Dedication of the New Congregational Church - Part 4 (Conclusion)

1903 - Consecration of Church

1903

This lengthy news item was published in 1903 describing the new Congregational Church that replaced the one that burnt in 1902. The article will be serialized over several days - this is part 4 which describes the consecration ceremony

NEW IPSWICH. 1903 

to their hands and in the faithful carrying out of all the thousand and one responsibilities to a successful issue, so that we today come into happy possession of this beautiful house of worship, attractive to look upon, an ornament to our town and a delight to our hearts. We further wish to express our most heartfelt thanks to all the hosts of friends who have in so many ways helped and encouraged us in our time of need. We wish to express our deepest gratitude to the many friends who have so generously aided us financially and to those who have assisted us by giving their time and strength; those who have given gifts and to to those who from the very hour of our loss until now have encouraged us by their kindness, sympathy and self-sacrifice. So that we are, today, permitted to dedicate this house free from debt.

   And now with hearts full of thanks- giving to God, we praise him for his bounteous benefactions, for the wonderful manifestations of his providence and sustaining arm in our hour of calamity, so that what at first seemed to us an irreparable loss, now, under the providence of God and guidance of his spirit, we find to be a boon and blessing. We thank him for his goodness in raising for us a host of friends in our need; for providing for us this house of worship, this magnificent organ. these furnishings and equipments. And it is with loud anthems of praise that we now consecrate to his holy name this place to be indeed a house of praise wherein God shall be glorified so long as this edifice shall stand. 

   The act of consecration was read by the pastor and the congregation responded. After a "Gloria" by the choir, Rev. G. F. Merriam gave the sermon, in which he outlined the various structures of religious worship from time immemorial and dwelt with the fondest recollections upon the old colonial structure destroyed by fire, July 15, 1902, behind whose pulpit he stood from 1883 to 1891. He referred to the church history in the chirography of Deacon Gould. New Ipswich of the past was shown in the building of strong men. The science of medicine has advanced more in the past 60 years than in 60 centuries. He gave the new church dedication spirituality, intelligence, truth and peace among yourselves. Emphasize these strongly. In closing, he said, "We dedicate this church to God. It is our Father's house. Let us give this to him in Old Home Week. May the God of Peace sanctify thee for Christ's sake."

  J. W. Cummings made a short address, an offering was made, a song by Mrs. Clara Belle Haynes of Peterboro, N. H., was followed by the dedicatory prayer, and the anthem, "Oh, how amiable are thy dwellings." 

   Collation was served at 1 o'clock. J. W. Cummings, master of ceremonies, read several letters during the post-prandial exercises, one from Royal Farwell of Natick, Mass., who enclosed a check for $50; one from the oldest member of the church, Mrs. Albert Thayer, who is 87 years old and has been a member 61 years. Letters were received from Revs. Cutler, Ray. and Wood. A toast was given to Mrs. George R. Barrett. Rev. P. B. Davis spoke very felicitously for the ministers. Dr. J. L. Hildreth, son of the oldest man in town, Deacon John Hildreth, spoke for the doctors. Myron Taylor was called upon to speak for the deacons. Rev. W. R. Thompson made some witty remarks. A poem, written by Mrs. C. H. Obear, was read by J. W. Cummings, who made the final remarks upon the brotherhood of man.

The council of clergymen comprised the following with delegates: Rev. O. M. Lord and Deacon John E. Tenny, Antrim; Rev. C. H. Chapin and W. C. Goodhue, Hancock; Rev. A. E. Tracy and Alfred Barber, Wilton; Rev. J. Reid and C. T. Wheeler from Greenville: Rev. F. E. Rand and Deacon Martin Fiske, Temple; Rev. D. E. Adams and Deacon Henry Hosmer, Ma- son; Rev. C. S. Haynes and Deacon E. Howe, Peterboro; Rev. H. W. Boyd and Ivers H. Brooks, Ashby: Rev. Η. Α. Coolidge and Chester T. Woodbury, Salem, N. H. 

   All the churches, except Milford, responded to invitations sent. The service of ordination was as follows: Organ selection; Rev. John Reid, scribe, rendered his report; a hymn; reading of the Scriptures and prayer by Rev. H. A. Coolidge; bass solo by F. W. Barber; sermon by Rev. C. H. Chapin; ordaining prayer by Rev. O. M. Lord; charge to the pastor, Rev. A. E. Tracy; hymn, prayer and benediction, Rev. H. A. Barber. Mrs. L. R. Amee was organist and Mrs. Hattie P. McKown had charge of the choir. 

   The works of the day were crowned with success and crowds of the sons and daughters of the old town who came to attend the festivities of Old Home day, on the day previous, attended the services.

Congregational Church

One Hundred Formulas -

George Carmichael donated a copy of Stephen A. Thayer’s “One Hundred Formulas” which was published in 1883. It contains recipes from everything from printing ink to pain killers. Today we will share the formula for “Green” the secondof the “Druggist Colors”.

It is not recommended to ingest Copper Sulphate.

This book sold for a dollar and was one of the many enterprises that Steven A, Thayer was involved with (He had a cigar factory too). He had some advice for preparing the recipes.

James Roger diary entry

October 15^th 1908 (Thursday)

Fair and warm during day. David on roads downtown warm and dusty work.  The dance last night was a failure financially 7⁵⁰ in the hole.  Attendance was sparse.  Mother and I swept Hall and put in the settees.  I lifted carrots and beets in forenoon and partly sodded Gordon’s lot.  Mrs. Tabraham called and paid lot. A Mr. Tenny from Illinois came to Huckins.  He wants to find out about his ancestors who lived here but went west in 1836.