USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. III > Part 41
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Lord's Day, Augt. 10. 1712. Joseph goes to Meeting forenoon and p. m. Mr. Pemberton prays very particularly for him.
Aug 19. Mr. Pemberton and Mr. Commissary [Belcher] and son walk'd a considerable time together on the Parade.
Aug. 24. Both Mr. Bridge and Pemberton pray very Expressly for my Son as call'd to the south-church. (Sewall.)
Mr. Sewall preached in the South meeting-house in the after- noon of August 31, from Eph. iv. 30: "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God." On the 4th of October he sent his answer to the church.
Oct. 4. This day I gave in my Answer in writing to Mr. Sergeant: wherein I said, "If it shall please the great Shepherd and Bishop of Souls to discover his will by continuing the affection of this Church and congregation to me, I dare not but comply with the invitation." (J. Sewall.)
He preached for the South Church on Sunday morning, Oc- tober 12, from Rom. viii. 6: "For to be carnally minded is death ; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace ; " and in the afternoon, Mr. Pemberton read his letter accepting the call.
Oct. 12. This day Mr. Joseph Sewall's Answer to the Church and Congregation's Call, was read to them.
Oct. 15. Mr. Pemberton visits us, staid a good while, was very placid.
Oct. 24. Son J. S. and I go to Mr. Pemberton's privat Meeting. Made a good Thanksgiving-Sermon from Ps. 116. 9.
Nov. 2. Govr. Saltonstall and Col. Thomas come to the South Assembly : Mr. J. Sewall preaches a. m. [Phil. i. 29.] Mr. Bridge p. m.1
1 Governor Gurdon Saltonstall, of Connecticut, had come from New Lon- don to marry his third wife, Mary, widow of William Clarke, of Boston. After the governor's death, she returned to Boston, and became a member of the South congregation, and probably of the church. By her will, proved January 16, 1729-30, {100 were given to the over- seers of the poor for the poor of Boston, and {20 "to the poor of the now Old
South Church," "to be disposed of at the discretion of the said Church ; " also, £10 each to Mr. Sewall and Mr. Prince. Mrs. Saltonstall bequeathed £1,000 to Harvard College, " the Income whereof to be Improved for the assistance of two persons who shall by the overscers be esteemed of bright parts, and good Dil- gence, (always a Dissenter) to fit them for the service of the Church of Christ, and who has not means of his own." Mr.
358
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Nov. 20. [Thanksgiving Day] Joseph preaches in the Forenoon. [2 Cor. vii. I.] Mr. Pemberton not abroad.
Nov. 27. In the evening in the Street Mr. Pemberton spake to me whether some further step should not be taken about Joseph. Spake of the church's Thanking him for his Answer and desiring his readiness to assist. I told him, I left it to him. (Sewall.)
March 3. 1712-13. Mr. Pem- berton was here with the Dea- cons of the South Church. He inform'd me of the Meeting which the Church had ; they unanimously exprest their satisfaction with my Answer, and thankt me for it, and design'd my compleat Settlement as soon as the Old Church gott into their new meeting House. He spoke of the remarkable agree- ment there was in the management of this affair &c. I acknowl- edged the great kindness and respect which the Church had shown me ; spake of my weakness and insufficiency, and earnestly desir'd their prayers &c. (or much to this effect).
April 19. 1713. A. M. Mr. Wadsworth preacht from I Pet. 3. 8. Made a thankfull mention of the kindness which the South and Mr. Coleman's Churches had shown them since the fire, and seem'd to take leave. Lord bless the old Church, and settle them peacably in the House that's built for thy Service. (J. Sewall.)
April 19. Mr. Wadsworth preaches at the South, Excellently ; and with Great and very obliging Affection Took leave of the South church. Pray'd for Joseph in the 2d Prayer. Post Meridiem, Dr. Increase Mather preaches I Timo. 2. I. Excellently, vigorously. Prays for Joseph, mentioning his having been made a Blessing. Pray'd not a second time because was Baptisme. Mr. Pemberton preach'd for the Dr. in the Forenoon, by which means Mr. Wadsworth was alone ; but now had all Three.
April 26. Mr. Bridge signifies to the scattered Flock their intention to meet in their new built Meeting-house, the next Lords-day ; Took Leave in very pathetical, obliging Terms. Pray'd much for Mr. Pem- berton, acknowledging the Gifts with which God had adorn'd him. In
Joseph Sewall writes, Jan. 16, 1729-30: " Madam Saltonstall died on the 11th - was buried yesterday. A Gentlewoman of Superiour Accomplishments, and I believe of true Piety." Quincy says of her: " Uniting exemplary piety and en- larged charity with a highly cultivated mind, she filled the high station to which
she was called with prudence and dignity. By her contemporaries she is celebrated for the graces which adorn and the virtues which are the honor of human nature." The baptismal basin now in use at the Old South bears her name as its giver, with her coat of arms. (See above.)
359
THE OLD BRICK MEETING-HOUSE.
second Prayer pray'd for that other worthy person call'd to assist, that his Settlement might be hasten'd, might be a lasting Blessing. (Sewall.)
April 26. A. M. Mr. Bridge gave publick Notice of their design to meet in the New Meeting House next Lord's day. Blest God and thankt the Congregation for the kindness they had receiv'd. P. M. Mr. Pemberton preacht from [Psalm] 133. I. Spoke of Unity and peace we have had together since the dispersion &c. I prayd to God for strength to doe the work which I shall now engage in. (J. Sewall.)
Mr. Sewall preached at the South Church on the following Sunday, from Luke ii. 14: " Glory to God in the highest."
April 29. At the Council an Order was made to restore the Lecture to the new built Meetinghouse, as accustomed; and the place most Central.
Lords-Day, May 3, 1713. In the forenoon Mr. Wadsworth preaches the first Sermon in their New-built Meetinghouse, from Haggai 2. 9. The glory of this latter House. (Sewall.)
The old Church met in their New Meeting House today ; so that now I shall probably be employ'd in a constant course of preaching. O Lord grant that I may find that as the day is, so strength is given to me. O help me in this great and difficult work ! Let me come to the People in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ. (J. Sewall.)
The First Church was now settled in its new house of wor- ship upon the old site. It was built of brick, a dignified structure of its kind, and in after years it was called the Old Brick. It stood until 1808. During the year and a half after the fire of 1711, the Thursday Lecture had been preached in the South meeting-house ; but, by order of the council, as men- tioned above, it was restored to the church by whose pastor, John Cotton, it was first established. The Election Sermon, which also had been usually preached in the old meeting-house, was, in 1712, preached in the South, by the Rev. Samuel Cheever, of Marblehead ; it did not return with the Thursday Lecture, but remained at the South, or Old South, with brief interruptions, so long as it continued to be preached.
So long as Mr. Wadsworth and Mr. Bridge were occupying the South Church pulpit with Mr. Pemberton, there was no im- mediate necessity for Mr. Joseph Sewall's ordination. When they and the members of their congregation left, some read- justment of the seating arrangements in the South meeting- house had to be made, and, in connection with this, the first and,
360
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
so far as we know, the only manifestation of jealousy took place, at the possibly increased influence of Judge Sewall in church affairs through the new colleague pastor. It was well that this feeling showed itself then, and that it spent its force before the ordination. The position of overseer of seats, which Judge Sewall had held for some time, was a responsible one, and the duty which it involved, of arranging the sittings of the congre- gation, was oftentimes difficult and perplexing.
Tuesday, April 28. I waited on Mr. Pemberton. Mr. Wisewall was there. Mr. Marsh of Braintry came in. Mr. Pemberton spake very fiercely against the Govr and Council's meddling with suspension of Laws, respecting Church of England men not paying Taxes to the dissenting Ministers. Spake very fiercely in dislike of the overseers, that nothing had been done; would chuse others. I think this was before Mr. Marsh came in. At the Gate said what I did twould be reckon'd my Son did ; intimating as I conceive, twere best for me to lay down my Overseers place.
Monday, May 4. I wait on Mr. Pemberton at his desire. Mr. Sergeant and Col. Checkley there : Mr. Pemberton declares a Ne- cessity of adding to the number of the Seaters. Would have us nominat at least. I said I would venture to mention one, Mr. Daniel Oliver ; then Major Fitch was nam'd, whom Mr. Pemberton much applauded; I and all lik'd him very well. Then Mr. Pemberton enquired whether it might not be convenient to appoint one of the Congregation ; we came into it. Mr. Jeffries was mention'd, whom all approv'd. I desired Mr. Pemberton to assist at opening the Court to morrow ; He wholly declin'd it upon the account of his Lecture this week, and his great Indisposition. Mention'd my son. But I chose to call Dr. Cotton Mather in the evening. He readily undertook it.1
Tuesday, May 5. The Church Meeting was begun before I could get to it ; Major Fitch and Mr. Oliver Nominated. Then were chosen by lifting up the Hand. Then Mr. Pemberton call'd on them to Nominat another ; Som body said, Capt. Savage (I understood it of Ephraim) ; but Capt. Habijah Savage stood up and disabled himself because of the Dispute between his Unkle and him about the Pue.2
1 [Court was to be held on the follow- ber. Mr. Pain, one of the Overseers of ing day for the first time in the building now called the Old State House.
" Monday. May 5th [1712] I lay a stone at the South-east Corner of the Town House and had Engraven on it S. S. 1712."
" Tuesday, May 5, 1713. mane. Dr. Cotton Mather makes an Excellent Ded- ication Prayer in the New Court Cham-
the Work wellcom'd us, as the Judges went up Stairs." - Sewall's Diary.
Town meetings were held in the South meeting-house, May 14, 1712, and March 9, 1713.]
2 [The following letter from Ephraim Savage, son of Major Savage, explains the controversy about the pew, referred to by Judge Sewall : -
CONTROVERSY ABOUT A PEW.
361
Then some body mention'd Mr. Phillips. After awhile, I said, Some have thought it might be convenient to have one of the Congregation.
To the Gentlemen of the Committee for the regulating the seating of the south meeting hous
Upon the Perusall of an Order from you about a Pew &c I am Emboldned to beg your Consideration of the follow- ing lines : My father was at great Ex- pence in building the hous and had a place given him to make a Pew in, which he built at his own Charg and therefore had an undoubted right to dispose of it as he saw fit (which I apprehend no Church Vote fifteen years after could take away) this right he bestowed on me and my two Sisters (one of which desert- ing) my sister Thacher and I and our children have enjoyed it forty four years Peaceably (excepting this disturbance of my Nephew) four years ago) which I have often complained to you of, but am not yet releived : but instead thereof, you have Ordered him half the Pew and the Priveledg of my sister Thacher, so that instead of having two thirds or three quarters of the Pew as I should have by my fathers gift and my Purchas there is left for me but one half of one third, or one Sixth part, for me, my wife, my three daughters, their Husbands, and their children : which I do apprehend is by reason of some mistake or some differ- ent Interpretation of the church vote and not according to the true Intent and Meaning of it. ffor my father while he had this unlimited power and right gave it to us and none els (my brother Thomas Savage and sister Hannah Gillam having Pews Provided for them) this right we enjoyed ten years in his life time and thirty years more, after his death, with- out any so much as Pretence of a claim to it. And I apprehend that this right is Confirmed to us, in the year 1685, by a church vote (if that have any force in it) which saith that the right of the builder or owner of Pews, shall descend to their children or so many of them as they shall leav them to to : We are these Children and we are they that our father hath left this Pew to and we are they that were then in lawfull Possession ac-
.
cording to the Direction given in that vote and were found so by those that took accompt of the owners of the Pews : but if there were any right which my father had not given away in his lifetime, it came to his Executours and was settled before this vote of the Church and it was all sold to me: and I can see no reason why my Children should be drove out to accomodate my brothers Chil- dren but if they want a Pew let them go to their ffathers Pew (according to the Church vote) and not to mine : But if all this be over ruled and it is replyed that this vote is to be understood that the children of the first owners have this right and so their children, I apprehend that the church vote can not look Back- ward to unravel rights but if that also be over ruled and all the children of the first owners have this right, he can have but one ninth part for my father had nine Children alive when he dyed (reck- oning the only son of the eldest Brother to be one) and that right with all other rights to the reall and Personall estate of my father my brother Thomas Savage sold me almost thirty years ago under his hand and seal acknowledged before one of this Committee and is en- rolled in the Records of the County of Suffolk and hath warranted to defend the same AND it is reckoned not to be Morally honest in civill cases for any to assume that right which their parents have lawfully sold and is it not much more so in this case.
This right is further confirmed to me by the greatest part of my fathers Chil- dren viz by mr. Thomas Savage Gold- smith only son of my eldest brother Habbijah Savage under his hand and Seal in record, by my brother Thomas Savage and by my brother Perez Savage Sons and Executours under both their hands and Seales and recorded, by my two younger Brothers under their hands and Seales viz Ebenezer and Benjamin Savage : and by Captn Ravenscroft that married one of my sisters released to me under his hand all which I have ready to
362
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Mr. Pemberton assented. Mr. Jeffries was Nominated and voted. Mr. Pemberton said, Mr. Phillips was Nominated ; but I had carried it over to the Congregation : whereas twas what he himself had intro- duc'd at the Meeting of the Overseers at his House. And I reckon'd Mr. Phillips not so fit because of the Controversy about the Pue.1 Concluded with Prayr : Pray'd that my son now call'd to more Con- stant Work might be blessed of God.
May 7. Mr. Pemberton preaches the First Lecture in the New- built Meeting-house, from 2 Chron. 6. 18. But will God in very deed dwell with Men -very good Discourse.
May 10. Lord's day. Joseph preaches again.
May 24. Joseph preaches again.
May 28. The Four Churches [First, Second, Third, and Brattle Street] Treat the Ministers and Councillors in Town at the Exchange Tavern.2 (Sewall.)
May 28. Att the Ministers' Meeting Dr. Increase Mather open'd the Meeting with pray'r. Question - How may a Minister best de- port and behave himself : suppose the Church-Interest should prevail amongst us? Answer : Let Him be well studied in the point of Non- Conformity. 2. Take care of his life and Conversation &c. Dr. Cot- ton Mather concluded with prayr. The Ministers din'd at the Ex- change Tavern. (J. Sewall.)
To understand the question which engaged the attention of the clergy at this meeting, we must remember that the policy of the Anglican Church was becoming much more aggressive than it had been. Writing of this period, the historian of King's Chapel says :-
shew : some of which viz that of Thomas and Perez were shewn to you and owned by my Nephew
My request therefore is that you would reconsider the case and call in that order, and restore me to my right, and remove the caus of our troubles : which I apprehend will be for the Peace and Profit of the Church and more for the Comfort of the Persons contending and may Prevent many Sinfull Incon- veniencys.
1 [Habijah Savage married Hannah, daughter of Samuel Phillips.]
2 [The May meeting of the General
The bitterness and distrust toward the Church of England, which Court was chosen as the occasion for the ministers of the country towns, thawed out from the isolation of a long winter, to make an annual visit to Bos- ton, where they found genial hospitality in friendly homes. The Convention of Congregational Ministers was formed to bring the pastors together mainly for a sermon and for a charitable collection for the widows and orphans of the clergy. When the benevolent societies were organized, their anniversaries were Yr Humble Servt EPHRAIM SAVAGE BOSTON 9th March 1714-15 ] held, naturally, during Election Week, which thus became Anniversary Week. On some day of Election Week, the Congregational churches gave the min- isters a public dinner. Editors of the Sewall Papers, vol. ii. p. 386. The first convention sermon was preached in 1721.]
363
THE EPISCOPAL CAUSE.
had been implanted and nourished by ancient sufferings, had become ingrained in the New England character to an extent now difficult to comprehend. This intense aversion to that Church was due not only to a dislike of her practices, but far more to the sensitive feeling that she was an aggressive presence among them ; not only seeking to feed the spiritual life of her own members, but aiming to proselytize from their churches, and really desiring nothing less than the same suprem- acy in a colony which was peopled by non-conformists that she exer- cised in the mother country. This jealousy was unfortunately fostered by much that was said and done by the representatives of the Epis- copal cause. As it was expressed : "If the church can be settled in New England, it pulls up schisme in America by the roots, that being the fountain that supplyes with infectious streams the rest of America." 1
For thirty years, King's Chapel had been the only Anglican place of worship in the province, but a determined effort was now to be made to organize Episcopal parishes in other places ; those of Braintree, Newbury, and Marblehead date from this time. " Their establishment was attended with much ill-feeling throughout the province." 2
June 10. This day Mr. Pemberton comes to our House, desires me to take my Letter again, would not have me resign my Seaters place now. I took it. Would have Joseph ordain'd in August ; Marry first, that might lose no time. I again express'd myself desirous that it might be before changes from England. Best to be fix'd before such Temptations arrive.3
June 14. Lord's Day. Dr. Incr. Mather preaches for Mr. Pember- ton p. m. Prays very much for Mr. Pemberton that God would con- tinue him long a great Blessing : for Joseph thus, that other Servant upon whom their eyes are that God would fit him and furnish him.
August 12. Mr. Pemberton spake [to me] of some General Meet- ing to morrow night in order to call a Church Meeting referring to Joseph's ordination, said I need not expect any other Notice : I said I needed not.
August 13. A little after 7. Met at Mr. Pemberton's, Winthrop, Sewall, Sergeant, Bromfield, Sim. Stoddard, Hill, Williams, Checkley, Mr. Nathanl. Williams, Schoolmaster, Major Fitch, Mr. S. Phillips, Mr. Borland, Mr. Danl. Oliver, Capt. Winlow, Mr. Campbell. Con- ferred about the Ordination in order to have the Churches' Approba-
1 [Foote's Annals of King's Chapel, vol. i. p. 250.]
2 Ibid., vol. i. pp. 252, 253.
8 [Judge Sewall may have feared the arrival of some invitation to his son to go to England. Mr. Joseph Sewall was married by Mr. Pemberton, on the 29th
of October, to Elizabeth, daughter of the late Hon. John Walley. On the follow- ing Sunday, according to the custom of the time, "Joseph and his Bride sat in Mr. Walley's Pue." The Rev. John Williams, we suppose of Deerfield, preached for him.]
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HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
tion. Propounded Wednesday, the Sixteenth of September, That Mr. Pemberton should give the Charge, as Mr. Willard gave him. Twas debated whether Joseph should preach, or some other. Some thought it was better for some other to tell Joseph and the people their Duty : Others said, His Duty would be told him by the Charge. Finally, twas left to the Church Meeting which is to be held next Tuesday at 10. m. in the Meetinghouse. One Bell to be Rung. Churches to be sent to, Old, [First], North, [Second], Colman, [Brattle Street], Cambridge, Charlestown, Roxbury, Dorchester, Milton, Wey- mouth.
August 16. Lord's Day. In the Afternoon, after Sermon and Prayer and Contribution, Mr. Pemberton Warn'd a Church-meeting next Friday, at Ten in the morning at the Meeting-house, One Bell to be Rung. To agree about Mr. Sewall's Ordination, the Time and Circumstances of it. (Sewall.)
Aug 21. This Day the Church had a meeting to agree about the time and circumstances of my Ordination. It is to be on the 16th of September next. Mr. Pemberton is to give the charge. There is to be but one sermon which I am to preach. The Churches which are to be sent to are, The Old, North, Colman's, Cambridge, Charleston [Charlestown], Roxbury, Dorchester, Milton, Weymouth.
Aug 26. Major Winthrop, Sergeant, Belcher, Bromfield, Stoddard Esqrs. Mr. Pemberton and the Deacons visited me and inform'd me of the time which is appointed for my ordination.
Sept 13. Before the last Singing, Mr. Pemberton read my Dis- mission from the Church of Christ in Cambridge into which I was admitted A 1706, and then gave me the Covenant. (J. Sewall.)
We have no other account of the meeting of the 21st of Au- gust than the brief record of the pastor elect, but, evidently, the recommendations of the preliminary meeting held at Mr. Pem- berton's house were agreed to. When the representatives of the churches were assembled (we do not find that they were called a council), they appear to have taken the following action : first, they chose a moderator, Mr. Pemberton; secondly, they desired the Boston ministers, Dr. Increase Mather, Dr. Cotton Mather, Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Pemberton, and Mr. Colman (Mr. Bridge was absent because of illness), to lay on hands in the ordaining prayer ; thirdly, they designated Dr. Increase Mather to act for them in giving the right hand of fellowship. The church had previously requested Mr. Pemberton to give the charge to the pastor-elect, and no separate charge was then given to the church and congregation. There was no cross- examination of the pastor-elect ; no assumption beforehand that
365
PRIMITIVE CONGREGATIONALISM.
he was unsound, and that the onus probandi rested upon him to show his orthodoxy ; and no voting, except by the church, which openly confirmed, in the presence of representatives of the sister churches, the definitive choice it had already made. We know it is said by some that this service and others like it took place when Congregationalism was in a crude and partially developed state. On the contrary, we contend that Congregationalism was then in the purity and strength of its early prime, and that the men who assisted in these services knew perfectly well what they were doing, and intended to do just what they did.1 The fathers of some of them had seen parish ministers thrust upon unwilling congregations, in the mother country ; and they did not propose to build up an ecclesiastical system here, under which congregations should be hampered and irritated and sometimes baffled in the exercise of their undoubted right to choose and settle pastors for themselves.
We come now to Judge Sewall's interesting account of the
1 The Congregationalist of April 10, 1884, referred to the letter-missive sent out by the Old South Church, in antici- pation of the installation of the Rev. George A. Gordon, in these words : " The letter-missive calling the council conspicuously violated a fundamental principle of Congregationalism, by going back to the days when our churches were crude in polity and vague in faith, and selecting a form which in language failed to submit to the decision of the body the question of the fitness of the candidate for the place."
The utterances of this periodical were much more in accordance with its name - and fundamental principle of Congre- a generation ago than they have been of gationalism -the independent and self- governing power of the churches - had often been attempted before, and had always failed. It did so in this in- stance, and always must. The veri- table old Cambridge Platform (thanks to the committee) was printed as an appendix to their proposed Manual ; and in passing from one to the other, the reader experiences a feeling of disenthral- ment, - a grateful relief from needless and perplexing restraints, - like one sailing on a broad, open sea, after de- scending a stream where snags and saw- yers and sand-bars have kept him on a constant and anxious look-out " (p. 283). late. Dr. Clark's Historical Sketch, pub- lished in 1858, from which we have quoted so freely, appeared originally as a series of papers in the Congregational- ist ; this author was guilty of no such slighting, not to say contemptuous, crit- icism upon the faith and polity of the fathers as appears above. On the con- trary, his judgment is : " All the essential features of New England Congregation- alism, and the religious characteristics of her Congregational churches, especially in Massachusetts, received a permanent shape during that period [1640 to 1650], which in every subsequent age has been
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