USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Watertown > Historical sketch of Watertown, in Massachusetts, from the first settlement of the town to the close of its second century > Part 5
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* Mather has furnished the most elaborate account of the Rev. Mr. Sherman, (Magnal. Book iii. Chap. 29.) See also Brook's Lives of the Puritans, III. 482, and Eliot's and Allen's Biographical Dictionaries. Allen has committed the error of making Mr. Gibbs the successor to Mr. Sherman in the ministry at Watertown. See Appendix E.
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man was connected with a proposal, then under discussion, for a new place of worship. This subject, as we have seen, had been before the town in 1654; it was now revived, but was again set aside for the present.
The proceedings relative to the settlement of Mr. John Bailey are stated, in the town records, with considerable exactness. He was requested, through a committee, to give the town an opportunity, at a general meeting of the inhabitants, " to discourse a little with him " on the subject. He complied with the request ; and a meeting of the people was called, at which certain persons were designated by vote " to discourse with Mr. Bailey." At this conference, he declared himself ready and willing to become their minister, " if peace and love should continue amongst them, and they would make his life comfortable." Soon after, the town provided means to remove him and his family from Boston, where he then resided, to Watertown. In the month of August a call was formally given him "at a general town meeting," which he accepted, and was ordained October 6th, 1686 .* Within a month after this date, measures
* In Judge Sewall's manuscript Journal is the following record : "July 25, 1686, Mr. John Bayley preaches his farewell sermon, and goes the 28th to Watertown. Oct. 6, Mr. Bayley ordained at Watertown. Mr. Bayley not ordained as congregational men are." The informality on this occasion, to which Judge Sewall alludes in the last sentence, was, I presume, the omission of " the laying on of hands," a circumstance which intimates that Mr. Bailey regarded his previous ordination in England as valid, and therefore did not think it necessary to have the token of consecration to the sacred office renewed. This circumstance Mr. Bailey has himself mentioned in the following notice found in his book of records, in which, it will be observed, he does not call the cer- emony of his induction into office at Watertown an ordination : "Upon the 6th of October, 1686, I was solemnly set apart for the pastoral work at Watertown, without the imposition of hands. I am sick of it, and unfit for it ; but the many particulars that attended this work I wholly omit." These last expressions indicate the feeling of dread and re- sponsibleness, with which this good man entered on his work. On this occasion, he preached the sermon himself from 2 Cor. ii. 16. compared with 2. Cor. xii. 9. The manuscript of this sermon I have seen ; from the commencement of it we should infer that he was settled as a teacher, not as pastor ; it is as follows : "Some other Scriptures I had thought
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were taken to procure his brother to be his assistant, it being declared, " with a very full vote, that the town did earnestly desire that they might enjoy Mr. Bailey, the younger to be helpful to his brother in the minis- try." Indeed, before this time, the same desire had been expressed. Mr. Thomas Bailey delayed his acceptance of this invitation for a considerable time, if we may judge from the date of his first coming to reside at Watertown, which was November 2d, 1687. But it is not unlikely, that he had before this, while living in Boston, acted as assistant to his brother. His ministry was of short duration. He died January 21st, 1688-9, aged 35 years, and was interred in the old burying ground in Watertown, where a humble monument now stands over his grave. His brother John, in his diary, says of him, " He died well, which is a great word, - so sweetly as I never saw the like before." *
We learn from our records, that the mode of sup- porting the public school at this time was somewhat different from the present. The salary of the school- master was twenty pounds. Every person who sent children to the shool, was required to pay three pence a week for each child he sent; and whatever was wanting of the teacher's stipend from this source was made up by a payment from the town.
When in consequence of the troubles resulting from the government of Sir Edmund Andros, a meeting of representatives from all the towns in the colony was called at Boston, each town was required to give
to have given you, and partly had in my thoughts begun; as that in Zech. ii. 7. and that in 2 Cor. v. 20. But tho' these might better suit others, yet the words I have read do best suit myself; a pastoral work being alwaies dreaded by me, I could never get inclined to it, nor ever looked upon myself as fit for it."
* Scarcely any thing worthy of special notice is recorded of Thomas Bailey. Some of his writings are preserved, in manuscript, in the cab- inet of the Massachusetts Historical Society. They consist of Latin odes, or poems in various kinds of measure, and verses on the Gun- powder Plot in his own hand-writing, dated November 5th, 1669.
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instructions to its members, whether to vote for reassuming the charter or not .* The people of Water- town chose two representatives to appear for them at this meeting on the 22d of May, 1689, and instructed them to maintain " the charter rights," and to agree to the declaration set forth at a previous meeting of representatives, till further orders should be received from the English Government. The same course was taken by a large majority of the towns on this occasion. The alarm, spread through the colony at this time, was however soon quieted by the change which took place in affairs, when William and Mary ascended the British throne ..
October 14th, 1690, the town voted to request Mr. Henry Gibbs to be an assistant in the work of the ministry, Mr. Bailey being by the death of his brother now left alone. In the application to procure this assistance, they say, " in this time of our great want, that the town might not be destitute of one to admin- ister the word and ordinances of Christ among us." These expressions lead us to suppose that the labors of Mr. Bailey must have been frequently interrupted by ill health, or some other cause, and the town con- sequently left destitute of pastoral services. Mr. Gibbs signified his acceptance of the invitation. His salary, as assistant pastor, began on the 3d of the following November.
In 1692 Mr. Bailey left Watertown, and returned to Boston.t There he became, the next year, assistant
* Hutchinson, Vol. I. p. 344.
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t The following is Mr. Bailey's own notice of the last Sunday he preached in Watertown, as inserted in his book of records. The minute detail of his farewell, while it excites a smile, indicates an affectionate interest, that is pleasing. "I did particularly bid farewell to my house, old walks, all the three parts of the town, my assistant Gibbs, the schoolmaster, deacons, selectmen, military persons, two constables, the burying-place, my servant that lived with me formerly, this old church, the three or four meetings in the town, this neighbourhood of mine, saints but sinners also, old but young also, all my children which grieved me most, friends and foes, the sweet singers of Israel, all widdows and fatherless familyes, all moralized persons, all that heard me not now,
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minister in the First Church. In that office he con- tinued till his death, which took place the 12th of December, 1697, in the 54th year of his age. The reasons, which induced him to remove from Water- town, are not stated. No indications of dissatis- faction on his part, or on the part of the people, are to be found .* Mr. Bailey has left on record, during his residence in Watertown, 39 marriages, 361 baptisms, and 117 admitted to the church.
The Rev. John Bailey was born near Blackburn in Lancashire, England, on the 24th of February, 1644. His mother was a woman of remarkable piety, and she early imbued his mind with a serious sense of God and of religion. An extraordinary instance is recorded of the happy effect of his youthful piety upon his father, who is represented to have been a licen- tious and profligate man. The mother one day called the family together, and persuaded her son John to pray with them. When the father returned probably from one of his haunts of vice, and was told of the affecting manner, in which the child had led the devo- tion of the household, he was smitten to the heart
the pulpit, pue-seats, and galleryes (the cushion I left as a token of my love), all my administrations, him that digs the graves, neighbouring towns and churches." What Mr. Bailey alludes to by "the three or four meetings in the town," I know not.
* A diary was kept by Mr. Daniel Fairfield of Braintree, from 1697 to 1711, with the following extract from which I have been furnished by the kindness of the Rev. and learned Dr. Harris of Dorchester. We learn from it, that depression of mind, and disease, were among the causes of Mr. Bailey's removal to Boston. "1697, Dec. 12th. Died in Boston the Rev. Mr. John Bailey, who for many years preached the Gospel of peace in the city of Limerick, in the kingdom of Ireland, but being persecuted and silenced he removed to N. E. 1684. He was highly honoured at his arrival, as he well deserved, being a more than ordinary lively preacher. He was for some years the officer of the Church in Watertown, where his wife died, and his dear brother Thom- as, who was also a famous minister. Then, being very melancholy and having the gout, he moved to Boston about the year 1693. He preached in Boston at the South Church once a month, and at the Old Church almost every Sabbath, and his turn in the Lecture ; till, falling sick last fall, he died as above written, and was honourably interred on the 16th day in the tomb of Mr. Thomas Deane."
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by the touching circumstance. He became thought- ful and contrite, and proved at last a sincere, devoted Christian. Among the many encouraging evidences of the redeeming influence of maternal piety, there are few more impressive than this. Young Bailey, having received a good classical and general education, began to preach at the age of twenty-two. His first services in the ministry were at Chester. But he soon went over to Ireland, and about fourteen years of his residence in that country were spent at Limer- ick. There he labored with such an assiduous and self-sacrificing spirit, that he laid the foundation for that infirm state of health, from which he never after- ward wholly recovered .* His fidelity was severely tried by such persecutions, as were the usual price of noncomformity at that time. He was more than once thrown into jail for attending the administration of the ordinances at private meetings. Persecution was not the only, nor perhaps the hardest, trial to which his constancy was exposed. An effort was made to draw him, by tempting promises, into the bosom of the Episcopal Church. While he was at Lemerick, his ministry was attended by persons of distinction, who were related to the Duke of Ormond, the lord lieutenant of Ireland. This circumstance provoked his enemies not a little ; and upon occasion of this excitement, the office of chaplain to the Duke of Ormond was offered to him, if he would conform, with the promise of a deanery immediately, and of a bishoprick so soon as a vacancy should occur. The man, whom it was thought expedient to silence by winning him over to the hierarchy at such a price, must have possessed no common influence. But severity and allurement were alike lost on him. He adhered to what he believed to be the cause of truth,
* Mather describes the abundant success of Bailey's ministry at Limerick, by saying, that " he seemed rather to fish with a net, than with an hook, for the kingdom of God."
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unterrified and unseduced. He continued to preach and to labor with untiring earnestness, and soon became again the victim of the spirit of persecution. The irreproachable purity of his character afforded him no protection. The hardships of a long imprison- ment were inflicted on him. In the course of his trial he said to his judges, " If I had been drinking, and gambling, and carousing at a tavern with my company, my lords, I presume that would not have procured my being treated thus as an offender. Must praying to God and preaching of Christ, with a company of Christians that are as peaceable, and inoffensive, and serviceable to his Majesty and the government, as any of his subjects, - must this be a greater crime ? " And so far was common decency set at defiance, that the recorder replied, " We will have you to know that it is a greater crime." During his imprisonment, he was visited constantly by the members of his flock, to whom he continued to impart religious instruction, in such manner as his confinement would permit. He was finally released, upon giving a pledge that within a certain time he would leave the country. Mr. Bailey accordingly looked to New England, as the refuge of persecuted nonconformity. He and his brother came hither, probably in the year 1684. In that year he wrote a very earnest and affecting address " to his loving and dearly beloved Christian friends in and about Limerick." This was afterward printed at Boston in the same volume with sketches of some of his discourses, entitled " Man's Chief End to glorifie God, or Some brief Sermon-Notes on 1 Cor. x. 31." To this volume was prefixed an Address to the Reader, signed with the initials J. M. The writer of this prefatory address, whoever he was, remarks, that in publishing these pieces Mr. Bailey was " purely pas- sive, utterly refusing (whether out of melancholy, modesty, or bodily infirmity 'I say not) to be any oth- erwise concerned than barely to allow of their publica-
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tion." * In 1692 Mr. Bailey preached the Artillery Election Sermon in Boston; but this discourse, I believe, was not published.
The distinguishing traits of Mr. Bailey's character ยท were ardent piety, great tenderness of conscience, and an absorbing interest in the spiritual welfare of his fellow men. His religious sensibility was exceedingly keen and active; and it was his prayer (to use his own words) that " he might not be of the number of them, that live without love, speak without feeling, and act without life." It is evident that his temper- ament was hypochondriacal, and that he had a strong habitual tendency to melancholy and despondence, - a state of mind, which was doubtless aggravated, if not caused, by the scenes he had passed through in Ireland, and by the miserable condition of his health. He delighted to urge powerful and heart-searching ap- peals upon the consciences of men, more than to
* This volume was printed by Samuel Green in 1689. I have read it with no little interest, partly for the good sense, but more for the warm and hearty feeling, which it displays. The farewell exhortation to the congregation in Limerick is peculiarly affectionate and pungent. It is written with remarkable simplicity and directness. To this circum- stance Mr. Bailey himself alludes in the Postscript: "The plainness of its dress," says he, " I take for granted will never offend you; for I only now write to you just as I used to preach to you, and talk with you. It is the market language that must save souls." In speaking of leav- ing them, he remarks, " It hath been my resolution of old, rather to wear out than rust out ; and it would quickly kill me to go on spending Sabbaths as of late I have done, and I suppose the offer of a thousand pound per annum, to lead such an idle life, would signifie little to me. Many offers and invitations have I had elsewhere ; yea, to places that might seem at the first blush to please me ; but for your sakes they were in vain, and took me up few thoughts." Again; " The broadest seas cannot hinder the mutual visits of our prayers : though we may never meet more betwixt these old pleasant walls of the Abby (which grieves my very soul, to turn my back on), yet let us often meet at the Throne of Grace," &c. Further he remarks, " Conversion hath been the business of my life these twenty years: by conversion I do not mean turning men to an opinion, but from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. You have often heard me say, that I had rather turn one to Jesus Christ, than ten to my opinion." It is to be wished, that this noble sentiment were more heeded amidst the religious strife of the present day. The "Sermon-Notes," likewise, are full of solemn coun- sels, good thoughts, and apt illustrations.
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address the understanding, or to administer the conso- lations of Christianity ; " chusing rather," as he said of himself, " to convert one sinner, than to comfort ten saints." His sermons were not so much didactic or argumentative, as hortatory and exciting ; and he seems to have thought it far the most important part of his duty, as a preacher, to bring the awful consid- erations connected with the sanctions of religion to bear on his hearers with stirring power. But he dealt as severely, at least, with his own heart, as with the hearts of others ; and the rigorous standard, to which he brought his feelings and conduct, may be seen in the extracts preserved from his diary. His services were much sought, and highly valued, both in Boston* and Watertown. That minister must be considered a happy man, who at the last hour has as little reason, as had Mr. Bailey, to reproach himself with the want of fidelity and devotedness to duty.t
Mr. Gibbs was now the only clergyman in the town, and was engaged from time to time, but not ordained.}
* John Dunton, in the curious account of his visit to Boston, has re- corded the following notice of the Baileys : "I went next to visit Mr. John and Mr. Thomas Baily. These two are popular preachers, and very generous to strangers. I heard Mr. John upon these words, - 'looking unto Jesus,'- and I thought he spake like an angel. They ex- press a more than ordinary kindness to Mr. Wilkins, my landlord, and (being persecuted in Limerick for their nonconformity) came over with him from Ireland. Reader, I might be large in their character ; but when I tell you they are true pictures of Dr. Annesly (whom they count a second St. Paul) 'tis as high as I need go." Life & Errours. Vol. I. p. 95.
t See Appendix F. Mather preached the funeral sermon of John Bailey, and in that has given many particulars of his life : Magnal. Book iii. Chap. 7. See also Middleton's Evangelical Biography, Vol. IV. p. 101. ; Emerson's History of the First Church, p. 146. ; Eliot, and Allen. Dr. Eliot has fallen into an error in speaking of Thomas Bailey as if he were the stated minister of Watertown, and in saying that John " only preached occasionally there." John Bailey was the prin- cipal and stated minister of the town : his brother was only an assist- ant, and had a short ministry.
# About this time an order was passed by the town, providing that certain persons named "shall the next Sabbath day, and after, as they shall see reason, gather the contribution, and out of it satisfie the min- ister, keeping an account what every person contributes."
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' That ever-fruitful source of dissension in a village, the erection of a new meeting-house, began at this period to kindle strife among the inhabitants of Watertown. We have already seen, that thirty-eight years before this time some movements had been made towards providing a new place of worship. After Mr. Bailey's removal to Boston, the subject was called up afresh. In 1692, the Selectmen passed an order, that on the 18th of November, the people should be assembled in order to fix upon such a place for this purpose, as should be " most convenient for the bulk of the inhab- itants." At this meeting nothing was effected. Some were earnest to change their place of worship, a d others equally earnest to have it remain where it was. Neither party was disposed to yield ; and in this dilemma the Selectmen agreed to refer the mat- ter to the governor of the province, Sir William Phipps, and the Council, requesting them to appoint a committee to investigate and settle the difficulty. The town concurred in this measure, and declared, " that they would sit down by the determination of that committee." This mode of bringing the disputes of a town to an issue, by referring them to the magis- trates of the State, would be deemed singular indeed at the present day ; but it seems then to have been not uncommon. The proposed committee was ap- pointed by the Governor and Council. It consisted of William Stoughton, John Phillips, James Russell, Samuel Sewall, and Joseph Lynde, names of high reputation in the affairs of the province at that time. They made a report on the 18th of May, 1693. The Selectmen, to whom it was sent, were dissatisfied with some particulars in it, and designated certain persons to wait on the committee, and treat with them on these points. After a conference with these persons, a majority of the committee acknowledged that it was necessary to amend their report in some respects, and requested to have it left with them for that purpose.
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They took ample time for revising it ; for it was not returned and made known to the town till April 17th, 1694 .*
This report, notwithstanding the high source from which it came, did not allay the prevalent excitement. A protest against it was put on record, and signed by about 120 names. They utterly refused to bear any part of the expense of building a meeting-house in the place recommended by the committee, but declared at the same time that if a house of worship should be erected in the west part of the town, so as to be con- venient for "the Farmers," + they would gladly " be helpful therein." It is remarkable that the protest denies that the town had ever requested the interfer- ence of the magistrates in this matter, notwithstanding that a vote to that effect is on record. On the appear ance of this opposition, the Selectmen applied to the committee to know whether they would " stand by their advice," or had any thing to say about the protest. It does not appear that any answer was received. But the building of the new house on the proposed spot proceeded in defiance of the opposition. It was finished, and on the 4th of February, 1696, it was accepted, by a vote of the town, as the place of public worship, " according to the advice and determination of the honoured Committee."
The town was now considered as divided into three parts, namely, the East end, the Middle part, and the Farmers, or the West end. The abovementioned dis- pute was principally between the two first of these. It was soon determined by vote, that the new meeting- house should in future be the place for all public town meetings. Unhappily, the heated state of feeling seems not to have abated for a considerable time, and
* See Appendix G.
t By this title were designated those, who inhabited that part of the town which afterward became Weston, and its vicinity. Among the protestors on this occasion, thirty-three were of "the Farmers," whose names are placed separately from the rest.
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its influence was seen in occasional disorders attend- ing the management of public affairs. On the 26th of June, 1696, the town determined that "a day of humiliation " should be observed. The Rev. Samuel . Willard and the Rev. Cotton Mather, both of Boston, were requested to fix upon a time for this purpose, and to perform the religious services of the occasion.
Meanwhile repeated invitations had been given to Mr. Gibbs to become the minister of the town. These he so far accepted as to officiate statedly in the old meeting-house ; but there was, as yet, no permanent settlement. In the summer of 1693, he was, it seems, residing in Boston ; for at that time the metropolis was visited with an infectious and fatal distemper, which compelled many of the inhabitants to remove into the country ; * and on this occasion, we learn from the records, that the people of Water- town, fearing Mr. Gibbs would remove to so great a distance that they should not be able to enjoy his ser- vices, voted to transport his goods and to establish him among themselves in the house built for the min- ister. His engagements were renewed, at short intervals, by special applications ; and this circum- stance, with some others, may lead us to infer, that Mr. Gibbs consented to the arrangement somewhat cautiously and reluctantly. If so, it was probably owing to the divided and unquiet state of the town at that time. During the progress of the dispute, he had been repeatedly requested to engage himself for the new meeting-house, when it should be completed. No answer to these invitations is on record; but when the new house was at length finished, he deci- - sively refused to transfer his services to that place, on account, as he said, of the great dissatisfaction in the minds of many with regard to the several votes that had been passed. Accordingly he remained with the
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