——————
MASS MEETING
Baptist Women’s Missionary Aid Societies of St. John.
CHAIRMAN, MRS. N. C. SCOTT, President Germain Street
Society.
HYMN.
BIBLE READING.
PRAYER.
Historical Sketch of the Society, . . . MRS. LEBARON VAUGHAN
SELECTIONS ON NORTHWEST MISSIONS.
SOLO, . . . MRS. GRANT
ADDRESS, . . . Subject, “Grande Ligne Mission”
REV. G. O. GATES, D. D.
SILVER OFFERING FOR HOME MISSIONS.
——————
MASS MEETING, 8 P. M.
Baptist Young Peoples Societies of St. John.
CHAIRMAN: MR. C. R. WASSON President Germain Street
Society.
HYMN No. 416, . . . “Onward, Christian Soldiers”
ANTHEM, “Sing Alleluia Forth,” (P. A. Schnecker) THE
CHOIR
READING SCRIPTURE.
SOLO, . . . “Fear Not Ye, O Israel,” Dudley Buck
MR. JAMES W. GRIFFITH.
Prayer.
DUET, . . . “I Waited for the Lord,” Mendelssohn
MRS. CROCKETT, MISS CATHERS.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF GERMAIN STREET SOCIETY
Offering.
HYMN No. 402, . . . “Rescue the Perishing”
ADDRESS, “Ideals” . . . REV. A. S. LEWIS,
Yarmouth, N. S.
HYMN No. 822, . . . “How Firm a Foundation”
Benediction.
NOTE.—The Germain Street Baptist Y. P. S. C. E. was
organized on February 12, 1883, and is the oldest in Canada.
Tuesday, May 24th, 8 p. m.
——————
CENTENNIAL SOCIAL
FOR MEMBERS OF CHURCH AND CONGREGATION.
——————
COMMITTEE IN CHARGE:
THE LADIES ASSOCIATION.
THE WILLING WORKERS
CHAIRMAN, DEACON WILLIAM LEWIS
Prayer.
SELECTION, . . . Germain Street Baptist Male Quartette
SPEECHES BY VISITING PASTORS.
SOLO, . . . MR. KINGSMILL
SELECTION, . . . Germain Street Baptist Male Quartette
REFRESHMENTS.
NOTE.—The Centennial Committee was composed of the following Brethren
acting in conjunction with the Historical Committee: W. C. Cross,
Chairman, G. F. H. Buerhaus, W. F. Nobles, L.W. Simms, F. C. Fisher,
S. H. Davis, J.W.Vanwart and Dr. G. U.
Wednesday, May 25th, 7.30 p. m.
——————
CENTENNIAL NIGHT
——————
CHAIRMAN, DR. G. U. HAY.
DOXOLOGY AND INVOCATION.
HYMN No. 36, . . . “O God, Our Help in Ages Past”
READING SCRIPTURE AND PRAYER.
ANTHEM, “Praise the Lord, ye Heavens Adore Him,” E. Turner
THE CHOIR.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF CHURCH, . . . Mr. T. D. Denham
Offering.
HYMN No. 150, . . . “Rejoice, the Lord is King”
ADDRESS, . . . Subject, “The Church of the
Past”
REV. G. O. GATES, D. D.
SOLO, . . . “My Loved One Rest,” P. Douglas Bird
PROFESSOR L. W. TITUS.
ADDRESS, . . . Subject, “The Church of the Present”
REV. D. HUTCHINSON.
SOLO, . . . “O, Rest in the Lord,” Mendelssohn
MISS BLENDA THOMSON.
ADDRESS, . . . Subject, “The Church of the Future”
REV. A. LEWIS
HYMN No. 415, . . . “Forward be our Watchword”
HISTORY OF MORTGAGE, . . . DEACON D. HUNT
(Treasurer of Church)
BURNING OF MORTGAGE.
BENEDICTION.
Call to Rev. F. S. Porter.
On June 5th, 1910, was extended a call to Rev. F. S. Porter, of
Liverpool, N. S. In accepting the call, on June 14th, Brother Porter
wrote: “I deem it a peculiar favor to serve the historic Germain
Street Church and to follow in the footsteps of the mighty men of God
who have served you in the capacity of spiritual overseers. May their
fervency and self-sacrificing devotion to the cause of truth be
perpetuated in the coming pastorate.”
Brother Porter enters upon his labors with us on the 3rd Sunday of
September with the assurance of the unanimous and hearty support of
the membership of the Church, upon what we earnestly pray and
confidently expect may be a very successful pastorate.
Rev. F. S. Porter was born in Fredericton, N. B., where his father,
Rev. T. H. Porter, was pastor of the Brunswick Street Baptist Church.
He received his elementary and business education in that city.
Having decided to devote himself to the ministry, he entered Acadia
University from which in 1906 he graduated with honors, the following
year obtaining his M.A. Degree in course. He pursued his theological
studies at Rochester Theological Seminary, graduating from that
institution in 1908 and receiving his Degree of B.D. the following
year. He was ordained at Woodstock, N. B., July llth, 1907. He
supplied a. number of pulpits in New Brunswick during his summer
vacations, and was called to Liverpool Baptist Church in 1908.
Married May 20th, 1908, to Miss Edith W. Spurden, of Fredericton, N.
B. After a successful pastorate of over two years, during which he
was instrumental in the paying off of the debt of $1,500, he has been
unanimously called to the pastorate of this Church.
Thus has this Historic Church completed the span of its first One
Hundred Years as a witness for the Master. From small and
insignificant beginnings, God has seen fit to graciously extend our
borders to the present enlarged sphere of influence as the Premier
Baptist Church of our City. With grateful hearts we review the past
with loyal confidence in God we anticipate the future:
O backward-looking son of time,
The new is old, the old is new,
The cycle of a change sublime still sweeping through.
But life shall on and upward go;
Th’ eternal step of Progress beats
To that great anthem, calm and slow, which God repeats.
God works in all things; all obey
His first propulsion from the night:
Wake thou and watch!—the world is gray with morning light.
—John Greenleaf Whittier.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF DEPARTED DEACONS
——————
[EXPLANATION—In the following pages will be found brief biographical
notices of a number of our departed Deacons—compiled, as has been
noted, by Brother T. H. Belyea, Church Clerk, with the exception of
the first four names, which the writer has added from personal
recollections, at Brother Belyea’s request. T. D. D.]
In preparing the biographical sketches of the devoted Christian
workers who have served the Church in the office of Deacon, and are
now in the presence of their Lord, we had hoped to make the list much
more complete than we have been able to do. In some cases all the
members of the families of our departed Deacons being dead or having
removed from the city and our being unable to locate them, has made
it impossible to secure the material for writing an account of their
lives.
In the main part of this history some reference has been made to
those who filled the office in the earlier years, namely: Thomas
Pettingill, Jeremiah Drake, Benjamin Gale, James Holman, Dr. Simon
Fitch and A. McL. Seely. Among those who filled the office in later
years we recall with grateful hearts the following brethren:
SAMUEL KINSMAN besides filling the Deacon’s office, acted for many
years as Treasurer of the Communion Fund, and so long as he was able
was always present at the Monthly Conference Meeting, and the older
members will recall his oft repeated testimony—“Hitherto the Lord
hath helped me.”
WILLIAM BLIZARD A man of retiring disposition, and with few words to
say in public, but one whose life spoke loudly through his works in
connection with the business affairs of this Church—he having served
as Trustee as well as Deacon for many years. Some of the older
members will remember his faithful work as usher, he being always at
his post on the first stroke of the bell and remaining till the last
visitor was seated. For some years after its completion, the
vestibule of the former edifice was not protected, as the present one
is, by being closed in with inner doors, and heated as well, so that
in winter with the doors wide open the post of usher was not one to
be coveted.
W. H. HALL, though serving for a shorter term than others of the
Deacons, on account of his removal to Woodstock, did faithful work
while remaining with us. For some time he acted as Chorister of the
Sunday School, during the superintendency of Brother T. P. Davies.
GEORGE W. MARSTERS, after following the sea for years as a master
mariner, settled in this city as the representative of the Bureau
Veritas, and joined this Church, which he afterward served as Deacon
till his removal to St. Martins, where he died. He left behind him
not only a reputation for upright Christian character in the
community, but to the Church a constant reminder in the Bell which
weekly calls us to worship.
It seems but fitting that some reference should be made to Deacon
GILBERT M. STEEVES, who previous to his removal to Liverpool,
England—though still in the prime of life had—faithfully served as
Deacon, Trustee, and in other departments of the work of the Church.
As a man of sound business judgment his advice in connection with the
finances of the Church was most valuable, he being the first Chairman
of the Finance Committee. He also manifested a great interest in the
Sunday School, and filled various offices therein. He is still living
at Liverpool.
DEACON SOLOMON HERSEY,—Mr. Hersey was born on the Kennebec River
about ten miles from Wiscessit in Maine, November 1st, 1783.
When about twenty-one years of age he came to St. George and engaged
in milling and other branches of business. In 1820, seeking a wider
scope for his abilities and business energy, he came to St. John, and
for fifty years he was one of its foremost citizens helping forward
its progress.
In 1840 he was baptized by the Rev. David Harriss, was received into
the fellowship of the Church, and later chosen to fill the office of
Deacon in 1849; so that for thirty years he was a member, and for
over twenty-one years an officer of the Church.
His death occurred on the eighty-seventh anniversary of his birth,
November 1st, 1870. “Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord.”
DEACON EDMUND H. DUVAL was born at Hounsditch, London, February,
1805. In early life he was converted and united with the congregation
of which Rev. Henry Althans was pastor. Subsequently he was baptized
by Rev. John Howard Hinton, and became a member of the Devonshire
Square Baptist Church. Coming in contact with many Jews, he sought
their conversion, which quickened in him a missionary spirit, and led
him to a more thorough study of God’s Word.
In the year 1837 he assumed charge of a school in London. Having
distinguished himself as a teacher, the British School Society
employed him as a lecturer, to promote the interests of education. In
the same interest he was induced to come to this Province in 1845. As
principal of a training and model school he discharged his duties
faithfully, and to the close of life he was equally distinguished as
an efficient Inspector of Schools.
While faithful in the discharge of his secular duties, he was active
and zealous in the work of Christ. He was a member and Licentiate of
the Germain Street Baptist Church. He labored in the Sabbath School,
and for the cause of temperance, and preached the gospel most
acceptably, benefiting greatly the destitute and neglected portions
of our Province.
At Willow Grove he did much towards the erection of an excellent
chapel, and for the elevation of the colored people there. On Friday
the 20th September, 1878, his mortal remains were interred near the
chapel at Willow Grove. Full of years, and much beloved, he entered
his final rest on the 17th September, leaving one son and three
daughters to mourn their loss.
DEACON CHAS. C. PARKER.—Charles C. Parker was born in Woolwich,
England, October 15th, 1817, and was educated in the Duke of York’s
School for Soldiers Orphans. He joined the British army in his
fifteenth year, and served with honored fidelity for twenty-six
years, first in the 90th Infantry and afterwards in the 72nd
Highlanders. He settled in St. John in 1858, from which place he
departed “to be with Christ” October 22nd, 1895, aged seventy-eight
years. When Mr. Parker came to reside in this country he was a
consistent member of the Church of England, but shortly thereafter,
during a religious revival conducted by the late Evangelist A. B.
Earle, in obedience to his convictions regarding the teachings of
God’s Word he was baptized along with his wife, and united with the
Brussels Street Church, under the pastoral care of the late Samuel
Robinson. He was elected to the Diaconate of that Church and also
served for several years as Superintendent of the Sunday School. In
1884 he, with his wife united with the Germain Street Church by
letter from the Brussels Street Church. Here also he became a member
of the Diaconate, in which office he served the Church most
faithfully eleven years, when he was called to the higher service of
his Lord and Saviour.
DEACON JOHN H. HARDING.—Deacon John H. Harding passed most of his
life in the city. In his business he showed much enterprise and
ability, and had been rewarded with a good measure of success. For
many years he had been connected with the Marine Department of the
Civil Service and was regarded by his department and the general
public as a careful and competent officer. He became a member of the
Church when a lad, and was connected with it through a large part of
its history.
He was appointed Deacon February 2nd, 1877, which office as well as
that of a member of the Board of Trustees and other important offices
in the Church he filled faithfully and well. In him the pastor ever
had a friend who was wont to express his appreciation in kindly words
and generous deeds. His death occurred at his home on Germain street,
Wednesday, May 22nd, 1901, at the age of eighty-three years.
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”
DEACON JAMES DYALL.—Brother James Dyall united with the Church by
baptism March 9th, 1856. For many years he faithfully served the
Church as Deacon, and Treasurer of the Poor Fund. Quiet and retiring
in his manner, with but little to say in public, he conscientiously
performed the duties intrusted to him, thereby speaking the more
loudly, through his works and exemplary Christian character and life,
than mere words could have done. To many whom he assisted both in his
official and private capacity, his memory will be ever revered. His
death occurred April 18th, 1888, in the sixty-seventh year of his age.
Elsewhere in this History mention is made of the large amount left to
the Church by his wife at her death, which was in accordance with our
brother’s wish. To those of us who knew him well, his memory will be
ever green.
DEACON GEORGE A. GARRISON.—Deacon Garrison united with the church by
letter, November 22nd, 1823. He became a member of the Board of
Deacons, the responsible duties of which office he filled with much
acceptance, as well as the duties as Clerk of the Church until his
departure from the city in 1870. Deacon Garrison, who had served many
years as Deacon, Clerk, and Sunday School Superintendent, on leaving
the city in 1870 to reside in Washington, was presented with a purse
as an appreciation of his labors. He afterwards returned to the city,
and was with us till his death in 1887. At the time of his death he
was the oldest member of the Church.
DEACON MANUEL FRANCIS was born in the Faroe Islands, Portugal. Being
left an orphan at a very early age he was adopted by a couple who
became father and mother to him in all but in name. While a young man
he came to Canada and made his home in St. John. He first went to
sea, engaging in the whaling business which at that time was not only
a popular but also a lucrative avocation. Becoming tired of the sea,
he retired from it and permanently settled here, and again took up
the trade of his youth, that of a master workman in the shoe
business. By careful and strict attention to his work his business
gradually developed from small beginnings to one of the leading
manufacturing and retail Boot and Shoe business firms of our city.
He was converted, and united with the Germain Street Baptist Church
March 26th, 1848. Shortly after his uniting with the Church he was
made a member of the Board of Deacons, and was also for many years
the Treasurer of the Poor Fund.
Deacon Francis was a man of strong religious convictions, of sound
judgment and of a loving and sympathetic disposition. He was loyal to
his Church, a staunch supporter of his pastor and a loving friend to
the poor. “A friend in need is a friend indeed” was fully exemplified
in the life of Deacon Francis in the multiplicity of his quiet and
unostentatious deeds of charity. He died September 29th, 1891.
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful
over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter
thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
DEACON JOHN FISHER. Deacon John Fisher was born in Plymouth, England.
In early manhood he left his old home and came to Canada and settled
in Weymouth, N. S. Subsequently he came to St. John, which he made
his permanent home. He first laboured as foreman in the shipyard of
the late James Smith. Later he commenced to build ships on his own
account, and soon became one of the foremost shipowners of our city.
In March, 1853, he was baptized and united with the Church. Some time
after he was chosen a Deacon, in which office as well as that of
Trustee he rendered most effective service up to the time of his
death. He ever displayed a hearty interest and co-operation in all
the concerns of the Church, and contributed liberally of his time and
means in assisting in carrying on the work of Him whom he loved and
served. His strong vigorous faith, sound judgment and zealous
activity made him a power for good both in the Church and in the
Community. He died December 8th, 1882, in the eighty-fourth year of
his age.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
DEACON JAMES J. BOSTWICK. Deacon J. J. Bostwick united with the
Church by letter from the Second Cambridge Baptist Church, Queen’s
County, N. B., January 4th, 1867. His sound judgment, executive
ability and conservative business acumen placed him at once in the
active work of the Church, and from the first he was able to secure,
and ever enjoyed in a marked degree, the confidence and love of his
brethren.
In 1879 he became a member of the Board of Deacons. He was also a
member of the Board of Trustees and of the Finance Committee for
about as long a time as he was a member of the Diaconate, while at
the same time he was identified in one way or another with many of
the other branches of Church work.
He loved the Church and was constantly seeking to promote her
interests, and was seldom if ever absent from any of its meetings
when it was possible for him to be present.
The pastor found in him a supporter ever strong in sympathy and words
of encouragement, and a friend to be relied upon. His death came
suddenly to both family, friends and the Church on Sunday, February
llth, 1900, while comparatively a young man, being only in the
fifty-third year of his age.
DEACON THOMAS S. SIMMS.—“A man to whom God hath given honor.” Deacon
Simms was born near Portland, Maine, September 12th, 1845. As a young
man he took up his residence in St. John and engaged in the Brush
making business in partnership with John Murphy, Esq. In 1872 he
branched out on his own account and through his executive ability,
energy and integrity, his business gradually forged to the front
until the Brush making Factory of T. S. Simms & Co., Ltd., became one
of the foremost and most up-to-date factories and business houses not
only of our city but also of Canada.
Mr. Simms united with the Church in 1876 by letter from a Free
Baptist Church at Portland, Maine, thus antedating the union of the
Baptist and Free Baptist Churches, which has since taken place. Here
also his abilities were soon recognized and by his readiness and
willingness to give not only of his means but also of his services
and advice he was ever one of the Church’s principal office bearers.
He became a member of the Diaconate, March 31st, 1879. He also filled
from time to time the office of Trustee, and many other important
positions in the Church. In the Sunday School he filled the position
of Superintendent for twenty-five years. Mr. Simms took a great
interest in the Denomination at large, in Home and Foreign Missions
and in the New Brunswick Sunday School Association. He was a zealous
advocate and worker in the Layman’s Missionary movement, being at the
time of his death Vice-President of the Provincial Council of that
body. His sudden death on Friday, December 18th, 1908, removed from
our midst one of our strongest men, whose loss was felt with sincere
regret and sorrow by his family, his friends, the Church and the
Community at large.
DEACON LAURENCE McMANN.—Deacon McMann was baptized September 5th,
1858, during the pastorate of Rev. I. E. Bill. He soon identified
himself with the activities of the Church, and was at all times one
of its most devoted members. For many years he served the Church as
Deacon, Trustee and Treasurer, and ever esteemed it a privilege to do
all in his power to advance its interests. After a long life devoted
to the service of his Saviour, when nearing the Borderland, he said
that his only regret was that he had not done more for Him. His death
occurred May 23rd, 1881, in the seventy-ninth year of his age.
——————
Since making out the list of the members of the Church at the time of
our Centennial, three have passed to that bourne from whence no
traveler e’er returns.
Our sister, Miss Hattie Gertrude McNichol, daughter of Mrs. Harriet
and the late John McNichol, on the eleventh of June.
Our sister, Miss Alice Josephine Woodley, daughter of Mrs. Rebecca
and the late John Woodley, on the twenty-eighth of August.
Our aged sister, Mrs. Mary Spurr Harding, widow of our beloved
brother, the late Deacon John H. Harding, on the seventeenth of
September, in her eighty-ninth year. For some time previous to her
death, Mrs. Harding was the oldest member of this Church, and so long
as her strength permitted, was a regular attendant at the Sunday and
week-night services. For years she took an active part in the work of
the Church, and was a leader in the women’s societies. Her gentle,
loving spirit and thoughtful consideration of others, as well as her
simple faith and trust in her Heavenly Father, endeared her to all
the members of the Church, and those who knew her longest, loved her
best.
“Oh, though oft depressed and lonely,
All our fears are laid aside;
If we but remember only,
Such as these have lived and died!”
HISTORY OF THE MORTGAGES.
——————
The church that was on this corner, and destroyed by the fire of 1877
was free from debt, the mortgage and floating liability having been
paid in 1873. The present Church and Parsonage were built in 1877-78,
and cost complete, furnished, about $46,000.
The first mortgage put on the property was for $2,500, on the
parsonage only. It was dated December 4th, 1878, and given by the
Trustees to Mary K. Carey, wife of Rev. G. M. W. Carey, then Pastor
of the Church. It was for five years, at a rate of interest of seven
per cent, per annum, but in March, 1881 a little over two years after
it was cancelled, and another one for the same amount, at six per
cent, rate of interest, was given to Sophia Isabella Bliss Robinson,
of Fredericton. In 1878 a mortgage for $9,000 was put on the Church,
particulars of which is given below. On November 24th, 1884, a
mortgage for $2,100, also at six per cent, interest, was given to the
Executors of the will of the late James H. Moran. This was paid on
August 30th, 1893, as follows:
$1,100 from Estate of the late Deacon Dyall.
$500 from Sinking Fund in Savings Bank.
$500 donation from the Executors of the Estate of late James H.
Moran. Mr. Moran had subscribed and paid $1,000 towards the new
Church before his death.