USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of Boston, the metropolis of Massachusetts, from its origin to the present period; with some account of the environs > Part 36
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The origin of the denomination of Universalists in America was in the year 1770. Mr. John Murray commenced preach- ing near New York ; visited Philadelphia, and several parts of New Jersey ; came in 1773 to Newport and thence to Bos- ton, where he arrived on the 26th of October. He delivered his first discourse on the 30th, in the hall over the Factory. In September 1774, Mr. Murray made another visit, and preached sometimes at a private house, sometimes in Faneuil-hall, at the
* From Nov. 9, 1777, to Feb. 23, 1783.
t See Centinel, Nov. 24, 1787, and Jan. 2, 1788.
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Factory, or at Masons'-hall, and at length was admitted into Mr. Croswell's pulpit, not, however, without strenuous oppo- sition from Mr. C. A society was gradually gathered under the preaching of Mr. Murray and Mr. Adam Streeter, ' and other preachers of the universal gospel of salvation to all mankind ;' and on the 29th of Dec. 1785, Messrs. Shippie Townsend, James Prentiss, Jona. Stoddard, John Page, and Josiah Snelling, (' being a committee appointed by a Chris- tian congregation commonly called Universalists, now meeting in the said house') purchased the meeting-house then recently vacated by the death of Dr. Sam'l Mather. Mr. Murray was installed over this society, Oct. 24, 1793. The solemnities of the occasion were introduced by Dea. Oliver W.Lane, who addressed the brethren of the church and congregation. Mr. M. prayed. Then Dea. L. asked of each party a publick recognition of their acceptance of each other as pastor and people, which being signified, the deacon proceeded thus : ' I therefore, in the name and behalf of this church and congre- gation, supported by the constitution of this commonwealth, declare you, John Murray, to be the pastor and teacher of this first Universal church in Boston.' Dea. L. then present- ed a bible to Mr. M. with the pledge that, so long as he con- tinued to preach the gospel as therein delineated, he should be considered their pastor and teacher, and no longer ; and concluded with the charge of Paul to Timothy, usually introduced on such occasions. Mr. M. made an affectionate reply ; then followed singing accompanied by the organ. Mr. Murray gave a sermon from 1 Cor. ix. 16. Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel, and the services were concluded with an anthem.
The society, known as the Presbyterian church, which had been under the pastoral care of Rev. Robert Annan, from 1783 to 1786, embraced the Congregational order, and thus became the Twelfth Congregational church. We have dis- covered no record of this fact, but it probably was made known in a formal manner on the day of the installation of their first pastor, Rev. Jeremy Belknap, April, 4, 1787, con- cerning which we find the following account. 'After a large and respectable council of churches, assembled on the occa- sion, had taken the steps usually previous to such solemnity, they proceeded to the meeting house. An anthem excellent- ly performed, began the service. Rev. Mr. Eckley then made the first prayer : Rev. Mr. McClintock of Greenland, (N. H.) delivered a sermon well adapted to the occasion : Rev. Dr. Lathrop made the installation prayer : Rev. Mr. Jackson or Brookline gave the charge ; Rev. Mr. Eliot prayed after it, and Rev. Mr. Thacher gave the right hand of fellowship, and ยท another anthem concluded the service.'
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HISTORY OF BOSTON.
The first Roman Catholick congregation was assembled in Boston, in the year 1784, from the few French and Irish then resident here, by the Abbe La Postrie, a chaplain in the French navy. In the year 1788 they obtained possession of the old French church in School street, which had become vacant on the death of Mr. Croswell : mass was first performed in it Nov. 2, 1788. M. La Poitrie was succeeded by M. Louis de Rousselet, and Mr. John Thayer, a native of Boston, who had renounced the Protestant faith and taken orders under the Romish see, as Catholick Missionary of Boston. Mr. T. be- gan his mission here, June 10th, 1790, and exhibited great zeal in the cause he had espoused .* The Rt. Rev. Bp. Car- roll (late of Baltimore) visited Boston, in May, 1791, and ad- ministered confirmation to a number who had received bap- tism here. In 1792, the Rev. Dr. Francis A. Matignon arri- ved in Boston, and by his prudence, judgment, and concilia- ting disposition, considerably softened and removed the preju- dices which had impeded the advancement and progress of the Roman Catholick religion. Dr. Matignon was joined by the Rev. John Cheverus, (afterwards R.C. Bishop of this city and at present Bishop of Montauban,) in the year 1796. These two gentlemen made applications to the Protestants, who generously contributed ; a lot was purchased in Frank- lin Place, and the Roman Catholick church, a neat and well proportioned edifice, was dedicated to the worship of God, under the name of " The Church of the Holy Cross," by the late Bishop Carroll, on the 29th day of September, 1803.1- Under Dr. Matignon and Bp. Cheverus the congregation increased in numbers and respectability, by accessions not only from the foreign population of the town, but from native citizens. Dr. Matignon was removed by death, and the bish- op has been called to his native country to the enjoyment of higher honours in the church. The departure of both was deeply lamented, not only by catholicks, but by all who knew them either personally or by character.
The origin of the Methodist Society in Boston was attended with some circumstances of discouragement. Rev. Wm.Black, from Halifax, was the first minister of that denomination who preached here. He arrived in October, 1784, and was al- lowed to appear in the pulpit of the Second Baptist church. He was here but a short time, yet many persons became con-
* Mass. His. Col. 1. iii. 264. Col. Centinel, Nov. 24, 1790-Jan. 26, June 24, July 30. 1791. t The Rev. Mr. Thayer, by a disposition in his will, bequeathed money for the erection of an Ursuline Convent, which has been since erected contiguous to the Church, and in which the female children of the R. Catholick communion are educated.
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verted under his preaching : most of them joined the Baptist churches. In 1790, Rev. Jesse Lee visited Boston and the vicinity : he preached, as Whitfield had done before him, on the Common. A considerable number adopted his senti- ments, and met together for worship at the house of Samuel Burrill, in Sheafe-street, till June 1792,* when they obtained the use of the North School-house. At that time, Mr. Jere- miah Cosden was their preacher. In August, 1792, twelve persons ' were joined into a society, under the denomination of the Methodist Episcopal church.' After the old school-house was pulled down, this society met once at the Green Dragon : thence they removed to Mr. Conner's in Ship-street, and thence to Mr. John Ruddock's house, opposite Clark's (since Ballard & Hartt's) ship-yard, in the same street ; a room in this last house was formally dedicated Aug. 17, 1793. Find- ing themselves very unpleasantly situated for the want of a commodious place for their meetings, the society made an ef- fort to obtain subscriptions towards a proper house of worship. On the 5th of Sept. 1795, Messrs. Sam. Burrill, Elijah Lewis, Uriah Tufts, Joseph Snelling, Sam'l Mills, and Abraham In- gersoll, as a committee of the society, purchased a lot of land in Methodist alley (now so called), and a house was built thereon, measuring 46 feet by 36, and 22 ft. post. It was first occupied and dedicated May 15, 1796 ; Rev. Geo. Pick- ering being the officiating clergyman. The church at that time consisted of 50 members.
In the year 1803, a religious society was commenced, of the denomination of Freewill Baptists. It was at first composed of persons who seceded from the other Baptist churches in + town, and adhered to the doctrines at that time promulgated by Messrs. Thomas Jones and Elias Smith. They have since been known under the distinctive appellation of CHRISTians. Their first meetings were held in a large wooden building in Friend-street, then adjoining the Mill-pond. They have since occupied the hall in Bedford-street, and now (Oct. 1825) have a brick meeting-house erecting at the corner of Summer and Sea streets. They have had a number of preachers, who have continued with them a short time. " When they have no Elders to preach, they often exhort each other, both male and female. The same privilege is granted to all pious peo- ple, when assembled with them, of whatever denomination they may be. They hold to the six principles of the doctrine
* Records of the Society .- In Selectmen's minutes, Sept. 16, 1785, permission is granted to the hearers of Mr. William Black to occupy the North Grammar School until further order. The new School-house was finished, Oct. 1792.
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of Christ, viz. ' Repentance from dead works, faith towards God, of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment : urging frequently upon their hearers the necessity of the two first principles above in order for sinners to become ' born again,' or become ' new creatures,' or have the ' divine nature,' or ' holiness,' without which no man shall see the Lord. The safety of those who ' endure to the end,' is firmly believed by them, and that none but such shall have eternal life."
In the year 1805, a church was gathered from among the coloured people of this town, which when formed was denom- inated the African Baptist church. Their number at first was twenty, most of whom were fruits of the ministry of Rev. Thomas Paul, an ordained clergyman of their own colour, who commenced preaching in Franklin Hall, an apartment in the school-house in Nassau street. The year after this church was formed, they began to make exertions towards building them a place of worship. They chose a committee to make collections, among whom was Cato Gardiner, a native of Africa, who had long been one of Dr. Stillman's respectable members. At his importunity Dr. Stillman drew a subscription paper, which Cato circulated in different places, and obtained about 1500 dollars. Others of the church made collections to a con- siderable amount, and having received encouragement to go forward in their design, they chose a committee of white men to superintend the building, which was finished and dedicated, Dec. 4, 1806. Mr. Paul was installed at the same time. Rev. Drs. Stillman and Baldwin, Mr. Grafton [of Newton,] Mr. Briggs [of Randolph,] Mr. Stone [of New Boston, N. H.] all of the Baptist denomination, officiated on the occasion. This house is built of brick forty feet by forty-eight, three stories high. The lower story is fitted up for a school-room for coloured children, and has been occupied for that purpose from the time it was finished. The two upper stories are well finished with pews, pulpit, galleries, &c. The lot is small, and with the house cost 8,000 dollars.
In the year 1806, the Methodist society, on the 3d of March, 'resolved that it was expedient to build another chap- el for the worship of Almighty God.' On the 15th of April, the corner stone of the house in Bromfield's lane was laid by Rev. Peter Jayne, and it was completed and dedicated on the 19th of November following. Rev. Samuel Merwin preach- ed on the occasion. This chapel is built of brick, its dimen- sions are 84 by 54 ft. Near the N. E. corner, in the middle course of hammered stone, in the foundation, is a block taken from the celebrated rock on which our forefathers landed at Plymouth.
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Proposals for building another Baptist meeting-house were issued in August, 1806. A lot of land had been previously procured on Charles-street, part of which was given by the Mount Vernon Company, and the greater part purchased by the subscribers to the undertaking. Five members from the First, and nineteen from the Second Baptist church, united on the 5th of Aug. 1807, and were regularly constituted 'as a separate church of Christ, by the name of the Third Baptist church in Boston.' On the same day the house was dedica- ted. Rev. Dr. Baldwin preached on the occasion. On the 5th of October, Rev. Caleb Blood accepted the office of pas- tor. The sentiments of this church are expressed in the subjoined ' declaration of their views of divine truth .**
The formation of Park-Street Church was first proposed in the latter part of the year 1808, when a subscription was opened for the erection of a place of publick worship. On the 6th of Feb. 1809, ten of the subscribers had a meeting, and it was resolved to proceed in the important undertaking. Articles of faith and a church covenant were adopted, and a council called to assist in forming the church. The number of persons who first associated (Feb. 27) was twenty-six, of
* Third Baptist church Articles of faith.
We believe the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect rule of faith and practice ; and that, among others, it teaches the following all important truths : I. The existence of one only living and true God, infinite in every natural and moral perfec- tion. II. That he has made himself known to his people under the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, the same in essence, and equal in every divine perfec- tion. III. That man was created holy; but by wilfully violating the law of his Maker, he fell from that state, and from all communion with God; and as, by divine appointment, Adam was the representative of all his posterity, we in him became wholly defiled, and dead in trespasses and sins : So that by nature we are indisposed to all good, and inclined to all evil, and are children of wrath, and subjects of death, and of all other miseries, tem- poral, spiritual and eternal. IV. That the only way of salvation from this state of guilt and condemnation is through the righteousness and atonement of Jesus Christ, who, as the Good Shepherd, laid down his life for his sheep ; and that those only, who receive the gift of repentance, and faith in him, will be finally saved by his atonement. V. That all who ever have been, or will be, brought to repentance, and faith in the gospel, were chosen in Christ to salvation before the foundation of the world ; and that in consequence of the eter- nal love of God to them, through the atonement, the Iloly Ghost is sent to effect the work of regeneration in their hearts, without which regenerating influence, none would ever re- pent or believe. VI. That nothing can separate true believers from the love of God, but they will be kept by his power, through faith, unto salvation. VII. That the only proper subjects of the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's Supper are professed believers ; and that baptism is properly adminstered only by immersion, and is, by scriptural example, a pre-requisite to communion at the Lord's table. VIII. That there will be a resurrection, both of the just and unjust ; and that Christ will come a second time to judge both the quick and the dead ; when those who die impenitent, and unreconciled to God, will be sentenced to endless misery, as the just desert of their sins ; and those who have been re- newed by grace, and washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, will be completely deliv- ered from the dominion of sin, and admitted into the holy and heavenly Jerusalem, with Songs and everlasting joy. So shall they be ever with the Lord,
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whom 21 were dismissed from other churches, and 5 received by the council on profession of faith. The corner-stone of their meeting-house was laid on the first of May. A plate, bearing the following inscription, was deposited in the south- east corner : sc. " Jesus Christ the chief corner stone, in whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord. This church formed February 27th, and this foundation laid Muy 1st, 1809." The house was dedica- ted to the service of God, Jan. 10, 1810. Rev. Edward Dorr Griffin, D. D. (then Bartlett Professor of Pulpit Eloquence at Andover) preached on the occasion.
There had been hopes with the founders of this church that they should be able to obtain the services of Dr. Henry Kollock of Savannah, but they were disappointed. 'The church continued without a settled pastor until July 31, 1811, when Dr. Griffin, (who had constantly supplied their pulpit,) was installed over them.
This church professes a 'decided attachment to that sys- tem of the Christian religion which is distinguishingly denom- inated Evangelical, more particularly to those doctrines which in a proper sense are styled the doctrines of grace,' and adopts the Congregational form of government, as contained in the Cambridge Platform framed by the synod of sixteen hundred and forty-eight.
The erection of a meeting-house for the Second Society of Universalists was proposed ' at a meeting of a number of mem- bers of the First Universal Society,' holden on Thursday, November 14, 1816. Preparatory measures were adopted, and they were incorporated Dec. 13, 1816, ' by the name of the Second Society of Universalists in the town of Boston.'* On Monday morning, May 19, 1817, the corner stone of the
* A church was formed in this society, Dec. 3, 1817. Their Uniting Compact is as follows : Uniting Compact of the Second Universalist church in Boston.
1st. Being persuaded of the truth of the gospel of the grace of God, and feeling truly grateful for such a revelation of divine favour, we, whose names are undersigned, with a view to promote the cause of the Redeemer, to edify and comfort each other, and in obedi- ence to the command of Christ, who directs us to ' let our light shine before men,' do hereby unite in the solemn and important relation of a Christian church. 2d. We mutually agree to celebrate the unspeakably glorious event of the death and resurrection of Jesus, in the sacrament of the Lord's supper, as often as a majority of the chh. may thinh proper. 3d. Claiming no right to fix a creed, which might in any way impede our progress in the grace and knowledge of our L.J.C. or operate as a mean to prevent any sincere lover of truth from uniting with us in the Christian communion and fellowship, we accept no other rule of faith, practice, or discipline than the 8. Scriptures. 4th. Disclaimning any right to exam- ine or judge another's faith, and adhering to the Apostle's directions to 'let a man ex- amine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup,' we consider the table of the Lord free for the communion of all, whose moral conduct would not bring a reproach. 5th.' We furthermore mutually agree to pay all expenses which may be deemed necessary according to any distribution which a majority may see fit to make.
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new meeting-house, in School-street, was laid and a silver plate deposited, being the gift of Dr. David Towns- end, bearing the following inscription : " The Second Uni- versal church, devoted to the worship of the True God, Jesus Christ being the chief corner-stone. May 19th, 1817." This house is a plain building of brick, without a steeple, 75 ft. long and $7 broad. The dedication took place on Thurs- day, Oct. 16th : Rev. Thomas Jones, of Gloucester, preach- ed on the occasion. October 21st, Rev. Hosea Ballou was unanimously invited to the ministry over this society, and his installation took place on Christmas-day, Dec. 25th 1817. Rev. Paul Dean preached from John xx. 24, and gave the fellowship of the churches ; Rev. Edw. Turner, of Charles- town, made the installation prayer and gave the charge ; and Rev. Mr. Flagg, of Salem, made the concluding prayer.
The services of the Protestant Episcopal church were cel- ebrated, for the first time, in that part of the town called South Boston, on Sunday, March 31, 1816. For more than two years the congregation met in a school-house, and services were conducted by different clergymen and lay-readers. St. Matthew's church was consecrated on the 24th of June, 1818, by the Right Rev. Dr. Griswold, Bishop of the Eastern dio- cese. It is situated on Broad-way, and is a neat and commo- dious brick building. The expences of its erection were chiefly defrayed by benevolent members of Trinity and Christ churches, with a view to the future wants of that section of the city. A service of plate for the use of the altar was pre- sented by the ladies of Christ church, and the pulpit, desk, and chancel were furnished with appropriate dressings by the ladies of Trinity church. The late Mrs. Elizabeth Bowdoin Winthrop was a most liberal benefactor. Religious services were maintained in this church, by occasional supplies, but it was not till June, 1824, that the parish enjoyed the stated la- bours of a minister in full orders, when the Rev. John L. Blake became Rector. The wardens are Messrs. Abraham Gould and Robert P. Williams.
In August, 1818, there was a church formed that adopts the sentiments of Baron Emanuel Swedenborg. They first as- sociated on Saturday, the 15th of August, and on the next day held a publick meeting at Boylston Hall. The number of their first associates was eleven, six of whom were gentlemen, and five ladies. Their first preacher was Mr. Samuel Worces- ter : he is not ordained, but administers the sacrament of baptism. The society was incorporated, Feb. 11, 1823, by the name of ' the Boston Society of the New Jerusalem.' They have held meetings at different periods at Boylston Hall, Bedford st. hall, and the Pantheon. Their present place of worship is in Pantheon Hall.
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ESSEX-STREET CHURCH was organized on the 27th of Janu- ary, 1819. It was gathered under the preaching of the Rev. James Sabine, who came to Boston in July, 1818, from St. John's, Newfoundland, where he had been settled about two years over a society, which became reduced in numbers, and in the means of giving him support, after the desolating fires that occurred at that place in November, 1817. Upon his arrival in Boston, Mr. Sabine commenced preaching in Boylston hall, and when the church was organized, he was publickly recognized as its pastor. Seventeen members, of whom 10 were brethren, constituted the church. The con- gregation increasing, arrangements were made for building a meeting-house in Essex st. The corner-stone was laid, June 26, 1819, and the new house was dedicated, on the 15th of December .*
The members of the Romish communion at South Boston are accommodated in a neat Gothick church, which bears the name of St. Augustine's Chapel. A tablet wrought into the front of the building bears the following inscription : " Erect- ed by the Catholic Congregation of Boston, with the approbation and assistance of Right Reverend Bishop Cheverus, A.D. 1819."
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH was proposed to be erected by a subscription which was commenced in March, 1819. The corner-stone was laid, Sept. 4th, with appropriate solemnities. The church was consecrated, June 30, 1820, by the Rt. Rev. Bp. Alex. Viets Griswold, bishop of the Eastern diocese, as- sisted by the Rt. Rev. Bp. Thos. C. Brownell, of Connecti- cut, with many of the clergy. Dr. Samuel Farmar Jarvis was instituted rector, Friday, July 7, 1820.
This edifice is situated on Common st. between Winter and West streets, and fronts towards the Common. It is built of fine gray granite, and is an imitation, so far as res- pects the architecture, of a Grecian model of the Ionick order. The body of the church is about 112 ft. long by 72 ft. wide, and 40 ft. high from the platform to the top of the cornice. The portico projects about 14 feet, and has six Ionick col- umns, 3 ft. 5 in. diameter, and 32 ft. high, of Potomac sand- stone, laid in courses. The base of the building rises four
* In the course of two years, some difficulties arose, which resulted in a vote, March 6, 1822, ' that this chh. think it necessary to withdraw from the house of worship in Essex st. and that after this date they do meet for worship and communion in Boylston hall.' Accord- ingly on the following sabbath they assembled there.
This body retained the name of Essex st. church, until Nov. 26, 1823, when they were acknowledged and received by the Londonderry Presbytery, aud organized into their body. Thus they became the second Presbyterian church in Boston, (MI. Moorhead's having been the first,) but they are ' known by the name of the First Presbyterian church in the City of Boston.'
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feet, and there is a flight of steps to the portico, extending the whole width of the front. The interior is lighted by ten long windows, and has a chancel and organ gallery. The ceiling is a cylindrical vault, with pannels which span the whole width of the church. Beneath the principal floor, there are commodious and well constructed tombs, secured in a manner to obviate any objection which fear, or experience, or observation may have suggested .*
Under the patronage and influence of benevolent individu- als associated as a society for the moral and religious instruc- tion of the poor, a MEETING FOR SEAMEN was opened at the hall on Central wharf, on Lord's day, Aug. 9, 1818 : and through the exertions of the same body, another meeting was established at Parkman's market, Jan. 31, 1819. At these places, publick worship was regularly maintained, half a day at each ; and besides the particular classes, for which the meetings were instituted, it was found that a considerable number of persons assembled, whose circumstances rendered their attendance at the more frequented houses of worship inconvenient. Further exertions were therefore made for their accommodation, and a house has been erected on the west side of Butolph-street, known by the name of the Mis- SION HOUSE. It was dedicated, July 5, 1821, and a church, consisting of 17 members, was constituted, Dec. 30, 1823. The Rev. Dr. William Jenks officiates as their minister.
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