USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Historical manual of the South church in Andover, Mass > Part 8
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In his Theological position he was a decided and zealous Cal- vinist, in strictest conformity to the Westminster Catechism. He did not enter directly into any of the stirring public controver-
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sies of the time. He was one, however, of the five Pastors who wrote " a highly commendatory preface " to a pamphlet in defence of the doctrine of Original Sin, written by Mr. Clark, of Dan- vers, in answer to the author of " A Winter Evening's Conver- sation." This latter work was the occasion of a long and eminent controversy. His name appears also in the list of subscribers for the publication of Edwards's Treatise on Original Sin. But, though he did not engage directly in controversy, his published discourses and books never give forth an uncertain sound. He takes pains to declare his doctrinal views, and to express his fears with respect to Arminianism. To his own people he ex- pressed himself very plainly. For their benefit he wrote " Sea- sonable Advice to a Neighbor," in which he holds fast, as on other public occasions he had exhorted others to do, "in partic- ular the doctrine of Original Sin, and that of the Nature and Necessity of the New-Birth, and that of Justification by Faith without the works of the Law, and that of the Divine Decrees, as also that of the Saints' Perseverance." Though he "would not be understood to intend absolutely to confine real Christianity to those who are fully in the scheme of principles called Calvin- istic," yet he is moved thus to speak, " being fully persuaded that those truthis are most consonant, not only to antiquity, but also to the true standard, the Word of Inspiration." He heart- ily wishes, he is not ashamed to say, that the number of those who bear the name of Calvinist " may be abundantly increased;" and for myself, Ut sit Anima mea cum Puritanis." This little treatise, reprinted in 1811 and distributed through the town under the legacy of Judge Phillips, was written in 1761, and dedicated to the South Parish, with the prayer of their pastor that they might always hold fast the form of sound words, and especially might not settle any succeeding minister of opposite faitlı. Yet, with these strong doctrinal opinions, he was able to unite his own people, and to maintain fellowship with neighbor- ing clergymen of a looser and dangerous creed, Some of these ministers, during the great awakening, sent in a remonstrance
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against Whitefield. Mr. Phillips, though his own congregation was entirely unaffected by that movement, did not join them. The pastors with whom his name is most frequently mentioned, were the warm friends and promoters of that revival. Preaching in Boston in the Spring of 1741, after the first visit of Whitefield to New England, he stops in his discourse to say : " Thanks be given to Zion's King, that there are so many at this day, more espe- cially in this town, who are asking the way to Zion, with their faces thitherward." The introduction of unlearned men into the ministry, and the practice of intrusion by Evangelists or other ministers into parishes not their own, without the approbation of the pastors of those parishes, were two results of the revival with which he did not sympathize, but publicly deprecated them.
Mr. Phillips's publications were numerous. The following is a complete list : Elegy upon the death of Nicholas Noyes and George Curwen, 1718. A word in Season, 1727. Three plain, practical Discourses, 1728. Advice to a Child, 1729. The His- tory of the Saviour, 1738. The Orthodox Christian, 1738. A Minister's Address to his People, 1739. A Preface to Mr. Bar- nard's funeral sermon for Mr. Abiel Abbot, 1739. Artillery Election Sermon, 1741. Living Water to be had for Asking, 1750. A Sermon at the General Election, 1750. A Sermon at the Installation of Rev. Samuel Chandler, 1751. Sinner's Refusal to come to Christ Reproved, 1753. The Necessity of God's drawing in order to men's coming unto Christ, 1753. Con- vention Sermon, 1753. Sermon at the Ordination of Nathan IIolt, 1759. Seasonable Advice to a Neighbor, 1761. Address to Young People, 1763. Discourse on Justification, 1766. A Sermon on Suicide, 1767.
A large number of these works were composed for his own people, and in these he frequently expresses his warm pastoral interest for them. He identified himself closely with them. He was eminently kind and faithful in discipline. His care for the young was specially great. "It was his practice to call at every house in his parish, at least once in a year, and he often carried
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Madam with him in these parochial visits. They usually rode together on the same horse, according to the fashion of the times. He had much influence in persuading parents to attend to parental duties and household worship. Though a man of considerable humor, yet there was an apparent sternness, which caused undue fear in many of his people, and especially among the young."
" He early acquired the habit of order, industry, and economy in the management of all his affairs, by which he was enabled to accomplish much and attain his object. Though he sacredly devoted a tenth part of his income to pious and charitable pur- poses, and his salary was small, yet he edneated his family lib- erally, and accumulated a large estate." At his death he left £100 as an abiding fund for the relief of indigent persons in the South Parish of Andover, namely : " Proper objects of char- ity, and such as receive no help from the town, more especially those of the church in the said parish standing in need of relief." Ile gave "the like sum of £100 for the pions and charitable use of propagating Christian knowledge among the Indians of North America."
A still fuller legacy did this pastor leave to his parish and the world in the lives of his children. Their mother was Hannah, daughter of John White, Esq., of Haverhill. She was married to Mr. Phillips, January 17, 1711-12, and died January 7, 1773, in the eighty-second year of her age. The records of the church do not contain her name, but a manuscript catalogue, commenced in 1765, shows that she was a communicant. The children were :
1. Mary, born Nov. 30, 1712, married Samuel Appleton, of Haver- hill, died - - 1737.
2. Samuel, born February 13, 1715; H. U. 1734; Teacher and Merchant at North Andover; Deacon of the Church ; Representative of the town ; Member of Exceutive Council ; for many years a civil magistrate ; Founder, in connection with his brother John, and espe- cially his son, Judge Samuel Phillips, of Phillips Academy, Andover,
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1778. His donations to that Institution were $6000. He died August 21,1790.
3. Lydia, born June 10, 1717, married Dr. Parker Clark, died No- vember 4, 1749.
4. John, born December 17, 1719; H. U. 1735; LL. D. D. C. 1777 ; Teacher at Andover, and Exeter, N. H .; Received invitation to be- come Pastor of Church at Exeter in 1747; Merchant; Justice of the Peace, and authorized, in some singular cases, to be one of the Judges of the Superior Court; Trustee of Dartmouth College, and founded in it Phillips Professorship of Theology ; Joint Founder, and Trustee, of Phillips Academy Andover, to which he gave $31,000; Sole Foun- der of Phillips Academy, Exeter, N. H .; contributed liberally to the College at Princeton ; died April 21, 1795.
5. William, born June 25, 1722; an active and successful Merchant at Boston ; active in the proceedings which preceded and attended the Revolution ; Representative and Senator, and Member of the Consti- tutional Convention ; Deacon of Old South Church; Trustee of Phil- lips Academy, Andover, to which he gave $6000. ITis son, Lieutenant Governor William, gave to the Academy and Seminary $42,000. The father died January 15, 1804.
During nearly a year after the death of Mr. Phillips, the Parish was much agitated on the question of the division ; but May 5th, the church made an unanimous choice of MR. JONA- THAN FRENCH as its pastor. The Parish unanimously con- curred in the choice May 20th. He was ordained September 23, 1772.
Mr. French was born at Braintree, Mass., January 30, 1740. He was the youngest son of Moses French. His mother, Esther Thayer, a great granddaughter of John Alden, was the ninth of fourteen children, all of whom lived to "enter a family state, and to make the noble resolution of Joshua: as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." His youngest sister, Deliverance, was the first wife of Dr. Emmons, of Franklin.
Mr. French lived with his father, a farmer, till his seventeenth year. In March, 1757, he enlisted as a private soldier, and re-
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paired to Fort Edward. Disabled for active service by sickness, he obtained a discharge, and returned home in October. Soon after, he was stationed as sergeant at Castle William, had also charge of the Sutler's store, and, in the frequent absence of the superior officers, sustained the care of the whole garrison. Dur- ing his residence there, he enjoyed the acquaintance of many literary characters from Boston and its vicinity. He diligently improved these advantages and his opportunities for reading. He had a natural fondness for mathematical studies ; but his atten- tion was now turned chiefly to medicine and surgery. He made so great proficiency in these, that the care of the sick at the garrison was often entrusted to him; and the physicians there, who had assisted him in his studies, advised him to pursue this profession. IIe was at one time on the point of yielding to this advice ; but the prospect of greater usefulness, and the en- couragement offered by other friends, induced him to resolve upon a collegiate education.
The chaplains of the castle aided him in his preparatory studies. He used to study his classics, while rowed back and forth between Boston and the castle by the crew under his com- mand. In 1767, resigning his sword to his successor, he entered Harvard College. He was graduated in 1771. Among his classmates were two natives of Andover, Samuel Phillips, Jr., and David Osgood. He possessed, owing, perhaps, in some de- gree to his age and experience, in an uncommon degree, the con- fidence of his instructors. His collegiate life was characterized by conformity to law, and by diligent attention to study. Ile associated much with persons of piety, and especially for pur- poses of devotion and religious improvement. After his gradu- ation he continued at Cambridge in the study of Divinity, resid- ing in the family of the widow of President Holyoke.
It had been his purpose to spend his life as a Missionary to the Indians. But he was induced to accept an invitation to preach as a candidate at Andover, which led to his settlement, in his 33d year. He continued pastor till his death, July 28, 1809 - a ministry of thirty-seven years.
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" Mr. French was rather short in stature, and inclined to be corpulent ; and, as might be expected, was not remarkable for bodily activity. In his natural disposition he was cheerful and social, and in his manners easy and familiar. He was uncom- monly accessible and unceremonious ; was much at home amongst the memorabilia of the past; had much interesting and useful anecdote at his command ; and conversed intelligently and agree- ably upon the passing events and ordinary topics of the day. There was so much of friendliness and kindness expressed in his manner, that those with whom he conversed were quite sure to feel altogether at their ease. Though he possessed a good share of sensitiveness, he generally kept his feelings under good control, and if at any time they became suddenly too much ex- cited, he would not unfrequently retire into his study and remain until he had regained full self-possession." 1
"He loved children, and was beloved by them in return. . . . His manners and language to the young were of the most 'win- ning and appropriate kind; nothing studied, nothing forced or far-fetched."? . " IIe annually catechized the children in the seven school districts into which the parish was divided. . . His discourse to the lambs of his flock on such occasions, was remarkably appropriate and impressive. . . . . Twice a year he formally visited all the schools in his parish." 3
" His house was a seat of hospitality. To every brother in the ministry, and to a large circle of acquaintance, his doors were always open, and every one who came, met with a cordial welcome. His hospitality kept him even on the lookout for visitors ; and many a nice dinner have I seen set aside for a friend who might chance to call after the regular dining hour was past." 4
" Seldom was any minister more beloved, esteemed, and ven- erated by his parishioners. They constantly applied to him for
! Rev. Micah Stone; Sprague's Annals.
? Ilon. Josiah Quincy ; Sprague's Annals.
3 Rev. Timo. Alden.
4 Rev. Micah Stone.
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counsel in all their difficulties, temporal as well as spiritual." 1 In the early part of his ministry he was serviceable to them as a physician. His attentions in this respect, and his medicines, were gratuitous. On the Sabbath morning when the news reached Andover of the battle of Bunker Hill, he set off, with his gun and surgical instruments, immediately for the army. Four persons belonging to his parish were killed in that battle, and several wounded. Ile was of much assistance in ministering to the necessities of the wounded. His sympathies with the distressed and suffering were very quick. On all occasions in which his feelings were called forth, his words and manner were specially appropriate.
" Mr. French was characterized by substantial good sense, rather than by brilliant or showy qualities. He was a careful observer of men and things, and knew well how to retain the confidence and good-will of his fellow men, especially of his own charge, without in the least compromitting any of his obligations.
"As a preacher, he maintained a highly respectable rank. His preaching was rather practical than doctrinal. For though he cordially received the Calvinistic doctrines, he very rarely went into a particular exposition of them - much less attempted any- thing like a formal defence. He dwelt upon the principles and rules of Christian duty." 1 Ilis sermons were usually written, though sometimes extemporancous. His great object was to be useful rather than elegant, to offer the plain and momentous truths of the Gospel in a language which all might understand. Ilis manner of preaching was serious, solemn and impressive. Ilis voice was strong, pleasing, and piercing. "In the latter part of his life his delivery was exceedingly deliberate - too muel so for the natural current of men's thoughts. It was a habit into which he fell from his efforts to avoid the opposite ex- treme. IIe told me that, in the early part of his ministry, he was inclined to a very rapid utterance; and that, in order to
1 Rev. Micah Stone.
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acquire greater moderation, he used occasionally to write upon the top of some pages of liis manuscript : 'a little slower.'" 1
As a Theologian, it seems evident that Mr. French not only did not make very sharp discriminations, but was rather averse to having them made. He was, beyond all dispute, no friend to the Hopkinsian theories of his day. Yet, as between sueh Ar- minians as Dr. Symmes, of the North Parish, and Dr. Cum- mings, of Billerica, and the Calvinists as a elass, he undoubtedly sided with the latter. He was nearly the only one of his Asso- eiation whose sympathies were Calvinistie. The remark of Rev. Reuben Emerson, of Southi Reading, in a recent note, is : " He was reputed a Calvinist, though living in the atmosphere of Ar- minianism." An impression prevailed among some, at least, of the common hearers of his sermons, that lie felt this atmosphere so much as not fully to utter his own eonvietions. I have heard it said, that after preaching sound and solemn doetrine, he was in the habit of adding a remark or two, which mitigated very much the severity of his statements. He exchanged freely with ministers of the right and left wing.
He was one of the Trustees of Phillips Academy from the beginning. After 1792, he preached occasionally in the Aead- emy, and gave Theological instruction to its members, for which a small salary was given him - £10 the first year, and $80 in 1807. He was especially consulted by Samuel Abbot, Esq., in the disposal of the property which Mr. Abbot gave for the estab- lishment of the Theological Seminary. He viewed with some distrust the union of the two Calvinistic parties in the establish- ment of the Seminary within his Parish, but finally voted for it.
He had himself kept a Divinity School in his own family. Among those edueated by him, were, probably, the following : Rev. Amos. Clark, of Dedham, Rev. Samnel Gile, D. D., of Mil- ton, Prof. John Farrar, of Cambridge, James Thompson, Daniel Bates, Rev. James Kendall, D. D., Jonathan Huse, Rev. Mical Stone, of Brookfield, and Rev. Samuel Stearns, of Bedford.
1 Rev. Micah Stone.
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The following is a list of Mr. French's publications : A Ser- mon against Extortion, 1777. A Sermon at the Ordination of Daniel Oliver, 1787. A Sermon at the Ordination of Abiel Abbot, 1795. A Sermon at the General Election, 1796. A Sermon at the Anniversary Thanksgiving, 1798. A Sermon at the Ordination of James Kendall, 1800. A Sermon at the Or- dination of his Son, 1801. An Evening Lecture at Portsmouth, 1805. A Charge at the Ordination of Prof. Pearson, 1808.
Mr. French was married, in 1773, to Abigail Richards, of . Weymouth. She died August 1821, aged 79. Their children were :
Sarah, born November 18, 1774, died young.
Abigail, born May 29, 1776, married Rev. Samuel Stearns, of Bed- ford.
Jonathan, born August 16, 1777, Pastor at Northampton, N. II. (see page 93).
Mary Ilolyoke, born August 6, 1781, married Rev. Ebenczer P. Sperry, of Wenham.
Sarah, born December 13, 1784, died April 12, 1788.
According to the ancient custom, the Parish, soon after the death of Mr. French, concurred with the church in appointing a day of Fasting and Prayer, with reference to "the re-settlement of the Gospel ministry." For three years, sufficient unanimity was not secured to induce any one to become pastor. May 2d, 1810, Mr. Gardiner Spring [D. D .; long pastor of the Brick Pres. Church, N. Y. City] was chosen by the church in a full meeting, and received a small majority of the vote in the Par- ish. September 18th, Mr. Worthington Wright [since pastor at Charlestown, N. H.] was also chosen by the church in a small meeting, and a communication from him prevented any vote in the Parish. April 2d, 1811, Mr. Gamaliel S. Olds [afterwards Prof. Wms. College, Pastor at Greenfield, Prof. at U. Vt. and at A. C., died 18-18] received 47 of 62 votes in the church, and of 186 voters at the Parish meeting which followed, 128 voted for him. But three weeks afterward, on an amendment being
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offered that his salary be paid semi-annually, while 88 were in favor, 45 ballots were cast in opposition, and 15 persons did not vote. In August following, a majority of the church and Parish united in calling Rev. Asahel Hooker [afterwards settled at Norwich, Ct .; died 1813], but on a second vote in the Parish, the number of votes against him was largely increased. In the Spring of 1812, the attention of the people was turned toward MR. JUSTIN EDWARDS, then a member of the Middle Class in the Theological Seminary. Overtures were made to him by the Committee for Supply of the Pulpit. He wrote a letter, ex- pressing his views of the necessity of thorough preparation on his part before he should undertake so responsible a charge, and requested that nothing be done towards calling him to settle in this Parish. But July 24th, the church gave him a call, by a vote of 49, and 3 neuter, and on the 10th of August the Parish conenrred by the large vote of " 163 and 19 in the negative."
Mr. Edwards was born in Westhampton, April 25, 1787. He was the third child of Justin and Elizabeth (Clark) Edwards. The first American ancestor of the family, Alexander Edwards, came from Wales in 1640. The grandfather of the late cher- ished Prof. Bela B. Edwards, and the grandfather of the sub- jeet of this notice, were brothers.
The mother of Mr. Edwards was a devoted, active Christian ; his father, "a quiet farmer that minded his own business, a man of few words, and perfectly honest." The church at Westhamp- ton, like the one at Andover, was essentially evangelical in doctrine, but without revivals, and without social meetings for prayer. In his eighteenth year, Mr. Edwards had the privilege of seeing an aged Christian woman, mentioned by Pres. Edwards as converted in her fifth year, sieken and die, sustained by the Saviour in whom she had trusted nearly seventy years. Ile said to himself, "here is a religion that I have not, and must have." After calm but thorough reflection, he east his all upon Christ as his Saviour, and soon engaged actively for the salva- tion of others. While teaching in his native town, his school
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was a scene of deep religious interest. Oet. 8, 1807, he was admitted a Sophomore at Williams College. He was graduated there, the Valedictorian of his class, in 1810. Dependent on his own resources, he often saved expense, and preserved a ro- bust health, by walking from his father's house to College, a distance of forty miles. His winter vacations were spent in teaching.
After his graduation, he continued teaching for a few months, at Athens, N. Y., and in March, 1811, joined the Theological Seminary in this town. At College he had been associated with Samuel J. Mills, Gordon Hall, and James Richards. He found them here, and joined in their counsels and prayers in the Seminary. He became ardently attached to the Missionary enterprise. His piety, wisdom and activity, won for him the confidence of all his acquaintance. The Professors were con- strained to allow him to leave the Seminary and enter upon the pastoral work among them. He was ordained December 2, 1812.
His pastorate continued in Andover till October 1, 1827. An agency for the American Temperance Society engaged his la- bors till his installation as pastor of Salem street Church, Bos- ton, January 1, 1828. ITis health failing, he resigned that charge, and was dismissed August 20, 1829. HIe then resumed his labors as the Corresponding Secretary of the American Temperanee Society. In the discharge of this office, he visited large portions of the United States, forming societies, delivering addresses, using his personal influence in private counsels, and producing a series of papers, the "Permanent Temperance Documents," which continue to have great power in this cause.
On the 7th of September, 1836, Mr. Edwards was inaugu- rated President of the Theological Seminary in Andover. His connection with the Seminary, as President, ceased on the 19th of April, 1842.
For one year afterwards, he was employed again in the ser- vice of the Temperance Society. On the formation of the American and Foreign Sabbath Union, he was chosen Seere-
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tary ; for seven years he travelled 48,000 miles, and through twenty-four states, addressed public assemblies, and prepared "The Permanent Sabbath Documents," the ablest and most condensed plea for the Sabbath which the language furnishes.
From 1849 to his death, he was chiefly employed, by request of the American Tract Society, in writing a brief Commentary on the Scriptures. He completed the New Testament, and car- ried his work on the Old to the end of the ninetieth Psalm. The last year of his life, from April 1852, was a year of sickness, com- mencing with fever, and followed by inflammation of the brain and great nervous exhaustion. On the 8th of June, 1853, he left Andover for the Virginia Springs. In company with his young- est daughter and Gen. Cocke, he proceeded to the Rockbridge Alum Springs. After remaining four days, his daughter accom- panied him alone to the Bath Alum Springs, where they arrived July 13th. He was immediately taken severely ill, and after lingering a few days in great debility, died calmly on Saturday morning, July 24, aged 66 years. His remains were deposited in the burial ground of the Theological Seminary at Andover, August 2, 1853.
In addition to these varied publie services in which Mr. Ed- wards was a foremost actor, very numerous were the services for the public good in which he cooperated with others. IIe was elected a Trustee of the Theological Seminary in 1820, and remained such for thirty-three years, the three last of which he was President of the Board. From 1817 he was a member of the Executive Committee of the New England Tract Society, and in 1821 was elected Corresponding Secretary. On the formation of the American Tract Society of New York, he was chosen a member of the Publishing Committee, and, with a short interval, labored in this connection till his death. He was likewise a Director of the American Home Missionary Society. and a corporate member of the American Board of Commis- sioners for Foreign Missions. He received the Honorary De- gree of Doctor of Divinity from Yale College, 1827.
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