USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. III > Part 42
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looked back upon as the primitive pat- tern, when conscious degeneracy has waked up a wish to reform " (p. 35).
Referring to the report of a Congre- gational committee appointed in May, 1844, for the purpose (not avowed), of "mending or remodelling our good old Congregational system," the same writer says: "Though the whole sub- ject of church government was laid open by the committee, their leading object evidently was to magnify the office-work of councils, and to strengthen the authority of their decisions. To do this without trenching on that first
366
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
services, to which, as a member of the church and as a father, he had been looking forward so long. A northeast storm, he tells us, had been threatening ; but after much rain in the night the weather cleared in the morning, and the day was "very com- fortable."
September 16. Began a little after Ten m. Dr. Cotton Mather begun with Prayer, Excellently, concluded about the Bell ringing for Eleven. My son preached from I Cor. 3. 7. So then neither is he that planteth anything, nor he that Watereth ; but God that gives the Increase. Was a very great Assembly : were Elders and Messengers from nine Churches, viz. North, Old, Colman, Cambridge, Charles- town, Roxbury, Dorchester, Milton, Weymouth. Twelve Ministers sat at the Table by the Pulpit. Mr. Pemberton made an August Speech, shewing the Validity and Antiquity of New English Ordina- tions. Then having made his way, went on, ask'd as Customary, if any had to say against the ordaining the person. Took the Churches Handy vote ; Church sat in the Gallery. Then declar'd the Elders and Messengers had desired the Ministers of Boston to lay on Hands (Mr. Bridge was indispos'd and not there). Dr. Increase Mather, Dr. Cotton Mather, Mr. Benjamin Wadsworth, Mr. Ebenezer Pember- ton and Mr. Benjamin Colman laid on Hands. Then Mr. Pember- ton pray'd, Ordain'd, and gave the Charge Excellently. Then Dr. Increase Mather made a notable Speech, gave the Right Hand of Fellowship, and pray'd. Mr. Pemberton directed the three and Twen- tieth Psalm to be sung. The person now Ordain'd dismiss'd the Con- gregation with Blessing. The chief Entertainment was at Mr. Pem- berton's ; but was considerable elsewhere. Two Tables at our House, whereat were Mr. Gerrish of Wenham, Mr. Green, Mr. Graves, Mr. Holyoke, Mr. Robie &c. &c. At night Mr. Pemberton was taken very ill with his old distemper, that could not sit down, took little or no[thing]. On the Sabbath 7r. 20. Mr. Rowland Cotton preaches for Mr. Pemberton, and will preach in the Fore-noon, that may preach at the North p. m. Felix trembled &c. J. S. preach'd p. m. from Jno I. 29. Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.1 (Sewall.)
Mr. Sewall's account of the services of ordination is in the following words : -
Sept. 16. This Day I was ordain'd a Pastor of the South Church in Boston. Dr. Cotton Mather began with prayer. Then I preach'd from I Cor. 3 : 7, So then neither is He that planteth anything etc. After Sermon Mr. Pemberton made a learned Speech, shewing the
1 [Mr. Sewall, in his diary, tells us as Robinson, Deborah Simpson, and that he baptized, on this occasion, Thom- John Merrifield.]
Ar-
Joseph Sewall.
367
MR. SEWALL'S ORDINATION.
Validity and Antiquity of New English Ordinations. Then ask'd as Customary if any had to say against ordaining the Person. Took the church's handy vote. Church satt in the Gallery. I gave my Consent in such words as These : Relying on the help of God I devote myself to the work of the ministry in this Place. Then Mr. Pemberton de- clar'd that the Elders and Messengers had desir'd the Ministers of Boston to lay on Hands (Mr. Bridge was not there by reason of his in- disposition). Dr. Increase Mather, Dr. Cotton Mather, Mr. Benjamin Wadsworth, Mr. Ebenezer Pemberton, and Mr. Benjamin Colman laid on Hands. Then Mr. Pemberton Pray'd, and gave the Charge excel- lently (pray'd twice). Then Dr. Increase Mather made a notable Speech, gave the Right Hand of Fellowship and pray'd. Mr. Pem- berton directed the 23 Psalm to be sung. I dismissed the Congrega- tion with Blessing. Who am I that God should call me and sett me apart to this divine and honourable Employment? O Lord, I desire to be deeply humbl'd under a sense of my own sinfulness and unwor- thiness ! O God, my Dependence is upon Thee ! Pour out on thine unworthy Servant the Gifts and Graces of thine Holy Spirit ! Help me to . .. this thy People in the fullness of the blessing of the Gospel of Christ. O that I might save my own Soul and the Souls of them that hear me ! I am a Child - Lord undertake for me !
Thus began a ministry which was to be most memorable and successful. The young pastor had just completed his twenty- fifth year. He had been the child of many prayers, and proba- bly at an early age had been consecrated by his parents to this sacred work. When he was baptized by Mr. Willard within the walls where he was now to preach the gospel, he received the name of Joseph, "not out of respect to any relation, or other person," wrote his father, "except the first Joseph." He soon gave evidence of a beauty and purity of character such as made the youth of his great namesake so attractive and his long life so useful ; like him, too, but more like Him of whom Joseph was only a type, he was to dispense bread to his brethren, - not, indeed, the bread that perisheth, but that which endures unto everlasting life.1 He may not have been endowed with excep- tional ability, but he possessed that which is worth more than this for permanent success in the pastoral work, - adaptation to its requirements by natural tastes, by careful training, and by an experimental knowledge of the truth.
Lord's Day. Sept 27. a. m. Mr. Pemberton still kept in by Sick-
1 " Treasure house of golden grain By our Joseph laid in store In his brethren's famine sore Freely to dispense again."
Auto on the Lord's Supper, by Calde- ron. See Trench's Sacred Latin Poetry, p. 56.
368
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
ness, his Collegue preaches from Philip. 2. 8. Being found in fash- ion as a man, he humbled himself to death, even the death of the cross. Administred the Lord's Supper to good Satisfaction. Mr. Bromfield and Mr. Sergeant congratulated me upon it : p. m. Mr. Flynt preaches.
Oct. 4. Mr. Jno. Barnard [of Marblehead] preaches a Sermon too much savoring of Arminianisme. p. m. Son preaches from ps. 37. 37. on occasion of Mrs. Rock's death.1 Samuel Eliot, son of Andrew Eliot, Baptis'd. (Sewall.)
On the 13th of October Mr. Joseph Stevens, whom some had desired to settle at the South Church, was ordained at Charles- town as colleague with Mr. Bradstreet.2 Neither of the pastors of the South Church took part in the services, but Mr. Sewall was present ; of the laymen, Samuel Sewall, Andrew Bel- cher, and Edward Bromfield were there. Dr. Increase Mather was moderator, and the pastor elect preached the sermon from Dan. xii. 3. Dr. Cotton Mather gave the Right Hand of Fel- lowship, and made "an august speech, showing that the Con- gregational Churches early declar'd against Independency, that all the Reformation of the Continent of Europe ordain'd as New England did; shew'd that their Ordination had no other foundation." As Mr. Pemberton four weeks previously had defended the validity of New England ordination against the claims of prelacy, Dr. Mather now insisted on the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, as against the ordination of minis- ters by individual and independent churches.3
Decr. II. Yesterday Mr. Francis Boroughs was buried. He was a Member of our Church and hath the character of a knowing and good Christian, This day, Major Fitch's Eldest Son was buried. He was a very pious and hopefull youth, about 16 or 17. (J. Sewall.)
The disease which proved fatal to this promising young man, Thomas Fitch, was the measles. Mr. Burroughs was one of the most highly respected men in the town. Judge Sewall wrote of him as "an intelligent exemplary Christian ;" and John Dun-
1 [Mrs. Rock was second wife and widow of Joseph Rock, one of the founders of the South Church. She was a daughter of the Rev. John Wilson, of Boston, and her first husband was the Rev. Samuel Danforth, of Roxbury. She was probably a member of the Second or North Church at the time of her death.]
2 Mr. Stevens graduated at Cam- bridge in 1703. He died in 1721.
3 Mr. Sewall records that the churches invited on this occasion were "Old, North, South, Colman's, Cambridge, Andover, Meadford ; " and that Drs. In- crease and Cotton Mather, Mr. Brattle, Mr. Barnard, and Mr. Bradstreet laid on hands.
369
SCARCITY OF GRAIN.
ton called him "an Israelite indeed," and said that Sir Henry Wotton's verses on the character of a happy life exactly de- scribed him : -
Whose armour is his honest thought, And simple truth his utmost skill.
Another useful member of the church and prominent citizen, Mr. Peter Sergeant, was in a precarious state of health, and on the afternoon of the 14th several ministers met at his house to pray with and for him. Those present were Mr. Wadsworth, Mr. Pemberton, Mr. Colman, Mr. Joseph Sewall, and Mr. Danforth, of Dorchester. He died a few weeks later.
Dec. 17. The Lecture was turn'd into a Fast, upon the account of the Epidemical Sickness, and the Scarcity which the Town is afflicted with. p. m. There was a Contribution for the Poor. The Old Church gather'd about 705, the North 1265 the South 1036.1 (J. Sewall.)
Decr. 17. Thorsday is a Cloudy and very Cold Day, which made the Fast-Assemblies the thinner in the four Congregations in Boston ; yet the Work was carried on. Two sermons. In the afternoon £103. was gather'd at the South Church, 68. at the old, about 70 at Mr. Col- man's, £126. at the North.
Dec. 20. The weather is much more moderate : my Son adminis- ter's the Lord's Supper. (Sewall.)
Mr. Sewall preached the Lecture for the first time (in Mr. Bridge's turn) on the 3d of January, from Gen. xvii. I: "I am the Almighty God : walk before me, and be thou perfect."
At the beginning of the year, Mr. Sewall, with his bride, Eliz- abeth, daughter of the late Hon. John Walley, moved into the
1 [How serious a matter the scarcity was to which Mr. Sewall refers will ap- pear from the following : -
" At a meeting of the Select men Novr. 24.
" Pursuant to a Proclamation of his Excellency the Governor, Relating to the present Scarcity of Graine, and in order to the necessary Supply of the In- habitants of Boston.
" The Said Select men do accordingly order and direct That the Master of each Sloop or other vessell, Importing into this Town the quantity of fifteen hundred Bushells of Grainc, Do Supply each per- son who Shall come or Send to buy for the relief of their respective families, not exceeding two bushells and an halfe,
thereof for each family, and out of ves- sells with a thousand bushells, two bush- ells to each, and out of vessells with five hundred bushells, one bushel to each family and of flower one barrell to each family.
" And they do hereby Signifie the pres- ent moderate accustomary Prices thereof to be as followeth vizt.
Shill.
Of good Winter Wheat 8 Summer Wheat 7
Rhy 6
Indian Corn 5 Town Records.
Judge Sewall records, November 27 : " I got a Grist of Wheat among the many that were pressing for it."]
P. bushell."
370
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
old parsonage, which had been vacated by Mr. Pemberton on the completion of the new one in Milk Street.
Jan. 26. 1713-14. This day my son, Mr. Joseph Sewall, Removes into the Church's House and Lodges there.
Jan. 27. As I pass along I call at my Son's and wish the Blessing of Winthrop, Norton, Willard, Pemberton [his predecessors in the occupancy of the house] to come upon him. (Sewall.)
April 1, 1714. There was a Day of Thanksgiving kept by the Town of Boston, in Consideration of the great goodness of God to us in Providing for us this last Winter, and in restoring such general Health to the Town. I preacht from Ps. 103. 2 Bless the Lord O my soul &c.
April 9. Old Mrs. Mather was buried in the North Burying Place. Bearers [Messrs.] Bridge, J. Danforth, Wadsworth, Pemberton, Cole- man, Sewall.1
April II. Admitted to church, Mrs. Faith Savage, Mary Neeland, Mary Eliot to full communion, which were the first I ever admitted.2
1 [This was Sarah, widow of the Rev. " Aprill 20th 1714 " At a Meeting of the above Seaters. John Cotton, and secondly of the Rev. Richard Mather. See ante, pp. 120, 121. "We Conceiving the Precedency in the above said Pew did at first belong to Mr. should be so still, and Accordingly order, At the time of her death she was the owner of a house and garden in the Paul Dudley, we think it's Reasonable it market-place, in Boston, Lincolnshire.]
2 [These names do not appear on the That the Southerly halfe of Said Pew church register, on which there are no Adjoyning to Mr. Willard's Pew belong entries between February 7, 1713-14, and of Right to said Dudley. March 3, 1716-17.
When a pew had more than one owner, the overseers of seats were called upon to settle the question of precedence.
" At a Meeting of the Seaters of the South Church at Maj. Genl Winthrops the 10th April 1714,
" There having happened a dispute about the Rights in that Pew formerly possess'd by Mr. Paul Dudley and Docr Allen - And the Committee having and made inquiry ; do find that that Place was by the then Overseers Granted to Mr. Paul Dudley and Mr. Danl Allen [that is, granted to them in this order]. WAIT WINTHROP SAML CHECKLEY DAVID JEFFRIES DANIEL OLIVER THOMAS FITCH.
WAIT WINTHROP SAML CHECKLEY DAVID JEFFRIES DANIEL OLIVER THOMAS FITCH. " This is a true Coppy."
Mass. Archives.
" Present, Maj. Genl Winthrop, Col. Saml Checkley, Mr. David Jeffries, Mr. Danl Oliver, Maj. Thomas Fitch. Paul Dudley, "the well accomplish'd merchant and accomptant," died Decem- ber 1, 1681. His widow, Mary, married Penn Townsend as his second wife. His posthumous child, Paul, was baptized at the South Church, April 30, 1682. His interest in the pew in controversy had heard the Pleas that have been offered, been sold to Col. Taylor or Tailer.
At a meeting of the " Seaters," Febru- ary 24, 1719, it was "Voted that Mr. Francis Willoughby on his request have liberty to purchase Mr. Paul Dudleys } of the pew of Coll. Tayler, said Wil- loughby and his wife late Chauncey quit- ting their right in the pew Major Wal- ley's held 3 rds of." Mrs. Willoughby was a daughter of Major Walley. Her
371
A SCORCHING DROUGHT.
June 7. Preached to Artillery Co. from Rev. 19. 14. " And the armies which were in Heaven." (J. Sewall.)
July 5. I went to Mr. Pemberton, found Mr. Commissary [Bel- cher] and Mr. Bromfield there. They began to speak to me about Deacons. Some of ours very old and infirm. Mr. Pemberton spake how much Col. Checkley was broken ; which I had not observ'd. Men- tion'd the expediency of adding to their number. Nam'd Mr. Daniel Oliver : I said I should like him very well if he would Accept. Then nam'd Mr. Sam. Phillips : I said nothing. But said, I had need of a List of the Church members before I could speak to it. Mr. Pember- ton said he was a man of Substance ; seem'd to be much for him. (Sewall.)
The deacons at this time were Nathaniel Williams, James Hill, and Samuel Checkley. Both Mr. Williams and Mr. Hill were more than seventy years old, and the former died in the following December. There is no evidence that any new dea- cons were chosen until 1719.
Aug. 5. The lecture was turn'd into a Fast, upon the account of the great Drought which the land is afflicted with. A. M. Mr. Pem- berton preacht from Jer. 5. 24 [" Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the Lord our God that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season : he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest "]. Mr. Wadsworth began with prayer and Mr. Bridge concluded. P. M. Dr. Cotton Mather preacht from Hosea 10. 12. [“ Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy ; break up your fallow ground : for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you."] Mr. Colman began with prayer. I made the last prayer.
Sept. 2. There was a general Fast kept upon the Consideration of the Distress on this Province by a Scorching Drought. I preach'd from Amos 4. 12. ["Therefore thus will I do unto thee, O Israel : and because I will do this unto thee, prepare to meet thy God, O Is- rael."] (J. Sewall.)
first husband was Charles Chauncy, grandson of the second president of Har- vard College, and father of the minister of the First Church of Boston, of the same name.
At the same meeting it was "Voted That Mr. James Pemberton be placed in that half of the pew which was Doctr. Allens." Dr. Allen's . half of the pew became the property of the church by purchase from his widow, as appears from the following receipt : -
BOSTON, Feb : 26: 1719
Reced of Ezekiel Lewis in behalf of the South Church in Boston, and in the name of the Overseers, five Pounds money, being for One half of that Pew which belonged to my former Husband Doctr Daniel Allen (the Other half orig- inally to Mr. Paul Dudley Deceasd) this by the Direction of the Overseers & & is entirely now at their Disposal for the ser- vice of the Church.
MARIANA LYNDE.]
372
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
On the 20th of October the fifth Congregational church in Boston, the New North, was organized by a friendly secession from the Second or North Church, and the Rev. John Webb was ordained as its minister.1 Alexander Sears and his wife Rebecca, who had been connected with the South Church for a year or two, were among the original members.
October 20. New North Church Gathered : Dr. Increase Mather read their Names and Covenant, which they had Subscrib'd, and took their Assent to it, then voted their choice of Mr. Webb. Gave him his Charge, He, Dr. C. Mather, Mr. Bridge, Mr. Pemberton Laying on their Hands. Dr. C. Mather gave the Right Hand of Fellowship. Govr was there, Mr. Speaker and many of the Court. Only the Four Churches in Town sent to. Mr. Webb's Text, He was a Burning and a Shining Light ; were entertain'd at Mr. Seers's.
Lord's-Day, Nov. 28. Rains very much. Have the Lord's Supper at the New North, which is the first time. My son preaches there in the After-noon. (Sewall.)
From the last quotation, and from other passages in the diary, we see that what Judge Sewall had said to Mr. Pemberton and others in 1705 on the subject of observing the Lord's Sup- per once in four weeks, without reference to the first Sunday in the month, had had some effect. This was always the estab- lished usage in the South Church, and seems to have been made the rule in the new church.
Lord's Day, Decembr. 26. Mr. Bromfield and I go and Keep the Sabbath with Mr. John Webb, and sit down with that Church at the Lord's Table. I did it to hold Communion with that Church; and, so far as in me lay, to put Respect upon that affronted, despised Lord's Day. For the Church of England had the Lord's Supper yesterday [Christmas] the last day of the Week : but will not have it to-day, the day that the Lord has made. And Genl. Nicholson, who kept Satter- day, was this Lord's Day Rummaging and Chittering with Wheel bar- rows &c. to get aboard at the long Wharf, and firing Guns at Setting Sail. I thank God, I heard not, saw not any thing of it : but was quiet at the New North. I did it also to Countenance a young small Church, and to shew that I was pleas'd with them for having the Lord's Supper once in four Weeks, and upon one of the Sabbaths that was vacant.2 Had a very, comfortable Day. (Sewall.)
1 Mr. Webb graduated at Harvard College in 1708. He married, April 13, 1715, Frances, daughter of Edward Bromfield; she was a member of the South Church, and died in 1721.
Mr. Webb's ministry was a successful
one, and his church was greatly increased at the time of the religious awakening in 1740-43.
2 [The following relates to the Second Church : -
" It was at this period [March 15,
.
373
THE THIRD SAMUEL SEWALL.
May 8 1715. I preach'd P. M. from I Cor. 7. 14. - But now are they holy. From this text I endeavour'd to prove that the Infants of Believers are federally Holy, in covenant with God, and the Sub- jects of Christ's visible Kingdom. Grace Morgan entred in Covenant and was admitted to Baptism. I then baptized my little Son ; named him Samuel. O Lord doe thou baptize Him with the Holy Ghost and with fire! Take possession of Him by thy Spirit and grace, and make Him an Heir to all the blessings of the New Covenant. O Lord be thou my God and the God of mine forever! Let this Child live and glorify God, and help me to doe my Duty towards him. (J. Sewall.)
The honored grandfather was not able to be present at this interesting service. "The wet weather," he says, "and my Indisposition, caused me to stay at home; that I had not the Satisfaction to be present at the Baptisme." The child of this pious ancestry became a member of the South Church, and served as deacon under his reverend father.
July 14. Son preaches [the Lecture] out of Isa. II. His Rest shall be glorious. Mr. Stobo and several other Carolina Ministers were Auditors. p. m. I visited Dr. C. Mather and his new Wife at the house that was Mr. Kellond's.1
July 17. My son and Mr. Webb Exchange. Mr. Pemberton not abroad in the Forenoon. Baptizes Mr. Clark's Son John, p. m.
July 31. Lord's Day. My Son baptizes Nathanael Bethune, James Salter and Anne.
Aug. 2. Fast at Mr. Colman's about Calling another Minister. Mr. Wadsworth began with Prayer; Mr. Colman preach'd from Ephes. 4. 8. 11. Excellently : Censur'd him that had reproach'd the Ministers as if they were Gog and Magog; said would conclude as Zech. 3. 2. The Lord rebuke thee Satan - Mr. Bridge pray'd and gave the Blessing.
p. m. Mr. Pemberton pray'd, Dr. Cotton Mather preach'd from Isa. 5. 6. latter clause, I will command the clouds &c. Excellently ; censur'd him that had reproach'd the Ministry, calling the Proposals Modalities of little consequence, and made in the Keys; call'd it a Satanick insult, twice over, and it found a Kind Reception. Dr.
1741,] that an evening lecture before the communion was established; and at the same time the season of the communion was changed from every fourth week to the first Sabbath of every month. After two months, however, the vote was re- considered, and the old term of rotation restored, which continues unchanged to the present time." Ware's Two Dis- courses, 1821, p. 29.]
1 [Dr. Cotton Mather married as his third wife Lydia, daughter of the Rev. Samuel Lee, for many years of Bristol, and widow of John George, a worthy merchant of Boston, who died in 1714. She joined the South Church by letter from Bristol, March 1, 1695-6. Mr. George became a member a few months later, and afterward was one of the founders of Brattle Street Church. ]
374
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Increase Mather concluded, Sung the 3d part of the 68th Ps. Gibson set the Low Dutch Tune, Dr. Incr. Mather gave the Blessing. All excellently ; only I could wish the extremity of the censure had been forborn - Lest we be devoured one of another. (Sewall.)
Sept 1. After Lecture the Ministers met together at Mr. Pember- ton's. At this Meeting, there was a warm debate about Mr. Wise's Book (which was written in answer to the Proposals drawn up and Voted by several Ministers in the year [1705] and contains a very high Charge) And Mr. Ebenezer White and Mr. Samuel Moodey were admonish'd and reprov'd for the Letter which they wrote to Encourage the Printing that Book. Dr. Cotton Mather and Mr. Pemberton manag'd the Charge with Considerable Severity. Mr. Moodey stood up and said, as near as I can remember, that He pleaded not guilty and knew or would know whom He should be tried by. Mr. White seem'd to justify Himself, and spoke with a pretty deal of freedom. The matter ended uncomfortably, saving that Mr. Stoddard concluded with an excellent Prayer. Lord save us, Heal our divisions, unite our hearts to fear thy Name, Show thy Servants wherein they have exceeded, and let not a Spirit of Contention prevail among us. Suffer not the Common Enemy to take advantage either from that Book, or the disputes which it hath occasion'd. O Thou God of Peace, dwell among us, teach and direct and influence thy Servants, in the Ministry ; Bless thy Churches, let them have rest and be edifyed; Encrease the power of Godliness among them, and let thy Worship always be main- tain'd in the purity of it. (J. Sewall.)
The occasion of the severe censures which both Judge Sewall and his son mention with regret was the appearance of a second edition of John Wise's scorching satire upon the Proposals of 1705, The Churches' Quarrel Espoused, to which was prefixed a commendatory letter from Mr. Moodey and Mr. White.1 Mr.
1 GLOCESTER, March 25, 1715. Reverend Sir
We have had the favor and satisfac- tion of reading, and according to our measure considering the transcendent logic, as well as grammar and rhetoric, of your Reply to the Proposals; by which our eyes are opened to see much more than ever before we saw, of the value and glory of our invaded privi- leges, and are of opinion that if your consent may be obtained to a new edi- tion, it may be of wonderful service to our churches, if God shall please to go forth with it. However, it will be a tes- timony that all our watchmen were not
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