USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Roxbury > History of the First Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts, 1630-1904 > Part 9
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Defign of promoting Conviction, Converfion, and Sanctifica- tion. His Sermons were full of Motives and Directions, to this Purpofe .- But he always pointed out the true Caufes of Salvation, the Grace of God, the Merits of Christ, and the Power of the Holy Ghoft; and keeping thefe in View, he much inculcated a diligent Ufe of inftituted Means, under Gofpel-Encouragements, ftriving to enter in at the ftrait Gate, and to walk in the narrow Way which leadeth unto Life. He often and earneftly preffed the Duties of the Chrif- tian Life, and infifted on the Neceffity of our following uni- verfal Holinefs, labouring after the higheft moral Improve- ments attainable in this Life, and longing for the Perfection of the upper World .- In fhort, he was a moft practical and truly evangelical Preacher. For the Proof of this, we need only appcal to his printed Works; which are thefe. (1) Unfruitful Hearers detected and warned. (This was lately re-printed.) (2) The Body of Sin anatomized. (3) A Difcourfe on vain Thoughts. (4) The great Concern of Man. (5) The Wonderfulnefs of Christ. (6) The Holinefs of Heaven. (7) Faithfulnefs in the Miniftry; (A Sermon preach'd to the Convention of Minifters.) And the following Difcourfes, on the 55th Chapter of Hfaiah; with his laft Ser- mon annexed. All which bear the vifible Signatures of his Piety, Orthodoxy, Skill and Diligence in his Work. We may look upon them as the truc Tranfcript of his fettled Sentiments and habitual Thoughts, as the Exemplification of his ufual Frames, and as fo many Specimens of his common Preaching, with regard to Subject, Spirit, Style, and Method.
It was very much his Manner, to felect particular Chapters of the Bible, or large Portions of them, and to go over them verfe by verfe, in his Sabbath-Sermons efpecially. He had a happy Talent at illuftrating the Scripture, and frequently with a few plain Words he would fet a difficult Text in an
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advantageous and perhaps uncommon Light. His Method of handling a Subject appear'd always exceeding natural and juft. With a Dignity of Sentiment, there was ever an eafy Train of Tho't. The late Rev. Dr. Colman, who was himfelf a valuable Preacher, ufed to fay of him, When one is hearing Mr. Walter, it feems as if any Man could preach fo; and yet it's difficult preaching like him, and few can equal him. So the late Rev. Mr. Pemberton, of the South Church in Bofton, who in his Day fhone as a fuperior Light, once faid of him (in Converfation with one of us) I know no Man, that in his Preaching reconciles Perfpicuity with Accuracy, like Mr. Walter. - He ufually difcourfed on his Text by way of Doctrine and Ufe, according to the ancient Cuftom of the New England Miniftry. He dealt not in loofe Harangue, but laid out his Matter clearly, under diftinct Heads, and number'd thefe as he went along, for the Eafe and Benefit of his Hearers; though for the fame Reafon, he was careful not to multiply them to Excefs. He was folicitous, in the compofition of his Difcourfes, to digeft Things into the beft Order, for common Edification of the Auditory; and to enforce every Point with the beft Authority, by citing pertinent Scriptures. And when he had fufficiently led them into the Underftanding of any Truth, then he apply'd it, to awaken their Mind and Heart, to move and guide them to an anfwer- able Experience and Practice. Here he often expatiated in a Variety of fuitable, practical Reflections and Exhortations; yet in the whole was commonly very brief and comprehenfive. - And as to his Style, or Diction, it was, not only exceeding clear and plain, but withal fo correct, that the Sermons he deliver'd in the ftated courfe of his Miniftry (as were the enfuing) would bear to fee the Light. His Periods and Sentences concife, his Words emphatical and very expreffive, and moft eafy to be underftood. He had few Redundancies,
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and affected nothing of Luxuriancy or Pomp of Language. He was like the wife Preacher, Solomon fpeaks of, who fought to find out acceptable Words; and that which was written, was upright, even Words of Truth; and thefe he fet in Order. Becaufe the Preacher was wife, he ftill taught the People Knowledge. And the Words of the Wife are as Goads, and as Nails faftned by the Mafters of Affemblies, which are given from one Shepherd. His Sermons were fcriptural, and rational, always fpeaking the Things that become found Doctrine, couched in few and familiar Words, with a noble Negligence of Style; and in the whole, calculated both to enlighten the Mind, and affect the Confcience. Though his Organs of Speech were naturally feeble, and his Utterance very deliberate, with frequent Paufes; yet his Afpect, Gefture, , Pronunciation, and whole Manner of Addrefs, were with fuch a Decorum, becoming the Pulpit; fo habitually grave and folemn, fo free from every aukward Air and difguftful Tone, and from all sign of Indolence, Formality or Affecta- tion; his Voice nothing effeminate, and fo well modulated, his Words fo juftly accented, his Paufes fo judicioufly placed, his Eye and Action under fo proper a Regulation, and fuch a Degree of genuine Pathos difcover'd, accompany'd fre- quently with Tears, as indicated his Difcourfes to be the genuine Breathings of a warm Heart, tho' the Produce of a clear and cool Head. - In the Beginning of his Miniftry for about feven Years, he preach'd memoriter, or without Notes, after the ufual Manner of that Day. But by a fevere Fit of Sicknefs, which brought him very low, and of which he recover'd only by flow Degrees, he found his Head fo affected and his Memory weakened, that when reftor'd fo far as to be able to preach, he neverthelefs thought it prudent, not to commit his Sermons to Memory, and much lefs to venture upon preaching extempore; fo he then took up the
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Practice of ufing his Notes in the Pulpit, and never faw fit to depart from it. And indeed he had a very happy Art in ufing them, as though he ufed them not; commonly but glancing on them (latterly with the Help of a Glafs in his Hand) and then delivering his Matter, with his Eyes erect and pointed to the liftning Audience. For his agreable Elocution, and his excellent Compofition, added to the Importance of his Subject, feldom fail'd to draw the Eye and Ear of ferious Hearers, and engage their clofeft Attention; by Means whereof a deeper Silence reigned in the Affembly, which gave Advantage to his low Voice, the more eafily to be heard: and a great vifible Solemnity in the Audience increas'd every one's Difpofition to attend with Wakefulnefs and Reverence. - His Sermons appear excellently good in the Reading; but it muft be confefs'd, they appear'd with a peculiar Grace and Advantage from the Pulpit. Truly, his Doctrine dropped as the Rain, and his Speech, diftilled as the Dew. -
But to leave his Character, which we have only given fome imperfect Sketches of -
About the Year 1717, as we fuppofe, from his long and clofe Application to Study, and other Labours of his Charge (in Conjunction perhaps with fome Incidents in Providence) he contracted a vertiginous Diforder, and fell into fuch a State of Debility, as obliged him for a confiderable Time to fufpend the Exercife of his Miniftry, to intermit his Studies, . and throw afide Books; - being feldom able to bear a Moment's intenfe Thought, and fcarce capable of carrying on Family-Duties or Clofet Devotions, without being quite overcome; - though ftill never wholly taken off from con- verfing with his Friends. On this melancholy Occafion, (if we do not mifremember) his kind People kept a Day of Fafting and Prayer; when many from the Vicinity, both
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Minifters and others, affembled with them, to help together by Prayer to God, that he would prolong fo precious a Life, and reftore to Health and publiek Service. - The Prayer of Faith receiv'd an Anfwer of Peace, in a Divine Bleffing on the Means ufed for his Recovery. - A Minifter of Bofton put into his hands Dr. Fuller on Exercife, and urg'd him to ride. Upon which he took a Journey; and by that and other Means, he happily obtain'd fuch a Recruit of Spirit and Strength, as enabled him to return to his beloved work.
For above 28 years he had been in the Paftoral Office with- out a Co-partner; till October 19, 1718, when his very valu- able Son, Mr. Thomas Walter, was ordained his Colleague, to his prefent Help and Support; and in him he was ready to promife himfelf much Comfort, through the whole Remainder of his Days. For he was a moft ingenious young Gentleman, an accomplifh'd Scholar, an orthodox Preacher, and began to be a great Bleffing to the New-England Churches, in bravely and learnedly defending their Scriptural Profeffion and Gof- pel-Order; as appears by his printed Works. But the fovereign God was pleas'd to take him away by Death on Jan. 10. 1724, 5. - by which his Father, his Family, his Congregation, his Town, and the Land in general, fuftain'd a great Lofs.
And now again the whole Weight of the Paftoral Care devolv'd on the Father alone. But his People in Confidera- tion of Age advancing upon him, and in Hopes that by the Goodnefs of God they might enjoy his Prefence and Labours the longer, were at the Expence of affording him Affiftance by young Candidates, every Sabbath, for one part of the Day : and with the like Views, his Brethren and Sons in the Min- iftry, particularly in the Neighbourhood, were always ready to give him their Help, as there was Occafion.
In fhort, Mr. Walter feem'd to be as univerfally lov'd and refpected as any Minifter of his Time in all New England.
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In the Beginning of his Miniftry, his Fathers, the aged Minifters (in particular, that venerable Man, his ancient Colleague, as before obferv'd) very highly efteem'd and lov'd him; his Brethren in the Miniftry continued, or rather increafed, in their Regards for him; and in his Age, the Junior Minifters always rofe up before him with Reverence, not only honouring the Face of the old Man, but venerating him as a Man of God, and honourable, for the fuperior Wifdom and Holinefs fo confpicuoufly fhining in him. - And it may be proper to note here, that his Excellency, the late Governor Dudley, a Gentleman of fine Accomplifhments and a good Judge of Worth, was his Parifhioner, and one of us has often heard him exprefs the great Satisfaction he had in Mr. Walter's Miniftry. Indeed he feldom heard him preach, or adminifter a Sacrament, but it was obferv'd he wept: and to the day of his Death, he honoured his Minifter with many Honours. And the Governor's Son, who fucceeded him in his Seat at Roxbury, the late Hon. Paul Dudley, Efq. who was for many Years one of his Majefty's Council, and chief Juftice of the Province, equal'd (if not exceeded) his excellent Father in Love to Mr. Walter's Perfon and Miniftry: and memorable are the Honours he did him, living and dead. - And other Gentlemen of the greateft Diftinction among us, in the Civil (as well as Ecclefiaftical) Character, delighted to fhew their Refpects to Mr. Walter, by receiving his Vifits and returning them, by fometimes attending his publick Lectures, &c. - And truly it is to their own Honour they did fo. - As for the Church and Congregation, over which the Holy Ghoft had made, and continu'd him, fo wife and faithful and affectionate an Overfeer, he was conftantly belov'd and admired among them, from firft to laft. May the Lord deal kindly with them, who have not left off to fhew Kindnefs to the Living and to the Dead! - And a rare
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Thing it is indeed, for a Minifter to live in fuch unintempted Harmony and Endearment with his People, efpecially for fo long a Tract of Time. - Yea his Praife was in all the Churches, in Proportion as he was known to them by Face, or by his printed Works, and by Report. Scarce any Man ever pafs'd through the World with a more unexceptionable Character or a more univerfal Reputation with all that knew him: every one fpeaking of him with high Efteem, for his Piety, his Judgment, and his Minifterial Accomplifhments and Performances. In fhort, he has long fhone among us, as a Chriftian and a Divine of the firft Figure in our Zion. And in very advanced Age, his Wifdom ftill remained with him; his mental Powers retaining their Vigour in an uncom- mon Degree, and his Graces daily rifing towards Perfection. - But alas, the beft and longeft Life muft have a Period.
On Decemb. 25. 1749. he was confined to his Houfe, by bodily Indifpofitions, which gradually increafed upon him, : nd at length terminated in his Deceafe. It is remarkable, the Circumftances, both natural and moral, of his final Ilnefs and Dying, very much correfponded to the general Habit and Tenor of his preceeding Life. For, although he had nothing robuft in his Conftitution, but rather was of a feeble Make, and although he led a very ftudious, fedentary Life (which is much Wearinefs to the Flefh, and exhaufts the Spirits) yet through the Divine Bleffing, by means of his ftrict and fteady Temperance, his keeping to an exact Regimen in almoft every Thing, and preferving an habitual Tranquillity of Mind, he ufually enjoy'd a confiderable Share of Health and Eafe; for many Years fcarce knowing, by any Experience what Pain or Sickness meant. Even fo, in the laft Stage of Life, and under the Approaches of Death, he found himfelf ftill very gracioufly dealt with in this Regard; being never exercifed with any fevere Dolour, or very dif-
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treffing Malady, during the whole time of his long Confine- ment and Decay. And, what was a greater Mercy, he ftill enjoy'd much of his ufual Compofure of Thought, and Sedatenefs of Temper, free from the Ruffles of Paffion, and not overborne by difquieting Reflections, or difmaying Apprehenfions; but with much Humblenefs of Mind lying at the Foot of a holy wife, gracious, and fovereign God, he was calmly submiffive to the Divine Will, and in Faith refigned himfelf into the Hands of a dear Redeemer. - His waking Hours, for the moft part (as it appear'd to his Atten- dants and Friends about him) were continually employ'd in filent, but fervent Devotion. - He liv'd and died in the Belief of the holy Angels Miniftration to the Saints. A Friend having obferved to him, that although the Miniftry of Angels was not now fo fenfible as in ancient Times, yet doubtlefs it was as real; he reply'd, I am fully of that Mind and believe that God now ufes the Ministry of Angels to the Saints, in their Life and at their Death. Adding withal, I am waiting the few remaining Days of my appointed Time. Which (in his modeft and ever cautious way of fpeaking) might import as much as if he had faid, more peremptorily and boldly, in the Language of the memorable Mr. Newman (of Rehoboth) on his Death bed, "Now Angels, do your Office!" As to his Intereft in the Promifes, which are in Christ Yea, and in him Amen, to the glory of God, he appear'd to have a good Hope through Grace, without any diftreffing Doubts, or the leaft Fear of Amazement. - To a Minifter, converfing with him on his Death-bed, he had (among others) fome fuch Sayings as thefe: If Hatred of Sin be a good Evidence, I think I have That. - Christ is precious to them which believe; but the Damned in Hell are perpetually blafpheming and difhonouring Christ; and I can't bear the Thought of doing This !- To another Minifter, fpeaking
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fomething for his Confolation not long before his Death, he reply'd, I hope to find Mercy of the Lord in that Day! And to a Chriftian Neighbour, he fpake more fully in the Lan- guage of Affurance, repeating with Self-Application thofe triumphant Expreffions of the Apoftle (2 Tim. 1. 12) I know whom I have believed and am perfuaded, He is able to keep that which I have committed to him againft that Day. - Thus having lived by the Faith of the Son of God, he alfo died in Faith, and fell afleep in Jesus; - fatiffy'd with long life.
He expired on the 17th of Sept. 1750 when he wanted but about 3 Months of being 87 Years old. The longeft liv'd Minifter in all New England, we fuppofe, excepting a few inftances; two formerly, Mr. Ward of Haverhill, and Mr. Higginson of Salem; and two more lately, Mr. Cheever of Chelfea, and Mr. Stone of Harwich. - And it feems worthy of Remark, that the Continuation of Mr. Eliot's and Mr. Walter's Miniftry, who (as already obferv'd) were for a Seafon contemporary Paftors of the fame Church, extended to almoft a Score of Years above one intire Century; the former being Minifter of Roxbury Church near 58 and the latter above 60 Years, fucceffively. An Inftance without a Parallel in this Part of the World, and the like perhaps not to be met with in all Hiftory !- Though it ought to be noted, in the mean while Roxbury had two other Minifters; viz. Mr. Samuel Danforth (Brother to the memorable Deputy Governor Danforth) Colleague with Mr. Eliot, for about a fifth Part of the Time, and died (if we miftake not) in the 49th Year of his Age, who has been fam'd for an excellent Scholar, and a very judicious, methodical, pathetical, and truly evangelical Preacher; and many Years afterwards, Mr. Thomas Walter (before mention'd) Colleague with his Father.
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Alfo more lately another was chofen in Mr. Walter's Life- time to be his Colleague, and was Succeffor to him; viz., Mr. Oliver Peabody, an accomplifh'd and very ingenious Young Gentleman: but he liv'd not many Months after his aged Predeceffor's Deceafe. - And Mr. Adams fince has fucceeded him; for whom we wifh, that he may attain to the Days of the Years of the Life of his Fathers, who preceeded in his Charge, and have their God to be with him, as he was with them. - O how highly favour'd and diftinguifh'd has this ancient Church of Roxbury been, in the Enjoyment of fuch an excelling Difpenfation of the Word! Efpecially, under the long protracted Miniftry of the late incomparable and ever-memorable Mr. Walter! - A rich Favour of Heaven to his People, was the Gift and extended Life of fuch a Minifter; whereby very eminently a Price was put into their Hands to get Wifdom; for which they have Reafon to be exceeding thankful, as well as have a great Account to give. And he being dead, yet fpeaketh, - particularly by thefe following and other his printed Difcourfes, putting them in Remem- brance of the Gofpel, which he preached to them; which they have received, and wherein (we truft) they ftand; by which alfo they are faved, if they keep in Memory what he preached unto them, unlefs they have believed in vain. - His printed Works are abiding Remembrances to them of his Thoughts in Religion, and of the Leffons of Wifdom he taught them, as well as ftanding Atteftations to his Soundnefs in the Faith, and to his Fidelity and Skill in Preaching. May they ftill remember him who has fpoken to them the good Word of God; and none of them be forgetful Hearers, or unfruitful Readers, of his excellent Sermons.
To our Account of Mr. Walter we fhall only add, as ufual, the following Particulars. He marry'd a Daughter (Sarah) of the late venerable Dr. Increase Mather (who was long a
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Minifter of the North Church in Bofton, living to the Age of about 85) and had by her a numerous Offspring. His valu- able Comfort with four of his Children furvived him, viz., two Sons, and two Daughters; but the Younger Daughter fince dead. - The Younger Son has for many Years been the worthy Minifter of the fecond Parifh in Roxbury.
May the very aged and pious Widow, with the remaining virtuous Offspring of the Deceafed Man of God receive the full Anfwer of his fervent and believing Prayers, in Showers of Bleffings upon them !- May his Son in the Ministry, and may his prefent Succeffor, and every other Minister, as Elisha, take up this precious Mantle of Elijah, and with a double Portion of that excellent Gofpel-Spirit, which refted on him fo confpicuoufly and abundantly, go on and profper in their heavenly and divine Employment! May his Flock, and others through the Land, attentively hear what the Spirit of Christ faith now to them, and to each Church among us (Rev. iii, 8-11). Thou haft a little Strength, and haft kept my Word, and haft not denied my Name. - Behold I come quickly! Hold faft that which thou haft, that no Man take thy Crown.
Boston, March 21, 1755.
THOMAS PRINCE, THOMAS FOXCROFT.
The above life is taken from a book published in 1755 entitled Discourses on The Whole LV Chapter of Isaiah, Preparatory to Communion at the Lord's Table, to which is added, The Author's last Sermon, by that pious, judi- cious, and learned Divine, the Rev. Mr. Nehemiah Walter, Late Pastor of the First Church in Roxbury.
It is headed, "A Preface Containing fome Minutes of the Rev. Author's Life and Character."
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Since Books are ufually valu'd as well for the Author, as the Contents, had the late venerable Mr. Walter's Name and Worth been as univerfally known in the World, as he was juftly reverenc'd and lov'd by all acquainted with his Perfon and Character, the genuine Remains of fo excellent a Divine might have been ventur'd abroad upon the meer Credit of the Title Page. . . . The Materials of the Account here given of him are collected, partly from what has been pub- lifhed already, partly from Roxbury Church Records, partly from our own perfonal Knowledge and Converfation with Him, and partly from Informations receiv'd of his People.
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REV. MR. THOMAS WALTER
The second son of the Rev. Nehemiah and Sarah (Mather) Walter was born in Roxbury Dec. 13, 1696, and early gave evidence of the most extraordinary genius. In his younger days he was not a hard student, being of a convivial turn and fond of society, but so retentive was his memory that he easily made himself master of almost all the learning of his uncle, Cotton Mather, by frequent conversation with him. In this way he acquired more knowledge than many others . could have gained by a whole life's diligent study. He was graduated at Harvard College in 1713 and five years after received a call to become an assistant pastor to his father, our reverend pastor.
He was ordained Oct. 19, 1718, and on the 25th Dec. of the same year married Rebeckak, daughter of the Rev. Joseph Belcher of Dedham, by whom he had a daughter Rebeckah who died unmarried in 1780.
In 1719 he engaged in a public controversy with his intimate friend and associate, John Checkley, a man who combined great wit and humor with infinite learning.
This was a grief to his father and his uncle, Dr. Cotton Mather. Checkley had sarcastically attacked the wholesome doctrine of election and predestination, in a pamphlet entitled, "Choice Dialogues between a Godly Minister and an Honest Countryman, desecting the False Principles of a certain man who calls himself a Presbyterian of the Church of England." This Mr. Walter answered in a 12 mo volume of 80 pages, under the caption of "A Choice Dialogue between John Faustus a conjurer, and Jack Tory his friend; occasioned by some Choice Dialogues lately published concerning Pre- destination and Election. By a Young Stripling."
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In 1721, Mr. Walter who excelled in the science of harmony, being grieved beyond measure, and annoyed at the very indifferent performances in the sanctuary, published a neat 12 mo volume, "The Grounds and Rules of Music Explained; or an Introduction to the Art of Singing by Note: Fitted to the meanest capacity." Recommended by several ministers.
Mr. Walter's other works which have come down to us are, "A Sermon upon 2nd Samuel xxiii, 1. The sweet psalmist of Irael," which was delivered at the Boston Lecture, 1722, printed at the desire of the ministers, and dedicated to Judge Dudley. This discourse has been pronounced "the most beautiful composition among the sermons which have been handed down to us from our fathers." "The Scriptures the only Rule of Faith and Practice," dictated while languish- ing upon his bed of suffering, overcome with pain and weak- ness, and written down by a beloved friend, published in 1728, and two other occasional sermons.
Mr. Walter was one of the most distinguished scholars and disputants of the day. "He had all of his father's vivacity and richness of imagination with more vigor of intellect." Rev. Dr. Chauncy, in a letter to Dr. Stiles, 1768, writes: "Mr. Jeremiah Dummer, Mr. John Bulkley, and Mr. Thomas Walter of Roxbury, I reckon the first three clergymen, for extent and strength of genius and powers, New England has yet produced. I was acquainted with the latter, and often had occasion to admire the superlative excellence of his natural and acquired accomplishments. His genius was universal, and yet surprisingly strong. He seemed to have almost an intuitive knowledge of everything. There was no subject but he was perfectly acquainted with; and such was the power he had over his thoughts and words, that he could readily and without any pains, write or speak just what he would." In his last illness he was for a time
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