USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > History of Newton, Massachusetts : town and city, from its earliest settlement to the present time, 1630-1880 > Part 40
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The choir of the First Parish church, according to the memory of one who was a worshipper about 1823, is thus described, " The singing seats were on a circle, filling the whole east end of the meeting-house, and were filled with singers. The choir was led at that time by Mr. Nathaniel Tucker, a very popular singer and leader. After his death, Colonel Nathaniel Brackett.was leader. Then followed Deacon E. F. Woodward, who occupied the position a great many years."
During the period included in Dr. Homer's ministry, the gov- ernment of the United States was consolidated, after the events
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HISTORY OF NEWTON.
of the Revolution, and the Constitution adopted. The exciting period when French infidelity was casting its shadows over the faith of multitudes occurred only a few years after he began his ministry. The foundations of politics and religion seemed to be undermined, and good and strong men, in some instances, wavered. All the learning and logic of the faithful ministers of the gospel must have been called into requisition to prevent the people from drifting into universal irreligion and scepticism. Soon after the opening of the present century, the orthodox Con- gregational churches, especially in eastern Massachusetts, were agitated by the Unitarian controversy. (See p. 255.) Many circumstances tended to thicken the tempest of ecclesiastical strife. Rev. Dr. James Freeman resided in Newton,-Dr. Homer's friend and neighbor,- whose church in Boston,-King's. chapel,- was the first in the vicinity to declare itself in favor of the new theology. American tendencies and the lingering influ- ence of the half-way covenant system, diverted some of the members from the faith of the first settlers. of Massachusetts .. The breaking up and recasting of ecclesiastical parties during the first third of the nineteenth century, all fell within the range of Dr. Homer's ministry. But his people, as a whole, as well as Dr. Homer himself, continued to hold rank with the orthodox theologians, though he was not without an evident leaning to the liberal side. Witness, his well-known explanation of the doctrine of atonement,- which he warped from the orthodox view of sub- stitution to the idea of "at-one-ment." Witness, also, a letter from his pen, printed in the "Supplement " to the " Comprehen- sive Commentary," in which he expresses doubt in reference to the doctrine of the Trinity, and calls in question the scriptural- ness of Dr. Watts' Christian doxologies.
The period of Dr. Homer's ministry also covered the distress- ing days of the war of 1812, the poverty and fear of the nation, the excitement of expected attack and of gathering forces, and the disaster at Detroit, in which one of his own parishioners was a prominent actor. Still later came the period of the separations in many of the Congregational churches in Massachusetts of the orthodox from the liberal element; and afterwards the revival of religion, as a fruit of which thousands were admitted to the churches. Through the zeal of his colleague and Dr. Homer's own efforts, the church partook largely of the blessing ; and among
415
BIOGRAPHY OF DR. HOMER.
the members admitted, in these years of the ministration of the Spirit, were men and women who became pillars of the church.
Another event in the history of the First Parish belongs to the period of Dr. Homer's ministry. It was one hundred and seventy years before the people of Newton were gathered to the worship of God by the sound of the church-going bell. In the appendix to Dr. Gannett's Sermon on leaving the Federal Street Meeting- house in Boston for the new church in Arlington Street (March 13, 1859), we find that the first church bell in Newton was given to the First Parish by the old Federal Street church (Dr. Chan- * ning's) in December, 1810. The following is the statement :
The bell which had for thirty-five years called the worshippers to Federal Street, was displaced by one; probably, of greater size or sweeter tone, but was not allowed to relinquish its sacred service. At a meeting of the pro- prietors December 3, 1810, it was-
" VOTED, that the bell which belonged to the old meeting-house be presented to the Society in Newton under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Homer."
The letter of the Special Committee charged with the duty of conveying the gift shows that the proprietors did but follow an example by which they had themselves been benefited.
"BRETHREN,-Since the erection of our new meeting-house, a new bell has been provided, which renders our old one useless to us. This was given by the Brattle Street Society in 1773, when that Society received a donation of a new bell from the late Governor Hancock. We are unwilling that that which had so long been the monitor for Christian worship should now be de- voted to any other use; and, having learned that you are destitute of a bell for your meeting-house, we are induced to hope that this may be acceptable to you; and we desire you to receive it as a testimony of our Christian fel- lowship and brotherly love."
A reply was received " expressive of the warmest gratitude for this bene- faction, the value of which is greatly enhanced by the sentiment you express in the conclusion of your letter accompanying the bell. You desire us to re- ceive it as a testimony of your Christian fellowship and brotherly love ;- which sentiment we do most sincerely reciprocate, and beg you to accept our best wishes for prosperity and happiness individually and as a Christian Society."
DR. JONATHAN HOMER was born in Boston, April 15, 1759. He. was the son of Michael Homer, jr., grandson of Michael Homer,. sen., and great-great-grandson of Captain John Homer, who was born in Warwick, west of England, in 1647. This John Homer was a mariner, and captain and part owner of a ship trading
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HISTORY OF NEWTON.
between London and Boston ; he married in Boston, had six sons and three daughters, and died in Boston, November 1, 1717, aged seventy. Dr. Homer graduated at Harvard University in 1777, at the age of eighteen. He was a member of the same class with Judge Dawes, of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts ; Dr. James Freeman, his brother-in-law, pastor of King's chapel in Boston ; Hon. Rufus King, senator of the United States and Minister to the Court of St. James ; Rev. Seth Payson, D. D., of Rindge, N. H., father of the celebrated Dr. Edward Payson, of Portland, Me., and Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D. D., of Roxbury. He received the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from Brown University in 1826. He was ordained pastor of the church in Newton, February 13, 1782. On the occasion of the ordination, the Council met at the house of Mrs. Hannah Gibbs, afterwards owned by the late Marshall S. Rice, Esq. At the services in the meeting-house, the church publicly testifying the renewal of their call and the pastor-elect renewing his acceptance of it, Mr. Eckley, of Bos- ton, prayed; then Mr. Jackson, of Brookline, preached from Isaiah VI: 5-8; afterwards Mr. Eliot, of Watertown, prayed ; Mr. Woodward, of Weston, the Moderator of the Council, prayed and gave the charge ; and Mr. Greenough, of West Newton, gave the hand of fellowship.
Dr. Homer married Anna, daughter of Obadiah Curtis, of Bos- ton, who died September 4, 1824. His only child, Jonathan Homer, died September 7, 1804, aged twenty-one. Dr. Homer died August 11, 1843, in the eighty-fifth year of his age and the sixty-second of his ministry. At the funeral exercises, held on the following Sabbath, an appropriate sermon was delivered by Rev. John Codman, D. D., of Dorchester, from Luke II : 29, 30; and the several congregations in the town gave up their usual worship, for the purpose of attending the services and doing honor to his memory.
Rev. Mr. Bushnell says of him,-
Dr. Homer excelled in conversation. His thoughts were not profound, but he always made his visits agreeable to his people ....... He read Hebrew, Greek and Latin, and, after he was sixty years old, learned to read the Spanish language. He had a rare and valuable library. Some of his books, especially those relating to translations and translators of the Bible, were obtained with great pains-taking and expense. All the English translations of the Scrip- tures that had been made up to the date of his death were in his possession.
417
ESTIMATE OF DR. HOMER.
Hence his knowledge in regard to the English versions of the Bible was more extensive and more accurate than that of any other person in the vicinity.
Dr. Furber says,-
From the year 1824 and onward, Dr. Homer was for many years engaged in an unwearied and enthusiastic study of the principal English translations of the Bible. His aim was to improve the text of the common version. This he critically compared with the text of Tyndale, Coverdale, Rogers, the Cranmer Bible, the Geneva Bible, the Bishops' Bible, and with the Hebrew and Greek originals. It was his intention to publish a history of the Eng- lish versions of the Bible, from that of Wycliffe to that of 1611. He was eminently qualified for such an undertaking. The late professor, B. B. Edwards, of Andover, speaks of the "long and indefatigable attention " which Dr. Homer had given to this subject; and adds, " He is more inti- mately acquainted with it than any other individual in the country."
During the process of preparing the "Comprehensive Com- mentary " for publication, Dr. Jenks is said to have been in fre- quent consultation with Dr. Homer. His notes on the variations of different versions were never reduced to order. They were left by him in a scattered state, mostly on the margins of his books ; and his researches and attainments in this department of sacred literature will never be given to the world.
Mr. Bushnell writes of him,-
Dr. Homer is said to have been, in early and middle life, quite a popular speaker. I think he spoke, usually, extemporaneously. I never saw any manuscript sermon of his. .. ... . He was called to the Old South church in Boston, and also to the church in Woburn, in his youth. And, with those two calls before him, he received and accepted the call to Newton ....... Dr. Homer was liberal in his theology. Intimate as he was with the Rev. Dr. Pierce, of Brookline, and Rev. Dr. Freeman, of King's chapel, his brother- in-law, it is not strange that his opinions should have been influenced by them. But he was intimate also with the Rev. Mr. Grafton, Rev. Dr. Cod- man and Rev. Mr. Greenough, and it is perhaps due to their influence, under God, that Dr. Homer adhered to the ancient faith of the churches of New England.
Another writer says of him,-
The venerable Dr. Homer was a character in Newton, and held a promi- nent position as pastor of the Congregational church. For many years, he was the dear friend of General Hull's family, rejoicing with them at their weddings and festivals, and mourning with them in the time of trouble and disaster. Mrs. Hull felt a great interest in the Doctor and his church. She once gave a Genoa-velvet gown for a pall-cover, it was used for that purpose many years. She also had the venerable Doctor's portrait painted, taken in 27
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HISTORY OF NEWTON.
band and gown. As was the custom of his time, he wore black cotton gloves in the pulpit, which, being always an inch or more too long in the fingers, used to cause the younger part of the congregation to smile audibly to see the playful way they had of wagging at them, even in the most impressive passages of his sermons, which were often long and doctrinal, reaching to "Tenthly." The Doctor was a very absent-minded man, and his wife Nancy, "my dear Mrs. Homer," as he called her, was constantly expecting some odd event to occur from his eccentric ways.
Dr. Homer enjoyed unusual health during the whole period of his protracted ministry. For thirty-five years, he was never out of his pulpit in consequence of sickness. He was a great walker, and went everywhere, if the distance was not unreasonably long, on foot.
Dr. Homer was very scrupulous in the performance of his offi- cial duties. The following instance seems almost incredible. At the funeral service of General Hull, having accidentally omitted to mention in his prayer one of the relatives of the family, he prayed a second time, lest he should be deemed guilty of a failure in duty, or give occasion for grief or offence.
"Laugh as much as you will," once said Father Greenough to a few friends, who were smiling at some of his peculiarities, "there is no man among us who carries with him the spirit of the Gospel from Monday morning to Saturday night, better than brother Homer. He has always been a friend to the poor. To them his house is always open; and of orphans and homeless children, more than thirty have been taken to his house, fed and clothed, until he could find places where they could be properly cared for."
He was distinguished by his kindness of heart. It is reported of him that he once stopped his chaise, as he was travelling on a hot summer day, to remove a toad, which he saw burrowing in the sand, into a shady retreat. And it is an illustration of his thoughtless eccentricity, that he only removed the toad to the shade of his own carriage, and then rode on, satisfied, without observing his mistake.
An excellent autobiographical portraiture of Dr. Homer, in his social qualities and religious spirit, is obtained through a letter addressed by him to a young relative, who, at the date of the let- ter, was a student in Harvard University. The young man was a son of George Homer, Esq., of Boston, the latter being an own cousin of Dr. Homer. The young man was in declining health, and died, soon afterwards, of consumption. A letter from. Mrs.
419
LETTER OF DR. HOMER.
Dr. Homer, of a date one month later, addressed to the same individual, also exhibits, in a most attractive light, her amiable and pious spirit. Dr. Homer used to speak of his wife, many years after her decease, as "a very angel, about his house." These letters were obtained from a relative of George Homer, Esq. They have never before been printed.
LETTER FROM REV. MR. HOMER TO GEORGE HOMER, JR., OF BOSTON. Newton, Feb. 11, 1811.
My dear young kinsman :
I have but lately learnt, that you were seriously unwell, and that your in- disposition increased rather than abated. I most ardently wish that your health may be re-established, and that your parents may long rejoice in your society. But whatever may be the ultimate determination of Heaven re- specting your life, it will be of no disservice to you to improve your present seclusion from the world, to seek and establish your immortal interests.
I also once had as you well know, an only son, who was also my only child. When his complaints were serious, I was principally solicitous that he should be a real and habitual Christian. I knew, I said to him, that in this case, the issue, whatever it were, would be the promotion of his best good. I wished for evidence of that thorough conversion from sin to holiness, from the world to God, which is effected by the Holy Spirit, accompanying the truth on the heart of the regenerate. I wished for evidence that he "knew the plague of his own heart;" that he understood the law of Heaven to be holy, just, and good; that he was liable to the penalties of this law, violated by the most virtuous ; that his salvation rested on sovereign, unmerited mercy, and must be effected by the Lord Jesus Christ, the only hope of a penitent sinner towards God. I wished him to call on the Lord in humble, fervent prayer, commending his soul and body to that infinite grace, which had provided a ransom for lost sinners. I wished him to behold and trust in the Redeemer as "the end of the law for righteousness to every believer," through whose obedience unto death and perfect sacrifice he might be justified at the divine tribunal. I wished him to see the evil nature, as well as bitter consequences of sin, in thought as well as word and deed, and the beauty of holiness, strict, evangelic holiness. I wished him to seek salvation from sin as well as misery, and to desire heaven as a region of purity as well as felicity. I think I have reason to liope that this my wish and prayer were granted. The hope of this has frequently soothed his mother and me.
I believe, that your affectionate, anxious parents cherish the same ardent wish for you. You and they have great reason of thankfulness for your pre- servation from gross vice, and that you have exhibited a winning deportment. Much of filial piety has adorned you. But you will not view me censorious for addressing you as a sinner, who is dependent on Him, who "will have mercy on whom he will have mercy."-" We have all sinned," yet there is hope. Each one best knows his advantages and obligations, the light and love against which his sins have been committed. I have heard, on many
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HISTORY OF NEWTON.
occasions, the most humble and self-abasing language from the purest char- acters. There is no danger of humbling ourselves too greatly before God, if we do not despair of his mercy. "Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; casting all your care upon him; for 'he careth for you." Peter I, 5, 6, 7. Remember that the Saviour hath come to " heal the broken-hearted." If, upon examination, you approve, you love his character and redemption, you are willing to be saved by him and through him, he will love and save you. "Him who cometh unto me," hath he said, "I will in no wise cast out." "Whosoever will," hath been his in- vitation, since his ascension and glorification, "let him take the water of life FREELY."
May he be precious to you. May you " believe and rejoice in him with
. joy unspeakable and full of glory." Living or dying, my dear young friend, may you be the Lord's. May your parents yield you to the disposal of their and your infinitely wise and beneficent Proprietor. May your dear sisters learn the lesson of salvation from you and your history. May they all, and you and we, meet and mingle at length around the throne of the Redeemer, " see him as he is," and be like him, serve him with his servants, and tune our harps to his eternal praise,-is the wish and prayer, of, yours affection- ately,
JONA. HOMER.
GEO. HOMER, JR., Boston.
LETTER FROM MRS. ANNA HOMER, WIFE OF REV. MR. HOMER, TO GEORGE HOMER, JR.
Newton, March 10, 1811. My dear young friend :
Your good mother, when you were in tolerable health, requested me to write you ; my affection would have induced me to this ; but I was deterred by the idea that you were constantly reading something so much better than my pen could furnish, that a line from me could scarce be useful or acceptable.
I am sincerely afflicted at your weakness; but the great arbiter of life and death has, I trust, wise and gracious designs in your sorrows. His word assures us that, "He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." I hope your trials will issue in mercy. In this salutary school, you may be brought to the knowledge of God, and of YOURSELF. The LATTER seems necessary in order to the former.
I believe, my lovely young friend, that your whole life has been as pure and free from stain, as the life of any mortal. But remember, my dear, no one on earth can say, "I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin." The holiest and best men have been sensible of this. They have therefore abhorred themselves " and repented in dust and ashes." 'Tis im- possible we should have too humbling a sense of guilt before God. It is the best state of mind a sinner can be in .- " He that humbleth himself shall be exalted." "To this man will I look, even to him that is poor, and of a con- trite spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and the heart of the contrite
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PUBLICATIONS OF DR. HOMER.
ones." Read the whole passage in Isaiah 57:15. Our dear Redeemer came expressly to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives. He came to "seek and save those that are LOST." Read the 15th of Luke. It is fraught with encouragement. "Be of good comfort; rise, HE calleth THEE." Do not wait until you are worthy, or till you are fit.
" All the fitness he requires, Is to see our need of him."
He offers you salvation, without money and without price. Receive it as a free gift. If you realize the purity and spirituality of the Divine law, and feel the burden of sin, hear the Saviour saying, " Come unto me, all ye who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." You shall be no loser by this visitation ; what is taken from the days of time, shall be added to the years of eternity.
If you feel that you " lack wisdom, ask it of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." In your state of extreme weakness, dart up your desires frequently to our gracious Father in heaven, in short ejacula- tions. I trust you shall be "accepted in the Beloved." I pray God to sup- port and comfort your afflicted parents. May you, my dear young friend, so " believe, as to enter into rest." May you be filled with joy and peace in believing. Farewell. May we meet in glory.
ANNA HOMER.
GEORGE HOMER, JR., Boston.
The publications of Dr. Homer, so far as known, are as follows :
1. Description and History of Newton in the County of Middlesex. An article in the Massachusetts Historical Collections, 1798.
2. A Sermon delivered in Newton, October 13, 1816, upon the occasion of the decease of Mr. Samuel Hammond, of Brookline, who died October 5, 1816, aged 26. Published by request.
3. Address to the Clergy and People of the County of Middlesex, from the Middlesex Massachusetts Auxiliary Society, established June, 1817, in aid of the American Society for Educating Pious Youth for the Gospel Min- istry. 1819.
4. Fourth and Fifth Reports of the Bible Society in the County of Mid- dlesex, Massachusetts, April, 1819, 1820.
5. A Sermon delivered before the Massachusetts Society for promoting Christian Knowledge, at their Anniversary, May 29, 1828.
6. The Columbian Bible. A large folio edition of the Bible for the pul- pit. Dr. Homer aided the printer by editorial assistance. A copy of this folio Bible was for many years the Pulpit Bible of the First Parish church. Probably few copies of it are now in existence.
7. Century Sermon.
8. The Way of God vindicated, in a sermon preached Lord's day, Sept. 16, 1804,-after the interment of his only child, Jonathan Homer, A. B., who died of consumption, September 7, 1804, aged 21.
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HISTORY OF NEWTON.
The pastoral relation between Dr. Homer and the First Congre- gational church was dissolved April 17, 1839, after having existed fifty-seven years and two months. He lived, after this, four years and four months, receiving an annual stipend from the church and society, and occasionally performing some ministerial labor.
Dr. Homer sleeps in the Centre Burying Ground, like the first three pastors of the church, having, like them, begun and ended his labors in the ministry here.
The ministry of Mr. Bates, colleague pastor with Dr. Homer for twelve years, covers the latter portion of the period of the ministry of the senior pastor. The Records of the church con- tain the following notices in connection with the settlement of Mr. Bates. The church took the following action Sept. 11, 1827 :
At a meeting of the brethren of the First church in Newton, after prayer to God for direction, and after discussing the subject of choosing a colleague with the present pastor,- it was -
VOTED unanimously, every member acting,-that the church committee be authorized to invite Mr. James Bates to settle over this church as colleague pastor, provided the parish concur in said invitation.
Attest, JONATHAN HOMER, Pastor.
Newton, September 17, 1827. MR. JAMES BATES :
Dear Christian Brother,- We cordially and joyfully communicate to you, in the name of this ancient church, the above unanimous vote, and com- mend it to your serious and prayerful consideration, and offer our prayers to God that you may be directed in the path of duty, and that the final result may issue in his glory, and the spiritual welfare and continued harmony of this church and congregation. The church did also vote that five hundred dollars during the life of the present pastor, and six hundred and fifty dollars afterwards, be considered a suitable sum to offer for the support of a col- league pastor.
JONATHAN HOMER, } EBENEZER WHITE, WILLIAM JACKSON, ASA COOK, ASA WILLIAMS,
Committee.
The parish having expressed their concurrence, the call was communicated to Mr. Bates, who returned the following reply :
Newton, October 9, 1827. To the First Church and Parish in Newton :
RESPECTED BRETHREN AND FRIENDS, -Believing that the Great Head of the church united and directed you in inviting me to settle as colleague with your reverend pastor, I felt obligated to give the subject a serious and
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ORDINATION OF MR. BATES.
prayerful attention. It has been an object of deep solicitude with me, to notice the indications of Providence, and ascertain, if possible, what the Lord would have me to do. For this purpose I have endeavored to acknowledge him in all my ways, praying that he would direct my paths.
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