USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. III > Part 18
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
affections and desire towards him, as a labourer in order to office amonge us in Gods time. The church had unanimously elected mr. Tho : Thatcher to be a teaching officer unto them and forthwith sent Captain Savage, Captain Peter oliver to acquaint him there with, And to intreat they might have his Company with them at their church meetings.1
The 18 (8) 69 the church had appointed a Sollemne day of hu- miliation to implore the Lords favour towards the Country in respect of the unseasonable raines &c: And also with respect to their diffi- culties and discountenances by some in Authority impeding the worke of the Lord in their hand, &c : And to make the way plaine for Rev- erend mr. Tho : Thatcher who had accepted his call to the Lords worke among them.
Mr. John Hull and mr. Edw : Raynseford were nominated for ruling Elders and att the same meeting mr. Jacob Elliot and mr. Peter Bracket were elected Deacons. Mr. John Hull and 24 (8) 69
mr. Edw : Rainseford were elected Ruling Elders and it was voted that this Church should be supplied continually with 2 ruling and 2 teaching Elders,2 And the same day the church agreed for to send to Charlestowne Church to dismis mr. Tho : Thatcher unto this Church in order to be ordained a teaching officer over them and also for the Church to meet together, to agree when to send - And a letter should be drawen up to be sent to that church for that end.
mr. John Hull being bound for England,8 It was agreed by the whole Church to desire and improve him to use his best skill, and prudence in England for to obtaine some able orthodox and Godly minister, for to joyne with mr. Thatcher in the worke of the ministry in this Church.
A letter being drawen up in which mr. John Hull was desired, and impowred for to use his best and utmost endeavour to pro- 7 (9) 69 cure an able orthodoxe minister for the ende a bove men- tioned was read, consented unto and Subscribed by the Church :
Deare Beloved Brother Mr. John Hull.
When God shall have brought you unto England, whither you are now by Gods grace bound, we doe desire your spetiall care to inquier after and seeke out and get for us some able orthodoxe Godly man, (one who is in choice esteeme and repute among the pious and wise- hearted who are of the congregationall way) to joyne with the Rev-
1 [The words, " And this was upon the 7th (5) mo. last," are erased.]
2 [The words, "This Church should be supplied continually with 2 ruling and 2 teaching Elders," are erased. Mr. Hull declined the office.]
3 [" 1669. Nov. 16. I went from my
own house on board Master Clarke's ship [the Society] for to go to London to settle all former accounts with my uncle."
" 1670. Oct. 3. I came safe home, and found my wife, daughter, servants, and all in health and safety." - John Hull's Diary.]
148
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
erend mr. Tho: Thacher, where unto he is allready called by us in the worke of the Lord in the ministry of the Gospel. We can- 8 : (9) 1669. not soe well nominate any person here as you will be in- formed concerning them when you come thether. We therefore leave the whole unto yourselfe. You well know the necessity which we are in, and the weight and concernment of it unto us ; therefore shall cease from giveing, Arguments unto yourselfe to ensure your care and dilli- gence there in. And we doe here by impower you to act here in for us, as if ourselves were present personally, and shall with thankfullnes acknowledge and owne your actings there in : Now the Good Lord, the Lord of the harvest, the great Shepherd of the Sheep, the God of the Spirits of all flesh, direct your way herein unto such a one as may be much to the glory of God, and may come to us with the fullness of the blessings of the Gospel, and that may be a meanes in his hands (who holdeth the starrs in his right hand) of conversion and building up of the soules of this poor little flock. which you have left in this wildernes, for whome we crave your frequent prayers when absent, and the prayers of the faithfull where God shall cast you, that we may be preserved blameles in these houres of our temptation unto his heavenly kingdome, to whome be Glory through out all the Churches world with- out End. Now the Keeper of Israell who neither Slumbers nor sleeps, be your all in all, preserve, bless, and direct you in all your wayes in this affair, giveing you to finde favour in the eyes and hearts of those you may have to doe with in this or any other of your owne business, and in his good Season returne you unto your very affectionate Bretheren.
THEOPH. FRARY
THOMAS BRATTLE WILLIAM DAVIS
WM. DAWES
THEOD. ATKINSON EDWARD RAYNSFORD
BENJ : THIRSTONE
EDW. RAWSON
ROBERT WALKER
Jos : BELCHER
PETER OLIVER JAMES PEMBERTON
JOHN ALDEN WM. SALTER
SETH PERRY
HEZ: USHER
THO: SAVAGE
JOSH : SCOTTOW
PETER BRACKET
JOSEPH ROCK JOHN WING
JOHN SANFORD
BENJ : GIBBS JACOB ELIOT
JOHN TAPPING
JOSEPH DAVIS
JOSEPH BELKNAP
I, also, deare brother doe heartily consent in this matter with my Brethren, and earnestly desire the same thing of you, who, heartily praying unto the Lord of the harvest to prosper your way therin, that an eminent faithfull labourer may be thrust forth into this our harvest, and that your whole work may be adopted and blessed by him sub- scribe myselfe
Your affectionate Brother in the Lord
THO: THATCHER Sen
November 8, 1669
.
149
MR. HULL'S MISSION TO ENGLAND.
A LETTER TESTIMONIALL FROM SEVERALL ELDERS OF THE CHURCHES IN THE BEHALFE OF THE CHURCH TO SUCH REVEREND AND BELOVED MINISTERS AND BRETHREN IN ENGLAND TO WHOME IT MAY COME : To the reverend much honoured and beloved in our Lord Jesus : the Min- isters and Brethren of such of the Churches of Christ in England unto whose hands these letters may come, and who may be more espe- cially concerned in the Contents of them, Grace mercy and Peace be multiplyed unto you from God our ffather and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour
Reverend and Beloved in the Lord
It is not without much trembling of heart for the ark of God both here and else where, that we presume to make this our 14 (9) 1669 application to you by way of earnest efflagitation for the travelling interest of Christ in this wildernes, The holy God haveing in extraordinary displeasure, (even unto Astonishment) contended with these Churches by a judiciall, and successive removeall of many eminent and faithfull Ministers of the Gospel, who in their day were principle pillars amongst us ; whence it is that divers of them are com- pelled to sit as Sion in her widdowhood, Spreading forth their hands for some that might become instrumentall comforters unto them, to Releive them who yett are far from them. It would be too tedious here to enumerate the causes of those disappointments which we have, for a considerable time, sighed and sorrowed under, But this is that which doth silence us therein, that the righteous Lord hath done it. He hath done that which he hath devised, he hath stretched out the line, he hath not, withstanding, drawne his hand from destroying. We are not, withstanding, not altogether without some hope that our gra- cious God will not all wayes chide with us, and that he will not powre out all his anger, but grant unto us, (though most unworthy) a reviving in the midst of the yeares. We therefore desire to wait for him in the way of his Judgements untill he shew himselfe favourable to his wearied heritage. We would not be found wanting in any duty in- cumbent upon ourselves (his watchmen) in order to the Consolation, and Edification of his Churches, here planted and established in the faith and order of the Gospel ; But would take all opportunities pre- sented for the promoveing thereof, that they may stand perfect and compleat in all the will of God, and be furnished with an able and faithfull ministry, where either there never was any placed, or where the Lord hath made a breach upon us in those our pleasant things. And as there be sundry under the one and the other consideration, soe in particular, in refference unto the third church in Boston lately gathered, (concerning which there hath bin and still are many thoughts of heart with us,). We are not able easily to Express of how great im- portance to the establishment of the kingdome of Jesus christ amongst us, their being provided of an Eminent burning and shining light would
150
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
be; and on the other hand, what a discouraging Remora thereunto, and unhappy obstruction to the progress of the Gospell in these partes, their suffering and disappointment therein, may become in this their [and our] necessitous condition. At present such is the good hand of divine Providence, that we have a convenient season of transmitting our affectionate intreaties unto yourselves, for your pious and faith full Solicitude for us and them in this matter, by our dearly beloved Brother in Christ, mr. John Hull, whose praise is in the Gospell, who hath received instructions to negotiate in this weighty affaire for that church above mentioned to which he doth belonge ; concerning which we take ourselves bound to testifie that it is a pretious flock 29 : (9) 1669 of christ, regularly proceeding in their first gathering into Church Estate, approved therein both by Magistraticall authority and allso by the Elders and Messengers of Churches convened at their first constitution, giving them the right hand of fellowship, as a testimony thereof ; and ever since standing and walking regularly in the order of Communion of Churches, a society (above most) amiable and ele- gible, and with whome a Minister of the Gospell shall find Christian and honorable entertainement, and will be highly esteemed of in love for his worke sake among them. Wee pray you therfore, that (as to this our beloved Brother) you would please to receive him in the Lord as becometh Saints, and that you would assist him by your Councell and prayers to your utmost, in what soever buysines he hath need of you, and in particular, in that great trust committed to him, of seek- ing out for a sutable supply, of some able Minister of the new testa- ment for that eminent Congregation of the Lord.
We beg a continued interest in your love and prayers, and pray that the Lord would be seen in all our Mounts, That the good will of him who dwelt in the bush may be with you and us in this houre of tempta- tion, that we may keep the word of his patience, and not deny his name, holding fast that which we have, That no man may take away our Crowne, and that the God of grace, even our God would supply all your and our need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus in whome we are.
Your affectionate and ever Loving Brethren in the fellowship of the gospell
JOHN ALLIN ZACH : SYMMES EDMUND BROWNE
SAMUEL WHITING
FFR : DANE THO: COBBET
ANTIPAS NEWMAN JOHN WARD JOHN HIGGINSON
SAMUEL PHILLIPS WM. HUBBARD EDWARD BULKLY
SAMUEL DANFORTH JOHN SHERMAN SAMUEL TORREY
INCREASE MATHER SAM : WHITING Junr. THOMAS SHEPARD 1 JOHN HALE
14 : November 1669
1 [These letters are printed in the Am. Antiq. Society, almost precisely as third volume of the Transactions of the we find them in the Narrative. We have
151
LETTER TO THE CHARLESTOWN CHURCH.
The 29 : (9) 69 a letter prepared to send to the Church of Charles- towne for Mr. Thomas Thatcher's dismission read and approved of by the Church as followeth.
Honoured Reverend and beloved
The consideration of the readines and inlargednes of your Christian love and favour which soe many waies hath bin manifested on all occasions as it call on us, to have our hearts inlarged unto God, who hath put it into your hearts thus to shew forth the kindnesse of the Lord unto us, Soe allso to acknowledge unto yourselves the instru- ments in his hand of so much refreshing unto us, Begets in us bold- nesse from former experience to crave of you an addition to what we have received, we doubt not but our helples Condition is upon your heart daily, And that you are considering what to doe, for your little and unworthy sister who yet is without breasts, Our humble request unto you is, That you would please for to dismisse unto us your Rev- erend Brother Mr. Thomas Thatcher, in order for to be a Teaching officer among us. We have some considerable time since manifested our desire thereof unto himself, who hath answered us with his accept- ance, there remaine only your favorable dismission of him unto us : to capacitate him to joine with us: in order thereunto, which our former experience give us hope, you will gratifye us in, And we hope that the good Lord will cause all spirituall blessednesse to abound more and more unto you, for this Loane. which is lent unto the Lord, begging allso that you would allso follow this your gift with your fervent prayers, that he may come unto us, with the fullnesse of the blessing of the gospell, That he may be as a star in the right hand of him, who walketh in the midst of his churches, And that ourselves and oures may declare that all the changes of providence and various dispensations, which we have ben under are for our spirituall advan- tage in our Lord Jesus in whom wishing grace and mercy and peace, we subscribe ourselves.
Your much obliged Brethren and Servants
THO. SAVAGE ED RAINFORD by the appointment of the church
BOSTON : 29 : 9 : 69.
Superscribed to the Honoured Reverend and beloved the Church of Christ at Charlestown these pressent
Upon which letter the church of charlestown dismissed the Rev- erend Mr. Thatcher as followeth
made a few slight changes in the spelling worth while to change the order in which of the signatures, but have not thought it they stand in the Narrative.]
152
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
To the honoured, and beloved the third Church of Christ, in Boston ;
Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied unto you from God our Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ !
Honoured and dearly beloved in our blessed Saviour. When we call to mind some of the daies of the right hand of the most high, upon whose shoulder the government is layd, and whose name (let it be for ever called Wonderfull, Counsellor !) hath been magnifyed to you ward, we cannot but say with Him ; This, This is the Lord's doing, it is marvelous in our eyes ! The solemne meditation of that work of God in Davids time, drew forth from him, we 13 : (10) 1669 may think, that most patheticall Invocation ; Lord remem- ber David, and all His afflictions ! how he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob, Surely I will not come into the Tabernacle of my house : nor goe up into my bed ; I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eye-lids, untill I find out a place for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of Jacob ! Which words doubtlesse are written for our Instruction, that we also should set our affection to the house of our God ; which as we doe believe it effectually worketh also in you that believe, so we trust it hath in measure its influence upon ourselves ; bowing our hearts unto a willing- nesse to offer unto the Lord, that which hath not cost us nothing. For our own part, soe amiable is the enlargement of the kingdome of our Lord Jesus, and so pleasant is the duty of communion of Churches, because of that altogether-lovely-one who walketh in the midst of the golden Candlesticks, that we do, through grace, conceive a secret, and ineffable delight in our exosculation of the opportunity, wherein we may, by our testimony, afford any contribution of encouragement thereunto. Soe it is, then, that our reverend, and deare Brother Mr. Thomas Thatcher, upon your earnest sollicitation of him, hath de- sired of us Letters of Dismission unto you : yourselves likewise in- treating us to shew you the kindness of the Lord therein, by granting the same unto him ; we have considered of the motion thereof made unto us, in the fear of God; And, though not without an affectionate sense of our own Losse in parting with such an one (for the riches of that gift of the grace of God bestowed upon him, whereof we have had much comfortable experience in his Ministry ; in which work of the Lord (howsoever the Lord shall dispose of him) we trust it will be his study to show himself approved unto God, a workman that need- eth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth) yet, as to this act of Communion, we must say, who are we that we should with- stand God; We do therfore, according to your and his desire, dis- miss this our much estemed brother unto your holy fellowship, pray- ing you to receive him in the Lord as becometh Saints ; and to esteem him very highly in love for his work sake: and be at peace among yourselves : Truthing it in love, according to the exhortation of the
153
DAY SET APART FOR ORDINATION.
Holy Ghost : yea we beseech you to follow peace with all men, and holynesse, without which no man shall see the Lord. Dear brethren, we salute you in the Lord, and begg your prayers for us, as it is our hearts desire that we may be allwaies labouring fervently for you in our prayers, that you may stand perfect, and compleat in all the Will of God : And that not ourselves only but all the Churches of Christ may still be with you in the Spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastnesse of your faith in Christ, in whome we remaine
Your loving brethren in the fellowship of the Gospell. ZECH : SYMMES THOMAS SHEPARD
13. 10. 69
with the consent of the brethren of the Church of Christ in Charlestown.1
The Church met publiquely in the new meeting house, which they had erected for publique worship, Mr. Tho : Thatcher preached both in the forenoone and afternoone, his morn- 19 : (10) 1669 ing exercise was Ezech : I ch. : I : 2: 3 vrs: &c. in the evening Psal : 47 : 42 after ending of it the preceding letter of dismission from the Church of Charlestown was publiquely read, which being done the Church voted his admission and himself entered into Cove- nant with the Church : The Church kept a day of humil- iation, after ending of that duty, Mr. Thatcher was called 12: (II)
to the office of a Pastor by the unanimous consent of the Church : Mr. Rainsford ruling Elder Mr. Jaacob Ellyot and Mr. Peter Bracket Deacons. The same time it was unanimously agreed that the 16th of the (12) month ensuing should be set apart for the ordination of the forementioned officers, allso that letters should be sent unto the sev- erall Churches for Elders and Messengers to be assistant in the work : which were as follow
LETTER SENT TO THE CHURCH OF CHARLESTOWN.
Grace mercy and peace be multiplyed in God our ffather and in our Lord Jesus Christ
Reverend and dearely beloved in our Lord Jesus
Thus far the Lord the branch hath bin with us as with the Angell stretching out the line of building upon our feeble work to lay the foundation we trust of many generations, in remembering gratiously
1 [This beautiful letter was written by Mr. Shepard. We have corrected it, as it stands in the Narrative, by the original, which is on the files of the Old South Church.]
2 [The text in the morning was : " The word of the Lord came expressly unto
Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans, by the river Che- bar; and the hand of the Lord was there upon him." The text of the even- ing was: "He shall choose our inher- itance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved."]
154
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
the troubles of his poore afflicted, giving them a naile in his house, and hath not onely accepted them into a Covenant of espousalls, but allso prepared a place and builded an house for their assembling, yea he hath allso (we trust through his grace) soe far given us to partake of the benifit of his Ascension, as to chuse out some for us to goe in and out before us, in the work of the Ministry and officers of his house viz : Mr. Tho : Thatcher Pastor, Mr. Ed : Rainsford ruling Elder Mr. Jaacob Ellyot and Mr. Peter Bracket deacons, and directed us accordingly to pitch upon the 16th of the next month for a time to set them apart by prayer and fasting, and laying on of hands unto the service whereunto the Lord hath called them, wee doe therfore humbly intreat and earnestly crave your prayers for us and concur- rence with us, that we being strengthened by the right hand of your fellowship may mannage that which remaineth in this great and weighty affaire according to the accepted will of God in Christ. In order whereunto we further desire you to send your Elders and messengers to be present with us, at least on that day to consider togither with the Elders and messengers of other Churches, and advise what may be most suteable to our state and work, according to the will and counsell of our deare and blessed Lord, soe shall you lay upon us a further obligation, to acknowledge your love and faithfullnes unto us in the Lord, respecting to our comfort, and the prosperity of these Churches, by the furtherance of the Gospell, and to approve our- selves in the Lord (to whose will) we heartily commend you to be our dear Brethren.
19 (II) 69 Your affectionate Brethren
THO : SAVAGE
WM. DAVIS
JOSH : SCOTTOW HEZ : USHER THO : BRATTLE
In the name and by the appointment of the whole Church :
LETTER TO THE SECOND GATHERED CHURCH OF CHRIST IN BOSTON. Reverend and beloved
It hath bin the good favour and grace of God towards us, after his many afflictive dispensations upon us to vouchsafe unto us the grace of espousalls unto himself, and a name and a place (though most un- worthy) among his Churches, here in this his Canaan, and to bestow upon us of these his Ascension blessings, Gifts for the Ministry and offices of his house and hath directed our hearts upon some among ourselves for that worke (viz) Mr. Tho : Thatcher for Pastour, Mr. Edward Rainsford for ruling Elder, Mr. Jaacob Eliot and Mr. Peter Bracket for Deakons which if it please the Lord, we intend to set apart unto that work by fasting and prayer and laying on of hands, the sixtenth day of the next month, our humble request unto you therefore is, that you would assist us therein with your prayers, And that you would send your Elders and Messengers to be thereupon that
155
LETTERS MISSIVE.
day to Strengthen us therein by their prayers and right hand of your fellowship whereby you will much oblige us, who are
Your affectionate Brethren
THOMAS SAVAGE
WM : DAVIS
HEZ : USHER
JOSH: SCOTTOW
THO : BRATTLE
24 (II) 69
In the name and by Consent of the whole Church
The 9: (12) the Church met and agreed upon a letter to be sent unto the first Church of Boston the Copy of said letter followeth with the churchs answer.
To the Honoured Reverend and Beloved the Elders and Brethren of the first Church of Boston.
Honoured Reverend and dearely Beloved in our Blessed Saviour,
Grace mercy and peace be multiplyed unto you from God our ffather and the Lord Jesus christ.
The Lord having in his infinite wisedome and grace, so ordered the changes that have of late befallen us, as that according to the advice of the churches (as yourselves know) mett in Councill, wee are brought into an orderly constitution of Church estate ; And having since beheld such a further manifestation of the presence of the Lord graciously going before us, and experienced such a divine manuduc- tion, as hath brought us unto the participation of the priviledg, liberty, and opportunity of calling and electing such Officers in our Church (vizt) Reverend Tho: Thatcher Pastor, mr. Edw: Rainsford Ruling Elder, Peter Brackett Jacob Eliot Deacons, as whereby there may bee a comfortable administration of the Ordinances of Christ therein, wee cannot butt cry grace grace thereunto, And desire therefore to sanctify the name of the Lord alone, with all due thankfulnes to his divine Majesty for the same. And Communion of Churches being a duty indispensable laid upon us, alwaies to bee pursuing ; we doe therefore hereby tender itt unto yourselves, requesting you to extend itt unto us, in speciall by sending your Elders and Messengers to assist us on the day appointed for the Ordination of our Elders and Deacons afore said, (which will bee the 16th day of this instant) and that you would give us the right hand of ffellowship, together with the rest of the Churches to bee assembled then in Boston, by their Delegates for that end, if God permitt.
Wee doe humbly and earnestly begge your Concurrence, our hearts desire hath alwaies beene, is, and shall bee (through grace) that truth and peace may bee continued and established more and more among us, according to the Gospell Lett us professe that wee must love you
156
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
as Brethren, and pray for you, as wee desire your love to us and prayers for us : Wee heartily entreate there may bee that Commu- nion betwixt yourselves and us and all other the Churches of Christ, cherished and increased, which Sister Churches owe each to other in the Lord. In whom wee remayne
Your afflicted and affectionate Brethren in the ffellowship of the Gospell
THO : SAVAGE Senior WM. DAVIS
JOSH : SCOTTOW HEZ : USHER Senior
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.