USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Annals of King's Chapel from the Puritan age of New England to the present day > Part 19
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This "solemn and imposing scene " is a fitting prelude to his whole ministry, with its serious appeals to the great verities of duty and judgment.
The first four years of his settled ministry were passed in Cincinnati, where he was ordained by Dr. Walker and Dr. Park- man, May 22, 1831. It was then a western city, separated from New England by a slow and fatiguing journey of weeks by stage- coach, canal, or river, - a city where everything was growing and nothing formed, - a place where everything tempted him to wear himself out in endless labors. " How hard he worked ! contributing to the Unitarian Essayist, and preaching constantly with nothing on hand; the nearest exchange at Pittsburg (five hundred miles), or Louisville." Here, too, he began his wedded life.2 The cholera came, and he stood fearless in his duty as a Christian minister, a " son of consolation." He edited the "Western Messenger," and wrote a large part of what was
1 Something should be added of the influence of his maternal uncle, a mem- ber of the household, Samuel Abbot, a man with Abbot reserve, but highly cul- tivaled, from whom he received his first thorough training in Greek and Latin. Samuel Abbot was also an inventor, who first discovered the use of potatoes in the manufacture of starch, which he supplied to the factories at Waltham in place of the foreign article. He died in his starch
mill, while attempting to save his papers from a conflagration.
2 He married, at Salem, Aug. 5. 1833, Mary-Jane, daughter of John and Eleanor (Coffin) Derby. Their children were Samnel, Ellen-Derby (m. Charles W. Eliot, LL.D.), Anna-Huidekoper (m. Rev. Henry W. Bellows, D. D), George- Derby, Emily-Morison, Robert-Swain, and Rev. Francis Greenwood Peabody, D. D.
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printed in it. Without " exchanges" or relief, between Novem- ber and May, of one year, he wrote sixty sermons. Unwearied in all duties within and without his Parish, he exhausted in those few years the springs of health that were given for a long life. The fruits of his devotion, indeed, came back to him. A little before his death he was told of " a colored man in Cincinnati, prosperous and respectable, who attributed all his prosperity and success to the encouragement and instruction which Mr. Peabody had given to him - teaching him to read - when he was poor and friendless. It was characteristic of Mr. Peabody that he had forgotten all about it, and could not be made to believe that it was true."
In August, 1835, came the first shock of the disease which was thenceforth to be an imperious fetter on his life and work. This occurred after being thrown from a chaise at the house of his friend Dr. Putnam, at Roxbury, just before the time ap- pointed for his delivery of the Phi Beta Kappa poem at Cam- bridge. Soon followed the death of his only child; and in that autumn the bereaved parents returned to Cincinnati, -he to seek a milder climate for the winter. Says our informant, -
" Leaving his young wife (whose eyes were in such a state that she could not even read the letters that he might send her), he went down the river in mid-winter. The boat in which he went was frozen in near the mouth of the Ohio. Thinking that his hour had come, with solemn trust he wrote of his desolate situation, saying that where he had gone for life the very air was filled with death."
But after a while the imprisoned boat was released. He went to Mobile, where his preaching led to the formation of a Uni- tarian society. After a summer passed in Dayton, Ohio, the next autumn found him constrained to sever entirely his connec- tion with his church at Cincinnati; and during the winter of 1836-37 he preached in Mobile, "throwing off his disease, like an old garment, in the pinewoods of Alabama." A summer passed among his native hills confirmed him in comparative vigor. In the winter of 1837-38 he first became known in Bos- ton as a preacher, while supplying the pulpit of the Federal Street Church. Dr. Gannett's health had then given way, as it was supposed, beyond restoration, and he was in Europe. It was seriously proposed that Mr. Peabody should become his colleague; but the plan was found impracticable.
And now he entered into a ministerial relation almost unique in its character and in its happy working. On May 23, 1838,
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he and Rev. John H. Morison were " set apart as associate pas- tors" of the First Congregational Church and Society of New Bedford, " by the same religious services." It was a relation which continued without a jar during six years. During that time the survivor afterwards wrote, "We do not think that so much as a momentary misunderstanding ever threw its shadow over the pleasantness of their intercourse, or that either was ever met with a cold or averted look by any one of their peo- ple." It was a friendship which lasted to the end; its perma- nent monument abides in the Memorial of Dr. Peabody by his friend, from which the materials of our narrative are largely drawn, and in the "Christian Days and Thoughts " which he compiled from Dr. Peabody's manuscripts with rare taste and skill. The ties thus formed in New Bedford were never even loosened by his departure thence, when called to King's Chapel in 1845. From the beginning of his life there dated one of its greatest pleasures, - his summer home at Naushon, where for seventeen years he, with his family, was a welcome guest during a month of every year. And when, eleven years after his re- moval from them, his former congregation had listened sorrow- ing to his successor's funeral tribute, they put on record their " gratitude to God for the inestimable privilege they enjoyed of listening to the wise and affectionate teachings, of witnessing the beneficent and blameless life, and of sharing in the priceless friendship, of one whose presence for many years was a light in all their homes, and whose disinterested goodness had endeared him to all their hearts."
In the autumn of 1845, Mr. Peabody was invited to a pasto- ral settlement both by the society in Hollis Street and by that of King's Chapel.
He was led to accept the latter by the same considerations of duty which governed all his acts. His infirm health made his body a tool which might break at any moment. "He thought that in New Bedford he would not be able to work more than five years ; but in Boston perhaps ten." His last sermon from this pulpit was preached at the close of his tenth year, on occa- sion of the death of Judge Jackson,1 the subject being "The Memorial of Virtue immortal," - a sermon which might have been written on himself.
In 1853 the Parish persuaded him to take a six months' absence in Europe, which renewed his health and refreshed
1 Contained in the volume of his printed sermons.
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his spirit.1 This absence was filled with the delight, especially in Italy, which few travellers are so well fitted by temperament and training to enjoy; but it wrought little permanent gain to his frail health. He husbanded his diminished strength by the employment of an amanuensis, and by greater care to avoid ex- posure and fatigue; but his old disease was never overcome. In the spring of 1855 he was worn by special duties; after preaching at Nahant he took a severe chill; on the 30th of De- cember he preached for the last time. A winter in Florida failed to benefit the deep-seated malady; and summer brought loss instead of gain, even though, in a home under the sheltering beauty of the Blue Hills, every care of friends folded him around. He died, serenely as he had lived, on the morning after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, 1856.
The following correspondence is an honorable testimony to the relations of pastor and people during the last weeks of his declining strength : -
BOSTON, Oct. 9, 1856.
To WILLIAM THOMAS, EsQ., and GARDNER BREWER, EsQ., Wardens, and to the VESTRY of KING'S CHAPEL.
MY DEAR FRIENDS, -I venture to address you on a subject which has been the source of many anxious thoughts to me. I have been hoping, from time to time, to recover my strength, and to resume my duties ; but I have been disappointed. My health is now such that I perceive I am imposing on our Church a pecuniary burden which they ought not to bear ; while, still more, I fear that my continuing to hold my office so long, while unable to perform its duties, may be injurious to their best interests. I have had large and long experience of the kind- ness and forbearance of my people. I have had no suggestion made to me, and seen no sign, that their patience is failing now. On the con- trary, their generous consideration seems to have increased very much in
1 The newspapers of the day made public at that time his declination of a proffered addition to his salary. Mr. Peabody's letter to the Wardens upon this subject, and the subsequent action of the Parish, will be found on pp. 515, 516, fost.
The following votes testify to the gen- erous and anxious regard felt towards him by his congregation : -
In April, 1849, the Parish voted "a vacation of six weeks to Dr. Peabody, at such time as agreeable to him, - the pulpit to be supplied at the expense of the Proprietors." In Sept. 1855, the Wardens were " authorized by the Ves-
try to supply the desk for the whole day, or a part of it, at the expense of the So- ciety, at all times during the present season when in their opinion it may be agreeable to Dr. Peabody." In December it was voted that "the pulpit be supplied for two months, to relieve him from all duties, his health requiring rest." He went South for the winter, and in Feb- ruary, 1856, it was again voted that "the pulpit be supplied till his return from his journey and till such time as he is able to resume his pastoral duties." In the ensuing summer the Church was closed from the last Sunday in June to the second in September.
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proportion as my power to make any return for it has diminished. But their great kindness is the last reason for me to give as an excuse for neglecting their interests. What awaits me in the future is beyond my knowledge; but it is at any rate uncertain how soon I shall be able to resume any part of my work, and more than doubtful whether I shall ever be able to resume it in full. Under these circumstances, it is clearly my duty not to allow the Church to suffer from these per- sonal contingencies.
I therefore propose that from this time the expense of supplying the pulpit should be deducted from my salary. I propose, secondly, that if any opportunity should occur of making a more permanent arrange- ment, free from the objections to the present irregular mode of supply, the amount of any increased expenditure on this account should likewise be deducted from my salary. Any such arrangements, however, must necessarily be temporary. A more decisive course is essential in order to make yon free from embarrassment. And for this end I place in your hands my resignation of the office you have entrusted me with, to be used in such way or manner as you may judge most conducive to the welfare of the Society.
You will not misunderstand my reasons. I cannot write the words without having my mind flooded with tender thoughts and memories. And when I have parted from our Society, there can be but one more parting of any serious interest to me on earth. But our Society is com- posed of the best friends I have in the world ; and more than this, they are the friends whose spiritual interests it is my pledged and solemn duty first of all to consider. I have little power to do you any positive service, and it is doubly incumbent on me, therefore, not to allow any personal feelings to interfere with any arrangements for your benefit. I wish, therefore, to put my resignation into your hands as into those of trusted and reliable friends, who will be better able to judge when to act than I ; and who will believe that, whether my days are to be many or few, I have no wish so strong as that I may take precisely that course which shall be best for the Church. My relation with the Society is and ever has been most happy and dear to me. I had hoped to live and die as its Minister ; and I cannot let such a relation be closed by any act, on my part or yours, not in accordance with your highest and holiest inter- ests. I wish to put myself, and to be put, entirely out of view, and have nothing thought of but what is conducive to your Christian welfare. You will understand that you are authorized, either at once or at any future day, to lay this note of resignation before the members of the Society. Whatever may be their decision. I know it can never be otherwise than most friendly to me ; and though it may be thought best that I should cease in any way to be your Minister, I feel sure that every other rela- tion will remain unbroken.
I can close only with good wishes. May the spirit of Christ be formed more and more in your hearts. May life be so consecrated to God and
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to good uses that at death you may not feel it in vain to have lived. The Lord God Almighty cause his face to shine upon you, and lead you in ways of peace to the life everlasting. Such most sincerely is and ever shall be the prayer of your
Friend and Pastor,
EPHRAIM PEABODY.
The foregoing communication having been laid before the Proprietors of King's Chapel, at a special meeting held im- mediately after morning service on Sunday the 26th day of October, 1856, the following Resolutions were unanimously adopted : -
A communication from the Rev. Dr. Peabody, addressed to the Ward- ens and Vestry, and tendering his resignation as Pastor of this Church in consequence of ill health, having been read, it was
Resolved, That while we duly appreciate the delicate sense of duty by which Dr. Peabody is prompted to make his communication, we do not think there is any present cause for adopting either of the suggestions made by him. The judicious arrangements of the Wardens for the sup- ply of the pulpit are such as to prevent any present detriment to those interests for which Dr. Peabody has always been, and is, so devotedly solicitous.
Resolved, That we desire to express our deep sympathy with Dr. Pea- body for the affliction under which he is suffering, and our earnest and sincere prayers for his restoration to health.
Resolved, That the Wardens be instructed to inform Dr. Peabody that we cannot consent to any change in our relations to him ; and we beg him to dismiss from his mind all uneasiness in regard to this Society, resting tranquil in the assurance that if any new circumstances should render a change necessary or desirable, he shall be candidly informed of them.
At a meeting of the Society worshipping in King's Chapel, held on Sunday, November 30, 1856, after morning service, to give expression to their feelings, and to adopt such measures as should be deemed suitable in consequence of the death of the Rev. EPHRAIM PEABODY, the Minister of this Church, the follow- ing preamble and resolution were offered by Messrs. Charles P. Curtis, Thomas G. Cary, and George T. Bigelow, -who had been appointed by the Wardens and Vestry a committee for the purpose of preparing the same, - and were adopted and ordered to be printed for the use of the Society: -
It hath pleased Almighty God to take from this Society their beloved Pastor, the Rev. EPHRAIM PEABODY. After a life of eminent usefulness, he has gone to receive the reward of the just made perfect.
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THE MINISTRY OF EPHRAIM PEABODY.
We bow in humble submission to this mysterious Providence ; we offer our grateful acknowledgments to the Divine Goodness for that He hath so long spared to us our friend to be our guide, our instructor, and our companion. The purity and directness of his example, the clearness and simplicity of his teachings, the firmness of his faith and character, and the beauty of his life have been constant incitements to us, and to all who knew him, to the performance of good works and the cultivation of all the virtues. By the old, the middle-aged, and the young, the departure of Mr. PEABODY will be felt as a severe bereavement, -by the young especially, whose hearts he so lovingly drew towards him. He thought that if Providence should vouchsafe to bestow his favor on any portion of his ministrations, it might be on those which were addressed to the susceptible hearts and minds of youth; and his success in this direction proves the correctness of his judgment.
The character of Mr. PEABODY was so symmetrical, the noblest Chris- tian virtues were so fully developed in it, that we can hardly select any attribute as having prominence over others ; but no one could see him without being impressed with the exalted spirit of Truth which pervaded all his words and actions. His life was most truly governed by Christ's Law. With an ever-abiding remembrance and consciousness of his rela- tions to Almighty God ; his mind sobered by reflection upon the most important truths ; always striving for the happiness of others ; esteeming himself as nothing ; generous, disinterested, and self-sacrificing, - he walked through this world having " his citizenship in Heaven," and with his mind in such a frame that were he to hear his Lord coming, whether at midnight or at the break of day, he could with devout trust and cheer- ful confidence go forth to meet him.
The more mature portion of Mr. PEABODY's hearers and associates respected him for his stability and manliness, while they loved him for the quickness and vitality of his sympathy for them in all the relations of their lives. To this many aching hearts have borne witness ; and they bless him for the gentle tone in which he spoke strong words of faith and hope to them. Our eyes overflow with sorrow when we recall the image of our departed friend : a presentment so noble, a deportment of such blended dignity and sweetness, a manner so genial, that his entrance into our dwellings seemed to shed light and warmth on all around him. And not alone by us will this bereavement be felt. By all de- nominations of Christians Mr. PEABODY was held in close regard and profound respect. His catholic spirit embraced in its folds all the true worshippers of God without regard to the dogmas of sects ; and, while he sacrificed no point of his own faith, he'carefully abstained from all unkind comment on the faith of others.
We desire to express our deep sympathy with the affliction which has befallen those who are nearest and dearest to the departed. But there are sorrows with which the stranger intermeddleth not; and though we are not strangers, we forbear to approach wounds so recent. We can
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only venture to remind these mourners that it is God who hath visited them. He gave, and He hath taken away.
" Angels of Life and Death alike are His ; Without Ilis leave they pass no threshhold o'er ; Who then would wish to dare, believing this, Against Ilis messengers to shut the door ?"
Finally, we humbly and fervently pray that the example and the in- structions of our departed friend may not be thrown away, but may be productive of lasting good to us ; that our hearts may be touched, our desires elevated, and our wishes purified ; and that our conduct for the remainder of our lives here may be improved, so that at the last we may come to the eternal joy which is promised to those who are pure in spirit.
Resolved, by the Proprietors of King's Chapel, that the Wardens and Vestry be requested to make all suitable arrangements for the funeral of the Reverend EPHRAIM PEABODY in conformity with the wishes of his family.1
The deepest work wrought for a Parish by such a Minister as Dr. Peabody is one which only time can fully disclose. He was not one of those who spend themselves in the noisy clatter of machinery, - a part of which may be useful, while a part is likely to exist chiefly for the sake of the noise, - but rather a sower quietly sowing the seed of a new life, whose harvests are not reaped in a day or in a year. He came, too, to a Parish pecu- liarly averse to innovation, which with all its love and respect for him did not always respond to his wish for modifications that in his judgment would increase its usefulness or quicken its reli- gious life. Thus in regard to his plan of changing the afternoon to an evening service, which his experience elsewhere com- mended, - though several times urged, it was never accepted by the Church ; and so, too, in the preparation of an edition of the Liturgy in 1850, he was disappointed in his endeavor to restore the Service in some points to the ancient form. Ile came to a Parish which has been said, by those who like not its stable ways, to give its Minister no opportunity of work; but he made his opportunities, if he did not find them. The Sunday School was very near his heart.
" He formed, in the earlier part of his ministry in Boston, a class of older pupils, to be instructed by himself, in a course of lectures delivered at his own house, on interesting questions of morals, theology, sacred
1 Two days before this action was Dr Peabody. The emblems of mourn- taken it had been ordered that the ing remained until they gave place to Church should be draped in black for the customary Christmas green.
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history, and kindred subjects. For these he prepared himself with great care ; and they were interesting and useful to those who could attend. These were continued for about four years, -as long, indeed, as there were young persons in the Parish who needed precisely that sort of aid." 1
In January, 1852, Mr. Peabody wrote a letter to the Vestry, asking them to consider " the general subject of the Sabbath services with reference to the question whether they were not susceptible of some modifications which might add to their utility."2 He showed that the afternoon service was thinly at- tended for various reasons, and stated the objections to making any change, but went on to suggest that if that service were dropped, there should be substituted for it either an evening ser- vice, beginning at half-past six, " the pews free to all who may choose to occupy them," or a Sunday School instead of the after- noon service. These suggestions he offered as " merely sugges- tions," without expressing " any opinion." "Personally," he said, "I have no preferences for one course over the other ; but I should be glad to know which seems to others the most useful. If it be best to retain the afternoon service, I should be glad to know that it was thought best. Fortified by the deliberate judgment of others, I should feel a confidence in commending it to a more general observance, which it would be impossible to feel, if the judgment of responsible and judicious men were opposed to it. The value of such institutions, and of all our religious methods, depends not on a traditional, doubting. semi-acquiescence in
1 Mr. Eliot's Memoir.
2 In 1845, the question of closing the Church in the summer, or holding the evening service at a later hour, was re- ferred by the Proprietors to the War- dens and Vestry, with full powers; and in 1846 they directed a paper to be put in each pew, to ascertain whether a change from three to four o'clock P. M. in summer is approved.
It was voted, June 7, 1846, that the afternoon service should begin at four o'clock P. M. during the three summer months ; but in IS47 the question took a further range.
The questions whether, first, it would not be well to suspend the Sunday after- noon service during some portion of the warmer season ; or, if not, second, whether it would not be well to have the sermon omitted, and have only the prayers of the Evening Service in the Liturgy read, -
having been referred to the Wardens and Vestry with instructions to ascer- tain the wishes of the worshippers at the Chapel thereupon, it was
" Voted, That the Wardens be instructed to obtain the opinions and wishes of the wor- shippers upon these two points, by leaving in each pew a printed paper containing the ques- tions, and requesting answers thereto; and that the first question shall be 'whether it would not be better to omit the afternoon service from the 15th June until the 15th September.' "
Fifty-nine Proprietors were in favor of closing the church in the afternoon from the middle of June to the middle of September, and only ten opposed. One of the ten, however, was the father of Dr. Greenwood, whose feeling was so strong that he proposed to have the church opened and to sit there in soli- tary, silent worship at the usual hour.
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them, but on the deliberate conviction among thinking men that on the whole they are valuable, and because of their value deserving respect and observance." It was, however, after discussion, voted by the Vestry " That it is not desirable that any material change be made in the Chapel service."
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