USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. I > Part 55
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At a Meeting of the Brethren by Adjournment Nov. 27 1738. Voted,
I. That there be given out of the last collection, the sum of 26. 8. o. towards defraying the charge of defending the cause of the Ministerial Lands in South Kingston, which being added to what was then appropriated to said use, makes the sum of Sixty Pounds.
II. That there be allowed out of the collection, to the Rev. Mr. Ezra Carpenter, the sum of ten pounds towards his support and en- couragement in preaching the Gospel at Hull.
1 Foote's Annals of King's Chapel, suits, which are known respectively as vol. i. pp. 466, 467. The Prince Library
Torrey vs. Gardner, and McSparran vs. contains the documents in both these Hazzard.
490
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
III. That the sum of ten pounds be laid out in Books of Piety, to be distributed by the Pastors to proper objects of such a charity.
And then the Meeting was adjourned to Monday, the 18th of December next.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
Decr IS. 173S. At a Meeting of the Brethren, -
Voted.
That the Report of the Committee appointed by the Brethren of this church and congregation to consider of the Proposals to estab- lish a fund for charitable and pious uses, be Accepted, and recom- mended to the South Church, in order, if they see cause, to its being voted and established.1
JOSEPH SEWALL.
March IS. 1738-9. Lord's Day P. M,
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation stay'd, and Voted,
That there be another publick collection for charitable and pious uses, on the Anniversary Fast, March 29th Current; And that the rest of the Congregation be notified of this vote, next Lord's Day, and be desired to concur in the said collection. JOSEPH SEWALL.
1 [The following has been preserved, which we suppose to be the draft of the report referred to in the above entry :-
Whereas there has been a Proposal made at a stated Half Yearly Meeting of the Brethren of the South or 3d Church and Congregation in Boston that some Part of the Unappropriated moneies which are or may be collected or Given for Charitable and Pious uses, should as we find ourselves able from time to time be made a stated Fund, the Income whereof to be Improved for said uses as the said Brethren and their successors shall from Time to Time determin ;
Voted, That the said General Proposal be accepted : and that 20/ in Bills of the new Tenour or equivalent to them be now Granted out of the monies already collected for the said uses and settled as the Fundation or Beginning of the Fund aforesaid, and for the further establish- ment and security of the said Fund for the said uses, It is more Particularly voted as follows
I. That there be 5 of the said Church and Congregation i. e. constant attend- ants with said Church and Congregation in their Publick worship, chosen by the
said Brethren as their Trustees of the said Fund for the said uses in behalf of the said Brethren, to continue in the said Trust till the said Brethren or their suc- cessors shall see cause to chuse others in their Room, and to be accountable to the said Brethren and their successors or their committees from Time to Time.
2. That the Principal of said Fund together with all additions that shall be made thereto by charitably or Piously disposed l'ersons, shall be kept perpetu- ally intire, without being broken in upon on any occasion : But shall be either constantly Let out to Interest on double security, or Laid out in some Real Estate bringing in some Income, or building on or improving the Real Estate belonging to the said Church or to the said church and congregation, as the said Brethren and their [successors] shall from time to Time determin.
3. That the Bonds for monies let out to Interest by the said Trustees, be made Payable to the said Trustees, or to the Major Part of them.
4. That whenever one or more of the said Trustees shall be disabled or remove his constant attendance from worship- ping with the said Church and Congrega-
49I
DEATH OF SAMUEL CHECKLEY.
March 29. 1739. General Fast. Collected for charitable and pious uses, Unappropriated, £83. 2. 2
Appropriated, towards the Fund for Ministers' Widows &c 5. IO. O To the Fund for pious and char. uses, 5. 0. 0
To Revd. Messrs Bass. I. 0. 0 . Torrey, I. O. o
To Nurse Kinney
I. 0. 0
Towards defraying the charge of defending the Ministerial Lands at Kingston I. O. O
14. 10. O
Total
£97. 12. 2
At a Meeting of the Church and Congregation April 2. 1739.
It being represented by the Deacons that there is in their hands about Eighty Pounds ;
Voted - That the said sum be equally given to our Revd. Pastors to encourage them in their labors among us.
Voted - That the Hon. Samuel Welles, Esq. Capt. Armitage and Mr. Thomas Foster be a committee to view the House where the Rev. Dr. Sewall dwells, to consider and report what is necessary to repair it, with an estimate of the cost.
Voted - That said committee consider and report whether it be necessary and proper to make a cellar in the front of said House at the East End, and the Cost. The Report to be made on next Monday.
Voted - That for the time to come, these stated Meetings be on the 2d Mondays of October and April.
The Meeting was adjourned to next Monday, at 12 aclock.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
Deacon Samuel Checkley died, December 27, 1738, in his
tion or be removed by Death or Other- ensuing, for the said Brethren to consider wise that the said Brethren will proceed and vote upon, as they shall judg proper. to chuse another or others in their Room, Unanimously voted by the com'tee as soon as may be conveniently, not ex- ceeding a 12 month. T. PRINCE
5. That at the stated meetings of the said Brethren in every spring annually they shall chuse a committee to stand for the year ensuing to examin into the state of the said Fund, both as to Prin- cipal and Interest, consider what addition may be made thereto, and how to dis- pose of the said Incomes for the said uses and make their Report to the said Brethren at their stated Half Yearly Meetings, both in the Fall and Spring
May, 3. 1733. Present
Honbl E. Lewis
J. Willard Dr. Sewall
A. Stoddard T. Prince
S. Wells
E. Winslow
Esqs
J. Winslow
D. Henchinan
T. Hubbard
492
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
eighty-sixth year.1 Nearly twenty-five years before, Mr. Pem- berton had called the attention of Judge Sewall to the broken condition of his health, when suggesting that there should be one or more additional deacons chosen, but he survived that pastor twenty-two years. He had filled many responsible posi- tions in the town and province, - selectman, representative, justice of the peace, county treasurer, town clerk. "In all which Places," says the News - Letter, "He behav'd Himself with such Prudence, Meekness and Fidelity as to gain the gen- eral Esteem and Love of all acquainted with Him." It was said of him further : "His greatest Honour, and for which his memory is Blessed, was his eminent, unaffected and vital Piety." For fifty-three years he was a member of the South Church. His wife, Mary, daughter of Joshua Scottow, died seventeen years before him. Of their eleven children, only two survived their parents, Richard and Samuel, the latter being pastor of the New South Church. There were now only two deacons in the Old South, Daniel Henchman and Jonathan Simpson ; and Thomas Hubbard was chosen to fill the vacancy. Mr. Hubbard joined the church in 1730, and had already served on important committees. He was born in Boston in 1702, and graduated at Harvard College in 1721, in the same class with Charles Chauncy, Ebenezer Pemberton, Josiah Winslow, Stephen Sewall and others. We shall have occasion to speak of his public ser- vices when we come to the mention of his death in 1773.
At a church Meeting April 9. 1739.
Thomas Hubbard Esq. was chosen into the Deacon's office ; And the Pastors and Deacons were appointed a Committee to desire his acceptance of said office.
And, Whereas Decr 18 1738, At a Meeting of the Brethren of the South Church and Congregation, there was a Report relating to a Fund for charitable and pious uses agreed upon, and Recommended to the said South Church, in order if they see cause, to its being voted and established ; said Report was Read, Voted, and Established ac- cordingly, and is as follows,
1 1738. Dec 26. " Died Col. S. Check- ley, Esq., at Boston, my wife's grand- father, and was buried Ist. January in the tomb, our burying Place by Common. May these instances of mortality put us on preparing for our own great change !"
1739. Jan. 1. " Fair cold day. Col. Checkley buried, æt. 84 years ; after
funeral I went to Dr. Checkley's."- Lynde Diaries, p. 154.
The younger Judge Lynde married Mary Bowles, of Roxbury, a grand- daughter of Samuel Checkley, and a great-granddaughter of Joshua Scottow. She was also descended from the Rev. John Eliot.
493
A CHARITABLE FUND.
At a Meeting of the Committee of the Brethren of the South or Third Church and Congregation in Boston, of which Messrs Sewall and Prince are Pastors, to consider of the Proposals to establish a cer- tain stated Fund for charitable and pious uses, as well as for the sup- port of the Widows and Fatherless Children of the Pastors of said Church from time to time, as other uses of a Charitable and pious nature.
The said Committee after diverse consultations, propose that the said Fund be begun, continued and established under the following Regulations.
I. As diverse Brethren of the said Church and Congregation have declared that they contributed at the last general collection for such uses, with a view to put their monies into the said Fund which had been a little before moved ; The conimittee I'ropose that twenty ounces of Silver be purchas'd with part of the monies then collected, and be appropriated and settled as the beginning of said Fund for said uses ; But that no addition shall be made to said Fund out of the public collections for time to come, but by the particular Appropriations of persons inclin'd to encourage the same, express'd by writing annexed to their monies appropriated.
II. That the Pastors and Deacons of the said church, for the time being, be the Trustees of said Fund, to manage the same in behalf of the said church ; the major part of said Trustees to have Power of acting, and all and each of them to be accountable to the said church, or their committees from time to time.
III. That the principal Stock of said Fund, together with all Addi- tions that shall be made to said Principal, by Persons disposed thereto, either by Contributions, Presents, Deeds, Wills, or otherwise, shall be kept perpetually intire, without being broken in upon on any occasion : But the principal monies shall be either constantly let out to Interest or laid out in some real Estate bringing in some Income, or building on, or improving the real Estate which shall belong to said Church, as the said Church shall at their Half Yearly Meetings from time to time determine.
IV. That in the Bonds for monies belonging to said Fund, let out to Interest by the said Trustees, the Principal and Interest shall be expressed by ounces of silver, and be made payable to the Major Part of the said Trustees ; the Borrower and two sufficient sureties, to be bound both jointly and severally for the same ; and neither the Bor- rower nor either of the sureties to be of the said church or Congregation.
V. That while there shall be no widow or Fatherless child of any of the Pastors of the said church, the Interest and Incomes of that part of the Fund raised ior them shall be added to the principal stock, not to be divided again ; But when there shall be a Widow or father- less child or more, of said Pastors, it shall be left to the said church
494
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
to judge and order how much of the Interest and Income shall be disposed of for their support from time to time ; and when to cease supporting them : But of all other parts of said Fund, it shall be left to the said church at their half yearly Meetings to dispose both of the Interest and Incomes, to any kind of charitable and pious use what- ever, as they shall think adviseable.
VI. That there shall be a stated half yearly meeting of the Brethren of said church, viz. one in the Spring, and another in the Fall annu- ally ; that at their said Meeting in the Spring they shall chuse a com- mittee which shall consist of members as well of the said congregation as of the said church, to stand for the year ensuing, and continue till others shall be chosen in their room, to examine into the state of the said Fund, both as to principal Stock and Incomes ; consider how to order the same according to the preceeding Articles, and make their Report to the said Brethren at their stated half yearly Meetings, both in the Fall and Spring ensuing, for the said Brethren to consider and vote upon as they shall judge proper.
VII and lastly, Whereas there are stated half yearly Meetings of the Brethren both of the said South Church and also of the congre- gation with them ; For the preservation of mutual Harmony and good Agreement, it is yet further proposed that the said committees shall also at the said half yearly Meetings last mentioned, from time to time lay their aforesaid Reports before the said Brethren ; that the said Brethren may express their minds thereupon, and give their advice when they see cause, to the said church accordingly.
October 18. 1738. Unanimously agreed to by the said Committee present, to be offered as their Report to the Brethren of the said South Church and Congregation at their next Meeting, in order to its being agreed upon and Recommended, if they see cause, to the said South Church, to be voted and established. EZE. LEWIS
Pr. order of the Committee.
December 18. 1738. At a Meeting of the Brethren of the said South Church and Congregation this Report was agreed upon and Recommended to the said South Church, in order if they see cause, to its being voted and established.
Voted and established by the said church at their Meeting April 9 1739.
JOSEPH SEWALL THOMAS PRINCE.
We have abundant evidence that from its earliest days the South Church, as a church, met in a generous spirit the various claims which were made upon its Christian liberality, and that it felt its responsibility for the advancement of religion beyond its own parish limits, as it might have opportunity. Soon
495
ORGANIZED BENEVOLENCE.
after the settlement of Mr. Prince in the co-pastorate with Mr. Sewall, its liberality took on a more systematic and definite form. It voted, March 13, 1725-6, " that there be a publick collection on our anniversary Fasts and Thanksgivings, to be bestowed on pious uses, and for the advancement of Christ's Kingdom," and it appointed trustees for the "evangelical treasury " thus estab- lished.1 This action was so far modified the following year, that a special vote was required for each semi-annual collection, as the occasions came round, and the church held in its own hands the distribution of the money. The votes thus made necessary we have given and shall continue to give, as they are recorded. To some of our readers they may seem monotonous ; but we cannot help thinking them very suggestive. The members of the church were brought face to face with the necessities of the poor among themselves, and with the struggles of other churches and their ministers in outlying and destitute neighborhoods. The officers must have had plenty to do in carrying out the wishes of the brethren as expressed by the many votes appropriating money, in addition to what devolved upon them in the adminis- tration of the ordinary temporalities. The day for the combina- tion of churches in organized societies was not yet come. There were the three Propagation societies in Great Britain, which were represented here by commissioners, and with which the churches were more or less affiliated ; but with this excep- tion, each local church was a society by itself, for charitable and missionary work. The final adoption by the South Church, April 9, 1739, of the Report of Mr. Ezekiel Lewis and his com- mittee, was a renewed recognition of the responsibilities at home and abroad, which it had already been endeavoring faith- fully to meet, and was a step forward in the attainment of steadiness and directness in aim and plan.
May 24 Mr. Edwards of Northampton preach'd my Lecture from I Tim. 2. 5. Lord bless the labors of thy Servant, and confirm his health.
May 31. Revd Mr. Eels preach'd to the Rev'd Convention.2 I Sam. 4. 13. Collected about 173f.
Aug. 12. We had a Collection towards defraying the charge of the case relating to the ministerial Land at Kingston.3
Sept 2. I preach'd again from Deut. 5. 12-14 [the fourth command-
1 See ante, p. 418. 8 [See ante, pp. 488, 489. This collec-
2 [This is the first time Dr. Sewall tion is not mentioned in the records of speaks of the Convention by that name.] the church.]
496
. HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
ment]. Then read the Proclamation for preventing Disorders on the Lord's day. Deliver'd a word or two after reading it.
Oct 3. The Rev. Mr. T. Prentice (dismiss'd from the Church in Arundel) receiv'd the Charge of the Church at Charlestown as a Col- league Pastor to the Revd Mr. Abbot. Mr. Abbot began with Prayr. Mr. Prentice preach'd from 2 Cor. 6. 1. I gave the Charge, (Hands were not imposed.) Rev. Mr. Appleton, the Right Hand of Fellow- ship. I had a difficulty in my own mind about this affair ; however I engaged in it. O Lord govern it in mercy. Make thy Servant a Blessing to this Flock.1 (J. Sewall.)
At a Meeting of the South Church and Congregation, Octr 8. 1739.
It being represented by the Deacons, that there is now in their hands about seventy two Pounds, arising from the rents of the cellar and the weekly contribution,
Voted -- That the said sum of 727. be equally given to our Revd Pastors, further to encourage them in their labors among us.
And whereas, there has been laid out in repairing the Ministerial Houses more than one hundred Pounds, and the allowance made to our Revd Pastors hitherto, has been represented by them as insuf- ficient for the necessary support of their Families, therefore,
Voted, That there be a collection on Lord's Day the 21st Instant, to answer these occasions ; and that next Lord's Day the Deacons be desired to acquaint the Church and Congregation what may be neces- sary for said uses.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
Novr. 11. 1739. The Brethren of the Church and Congregation stay'd and Voted as follows,
Whereas, not long time since there was a publick Collection, both to discharge the late repairs of the Church's Houses, and for the necessary support of the Pastors' Families ; but the said collection amounted to no more than was sufficient to discharge the said repairs ; whereby there was nothing left as was intended, for the support of their Families ; and whereas the stock for charitable and pious uses is like to suffice for the relief of the poor through the following winter ;
Therefore, Voted, that there be a publick collection for our Revd Pastors, on the next General Thanksgiving Day Novr. 29, and the rest of the Church and Congregation are desired to concur, and assist therein.
Novr. 29. 1739. Collected £93. 18. 2 JOSEPH SEWALL.
: [The Rev. Thomas Prentice. Harv. Col. 1;26, was pastor of the church in Arundel, Maine, until 1737, when it was dispersed during the Indian wars, and he had since been living in Cambridge. IIe continued in the pastorate at Charles-
town until after the Revolution. We do not know what caused the difficulty in Dr. Sewall's mind, on the occasion of his settlement. It may have had refer- ence to his removal from Arundel; or the call may not have been unanimous.]
497
FAST DAY, 1740.
March 16. 1739-40. The Brethren of the Church and Congrega- tion stay'd and Voted,
I. That there be given out of the stock for charitable and pious uses, ten Pounds to the Revd Mr. Nathanl [? Ebenezer] Goold, and ten Pounds to the Revd Mr. Daniel Elmer, in consideration of the loss of their Houses by fire, and to encourage them in Preaching the Gospel.1
II. That there be another Publick Collection for charitable and pious uses on the Anniversary Fast March 27. Current ; and that the Rest of the Congregation be notified of this Vote next Lord's Day, and be desired to assist in the said collection. JOSEPH SEWALL.
March 27. 1740. General Fast.
Collected for charitable and pious uses
Unappropriated .
£76. 9. 5
Appropriated
To the Fund for char. and pious uses, £ 5.0.0
To the Fund for Ministers' Widows £ 3.0. 0
To the Revd Mr. Daniel Elmer . £12. 0. 0
To Revd Messrs Bass . .
£ 1. 0. 0
Carpenter £ 1. 0. 0
Torrey £ 1. 0. 0
£23. 0. 0
Total .
£99.9.5
At a Meeting of the Brethren of the Church and Congregation, April 14. 1740.
Forasmuch as there are considerable deficiencies in our weekly con- tributions for the support of our Revd Pastors, and our frequent Meetings about the same are judged inconvenient and not reputable ; Therefore,
Voted, That Josiah Willard and Samuel Welles Esqrs. and Mr. Thomas Cushing, be a Committee to find out some proper method for raising a sufficient allowance for our Revd Ministers.
Voted, That £26. 11. 4 now remaining in the hands of the Deacons be given equally to our Revd Pastors.
Voted, That £50. of the late collections for charitable and pious uses, be disposed of by the Deacons in Wood and other Necessaries for the Poor of this Church and Congregation. Adjourned.
Yale College, 1723, was settled at Green- wich, near Fairfield, New Jersey. Pro- fessor Dexter says that his parsonage was burnt, with all its furniture, about this time. The Rev. Daniel Elmer, Yale College, 1713, was ordained over
1 [The Rev. Ebenezer Goold or Gould, the church in Fairfield in 1728. Both these clergymen were settled over Pres- byterian churches, but their sympathies were largely with New England Congre- gationalism. Mr. Goold was settled afterward at Middletown, Conn. See Yale Biographies, pp. 110, 282.]
498
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
After several Adjournments the Brethren met May 5th 1740, and Voted as follows ;
I. Inasmuch as it is universally acknowledged by us that a decent and honourable support is justly due to our Revd Pastors, who labor in the Word and Doctrine among us, and it is apprehended that the most likely method to obtain a sufficient sum for that end is to come into a new subscription, what each one is willing to allow weekly, especially as our circumstances since our last subscription are so much altered by the death of some, and removal of others from us; that so there may be raised with more certainty, a sufficient sum for this and all other necessary charges, and that the stated Meetings twice a year to consider of this affair, may be superceeded, and laid aside ;
Therefore Voted,
That there be a new subscription taken of the members of the church and congregation as soon as conveniently may be, that so we may allow to each of our Revd Ministers nine Pounds pr week in the present Currency of Bills of Credit, compared with silver at 29 sh. pr ounce, besides their Wood and Houses ; and in order thereunto, it is thought necessary that the weekly contribution should arise to £22. pr week, or thereabout ; and therefore it is hoped and desired that all persons as they are favour'd with Estate and Income, will be liberal and enlarge their contribution and subscription, that so there may be no room for any complaints for the future.
II. That Mr. Benjamin Clark, Capt Nathaniel Vyal, Mr. John Knee- land and Mr. John Simpson, be a Committee to take a new subscrip- tion of the members of the church and congregation who doe not now subscribe, as soon as may be ANTHONY STODDARD
Modr.
Mr. Joseph Gardner, Harvard College 1732, was ordained at Newport, May 14, as co-pastor with the Rev. Nathaniel Clap, over the First Congregational Church in that town. Several of the Boston ministers took part in the services, and Mr. Gee preached the sermon.
May 9. I set out with Mr. Hubbard for Newport. Lodg'd at Car- penter's.
May 10. Got into Newport before Sunset, lodge at Mr. Dehane's.
May 11. I preach'd for Mr. Gardner, A. M. from I Pet. 2. 7. Mr. Clap from Phil. 1. 27. P. M.
May 14. Mr. Joseph Gardner was ordain'd. I began with Prayr. Mr. Gee preached from John 10. 11. Mr. Webb pray'd before and after the Charge which was given by Mr. Clap. Mr. Serring 1 gave the
1 [The Rev. James Searing, Yale Col- Congregational Church, Newport. The lege, 1725, was pastor of the Second Rev. Ezra Stiles was his successor.]
ORDINATION AT NEWPORT.
499
Right Hand of Fellowship. The People, among whom were several Quakers, seem'd to attend with seriousness. O Lord Bless this Flock, and in the United Labors of thy Servants, grant them the fulness of the Blessing of the Gospel. 15. We set out for Boston, lodg'd at Doggit's. Got well home 16. about sun-set, having experienc'd much of God's Goodness.
May 29. Revd Mr. Prince preach'd the Convention-Sermon from Isai. 9. 7. Collected 232. 9. 3 (J. Sewall.)
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