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Nº F73.62. SHR6
Copy 5
TRUSTEES OF
PUBLIC LIBRARY
LYX
OMNIVM
CIVIVM
OF THE CITY OF
BOSTON
1852
1878
GIVEN BY
West Church Society
1. Darin Letrans From En finco
No 206
١٨.١٠
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Boston Public Library
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofsecondc1852robb
...
witnesse Jenaj Mathur
A
HISTORY
OF THE
SECOND CHURCH, OR OLD NORTH,
IN BOSTON.
TO WHICH IS ADDED,
A HISTORY OF THE NEW BRICK CHURCH.
WITH ENGRAVINGS.
BY CHANDLER ROBBINS, ..
MINISTER OF THE SECOND CHURCH.
Published by a Committee of the Society.
BOSTON: PRINTED BY JOHN WILSON & SON, 22, SCHOOL STREET. 1852. C
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
27500
828
* F73 . 62 . SUR6
Сору. 5
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by
CHANDLER ROBBINS,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
HE WEST CHURCH
GIFT OF
WEST END
ETY
BRANCH.
DEC. 16, 1894.
4351
FREEMAN PLACE, Boston, June 18, 1851.
Rev. Chandler Robbins.
Dear Sir, - At a Special Meeting of the "Standing Committee " of the Second Church, held in the vestry last evening, the following votes were unanimously adopted ; and the undersigned were appointed a Committee to transmit the same to you, and to solicit a compliance with the request.
With sentiments of the deepest affection and respect,
We remain truly yours, &c.
DAVID BARNARD,
F. W. LINCOLN, jun., - Committee. HENRY DAVIS,
" Voted, That the thanks of the Standing Committee be presented to our Pastor for the able and interesting Historical Discourses preached by him on the last sabbath, in commemoration of the Two Hundredth Anniversary of our Church; and that he be requested to furnish a copy for the press, together with such other matter as he may deem advisable, connected with the early annals of our ancient Society.
" Voted, That a Committee of three be appointed, in connection with our Pastor, to superintend the publication of the Discourses."
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PREFACE.
THE substance of this HISTORY OF THE SECOND OR OLD NORTH CHURCH was embodied in two discourses preached at the celebra- tion of its Two Hundred and First Anniversary. The original form in which the material was cast, to adapt it to delivery from the pulpit, has been generally preserved, though not strictly ad- hered to. Wherever it seemed necessary or proper, in making alterations or additions, to recognize the fact that I was preparing a volume for publication, I have done so.
A division into three periods has been made, partly for the convenience of the reader, and partly for the sake of typographical neatness.
The engravings have been prepared for the work by artists of the highest reputation, at the urgent request of the Society. It would have been more agreeable to me to have introduced por- traits of all the pastors, both of the Second Church and the New Brick, could they have been obtained, and had it not been for the great expense which so many engravings would have involved. A selection was absolutely necessary, and the Committee of Publication made it. Otherwise the last portrait in the book would have been omitted.
A brief history of the New Brick Church, to which an explana- tory note is prefixed, follows that of the Old North.
Considerable matter has been thrown into an Appendix. The temptation was strong to increase it, and was resisted only by considering that the purpose of this book was not the gratifica- tion of an antiquarian taste. The value of the long catalogue of " Admissions and Baptisms," in connection with the Second Church, will be appreciated by every genealogist.
CONTENTS.
HISTORY OF THE SECOND CHURCH.
PAGE
INTRODUCTION TO DISCOURSE .
1
FIRST PERIOD, from 1650 to 1723
4
John Mayo . 9
Increase Mather
12
SECOND PERIOD, from 1723 to 1768
67
Cotton Mather .
67
Joshua Gee
115
Samuel Mather . 120
Samuel Chickley 123
THIRD PERIOD, from 1768 to 1851
125
John Lathrop 125
Henry Ware, jun.
130
Ralph Waldo Emerson 142
Chandler Robbins
143
HISTORY OF THE NEW BRICK CHURCH.
PREFATORY NOTE 167
William Waldron 181
William Welsteed . 183
Ellis Gray .
184
Ebenezer Pemberton
189 ·
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX TO HISTORY OF THE SECOND CHURCH 209
Covenant 209
Michael Powell's Letter to the Governor and Magistrates 210
Will of Increase Mather
212
Table of the Mather and Cotton Lineage
215
viii
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Increase Mather's Family Record, from his Family Bible 216
Notice of Cotton Mather's Writings . 217
Form of Union between the Second Church and the New Brick 220 Mr. Robbins's Letter of Resignation to the Proprietors of the New Meeting-house . 222
Admissions and Baptisms in the Second Church 226
Curious Case of Conscience of John Farnum 291
Interesting and Curious Votes 296
Bill of Fare for Ordination, 1722 298
Deacons of the Second Church . 298
Legacies and Donations to the Second Church 299
Address to the Congregation to excite them to raise the Minis- ter's Salary 300
Mr. Emerson's Ordination 301
Mr. Robbins's Ordination 301
Restored Covenant of the Second Church . 301
Library of the Church 302
Description of the Communion Plate 302 Social Festival at the Two Hundred and First Anniversary 303
Hymn written for the Festival . 305
APPENDIX TO HISTORY OF THE NEW BRICK CHURCH 306
Notice of Pamphlets relating to Mr. Thacher's leaving Wey- mouth 306
Speech of the Auctioneer on selling the Old Clock 308
Names of Original Associates who built the New Brick Church 309 Ordination and Genealogical Notice of William Waldron . 309 Mr. Welsteed's Ordination 310
Letters of Waldron. - Description of Prof. Wigglesworth. -
Meeting of the Overseers of Harvard College, 1723. - Mr. Gee's Ordination. - Christ Church. - Rev. Mr. Rogers, of Portsmouth. - Mr. Wigglesworth's " Sober Remarks." - Sa- lute on Sunday 310
Rev. William Hooper . 314
Ordination and Genealogical Notice of Ellis Gray 314 Death and Funeral of Ellis Gray 315
Notices of Dr. Pemberton and Sundry Votes 316
Notices of Deacons Tudor and Parkman . 317
Memoranda and Votes . 319
HISTORY OF THE SECOND CHURCH.
HISTORY
OF
THE SECOND CHURCH.
EZRA, ix. 8, 9. - AND NOW GRACE HATH BEEN SHOWED FROM THE LORD OUR GOD; FOR OUR GOD HATH NOT FORSAKEN US, BUT HATH EXTENDED MERCY TO US, TO GIVE US A REVIVING, TO SET UP THE HOUSE OF OUR GOD, AND TO REPAIR THE DESOLATIONS THEREOF, AND TO GIVE US A WALL IN JUDAH AND JERUSALEM.
Two hundred and one years ago, this very day, the Second Church in Boston was gathered .* We feel it to be both a sacred duty and a high privilege to set apart this occasion to a review of its history, and a commemo- ration of the dealings of God with our fathers and their children.
* The Second Church was gathered on the fifth day of June, 1650. This discourse was preached June 15, 1851.
For the sake of those who may not understand this apparent confu- sion of dates, a brief explanation of the differences of style is subjoined. The mode of reckoning time adopted by Julius Cæsar was used in Eng- land, and in this country, till 1752. The Julian year consisted of 3654 days, and, consequently, differed from the true solar year (365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, 49-62 seconds) by an excess of 11 minutes, 10-35 seconds. This small annual excess, in the course of centuries, produced a difference of several days between the solar and civil years. In 1582,
1
2
HISTORY OF
At the commencement of the third century, our harps were hanging upon the willows. Our affairs were not in a condition to authorize the celebration of a jubilee, or to make it certain that a kind Providence intended " to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God." In silence, therefore, we passed over that anniversary; though not in gloom, for even then beams of promise were breaking upon our future path, and that happy arrangement was already begun, whose consummation a few months ago has given us a secure "wall," as of old, in the city of our delight.
But we must pause for one moment, as we turn our thoughts backward. We cannot chain them to separate facts in this long history, till we have first indulged the feeling that comes over us so powerfully, on finding our- selves once more established in safety and joy, after all our wanderings and trials. It is kindred to that which rose in the hearts of "ransomed Israel," when, coming up from the divided sea, their feet stood once more upon the dry land. It is of mingled adoration and wonder
Pope Gregory XIII., finding the difference to have greatly increased, sought to correct the error by dropping ten days from the calendar. This Gregorian calendar was at once adopted by all the Roman Catholic countries. But the Protestant States of Germany and the kingdom of Den- mark adhered to the old Julian method till 1700; and England, with its colo- nies, till 1752. By act of Parliament in that year, the Julian calendar, or Old Style, as it was called, was abolished, and the date used in public documents made to conform to that employed in other European countries, by dropping eleven days, and calling the day following the second of Septem- ber, 1752, the fourteenth of September.
To adjust the difference between the Old Style and the New, ten days are to be added to any date from 1600 to 1700, and eleven days to a date from 1700 to Sept. 14, 1752.
3
THE SECOND CHURCH.
and gratitude. And it can find no better utterance, - none more grateful to itself, or more pleasing, perhaps, to Him to whom it rises, - than in the consecrated words of the very same psalm to which the ear of God then graciously listened, and whose glad peals echoed from the Red Sea behind to the wilderness of Shur before, when Moses sang, and all the men joined in chorus ; while Miriam and all the women, with their timbrels, responded, -" The Lord hath triumphed gloriously. The Lord is my strength and my song; and he is become my salvation. He is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation ; my fathers' God, and I will exalt him. Who is like unto thee, O Lord! among the gods ? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders ?"
The old field from which I have gleaned a few sheaves has been partially reaped before. Thirty years ago, at the completion of a century from the building of the Old Meeting House in Hanover-street, -now removed from our eyes, but never to be displaced from our hearts,-two discourses were preached by Rev. Henry Ware, jun .; one on the history of the New Brick Church, and the other on that of the Old North, or Second Church. Like every thing else which he undertook, that commemorative work was well done. But it is obvious, that within the limits of a single sermon it would be impossible to recount every particular worth remembering throughout the long period which he reviewed. Besides, his interesting discourses are not now to be procured; whilst several sources of informa- tion, not accessible to him, have come to light since he
4
HISTORY OF
wrote, and events of no inconsiderable moment to this church have contributed a painful interest to the close of its second century.
For these reasons, as well as from respect to the general request of this congregation, it has seemed to me not only proper, but necessary, that I should undertake to lay before you a thorough and minute history of our venerable church.
FIRST PERIOD.
FROM THE INSTITUTION OF THE CHURCH, 1650, TO 1723.
JOHN MAYO. - INCREASE MATHER.
FROM the first settlement of Boston, not twenty years had elapsed at the period when our history begins. But, in that short interval, a wonderful change had been effected in the aspect of this little peninsula. Tangled thickets had given place to pleasant streets, dark forests to smiling gar- dens, and barren wastes to fruitful fields. Low cabins and tents of cloth had been exchanged for large dwellings and convenient stores, some even of brick and tile and stone. Wharves stretched into the harbor. Ships of various nations rode at anchor in the bay, and all things gave early promise of a thriving and powerful city. The little cluster of buildings which had hitherto closely nestled for safety between the three hills - which were then crowned with forts and batteries of cannon, " like overtopping
5
THE SECOND CHURCH.
towers" keeping watch and ward over the feeble colony beneath them - was spreading over the plains, and wind- ing out through the valleys, and climbing up the heights.
It was only seventeen years since the First Church had been founded. Yet within that time its original house, with thatched roof and walls of mud, -"which had enclosed some of the noblest and choicest spirits that ever bore the Christian name;" in which Winthrop and Dudley had worshipped, the venerable Wilson taught, and the eloquent Cotton preached, - had made room for a more spacious and comfortable edifice. And now that also was insuffi- cient. The town had grown so populous that still another was required. The northern part especially felt the need of such accommodation. Its inhabitants were fast multi- plying; and amongst them were numbered some of the most respectable and wealthy. In those days, to feel such a want was to have it supplied.
The object dearest to the hearts of our fathers was the house of God. This was the centre, not only of their affec- tions, but of their settlements. To rear it was their first care, their united zeal. Around it their houses were builded. Close to it they fixed their habitations, - guard- ing it whilst it defended them; encircling it whilst it shel- tered them ; providing for it whilst it blessed, and praying for it whilst it hallowed them. It was a holy and beautiful sentiment, it is amongst the most precious tokens of their piety, that they consulted with such reverential care for the sanctuary and worship of God. It marks the grand principle which prompted their enterprise, which guided and governed their movements, which lay at the founda-
6
HISTORY OF
tion of their institutions, and which communicated to their arduous undertaking an unconquerable impulse, an irre- sistible energy. It is an evidence of that spirit of religious devotedness to which we are indebted, more than to all things else, for the highest glories which have adorned our country, and the choicest blessings which have enriched our inheritance.
For such reasons, and under the influence of such sen- timents, the foundation of the Second Church-edifice in Boston was laid, in 1649, at the head of North Square. We are told, to the credit of the minister of the First Church, - Mr. Cotton, that with laudable liberality and self-denial he favored and encouraged the undertaking, notwithstanding it might draw away parishioners from himself. " His name," says the quaintest of New England's historians, " was John; and, like the great forerunner of Jesus who bore the same appellation, he reckoned his joy fulfilled in this, that in his own decrease the interests of his Master would increase." It would be pleasant to be able to find some description or picture of this our first temple. But none such has come down to us. The only notice we have of it, and which is altogether incidental, is sufficient to pique our curiosity. Our church-records give us reason to suppose, that some of the pews were accommodated with private doors through the side of the house into the street, - for what purpose, or according to what style of architecture, or in what manner constructed, we are left wholly to conjecture. No account has been discovered of its first occupancy, or its formal consecration. The first sermon preached in it, of which we have information, was
:
7
THE SECOND CHURCH.
at the gathering of the church, on the fifth day of June, 1650. The original members, who were on that day united by covenant, were these seven: Michael Powell, James Ashwood, Christopher Gibson, John Phillips, George Davis, Michael Wills, and John Farnham. It is worthy of remark, that this covenant was not doctrinal, but practical; not a declaration of belief, but an obligation to Christian duty. - (See APPENDIX A.)
The preacher on that occasion was Samuel Mather,* then bút a young man, yet already giving promise of the high abilities which he afterwards displayed. He was born in England; but, arriving in Boston when nine years old, finished his education in the college at Cambridge, a mem- ber of the second class that graduated at that institution. He was the first who held the office of fellow, then the same as tutor, at Harvard; and is said to have been so much beloved by the students that " they put on tokens of mourning in their very garments when he resigned." The sermon alluded to called forth warm encomiums even from the grave lips of Cotton ; and the new society eagerly solicited him to become their minister. He consented to remain with them for only a few months ; at the expiration of which, to their great disappointment, as well as to that of several other congregations that wished his services, he returned to his native country, where he ended his days in usefulness and honor. " Afterward, Mr. Norton, minister of Ipswich, who two years after became minister of the First Church here, and Mr. Davenport, of New Haven, who
* Son of Rev. Richard Mather. See note on page 13.
.
8
HISTORY OF
seventeen years after also accepted a call from the First Church, - both of them amongst the distinguished men of that period, - and sundry others who were officers in other churches, but likely to remove from their places, were invited, with no better success, to take charge of this infant church." *
In this dilemma, the church were content to have their worship conducted by one of their own number, the first- named of the original seven, Michael Powell. His services were so satisfactory that the church would have proceeded to ordain him as their teacher, had not the civil authority interfered. Their objection to him was that he was "illit- erate as to academical education." They would not suffer an unlearned man to be called to the teaching office "in such a place as Boston." " He might have talents and a fine spirit," they argued, "and still not be competent to instruct the educated, explain the Scriptures, and convince the unbelieving. If such men intrude themselves into the sacred function, there is danger of bringing the profession into contempt. If an exception should be made in the case of Mr. Powell by reason of his peculiar gifts, it might establish a dangerous precedent." ¡ And so jealous were the civil fathers of this country of evil consequences to the churches, that they did not permit even the ministers to control the business of ordination, lest some of them, more pious than judicious, might admit to the pulpit illiterate men by reason of their earnestness and piety. This was not a solitary instance of such interference on the part of
* Church Records.
+ Mass. Hist. Collections.
9
THE SECOND CHURCH.
the General Court in ecclesiastical affairs. Indeed, it was one of their orders, that no minister should be called into office in any of the churches within their jurisdiction, with- out the allowance and approbation of some of the magis- trates, as well as some of the neighboring churches.
If we may judge of Mr. Powell's character by a singu- lar paper addressed by him, by way of explanation and apology, to the " honored Governor and Magistrates," he seems at least not to have been deficient in humility, gen- tleness, and respect for rulers. - (See APPENDIX B.)
After having remained without a pastor for four years, it happened that Mr. John Mayo, "on account of some difficulties and discouragements," left his church at Nosset in Plymouth County ; who, being both available and suita- ble, was invited to the pastoral office here, and ordained the ninth of November, 1655. At the same time, Mr. Powell was ordained as ruling elder of the church .*
* " The name elders (who are also in Scripture called bishops) includes those who attend to the ministry of the word, as pastors and teachers, and those who attend especially unto rule, who are therefore called ruling elders. They are not so called, however, as to exclude the former from rule and government; because these offices are common to both, though teach- ing and preaching are peculiar to the former.
" The ruling elder's work is to join with the pastor and teacher in those acts of spiritual rule which are distinct from the ministry of the word and sacraments. Of which sort are the following :- 1. To open and shut the doors of God's house, by the admission of members approved by the church. 2. To call the church together when there is occasion, and seasonably to dis- miss them again. 3. To prepare matters in private, that in public they may be carried to an end with less trouble and more speedy despatch. 4. To moderate the carriage of all matters in the church assembled; as, to propound matters to the church ; to order the season of speech and silence; and to pronounce sentence, according to the mind of Christ, with the consent of the church. 5. To be guides and leaders to the church in all matters whatsoever pertain- 2
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HISTORY OF
Of our first pastor little is known. It is probable that he was not a distinguished man; otherwise, from his advantageous and honorable position, some notice of him would have come down to us. He had passed the prime of life when he entered upon his ministry with this church, and was perhaps beginning to lose his vigor, as well of mind as of body. It seems probable that he did not extend his labors or influence. beyond the boundaries of his own parish. The only allusion, I believe, ever found to his cha- racter is contained in a single sentence, which I chanced lately to discover in the preface to a sermon by his asso- ciate, Increase Mather, of whom I shall soon speak. He says that "he was a blessing to his people; and that they two - pastor and teacher - lived together in love and peace for the space of eleven years." In 1672, it is stated in the records of our church, that Mr. Mayo grew so infirm that the congregation were not able to hear and be edified ; when, with his own consent, the brethren voted to release him from the burden of supplying the pulpit. It is also written, that in 1673 he removed from Boston to Barnsta- ble, to reside with his daughter; and there, and at Yar- mouth, spent the residue of his life in quiet and retirement. He died at Yarmouth in May, 1676, and was there buried. I have been pleased to discover, amongst some very ancient receipts, several signed by Mr. Mayo's son, on behalf of his
ing to church administrations and actions. 6. To see that none in the church live inordinately, out of rank and place, without a calling, or idly in their calling. 7. To prevent and heal such offences in life or in doctrine as might corrupt the church. 8. To feed the flock of God with a word of admonition. 9. As they shall be sent for, to visit and pray over their sick brethren, - 10. And at other times, as opportunity shall serve thereunto."
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THE SECOND CHURCH.
aged father, after he had gone to Barnstable, which prove the fact, creditable to the church, that, though their aged pastor had ceased to serve them, they did not cease to remember his former labors, which had lasted as long as his strength, nor seize an excuse, that has often been found by religious societies, for neglecting to comfort him in his declining years. This provision was continued, as the receipts indicate, up to the time of his death. Mr. Powell also, the ruling elder, who, soon after his appoint- ment to that office, became disabled by an attack of para- lysis, and through sickness reduced to poverty, was liberally remembered in the charitable distribution of the church.
By an account of the treasurer of the church, almost illegible, it appears that he was buried the thirty-first of January, 1672-3 .* It is a singular circumstance, illustra- tive of the funeral customs of the period, that, though the whole cost of the funeral was ten pounds and four shillings, only six shillings were paid for the grave, and six shil- lings for the coffin ; whilst three pounds and seventeen shillings were spent for wine, and five pounds fifteen shil- lings for gloves.t
* As by the "Old Style" the year began in March, there is often a con- fusion of dates before the year 1752, when the "New Style" was adopted ; in some cases a doubt arising whether January, February, and a part of March, closed the old year or began the new. This caused the practice of double-dating, which we often see, - for example, January, 1649-50. After the 25th of March, the Old and New Styles agree as to the year. If the event dated occurred before the twenty-fifth of March in any year, it is best to give the date as if the year began in January.
t While the pastor, teacher, and ruling elder, were in active service, they were paid according to the proportion indicated in the subjoined vote : - " 21st day of the 6th mo., 1662.
" The Church of the North End of Boston met at Bro. Collicott's, and
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HISTORY 0F
We have now reached a period from which dates a new and bright era in the affairs of this church, -at which I might say its history virtually commences. For before that time it had only a name to live. No records had been kept; no quickening impulse had been given to it; no vigorous growth had begun. I refer to the year 1664, in which, on the twenty-seventh of May, Increase Mather was ordained teacher ; a man whose name is not only identified with the early civil and ecclesiastical annals of New England, but with the history of this church for sixty- two years, or nearly one-third of the whole period of our present survey. His character has been several times sketched, and was very justly delineated by Mr. Ware. But it has been more than once misrepresented; and, I grieve to say, by some in our own day, whose accustomed integrity and fairness only render their severe judgment in this instance more remarkable and more injurious. Indeed, such confidence had I been taught to repose in the accu- racy and justice of their historical views and statements, that I had myself prejudged the case against this venerable predecessor, and supposed the judgment to be fully author- ized, before I had occasion to search more carefully, as I
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