Dedication of the New Congregational Church - Part 3

1903 - Comments of thanks

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 3 which describes the details comments about the fund raising and words of thanks

NEW IPSWICH. 1903 

I wish I could properly acknowledge all the kindly favors that have been extended to this church through its committee the past year. It has been a perpetual surprise to us to learn how many people were interested in the welfare and willing to contribute to its material prosperity. 

   Sometime in the spring we suggested to Miss Katherine Bucknam and others the desirability to secure funds for an organ. A new interest was created and since that time nearly $1000 has been placed at our disposal. Subscriptions in cash amount to $10,- 762, besides labor, etc., valued at $150. The unfulfilled pledges amount to almost nothing. 

   Bills have not all been sent in, but the committee do not hesitate to say that they have in hand cash more than sufficient to meet every claim, including a premium on $5000 insurance for three years, amounting to over $100. The committee are almost ashamed to say how large the balance is on the right side. 

   It has seemed to me proper that I should give you this brief review of the work of your committee. We now pass over to your representative the keys and by this act formally transfer to your care and custody this church edifice. It may not be everything that everybody has expected, but everybody may find something that they can admire. It is not large enough and no provision has been made for harboring envy or hate, narrowness, bigotry or hypocrisy, but its doors have been built wide enough and are opened for the abundant entrance of charity, brotherly love, kindness, helpfulness, patience, meekness and every Christian virtue.

   We have built it not for the worship of our ancestors, but for the worship of God as interpreted by the later generations. Just so far as you make it to fulfil its true mission which is the building up of Christian character, you will repay the committee for its effort. You are now on the high tide of enthusiasm, the presence of this multitude acts as a tonic to your system. It seems as though you could never doubt God's providence again as you almost did a year ago. In a few days however, all this will change, but let us not think of that today. 

   Oh, little band of Christians, summon now if you will the spirits of those departed ones that gave to the old church so much of its sacredness. But them people this holy sanctuary with their loving presence. Let their memory be an incentive to greater effort, deeper devotion and fuller consecration to the work in which you are engaged. 

   In receiving the building, the pastor, Rev. Henry Barber, said: 

   In behalf of this church and society I most gratefully receive this building with its furnishings and equipment as presented by the chairman of the building committee. We do this day receive this house of worship from the committee with the deepest gratitude to them for their untiring efforts and devotion, their self sacrifice and generosity amid all the multitude of du- ties devolving upon them. We wish to express here today our highest appreciation of the wisdom and good judgement which they have exercised in so many ways: in the selections of plans for this edifice; in the choice of a contractor who has so faithfully and satisfactorily constructed this house; in the selection of all the furnishing and equipment; in the careful and economical expenditure of all funds entrusted 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.

Congregational Church

Church under construction. Note the horse sheds.

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 “Blue” the first of 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 14^th 1908 (Wednesday)

Frosty fair and warm sun wind west.  David on roads down town.  Mother and I fixed the Hall for dance tonight.  John Preston went away to Boston this afternoon.