USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. I > Part 46
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Whatever different views we may have of the expediency of settling a pastor under the forbidding circumstances which beset the New North Church in settling Mr. Thacher, it must be confessed that, as defenders of a great principle lying at the foundation of our church polity, they were clearly in the right and did a good service; and it was by losing sight of primitive Congregationalism, and looking solely at modern usage as an exponent of Congregational law, that Mr. Ware, in his notice of their proceedings, could have reached the con- clusion that " they were clearly in the wrong " - which Mr. Robbins, in his valuable History of the Second Church, has inadvertently admitted.1
May 25. Election, the Revd Mr. Stone Preach'd from Rom. 13. 3. For Rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Lord ever grant thy people such to rule over them. The Ministers met at my House.2
May 26. They Met again this Morning. Voted that a Sermon shou'd be preached annually to the Ministers on the Day following that place." - History of the Second Church, p. 307. See also pp. 170-177.]
1 [Clark's Ilist. Sketch, pp. 134, 135. Dr. Robbins's remark, quoting the Rev. Henry Ware, Jr., is as follows : "Mr. Ware's opinion seems to me perfectly correct, viz. : 'that the New North peo- ple wrote with most moderation, though they were clearly in the wrong ; while the advocates of the New Brick, though on the right side, lost all command of their temper.' "
Dr. Robbins adds : " The result of Mr. Thacher's connection with the New North was certainly in the end favorable to the interests of that church, and justi- fied the good opinion, formed by those who supported him, of his fitness for
2 [The church bore at least a portion of the expense of entertaining the clergy at the parsonage on these occasions. The following charges appear in one of the deacons' books : -
1723 May 29 Cash for Wine for the Ministers . . . 1. 7. 10
1724 May 26 Money for Wine for the Ministers 1.8. o
1725 May 24 Wine taken out of Stock for the Ministers 12. 0 1726 May 23 Canary for the Ministers . . 1.12. 0]
404
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
the Election. Dr. Increase Mather was Chosen to that Service for the next Year. The Revd Mr. Solomon Stoddard was also Chosen in case the Doctor shou'd fail : And Dr. C. Mather to supply his place upon Supposition that He should be Prevented by the Providence of God. Dr. C. Mather Pray'd Yesterday : Mr. John Williams to Day. It was propos'd, and I think generally agreed that Days of Fasting and Prayer shou'd be kept by our Churches successively to Ask the plentifull Effusion of the Spirit on the rising Generation. (Joseph Sewall.)
During the night of the 26th and 27th of May Judge Sewall lost his wife, Abigail, to whom he had been married only seven months.
May 29. God having in his holy Sovereignty put my Wife out of the Fore-Seat, I apprehended I had Cause to be asham'd of my Sin, and to loath my self for it ; and retired into my Pue. Mr. Williams of Derefield preach'd in the morning from Rom. 5. Christ died for Sin- ners. Mr. Sewall administered the Lord's Supper. I put up a Note to this purpose ; Samuel Sewall, depriv'd of his dear Wife by a very sudden and awfull Stroke, desires Prayers that God would sanctify the same to himself, and Children and family. Writ and sent three ; to the South, Old, and Mr. Colman's. Mr. Prince preaches p. m. Matt. 25. At midnight behold a Cry was made. (Sewall.)
Deacon James Hill died Sunday morning, February 26, 1721, aged eighty-two ; his wife died the day before, aged eighty-three. She was a sister of the first Daniel Henchman. They were buried together on the following Thursday, after the Lecture.
March 5. Lord's Day. Serene, and good but very cold, yet had a comfortable opportunity to celebrate the Lord's Supper. Mr. Prince, p. m, preach'd a Funeral Sermon from Psal 90. 10. [" The days of our years are threescore years and ten," etc.] Gave Capt. Hill a good Character. (Sewall.)
The church now proposed action in reference to the enlarge- ment of its meeting-house.
At a meeting of the South Chh. in Boston. Apr. 21. 1721.
Voted -That the Meeting House be enlarged 16 feet on the North side to make suitable Accommodations for such as want them for their Families, and that the whole be arch'd and ciel'd, provided a suita- ble and sufficient number of Persons appear to encourage it ; and the necessary Charge of repairing the meeting house, be not increased thereby.
Voted - That the Committee for seating the Meeting House and Capt. Winslow be appointed to take the oversight and management of this affair, and prosecute it with all convenient expedition.
405
THREE NEW PEWS.
Voted -That Anthony Stoddard Esqr be added to the Seaters.
Voted - That the former stated Price of 10{ for a Pew be annull'd and superseded, and that for the future, where any alienation may be made of a whole, or part of a Pew, or any person entitled to one, the Overseers for the time being are to govern the matter according to their discretion, not exceeding Thirty five Pounds for any one. And that if at any time, any Person purchase or offer to take possession of any Pew in the Meeting House without the consent of the Over- seers, They may disposess them and entitle any other suitable Person thereto.
Voted, - That Half the Space at the Entrance of the East Door, and the Men's Short Seats by the Pulpit Stairs, be made into Pews provided the Overseers shall judge it expedient.1
Voted - That the two hind Short Seats of the Women, be made into a Pew, provided such persons as are placed there, be conveniently Seated, and the Overseers shall judge it expedient.
Voted - That Thanks be given to the Committee for Auditing the Deacon's accounts, and that they be desired to stand for another Year.
JOSEPH SEWALL THOMAS PRINCE.
1 [Aprill 15th 1724 At a Meeting of the Overseers at the house of Daniell Oliver, Esqr Present Samuell Checkley Esqr Daniel Oliver Esqr Habijah Savage Esqr Mr. Ezekiell Lewis and Anthony Stoddard
There being Three New Pews now built by Order of the Overseers Pursu- ant to a Liberty Given them by a Vote of the Church Aprill 21 1721
Voted That the New Pew at the foot of the Stairs leading up to the Pulpit be sett at thirty l'ounds.
Voted that the New Pew at the East Door be sett at twenty five pounds.
Voted that the New l'ew at the End of the Women's Short Seats be sett at thirty five Pounds.
Voted that an Offer be Made to Coll : Thos Fitch Esqr of the New Pew by the Pulpit Stairs
Voted that an Offer be made to Capt John Ellery and Capt John Osborn Of the New Pew at the East Door to be possessed between them
Voted that an Offer be made to Mr. Chris : Kilby, Mr. Benj : Sympson, Mr. Samll Rand and Mr. Jer : Belnap of the New Pew at the End of the Women's Short seats.
Voted that Deacon Daniell Henchman be Entituled to half of the Pew between Mr. Gibs's and Mr. Bowcs's (the other half belonging to Mr. Ellison's Family) he paying five pounds for the same.
May 20th 1724 At a Meeting of the Overseers at the house of David Jeffries Esqr. Present : Coll : Checkley, David Jeffries, Daniel Oliver Antho Stoddard Hab : Savage Esqr and Eze. Lewis -
Voted that the Wife of Mr. Nathan Lewis be placed in her Mother's Seat in the short seat next to Coll: Checkleys Pew
Voted that the Wife of Mr. Chrisr Kilby be Seated in the Pew belonging to the heirs or Children of mr. Nicholas Bowes decd :
Novbr 28. 1724 At A Meeting of the Overseers at Coll. Checkleys present Danl Oliver, Coll: Checkley Antho Stoddard, Habijah Savage Esqrs and Eze : Lewis -
Voted that Liberty is granted to Capt. John Ellery and Capt John Osborne to purchase the Pew that was Majr Gencral Winthrops [he died in 1717] in Equall halves.]
406
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Anthony Stoddard, who was added to the overseers of seats by one of the foregoing votes, and whose name will meet us frequently in this history, was one of those who were not enrolled as they should have been on the list of members. He was grandson of Anthony Stoddard, whose name appears so often in our earlier chapters, and son of Simeon. He graduated at Harvard College in 1697.
The Election Sermon this year was preached by Mr. Moodey, of York; and on Thursday, June 1, Dr. Increase Mather preached a sermon to the ministers, at Mr. Joseph Sewall's house. This, we suppose, was the first of the " convention ser- mons" in Boston, which with few interruptions have been preached year by year until the present time. Dr. Mather's text was Rev. i. 20: "The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches." "Lord grant," wrote Mr. Sewall, "that thy ministers may more and more resemble angels, for their wisdom and holiness, zeal and activity in thy service ; and stars for their light and influence."
June 8. This Lecture Day was observed as a Day of fasting and Prayer at the Old-meeting-house in consideration of the Fear and Dis- tress we are in from the Smallpox. Mr. Colman Preached from Mark 6, 54-56 - they laid sick in streets-as many as touched him &c. Mr. Webb began, Mr. Foxcroft concluded with Prayer. P. M. Dr. C. Mather preached from Amos 4. 12, Prepare to meet thy God. Mr. Prince began and concluded with Prayer. (J. Sewall.)
A Thanksgiving Day having been appointed by the civil authorities, the question came up whether there should be two sermons as heretofore had been the custom in the town, or only one. Judge Sewall, who was always earnest for the maintenance of the old customs, was for two sermons, but he was overruled.
Oct. 15. After the Evening Exercise, Mr. Prince Read the Order for the Thanksgiving ; and then offer'd it to Consideration, that there might be but One Sermon. I spake against it. Said I had seen one such a one ; and I did not desire to see another. Twas the privilege we in Boston had, that might have two, which our Brethren in the Country could not have, because of their remote Living. No body seconded me ; and I desisted.
Oct. 20. In the Council Chamber I discours'd Col [Penn] Town -. send about having but one Sermon on the Thanksgiving day. He was of Opinion twas best to have two, but for the distress of the Small Pox : and could not get him to move a jot towards having Two.
Oct 26. Thanksgiving ; But one Sermon in most Congregations,
407
THE SMALL-POY.
by reason of the Distress of the Small Pox. Began at eleven a-clock. Note. I think so great an Alteration should not have been made ; without the Knowledge and Agreement of the Councillours and other Justices in Town, met together for that purpose. (Sewall.)
During this visitation of the small-pox there were seven hun- dred and sixty-one deaths in Boston, in September, October, and November, and its ravages extended to all the neighboring towns. Among its victims was the Rev. Joseph Stevens, of Charlestown, whom some desired to settle at the South Church when Mr. Joseph Sewall received the call. His only daughter and his wife's sister died of the same disease at the same time, and all were buried in one grave. He was less than forty years of age, and he had been pastor at Charlestown only eight years. It was said of him : " In the pulpit he was to us a very lovely song ; and in his life an amiable example of the doctrines he sweetly recommended." The scourge came even closer than this to the South Church. On the 11th of December Mr. John White, the treasurer of Harvard College, died ; four years be- fore, he succeeded Judge Sewall in the precentorship. A few days earlier an humbler member, Susan Thayer, had been called home, and was buried on Friday, December Ist, "just after the Sacramental Lecture." Judge Sewall's testimony to her worth was: " She had serv'd me and my family faithfully fifteen years, and now I hope she is gon to Heavenly Rest." He and his son-in-law, the Rev. William Cooper, followed her to her grave. The prevailing disease entered Mr. Joseph Sewall's family, but not in its worst symptoms.
Feb 25, 1722 Was affected to hear the Confession of the Woman and her Restoration ; and to see Capt. [John] Osburn and five women admitted.1 (Sewall.)
We do not know the name of this woman who confessed her sin and was restored to her former standing in the church.
On the 29th of March Judge Sewall was married for the third time, namely, to Mary, widow of Robert Gibbs, and daughter of Jonathan Shrimpton by his wife Mary, daughter of Peter Oliver. Her sister Sarah married John Clark, the speaker. The Rev. Nathaniel Williams, master of the Latin School, was her half- brother. Most of her family connections were members of the South Church. Mr. Daniel Oliver, one of the overseers of seats, was her uncle. Her social position, as wife of the chief justice, now entitled her to a place in the fore seat for women.
1 [Abigail Lewis, Rachel Gilbert, Sarah Kneeland, Rachel Kneeland, Katharine Galpin.]
408
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Lord's day April I. Sat with my wife in her Pue.
April, S. introduc'd her into my Pue, and sat with her there.
April 15. Conducted my wife to the Fore-Seat ; having been invited by David Jeffries esqr, Danl Oliver esqr, and Mr. Ezekiel Lewis, March, 31. as overseers. (Sewall.)
May 1. 1722 A Council of about 14 Churches (of which our's was one) met at Watertown, Condemn'd the Proceedings of Mr. Sturgeon and his Party. I got home safe about 3 a'clock A. M. with Col. Fitch. O Lord give Peace with truth and holiness to that divided Town.1
May 31. [Election Week.] Dr. C. Mather preach'd at my house from Rev. 2.2. Help thy Ministers to labour in thy Service as being sensible that the Ilead of the Church knows their labor and Patience. (J. Sewall.)
Probably the addition and alterations authorized by the vote of April 21, 1721, were not made. There is no record one way or the other, but certain repairs were now necessary, and, not long after, it was proposed to build a new house of worship.
1 [For the history of a long-standing controversy in Watertown in reference to the location of a new meeting-house, see An Historical Sketch of Watertown, by Dr. Convers Francis, pp. 59-63. The governor and council were appealed to in 1692, and a committee, of which Wil- liam Stoughton and Samuel Sewall were members, considered and reported upon the questions in dispute. In a " return " of the council it was said : "There has been of a long time, even ever since the days of your blessed pastor Phillips, an earnest contending about the place of meeting for the public worship of God." In 1606, the heated state of feeling be- ing unabated, and leading to occasional disorders, the town determined that a day of humiliation should be observed, and Mr. Willard and Mr. Cotton Mather were invited to fix the time and conduct the services. The farmers in the precinct which was afterward incorporated as Weston arranged for separate religious services for themselves. In May, 1697, the Rev. Samuel Angier was settled over the old church, and began to preach in the new meeting-house. Five months later, a church was gathered at the east end of the town, and the Rev. Ilenry Gibbs was ordained as its pastor. Diffi- culties arose respecting the support of
the two ministers, both of whom were paid from the common treasury. A defi- nite division between the eastern and western parts of the town was at length found necessary, and in 1720 the General Court appointed a committee to run a dividing line between them. Mr. Angier died in 1719, and Mr. Sturgeon was one of his successors. Dr. Francis says : "The society, it is probable, finding themselves too feeble to exist separately, were gradually dispersed, and joined themselves to the other two parishes. Their meeting-house, being abandoned, was, we may presume, in the course of a few years demolished. It appears, how- ever, that for some time they acted as a distinct church and society, and that their proceedings were thought to be irregular and censurable. That this was the fact I infer from a vote recorded by Mr. Gibbs's successor [the Rev. Seth Storer] concerning a Mr. Daniel Whit- ney, in which it is mentioned as an of- fence, that he 'owned the covenant among and submitted himself to the watch and discipline of those who acted as a third church in Watertown, and that he had a child baptized by Mr. Robert Sturgeon after the result of the council of churches met at Watertown on May Ist. 1722.'"]
409
DAYS OF FASTING WITH PRAYER.
At a meeting of the South Church in Boston Augt 21 1722 Voted ;
1. That Thanks be given to the Committee for Auditing the Deacons' Accounts, and that they be desired to stand for another year.
2. That Mr. Daniel Oliver, Mr. Edward Winslow, and Mr. Timothy Prout be a Committee to consult with Mr. Thomas Foster, and con- sider what is needfull to be done for the Reparation of the Meeting House, and the Charge ; and that they make a Report to the Church and Congregation next Tuesday at 3ck p. m.
Pursuant to a Vote pass'd at a Meeting of the South Church, Augt. 21. 1722,
The Church and Congregation met Augt. 28.
And having heard the Report of the Committee, Voted ;
1. That Thirty or Forty Pounds only, or so much as shall be need- full to make the Roof tight, be for the present Expended towards re- pairing the Meeting House.
2. That Mr. Daniel Oliver, Mr. Edward Winslow and Mr. Timothy Prout be a Committee to Manage the Affair above voted with all con- venient Expedition. JOSEPH SEWALL THOMAS PRINCE.
A fast was observed at the Old North on Tuesday, the 25th of September, " to pray for the pouring out of God's Spirit in New England, especially the rising generation." Dr. Mather referred during the services to the recent "apostasy " in Con- necticut, and to the remark of the Rev. Timothy Cutler and others, who had gone over to the Anglican communion, "that there was no minister in New England." There was a similar observance at the South Church a few weeks later.
Sept 25. It having been agreed by the Ministers to Propose it to their Churches to keep Days of Fasting with Prayr successively, This Day a Fast was Kept at the Old-North. A. M. Mr. Wadsworth began, Mr. Walter concluded with Prayr. P. M. Mr. Colman began, and Dr. Increase Mather concluded. Dr. Cotton Mather preach'd both parts of the Day from Matt. 9. 18. - My daughter is even now dead : but come, and lay thine Hand. - N. B. The Design -is to Ask of God the Effusion of his Spirit especially on the rising Gen- eration. (J. Sewall.)
Nov. 4. 1722.
The church was stayed, and Voted, that the 13th of this instant should be observed by us as a day of Prayer with Fasting, to ask of God the effusion of his Holy Spirit, particularly on the rising gen- eration.
JOSEPH SEWALL THOMAS PRINCE.
410
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Novr. 13. This Day was observ'd by the South-Church as a Day of Fasting with Pray'r. Mr. Cooper began with Prayr A. M. Mr. Prince Preach'd from Ps. 90. 16. Let thy work appear to thy servants &c. Mr. Webb began P. M. I preached from Luke 11. 13. - How much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit. Mr. Prince and I made the last Prayrs. I humbly Bless God for the Assistance granted his Servants, and that his people were so far spirited to Give their Attendance. We were under fears considering the time ; the Thanksgiving but the week before &c. But God favour'd us, I think, beyond our expectation.1 (J. Sewall.)
Lord's day Dec. 9. I was much refresh'd by reading in course I Kings, 10. the high value the Queen of Sheba put on Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon is this day exhibited in the Lord's Supper which Mr. Prince administered : Text I Cor. 11. 29. The Rain was so great, that Col. Partridge [of Portsmouth], and I and my Wife din'd with my Son [at the new parsonage]. His Text [p. m.] was 2 Sam. 6. 20. Of Family Prayer ; very well.
Dec 30. Lords Day, Notes are put up in many Congregations to this effect. His Excellency, Governour Shute, bound to Sea, desires prayers. (Sewall.)
The governor sailed from Nantasket Roads a day or two later. He had been governor since 1716.2 He was succeeded tem- porarily by William Dummer, third of the name, as acting governor.
The New Brick Church was formed by a secession from the New North, at the time of Mr. Thacher's settlement as col- league with Mr. Webb. When its meeting-house in Hanover Street was completed and opened for divine worship, sermons were preached by Dr. Cotton Mather and Mr. Wadsworth. The text chosen by the latter was suggested as that of Dr. Increase Mather's convention sermon in 1721 had been, by the number
1 [The other associated churches held similar services in turn, in accordance with the recommendation of the min- isters.]
2 Samuel Shute was a colonel in the army, and a brother of John Shute, after- ward Lord Barrington, in the peerage of Ireland. The maternal grandfather of these brothers was the celebrated Presby- terian minister, the Rev. Joseph Caryl.
Governor Shute had been a non-con- formist; but just before his departure, in the course of a discussion upon the observance of Christmas Day, he told
Judge Sewall that he was of the Church of England.
The New England Courant pro- pounded the following : " Quere. Whether (pursuant to the charter) the ministers of this province ought now to pray for Samuel Shute Esq. as our im- mediate Governor, and, at the same time, pray for the Lieutenant Governor as commander-in-chief ? Or, Whether their praying for his success in his voyage, if he designs to hurt the province, (as some suppose) be not in effect to pray for our destruction ? "
4II
DEATH OF INCREASE MATHER.
of Congregational churches then existing in the town : "These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the golden candlesticks." The Rev. William Waldron was ordained as its first minister, May 23, 1722.1 Mr. Sewall offered prayer, Dr. Cotton Mather preached, Dr. Increase Mather gave the charge, and Mr. Wads- worth the right hand of fellowship. Late in the year 1723 Judge Sewall spent a Sabbath with this church, in token of his Christian sympathy.
Dr. Increase Mather died on Friday, the 23d of August, after a ministry at the Old North or Second Church of sixty years.2 He had filled a large place in the political as well as the eccle- siastical affairs of the province, and made his mark upon his generation. On Sunday, September 1, Mr. Colman, whose coming to Boston at the beginning of the century Dr. Mather had opposed with characteristic intensity of feeling, preached to the bereaved congregation from Isaiah iii. 1, 2: " For, behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem, and from Judah, the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, the mighty man, and the man of war, the judge, and the prophet, and the prudent, and the ancient." Mr. Colman said : -
I count not myself worthy nor able to speak of so great and good a man, nor to you upon this occasion. Yet if I should altogether be silent it might be justly censurable, and if I presume to speak my words will fall below his praises which are in all the churches. Mod- esty forbids me to attempt his character, but .reverence commands me to pay some tribute to his memory, and love constrains me to mourn with you in your bereavement.
Sept. 10, 11. 1723. Mr. Henchman and I set out together for South Braintree, where the Elders and Messengers from Nine Churches met, had a publick hearing of the Matters which are occasion of Differ- ence among them. The result of the Council was read in the meeting house, 11th, p. m. and then Mr. Walter the Moderator concluded with
the N. Eng. Hist. and Gen. Register, 1861. Dr. Ware and Dr. Robbins give May 22 as the date of ordination; Mr. Bumstead says May 23, and as this was on a Wednesday, we assume that he is right.
Mr. Waldron died suddenly, Septem- ber 11, 1727, in his thirty-first year. He
1 See Jeremiah Bumstead's diary, in was succeeded by the Rev. William Welsteed. In 1779 the New Brick was united with the Second or North Church. 2 He was buried on the 29th. The bearers were Governor Dummer, Judge Sewall, President Leverett, Mr. Thacher, Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Colman. "There was a vast number of spectatours." (J. Sewall.)
412
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Prayer. We got safe home a little after sun-set. Laus Deo. O Lord restore Peace and Truth and Holiness to that divided Flock.1 (J. Sewall.)
Lord's Day, Dec I. I went to the New North Brick, Mr. Sheriff Winslow accompanying me, and kept the Sabbath with Mr. Waldron, who preach'd Excellently from John, 6, 66, 67, 68, 69. verses ; adapted his Discourse to the Temptations of our Day. In concluding the Sacramental Solemnity, the two last staves of the Fourth Psalm, and the 12th and 13th verses of Rev. 5th were sung. Dined at Deacon [Solomon] Townsend's (Mrs. Waldron being with her travelling Mother at the Vinyard), where Mr. Bromfield and I dined, when we visited Mr. Webb upon the like occasion many years agoe. Major Moodey and Madam Winslow dined with us. Mr. Sheriff Winslow went home. In the afternoon Mr. Waldron baptised Thomas. Brother [the Rev. Nathaniel] Williams preached from Rev. 2. 21. And I gave her Space to repent - and she repented not. The Lord help me to hear and obey the pungent exhortations to Repentance ; and that the power of Godliness may be, and appear in me. Being dry under foot and serene weather, I had very Comfortable going and returning. I humbly bless God that I have had the Opportunity to show this Respect to Seven of the Churches of Boston : and earnestly pray that he would pardon my unworthiness to bear This Testimony for Him ; and of his boundless Benignity, He would condescend to know me, and to be known of me !
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