USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. II > Part 21
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Sir
The Vote of the Proprietors of King's Chapel was laid before the Members of the Old South Church, their unanimous determination relating [to] our meeting in said Chapel was received gratefully. Care will be taken that no damage shall be done to the House, if any should happen it shall be repair'd, and their time of meeting shall not Inter- fere with the services of the Church.
JOHN SCOLLAY pr. order.
BOSTON, Sept 11. 1777.
The members of the Old South assembled for the first time for worship in the Chapel, November 9, 1777. Mr. Joseph Eck- ley, a graduate of the College of New Jersey, had come to Boston and had been preaching to some of the congregations with much acceptance. It was with a view to his settlement that the mem- bers of the Old South determined to resume public worship by themselves, and he began at once to preach for them. Nothing appears on the records however until July, 1778.
Lords day P. M. July 19th 1778.
The Brethren of the Old South Society were stayed, after the Blessing was given, when it was proposed to Consider what steps might be proper to take respecting our present Circumstances and the resettlement of the Gospel Ministry among us. Whereupon
Voted, That Wednesday the 29th of July current be set apart and observed as a day of Prayer and humiliation before God on Account of the very affecting dispensations of his Providence towards us, par- ticularly in the death of our late worthy pastor the Revd. Mr. John Hunt whereby we were left as sheep without a Shepard ; and in the destruction of the beautiful Building where we used steadily to meet for Publick Worship of God by those wicked and unreasonable men the British Troops, who in the year 1775 being in the possession of this Metropolis, entred the Building and in a wanton unprecedented and impious manner made Havoc of the inside work thereof, leaving only the sounding board and two East Galleries standing, and after wards used the same as a school in which to train their Horses, if not for viler Purposes, and Whereas we have not a settled Pastor at this time, that we present our Supplications before our God, that he would be pleased to lead and direct us to the choice of an able faithfull and successful Minister of the New Testament, and in his own time set him over us. And the Deacons apply to the Associated Ministers of these Churches for their assistance in carrying on the religious Exer- cises of said Day. The Morning Exercise to begin at 10 O Clock and the Afternoon at three.1
1 [This action was recorded immedi- July 6, 1779. In our narrative, we place ately after the meeting of the brethren it where it properly belongs.]
190
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Chapel.
Boston Augt. 18. 1778.
At a meeting of the Old South Church and Congregation, lately under the care of the Revd. Mr. Hunt, after prayer to God as usual, Voted Thomas Cushing Moderator.
Voted, That the preaching of the Rev. J. Eckley is very agreeable to the Brethren of this Church and Congregation, and that it would be agreeable to them if the Brethren of the Church would meet and confer together upon the expediency of the settlement of a minister at this time.
Voted, That Brothers Dawes, Deming and Kneeland be a Commit- tee to settle with Brother Jeffries, with respect to Mr. Eckley's Board, with the Deacons with respect to the Contribution monies, since the Society met at the Chapel : and also relative to the rent of the Min- isterial House and to Consider what further allowance should be made to Mr. Eckley.
Voted, That this meeting be adjourned to next Monday at five O Clock P. M.1
Mr. Eckley was born in London, October II, 1750. His father, Thomas Eckley, a respectable and well-educated man, migrated with his family to this country, and settled at Mor- ristown, New Jersey, about the year 1767. Joseph, who was already fitted for college, went almost immediately to Princeton, and graduated there in 1772 with the highest honors of his class. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New York, May 7, 1776, and began his ministry at Albany, where he spent several Sabbaths.
Monday August 24. 1778
At a meeting of the South Church lately under the Pastoral care of the Revd Mr. Hunt, David Jeffries Moderator ;
1 [A venerable member of the Old fries,] he was the first person to recog- South, Mary Ann Winslow, who was bap- nize the body of Warren. On his re- tized by Mr. Eckley, May 16, 1790, and turn to town, he made his uncle's prem- ises as secure as possible, dug a hole in the cellar of the house, buried the Old South plate, carefully filled it in, and covered all with a heap of brushwood. He then purchased a suit of sailor's clothing, shipped on board a British war vessel bound to Newport, and not know- ing one rope from another, received some lashes on the passage for his ignorance. As soon as the vessel reached Newport he ran away from her, joined his uncle, and entered the army as deputy paymas- ter under his friend Trumbull, and soon became captain of artillery under Major Eben Stevens."] died December 13, 1882, gave the follow- ing account of the preservation of the Old South silver by her father, John Winslow, afterward General Winslow. Deacon Mason had charge of the silver, and kept it in his house No. 12 Cornhill, nearly opposite Williams Court; he went to Newport, when hostilities began, leav- ing his house and store in the care of his nephew, John Winslow, then twenty-two years of age. "Winslow watched the battle of Bunker Hill from the Old South steeple, and going over the ground next morning, Drake says, in company with Dr. Jeffries, [son of Deacon Jef-
19I
THE CHOICE OF A MINISTER.
The Church took under Consideration the expediency of proceed- ing to the settlement of a Minister at this time ; and after some de- bate, the Question was putt, and it was unanimously Voted, That it was at this time expedient for the Church to proceed to the settlement of a minister.
Voted, that brother Cushing, Mr. Deming and Deacon Mason be a Committee to wait upon Mr. Joseph Eckley, (who has been Preaching with us for some months) and enquire of him whether he could see his way clear to Baptize a child when neither of the parents were in full communion.
The Committee after the Interview return'd to the Church at that time setting, and reported Mr. Eckley's Answer, which in substance was that he did not know but that there might be a Case where he could administer the Ordinance when neither of the parents were in full communion.
Voted, that the Deacons wait upon Mr. Eckley, and request his stay among us for two sabbaths more than the next vizt. the 30th cur- rent, as it was his Intention immediately after to have set out on his journey for the Jersies.
Voted, that this meeting be adjourn'd to Fryday the 4th September 3 o'clock P. M.
Monday Augt 24. 1778.
The Church and Congregation met according to adjournment, and Voted that the meeting be further adjourned to Friday the 4th Septr. at 5 o'clock P. M.1
Septemb. 4. 1778.
The Church met according to adjournment, and after some conver- sation respecting the practice of the church when persons apply for Baptism for themselves or their children, about which no Vote was passed, The meeting was further adjourn'd to Tuesday the 8th cur- rent at 3 o'clock P. M.
Sept. 4 1778.
The Church and Congregation met according to Adjournment and Voted the meeting be further Adjourned to Tuesday next the 8th Cur- rent at 3 o'Clock P. M.
Tuesday Septemb. 8. 1778.
The Brethren of the Church met according to adjournment. Mr. Eckley pray'd.
A Question was put, Whether it be the mind of this church now to proceed to the choice of a Pastor, it passed in the Affirmative.
Voted, that Brothers Peirce, Thomas Bumsted and Deacon Phillips be a committee to collect and count the Votes, and upon counting
1 [Lafayette arrived in Boston, for the with John Hancock until Monday, and first time, on Saturday, August 29, stayed then returned to Rhode Island.]
192
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
said Votes, which were written, it appear'd that there were twenty seven Votes in favor of Mr. Joseph Eckley out of thirty, the whole number present ; three of the Brethren declined voting.
Voted, that Deacon Jeffries, Deacon Phillips, Brothers Scollay, Deming and Whitwell, be a Committee to waite upon Mr. Joseph Eck- ley and acquaint him with the choice which the church hath this day made of him to be their Pastor.
Voted, that the meeting be adjourn'd until tomorrow 3 o'clock p. m. to which time the meeting of the Church and Congregation stands adjourn'd. DAVID JEFFRIES Modera.
Septr. 8. 1778.
The Church and Congregation met according to Adjournment, and Voted that Brother Joseph Peirce, Deming, Somes, Copeland, and Josiah Waters be a Committee to notify the Society that their meet- ing is further adjourned till tomorrow at 3 O Clock P M
DAVID JEFFRIES Moderator.
Septr. 9. 1778.
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation met according to adjournment and the vote of the Church passed yesterday respecting their choice of Mr. Joseph Eckley to be their pastor, was now laid be- fore them and the question being put whether they concurred with the Church in the choice of Mr. Joseph Eckley to be their pastor. I passed in the Affirmative.
Voted, That in case Mr. Joseph Eckley accept the call of this Church to be their pastor, that there then be allowed and paid to him Seven pounds Lawfull Money pr week as a salary, which sum is fixed upon in Consideration of the present price of the Necessarys of Life : also that he be allow'd Wood for his Study, also that he receive and ap- ply to his own use the rent of the Ministerial House now in the Occu- pation of Brother Wm. Phillips Junr which several allowances are to commence and take place when he shall declare his Acceptance of the Call of this Church to be their pastor ; and it is further Voted, That when Mr. Eckley shall see fit to settle in a family by himself, that he be allowed Wood for his Family ; as also to occupy the Minis- terial House.
Voted, That Messrs Wm Bant, Bartholomew Kneeland,1 and Ziphion Thayer be a Committee with the Committee of this Church to ac- quaint Mr. Joseph Eckley with the choice and vote of this Church passed yesterday that he should be their pastor. Accordingly the Committee waited on him and communicated to him the foregoing Vote.
land to have been a grandson of the deacon of the same name who died in 1732. The second of the name, who
1 [We suppose this Bartholomew Knee- owned the covenant in 1725, died in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1751. The third of the name, Bartholomew, son of Bar- tholomew and Hannah Kneeland, was
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193
MR. ECKLEY CALLED.
Voted, That the report of the Committee of Brother Dawes, Dem- ing and Kneeland and the Account respecting Mr. Eckley's Board, rent of ministerial house and monies in the hands of the Deacons since our meeting in the Chapel be allowed and accepted.
Voted, That the ballance of the above mentioned Accounts being £92. 17. 3 be made up one hundred pounds and that the same be pre- sented to Mr. Joseph Eckley by the Deacons in the name of this So- ciety in Token of their respect and Affection to him.
Voted, That Brother Waters, Sweetser and Deming be a Committee to supply the pulpit during the absence of Mr. Eckley.
Voted, That there be allowed and paid to the persons or person who shall preach to the Society during Mr. Eckley's absence the sum of four pounds p Sabbath also that he be allowed for his board Occas- sional Horse Keeping.1 DAVID JEFFRIES Moderator Pro Tem.
Lords day Novr 15 1778
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation were stayed and Voted that there be a collection for charitable and pious uses on the Anniversary Thanksgiving the 26 Current and that the Brethren be reminded of this Vote the next Lords day
DAVID JEFFRIES one of the Deacons.
Jany 4 1779 at a meeting of the Brethren of the Church and Con- gregation of the South Society in the chapel -
Voted, Brother Jeffries moderator. The Committee appointed to take an Account of the Arrearages on the pews, and what measures are necessary for the Society to take in order to support the charge of publick worship, reported.
Voted, That Brother Somes, Peirce, Oliver, Waters and Wiswell be a Committee to collect the arrearages due on the Pews.
Voted, That the Pews be taxed agreeable to the Assessment ex- hibited this day by the Committee and to begin next Lords Day on the roth current.
Voted, That the Parsonage House be rented for six months at the rate of One hundred and fifty pounds p Annum.
Voted, That Brother Dawes, Deming and Kneeland be a Committee to settle with Wm. Phillips Jr. rent for the ministerial House from June last to this day, also to consider what allowance and pay should be made Mr. Eckley p Sabbath for preaching to us, also to Mr. Saml Duncalf the Saxton, for his services from Novr 1777 to Jany 10 1779.
baptized at the South Church September 24, 1727.]
1 [On the return to the West Church of the Rev. Simeon Howard, who during the siege of Boston had gone with some of his parishioners to Annapolis, Nova
Scotia, his salary was fixed at £3. 12. 0 a week. October I, 1777, it was raised to £7 a week for the next six months ; De- cember 11, 1780, it was fixed at £4 a week. - Lowell's Discourse, 1820, pp. 32-35.1
194
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Also to receive Mr. Jeffries Accounts for boarding Mr. Eckley and Mr. Wheaton and report to the Society.1
Voted, That the meeting be adjourned to Monday the 18th Inst at 3 O Clock P M. and that the Society be notified of the Adjournment on the Sabbath preceeding. DAVID JEFFRIES Moderator.
Monday Jany. 18. 1779.
The Brethren met according to adjournment and voted that the report of the Committee respecting a Ballance of Twenty nine pounds 3/9 due from Wm Phillips Junr for rent of the parsonage House to the 5th Current be accepted.
Voted, That there be allowed and paid to Mr. Joseph Eckley Eighteen pounds weekly for his services including his board ; to begin from the time when he returned from the Jersey last fall Novr. 20. 1778.2
Voted, That there be allowed and paid to Mr. Saml Duncalf the Sexton thirty pounds p Annum beginning from the 9th Novr 1777 to the roth current and that in future he be allowed the use of the Pall or Palls belonging to the Society if any there be and the privilidge of the Bell belonging to the old South meeting House.
Voted, That Brother Sweetser be added to the Committee, vizt. Dawes, Deming, and Kneeland, appointed Jany 4. as brother Dawes is under such Engagements that he cannot attend the Committee.
DAVID JEFFRIES Moderator.
The following record of meetings held in the month of May appears in the record book after the date of Mr. Eckley's ordi-
1 [Soon after his settlement, Mr. Eck- ley married Sarah, daughter of Deacon David and Deborah Jeffries, baptized November 15, 1761.]
2 [" A representation of the extreme injury and hardship thus inferr'd [by the depreciation of the currency] on the clergy, was, by the Rev. Dr. Chauncy of Boston, not long since made to the Coun- cil of this State, in a sermon at the public lecture - made with that noble plain- ness and fidelity which are among the distinguishing characteristics of that gen- tleman -and withal a redress of their wrongs was decently and solemnly urg'd. But altho the General Assembly has now been sitting for some time, no motion (as I can learn) has as yet been made, or is likely to be made for this purpose. The people of some parishes, 'tis true, have made their ministers a consideration. A small number have been so generous as
to give (as 'tis term'd) more than one- half of what was justly due. Others have fallen far short of this. And a great part have done nothing at all." Letter from a Clergyman, Cont. Journal, October 8, 1778.
" We hear from Easton, that they have voted the Rev. Mr. Campbell £400 L. M. From Braintree, that they have voted the Rev. Mr. Taft £450 L. M. From Bridgewater, that they have voted the Rev. Mr. Porter £500 L. M. as sala- ries for 1778. In these examples, we see displayed a degree of justice and gener- osity, together with a spirit to support the gospel ministry, which seems to be almost extinct in too many places at the present day." - Ibid., December 10, 1778.
The same paper contains a letter, un- signed, but probably from the pen of Dr. Chauncy, in which the Rev. John Murray is rather sharply criticised.]
195
ORAL OR WRITTEN RELATIONS.
nation. We print it here, because the proceedings took place before Mr. Eckley's acceptance of the call, and were, no doubt, in response to his expressed wishes.
At a meeting of the Brethren of the Old South Church held May 7th 1779, Deacon Mason Moderator.
The meeting call'd at the desire of a number of the Brethren who exprest their uneasiness at our present practice upon what is call'd the half-way covenant.
Entered into free conversation upon the subject.
Voted, That this meeting be adjourn'd to Monday 17th. at 3 p. m.
Monday May 17th. The Brethren met according to their adjourn- ment, and again freely discoursed upon the subject, and Voted that the meeting be adjourn'd to next Wednesday at 3 o'clock p m.
Wednesday May 19th 1779.
The brethren met according to adjournment, and further discoursed upon the subject. Chose Brother Waters Jr. Brother Deming, Brother Somes and Brother Thomas Bumpstead a committee to waite upon those Brethren that were absent to acquaint them of the adjournment and desire their attendance.
Voted that this meeting be adjourn'd to Fryday next at 3 o'clock p. m.
Fryday May 21. The Brethren met according to their adjournment. Enter'd again upon a free conversation on the subject.
Voted that this meeting be adjourn'd to Monday next at 3 o'clock p m.
Monday May 24 1779.
The Brethren met according to adjournment, and after freely con- versing together, passed the following votes.
Whereas Nov. 3. 1769, it was voted that such persons as may here- after seek admission to full communion, previous to their admission, give to the church orally or in writing a profession of their Repentance towards God, and Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, of their Belief of the Scriptures, and of their Resolutions by the Grace of God, to walk according to them ;
Voted that the Pastor communicate to the Church the substance of the conversation had between him and the Persons, which shall super- ceed the necessity of an oral or written Profession.
Voted, That it is the mind of this Church, that no person be ad- mitted to special ordinances, unless he make a profession of repent- ance towards God and Faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and obedience to all his commands.
JONA MASON Moderator.1
1 [See ante, vol. ii. p. 1.12.
" Another innovation upon ancient cus-
toms was made [at the New North Church, Dr. Eliot's,] on the 16th of May,
196
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
From 1754 to 1775, both years inclusive, one hundred and eighty-nine persons had been admitted to full membership in the church, and sixty-four (about one third as many) under the baptismal covenant. There were no admissions of the latter kind under Mr. Eckley's ministry, until 1788.
July 6 1779 at a meeting of the Brethren of the Church and Con- gregation of the Old South Society in the Chapel voted Wm. Phillips Moderator.
Voted, That Brother Deming, Kneeland, Sweetser Balnap and Hinkley be a Committee to settle with Brother Jeffries with respect to Mr. Eckley's wood and also all other demands on the Society : with the Deacons with respect to the Contribution money since the Society met at the Chapel and also relative to the rent of the ministry House and to consider what further allowance should be made to Mr. Eckley.
Voted, That Mr. Eckley be allowed and paid for his wood from Novr. 20 1778 to this Day, over and above the £18 p. week Voted Jany 18 1779.
Voted, that this meeting be adjourned to Monday the 12th Inst at 3 OClock P. M. and publick notice be given of the same next Lords day.
WM PHILLIPS Moderator.
Monday July 19 1779
The Brethren of the Old South Church and Congregation met ac- cording to adjournment, and Wm. Phillips the Moderator not being present David Jeffries was chosen P Tem.
Several accounts were laid before the Society by Brother Deming and others a Committee chosen July 6 current all of which were brought into one General Account which left a ballance of three hundred
1773, viz. The candidates for full com- munion had been required to present to the church a relation of the time when, and the manner in which they had been wrought upon, and the experiences they had had during their religious course. This was read before the members of the church, nominally, but in fact before the whole of the society; as curiosity prompted most of the congregation, es- pecially of the softer sex, to tarry, in order to hear what they had to say upon the matter. It had become a mere form, and was said to prevent many from joining the church; so that the pastor, thinking there was no direction in the Scriptures therefor, recommended that it should not be required ; but if it should
be the desire of any persons to make such relation, the church will attend to it. A public profession of Christ, how- ever, was still to be made, by assenting to the covenant in use in the church."- Historical Notices, by. Ephraim Eliot, p. 25.
Those who applied for admission to Dr. Eliot's church under the baptismal covenant were required to assent to the same form of covenant as those who desired full membership, with the follow- ing words added : " You promise often to think of your obligations to come up to the table of the Lord, and that you will seek to have such difficulties re- moved as now prevent your approach to that holy ordinance." - Ibid., p. 49.]
197
SETTLEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.
and sixty five pounds 2/9 due from the Society to Sundry persons and said Account was accepted. The report of said Committee which also was accepted is as follows .-
"The Committee to whom was refer'd the Settling all the Demands on the Old South Society since their meeting at the Chapel have attended that service and report that there appears to be a ballance of £365. 2. 9 due from the Society on the Several Accounts exhibited - that in this ballance Mr. Eckley will only receive £160. for his services for eight months past after paying his board, which we think very in- sufficient, we further report as our opinion, that for the present Mr. Eckley be allowed twelve pounds in Addition to the sum of Eighteen pounds p week already voted, in Consideration of the high price of the necessarys of life, also wood for his Study until he settle with us, also that the ministerial House improved by Mr. Wm. Phillips Jr be at the rate of three hundred pounds p Annum for the next three months, all which is Humbly submitted. JNO DEMING Chairman."
After conversation had respecting a method for raising the Above mentioned Sum of £365. 2. 9 The question was put, Whether the money necessary for discharging the debts of the Society should be raised by Subscription. It passed in the Negative. The question was then put whether the money should be raised by an Assessment on the Pews. It passed in the Affirmative. Whereupon Voted that Mr. Samuel Whitwell, Mr. Joseph Pierce and Mr. John Hinkley be the committee for making said Assessment.
Deacon Phillips having informed the Society that he had in his hands of their money One hundred and ten pounds -
Voted, That the said sum of f110, be and is hereby appropriated for payment of the debt of the Society, so far as it will extend.
Voted, That the rate of the Pews from and after Lords day the 25th current be double to the rate paid by the pew holders for several Months past, that is to say a Pew that is now rated six shillings shall be rated twelve shillings, a pew that is now rated four shillings shall be rated eight shillings and so other pews in the same propor- tion, so much being necessary for defraying the Charges of the Society at the present time : also voted that the Society be made acquainted with the preceeding vote the next Lords day.
Voted, that Deacon Mason, John Scollay, D[eacon] Jeffries, Bart. Kneeland and John Hinkley be the Committee to wait upon Mr. Joseph Eckley and acquaint him the addition of twelve pounds for the present p week to the eighteen pounds already voted in Consideration of the high price of the necessarys of Life, and that they request Mr. Eckley to give his answer to the call of the Church to be their pastor so soon as Conveniently he can.
Voted, That the meeting be adjourned to Monday the 20th Current
1
198
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
at 3 OClock afternoon and that the society be reminded thereof next Lords Day. DAVID JEFFRIES Moderator Pro Tem.
Monday July 20. 1779
The Brethren of the Old South Society met according to Adjourn- ment. Voted, That Brother Jeremiah Bumstead, Ziphion Thayer 1 and James Foster be a Committee to wait upon the Brethren of the Church and Congregation for the several sums Assessed on their pews for raising the sum of Two hundred and eighty three pounds 9/4 it being sixteen times as much as their weekly contribution, and to acquaint them that at a meeting of the church and congregation, they voted to add Twelve pounds p week to Mr. Eckley's salary to make it up £30 p week. N. B. the Assessment is doubled on each Pew to make the sum.
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