USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. I > Part 60
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2 We have quoted from Mr. Hol- yoke's Convention Sermon of 1741. Mr. Appleton preached before the Con- vention in 1743. He was "a man fa- mous for his extreme care, if any care can be extreme, always to speak the ex- act truth." He referred to certain things
having a plausible appearance, yet of a dangerous tendency : ministers go- ing fromn place to place ; illiterate per- sons exhorting publicly; claims to im- mediate impulses of the Spirit; false notions about saving, justifying faith ; and freedom and uncharitableness in the judgment of others. These and other things he mentioned as stumbling-blocks to be apprehended and avoided; "but then," he added, "there are stumbling- blocks on the other hand, yea, most dan- gerous rocks, which ministers, if they would be as lights unto the world, must point out, and warn seasonably and ear- nestly against. Thus, the denial of there having been a glorious work of God in the land of late; and the speaking dis- paragingly of those convictions, and all that serious concern that has been stirred up in multitudes, as if there was nothing of the Spirit of God in any of them; and as if all the religious commotions had been the work of the devil, or had been wrought in a mere mechanical way ; and the ridiculing and reproaching such per- sons in general and without distinction, and discouraging rather than encourag- ing any concernedness of soul, and so the lulling men asleep in their carnal se- curity again, that began to be roused up, and the settling them in their natural, unconverted state ; these, I say, are dan- gerous things, and ministers must hold up the light of God's word, and show people the danger hereof."
R
53S
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Anniversary Thanksgiving Nov 24 1743.
Collected as follows for charitable and pious uses.
Unappropriated .
I21. I. 4
Appropriated To the Rev Mr. Prince 1. 0. 0
For three Widows 5. 0. 0
Towards the fund for charitable and pious uses 4. 0. 0
131. 1. 4
Lord's Day, Novr. 27. 1743.
A Letter was read the second time from the Rev'd Mr. Othniel Cam- bel, Pastor of the Second Church in Plimpton, and from twenty-two Brethren desiring our assistance in Council under their present Diffi- culties : In answer to which the Brethren Voted, that there should be a letter sent to them, giving the reasons why we did not send, and offering some advice to them ; which was drawn up and sent accord- ingly. JOSEPH SEWALL.
Mr. Campbell was ordained over the Second Church in Plympton, now Carver, in 1734, and was dismissed in 1744. A contemporary account says that he was dismissed "for giving way too much to itinerants, though it is doubtful whether his friends or his enemies are the greater number. It is thought he has had hard measure, being, in the main, an honest and good man." He removed to Tiverton, Rhode Island, where he re- ceived an annual appropriation from the South Church for more than twenty years. His wife was Katharine, daughter of Simon Willard, and granddaughter of the Rev. Samuel Willard.1
As one of the results of Mr. Davenport's coming to Boston, we have seen, in Mr. Prince's statement, that a small number withdrew from some of the churches and met in a distinct so- ciety. We find two other references to this separatist move- ment in the Christian History, and the records of the South Church throw light upon it.
And now a small number from some of our churches and congrega- tions (some had been communicants formerly, and some added lately,) withdrew and met in a distinct Society : whereof four males and two or three females were of our communion. . .
Some time after, a man of the separate Society became a Saturday- Baptist : who being dip'd in the country, and having hands laid on
1 Mr. Campbell was born in Bridge- water, and it is said that he was nearly thirty years old when he entered college, He graduated in 1728, in the same class with Jonathan Belcher, Simon Bradstreet,
Grindall Rawson, Nathaniel Eells, and Andrew Croswell. He signed the Testi- mony of July 7, 1743. According to the Harvard Catalogue, he died in 1778. See Willard Memoir, p. 400.
539
A SEPARATIST CHURCH.
him, thought himself a minister, drew five women after him and pro- ceeded to dip them : yet they all have since deserted him. But six males of the said Society with one of Brookline, a town about five miles off, went on to associate as a church, owning the Assembly's Confession of Faith, and professing themselves congregational ac- cording to our New England Platform : And have not yet returned [November, 1744] to the several churches whence they went. . . . Be- sides the aforesaid four Males and two or three females of the South Church, I know not any who have left our communion But the rest of our said numerous and former additions continue with us; and as far as I know, their conversation is as becomes the Gospel. Nor do I hear of more than one of those who have left our church that has fallen into other censurable evil, nor in the other churches in town, except a few of the New North.1
The four male members of the South Church referred to above were John Gridley, who became a member in 1722 ; Wil- liam Story, in 1738; and William Richie Love and Nathanael Wardell,2 who joined in 1741. It was the last named who had been immersed, and, without suitable preparation, had entered upon the work of the Christian ministry. A few years later, as we shall see, he was cut off from the church for the sins of pro- fanity and intoxication.
At a Church Meeting, Decr 25. 1743. Lord's Day.
Our Brother Nathanael Wardel junr was called for, and appear'd owning and justifying the Articles of charge brought against him, saving that he so far declar'd his meaning relating to his bold pretence to Inspiration, that the Brethren saw meet to drop that Article ; And he being desired to withdraw to an house near, when sent for could not be found.
1 [Dr. Pierce, in one of his historical discourses, mentions Mr. Elhanan Win- chester as a separatist or "new light" in Brookline in 1744, who afterward be- came in turn a Baptist, an Universalist, and a Shaker. His son, of the same name, was one of the earliest preachers in the United States of the doctrine of final restoration.]
2 The admissions to the South Church recorded under the name of Wardell are, 1721, Jonathan ; 1741, Nathaniel ; 1743, Frances. Jonathan had wife Katharine, who died December 28, 1705, and after- ward wife Frances. He kept the Orange Tree Inn, near the head of Hanover Street, and in 1712 set up the first
hackney coach in Boston. Ile died De- cember 18, 1721, and his widow, Frances, was licensed by the selectmen, July 10, 1722, as an innholder in room of her husband. (See the Sewall and Lynde Diaries.) At a town meeting, September 21, 1737, we find that the " proposals of Nathanael Wardal Junr. for erecting an engine for weighing hay," were read ; and, in 1746, Nathanael Wardell's term for using " the engine erected for weigh- ing hay at the south part of the town " having expired in May, persons wishing to take a lease of it were requested to apply to the selectmen. In the town records the names Wardell and Ward- well are used interchangeably.
540
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
The Admonition and suspension drawn up in writing was then read and voted as also that said Admonition and suspension should be sent in a letter sign'd by the Pastors and read to him, which was done accordingly the next day and is as follows,
Brother Nathanael Wardel,
Whereas you have for some time withdrawn in a disorderly manner from the communion of this Church, after you had solemnly promised to walk with us in a due Submission to and attendance upon all the Orders and Ordinances of the Gospel ; and whereas to some hurtfull errors which you have persisted in, you have added a bold intrusion into the Pastoral Office, without any regular Call or due Qualifications, and have presumed to administer the Seals of the Covenant to some that have been misled by you, by which sacred things have been pro- faned, and contempt cast on the Ordinances of our Lord Jesus Christ ; And when admonished by your Pastors, have still persisted in your offensive conduct; Yea when your Pastors and a number of the Brethren sent for you, being appointed by the Church to treat with you, you refused to come. And lately in the publick Assembly, when one was admitted to our Communion, you openly renounced the Church as Idolatrous.
And when after all this, the Pastors with a Committee of the Brethren from the Church reasoned with you about your offences, and offered matter of conviction to you, instead of retracting them, and promising amendment, you still renounced Communion with the Church, declaring that you looked upon us as a synagogue of Satan : Upon the account of these offences, We Doe, in the Name of our Lord Jesus, rebuke and admonish you ; and we suspend you from the Communion of this Church, till you shall manifest repentance.
We pray God to sanctify this Censure which is now passed upon you, to awaken you to due consideration, and recover you from your Strong Delusions ; That you may repair to the Blood of Jesus for cleansing, and to the Holy Spirit for effectual conviction and Humili- ation, and thus return to God by Christ, confessing and forsaking your sins ; Upon which, we shall with joy restore you to our Charity and Communion ; which may God grant of his great mercy in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
JOSEPH SEWALL THOMAS PRINCE.
Lord's Day April 1. 1744.
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation stayed and voted,
That the Deacons supply the Poor of the Church and congregation with wood and other necessaries as shall be found needful out of the remainder of the last collection for charitable and pious uses.
J. SEWALL.
541
LETTER TO THE SEPARATISTS.
April 22 1744.
The Brethren of the Church were stay'd.
The Pastors with the Committee appointed by this Church to Dis- course with the three Brethren who lately sent a letter to the church signifying they had embodied into a church state with others, and asking a Dismission from the Church &c ; and to offer our Thoughts to the church concerning them, make our Report as follows -
That we have met several times about this affair, and have en- deavour'd to convince and reclaim them, but in vain ; And therefore humbly propose that such a letter as this be sent in the Name of the Church to the said Brethren in answer to theirs, if the Church see cause :
Which proposed letter is as follows,
Brethren
Whereas you have for a considerable time separated yourselves from us, after you had solemnly promised to walk with this Church of Christ in due submission to, and attendance upon all the Orders and Ordinances of the Gospel ; and have lately informed us by a Letter that you had proceeded to embody with others into a Church State, and then not only asked a Dismission from us, but also our approba- tion of the work you were engaged in :
These are to signify unto you, that we are grieved and offended with you for this your Conduct, apprehending it to be contrary to the word of God. Rom. 14. 19. Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace ; and things wherewith one may edifie another. 16. 17. Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause Divisions and Offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned ; and avoid them. 1 Cor. 12. 25. That there should be no Schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care over one another. Eph. 4. 1. 23. I therefore the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all low- liness and meekness, with long suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Heb. 10, 25. Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is -. And contrary to our Plat- form of Discipline Chap 13. S. 1. 2. 5. and opposite to that spirit of Christian Charity and meekness, watchfull care over, and tender con- cern for the welfare of this Church, which our glorious Head and Lord requires of all the Members, and accordingly we judge that your Departure from us is unsafe and sinfull, and may not consent unto it : But earnestly exhort and advise you to search your Hearts and Ways, and return to your Duty.
And we beseech our most mercifull God to humble you for, and for- give the sins committed in an Hour of Temptation ; and turn you from
542
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
the Error of your ways ; as also to over-rule all events to the Honour of his Name, and advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus, to whom be glory for ever Amen.
This Letter was voted and sent to our said Brethren
April 24 1744
Sign'd JOSEPH SEWALL THOMAS PRINCE
Pastors of the South Chh in Boston in the Name of the said Chh.
Superscribed to
Messrs. JOHN GRIDLEY WILLIAM STOREY WILLIAM RITCHIE LOVE.
The Committee above mentioned are, The Hon'ble Ezekiel Lewis, Josiah Willard, Anthony Stoddard, Samuel Welles, Thomas Cushing Esqs and the Deacons.1
May 6. 1744 The Church stay'd.
A Letter was read from several Brethren of the first Church in New- bury desiring our assistance in council under their present difficulties : Upon which some of the Brethren observed that we were not suf- ficiently informed that all proper means had been used to heal their differences among themselves ; and it was then Voted -that the Pas- tors with the Committee above named should write to them to obtain further light as to their affairs, which was done accordingly ; Upon which they signified to us by Letter, that they would not have us take the trouble of sending untill we should hear further from them.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
In 1743 several members of the First and Third churches in Newbury, of which the Rev. Christopher Toppan and the Rev. John Lowell2 were the respective pastors, seceded, and soon
1 [This separatist church appears to have been formed July 18, 1743. In a narrative to which we shall refer again in the next chapter, it is said : " After we had thus embodied, we thought it our duty to seek some faithful minister to go before us as a pastor, and accordingly applied to several, who from time to time preached with us, till at length we invited and called the Rev. Mr. Andrew Croswell, to take the pastoral care of us; who finally gave us an unexpected answer in
the negative." Mr. Ephraim Clark was ordained pastor of this church in 1748. Mr. John Cleaveland preached for it for a time, soon after leaving Yale College, and received a call from it, which he declined. He was settled, in 1747, over the church in what is now Essex, formed by a secession from the parish, of which the Rev. Theophilus Pickering was min- ister.]
2 Grandfather of the Rev. Charles Lowell, of the West Church, Boston.
543
TROUBLES IN NEWBURY.
after formed another church.1 On the 24th of July, 1744, an ex parte council, consisting of eight churches, met at the call of the seceding brethren of the First Church. This was the council to which the South Church was invited, and in reference to the objects of which it wanted further light. In its Result the coun- cil justified the brethren who had appealed to it, and condemned Mr. Toppan ; it advised these brethren to hearken to any reason- able method whereby their final separation from the church and parish might be prevented, and concluded by saying : "However we utterly disapprove of unnecessary separations as partaking of great guilt and accompanied with great scandal, yet looking upon your circumstances as extraordinary and deplorable, we cannot think you blameworthy, if with good advice you seek more wholesome food for your souls and put yourselves under the watch of a shepherd in whom you can confide."
. Another ex parte council met August 31, at the call of Mr. Toppan's friends, which acquitted the pastor of nearly all the allegations brought against him by the aggrieved brethren, cen- sured these brethren, and advised them to return to the bosom of the church, and to the pastoral care of him who had been so faithful and useful a pastor over them for nearly fifty years.2 This advice was not taken ; and the brethren, nineteen in num- ber, formed a church, January 3, 1746, which is now the First Presbyterian Church of Newburyport. Two or three months later, thirty-eight brethren of the Third Church, having been un- able to obtain letters of dismission and recommendation, were received without letters into the new church, of which the Rev. Jonathan Parsons, of Lyme, Connecticut, had become the min- ister.3 Mr. Parsons was a warm personal friend of Mr. White- field, who died at his house in 1770.
Lord's day, May 10. 1744. The Brethren of the church stay'd.
A Letter was communicated from the Church in Newport of which
1 The Rev. Thomas Smith wrote in his nent. The consequence of this state of journal (see Coffin's History), February 2, 1745:
"The enthusiasm in favor of the expedition against Louisburg was ex- traordinary, and almost unanimous, whilst on the subject of the religious tenets and practices of Whitefield and his adherents, the community was di- vided, and almost every man was either an ardent advocate or a decided oppo-
things, was divisions and contentions in all the churches, and many years elapsed before the storm became a calm."
2 Coffin's History of Newbury, p. 214. 8 In 1749, the petition of one hundred and seventy-nine persons, belonging to Mr. Parsons's congregation, asking to be freed from paying taxes to the First and Third parishes, was dismissed by the General Court. Ibid., p. 218.
544
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
the Rev'd Mr. Nathanael Clap is Pastor, desiring our Assistance at the Ordination of Mr. Jonathan Helyer to the Pastoral Office.
The Pastors declared that they could not conveniently attend the service at the time proposed, which Excuse was accepted, and they were desired to signify it to said church in a Letter which was done accordingly.1
June 17. 1744.
The church stay'd : And upon reading a Letter to us, signed John Gridley, William Story, William Richie Love,
Voted - that the former committee (above named) be appointed to join with our Pastors in considering said Letter, and make Report to the church so soon as conveniently may be. J. SEWALL.
At a Meeting of the Brethren of the Church and Congregation June 18. 1744.
The Report of the Committee appointed to view the Ministerial Houses and other Estate, Read.
The Fences ordered to be repaired, but not so high as now, except in the front, next the street.
Voted - That there be a committee of five persons viz. S. Welles, A. Oliver Esqrs. Capt J. Armitage, Mr. T. Foster and Mr. J. Kneeland, to view Mr. Prince's House, make an estimate, and report to the Breth- ren, how much money will be necessary to repair the House for next Winter, and what it will cost to repair it so as to last for ten or twenty years ; this report to be made this day three weeks. And the Dea- cons are desired to take care to repair the slating, fences and steeple, and provide a Ladder.
The meeting then adjourned to this day three weeks.
Then met Monday, July 9. 1744.
And the Report of the Committee being read, Voted
That said committee be desired to procure ground cells and other things necessary to lay open Mr. Prince's House, so as to put in new cells, and close it up again, if they find studs, joyce, and summers in such a condition as that it may be worth while to come into the larger repair. And make report to the Brethren for further direc- tion.
1 [Mr. Clap was the first minister to welcome Mr. Whitefield on his arrival in New England, September 14, 1740, who says of him, he was " the most ven- erable man I ever saw in my life. He looked like a good old Puritan, and gave me an idea of what stamp those men were who first settled New England. His countenance was very heavenly. He
rejoiced much in spirit at the sight of me, and prayed most affectionately for a blessing on my coming to New England." Mr. Clap graduated at Cambridge in 1690, and died in 1745.
Mr. Helyer graduated at Cambridge in 1738, in the same class with Oxen- bridge Thacher, Josiah Crocker, and Benjamin Adams. He died in 1745.]
545
A SECOND LETTER.
N. B. The Report of the Committee in several articles, was, that the expense of repairing the House in which the Rev'd Mr. Prince dwells, would amount to £325. o. o. O. Tenor. And that £30. O. T. will make said House habitable till next summer.
July 16. 1744
At a Meeting etc. Voted - The larger Report of the Committee be accepted- and that Messrs Jer. Belknap, John Comrin, Jos. Jackson and John Scollay be a committee to collect the money for repairing the Ministry Houses etc and that Sam. Welles Esq. Edw. Winslow Esq. and Capt. J. Armitage be a committee to see the repairs as above effected ; and that John Hunt Esq. be Treasurer to receive the money that shall be collected, and pay it according to the order of said com- mittee.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
The Pastors with the Committee 1 met accordingly [see June 17] con- sider'd said letter, and drew up an answer which was offered at a church Meeting July 15 1744, accepted, and voted to be sent to said Brethren signed by the Pastors in the name of the Church, And is as follows,
Brethren
We have received your Second Letter and are grieved to find that you continue to justify your conduct in separating from us, and embody- ing as you say into a church state with others ; though you were under prior Obligation to us by your Church Covenant, which you could not be released from by such a confederation without our consent or knowledge.
Indeed you say that you moved to the Revd Pastors again and again for a Dismission - But then, when in this peculiar case, they required your reasons for such a proceeding in writing, that they might lay them before the Church; You refused till such time as you embodied with others, by which action you declare that you did not think yourselves bound in conscience to give the reasons of your conduct to this church, as was justly desired of you, and so in an orderly manner to seek a Dismission.
And whereas you have given us no reasonable satisfaction for your unwarrantable Separation from us, and we apprehend that this sepa- ration is not likely to serve your Spiritual Edification, but much the contrary ; We abide by our Judgment and Advice given you in our first Letter, and can by no means doe any thing to encourage your irregular Proceedings. We again Beseech our merciful God to turn you from the Error of your Ways, and Forgive you for Christ's sake ; and it is our repeated and earnest prayer that God would overrule all
1 [For the names of this committee see ante, P. 542.]
546
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
events to the Honour of his Name and advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever Amen.
Boston July 17. 1744
JOSEPH SEWALL THOMAS PRINCE
Pastors of the chh in the name of said chh.
To Messrs. John Gridley, William Story and Wm Richey Love JOSEPH SEWALL.
Lords Day Septr. 2. 1744.
A Letter desiring our assistance in Council, from the Brethren that have separated from the church in New Haven, under the Pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Noyes ; was readd, and after Discourse had upon it, Voted, that a Letter be sent signifying that we have not light to grant their Request.
A Letter was sent accordingly, signed by the Pastors, in which the great Distance of the way and our small acquaintance with their affairs, were hinted as considerations discouraging our sending to the Council proposed.
JOSEPH SEWALL.
This separatist movement in New Haven was the result of Mr. Davenport's teaching there. On his arrival in the town in the autumn of 1741, " his descent from the famous John Daven- port, the first pastor of that church, his consanguinity with several reputable families, and especially his reputation for uncommon sanctity and usefulness, procured him a favorable reception. Mr. Noyes, the pastor of the church, admitted him to his pulpit, and there appears to have been no visible oppo- sition till he pronounced Mr. Noyes an unconverted man. On this, Mr. Noyes called a meeting of several friends, September 21, among whom were the principal officers of Yale College, to whom Davenport gave some very frivolous reasons for believing that Mr. Noyes was unconverted. The result was that he was thenceforth excluded from the pulpit. How long he continued there is uncertain ; but after his departure, and before the end of the year, his followers organized a separate church, which, after several years of controversy, numerous councils, and some confessions, came to be acknowledged as a regular church, and still subsists and flourishes." 1
Lord's Day, Novr. 11. 1744.
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation were stay'd and Voted,
That there be a collection for charitable and pious uses on the 1 The Great Awakening, p. 237. Bacon's Historical Discourses, pp. 212-220.
547
DEBORAH PRINCE.
Anniversary Thanksgiving Nov 22. Instant ; And that the rest of the Congregation be notified of this vote, and desired to assist in said collection. JOSEPH SEWALL.
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