USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. II > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
Ten months had passed since a formal call was given to Mr. Eckley, and eight months since his return from New Jersey. In the mean time, he had been supplying the pulpit regularly ; but the brethren, as we have seen, desired that the question of a permanent relation might be settled as soon as he could con- veniently give an answer. This he did in a letter dated July 31, which came into the possession of Dr. Manning several years ago, and was preserved by him. It bears the following endorse- ment : " Mr. Joseph Eckley's Answer to the Call given him by the Old South Church (so called) Septem 8. 1778, to be their pastor. Communicated to the Society by the Rev'd Dr. Gordon Lords day Aug. I. P. M. which was a Communion Sabbath. David Jeffries."
To the Christian Church and Congregation, now usually assembling in the Chapel in Boston. -
Dearly Beloved.
May Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied abundantly to you.
Having in the providence of God been called to settle among you in the work of the Gospel ministry, and in so important a place in the Church of Christ - it has become me to spread the case before the almighty, and seek his Counsel and direction.
It will be needless for me to mention, when it is so well known, that such an employment and undertaking is both difficult and important. In particular, must it be considered so, when the whole charge, and care of a Church and Congregation, is to fall on one person alone,
1 [Ezekiel Price says in his diary kept out of Boston in August." Mr. Thayer's during the siege of Boston, that "Zi- store was at the sign of the Golden Lion, phion Thayer and Nicholas Bowes got Cornhill.]
199
MR. ECKLEY'S ACCEPTANCE.
and especially on one, who is in the younger part of life. But knowing there is a being whom we serve, who is able to afford strength - and considering the encouragements as well as discouragements, which attend the work of the gospel ministry - after mature deliberation, I take this method to make it known, that if what I have yet to mention is satisfactory and agreable, I accept the Call of the Society, be- seeching their earnest prayers for me, that I may be assisted to be faithful and successful in my master's work, rightly dividing the word of truth.
One particular I had reference to, is concerning the constant sup- ply of the Pulpit. So great an undertaking has this been thought, as formerly to have required two Ministers to a Church. And consid- ering the importance of the doctrines of the Gospel, and the neces- sity of an increasing acquaintance with them, it must be obvious, that not only must time be allowed for the particular preparation of every publick discourse, but more so, for those other parts of study, which are necessary to furnish the mind with ideas, without which, neither is it possible for a person to do justice to himself, or the peo- ple committed to his ministry, - but his publick labours, must in the end, prove either futile and empty, or a tiresome repetition of the same things. I must take the freedom therefore to mention with regard to myself, that, if while I am blessed with health and strength, I see the Pulpit constantly supplyed as was formerly the whole publick labour of two ministers, and preach myself as often as was formerly the business of one, that this, together with the other work which will necessarily fall to me, is as much as I can think my duty to engage, or that I shall have strength to perform.
What I had further in view to observe was, that as by the dispensa- tion of providence which has called me, so if I should fix my residence in this place, I shall thereby be removed at a very great distance from my friends - it is my request, that once in every two years it be con- sidered, that I be allowed time for the purpose of taking a journey, and visiting my friends, which will generally occasion my absence about six or seven Sabbaths.
These particulars being assented to, and nothing extraordinary or unforeseen preventing or making it improper - by the assistance of the divine being, I shall address myself to the work you have called me to and to labour among you in those things, which regard our common interest, and our only salvation. And considering the difficul- ties of the ministerial work, more especially in the present day - on you Gentlemen who have invited me thereunto I rely for encourage- ment and assistance, as it is thereon will very much depend the pros- pect of my comfort and success from a continuance among you. To you therefore I must look for your countenance and help, and also for that temporal support, which according to the rule that Christ has given, is to be afforded to those who dispense his word.
200
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Concerning which latter particular I have only to say, that as from well known facts, it cannot in general be readily considered that the inducements to the work of the Gospel Ministry are of a temporal or worldly nature, so I trust, that a thought so dangerous to the interest of religion, will always be absent from our minds. But as he who en- gages in the Ministry, engages in a work which is sufficient to employ the whole of his time, and for the sake of the People among whom he labours, must renounce all other means of acquiring earthly things, hence the propriety of the rule enacted by our Saviour concerning those who preach the Gospel ; - on which subject I place the most entire confidence in the Society I am addressing.
That a spirit of love and unity may ever dwell among you, shall be my earnest prayer : And if it should please the great head of the Church, to unite us in the most intimate relation of a People and Pastor, may that trust and mutual confidence reign between us, which is necessary to our comfortably walking together, and helping one another in our Christian course. And being found faithful to our common Lord and Saviour -when we have run our course, may we then be received to live together in the upper world, and change these but weak beginnings of love and friendship, into the most perfect fruition thereof, and mu- tually join in singing the eternal praises of God and of the Lamb.
With sincere respect I remain,
Your affectionate Brother and Servant in Christ,
JOSEPH ECKLEY,
BOSTON 31 July 1779.
Chapel Lords Day Augt 15 1779.
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation were stayed after the Blessing and voted to meet next Wednesday to Consider what steps they will take towards the Ordination of Mr. Joseph Eckley.
Wednesday Augt 18. 1779.
The Brethren (of the Old South Society) meet and Brother Wm. Phillips was Chosen Moderator. Mr. Joseph Eckley's answer to the Church's Call in the Affirmative was read. The Question being put, whether the same was satisfactory and that the Congregation desire the Church to proceed to the Ordination of Mr. Joseph Eckley, it passed in the Affirmative. (The Ordination was 27th Octobr 1779.)
Sabbath day August 22 1779.
The Church was stayed after the Assembly was dismiss'd and Voted a meeting of the Church tomorrow at 4 o Clock P. M. to consider what steps may be necessary to take towards the Settlement and Ordination of Mr. Joseph Eckley.
-
20I
THE CHURCHES INVITED.
Monday August 23 1779.
The Church met agreable to the preceeding Vote.
Voted, Deacon Phillips Moderator.
Voted that Deacon Mason, Brother Scollay, Deacon Phillips, Brother John Deming and Brother Samuel Whitwell be a committee to confer with Mr. Joseph Eckley relative to his sentiments with respect to Church Government, and know of him whether the method now practized by this Church is agreeable to him.
The Committee attended that service and reported that the method of Church Government as now practiced by this Church was agreea- ble to him. WM. PHILLIPS Modr.
Monday Septemb. 27. 1779.
At a meeting of the Brethren of the South Church,
Voted, Deacon Mason Moderator.
The meeting open'd by prayer by Mr. Eckley.
At the same time Mr. Joseph Eckley declared generally his appro- bation of the Confession of Faith contain'd in the Cambridge Plat- form ; and of the platform excepting what related to the ecclesiastical power of the civil magistrates. Also exhibited his dismission and recommendation from the Presbytery of New York held at Springfield 13th Octob. 1778, signed by Simon Horton, Moderator.
Voted, that Mr. Joseph Eckley be admitted a member of this church agreeable to his request.
Whereupon it was Voted, That the day for the ordination of Mr. Joseph Eckley be, God willing, on Wednesday the 27th of October next at 2 o Clock p. m.
Voted, that the following churches be sent to, viz : The Old Church, the North Church, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Lothrop, the church in Brattle Street, the new North Church, the New South Church, the Revd. Doctor Mather's, the church under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Wight, and the church at. Roxbury under the pastoral care of the Revd. Doctor Gordon, and that those churches be desired to assist by their Elders and Messengers in the Ordination.
Voted, that the Revd. Doctor Mather be desired to give the charge on this occasion.
Voted, that the Elders and Messengers be desired to meet at the House of Deacon Jeffries by 2 o'Clock p. m.
Voted, that Deacon Jeffries, Deacon Phillips, Deacon Mason, Brother Scollay, Brother Deming, Brother Sweetser, and Brother Thomas Dawes be a Committee to prepare and lay before the Church the Letters missive for their approbation.
Voted, that the Brethren of the Church sit together in the south side Gallery, and that such of our Brethren as constantly sit down with us at the Lord's table, tho' not yet formally admitted, be desir'd to sit with them.
202
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Voted, that this meeting be adjourned to Monday next at 3 o'Clock P. M.
Monday Octob. 4. 1779.
The Brethren of the Church met according to their adjournment.
Voted, that the copy of the letters missive reported by the Commit- tee be accepted.
Voted, that Deacon Phillips be desired to signe the letters mis- sive.
Voted, that the committee for preparing the letters missive be de- sired to forward the same to the several Churches, and do what fur- ther may be thought necessary upon the present occasion.
JONATHAN MASON Moderator.
The interval between the date of the call to Mr. Eckley and his settlement, considering some of the circumstances in which the church was then placed, seems a long one. It is probable that he had difficulties on the subject of the half-way covenant, which his education as a Presbyterian made it the less easy for him to overcome. It should be remembered, also, that every- thing in the country was unsettled and uncertain. The cur- rency was depreciating with fearful rapidity,1 and the prices of all commodities were increasing at a ruinous rate. We have seen that the rent of the Old South parsonage was advanced one hundred per cent. in six months. It was the very crisis of the Revolution. On the 27th of March, 1779, General Wash- ington wrote to George Mason that for the first time he was despondent, and had beheld no day in which he thought the liberties of the country so endangered. "The Massachusetts Legislature was in session nearly the whole of this year. Its efforts were directed towards a regulation of the State finances, and energetic, though almost hopeless exertions to alleviate the general financial distress. Most of these plans proved ineffec- tual, especially that to regulate the price of articles of living, for which purpose county conventions were also held. The contin- ued depreciation of the paper currency augmented the difficulty, and compelled a resort to additional taxes to meet the State and Continental needs. Many who had ranked as prosperous mer- chants, mechanics, and farmers, before the Revolution, were now reduced to absolute want, while others had arisen from humble circumstances to affluence." 2 When we recall the condition of
1 In February, 1779, the equivalent in Continental currency to $100 in gold or silver was $868; in May, it was $1215; in September, it was $1800; in January,
1780, it was $2934. See Indep. Chron., October 12, 1780.
2 Wells's Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii. p. 74.
203
MR. ECKLEY'S ORDINATION.
affairs in the country and in the state, together with the condition in which the Old South Church then was, -its meeting-house unfit for occupancy, and its membership "minished and brought low, through oppression, affliction and sorrow," we cannot but admire the courageous spirit of the young man who was willing to become its pastor and leader, and to undertake the work of building it again on the old foundations.
To add to the general distress, rumors of an intended British descent upon the sea-coast made the people anxious for their personal safety, and increased defences in Boston Harbor were called for. The Constitutional Convention was in session at Cambridge, laying the foundations for the new Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is not strange that in the midst of the prevailing excitement and alarm on public questions, the settle- ment of a new minister over the Old South Church within the walls of the Stone Chapel should have failed to receive notice in the newspapers. It is remarkable, however, that neither in the records of the church, nor by tradition, has any word come
down to us about the services of ordination. Mr. Willard's installation in 1678 is the only other occasion of the kind in the history of the Old South pastorate of which we have not full information. It is probable that Mr. Eckley preached the ser- mon ; and the presence of Dr. Mather, whom the church in accordance with usage had invited to give the charge, was in harmony with the associations of the past. Dr. Mather's great grandfather, the beloved Dorchester minister, had he lived a few months longer, would undoubtedly have assisted at Mr. Thacher's ordination ; his grandfather, Increase Mather, gave the right hand of fellowship to Mr. Pemberton; both Increase and Cotton Mather took part in the services when Mr. Sewall and, a few years later, Mr. Prince were ordained ; and he him- self had been invited to assist at the settlement of Mr. Cum- ming, Mr. Blair, Mr. Hunt, and Mr. Bacon.
Lord's day 31 October 1779
The Church stayed after the publick exercises of the day. A let- ter from the New North Church lately under the Pastoral Care of the Rev. Dr. Eliot, was read, requesting the presence and assistance of the Old South Church by its delegates at the Ordination of Mr. John Eliot appointed to be on the Wednesday following. Voted to comply with the request. Voted that the Pastor of the Church, the Deacons, Mr. John Scollay, Mr. Thomas Dawes, and Mr. Samuel Whitwell be desired to attend on the occasion. JOSEPH ECKLEY Pastor.
204
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Dr. Eliot died September 13, 1778, and his son John, a grad- uate of Harvard College in 1772, was called to succeed him. The ordination sermon was preached by an older brother, the Rev. Andrew Eliot, of Fairfield, Connecticut ; Dr. Cooper, of the Church in Brattle Street, was moderator of the council and gave the charge ; and Mr. Howard, of the West Church, gave the right hand of fellowship.1
Lords Day 28th Nov. 1779.
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation were desired to stay after publick worship, and Voted to have a Collection on Thanks- giving Day 9th December for the benefit of the poor of the Society.
JOSEPH ECKLEY.
July 18, 1780. At a meeting of the Brethren of the Church and Congregation, Voted, That in consequence of the fluctuating and de- preciating state of the paper Currency, [it was then as forty to one, compared with gold or silver,] the Salary of the Rev. Mr. Eckley be at the rate of four pounds Lawfull money p week in Gold and Silver money, in addition to the rent or use of the Parsonage House and a supply of Fire wood when required for a Family, and untill such money becomes the usual circulating medium the said four pounds p week be paid him in the present Currency reckoned at the common Exchange.
DAVID JEFFRIES Moderator.
Lords day 26 Novr 1780
The Brethren of the Church and Congregation stayed as requested after publick Service, and Voted that there should be a Collection on the ensuing Thanksgiving Day 7th December for the benefit of the poor of the Society. JOSEPH ECKLEY.
The second Constitutional Convention of Massachusetts con- cluded its labors in the spring of 1780, and its work was ap- proved by the people early in the summer.2 The first General
1 " It was by the persuasion of his friends, and with the advice of many ministers in and out of the town, that Mr. Eliot was induced to accept the call ; but it was with great reluctance. He could have been settled more to his mind. He was aware of the invidious reflections to which he would be subject in settling with a society in which he had been brought up, and as successor to a man of his father's established reputation. In fact his engaging in the clerical profession was always in opposition to his own wishes. He had seen how very precari- ous is a dependence upon the affections
and regards of a people towards their minister. Of this he had some experi- ence himself afterwards." His salary was about $636 per annum ; and to guard against his suffering from the deprecia- tion of the currency, it was "to be ad- justed according to the quantity of wheat reckoned at five shillings the bushel. Had he insisted upon a literal adher- ence to this rule, his income during a great part of his life, would have been very large." He refused, however, to take this advantage. - Hist. Notices, pp. 32-34.
2 The Constitution of 1778 had been rejected by a large popular vote.
m
te
t1 t a
li a 0 I
1
S
:
t
B
205
HANCOCK AND CUSHING.
Court of "the Commonwealth of Massachusetts " assembled on the last Wednesday in October. John Hancock was chosen governor, and Thomas Cushing lieutenant- governor, James Bowdoin declining the office. It was at this election that Sam- uel Adams was defeated by the influence of Hancock and his friends for the office of secretary of state.1 He was then in Congress, and the condition of his private affairs caused him much anxiety. Writing from Philadelphia to his wife, he said : "Have you a sufficiency of fire-wood and other necessaries for the approaching cold season ? Are your family cares alleviated with the visits and cheerful conversation of your friends and mine? You must answer these questions, for I am greatly in- terested in them." 2
We have already spoken of Mr. Cushing in connection with the speakership of the House of Representatives. He held the lieutenant-governorship until his death in 1788. John Ad- ams, writing in his diary of the Caucus Club, in 1765, says : "Cushing is steady and constant and busy in the interest of liberty and the opposition, is famed for secrecy and his talent at procuring intelligence." He adds, in speaking of Harrison Gray, Thomas Cushing, Samuel Adams, and James Otis : "The Il Penseroso, however, is discernible on the faces of all four." Mr. Wells says of Mr. Cushing : -
1 James Warren wrote to Mr. Adams : " But in the whole system, (for a system it is), nothing excited my resentment so much as the neglect you are treated with. Neither your beloved town, the country, the State, nor the two Houses have shown any gratitude for your many and great services; and the man who had the greatest hand in the greatest Revolu- tion in the world, in the choice of Secre- tary, could not be supported in competi- tion with Mr. Avery. I have feelings on this occasion which I shall not attempt to describe in a letter. Everything past is forgotten; everybody that will not worship the great image [Hancock] is to be treated in that way ; and the man that formed and fashioned it, not for the pur- poses of idolatry, but public good, has not escaped." - Life of Samuel Adams, vol. iii. pp. 116, 117.
In 1782 Mr. Adams was elected to a seat in Congress, against his expressed
wish, and declined the honor. He re- sumed his place in the State Senate, however, to which he was chosen in 178I, and was again chosen president of that body.
2 Edward Everett, speaking in 1825, of the "incorruptible poverty " of Mr. Adams, said : " His family, at times, suf- fered almost for the comforts of life, when he might have sold his influence over the counsels of America for un- counted gold, when he might have emp- tied the royal treasury if he would have betrayed his country. Samuel Adams was the last of the Puritans, - a class of men to whom the cause of civil and re- ligious liberty on both sides of the At- lantic is mainly indebted for the great progress which it has made for the last two hundred years ; and when the Decla- ration of Independence was signed, that dispensation might be considered as brought to a close."
1
nd e- e, De er a h p n
to KS-
ad- im. che the Lve he
206
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
The collected letters of Cushing evince none of the controlling force of character and tenacity of purpose found in those of Samuel Adams. For a number of years before the departure of Hutchinson, he pru- dently kept on social terms with the governor, holding private inter- views for the purpose of eliciting information serviceable to the cause. Though his letters to correspondents in England breathe the purest patriotism, he is solicitous to have the authorship concealed, rather than incur "the resentment of some people which he would choose to avoid." He was not, and from his nature and temperament could not be, a leader of the people ; he was in doubt as to the wisdom of most of the great, decisive measures of the Massachusetts committees, and, as late as in January, 1776, wavered and sided with the proprietary interests at Philadelphia against the bolder members who rallied around Samuel Adams in the movement towards independence.1
Governor Hancock, always fond of display, set an example of show and expenditure in equipage and entertainment which was very distasteful to the more sober-minded members of the com- munity. Mr. Adams, especially, we are told, " saw with dislike any departure from the frugality and economy becoming a people just emerging from a long struggle for life and freedom, and reduced to the last resource for the means of meeting the public liabilities. With financial ruin impending, he could not conceal his displeasure at the pernicious example set by the rulers of the infant republic, - an example which, at length, helped to produce a formidable rebellion against its very existence." He thus wrote from Philadelphia, December 30, 1780, to his friend John Scollay : -
Our government, I perceive, is organized on the basis of the new Constitution. I am afraid there is more pomp and parade than is consistent with the sober republican principle with which the framers of it thought they had founded it. Why should this new era be intro- duced with entertainments expensive, and tending to dissipate the minds of the people ? Does it become us to lead the people to such public diversions as promote superfluity of dress and ornament, when it is as much as they can bear to support the expense of clothing a naked army? Will vanity and levity ever be the stability of govern- ment either in states or in cities, or, what let me hint to you is of the last importance, in families ? Of what kind are those manners by which we are truly informed in a late speech, "not only the freedom, but the very existence of republics is greatly affected "? How fruit- less is it to recommend " the adapting the laws in the most perfect manner possible to the suppression of idleness, dissipation, and ex-
1 [Life of Samuel Adams, vol. i. p. 490.]
207
SAMUEL ADAMS TO JOHN SCOLLAY.
travagancy," if such recommendations are counteracted by the example of men of religious influence and public station ? I meant to consider the subject in the view of the mere citizen. But I have mentioned the sacred name of religion. I confess I am surprised to hear that some particular persons have been so unguarded as to give their coun- tenance to such kind of amusements. I wish Mr. - would recollect his former ideas. When his friend Whitefield thundered in the pulpit, he disclaimed diversions, in some instances, which to me have always appeared innocent. Has he changed his opinions, or has the tendency of things altered ? Do certain amusements tend to quench the spirit of religion at one time, and are they harmless at another ? Are morals so vague as to be sanctified or dispensed with by the authority of different men ? He does not believe this. But I will not be severe, for I love my friend. Religion out of the question for the present.
Mr. Adams wrote another letter to Mr. Scollay in the same strain, a year or two later : -
It was asked in the reign of Charles the Second of England, How shall we turn the minds of the people from an attention to their liber- ties ? The answer was, By making them extravagant, luxurious, and effeminate. Hutchinson advised the abridgment of what are called English liberties by the same means. We shall never subdue them, said Bernard, but by eradicating their manners and the principles of their education. Will the judicious citizens of Boston be now caught in the snare which their artful, insidious enemies, a few years ago, laid for them in vain ? Shall we ruin ourselves by the very means which they pointed out in their confidential letters, though even they did not dare openly to avow them ? Pownall, who was indeed a mere fribble, ventured to have his riots and his routs at his own house to please a few boys and girls. Sober people were disgusted at it, and his Privy- Councillors never thought it prudent to venture so far as expensive balls. Our Bradfords, Winslows, and Winthrops would have revolted at the idea of opening scenes of dissipation and folly, knowing them to be inconsistent with their great design in transplanting themselves into what they called this "outside of the world." But I fear I shall say too much. I love the people of Boston. I once thought that city would be the Christian Sparta. But alas ! will men never be free ? They will be free no longer than while they remain virtuous. Sydney tells us, there are times when people are not worth saving ; meaning, when they have lost their virtue. I pray God this may never be truly said of my beloved town.1
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.