Rev. Clarence F. Swift, D.D.

Seventh Pastor, from A.D. 1902 —

1902. On Thursday evening, May 22, a business meeting of the Church was called at the close of the weekly prayermeeting. Deacon C. J. Holmes, chairman of the Committee on Pulpit Supplies, made a statement of the work which had been done by the committee in looking up a pastor. He then presented a recommendation from them, that the Church extend a call to REV. CLARENCE F. SWIFT, D.D., of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

From the many letters received, giving information concerning Dr. Swift, the clerk read those of most interest. After due consideration and some discussion, it was voted "to proceed to a ballot," which resulted in practically a unanimous vote to extend to Dr. Swift a call to the pastorate of Central Church. Charles J. Holmes, Richard B. Borden, and Albert F. Dow, in behalf of the Church, and Andrew Borden and John H. Boone, for the Society, were appointed a committee to take the necessary steps for installation, if the call was accepted.

A letter containing the action of the Church and Society, together with the attested copies of the same, signed on behalf of the Society by Henry H. Earl, moderator, and James W. Brigham, clerk, was immediately mailed to Dr. Swift. The following note was also added to the official papers:

Allow us, dear sir, to add to the invitation contained in these votes, the expression of our earnest hope, that you will find it to be the desire of the great Head of the Church that you should accept this call to be our pastor, and name an early day for the installation service. Praying God to bless you, and all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity, we subscribe ourselves,

Yours in the gospel,

C. J. HOLMES.

R. B. BORDEN.

A. F. Dow.

ANDREW BORDEN.

J. H. BOONE.

The formal letter of acceptance was read on June 19, 1902, and on July 16 an ecclesiastical council convened in the Chapel at three o'clock P.M., "to review the facts relating to the call of the Rev. Clarence F. Swift, D.D., to the pastorate of the Central Church; to listen to a statement of his views respecting christian truth; and, if judged expedient, to assist in the service of installation."

The council convened at the time and place appointed, and subsequently in executive session it was unanimously voted: "that the examination is deemed satisfactory, and that the council proceed to the installation at 7.30 o'clock P.M."

The public services were as follows: Invocation; hymn, "O God, the Rock of Ages"; reading of Scripture, Rev. Charles H. Talmage, Taunton; sermon, Rev. Albert M. Hyde, D.D., Toledo, Ohio; hymn, "O everlasting Light" ; installing prayer, Rev. Ernest W. Shurtleff, Minneapolis; charge to the pastor, Rev. Albert E. Dunning, D.D., Boston; right hand of fellowship, Rev. Payson W. Lyman, Fall River; charge to the people, Rev. Eldridge Mix, D.D., Worcester; benediction, pastor.

Dr. Swift assumed the duties of the pastorate immediately, the Church having then a membership of a little over six hundred, but he did not enter upon his pulpit ministrations until the following September.

Several of the older members of the Church and congregation recognized in Dr. Swift a man so much like their former beloved pastor, Dr. Thurston, that they at once welcomed him to their affections, and gave to him their hearty coöperation in his pastoral work. The black eye so full of life, the erect figure, the pleasant smile, carried them back to their younger days when, with strengthened faith and glowing zeal, they listened to Dr. Thurston as he presented the great truths of the gospel.

Dr. Swift, in his sermon on Sunday morning, November 16, 1902, the Sixtieth Anniversary of the organization of

the Church, made allusion to the very interesting documents he had been reading, and especially the accounts of the JUBILEE in 1892. He noted some of the contrasts between

THEN and "Now," saying in part:

At the Jubilee in 1892, six of the original seventy members were living, and five were present at the exercises. Today, one only (Mrs. Elizabeth V. Carr), is living. She is present this morning, and no one would suspect, from her looks, that she had attained to the dignity of an "only survivor."

Then the Church was entering upon its fifth pastorate, now the seventh is fairly begun. In the sixty years of the life of the Church, the average length of the pastorates has been nine years, Dr. Thurston having been pastor for over twenty years, and the pulpit being vacant for an aggregate of six years.

The building is the same as that in which the Jubilee exercises were held, but it has been recently redecorated, refitted, beautified.

The record of membership for the fifty years to 1892 was, 70 at the organization, 1,092 added, 656 removed, leaving 506 members at the Jubilee. Since then, 238 have been added and 129 removed, so that the present membership is 613.

One fact, which makes a strong impression upon the mind of a Westerner, is the length of service rendered by so many of those who have held important positions in the Church. One thinks of the twenty years' pastorate of Dr. Thurston - whose widow still abides with us, with her unfailing interest in the work and with blessing for church and pastor; of the thirty-five years which Mr. Buck has labored as missionary; of the two church treasurers, Mr. Henry H. Fish and Mr. Richard B. Borden, whose terms of service cover the entire life of the Church; of the fifteen years which Mr. E. T. Marvell served as clerk and treasurer of the Society; of Mr. Lyman W. Deane's thirtyfive years in charge of the music; of the twenty-five years in which Mr. E. A. Vandoorn was janitor.

But I promised not to preach an historical sermon, and I dare not go further in this fascinating story. Who can estimate what it all means? Sixty years of life as a part of the working force of the kingdom of God! Sixty years of work and worship and fellowship in pulpit and in pew; at superintendent's desk and in teacher's chair; at the central building and at the chapel; at the door of the Lord's house and at the furnace door; guiding the spiritual life and directing the financial affairs; as officers; on committees; in the ranks.