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 2
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there did agree that Mr. Mayo should have, out of what is given to the church annually, sixty-five pounds ; and Mr. Mather fifty pounds, and Mr. Powell twenty-five pounds ; and this annually, provided they that have engaged perform their engagement. And, of the Contribution, Mr. Mayo to have twenty shillings weekly, and Mr. Mather twenty, and Mr. Powell fifteen shillings weekly, - provided the contribution hold out ; and, if it abate, each one of the above-said to abate according to proportion ; and if the contribu- tion superabound, then the overplus to be kept in the - hands till occasion call for it, and then to be disposed of by the church's order. And to this we are all agreed."
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have recently done, the authorities in the case for myself. From this research, I have come away profoundly im- pressed with the worth and piety of this "patriarch of New England," and irresistibly moved to do, as well as I may be able, the duty that devolves upon me, in this place and on this occasion, of vindicating his memory from unjust aspersions, and holding up for your respect and love a true image of his virtues.
The stock from which he descended was of the best; for his ancestors were righteous and godly. Better than kingly blood flowed in his veins ; for it came through pure hearts and virtuous lives. His father was the Rev. Richard Mather, the faithful and valuable minister of Dorchester, in this State, one of the noble company of those who were ejected from the English Church for nonconformity to cere- monies against which their consciences revolted. Driven from his sacred charge, which he was faithfully fulfilling in England, and obliged to fly in disguise from his persecu- tors, he had joined the goodly band of confessors and pil- grims who " sought a faith's pure shrine " on these western shores. Surely, my friends, no Christian minister would ask a nobler lineage than that which is emblazoned with the brightest of all ensigns, the memorials of sacrifices and triumphs for conscience and the truth !*
* Richard Mather was born A.D. 1596, in Lowton, Lancaster County. His parents were of ancient families, though poor. In early life, his zeal for learning, for which the family in general were so remarkable, was so great that he used to walk four miles to school. The extreme severity of the master, however, almost quenched the young pupil's enthusiasm. Though he was a bright and diligent boy, the teacher used to " beat him eight times a-day, whether in fault or not;" so that he begged his father to take him
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That such was the feeling of Richard Mather's own children, and that they were early moved to emulate their father's virtues, may be gathered from the fact that four of his sons devoted themselves to the ministry. The young- est of these was our Increase, who was born in Dorchester, the twenty-first of June, 1639.
from study, and dispose of him to some other calling. But his father was inexorable; and the son afterwards praises him for refusing his request, but adds, with great feeling, "But oh that all schoolmasters would learn wis- dom, moderation, and equity towards their scholars, and seek rather to win the hearts of children, by righteous, loving, and courteous usage, than to alienate their minds by partiality and undue severity, which had been my utter undoing, had not the good providence of God, and the wisdom and authority of my father, prevented. He began to preach in 1618 : married Katharine Hoult, daughter of Edmund Hoult, Esq. of Bury, in Lancashire, - " a godly and prudent maid," - Sept. 29, 1624. By her he had six sons : four born in England, namely, Samuel, Timothy, Nathaniel, Joseph ; and two in New England, Eleazer and Increase.
The reasons which induced him to leave England, as drawn up by himself, show not only the conscientiousness of the man, but are a striking evidence also of the true motives which influenced those who first came over to this country. They are all of a religious nature. He sailed from Bristol, May 23, 1635. His interesting and curious journal of this voyage has been pub- lished, together with his "Life and Death," by the Dorchester Historical Society. He arrived in Boston, Aug. 17, 1635. The church at Dorchester (" the first church planted there having removed to Warham, Conecticot ") was constituted Aug. 23, 1636 ; and Mr. Mather was chosen teacher, and continued in charge of the church thirty-four years. He was a studious, devout, and faithful minister, of solid judgment and stern integrity. He was " much improved" in the management of controversies, then warmly agitated, concerning church-government; author of several important works on this point ; 'and one of three appointed by the synod at Cambridge, in 1647, to draw up the " Platform of Discipline." There were few councils or ordinations in which he had not a part. With Eliot and Welde, he was selected to make a new metrical translation of the Psalms, - the "New England Version," printed at Cambridge, in 1640, - which continued in general use by the churches for many years, and was by several eminent congregations in England preferred to all others. After the death of his first wife, he married the widow of the Rev. John Cotton, of Boston. He
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His singular Christian name is said to have been given to him in gratitude to God for the providential increase and prosperity of the colony at that early date .; If so, it might seem to be not only commemorative, but prophetic; for probably no person in any country was ever able to look back upon such a wonderful and rapid career of national advancement as excited his thanks, when, in his old age, he reviewed what he had seen of New England's growth ; which, as much perhaps as any other man, he had labored and helped to promote.
But the source of his virtuous inclination is not to be traced only on the father's side. Happily for him, the spring was as pure on the mother's. We hear nothing, indeed, of her consent and assistance to the self-sacrifice which brought their family from English comfort to New England hardship. But we never doubt, when we read with reverence the story of the Puritan fathers, that the Puritan mothers also went side by side with their husbands in every impulse of Christian emotion, and every movement
died April 22, 1669, aged seventy-three years. The following is his epitaph, in Dorchester Burying Ground : -
Dom Sacer Richardus Hic Dormit Matherus (Sed nec Totus nec Mora Diuturna) Lætatus Genuisse Pares Incertum est utrum Doctior an Melior Animum & Gloria non Queunt Lumari
Divinely Rich & Learned Richard Mather Sons like Him Prophets Great Reioiced this Father Short Time His Sleeping Dust heres couerd down Not His Ascended Spirit or Rinown.
U. D. M. In Aug. In Dorc: N A 34 An Obt. Apr. 22 1669 Aet suae 73
+ "If he might have had an Hebrew instead of an English name, I suppose it must have been Joseph, which is of the like significancy." - Cot- ton Mather.
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of holy duty; that, in the privacy of their homes, they helped to nerve them for their sternest struggles of con- science; and when the brave act of faith was done, and the fearful recompence of their integrity dealt to their hus- bands, that they richly rewarded them with their cordial sympathy, and sweetly soothed them with their gentle love.
That such praise attaches to the mother of Mather, the characters of her children are a sufficient proof. One or two of her favorite maxims are a striking index to her spirit. By means of them, we can easily picture to ourselves what sort of a woman she was, and construct her character. " My child," she often said to the young Increase, "if God make thee a good scholar and a good Christian, thou wilt have all thy mother ever asked for thee." Her daily pro- verb was, " Seest thou a man diligent in business, he shall stand before kings: he shall not stand before mean men." And her last saying, amid the solemnity of death, was the sublime and kindling promise of the Scriptures : "' They that be wise,' my son, 'shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever.'" Are not these materials enough for her moral portraiture ? Diligence, love of sound learning coupled with Christian goodness, and high aspi- ration after heavenly glory,- with these grand features before him, who could not fill up the outlines ? And these very traits, - it is worthy of remembrance as another amongst innumerable proofs of the power and endurance of maternal counsel when impressed by maternal character, - and it ought to be spoken of to her honor, for she who
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nurtures a faithful man deserves honorable mention when- ever his virtues are recounted, - these very traits are amongst the most prominent characteristics of her son .*
It is a sufficient evidence of his diligence, as well as his capacity, that he entered Harvard College at the early age of twelve years. After he had lived a year at the col- lege, his parents, fearing that some things there might not suit his constitution, which they supposed to be feeble, and wishing to have him under a more than ordinary inspection and instruction, sent him to live with the famous Mr. Nor- ton, of Ipswich, with whom he removed to Boston in 1653, and under whose tuition he continued several years.
Whilst a pupil with Mr. Norton, his conversion took place. Of this event he has given a " Relation" in his own words. The immediate cause of it was a dangerous illness, which brought him near to death, and caused him to see his sins with great vividness, and feel them with intense grief. On his recovery, he resolved to put away every sin, and seek his peace with God by prayer and fast- ing and an entire dedication of himself to holiness. To this " Relation" he attached the greatest sacredness; and, seventy years after it was written, caused his grandsons to transcribe it, and made the remembrance and perusal of
* The brief notice of this lady, in the "Life and Death of Richard Mather," confirms our idea of her worth : "That which of outward afflic- tions did most aggrieve him was the death of his dear wife, who had been for so many years the greatest outward comfort and blessing which he did enjoy ; which affliction was the more grievous, in that she, being a woman of singular prudence for the management of affairs, had taken off from her husband all secular cares, so that he wholly devoted himself to his study and to sacred employments."
3
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it a cordial to him in his lingering passage through the valley of the shadow of death. This document well repre- sents the religious earnestness of the early New England Christians. It shows how close and searching was the preaching, how high the standard of piety, with what minuteness and exactness the marks of a true conversion were laid down and scrutinized, and how rigidly the tests of it were applied. After describing the occasion of his " first saving awakenings," and the powerful convictions of sin which oppressed him, he pictures in strong language the struggles and pangs of the new birth, the process of which was long and painful : " I pleaded hard with God that promise which says that he will take away the heart of stone, and give an heart of flesh. But still I thought my heart was as hard as a stone .... Sometimes I was afraid I was guilty of the unpardonable sin. Then, that my sins were too great to be pardoned. Then, of God's un- willingness to pardon me .... I was foolishly ashamed to acquaint anybody with my troubles ; till at last, not being able to hold out any longer, the hand of God pressing me so sore, I acquainted my father with some of my distresses, and begged him to pray for me.
" I resolved upon setting apart another day, to be spent in secret prayer with fasting before the Lord ; and the Lord made it an happy day to me, - a day I shall never forget while I have any being. On the day of our Anniversary Election, the greatest anniversary solemnity in the coun- try, the scholars which boarded at Mr. Norton's being all abroad on their diversions, I took this opportunity of a pri- vate chamber, and, shutting the door, spent the whole day
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in pouring out my complaints unto the Lord. Towards the close of the day, being full of extremity of anguish in my soul because of my sin, it was put into my heart, that I must go and throw myself down at the feet of my Saviour, and see whether he would accept me or no ;- resolving that if he would accept me, then I would be his; but if not, then I would perish at his feet. So I came before him with those words of Esther, '" If I perish, I perish." Yet, Lord! if it must be so, I am resolved to perish at the feet of thy mercy. I am indeed unworthy of so much as a crumb; I have been a great sinner; yet I am resolved I will not offend any more, but be thine, and be thine only, and be thine for ever.' And while I was thus praying and pleading, these words of Christ were darted into my mind, ' Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.' After that, I had some comfortable per- suasion that my sins were pardoned.
" But, by and by, Mr. Norton showed that a man might forsake his sins, and have been in some sorrow of heart for them, and yet not be truly converted unto God. This word stuck deep in me; and I was afraid my conversion might not be sound."
Then his father, preaching on true conversion, made the rule cover his case, and answered his scruples; and, when Mr. Mitchell preached on the " Marks of Sincerity," he found that his heart "went along with the word." " So," he concludes, " I went on cheerfully in the ways of God; and, if in any thing I have been overtaken with a fault, the Lord has given me to see it, and mourn for it, and turn from it."
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Having graduated in 1656, he commenced preaching the next year, when not yet nineteen years old. But, being desirous of going abroad, and having two of his brothers* at this time settled ministers in Europe, he sailed from Boston for England in July, 1657. After spending a year at Trinity College, Dublin, where he took his second degree in 1658, and after preaching with much effect to several congregations, he was at length, like his father, compelled to conform, or leave the island. Refusing very liberal offers made to him, if he would but wear the sur- plice and read the Common Prayer, he again turned his face towards New England, to seek a harder but freer field of service in his native land. On a Saturday evening in September, 1661, to the surprise of all at home, he reached his father's house in Dorchester, while the old man was, even then, greeting another son,} who had just arrived from his place of ministry in North Hampton. The next day, both appeared in their father's pulpit, on either side of him; " and the comforted old patriarch sat shining between them, like the sun in gemini, hearing them entertain the people of God with performances that made all people pro- claim him a happy father." ¿
During the first winter after his return, he preached on alternate Sundays with his father at Dorchester, and to the Second Church. Invitations now flocked to him. No less than twelve parishes desired his services. But the call of this church ultimately prevailed. A manuscript in his handwriting gives a distinct account of the reasons and
* Samuel and Nathaniel. + Eleazer.
¿ Cotton Mather.
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conditions of its acceptance : - " Within a week after my arrival in Boston, I was desired to preach to this congrega- . tion ; which accordingly I did, Sept. 8, 1661, when I preached my first sermon in Boston. The day after, the pastor and brethren invited me to labor constantly among them. After I had been with them half a year, they desired I would accept of the teaching office ; which motion I withstood for the space of two years longer, partly out of an awful sense of the dreadfulness of the bond of office- relations, partly out of a desire, which was in my heart, to return to England, had the Lord seen it good. But then the brethren all met together, and spent a day in fasting and prayer; the main ground of which day was to entreat the Lord to bow my heart to accept of their call; and, after this day (a passage which I think worthy to be recorded), my heart was strangely overcome to close with the desires of the church touching office-relation. The officers which were then here, and every one of the brethren, did under their hands signify their continued desires of my being so · related to them. Also, the inhabitants in this end of the town did the like. Whereupon, I did return an affirmative answer to their call; only under my hand I expressed, that, if hereafter the Lord should call me to greater service else- where, or in case of personal persecutions wherein not they but I shall be aimed at, or of want of health, or if I should find that a competent maintenance for me and mine should not be afforded, then (my relation to them notwith- standing) I would be at liberty to return to England, or to remove elsewhere.
" These proposals were consented to by the church ;
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
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whereupon I was ordained teacher of this Second Church in Boston, the 27th day of the 3d mo., 1664; my father and Mr. Mayo imposing hands upon me."
From the period of Mather's ordination till the removal of Mr. Mayo, some eight or ten years, the two officiated by turns ; one as pastor, and the other as teacher. These two offices, though distinct in name, were hardly different in duties .* The work of the ministry was esteemed in those days more arduous and solemn than it generally is in our own; and, even though the congregation was not large, two incumbents were frequently employed in it to divide and relieve the labor. So long as Mr. Mayo retained his office of pastor, Mr. Mather seems to have left to him the charge of all but the pulpit-duties. But no sooner is he left alone than we begin to see a remarkable change in both the internal and external affairs of the church. He takes hold of the work with all his characteristic conscien- tiousness and strength. And, under God, this high pur- pose of his, carried into effect with powerful ability, became the lever that lifted this church to its subsequent distinction and prosperity. The expression of this purpose is his first entry on our records. " It must needs be acknowledged," he says, "that there hath been a great defect as to the
* In the "Platform of Church Discipline," 1648, the distinction be- tween the offices of pastor and teacher is thus stated : - "The office of pastor and teacher appears to be distinct. The pastor's special work is to attend to exhortation, and therein administer a word of wisdom. The teacher is to attend to doctrine, and therein to administer a word of knowledge. Either of them to administer the seals, as also to execute the censures ; being but a kind of application of the word, the preaching of which, together with the application thereof, they are alike charged withal."
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administration of government of this church. The neglect whereof for so long a time hath caused things to be so far out of order, that I find it difficult, yea, impossible, to reduce matters to that state which is desirable. Neverthe- less, Providence having so ordered that the sole inspection of the affairs of the Lord's house here is committed into my weak hands, I account it my duty to do the best I can that things may be set and kept in that due order which will be for the present benefit of the church, and future comfort of him, or those-if any such there be, as I trust there may - whom the Lord hath appointed to succeed me."
From henceforth the church continued to grow and pro- sper, notwithstanding the burning of their house, Nov. 27, 1676, during an extensive fire, which consumed forty-five dwelling-houses and several warehouses. Of the coming of this calamity he is said to have had a powerful presenti- ment, leading him on the two previous sabbaths to warn his people from the pulpit, and in his study to cry earnestly to God, and even to urge his family to change their dwell- ing, which was afterwards burned .* Many such prophetic
* "In the year 1676, he had a strange impression on his mind, that caused him, on Nov. 19, to preach a sermon on these words, Zeph. iii. 7: 'I said, Surely thou wilt fear me, thou wilt receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off.' This sermon he concluded with predicting that a fire was coming which would make a deplorable desolation. After he came home, he walked his study, exceedingly moved and melted, in such a soliloquy, -' O Lord God ! I have told this people that thou art about to cut off their dwellings ; but they will not believe. Nevertheless, O Lord ! I beseech thee to spare them. If it may stand with thy holy pleasure, spare them ! spare them !' At the same time, he earnestly urged upon his con- sort a speedy change of habitation. On the next Lord's day, he preached what seemed afterwards a farewell sermon on these words, ' Remember how thou hast received and heard.' The conclusion was, that predictions of
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impressions are attributed to him, in which he seems to have put confidence. Concerning these I have no remark to make in any cavilling spirit. That no premonitions are ever given from the spirit of God to the spirit of man, I should be unwilling to take it upon myself to assert. But the proof of the divine origin of the impression, in any parti- cular case, it would be very difficult to find. It is not to be found in the strength of the impression ; because the strong- est have not been always verified. It is not to be found in the fulfilment ; because many that have seemed equally powerful have resulted in disappointment. The remarks of Cotton Mather himself upon such prophetic impressions show a discrimination and sober judgment, such as many would hardly believe him capable of applying to such a theme :- " There might be danger lest some inconsiderate Christians, when they read of these things, might be led into an indiscreet affectation of extraordinaries and singu- larities in the course of their devotions. This is a thing
evil ought to be remembered; and that, when the Lord Jesus is about to bring any heavy judgment upon his people, he is wont to stir up the heart of some servant of his to give warning of it; which warning should be remem- bered. The last words of this sermon were: 'People won't remember nor mind these things. But as Jehu said unto his captain, "Remember how the Lord laid this burden ;" so, when the evil is come, you will remember what you heard concerning it.' The very night following, a desolating fire broke out in his neighborhood. The house in which he and his flock had praised God was ' burnt with fire.' Whole streets were laid in ashes. His own house took a part in the ruins. But, by the gracious providence of God, he lost little of his beloved library, - not a hundred books from above a thousand; of those also he had an immediate recruit, by a gener- ous offer which the Honorable Mrs. Bridget Hoar made him, to take what he pleased from the library of her deceased husband. In less than two years, also, he became owner of a better house." - Cotton Mather's Remarka- bles.
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that might have perilous consequences. If I may be thought worthy to offer my advice, I would humbly say : Christians, reproach not a particular faith, as if there never were a gracious work of Heaven in it. But yet be cau- tioned against laying too much stress upon it, lest you find yourselves incautiously plunged into a hope that will make ashamed. A particular faith may be a work of God; but the counterfeits of this jewel are so very fine that it will require a judgment almost more than human to discern them. It is best not to be too fond of enthusiasms. It is best that you should be content with the ordinary satisfaction of praying, and so waiting for the blessings of God in such pious resignations to his will, and annihilations of your own, as an uncertainty about issues would most properly lead you to."
The fact seems to be, that Increase Mather, like many religious men of his times, was accustomed to watch nar- rowly the processes of thought and emotion in his own breast. And this habit of introspection, combined with a temperament somewhat gloomy, and made more so by much seclusion and study, influenced, moreover, by theolo- gical views of a depressing tendency to one so sensitively conscientious, might easily lead him to exaggerate the im- portance of his casual impressions, and especially to think much of his dark forebodings. We find him, accordingly, often uttering warnings to his people. It is indeed, I think, · one of the faults of his sermons, that they take too dark views of Providence, and address too frequently the fears of men. They may not be more denunciatory than the sins of men deserve; but they are much more so than is consistent 4
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