sometimes. Governments, organizations, human constructions have often seemed to be of value to tiie church. But when they have assumed to direct, to control, to dictate the course of the church, all has gone awry. The trellis must not rule the vine. When the Winthrop government, here in Massa- chusetts, undertook to sway the churches, to stop some organizations, punish members for disobedience to church rules, and hold M3stio Side Christians back till the boundaries of the towns should be settled before worship could take its natural course, all was wrong. But the life within impelled to the advance step. JUBILEE ENTERTAINMENT 71 In Christ, for Christ, and to the glory of the Adorable Lord, 3'our founders coventinted together; and the "mother church" was all cheerful in helping forward the movement, no doubt. The centuries have approved the wisdom, the divine leading, which was in the move- ment. May centuries to come witness the continued growth, fruitage, and new branching of this Maiden church, which has borne so much fruit and given birth to so many branches in the two hundred and fifty years of her life. Other addresses were made b}- the Rev. D. Augustine Xewton, of the First Congregational Church of Winchester, who spoke in behalf of the Woburn Conference, and hy the Rev. James F. Albion, of the First Parish (Universalist). At the conclusion of the addresses in the church, the audience repaired to the vestry, where refreshments were served and a second season of social intercourse was enjoyed. The reception committee, of which Deacon Joseph W. Chadwick was chairman, comprised forty-two ladies and gentlemen. Deacon Clarence O. Walker was chairman of the refreshment committee. JUBILEE ENTERTAINMENT. The events of Saturday were brought to a close b}' the largest and best minstrel show that has ever been given in Maiden, which, though not a part of the official celebration, attracted an audience that filled the Anniversar}- Building to its utmost capacity. This was presented under the auspices of the Maiden Club and the Keruwood Club, b\' a committee of which Fred. C. Sanborn of the former club was chair- man, and a company of one hundred and twenty-seven performers of Maiden and vicinity, under the management of William O. Lovell, a favorite and successful amateur manager of many local entertainments, with Milan F. Bennett as musical director. The end-men were D. W. Deshou, R. A. Perkins, H. M. Flanders, F. A. Swain, and F. G. Barnard, as Bones, and William Knollin, R. B. Wiggin, John A. Robertson, W. A. Hastings, and H. L. Aldridge, as Tambos. Frank R. Sircom, Howard E. Whiting, and E. Thatcher Clark were soloists ; and Ephraim L. Hadawa\', favorably known as the author of several popular societ}' entertainments, was the interlocutor and furnished the ode, which was sung to the tune of Fair Harvard as the first number of the program. Tiien followed an olio of coon songs, sketches, and local jests of side-splitting quality, in rapid suc- cession. The jokes were original and keen, and almost every promi- nent politician received some witty attention. The entertainment 72 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY closed with a prize cake walk, in which Otis C. Putnam was the roaster of ceremonies, and L. B. Fletcher and J. H. CuUen won the cake. The program was as follows : — PART I. Ode — (Company). E. L. Hadaway. — Air, Fair Harvard. To Maiden we offer our trilmte to-night, As we picture with pleasure and pride The events changing cycles of time in their flight Have beheld in our fair Mystic Side. All hail to the many illustrious ones. Who with credit her name have sustained — To the honors achieved by her daughters and sous, Who renown and distinction have gained ! ()\"ERTCRE. The Fortune Teller (Bennett's Okchestka) Herbert. 1 Opening Chorus (Company). Arranged hi/ Mr. Milan F. Bennett. 2 " My Ann Eliza" ( Mr. Robert A. Perkins). WilUams. ;i " Gipsy John " (Mr. Frank R. Sircom). Clan. 4 " Ridins on the Golden Bike " (Mr. William Knollin). Reed. 5 "I wonder what is dat Coon's game" (Mr. Daniel W. Deshon). Cole &)■ Johnson. 6 " Soldiers in the Park " (Mr. Howard E. Whiting). Moncklon. 7 " When you ain't got no money you needn't come around" (Mr. Russell B. Wiggin). Sloane. 8 Finale (Solo by Mr. E. Thatcher Clark). Arranged by Mr. Milan F. Bennett. PART IT. 9 Commemoration March (Orchestra). Composed for /his occasion by 0. S. Tonks. 10 Irish Musical Sketch (Mr. W. B. C. Fox and Mr. E. Stanley Nichols). 11 Jubilee Mandolin, Guitar, and Ban.io Club. 12 A Queen and a Jack. Queen Maybe of R. K. D., W. C. Mason. Sir Anitas, her Prime Minister, F. W. Bailey. 13 Grand Prize Cake Walk, Arranged by Mr. John J. Coleman. Mr. L. B. Fletcher. Mr. J. T. McDonald. Mr. J. H. CuLLEN. Mr. W. B. C. Fox. Mr. W. I. SwASEY. Mr. L. A. Pickering. Mr. F. F. Snow. Mr. C. B. Waterman. Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Otis Chandler Putnam. Bearer of Cake, Master Leon Matthews. P E G R A M. SUNDAY, MAY 21, 1899. 10.30 A.M. Commemorative Services at the several Churches. 3.00 P.M. Exercises by the Free Catholic Schools. In Anniversary Building. 7.30 P.M. United Religious Service, In Anniversary Building. ADDRESS BY THE RIGHT REV. WILLIAM LAWRENCE. SINGING BY THE ANNIVERSARY CHORUS. OBSERVANCES OF SUNDAY THE FIRST CHURCH. Rev. Henry Hugh French, D.D., Pastor. THE celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversar}- of the gathering of the First Chnrcli, which was begun by the reception and exercises of Saturda}' evening, was continued on Sun- day-. The clouds and rain of the morning had no effect upon the attendance, and the church was filled with an interested and S3m- pathetic congregation. Man}- past members of the church, who had been drawn to their old home, were present and added to the interest of the occasion. The musical exercises preceding the Scripture lesson were as follows : — Voluntary. Selected. Chorus. — Sing, O Daughter of Zion. Page. Chorus. — I will lift mine eyes unto the hills. Baldwin. QuARTKT. — Earth and Heaven. Mercadante. After the oflfertor}' and preceding the sermon, the following orig- inal hj'mn was sung In' the choir : — ANNIVERSARY HYMN. BY JOHN LANGDON SULLIVAN, M.D. Tune, Duke Street. What firmer faith, since Abraham's day. What holier trust have mortals shown, Than when our fathers clove their way Through wintry seas to shores unknown? Behold, to worship unrestrained B}' monarch's code or bigot's ban — The birthright their devotion gained Is made the heritage of man. 76 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY Behold, in Freedom's garnered sheaf Of States — our Nation's priceless dower — The seed the exiles brought in grief And sowed in weakness — raised in power. Lord, keep us in the love and fear Of Thee that in their hearts abode, And make us worthier year bj' 3ear Of all Th}' grace through them bestowed. The sermon preached upon this occasion was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Wellman, a former pastor and a present member of the church, in accordance with the action of a committee of the church in June, 1898, upon which action the following invitation was extended. The sermon itself was replete with histoiical statements and deductions, that were heard with marked interest by tlie large congregation. Malpen, June 15, 1898. Rei\ J. W. Wellmnn, D.D. — At a meeting held yesterday by the committee appointed by the First Church to arrange for the celebration of the two hun- dred and fiftieth anniversary of the church next year, it was voted unani- mously that you be invited to deliver an historical address or discourse on Sunday the first day of the week of the celebration, to be held probably in the late spring or early summer of next year. Very truly yours, Arthur T. Tukts, Secretary. HISTORICAL SERMON. BY THE REV. JOSHUA WYMAN WELLMAN, D.D. Pastor, 1874-1883. Deut. xxxii. 7. Remember the days of old, consider the years of many gener- ations : ask thy father, and he will shew thee ; thy elder.s, and they will tell thee. This Scriptural mandate comes to us in one of the great songs of Moses. We are told in the Kevelation of John the Divine that in the upper Sanctuary " they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb," which seems to indicate that even in heaven they rehearse in rapturous song the marvellous historic tri- umphs of redeeming grace, which have been achieved on earth under both the old and the new covenants. We celebrate to-da}' the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of our church : The First Church of C/irist in 3Ialden. To review in a single discourse this long period, covering one quarter of a millennium of church history, is of course impossible. I THE FIRST CHURCH 11 I propose, therefore, to speak to you simpl}- of the early JRnritans in Midden, of the beginnings of the church which they founded, and of its first minister. No one can apprehend truly and fairly the unique history of one of the early New England churches without first attaining a clear and just understanding of the peculiar people who constituted that church. On some appointed day in the charming month of Ma}', 1649 (the exact date is not known), just as the trees had broken into full leaf, and the wild flowers had opened bright and cheer}- through all the fragrant woods, a small company of Christian people assembled in their little meeting-house, located a few feet southwest of our historic Bell Rock. The purpose of their meeting was to organize, for the highest and eternal good of themselves, of their children, of all the people in the town, and for the glory of God, a church of the Lord Jesus Christ. They were grave and thoughtful people ; yet on that da}', as the}' came from their several homes along the narrow paths through the fields and the woods, some walking, others riding horseback, now and then a man and his wife upon the same horse, they did not wear sad faces. They were all astir and beaming witli thoughts of their new town soon to be founded, of their new place of worship, and of the new church they were to create before the sun went down. They had previously worshi[)ped with the church in Charlestown, of which most of them had been members. But the path over the hill to the Mystic River, and then on beyond the river to the meeting-house in Charlestown, seemed long to them. Besides, they were tired of making that "troublesome" and often dangerous passage, in their little row-boats, over "the broad-spreading river." They were now happy in the prospect of living in their new town and near their own church. They were all plainly but neatly dressed in garments of home-made cloth, cut after the Phiglish patterns of the time. But it was not of their outward appearance that they were thinking that day ; rather were they dwelling profoundly and prayerfully upon their preparation of heart and mind to take upon themselves, again before God, vows of holy brotherhood and of personal consecration to Christ and to the service of His gospel and kingdom. No record of the religious services which accompanied the organ' ization of their church has been preserved. But undoubtedly there was much earnest praying and thanksgiving, with repeated and rap- turous singing of psalms, "lined off" by a grave elder, and a long and most instructive discourse, — all this preliminary to their solemn act of entering into church covenant. A similar service preliminary to the formation of the church at Woburn, seven years before, occu- 78 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY pied " four or five hours." Perhaps equally long were the prepara- tor}' services here in Maiden. Then probably here as in Woburn, those persons who were to be embodied in a church state, " stood forth and made declaration, one b}' one, of their religious faith and Christian experience, confessing what the Lord liad done for their poor souls by the work of His Spirit in the preacliing of His Word and Providences." After this, in solemn form, the}- gave public assent to a church covenant, which had been previously prepared ; and so they were constituted " The Church, of Christ in Maiden" which under God's protecting and gracious providence has continued to this day. Unfortunatel}-, the records of this churcii from the date of its organization down to 1770 — a period of one hundred and twenty-one 3'ears — were long ago lost. Consequently, the names and number of its original members have not come down to us in the usual autlior- itative form of church record. Yet, only two and a half years after May, 1649, thiily-six Christian women, most if not all of whom were doubtless members of the church in INIalden, signed their names to a petition addressed to the General Court in behalf of their minis- ter ; and their names we have on record. In other ancient docu- ments we find the names of some, but possibly not all, of the early male members. This church was the forty-third ciuirch established on the territory now included in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. Two of those fortN'-three churclies, however, previous to 1649, removed to Connec- ticut. Since that date nineteen more of those churches have dropped from the list, having either deceased or abandoned evangelical faith and united with some other denomination ; so that to-da}' there are in this commonwealth onl}- twentj-one churches of our order older than the First Church in Maiden. This church is twenty years older than the Old South Church in Boston, and one hundred and sixty years older than the Park Street Church in Boston. It is older than an}'^ church of our order in the present enlarged Boston, save that church in Charlestown which is the mother of this church. That mother church was really the Second Church in Charlestown, thougli now often called the First Church. The really JF'irst Church in Charlestown was organized by Governor VVinthrop and a few of his people on July 30, 1630 ; but it soon abandoned its place of worship, and erected a meeting-house in Boston, to wliicli town a majorit}' of its members had removed, and so became the First Chui'ch in Boston. Long afterward it became and still is a Unitarian church. But on Nov. 2, 1632, another church was organized in Charlestown, and it was this church that sixteen and a half j'ears later dismissed a num- ber of its members to constitute the church in Maiden. This vener- THE FIRST CHURCH 79 able mother of our church is still living, at the goodly age of two hundred and sixtj'-six years, and is still true to the faitli it was founded to maintain and proclaim. This First Church in Maiden was the only church in this town for eighty-five A'ears. The tei'ritorial parish connected with it was large, comprising not only the present area of Maiden, but also the terri- tories now included in the cities of Everett and Melrose. On April 17, 1734, a second church was organized in Maiden, but in that part of the town then called South Maiden, now Everett. It had a feeble and precarious existence for about fift\--eight years, and then was reabsorbed into the First Church. Our church was the only church at Maiden Centre for more than a century and a half. It lived and wrought here alone as a church through all the long colonial history of New England, save the very earliest 3'ears of that period ; through all the bloody Indian wars ; through the long French wars ; through the great war of the Revolu- tion ; and through all the historic events and scenes connected with the birth of our nation. It was the one solitary church here at Mai- den Centre when American patriots gained for themselves imperish- able fame at Lexington and Concord, when men of Maiden, some of them doubtless members of this church, pursued the retreating British soldiers to Cliarlestown, and evidently not to the comfort of the " Red Coats;" for, as Mr. Corey tells us, Maiden men "made several prisoners and took their stores and arms." This First Church was the only church hei'e when the people of all this region were listening anxiously to that terrible cannonade at the historic Battle of Bunker Hill ; the only church here to sing liymns of joy and give thanks to Almighty God, when the Continental Congress, on the fourth of July, 1776, sent forth to the country and the world the immortal Declaration of Independence^ and tlie only church here through the first twent3'-seven j-ears of the history of the United States of America. It helps us to appreciate the long life of our church to consider that it was an ancient church, one hundred and fifty-four years old, when the First Baptist Church in Maiden was founded in 1803, and it was one hundred and seventy-two years old when the First Metho- dist Church in Maiden was founded in 1821. Our church has now lived side by side with the First Baptist Church of this town, in unbroken harmony, for ninety-six years; but it liad previously lived here alone for one hundred and fifty-four years. Our church has now lived here side by side with the First Methodist Church, in unbroken harmony, for seventy-eight years ; but it had {)reviously lived here without that church for one hundred and seventy-two years. The founders of this church may have built better than thej- knew ; but we know now that thev were led of God to build for the ases. 80 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY This brings us to tlie question : what kind of people were those first cburcli-founders in Maiden? They were Puritans. The}' were Protestant Reformers. They were in, and a part of, that tremendous historic movement called The Protestant Reformation, — a great religious and moral revolution, which shook JCuropean thrones to their foundations, made even the Roman oligarchy tremble for its life, blocked the wa}' of some of the most remorseless persecutions ever known in the world's history, and at length stripped royal and ecclesiastical despots in England, and in some other parts of P^irope, of their almost unlimited power to imprison, hang, and burn the Lord's people. We sometimes forget how near to the times of bloody persecutions in E^ngland the fathers of New England lived. The Church of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, for instance, was a part of that chui'ch organized at Scrooby, England, in 1606 ; and some of those Plymouth Pilgrims were among the original members of that terribly' persecuted Scrooby Church. Of course, all the members of a cliurch organized in 1606 were born in the preceding centur}', and some of them may have lived, and the parents of some of them certainly did live, under the reign of " Bloody Mar}," — a reign which was too terrible to be long, and lasted onl}' five years, from 1553 to 1558. In tlie same way the roots of our own church run back into English soil wet with the blood of martyrs. Some of the older men and women who took part in organizing our church in that little meeting-house close by Bell Rock, in May, 1649, ma}' have been born before the year 1600; and the parents of some of them almost cer- tainly had reached maturit}' before that year. But only seven 3'ears before 1600, or in 1593, Henry Barrows, and John Greenwood, and John Penry, scholarly and godly ministers of Christ, all of them edu- cated at Cambridge University, were put to death by hanging at Lon- don, England, and this by order of the Royal High Commission and the Archbishop of tlie Anglican Episcopal Church, — two of the niart3'rs having previously suffered a most cruel and revolting impris- onment for nearly six years. What for? Because by a devout study of the New Testament they had become convinced that the churches organized under the instruction of Christ and tlie Apostles were '■'• Independent,'^ or, as we should say. Congregational (i\\nvc\\Qs, each one of them having the God-given right to elect all of its own officers, and to choose its own form and order of worship. Because these God-fearing and sweet-spirited ministers had met with a few people of like faith in private houses and in the woods, some- times at midnight, and had prayed with them and explained God's Word to them, and had observed the Lord's Supper with them — because they had thus interpreted the teachings of the New Testa- ment, and had thus worshipped God with His people, and had pub- THE FIRST CHURCH 81 lished their views in a few little tracts and books, they were, by order of the Episcoi)al Archbishop and the High Commission, put to death by hanging. Now, all intelligent people living in England at that time must have had full knowledge of those awful martyrdoms and of similar preceding ones. Those cruel and revolting executions of good men were all public. Some of the older original members of our own church must have been profoundly moved b}- what they had In ard of those murderous persecutions from their parents and others, even if they themselves had not witnessed some of them. When John Greenwood was in prison he wrote a small book, advocating the views of the local church which he had found taught in the New Testament. His manuscript was somehow taken by friendly hands out of the country, printed, and the books were brought back into England for distribution. At the same time there was in Mal- don, p]ngland, a minister named George Gifford. He was a Puritan and a nonconformist; but he was strongly opposed to any separation from the established church, and to the setting up of independent churches. So he published a treatise in violent opposition to Mr. Greenwood's book ; and the latter, from his prison, answered him in another printed book. This was a public and famous debate. The people of Maldon, England, must have known all about it; for Rev. George Gifford lived and preached there. Now it happens that Joseph Hills, who was, perhaps, the leading man in this town and this church at the time the}' were founded, came hither from that same Maldon in England. And it is incredible that an intelligent man born in 1603 (though in another place) could have lived in his mature years, as he did, in that English town of Maldon, and not have heard of that most unique and famous debate. The books on both sides were printed and circulated ; and he must have read them over and over and pondered upon tliem long and deeply. Moreover, if he knew of that public debate, he must have been familiar with all the shocking details of the horrible prison life, and of the savage martyrdom of those brave and good men, Barrows, Greenwood, and Penry. And all this must have deepened his Pui'itanism, and pre- pared him to go to any i)lace on this broad earth, in spite of all perils and sacrifices by sea or land, if onl\- somewhere he could do his humble part in founding " a state witliout a king and a church with- out a bishop." With Joseph Hills came also, from that same Maldon in England, John Wayte, another leading man in the earl}^ historj' of this town and church ; and with them came Thomas Ruck. These three men, at least, must have brought with them to our Maiden the profoundest convictions of the inestimable worth of civil and religious libert}'. All this testifies to the meaning and truth of \w\' words, 6 82 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY when I say that the roots of our own beloved church run back into Elnglish soil that was wet with the blood of martyrs. In this instance, as in many others, it was proved true that " the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." In the next place, why were these people in England and New Eng- land called Puritans? They never assumed that name. It was given them; and it was given them in the first instance in ridicule. After- wards it became one of the most honoi'able and renowned names known in histor}'. There had previousl}' been in the world many such people as the}* were, but the}' had not been called b}' that name. Indeed, at that ver}' time there were people similar to them in faith and character in other lands. The Huguenots were the Puritans of France. The Lutherans were the Puritans of German}' ; and those suffering Christians in Piedmont, some of whom were the Lord's "slaughtered saints," whom the great Puritan poet, Milton, in im- mortal verse, called on God to " avenge" — they were the Puritans of the Alps. Yet the English Puritans did have a certain uniqueness of character. That uniqueness consisted in the strenuousness of their religious convictions and the vital union of those tremendous convic- tions with Anglo-Saxon grit and courage. They were called Puritans, because they stood so unfiinchingly for purity in Christian faith and worship ; for pi/iv% in personal character and life ; for purity in the administration of church and state ; for purity in family and social life ; for moral purity everywhere in the spheres of human responsi- bility and action. They cultivated conscience. They kept the Sab- bath and revered the sanctuary. They had profound convictions of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and of the supernal glory of personal righteousness. With all their power of hatred they hated a lie, and all forms of mendacity, deceit, and fraud. They were understood to be a class of people who at any sacrifice met their obligations on time. They kept all their promises. They dealt fairly and squarely with their fellow-men. They also made it a matter of conscience, and even a part of their religious life, to be industrious, to practise economy, to live at any sacrifice within their means, and so to be thrifty and independent. They had a profound contempt for the meanness of living needlessly on the toil and money of others. Their moral stand- ard was so high and rigorous that many deemed them, as some deem them now, austere and imperious. And they were austere in con- demning all meanness and moral corruption. They were also imperi- ous in demanding what is honorable and right between man and man, and between man and God. Yet their hearts were full of Christian sympathy. Their lives abounded in generous acts, and they were always prompt to help the unfortunate and needy. Their domestic life was sweet and tender. Their homes were full of affection and THE FIRST CHURCH 83 happiness. John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Colon}', was a typical Puritan ; and no one can read his letters to his wife and children and not see that his home must have given one sometiiing of a foretaste of heaven. True, he had more wealth and a higher social position tlian most of the people in the colony enjoyed ; but such things do not insure a happy home. It was because of his Pufitanism and the Puritan training of his family that his home was so heavenly ; and there is reason to believe that the home of every other true Puritan was of the same character. But how did such a class of people as these Puritans were come into existence? Under God, it was the English Bil)le that made them what they were. You remember tliat an African prince, through his ambassador, once asked Queen Victoria to tell him tlie secret of England's power and prosperity. ''Tell your prince," replied the Queen, " that it is the Bible that has made England great." So it was the English Bible that made the Puritans what they were, — one of the mightiest reformatory and ennobling forces tlius far Ivnown in the world's history. It should be remembered that the people in England, down to nearly the middle of the sixteenth century, had never seen a single copy of the entii'e Bible printed in their own language. The Holy Scriptures for long ages had existed only in manuscripts, and even in that form had been kept concealed in dead languages, the ancient Hebrew and Greek. The Bible was regarded by botli the civil and ecclesiastical powers througliout Europe as a dangerous book for the common people to read ; and the comparatively few manuscripts of it in existence were kept secreted, sometimes chained, in monastic libraries under the care of monks. As late as the year 1526 — less than a hundred years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth — no scholar in England could translate the Bible or any portion of it into the P^nglish language, except at the peril of his life. Tlie first Englisli translation of the entire Bible was made by Miles Coverdale, an Englishman. It was printed outside of Eng- land, at Antwerp, Belgium, in 1535, and copies of it soon came into England. In 1564, just twenty-nine years after the first English Bibles began to come into England, Puritans began to appear among the people. A printed book could have had then no such swift circulation as books have now. It would then have taken a score or two of years to bring that first printed translation of the whole Bible to the careful attention of any considerable number of the common English people. But it is significant that, at just about the date when the people had had time to examine tlioroughly their English Bibles, Puritunism appeared; and from that date, 1564, the Puritans multiplied with amazing rapidity in England. There is 84 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY evidence, however, that among the ministers of the establisliecl church, the English version of the Scriptures had a quicker and much larger circulation. Thev naturally would be eager to read it, and they doubtless studied it, as they never had studied their Hebrew and Greek Testaments. Manj- of them soon began to " preach the Word " as they never had preached it before. The Coverdale Bible was published in 1535, and within twent}' years, or as early as 1555, hundreds of these ministers had joined the ranks of those who a little later were called Puritans. Both the royal and the episcopal author- ities were alarmed. Something must be done ; and so the horrible persecutions under the detested queen called "Blood}' Mary" fol- lowed quickly. Within five years no less than two hundred and seventj'-seven Puritans were frightfull}' put to death. But such a reformation once begun could not be arrested. Men might be hung or burned, but God's Word printed could not be utterly destroyed. Their devotion to the Bible was one of the most notable characteristics of the Puritans. The}' were constant and zealous Bible-readers. The Book ruled their minds, their hearts, and their lives. They could quote a text of Scripture for every article of their faith, and for almost every act in their lives. Their every-day language became in no small degree Biblical. Tiie ver}' names of their children were taken largely from God's Holy AVord. It was the English Bible that under the Holy Spirit created the English Puritans, and through them gave to England all the civil and religious freedom she has yet attained. And under God, it was that same English Bible that, through the Puritan fathers of New England, founded our free churches and government, and our free schools. But another question needs to be raised and answered : What was the interjyretation of the Bible whicii made the Puritans such a power in the world's history? It is a most illuminating historic fact that the renowned leaders of that glorious Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth centurj' in Europe, investigating the Bible independ- ently, in different countries and in different languages, in order to ascertain what its great revelations and teachings, taken togetiier in their divine harmony and system, really are, all came to substantially one and the same conclusion. The}' differed only on a few minor and unessential points. This wonderfully illuminating historic fact should never be forgotten. But what shall this one common conclusion, reached by all those separate masterly and devout Biblical scholars be called? Some called it Calvinism ; some called it Lutheranism ; others called it the Westminster Confession. These are only different names of one and the same wonderful statement, in systematic form, of all the great truths and revelations found in God's Holy Word. The Purit-ms were proud to call themselves Calvinists. The founders of THE FIRST CHURCH 85 this church were Calviuists. This chiircli through .all its long histor}' of two hundred and fifty 3ears lias been a Calvinistic church. It has continued such for the most part without conflict. Yet in one instance it was driven " to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints ; " to do this too, at the loss of all the pos- sessions which the parish held in trust for the use of the First Churcli in INIalden, — at the loss of its meeting-house, of its parsonage, in which Adoniram Judson, the great missionary, was born, who was a son of one of its pastors ; at the loss of its ministerial lands, of all its funds which had been given for its use ; and it saved its own sacred and dearly prized communion service only by paying for it its worth in money. Nothing but the Puritan Calvinistic faith of its members, which the}' prized above all earthly treasures, could have carried them through those da3-s of trial. Modern historj', as well as the eleventh cha2)ter of Hebrews, proves that there is a religious faith that makes heroes. Next to the Divine Creator himself, there has been thus far in history nothing like the Puritans' Scriptural beliefs to put iron into the blood, and a spinal column into the back, and to make men. — virile and stalwart, as well as true and Godlike ???en, such as God always has use for at the great and decisive epochs in the histor}- of churches, of nations, and of the world. I have no time to present, even in outline, this historically powerful and majestic interpretation of the Bible. The most I can do is to state tiiat there is a simple test, to which all intelligent and fair- minded people can bring ever}' system of religious belief that is offered to them, and thus ascertain its true character. Moreover, it is a test which Christ himself taught his disciples to use. Our Lord on one occasion, speaking of religious teachers, said : " Ye shall know them b}' their fruits." Now it is fair, I submit, that the interpretation of the Bible accepted by the founders of our church, or Calvinism, should bejudgedhy its fruits. Would we know what those fruits are, we have only to read history and learn for ourselves. I wish I had time to bring to }ou some decisive quotations from such historians as George Bancroft, John Fiske, author of that fas- cinating book. The Beginnings of Wew England, and especially from the great P^nglish historian, James Anthony Fronde. According to these and other eminent historical authorities, it was substantially the Calvinistic interpretation of the Bible that brought on that sublime and irresistible I'evolntion, the most radical and far-reaching, the most purifying and inspiring ever known in P^urope, called The Prot- estant Reformation. It was tliis same system of religious belief that brought into existence and into power the Presbyterians of Scotland, who in that land and other lands have been such sturdy defenders of the Bible, and of all the deathless truths and lofty right- 86 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY eousness which the Bible ineulcfites. And it was this same interpreta- tion of the Bible that brought into existence the Puritans in P^ngland, who saved to the Englisli nation civil and religions liberty', when that liberty had come to its last gasp under that despot, Charles I. More- over, it was men and women holding and inspired b}- this same in- vincible faith who, with incredible grit and courage, broke from home and country, and brought civil and religious freedom to the wild woods of New England, planted here a free state and free churches, established public schools and colleges, founded great missionary organizations, and, by countless sacrifices, struggles, and battles, made New England what she has been and is, a conspicuous example of the fruits of Puritanism. No other interpretation of the Bible has ever borne such fruitage. We must not hlink historic facts, but /noch walked with God, and Methuselah lived his nine hundred and sixty-nine years ; when there were great communities and mighty deeds, — evil and good striving together, and evil dominating. Wiiat were the manners and dress, houses and businesses, learning and, alas ! religion, when Noah preached repent- 112 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY ance and righteousness for one hundred and twenty years, and built his remarkable tliree-storied cruiser? Wliat about that sudden and terrible contraction of the stream of humanity into " eight souls," and the promise of God that " while the earth remaineth, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease"? One wonders about Abram and the great city and people he left, and the peoples into whose midst he went ; of the civilization in Babylon, Assyria, Tyre and Sidon, and Egypt. And what of the Western world, with wliich David trafficked, and the Eastern land, that marvelled at his glory and power? Literary peoples they were, all of them, as evidenced by modern discoveries, — crude, no doubt, in some ways ; but not all things worth doing waited for the nineteenth cen- tury, nor did all evil wait its fulfilment till then. We are more familiar with the glory of the Grecian Empire and her art and philosophy, and with the Roman Empire and her bound- less ambition and masterful power ; and we are somewhat familiar with the new religion that came almost with observation, the fulfil- ment of the Jewish religion and the ruin of the Roman power. Two hundred and fifty years ago! In England, Oliver (h'omwell (Old Ironsides), through political and social perplexities, was work- ing out tlie stern and necessitous problems of pure religion. " Pride's Purge " in tiie House of Commons and tlie beheading of Charles I. were symptoms of the case, and means for i-eaching the end. In France, the ebullient " Fronde War," or "• Child-Play," was in guise of severity giving respite to the realm between the two stern, severe teachers, Richelieu and Louis XIV. The power of Spain broken, her loss in the North a recognized fact, the " United Provinces" a living witness to the triumph of truth and religion, she was making terras with despised Holland. The Holy Inquisition was practicalh' ended, of which Queen Isabella said : " In the love of Christ and Ilis maid- mother, I have caused great miser}' and have depopulated towns, and districts, and provinces, and kingdoms." All over Europe there was a great renaissance ; and the distinguishing feature, the inspir- ing cause, was religion. In that day, the lands of the heathen were many ; the islands of the seas were in savagery ; and in civilized ( !) countries slaves were ever3'where held. INIodern inventions have been born since then. The use of steam-engines was just beginning. More than one hun- dred and fifty years later, steam-vessels were but a realized fact ; and at that da}' one would need to look forward one hundred and seventy- five years to see the first steam-railway train, a man on horseback riding in front of the train to keep the track free from obstructions. And what of the Baptists? THE FIRST BAPTIST CIIUUCH 113 Maiden was one of the spots on the shores of this land where men and women came seeking the blessings of civil and religious freedom. This impulse of the early immigrants should not be lost sight of ; for it was that whicli gave flavor and tone to all the}' did, to tlieir style of life, to tlie character of business, and to their relations with each other and the world. Strange to sa}', persecuted and seeking liberty of conscience, with security, homes, and power, the}' themselves become persecutors, as Baptists and Quakers could attest. Congregationalism being the established form of religion in Massachusetts, dissenters became victims of intolerant religious fixity. Roger Williams, a man of conscience and of brilliant parts, was the first to introduce believers' baptism and organize a church on Baptist principles in this country. A graduate of the University of Cam- bridge and a pronounced Separatist, he left England in 1630, hoping for religious freedom of life and speech. He says: "God knows what gains and preferments I have refused in university, city, countr}', and court in Old England, and some in New England, to keep ni}' soul undefiled in this point, and not act with doubtful conscience." In Massachusetts Bay, citizenship depended upon membership in one of the established churches. Williams advocated separation of church and state ; separation from an apostate church ; absolute libert}' of conscience in religion; and an annulment of the colony's charter, whereby King Charles presumed to give awa}' the land of other people. In this last there is food for reflection ! He was banished in January, 1686; through many hardships he reached Narragansett Ba}', where he established the first colony or state established on Baptist principles, and called it Providence. It would be impossible to estimate the debt of this country and the world to the impregnable position of Baptists and to this ''fore- runner," in these later times. Since that time the growth of the Bap- tists has been very considerable, under the blessing of God ; and most of the gain has been made in the last seventy-five or one hundred years. There are now in this countr\' twenty-six thousand ministers, forty-three thousand churches, and thirty -eight thousand meeting- houses, with a seating capacit}' of twelve millions. The value of church property, eighty- four million dollars; and there are four mil- lions of communicants. But what of our own local church in these years? 114 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY In 1797, a few Baptists living in Maiden, members of churches in Boston and Charlestown, had the first sermon preached to them by a Baptist minister. In 1800, five persons "joined together to main- tain regular preaching." One Lois Tufts was the first person baptized ; and two more soon followed, both from the Congregational church. In 1803, Rev. Henr}- Pottle came to preach to the little company. Under his ministr}- some Mix converts were made ; and in December of the same jear " the First Baptist Church of Christ in Maiden " was organized. In the following month they " partook of their first Lord's Supper, sixty-four being present." In September, 1804, the first Baptist meeting-house was dedicated. Since that time four more houses have been erected, two having been destroyed by fire, and one removed to make place for the present beautiful and commo- dious structure. With house and people consecrated to the Master's cause, the present condition of the church is marked by latent strength, bj' ample privileges, and a large promise of usefulness. Over five hun- dred members have been received during the past six years ; and the present enrolment is one thousand and sevent}'. Devotion, self-sacrifice, and generosit}' have marked the j'cars of the history of this church; and while many of the saints have passed on, we are still glad in the presence of Mr. and Mrs. Elisha S. Converse, b}- whose fidelity and service the present has largely been realized. The Church of Jesus Christ is the salt of the earth, and shall sea- son the whole for His acceptance. Forms and ceremonies pass awa}' ; and new statements come to fit new lives and conditions. Decadences and disappearances that are local mark the sure progress of the king- dom and give place for sturdier shoots from the same unfailing stock. Take 3'our place ; do your work ; have part in the glorious achieve- ment ; and the same God who hath helped hitherto will both help and perfect and glorif}\ Despite the heavy showers, which occurred at times during the latter part of the afternoon and in the evening, the auditorium of the chui'ch was crowded at the evening service. Special musical selec- tions were given by the Temple Quartet of Boston and by the quartet and chorus of the church. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 115 ADONIRAM JUDSON. An Abstraci of a Sermon Preached hi/ the Pastor at the Evening Service. In the vestibule of our meetiug-house is a beautiful marble tablet with this inscription : — IN MEMORIAM. REV. ADONIRAM JUDSON. BORN AUG. 9, 1788. DIED APRIL 12, 1850. MALDEN, HIS BIRTHPLACE. THE OCEAN, HIS SEPULCHRE. CONVERTED BURMANS, AND THE BURMAN BIBLE, HIS MONUMENT. HIS RECORD IS ON HIGH. At the time the four young men in college at Williamstown were behind the haystack in a neighboring field, offering their prayers to Almighty God and consecrating themselves to the gospel work in foreign lands, Adoniram Judson was completing his college course at Brown. About two years later, these five met and became acquainted in Andover Seminary, where the four had entered as candidates for the ministr}-, and where Judson, not yet a professino- Christian, had been received by special arrangement. His religious impressions, received at home, fostered by the life and care of his father, the pastor of the Congregational church in Maiden, where Adoniram was born, deepened by recent experiences in the world and the sad death of a comrade, — culminated in conversion and '' a call " to be a missionar}' to the heathen. The seminarial course completed, Judson applied to the Associa- tion of Congregational Churches, then meeting in Bradford, to be sent as their missionary. This resulted in the formation by the asso- ciation of "The Board of Commissioners [of the Congregational Churches] for Foreign Missions," the first association for such a pur- pose in America. February 5, 1812, he was married to Miss Ann Hasseltine, and on the next day he was ordained. On February 19, with his wife, he embarked from Salem, Massachusetts, for Calcutta. During the prolonged voyage he gave himself to a special studv of the Bible, expecting to meet and labor near certain English Bap- tist missionaries, and hoping to be able to refute their Baptistic hold- ings and beliefs. Instead of being able to strengthen his views, he was convinced that they were wrong ; and conscience and the Bible 116 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY compelled him to become a Baptist. On arriving" at Calcutta he and his wife were baptized, and severed their connection with the board that sent them out. News of this change being heralded in America, the Baptists, by delegates, formed a " General Missionary Conven- tion for Foreign Missions," and henceforth they supported Mr. Judson in his work. Being expelled from India by the government, after some adven- tures and many misliaps, Mr. Judson found himself and wife on a vessel bound to Rangoon, Burmah. He immediately adopted the Bur- mans as his in the Lord, and gave the rest of his life in work for them. His unremitting labors, his sufferings in the death-prisons of Ava and Oung-pen-la, the heroic fidelity of his wife in the midst of miseries and tortures untold, his bodily endurances of sickness and privation, — all tell the story of a life upheld bj' faith in God and love for poor humanity that has not been excelled, and but rarely' equalled. Years passed before he gained one convert. vSeven years passed before he ventured to preach to a Burman audience, delating that when he preached his familiarit}' with the language might make him competent to answer any doubts or cavillings. Amid incessant labors, he toiled at a translation of the Bilile in the Burmese language. This he com- pleted twenty -one years after landing at Rangoon, and then spent six years in its revision. At the end of thirty -three years, enfeebled in body and liaving buried wife and children, at the insistence of the board at home, he sailed for America, with his second wife, the widow of the late missionar}', George Dana Boardman. On the voyage she died, and was buried at St. Helena. Judson tarried in America for nine months onl}', and returned to four years more of labor. On a sea voyage for recovery from illness, he died, and was buried in the ocean. All the foreign-mission effort of the churches in America is due under God to Mr. Judson's persistent determination to preach to a heathen people. Who can estimate the reflex influence upon the churches, in their home work, resulting from this enlargement of their faith and hope of "• the heathen for His inheritance "? Among the Burmans, more than seven thousand have been bap- tized, and hundreds more have died in the faith. There are sixty- three churches, and nearly two hundred missionaries and teachers. Deep down in tlie Burman heart the light of God's truth and salvation is shining. Mr. Judson exemplified the power of Christian faith and of per- sonal consecration, under the most fearful trials and tormenting dis- tresses. Only the grace of God could have given endurance to any mortal placed as he was. A man of prayer, he remains one of the heroes and martyrs of the church. THE CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 117 THE CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. Rev. Richard Neagi.e, Rector. At the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Pleasant Street, a Solemn High Mass was celebrated at 10.30 a.m. The celebrant of the Mass was the Rev. John J. Coan, treasurer of St. John's Ecclesi- astical Seminary, Brighton, a former resident of Maiden ; and the deacon was the Rev. Hugh J. Clearj-, a native of Maiden. The Rev. Mortimer E. Twomey and the Rev. William J. Case}', resident assist- ants of the parish, officiated as subdeacon and master of ceremonies, respectively. The Rev. Richard Neagle, Permanent Rector of the church, was present in the sanctuary. The music was rendered by the regular church choir, jNIozart's famous IMass being sung, and by the boys' sanctuary choir, which sang the responses. After the gospel, the Rev. Thomas Scully, P.R., of Cambridge, a former pastor of the church, 1863-1867, ascended the pulpit and preached the anniversarj- sermon. SERMON BY THE REV. THOMAS SCULLY. Acts vi. 7. — And the word of the Lord increased, and tlie number of disciples multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly. Dearly beloved Brethren : — I appreciate most highly tiie honor I have of addressing you on this happy occasion, the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of your cit}-. After an absence of thirtj'-two years I come to you at the urgent request of your beloved pastor, to add my voice to the chorus of congratulations and well-merited praise which this jubilee celebration calls forth from the citizens of Maiden, and to join with you in praising and thanking Almightv God for the s[)iritual and temporal favors which He has be- stowed upon you. Maiden is, indeed, to be congratulated on her growth and her prosperity. From a town of a few inhabitants she has developed into the large and flourishing municipality which we see to-day, with its happy, comfortable homes, its many schools, and its centres of busy industrial life. This vigorous and healtliy growth is to be attributed, under a benign Providence, to the energy and industry of the people of this city, but still more, I think, to the beautiful union and good-will which binds together the citizens of Maiden, both Protestants and Catholics, for the defence of good order and public morality, and for 118 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY the promotion of honest government and industrial success. As citi- zens of this beautiful and enterprising cit}', you have good reason to be proud ; and it is riglit that your wise and zealous pastor has joined your hands and hearts with 30ur fellow-citizens, to make the great jubilee what it should be, a grand manifestation of the union of Mai- den's citizens, — a union that has been the source of so much good in the past, and that is rich in its promise of greater good in the future. As Catholics, too, you have good reason to rejoice and to be proud on this occasion ; for the development and progress of your cit}' has been accompanied b\- a corresponding development and prog- ress of Catholicity among you. And while the freedom, the order, the prosperity which you enjoy have had no small share in bringing about the marvellous growtli of our church in this city, at the same time we do not hesitate to say that the Catholic Churcii has done much to pro- duce the happ}- and prosperous condition of the city of which you are so proud. No state, no cit}' of our Union, could attempt a true and worthy celebration commemorative of its honorable career without generously recording its indebtedness to tiie intellectual, industrial, patriotic, and religious life of its Catholic citizens. It is the thought of the undying life of tiie Catholic Cliurch which should be uppermost in our minds to-day, the great festival of Pente- cost. For on the first Cln-istian Pentecost our church began its work in the world. The church was established by Jesus Christ for the purpose of carrying on to the end of time the work of teaching and sanctification whicli He began. It was to go into the whole world, to make known His doctrines to all nations, to impart to men's souls the supernatural life of grace, and thus make them worthy to share in the glory won for them by the shedding of His blood. "Going into the whole world," He said to His chosen Apostles, " preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Having intrusted to His church this high mission, Jesus Christ bestowed upon it all that was needed to execute His commands. To His Apostles and their successors He gave His own authority. " As the Father hath sent Me," He said to them, " so I send 3'ou." And again: "He that heareth you, heareth Me." They were to preach His doctrine, in His name and with His authority. And that it might never teach aught but His truth, He promised to it His own unfailing assistance : " Behold, I am with 3'Ou all days, even unto the consum- mation of the world ; " and He promised to send it the H0I3' Ghost, the Spirit of truth, to abide with it forever. To carr}- on the mission of sanctification Christ left with His church His Sacraments, those outward signs which were to be the channels of divine grace, by which sins were to be forgiven and super- THE CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 119 natural life was to be nourished aud made strong. Moreover, Christ gave to His church an indivisible unity by clioosing one of His Apostles to be its visible head. To this Apostle He said, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock 1 will build my church ;" "I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven;" "Feed my lambs, feed my sheep." In union with Peter, the other Apostles formed the teaching and ruling bod}' of the church, and only in union with Peter's successor, the Bishop of Rome, were the successors of the other Apostles to exercise this office. On Peter and his successors Christ bestowed the power and prerogatives wliich He had given to His church as a whole. The occupant of Peter's chair was to possess supreme authority as teaclier and ruler of the church, and his teaching voice was to an- nounce with infallible certainty the truths which had been divinely revealed. The church thus constituted as a visible societ}' of men on earth, with Peter as its head, endowed with infallible 'teaching authority, and possessing the means of sanctifying souls, was to remain on earth to the end of time. The promises of Christ never fail, and He has promised to be with His church even to the consummation of the world. Built by Him on Peter, the rock, " the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." And that it might possess this undying life, He sent to His church, on the tenth day after his ascension, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of truth, of holiness, and of life, who was to remain in its bosom forever, guiding it in its mission of teaching and sanctifying mankind, and preserving it from all error, and imparting to it His own Divine life. Armed with these powers, and confiding in these promises, the Church of Christ, on the morning of Pentecost, faced tlie world in order to win it to God. Peter preached to the multitudes gathered in Jerusalem, and at his words thousands accepted tlie yoke of Christ. The apostles preached in the streets and in the synagogues the mes- sage of salvation through Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and in a short time "the word of the Lord increased, and the number of the disciples was multiplied in Jerusalem exceedingly." From Jerusalem and Judea the infant church went forth into ever}' part of the known world delivering its message of truth and salvation to the peoples of all nations, and all tongues, and everywhere the word of the Lord in- creased and the number of the disciples was multiplied. In vain did the power of Rome attempt its destruction. The blood of its thousands of martyrs but added to its strength and hast- ened its progress. The Roman Empire itself, at lengtii, bowed before the Cross of Christ, and acknowledged the truth and authoritv 120 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY of the church. And, when that empire fell, and the vigorous people from the north formed new nations within its provinces, the Church of Christ went out to meet them, won them to the truth, and through her scholars, her monks, and her saints made of them the powerful civilized nation of Christian Europe. This triumph was not achieved without a struggle. At every period of her histor}- the onward march of Christ's church has been opposed b3' the world. The Master had foretold this. The world would hate His church because it was not of the world. And so in the beginning all the force of Pagan error, vice, and super- stition was directed against the religion of the Crucified. Then came the heresies to prevent her teachings, and schisms to destro}' her unit}', and the efforts of emperors, kings, princes to make her the subservient tool of their passions, and scandals among her children ; but the church lived on, faithfully discharging the mission intrusted to her. No hostile power could destroy her, for she is indestructible. Her enemies may bar her progress for a time, here and there, may drive her at times from one field to another, but sooner or later they must yield before her. " Have confidence," said Christ to His Apostles, when foretelling the persecutions and trials of His church. '' Have confidence ; I have overcome the world." The history of nine- teen hundred 3ears is a record of continuous struggle between the church and the world, and the fulfilment of Christ's promise, "The gates of hell shall not prevail." The church has learned the one word, " conquer," from the Divine founder, and knows not defeat. Nothing is more certain than that the life of the Catholic Church cannot be de- stro3'ed, and every human institution opposed to her will fall. When in the Providence of God the New World was discovered a new field was opened to the ceaseless activii}' of the (Jatholic Church. She sent her missionaries from Catholic Spain and Catholic France, and long before Protestant colonization of these shores began, the Catholic faith was preached and Catholic missions were founded here in America. It was the beginning of a growth and an expansion of the church as marvellous as that which the Old World had witnessed. There were difficulties to be faced, there were persecutions to be en- dured, especialh' in the English Protestant colonies, 3'et the hand of God so shaped events that those difficulties were overcome, those per- secutions ceased, and in the genial atmosphere of American freedom the old church has displayed so much vitalit}' and has attained so large a growth as to be a cause of wonder to the world. This is indeed the Lord's doing, and it is wonderful in our eyes. With the advent of American Independence the Catholic Church of the United States began to organize her hierarch}-. In 1789, Pope Pius VI. founded the see of Baltimore with John Carroll as its bishop. In 1808, Pius VII. erected the Boston see, and John de Cheverus was THE CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION 121 consecrated its first bishop. Ilis pastorate embraced all New Eng- land. Two priests assisted him in administering to his scattered flock of a few hundred people, and the Catholic Indians of Maine. To-day the Catholic Church of New England counts one archbishop, seven bishops, and over fifteen hundred churches and chapels, thir- teen hundred and forty-seven priests, and at least one million five hundred and fifty tliousand regular church attendants. Who were they through whom God has exalted His church here in our own countr}'. especially in New England? Not the rich, nor the powerful, nor the influential ; but the poor, persecuted, downtrodden children of Catholic Ireland. The tyranny of England had made use of ever^- means which hatred and cruelty would devise to force the Irish people to abandon their faith. But, though robbed of their goods, though reduced to want and starvation, though hounded even to death, the\' never wavered in their lo3'alt3' to their church. Their faith was to them a treasure to be kept at the cost of ever}' earthly possession. It is now more than half a century since the}' began to leave their native land in large numbers to escape British tyranny. They brought with them no riches but their strong arms and willing hearts, but they brought pure and untarnished that faith which had been tried so severely. Through them and their chil- dren God has caused His church to flourish on American soil. They are now numbered by millions, and this broad land is filled with the monuments of their faith. In the early days of Irish immigration to this country, a few of the immigrants who had settled in Maiden and the adjoining towns of Medford, Melrose, Wakefield, North Reading, Stoneham, and the greater part of what is now Everett, were organized into a parish, and the Rev. Joim Ryan was appointed by Bishop Fitzpatrick to be their pastor. Forty-six years ago this hoi}', learned, and zealous Irish priest gathered the few Catholics of his flock into a small hall in Maiden. In 1854, Father Ryan had collected sufficient money from his generous congregation to partly purchase this valuable property, and on Christ- mas Day of that year celebrated Mass in the basement of this church, as originally designed, and dedicated the parish to the special protec- tion of the Immaculate Mother of God. The arduous work of a large and scattered mission soon told on the health of Father Ryan. To attempt in those days to build a brick church in a country parish was too difficult an undertaking. The Catholics were few and poor. He lived, however, to see the church built, but heavily in debt. Father Ryan was a true shepherd of his flock and a brave soldier of the Cross. He was a safe leader and prudent counsellor of his people in the distressing da}s of Know-nothing bigotry. Ilis long and severe 122 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY infirmities did not prevent him from going long journeys at niglit to administer to tlie dying tlie consolation of the Holy Sacraments. He died, honored and revered b}' his fond people, Februar}' 26, 1863. Thirty-six years ago, the first week of March, 1863, I was sent by the bishop to Maiden to succeed Father Ryan, and I remained here until May, 1867, when I was ordered to go to Carabridgeport to organize a new parish. My four years of pastorate in Maiden were 3'ears of peace, contentment, and happiness, and I have regarded them as among the happiest of m}* life. I came to Maiden fi'om the war, where I had served as chaplain to the Ninth Massachusetts Regiment. I had spiritual charge of all the towns embraced within the original limits of the parish. I said Mass every Sundav and Holyday in South Reading, now Wakefield, and in this church. Nearly all have passed away who then came here Sunday after Sun- day, and are now, I trust, with the blessed in heaven. Their children and their children's children are hei-e, true to the religious principles of their fathers, proudly professing their faith, and generously sup- porting the works of their hoi}' religion. Nothing could be more generous than the aid given me by the fathers of many families here in endeavoring to straighten out the legal and financial entanglements of the parish proi)erty. What changes in these thirty-two years ! Where I was alone there are now laboring seventeen priests ; and the little flock of those days has swelled to thirt}' thousand souls or more. My successor was Rev. John McShane. His stay was short, as was that of Rev. Michael Carroll, who came after him. In 1868, the Rev. Thomas Gleason became pastor, and remained here until 1882. During his pastorate the parish developed rapidly. Houses arose on all sides and fields gave wa}' to streets. The number of parishioners increased greatly, requiring the appointment of two assistants to the pastor. Father Gleason enlarged the church, built a new parochial residence, and made man}' improvements. But his greatest work was the establisliment of the school of this parish, in which the children receive the priceless blessing of a good Catliolic education. In 1884, Rev. Michael Flatley took charge of the parish. This good priest lived here for twelve years, and I can safely say he lived in the hearts of his beloved people. He was kind, gentle, and chari- table. His love for the beauty of God's house made him undertake the task of renovating and decorating the whole interior of the church. Like his immediate predecessor, he loved children and built for them a splendid brick schoolhouse, with a large hall and well-furnished class-rooms. Under his direction the Total Abstinence Society became one of the most flourishing in the Archdiocesan Union. Realizing the necessity of erecting another church and school on the other side of the railroad, he secured a valuable property for that pur- THE CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEARTS 123 pose. In the veiy pi'ime of life he died suddenl}-, lamented not only b}- Maiden, l)iit by the archdiocese, to which he was an honor because he was a model priest. I will not pretend to speak of your present worth}' pastor, who came to you shortly after the death of Father Flatle}-. God knows that the wish of my heart is that he may live to celebrate amongst you and your children tlie golden Jubilee of his priesthood. It is pleasing to me that after this long separation of thirty-two years I can come back once more to my first parish, where still live some of my beloved and best friends, and find as my successor, Father Xeagle, a learned, zealous priest, and patriotic American citizen, wliose brave Irish father, my comrade in the Civil War, died on the battlefield in defence of the Union and for the honor of its flag. The parish debt has been reduced fifty thousand dollars since he became your pastor, while religious fervor has increased. Carry away with 3-ou from this grand celebration of Maiden's two hundred and fiftietli anniversary deep sentiments of love of country and thankfulness to God for the peace, happiness, prosperity, and freedom that you enjoy. Value your membership in the Catholic Church as moi'e precious than the whole world, as it is your union with Jesus Christ. Let your lives be in accord with her teaching, — sober, honest, truthful, and modest, — that you may be worthy to celebrate for all eternity with Jesus Christ and His Saints your own triumph hereafter in heaven. THE CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEARTS. Rev. Thomas H. Shahax, Pastor. At the Church of the Sacred Hearts, Main Street, a Solemn High JMass was celebrated, the oflRciating clergymen being the pastor and his assistants, the Rev. Timothy J. Holland and the Rev. Jeremiah J. Lyons. The sermon was preached by the Rev. Denis J. Sullivan of West Lynn, formerly assistant at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Maiden. The subject of the sermon was Groicth Toioards God,' and the text was from Matt. vi. 33 : " Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his glory." The preacher congratulated his former home upon the occasion of its celebration, and said the city should be proud of its eminent exemplars of trusteeism in wealth and of its high types of maniiood, both lay and clerical. The people should rejoice because of their spiritual and temporal prosperity ; and the sermon was con- 124 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFrjETH ANNIVERSARY eluded by a fervent expression of the speaker's wishes for a continu- ance of those blessings and for that better growtli that leads towards God. A special musical program was sung by the choir. MAPLEWOOD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Rev. John R. Cushing, Pastor. ADDRESS BY THE PASTOR. Matt. v. 14. — A cit}- that is set ou au hill cannot be hid. The long expected hour, radiant everywhere with preparations for this commemorative day, is here. Let us worship and give thanks while we recount in concise speech the glorious record of His leadership. At first, I wish to bear my appreciative testimony to the solid worth of that splendid work of art and love, the History of 3Ialden^ b}' Mr. Core}'. Its thorough scholarship, its indefatigable research, with authoritative reference and quotation, its fidelity to fact, its care- ful discrimination of material, its purity of language and eloquence of diction, together witli its loyalty to the spirit of our fatliers, entitles its author to the highest local honors in this Feast of Days. Let me pick out, here and there, a picture of those historic epochs, around which cluster the events which have made us what we are. The first picture that attracts our attention is that of Pioneer Life. The earlj' settlers had a hard struggle with the new conditions of life. Whether at Jamestown or at Plymouth or Providence, it was a story of endurance and privations, which at times grew pathetic. The founders of our town were men and women of hardy stock, simple ways, limited education, but strong religious convictions. The tale of their ways, weaknesses, worth, and wealth will always be both fascinating and instructive. Their homes had little in them to attract the newly married couples of to-duy. One of them is lifted into everlasting remem- brance because it " had a cubbord and l)edstead in it." Nor ought we to forget that there was a time when the cheap house-builder had not appeared. Your pastor spent four years of his early life in Shrewsbury-, in a house then known to be one hundred and fifty j-ears old, whose oaken timbers of twelve by sixteen inciies in dimension turned modern nails when a few repairs were made. The ridge-pole of that house was larger than any timber in our modern dwellings. How little our ancestors knew of the beautiful in music, painting, or sculpture, or of the treasures their fathers had left in the museums MAPLEWOOD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 125 and galleries of the old world. Our historian refers to "the destitu- tion of osslhetic sense," — to the "few tunes which they painfully sung in a high and unnatural key in the dreary meeting-houses which matched the tunes they sung." But their hearts were as true as steel ; for we read tliat the small- pox had raged among the Indians, tliat they died by the hundreds ; and the names of P^Has Maverick and his wafe are mentioned, who buried thirty bodies in one day. It is said that they, with others, went among the sick and dying, " exhorting them in the name of the Lord." Later we read that they were the ancestors of the selfish, cruel, unprincipled men, the treaty makers and the treaty breakers of our modern life, whose wrongs done to the innocent and helpless Indian races are an everlasting blot upon our civilization. "Alas ! for them — their day Is o'er, Their fires are out from hiU and shore ; No more for them the wild deer bounds ; The plough is on their hunting-grounds ; The pale man's axe rings through their woods, The pale man's sail skims o'er their floods, Their pleasant springs are dry." Bishop Wliipple says in liis preface to H. H. Jackson's Century of Dishonor : "It may be doubted whether one single treaty [made with the Indians] has ever been fulfilled as it would have been if it had been made with a foreign power." Look now upon a sweeter scene, — The Founding of a Church. The first requisite to a town government was the founding of a church, " for in it lay the roots of all secular as well as ecclesiastical author- ity." Out of the church came the town and the state. Church mem- bers alone could vote and hold office. William Sargeant and students from Cambridge preached to the scattered flock in 1648 ; but May 11, 1649, O. S., marked a new epoch in our civic life ; for the agreement of the inhabitants was ratified by the General Court, and the men of Mystic Side were " granted to be a distinct towne, & the name thereof to be called Mauldon." And now begins a painful and, at times, a pathetic story of con- flicting opinions, stubbornly defended, of heartburnings, troubles, and schism, illustrating the truth that a man believing himself to be conscientiously right, like Saul, who verily thought he was doing God's service when he persecuted the church of God, is the worst antago- nist and the most bitter foe in the world. I fear that a few of those old mantles have fallen upon modern shoulders. The men who sigh for " the good old times" do not know for what they pray. May the Lord forgive their ignorance. The former days were not better than 126 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY these. Nor was the piety of oiw ancestors one whit more pure or spiritual than our own. On tlie contrary, they lived in the type and sliadow of Old Testament doctrines and teachings. Their inner life was darkened by their conception of God, and their thouglits " seemed to have been set in a minor key." As INIr. Corey remarks, '* Even the hopes or certainties of a blessed immortality were transmuted in the alembic of their gloom}' minds into denunciations of wrath to the chil- dren of men." No wonder that a revolt from the stern Calvinism of those ancient days appeared about one hundred years later in Metho- dism (1766), Universalism (1770), the doctrines of the Free Will Baptists (1780), and tiie Unitarian forms of religious thought (1785- 1815). The First Church of Maiden contended for the independence of the churches. " Its members asserted the freedom of individual thought, limited by conscience and the Word of God." Tlie names that appear upon the records of the church of our beloved town are worthy of high honor: Marmaduke Matthews, Michael Wigglesworth, Joseph Emerson, Peter Thacher, Adoniram Judson, and Gilbert Haven, — men whose names and influence can never die. The third picture is The Country School. The glory of our New England life is found in the fact that church and school go hand in hand. It was a happy thought to reproduce that ancient structure upon the High School grounds, as an object lesson to Young America. My first experience in swinging the pedagogic birch was in a similar house at the head of Lake George. Standing in the centre of the room one might almost touch every pupil in the school. One grows sad in the remembrance of the poverty of time and appliances of the old-time school. Next come to us pictures of Thp: Country Town. Tlie evolution of the town from "an uncouth wilderness" brought the usual accom- paniments of civic life. The public house, or tavern, with its some- times unsavory- record ; tlie licensing to sell "bread and beare ; " the town-meeting, — a school for rising applicants for public honors and office ; training-da3's and husking-bees ; " raisings" and ordinations ; all plaj'ed their part in forming colonial life. One item of information is given in the History of Maiden, which may be as new to some in this congregation as to me. In 1767, there were found thirteen negroes who were reckoned as a part of the valu- ation of the town. " There were forty-eight negroes in Maiden in 1764-65," sa3s our historian, "many of whom were slaves." It seems that " slaver}' was here from the beginning, and remained under the protection of the law until after the Revolutionar}' period." Under the date of ISIay 18, 1663, is found an order of the General Court relative to the servant of Job Lane, who had been found guilty of MAPLEWOOD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 127 " running from liis master ; " and in 1667, a negro boy is sold to Job Lane. Tlie world does move, but slowl}'. Now look upon a fifth picture, one of Loyalty. I quote freely from the History of Maiden. The Boston Massacre had come and the country was aflame. "At length, November 2, 1772, Samuel Adams, standing on the floor of Faneuil Hall, ofl!"ered that celebrated motion which, in the words of a recent writer, 'gave visible shape to the American Revolution, and endowed it with life and strength.' " On Januar}' 5, 1773, the men of Maiden met to consider a circular letter addressed by the citizens of Boston to their ])rethren, and " their own duties in this crisis." Said the letter, " It is more than time to be rid of both tyrants and tyranny." The men of Maiden answered, " With our best blood and treasure;" and to their repre- sentative they said : '•'■ It is our firm, our deliberate resolution, rather to risque our lives & fortunes than to submit to these un- righteous acts of the British Parliament." Then appears in the records a series of patriotic papers, — "a series of which Maiden max- well be proud to her latest da}'." As a spot upon the brightness of this patriotic picture, let me call attention to the survival of a species of genus homo which, it is believed, has left our city for the city's good. He was known in Revolutionar}- days as '• Tory." Later, in the time of the Civil War he was called "Copperhead." In Cleveland's time his sobriquet was " Mugwump," while in our own da}' he is recognized as an "Anti-imperialist." But the breed is all the same. The Grand Army of the Republic does not hesitate to call him "Traitor;" and a veteran of the Grand Arm}- ought to know the article when he sees it. P^very boy wlio has studied the history of the United States knows that one of the principal causes of the Revolution was the enactment of the Stamp Act by the British Parliament in 1765. The colonists were terribly indignant ; and, not being represented in Parliament, they took the ground that "taxation without representation is tyranny-." The day appointed for the act to go into eflfect was uni- versally observed as a day of mourning. Bells were tolled and funeral processions were everywhere. Great meetings, and great speeches by Samuel Adams, James Otis, Patrick Henry, and John Adams aroused the people and alarmed the British government. The repeal of the Stamp Act followed, and there was a great rejoicing. In Maiden, the Tor}' element rallied its forces, and by vote the town refused to " pay for the powder si)ent at the Rejoyceing for the Repeal of the Stamp Act." Time fails us to tell of the parts played in those stirring days by the army and the navy and the men whom Maiden gave to that heroic 128 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY struggle. Waters and Thacher and others, and earlier in civic life, Joseph Hills and John Wayte are the names of the leaders whom memory will not willingly let die. All honor to these fathers of our city and commonwealth. Their memories are immortal. For what they were and what the}' did, we meet to-day to do them reverence. Ages hence shall repeat their story, even as we now recall Ther- mopylae and Marathon. The courage, the self-denial, the endurance, and tlie faith of our fathers had tlieir sources in the word and truth of God ; and the}' obediently followed the pillar of His leadership. We have spoken of the beginnings of church life. Here the histor}' of our own church ought to be noted, for it was the first organization in 'East Maiden, and the third of the jMethodist Episcopal societies in the town. The first meeting was held by Father James Blodgett, a Methodist local preacher, in the year 1837, at Linden in a private house, occupied by Mr. Samuel Burrell, on Salem Street, near Beach Street. During the winter of 1839-40, a great revival followed, reaching most of the families in this part of Maiden. In 1840, thirty-flve of these converts joined the Methodist P^piscopal Church at the centre. Among them was Mrs. Lydia Reagh, who organized, in 1843, the first Sunda}-- school held in Maplewood. Joseph Cheever was superintendent; but for some unknown reason the school was not long-lived. In 1850, a second attempt was made in the schoolhouse built on the spot where the present Grammar-School building stands. Sanford B. French was the first superintendent, and Wilbur F. Haven was the second. Preaching services were begun by local preacher Staples of L3'nn. He was followed by Rev. Edward Otheman of Chelsea, and he in turn by local preachers Blodgett and Poole of Lj-nn, who alternated in preaching. These brethren started and completed the movement to build a Methodist J]piscopal Church on the spot where the present edifice stands. On April 7, 1857, the original proposition was made and signed by Joshua Webster, William R. P^ernald, and James F. Eaton, looking to giving land and building a meeting-house. The deed of Webster and Fernald was signed May 15, 1857; and the church was probably organized between the above dates. The build- ing committee consisted of Silas Anderson, William R. Fernald, Edward Fuller, George Barker, and John Everson. The church edifice was dedicated in 1858. In 1861, it was de- stroyed by fire ; and it was rebuilt in 1863, during the pastorate of Rev. L. P. Frost. During the winter and spring of 1889-90, under the pastorate of Rev. Seth C. Car}', this latter chapel was raised, new vestries added, an organ-loft built and the main auditorium renovated, MAPLEWOOD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 129 new pews put in, and extensive repairs made at a cost of about fifty- five liundred dollars. The Ladies' Aid Society was organized b}' Mrs. Lydia Reagh, president, Mrs. Henr^' Oliver, and Mrs. Jane Fuller for the purpose of furnishing the first church. Their successors in honor and oflfice have done a great work. Mrs. E. PI Buckminster was president for several years, and Mrs. Evelyn M. Campbell, the present presiding officer, has held that position for about eighteen years. In February, 1899, this societ}' purchased tlie pipe-organ which is now in the church. Among the names of the class-leaders who have served the churcli at vai'ious times, I find those of James Blodgett, William J. Buck- minster, John A. Spofford, and Levi W. Rockwell ; while those of Edward Fuller, Charles H. Wise, Arthur Bayrd, Samuel Jordan, Thomas Reagh, Edward T. Ravvley, Fred H. Towns, and Moses Hol- brook appear among the trustees, the latter having been president of the board for several years. The pastors who have served the church, in addition to those alread}' named are : — Erastiis O. Haven, 1858. H. P. Andrews, 1861. Wesley C. Sawyer, 1865. John W. Hamilton, 1868-69. C. C. Will)or, 1871. Isaac H. Packard, 1874. Charles N. Smith, 1876-77. R. W. Allen, 1878. J. H. Emerson, 1881-83. Seth C. Gary, 1887-89. J. White McCammon, 1892. L. W. Adams, 1894-95. Charles H. Sewell, 1859-60. L. P. Frost, 1862-64. Stephen dishing, 1866-67. James Trask, 1870. R. W. Copeland, 1872-73. Charles Young, 1875. George H. Clarke, 1876-77. S. L. Rodgers, 1879-80. Joseph Candlin, 1884-86. James W.Fulton, 1890-91. Henry L. Wriston, 1892-93. John R. Cushing, 1896- Let us now consider, for a moment, some of our advantages and responsibilities as "citizens of no mean city." The advantages of countr}' life to a physical constitution have rarely been questioned. A farmer's life for a bo}' seems theoretically ideal. Pure air, green' fields, wholesome food, simple habits, good homes, few excitements, all tend to the development of the sound bod}' for the sound mind that is to be. But, when childhood days are gone, there is no field for discipline, or action, or enjoyment like the city. When Robinson Crusoe was alo)ie on his far-famed island, he could go to bed when he pleased, with his boots on or off. He could do his washing on Wednesday just as well as on Mondaj- ; eat his breakfast at night and his dinner the next morning, or vice versa; 9 130 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY and nobod}" cared. But when his man Friday appeared, the situation was completely changed. There were mutual rights that must be respected; duties that must be reciprocated; and laws, written or unwritten, that must be obeyed. The civilization of our fathers was simple; ours is complex. The oM civilization was individualistic; the new is collective. That was the age of homespun ; this is the age of the factor}'. Then men were independent ; now they are dependent. The typical family then was a little world in itself; now the world is rapidly becoming a great family. New adjustments bring new duties. As a town grows from fort}' persons to forty thousand, the problems in the one case are wholly unlike the other. Our city is an illustration in point. First, the set- tlement ; then, the church ; then, the school. Allotments and taxes follow. Then the courts, registration of deeds, highways, police, town crier and tithingman, sewers, libraries, works of art, transporta- tion, provision for the sick and the poor and the dead, and the long list of industrial, municipal, and national adjustments whicli marks the growth of a settlement, a town, a city, a state, a nation. Consider the advantage of mutual helpfulness. One alone cannot well build a church or carry on a school. One cannot build a bridge or launch a ship. Note the resources in our city for the enrichment of every life within it : libraries; literary associations ; art and archi- tecture ; the best means and models for the cultivation of the intel- lect ; the study of wise benevolence ; and the inspiration of spiritual attainments, — facilities inadequately found in the ordinary country life. Hither throng the ablest men and women of the land, famous in their varied professions. Hei'e are culture and retineraent at their highest mark. The city is the storehouse of the country's capital. Here are settled the great questions of policy and politics, trade and transpor- tation, fashion and finance, books and business, press and post, navy and nation, streets and schools, vice and virtue, crime and criminals, that confront the world. The best of everything, and the worst as well, flows to the city as water runs downhill. Here the intellectual powers find great stimulus. Men learn without study, becoming educated by induction, as it were. Here the individual is developed insensibly by the intelligence which floats upon the air he breathes. He grows dextrous and self- relying. He acquires tact and shrewdness by personal contact with men and things. Hence the responsibilities of dwellers in cities become momentous. The press, the politicians, and the pulpits of the city largely control the country. The churches of the cit}- are indeed lights in the world. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 131 They ought to be world-models as well. Thev are sacredly bound, in the divine economy, to be first in every holy enterprise, the most intelligent, the most liberal [)roinoters of every good work. How else can we explain the fact that God has sent hither vast peoi)les? Take the city of New York for example, where there are sixty thousand Italians, forty thousand countrymen of John Huss, thou- sands of Chinese, to say nothing of the Irish, French, Dutch, and Scandinavians. Wlij- are they here? Let history answer. God called Israel out of Egypt. He ins|)ired the heart of Columbus. He sent a Vermont missionary to Manila a year ago ; and He holds us responsible for the opportunities at our ver}' doors. These nations are His children. They are here to build with us the commonwealth of the twentieth century. They, are here to be Americanized, They are here, not to destroy oar Christianit}', but to be evangelized by its power. " To whom much is given, of him shall be much requii'ed." This is not the time to discuss methods of work ; but it is a time to look the future fairly in the face as citizens of a Christian cit}', and to pray mightily for the enducment of power from on Pligh. The Methodist ICpiscopal Church faces the century with the cry, "Two million souls and two million eagles in the next three 3ears ! " Nothing like it was ever heard before. No battle-shout of ancient knight ever rang out its challenge more triumphant!}' tiian do our leaders this day. Brethren, let us stand together for our part in tlie conquest of tiiis world for Christ. Then shall our translation be peaceful, serene, and bright from this "city of homes" to our home in that city whose maker and builder is God. ST. PAUL'S CHURCH (EPISCOPAL). Rev. Frederick Edwards, Rector. The two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, falling on "Whitsunday, was observed in this church with services appropriate to the ecclesias- tical and civic occasion. The church was decorated within and with- out in red and white, the colors of Whitsuntide, relieved by wreaths and festoons of laurel. The chancel was hung with banners, on which were painted seals commemorative of the civil and religious history of the day. These were as follows : the seals of the city of Maiden, of old Maldon, of the count\' of Essex in P^ngland, of Massa- chusetts, of England, and of the United States. On the ecclesiasti- cal side were the emblems of St. Paul and the Trinity, and the seals of the Bishop of Massachusetts, the Choir Guild, and the archbishop- 132 T]VO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY rics of York and Canterbury. Back of the altar was a dorsal of ferns, sprayed with white stocks, against which flamed vases of red and yellow tulips and carnations. The service in the morning consisted of Morning Prayer and the celebration of the Holy Communion, the musical portion of which was of a high order and was most effectiveh' rendered. The preacher was the Rev, Dr. Cunningham, vicar of Great St. Mary's, Cambridge, England. In the afternoon, there was a service for the children, with appro- priate music and recitations. An original paper — A /Sunday Tvjo Hundred and Fifti/ Years Ago — was read by Miss Edith James, and an historical address, of which a brief abstract is here given, was delivered by William B. de las Casas, senior warden of the church. SERMON. BY THE REV. WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, D.D. VicAK OF Great St. Mary's, and Fellow ok Trixitv College, Exgland. Hebrews xi. 10. — A city which hatli foundations, whose builder and maker is God. On the other great festivals in the Christian Year we call to mind some of the events in the life of our Divine Lord when He sojourned on earth : His birth, as on Christmas Day ; His resurrection on the first Easter; and His ascension into Heaven. But on Whitsunday we thank God for His unsiieakable gift, — for that living Spirit which carries on in all places and for all ages the work which Jesus Christ accomplished in the little land of Judea long ago. His sacred Pres- ence there convinced of sin : " Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord," said St. Peter ; the convicted accusers of the sinful woman slunk out one by one, while His gaze was averted. The}- dared not face it. And He convinced of righteousness, too : He spoke as one having authority ; He had the words of eternal life. And that divine power is working still ; it is not a thing of the past. The power of the world to come was brought by Him to bear on men's hearts and lives ; and still through His Spirit the same work is done ; the old truth comes home from time to time with intense force. Through God's Spirit we ma}' all experience the same sense of guilt before God and tlie Son, and the Power of God to save, as was burnt into the very soul of the weeping Magdalene or the penitent thief by the words of the Incarnate God. Whitsunday is the pledge of God's power to give all men and all races the same opportunities of personal religious experiences as were ST. PAUL'S CHURCH 133 vouchsafed to those who companied with our Lord long ago. This festival ought to make us feel the need and the dut}- of attaining to deep personal conviction, like that of St. John, or St. Peter, or St. Paul, since God has given us the opportunit}'. We are so apt to for- get the importance of personal religion, personal conviction, personal faith. We need to cultivate a horror of sin as a contagion we guard our own minds against, and a sense of our own infinite littleness in the presence of God. Our religion is so apt to be a set of opinions that we feel to be useful maxims for society, important ingredients in civilization, etc., or an adjunct, like good manners, that is an appro- priate habit to wear among men, to a Christian communit}'. But whenever we lose the sense of personal religious needs, and cease to make personal efforts after religious progress, there is a danger lest our religion should become mere formalism, — a formal acqui- escence in principles or practices that have no power. There was need to protest against the spirit of formalism in England under Elizabeth and the Stuarts, as the Puritans did. But the danger of formalism is persistent. It is not necessarily involved in adherence to any religious system, and there is no profession of faith, however spiritual, that gives immunity from this blighting influence. It may by God's grace make the most simple external observances real by using them as the vehicles of personal devotion ; or, on the other hand, we may hold the most broad opinions in a formal manner, as things we acquiesce in, but which fail to make a deep difference to ourselves in our own lives. If we rely on God's promise, pledged to us personally in Confirmation, to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask, then assuredly we mav seek to-da}' for a greater measure of that best gift, with this special desire in our minds, that God would so move our hearts that all our expressions of belief, and all our confession of sin, and all our songs of praise and adoration shall be more habitually filled with deep conviction and personal devotion. It is not uninstructive to note the conditions which prepared the Apostles for the reception of the promised gift. The promise is to us, as it was to them., to us and to our children and to all that are afar off, as truly as it was to the Apostles ; perhaps if we would follow their example of obedience and of conscious association, we might inherit a fuller measure of the blessing that was so richly bestowed on them at Pentecost. The Apostles had got their instructions from the Lord, and the}' carried them out ; the}' were to sta}' at Jerusalem and to wait ; and their obedience had its reward. And we would do well to make simple obedience the ver}' corner-stone of our religious life, — faithful compliance with our Lord's command, "This do in remembrance of Me.'' Sunday after Sunday, the church offers the sacrifice of i)raise 134 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY and thanksgiving, and shows forth the Lord's death till He comes. Bnt how few there are, of those who profess to be Christians and to take Him as their Master, who love Him enough to obey Him in tliis very little thing! How can we hope to have our own life guidaneed and strengthened by Him, if we neglect to come into His presence and to thank God, as He bade us do, for His exceeding great love in dying for us? We must begin to keep His commandment ; we must obey, if we love. And there was to be association, too, as well as obedience ; they were to wait together ; when the Gift was vouchsafed they were found with one accord in one place. In the Old Testament times God's spirit was given to Moses, alone at the Burning Bush, or on Mt. Sinai ; to Elijah when tiie sense of his utter loneliness was strong- est ; and God cheers and blesses times of solitude still ; but the promise is made, not to the hermit only, but to the company of the faithful. " Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of you ; " the agreement of disciples is put forwarnisT Episcopal Church. Ml/ F'/'i'-nds : — We must all be imi)ressed by several character- istics of this gathering. I s[)eak not as an accurate historian, but cei'tainly as a safe guesser at facts, when I say that we are now^ met in tlie largest religious service ever held in the quaiter-millennium of our city's history. When in the meeting of ministers we were plan- ning for this occasion, tlie question was raised whether we could expect to have this Anniversary Building filled with people. I ex- pressed the opinion that we would need to [)rovide for an overflow meeting, — an opinion justilied l)y the sight of the many hundreds who have been unable to find room here to-night; but one of my 158 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY fellow pastors, whose name I shall mGvci fully withhold, said that we could not expect to crowd this great place, and, in explanation of m^' large claims, said : " Oh, Mr. Hughes, you're an enthusiastic Metho- dist." To-niglit I feel like a prophet not without local honor. Be3-ond my hopeful words, the people have come hither. From Everett's line to Melrose, from Revere's border to Medford, we have turned toward this place, — a high place, we may safel}' say, whither the tribes have come up, the tribes of the Lord, to the testimony of our wide Israel. We must all feci, too, the thrill of the larger fellowship. If ever before, since the various branches of the church were established in Maiden, all Protestant denominations have so largely closed their doors on Sunday morning or evening to meet under one roof, the fact has not been made known to me. It makes me think, in contrast, of a few lines in Whittier's Miriam, which I am fond of quoting. The poet tells how he and his friend had gone one Sunday afternoon to the crest of a hill overlooking the village. They stood there until that time of reverence, — " When at last the evening air Grew sweeter for the bells of prayer Ringing in steeples far below, \^'e watclu'd the people churchward go, Each to his place, as if thereon The true shekinah only shone; And my friend queried how it came To pass that tliej- who owned the same Great Master still could not agree To worship Ilim in conqmny." If Mr. Whittier were still alive and had seen tlie out-pouring crowds of people, notwithstanding the down-pouring torrents of rain, — people coming from various altars to gather at this one shrine, —he would surely feel that we were nearing the millennium of religious unity. But onr common heritage of religions life sliould cxi)ress itself in helpfulness toward a common service to our city. Therefore our gathering has a third characteristic : so far as I know, it is the only meeting in our celebration in which we are to be asked to do aught in the sweet name of Christian charit\-. We have recently instituted in Maiden the Associated Charities. This organization is already proving itself of good effect and is doing a splendid work in our midst. All the money received in our offering to-night, over and above the amount required to pay the expense of this service, will be devoted to the noble pui-poses of the Associated Charities. I urge UNION RELIGIOUS SERVICE 159 you, then, to be most liberal. Gathered in this genial and generous atmosphere, let us open our purses widely and ex[)ress practically the fine human interest seen in the thousands of ha[)py faces in this build- ing. If the sound of clinking be not heard in the offering, let it be only because paper money ratlier than metal money falls upon the plates. Let each person present claim with a glad heart his share in this anniversary giving. The ushers will now receive your evening offering. An offering was here gathered by the ushers, with substantial results, for the benefit of the Associated Chai'ities. INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS BY THE REV. HENRY II. FRENCH, D.D. First Church. 3Ii/ Friends : — It becomes my high duty and privilege to wel- come you to this extraordinary service, to-night. Nothing but an occasion out of the common order could warrant us in abandoning our customary [places of worship, and uniting in this strange place on a Sabbath evening for service together. But we feel that the two hun- dred and fiftietli anniversary of our city is an event so unique and so important as to justify the innovation ; and our hope is that thus the whole celeI)ralion that is before us may receive a genuine religious impress. The reflecting mind can hardly help contrasting that earl}' day of small beginnings, two and a half centuries ago, with this rich, opulent, powei'ful day in which we live ; and the devout mind ex- claims, "What hath God wrought!" But God works through agencies always ; and only as he finds men willing to cooperate with Ilim does lie produce such splendid results. There seems to be a great law underlying all human progress and prescribing the manner by which man or nation comes into the possession of the best things. Death is evermore the gateway to life. The ground must be bruised by the plow and torn by the hari-ow before it will bring forth corn and wheat for the sustenance of man. Plants and flowers yield their richest virtues only when beaten and crushed. The purple grape must suffer violence before it gives up its ruby life. Lower animal forms, by the thousand, are sacrificed to the higher forms, and only so can the fittest survive. And as we rise in the scale of being the whole structure of civilization is found to be built upon the toil, the hardshii)s, the sacrifices of the few. So it comes about that every nation of histoiy has had given to it. as from the hand of God, some great ideal to work into the fabric of the world at any or all cost. This is a people's IGO TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY only patent to nobility ; tlie only excuse for its existence. Plaving this, it is immortal till the work is done. 'J'hus tlie Semitic race has cnt deeply into the heart of mankind the religious idea ; the Greek, tliat of beaut}' and art ; the Roman, that of law and order. But it was left for the Anglo-Saxon to carry forward to successful issue the idea of civil and religious liberty ; and the men for God's hour and God's work were at hand, — men who feared nothing but God's frown, who, persecuted in their native land, made tlie seas a highwa}', harnessed the winds of Heaven to be their servant, and, after weary days and i)erilous nigiits, anchored by our stern and rock- bound coast. These men came with an idea which the}' were read}' to water with their blood and warm with their ardor, and so make regnant in the earth. And they went about it instantly. In the caV)in of their little ship the compact was made that was destined to make a government " of the people, by the people, and for the people." Perhaps they builded better tlian they knew ; but we ought to thank God for the peculiar type of national life begun on that immortal day. The type might easily have been something other. For two streams flowed forth from tlie strife of tiie Reforuiation which inevital)ly meant two kinds of government. And both the streams found their way to these shores. The one came from Catholic France, the other from Protes- tant P^ngland. The first found a stronghold to the north in the colonies of the French ; tlie second made its home at Plymouth Rock. But both could not abide so nearly together. A conflict for the supremacy was inevitable ; and on the Heights of Abraham before Quebec it was finally decided that that type of national life untram- melled and unfettered In' alliances between church and state should prevail. And we ought to thank God, too, that the democratic and not the aristocratic idea was seized upon so grandly and so clearl}' by the fathers. Here again there was an oi)[)ortunity to coi)y others and blunder. For a colony in the South, at Jamestown, was already thriving when the Pilgrims landed, and that colon}' was in its essence aristocratic. The majority of the settlers there belonged to the aristocracy. They came, not to work, hut to seek adventure and gold. They were ready for anything but toil. Consequently, some class system was inevitable, which opened the way for that monstnim horrendttm^ American slavery, the virus of which had to be cut from the life of the nation, two centuries afterward, at tremendous cost. And nobody can doubt that the seed which grew to be powerful enough to uproot aristocracy from the soil of the nation was planted amid prayers and tears by the men we are here to honor to-night, who believed in a Democracy. But I must not tarry longer upon these UNION RELIGIOUS SERVICE 161 matters. Those earlj' days were days often of religious controversy and contention. Tliese are days of peace. We meet together in unity and Christian love, illustrating the apostolic motto, " One Lord, one faith, one Baptism." The Puritan and the Ritualist are both here ; the radical and the conservative sit side by side. The name of Lmcrenee is an honored one among us, in church, in state, and in the commercial world. And I now have the honor of presenting to 3'ou Bishop William Lawrence of the Diocese of Massachusetts. ADDRESS BY THE RT. REV. WILLIAM LAWRENCE, D.D., Bishop of Massachusetts. THE PURITANS. One great object of such a celebration as this which j'on, citizens and brethren of Old Maiden, are entering upon is to get at the heart of the men who were in the beginnings of the community, — to reach down into the principles of their lives. In the next few days you will hear much of the customs and man- ners of the New England Puritans, some of them picturesque, others hard and uninviting ; you may catch a glimpse of their dress, their furniture, and their architecture. Interesting and important as these studies are, they do not strike the deepest notes of the Puritan character. On this Sunday evening, at the beginning of the celebration, I want to call your thoughts awaj' for a while from the present to a short stud3' of the past, wherein we may catch a few notes of the essentials of the character of the Puritan, and then with the present New England before us, I want to suggest how the character of the Puritan ma}' take its place in the life of the people as we approach the dawn of the twentieth centurj-. What were the elements of character that founded the colony of the Old Ba}- State and the ancient hamlet of Maiden ? How shall these same elements of char- acter enter into the development of the commonwealth of Massachu- setts and the prosperous city of Maiden ? I must ask 3-ou first to go back with me many centuries and patiently trace the uprising of the Puritan. The people of northern Europe were of a different temper from the southern races. The cold winds of the northern seas had tough- ened their fibre, and in giving them red blood had also endowed them with that strong, free, self-confident spirit which, though at times brutal and sensual, was also noble, and with a love of truth and justice. There was a spirit of independence, a love of liberty which, 11 162 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY if restrained, broke out in lawlessness, but was withal fine and mighty. Over such a horde of hardly, roving men in Germany and Britain there had been gradually spread, through the influence of mission- aries, scholars, and soldiers from Rome, the system of religion and state which, adapted to the temper of southern Europe, had been silently and unobservedly cast upon the people of the North. Suc- cess in controlling these unconscious and ignorant forces tempted the church to press the system harder and more thoroughly into the lives of the people. Germany was the home of the Teuton and Goth. In Britain there had come a fusion of races that betokened might and independence. In time, the rumblings of discontent beneath the pressure of the system of the Latin races began to be heard. From England first, the voice of John Wycliffe was heard as far as Rome ; and in response to the command for silence he put forth the English Bible. Then German}' answered by the life and martj-rdom of John Huss, the Morning Star of the Reformation. Soon Luther met the power of Rome with his response: "lean do nought else. Here stand I. God help me. Amen." From that hour, the movement of the North was on foot. It was not a mere religious revolt, not a mere protest against Rome and priestcraft, it was a revolt of the free, independ- ent, and vigorous spirit of the North against the system of the South ; it was the break of modern life from medisevalisra. The issue in England came when that great and brutal, but sometimes noble, King Henry VHI. reached the throne ; and his passions became the means by which the people of England shattered the supremacy of the Pope and the reign of mediaevalism in England. There are two events which stand forth in my mind as most sig- nificant in the development of the English nation and its world-wide empire. The first occurred just three hundred and fifty 3'ears ago this very daj-, Whitsunday. In the reign of Edward VI., in response to the pressure from the people and leaders of tiie church, the Book of Common Prayer, which in substantially the same form has ever since been the Prayer Book of the Church of England and later of the Epis- copal Church in this country, was for the first time used in the service of the churches. On that daj', Latin ceased to be the universal lan- guage of Christian worship ; and since that da}^ English, even in the Roman Church, strong, pure English, a " language understanded of the people," has become the vehicle for the utterance by the people of their deepest thoughts and aspirations. The other event was the voyage of the " Mayflower," whereby through covenant, courage, and sacrifice a colony was founded that UNION RELIGIOUS SERVICE 163 has carried the march of English civilization across the continent, and is now encircling the earth. With an English Prayer Book, and later a Bible not only trans- lated but printed and open in the churches, and with the temper of Englishmen, it was onl}' a question of time when many other tradi- tions, habits, and principles which had their birth in southern Europe would have to go ; and in the history of the seventeenth century we have the stor^' of the rough and sometimes brutal, but on the whole just and reasonable, way in which an Englishman regains his rights and liberties. From the heart of England came the forces to make the nation great. Strong institutions and weak and stubborn kings fell before the will of the people. To be sure, there were periods when the old order seemed too strong to be moved ; when a self-confident king like James I. could for a time hold the reins of power, and when there seemed to be victor}- to his threat, " I will make them conform or I will harry them out of the land." There was victory, but not as he expected ; for in harrying the Puritans out of England, he drove them across the ocean, upbuilt a great commonwealth, which in the days of George III. brought even England to her knees, and which stands as the leader in the move- ments of life and politics which James most dreaded. Now we reach the point in history where the Puritan stands forth. As we watch him in Old and New England, and study his spiritual and martial battles, his theology and philosophy, his habits of life and serious face, the question bears in upoti us with fascinating interest, What is the essential element of Puritanism? We all know the popular impressions of the spirit of Puritanism. For instance, we are told, doubtless you will be told in the next few days, that the Puritan was hard, narrow, bigoted, and a hypo- crite. No doubt many of them were; we cannot begin to realize the pressure of hard conditions and unjust treatment that made them such. John Milton, John Hampden, and John Winthrop were, how- ever, Puritans. Surel}' this is not true of them. A system has a right to be judged by its best expression, and not its worst. No ! hard, narrow, bigoted, and h3-pocritical as many of the Puritans were, that was not an essential in the Puritan character. " Ah ! but they made of the Sabbath a day of gloom and spiritual tyranny ; they spurned pleasure and sports ; and under the guise of piety gave themselves up to backbiting and secret sins." True again of some, especially in the later days of Puritanism, when its s[)iritual force was declining ; but surely Cromwell was a ]'uritau and a sportsman and a lover of hawking and horses. He would put many a modern sportsman to the blush. Calvin, the 164 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY author of the hardest theolog}', played his games out of doors of a Sunday afternoon ; and Milton was deeply touched with the spirit of humor and playfulness. " Jest, and youthful jollity, Quips, and cranks, and wanton wiles, Nods, and becks, and wreathed smiles. Sport that wrinkled Care derides, And Laughter holding both his sides." These lines were not from the Elizabethan poet, William Shakespeare, but from the Puritan poet, John Milton. No ! the spurning of pleasure and sport, which was at first the true and noble protest against the sensualitj- of the stage of that day and the looseness of morals, was not an essential element in the Puritan character. " Sureh' he was morose and even cruel in his theology," we hear. " Have we not right here in Maiden the life of our earh' pastor, the Reverend Michael Wigglesworth, and his tragic poem, The Day of Doom f Did he not write these terrible lines descriptive of the Judgment Day? Are they not rather barbarous than Christian? — " ' They wring their hands, their caitiff-hands, and gnash their teeth for terrour : They cry, they rore for anguish sore, and gnaw their tongues for liorrour. But get away without delay ; Christ pitties not your cry : Depart to Hell ; there may you yell and I'oar Eternally.' " Yes ! that is barbarous : it is the logical result of a philosophy which overwhelmed all thought in that age, which dominated the theology of Rome as well as of Protestantism. It is the song of a dyspeptic, hysterical, sickly minister, who, burdened with a hard and narrow life, yielded to his philosophj- and ran his thoughts into rhyme. Is Puritanism to be held accountable for a system of contem- porary philosophy? And remember, too, that it was Cromwell who wrote to Parliament from the field of battle, " In things of the mind we look for no compulsion but that of light and reason." Again we are told : " Independency' in religion, hatred of bishops, spoliation of cathedrals, destruction of beautiful glass and statuar3', — these surely were characteristic of the Puritans." Yes ! In the revolt of their strong natures against much worldliness and idolatry- of the church in the past, and some in their da}', the}- did express themselves in rough and brutal ways. We must recollect, however, that it was UNION RELIGIOUS SEIIVICE 165 from the Cluircb of P^ngland that Puritanistn sprang forth ; it was clergymen and members of tlie Chnrch of England that formed the best material of onr colon}-. Many of them had no desire to leave the church, but found themselves by the force of circumstances out of it. Then, under pressure of more ardent spirits and for the preservation of unity, they becama more and more estranged from the mother church. There is a touch of pathos in tlie words attributed to Higginson as he sailed for Salem : '' We will not say, as the Separatists are wont to say at their leaving of J^ngland, ' Farewell, Babylon ; farewell, Rome,' but we will say, ' Farewell, dear England ; farewell, the Church of God in England.' We do not go to New England as Separatists from the Church of England, but we go to practise the positive part of church reformation." Independency, separatism, hatred of the Church of England, was therefore an incident, not an essential element in tlie spirit of Puritanism. Again we recur to the question, What is the essential element of Puritanism? And my answer is. It was the desii-e of the individual man to stand face to face with God, and be judged by Him. No pope, no king, no priest, ay, if necessary, no church, which will in any way stand between a man and his God ! The Puritan may have mistaken, as I believe he did, the office of the priest and the church, but he was right in his principle. He brought Christianity back to its fundamental fact, the essential rela- tion between God and man. On its harder side, the relation was of the sinner and his Judge ; on the tender side (for there was a deep, mystical, and tender side to Puritanism), the relation was of the child and his loving Heavenly Father. They had no idea where this principle would carry them ; the}- marched like the Israelites of old in the way that God led them. That they should have been the pioneers of religious liberty, the expulsion of Roger Williams seemed to deny. That they should bring in the era of democrac}' ! — John Cotton said that democracy was not " a fit government either in church or commonwealth." Given, however, the essential truth of Puritanism, and you have everything, civil and religious liberty, democracy, the unloosing of the shackles of thought, speech, and action, — ever} thing that has ensued to the end of this century. Puritanism was but a temporary and local expression of the essen- tial truth of Christ's religion. See how it worked in earlier days. A high-priest tried to shackle the thought and speech of Peter, but Peter's voice rang out as the voice of the later Puritans has rung again and again : " Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto 166 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY 3'ou more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things that we have seen and heard." A man brought into the presence of God, realizing his sin and his essential divine origin, discovers himself to be not richer or stronger or poorer or weaker than other men, but discovers himself to be a man, the brother in Christ of all other men. Here you have the germ of democrac}' and the truth of the brotherhood of man. Allow a cljurch or a state or any other organization to become so strong as to suppress the best religious aspirations, the reasonable opinions, and the moral sense of its members, and the soul that de- mands the right to stand face to face with God revolts. Liberty, therefore, has been the watchword of the last three centuries, libert}' to stand face to face with God, and to be judged, not by priest or king, but by God ; liberty to act in church and state the full part of a man ; liberty to think ; liberty to speak ; liberty to read the Bible ; liberty to interpret the Bible ; liberty to reject the Bible ; liberty to stud}- into the deep secrets of nature and proclaim the re- sults, whatever may be the effect on theological thought ; liberty to confess Christ ; liberty to deny Christ. We know what errors and sins, what foolishness and ignorance run riot in the name of liberty, but the movement has been great, almost sublime. The shackles of medievalism have been graduall}'^ sundered. Spain, the countr}' of Philip II. and Ignatius Loyola, has been driven back from Western thought, as well as Western coasts. The struggle must go on ; for while man is man he will have to fight for liberty. With all this said, is it not time to strike another note of the essential Puritan character, — the note of duty and of obedience to the higher law ? What are you going to do with your liberty? Our fathers no sooner gained their libert}- from England and touched these shores than they began to build up a Christian communit}' and found a Christian nation. It is a little wearisome at times, is it not? to hear men who never think prate of the liberty of thought and the right of a man to express his thoughts, no matter how stupid or blasphemous the}- may be. Liberty to vote as one pleases is a foundation-stone of Democracy, but it becomes a little tii'esome to watch a man throw awa}' his vote, year after 3'ear, in order that he ma}- have the satisfaction of exercis- ing that liberty. Liberty to teach and preach is a truism for which the Puritan had reason to fight, but it is hardly worth while, if one thinks a different doctrine and preaches a different creed every week. UNION RE LI G JO US SER VICE 167 No! my friends, it is time that we come to more immediate and practical duties. What has the Puritan spirit of duty to do in the New P^ngland of to-day ? Two hundred and fifty years ago this was the purest English com- munity in the world, purer than any in England, purer than will ever be again. To-day, New England is a composite population, gradually fusing into a character. The basis is English, or Anglo-Saxon, then the Celt, the Scandinavian and German, the Italian, the Russian, the Pole. We want to carry the Puritan principle into the compound New England character; and the people, all of them, I believe, want and desire that principle. For note this. While the people of Latin races have brought with them many of the traditions of southern Europe, the fact is that Puritanism, as expressed in civil and religious liberty, in an ethical religion and a sense of responsibility, has pushed steadily down through Switzerland to Rome ; and in the hearts of the people and forms of government, medievalism is almost overthrown. The people who have come here have, like our fathers, come to gain liberty of thought and life. They already have the essentials of Puritanism ; the}' are religious. Is it not time that we and they together, for we are one in civic and social interests, should dwell not so much on liberty as upon re- sponsibility, our duty to upbuild a righteous nation ? Distrust between Englishman and Italian, between Pole and German, will never do it. We must seek the deeper bond of a sense of duty and freedom through obedience to the higher law of brotherhood and fellow-citizenship, of God and a common service. We are witnessing what lawless liberty is doing in the South to-day. It means liberty to lynch, to murder the innocent, to trample upon law and justice. Only through willing obedience to law and justice can there be true and permanent liberty. Only through the law may we become dead to the law, that we may live unto God. The danger of personal liberty through lawlessness is in tlie North as well as the South. Strong men want to be free to build up great fortunes ; a noble ambition, if carried out under the law and a high sense of dutv to the community. But suppose the law and the welfare of the community interfere with their purpose ; still they are determined to be free to make their fortune, and by their strength and influence they enslave a legislature and lynch the rights of the people. This is the issue in states throughout the North that are condemning the lawlessness in the South. And in retaliation there are those among the people and legislators who, because they cannot reach the rich and lawless 168 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY through righteous laws, are ready to pass unrighteous laws to steal from the rich, sirapl}' because the}' are rich and a few of them are law- less. We want men who will appreciate and defend the rights of the poor as well as of the rich ; and who will also defend the rights of the rich as w^ell as of the poor. What the people of this nation need, a}', what th6 people of New England need to-day is more of that homel}-, strong, and hard}' sense of dutj' and that moral courage that our Puritan forefathers had. It were well if some of those who scoff . at the Puritans' austerity and bigotry would catch a fraction of their mighty character and sturdy honor. B\' righteous law, by self-restraint, bj- consideration of the rights of others, we gain the highest freedom. It is not our whims or passions, not our selfish ambitions or our material resources, but it is the Truth that shall make us free. Whether we be by inheritance or birth English, Celt, Italian, or Russian, we are now one people, American. If we would be a free people, we must have government and we must have obedience to government ; and it must be a "■ a government of the people, by the people, and for the people." Finally, what has the Puritan sense of dutj* and obedience to the higher law to do in the present religious Ufe of New England? Freedom of religion has been the glory and the byword of Mas- sachusetts. It has brought forth some of the richest fruit, and it has sometimes run to seed. We are familiar with the bore who talks of the freedom of religion, and who, without religion himself, is a slave to his narrow prejudices. We have among us a prett}' large company of those men and women, wliose fathers and grandfathers were of deep piet}', who silently reject or loudly proclaim tlieir freedom from the very religion that has given them what force and height of character the}' now have. Such people are like the spendthrift who has inherited his father's fortune, and who boasts that he has no use for the talents and enterprise which enabled his father to build up the fortune. With all this said, the people of New England are at heart a religious people. They are athirst for the living God, and they wel- come a living and united church. In his fight for liberty, the Puritan broke from the English Church ; then his church broke into parts, and with freedom we have had separatism, sectarianism, the strife of tongues, and a divided Chris tendom in the face of heathendom. I have no panacea of Christian unity to suggest. I believe that when it comes, no man will know the manner or the day of its coming. But that there is some approach UNION RELIGIOUS SERVICE 169 to Christian unity this veiy meeting to-night testifies. Think of it ! the children of the Puritans, the members of the different churches, all joining together, inviting Roman Catholics as well as Protestants, in celebrating a Puritan anniversarj', and having for their preacher, to name the essential elements of tlie Puritan, a bishop, — a bishop of the daughter church from whose mother the Puritan fled. I pray and belie^'e that at some future anniversary of Maiden, it may be flft\', it may be two hundred and fiftj' years hence, the whole Christian Church, Roman and Protestant (if there be any such title then), will join together in common prayer. At all events, our personal duty is this. Bj- the checking of a sectarian spirit, by a larger charity, by an emphasis of the funda- mental truths of Christ, In' obedience to that higher law " that all may be one," we in the true spirit of the Puritan, in his best and deepest moments, want to draw near to each other in a common brotherhood in Christ. Thus in home and school and cluirch there will be a united effort in the upbuilding of the character of the people, and a saving not only of the souls of men but the soul of the whole communit}'. Massachusetts is fortunate in having a history which is an increas- ing inspiration to the people. From the day that the "Mayflower" sailed into Plymouth Harbor, from the landing in Salem of John Winthrop, through the years of struggles with Indians and efforts for liberty, through '76 and '61 and '98, we have had a list of patriots, saints, and martyrs. To-night we are compassed about with " so great a cloud of witnesses." God help us to be faithful to our duty as they were faithful to theirs, and through us and our children maj' the prayer be answered, — God save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ! HYMN. Tune, Dundee. O God, our help in ages past. Our hope for years to come. Our shelter from the stormy blast. And our eternal home ! • Before the hills in order stood, Or earth received her frame. From everlasting Thou art God, To endless years the same. 170 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Bears all its sons away ; They fly forgotten, as a dream Dies at the opening day. O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come. Be Thou our guard while troubles last, And our eternal home ! BENEDICTION BY THE REV. JOSHUA W. WELLMAN, D.D. First Church, 1874-1883. THE OVERFLOW MEETING. At the First Church. This meeting was addressed by the Right Rev. William Lawrence D.D., and the Revs. Edwin H. Hughes, Henry H. French, D.D., William I. Haven, and Frederick Edwards. With the exception of the last two, the remarks of the speakers were substantially as delivered at the meeting in tlie Anniversaiy Building. The Rev. William I. Haven, secretary of the American Bible Societ}', was introduced by the Rev. Edwin H. Hughes as the grandson of the president of the day at the two hundredth anniversarj' of Maiden in 1849, and as the son of the poet of that occasion, the Rev., afterwards Bishop, Gilbert Haven. Mr. Haven spoke briefly, somewhat as follows : — ADDRESS BY THE REV. AYILLIAM I. HAVEN. It is a great pleasure to me to join with you in this great cele- bration of your city's life. Mr. Hughes has referred to my relation- ship with the president and the poet of your celebration fifty years ago. I well remember the impression made upon me by ni}' distin- guished grandfather, — an impression of dignity and courtliness, of awe and stateliness, mingled with kindness. And, of course, I could not forget the more varied impressions made by my father, who was the poet of your earlier celebration. It is a singular fact that, after journeys which took him all over the world and around the globe, he at last returned to Maiden, the city of his birth, and here he died. He and my grandfather sleep together in the city of tlie dead which THE OVERFLOW MEETING 171 our faith recognizes as reall}' the city of the living. It is the larger of the two cities, and we should not forget it in these commemorative hours. The city of Maiden has a peculiar place in my thought. About it cluster the memories of my childhood, and young manhood as well. A great history has been written in these two hundred and fift}' years — a history which may well cause a great pride in all our hearts. It is especially pleasing to me that the really higher life of the city is recognized in these religious services. For it is this rehgious life which gave the town its birth, and which will give it further life and significance. I join heartily in a God-speed for the city of Maiden. I pray that her future may ])e lighted by the divine glory. ADDRESS BY THE REV. FREDERICK EDWARDS. St. Paul's Episcopal Church. THE PURITANS. Our thoughts to-night go back to the Puritans, to the good men and women who settled here in the early days and made our town. We are trying to imagine what they were like, what their traditions were, how they lived, and what they thought and did. Now there are two kinds of imagination, which we may please to call the speculative and the liistoric. The one is in the air, tlie other on the ground. The first is almost altogether the child of our inven- tive facult}-. With a few materials, selected at our pleasure, we create a picture to suit our mood, — the Puritan man and maid, in their peculiar costume, walking in some dark wood, or sitting in some quaint kitchen, with the lights and shadows deftly managed, and the character to suit our plot or fancj'. This may be beautiful, but it is the product of art, and of such are many of our pictures of early memories. We paint them as we do our heaven, out of a few associa- tions and much desire. They belong to our ideal world. But there is another kind of reproduction, which runs along the ground. Two hundred and fifty j-ears may seem a long time, and 3'et if you think a moment not so long after all. You can almost span them in the experience of your own life. Every one of you can re member in childhood some verj- old person, eight}- or ninet}- years of age. Some of you will live to be tiiat old yourselves. Before you pass away somebody will put in your arras a little babe, perhaps, which will live to be as old. There you have it. The lives of the three of you, the person you remember, your own, and the little child, cover a period as long as we are now celebrating, two hundred and fifty years. 172 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY Now that helps us amazingly in thinking of these early days. The old man that3'OU knew was not so very different from the child you will hold in your arms. The education may be different, the con- ditions under which the}' live different, but they are both human, both use the same speech, both love, both perhaps marry and rear children. The differences are mainh' external. There ma}' even be a different cast to the thought or tone in the life, but the old man and the child are both fundamentally human, wonderfully alike, fixed in the image of God. And even the external conditions in the life of your grandfather and your coming grandson will not be as great, in some respects, as you are sometimes led to imagine. The old man grew up before the steam car, the telegraph, and all these so-called wonderful inventions. But he knew the sun, the clouds, the open sky, the mountains, the sea, the changing seasons. He had his horse, his dog, his fowls. He ate, and drank, and slept, and ruminated ui)on these things ; and they are ever with us and will be unto the end. Such a consideration will help us to understand the Puritan, per- haps, a little better. He came here seemingly a long time ago. But he looked upon the same landscape of salt marsh, river, and hill, dealt with the same world. Pine-tree was pine-tree then as it is now, stone was stone. The rains fell, the flowers bloomed along the wayside in the same way. We think of his conditions as primitive. Yet I think his cabins and clearings must have looked much the same as the little hamlets do along the coast of Maine and New Brunswick to-day, with the woods creeping down, the horse blinking over the gate, and the flowers growing up on either side of the door. And there was the same difference between him and ourselves that there will be between the old man you remember and the child you shall hold in your arms before you go. His clothes were cut differ- ently, his speech strange, but he was a man with thoughts and feel- ings like our own. We must remember that human nature had risen to as high a level in certain individuals by his time as it has since. Isaiah, Jesus, Plato, St. Paul were his inheritance. Chaucer and Shakespeare had written for him his English verse. Bacon had given his prose to the world ; Milton had begun to sing. I question if there are abler men in Maiden to-day than there were among those who founded these colonies, or if humanity will rise in individuals to greater heights than it had in those whom the Puritan knew as familiar names. Three things have marked the changes of the world since the Puritan's day and will go on to mould the world during the next two hundred years. One is the amelioration of physical conditions. We THE OVERFLOW MEETING 173 are masters of our world more than he was. We manage the light, and heat, and electricity better than he did. Our children will man- age them better tlian we do. But let us dream no wild dreams. A railroad cutting will still turn up the primeval stones, bricks will be bricks, rain will fall, trees will grow in Maiden two hundred and fifty years from now as they do now. But it will be no heaven. Knowledge has increased and is more diffused. The masses are better educated. This will be one of the great moves of the future. They will be better educated still. I doubt, however, if there will be greater intellects than Plato's, greater geniuses than Shakespeare. But more common men will know more than the}- did in the Puritan's daA' or do now. The same will be true in religion. Theology will make no incon- ceivable advance. Christ will still be Christ. There will be no more rugged, sterling characters than the Puritans. But the spirit of human kindness will be more shed abroad. There will be no better men, but there will be more of them. I think we should be wiser if we pondered these things a little more. All progress is not improvement. The fact that we live in Maiden in 1899 does not make us greater or better men than if we had lived here in 1649, or in Tarsus in the first century. Our comforts increase, but it is the same old world ; our knowledge slowh' grows, but it is the same old problem ; our general advantages are greater, but it is the same human nature with which we contend, and sin is sin in us as it was in our fathers. ]\Iy friends, let us not pride ourselves too much because we can buy store clothes, turn on hot water in our bath-tubs, and ride to Boston for five cents. It is the man that counts, and these count for but little in the making of him. Better wear homespun, bathe in cold water, and walk to Boston, than to give up that strenuous inner life in which the Puritans excelled. It is well to improve on the Puritan's house, better still to improve on his schools, best of all to take his faith for which he sacrificed all that he had, and make it the quest of our lives, adding to the world's store where he lacked, in the diffusion of tolerance and Christian kindliness, which St. Paul called charity, and St. John love, and which Christ showed to be the per- fection of the sons of God. PROGRAM. MONDAY, MAY 22, 1899. 8.30 A.M. Public Rehearsal — Anniversary Building. 9.00 A.M. Water Sports — Fellsmere Park. 9.00 a.m. Bicycle Races — ^ Webster Park. 9.00 a.m. Gaelic Foot Ball — Cradock Field. 10.00 a.m. Track and Field Sports — Cradock Field. 10.30 a.m. Base Ball — Cradock Field. 11.00 a.m. Obstacle Races — Webster Park. A /so, During the Forenoon : Children's Entertainments in the several School Halls and Public Halls. Race of Homing Pigeons from Albany, N. Y. 1.30 P.M. Literary and Musical Exercises — Anniver- sary Building. 1.30 p.m. Water Sports — Fellsmere Park. 2.00 P.M. Track and Field Sports — Cradock Field. 2.00 P.M. Bicycle Races — Parkway, Edgeworth. 4.30 P.M. Balloon Ascension — Ferryway Green. 8.30 P.M. Promenade Concert and Ball — Anniversary Building. Danclny 10.30 to 1.00. Continuous Collation. All Day — Golf at Converse Links, Pine Banks. Salutes at 6 a.m. a7id at sunset. Band Concerts al several points and at Sports. Arthur H. Wellman Obadiah B. Brown Orator Deloraine p. Corey Chairman Musical Exercises J. Lanodon Sullivan, M. D. President of the Day, etc. William N. Osgood Odist Toast Master EXERCISES OF MONDAY. NOTWITHSTANDING the clouds and rain of Sunday, which failed to dampen the ardor of an^-, but caused some fears for the success of the outdoor events of the next two days, Monday came with a promise of fair weather ; and the clouds soon gave place to a clear sk}' and a cool breeze that were all that could be desired. The da}- was introduced by the firing of bombs at Ferryway Green and the ringing of church bells, while the national salute was blown at the factory of the Boston Rubber Shoe Co. at Edgeworth. The rain of the preceding da}' had put the streets in good condition, and all nature was fresh and bright. The weather was doing its best for the celebration, and the city was clean, sweet, and bas}-. Tliere was no loitering in the morning. All who could go out were early afoot, and incoming guests soon added their forces to the crowds which began to appear in the streets. The city was in its gala dress. The decorations, wliich had been completed on Saturday', being of the best materials and securel}' hung, had received little damage from the wind and rain. All the principal buildings and manj- private residences in all parts of the cit}' were decked. At the city hall, in the midst of elaborate furnish- ings, on either side of the cit}' seal, appeared the portraits of the Hon. Elisha S. Converse, the first mayor of the city, and the Hon. Charles L. Dean, the present mayor. The High School, the Public Library, and the First Baptist Church, from their contiguity and advantageous position, presented a fine appearance in their holiday attire. All along in ever}' direction the upper and lower squares and their approaching streets were bright with tiie national colors, festooned, twined, and floating in artistic designs or graceful carelessness ; while a brisk breeze, keeping all in constant motion, added an impression of life and movement to tlie brilliant displa}'. The moving crowd, tlie bright colors floating in the air, and the clear blue sky above made a picture which will not soon be forgotten. Arches thrown over the principal streets at the city line welcomed incomers with words of hos[)itable greeting. A novel use was made of the poles and wires of the electric lines, which were dressed with 12 177 178 TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY bunting so as to show in perspective arcades of briglit colors. A notable display was made at the residence of Col. Harry E. Converse, at the corner of Main and Appleton Streets, in which was shown a series of twelve flags used in the colony and state of Massachusetts, beginning with the English Union Jack of the early days and passing through the several provincial and revolutionary types to the Ameri- can flag of thirteen stars. There was no lack of attractions fi-om the beginning, and all classes found something to their liking. Band concerts at convenient points were early features ; and the public rehearsal of the anniver- sar}' chorus, at half- past eight, found a large hearing. More were attracted b}' the games and si)orts at the several parks, and the drill exhibitions of Dodd's troopers ; and the children crowded the halls which were set apart for their entertainment. All day the historic exiiibit was filled to the utmost capacity of the rooms, and the number and interest of the visitors were maintained throughout the evening. The literary and musical exercises in the afternoon gathered an immense audience of those who had less interest in the more popular events of the day, and held them with undiminished attention to the close ; while the conc(.'rt and ball in the evening gave to the celebra- tion the eclat of a brilliant social function. Nor were the street scenes, if less brilliant, less enlivening than the official events. Our simple forel)ears, wiiose experiences were bounded by the festivities of a countr}' training-field, would have con- templated with amazement the abundant possibilities of entertainment which were presented. Fakers and philosophers with long beaixls and pale faces, peripatetic peddlers with souvenirs and I'efreshments shrilly crying their wares, hand-organs and monkeys, soap-sellers and t03' vendors — the scores of itinerants which a sti'uggle for existence and New-English enterprise never fail to send to large public gather- ings — penetrated the crowds in every direction ; while the din of fire- crackers, large and small, the snap of toi'i)edoes, the hiss of toy balloons, and the dissonant toot of horns were audible evidences of a crowd which was intent upon pleasure. Vacant lots were covered with booths, sheltering stores of pink lemonade and sandwiches, air- gun and knife-throwing targets, or some of the many opportunities for refreshment or cheap amusement to which the onlookers were loudly invited. Salutes of twenty-five bombs were fired on Monday and Tuesda}' at morning and sunset ; and the bells of seven churches were rung on each day at morning, noon, and sunset. ATHLETIC AND FIELD SPORTS 179 ATHLETIC AND FIELD SPORTS. At G.03 A.M. twenty-six lioniing [)igeons were lihemted at Albaii}*, N. Y., each bearing a message of congratulation from Gov. Theodore Roosevelt of New York to Ma3or Dean. This contest for speed was arranged nnder the auspices of the Maiden Homing Pigeon Club. The first pigeon arrived at the loft of the owner, George Horsman, at 10.01, and was followed about twenty-five seconds later bv another at the same loft. The next bird to arrive was the property of Peter J. Carey, which came shortl}- before 10.02. Soon after eight o'clock crowds began to assemlile at the several parks, where the public sports were to begin at nine o'clock. Tiie committee on games and sports had given much time and thought to make these popular features of the celebration of real interest and merit ; and ever\' precaution had been taken for the comfort and safety of both spectators and participants. Sub-committees main- tained a careful supervision over the preparation and peiformance of the several sports, and every featui-e was carried out to a most suc- cessful conclusion. The prizes were sterling-silver cups, shields, and medals, bearing the cit\' seal, whicli were of intiinsic value as well as beautiful souvenirs of the celel)ration. A cool wind and an absence of dust made the day an ideal one for outdoor sports. WATER SPORTS. FELLS:MERE PARK. William IL Wixship, Committee in charge. Canoe Events. — Julius B. Waterbury, of the American Canoe Association, and Edward S. '6\.Q\e\\s. jud'jes ; C. B. Ashenden, starter^ Jose[)h AYiggin, clerk of course. Swimming Events. — Peter S. McXally, referee; George S. Rich, R. F. Johnson, jfif^ges ; John A. Leavitt, timel-eeper ; Walker A. Smith, starter ; George T. Holm, clerk