USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. III > Part 47
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by Rule alternately, for the Satisfaction of both parties."
" BOSTON, Decemb. 9. We have advice from the South Part of Brantrey, that on Sunday the First Instant, Mr. Niles the Minister of that Place, performed the Duties of the Day at his Dwelling House, among those of his Congregation who are opposers of Regular Singing. The Regular Singers met together at the Meeting House, and sent for Mr. Niles, who refused to come unless they would first promise not to sing Regularly ; whereupon they concluded to edify them- selves by the Assistance of one of the Deacons, who at their Desire prayed with them, read a sermon &c." - Buck- ingham's Specimens of Newspaper Liter- ature, vol. i. p. 86.]
413
DEATH OF PRESIDENT LEVERETT.
April 14. The Council sat again at South-Braintry. An accommo- dation was proposed, and was so far effective, that the suspended brethren made some general acknowledgment and were restored. Something was also spoken (I am inform'd) in behalf of the other side towards an acknowledgment ; but it did not seem to satisfy the sus- pended brethren (N. B. Mr. Oliver and I came away before these things were done in publick.) O Lord Pardon the Sin, and heal the Distemper whereby the minds of that people are alienated from each other. (J. Sewall.)
The Rev. John Leverett, the president of Harvard College, was found dead in his bed on Sunday morning, May 3, and he was buried with every mark of respect three days later. He had held the office sixteen years, and had governed the students "with great sweetness and candor, tempered with convenient severity." Judge Sewall writes, under date of August 12: " Scipio brings word this morning from Mr. Gerrish that my Son is Chosen President." This is the only reference to the subject in his diary. The South Church had relinquished its claim on Dr. Leonard Hoar, on his arrival from England, more than fifty years before, in order that he might serve the college as its president ; and it had allowed Mr. Willard to act as presi- dent during the last six years of his life. It was now asked to make a much more serious sacrifice than in either previous in- stance, and it felt obliged to decline. It had two pastors, ad- mirably adapted to the work which had been committed to them, laboring harmoniously together and with success; and the members of the church no doubt thought that it would be more easy to find another man fitted for the presidency of the college than to fill the place, in their pulpit, of either Mr. Sewall or Mr. Prince.1 The board of overseers sent a committee to confer with the church, and we have a brief account of the interview and of the result so far as the church was concerned, in the handwriting of Mr. Prince : -
At a meeting of this church, Sept. 30. 1724.
After looking to God for his gracious presence - (As is usual at all the meetings)
1 Mr. Sewall says in his diary, August 29: "Several of the Brethren of the Church were with me last night and to day, who express their Unwillingness to part with me, and some of them pretty strongly express'd their Apprehension that it would not well consist with the peace and welfare of the Flock, and that
but few wou'd Consent to it. Lord make my way clear ; shew me, thy people, what thou wouldst have us to doe, and incline us to that which is pleasing in thy sight. . .. I humbly thank thee that thou hast given me such a room in the hearts of thy people, who are dear to me : and humble me to the dust."
414
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Voted
That according to the desires of the Overseers of the College, their Committee be now admitted to present their desires to this church, with respect to Mr. Sewall, our Pastor, without our entering into any debate on the affair depending, while they are present.
After the said committee's admittance and Recess, the Question was put ; whether the church saw sufficient reason to consent to the desires of the Overseers of the College, in the removal of their Revd Pastor Mr. Sewall from them?
To which I could see but one Hand affirmative.
And then the following Vote was put, and pass'd with a very gen- eral concurrence, there being about Sixty Brethren -
The Hon'd and Revd Overseers of the College having appointed a Committee to ask, and move for our consent to our Revd Pastor Mr. Sewall's Removall from us to the College; the Church being met together on that affair, and having humbly asked Council and Direc- tion of God, and fully heard and seriously considered what was offered by said Committee came to the following Determination ; and
Voted -- That they can't apprehend it to be their duty, but think it will very much disserve the interest of Religion among them, and will tend very much to disturb their peace and comfort to part with their said Revd. Pastor, and therefore can by no means comply with said motion ; but earnestly desire He would as soon as may be give his Answer accordingly. THOMAS PRINCE.
We have thought sometimes that jealousy might be called " the last infirmity of noble " ministerial "mind." The follow- ing extract from the diary of a disappointed aspirant to the presidency, Dr. Cotton Mather, is an illustration in point : --
I am informed that yesterday the six men who call themselves the Corporation of the College met, and contrary to the epidemical expectation of the country, chose a modest young man, of whose piety (and little else) every one gives a laudable character. I always fore- told these two things of the Corporation ; first, if it were possible for them to steer clear of me, they will do so ; secondly, that if it were possible for them to act foolishly, they will do so.
Mr. Sewall was fortunate, under the circumstances, in that the possession of personal piety was conceded to him by his brother minister and rival. The members of the corporation who supported his election were Henry Flint, Benjamin Wads- worth, Benjamin Colman, and Nathaniel Appleton. They doubtless knew what they were doing, and acted under a full sense of responsibility. We may assume, therefore, that Mr.
415
MR. SEWALL CALLED TO THE COLLEGE.
Sewall, if he was not exceptionally learned, had certain definite qualifications, both natural and acquired, for a successful college president.1 To the great satisfaction of the Third Church, he declined the invitation ; 2 and on the 18th of November the Rev. Benjamin Colman, of the Brattle Street Church, was chosen instead.3 He, too, declined ; and in the summer of 1725 the Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, of the First Church, was elected and installed.
The diary of Samuel Sewall, Jr., contains the following : -
August 11th. 1724. Brother Sewall chose President of Harvard Colledge by the Corporation. Aug. 26th. Confirmed his choise by the Overseers of the Colledge. They chose a Committee to acquaint him with it and to desire his acceptance of it viz. Col. Byfield, Col. Adam Winthrop and Mr. Wadsworth. Brother gave them a denyal which they would not take up with when reported to the Overseers. But added Two more, Mr. John Danforth and Mr. Benjn. Colman. Sep- tember 30th. The Old South Church had a Meeting which was a very full one. The Committee, each of them, made a Speech to the Church and then withdrew. Afterwards the Church proceeded to a vote and all except Brother [in law Samuel] Gerrish voted his con- tinuance with them. After He gave his full answer.
Mr. Colman was one of the committee which appeared be- fore the church, and pleaded for its consent to the acceptance by Mr. Sewall of the presidency. In his Life, by Mr. Turell, there is a reference to his speech on the occasion, but a mistake is made in intimating, as the author seems to do, that Mr. Col- man was called to the position before, instead of after, Mr. Sewall was chosen to it : -
Although Dr. Colman excused himself from this high Honour and Trust, yet no one shewed a greater Solicitude, nor took more pains, to have the College well supplyed, - His moving Speech to the Old
1 President Quincy says that by the election of Mr. Sewall the corporation sought to conciliate the predominating religious influences of the province, and adds : "Sewall, though not deficient in other qualifications for the president's chair, was not distinguished for possess- ing them. The office was not suited either to his character or his views. Ainiable, faithful, and affectionate, he was peculiarly adapted to the office of teacher and pastor. He had the good sense to realize the advantages he pos-
sessed ; and his church, by refusing their assent to his removal to the college, expressed the wishes and affections of their pastor not less than their own." - History, vol. i. p. 331.
2 Mr. Sewall was chosen a Fellow of the college in 1728, and served until 1765.
3 On the election of Mr. Colman, Dr. Mather wrote in his diary : "The Cor- poration of the miserable College do again, (on a fresh opportunity) treat me with their accustomed indignity." See Quincy's History, vol. i. pp. 331-339.
416
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
South Church in Boston, September the 30th, 1724, to part with their Reverend and Honoured Pastor, Dr. Joseph Sewall, for that Service, which lies before me, is a Demonstration of it.1
What Mr. Sewall's attitude was in this matter we learn from the memorial sermon preached in his pulpit on the Lord's Day after his death, forty-five years later :-
In consideration of the many good qualities in which he excelled, he was, so long ago as the year 1724, upon the death of President Leverett, chosen, in his room, to take the head-ship of Harvard Col- lege, in Cambridge. Upon the news of this, which, as his own words are, was "surprising " to him, I find him making that pious reflection, "O Lord! what am I, a sinful worm, that there should be any tho't of me for so considerable a trust !" This choice of him to so impor- tant a service, lay with great weight upon his mind, partly from his own modest diffidence, but principally from the ardor of his affection toward you of this Church and congregation. He often carried the case to God in humble earnest prayer, and more than once set apart a day for solemn application to him who dwelleth on high for direction in an affair of such consequence. On one of these days, he writes thus ; " I besought the Lord to give all needed direction to the over- seers, the flock I stand related to, and to my self. I also endeavoured to examine myself ;- and, if I know my own heart, my inclination is to abide with my dear people, and to spend and be spent in the work of the ministry here, if this be the will of God, and most for his glory. I think I can truly say, that no prospect of greater worldly honor, or gain, would prevail with me to leave this people ; and that I do not account my life too dear to be spent in the service of Christ among them." You, the people of his charge, expressed a like affection towards him, in your voted unwillingness to part with him. Upon which, your beloved Pastor, having again asked the direction of heaven, thus writes : " I suppose that now God makes my way plain to give an answer in the negative, which I accordingly did ;" adding that wish of piety, "Lord ! provide a more sutable and sufficient per- son for that important trust." 2
Nov. 22. Bro'r. Williams preaches. The prudent forseeth the evil, and hideth himself. Made a very good Discourse.
Nov. 29. Mr. Charles Chauncy preaches for my Son, from Mat. 19. 17. If thou wilt enter into Life, Keep the Commandments. Mr. Sewall blessed the Congregation. Mr. Prince preached in the After- noon from Hoseah 14- 1, 2, 3, 4. Mr. Sewall baptized Benjamin Brandon. Gave Thanks for his [own] Recovery, pray'd that all his Sins and Defects might be pardoned. (Sewall.)
1 [Turell's Life and Character of the 2 [Dr. Chauncy's Discourse, July 2, Rev. Benj. Colman, p. 58.] 1769, pp. 23, 24.]
417
DEPRECIATION OF THE CURRENCY.
The young man mentioned above, Mr. Charles Chauncy, was a baptized child of the church, and had become a member two or three months before he preached this sermon, which was one of his first. His father, of the same name, a merchant, and his mother, Sarah, daughter of the Hon. John Walley, were also members. He married, May 9, 1728, Elizabeth Hirst, a grand- daughter of Judge Sewall. He was, therefore, a nephew of Mrs. Sewall, and a nephew by marriage of the Rev. Joseph Sewall. His name will come prominently before us, as we proceed with our history.
Lord's Day, Decr. 6th. Lord's Supper. Mr. Prince's Text, Cant. 2. 14. which I hope I was the better prepared for, being ravished with Christ's Love declar'd in Psal. 40 - I joy to do thy will - which sung in course in the morning. My Son, and Deacon Green were kept at home by the Great Rain and Indisposition. Deacon Checkly De- liver'd the Cup first to Madam Winthrop, and thus gave me a Tankard. 'Twas humiliation to me and I think put me to the Blush, to have this injustice done me by a Justice. May all be sanctified. Mr. 'Mayhew preached p. m. Heb. 12. 14. Holiness.
Fifth day, Dec. 31. [Lecture.] Mr. Prince takes notice of it as the last day of the year, and preaches an agreeable Sermon from Lam. 3. 22. It is of the Lord's Mercies that we are not consumed.
Sixth day, Jany. I. Mr. Colman in his Sacramental Lecture, men- tions Mr. Prince's Text and then reads his own, Deut. 30, 20 - for he is thy Life - and made an excellent Sermon thereupon, demonstrating that God is emphatically our Life ; natural, Spiritual. (Sewall.)
The following vote explains itself : -
At a Church Meeting June 25. 1725.
Upon consideration had that the Bills of Credit on this Province are considerably lessened, or sunk in their value,
Voted
That there be allowed and paid to each of the Revd Pastors of this Church, Four pounds, five shillings per week for their support.
THOMAS FITCH Moderator
A true copy
JOSEPH SEWALL THOMAS PRINCE.1
Katharine, wife of the Hon. Josiah Willard, secretary of the
1 [June 25. 1725. " A church meeting at the Old South, and raysed our two ministers' (viz. Mr. Prince and Mr. Sewall) sallerys from 3. 5. o a week to
4. 5. o a peecc, and the authority ordered it soon after to be increased to other ministers through the Colloney."- Bum- stead's Diary.]
418
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
province, died on Sunday, the Ist of August, and Katharine, widow, successively, of John Eyre and Wait Winthrop, died on the following day. On the 6th of December, Mrs. Anne Pollard died : she had been a member of the church fifty-five years ; she attained the age of one hundred and five years, and left one hundred and thirty descendants.1
Lord's Day, Decr. 12. Mr. Sewall preach'd from Gen. 5. Adam died, of Mortality - a good Discourse on occasion of Mrs. Pollards great Age. Exhorted all to prepare to dye. Mr. Prince prosecuted his Discourse on Compunction in order to Conversion, Act 2. (Sewall.)
Collections for benevolent purposes had been taken up in the congregation from time to time, as circumstances had seemed to make it desirable. It was now proposed that they should be made statedly, twice a year, and that a committee should be authorized to make appropriations to uses corresponding to Home and Foreign Missions, the Bible Society, and the Pub- lication Society in our own day.
At a church meeting, March 13 1725-26
The following Proposal was made to the church, viz.
That there be a publick Collection on our anniversary Fasts and Thanksgivings, to be bestowed on pious uses, for the advancement, of Christ's Kingdom among the poor and other proper objects of such a Charity ; first among ourselves, and then in other places, as we shall find we are able ; by putting into their hands Bibles, Catechisms and other Books of piety ; or by promoting Religion among them any other way as you shall agree and determine.
Upon which the Church very generally came into this Vote -
That there be a publick Collection on our anniversary Fasts and Thanksgivings, to be bestowed on pious uses, and for the advance- ment of Christ's Kingdom.
The church then voted that the Honble. Edward Bromfield and Daniel Oliver Esqrs. be joined with the Deacons as Trustees of this Evangelical Treasury.
The church also Voted, that the concurrence of the congregation should be asked in this affair.
JOSEPH SEWALL THOMAS PRINCE.
Pursuant to the Vote above mentioned, the Proposal was made to the Congregation March 20. who readily consented to it.
Accordingly on Thursday the 24th of March 1725-6, there was Col-
1 Her portrait is in the collection of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
419
COLLECTIONS FOR PIOUS USES.
lected by the whole Congregation, the sum of Eighty-three Pounds, seven shillings and eleven pence.1
March 27. Mr. Prince preach'd out of Exod. 12. Comparing the Passover with the Lord's Supper ; made good work of it. p. m. Mr. Sewall preached from Hab. 2-3 .- For the Vision is yet for an appointed time &c. very well.
April 3. My Son preach'd in the fore-noon from Gen. I. 26. Read the whole Chapter, and Commented pithily and well upon it; and after that spoke to the 26th verse. [" And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness," etc.] I desire with humble Thankfull- ness to Bless God, who has favour'd me with such an excellent Dis- course to begin my 75th year, withall delivered by my own Son, mak- ing him as a parent to his Father ! (Sewall.)
[From the Church Records.2]
On the Thanksgiving day, Nov. roth 1726, [there was collected] Eighty four pounds, five shillings and sixpence.
At the meeting Nov 15, 1726. Voted
That fourty Pounds be given out of the last Collection for supplying the poor of this Church and Congregation with Wood and other neces- saries of life.
Voted,
That ten Pounds be given out of the money collected by the Church and Congregation towards the encouragement of the preaching of the Gospel at Kingston in Narraganset.3 JOSEPH SEWALL.
March 3, 1726-7, Mrs. Sarah Williams, second wife and widow of Deacon Nathaniel Williams, died, " a very pious gen- tlewoman." The Rev. Nathaniel Williams was her stepson.
1 [Mr. Joseph Sewall says : -
" March 10. The united Ministers of the Town having agreed to Propose to the Churches the Having a Collection for pious Uses on our Publick Fasts and Thanksgivings, Mr. Prince and I Pray'd together about the time for God's Direc- tion and Blessing upon this Affair."
" March 13. We made the Proposal to the Church, who generally came into this Vote, [as above]."
" March 20. It was Proposed to the Congregation."
"March 24. . .. I am inform'd that in other Congregations in this Town there were liberal Contributions."]
2 [From this time, we shall usually print the church records in their order, without mentioning the record book from which they are taken.]
3 [On the last Sunday of the year, Mr. Sewall wrote in his diary : " I have been much concern'd that so few have been added to the Church of late : I humbly hope God hath enabl'd me to seek earnestly to him to Revive his work among us." There were five admissions on that day (William Alden, Mary Wil- liams, Ann Williams, Mary Simpson, Robert Due), and twenty-five altogether in 1726. In 1727 there were seventy- four, and in 1728 forty-two.
420
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
She was nearly eighty years of age, and had been a member of the South Church fifty-seven years.
Mr. Benjamin Franklin, an uncle of Dr. Franklin, died March 17, 1727, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. His wife, Katharine, became a member of the church in 1678, and it is more than probable that he was a member also. He was, we are told, " a rare and exemplary Christian." It was said of him : "His presence in the house of God was always solemn and affecting ; and though he courted not the observation of men, yet there were many that could not but take notice, and admire the peculiar excellencies that so visibly adorned him." In these characteristics, we should suppose that he and his brother Josiah were much alike. Mr. John Borland, a prominent merchant, died March 30. He became a member in 1694, soon after his arrival from England. His son, Francis, was afterward active in the affairs of the congregation.
At a Church Meeting, March 21. 1726-7
Notwithstanding the vote pass'd by this Church, March 13 1725-6, relating to a publick collection ;
Voted,
That it is the mind of the church that these collections should not be made from time to time, till the church have particularly considered, and determined upon them ; and that the money collected, shall be disposed of to charitable and pious uses as the church shall from time to time determine.
Agreable to the foregoing vote, the question being put whether there should be a publick collection on the anniversary Fast, next ensuing, March 30. 1727, it pass'd in the affirmative.1 J. SEWALL.
March 30. 1727. Collected Ninety-two Pounds.
August 9. Mr. Pemberton was Ordain'd at the Old-South Pastor to a Church at N. York. Mr. Thacher began with Prayer. Mr. Col- man preach'd from Matt. 9. 38. I pray'd. Dr. Mather gave the Charge, and Mr. Prince the Right Hand of Fellowship. (J. Sewall.)
Mr. Pemberton became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in New York, then worshipping in Wall Street, near Broadway.
At the Thursday Lecture, on the 17th of August, Mr.
1 [Mr. Sewall's private record of this meeting is as follows : "At the Church Meeting, March 21, Some seem'd to oppose our Proceedings in these publick Collections, and there was some Altera-
tion made as to the Votes about it. However I hope it pleased God to bless what was said, so that the Brethren voted a Collection on this Fast with consider- able Unanimity."]
42 I
ORDINATION OF MR. CHAUNCY.
Sewall preached a funeral sermon for King George the First. " Twas his turn and the Council also desired him," says his father.1
October 25. This day Mr. Charles Chauncy was Ordain'd Pastor to the Old Church in this Town. Mr. Foxcroft began and Mr. Thacher concluded with Prayr. Mr. Colman gave the Charge, Dr. Mather the Right Hand of Fellowship. Mr. Chauncy Preach'd from Matt 28. 20. - Lo I am with you alway - I hope God was graciously Present with his Servants. Shew thy Servant His Need of the Pres- ence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and enable him to Live by the Faith of the Son of God.2 (J. Sewall.)
The question of repairing and enlarging the meeting-house, or building a new one, could be deferred no longer, and a meet- ing was called to consider it.
At a church Meeting Oct 20. 1727.
Voted-I. That there be a Committee appointed to view this House ; and consider what is needful to be done towards the repairing
1 " August 14. This day we have the surprising and awfull News of the King's Death. Lord Sanctify thine Hand, enable thy people to humble themselves under it. Pour out thy Spirit on thy Servant who is our King. O make him a nursing Father to thy people ! "
" August 17. It being my Lecture in course, I was Desir'd by the Governor to take notice of the late awfull Provi- dence in the King's Death. I preach'd from Isai. 33. 22. For the Lord is our Judge." (J. Sewall.)
The sermon was printed with the title, Jehovah is the King and Saviour of his People.
2 [We reproduce the letter - missive sent by the First Church in anticipation of this ordination, at the risk of its be- ing condemned by some authorities as " archaic and uncongregational " :-
BOSTON, Oct. 10. 1727
To the Church of Christ whereof the Reverend Mr. Sewall and Mr. Prince are the Pastors,
The Old Church in Boston, Sendeth Greeting in our Lord Jesus.
Revd Hond and Beloved,
We presume you are not unacquainted that we have sometime since chosen and
called our worthy Brother Mr. Charles Chauncy to the Pastoral Office among us. Now these come to inform you that we have appointed Wednesday the Twenty fifth of this instant October to be the Day for his Ordination. At which Solemnity We desire your Presence and Help, by your Elders and Messengers, to joyn with others in Council on that important Occasion ; agreeable to the known approv'd Custom of these Churches. And beseech you in the mean time to assist us by your fervent -Prayers, in Preparing for so great a Transaction ; That We may have the gracious Smiles of Heaven on our Pro- ceedings, and experience much of the promised Presence of our Ascended Sa- viour and Head in the midst of us. The same we wish to you, and to all the Churches. Grace be with you, and peace to the Brethren, with Faith and Love which is in Christ Jesus : Unto whom be Glory in the Churches World without End. Amen !
THOMAS FOXCROFT, Pastor In the Name of the Chh
P. S. The Delegates are desired to meet at Mr. Foxcroft's House by nine รด clock in the Morning of said Day.]
422
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
of it, and the charge ; and that they make a report to the church as soon as conveniently may be.
II. That the same Committee consider whether this House may be conveniently enlarged, and the charge; and make a report to the church at the same meeting.
III. That the Honble Jonathan Belcher, Major Savage, Capt. Wins- low, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Prout, be a committee to manage the affair above voted.
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