USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Andover > Historical manual of the South church in Andover, Mass > Part 9
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110
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
As indications, also, of his unusual capacity for public service, the various calls, pressed upon his attention from various other fields of labor and honor, may be adduced. In 1826 he received an urgent invitation from Park Street Church, in Boston, to become its pastor. He was requested, shortly after, to allow himself to be chosen Secretary of the American Home Missionary Society. The position of a Professor of Divinity in Hamilton College was also proposed to him. The year 1829 brought an invitation to a Professorship in a New England College, and overtures for the Professorship of Sacred Rhetoric in Auburn Theological Semi- nary. In 1836 he was chosen Professor of Theology in the Theological Seminary at New York.
Before this capacity for public service, in connection with Educational and Benevolent institutions, had been thus mani- fested and coveted abroad, it had been shown conspicuously in his pastoral life. What he became before the nation and world he began to be in the first years after his ordination before his own Parish. The interest which he afterwards exhibited in behalf of the higher education in colleges and seminaries, he at once exhibited in behalf of the district schools of this town. The men and women here, who have passed their middle age, well remember that interest, and often speak of it. In the establish- ment, especially, as carly as 1814, of "The Andover South Parish Society for Doing Good," and, a little later, of its two branches, "The Female Charitable Society," and ". The Juvenile Missionary Society," he planted the germ of the several great national enterprises which occupied his later life. For, in con- nection with this society, he commenced, among his own people, the Temperance and Sabbath reformations. " To discounte- nance particularly intemperance and Sabbath-breaking " was a specified object in forming this organization. To accomplish these results, with all others which make up the total of salva- tion from sin, he organized, also, his Sabbath Schools and Bible classes, and circulated largely tracts and books. Feeling the need and finding the utility of these organized forms of action in
111
REV. JUSTIN EDWARDS.
this community, he was anxious to induce others to unite with him, and to unite with others, in founding those national societies which have done, and are doing, so much to enlighten and purify the world. Out of his preparation for his Bible classes, which excited so remarkable an interest, grew that body of notes upon the Bible, the last and loved labor of liis life. When his anno- tated Testament was first read by one of the members of these Bible elasses, she remarked, "They read just as if he was speak- ing in the vestry." To the fact that his various plans of doing good on a large scale were thus conceived and tried in a pastoral experience of fifteen years, and, though largely ex- tended, carried out always in the spirit of a wise and loving pastor, may we attribute his wonderful and permanent success as a publie man and reformer. " His habits as a pastor had been a series of rehearsals preparatory to his career as a leeturer on temperance, Sabbath-keeping and the study of the sacred Serip- tures."1
In person, Dr. Edwards was more than ordinarily impressive : museular, erect, tall and stately ; he might seem, to one slightly acquainted with him, distant and inaccessible. The stately man- ner never forsook him, on public occasions or in the social con- verse of the family. But in this was no tinge of austerity or gloom. His reserve was allied with a quiet and constant kindli- ness of soul. In his silence he was not unsocial.
" The prominent characteristics of Dr. Edwards were wisdom, " simplicity and godly sincerity," sustained by a strong intellect and a large heart. He had great self-control, practicalness, quiek discernment of the best means to attain a good end, energy of purpose, and an ever-active, far-reaching benevolence. He was wise in devising and equally wise in exeenting : progressive and yet cautious : signally successful, and as signally modest : grave and serious in manner, and yet uniformly kind and cour- teous. He kept his own counsels, uttered his opinions care-
1 Dr. Amos Blanchard in Sprague's Annals.
112
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
fully, always evineing moderation, calmness of spirit and a pro- found knowledge of men. Ilis power of persuasion, though unpretending, was often effective. What inimitable simplicity of speech ! 'Sound speech, that cannot be condemned,' and ' always with grace.'"1
Hle is said to have possessed superior ability in profound speculation. He could analyze and discriminate acutely on abstrusest points. But the majority of his hearers did not think of this, for his habits of mind were intensely practical. This quality gave the peculiarity of his preaching. It was nakedly direct. The arrangement of discourse and the illustration were natural and strangely obvious. His manner was that of serious, plain, earnest conversation. ITis whole style and matter were Biblical. He thought and spoke, it has been said, in the words of Inspiration. " He gave, even to casual observers, the impres- sion of being a kind of speaking and walking Bible . ... His prayers were sometimes composed almost wholly of inspired passages, applied with striking felicity to the instant occasion."2
The doctrinal quality of his preaching was determined by this practical and Biblical spirit. His Calvinism was beyond dis- pute : though it was not obtruded, it was known : and it became a power among the people. Ile never preached on dividing points of orthodoxy.
He had few of what are popularly considered graces of ora- tory. His language, turns of expression, and illustrations, were homely. His gestures were few, and not easy. But there was, especially in his earlier years, a depth of earnestness and honesty of conviction, which would speak out through his whole person and keep the striet attention of his audience. These qualities sometimes seemed to kindle within him the power of imagina- tion, imparting an unusual glow to his person, so that many men describe the effect of certain of his sermons in language which
1 Rev. Dr. S. C. Jackson in Memorial of the Semi-Centennial Anniversary of the Theological Seminary.
2 Dr. A. Blanchard.
113
REV. JUSTIN EDWARDS.
no reader of the written sermons would be prompted to em- ploy.
"'The last six of the fifteen years of his ministry here, were the culminating period of his pulpit ability. He had then become a recognized force : a living power felt by men, women and chil- dren throughout the extended Parish. With an undisputed ascendency among his own people, he was known far and near as a powerful preacher and a man of eminent practical wisdom : . . yet even then he had neither attractiveness nor popularity. He had, however, what is so much better, influence, an influence growing out of his personal qualities, and accumulating with every year of his pastoral life."1
Dr. Edwards's publications are as follows : A Sermon at the Installation of the Rev. Thaddeus Pomeroy, 1822. The Ser- mon : " Doing a great Work," 1823. An Address before the Porter Rhetorical Society, 1824. A Sermon at the Installation of Rev. Frederick Freeman, 1824. A Sermon before the Peni- tent Females' Refuge Society, 1825. A Sermon on Bible Classes, 1826. A Sermon on the Way to be Saved, 1826. An Address on the laying of the Corner Stone of the West Meeting-House, 1826. A Sermon on the Inspiration of the Scriptures, 1827. The Sermon, " The great Change," 1827. A Sermon on the Preparation for Eternity, 1829. A Sermon on the Unction from the Holy One, 1830. A Letter to thie friends of Temperance in Massachusetts, 1836. A Sermon before the A. B. C. F. M., 1841. He is the author of the fol- lowing Tracts, published by the American Tract Society : No. 167, Well conditioned Farm. No. 177, Joy in Heaven over one Sinner that Repenteth. No. 179, The way to be Saved. No. 125, On the Traffic in Ardent Spirits. No. 582, The Unction from the Holy One. To these are to be added the Permanent Temperance Documents, compressed into the Temperance Man- ual, and the Permanent Sabbath Documents, five of which are in his Sabbath Manual, and the Commentary upon the Bible.
1 Dr. A. Blanchard.
10*
114
HISTORICAL SKETCHIES.
It is stated, on the authority of a Secretary of the American Tract Society thiat that Society has circulated more pages from liis pen than from the pen of any other writer, living or dead.
On the 17th of September, 1817, Mr. Edwards was married to Lydia, daughter of Asa Bigelow, of Colchester, Ct. Their children are
Justin Asa, born Jan. 20, 1819.
Jonathan, born July 17, 1820 (see page 95),
Newton, born March 11, 1822, died May 7, 1855.
Elizabeth, born Nov. 9, 1824.
Lydia, born March 6, 1826.
Ann Eliza, born Sept. 29, 1828 : married Rev. Thomas N. Ilaskell, East Boston.
On Nov. 2, 1827, the church unanimously invited Mr. MIL .- TON BADGER to become their pastor. The concurrence of the Parish was likewise unanimous. He was ordained Jan. 3, 1828.
Mr. Badger was born in Coventry, Ct., May 6, 1800: united with the church in Andover, Conn., Sept. 1, 1816. He was graduated at Yale College in 1823. During 1823-24 he was Principal of the Academy in New Canaan, Conn. The three succeeding years he spent mostly in Andover Theological Semi- nary, with the class which graduated in 1827. He was Tutor in Yale College 1826-27. He received his approbation to preach from the New Haven East Association in August, 1827. Ile resigned his pastorate in 1835, in order that he might accept the appointment of Secretary of the American Home Missionary Society. The date of his dismission is Oet. 4, 1835. His min- istry was a continuous revival. During the seven and a half years of its continuance, 330 persons were added to the church, nearly all of whom joined by Profession. The memories of the pastor under whom these results were reached are still fresh and very precious in many families.
The usual day of Fasting was observed in December, and Jan. 18, 1836, MR. LORENZO L. LANGSTROTH was unanimously invited by the church to assume the pastoral charge. This invi-
115
PASTORS.
tation was, with the same unanimity, confirmed by the Parish Feb. 2. Mr. L. was ordained May 11, 1836. Finding his health inadequate to the discharge of his duties, at the close of a ministry of three years he resigned, and was dismissed March 30, 1839.
Ile was born in Philadelphia, Penn., Dec. 25, 1810: was graduated at Yale College in 1831. He received his Theologi- cal education at New Haven. On the resignation of his pastoral office, he became Principal of the Abbot Female Academy for one year. From Andover he removed to Greenfield, where he taught a High School for Young Ladies four years. During the last two or three of these years he preached as a stated sup- ply for the Second Congregational Church in Greenfield. A call from that church was then accepted by him, and his instal- lation was on Dec. 20, 1843. He was dismissed Feb. 15, 1848. After his dismission he established a Young Ladies' School in Philadelphia, which he taught four years, relinquishing it at last, as he has so many other cherished plans and hopes, on account of ill health. For about two years subsequently he was stated sup- ply at Coleraine His present residence is Oxford, Ohio. He is the author of an approved treatise on the Honey Bee.
The choice by the church of the next pastor was made May 13. 1839. MR. JOHN L. TAYLOR received forty-nine votes, nine persons at the meeting remaining neutral. At the Parish meeting he received forty-two votes, and twelve were cast in the negative. He accepted the call, and was ordained July 18, 1839. May 16, 1852, he communicated to the people his elec- tion to the office of Treasurer of the Trustees of Phillips Acad- emy, and requested a dismission. In yielding to his wishes the church deemed it but just to record their conviction that he had " performed the duties of his high office with great ability, fidelity and discretion," and to assure him that he carried with him their " confidence, respect, warm personal attachment and Christian sympathy." He was dismissed July 19, 1852, having completed a ministry of thirteen years.
116
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
Mr. Taylor was born at Warren, Ct., May 20, 1811. He was graduated at Yale College in 1835. During the years 1835-37, he was teacher of a High School at Ellington, Ct. He remained as Tutor and student of Divinity at Yale College from 1837 to 1839. Since June 1, 1852, he has been the Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of Phillips Academy. He published, 1851, a New Year's Sermon, and has since published a Memoir of Judge Samuel Phillips.
The day following the dismission of Mr. Taylor, the church chose REV. CHARLES SMITH as its pastor. Thirty-four votes were in his favor: one negative and one blank vote were cast. The Parish yielded its concurrence.
Mr. Smith was born at Hatfield, August 9, 1818. He was graduated at Amherst College in 1842, and at Andover Theo- logical Seminary in 1845. His ordination and first settlement was at Warren, Oct. 12, 1847. His dismission from that charge took place April 13, 1852. He was installed here Oct. 28, 1852. Receiving, the next year, a call from the Shawmut Church, Boston, he accepted it, and was dismissed, against the earnest wishes of a large portion of this people, Nov. 28, 1853. Ilis ordination at Boston took place on the eighth day of December, 1853. After a prolonged contest before a council, he was dismis -. sed from that church, Nov. 8, 1858. He now resides in Hatfield.
For nearly two years the Parish remained without a stated minister. An invitation, with imperfect unanimity, was ex- tended to Mr. Jotham B. Sewall [since pastor of the Central Church, Lynn], which was declined. A large number of dif- ferent candidates were heard.
June 4, 1855, the church unanimously invited MR. GEORGE MOOAR. In this invitation the Parish concurred. The ordina- tion was on the tenth of October, 1855.
Mr. Mooar was born in Andover, West Parish, May 27, 1830. He was fitted for college in Phillips Academy, and was graduated at Williams College in 1851. After teaching one year at Falmouth and Brookline, he pursued his theological studies at Andover, and was graduated in 1855.
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The following table exhibits, at one view, some prominent facts connected with the life and ministry of the different pastors.
Length
· NAMES.
Birth-place.
Birth-day .
Graduatlon.
Installation.
Dismission.
Death and Age.
Com of Pas- muni- torate.
cants added
Samuel Phillips, Jonathan French,
Salem,
Feb.17,1689-90, II. U. 1708, Oct. 17, 1711,
June 5, 1771-81,
59,7 574
Braintree,
Jan. 30, 1740,
H. U. 1771, Sep. 23, 1772,
July28,1809-69, 36,10
575
Justin Edwards,D.D., Westhampt'n, April 25, 1787,
W. C. 1810, Dec. 2, 1812,
Oct. 1, 1827, July24,1853-66, 14,10
267
Milton Badger, D. D., Coventry, Ct. May 6, 1800,
Y. C. 1823, Jan. 3, 1828,
Oct. 4, 1835,
7,9
330
Lor. L. Langstroth,
Phila., Penu., Dec. 25, 1810,
Y. C. 1831, May 11, 1836, Mar. 30, 1839,
2,10
47
John L. Taylor,
Warren, Ct. May 20, 1811,
Y. C. 1835, July 18, 1839, July 19, 1852,
13
221
Charles Smith,
Ilatfield,
August 9, 1818, A. C. 1842, Oct. 28, 1852, Nov. 28, 1853,
1,1
14
George Mooar,
Andover,
May 27, 1830,
W. C. 1851, Oct. 10, 1855,
3,10 122
PASTORS.
118
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
During the 148 years of the existence of the church, the pas- toral office has been vacant 7 years 11 months 10 days. The longest interval, 34 years, occurred after the death of Mr. French. The next longest, of nearly two years, after the resig- nation of Mr. Smith. During these intervals, of almost eight years, only twenty-six persons were added to communion. For the whole time the average annual addition has been nearly fifteen.
The average length of pastorates, thus far, has been seventeen years and a half. If we add to the years of Mr. Phillips's pas- torate the eighteen months during which he preached before his ordination, which would make his whole ministry sixty-one years, it will be seen that the first two pastorates completed all but two years of a century. The six last pastorates have not yet completed a half century. The permanency of the pastoral relation has not been thns impaired, however, by any action of the church or Parish. The initiative, in almost every instance, has been taken wholly by the retiring pastor.
XVII.
DEACONS.
November 8, 1711, it was "voted to choose two Deacons." Sept. 22, 1720, on account of the age of those in office, it was deemed necessary to elect two others. In the year 1744 a simi- lar reason induced the church to add two to the three then living. Since that time the usual number in active service has been four. The following table shows the succession of these officers to the present time. The nineteen, who have completed their terms
119
DEACONS. - CHURCH COMMITTEE.
of office, averaged nearly twenty-six years of service. The eighteen, who have died, reached the average age of seventy- six years.
NAMES.
Elected.
Resigned.
Deceased.
Age.
John Abbot,
Nov. 8, 1711,
Sept. 22,1720, March 1721,
73
William Lovejoy,
Nov. 8, 1711,
Sept. 22, 1720, July 20, 1748, 90
Nehemiah Abbot,
Sept. 22, 1720,
Oct. 8, 1750, 83
John Abbot, Jr.,
Sept. 22, 1720,
Jan. 1, 1754, 79
Isaac Abbot,
Mar. 20, 1744,
Aug. 9, 1784, 185
Joseph Abbot, Jr.,
Mar. 20, 1744, R.Wilton 1776
Aug. 23, 1787, 182
John Dane, Jr.,
Feb. 4, 1755, Mar. 25, 1794, July 1801,
HIczekiah Ballard,
Feb. 4, 1755, Mar. 25, 1794, Dec. 31, 1801,
|81
Joshua Holt,
Apr. 16, 1766,
July 24, 1810, 80
Zebadiah Abbot,
May 30, 1785,
Nov. 24, 1793, 54
Daniel Poor,
Apr. 21, 1794, Mar. 22, 1813, June 20, 1814, 74 Apr. 21, 1794, Apr. 30, 1825, June 1836, 91
Isaac Abbot,
Apr. 21, 1794,
March 5,1801, 48
Abiel Pearson,
May 21, 1801,
May 22, 1827, 71
Mark Newman,
Apr. 2, 1811, Jan. 3, 1845,
June 15, 1859, 87
Zebadiah Abbot, Jr., Apr. 2, 1813,
Nov. 28, 1826, May 31, 1836, 67
Amos Blanchard,
Apr. 30, 1825, Jan. 3, 1845,
Ang. 17, 1847, 74
Amos Abbott,
Dec. 1, 1826, Oct. 31, 1856,
Paschal Abbot,
Aug. 31, 1827, Sept. 23, 1845, March 1859,
71
Abraham J. Gould,
Feb. 3, 1845,
Albert Abbott,
Feb. 3, 1845,
Joseph Cummings,
Feb. 27, 1846,
Edward Taylor,
Jan. 2, 1857,
-
84
Nathan Abbot,
XVIII. CHURCH COMMITTEE.
This board of officers originated from the request of Rev. Mr. French, made to the church in 1781. April 9th, of that year, " the motiou was made to choose a committee, in conjunction with the Deacons, to assist the pastor in the government of the church, whose business it shall be to hear all complaints regularly coming before them, and to settle differences, if it may be done
.
120
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
consistently with the honor of religion, and to inquire into the grounds of scandalous reports, if any may arise, ete., -and keep a more particular watch over persons, etc., - and to endeavor to promote peace and good order among us, - the church at all times reserving to themselves the right to inspeet their doings, and that the said committee continue till the next annual meeting, and no longer." This committee, continued afterwards by vote, from year to year, obtained the name of Standing Committee. In the records of the annual meeting of 1815, appears the first account of what, for many years, was called the Examining Committee. Except in a few instances, this committee consisted of the pastor and deacons. January 1859, the two committees were reduced to one, and their duties and terms of office defined, as may be seen in Artieles 4-7 of Church Order. The succession of the members of this committee appears in the following table.
Barachias Abbot,
1781-1783=2
Isaac Osgood,
Jolın Abbot, Jr., .
Zebadiah Abbot, Dea.,
1781-1788=7 1781-1809=8 1781-1785=4 1783-1806=3
Jonathan Cummings,
James Holt,
1786-1791=8
Nehemiah Abbot,
1788-1809=21
Jeduthun Abbot, .
1794-1811=17 1806-1817=11
Ezra Abbot,
1809-1832=13
Zebadiah Abbot, Jr., Dea.,
1809-1814=5 1811-1817=6
Isaac Blunt,
1814-1834 == 20
Amos Blanchard, Dea.,
Solomon Holt [Dea.],
1817-1825=8 1817-1825=8 1825-1826=1
Ebenezer Lovejoy [Dea.],
Amos Abbott Dea.,
Ebenezer Jones, Jr. [Dea.],
1825-1827=2 1826-1839=13 1828-1832=4 1832-1839 =7
Joseph Holt, Jr., James Abbot, Joel Russell,
Thomas C. Foster,
Rev. Aaron Green,
Abraham J. Gould, Dea.,
1832-1839=7 1831-1859=25 1839-1849=10 1839-1816 =7
Samuel Farrar [Dea.],
Peter French,
121
CATALOGUE OF MEMBERS.
Benjamin Turner,
1839-1842 == 3
William Waters,
1842-1844=2
John C. Allen, .
1844-1847=3
Ebenezer Jones [Dea.],
1844-1848=4
Ephraim Everson [Dea.], .
1844-1847=3
James Abbot
1844-1846=2
Joseph Cummings, Dea.,
1846-1847=1
William Pierce,
1846-1848=2
Mencies C. Andrews,
1847-1849=2
Nathan B. Abbott,
1847-1854=7
Nathan Clark,
1748-1857=9
Ebenezer N. Easton,
1848-1852=4 1849-1859=10
William Abbot,
1849-1856 7
Jacob Chickering,
1852-1859=7
Stephen Tracy,
1854-1859=5
John H. Manning,
1857-1859=2
Hartwell B. Abbot,
1857-1859=2 1859-1860
Hezekiah Jones,
Dea. Holbrook Chandler, .
1859-1861
Charles Tufts,
1859-1862
Nathan B. Abbott,
1859-1863
XIX.
CATALOGUE OF MEMBERS.
The following Catalogue of Members comprises, it is supposed, all the names that are recorded on the successive record-books of the church. The first and last column is a register of the number of church members, down to any given date. In the second column the names of the members are given. The spel- ling is chiefly according to the record. In case of variations in spelling a preference has been shown for the usual mode. The variations will be found especially in the names of those belong- ing to the Abbot family. A preference has been shown through-
11
Edward Taylor, Dea.,
1847-1859=12
Enoch Abbot,
122
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
out the work for the spelling with one t: but this is not uniform. To the names of some prominent persons, certain facts pertaining to them have been added in brackets or parentheses ; as, for in- stance, the year and place of Collegiate or Theological gradua- tion and the year of ordination, if ministers. With reference to the female names, the following rule has been followed. If the person was a maiden at the time of joining the church, and was afterwards married, the maiden name is placed in parentheses : if. the person was married before joining the church, the maiden name is placed in brackets: if the woman was a widow when she joined the church, the husband's name is placed in brackets : otherwise in parentheses. These maiden names and husbands' names have been mostly supplied by the compiler. A little thought will show how easily a mistake might be made in them. It should be remembered, too, that from 1812 to 1828 it was not stated in the record of a female name whether it was the name of a married or unmarried person. It is hoped that they have been given in almost all cases correctly. The third column shows the date of admission to the church. Column fourth shows the manner of admission, whether by letter or profession. During the ministry of Mr. Edwards this was not indicated in the records. Column fifth gives the date of removal, so far as known. Column sixth gives the manner of removal, whether by death, dismission or exclusion. With regard to the latter method of re- moval, it should be said that Exc. means simply that the person so designated at any given time was declared to be no longer a member of the church. The reason for such action can be learned from the church records of the specified date.
In the alphabetical indexes, which follow the Catalogue, the number to the left hand of the name refers to the register column in the full catalogue. The female name, given in the first index, is the name of the person at the time she united with the church. Any subsequent name is not indexed. In the second index, which contains the names of the present members, the name in- dexed is the present name, in all cases.
CATALOGUE OF MEMBERS. .
124
CATALOGUE OF MEMBERS,
FROM THE FORMATION OF THE CHURCH, IN 1711, TO 1859.
Reg.
NAME.
Date of Reception.
Manner of Reception.
Date of Removal.
Manner of Removal.
By death, aged 81 years.
1
1
Samuel Phillips (II U. 1708 Rev. 1711),
Oct. 17, 1711,
From ch. N. P. Andover.
May 9, 1723,
By death, aged 80 years.
2
3
John Abbot (Dea. 1711),
Feb. 26, 1736,
By death, aged 81 years.
4
4
George Abbot,
Unknown.
July 9, 1748,
By death, aged 92 years.
5
5
Francis Dane,
16
From ch. N. P. Andover.
Nov. 8, 1738,
Probably by death.
7
John Russ,
44
April 16, 1727,
By death, aged 75 years. Probably by death.
9
30
Thomas Chandler,
Sept. 16, 1750,
By death, aged 83 years.
11
11
Nehemiah Abbot (Dea. 1,20),
May 26, 1741,
By death, aged 74 years.
12
12
Jolın Johnson.
Aug. 29, 1755,
By death, aged 86 years.
13
13
William Foster,
Oct. 27, 1727,
By death, aged 67 years.
14
14
William Chandler,
Jan. 14, 1716,
By death, aged 74 years.
15
15
Mary [Marshall] Russell [Rob't],
Feb. 10, 1729,
By death, aged 82 years.
16
16
Sarahı [Barker] Abbot (Dea. John),
By death.
17
17
Dorcas [Graves] Abbot (Geo.),
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