USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the First church in Boston, 1630-1880 > Part 21
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1786-1814.] JOHN CLARKE.
vote of three in the affirmative and thirty-three in the negative.
On the death of Dr. Chauncy no attempt was made to settle a colleague with Dr. Clarke, and the church has remained in charge of a single minister ever since. In 1789 the deacons were instructed hereafter to render an account of the church funds at the annual meeting.
There is very little to record during the last decade of this century, save the death of Clarke, and the invitation to his successor. The former has already been noticed; and before proceeding to describe the peculiar circumstances attending the latter a brief glance at the condition of religious affairs in and around Boston at this time may per- haps be of interest. The pulpits in this neighbor- hood, with rare exceptions, were then occupied by a body of liberal preachers. They did not form a dis- tinct organization, but went under the general head of Arminians. It was a period of reaction, following upon the excitement attending the " Whitefieldian movement." At the same time there was on all sides an increasing unwillingness to yield implicit assent to the more rigid forms of Orthodoxy. This inclination to fashion for one's self a more liberal creed received ample encouragement from the changes which had taken place in civil affairs. The stirring events of the Revolutionary War had roused a spirit of free investigation into religious restraints and formularies kindred to that which had been so
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successful in opposing civil coercions. "A more liberal political régime, if not logically, yet not un- naturally, postulated a broader theological platform." To define all the causes which had helped to bring about this result, it would be necessary to include the interest which many of the English Unitarians felt in the cause of freedom. Then, too, the struggle for Independence, while it was in progress, enlisted the energies of the clergy on this side of the water, and caused a relaxation of vigilance in spiritual affairs.
As a result of these various influences a class of clergymen and laymen who determined to cut loose from the "old moorings " had gradually grown up. That this resolve was deliberately taken would seem to follow from direct testimony as to their public utterances, and extracts from their published ser- mons and writings. The charge of secrecy, some- times laid at their door, is satisfactorily answered in every instance by evidence of a similarly conclusive character. The truth is, that at this period " their opinions were not generally regarded as heretical." It was not until the lines were more sharply drawn that the wide divergence in doctrine became so startlingly apparent.
" When there ensued a revival of the earlier the- ology, in the new-born zeal and fervor it seemed impossible that such lax doctrinal views could ever have been tolerated alongside of the Trinitarian faith ; and hence the theory that they must have
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1786-1814.] JOHN CLARKE.
been held in secret. Yet if in secret, how could the facts be well known and thoroughly substantiated at the present day ?" The liberal clergy, towards the close of the last century, had little or none of that religious fervor which so strongly characterizes their brethren of the earliest years of the present century. But they will long be remembered as " devout men," and steady upholders of Christian morals and ethics ; pure and exemplary in their lives and teachings, and "diligent in their parochial and social duties." Many of the more liberal churches of this period retained precisely the same covenants under which they were originally gathered, so that applicants for admission to full communion were required to sign the ancient confession. In most cases, however, these covenants contained no specification of dog- mas, because when they were first used there was no suspicion or anticipation of dissent from traditional Orthodoxy.
As to what may be called " the more private man- ifestations of religious faith and feeling," the prac- tice was in marked contrast with that of to-day. There was a much steadier observance of sacred duties in those days than now prevails in most fam- ilies. The morning and afternoon services in the churches were both of them attended with " un- failing regularity by all of every age who had no good reason for absence." The late John G. Palfrey, " who was pastor of a congregation second to none in position and wealth, says, during the
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greater part of his ministry, occasional sermons, and those which were regarded as of superior interest, were uniformly preached in the afternoon, as the number of persons necessarily absent was smaller than in the morning." 1 The Sunday school was as yet unknown; the only approach to it being the annual or semi-annual catechising, when the chil- dren of the parish gathered in front of the pulpit and answered questions (the brightest of them usu- ally undertaking this duty) on fundamental points of doctrine; after which the pastor closed the ser- vices with a short address and prayer.
The week-day lectures were still fairly well attended. The older or Thursday Lecture retained a small portion of its ancient glory, - subjects of great im- portance being introduced for the first time on that occasion, while the ante-communion or preparatory lecture, as the other was called, was quite vigor- ously supported, though chiefly by women.
Both of these lectures took place by daylight. Night meetings were not encouraged, not so much from necessity, - although the want of proper facil- ities for lighting the churches certainly formed a serious obstacle, - as for their supposed bad moral tendency. On this account there was very little of what may be called religious activity, such enthusi- asm as there was being confined to stated occasions and public observances. The number of communi- cants, however, was not small, though slenderly rc-
1 Quoted by Dr A. P. Peabody in Memorial History of Boston.
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inforced by the younger portion of society ; and the rite of baptism, whether under the Half Way Cove- nant or without any required subscription , of faith, was generally observed.
On June 11, 1799, the society determined to in- vite the Rev. William Emerson, of Harvard, to fill the vacant pulpit. A letter, dated June 17, was ac- cordingly addressed to his society, asking their con- sent to his removal. The reply to this request, dated July 13, states that a committee has been appointed, and suggests that the two societies hold a confer- ence. The freeholders and other inhabitants of Harvard had meantime (July 11) held a meeting, at which it was voted to concur with the action of the church, and to appoint a committee to join with the society and Mr. Emerson in a conference with a committee of First Church in Boston. Various let- ters then passed between the parties in interest, which resulted finally in the purchase of Mr. Emerson for the sum of one thousand dollars, "in compensation for the settlement given him by the church and so- ciety [in Harvard], and for the expenses occasioned by his removal from them to the First Church in Boston." 1
On Sept. 10, 1799, "Elders and Delegates of the churches of Shirley, Lunenburgh, Groton, Pep-
1 The First Church in Boston made the offer of settlement for one thou- sand dollars on Aug. 26, 1799, and it was accepted by the Harvard Church by letter, dated Sept. 11, 1799. The whole proceeding, namely, the removal of an ordained minister from the parish over which he had been duly settled, is described in one of the letters above mentioned as entirely novel, and occasioning great difficulty in the proper adjustment.
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perell, and Lancaster," met in council at Harvard and approved of this settlement. Signed, " Daniel . Chaplin, Moderator; Nath' Thayer, Scribe." The formal call to Mr. Emerson was extended Sept. 20, 1799, and concurred in by the congregation September 24. Mr. Emerson accepted the invi- tation September 25, became a member of the church October 13, and was installed October 16. " The pastors and delegates who were invited to attend at the installation met in the Senate Chamber of the old State House at one o'clock of the day appointed."
LIFE OF EMERSON.
William Emerson, only son of William and Phoebe (Bliss) Emerson, was born at Concord, May 6, 1769. His grandfather, Rev. Joseph Emerson, of Malden, married Mary Moodey, daughter of Rev. Samuel Moodey, of York, and grand-niece of Joshua Moodey of First Church, Boston. His mother became a widow when he was only seven years old, but soon after married. Rev. Ezra Ripley, the successor of her former husband as minister of Concord.1 Birth and
1 His father died at an early age. The following extract from an obitu- ary notice of him is dated "Concord, Nov ist, 1776. On the morning of the Lord's day, the 20th of October last, died at Rutland, on Otter Creek, the Rev. Mr. William Emerson, pastor of the church of Christ in this town, in the 35th year of his age. His zeal for the liberties of his country, which appeared from the beginning of the present troubles, animated him to ac- company his bretheren in the reinforcement lately sent by this State to our army at Ticonderoga as chaplain of a regiment. But the hardships to which he was exposed " proved too much for his delicate constitution, and brought on a fever which caused his death on the homeward march.
1786-1814.] WILLIAM EMERSON. 225
education therefore combined to fit Emerson for the ministry. At the age of sixteen he entered Harvard College. His course at the University was marked by good behavior and scholarship. Though sus- pended for a brief interval during that period, it was not, as he frequently affirmed, for any breach of duty on his part, but simply because he refused to testify to the misbehavior of others. He graduated in 1789, and shortly after delivered the Phi Beta Kappa oration with marked effect. For two years he taught school in Roxbury, with entire satis- faction to his employers. He then removed to Cambridge to study divinity, and before many months had elapsed was approbated for the minis- try, and received a call to preach. After a short trial as candidate, the society in Harvard, Mass., in- vited him to settle as minister Dec. 21, 1791.1 He accepted the call March 17, and was ordained to office May 23, 1792; but from the very first was " never quite at home" in Harvard. As was the case with John Norton at Plymouth, "his spirit did not close with them."> Having come to Boston in 1799 to preach the Artillery Election Sermon, he attracted the attention of First Church. The result was that the society in Boston very soon invited Mr. Emerson to settle as successor to Dr.
1 " At a town meeting, Jan. 9, 1792, the vote of the church was con- curred in, and [200 allowed for the settlement of Mr. Emerson, Croo to be paid in one year from the time of his ordination. The other froo to be paid in two years, and {roo to be paid annually as a sallary." - Records of the Town of Harvard.
2 Sec Life of Norton, ante, Chap. III.
1 5
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Clarke, who had died the previous year. His acceptance of the invitation, and the long and complex negotiations attending his removal, have already been mentioned. His friend and classmate, the Rev. Nathaniel Thayer, of Lancaster, preached the installation sermon. From the time of his re- moval to Boston Mr. Emerson seemed to devote more energy to preaching, and to show a deeper interest in intellectual pursuits. Like his predeces- sor, Clarke, he filled prominent places in the com- munity, both public and private. He started and largely maintained the Christian Monitor, which con- tinued to be published for a number of years; and in conjunction with others carried on the Monthly An- thology and Boston Review, which was first issued in 1804. He was also a member of most of the promi- nent literary and religious societies in Boston.
In May, 1808, a serious illness interrupted his labors, and seemed to forebode a fatal result. He recovered, however, from this attack, and continued for a while much as usual, until finally another trouble of a different nature obliged him to leave off work in the winter of 1810-11. He did not give up without a struggle, and persisted in preaching long after the state of his health warned him to abandon the attempt. His last sermon was preached at Thursday Lecture,, March 14, "on Abraham's offering up his son Isaac," and was perhaps the most interesting and impressive discourse which he ever delivered.
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1786-1814 ] WILLIAM EMERSON.
In pursuit of health he then tried the effect of a short sea voyage, with a view to a more extended trip to some milder climate, should the result prove satisfactory ; but he returned home in such a feeble condition as to preclude any further exertion. After this he rapidly failed "till Sunday, May 12, 1811, when he calmly fell asleep." Mr. Buckminster preached his funeral sermon from Psalm xii. I, on May 16, after which his body was interred in First Church (Cotton) tomb in the Chapel Burying Ground.
As a writer Mr. Emerson cultivated a more rounded and elaborate style than is common in these days. On this account the impatient modern reader is in danger of overlooking the real merit of his writings, which consists in a wonderful clearness and accuracy of statement. " As a clergyman he was greatly endeared to his society. His manner in the pulpit was graceful and dignified, though sel- dom impassioned. " His sermons were remarkably chaste and regular in their structure, correct and harmonious in their style, seldom aiming at the more daring graces of rhetoric, but always clear and accurate, and to a great majority of hearers particularly acceptable."
The theological views of Mr. Emerson were sim- ilar to those of his immediate predecessors. He may have been even more liberal than most of his. contemporaries. His writings do not clearly show how far his Unitarianism extended, but plainly dis-
1
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close a decided lack of sympathy with Calvinism. His son, Ralph Waldo Emerson, writes as follows on this point : -
" My father inclined obviously to what is ethical and universal in Christianity; very little to the personal and historical. Indeed, what I found nearest approaching what would be called his creed is in a printed sermon 'at the Ordination of Mr. Bedee, of Wilton, N. H.' I think I observe in his writings, as in the writings of Unitarians down to a recent date, a studied reserve on the subject of the nature and offices of Jesus. They had not made up their own minds on it. It was a mystery to them, and they let it remain so."
Though Mr. Emerson put a high estimate on the good opinion of his fellow-men, he was very far from improperly laboring to acquire it. Neither were his relations towards his fellow-ministers dic- tated by any regard for popular favor. His friend- ship was lasting, and his enmity short-lived.
The writer gathered the following as the fruits of a visit to the home of Ralph Waldo Emerson at Concord, May 3, 1881.
Of his father, Mr. Emerson said that he died when he was so young that his recollection of him is not very strong. He added : " My daughter there [Miss Ellen T. Emerson] can tell you much more about him than I can."
From the family Bible it appeared that William Emerson married Ruth Haskins, daughter of John and Hannah (Upham) Haskins, in Rainsford Lane, Boston ; that they had children, - Phobe Rip-
1786-1814.] WILLIAM EMERSON. 229
ley, born at Harvard, Feb. 9, 1798, died Sept. 28, 1800; John Clarke, born Nov. 28, 1799, died April 26, 1807; William, born in Summer Street, Boston, July 3, ISO1 ; Ralph Waldo, born May 25, 1803; Edward Bliss, born April 17, 1805, died at St. Johns, Porto Rico, Oct. 11, 1834; Robert Bulkeley, born April 11, 1807, died in Littleton, Mass., May 23, 1859; Charles Chauncy, born Nov. 27, 1808, died May 9, 1836, at New York; Mary Caroline, born Feb. 26, 1811, died April 30, 1814. Ruth Emerson, his widow, died Nov. 6, ISHI, at Concord.
Family letters and documents yield much addi- tional matter, confirmatory of the faithful and con- scientious manner in which Mr. Emerson was ac- customed to perform the varied duties of his calling. It was his habit, it seems, to write out all his prayers (three for each service) with great minuteness, using for that purpose texts from the Bible. In this way he had collected volumes of written prayers, preserved with as much care as those containing his sermons. Ile was at pains, also, to keep a record of all the presents received from members of the society, ap- praising each one at a proper valuation. His letters to his wife and family abundantly indicate that he was equally faithful in his domestic concerns,
It is characteristic of him that, although very fond of music, especially of playing on the bass-viol, he did not think it proper to continue the indulgence after he had become a settled minister. His taste in this direction secured an invitation from Dr. Bel-
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FIRST CHURCH IN BOSTON. [1786-1814.
knap to assist him in arranging some of the hymns for his well-known collection.
Although naturally inclined to a serious way of looking at things, there were times when he light- ened in tone. For instance, when his health began to fail him, some one wrote to him, anxiously, to take care of the east-wind. "East-wind," was his reply ; " when I was a boy I heard more from my mother about cast-winds than I have ever experi- enced since."
Mr. Emerson had much more than his share of personal attractions. He " was a handsome man," writes Dr. Charles Lowell, "rather tall, with a fair complexion, his cheeks slightly tinted, his motions easy, graceful, and gentlemanlike, his manners bland and pleasant. He was an honest man, and ex- pressed himself decidedly and emphatically, but never bluntly or vulgarly. He had the organ of order very fully developed ; he was one of those who have 'a place for everything, and everything in its place.' In that respect he differed from that admi- rable man, who was his classmate and friend, and my friend, - and one whom any one might feel proud to call his friend, - John Thornton Kirkland, who never had anything in order, but always found what was wanted; whose manuscript sermons in the pulpit were in separate pieces, but he always found the right piece, and that was better than al- most any of his brethren could have found in what they had written with twice the labour."
----
W. Emerson.
They ivecollection
. Is a very ready father. with his friends They tools to me not To where as he.
May 3, ISSI. Waldo Emerson.
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WILLIAM EMERSON.
1786-1814.]
Besides numerous sermons on various public occasions, and several discourses in the Christian Monitor, Emerson wrote and delivered the Fourth of July oration in 1802. The "History of First Church in Boston " was published posthumously in 1812.
The following character of Rev. Mr. Emerson is extracted from Rev. J. S. Buckminster's sermon at his funeral : -
"' Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth; for the faith- ful fail from among the children of men !' - Psalm xii. 1.
" The godly man ceaseth. The Reverend William Emer- son gave early indications of devotedness to the service of God. Ile was a descendant of pious ancestors through many generations; and the only son of one of the most popular and promising ministers of Newengland, who died early in the american revolution. The mother, who survives to mourn over the death of her son, saw him with delight soon giving his attention and studies to the word and ministry of that God to whom the prayers and wishes of his parents had directed his first thoughts. They who knew him best during the most trying period of youthful virtue bear witness to the singular purity of his mind, ten- derness of his conscience, devoutness of his feelings, and strictness of his manners; qualities which, by God's bless- ing, age and experience did not diminish, and which his christian profession afterwards secured and improved.
"In one of the longest conversations which I was per- mitted to hold with him, a few days before his death, when his mind seemed to be lighted up anew, and his faculties to collect fresh vigour, he expressed the most grateful and pious satisfaction in the circumstance that he, with all his father's family, had so carly felt the obligations of the gos- pel as to give themselves up to Jesus Christ by a profes-
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sion of his religion. The privilege of being a christian then occupied his thoughts; and he continued to talk with unusual animation of the benefits of carly communion; and to express his wishes that his eldest son, then at his bedside, might not forget early to seek, nor be so unhappy as ever to forfeit, this christian privilege. That great arti- cle of the christian dispensation, the resurrection from the dead, was the frequent theme of his meditations and of his publick instructions; so that his faith was not vain, nor his preaching vain; for his faith was always strong enough to render his preaching the expression of his own intimate persuasions, and the cheerful employment of his life.
"Of the practical strength of his faith and piety he was permitted to give us a memorable example during that sudden attack which he sustained, a few years since, in all the fulness of his health and expectations, when he was busily preparing for a publick service. Those who then saw him brought down in an instant, and without any pre- vious warning, to the gates of death, can never forget the steadfastness with which he received the alarm, and the singular humility and composure with which he waited during many days, doubtful of life, and expecting every hour to leave -all that was dear to him on earth to present himself before God. Next to the satisfaction of behaving well ourselves in an hour of trial is that of witnessing the tranquillity of our friends, and finding that we need not fear for their example while flesh and heart is failing, for God is the strength of their heart and their portion forever.
" The same steadfastness and tranquil foresight of his dissolution God has enabled him to exhibit through the whole of the distressing and lingering disorder, of which he died. A few hours before his death he overheard some conversation respecting those who should pass the night with him; and he summoned strength enough to articulate, 'God is with me! ' The great interest with which some
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1736-1814.] WILLIAM EMERSON.
persons always watch the last intelligent exercises of a spirit which has been warned of its departure was here not disappointed. . No one could leave his presence without a secret consciousness that the collected, intelligent, and strong indications which he daily gave of profound sub- mission to God's will, and unshaken faith in his gospel, were very much to be preferred to the indistinct raptures and ejaculations which are so often caught from the lips of the dying, where more is supposed to be meant than meets the ear, and more is put into the speech than was origi- nally contained in the thought. The approach of death gave no new colour to his faith; and he has left us a proof which will long be remembered, not of the truth indeed, but of the power of those principles by which, for nearly twenty years, he had preached and practised.
" He was a faithful as well as a pious man. Of his fidel- ity in his ministerial office you, my hearers, are of course better judges than the preacher. But from his extraordi- nary correctness of manners, and disposition to method in the disposal of his time, great fidelity might be expected in what he regarded as his duty; and this sentiment, as well as the desire of doing good, would engage so careful a mind as his in the punctilious discharge of the duties of his profession. The prosperity of this ancient church was peculiarly dear to him. He looked back with veneration almost unbounded on some of his predecessors here; and while he breathed much of their spirit he successfully emulated their merits. He was a happy example of that correct and rational style of evangelical preaching of which the yet lamented Clarke has left so fair a specimen. Our departed brother had long been employed on a history of the First Church; and was engaged in the analysis of the works and character of Chauncy when his progress was arrested by the disease of which he died ; and he was called to join the company of those great and good men whom he had before known only in their works, but now face to face.
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" Such is the constitution of society among us that much of the care of our literary and charitable institutions de- volves upon those clergymen who have disposition and qualifications for the task. Mr. Emerson's industry, integ- rity, accuracy, and fidelity were well known in the numer- ous societies of which he was a member. The town has lost a diligent observer of its youth and their education ; the Academy and Historical Society an associate greatly interested in their flourishing state; the University an at- tentive overseer. The clergy throughout the country have lost a hospitable and liberal brother; his family a most careful and excellent father, husband, and master; and his friends an honourable and faithful friend.
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