USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the First church in Boston, 1630-1880 > Part 17
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Benjamin graduated at Harvard in 1690, and three
1 Hutchinson's History of Massachusetts, Vol. 1. Chap. V. 444.
2 " The names of Willis and Belknap mark a number of his posterity in the female line ; and there are now living two of his grandchildren, thice great-grandchildren, and several of the fifth generation." -- EMERSON's //is- tory of First Church, 149.
3 " In 1852 the town of Sudbury, with the assistance of the State, erected a more enduring monument, which was consecrated with appropriate solemnities, November 23 of that year. The inscription upon it gives April IS as the date of the battle, but perhaps it would be more correct to call it the 21st." - N. E. Hist. and Geneal. Reg. (1853), 17, 221.
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156
FIRST CHURCH IN BOSTON. [1671-1710.
years later received the degree of M. A. He was the first minister of this church who was educated at the neighboring University. Soon after grad- uation the First Church in Boston invited him to preach once a month for three years, until his final appointment in 1696.
Sept. 9, 1712, he was chosen Fellow of Harvard College, and June 10, 1725, at the age of fifty-six, became the President. His inauguration took place on Commencement day, July 7, 1725.
The following is an extract from his address on that occasion, in reply to the Lieutenant-Governor, who had invested him, as it were, with the robe of office : -
" I thankfully acknowledge the respect shown me by the Reverend Corporation, especially by your Honour, and the Honoured and Reverend Overseers. I freely own myself unworthy of the honour to which I am called. But I think the call of Providence (which I desire to eye in all things) is so loud and plain that I dare not refuse it. I desire to have my whole dependence on the great God, my Saviour, for all the wisdom and grace needful for me in this weighty service. I hope, by his help, I shall show all proper alle- giance to our Sovereign Lord, King George, and . obedi- ence to his laws in this Province, and endeavour to promote the same among all I shall be concerned with. I shall endeavour to take the best care I can of the College, direct- ing and ordering the members and affairs of it, according to the constitution, laws, and statutes thereof. I desire the carnest prayers of God's people, that the God of all grace would make me faithful and successful in the very great service I am called to."
157
1671-1710.] BENJAMIN WADSWORTH.
After his dismissal from the office of pastor, Wads- worth went to reside with his family at (Wadsworth House) Cambridge, and there continued until the day of his death, although, as will afterwards ap- pear, in frequent intercourse with his former charge. He is said to have filled his new office in a useful and sensible manner. Without being quite as bril- liant as his predecessor, Leverett, he betrayed at least no want of executive ability. He suffered a draw- back in a serious failure of health soon after his removal. But although he never fully recovered, he was enabled, during the rest of his life, by prudent management to perform his labors without much interruption.
Wadsworth had a remarkable memory. He could quote from the Bible without reference, and was in the habit of preaching a carefully prepared sermon without the aid of the manuscript. It was perhaps owing to this remarkably retentive memory that his sermons, though clear, were apt to be rather diffuse. As a preacher he was " plain, practical, scriptural, and powerful," in doctrine thoroughly orthodox ; as a pastor he was diligent to serve, and compassionate for the sorrows of men, regularly giving a tenth of his income in charity. He died, March 16, 1737, at the age of sixty-seven, leaving a legacy to First Church. Appleton, Sewall, Wigglesworth, and Fox- croft preached sermons, and Flynt, the oldest tutor of Harvard College, delivered a Latin oration upon the occasion of his death. A widow (who was Ruth
158
FIRST CHURCH IN BOSTON. [1671-1710.
Boardman of Cambridge at the time of her marriage with Wadsworth), but no children, survived him.
" During the four last years, ending with 1696, eighty persons of the congregation became com- municants, sixty-two of whom were females. One hundred and fifty-seven children were baptized with- in the same period, of whom eighty-three were boys."
Six churches had been established in Boston by 1698, besides Brattle Street, then just forming. They were: First Church, Second Church, Third or South Church, First Baptist, King's Chapel, and the Quaker Church, then in the neighborhood of Brattle Street, afterwards on Congress Street.
The formation of Brattle Street Church was heralded by a manifesto or declaration, published in November, 1699, which gave great offence to the other Congregational churches. What would now be looked upon as intermeddling was then viewed only in the light of wholesome rebuke, jus- tified by the departure, in certain portions of the declaration, from the order of the gospel as rec- ognized by Congregational churches. The perusal of a letter in the Massachusetts Historical Library, dated Dec. 23, 1699, simply signed " Increase Mather and James Allen," addressed to Mr. Colman, with no other prefix, gives one an idea of the disfavor with which the manifesto was received. Both of the ministers at the same time, on behalf of all the churches, declined to unite in a public fast with the new society.
159
1671-1710.] BENJAMIN WADSWORTH.
At the close of the seventeenth century the ties which united the churches and the College were still very strong. By a then recent order of the General Court, every Congregational minister became an Overseer of the College, and in addition to this the President was always a minister of one of the churches.
1700.] A new century finds Allen and Wads- worth in charge of the congregation. The former, though advanced in years, still clung to the discipline of the church. The following was entered by him on the church records : -
"Feb. 10, 1701. Whereas there is a Print lately come forth, dedicated to the churches of Christ in New England, entitled 'Gosple order Revived'; wherein are harsh Expres- sions unmeet against the present practice of this church and the professed way of congregational churches therein ; wee doe herein declare o' utter dislike thereof, Tho wee doc not condemne those who conscientiously practise otherwise. And wee desire the Platforme of Church discipline may bee Reprinted, that those who are unacquainted with it may know it, wh is the directory of o' practice, so far as it agrees with the word of God. Voted by a very full consent." 1
The old customs of New England churches, though fast fading out, still survived at this period. Excommunications were not uncommon at a much later date. A shadow of a distinction still existed between pastor and teacher, ruling elder and deacon. Puritanism in its spirit still held its own. From 1697 to 1704 one hundred and seventy persons were ad-
1 Church Records, 59.
160
FIRST CHURCH IN BOSTON. [1671-1710.
mitted to the church, one hundred and one of whom were women. Two hundred and ninety-two children were baptized during the same period, one hundred and forty-eight of whom were males and one hun- dred and forty-four females.1
Allen had gradually retired from active service the last few years, on account of advancing age; though he died in office, as the senior pastor of the church. Thomas Bridge was ordained as assistant minister, May 10, 1705. The three Congregational churches in Boston, together with those in Roxbury, Dorchester, Charlestown, and Milton, were invited to take part in the ordination. Allen gave the charge, and laid on hands, together with Elder Bridgham and Elder Cope. The Revs. Increase Mather and Samuel Willard were also called upon to join in the latter ceremony.2
LIFE OF BRIDGE.
Thomas Bridge was born at Hackney in 1656, and educated at Oxford. His family are said to have been very wealthy. Shortly after his birth oc- curred the Great Fire in London. That terrible conflagration swept away the family mansion and all the contents, except "one hamper of plate, of all their large possessions." Among other treasures the family records disappeared. His origin and ante- cedents, therefore, cannot be fully stated. After
1 Emerson's History of First Church, 151.
2 Church Records, 99, 188.
1671-1710.] THOMAS BRIDGE. 161
graduating at Oxford, Mr. Bridge travelled exten- sively in Europe and the East. During this tour events occurred which changed his views, and in- duced him, on his arrival in England, to study for the ministry and finally. take orders. About the same time he married Miss Elizabeth Turner, the only child of a widow who married William Pat- erson, founder of the Bank of England. In his will dated " Westminster, London, July 1, 1718," her stepfather says : " I give and bequeath to Elizabeth my daughter-in-law, only child to my first wife, Elizabeth Turner, relict of the late Thomas Bridge, minister of the gospel in New England, {1,500." Mrs. Bridge was also made a residuary legatee under the same instrument.
Before he came to New England to settle, Mr. Bridge led a wandering, yet useful life. After "some travels" to the Mediterranean, he visited the island of Jamaica, and there exercised in preach- ing ; thence to New Providence, as it was called, where he was in great demand for civil and clerical offices, and was considered the chief man among the residents; thence back again to the West Indies, where at the Bermudas, then visited by a terrible plague, he labored so faithfully as to produce twenty- nine sermons in one month. At this place, as at Providence and Barbadoes, they tried in vain to induce him to settle.
His next removal was to West (New) Jersey; but after a short visit, he declined an invitation to remain,
1
II
162
FIRST CHURCH IN BOSTON. [1671-1710.
and with his wife and four daughters came to Bos- ton, March 17, 1704. His wanderings ceased with the call from First Church in 1705, except that he was allowed to accompany the commissioners, in their journey to Port Royal, during the months of July and August, 1707. His degree of M. A. (H. C.) was conferred in 1712. He died, Sept. 26, 1715, after a ministry of ten years in First Church, at the age of fifty-eight. "He made a sudden exit from the scene of his labors, leaving behind a name which is better than precious oint- ment, and four publications evincing his concern for the cause of righteousness and the welfare of mankind."
Judge Sewall, in his diary, says : " 1715, 7' 26. Be- tween 11 and 12, Mr. Bridge expires. The old Church, the Town, the Province have a great Loss. He was particularly dear to me. His Prayers and Sermons were many times Excellent ; not always alike. It may be this Lethargick Malady might, though unseen, be the cause of some Uneveness. The Lord help us duly to lay the death of this worthy person to heart! . We may justly fear he is taken away from Evil to Come, Isa. 57." Cooper speaks of him in his diary as "a man of much piety, devotion, love, humility, meekness, &c., and of great fidelity in the discharge of his office." His prayers were particularly impressive. Prayer was his gift, and the Bible his library. Rev. Dr. Colman preached his funeral sermon. He was buried in the
1671-1710.] THOMAS BRIDGE. 163
Cotton' tomb in the Chapel Burying Ground, Sept. 29, 1715. The church voted to take up a contribu- tion on October 9, to defray his funeral expenses. The amount thus collected was one hundred and ten pounds, five shillings, and a penny ; the fun- eral charges came to about one hundred and four pounds. It was further ordered that the sum of four shillings a week be allowed Mrs. Bridge "for the present out of the Contribution Boxe." The statement which Savage and others make, that in early life Bridge was a merchant, is pronounced on good authority to be incorrect.1 One of his descend- ants " says : " Mr. Bridge educated his daughters as though they were sons, and preparing for Oxford ; they were mistresses of the languages, painted on canvas and glass, were highly accomplished as needlewomen, and better educated generally than was common in Europe at this period. He was so strict on the Sabbath that they were not allowed to gather flowers or walk in the garden. He always had the shutters to the windows on the street closed on Sunday, that there should be no inducement to take their attention from graver and more impor- tant things." The names of these daughters were Elizabeth, Ellen, Lydia, and Copia. The second daughter, Ellen, "was born at the island of New Providence, Oct. 1, 1688, married Joseph Marion, 'Gentleman'" (who was the son of John Marion, Jr., deacon of First Church thirty-two years, from 1696
1 Eliza (Story) White MS., infra. 2 Ibid.
164
FIRST CHURCH IN BOSTON. [1671-1710.
to 1728), on Thursday, June 7, 1711, and died Jan. 20, 1745, in the fifty-ninth year of her age. , Besides these daughters, he had an only son, Thomas Bridge, Jr., born Oct. 31, 1709, who died in infancy of small- pox, to the bitter grief of his family. On the occa- sion of his baptism, Mr. Bridge for the first time joined his wife's name with his own on the church record, thus testifying to the importance of the event. The descendants of Bridge in the female line by the names of Marion and Story have been connected with the church, at different periods, down to the present time.1
Various meetings were held in the year 1709, at the house of Mr. Wadsworth, to determine what should be done about buying some land for the use of the ministry. The church, not being in funds at that time, and being apprehensive of another pur- chaser, prevailed upon Jeremiah Dummer to buy the house and land owned by Captain John Balston on Water Street in his own name for [300, and retain possession until the church should be able to reim- burse him for a transfer of the property. No sooner, however, had they bought the property, than, finding it inconvenient for the special purpose to which it was to be applied, the church " Voted " to sell " Said House and Land, wth the Land since added thereto
1 This account of his family and antecedents is taken from the Eliza (Story) White MS., now in the possession of her daughter Mary B. Pratt, who has contributed from this and other sources much trustworthy and original matter for the foregoing account of her ancestor.
1671-1710.] BRIDGE AND WADSWORTH. 165
by Grant from the Town, and apply the proceeds for the erection of a convenient suitable House for the use of the ministry on the Church Land known by the name of Hollingshead's Lott." 1
" During the six years ending in 1710 twenty-four men and sixty-six women had been admitted into the church. In the same period the number of bap- tisms was two hundred and two, one hundred and thirteen males and eighty-nine females." 2
1 " This lot is the land since occupied by Chauncy Place Church, and the adjoining block of houses in Summer Street belonging to the society ; and the house erected in 1710 was the one in which Drs. Channcy and Clarke died, and which was taken down in 1807."- EMERSON'S History of First Church, 155.
Besides the Hollingshead lot, the church at this time owned a piece of land near what was once Fort Hill, and also a portion of the island of Great Chebacco in York County, on what is now the coast of Maine. Church Records, 100.
2 Emerson's History of First Church, 157.
CHAPTER V.
1711-1785.
THOMAS BRIDGE, BENJAMIN WADSWORTH, THOMAS FOXCROFT, CHARLES CHAUNCY, JOHN CLARKE.
Burning of House of Worship of First Church. - Sympathy and Aid from Brattle Street Church. - Building of New House. - Terms of Church , Communion. - Old Account-Book. - Expenses of Build- ing. - Seaters of the Congregation. - Who may occupy Pews. - Debt on the Building. - " Despair " of the Parsonage. - Admissions to Communion. - Call of Foxcroft. - His Lineage. - His Opposi- tion to Episcopacy. - Support of the Ministry. - Weekly Contribu- tions. --- Call of Chauncy. - His Opposition to the Revivalists. - Controversy with Episcopalians. - His Book on Universal Salva- tion. - John Clarke appointed. - Chauncy's Mind and Character. - Great Earthquake. - Reading of the Scriptures in the Church. - Introduction of Choirs. - War of the Revolution. - Thursday Lec- ture. - Sketch of Jobn Clarke's Life. - His Doctrine. - His Sudden Death.
THE disagreement between First Church and Brattle Street on account of the publication of the manifesto by the new society is said to have scarcely outlived the close of the century. Whether this be strictly accurate or not, it is certain that if any vestiges of the dissatisfaction survived to the present period, they were entirely dissolved by the aid and sympathy which the new church extended to the old on the occasion of the great fire of 1711.
167
1711-85.] BRIDGE AND WADSWORTH.
" In addition to the Town-House, the Meeting- House where the ffirst Church of Christ in Boston used to worship God was utterly consumed by fire, which began in a building belonging to Cap" Epraim Savage ; it was generally said & concluded to be occasioned by one Mary Morse, being in drink."
The church passed various resolves on this occa- sion, thankfully accepting the offer of South and Brattle Street societies to make use of their meeting- houses, while they set about building a new one of brick. At the same time they fixed upon " Tues- day come sev'night [Oct. 9, 1711, O. S.], as a Day of Solemn ffasting & prayer, on the account of the destruction of their meeting-house, & their dis- persion occasioned by fire ; " and appointed Elisha Cook, Isaac Addington, Elisha Hutchinson, Esq., James Gootch, and Samuel Bridge a committee to consider plans for a new meeting-house. The en- tries just referred to are dated Tuesday, Oct. 2, 1711. In the same month Mr. Colman, minister of Brattle Street, writes: " Our church invited the pastors of the First Church to preach with us in turns every Sabbath, and to join in the administra- tion of ordinances. To which they, with their church, consented, and continued with us till May the 4th, 1713, when they took their leave of us with a very grateful letter, read publicly by me to our congregation, and went into their own house.""
1 Church Records, 101, and Preface to Wadsworth's Sermon in 1713.
2 Lothrop's History of Brattle Street Church, 61.
16S
FIRST CHURCH IN BOSTON. [1711-85.
The letter of invitation from Brattle Street was as follows : -
BOSTON, Octobr 12, 1711.
REVP SRS, - I think it meet to acquaint you that hav- ing stay'd our church the last evening after the Publick exercises of Worship, there past unanimously the following votes : -
1. That yourselves be desired, under the present awfull Providence, & till it shall please God y' y' meeting-house be rebuilt, statedly & alternately to be & assist with us in the carrying on the worship of God among us.
2. That out of the contribution weekly collected, three pounds be paid you every week.
3. That you be desir'd, if it may be, for the time you continue we us, to joyn wh me in an equal administration of all Ordinances, in particular Baptism and the Lord's supper.
S", These our desires wee accompany wth our thankfull acknowledgments of that good spirit of Brotherly affection, wherein you have come among us, & wherewith you have so kindly accepted our bounden Christian Respects. Wee also ask a further interest in your Love & prayers, & hope it will please God to make your presence and labours with us, from time to time, abundantly serviceable to his own glory & our spiritual Good.
Rev S", Your unworthy Bro' in the Ministry of Christ,
BENJ ' COLMAN. 4
The letter and vote of the South Church were as follows : -
BOSTON, Octobr 12, 1711.
REVP GENTLEMEN, -The Church of Christ which ye stand related to, having considered the present dispersion of your flock, thrô the holy hand of God, in the late desolation of y' meeting-house, thought it a proper & necessary expres- sion of their Christian love & Regards to yourselves &
169
BRIDGE AND WADSWORTH.
1711-85.]
flock to pass the Votes, a coppy of wch I now send you, ac- cording to their desire, wch you may communicate to your church if you think proper. The Votes were passed wth the greatest unanimity & readiness. It will be to the last degree pleasing to us to have the advantage of your gifts & graces in every article desired. The last Vote, wch invites you to administer the special Ordinances wth us in your turn, we hope will be agreeable to your Church ; for sure we are it is a point of fellowship wch is Justifiable by the first & stricktest principles of these churches.
The alwise God has holy ends wch he is carrying on by the present dark dispensation your people are under; and if it may but be serviceable to advance the spirit of Christ in this Towne, whereby we shall be better qualifyed for the society of the Assembly of the First born above, wee shall all have reason to bless & adore the Holy Providence of Heaven.
May our gracious God speedily & peaceably repair your desolations, building up and beautifying your church wth greater measures of his Holy Spirit; may all under your charge be your Crown and joy in the day of Christ. This, Rev" Brethren, shall be allwayes the prayer of
Your 'affectionate Brother, EBENR PEMBERTON.
Att a meeting of the Church in the South part of Bos- ton, October 7th, It was Voted That the Revª M' Bridge & M' Wadsworth, Pastors of the ffirst Church in Boston, be desired, during the present dispersion of their fflock, to carry on alternately one halfe of the work of preaching in this Congregation.
That the Deacons of this Church make the same weekly allowance to them for this service that they do to our own Pastor.
That the Reverend M' Bridge & M' Wadsworth be de- sired, also, to take their turns in the Administration of Baptism & the Lord's supper with us.
EBENE PEMBERTON.
170
FIRST CHURCH IN BOSTON. [1711-85.
In response to these invitations, First Church re- quested the "Revd Elders, in the name of the church, to render thanks to the Revd M' Pemberton & Mr. Colman, & to their Churches, for their kind re- spects to us in their several letters of this Date." 1
" Whether in the Third or Fourth Church the congregation mostly worshipped is unknown. Mr. Wadsworth preached the Sunday after the confla- gration in the Third Church ; and the sermon de- livered, together with the one last preached in the church consumed, and the first preached in the Old Brick, were published in a small volume, a copy of which is in the Theological Library."2
The following memoranda appear on the church records: " The old meeting-house" was burned Oc- tober the 2ª, 1711. The new meeting-house was occupied for the first time May 3, 1713." The work of building this house was prosecuted with great vigor. On Friday, Oct. 12, 1711, it was de- cided that the building should be of brick. This vote did not pass without "much debate and some difficulty, Deacon Tay and William Griggs having withdrawn without leave " before it was taken. At the same meeting a building committee, consisting
1 Church Records, 102, 103.
" The Mass. Hist. Soc. Library contains an imperfect copy.
3 Very little is known about the appearance of this building, except that it was made of wood. The following is all that is contained on the church records with regard to it: " Jan. 12, 97, Voted, yt of Two Deacons, wh or brother Bridge, bee Assisting in judging of the convenience of making a middle door at the North side, and shutting up the two corner doors, and about a porch to the easte side." p. 54.
+ Church Records, 104.
1
17I
1711-85.] BRIDGE AND WADSWORTH.
of "Cap" Jo" Ballantine, Deacon Marion, & Capt. Wadsworth,"1 and a committee of ten to obtain subscriptions towards the charge of a new meeting- house, were appointed. The committee chosen on October 2 to consider " Dimentions and models " (plans) for a new meeting-house, " Reported, That on due consideration and Advisement thereon, They are of Opinion the house to be seventy-two feet long, fifty-four feet wide from out to out, and thirty-four feet High up to the Plate." The report was ac- cepted, with permission given at the same time to 'vary either of the dimensions a foot or two, " if the committee should see cause upon further advise- ment."? It was then voted "to send to England for a Bell for the meeting-house, or otherwise to procure one here, at the churches risque."
In spite of their scattered condition, the church was not unmindful of what was due to their welfare as a worshipping body of Christ.
" Att a .Church Meeting, ffeby 29th, 1713, The following Proposals were voted Att the School House: ffirst Church in Boston Proposed To the Rev" Elders, That when persons desire Admission into ye church they be examined of their knowledge
" Of the Nature of a Church,
" of y" Institution of Ordinances & Officers,
1 The building committee was afterwards increased to five in number; and, Mr. Wadsworth declining the appointment, three more were added to the original members, namely, Mr. William Welstead, Mr. James Gooch, and Mr. William Hutchinson. Church Records, 104.
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