USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Second Church, or Old North, in Boston : to which is added a History of the New Brick Church > Part 10
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JOHN LATHROP. - HENRY WARE, JUN. - RALPH WALDO EMERSON. - CHANDLER ROBBINS.
THE first steps towards the settlement of the next pastor of the Second Church were taken during the dangerous sickness of Mr. Checkley, which immediately preceded his death. It was felt to be necessary that a colleague should be chosen to assist him, even in case he should recover. According to our records, a meeting of the church was held, the 10th of March, 1768, to make the preliminary arrange- ments for the choice of a suitable person to fill that office. Rev. Dr. Pemberton, then minister of the New Brick, was invited to be present, to assist the church by his counsels and prayers. It was found that the thoughts of nearly all the members both of church and congregation were fixed on Mr. John Lathrop, who had been several months engaged in supplying their pulpit. They were very care- ful, it seems, to ascertain his theological sentiments, and to guard the church against the danger, even then appre- hended, of departure from the " doctrines of grace, and the old form of faith and discipline adopted in the New England churches." The candidate was desired to come before them; and, at their request, Dr. Pemberton asked
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him a variety of questions concerning his sentiments "upon many of the great doctrines of the gospel." The church unanimously declared themselves satisfied with his answers. At a subsequent meeting, Dr. Pemberton read Mr. Lathrop's confession of faith, and also a certificate from a number of ministers in the county of Windham, Connecticut, respecting Mr. Lathrop's qualifications, and recommending him to the choice of any church that might call him. The members of the church then gave in their votes, twenty-five in number, and all for Mr. Lathrop. Subsequently, the congregation and church, voting toge- ther, elected him unanimously by sixty-seven votes. The ordination took place, May 18, 1768; the pastor elect preaching the sermon.
John Lathrop was born, May 17, 1740, in Norwich, Conn. From his early youth he was remarkable for those excellent moral traits which distinguished him in after- life, and are among the best qualifications for the Christian ministry. He commenced in youth the study of medicine ; but a stronger bias soon turned his thoughts towards that sacred office which he was afterwards so usefully to fill .*
The ministry of Dr. Lathrop ; was long, faithful, and useful. His character has been described with as much
* He graduated at Princeton College, New Jersey, 1763. For a short time after, he was an assistant to Dr. Wheelock, in Moors' Indian School, then kept at Lebanon.
f He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Edinburgh, in 1784. This degree, as was not unusual at the time, was obtained by purchase by a friend or friends. It was procured in the same way for both the Drs. Eliot and Dr. Howard. The University of Cambridge was not then in the habit of granting the degree of D.D. - Historical Notices of New North.
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truth as beauty, by one who, educated under his ministry, and favored with ample opportunities to become acquainted with his virtues, was happily qualified to discharge the duty of commemoration which appropriately devolved upon him from his connection with a sister-church. The sermon preached by Dr. Parkman, at his interment, has left little to be supplied by any future biographer. It paints in clear and simple colors his unfeigned piety, his pure con- scientiousness, his amiable temper and most winning spirit of Christian love, his delightful candor, the tenderness and gentleness of his domestic affections, his serene dignity, his public spirit, his devoted attachment to liberty, his unyield- ing defence of the rights of conscience, his energy and firm- ness when the cause of truth demanded or the public good required, and his beautiful resignation and triumphant composure in the hour of death.
His light shone with a mild and steady, rather than a brilliant lustre. As a preacher, he instructed, rather than delighted ; wisely counselled and gently led his hearers, rather than powerfully moved them. Without being remarkable for learning, he was respected for the soundness of his thoughts, the weight of his opinions, and the soberness of his judgment. Without extraordinary natural gifts, he performed such a multitude of useful labors, brought forth such rich fruits of goodness, and laid upon his generation such obligations for his various bene- fits, as would have done honor to a man of far more exalted abilities and genius. There are many among us who can distinctly recall his venerable aspect, as, in his advanced age, he stood in the pulpit, or walked through the streets
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amidst respectful salutations and cordial greetings. No clergyman of his day is better remembered, and none more frequently spoken of, or mentioned with greater reverence and love. Some of you, my hearers, esteem it a privilege that you were baptized by his hand, and received a bene- diction in your infancy from his saintly lips. His name, in the northern part of the city, is still as a household word. And the descriptions of his venerable form and apostolic appearance, that have been so often heard from aged friends at your firesides, have given shape and distinctness to his image, even in the minds of your children. His aged body moulders with the dust of his loved companions in the old " Granary Burying-ground ;" his virtues live in the history of this church ; and his name is still young in the hearts of rising generations.
Dr. Lathrop's ministry covered the long period of fifty years, from his ordination to his death, at an advanced age, on the 4th of January, 1816. His services of a public nature were extensive; and he was honored with many important stations and trusts. He was a member of the Corporation of Harvard College nearly forty years, and an officer in most of the important charitable and literary societies of Massachusetts. His doctrinal views under- went a gradual and material change towards the close of the last century. At the commencement of his ministry, his confession of faith was in conformity to the Calvinistic sentiments then embraced by the Second Church; but, as life advanced, he became less and less " orthodox," and - without the spirit of sectarianism, which was contrary to his nature - lent his influence to the " liberal " side.
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Dr. Lathrop had been settled but a few years before the war of the American Revolution broke out; the effect of which upon the destiny of the Second Church was first disastrous, and afterwards favorable. " From the memora- ble 19th of April, 1775," writes Dr. Lathrop in our church records, " the day on which the British troops began hosti- lities in America, there are no records of the Old North Church for more than a year.
" The town being held as a strong garrison by the Bri- tish troops, and surrounded by a large army of Americans, it was found necessary for the greatest part of the inhabi- tants to go into the country, not only to escape the dangers of war, but to seek the means of subsistence.
" At this time, most of the churches in the town were broken up; and, while the pastor of this church and the members in general were dispersed abroad, a number of evil-minded men, of the king's party, obtained leave of General Howe to pull down the Old North Meeting-house, under a pretence of wanting it for fuel, although there were then large quantities of coal and wood in the town.
" The house, which was built in 1677, was in very good repair, and might have stood many years longer, had not those sons of violence, with wicked hands, razed it to the foundation.
" On the 17th of March, 1776, the king's troops eva- cuated the town; and the Americans, under the brave General Washington, took possession."
The inhabitants came back with mingled emotions of rejoicing and sadness, - glad once more to occupy unmo- lested their beloved homes, and pay their vows in their
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venerated temples ; whilst, with a melancholy curiosity and just indignation, they surveyed the marks of violence and ruin which hostile hands had left upon their fair inheri- tance. But the hearts of none of them were more op- pressed with gloom than those of the former members of the Second Church, when, revisiting the site of their ancient sanctuary, they found nothing in its place but a heap of ruins. It happened, however, fortunately for them that a neighboring society was able and ready to offer them ample accommodation. The New Brick Church, as it was called, whose building was then, and until within a few years past, standing in Hanover-street, * having lost a large num- ber of its members, and being under the care of an infirm and aged minister, Dr. Pemberton, very gladly extended its hospitality to Dr. Lathrop and his parishioners. The two societies commenced worshipping together on the 31st of March, 1776; and, on the 6th of May, 1779, agreed upon and adopted a plan of perpetual union, and were thence- forth incorporated under the name of the Second Church. f
The ordination of Henry Ware, jun., took place on the first day of January, 1817. Of him and his ministry I might forbear to speak, since I have already laid my wreath of love upon his chaste monument. It might be enough to say, that the more sober judgment of maturer years would not lead me to qualify the warm eulogium of youth; that advancing time and longer reflection have only deepened the feeling of affectionate reverence with
* The History of the New Brick Church will be found in the second part of this book.
t See Appendix E.
Hurry Wave Jr.
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which I regarded him during his life; that his memory is still green in our hearts, as it is destined, I doubt not, to flourish so long as virtue shall be honored or goodness loved.
I cannot, however, allow this history of the church to which his name is so dear, and his services were so valua- ble, to go out of my hands, without a brief sketch of his character and ministry, even at the risk of repetition ; especially since it may fall under the eye of those who have read neither the charming memoir by his brother, nor my own feebler biography.
Henry Ware, jun., was born in Hingham, Mass., April 21, 1794. He enjoyed in infancy the nurture of a Chris- tian pastor's home. The first love of his childhood was that sacred business of his Father in heaven, in which the strength of his prime was spent, and to which his latest affections clung. The most intimate companions of his early days can recollect no period of his life when the office of the Christian ministry was not his ruling desire and aim. He seemed to regard himself, like some prophet of old, to have been consecrated from his birth to the service of the Temple. This sacred purpose stamped the charac- ter of his boyhood and youth. His feelings and actions were to a remarkable degree consistent with it. His lips refrained from impure and irreverent speech. His taste revolted at every shape of iniquity. He washed his hands in innocency. He entered not in unholy paths, but turned from them and passed away.
This pure boyhood,- this unspotted youth, - what a fit and beautiful foundation for a holy priesthood! Through
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· such a path, he ascended at length into the hill of the Lord, and stood in his holy place. Through such stages of early preparation, my friends, the unseen hand of Provi- dence led him along, until his feet rested at your own altar, and his unstained hands were appointed to break to you the holy bread. How favored the church that had the best prayers and choicest labors of such a minister! How happy the minister who could look back upon such a blameless life !
The New Year's day on which his ministry in this church began will ever be a memorable era in its history. Entering upon his arduous work with no startling exhibi- tions of eloquence or zeal, with no straining for sudden effect, but with a devoted purpose to be laborious and faithful, and a single eye to the sacred objects of the ministry, the first-fruits of his well-sustained efforts gra- dually and steadily ripened around him. The spiritual and external interests of the parish advanced with a regular and healthy growth. Another golden age, like that which it had enjoyed under the first of the Mathers, dawned upon the prospects of the church. The throng of worshippers swelled from sabbath to sabbath. The influ- ence of the pulpit became more powerful and deep. The aged more frequently dignified the congregation with their silvery crowns, and the young enlivened it with their blooming brows. The ordinances rejoiced and shed abroad their divinest odors. The beautiful bands of love and peace spread and strengthened from heart to heart. 'The joyous cry of Christian activity went round. The holy vine grew verdant in all its branches.
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I believe that there could not have been found, at the period to which I refer, a parish more prosperous, or a ministry more effective, than his. There were more splen- did edifices than those old walls, which loved the echoes of his impressive voice. There were more wealthy and fashionable and highly cultivated congregations than that which gathered around him, with attentive faces and cap- tivated hearts. There were more graceful rhetoricians, and more learned theologians, occupying the sacred desk. But where was there a temple more fragrant with the breath of devotion, more beautiful with the spiritual adorn- ings of holiness and peace ? Where was there a society more harmonious or more engaged ? And where was the preacher whose whole air and action and tones were more suited to the messages of Heaven, or whose discourses and prayers had more moral and spiritual effect ?
The flower of Mr. Ware's affections, and the best fruits of his labors, were consecrated to his own society. But his influence and energies, though concentrated upon this parish, were not restricted within its limits. The only horizon which bounded his benevolence was the broad circle of human want. The only fetter which his virtuous activity could brook was the strong chain of necessity, fastened to us by Him who wisely limited the faculties of man, - who gave to the largest souls as feeble bodies as the rest, that they might learn to be patient and humble. Every valuable enterprise of the Christian body to which he belonged, if it did not originate with his active spirit, was quickened by his zeal, or directed by his wisdom. Of the American Unitarian Association he was one of the
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founders ; and for eleven years, as Foreign Secretary or on the Executive Committee, a laborious officer. The Evan- gelical Missionary Society is to no individual so greatly indebted, whether for the constancy of his support, or the amount of his collections. Of the ministry at large in this city, though others may have the praise, Mr. Ware is virtually the father.
But to enumerate all the religious associations of which he was a member would be but to exhaust their catalogue. The cause of Peace found in him a kindred spirit and a fervid tongue. The cause of Freedom was near to his heart; and, if some of its more ardent votaries had, years ago, listened to the suggestions of meek wisdom and con- siderate charity which he offered to bring to their conven- tions, it is my firm conviction, that the evil which they oppose would have been at this day nearer to its end. To the greatest reform of the age he gave his strong and un- deviating aid ; an aid, the value of which may be illustrated by the fact, that the twelfth thousand of his Discourse on Temperance, which had an extensive circulation in this country, was for sale in the capital of the British empire. The interests of Education also were not only fostered by his favoring words, but substantially advanced by his writings and his labors.
In fine, his heart had a warm pulse for every claim of charity. His lips had a tone of truthful and earnest elo- quence for every need of man. His feet were never weary of running on missions of mercy. He never withheld his hands from any work of love, when it was in their power to it. No thought of himself enticed him from the sacrifices
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of kindness. The fatigues of benevolence were the exhila- ration of his days; the weariness of duty, the anodyne of his nights.
But the aggregated labors of love, which his spirit courted, were too heavy a load for the flesh to bear. In- deed the body would have sooner given way beneath it, but for the sincere delight which its pressure gave to his heart.
In the beginning of the year 1828, Mr. Ware's health, which had for a long time given signs of failure, began seriously to decline. The fears of the parish were excited, and its sympathy manifested by every indulgence it could render. But his disease increased to such an extent as to satisfy him that he must relinquish his duties for many months, and to cause some apprehensions that he might be taken from them for ever. Under these circumstances, he addressed a letter to his parishioners on the last Sunday of the year 1828, the twelfth year of his ministry, tendering the resignation of his office, and asking that their connection might be immediately dissolved. " I feel," he says, " that I ought to hesitate no longer. I ought to relieve you from the uncertainty and trials of your present condition. And I ought to relieve myself from those solicitudes on your behalf, which do not avail to your benefit, and which are unfavorable to my own restoration to strength. In doing this, I perform one of the most painful acts of my life. My situation has satisfied every wish of my heart. Other men may have labored more faithfully and successfully ; but no one can ever have looked back upon twelve years of a happier connection."
This communication was received, as the records of the
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parish certify, with " excited feelings of deep sympathy, regret, and disappointed hopes." A committee was ap- pointed to take it into consideration. Their report unani- mously recommended, " that our pastor be desired to remain with us; and that measures be taken for the choice of some person of piety and ability, in whom we may unite, to be his colleague; to assist him in the discharge of his duties, and share with him the burdens of his office."
The recommendation of the committee was sanctioned by the parish, and cordially approved by Mr. Ware; and, on the 11th of January, 1829, the office of colleague was filled by the election of Mr. Ralph Waldo Emerson, who received ordination on the 11th of the following March. About this time, Mr. Ware received from the corporation of Harvard University an appointment to the professorship of pulpit eloquence and the pastoral care, - a professorship founded by the subscriptions of individuals, as much out of respect to the proposed incumbent, as for the sake of the benefits of such an office.
From the spring of 1829 to the summer of 1830, Mr. Ware was travelling in Europe. It was a tour, not of relaxation only, but of rich improvement to his mind and heart. Nearly his whole pathway through foreign lands was smoothed by kindness, and enlivened by hospitality. The homes of strangers were opened to him in his absence from his own. New friendships were established in almost every city and town in which he tarried, - friendships, some of which were afterwards continued across the ocean, and will be renewed beyond the grave.
Soon after his return from Europe, Mr. Ware entered
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upon his new office at Cambridge, and tendered his re- signation to his parish with the strongest expressions of gratitude for their kindness, and of interest in their future well-being; and a vote was passed, with a full response of esteem and love, dissolving the pastoral connection from and after the third day of October, 1830. So closed that sacred, that happy relation.
But at Cambridge, as well as in Boston, it was the lot of Mr. Ware to be overburdened with useful occupations, partly of his own seeking, but partly also by the inconsi- deration and importunity of others, till flesh and heart sunk under their number and variety.
Mr. Ware remained at Cambridge till the summer of 1842. At that time, hopeless of being able to continue his duties, he sought, but too late, for a home of quiet and peace in the retirement of the country. A kind Hand led him to a spot in every respect suited to his taste and his want; whither it seemed to him as if God had guided him at length, through floods and over rough places, to find a resting-place for his weary feet beneath the olive- shade for which he had longed.
Yet even here he was not idle. From his retreat, he looked out with an interested eye upon the movements of the busy world he had left behind him. Thoughts and plans of benevolence and usefulness floated through his tranquil mind. His pen also found employment suited to the quietness of his environment and his peaceful feelings, in portraying the character, and tracing the calm and holy life, of the late venerable Dr. Worcester, who has been so appropriately named the " Apostle of Peace." The con-
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cerns of the churches, in whose behalf he had so long labored, were not neglected ; nor were the counsels which were always so much sought after and valued by his bre- thren withholden.
But a gentle Shepherd was leading him, in a steady advance, through green pastures, and by the side of still waters, down into the valley of the shadow of death. More than once, however, a friendly angel was sent to accelerate his journey, and to give gentle and repeated warnings to his friends to be prepared for his removal. It touched, but without rudeness, the springs of his intellec- tual life. It disturbed, but without violence, the fountain of his affections, the Siloam which had healed and blessed so many. But, disturbed as it was, the fountain flowed and sparkled still for those who waited at its brink. His mind was often inwardly active, when all expression was denied him; and, even when he was apparently asleep, was following passively the shadowy and dreamy flow of his fancy. " My mind," he would say, " is crowded with thoughts, precious thoughts, of death and immortality ;" thoughts which he longed to utter. In hours of perfect consciousness, he uniformly declared his conviction, that the time of his departure had come, the " fitting time," the " best time;" and occasional allusions to the approaching change showed the peace and serenity of his mind. “ It was," says one who never left him, " as when the parting of the clouds, on a dark evening, shows here and there a bright star in the space beyond : we know as well that the whole heaven is radiant with its countless myriads still as if the whole atmosphere were clear, and we saw them all."
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Not a word, not a look, indicated a desire to return to life ; and yet every precious memory of the past, every interest of the large circle of friends that he loved, was as dear and as strong as ever. In one or two short intervals between his continually lengthening seasons of seeming or entire unconsciousness, words of most precious import were spoken to his children, the impression of which can never be effaced. On one occasion, his thoughts turned to the closing hours and acts of the Master whom he loved ; and, speaking of the design of Jesus in instituting the last supper, as if inspired by the very spirit of His own boundless benevolence, he stretched out his feeble arms, saying, " He intended it for all ; he would gather all to his embrace."
He was now constantly anticipating a sudden call to depart, for which nothing remained to be put in readiness ; and there is no doubt that he was aware of the time when the mandate came, and yielded himself up with a quiet and childlike submission. As death came upon him, he threw gently over him the veil of deepest sleep; under which he lay for a few hours, still breathing, composed and tranquil, whilst his spirit was loosing itself from its worn- out members, and sighing itself back to God.
How sweet the rest it found! What a zest has the repose of immortality, after such a laborious life ! What a beautiful convoy across the dark flood, the smiling images of his holy works, which, the Spirit saith, attend the good man, as, on the buoyant wings of faith and hope, he floats from earth to heaven! " He hath died in the Lord!" from henceforth how blessed! Well done, good
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and faithful servant! thou hast been faithful over a few things : thou art now ruler over many things.
Mr. Ware's character was not a difficult one to under- stand. It had some hues, indeed, that all did not see, - hues of rare and delicate beauty, which were clearly per- ceived only by his most intimate friends. It had variety, too, and richness; reserved stores of genius and strength and love and mirth, which kept alive the interest and curiosity of those who were most often in his society. But, notwithstanding all this, so great was his simplicity, that any, who knew him at all, knew his principal charac- teristics. In his own family, he was, in all important par- ticulars, what he was to the world. He was not one thing in one place, and another in another, but always the same. Though sometimes reserved, he never dissimulated. If he ever wore a veil, it was of nature, and not of guile. No man living was more truthful, or more in earnest in all that he said and did. His heart was too sound in virtue to desire any false coloring on the surface ; his soul was too ingenuous and noble to endure it, even if it had been needed. His conversation, his preaching, and his writings, were, to a remarkable degree, the transcript of his own mind and heart; and because that mind was sound and wise and pure, and that heart warm, devout, and true, therefore it came to pass, that, in all these modes of influence, he exerted an unusual and uniform power upon the opinions, sentiments, and principles of men. He was not a great logician; but when he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and a judgment to come, with the earnestness of deep conviction, with the logic of
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