USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. II > Part 25
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
Monday 21 April 1783
At a meeting of the Brethren of the Church and Congregation, Voted to adopt the Certificate or Instrument now in use by the So- ciety in Brattle Street, which shall be given to every pew holder in the Old South Church.2
1 We suppose that stoves were now placed in the Old South Meeting-House, for use during worship, for the first time. The innovation was regarded with sus- picion by many. In the Evening Post of January 25, 1783, we find some verses, one of which will show the spirit of the whole : --
Extinct the sacred fire of love, Our zeal grown cold and dead, In house of God we fix a stove, To warm us in their stead.
For a reference to foot-stoves, see ante, vol. ii. p. 137.
2 [" The following is a Copy of the Cer- tificate or Instrument afore named, pro- vided by the Committee and by the So- ciety.
" No. -. To all people to whom these Presents shall come Know ye. That we - the Deacons of the Church and Congregation usually assembled for publick Worship in the South Brick Meeting House in Marlborough Street,
Boston, for and in consideration of the sum of - to us in hand paid by - the Receipt whereof we do hereby ac- knowledge, Have assigned and by these presents do assign to the said - a Pew in said Meeting House No - to have hold and enjoy the same, to him and his Heirs upon Conditions following Vizt. that he the said - and his Heirs shall well and truely pay or cause to be paid so long as he or they shall possess the said Pew the sum of - - on every Lords day, and whatever else shall be further assessed on the said Pew, for the purpose of publick Worship in the said House; and towards such charges as from time to time may be voted to be defrayed, such Votes and Assessments to be passed and ordered by the major part of the Proprietors of Pews that shall be present at any meeting of the Proprietors to be called for that purpose ; But if the said - or his Heirs shall neglect to contribute on every Lords
227
TENURE OF PEW PROPERTY.
Voted, That the Deacons with Mr. Thomas Dawes Jr. be a Committee to provide the above mentioned Certificate or Instrument printed and bound in a Book containing such a number as will be sufficient for the purpose.
Voted, That the Committee formerly appointed for the Repairs of the Church be a Committee to consider what is further necessary to be done for completing the out door repairs which they are desired to do in the most frugal manner.
Voted, That the said Committee be desired to procure an outside covering for the pulpit cushing and curtain.
DAVID JEFFRIES Moderator.
Sabbath Day 28 July 1783.
After the usual publick service of the morning, and immediately preceding the Communion, the Pastor informed the Brethren that - one of the members of the Church had waited on him and acknowledged the fault of intemperance in drinking, and had put into
Day or to pay to the Deacons for the time being the said sum of - weekly, and whatever further sums shall be as- sessed as aforesaid, and by such neglect cause an arrearage of nine months, the same shall be demanded by one of the Deacons for the time being, and in case of denial on such Demand or neglect of payment three months after such Demand, it shall then be lawfull for the said Deacons togeather with the Committee of the said Church and Congregation for the time being or the major part of them, to sell the said pew for the most it will fetch to any one Person upon the Conditions specified in this Instrument, and deduct out of the money arising from such Sale whatever Arrearages shall be due on the Account of the said Pew paying the remainder to the said - or his Heirs if demanded, and also that if the said - or his Heirs should leave the said Meeting House, he shall first offer the said Pew to the Deacons for the time being, for the afore said sum of -, which if they for the space of thirty days refuse to pay, after deducting all arrears that shall then be due, it shall then be law- full for the said - or his Heirs on paying such Arrears to sell the said Pew to any one Person and to one Person only, upon the same conditions as are contained in this Instrument and upon
no other. But if the said - or his Heirs upon his or their leaving the meet- ing House should neglect to offer the said Pew as aforesaid, then he or they shall forfeit the same to the Deacons and Committee for the time being, for the use of the Proprietors afore said. And the said - and his Heirs shall annex his or their Name or Names with the Number of the Pew to the money from time to time put into the Contribu- tion Box that the Clerk or Deacons of the Society may credit the said Pew for the same. In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Day of - in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven Hundred and
To be signed by the Deacons.
" I the Above named - do hereby freely acknowledge that I receive the above mentioned Pew upon the Condi- tions afore said; and if I or any of my Heirs shall neglect to perform all or any of them, that upon such neglect, It shall be lawfull for the Deacons and Commit- tee for the time being or the major part of them, to take the said Pew as afore said, and sell the same as above men- tioned. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this Day and Year above mentioned.
" Witness.
To be signed by the Purchaser."]
228
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
his hands a letter, to be communicated, - expressive of sorrow and penitency - the desire of forgiveness, and the usual enjoyment of the privileges of the Church. The letter having been read, the ques- tion was put whether the same be satisfactory. It was unanimously voted in the affirmative ; which the Pastor then announced to the restored member, who accordingly partook at the Communion as before.
JOSEPH ECKLEY Pastor.
On the 22d of August the store of a prominent citizen and an officer of the church was burned, but his safe, which proba- bly held valuable papers belonging to the church, was saved. A stable took fire, and was consumed, with its contents : -
Then the Fire took another Course, and caught that elegant, that superb Building, owned and occupied as a Store by the Honourable William Phillips Esq, facing on Oliver's Dock, [near Kilby Street,] which was also entirely consumed, together with a Quantity of Flour, Dry Goods &c. &c. An iron Chest which was in the Cellar of the Store, and which is said to contain a considerable Sum of Money, was, however, through Fire and Water, recovered.1
Lords Day Novr 30 1783.
At a Meeting of the Brethren of the Church and Congregation Voted that as all the money collected for the poor the last year is expended, there shall be a Collection on the next Thanksgiving, for the use of the indigent members of the Society.
JOSEPH ECKLEY.
Friday, February 27, 1784, was the day fixed for celebrating the definitive treaty of peace in Boston. The morning was ushered in with the ringing of bells and the firing of cannon. At noon Major Davis, with the artillery company, escorted the lieutenant- governor, Thomas Cushing, the Council, the judges, the General Court, the selectmen of Boston, and others, from the State House to the Old South Meeting-House, where, we are told, the Rev. Mr. Eckley, chaplain to the two Houses,2 made " a striking and elegant " .address, and offered " a well adapted prayer." Two anthems were sung. The procession then returned to the State House, from the balcony of which the secretary of state, Mr. Avery, made proclamation of the ratification of the treaty of peace ; after this a salute of thirteen guns was fired by the artil- lery company. There was a dinner at Faneuil Hall; and in
1 [Evening Post, August 23, 1783.] was elected, January, 1784, to fill the vacancy. He was already chaplain of the House.
2 On the death of the Rev. Dr. Coop- er, chaplain of the Senate, Mr. Eckley
229
THE REV. PETER THACHER.
the evening the governor, who had been unable to attend the public exercises, entertained at his house the lieutenant-gov- ernor and the Council, the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House, and other gentlemen.
Sabbath Day 2 January, 1785.
A letter was read from the Church in Brattle Street lately under the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. Samuel Cooper, requesting the pres- ence and assistance of the Old South Church by its Pastor and other Delegates at the Installation of the Rev. Peter Thacher on the 12th instant.
Voted to comply with the desire. The Pastor and Deacons, Mr. Samuel Whitwell, Mr. John Scollay, Hon. Thomas Dawes, and Mr. John Deming were appointed to attend on the occasion.
JOSEPH ECKLEY.
We have already spoken of Mr. Thacher.1 He was happily settled at Malden, but the pressure brought to bear upon him to induce him to come to Boston was more than he could resist. Public opinion was divided on the propriety of the step he was taking, as it was still an uncommon occurrence for a church in want of a pastor to give a call to a settled minister, and for such a minister to accept a call.
Last Evening [Friday, August 19] the Monthly Lecture was held at the Old South Meeting-House. The Rev. Mr. Stillman [pastor of the First Baptist Church] preached the sermon.2
Lord's Day 16 October 1785.
A letter was read from the Church in Salem usually meeting in the Tabernacle, requesting the presence and assistance of the Old South Church by its Pastor and other Delegates at the Ordination of Joshua Spalding on the 26 inst.
The Brethren voted that in consideration of certain difficulties which they were informed had existed in the Church at Salem, but of which, at such a distance, they could not readily be competent judges, the Pastor be desired to write a letter to the said Church to excuse their attendance on the proposed occasion. JOSEPH ECKLEY.
A letter was accordingly written.
The church from which this invitation came was the one formed in 1735, by a secession under Mr. Fisk from the First
1 See ante, vol. ii. pp. 123, 132. The and the right hand of fellowship by Mr. sermon on this occasion was preached Clarke. by the Rev. Mr. Osgood, of Medford, 2 [Massachusetts Centinel, August 20, 1785.] the charge was given by Mr. Lathrop,
230
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Church.1 For several years it claimed to be the First Church of Salem, but in 1763 it took the name of the Third Church, and, later, that of the Tabernacle. Previously to the installation of its fourth minister, the Rev. Dr. Whitaker, it adopted the Presby- terian form of government, but, February II, 1784, it voted to reassume the Congregational mode.2
Mr. Spaulding was ordained October 26, and continued in the pastorate until April 23, 1802, when he was dismissed, and, with a number of his parishioners, formed what was then called the Branch Church, and, later, the Howard Street Church.
Two Congregational ministers of long standing in Boston died in 1785, the Rev. Samuel Mather, D. D., and the Rev. An- drew Croswell. In accordance with the desire of the former, expressed on his deathbed, the members of his church joined themselves to the Second Church, from which he and his friends had withdrawn themselves more than forty years before. The meeting-house was sold to the Universalists, who organized a society under the auspices of the Rev. John Murray. After Mr. Croswell's death his church disbanded, and the meeting- house, built and originally used by a congregation of French Protestants, came into the possession of the Roman Catholics, - their first place of worship in New England.3
1 See ante, vol. i. pp. 470, 584 ; vol. ii. P. 72.
2 " The churches that at different pe- riods had been constituted after the Pres- byterian mode (of which seven or eight have been noticed in this sketch), had generally assumed the Congregational form. This seems the more remarkable when it is known that the ministers were rather verging to the opposite side. The most vigorous treatise that New England has ever produced in defence of Presbyterianism is that of Dr. Nathaniel Whitaker, of the Tabernacle Church, Salem, published in 1774 as a 'confuta- tion ' of John Wise. But it did not avail to turn the ebbing tide. Unluckily for the Presbyterian cause, the doctor's main point, namely, that 'the brother- hoods of the churches, acting collective- ly, are more likely to do wrong and tyr- annize, than an aristocracy' (that is, an eldership), was just what the people felt politically bound to disbelieve and to disprove. Aristocracy, oligarchy, mon-
archy, -the tyranny which these could inflict they had suffered, and were deter- mined to throw off. They were fighting for popular sovereignty. It was an un- fortunate time to ask them to abandon that mode of governing in the church, from which they had derived their best ideas of self-government in the state ; for they had too much discernment, or else too little, to believe Dr. Whitaker's theory would work any better in the one case than in the other. Even his own flock, which had been kept under Pres- byterian rule during his fifteen years' ministry among them, reverted to their original form of government immediate- ly after his departure in 1785. Indeed, it was their strong proclivity in that di- rection which induced him to go." -- Clark's Historical Sketch of the Cong. Chhs. in Mass., pp. 227, 228.
3 Dr. Joseph S. Clark says that at the close of the Revolutionary War, the comparative strength of the various re- ligious denominations in Massachusetts,
23I
POPULAR DISCONTENT.
The Quarterly Charity Lecture was preached Sunday even- ing, December 5, at the Old South, and the collection amounted to £45. The following notice had appeared in some of the newspapers : -
Singers of every denomination, both male and female, are desired to attend and give their assistance at the Old South on the first Lord's Day in December. The intent of said meeting is for the purpose of relieving the distressed. Your compliance with this will oblige many, but none more than your humble servant, WILLIAM BILLINGS.1
Mr. Billings has been called the father of American Psalmody. " He was the first teacher of singing in this country, introduced the first musical concerts, the first instrument -the bass viol as an accompaniment, formed the first choirs to unite in sing- ing in churches, and kept the first music store in Boston." 2
The distress at this time among the poorer classes, in both town and country, was very great. The Continental currency was worthless, that of the commonwealth was almost so. There was no good circulating medium, and payments in kind were legalized. The popular discontent culminated in 1786, in what is known as the Shays Rebellion, which was speedily sup- pressed under the vigorous policy of Governor Bowdoin, but the provoking causes of which time only could remove.
Lords Day 8 October 1786.
The Brethren of the Church were desired to stay after the public service of the afternoon.
Voted that on Friday of the following week there shall be a meet- ing of the Brethren for the purpose of coming to the choice of a new Deacon, in the room of Deacon David Jeffries deceased.
Voted that the Minister give public notice of this proposed meet- ing, on the next Lords Day, and desire a punctual attendance of the Brethren.3
JOSEPH ECKLEY.
as indicated by the number of churches connected with each, was : Roman Cath- olics, one ; Universalists, three ; Quakers, six ; Episcopalians, eleven ; Baptists, sixty - eight; Congregationalists, three hundred and thirty. The Methodists made their first appearance in the state in 1790, and their first society was incor- porated three years later. - Historical Sketch, pp. 218, 226.
1 [Col. Centinel, November 26, 1785.]
2 Drake's Dict. of Am. Biography.
3 [In 1786 Mr. Eckley made the follow- ing list of " Pewholders in the Old South
Church arranged according to the num- bers and situation of the Pews : " -
No. I, Deacon Phillips. 2, Thomas Dawes. 3, Nehemiah Somes. 4, Jere- miah Belknap and Miss Rann. 5, Doc- tor Townsend. 6, Bart. Kneeland, and Mrs. Simpkins, and Miss Foxcroft. 7, Joseph Peirce. 8, Elizabeth Peck. 9, Thomas Bumstead. 10, -. II, Miss Hunt. 12, William Homes. 13, Samuel Dyer and Ruggles. 14, John Sweetser. 15, Jeremiah Bumstead. 16, Joshua Loring. 17, John Holland and Widow Pease, Capt. West and Holland, Junr.
232
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Deacon Jeffries died December 26, 1785. He had been a member of the South Church forty-five years, and one of its dea- cons twenty-two years. " If an uniform course of uprightness, - a firm belief in the system of Christianity, accompanied with the practice of its duties, and the whole closed with a happy seren- ity of mind at the approach of death, are marks of the exist- ence of internal piety and religion, his friends may entertain the pleasing hope that he is gone to reap the bright prospects and rewards of a glorious immortality." 1
18, John Deming. 19, Eph. Copeland and - Eustis. 20, John Procter. 21, Widows Pew. 22, Ministers Pew. 23, Widow Waters. 24, Barnabas Webb and Mrs. Cowley. 25, William More. 26, David Devens, - Devens and Mr. Green. 27, Adam Colson. 28, John Winslow. 29, Polly Eyres. 30, Nath. Foster and - Fenno. 31, John Scol- lay. 32, James Thomson. 33, Samuel Bass. 34, John Lowell. 35, Widow Fos- dick. 36, -. 37, John Ballard. 38, William Breed. 39, -. 40, -. 41, Calvin White. 42, Joseph Ward. 43, Ben. Clarke, and Mrs. Foster, and Cris. Clarke. 44, Josiah Waters and Aunt. 45, Jona. Mason, Junr. 46, William Scol- lay. 47, Ann Allen. 48, Lemuel Gard-
ner. 49, Miss Fleet. 50, John Stutson. 51, Deacon Moody. 52, Abraham Fos- ter. 53, James Foster. 54, Silas Ewers. 55, Miss Belknap and Cutler. 56, David Brewer. 57, Joseph Eaton. 58, Samuel Bryant. 59, Sarah Salter. 60, Samuel Whitwell. 61, Gideon Thayer and -. 62, Deacon Chevers, Mrs. Edwards and Province. 63, Eben. Foster. 64, William Dawes, Junr., and Mrs. Cooledge. 65, Poors Pow. 66, James Nebon and Wid- ow Arnold. 67, Andrew Oliver. 68, - Martin and -. 69, Luke Baker. 70, Eliz. Boyer, Widow, and Mrs. Cooledge. 71, Jacob Sweetser. 72, Samuel Ballard. 73, Samuel Harris and Son. 74, -. 75, Mrs. Collins, - Vose and . - 76, Mrs. Broadstreet. 77, --. 78. Widows Powel and Quincy. 79, Samuel Henshaw. 80, William Phillips, Junr. 81, Widow Gray. 82, Joshua Brackett. 83, Deacon Mason. 84, Deacon Salis- bury. 85, Thomas Dawes Junr.
" In the Gallery." No. 93, John Fen-
no. 95, William Clark. 96, Jacob Ho- mer. 97, Thomas Crane. 100, Sally Kneeland. 113, Widow Nuttage. 114, Benj. Cox. 125, Edward Maylem. 91, Isabel Tate, Widow. Mr. Tate. More. Widow Wheat. Widow Adams. - Adams. Widow Andrews. Haslett. Mr. Robertson. Bela
Clapp. Widow Walland. More. Widow Parks. Samuel White, Mr. Sibley. John Durant and Cousin. Mr. Adlington. Mr. Peak.
" Widows, Aged men, and others, not being Pew - Holders." Mr. Fenno and Wife. The Sexton and family. Mr. Mul- len. Patty Merret. Mrs. Holland. Sa- rah Whitcomb, Mr. Robertson. Mrs. Armstrong. Mrs. Bass. Mrs. Wisell. Mrs. Prout. Mrs. Richards. Miss Betsy Lyde. Miss Sally Winslow. Mrs. Cole. Widow Walcut. Joanna Powars.
The same sheets contain the names of the congregation grouped according to the neighborhoods in which they lived. The MS. bears the name of the Rev. Lemuel Willis, Warner, N. H., and the following : "This MS. was presented to me by Mr. W., who found it among papers given to him by the sister of the late Charles Ewer, a bookseller in Bos- ton. (J. M. M.)"]
1 Ind. Chron., January 5, 1786. Dea- con Jeffries bequeathed two hundred acres of land, in the eastern part of the state, to the overseers of the poor for the town of Boston, the proceeds to be used for the purchase of tea, coffee, sugar, etc., "for the use of those unfor- tunate persons who may be reduced to the necessity of seeking refuge in the almshouse." Hannah, third wife of Da- vid Jeffries, died December 10, 1783.
.
233
DEACON THOMAS DAWES.
Friday 20 October 1786.
The Brethren of the Church met according to appointment, for the purpose of electing a Deacon. After Prayer was offered by the Minister, written Ballots were given in ; and it appeared that the Hon. Thomas Dawes was chosen by a large majority of Votes.
JOSEPH ECKLEY.
Mr. Dawes was born August 5, 1731, and was baptized three days later at the South Church. He became a member No- vember 26, 1749. He was fourth in the line of descent from William Dawes, one of the founders of the church, and his great- grandfather, Ambrose, his grandfather, Thomas, and his father, Thomas, were members before him. When he joined, in 1749, his grandfather and father were living, so that there were three of the same name, representing three generations, in the mem- bership together. By trade he was a mason, and became one of the first great mechanics of Boston. He was the builder of the meeting-house in Brattle Street, built in 1773, and of the State House on Beacon Hill. "Upon the adoption of the state constitution he became an intimate friend of Hancock, and began to figure in public life, for which his talents, industry, wealth, and patriotism well qualified him. He was representa- tive, senator, and councillor." His son, Thomas, was the first of the name to graduate at Harvard College - in 1777. He joined the Old South in 1800, but a few years later transferred his relations to the Federal Street Church. He was for many years judge of the Superior Court.
Dr. Wisner says that at this time Watts's Psalms and Hymns were substituted for Mr. Prince's Revision, which had been in use since 1758.
Lords Day 5 November 1786.
A Letter was communicated from the Church at Malden, desiring the presence and assistance of the Old South Church at the Ordination of Adoniram Judson on the 15 instant.
The Deacons being nominated and excusing themselves, owing to particular engagements, Mr. John Deming1 and Mr. John Scollay were chosen with the Pastor to attend on the occasion.
JOSEPH ECKLEY.
Mr. Judson was born at Woodbury, Connecticut, in 1751, and graduated at Yale College in 1775. His ordination at Malden did not take place until January 23, 1787. "He settled there
1 [Sarah, wife of John Deming, died June 16, 1783.]
234
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
amid a tempest of opposition, and not till after three councils had convened and separated without ordaining him. He was dismissed September 29, 1791." 1 He was afterward pastor at Wenham and at Plymouth.2 Having changed his sentiments on the subject of baptism, he was dismissed from his church in Plymouth, and thereafter preached in the Baptist connection.
Lords Day 14 January 1787.
The Brethren of the Church were desired to stay after the public service of the afternoon, on the request of a number of the members, to consider the expediency of appointing a meeting for conversation on several subjects relating to the interests of the Society.
Voted that there be a meeting of the brethren at the Minister's house, at 6 o'Clock on Friday Evening next. JOSEPH ECKLEY.
Friday Evening 19 January 1787.
The Brethren of the Church met according to appointment. After prayer, they entered into conversation on the subjects proposed.
It appeared to be the general opinion that it would have a good tendency to improve the state of religion, if the Brethren would engage to meet together once in every Quarter of the Year with the view to cultivate a greater acquaintance with each other - converse on re- ligious subjects as well as on the state of religion in the Society, and mutually offer up their prayers to God for the further communications of his Spirit and of his Blessings both general and particular.
Voted that this measure be adopted.
At the same time a number of the Brethren expressed their senti- ments concerning the terms which should be enjoined on Parents whose children are admitted to Baptism. Whilst it was thought that there might be cases in which persons could present their offspring to God in baptism with sincerity and devotion, and with the prospect of advantage, who notwithstanding had doubts and fears concerning a personal approach to the ordinance of the Lords Supper, it was yet judged that a more particular connection should be considered as existing between those of this description, and the members who par- took at the Sacramental Supper than had been usually contemplated ; and that the Church should not only attend with care to the purity of their morals, but professedly engage its watchfulness, direction and assistance in regard to the whole of their Spiritual concerns.
A Committee consisting of Deacon Dawes, and Mr. John Scollay, with the Pastor, were chosen to prepare in writing a form of Covenant,
1 Sprague's Annals, vol. ii. pp. 22, 23.
2 Mr. Judson was settled over the Third Church in Plymouth, which was formed by a secession from the First, growing out of dissatisfaction with the
theological views of the Rev. James Kendall, who, by a majority of one vote in the church, was settled as successor of the "highly evangelical Dr. Chandler Robbins." - Clark's Hist. Sketch, p. 232.
235
A NEW BAPTISMAL COVENANT.
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.