USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. II > Part 16
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might have been much more advan- tageously employed in the great practical duties of his office. I say this, because it is due to truth, and without the least disposition to dishonour his memory. While he was, in many respects, a noble specimen of a man, one cannot but wish, in contemplating his character, that his fine powers had been brought more fully into exercise, and that the history of his life had been a record of more extended and self-denying labours."- Sprague's Annals, vol. iii. pp. 269, 270.
1 Mr. Gill was a wealthy merchant. He was lieutenant-governor of Massa- chusetts from 1794 to 1800, with Samuel Adams and Increase Sumner as gov- ernors, and on the death of the latter, he became acting governor. His second wife was a daughter of Thomas Boylston.
2 The Evening Post of August 12 has a full obituary notice of her. For a de- scription of her portrait by Copley, and that of her husband, see Copley's Life and Paintings, by Aug. T. Perkins. "She is represented as having a very re- fined and intellectual countenance, with black hair carried off from her forehead and temples, with strings of pearls en- twined." She is dressed "in a dark- blue velvet robe, with muslin under sleeves reaching below the elbows, and with double ruffles. Four rows of pearl beads encircle the throat, -one row coming down over the left shoulder to the middle of the bust, where two long loops fall over the bows of a white- lace scarf, edged with gold, and embel- lished with gold sprigs."
142
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Having great merit in the literary world, she had the advantage of being fully acquainted with the state of mankind ; and from a thorough conviction of their right to freedom, and the importance of it to their felicity, both here and hereafter, she to her latest hour fervently wished and prayed for the liberty of the world in general, and of her own country in particular.1
Boston, Aug. 26. 1771.
At a Meeting of the Brethren of the South Church, the Revd Mr. Bacon prayed. Voted that Deacon Jeffries be Moderator.
Mr. John Hunt and the Revd Mr. John Bacon were present and exhibited the Confession of Faith of the Elders and Messengers of the Churches conven'd May 12. 1680, as agreable to their Sentiments ; and expressed their Approbation of the Discipline as practised by the Church. The Revd Mr. Bacon also exhibited his Testimonial and Dismission from the presbytery of Lewes, which was accepted by the Church, and is as follows : -
The presbytery of Lewes, at a meeting at the Three Runs, Aug : 7. 1771 -
Being informed by a Letter from the Rev. Mr. John Bacon, that some months ago, he received an unanimous Call to the pastoral Office in the old South Church in Boston, which after due Deliberation he has lately accepted ; and that the said Church, to prepare the way for his Installment, desire a formal Dismission from this Judicature to be transmitted to him, do agree to comply with his Request : and tho it be with no small Reluctance that they part with so worthy a Member, yet considering the important Sphere of Usefulness to which he is called, do hereby dismiss him from his Connection with this Judica- ture, and most heartily recommend him to the old South Church in Boston, or any other where Divine providence may cast his Lot, as a regularly ordain'd and valuable Minister of the Gospel, in whom they trust, by the Blessing of God, both the Ministers and Churches of Christ, where he resides, will have much Comfort.
Signed in the name, and by the Appointment of the presbytery of Lewes, by JACOB KER Moder.
Whereupon it was Voted,
That the Day for the Ordination of Mr. John Hunt, and for the Installment of the Revd Mr. John Bacon, be, God willing, on Wednes- day the 25 : day of September next.
Voted, That the Church will not proceed to make a public Dinner.
Voted, That the following Churches in this Town be sent to, vizt : The Old Church [Dr. Chauncy] - The North Church [Mr. Lathrop,]
1 [Mr. Hunt's sermon makes mention Mrs. Comrin, in her sixty-eighth year. of another member of the South Church, who died a few days before Mrs. Gill -
We do not find her name in the list of members.]
143
A DOUBLE INSTALLATION.
- The Church in Brattle Street [Dr. Cooper,]- The new South Church [Mr. Bowen] - The Revd. Dr. Pemberton's - The new north Church [Dr. Eliot,]- The Revd. Dr. Mathers, and Doctor Byles's. Also the Revd Mr. Hooker's Church at North-hampton, and the Revd Mr. Searl's Church at Stoneham, and be desired to assist by their Elders and Messengers at said Ordination and Installment.1
Voted, That the Elders and Messengers be desired to meet at the Ministerial House formerly improved by the late venerable Doctor Sewall, by two o'clock P. M.
Voted, That the Revd. Doctor Chauncy be desired to give the Charge on this Occasion.
Voted, That the Brethren of the Church set together in the Front Gallery ; and that such of our Brethren as constantly set down with us at the Lords Table, tho' not yet formally admitted, be desired to sit with them.
DAVID JEFFRIES Moder.2
On Sunday, September 22, Mr. Hunt and Mr. Bacon were received into the membership of the church. The settlement of these young men appears to us to have been the result of a compromise in the church and congregation. Graduates of Cam- bridge and Princeton respectively, perhaps neither of them exactly represented the theological tendencies of the college at which he was educated. Mr. Hunt was a moderate Calvinist, conservative in his views ; Mr. Bacon, Dr. Sprague says, was understood to have sympathized with the school of Bellamy, Hopkins, and West.3
The installation took place on Wednesday, September 25. Mr. Hunt preached the sermon from 2 Tim. ii. 15 : " Shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The charge to the young pastors was given by Dr. Chauncy, largely in the words of Scrip- ture, and the right hand of fellowship by Dr. Eliot, who in closing addressed a few words to the church in the course of which he said : -
This church hath been distinguished by a succession of able and faithful ministers. The praise of those who have stood in a pastoral relation to you is still in all the churches - the holy Thacher -the
1 [Mr. Hooker was Mr. Hunt's pastor at Northampton, and the Rev. Jonathan Searle was his classmate at Cambridge. Every Congregational Church in the town was invited, except the West Church, of which the Rev. Simeon How- ard was minister, and the church under the care of the Rev. Mr. Croswell.]
2 ['The record of this meeting is in the handwriting of Deacon Jeffries.]
3 Dr. Wisner says that "Mr. Bacon's style of preaching was argumentative; his manner approaching the severe. Mr. Hunt was descriptive and pathetic ; and peculiarly affectionate and winning in conversation and public speaking."
144
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
judicious Willard - the accomplished Pemberton - the learned Prince - the penetrating Cumming - men who will be had in everlasting remembrance. But among these great and good men, there is no one whose name I mention with more pleasure, or whose memory deserves greater respect from you, than that of the excellent Dr. Sewall, who during the course of fifty-six years was your faithful and laborious pastor and whose venerable head so lately adorned this desk. The Lord reward the kindness you have showed to the house of his servant, and which, we doubt not, you will be ready to continue !1
On the next Lord's Day, Mr. Hunt preached a sermon appro- priate to the opening of his pastoral work from Jer. xxiii. 28 : " The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream ; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully : what is the chaff to the wheat ? saith the Lord."
Lords day Octo : 13. 1771
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation were stayed, and Voted that they meet tomorrow 10 o Clock A. M. to consider what Repairs may be necessary at the Ministerial house improved by the Revd Doctor Sewall in his Life Time.
Monday Octo : 14. The Brethren met according to appointment and Voted, that Deacon Jeffries be Moderator.
Voted, that the minister who shall first marry, shall be at Liberty to move into the above mentioned house.
Voted, that there be a Committee to consider what Repairs may be necessary, make an Estimate thereof, and report the same to the Society at their adjournment.
Voted, that the Seven following persons, the Lieut Governor, Mr. Cushing, Thomas Hubbard Esq. Deacon Mason, John Winslow Esq. Mr. Dolbeare and Arnold Welles Esq. be the Committee.
Voted, that the Meeting be adjourned to Monday next at 10 o'Clock A. M.
DAVID JEFFRIES Moderator.
Monday, Octo : 21. 1771. The Brethren met according to adjourn- ment.
An Estimate of Repairs for the Ministerial house (where Doctor Sewall formerly dwelt) was laid before the Society. Whereupon,
Voted, that the Society will proceed to the repairing said House.
Voted, that a Committee of Five be chosen to take Care respecting said Repairs.
Voted, that the following persons vizt. Deacon Mason, Arnold
1 [Dr. Eliot also made a kind refer- who for a short time served with him ence to Mr. Blair, as "our dear brother, [Dr. Sewall] as a son in the gospel."]
145
MR. BACON'S MARRIAGE.
Welles Esq. Mr. Benjamin Dolbeare, Mr. Samuel Whitwell, and Mr. William Whitwell be the Committee. DAVID JEFFRIES Moderator.
The house in which Mr. Pemberton and Dr. Sewall had lived and died was occupied by Mr. Bacon, on his marriage with the widow of the Rev. Alexander Cumming.1 Mr. Hunt was never married.
1 They were married November, 1771. the brilliancy given to the eye, and the beauty of the hand and arm." See Perkins's Life and Paintings of Copley.
Mrs. Cumming was painted by Copley in 1769. The picture is remarkable " for
The Rovereme ! JOHN HUNT AM
PASTOR of the Olu South China " Rum
CHAPTER IV.
1771-1775.
MORE TROUBLE IN THE PASTORATE. - THE AMERICAN REVOLU- TION. - THE SIEGE OF BOSTON.
T HE joint pastorate whose institution we recorded at the close of the last chapter was destined to be both brief and troubled. Almost at the outset Mr. Bacon, through inad- vertence, no doubt, gave offence to some of the patriot party in his congregation. The public mind was excitable and sensitive, and at such a time a young minister, a comparative stranger in the town and province, might easily be misunderstood and be- come the subject of misrepresentation. Governor Hutchinson had issued a proclamation for a day of general thanksgiving, and had called upon the people to give thanks to God particu-
147
AN UNPOPULAR PROCLAMATION.
larly for the continuance of their religious and civil liberties. Mr. Hunt was absent, on a visit to Northampton ; and the procla- mation, coming into the hands of Mr. Bacon, was read by him on the next Lord's Day. What followed we find reported in the Boston Gazette, November II, 1771 : -
It is said the Worshipping Assembly at the Old South Church, whose Pastor had so prematurely as well as unexpectedly in the Absence of his senior Colleague, read the Governor's Proclamation with the exceptionable Clause, stopped after divine Service was ended Yesterday, and express'd their great Dissatisfaction at that Part of the Rev. Mr. Bacon's conduct.
We hear the Proclamation which has given so much Offence to the good People of this Province, was read in no other Congregational Church in this Town than the American Manufactor'd Doctors, which gave so much Uneasiness to his Hearers, that many of them took their Hatts and walk'd out while he was reading it.1
A fortnight later, a long letter appeared in the Gazette, signed S. C., from which we quote the most important sentences : -
Mr. Bacon desired the brethren of the church and congregation to stop after divine service was ended, in order (as is usual before our anniversary thanksgiving) to vote a collection for charitable and pious uses ; after which a motion was made, the import of which was to consider whether our public thanks should be agreeable to the tenor of the exceptionable clause in the Proclamation ; not a word was said in the meeting about Mr. Bacon's conduct. It is generally supposed (and I have reason to think justly) that Mr. Bacon being a stranger, and not having been informed of the usual time of reading the proc- lamation, conceived a propriety in its being read as soon as might conveniently be done after it came to hand. Nor do I know of any reason that can be given why it is not as proper to be read three Sabbaths before the day appointed for publick thanksgiving, as two ; especially as custom is various in this respect.
It seems to be represented as a great piece of imprudence in Mr. Bacon to presume to read the proclamation in the absence of his senior colleague. As to the terms junior and senior, I think them hardly worth mentioning, and I hope our kind Pastors will never be disposed to contend for the chief rooms, or who shall be the greatest. I shall not undertake to determine what it is that constitutes seniority
1 [Mr. Pemberton had received the doctorate from Princeton the year be- fore. Dr. Chauncy, Dr. Cooper, and Dr. Eliot received their degrees from Edin- burgh, and Dr. Mayhew and Dr. Byles from Aberdeen. Harvard College for
the first time gave the degree of D. D. in 1771 to the Rev. Mr. Appleton, of Cambridge, who had been a Fellow more than fifty years ; and in 1773 it conferred it on the Rev. Samuel Locke and the Rev. Samuel Mather.]
148
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
in a minister of the gospel ; whether a senior pastor is one of an higher order, or of older standing in the ministry, is left with every one to determine for himself: Some have supposed the former, and some the latter ; and for this reason I suppose it is that these have sometimes consider'd Paul as the youngest of the apostles. However, I believe, there has not generally been supposed to be so great a distinction between colleague pastors among us, as that it should be thought criminal for the junior to read a proclamation in the absence of his senior.1
Samuel Adams said of the proclamation and of its reception by the clergy and the people, in a letter to Arthur Lee, who was in London, dated November 13 :-
This, I imagine, was contrived to try the feelings of the people ; and if the Governor could dupe the clergy, as he had the Council, and they the people, so that the proclamation should be read as usual in our churches, he would have nothing to do but acquaint Lord Hills- borough that the people in general acquiesced in the measures of government since they had appeared to admit with - himself, that notwithstanding the faction and turbulence of a party, their liberties were continued and their trade enlarged. I am at a loss to say, whether this measure is more insolent to the people or affrontive to the majesty of Heaven, neither of whom, however, a modern politi- cian regards, if at all, so much as the smiles of his noble patron. But the people saw through it in general, and openly declared that they would not hear the proclamation read ; the consequence of which was, that it was read in only two of all the churches in this town, con- sisting of twelve, besides three Episcopal churches ; there, indeed, it has not been customary ever to read them. Of those two clergymen who read it, one of them being a stranger in the Province, and hav- ing been settled but about six weeks, performed a servile task about a week before the usual time, when the people were not aware of it. They were, however, much disgusted at it. The other is a known flatterer of the Governor, and is the very person who formed the ful- some address of which I wrote you some time ago. He was deserted by a great number of his auditory in the midst of his reading.2
Dr. Pemberton was the divine of whom Mr. Adams wrote thus severely, at whose Princeton degree the Gazette cast a sneer, and to whom the same paper referred at another time, as " the old, rich, reverend doctor." Dr. Chandler Robbins, in an historical discourse preached at the New Brick, just before its demolition, thus spoke of the waning popularity of his prede- cessor : -
1 [Boston Gazette, November 25, 1771.]
[Wells's Life of Samuel Adams, vol. i. pp. 432, 433.]
4
149
ADAMS AND HANCOCK.
At the period of his settlement here, he enjoyed a degree of popu- larity such as had fallen to the lot of few who had ever stood in a Boston pulpit, and attracted to this house a crowded congregation. But he lived to experience, even beyond what is usual in such cases, the proverbial fickleness of popular favor. In the latter part of his life, his congregation sadly dwindled. Instead of the throngs which used to gather before him, his eye looked down upon only a few famil- iar faces scattered about amongst almost empty pews. But the de- clension of his fame was not more attributable to any deterioration of his ability, than to the influence of political odium. The inhabitants of the North End, as is well known, were almost all of them stanch and uncompromising whigs. Dr. Pemberton was a warm friend of Governor Hutchinson, who was a worshipper at his church, and there- fore fell under the suspicion of sharing his attachment to the tory interest.1
There is no entry upon the record book of either church or congregation during the year 1772. On the 5th of March, the second anniversary of the King Street massacre, Joseph War- ren delivered an oration in the Old South Meeting-House, as James Lovell, an usher in the Grammar School, had done the year before. Dr. Warren was only thirty years of age, but his reputation was already established as a writer and speaker. His oration explained the nature of the connection between Great Britain and the colonies, in a constitutional argument of the highest ability. It was listened to by a "vast concourse" of people, who were held " spell-bound by the purity and eloquence of his language, and the noble and ingenuous bearing of the gifted speaker."
At this time the prospects of the patriot cause were not very promising. Samuel Adams and John Hancock were at vari- ance, and had held no intercourse with each other for a year. The governor wrote: "I think we have so divided the faction that it must be something very unfortunate which can unite them again." Indeed, it was reported in London that Hancock had deserted to the side of the government. The difference between the two leaders, however, had then been arranged by the friends of the parties ; and Adams, in the magnanimity of his nature, took pains to relieve Hancock from the suspicions under which he had rested, for, as it proved, all the influence of the governor and his agents had, in the end, been ineffectual to bring him over.
1 [Robbins's History of the Second Church, pp. 190, 191.]
150
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
The church in Brattle Street proceeded this summer to the erection of a brick meeting-house, the wooden building of 1699 being no longer adequate to the wants of the congregation, although it had been enlarged a few years before.
On the 19th of May, 1773, Mr. Joseph Howe was installed at the New South Church as the successor of the Rev. Penuel Bowen. Mr. Howe was a graduate of Yale College in the class of 1765, and his ordination sermon was preached by its president, the Rev. Naphtali Daggett. Dr. Chauncy and Dr. Pemberton took part in the services.1
The Hon. Thomas Hubbard, who had been a member of the Old South Church for forty-three years, and one of its deacons for a quarter of a century, died at Waltham July 14, in his seven- ty-first year.2 He resigned the deaconship in 1764, but accepted the treasurership on the death of Mr. Osborne in 1768. Mr. Hubbard " had scarcely passed the threshold of manhood before he was placed by his fellow citizens in stations of trust and con- fidence. He became a member of the House of Representa- tives, held for many successive years the speaker's chair, and finally was raised to a seat in the Council of the Province, which he resigned a short time before his death. Few men have passed through life with a higher reputation for integrity, use- fulness, and fidelity in all the relations of public and private life." He was chosen treasurer of Harvard College in 1752, succeeding Edward Hutchinson, and held the position until his death. "He increased the funds of the college by his judicious and assiduous management, and to the office of treasurer united the character of benefactor." 3
Lord's Day P. M. 29th of August 1773.
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation were stayed, and voted that there be a Meeting of the Brethren of the Church and
1 Mr. Howe died at Hartford, August 25, 1775, during the siege of Boston.
2 Mr. Hubbard lived in a fine mansion in Summer Street, which had been built by Leonard Vassall on land formerly owned by Simeon Stoddard. He left {200 to the poor of Boston, and £50 to the Charitable and Pious Fund of the Old South. His executors were William Blair Townsend, his son-in-law, and 3 Quincy's History, vol. ii. p. 158. Mr. Hubbard was succeeded in the Thomas Fayerweather. His daughter Mary, wife of Mr. Townsend, died in treasurership of the college by John 1768, soon after her marriage. His Hancock.
daughter Thankful married, in 1770, Dr. Thomas Leonard, and died in 1772. Phillis Wheatley addressed some touch- ing lines to the parents, on the death of this second daughter. Mrs. Hubbard - Mary, daughter of Jonathan Jackson - died February 15, 1774. Mr. Hub- bard's portrait by Copley is in the posses- sion of Harvard College.
15I
DEATH OF THOMAS HUBBARD.
Congregation on Tuesday the 3Ist Inst at II o'clock A. M. to consid- er of, and act upon any Matters respecting the Church and Congrega- tion that may come before them.
Boston August 31st 1773.
At a meeting of the Brethren of the South Church and Congrega- tion. The Revd. Mr. Bacon opened the Meeting with Prayer and then withdrew.
Deacon Jeffries was chosen Moderator.
Voted, to proceed to the Choice of a Treasurer, in the Room of the late Thomas Hubbard Esqr deceased. By the Votes it appeared that Deacon Phillips was chosen Treasurer.
Voted, that Joseph Jackson, Jonathan Mason and William Phillips be a Committee for adjusting the late Treasurers Accounts.
Voted, that Deacon Phillips, this Day chosen Treasurer be, and he is hereby impowered and directed to receive from the Executors of the late Treasurer, Thomas Hubbard Esqr deceased, the Monies and Papers in their Hands, belonging to this Society.
Voted, that the following seven persons, viz. Deacon Phillips, Dea- con Mason, Deacon Jeffries, also Joseph Jackson, Benjamin Dolbeare, Arnold Wells, and Thomas Cushing, be a Committee, to stand for one year, and untill further Order, and to have the Direction and Ordering of Affairs relative to the Pews and Seats in the Meeting House.
Voted, that Henderson Inches, John Scollay, and Thomas Dawes be a Committee for auditing the Accounts of the Deacons : and that the Monies remaining in the Deacons Hands, after auditing their Ac- counts be lent on Interest on good Security at their Discretion.
Voted, that what Monies Treasurer Phillips may receive from the aforementioned Executors be paid into the Hands of the Deacons to be by them lett out on good Security at their Discretion.
JNO. HUNT Pastor.1
In November and December of this year, the proceedings were held in the Old South Meeting-House, which led to the destruction of the East India Company's tea in Boston harbor. The shipment of this tea was planned by the administration in London, in order to establish and fix the tribute laid upon the importation of the article.2 On Sunday, November 28, the Dartmouth, Captain Hall,3 the first of the historical tea ships
[We suppose that the moderator ob- tained the attestation of one of the pas- tors to the record of these proceedings, because they related in part to acts to be performed by himself as one of the dea- cons of the church.]
2 The consignees of the tea were:
Richard Clarke and Sons, Benjamin Faneuil, Jr., Joshua Winslow, and Elisha and Thomas Hutchinson.
3 William Phillips, the son, sailed for England with Captain Hall, July 6, 1772, and returned with him in the same ship at this time.
I52
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
to arrive, came to anchor near the Castle. Notwithstanding the day, the committee of correspondence met at once, and had a conference with Mr. Francis Rotch, the owner of the vessel, who promised not to enter her at the custom house until Tues- day. It was then determined to hold a mass meeting of the citizens on the following day, and invitations were sent to the people of Dorchester, Roxbury, Brookline, Cambridge, and Charlestown to attend, and to make an united and successful resistance "to this last, worst and most destructive measure of administration." On Monday, at nine o'clock, the people gath- ered in crowds at Faneuil Hall, and Jonathan Williams was chosen moderator. Samuel Adams at once asked for a vote on the question, whether the tea now arrived should be returned to the place from whence it came, at all events. This was decided in the affirmative, without one dissenting vote. In the mean time, the number of people in and about the hall was constantly increasing, and " leave having been obtained for the purpose," the meeting was adjourned to the Old South. The building was packed to its utmost capacity. Samuel Adams now moved that the question be put, whether the tea should not only be sent back, but that no duty should be paid thereon. The vote was again in the affirmative and unanimous. It had been ex- pected that the consignees of the tea would send in some pro- posals, but as none were made, the meeting was adjourned to the afternoon at the same place. It was voted, at the adjourned session, that the tea should go back in the same vessel in which it had arrived. Mr. Rotch was present and said that he should enter his protest against these proceedings, but the significant vote was passed that if he entered the tea, he would do so at his peril. Captain Hall was also cautioned not to allow any of the tea to be landed. "Out of great tenderness " to the con- signees, the meeting adjourned to Tuesday morning, to allow further time for consultation. The answer then came, that it was not in the power of the consignees to send the tea back. At this juncture, Copley, the artist, son-in-law of one of the consignees, tendered his services as mediator between them and the people, and was allowed two hours for the purpose. The report which he brought back in the afternoon was voted to be " not in the least degree satisfactory." Mr. Rotch and Captain Hall, however, gave the assurance that the tea should return without touching land or paying duty.
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