USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. I > Part 51
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1 [ The Century, March, 1884.]
2 His text was I Sam. xii. 6, 7 : " And Samuel said unto the people, It is the Lord that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. Now therefore
stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord of all the righteous acts of the Lord, which he did to you and to your fathers."
3 " It has been generally said that ow- ing to the small pox the expiration of the
452
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
At a Meeting of the South Church in their Brick Meeting House Augt 5. 1730.
It being represented to the church that the Salleries allow'd our Rev'd Pastors have not been sufficient for the support of their Fami- lies, so that they are brought considerably in arrears ;
Voted - That it be recommended to the congregation to have a collection to make good the deficiencies of former Salaries allowed them for their support.
And it being further considered that the Sallaries allowed our Min- isters have not as aforesaid of late provided for their support by rea- son of the low value of the Bills of Credit,
Voted, - That for the space of one year from this date, and untill the further determination of this church, There be allowed and paid. to each of our Rev'd Pastors, viz. to Mr. Joseph Sewall and Mr. Thomas Prince, Six Pounds pr. week, for their honourable support in the work of the Ministry ; And that the congregation be desired to enlarge their contributions accordingly, the present contributions not being sufficient to raise the allowance now made them &c.
A true copy
THOMAS FITCH Moderator JOSEPH SEWALL.1
century was not observed in Boston. It does not appear that the government of the town did take any action for its cele- bration or observance." Mr. Foxcroft's sermon was preached August 23, and was entitled " Observations on the Rise and Primitive State of New England. With special Reference to the first Church in Boston." See Drake's Hist. and Antiq., p. 5S7.
August 27. "I preached the Lecture from 2 Pet. 3. 15. Account that the long- suffering of our Lord is Salvation. N. B. It is this day 100 years since the first Church in this Town was gather'd at Charles Town. I hope God enabled me to cry earnestly to him for these Churches." (J. Sewall.)
1 [Mr. Sewall writes : Aug 17. "On the Lords Day [the 16th] the Congrega- tion had a collection for the Support of the Gospel. The Deacons bro't me 88{. Lord I thank thee for inclining and spiriting thy people to contribute so liberally for the support of the Gospel. (The Church hath also rais'd our Sala- ries to 6f pr. week)" The salaries,
since July, 1725, had been £4.5.0 a week. They were advanced May, 1740, to £9.0.0 a week.
Dr. Robbins says, in his History of the Second Church (pp. 118, 119) : " Such votes as the following are of not infrequent occurrence : '18 Nov. 1729. Voted, that, in consideration of the dear- ness of all necessaries of life, there be a present of sixty pounds now made to the Rev. Joshua Gee, our pastor, out of the money in the church's stock. Also voted, that an addition of five shillings per week be made to Mr. Gee's salary, so as to make it up four pounds ten shillings per week. Also voted, that an addition of ten pounds be made to the thirty pounds formerly allowed to provide Mr. Gee with fire- wood, for the year current, beginning the first of May last.' His salary was afterwards increased to eight pounds a week ; and, when he was alone in the care of the church, three pounds were allowed him weekly, to supply his pul- pit, as he might feel it to be necessary for his relicf."]
453
GOVERNOR BELCHER.
[No date.]
Voted - That fifteen pounds out of the money collected for pious and charitable uses be given to the Revd Mr. Josiah Cotton, for his encouragement to continue Preaching the Gospel at Providence.
Voted - That the Deacons be desired to procure some suitable Person to take the oversight of the children and servants in the Gal- leries, to take care that good order be maintained in time of divine worship ; and that a sufficient reward be allowed for the encourage- ment of such a Person.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
Jonathan Belcher arrived in Boston this summer, in a ship of war, with the royal commission as governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and he was warmly welcomed, especially by the religious community of which he was a conspicuous member.1 Dr. Allen thus speaks of him as a public man, and of his personal character : -
He obeyed the royal instructions on the one hand, and exhibited a real regard to the liberties and happiness of the people on the other. He was distinguished by his unshaken integrity, by his zeal for justice, and care to have it equally distributed. Neither the claims of inter- est nor the solicitations of friends could move him from what appeared to be his duty. He seems to have possessed, in addition to his other accomplishments, that piety whose lustre is eternal. His religion was not a mere personal thing, which he received from tradition, or pro- fessed in conformity to the custom of the country in which he lived ; but it impressed his heart and governed his life.2
Although Governor Belcher attended at King's Chapel occa- sionally, and occupied the official pew there, his religious home
1 The announcement of Mr. Belcher's appointment was received by the non- conformists in England with the greatest satisfaction. Dr. Watts wrote a beauti- ful ode on the eve of the governor's em- barkation, of which we quote the closing stanza. Its strain of panegyric seems to us extravagant ; but it should be remem- bered that in those days addresses of this kind to persons in high station were al- most always adulatory in the extreme. Go, Belcher, go assume thy glorious sway ; Faction expires, and Boston longs to obey. Beneath thy rule may Truth and Virtue spread, Divine Religion raise aloft her head And deal her blessings round. Let India hear That Jesus reigns, and her wild tribes prepare For heavenly joys. Thy power shall rule by love; So reigns our Jesus in the realms above. Illustrious pattern ! Let him fix thine eye,
And guide thy hand. He from the worlds on high Came once an Envoy and return'd a King ; The sons of light in throngs their homage bring, While glory, life, and joy beneath his sceptre spring.
2 [ American Biographical Dictionary. Hutchinson says : " By great freedom in conversation and an unreserved censure of persons whose principles or conduct he disapproved, he made himself many enemies. In a private person this may often pass with little notice, but from a governor it is very hardly forgot, and some never ceased pursuing revenge until they saw him displaced." Hist. of Mass., vol. iii. p. 332.
Dr. Palfrey's estimate of Governor Belcher as a public man is a disparaging one.]
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454
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
continued to be at the South Church, when he was living in the town. At Milton, where he had a country seat, he identified himself with the Congrega- tional church, of which the Rev. John Taylor was min- ister. He was afterward charged in England, in an anonymous letter addressed to Mr. Samuel Holden, one of the most influential non- conformists in that country, with being concerned with the Episcopal interest in Bos- ton in intrigues against the established order; but there is abundant evidence that he sincerely as well as stead- fastly adhered to the religion of his father and of his own youth to the end of his days.1
ABelchen The new governor arrived at Castle William Saturday night, August 8, attended di- vine service there on Sun- day, and came up to the town on Monday morning. He was escorted by a large number of soldiers and civilians from Long Wharf to the State House ; thence " to a splendid enter- tainment at the Bunch of Grapes, and after dinner, to his own pleasant and beautiful seat."
1 " Mr. Belcher some time since mar- ried a daughter to one Mr. Lloyd, a churchman, and obliged him to promise he would never more go to the Church of England, saying he would rather cut off his daughter's legs than marry her to a man of that church. This is a fact which he cannot denv." Letter of Da- vid Dunbar to the Duke of Newcastle, Feb. 4, 1730. See Palfrey's History, vol. iv. pp. 567, 568.
Mr. Belcher's daughter Mary married Byfield Lyde, and their daughter, Mary Belcher Lyde, joined the South Church July 24, 1768.
Jonathan Belcher, Jr., became a mem- ber February 13, 1763. Ile graduated at Harvard in 1728, and in 1731 went to England. "On the 24th [May]," says Mr. Sewall, " we met at the Governours, upon the account of His Son, Mr. Jona- than Belcher bound out for Great Brit- ain. I began, Mr. Colman concluded with Prayr. Mr. Prince Preachd from Prov. 3. 6. [' In all thy ways acknowl- edge him, and he shall direct thy paths.']" His father wrote of him to the Duke of Newcastle, November 7, 1731, that " after spending the last seven years at our little University in Cam-
455
THE SPIRE COMPLETED.
August 10. Governour Belcher landed about eleven a Clock A. M. The Ministers saluted Him near the Town House. O Lord Pour out thy Spirit upon thy Servant, and make him a great Blessing to us !
August 12. The united Ministers of the Town waited on the Gov- ernour, and Mr. Coleman made a Speech to him in their Name.
August 13. Mr. Coleman preach'd the Lecture from 1 Sam. 2. 8. The Pillars of the earth are the Lord's. Lord make thy Servant truly such, under God our strength and glory.
August 16. Lord's day. Mr. Prince preached A. M. from Psal. 89. 19-21. ["Then thou spakest in vision to thy Holy One, and saidst. I have laid help upon one that is mighty ; I have exalted one chosen out of the people. I have found David my servant ; with my holy oil have I anointed him : With whom my hand shall be estab- lished ; mine arm also shall strengthen him."] I preach'd P. M. from 2 Sam. 22. 24. I was also upright before him. The Governour was at meeting both parts of the day. O Lord enable thy Servant to feed and lead this people with an upright heart and skilfull hand.
Sept. 15. Yesterday the workmen began to raise the Spire. Mr. Prince and I pray'd together that God wou'd direct assist and preserve them in this difficult work. O Lord hear ! Pardon thy people if they are too ambitious of an outward shew, and too much conform'd to the Vanities of the World. O let us not be high minded, but fear. (J. Sewall.)
Sept. 17. They raised the vane or wether cock. Shem Drown, tin- man, made it. (B. Walker.)
Octo. 19. Mrs. Vryling was buried (ob. 16) aged 47. She was of our Communion, a notable, and I hope, pious Woman.
Octo. 20. This day S[imeon] Stoddard Esq. was buried. He died 15th aged So. Was also of our Communion ; but of late attended at Mr. Colman's.
Nov. 3. The Church met : There was a very thin meeting ; how- ever They Voted a public Collection for the Poor on the Thanksgiv- ing. (J. Sewall.)
At a church Meeting Novr. 3. 1730.
Voted -- That there be a publick collection on the Anniversary Thanksgiving next insuing Novr. 12. current, for Relieving the Neces- sities of the Poor of this church and congregation.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
N. B. The collection amounted to about one hundred twenty-four Pounds.
bridge," he was then studying in the Temple ; and that he needed indulgence, for he "was but the new production of the wilds in America." He took his Mas- ter's degree at Cambridge in England.
He repeatedly appeared before the Board of Trade in his father's behalf. At his death in 1776, he was lieutenant- governor and chief - justice of Nova Scotia.
456
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Nov. 14. On the 10th Evening, Several of the Committee came to me, signifying that the Governour shew'd a Liking to my Pew ; The next day I went and offer'd it him, He thank'd me. Now I under- stand that Madam Belcher purposeth to goe into it to morrow, and we take the Pew shee chose by the West Door. Lord enable me and thine Handmaid chearfully to deny ourselves ; graciously reward us by granting us more evident Tokens of thy Presence in thy House. The Church and Congregation gather'd about 124 pounds on the Thanksgiving, principally for the Poor. Lord I praise thee. When the matter was consider'd and voted, it labor'd of Discouragements, by reason of the very thin Meeting &c. ; but God hath inclin'd and en- abl'd his people to offer beyond my Expectation.
Nov. 15. Thanks were return'd for the wonderfull Preservation of 5 of the Wentworths (3 Brothers). The Ship was foundred, they were taken up in their Boat by a Ship that had Spent her Mast or masts.
Nov. 29. Messrs. Ellery, Prince and Johnson return'd Thanks for God's Preservations of them in their difficult and dangerous Voyages.
Dec. IS The Governour had a Thanksgiving at his House to Praise God for his Preservations abroad, safe return &c. Mr. Colman began with Prayer, Mr. Cooper concluded. I preach'd from Exod. 15. 2. The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my sal- vation : he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation ; my father's God, and I will exalt him. The Governour read the Psalm in Dr. Watt's Version. O Lord hear the Prayers put up for thy Servant and his Family, Pour out thy Spirit upon him, his Yokefellow, Chil- dren, and make him a great Blessing to thy People.
March 2. Capt. E. Savage was buried, aged 86. I suppose the Eldest Brother of our Church.1 (J. Sewall.)
As the pew set apart for the use of the governors in King's Chapel was canopied, it was thought proper to distinguish the official pew in the South meeting-house in the same way.
At a church Meeting April 5. 1731.
Voted - I. That in Honour to His Excellency our Governour, there be a decent canopy erected over his Pew, and the charge born out of the Church stock.
2. That the committee for building be desired to take care of this affair, and see it accomplished as soon as conveniently may be.
3. Whereas the Honble Coll. Fitch hath obliged this church with a new set of Flaggons ; voted,
1 [Ephraim Savage, son of Major Thomas Savage, graduated at Harvard College in 1662, became a member. of the church in 1672, was captain of the artillery company in 1683, was in Phil- ip's War and the expedition of 1690
against Quebec, served for several years as town clerk, and was a representative. At the time of his death, Mr. Savage was not only the oldest male member of the South Church, but the oldest graduate of Harvard College.]
457
THE NEW BELL RAISED.
That three of the Flaggons formerly used, be given to the church in Hopkinton as a Token of our brotherly respect and Love.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
May 26. Mr. Fisk preached the [Election] Sermon from Psal. 101. 6. Mine Eyes shall be upon the Faithfull of the Land. Lord Bless the Labors of thy Servant, and give us Faithfull men to Rule over us. The Ministers met at my House, chose Mr. Colman Moderator.
May 27. Met again. Mr. Colman is chosen to receive what may be Collected for Providence. And I am to receive what may be Col- lected for Kingston. Lord help me to manage that Affair. O Let the Gospel be settled and prevail in those Places ! There was a Subscrip- tion for Providence.
July S. Mr. Edwards of Northampton preached the Lecture from I Cor 1. 29-31. Lord bless the labors of thy Servant.
Sept. 13. On the 10th Inst. Three Indians, that are come hither from the Eastward, visited me : I endeavour'd, by the help of Capt. Gyles, to speak to them about the great matters of religion. Lord turn these poor people from darkness to light.
Sept. 15. The Indians were at my House again with some that came more lately. Mr. Prince and I spake to them about religion. O Lord save them, and bring them to the knowledge of the Truth. In the Evening, one of them, (Sam) wou'd needs ride - the Horse ran away with him and threw him so that he died presently.
Sept. 17. Dean Berkley visited the College. Coll. Hutchinson and I overtook him at Mr. Brindley's.1
Oct. 2. This Day the Bell was rais'd. Lord I thank thee for this Gift. Let thy people rejoice to hear the joyfull Sound calling them to thy public Worship.2 (J. Sewall.)
1 [Dean Berkeley, afterward Bishop of Cloyne, preached at King's Chapel on Sunday, September 12, from I l'im. iii. 16. " And, without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness, etc." He sailed for England September 21.]
2 [ Benjamin Walker writes, October 2, 1731, " they hang'd their new great bell," at the South meeting-house. " Weighs 1000." This bell was first used for town purposes in 1736. At a meeting of the selectmen, Aug. 27, 1736: "Mr. Sendall Williams having signified his readiness to resign the Care of Ringing the Old Church Bell at 9. 5 & 11 o'clock, as En- tred the 14th July last, And his Quarter now Expiring, And Whereas Mr. John Chambers, the Sexton of the South Church appears and offers to Undertake that Service Praying that he may be Em-
ployed therein, The Select men also Ap- proving of him, as a Suitable Person, it was
" Voted, That the Care and Charge of Ringing the said Bell be, and hereby is Committed to the said John Chambers ; Who is accordingly Directed and ordered Constantly and Carefully to attend that Service as Usual, at the Hours of Ninc, Five, and Eleven, as aforesaid, For which he is to be paid after the Rate of Eigh- teen pounds p annum agreeable to a Vote of the Town, as Entred may 21, 1735- to be paid Quarterly, Commencing on Wednesday the first of September next." - Town Records.
" The evening and the morning " then made the day ; hence the order in which the hours are here given : 9 P. M., 5 A. M., II A. M. John Chambers joined the
458
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
At a church Meeting Oct. 19. 1731
Voted - That there be a publick collection on the Anniversary Thanksgiving next insuing Octr 28 current ; The money collected to be disposed of to pious and charitable uses as this church shall from time to time determine.
Collected 12S. 14. 2
JOSEPH SEWALL.
Nov. I. I waited on the Governour to Cambridge to an Overseer's Meeting. Messrs. Colman and Prince were also in the Coach. There was a Committee chosen to Consider the State of the College, and make a report. O Lord pour out thy Spirit on this Society, and re- form whatever is amiss. Towards the close, the Governour gave to the Rev. Mr. Colman and myself Diplomas from the University of Glasgow for Doctors in Divinity.1
Nov. S. The Society for propagating Christian Knowledge at Edinburgh have sent a Deputation to his Excellency and several others, wherein they are empower'd to Act for them here, partly to appoint three Missionaries to carry the Gospel to the Indians, who are to be allow'd twenty pounds sterling, each of them. O Lord smile on this good Work ! Give thy gracious direction and assistance to thy Servants, and bless their Endeavours that Christ's Kingdom may be enlarged. (J. Sewall.)
At a church Meeting Febr. 7. 1731-2
Voted - I. That there be given out of the collection for pious and charitable uses, a sum not exceeding Sixty pounds, to supply the Poor of this church and congregation with Wood and other Necessaries.
II. That there be allowed out of the collection to Mr. Joseph Torrey, the sum of eighteen pounds for his support and encouragement in preaching the Gospel at South Kingston, in Narraganset.
III. That a letter be written by our Rev'd Pastors to Francis Wilkes Esq., expressing our grateful sense of his generous Kindness in pre- senting a large Bible to this church .?
church February 18, 1727-8. William Dinsdall rang the South Church bell be- fore Chambers. Bumstead records his death, October 5, 1723.]
1 [Dr. Colman wrote to the vice-chan- cellor, November 7, 1731 : --
"It will be mine and my Brother Sewall's Ambition, to tread in the steps of so worthy a Predecessor [as Dr. Cot- ton Mather], and by our Services to the Interest of Religion and Learning, to render ourselves worthy of the Regards you have shown us. Nor will it be a small Service, I judge, to the Churches of this flourishing City and Province, if your renowned University please from
Age to Age to select and dignify an eminent Pastor or two with your highest academical Honours ; That in Character and Style, they may appear equal to the assuming gentlemen of the Episcopal Profession who are growing on us, while in Labours and Humility as well as Learning, I trust they will not be content to be meerly Equal." - Turell's Life, p. 160.]
2 [Mr. Wilkes, afterward Sir Francis Wilkes, was a merchant in London, for several years the agent of the province, and a warm personal friend of Gov- ernor Belcher. See the action of the church April 24, 1737.]
459
DEATH OF DANIEL OLIVER.
IV. That two of the Flaggons formerly used, be presented to the Indian church of which the Revd. Mr. Experience Mayhew is Pastor, as a Token of our brotherly Respect and Love.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
At a church Meeting March 28. 1732.
Voted - I. That there be a publick collection on the Anniversary Fast next insuing. April 6 ; The money collected to be disposed of to pious and charitable uses as this church shall determine.
II. That the Congregation be notified of this vote ; and be desired to concur with the church in the said collection.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
Mr. Samuel Mather was ordained as colleague pastor at the Second Church with Mr. Gee, June 21, about four years after the death of his father, Dr. Cotton Mather. "He was recom- mended to the church, not only by their respect for the ancient family, but by his own character for diligence, zeal and learning, of which he certainly possessed an uncommon share. He had already made himself known at home and abroad by several publications." 1 Mr. Mather preached from 2 Cor. v. 20. Mr. Gee and Dr. Sewall prayed ; Dr. Colman gave the charge, and Mr. Cheever the right hand of fellowship.
The Hon. Daniel Oliver, a brother-in-law of Governor Belcher, died July 23.2 He was a member of the council, and "one of the most considerable merchants of this place." He joined the South Church in 1689, and took an active interest in its affairs. He was distinguished for " eminent piety, humility, and charity," and he made a large bequest for the Christian education of poor children.3 Mr. Prince preached his funeral sermon at the
1 Two Discourses, 1821, by the Rev. Henry Ware, Jr., pp. 22, 23. Mr. Mather was chosen January 28, 1732: " Mr. Mather 69 votes, Mr. B. 40." Three days before, the church observed a day of prayer and fasting ; Mr. Prince preached a sermon in the forenoon, en- titled The Dying Prayer of Christ, which was printed. Dr. Colman preached in the afternoon.
2 June 28. "On the 18 of this Instant the aged Mr. Manley of our Communion was buried. On the 21, Mrs. Margaret Davis."
June 29. " Mrs. Alford, and Mrs. Han- nah Davis were buried. Lord Sanctify to this Flock the repeated strokes of thine Hand."
July 2. "Several of our Communion having died of late I preached from Eccles. S. 8."
July 20. "I visited Mr. Oliver, who last night was seis'd with the Palsy. He lies in a sort of stupor.".
July 23. " I visited Mr. Oliver early. About Noon He died. . . . I have lost a good Friend."
July 26. "This day were Buried, Mrs. Elisabeth Green, only daughter of Mrs. Eliz. Brattle aet. 24, A pious young woman - After her, the Honble. Dan. Oliver Esq. a person eminent for his piety and charity."
8 His will was signed December 17, 1731, and proved August 7, 1732. It provides : " Imprimis, I give and be-
-
460
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Thursday lecture. Five years before, his son Daniel Oliver - baptized by Mr. Pemberton, January 16, 1703-4. graduated at Harvard College, 1722, M. A. 1725 - died of small-pox in Lon- don " as he was finishing his travels and returning to his friends and country." He was a young man of much promise, and Mr. Prince preached and published a discourse suggested by his early death, entitled : Young Abel Dead yet Speaketh. Another son, Andrew Oliver (Harvard College, 1724), married a daughter of Colonel Thomas Fitch, and became prominent in public life.
At a church Meeting Octr. 17. 1732.
Voted - I. That there be given out of the collection for charitable and pious uses, a sum not exceeding fifty Pounds, to supply the Poor of this church and congregation from time to time, with Wood and other Necessaries.
II. That there be allowed out of the collection to the Revd. Mr. Josiah Cotton the sum of ten pounds towards his support and en- couragement in Preaching the Gospel at Providence.
III. That there be allowed out of the collection to Mr. White the sum of ten Pounds towards his support and encouragement in preach- ing the Gospel at Nantucket.1
IV. That there be allowed out of the collection to the Revd. Mr. Joseph Torrey, the sum of ten Pounds towards his support and en- couragement in Preaching the Gospel at South Kingston in Narra- ganset.
queath my house adjoining to Barton's Rope-Walk, called Spinning House, with the Lands as now fenced in, - about fifty feet square, - with all the profits and incomes of it, as it now stands in my books (since built), for over to be im- proved for learning poor children of the town of Boston to read the Word of God, and to write if need be, or any other work of charity for the public good, according to the discretion of my executors and executrix, hereafter men- tioned, with the advice of the ministers of the brick South Meeting-house and their successors; and at the decease of my said executors and executrix, to be put into the hands of the selectmen or overseers of the poor of the town of Boston, as the minister or ministers of the said South Brick Mceting-house shall advise, to improve said charity for said public use." The property devised had cost Mr. Oliver about {600. See Drake's Hist. and Antiq., pp. 560, 561,
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