History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 159

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706

USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 159

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of the two branches of the Legislature, the House voted to adjourn, and the members to wear black erape during the remainder of the session as a mark of respect to the memory of Hon. Joshua Cushman. And the Senate also adjourned from a regard to his serviees and worth. His funeral was attended by the members of both branches of the Legislature; and, although the snow was extremely deep at the time, there was a large gathering, and the duty of follow- ing his remains was consequently fatiguing. He was interred at Augusta, Me., and a plain marble slab erected to his memory, bearing this simple inscription : " Our fathers, where are they ?" The Legislature of Maine afterwards, however, removed his remains to the tomb erected for the burial of those who died in the service of the government, and his name was engraved on the top of the tomb among those who had gone before him. He was a good scholar, was imbued with Christian and statesmanlike principles, and was a respectable speaker. Progress and reform were among the leading traits of his mind. The test of time and the judgment of inen which truly tries the character and acts of all has pronounced its verdict, -- " A good and faithful servant."

"Tranquil amidst alarms It found him on the field, A veteran slumbering on his arms, Beneath his red cross shield."

: REV. NAPHTALI SHAW was the son of William and Hannah (West) Shaw, born in North Bridge- water (now Broekton), June 20, 1764. His ances- tors, as far back as he had any knowledge of them, were pious people. When a lad he had but little time for reading, exeepting on the Sabbath, then he read the Bible and religious books. He was relig- iously educated, and from such works as he had he early received religious impressions which proved of the greatest value to him. Of the divine authority of the Scriptures he never had a doubt, and at an early period of his life he had determined to make them the rule of his faith and practice. At the age of fifteen he enlisted in the service as a soldier of the Revolutionary war, for a special service at Rhode Island, and again the next year, with his two older brothers, marched to the eall of his country to aid in suppressing Shay's rebellion and a threatened assault on one of our maritime places. In all this he did not have to engage in battle. He was, however, always through life patriotie. When he came back from military service tho last time, being then seventeen years of age, he prevailed upon others in his native town to unite with him in purchasing a social library, and the first book he selected was " Mason on Self-

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HISTORY OF BROCKTON.

Knowledge." which he always thought was of great value to him. and one that no person could study without profit. After preparation for college. under the care of Dr. Crane. a physician of Titieut Parish, and Rev. Dr. John Reed. of West Bridgewater. in 17$6. at the age of twenty-two, he entered Dartmouth College, Hanover. N. H., where. after applying him- self closely to his studies, and after a hard struggle with difficultics arising from limited means and a new state of things in the vicinity of the college, he grad- uated with honor in 1790. receiving the bachelor's degree. After this he taught school in Easton, Mass., and Boston. as an assistant of Mr. Caleb Brigham, an instructor of great celebrity. After studying theology seven months, he was approbated (as it was then called ) by the Plymouth Association of Ministers Aug. 1, 1792. He pursued the study of theology under the care of Rev. Zedekiah Sanger, D.D .. of Bridgewater, who was in the habit of instructing young men for the ministry. Immediately after he was licensed to preach. he received a call to preach at Kensington, N. H .. where they had already heard more than twenty candidates. He was ordained at that place Jan. 30. 1793. as pastor of the Congregational Church, then at the age of twenty nine years. He remained in that place till Jan. 13, 1813, when, his health fail- ing him, he had to ask his resignation. His ministry was pacific and useful, peace and harmony were re- stored, and the cause of education, morals, and relig- ion was promoted. Upon his resigning his pastoral labors. his health continued such that he devoted him- self to agricultural pursuits. He purchased a farm in Bradford, Vt., where he continued during the re- maining forty years of his life, giving up preaching entirely. In due time he united with the Congrega- tional Church in Bradford. Vt., and to the day of his death continued a most worthy and exemplary mem- ber. highly respected by all who knew him. Although an educated man, he was far from being dictatorial or overbearing or fault-finding, hut habitually exhib- ited that meek, humble. and quiet spirit that mani- fested itself in all his actions, and which, in the sight of God, is of great price.

REV. THEOPHILUS PACKARD, D.D., was the son of Abel and Esther (Porter) Packard, and was born in North Bridgewater (now Broekton), Mass., March 4, 1769. When he was five years old he removed with his father's family to Cummington, Mass., the western part of the State, where he lived until he entered Dartmouth College. His early years were spent in working upon his father's farm. At the age of twenty-one he began to fit up a farm for himself ; but, by overtasking his bodily powers, he disabled

himself in a great degree for that kind of labor. Shortly after this his mind became deeply exercised on the subject of religion ; and at length so far settled that he became a member of the church. He began now to meditate the purpose of devoting himself to the Christian ministry; and, with a view to this, commenced his preparation for college under the instruction of his pastor, the Rev. James Briggs. He entered college in 1792, and graduated in 1796. Immediately after his graduation he commenced the study of theology under the Rev. Dr. Burton, of Thetford, Vt., and at the end of six months was licensed to preach by the Orange Association, to which his theological teacher belonged. His first labors as a minister were among the churches in the region in which he was licensed. He went to Shel- burne, Mass., to preach as a candidate, early in the autumn of 1798. He was ordained on the 20th of February, 1799, the sermon being preached by the Rev. John Emerson, of Conway, Mass. The hon- orary degree of doctor of divinity was conferred upon him by Dartmouth College in 1824. Dr. Packard continued in sole charge of the church at Shelburne until March 12, 1828, when his son Theophilus was ordained as his colleague. The charge was given to the young pastor by the Rev. Jonathan Grout, of Haw- ley, who had performed the same service in connection with his father's ordination twenty-nine years before. From this time the father and son continued to sup- ply the pulpit alternately till Feb. 20, 1842, when Dr. Packard gave notice to his people that he should relinquish all pastoral service, and from that time he never received from them any compensation. He was, however, not dismissed, but retained the pastoral relation till his death. During the fourteen years in which the two were associated in supplying the Shel- burne pulpit, they both labored extensively in desti- tute parishes in the neighborhood, and were instru- mental, in several instances, in preparing the way for a stated ministry. Dr. Paekard, having reached the age of seventy-three, and finding the infirmities of age were rapidly increasing upon him, went, in the spring of 1846, to live with a widowed daughter in South Deerfield. Here he remained four years, but returned to Shelburne in the summer of 1854. His last sermon was preached in Deerfield in November, 1847. He suffered severe injury from a fall upon the ice in the early part of January, 1855, and from that time was confined to his house, and mostly to his bed. He was afflicted by a complication of mal- adies, from which, during the last few weeks of his life particularly, he experienced intense suffering. He died on the 17th of September, 1855. The

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Franklin County Church Conference and Benevolent Anniversaries having been appointed to be held on the 18th and 19th, his funeral took the plaec of the conference exercises on the afternoon of the 19th, a very large number of ministers being in attendance. His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Hitchcock, late president of Amherst College. He was married to Mary, daughter of Isaae Tirrill, of Abington, Mass., Feb. 9, 1800. He had eight chil- dren, one of whom, Theophilus, was graduated at Amherst College in 1823, and, as has been already noticed, was associated with his father in the ministry. Mrs. Paekard was living in 1856. Dr. Paekard, in the course of his ministry, instructed thirty-one students in theology, all of whom became preachers of the gospel.

- REV. JONAS PERKINS was the oldest son of Josiah and Anna (Reynolds) Perkins; was born in the North Parish of Bridgewater (now Brockton) Oct. 15, 1790. At the age of seventeen he eommeneed fitting for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., having from the time of his conversion, at the age of ten, a strong desire to devote himself to the min- istry of the gospel. He enjoyed the instruction of Rev. Mark Newman and John Adams at the acad- emy, and when examined for admission to Brown University, offered himself as a candidate for ad- vaneed standing, and was received as a member of the Sophomore elass. He graduated at this institution with distinguished honor in 1813. He immediately commenced a course of theolegieal studies under the instruction of Rev. Otis Thompson, of Rehoboth, Mass., was licensed by the Mendon Association Oct. 11, 1814, and was invited to preach as a candidate for the Union Society of Weymouth and Braintree, at the age of twenty-four. After preaching a short time, he received a unanimous eall to become their pastor, which eall he accepted, and was ordained June 14, 1815. With this society he has labored for forty-six years, prosperous, united, and happy, and the church under his eare has been constantly increasing in numbers. At the annual meeting of the society, in 1861, he gave them notice that he should resign his pastoral charge at his seventieth birthday, the 15th of the following October. Ac- corningly, he preached his farewell sermon on the Sabbath following that day, and by the mutual con- sent of pastor and people and approved of a council, his official connection with them was dissolved. At a meeting of the church and parish which was held soon after, the following resolutions were passed, showing the estimation in which his labors were held by them :

" Resolved, That we recognize with devout gratitude the goodness of God to this society in preserving the life and con- tinuing the labors of our pastor, Rev. Jonas Perkins, so many years.

" Resolved, That the union and prosperity of this church and people during his pastorate testify to his fidelity and suc- cess as a minister of Jesus Christ.

" Resolved, That we tender our heartfelt thanks to him as the shepherd of this flock, for his constancy and his unwearied efforts to promote our spiritual and temporal good.

" Resolved, That while the dissolution of this relation awak- ens many tender and painful emotions, we are comforted and cheered by the thought that he and his beloved companion are to spend the evening of their life with us, and that we shall still enjoy their counsels, the light of their example, and their prayers.

" Resolved, That we assure him and his family of our con- tinued respect and love, and that we fully reciprocate the wish expressed in his farewell discourse, for a mutual and truly Christian remembrance until death."

. REV. ELIPHALET P. CRAFTS is the son of Rev. Thomas and Polly (Porter) Crafts ; was born in North Bridgewater (now Brockton) Nov. 23, 1800. At an early age he, with the rest of the family, removed to Middleboro', where he received his early education ; fitted for college with his father ; graduated at Brown University, Providence, R. L., in 1821 ; studied the- ology at the theologieal school of Cambridge, where he graduated for the ministry. He was first settled at East Bridgewater in 1828, where he enjoyed a happy ministry for seven years, and was dismissed at his own request. After regaining his health, he was in- stalled over the First Congregational Church and So- ciety at Sandwich, Mass., in 1839, ministering to a harmonious and affectionate people for about fifteen years. Receiving a dismission, at his request, he re- moved to Lexington, Mass., where he has been en- gaged in educating young Spanish gentlemen, also supplying vacant pulpits in Lexington and vicinity.

REV. LEVI PACKARD was the son of Levi and Ruth (Snow) Paekard, born in North Bridgewater (now Brockton), Mass., Feb. 4, 1763. His early days were spent under the parental roof in the discharge of filial and fraternal duty. At the age of fourteen he be- came the hopeful subjeet of renewing grace, and was received into the communion of the church in his native town. Here he gave himself up to God, it is believed, with a “ purpose of heart to cleave unto him," which was never relinquished. His thoughts were early turned towards the Christian ministry, and he longed to devote himself to the work of preaching that gospel which he had found so precious ; but his circumstances were unfavorable, and for sev - eral years he endured a painful mcutal conflict on the subjeet. Still he urged the auxious inquiry, " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?" cherishing the hope

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from year to year that the Saviour whom he loved would yet permit him, as an under shepherd, to feed his lambs. Having at length attained his majority, he felt at liberty to devote the avails of his personal labor to the object which lay nearest his heart, and which years of doubt and difficulty had but rendered more and more dear to him. His preparation for college was retarded by the expedients which he was constrained to adopt for defraying its expenses ; but at length, at the age of twenty-eight, his efforts and sacrifices were rewarded, and he graduated with the highest honors at Brown University. He then con- tinued his theological studies under private instructors, and after having preached temporarily in several places. he was ordained at Spencer, Mass., the 14th day of June, 1826. A ministry of twenty-seven years in that place leaves but little need of any testi- mony to his personal or official character. He had learned the truths of the gospel experimentally, and he preached them in a corresponding manner. He preached plainly, directly, affectionately, unreservedly, practically. Though he sought not literary distinc- tion, or the gratification of intellectual pride, he was not wanting in originality of thought ; he was not a retailer of, other men's ideas; his sermons were his own,-the fruits of his own inquiry, solemn medita- tion, and earnest prayer. He shunned no subject on account of its difficulty or its unpopularity, but aimed to declare the whole counsel of God. The cross was ever prominent in the religious instruction which he gave ; yet, while determined not to know anything among his people save Jesus Christ and him crucified, be ever remembered that the object of the Lord's coming was to destroy the works of the devil, and that the gospel develops and enforces principles and rules of action applicable to all the relations, obligations, and interests of social life. While desirous that every sermon should have a Saviour in it, he endeavored to give each doctrine and precept of revealed religion its place and proportion in the Christian system.

Not constitutionally inclined to controversy, he opposed error, not so much by direct attack as by giving his hearers an opportunity to detect it for themselves in the light of the truth which shone upon it. Against every violation of divine law, whether in the private walks of life or in the high places of public authority, by individuals or commu- nities, he bore his honest and fearless testimony, estecming it comparatively a light thing to be judged of man's judgment, and mainly anxious to be free fron "the blood of all men," even should his faith- fulness as a reprover provoke the displeasure of those whose friendship he most highly valued, and whom

he was most reluctant to offend. At length he --- having received the impression that he could no longer be useful as a pastor-resolved that for their good he would seek employment in some other vine- yard. His pastoral attachment, however, still survived, making a request " that his last serinon to then should be from his silent lips, and that his dust might lie among those with whom he had taken sweet counsel, and with whom he hoped to meet in the sanctuary above." Mr. Packard was not long allowed to re- main idle. He was dismissed from his people in Spencer in September, 1853, and was settled over the Congregational Church in Woonsocket, R. I., in December of the same year. Here he labored about one year. From that time he gradually failed, through the withering power of pulmonary discase, until his death, which took place at Stafford Springs, Conn., Jan. 11, 1857. The most remarkable charac- teristic of Mr. Packard may be designated as honesty. In whatever he said or did he was sincere, frank, and guileless. No one could hear him preach without coming to the conclusion that he felt what he said. There was no room for suspicion, and for simplicity of character he may be considered as a model ; and during all his last long sickness, says one who was seldom absent from his bed of languishing, " he has given us a bright pattern of patience and quiet submission to his heavenly Father's will."

"Servant of Christ, well done ! Praise be thy new employ ; And while eternal ages run, Rest in thy Saviour's joy."

REV. AUSTIN CARY was the son of James and Han- nah (Wales) Cary; born in North Bridgewater (now Brockton), Oct. 1, 1809. His carly life was marked with amiableness and morality, and as is usual with children of pious parents, he was from his early years the subject of serious impressions. The first he dis- tinctly remembered was when he was about seven years old ; but, as he advanced in youth, he left the Sabbath-school, as is the dangerous custom of many lads when they begin to approach manhood. From that time, though extremely fond of reading, he neg- lected the Bible and lost all relish for it. He also, for the pleasure of showing what he could say, and of provoking discussion, allowed himself to advance ob- jections against its divine origin. As the result, he became skeptical, and ultimately an atheist, entirely callous to religious impressions. His recovery from this state was peculiar and striking. Returning home late at night, he had fallen asleep in the wagon, as he was wont to do when thus kept abroad by business. His thoughts had not been turned to the subject of

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God's existence, or any kindred subject, cither then or for some time before. The night was cloudy. As he awoke and looked on the dim objects about him, a strong and instantaneous impression was on his mind,- " There is a God. He keeps myself and everything in being ; he is here, he is everywhere." This sudden and abiding conviction he ascribed to the Spirit of God. From that time he became the subject of fre- quent religious impressions. He re-entered the Sab- bath-school now as a teacher; but the employment only made him wretched by conscious unfitness. These occasional impressions and periods even of wretchedness he concealed. In this state he con- tinued about two years; at the end of this time, and near the close of a protracted meeting, he finally and forever gave his heart to Christ, and openly avowed himself his disciple. Soon after this, in the spring of 1832 and in the twenty-third year of his age, he began fitting for college with the hope of entering the ministry. In 1833 he entered Waterville College, Me., from which, in the Sophomore year, he removed to Amherst, where he graduated with honor in 1837. The same year he entered the Theological Seminary at East Windsor, Conn., where he completed his theological course in 1840. He soon after received calls from three churches. He accepted that from Sunderland, where he was ordained Nov. 11, 1840. Here he labored with great fidelity and success. He enjoyed two special revivals in 1843 and 1849, and one hundred and thirty-six were added to the church during his ministry.

In the autumn of 1849 it pleased God to send dis- tressing sickness on all the members of his family, which interrupted his public labors. The last time he preached, he went from the bedside of his wife, then scarcely expected to recover, and preached ex- temporaneously from these words : " We all do fade as a leaf." His last public act was on a Sabbath sub- sequent to his last sermon, when he left his sick family long enough to baptize six children. As his family became slightly better, worn out himself with fatigue and anxiety, he was attacked by hemorrhage from the lungs, followed by three similar attacks. He became, however, more comfortable, and his phy- sician entertained the hope that, after a few months, he might be restored to a measure of comfortable health ; but a typhoid fever set in, and he died soon after, on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 1849, at ten o'clock P.M., aged forty years, after a ministry of nine years. He was remarkably winning in his manners, speedily se- curing the interest of a stranger, which was usually increased and consolidated into friendship by further acquaintance. He was always mnodest and unassum-

ing; he was ardent in his feelings, firm and trust- worthy in his friendships ; he was social, frank, and generous above all shadow of micanness ; he was emi- nently manly, and remarkably unselfish. Before ex- periencing religion, he was becoming more and more absorbed in the love of money ; he was bent upon being rich, but grace had effected a complete triumph over this; his heart was not set on property ; money flowed from him freely for every good object. Ile was firm in his decisions, and in the least as well as the greatest matter, where principle was at stake, ab- solutely inflexible, and yet he maintained his convic- tions and carried through his purposes with such suavity that they who yielded to his decision seemed almost to suppose that he had yielded to them. He possessed sound judgment and strong common sense. With all his warmth of feeling, he had great self- control ; and few, if any, have scen him thrown off his guard by even a momentary passion. He had immense energy, and what he undertook he would at all hazards accomplish, and this, with his scrupulous fidelity, caused any matters pertaining to the interests of the church which were intrusted to him to be done seasonably and thoroughly, and in whatever he un- dertook he was almost recklessly unsparing of himself. His own convenience, interests, time, and health seemed literally the last thing he ever thought of. Hence he was led unquestionably to an unjustifiable excess of labor, which the remonstrances of friends were inadequate to restrain, and which brought him to an untimely end. As a preacher and writer he had ability, as his prize tract on dancing, and his re- port on the desccration of the Sabbath show. His peculiar characteristic was unction ; he was a son of consolation rather than a Boanerges ; a John rather than a Peter. He spoke to the heart, and the pecu- liar warmth of his soul glowed in his sermons and melted the hearts of his hearers. As a Christian, he was unusually spiritual. He spoke of " frec and con- fiding intimacy with God in Christ, and comparing the Christian to a little child flinging his arms around his parent's neck, and affectionately whispering his wants in his ear."

As a pastor, he felt an absorbing interest in his people. In his last hours any reference to the in- terests of the church seemed to arouse him when nothing else would. He was one of the most active in forming and executing plans to promote the general interests of the churches in the county ; and few men of nine years' standing in the ministry had been called on so many couneils, or had so great an in- fluence in them. The following epitaph is on his gravestone :

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"' His uniform Christian deportment, his zeal, fidelity, and success in the canse of Christ, have engraven his memorial im- perishably upon the hearts of those who knew him.

" Blessed is that servant whom his Lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing."

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History of Plymouth county, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 159

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co. Number of Pages: 1706

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J.W. Lewis & co.
Number of Pages: 1706