USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. I > Part 54
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Mr. Prince published the first volume of his New England Chronology this winter. It was dedicated to Governor Belcher, Lieutenant-Governor Phips, and the Honourable Council and House of Representatives of the province. The journal of the House, January 12, 1736-7, records the formal presentation by the author of copies of the work to the House and the speaker : -
The House being informed the Rev. Mr. Thomas Prince was at the Door and desired admittance, Ordered, that Mr. Prince be admitted into the House, and coming up to the Table, he addressed himself to Mr. Speaker and the House in the following manner, viz.
Mr. Speaker, I most humbly present to your Honour and this Hon- ourable House, the first Volume of my Chronological History of New England, which at no small Expense and Pains I have composed and published for the Instruction and good of my Country.
And then he made a Compliment of one of the Books to Mr. Speaker by presenting it to him, and another he presented to and for the use of the Members of the House of Representatives, and laid it on the Table, and then withdrew.
Of this work it has been said, that it was too great "for the period in which it appeared ; few could appreciate its extraor- dinary merits, and fewer still, probably, wished to read a work written for a far higher object than merely to amuse the reader. Hence on the appearance of the first volume a disappointment seems to have fallen upon the community, and very little, if any,
Require's your Consort's - or Your flying breath. Still be your glory at his feet to bend,
Kiss thou the Son, and own his Sovereign hand ; For his high honours all thy powers exert,
The gifts of Nature, and the charms of Art : So, over Death, the conquest shall be giv'n,
Your Name shall live on earth, your Soul in heav'n.]
4So
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
encouragement was proffered the author to continue the work. But conscious that it would be appreciated in no very distant day, he continued to labor upon it, and from time to time issued a part of a second volume in pamphlet form. This consisted of three numbers, of thirty-two pages each, which brought the history of New England to near the close of the year 1633." The same authority says : "It embraces, however, the most obscure and difficult period of our history, namely, the first set- tlement of the Plymouth and Massachusetts colonies ; and for that period it is the most complete, exact, and satisfactory his- tory extant." 1
The Rev. Mr. Wadsworth, president of Harvard College, died at Cambridge March 16, and was buried a week later. " He was eminently pious and faithful," says Dr. Sewall, "and enjoy'd the peace of the upright in his death." On Sunday, March 27, Dr. Sewall preached at Cambridge from the text, " Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth." On the 4th of May, " the overseers met and join'd with the corporation in prayer to God for direction in the choice of a president." "The corpo- ration endeavoured to come to a choice twice, but were equally divided between Mr. Holyoke and Mr. Gee. Desired more time." On the 20th, Mr. Cooper, of Brattle Street Church, was chosen, but declined a few days later. Mr. Holyoke was then chosen, and was inducted into office on the 28th of Sep- tember.
[Lord's day] March 20. 1736-7.
The Brethren of the church stay'd, and
Voted - I. That there be given out, of the last collection for charita- ble and pious uses, the sum of 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 the Rev'd Mr. Josiah Cotton, the sum of ten pounds towards his support and encour- agement in preaching the Gospel at Providence.
III. To the Rev'd Mr. Joseph Torrey the sum of ten pounds towards his support and encouragement in preaching the Gospel at South Kingston in Narraganset.
IV. To Mr. Ezra Carpenter, the sum of ten pounds towards his support and encouragement in preaching the Gospel at Hull.
V. That there be a public collection on the Anniversary Fast, March 31. ; the money collected to be disposed of to charitable and
1 See the Memoir, by Samuel G. the New England Chronology, published Drake, prefixed to the third edition of in 1852.
481
PUBLIC READING OF THE SCRIPTURES.
pious uses ; And that the congregation be notified of this vote, and be desired to concur with the church in the said collection.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
March 31, 1737. Collected one hundred and four pounds, twelve and eight pence ;
Three pounds of which sum are appropriated.
At a Meeting of the church and congregation, April 4. 1737.
It being represented by the Deacons that there's in their Hands of the weekly contribution about 20 or 30/ more than the weekly charge has demanded ;
Voted - That the said Ballance now in the Deacons' Hands, to- gether with half a year's rent of the cellar, as soon as may be, be equally distributed to our Revd. Pastors to encourage them in their labors among us. JOSEPH SEWALL.
[Lord's day] April 24. 1737.
The Brethren of the church stay'd, and
Voted, - That the Holy Scriptures be read in Public after the first Prayer in the morning and Afternoon : And that it be left to the discretion of the Pastors ; what parts of Scripture to read, and what to expound.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
May 1. We began the Public Reading of the Scriptures. I read I chap. Genesis. Mr. Prince I Chap. Matthew. I spake a few words by way of Exposition and Exhortation. Then Preach'd from I Thess. 5. 27. [" I charge you by the Lord, that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren."] 1 (J. Sewall.)
Elizabeth, wife of the Rev. Charles Chauncy, died May 13, "after several weeks sickness," in her thirty-first year. Says Dr. Sewall : " Shee was prudent, modest, courteous, and I be- lieve truly pious. The second Daughter of my beloved Sister Hirst ; and after her Mother's and then her Father's death, shee dwelt in my Family about ten years." 2 Dr. Sewall preached at the First Church on the next Lord's day from the words, " For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him."
Mr. William Hooper was ordained pastor of the West Church May 18. This church had been gathered in the preceding Jan- uary, when the covenant was subscribed by seventeen persons,
1 [When the First Church of Salem was reorganized, it voted, Dec. 27, 1736, " that the Scriptures be read as part of public worship."]
2 Mrs. Chauncy left a son and two daughters. Her sister Jane, Mrs. Dav- enport, died four months afterward, Sep- tember 6, in her twenty-eighth year.
482
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
"after solemn prayer and preaching, in presence of Thomas Prince, pastor of the South church, and Thomas Foxcroft, pas- tor of the Old, or first church." Among the original members, William Stoddard and Hugh Hall came from the South Church, and they were followed later by John Smibert, the portrait- painter, Story Dawes, and Ebenezer Messenger. All the Con- gregational churches in the town were invited to assist in the ordination, and the French Church, of which Mr. Le Mercier, the successor of Mr. Daille, was minister. "All the parts," says the Rev. Charles Lowell, "in the solemnities of the occa- sion were assigned by the church, except one. It is stated in the records that the ministers and delegates claimed 'a right in the election of the person to give the right hand of fellowship.' " 1 Mr. Hooper preached the sermon from 2 Cor. iv. 7. Mr. Fox- croft and Dr. Sewall offered prayer, Mr. Prince read the cove- nant and gave the charge, and Dr. Colman welcomed the new pastor to the fellowship of the churches. Mr. Hooper continued with the church about nine years, " when he resigned, or rather abdicated, without a formal resignation," his pastoral office, and went to England to receive Episcopal ordination. On his return he became minister of Trinity Church, and so continued until his death in 1767.
At a Meeting of the Church and Congregation, Octr. 3. 1737.
Whereas there was a committee chosen Augt. 14. 1733, to examine the accounts of the committee for building, and of Mr. Treasurer Os- borne. and report thereon; which hitherto has not been complied with :
Voted, - That said committee be desired to pursue their design, and report to the next meeting thereon : Also to consider and report what method they may think proper to come into for the more certain and effectual support of our Revd. Pastors. And that Mr. Joseph Brandon be added to said committee in the Room of the Hon. Thomas Fitch deceased.
A motion was made to choose new Seaters, and to turn the Wo- men's foreseat into three Pews.
Voted, - That this Meeting be adjourned to Monday 24th Instant, at Io o'clock A. M. JOSEPH SEWALL.
Oct. 17. I sat out for Concord with D. Henchman. rain'd. Lodg'd at Mr. Hancock's. Next day got to Concord ; visited Mr. W. Mr. Hancock was chosen Moderator. Council Voted Mr. W. un-
1 See Discourse by the Rev. Charles Lowell, delivered December 31, 1720, pp. II, 24.
483
COUNCIL AT CONCORD.
worthy to be a Minister of the Gospel, and Advised the Church to remove him from his Office. After, a public-hearing at which Mr. W. would not be present, as he had before refus'd to submit matters to the Council. The Crime - Intemperance. 21 day. The Result was read in the Meeting-House. I pray'd. I hope God helped me. The Church (who before Voted a Concurrence with the Brethren that called the Council) then met, and Voted agreeable to the Advice of the Rev'd Council, 83 Yeas, 11 Nos. My B[rother] Cooper was their Moderator.
Oct 23. I preach'd at Concord. A. M. from Eph. 5. 18. Be not drunk with wine &c. Endeavoured to bear Testimony against the Sin committed. P. M. from I Tim. 4. 7.1
Oct. 24. I return'd safe. (J. Sewall.)
[Lord's day] October 23. 1737.
The committee for examining the accounts of the committee for Building &c. not being able to prepare and finish their Report; the Brethren of the church and congregation adjourned their Meeting from Munday 24th Instant, to Munday the 14th of November next at Io o'clock a. m. THOMAS PRINCE.
Novr. 14. 1737. At a meeting of the Brethren of the South Church and Congregation.
The committee for examining the accounts of the committee for Building &c. made their report, as follows
The committee appointed to examine the accounts of the committee for Building, and also of Mr. Treasurer Osborne &c. have attended that service ; and as to the accounts of the committee for Building, they not having been as yet fully exhibited to us, we are not able with any certainty to report the state of them.
As to the account of Mr. Treasurer Osborne, we find it right cast
1 [" Some objections were brought against Mr. Whiting in the latter part of his ministry, and several councils were called to investigate them. In March, 1737, the deacons were chosen a commit- tee 'to treat with the Rev. Mr. Whiting, to see whether he would join with the town in calling another minister.' He approved of this proposition. On pre- senting their report, on the 16th of May following, the town voted, 41 to 33, ' to call and settle another minister with Mr. Whiting.' On the 18th of October an ecclesiastical council was convened here, of which the Rev. John Hancock, of Lexington, was moderator, which, after a public examination of the charges,
advised the church to dismiss Mr. Whit- ing. The result was read on the 21st, and the church accepted it, 83 yeas and II nays, and voted, that the pastoral re- lation it held to Mr. Whiting should be dissolved. The town concurred on the 6th of March following, 'nemine contra- dicente.' " - Shattuck's History of the Town of Concord, p. 165.
Mr. Whiting graduated at Harvard College in 1700, and died in 1752. He is described in his epitaph as " a gentleman of singular hospitality and generosity, who never detracted from the character of any man, and was a universal lover of mankind." Dr. Allen says that he was "learned, benevolent and rich."]
484
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
and well vouched ; that he has received of sundry persons at several times the sum of . £13 029. 18. 9 of which he has paid out the sum of 12 987. 7. 8 So that there remains in the said Treasurer's hands
the sum of 42. II. I
And the committee are of opinion that upon his paying said Bal- lance to the orders of the church and congregation, He ought to be so far discharged.
The committee also find that Captain Henchman has received Thirty Pounds of Mr. Williams for cellar Rent, one year, ending the 3d May last, and that it is in the church stock.
We also find that the three Pews in the Gallery, No 16. 24 and 26 remain unappropriated.
As to the affair of our Revd Pastors support which we were directed to take under consideration ;
The committee are humbly of opinion that it would not be conven- ient at present to make any alteration as to the method of our Publick contribution, but that there be now a further grant made to them, of £39. 10. I, which sum, together with 160. 9. 11, allow'd in April last, and since paid to them by the deacons, will make £100. to each of said Revd Pastors, for the space of one year ending in October last, over and above their weekly salary.
All which is honorably submitted
ANTHONY STODDARD JOHN HUNT THOMAS CUSHING JUN. Jos. BRANDON HUGH VANS.
Boston November 14. 1737.
Voted - I. That the committee's Report respecting Mr. Treasurer Osborne be accepted.
II. That their Report respecting our Revd. Pastors be accepted - and therefore,
Voted III. That the Deacons pay said sum of £39. 10. 1. to our Revd Pastors, to be equally divided between them.
IV. As to the first article of their Report,
Voted, that said committee be desired as soon as may be, to con- sider and report on that affair ; and the Building committee to lay their accounts before them.
V. That Deacon Henchman, upon the receipt of the Ballance now in Mr. Treasurer Osborne's hand, pay to each of our Revd Pastors Ten Pounds, on account of the extraordinary price of Provisions &c, for the current year.
VI. That Thirty Pounds pr Annum be for the future allowed to John Chambers, our Sexton.
485
THE REV. N. WILLIAMS.
VII. Ten Pounds of the last publick collection for charitable and pious uses. be laid out and disposed of at the discretion of the Pastors in Bibles Catechisms and other Books of piety, for the Poor of this church and congregation ; and that the remaining Ballance of all the past Publick Collections for said uses, be disposed of at the discretion of the Deacons, to supply the Poor of the said church and congrega- tion with wood and other necessaries from time to time between this and the spring.
VIII. That there be another publick collection for charitable and pious uses, on the Anniversary Thanksgiving, on the 17th Current ; and that the rest of the congregation be notified of this vote at the end of the forenoon exercise of the said day, and desired to concurr in the said Collection.
IX. That the choice of new Seaters, and the time of their stand- ing, as also the affair of Turning the women's fore seat into Pews, be referred to the next meeting of the church and congregation.
THOMAS PRINCE.
Nov. 17, 1737. On this day of the Anniversary Thanksgiving, the 7th and Sth votes above were accordingly read in Publick at the end of the Forenoon exercise; and in the afternoon were collected for said uses --
For Mr. Bass
£1. 0.0
Cotton
3. 0. 0
Torrey
4. 10. 0
Unappropriated
105. 8. 9
113. 18. 9
The Rev. Nathaniel Williams, third of the name, died Janu- ary 10, 1738, in his sixty-third year. His father had been dea- con of the church twenty-one years, and he had preached for it occasionally. "At fourteen years of age," said Mr. Prince in his funeral sermon, "he entered the School of the Prophets. He was ordained an Evangelist in the College Hall, for one of the West India Islands, but the climate not agreeing with his con- stitution he soon returned to this his native city." From being a private teacher, he went into the " Public and Free Grammar School of this great town, the principal school of the British Colonies, if not of all America. In this school, [now called the Latin School,] he continued about thirty years. He also studied and practised physic." He was master of the school from 1703 to 1734, succeeding Ezekiel Cheever and followed by John Lovell. He was " greatly beloved by the scholars for an agree-
486
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
able mixture of majesty and sweetness, both in his voice and countenance." 1
At a Meeting of the Brethren of the South Church and Congrega- tion April 3, 1738
Voted -
I. That the Report of the committee for examining the Building Committee's accounts be accepted ; and that the Building Committee be discharged accordingly, with Thanks to them and Mr. Treasurer Osborne for their care and labour in the service of this Society.
II. That there be a Committee of seven chosen to serve one year ; to have the direction and ordering of affairs relating to the Pews and Seats in the Meeting House.
Votes were brought in accordingly, and there were chosen for that service, the Hon. Ezekiel Lewis, Edward Winslow, Francis Borland Esqrs. Mr. Timothy Prout, Joshua Winslow Esq. Mr. Thomas Cush- ing junr. and Mr. Edward Bromfield.
Proposed, whether it be convenient at this time to turn the women's fore seat into Pews. Neg.
III. That above the weekly allowance, the Deacons pay to each of our Revd Pastors forty Pounds, for their further encouragement in their labors among us.
IV. That there be another Publick Collection for charitable and pious uses on the Anniversary Fast, April 13th Current ; And that the rest of the congregation be notified of this Vote next Lord's Day and desired to concur in the said collection.
And then the Meeting was adjourned to the first Monday in May next, at 10 o'clock.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
April 13, Collected 907.
Of which were appropriated
To the Revd. Mr. Bass
I. 0. 0
Mr. Carpenter I. O. 0
Mr. Torrey ". I. O. 0
Mr. Callender's widow 6. 0. 0
9. 0. o.
At a Meeting of the Brethren of the South Church and Congrega- tion May 1. 1738.
Whereas there hath been a Proposal made, that some part of the money which is or may be collected for charitable and pious uses, should, as we shall find ourselves able from time to time, be made a stated fund, the income of it to be improved for said uses as the
1 The master of the Latin School at Coll. 1856, Ph. D., Amherst 1880, is an the present time, Moses Merrill, Iarv. active member of the Old South Church.
487
THE NEW BRICK CHURCH.
Brethren of this church and congregation shall from time to time determine ;
Voted - That a Committee be chosen to consider of said Proposal, and make Report to this Meeting on Monday, the 15th of this Instant, at Io aclock A. M.
Voted - That the Honble. Ezekiel Lewis, Josiah Willard, Anthony Stoddard, Samuel Welles Esqrs. Coll. Edward Winslow, Esq. Mr. Cushing, Mr. Thomas Hubbard, William Foye, Joshua Winslow Esqrs. and Mr. Nathaniel Cunningham, with the Deacons ; be of this Com- mittee.
J. SEWALL.
June I. The Rev. Mr. Barnard of Marblehead preach'd to the Ministers from Col. 2. 19. Not holding the Head. Collected about 2076.
June 5. Dr. Colman preached to the Hon. Artillery Company (who enter upon their second Century this Day) from Isai. 11. Io. which shall stand for an Ensign. (J. Sewall.)
On the 27th of September, 1738, Mr. Ellis Gray, a graduate at Cambridge in the class of 1734, was ordained as colleague of Mr. Welsteed, at the New Brick Church. Mr. Welsteed offered prayer, Mr. Gray preached the sermon from Isai. vi. 5-8, Mr. Webb prayed after the sermon, Dr. Colman gave the charge, and Dr. Sewall the right hand of fellowship. "The part taken by Mr. Webb is the earliest notice we have of a reconciliation with the New North Church." 1
There were several adjournments to the first Monday in October.
At a Meeting of the Brethren of the South Church and Congregation Oct 2. 1738.
Voted, That the Deacons pay to our Revd. Pastors equally the sum of fifty six Pounds now in their hands together with 30/. one half year's rent of the cellar as soon as may be.
Voted, That there be a collection the next Lords Day come se'n- night, the whole of it to be equally divided to our Revd. Pastors. The congregation to be notified the next Lord's Day.
Voted, That fifty Pounds, now in the Deacons' hands of the former Collection be distributed to the poor of this Church and Congregation, to enable them the better to prepare for the approaching winter.
It being also proposed that a certain Fund be established for the support of the Widows and Fatherless Children of the Pastors of the said South Church, from time to time ;
Voted - That the committee to consider the proposal of a Fund for charitable and pious uses, take this also into their consideration, and
1 Historical Discourses by the Rev. Henry Ware, delivered May 20, 1821, P. 57.
4SS
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
make their Report at the next Meeting. And that Messrs. Andrew Oliver and Benjamin Hallowell be added to the said committee.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
At a Meeting of the Brethren of the South Church and Congrega- tion, Novr. 13. 1738.
Voted - That fifty Pounds be given out of the collections for chari- table and Pious uses to the Poor of this church and congregation, to supply them with Wood and other necessaries.
Voted - That Ten pounds be given out of said collection to the Revd. Mr. Josiah Cotton towards his support in Preaching the Gospel at Providence.
Voted-That Ten Pounds be also given of said collection to the Revd. Mr. Joseph Torrey, towards his support in preaching the gospel in South Kingston, in Narraganset.
Voted - That there be a publick collection for charitable and pious uses, on the Anniversary Thanksgiving, 23rd current ; And that the rest of the Congregation be notified of this vote, and desired to concur in the said collection.
And then the Meeting was adjourned to Monday 27th of this Instant, at 10 aclock A. M. JOSEPH SEWALL.
Novr. 23. Collected 95. 7. 3. Of which were appropriated,
To the Ministers Widows and Children IO. 0. 0 Towards defraying the charge of defending the Ministerial Lands in Kingston, in Narraganset, 33. 12. 0
43. 12. 0
This last appropriation, and others for the same object, made afterward, are explained by the following extract from the rec- ords of the New Brick Church : -
There was a collection, I remember, in many of the congregational churches in 1739 to defend a lawsuit unjustly brought against Mr. Torrey, the minister of South Kingston, in order to recover the par- sonage estate possessed by Mr. Torrey. The estate was left by a gentleman for the support of an orthodox minister of said Kingston ; and, as I remember, one Dr. McSparrow, a church minister, took it into his head that no minister was orthodox unless he was ordained by a bishop &c. &c .; so, by the help of some no better than himself, he brought an action to recover the estate for himself and successors ; but he failed in his unjust prosecution.1
1 [Robbins's History, p. 318. The shows that the contribution from the record quoted was made by Deacon New Brick congregation, for the use of John Tudor, and the receipt preserved Mr. Torrey in this suit, was {35. 10. o.]
489
THE SOUTH KINGSTON LANDS.
The lands in question were " granted in 1668 by the Proprie- tors of Petaquamscut Purchase, now in South Kingston in Nar- raganset, to be laid out and forever set apart for the use of an orthodox person that should be obtained to preach God's word to the inhabitants. These grantors were five, who all brought up their children in the Congregational way, and three of them were members in full communion in our churches." There being no preacher there, a Mr. George Mumford gained posses- sion of the lands, but when Mr. Torrey was ordained, he brought an action for them, and his case being carried on appeal before the King in Council, judgment was rendered in his favor. A year or two later, the Rev. James McSparran, who had gone over from Presbyterianism to Episcopacy, and who was preaching in the Narraganset country, brought suit against Mr. Torrey for the possession of the lands, on the ground that no minister could be denominated "orthodox " who was not of the Church of Eng- land. This case, also, was carried up to the King in Council, and was at length, in 1752, decided in favor of Mr. Torrey, who was declared to be "the first incumbent of ordination." The suit against Mr. Torrey was carried on by the united vestries of Christ Church and King's Chapel. Dr. Cutler, the minister of the former, who had been a Congregational clergyman, spoke, in a letter, of these lands granted by Congregationalists for Congre- gational purposes, as a tract "claimed by the Church of Eng- land, in opposition to the saints here, who would inherit the earth." The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Herring, "stead- fastly asserted the justice of Mr. Torrey's claim." Mr. Samuel Holden, then at the head of the Bank of England, at Dr. Col- man's request, managed the affair in London for the South Kingston Church and the New England Congregationalists.1
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