History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 179

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538

USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I > Part 179

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His labors in education were not confined to his place of residence. He frequently spoke on the sub- ject by request in other towns. Soon after the or- ganization of the Essex County Teachers' Association, in 1829, the first of the kind in the United States, "when," says one,1 "few could be prevailed upon to favor the enterprise, Mr. Kimball, who had himself been an able and successful instructor, readily yielded to the request of the society to lecture before it. This he did with ability and peculiar acceptance."

Foreign Missions .- Through his whole ministry he was the earnest advocate and efficient helper of the American Board ; was present at its organization at Bradford in 1810, frequently presented its claims to his own people, and occasionally addressed audiences in its behalf in other places. " Among the arguments that the early friends of missions had constantly to meet," says Rev. William Kincaid, at the annual meeting of the Board at Des Moines, October 6, 1886, " was the complaint that the sending out of so much money to the heathen would impoverish the country. So wide-spread and persistent was this objection that in 1826 two prominent ministers, of whom Dr. Lyman Beecher was one" (and Rev. David Kimball the other, see Proceedings of the Auxiliary Mission Society of Essex County, April 11, 1826), were appointed by this board to prepare elaborate papers in answer to it. The manner in which Mr. Kimball acquitted himself may be seen in the following remarks which

1 Rev. Gardner B. Perry, D. D.

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he offered on that occasion : "Sir, the resources of our country are not easily exhausted. When I look around this country ; when I consider its extent of territory, fertility of soil and salubrity of climate, its agricultural improvements, its extensive aud lucrative commerce, the rapidly increasing growth of its manu- factures ; when I consider the number, intelligence, industry and enterprise of its husbandmen, mechanics and merchants, and its favorable situation in respect to every kind of business tending to the increase of wealth ; when I survey the vast resources of my country ; I feel as little apprehension that these re- sources will be exhausted by its charities to the hea- then, as that the waters of the Pacific Ocean will be exhausted by natural exhalation. And I would as soon accuse that ocean of a wanton waste of its waters, for suffering them to ascend for the purpose of falling on the pastures of the wilderness, and clothing them with verdure, as charge the friends of missions with profusion for collecting a portion of the riches of this world, and causing it to descend in the dew of gospel charity on the moral wilderness. Were I to surren- der the point which I undertook to maintain, I would still hold on to the object to which we are devoted, and say, let the wealth of this world go, if on such terms souls may be rescned from degradation, guilt and death, and raised to that world where they will be praising God, and advancing toward him by new accessions of glory, forever and ever. But I do not surrender the point which I nndertook to maintain. I do not believe that the property of the community has been lessened by the interest in foreign missions, nor that it would be lessened, if the object were to interest our entire population, and the contributions to it were increased a hundred-fold."

so, as long as God's law remains as it is, and as long as God remains what he is."

As he believed he spoke, and unhesitatingly gave utterance, on all suitable occasions, to the sentiments he entertained. Into the structure of his mind,- which was conservative, judicious and catholic,- ultraism, fanaticism and bigotry did not enter. He had zeal, but according to knowledge; he hated op- pression, but his hatred was tempered with prudence ; he had opinions of his own to which he tenaciously adhered, yet he allowed in others the same freedom of expression that he claimed for himself. Early in the agitation of this subject he took an open and de- clared anti-slavery position; took it, and held to it, through evil report and good report, and though he did not live to see the day of deliverance and triumph, yet he believed it would come and gloriously too. He identified himself with the enterprise at a time when, through indifference, or cowardice, or selfishness the voice of the pulpit and press was dumb, and few de- sired to have the subject agitated in the community. The American Colonization Society was then at the hight of its popularity, and it was regarded as almost impious to question the benevolence of its scheme. That dark period of ignorance and apathy, delusion and prejudice should be carefully pondered and pro- perly estimated in order that the amount of moral conrage requisite to meet it should also be measured and appreciated. Mr. Kimball though a diffident man and one who shrank from contending with an antagonist in open extemporaneous debate, was yet firm, decided and earnest in the discussion of any question in which he conscientiously believed, whether popular or unpopular with the people. The thing for him to decide was, whether the sen- timents he entertained were in accordance with the word of God. If they were he was bold in pro- claiming them ; and undeterred by the fear of man and the consequences, went straightforward in the discharge of duty, sustained by the belief that, though all men might be against him, the God in whom he trusted would be with him. His name, which stood at the head of the Massachusetts delegation, is among the one hundred and fifty-four clergymen who came before the public in 1834 as the advocates of imme- diate emancipation, by signing a document giving a decided expression of opinion on these two cardinal points, viz. : 1. That colonization is not an adequate remedy for slavery, and must therefore be abandoned for something else that is; and 2. That the scheme of Immediate Emancipation is such a remedy, and is, therefore, to be adopted and urged.

Anti-Slavery .- He was the uncompromising enemy of oppression and tyranny in all their forms, and early declared himself the friend of liberty, personal and national. In an address in his native town, he said : " I appear this evening, not as a member of any anti-slavery organization, but as an anti-slavery man, independent of all organizations. As to this cause blame me not, my friends, for my love of it ; for here, in the days of my childhood and youth, was that love kindled. Yes, between those hills my father taught me, and in these ancient houses, your fathers taught me, and at the house of worship which recently stood there, the pastor taught me, that slavery is a sin, being a transgression of the law which says: 'Thon shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' I received it as true ; I believed it ; and I proclaimed it in this house of prayer, when at twenty-one our fathers called me on the day of our nation's birth, to echo, as I could, In the formation of the Essex County Anti-slavery Society he took an active part. At a convention held at Topsfield April 4, 1834, to consider the expediency of forming said society, he was chosen, with others, to prepare a constitution. When the New England Anti-slavery Society met in Boylston Hall, Boston, the just and noble sentiment, 'all men are created free and equal.' From the first moment, that, as I trust, I began to love God for what he is, for his holiness, justice and mercy ; I have felt that slavery is a sin, and that like every other sin, it should be immediately renounced; and I must think and feel | May 26, 1834, he was on the committee to report on

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the District of Columbia and the Territories ; and in June of the same year, when the Essex County Anti- slavery Society was organized at Salem, he was one of the vice-presidents. Thus early and openly did he commit himself steadfastly and zealously to this great enterprise.

Temperance .- His mother instilled early into his mind and heart the great principle of brotherly love, including in its wide embrace love of all humanity, thus striking, with her heaven-inspired hand, the key- note of philanthropy in his heart, and laying the foundation of that spirit of benevolence which led him to adopt and proclaim the great reformatory doc- trines which in the last half century have so exten- sively occupied the attention of the more thoughtful of our fellow-countrymen. Hence it was, that war and slavery and intemperance had in him an uncom- promising foe, ready on all proper occasions to em- ploy against them " a sling and a smooth stone out of the brook," weapons which, if not mighty, did good service in the cause of humanity. The second ser- mon which he wrote was on temperance, and during his ministry he frequently discoursed upon it on the Sabbath, and always readily and cheerfully complied with the invitations of his fellow-citizens and others to speak on the subject, lending his influence and giv- ing his labor to promote it at a period when, in popu- lar feeling, attachment to the cause did not add to a man's public reputation.

He was one of the original members of the first State temperance society in the country,-" The Massachusetts Society for the Suppression of Intem- perance," instituted in 1813. In 1826, when the American Temperance Society was formed, on the principle of total abstinence, he united with it, as he did with the Washingtonian movement of 1840.

The American Education Society .- While he took a deep interest in all the benevolent and religious en- terprises of the day, the American Education Society in particular, whose object. was the education of pious young men for the gospel ministry, occupied much of his time and attention. In the preliminary work of the Essex Auxiliary Education Society he bore a prominent part. At its organization, October 30, 1816, he was made secretary. As such he prepared, in December of that year, a circular addressed to the evangelical ministers of the county, inviting them to recommend to their several churches an annual col- lection for this object; and in 1828 he caused to be printed five hundred copies of the constitution, with a list of officers and an address prepared by himself. IIaving acted as secretary for twenty-three years, in 1839 he resigned the office. His resignation not being accepted, he continued the secretaryship, at- tending the annual meetings and preparing the yearly reports to the close of his life, a period of forty- four years. During this time, says Rev. Dr. Perry, "he never failed in an appointment, nor at the an- nual meeting came unprepared with a report carefully

made out. His reports were often extended to a considerable length, were directed to different bear- ings and responsibilities of the society, and, if bronght together, would make a volume filled with important truths and practical instruction ; and I must regard it as no small loss to the religious world that they should be hid in the depository of finished business, comparatively unknown and unread."

Essex North Association .- Soon after his ordination he united with this association. Having, as scribe pro tempore, kept the minutes and conducted the cor- respondence of the society for a year, he was chosen permanent secretary, May 12, 1812, which office he held till his death, a period of forty-eight years, dur- ing all which time he was punctual in attendance at the meetings, and always ready to contribute his full share of time and labor to its interests. Three times he was called upon to deliver the annual sermon at the conference of the churches in Essex North. He was unanimously chosen to preach the anniver- sary sermon before the Massachusetts General Associ- ation at Woburn in 1844, which discourse was pub- licly commended as most appropriate and excellent. He was one of four who formed a society separate from the association for the purpose of studying the Scriptures in their original languages, and for mak- ing themselves better men and better ministers. "It is a noble example, worthy to be put into the history of our body," [The " Ecclesiastieal History of Es- sex County "], "that Father Kimball commenced and prosecuted the study of Hebrew after he was forty years old." The distinct impression which he left on the memories of his associates was his fidelity and untiring industry. His productions, says Rev. Dr. Pike, were always scholarly and his heart always true to the Redeemer's kingdom.

Church in Linebrook Parish .- This church, organ- ized in 1749, but which in 1819 had been reduced in membership to two women, one of whom was very aged and infirm, was watched over by him with a fatherly eye. For several years he occasionally held meetings for prayer among the people, and for a con- siderable period conducted a Bible-class exercise one evening a week ; visited their sick, buried their dead, and, whenever a religious interest was manifest, how- ever slight, he instantly hastened to their aid. Said a member of that church, " I shall never forget the expression of his countenance nor the tears I have seen flow, when I have been telling him of persons in our parish whom I knew to be anxious about the sal- vation of the soul." His labors for the church during its struggle for existence knew no abatement. In this he proved himself a wrestling Jacob and a prevailing Israel. When at its lowest point and without a suitable place of worship, the old meeting-house having gone to deeay, he urged the people to hold together and make a united effort for the erection of a new house ; aud, when they had decided to build, he addressed the secretary of the Massachusetts Missionary Society for

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aid in support of a minister, and received from him the assurance that the society would appropriate to this object one hundred dollars annually. The con- tinued interest of Mr. K. in this parish was shown by the action of his society, in presenting to it, at his suggestion, in 1848, for its present church edifice, the bell which had formerly hung in the steeple of the old meeting-house in Ipswich. In 1860 the church had increased from two in 1819 to seventy. A bequest of 87000, by John Perley, Esq., of Georgetown, has enabled it to secure the services of a regularly settled minister, aud it is in a prosperous condition.

Publications .- While the modesty of Mr. Kimball was such as to prevent him committing to the press the earlier productions of his pen, copies of which had in several instances been requested, and among them an oration delivered in Andover, July 4, 1804 ; an addresss on education in Bradford Acad- emy, 1805; a sermon on peace in Ipswich, July 4, 1817 ; and while he declined similar requests in later years, he was the author of sixteen published dis- courses, which were regarded as valuable contribu- tions to the religious literature of the day,-notice- ably, a sermon before the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge, in Park Street Church, Boston, 1821 ; a Sketch of the Ecclesiastical History of Ipswich, 1821 ; a Centennial Discourse before the First Church and Congregation in Ipswich, August 10, 1834, two hundred years after the gathering of that church; a sermon on the Utility of a Permanent Ministry, 1839; The Last Sermon in the Ancient Meeting-House of the First Parish in Ipswich, Feb- ruary 22, 1846 ; the First Sermon in the New Meet- ing-house of that Parish, February 4, 1847 : a Dis- course on the Fiftieth Anniversary of his Ordination, October 8, 1856. He also furnished many miscel- laneous articles to secular and religious magazines and papers.

Hospitality .- His house was the seat of a generous hospitality. He followed the injunction of St. Paul, " Be not forgetful to entertain strangers," many of whom he cordially received. For most of the time from his settlement to the completion of the Eastern Railroad, his company, in addition to that of particu- lar friends, averaged not less than one person for the whole time, and one horse in the stable. It was not uncommon for strangers passing through the town by stage to come directly to his house to dine, while their companions were being entertained at the pub- lic-house.

Revivals .- There were several interesting religious awakenings during his ministry. As the fruit of which there were received iuto the church in 1808, 16; in 1820, 13; in 1825-26, 35; in 1829, 88; in 1830, 22; in 1838, 16; in 1849-50, 45; an aggregate of 235. "In such seasons of merciful visitations," said Rev. Mr. Fitz in his sermon at the funeral of Mr. K., " he spared not himself, multiplying his meet- ings and going from house to house to preach repent-

ance, to offer to the inquiring sinner an Almighty Saviour, and to implore, on behalf of every house- hold, the influences of the Holy Spirit."

On July 24, 1851, he withdrew from the active du- ties of the pastoral office, which he had filled with distinguished ability and faithfulness, and became pastor emeritus. After his retirement he preached in various places, and continued to do so till the time of his death, " being never so happy," to use his own words, as " when engaged in this delightful em- ployment." As he drew near " the shining-shore," he must have found comfort in the thought, that by God's blessing, the church, which at his ordination consisted of but fifty-three members, had been quad- rupled under his ministry.

The great aim which Mr. Kimball seems ever to have had in view was usefulness. He lived to do good ; and although it cannot be said of him, or of any man that ever lived, that he made no mistake in the devising or the carrying out of his plans, yet no one could question the purity of his motives or the integrity of his acts. If he possessed little of what is called genius, he had two of the greatest of all posses- sions, diligence and perseverance ; if not a man of profound erudition, his requirements were more than respectable. He was a careful and cautious thinker, an accomplished writer, an accurate scholar, a forci- ble and instructive preacher. In every department of duty he was diligent, prompt and faithful, deeply interested in all the philanthropic movements of the day, and zealous for the Lord of Hosts, -a consecrated champion of Christian truth. And having lived a life of faith and obedience, he died the death of the righteous.

His last sickness, pneumonia, was short, but very painful. As he drew near the river's brink, and some thought he had passed over, he revived and ex- claimed, "The gates of the New Jerusalem are opening ; " and after a pause, " I see within the city." He then took affectionate leave of his family, and breathing benedictions on his people, for whom his last audible prayer was offered, he fell asleep. There was no pang in the dying hour. At the moment of the soul's departure, according to the testimony of his daughter, Mary, there came to his lips a smile of in- effable beauty, and there it remained till he was bur- ied out of sight, never more to be seen till the morn- ing of the resurrection.

The citizens of the town exhibited the most pro- found respect for the deceased pastor. A man of spotless character, he was universally beloved. From the time the intelligence of his illness spread through the community till his bnrial the house was thronged. Many children came to see the face of him they loved. At twelve o'clock of the day following his death, all the bells in the town tolled in concert. At his funeral all classes pressed to show their love and express their grief. The people of Ipswich without distinction of sect or party, formed a most honorable

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procession and accompanied the remains to the ap- pointed place of burial. He was greatly honored in his death. Many clergymen and distinguished lay- men from abroad were present at his funeral. Through the kindness and generosity of his nearest neighbor and ever constant friend, Deacon Aaron Cogswell, an eligible burial spot was secured for him and his family, near the centre of the ancient cemetery in High Street, where he reposes in the midst of a thon- sand of the people of his charge, and where the sun smiles upon his rest as his Heavenly Father smiled upon his departing spirit.

EDWARD P. KIMBALL.

Edward P. Kimball, son of Hon. Charles Kimball, was born March 22, 1836. Acquiring the rudiments of his education at the common schools of the town and at the old High School, he finished his course there at a time when there sprang up among the young men of the place quite an enthusiastic desire to fit and enter college, and he was one of a class of several who, with that end in view, recited their Latin and Greek before breakfast at an early morn- ing hour to Rev. John P. Cowles, then principal of the Ipswich Female Seminary. Continuing under Mr. Cowles' instruction for a year, he completed his preparation for college at Thetford Academy, Thet- ford, Vt., and at the Williston Seminary, Easthamp- ton, Mass., and in the autumn of 1852 entered the Freshman Class of Amherst College. Remaining there two years, he was obliged to leave on account of ill health, and staying out a year, entered the Ju- nior Class at Williams College, where he graduated in 1857. The late ex-President Garfield was then a member of Williams, and rooming near him, he there made his acquaintance, as well as that of other men afterwards distinguished in public life and in the various professions. After graduating, he taught in the Shippensburg Collegiate Institute at Shippens- burg, Pa., practically having charge of the school.

In 1858 he entered upon the study of the law in the office of Hon. Otis P. Lord at Salem, remaining there till Judge Lord took his seat upon the bench, and then completing his studies in the office of his father, he was, in 1861, admitted to the bar. He practiced his profession in Ipswich for a few years, and after- wards in Gloucester, and then associated himself with his father in business at Salem, and continued it after his father's decease until, in October, 1886, he assumed the duties of postmaster of Ipswich under appointment from President Cleveland. Mr. Kim- ball has held various public offices, having served upon the school committee of Ipswich for six years, and as selectman of the town for two years, besides being candidate for the House of Representatives and State Senate, failing of election only because his party were in the minority. He has always taken a great interest in music, is a fine bass singer, has

given instruction in vocal music, and was leader of the South Church choir for eighteen years. Mr. Kimball was married in 1867 to Sarah M. Kimball, daughter of Rev. Reuben Kimball, of North Conway, N. H., and has four children,-two sons and two daughters. Mrs. Kimball is a lady of intelligence, of a bright, cheerful and sunny disposition, remarkably conscientious, interested in every good work, devoted to her family and a leader in the affairs of church and society which come within the sphere of wo- man's activities.

It is interesting to notice in families the peculiar traits that descend from father to son, and in Mr. Kimball's case they are especially noticeable.

He has inherited from his father, and possesses in a remarkable degree, a spirit of thoroughness in everything which he undertakes. There is nothing so abhorrent to him as the disposition sometimes dis- played of an arrogant, dogmatic assertion as facts of things of which the speaker is profoundly ignorant. Indeed, his exceeding caution in this respect may have sometimes worked to his disadvantage in giving him an appearance of hesitation, betokening ignor- ance of subjects on which he was really better in- formed than more flippant and showy, but at the same time more superficial, thinkers.

He is of a kindly and genial disposition, thought- ful of the feelings of others and considerate of the rights of all.

In manner and deportment he is unassuming. His · natural reserve has sometimes given the impression of haughtiness, but this is an erroneous view of his temperament.

Though dignified in bearing, he is not distant. He has a quick perception of the humorous. His opin- ion and judgment are often sought in questions of dispute.

In matters pertaining to the welfare of the town he is deeply interested, and takes pride in her grand his- toric past and its present growth and prosperity.

In the preparation of legal papers and in advising upon legal subjects, this mental quality of his con- spicuously appears, so that whatever is said or done by him can be depended upon without hesitation, subject only to such qualifications as he expressly lays down. Weighing well a subject, and coming slowly and carefully to a conclusion, we cannot won- der that his opinions, once formed, are held with great tenacity ; but no one, however much he may differ himself from his views, can but respect the de- liberate and careful way in which his judgment is made up or the conscientious fairness and candor with which his views are entertained. At the same time tolerant and deferential to those who are con- strained to disagree with him, it is not strange that lie commands the undivided respect and esteem of the entire comunity in which he dwells.

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History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. I, Part 179

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1538

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton), ed. n 85042884-1
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1538