USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. II > Part 39
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Voted, That Joseph Peirce be Secretary.
[Mr. Samuel Coverly was made a committee to procure insurance on the parsonage houses and on the stores in South Row.]
The Committee on the Treasurer's Accounts reported that they had attended that service, and found the accounts right cast and well vouched, and the following in the hands of the Treasurer,
1 [Of Mr. Buckminster's funeral dis- passages, but bears marks of haste, not course for Mr. Emerson, Dr. Sprague says : "This sermon contains splendid
discoverable in any other of his acknowl- edged publications."]
*
363
ANNIVERSARY WEEK.
2 Shares in the Massachusetts Bank belonging to the Church, prime Cost $500 $1000.00
Cash belonging to the Church
1335.35
Cash belonging to the Church and Congregation All which is submitted
1476.31
BOSTON May 27 1811
JOSEPH PEIRCE
Committee.
SAMUEL COVERLY
An application was made by Lieutenant Governor [William] Gray by desire of the Supreme Executive for the use of the meeting house for the Religious Services on Wednesday Election day - which was granted - and the Committee of repairs (General Winslow and Abra- ham Wilde) to remove the mourning on this occasion, and replace it before the next Sabbath - and continue it up the two coming Sabbaths.
Voted, That the black Cloth which covers the pulpit when taken down be presented to the Rev'd Dr. Lathrop - who preached the funeral Sermon - by the Deacons in behalf of the Society.
Voted, That the Treasurer's accounts be recommitted to two, vizt. Joseph Peirce and Samuel Coverly, who reported the same, which re- port was accepted - see preceeding page.
Voted, That five of the Church and three of the Congregation be a Committee to take into consideration what may be proper to be done for the benefit of the widow of the late Dr. Eckley, and report - And Deacon Salisbury, Deacon Phillips, Joseph Peirce, Benjamin Whit- man, Samuel Coverly of the Church, and John Winslow, Francis Welch and Abraham Wilde were chosen.
Adjourned without day.
Attest JOSEPH PEIRCE Secy. Pro Tem.
The Election Sermon was preached this year by the Rev. Thomas Thacher, of Dedham. - Anniversary sermons were preached by Professor Ware, of Cambridge, at the First Church, before the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge; the Rev. Mr. Dickinson, of Holliston, at the Old South, before the Massachusetts Missionary Society ; the Rev. Reuben Puffer, D. D., at Brattle Street, before the Convention ; and, a week later, the Rev. Mr. Channing, at the First Church, before the Bible Society.
On the last day of May there was a destructive fire at New- buryport. Two hundred and fifty buildings in the centre of the town were burnt, including the post office, the Baptist Church, four printing offices, and two insurance offices. "Excepting the range under the Town Hall," said the message, "there is
364
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
scarcely an English Goods store remaining." The loss was estimated at two million dollars. As soon as the news reached Boston, a meeting was called to arrange for the collection of money for the relief of the sufferers, and a committee was ap- pointed, of which Colonel Thomas H. Perkins was chairman. A few days later, a meeting of those who had subscribed to the relief fund was held, at which Mr. Samuel Eliot presided, and it was determined to ask for a general collection in all the con- gregations of the town.
Boston June 17. 1811.
At a meeting of the Church and Congregation at 5 o. c. P. M. Joseph Peirce chosen Secretary Pro tem. William Phillips, Moderator.
The Committee appointed to consider of some Provision proper to be made for Mrs. Eckley, have agreed - That it be recommended to the Society to appoint a Committee to wait on Mrs. Eckley and inform her it is the desire of the Society that she remain in the Parsonage house to the end of the present year ; or if it be more agreeable to her to remove from thence, they will allow and pay her at the rate of one thousand Dollars p. annum, from the time she shall cease to occupy the same, until the last day of December next.
They also recommend to the Society that there be allowed to Mrs. Eckley the amount of Sallery which has been usually paid to the late Dr Eckley, from the last payment made to him, until the last day of December next, and that the same be paid to her in monthly instal- ments of fifty Dollars.
[The report was accepted, and votes were passed in the words of the committee.]
Voted, That a Committee of two, Vizt. the Secretary and Mr. S. Coverly wait on Mrs. Eckley and inform her of the above.
A Communication was made from Mr. Ebenezer Stocker, Secretary, - dated June 14 1811 - from a meeting of a number of the Inhabit- ants of Boston, Samuel Eliot Esq. Chairman, directed to the Pastor or Deacons, requesting a Collection to be made for the benefit of our suffering brethren of Newbury-Port by the late destructive fire there, - which being read - It was
Voted, That the Secretary request the Rev. Mr. Huntington who is expected to return from a journey this week, to give notice the next Sabbath that there will be a collection for the above purpose on the afternoon of the Sabbath next following - and if he should not return this week, then the Secretary to request the minister who may officiate next Sabbath afternoon to give such notice.1
Mr. Coverly was authorized to subscribe to the rules and regula- 1 [The total amount collected in the $3,500. We give a few of the par- congregations of the town was about ticulars :-
365
THE REV. DR. GRIFFIN.
tions of the Massachusetts Mutual Fire Insurance Company, in effect- ing the insurance voted upon May 27.]
Voted, That there be a Committee of Seven appointed to examine into the State of the Library, and into the Clause of the late Revd Thomas Prince's will respecting the same, to make a Catalogue of the Books &c. And Rev. Mr. Huntington, Deacon Salisbury, Deacon Phillips, Mr. Whitman, Mr. Child, Mr. Welch and Mr. Joseph Cal- lender were Chosen.
Then, Voted, To adjourn without day.
Attest JOSEPH PEIRCE Secy. Pro Tem.
Sabbath day July 21. 1811.
A letter was read from the Church in Park Street, requesting the assistance of this Church by its Pastor and delegates at the Installa- tion of Edward D. Griffin D. D., on Wednesday 31 Inst.
The Pastor, Deacon Salisbury (Deacon Phillips absent) Mr. Homes and Mr. Coverly were chosen to attend on the occasion.1
Jos. HUNTINGTON Pastor.
Edward Dorr Griffin was born in East Haddam, Connecticut, in 1770, graduated at Yale College in 1790, and, in 17.95, was ordained pastor of the Congregational Church in New Hartford. In 1801 he moved to Newark, New Jersey, and was settled as colleague pastor with Dr. McWhorter over the First Presby- terian Church, succeeding to the full pastorate in 1807. When Andover Theological Seminary was established, he was called to the Bartlet Professorship of Sacred Rhetoric, and held that chair from 1809 to 1811, preaching much of the time at Park Street.
Trinity · $383.63
Brattle Street
331.00
Hollis Street
306.62
New South
275.81
West 266.00
Old South
2 50.00
First
244.00
New North
200.00
Chapel
175.12
Second Baptist 168.73
Park Street 155.87
It should be said that many of the largest givers had already subscribed upon the papers which had been in cir- culation on 'change and elsewhere.]
1 [We do not know the precise terms of the Park Street letter, but, evidently, it was drawn in accordance with recog- nized Congregational usage, and was an invitation to a service of fellowship,
and not to an ecclesiastical investiga- tion. The invited churches were not asked to express a formal opinion upon . the orthodoxy of Dr. Griffin, or upon the expediency of settling him. The installation had been fixed for a certain day, and they were requested to assist.
When, in the supposed interest of the evangelical party, the installation of a pastor was transformed from a service of fellowship to an ecclesiastical visitation, the letters-missive very properly limited the invitation in each case to the pastor and one delegate. If the representatives of the churches were coming as judges, to constitute a tribunal clothed with un- defined prerogatives, it was something saved to the liberty of the local church, to be able to put a limit upon their number.]
1
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d
IS
366
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
The council for Dr. Griffin's installation met in the Land Office in the State House. At the public services, Mr. Worces- ter, of Salem, preached from 2 Tim. ii. 19: "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure," etc. Dr. Holmes, of Cam- bridge, offered "the consecrating prayer," Mr. Greenough, of Newton, gave the charge, Mr. Homer, of Newton, expressed the fellowship of the churches, and Mr. Huntington closed with prayer.1
Dr. Griffin was a man of great power, and his brief ministry in Boston was a very exciting and aggressive one. Dr. Sprague records calling upon him, in May, 1811, and hearing him preach, the next Sunday afternoon, on the Apostle Paul's, "Thorn in the flesh." He wore the gown and bands.2 " His appearance in the pulpit was not only imposing, but really majestic. His voice was one of immense compass as well as great melody, and it seemed to me then, as it always did afterwards, to be modulated to the best effect. He had a good deal of gesture, but it was direct and forcible, and was evidently the simple prompting of nature."
In the summer of 1811 a Philadelphia minister, of Unitarian opinions, visited Boston, and, soon after, wrote a letter to Eng- land, in which he gave a glowing account of the spread of Unitarianism in this town. All the ministers, he said, of eight of the Congregational churches were anti-Calvinistic and anti- Trinitarian. He said further : -
The ministers of Boston and its vicinity hold meetings at each other's houses, in rotation, once every fortnight, for the examination of candidates, and for friendly advice and social intercourse. At these meetings you may see Unitarians, Arians, and Trinitarians indiscrimi- nately - as also at the weekly Thursday lecture, which is preached by Orthodox and heterodox men alternately. I heard two of these, one by Mr. Cary [of the Chapel], quite an Unitarian discourse ; the other by a Mr. Codman, in the true style of an old Puritan. Dr. Osgood, whose sermon was animadverted on, in the Monthly Register (Vol. v. p. 606.) is a high Calvinist, of a warm and affectionate temper, and of
1 " The whole exercises, which were interspersed with excellent singing, were peculiarly interesting, appropriate, and evangelical." - Col. Centinel.
2 In a sermon preached at Park Street, March 2, 1884, Dr. Withrow, who had recently assumed a gown, said : " Were the fathers and founders to rise from their long sleep and examine what
changes have been made in the religious services, they might be as much amazed . . . as they would to see your pastor wearing a Genevan gown." Is it pos- sible that this speaker was ignorant of the fact that the early New England min- isters, almost without exception, and one at least of his own predecessors, wore preaching gowns ?
·
367
STATE OF THE CHURCHES IN 1811.
great liberality and candor on theological subjects. His sympathies are with the anti-Calvinists, and if any of his own folks show anything like bigotry, Dr. Osgood is their (the anti-Calvinists') champion. He is, therefore, a great favorite with the Boston ministers.
The Presbyterians of the Middle States, finding that so many of the Congregational churches had departed from the old faith, erected a fine new church at Boston, to promote revivals. It is supplied by one Dr. Griffin, who had been extremely popular in New Jersey, but he has settled down at Boston. The church is deeply in debt, half the pews are yet to let, and the good man himself, by not returning the civilities paid him by the other ministers, when he first came to Boston, is now neglected, not only by them, but by their hearers ; and he has to stand his ground, and plead the cause of Orthodoxy, against eight of the Congregationalists, besides the King's Chapel ministers.
This letter was printed in London, together with the report of another observer, who had been told by a gentleman of high celebrity in America, "that he did not think there were two persons in Boston, who believed in the doctrine of the Trinity. This assertion," it was added, "though it certainly cannot be intended to be literally true, may serve to show the great preva- lence of Unitarianism ; in further proof of which it may be well to mention, that a very large and expensive place of worship, which has been recently erected to enforce Calvinistic doctrines, has completely failed, and it was expected would be sold to its opponents. The office of president of Harvard College having lately become vacant, Dr. Kirkland, a professed Unitarian, was elected by a very great majority of votes."
These very broad statements attracted the attention of the Rev. Francis Parkman, who was in London at the time of their publication, and who, a year or two later, became the minister of the New North Church, and he wrote a letter in reply to them, denying that Unitarianism had then made any such progress in and about Boston as had been represented. His letter seems to give a very fair view of the state of the churches in this vicinity at the time it was written, and, for this reason, we shall quote largely from it. There were twenty-one places of public worship in the town ; three were Baptist, two Episco- palian, two Methodist, and these seven, as Mr. Parkman re- marked, were Trinitarian. He then said : -
But it is, I presume, to the Congregational Churches, that your friend's account must chiefly refer. With the ministers of these, I am well acquainted. I have always heard their preaching, and as a student
368
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
of divinity, I constantly attended for two or three years their monthly meetings, when they frequently converse upon their religious opinions. This Association is composed, not only of the ministers of Boston, but of several of the neighboring towns. Of these gentlemen, about twenty in number, there is only one, whom, from anything I ever heard him offer, either in private, or in his pulpit, I, or anybody else, would have a right to call an Unitarian. Even this gentleman, when I was in Boston did not preach Unitarianism systematically. I never heard him express such views of the person of Christ, and it was rather from inference, that I could say he held them. Many of his people are widely different from him ; and, with the exception of two or three, or, at most four or five heads of families, I may safely say, that there is scarcely a parishioner in Boston, who would not be shocked at hearing his minister preach the peculiarities of Unitarianism.
There is one church in Boston which may perhaps be said to be founded on Unitarian principles. Dr. Freeman of King's Chapel, with his church, about thirty years ago, adopted an amended liturgy. But if you will admit what Mr. Belsham himself very fairly stated " that no man can justly be called by the name of a party, unless he willingly, and (if he be a minister) to a certain degree, openly, acknowledge him- self of that party," Dr. Freeman can hardly be considered as an ex- ception to the great majority of his brethren. For, though on other subjects he is as explicit and unreserved, as he is able and intelligent, I never heard him express an Unitarian sentiment ; and I believe he carefully avoids it in the pulpit, because it might unnecessarily disturb some of his hearers. There is now one more gentleman in Boston, who, with his intimate friends, may, perhaps, be considered a Uni- tarian ; but he maintains the same cautious reserve ; and from neither his sermons, his prayers, nor his private conversation, could I infer that he was a Unitarian. Now even admitting, what I hardly think I have a right to do, that these three gentlemen are Unitarians, to what can all this prudent reserve be ascribed, but to their conviction that the preaching of Unitarian doctrines would be offensive to their hear- ers and injurious to their usefulness? In truth, the Congregational societies of Boston, as are most of those in the country, are composed of hearers of various opinions. Some of them are Calvinists, some of them Arminians ; perhaps the greater part, without having minutely investigated, or having any very distinct views of the shades of differ- ence among them, entertain a general liberality of sentiment. But, as I personally know, from instances, too, of those who attend the three gentlemen .I have just mentioned, they regard the doctrines of Uni- tarianism as unscriptural, and inconsistent with the great object and spirit of Christianity.
Of our other seven Congregational ministers, two [Dr. Griffin and Mr. Huntington] are very decided Calvinists. One of these is the
369
UNITARIANISM IN 18II.
minister of the new church you mention. I know not how this church flourishes at present, but it was opposed, not because it was founded upon Calvinism ; for this would be altogether inconsistent with our love of religious freedom, but on account of the intolerant spirit some of its first patrons displayed. Our other five ministers, if I must use so many names, which I do not like, are very far from Unitarians. You say they are all Arians or Unitarians ; as if these were very nearly the same. But I assure you they would contend for a very great dis- tinction, and holding, as I believe they do, high and exalted views of the person and mediation of Jesus Christ, resting on the merits of his atonement, his cross and passion, and zealous to pay the honor which they believe due to his name, they would, I think, be very un- willing to be confounded with the followers of Dr. Priestley. Some of them, I know, are utterly opposed to the sentiments and spirit of Unitarianism.
You say that Dr. Kirkland is a professed Unitarian, and mention him, as if his election to the presidency of Cambridge University, were a decisive proof of the prevalence of your sentiments among us. Dr. K. was formerly one of the ministers of Boston, and whatever his particular friends may think of his opinions, he never preached these sentiments. Nay, I may venture to say, that had Dr. Kirkland been an acknowledged defender of Unitarianism, he would not have been elected to that place. Unitarianism is too unpopular in the country, and his friends, who are at the same time the friends and governors of the University, with all the respect they most justly enter- tain for his exalted talents and character, and particularly for his can- did and liberal mind, would, I believe, have deemed it necessary to sacrifice their private wishes, and consulted the interests of the Uni- versity in electing a president, whose sentiments were more agreeable to the great body of the Massachusetts clergy, of which, ex officio, he is generally considered the head, and to the sentiments of the community at large. Had a decided Unitarian been elected, I really believe that the number of the students would have been diminished.1
Five young men were ordained to the foreign missionary service, at the Tabernacle Church, Salem, on Thursday, Febru- ary 6, 1812. Their names were Samuel Newell, Adoniram Judson, Samuel Nott, Gordon Hall, and Luther Rice.2 Dr. Woods, of Andover, preached the sermon, Dr. Spring, of New- buryport, gave the charge, and Dr. Worcester, of Salem, ex-
1 [Mr. Parkman's letter was dated London, February 20, 1812, and we copy it, with the statements which it was in- tended to controvert, from the Spirit of the Pilgrims, vol. ii. April, 1829.]
2 Messrs. Nott, Hall, and Rice sailed from Philadelphia, February 18, in the same vessel with Mr. Johns, a Baptist missionary. Messrs. Newell and Jud- son sailed from Salem.
370
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
pressed the fellowship of the churches. Dr. Griffin and Dr. Morse offered prayer. But the society which at its anniversary meeting in Boston, in 1885, was able to report an expenditure during the last year of six hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and invested funds to its credit of nearly one million dollars, almost staggered in 1812 under the responsibility which it had assumed of sending out to India and supporting there the group of devoted men who had trustfully placed themselves under its care. An appeal was made to the Christian public, in which it was said : "The Prudential Committee of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions are not able in the present state of the funds, to do more than to pay the outfits and charges of the voyage to Calcutta, and to advance half a year's salary to the missionaries." A meeting was held in Park Street Church on Sunday evening, February 16, at which Dr. Griffin preached a missionary sermon, and a collection was taken, amounting to $338.79. The friends of the movement had collected in Boston during the five preceding days $530, in addition to about $40 in surgical instruments and medicines, the whole amounting to more than $900. "This is exclusive," said the Centinel, "of what has been raised by the Foreign Mission Society," and it added : " We are happy to learn that the extraordinary liberality of the public, on this interesting occasion, has enabled the commissioners to support the expenses of the outfit and passage of the missionaries, and to pay them one year's salary in advance."
For the systematic collection of money to support those then embarking, and others who were to follow, Foreign Mission Societies were formed in Boston and other towns. The society in Boston was organized with the following officers : the Hon. William Phillips, president; Deacon Samuel Salisbury, vice- president ; the Rev. Joshua Huntington, secretary ; Mr. Jeremiah Evarts, treasurer ; and Mr. Benjamin Green, auditor. The treasurer announced in the papers that he would be in attend- ance at the bookstore of Mr. Samuel T. Armstrong, No. 50 Cornhill, every Wednesday afternoon, from three to six o'clock, to receive annual subscriptions and donations.
We have further evidence of the revival of the missionary spirit in Boston at this time : -
The patronage afforded to recent plans for diffusing Christian knowledge in heathen countries, is a matter of great satisfaction to all the friends of the gospel. Rev. Mr. Johns, lately in this town and
37I
ANOTHER EMBARGO ACT.
vicinity, soliciting subscriptions to defray the expense of translating the Bible into the eastern languages, we understand has received very liberal encouragement. He is a missionary of the baptist denomina- tion. But happily for the age in which we live, a sectarian spirit has ceased to obtrude itself in the prosecution of the great object of chris- tianizing the pagan world. Many gentlemen of the congregational order have readily contributed to accomplish the laudable purpose in which Mr. Johns is engaged. The Hon. William Phillips of this town has given one thousand dollars. The numerous other donations of the same gentleman, for missionary purposes, and pious and chari- table objects, are highly creditable to his religious profession ; and show how useful the opulent Christian may be by the judicious dis- tribution of his wealth.1
An act was passed by Congress, April 4, laying an embargo for sixty days on all ships and vessels within the jurisdiction of the United States.2 An express was dispatched to Boston, by Mr. James Lloyd, a senator from Massachusetts, and Mr. Quin- cy, a member of the House of Representatives, in advance of the passage of the bill, and as soon as it was known that it was to be reported from the committee on foreign relations, to warn the merchants of the impending calamity. It reached Boston Friday afternoon, April 3. Mrs. Quincy wrote to her husband on the 6th : -
The intelligence communicated by your letter has excited an unpre- cedented sensation here. The trucks were going all Sunday ; and the wharves, I am told, were as full and as busy as they were ever seen. Every ship or boat that can move is preparing to get off before they are stopped by the embargo. This effort is an important service to the merchants ; and another, I hope, will be produced by the industry of the Federalists at the election today. The weather has been threatening, but is now clearing off. . Under the present excitement, I do not think a storm would be injurious.
Also, April 8 : -
To-morrow is Fast Day. Mr. Channing again declined to read the proclamation. He told me he did not think there was any reason, civil or religious, obliging him to produce in the pulpit the warrant by which he gave notice of the observance of the day according to order and usage.8
2 A correspondent of the Centinel had written from Washington, February 12: " The buz of war has intirely ceased in both Houses."
1 [Col. Centinel, February 19, 1812.] 8 [Memoir of the Life of Eliza S. M. Quincy, pp. 150, 151. "In this town the utmost exertions have been used in fit- ting out vessels for sea. From Saturday to Thursday, eighty-five sail were loaded,
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