USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Old South church (Third church) Boston, 1669-1884, Vol. III > Part 65
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
tober, 1745, that I find a letter of peni- tent acknowledgment, entreating to be restored to communion, was received and acted upon by the Old North Church,
who took off the sentence of non-com- munion, with the express exception of the late minister." - Two Discourses, 1821, p. 52.]
586
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
justifying its action, whereupon more letters followed, and finally a call was made by the Second Church upon seven churches to second their admonition. These churches failing to respond at the appointed time, the call was revived for this council to meet July 19, 1748; when six of the seven churches called appeared by their elders and delegates. Upon requesting the appearance of the separating brethren, and the representatives of the First Church, it appeared that notice had not been regularly given to either, and though, on this account, a formal appearance was declined, not only the pastor of the First Church and several of its members were present before the council, but a leading member of the separating congregation was admitted, upon his request to appear in a private capacity. The council was there- upon adjourned, to meet on the 26th at the Old South Meeting- house in Boston."
On reassembling in Boston, the council, after deliberation, agreed upon eight articles of advice, in which both the Second Church and the separating brethren were commended in some respects and condemned in others. The First Church was en- treated to revise its conduct in the matter of the ordination ; the separating brethren were advised to consider meekly the censure passed upon them, and the Second Church was re- minded "that where there are divisions there ought to be great searching, each one of his own heart," and was exhorted to behave towards the separating brethren "with all Christian moderation, without any further disciplinary process against them, and to be ready to permit their return, if they should so desire, without any severe demands upon them." 1
The First Church in Ipswich also had been disturbed and divided. Its senior pastor, the Rev. John Rogers, died in 1745, and in the following year Mr. John Walley was called to settle as colleague with the surviving pastor, the Rev. Nathaniel Rogers. Mr. Walley was not willing to exchange with Mr. Cleaveland, and Mr. Rogers objected to him on this account.2
1 See an exhaustive note on the Ips- wich church troubles, by Mr. Abner C. Goodell, Jr., in the Acts and Resolves of the Prov. of Mass., vol. v. pp. 533-537.
2 Mr. Josiah Willard wrote to Mr. Rogers : "I think myself obliged to let you know that I have not only often heard Mr. Walley preach, but have a very inti- mate and familiar acquaintance with him,
and esteem him to be a sound and judi- cious divine, a serious, humble, inward Christian, and a person of great prudence and excellent temper, and one that is like to be the instrument of as much happi- ness to you and your people, if he should settle among you, as any man I know of in the world."
Mr. Walley left Ipswich, because of his
587
SENTENCE OF EXCOMMUNICATION.
The more conservative brethren thereupon withdrew, the Fifth or South Church was organized, and Mr. Walley was ordained as its pastor November 4, 1747.
Nathanael Wardel, who had been admonished and suspended in 1743, for disorderly conduct as a leader in the separatist movement of that year, was now called to account and dealt with for breaches of the moral law.
Lords Day, Aug. 14. 1748.
The Church was stay'd P. M. and considered the case of our Brother Nathl Wardel, who was admonish'd and suspended by us Dec. 25. 1743, for several hanous sins : But instead of giving Christian satis- faction, it has been represented that he has further offended by re- peated acts of profane swearing and excessive drinking : Accordingly the Church Voted that they would farther hear his case next Tuesday at 10 oclock A. M. and D[eacon] Henchman and Mr. Bromfield were desir'd to take care that the Witnesses be ready ; and the Pastors were desired to warn said Wardel of the meeting and require his attendance.
At a Meeting of the Church Augt 16. 1748
After Prayer to God, and hearing the Witnesses Voted ;
I. That Nathl. Wardel junr has been frequently guilty of profane cursing and swearing when in drink and free from it.
2. That said Wardel has liv'd in a course of the sin of Drunkenness.
3. Nathl. Wardel junr. having refus'd to hear the Church, and not manifesting any repentance upon account of the Crimes for which he was solemnly admonish'd and suspended Dec. 25. 1743; And having since added other hainous sins to them, viz. frequent profane cursing and swearing, and a course of Drunkenness :
We apprehend that the rule of God's Word, the Honour of our Lord Jesus, and the Credit of our holy Profession require us to cast said Wardel out of the Church ; And the Pastors are desir'd accord- ingly to Pronounce the sentence of Excommunication upon him.
4. That this Solemn Sentence of Excommunication be pronounced on the Lord's Day of the 28th Instant P. M. before the Congrega- tion ; and that said Wardel be notified of it, and requir'd to be pres- ent.
Lord's Day Augt 28 1748
The Sentence of Excommunication was pronounced before the Congregation, And is as follows ;
ill health, in 1764. " Being well versed in the French language, he instructed the French neutrals [brought from Aca- dia] who were located at Ipswich by
order of the General Court in their own tongue. After he left his people at Ips- wich, he preached for the French Hugue- nots in Boston." (Felt.)
588
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
Nathl. Wardel junr.
Whereas you have openly enter'd into Covenant with God, and with this Church, and have broken this holy Covenant ; And whereas when you had been solemnly admonished and suspended by this Church for several hainous violations of God's Law, and after long waiting, you have refused to hear the Church, and not manifested any repentance ; yea have added to these offenses the aggravated crimes of profane cursing and swearing, often repeated ; and a course of drunk- enness :
This church having taken your case into their serious and prayerful consideration, and after a fair hearing of the Witnesses, came gen- erally into this Vote, viz.
That they apprehend that the rule of God's Word, the Honour of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Credit of their Profession requir'd them to cast you out of the Church :
Accordingly, We the Pastors of said Church doe in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the concurrence of this church, Pro- nounce the Sentence of Excommunication upon you, and Declare you to be cut off and put away from the communion of the church as un- worthy of the Privileges of a Church-Member, and that you are not to be look'd upon and trusted as one belonging to the visible Church of Christ ; and we accordingly require the Brethren, in the Name of our Lord Jesus, to withdraw themselves from you as from one walk- ing disorderly, and that they doe not keep company with you, saving in the discharge of those Duties which natural, domestic, or Civil relations require.
And this awful sentence we pass upon you with sorrow of heart, not for your Destruction ; but with earnest Prayer to our glorious Lord, who has appointed this ordinance of discipline, that He would sanctify it, to bring you to serious consideration and saving repent- ance, that we may have the joy to restore you with a spirit of meek- ness, and that your soul may be sav'd in the day of the Lord.
At the same time, We also declare to you from the word of God, that if you add to your other Offences the Contempt of this Ordi- nance of Christ, and goe on obstinately in your sins, you must be con- demned with the world, when the Lord Jesus shall be reveal'd from heaven, with His mighty Angels, in flaming Fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ : who shall be punish'd with everlasting destruction from the Presence of the Lord, and from the Glory of His Power.
May God prevent this of His infinite mercy in Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom be Praise and Dominion for ever and ever, Amen.
JOSEPH SEWALL. THOMAS PRINCE.
589
THE REV. ANDREW CROSWELL.
N. B. Said Wardel left the Assembly while the sentence of Excom- munication was pronounced. Accordingly it was voted that a copy should be sent and deliver'd to him in writing, which was done.
Augt. 25 1748. Lord's Day.
The Brethren of the church were stay'd, and a letter readd sign'd Tho. Fillebrown, James Davenport, Nathl. Procter, desiring our assist- ance at the Instalment of the Rev. Mr. Crosswell. Vote was in the negative. And then Voted that the Hon J. Osborne, E. Lewis, J. Wil- lard and S. Welles, be a Committee to join with our Pastors in draw- ing up a letter to signify our dissent and the reasons of it.
Oct. 2. Said letter was readd and Voted, And was sent accordingly to the New gather'd Church, sign'd by the Pastors in the Name of the Church, directed to the committee who sign'd their letter. And a copy of said letter was also deliver'd to the Moderator of the coun- cil .conven'd for the Instalment of said Mr. Crosswell.
The last two entries bring us again to the dissensions and divisions which came after the visits of Mr. Whitefield and some of his followers to New England. "On the 17th of Feb- ruary, 1747-8 a number of persons, almost all of whom were members of other churches, thinking it for the glory of God to be a distinct, but not a separate church (as was expressed in several letters sent for dismissions) did after solemn fasting and prayer embody into a church-state." This is the opening sen- tence in a "Narrative of the Founding and Settling of the New- gathered [the eleventh] Congregational Church in Boston," written by the Rev. Andrew Croswell, and printed in 1749. It does not appear that any churches had assisted at the organ- ization of the new society, or that it had received ecclesiastical recognition of any kind. Nor does it appear that any formal protests had been entered against it by the neighboring churches before the time fixed for installing its pastor-elect. Had its choice fallen upon a somewhat different man, it is possible that no decided opposition would have developed against it then. Mr. Croswell graduated at Harvard College in 1728, and was settled for several years at Groton, Connecticut. On the first arrival of Mr. Whitefield in New England, he entered with much zeal into the work of the revival. He warmly espoused the cause of the Rev. Mr. Davenport, as against the ministers who refused to admit him to their pulpits : and he defended his courses, after he himself had publicly and in print expressed his sorrow at much that he had said and done. Mr. Croswell was a fair representative of certain men and women to be found in
590
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
the churches of every generation, who are censorious and un- compromising in their judgment upon the inconsistencies and imperfections of their fellow-members, but very complacent in their estimate of their own religious attainments and of their own standing before the Lord and Master of all. Such people can make themselves very uncomfortable to their associates, and it is altogether unsatisfactory to have much to do with them. When they are willing to go off by themselves, and or- ganize a church of their own, it seems to us that the churches can well afford to let them go and carry out their own ideas in their own way. Mr. Croswell was not strictly what was called a separatist at the time, but he was so much of a controver- sialist and such a fault-finder that he was always antagonizing his brother ministers. He was a decided Calvinist, but less severe in his opinions than many of those who opposed him. They thought that his tendencies were Antinomian, while he retorted that theirs were Arminian. It is difficult to define his position with any degree of exactitude. He claimed to repre- sent Mr. Whitefield, but ministers like Mr. Edwards and Mr. Prince, and laymen like Mr. Josiah Willard, were opposed to him. David Brainerd, who during his college course at New Haven had come under Mr. Davenport's influence, almost with his dying breath condemned Mr. Croswell's attitude towards the ministers and churches.
Mr. Croswell preached for several months to the little church gathered in 1743, with which (as we suppose) Mr. Wardel was connected for a time. On the 10th of December, 1746, he was invited to become its minister. He continued to preach to it, but did not answer its call until December 2, 1747, when he declined it for reasons given, as follows : -
Ist. Because though the number of the members of the Church was at first very small, a considerable part have already turned out rigid Separatists. 2ndly. and principally, because there is a vein of rigid Separation running through the Articles ; no doubt, the general laxness and formality in the churches was a means of the Brethren's running into the other extream. However, as I believe the Spirit of Christ to be a Spirit of Union, and that this Spirit will not accompany any Zeal which is not countenanced by his Word, I always have had melan- cholly apprehensions and presages that God will not bless you as a church, though I hope he will bless your persons and families. . . . So I can truly say, that if there were a number who would assent to such articles as I think agreable to Scripture, and would unite into a
-
591
MR. CROSWELL'S INSTALLATION.
Body, desiring me to preach the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ to them, and to take the oversight of them: Things would look with a very encouraging aspect, and I should not dare to answer them in the negative.
The members of the little church felt aggrieved at this an- swer. They complained of the long delay ; they said that Mr. Croswell had had their Church Articles in his hands for revis- ion, and they had expressed their willingness to accept any changes recommended by him ; and they protested against his evident purpose to create a division among them, and to draw away some of their number after himself. They were desirous that the brethren who were forming a second "new gathered church " should unite with them, and that Mr. Croswell should be the pastor ; but the latter was not willing, and he closed his ministry with what, in order to discriminate, we must call the church of 1743, on the 20th of March, 1748. On the 30th of the next September, Mr. Ephraim Clark was ordained to the pastoral office in this church, with the imposition of hands, " three churches being met in Council by their pastors and del- egates, and assisting in the work." We know nothing whatever of this council, and nothing of the further history of the church, except that Mr. Clark was preaching to it three years later.1
Only two of the Boston churches were invited to assist at the installation of Mr. Croswell as pastor of the church gath- ered in 1748. Of these, one was the South Church; the other we do not know. . Only four churches were represented in the proceedings : the First Church, Plymouth, the Rev. Nathaniel Leonard, pastor ; the Fourth Church, Bridgewater, the Rev. John Porter, pastor ; the Second Church, Plymouth, the Rev. Jonathan Ellis, pastor ; and the Church in Middleborough, the Rev. Sylvanus Conant, pastor. Mr. Leonard, Mr. Porter, and Mr. Ellis signed the " Testimony " of July 7, 1743. Mr. Conant was settled as the successor of the Rev. Peter Thacher, in 1745.2
1 In the Congregational Library, Bos- ton, we find " A Discourse on Justifica- tion by Grace :. Being the substance of two Sermons delivered to the new gath- ered Congregational Church of Christ in Boston, By Ephraim Clark, Pastor of the said Church. Boston 1751." A Nar- rative is appended, from which we have gained most of the information given in the text.
2 Mr. Thacher died April 22, 1744. The Rev. Sylvanus Conant, Harv. Coll. 1740, began his ministry at Middlebor- ough September 9, 1744, and was or- dained March 28, 1745. "He continued his ministry, at first, at the house of Madam Thacher, and after the new meeting house was built (which was the same year) in that house till his death, which was of the small-pox, Dec. 8, 1777."
592
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
There were three courses open to the South Church, when invited to assist at this installation. The first was to be pres- ent, and to participate in proceedings of which its judgment did not approve, in a compliant spirit of easy-going good nature. The second was to be present, and to spoil the proceedings by an unseemly interference and dissent.1 The third was to decline the invitation, and to communicate its reasons for so doing in writing. We might be sure beforehand that the church, would choose the last of the three, as it did ; and it selected some of its wisest and most influential lay members to unite with its pastors in drawing up its letter, which was addressed to Messrs. Thomas Fillebrown, James Davenport, and Nathaniel Procter,2 and was as follows : -
Brethren,
We have received yours of the 29th of August last, desiring our assistance at the Rev Mr. Crosswell's instalment.
We send these to give you the Reasons why we decline answering your Request.
I. It seems to us that your leaving the Ministers and Churches in this Town, which you belonged to, is from such a Disaffection to them as is unjustifiable.
2. Though we would be very tender of the Rights of Conscience, yet inasmuch as there are other Congregational Churches in Town, who have pious and orthodox Ministers, where you might be conveniently accommodated, we cannot see any just reason for such a Multiplica- tion of Churches ; but judge it hath an unhappy Tendency to crumble them into small Societies, and hinder their Christian Union and Com- munion.
3. We apprehend that Mr. Crosswell hath given just Matter of Offence to these Churches, and their Pastors, and vented some dan- gerous Errors, without publishing any Retraction. Thus in a pam- phlet entitled A Reply to the Declaration of a number of the associated Ministers in Boston and Charlestown; Mr. Crosswell hath justified the
1 " To which end we find reason also to add our Testimony against all Indecen- cy and Irregularity in the Management of a Publick Dissent from and Opposi- tion unto the Ordination or Instalment of a Pastor over a Flock, whensoever there may be Occasion for so Melan- cholly an Action, which rarely happens. . .. Christianity requires that this be done, when it becomes Necessary, with much Modesty and Calmness, Meekness and Gravity, Wisdom and Seriousness ;
and not with a Noise, Wrath and Bitter- ness, Disagreeable to such a Solemnity." - A Seasonable Testimony to Good Or- der in the Churches, by Inc. Mather, p. 18. 2 The only other members of the church known to us are William Hick- ling and Thomas Handasyde Peck. Mr. Procter became a member of the Second Church, August 16, 1730, and Mr. Hick- ling of the South Church, January 17, 1730-31. The latter, a "noted distiller," died December 10, 1774.
593
PROTEST OF THE SOUTH CHURCH.
Rev. Mr. Davenport's disorderly Conduct, and injuriously treated said Ministers for bearing their faithful and seasonable Testimony against those Disorders, which Mr. Davenport himself, hath since publickly condemned and retracted ; Mr. Crosswell hath also published a Reply to a Book of the late Reverend and Excellent Mr. Dickinson, entitled A Display of God's Special Grace, attested by Seven Ministers of Boston : 1 In which Reply, are contained such offensive Passages as these fol- lowing, " telling how to come to Christ, however specious it may look, is indeed and in Truth, stopping Sinners from coming at all." Page 7.
" That Manifestation, or a Persuasion of our Justified Estate is essential to the Exercise of saving Faith." Page II.
"That when Men do exercise true saving Faith, they are always sensible of it." Page 12.
Again Mr. Crosswell blames said Ministers for holding "that Per- sons must find out their Justification by their Sanctification," and for holding that " if Persons maintain a Course of vital and true Holi- ness, they need not doubt but they are the Children of God." Page 12, 13.
He charges said Ministers in joining with Arminians in the same dreadful Work of stopping Souls from coming to Christ; and saith that the said Ministers do in effect, tell close Hypocrites that they are travelling apace to Heaven, though God knows they are going down to Hell. . Page 14, 15.
He further saith that the Doctrine of Men's finding out their Justi- fication by their Sanctification, would be likely to fix such as are en- quiring what they shall do to be saved, upon a sandy Foundation. Page 16. And that said Ministers have done what will be a Means of damning many Thousands of Souls, unless the infinite Mercy of God prevent. Page 18.
He further declares as follows, "I have heard much of your humble doubting Christians, but I never saw one yet, nor did any one else ever see one ; they are meer Chimeras in Religion, certain imaginary Monsters that never were nor indeed can be." Page 20. "That a Believer in the dark can't repent of one of the Sins which he daily commits." Page 22.
We might mention other Expressions which Mr. Crosswell hath
1 [The seven ministers were Dr. Col- man, Dr. Sewall, Mr. Prince, Mr. Webb, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Foxcroft, and Mr. Gee. A preface, dated New London, Conn., November 5, 1742, is signed by Timothy Allen, Andrew. Croswell, Tim- othy Symmes, and John Curtis, and in it is quoted the opinion of Eleazer Wheelock and Benjamin Pomroy, in condemnation of the book issued by the
Boston pastors, "as containing doctrines that are most dangerous and destructive to the souls of men." Mr. Pomroy was arrested in May, 1742, with Mr. Daven- port, and taken to Hartford, to answer to the charge of collecting assemblies of people, mostly children and youth, and under the pretence of religious exercises, inflaming them with doctrines subversive of all law and order.]
594
HISTORY OF THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH.
published in this and other Pamphlets, which are grievous to us, and many godly People which have read them ; but we forbear, and it is with Sorrow that we have been obliged to recite these, not only as a Reason of our present Conduct, but as a Means, if God please, both to awaken Mr. Crosswell to a serious Consideration and Retractation of them, and of warning you against them
4. From the before mentioned offensive and dangerous Passages, we can't but be greatly concerned for you, in proposing to sit under his Ministry, unless proper Satisfaction be given, and are afraid of his leading you both into greater Disaffection to pious and orthodox Min- isters, and into such Opinions as may endanger your Souls.
On which Accounts also, we can't comply with your Request, in assisting his Settlement with you, but earnestly pray that the God of all Light and Grace would open his and your Eyes, and lead you into the Paths of Truth and Righteousness and Peace, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever, Amen.
We are your Brethren in the Bonds of the Gospel JOSEPH SEWALL Pastors of the South THOMAS PRINCE Church in Boston In the Name and at the Desire of the Church.
"The South Church," says Mr. Croswell, in his Narrative from which we take the correspondence, " seemed to be set upon making sure work ;" and, on the 5th of October, it sent Dea- cons Henchman and Hubbard with a copy of this letter super- scribed to the Reverend Moderator of the installing council, Mr. Leonard. "This being read before the Council," adds Mr. Croswell, " I was desired to speak to it; which I did for an hour or more : during a great part of which time I did not rec- ollect that the cause I was pleading concerned me; nor do I remember that my will was ever so long a time, and so entirely swallowed up in the Will of God." He denied that he was con- trolled by any spirit of separatism, and insisted that the passages quoted from his writings should be taken in the connection in which they were written. The council adjourned to the next day, to enable him to reduce his remarks to writing, and he was then inducted into the pastoral office.
The council sent a communication to the South Church, justifying its action on the ground that the new church was not gathered in a spirit of separation, that its articles and covenant were in harmony with Congregational usage, and that no charges had been brought against the moral character of Mr. Croswell or any of the members. The committee sent the following reply to the letter which had been addressed to it : -
595
MR. CROSWELL'S REPLY.
Reverend and Beloved
The two first articles of your Letter relate to us only and not to our Minister: To which we would reply, that our leaving the other Min- isters and coming together into a Church-State, was not for such Dis- affection as you seem to imagine, but for our better Edification, and also, that we, being professed friends of the present Reformation, might have a pulpit open to receive Mr. Whitefield, and others whom we look upon to be the zealous and faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ, who are so commonly shut out of other pulpits.
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.