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 15
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Farewell, then, a long, a fond, an eternal farewell to its sacred walls! Farewell, house of our fathers, and of our fathers' God! Lovely and dear and venerable has been thy hoary image to our eyes, nor shall it ever be effaced from our memories. Thy sacred uses are ended. Thy work of piety is done. The last echoes of our prayers are lingering amidst thy arches. The last incense of our worship is ascending around thy altar. Sink, then, to the dust ! Fade for ever from our sight! Fall, crumble, and pass away! The temple of the Holy Ghost remaineth. The spiritual house that we have builded to God in our hearts abides unshaken. The sentiments that have conse-
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crated thy courts shall flourish when the earth and the heavens are no more.
And yet, thanks be to God, not all that belongs to this house is destined to pass away. The sacred vessels that have contained the emblems of our Saviour's love, and that have so often been spread before us here, will go with us, and attend us, and welcome us again, by the grace of God, before another altar, and under the shadows of other walls. By this beautiful bond of union, our two sabbath-homes will be connected together, - the home of our remembrance be linked to the home of our hope. Let this, then, my beloved flock, be emblematical of the strength of our fellowship, and the spirit of our union and inter- course, till, by the blessing of Heaven, we meet at length with new songs of gratitude, and new purposes of piety, to consecrate the house that we are about to build to the God of Holiness and of Love.
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
A. - PAGE 7.
COVENANT.
WE, whose names are here subscribed, being called of God to enter into church-fellowship together, knowing and considering our great unworthi- ness and unfitness for so near approaches to so holy a God, and how apt we are to start aside from him and from the rules of his gospel and gov- ernment over us, - we therefore lament, as in his sight, the inconstancy of our own spirits with him, and our former neglects of him and pollu- tions of his house and holy things, by our personal corruptions and unholy walkings, and do beseech him, for his name's sake, to prevent us with mercy and accept us under the wings of his own everlasting covenant ; and in dependence upon his free grace therein, in his name and strength, we here freely this day, in the presence of the ever-living God, do avouch the Lord to be our God, and ourselves to be his people, and do yield our- selves to him, by an holy covenant of faith and love and loyalty, to cleave to him and to one another in him; to cleave to God in Christ as our sovereign Good, and to the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Mediator and surety of the covenant, as our only high-priest and atonement to satisfy for us and to save us, and as our only prophet to guide and to teach us, and as our only king and lawgiver to reign over us ; as also to attend upon him and the service of his holy will, by walking together as a con- gregation and church of Christ, in all the ways of his worship, and of mutual love, and of special watchfulness one over another, according to his will, which is revealed to us by his word ; subjecting ourselves to the Lord in all his holy administrations in his church, beseeching him to own us for his people, and to delight to dwell among us as his people, that his kingdom and grace may be advanced by us.
Which sacred covenant that we may observe and all the branches of it inviolable for ever, we desire to deny ourselves, and to depend alone
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APPENDIX.
upon the power of his Spirit, and upon the merits and mercies of the Lord Jesus Christ, for assistance and for acceptance, for healing and forgiving mercy for his own sake.
In witness whereof, we have set to our hands. [Signed by the seven brethren named in page 7.]
B. - PAGE 9. (From Mass. Historical Society's Collections.)
TO THE HONOURED GOVERNOUR AND MAGISTRATES.
Michael Powell, your humble servant, desires you of your clemency to read these few lines.
When the providence of the Almighty settled me in Boston, I intended to join with that church ; but, finding that myself and wife did give offence in crowding into their seats that were former inhabitants, I endeavoured by the elders to be directed where we might sit without offence ; but they not finding any spare room, and the new meeting-house being built, and myself being invited to join with others to gather a church, which was done by the advice and approbation of the Rev. Mr. Cotton and Mr. Wil- son ; we all not doubting but Mr. Samuel Mather would have joined in office with us, as he pretended ; but, he failing us, we were not wanting to seek for supply elsewhere, as your worships know. Meanwhile, finding that it was burthensome to the elders constantly to supply the place, and oft the place was not supplied, myself (unworthy) being called of the breth- ren, thought I was called of God to improve my one talent, - with this promise to the church, that I would supply the place but when or till we could not [be] better supplied otherwise, which we still endeavoured. Now, honoured in the Lord, I, finding assistance and acceptation far be- yond deserts or expectation, went on ; my chief encouragement being some fruit that some professed they reaped by my poor labors. Now the brethren, being out of other hopes, motioned calling me to office ; a strange motion to me. So they gave me a call. I desired time to consider of it, meanwhile seeking for guidance from the Lord. I did think there was a finger of God in it, which I durst not deny, though weak and unworthy, yet knowing who had all power. I accepted of the call, I say, with much fear and trembling, upon these terms, that if the magistrates and elders did approve and consent thereunto. Now, finding that the then honoured General Court did advise us to forbear, we were satisfied and fully re- solved to follow that advice. I not forward to take such a charge upon me, hence the injunction of the County Court was sad unto me. Now, honoured in the Lord, I hearing that some reports are come to your ears, that we intend to proceed, notwithstanding court or county ; it is no small sadness to my spirit that it should be so thought or spoken. Such
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APPENDIX.
a thing never yet entered into my thoughts, nor words into my ears ; if any such words have dropt from any, 'tis more than I know. God forbid I should be cause of any disturbance in the country. I have not so learned Christ. By help from God, I will study peace and follow it. I had rather be followed to my grave than unto that which crosses the rule of Christ, or disturbs the peace of the churches.
Honoured fathers of this commonwealth, my humble request is that you would not have such hard thoughts of me, that I would consent to be ordained to office without your concurrence ; nor that our poor church would attempt such a thing without your approbation ; but that under you we may still (as we have) live a quiet life in godliness and honesty. Thus desiring your favourable aspect, humbly desiring pardon of my bold- ness, desiring the Lord to guide you and prosper all your pious endeavours for the peace of this commonweal and for our poor orphan church, I shall ever be at your worships' command in the Lord.
MICHAEL POWELL ..
Received 6 September, 1653.
C. - PAGE 47.
It was my purpose to have taken up in this Appendix all the charges that have been brought againt Increase Mather, to have examined minutely the grounds on which they rest, and to have answered them one by one. The materials with which I have furnished myself are, as I think, abundantly sufficient for his defence and justification. My book, however, is swelling to such a size that I am compelled to be contented with what has been said in the body of the work in vindication of his character. No notice has been taken of the accusation against Increase Mather, that he was instrumental in creating or fostering "the witchcraft madness," for the simple reason that it is entirely groundless. The evidence is abundant and perfectly clear to the fact of his having not only been guiltless of producing, but influ- ential in allaying it, and in opening the eyes of his contemporaries to the mischief and dangers that attended it.
I omitted to mention that he died August 23, 1723. His disorder was that painful malady which formerly afflicted so many students and aged clergymen, - the stone.
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APPENDIX.
D. -- PAGE 81.
WILL OF REV. INCREASE MATHER, 7 (4), 1718.
I Increase Mather of Boston in New England, being not only sensible that I am (as all men are) a poor mortal ; but having moreover, in respect of some bodily Infirmities, (especially that Ephialtes which I have often bin afflicted with) Reason to think that my Breath will suddenly be stopped ; so that it is possible & probable that, when dying, I shall not have Liberty to express my Mind. And considering that God, of his abundant Mercy, has given me to accomplish those Things, which when sick near unto Death many Years ago I desired Life and Health that I might finish ; I would be in a Readiness, that, when CHRIST shall call for me, I may have nothing else to do, but to dy and go to HIM. And withal remem- bring, that it is according to the Will of God, that a Man before his Death set his House in Order ; I do make & appoint this to be my last Will & Testament in Manner following ;
Concerning my Soul, I have long since (even from my Youth for more than threescore Years ago) given it to God in JESUS CHRIST ; trusting that HE, who has the Keys of Hell & Death, will command His holy Angels to conduct me into his Blessed Presence, when once Death has separated between my mortal Body & my immortal Spirit. I am the Chief of Sin- ners, and have nothing in the World to depend upon but only the Righ- teousness of JESUS CHRIST; and the Remembrance of that Righteousness does make me to triumph not only over Death and Devils, but over all my Sins. When my Soul is out of my Body, let my dear LORD JESUS CHRIST do what HE will with it; for into his Hands do I commit my Spirit. If He will send that Soul, which He has redeemed with His own Blood, and which He has made above all Things desirous to glorify his Name, If He will send that Soul down into Eternal Darkness, I am then content to perish ; but that can never be.
Concerning my Body, I commit it to the Earth, there to Sleep in Hope, until the Resurrection of the Just.
As to the outward Estate which the LORD of His Goodness has be- stowed upon me, It is my Mind & Will (and I trust the Will of GOD also) that it be disposed of as follows.
I would in the first Place give Order for the Payment of my Debts, if I had any ; but I bless the LORD I owe no man any Thing but Love. I give five Pounds to the Poor in that Church to which I am related.
Concerning my Wife that now is, there was an Agreement before Marriage, and Writings signed accordingly, that I should not be concerned with any Part of her Estate, nor She with mine. If She shall (as hitherto
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APPENDIX.
She has not) bring any Thing to me, I would have it returned to her again with double the Value.
Concerning my Son Cotton Mather, He has bin a great Comfort to me from his Childhood, having bin a very dutiful Son, and a singular Blessing to his Father's Family and Flock. If I had any considerable Estate, I ought to bequeath the greatest Part of it to Him. It has bin thot, that I have Bags by me, which is a great Mistake : I have not Twenty Pounds in Silver or in Bills. But whatever I have (be it more or less) whether in Silver or Bills, I give it to Him my Eldest Son. Item, I give to Him my Pendulum Watch, Item my Pendulum Clock, Item my Silver Tankard : And I bequeath to Him all my Manuscripts, and the one half of my Libra- ry, desiring that my Books or Manuscripts may not be sold or embezled.
Concerning my Son Samuel Mather, I have expended more in his Edu- cation, than on any one of my Children. I gave Him a considerable Number of Books at his going for England. And a Considerable Part of his Uncle Nathanael's Library has fallen to his Share. He liveth where He may furnish himself with Variety of Books; and is blest with an Es- tate able to do it. Nevertheless, considering that He has bin a dutiful Son, and an Honor to his Father's Name, I bequeath to Him a fourth Part of my Library, in Testimony of my paternal Affection.
The remaining fourth Part I bequeath to my Fatherless Grandson Mather Byles, in Case He shall be educated for, and employed in, the Work of the Ministry ; (which I much desire & pray for) leaving it with my Executor to order & determine what particular Books shall be his ; only I give Him (in Case aforesaid) particularly Poli Synopsis Criticorum in five Volumes in Folio, and his English Annotations, with the Continua- tion, in Two Folios.
I give to my Grandson Samuel Mather Piscatoris Commentaria in Bib- lia in three Folios.
I give to my Grandson Thomas Walter the English Annotations in Two Folios, also the Dutch Annotations in two Folios.
The Remainder of my Estate in Housing or Moveables, I give to be equally divided among my Beloved Daughters Maria, Elizabeth, Sarah & Abigail. What I give to my Daughter Elizabeth, I desire it may (if his Mother can) be improv'd towards the Education of her only Son, (my Grandson Mather Byles) in Learning, because he is a Child whom GOD has blessed with a strong Memory, ready Capacity & Aptness to learn. I leave it as my dying Request to his Uncle my Son Cotton Mather to take Care of the Education of that Child as of his own. If He shall obtain Subscriptions for his Education for the Ministry (as He knows I have done for more Fatherless Children than one) I am persuaded his own Children will not fare the worse for his being a Father to a Fatherless Child. To prevent his being chargeable as much as I can, I give Him my wearing Apparel ; excepting my Chamblet Cloak, which I give to my Executor.
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APPENDIX.
If the LORD shall take away Mather Byles by Death before He is of full Age, or if He shall not be employed in the Work of the Ministry, it is my Mind and Will that then the Books bequeathed to Him shall be given to such other of my Grandchildren as shall be Preachers of the Gospel of CHRIST, according as my Executor shall dispose.
I dy beleeving that GOD will bless my Children after I am taken from them ; and my Persuasion is grounded on these as well as other Scrip- tures. Gen. xxv. ii. & xviii. 21. Psalm xxxvii. 25. Prov. xx. 7. Unto GOD in JESUS CHRIST I commit myself & all mine forever.
Finally I constitute and appoint my Beloved Son Cotton Mather to be the Sole Executor of this my Will ; entreating my Worthy Friends Mr Thomas Hutchinson, Mr Adam Winthrop, Mr Edward Hutchinson, Mr John Ruck & Mr John Frizell to be assistants as Overseers; praying them that, for my Sake, but especially for the sake of the Glory which I hope may come to GoD thereby, they will be Kind to my Fatherless Grandson Mather Byles.
This I declare to be my last Will & Testament : And I have accord- ingly written this with my own Hand, and hereunto affixed my Seal, The Seventh Day of the fourth Month, called June, in the Year of our LORD One Thousand, Seven hundred and Eighteen.
Witnesses that I declared this to be my Will :
INCREASE MATHER. [SEAL.] (Signed, and sealed with wax.)
JONAS CLARKE. EDWARD WILDER. JOSEPH WOODWELL.
I do hereby signify to my Executor, That it is my Mind & Will that my Negro Servant called Spaniard Shall not be sold after my Decease ; but I do then give Him his Liber- ty : Let him then be esteemed a Free Ne- gro.
Jun. 4, 1719.
Since the above was furnished by Dr. Shurtleff, as mentioned in the note referring to this Appendix, a copy of the will has been taken by another hand, and published in the " Genealogical Re- gister " for October, 1851.
I introduce here a table of the Mather and Cotton Lineage, prepared by J. W. Thornton, Esq .; and also the Rev. Increase Mather's Family Record, from his Family Bible, now in possession of one of his descendants, Miss Elizabeth Anna Byles, of Burling- ton, N.J. : -
Elizabeth, sister=Rev. JOHN COTTON, son of Roland Cotton, Esq., b. at Derby, Mrs. Sarah Story,=Rev. RICHARD MATHER, son of Thomas, b. at Lowton, Lan -= Catharine, dan. of Rev. Jas. Hor- Lincolnshire, Dec. 4, 1585; B.D. at Cambridge ; Dean of |a widow of Bos- cashire, 1596 ; minister of Toxteth, near Liverpool, Nov. 13, of Edmd Holt, ton, in Lincoln- shire. 1618, to Aug. 1633 ; arrived at Boston in N. E., Ang. 17, 1635; | Esq., Sept. 29, at Dorchester, Aug. 23, 1636. Died April 22, 1669. 1624.
rocks, of Lanca- Emmanuel College ; minister of Boston in Lincolnshire, shire. 20 years ; of Boston in N. E. 19 years. Died Dec. 22, 1652.
-
Rev. Mr. SEABORNE COT- Dorothy, d. of Gov. Brad- TON, b. 12 (6), 1633 ; Har. College, 1651 ; minister of Wethersfield, Ct., 1655 ; ord. at Hampton, N. H., 1660 ; died April 20, 1686. street, by his wife Anne, the poetess, dau. of Gov. Thos. Dudley; m. June 14, 1654; died Feb. 26, 1671, at Hampton, N. H.
2d
Rev. Mr. JOHN COTTON, Anne, dau. of Capt. THOs .= Rev. INCREASE
Timothy Math- Rev. Eleazer Mather,=dau. of John
er, Esq. of Northampton, b. | Warham. 1637, d. 1669.
Rev. Saml. Mather, of Dublin, b. May 13, 1626 ; Har. Col , 1643; d. Oct. 29, 1671.
Rev. Nathaniel Mather, b. March 20, 1630 ; Har. Col., 1647 ; succeeded his brother at Dublin ; d. July 26, 1697 ; buried at Bunhill Fields, Lon- don.
DOROTHY COTTON, b. July 10, 1693 ; d. May 20, 1748 ; m. Dec. 21, 1710, Rev. Mr. NATHANIEL GOOKIN, of Hampton, N. H. Their gr. son, Hon. Daniel Gookin, a capt. in the Revolu'nary Army ; one of the " Cin- cinnati ;" Judge of Crt. of Com. Pleas and of Probate for Rockingham co., &c. His dau. Elizabeth mar. James Brown Thornton, of Saco, merchant, Jan. 20, 1817.
1st
1723.
MARIA COTTON, b. 1641 ;= died April 4, 1714. First wife, and mother of Dr. Mather's children.
F
- Sarah .= Rev. Nche-
- Ist
1st
İ
2d
8d
1st Maria .= Greene. Eliza -= Josiah beth. Byles.
2d =Fifield.
miah Walter, of Roxbury, colleague of the Apostle Eliot ; died Sep. 17, 1750, aged 86.
White, of Glou-
cester.
Phillips, of Feb. 12, 1663 ; Har. with his father, May 13, 1684; d. Feb. 13, 1728. Buried in his father's tomb, Copp's Hill. Char'stown; she had nine children, of whom five died young. She d. 1702.
Col., 1678 ; colleague | August 18, 1703; she died Nov. 18, 1713. She had by Dr. Mather six children.
Rev. William Walter, D.D) , Har. Col. Rector of Trin. Ch., Boston ; died 1800, aged 63.
- Rev. Thomas Walter, b. Dec. 7, 1696 ; Har.
Col., 1713 ; ord. colleague with his father at Roxbury, Oct. 29, 1718 ; d. Jan. 10, 1725. A distinguished schol. and disput't.
Rev. SAMUEL MATHER, D.D., Ilar. Col., a dau. of Col. Thomas I723; ord. colleague of Rev. Josh. Gee, | Hutchinson, and sister of June 21, 1732 ; d. June 27, 1785, aged 79. Gov. Thomas, the His- torian of Massachusetts. Buried in the fam. tomb at Copp's Hill.
- Hannah. Joseph, son of Rev. Josiah Crocker, of Taunton.
- Increase ; died at sea.
1 Samuel, of= Margaret, dau. Boston ; d. of Benja. Ger- 1813, aged rish, d. Feb. 25, 76. 1842, aged 94.
b. May 8, 1658; Har. Col., 1678; ord. at Hampton, N. H., Nov. 19, 1696; d. March 27, 1710.
LAKE, an eminent merch. of Boston ; born Oct. 12, I663 ; niece of Sir Edward Lake, Bart., LL.D .; and gr. dau. of Hon. Stephen Goodyear, Deputy Gov. of New Haven Colony. She died at Brookline, March 29, 1737, aged 74. She survived Dr. Mather, her second husband.
MATHER, D.D.,
Presidt. of Har- 1 Rev. Samuel=Ilannah, dan. vard Coll .; b. March 8, 1708, June 21, 1639 ; Mather, of of Gov. Treat, Windsor, d. of Conn .; died March 18th, 1728. Harv. æt. 47.
a dan.
Rev. John Wil- liams, -" The Redeem'd Cap- tive."
died Aug. 23, Coll., 1671.
Abigail .= Blake. Abigail, dan .= Rev. COTTON MATH -= Wid. Elizabeth=Wd. George, =Rev. J. 2₫ of Col. John ER, D.D., F.R.S. ; b. | Ilubbard, dau. of dau. of Mr. Dr. John Clark, Samnel Lee. She survived Cot. Mather.
a niece of Gov. Belcher, = Rev. Mather Byles, b. March Ist wife.
26, 1706; Har. Coll., 1725. His son, Mather Byles, D.D., a dau. of Lieut. Gov. Tailer, = was of N. London, Ct. ; and 2d wife. of Christ Church, Boston.
Hannah Mather Crocker, who dedicated to Hannah More " Observations on the Rights of Women," 1818.
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APPENDIX.
CRESCENTIUS MATHER.
I was marryed ye 6 day of ye 1st month being ye fifth day of ye week 1662.
My son Cotton was born at Boston N. E. ye 12 day of ye 12 month a quarter of an hour past 10 before noon being ye fifth day of ye week 1662. He was baptised at ye old church in Boston by Mr. Wilson 15 day of ye same month 1663.
My daughter Maria was born at Boston 16 of March about midnight 1664 Wednesday. baptised by me 19 of the same month. 5 Thursday .
My daughter Elizabeth was born January 6 about four O'Clock P.M. Lords day 1666. Baptised by Mr. Wilson at the old church in Boston Feb. 3. 1666, marryed to Mr. Greenough July 1696. Marryed to Mr. Josias Byles Oct. 6. 1703, died Aug. 19 1745. Her only child Mather was born March 15, 1707.
My son Nathaniel was born at Boston, N. Eng. July 6 a little before 2 O'clock in ye morning being Tuesday 1669. Baptised by me 11th of the same month 1669. died Oct. 17. 1688. I was then in England.
These four children were all born in our house, viz. that which was my father Cotton's, wherein I dwelt 8 years and wherein yr mother was born.
My daughter Sarah was born in November 9th about midnight Wed- nesday 1671, baptised by me the 12 day of the same month 1671.
My son Samuel was born Aug. 28. Friday about 3 quarters of an hour after four in ye morning, baptised by me ye 30 day of ye same month 1674.
These two were born in ye house which was bought of Mr. Arthur Chickley.
My daughter Abigail was born 13th of April, Friday & of an hour after 3 P.M. 1677, baptised by me ye 20 day of ye same month Friday at Dea- con Philips house where was a prayer meeting that day 1677. (born in ye house which was Captain Bredons.
My daughter Hannah was born May 30 Lords day morning between 1 & 2. 1680. Baptised by me July 16 Friday, in my own house, the reason why she was baptised no sooner & not in ye publick meeting house was because of my long sickness and weakness, August 1680. Died Dec" 2 about 4. A.M. 1706.
My daughter Catherine was born Sept. 14 Tuesday 3 P. M. 1682. Baptised by me Sept. 17, 1682. Died June 11. 1683 about 11 A.M.
My daughter Jerusha was born April 16 Wednesday Thursday half an hour past 7 P.M. 1684. Baptised by me April 20. 1684. Died Dec. 20 about 12 A. M.
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APPENDIX.
1710. Her daughter Jerusha Oliver was born Saturday 17 day of Decem- ber & baptized by me 31 of the same month, the day after her pious mother died. The child died Jany. 4. 5 O'clock P. M. These three children were born in the house which was built for me.
I am indebted for the above to the politeness of S. G. Drake, Esq.
E. - PAGE 114.
Cotton Mather was a most voluminous writer. His printed works amounted to three hundred and eighty-two. Many of these are occasional sermons and pamphlets on subjects of public interest. Among the most important, besides those of which I have spoken, are his " Christian Philosopher," a work on Natural Theology, and the " Magnalia Christi Americana, or the Ecclesi- astical History of New England," first published in London, in 1702, in a large folio volume. The last-named book has been differently estimated by persons of different tastes. Some have admired and highly praised it ; others ridiculed its style, and com- plained of its inaccuracies. Grahame calls it the most interesting work which the literature of this country has produced, and con- siders some of its biographical sketches equal or superior to Plu- tarch. Quite as strong expressions of commendation might be quoted from eminent men of the past century ; although some of the author's contemporaries, whose prejudices he offended, were bitter in their invectives. Cotton Mather himself says he does not wonder that there were some who disliked and abused the " Magnalia," because it was written to serve the interests of real, solid, vital piety, rather than a formal religion ; and because, showing the virtues of the Nonconformists, it of course set in a strong light the persecuting spirit from which they suffered.
Cotton Mather has satirically noticed one class of those who attacked the "Magnalia," in a reply to the strictures of "one John Oldmixon, in a book entituled, 'The English Empire in America.'" There is a good deal of point in such remarks as the following : -
28
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APPENDIX.
" The accuser would have it believed, that the Church History is very trivial in the matter of it. Yes, by all means! The marvellous works of God in producing and maintaining and afflicting and relieving of colonies in a matchless manner, formed upon the noble intentions of pure and unde- filed religion ; the wise measures taken by the best of men to establish that religion, and the bright patterns of living up to it, seen in the lives of such men ; and as choice materials as a Church History can be composed of, - these are trivial matters! Come, then, let us go to Master Old- mixon for important matters. It is a trouble unto me to descend unto any thing so ludicrous ; but it is he, and not I, that must answer for it. In his history, wherein he rails at ours, you shall find whole pages conse- crated unto long, long, tiresom relations of some that he singles out as the more curious events : he calls 'em so. These curious events are, ' that a couple of starved Indians (at Hudson's Bay) went a-fishing, .- and then a-hunting, -and met with only two moose, - and how 'twas, -and how, the geese flying away to the southward in October, the people there [such their segacity !] knew that hard weather was approaching ; - and in November [oh, marvellous !] it snowed. And then, - a long, tedious narrative, how they catched partridges, [not woodcocks !] yea [an exploit that should be told unto future generations], four men, in a week's time killed six and twenty. And then [a terrible thing happened, as much to be remembred as the Sicilian earthquakes] in December, a boy had his feet hurt with the frost.' And an hundred more such curious events is this history set off withal. These, it seems, are the important matters, that are most worthy of a room in history. A Church History, furnished as aforesaid, has only trivial matters for you ! "
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