USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cambridge > Lectures on the history of the First Church in Cambridge > Part 5
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It is pleasant to turn from these conflicts to more peaceful events. The early settlers of New England were men who knew the value of education. Many of them were graduates of the English universities, and were possessed of the best learning of their day. They knew that the well-being of the state, and the
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purity and stability of the church, demanded that the people should be educated, and that learned men should be raised up to take the place of those who were passing away. Hence, in 1636, later in the year of our church organization, the General Court adopted this order: "The Court agree to give four hundred pounds towards a school or college, whereof two hundred pounds shall be paid the next year, and two hundred pounds when the work is finished, and the next Court to appoint where and what building." Four hundred pounds was " equal to a year's rate of the whole colony." It was a grant of fifty cents from each of the four thousand inhabitants. A like assessment now would yield more than seven hundred thousand dollars. The next year it was ordered that the College should be at Newtown. Why did they choose to come here ? Two reasons led to this choice : this was " a place very pleasant and accommodate," and it was "under the orthodox and soul-flourishing ministry of Mr. Thomas Shepheard." Twelve of the leading men of the colony were appointed to take orders for the College. Among these were Shepard, Cotton, Wilson, Harlakenden, Stoughton, Dud- ley, Winthrop. Thus did the College come at once under the fostering care of this church and its minister. Side by side have they come down the years ; side by side are they going into the future. In the following year the Rev. John Harvard died, bequeathing one half of his whole property and his entire library to the youthful institu- tion. The amount of his gifts was a little less than eight hundred pounds. His library consisted of three hundred and twenty volumes of theological, classical, and general literature. Others followed with gifts of money and books and various articles, according to their ability. In
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this year, 1638, the regular course of studies began. In the same year the name of Cambridge was given to the town, after the literary home of many of the chief men of the colony. In the following spring it was ordered that the College should bear the name of Harvard. In the next year, by order of the Court, " the ferry be- tween Boston and Charlestown is granted to the College."
The institution was first placed under the charge of Nathaniel Eaton, who managed both the instruction and the finances. He made so good a beginning that in 1639 he received a grant of five hundred acres of land, upon condition that he would continue his employ- ment for life. Then, for his fame's sake, he should have died. He was a scholar, doubtless, but had no other qualification for his office. He seems to have been extravagant in his use of the funds. Besides that, he abused his scholars and his usher, Briscoe, and in con- nection with his wife brought college commons to their lowest state. He was tried by the Court, and convicted of passion and negligence and cruelty ; was fined and dismissed from his place; was excommunicated from . the church, and compelled to leave the colony. He returned to England, became the persecutor of Noncon- formists, and finally died while in prison for debt. Mr. Shepard was charitably inclined towards his parishioner, but before long was convinced of his real character, and approved of his sentence. It is characteristic of the good minister that he mourned not only over the sin of Eaton, but also on account of his own ignorance and want of wisdom and watchfulness over him. Upon Eaton's discharge, the business affairs of the College were put into the hands of Samuel Shepard, who attended to
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them until the arrival of Henry Dunster, who became President in 1640. Eaton had been known only as Master or Professor. From that time the College
steadily advanced. In 1642 the Board of Overseers
was established. Besides the governor, deputy-gov- ernor, and magistrates, it consisted of the teaching elders of the six next adjoining towns, Cambridge, Watertown, Charlestown, Boston, Roxbury, and Dorchester. The influence of our minister, both from his official connec- tion with the College and his personal character, must have been considerable. We find him at one time addressing a memorial to the Commissioners of the United Colonies, asking a general contribution for the maintenance of poor scholars, to the end "that the Commonwealth may be furnished with knowing and understanding men, and the churches with an able ministry." He begs that it may be recommended to every family throughout the plantations, able and willing to give, to contribute a fourth part of a bushel of corn, or something equivalent to this, as " a blessed means of comfortable provision for the diet of such students as stand in need of support." The plan was approved and adopted. This may illustrate his interest in the College and his efforts to promote its high objects. It was the first charitable provision made in New England for the benefit of indigent scholars. It is good to connect the beginning of so good a work with the name of one we venerate.
Our church had another point of connection with the College in its earliest days, through our brother, Elijah Corlet, of whom mention has already been made. The grammar school appears to have begun soon after the town, and it was supported with great care. Mr. Corlet
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was master for more than forty years. The author of " New England's First Fruits," in 1643, writes : " By the side of the College is a fair grammar school, for the training up of young scholars and fitting of them for academical learning, that still as they are judged ripe they may be received into the College of this school." He speaks of our brother as one who had well approved himself for his abilities and dexterity. Mather calls him " that memorable old schoolmaster in Cambridge, from whose education our College and country has re- ceived so many of its worthy men that he is himself worthy to have his name celebrated in our church history."
I cannot close this notice of the College without repeating the familiar words which embody the thoughts of Shepard and his associates, - words which deserve to be written in letters of gold on the front of the Univer- sity, that the youth of this generation may know the purpose of the fathers, and may gratefully execute it in their lives. " After God had carried us safe to New England, and we had builded our houses, provided necessaries for our livelihood, reared convenient places for God's worship, and settled the civil government, one of the next things we longed for and looked after was to advance learning and perpetuate it to posterity ; dreading to leave an illiterate ministry to the churches, when our present ministers shall lie in the dust." The College seal of 1643 bore the motto " Veritas," which was inscribed on three open books. This was soon ex-
changed for " In Christi gloriam." After a time this was changed to "Christo et Ecclesia." Let the spirit of the College and the lives of its graduates exhibit the three legends, -standing upon the truth, seeking the glory of Christ, rendering good service to his church.
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It may not seem to be in close connection with the purpose of this discourse, but I am unwilling to bring these remarks upon education to an end without a few words of affection and respect for the memory of that great teacher who one week ago entered into his rest .* He deserves to be honored wherever sound learning is revered. We honor him for his wide learning, his patient research, his faithful instruction ; for his “ im- perial memory," his " massive judgment," his " resolute will "; for his devotion to his work, his love for the institution he adorned, his kindness to all who came under his care ; for his great heart, his unostentatious goodness, his unsparing charities. He died at the height of his fame; "his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." He died in the academy his toils had reared. His old boys took up his stalworth form and bore it to its repose among the honored, sainted dead. His boys of many years will mark the spot with the monumental column. But his memory will be green in the hearts of his six thousand scholars. There are those here this morning who will join me in laying this simple tribute of love and respect upon his bier.
In the formation period we are surveying there were naturally differences of opinion regarding various mat- ters of ecclesiastical usage. In the year in which Shepard was installed, some of the Puritan ministers of England, hearing that the churches here had adopted a new mode of discipline of questionable expediency, addressed to them a letter of inquiry upon this matter. The questions were concerning a form of prayer and set Liturgy ; concerning proper subjects for infant baptism and admission to the Lord's Table ; concerning the rights
* Samuel H. Taylor, LL.D., of Andover.
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of the majority with regard to excommunication ; con- cerning the removal of church members ; the relation of a minister to his own church and neighboring churches, and the relation of the members of one congregation to another. A full discussion ensued, in which Mr. Shepard bore a part, joining with Mr. Allen of Dedham in the publication of a book explaining and defending the usages here. The work had a good effect. It solved various perplexing matters, and gave satisfaction to the English brethren. Upon the principles it expounded the churches conducted their affairs until a more formal constitution was adopted. Before many years had gone by, it became evident that a general declaration of faith and a plan of church government were desirable. I
have alluded to these before, but they should be men- tioned in this connection. In 1646 the General Court
took up the matter of calling a synod. It was seen at once that it would be unwise for the Court to do any- thing which looked like imposing upon the churches a form of government, or even to call a synod for the preparation of a system which might seem to be com- manded by authority. The point was important and delicate. The result was a recommendation that such an assembly be convened. The advice was acted upon, and the synod met in Cambridge in the autumn of that year, but, owing to the lateness of the season, adjourned after a short session, and on its reassembling again adjourned on account of a great sickness which pre- vailed in the country. It finally met in the autumn of 1648. It was a grand gathering. There were men who had won fame in the mother-land. There were scholars, patriots, statesmen, men of prayer, wisdom, patience. An old writer has truly said, "They were Timothys in
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their houses; Chrysostoms in their pulpits ; Augustines in their disputations." They gave their assent to the Westminster Confession for substance of doctrine. For church polity they issued a plan of their own, which is thus entitled : " The Cambridge platform of church discipline, gathered out of the Word of God, and agreed upon by the elders and messengers of the churches as- sembled in synod, 1648." It is a clear, comprehensive, sagacious document, and upon its broad principles our churches have stood and become established in beauty and strength. The experience of two centuries has taught us some new things, and changed times may demand some incidental modification of the arrange- ments of our fathers. Possibly another synod at Cambridge may perfect and adapt the ancient work. In the mean time, to borrow the words of the late lamented pastor of this church, "the more closely we adhere to the scheme of polity set forth by that vener- able assembly, the more confidently may we expect that Congregationalism will maintain its ascendency in New England, and commend itself to the consciences and the hearts of intelligent Christians throughout our country."
But while this church and its minister were engaged with others who held the same faith with the same purpose in establishing the churches in purity and order, they were also regardful of those around them who needed to learn the first principles of the gospel. Our national connection with the Indians is far from satisfactory. It is well to relieve the picture with brighter shades. The early government and churches of this State were perhaps as zealous in their missionary work as their successors. Foreign missions do not of necessity involve the crossing of the sea. Preaching
5
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was sustained among the Indians by legal provision. Their rights were protected by a special court. The people sought to be just in their dealings with them. The wars against them were for defence. The College turned its attention to their education. A building of brick was erected for their accommodation by the " So- ciety for propagating the Gospel," and was known as the Indian College. Although several students entered on a course of study, but one attained to academic honors. The catalogue for 1665 shows one Indian graduate. The effort to train up a native ministry for the aborigines was a noble one, but it proved ineffectual. In 1644 the General Court ordered that the county courts should take care that the Indians residing in the several shires be civilized, and should have power to take order from time to time that they be instructed in the knowledge and worship of God. John Eliot has won immortality by his labors for their spiritual good. In his efforts he had the counsel and assistance of Thomas Shepard. The first fixed missionary station of Eliot was in Cambridge, at Nonantum, now Newton. Shepard watched over the church gathered there. He wrote tracts which were translated into the Indian tongue. A long letter written by him to a friend in England bears the title, " The elear Sunshine of the Gospel breaking forth upon the Indians in New England." " An Indian sermon," he called it.
Eliot had also a faithful co-laborer in our brother Daniel Gookin. He removed from Virginia in 1644, and settled here, "being drawn hither by having his affection strongly set on the truths of Christ and his pure ordinances." He became the " constant, pious, and persevering companion of Eliot." He attained
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to political and military honors ; was made superin- tendent of all the Indians who had submitted to the government of Massachusetts; was one of the licen- sers of the printing-press ; in 1681 was appointed major-general of the colony. He was a man of integrity and ability, and died poor in this world's goods, but having the affection of those over whose interests he had watched, and the esteem of all the people. A monument was erected over his grave in the neighboring church- yard. His son was the fourth pastor of this church.
Eliot's translation of the Bible was printed here by our brother Samuel Green, in connection with Marmaduke Johnson. A copy handsomely bound was sent to Charles II. Baxter says, "Such a work and fruit of a plantation was never presented unto a king." This was the first Bible printed in America, - another of the good things which began here. It was followed by the publication of numerous works in the Indian language. Let it be remembered to the honor of our fathers, that the first Protestant mission to the heathen in modern times began in Cambridge ; the first Protest- ant sermon in a heathen tongue was preached here ; the first translation of the Bible by an Englishman into a heathen tongue was printed here ; the first Protestant tract in a heathen language was written and printed here. In all these missionary works we may be sure that the minister and the members of our church took a lively interest and had an active part.
I have dwelt, perhaps overlong, upon matters of public interest with which our church was concerned. It may help to increase our honest pride in our religious ancestry, and stimulate us to the good works which are required of this generation. But while these large in-
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terests were engaging the attention of the people the more regular work of the church was going on. The word of God was faithfully preached on the Lord's Day. A weekly lecture was carefully prepared and delivered. The ordinances of the church were administered. The training of the youth was regarded. Our records of all these private doings are painfully scant. But the value of the work is inestimable.
I am compelled to reserve my remarks upon the personal character and the teaching of our first min- ister. It is interesting to find his name and the affairs of the church entering into our public records. The General Court which met here in 1636 made a grant of £50 to Mr. Thomas Shepard. In our town rec- ords you may find a vote in 1638 granting to him two and two thirds acres of land on the road to Charlestown. In 1647 there is a grant of six acres of meadow land. In 1650 there is a record stating that three hundred acres of land beyond Watertown Mill had been formerly given to Mr. Shepard, and also two hundred acres more near Mr. Samuel Shepard's farm. I find no other record of provision directly for his main- tenance. But we know that in 1640 he was brought into great embarrassment through the depression in the financial condition of the colonists. It was a time of public extremity, threatening the very existence of the church. There was no money. Mr. Shepard's salary was then £ 70, payable in corn, which in this year was made a legal tender for new debts. The emergency was so pressing that a removal to Connecti- out was discussed, and Shepard was urged to this step by Hooker. He bore his trial with patience and faith, submitting to the will of the Lord, and waiting for
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better times. We are thus permitted to know some- thing of the things our fathers talked about and suffered in the days which are gone. To show further the regard of the town for the church, there is the vote in 1648, at a general town-meeting, " that there should be a farm laid out of a thousand acres, and improved for . the good of the church, and that part of the church that shall here continue." This was in that portion of Cam- bridge known as Shawshine. The census of 1647 gives as the number of ratable persons in the town one hun- dred and thirty-five, with ninety houses.
In 1642 there is this record : " It is ordered that ac- cording to an order of Court made the last General Court for the townsmen to see to the educating children, that John Bridge shall take care of all the families of that side the highway his own house stands on to My Bro. Winship's," and so on, dividing the town into six parts, which were assigned to different persons.
The house of worship seems to have fallen in need of attention. It was a house humble in appearance, but comparing well with other houses in the town, and famous for some things done within its rude walls. There this church had its beginning. There, it appears, was held the first College Commencement in 1642. There the Cambridge Platform was framed in 1648. Other events which related to the interest of the community and the churches around it found a place within its courts. It was a building famous for beginnings. But the years would not spare it. In February, 1649, at a general meeting of the whole town, "it was voted and agreed by a general consent, that the meeting-house shall be repaired with a 4-square roofe and covered with shingle, and the charge thereof levied upon the Inhabit-
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ants of the Towne by equale rate." Either because it was found cheaper to build a new house than to repair the old one, or a better house could be afforded, or a bet- ter site procured, three weeks later "it was voted and agreed that the five men chosen by the Town to repair the meeting-house shall desist from the same and agree with workmen for the building of a new House about 40 foote square, and covered as was formerly agreed for the other." It was also agreed that the new house should stand on " Watch-house Hill." The site selected was near the place where Dane Hall now stands, and near the dwelling-house occupied by Mr. Shepard, which stood also in the present College yard, nearly opposite to Holyoke Street. But it was not to be given to Thomas Shepard to fill the new sanctuary with the sound of the " silver trumpet from whence the people of God had often heard the joyful sound of the gospel." His constitution had never been vigorous, and his labors and trials must have impaired his health. He says of himself that he was "very weak and unfit to be tossed up and down and to bear persecution." We find him at one time brought near to the gate of death, but graciously restored through God's good providence. One child had died in England. Two children died here. His wife died soon after his arrival here. In 1637 he married Joanna, the eldest daughter of his friend and predecessor, Thomas Hooker. She was a woman of remarkable loveliness and piety and wisdom. But after less than nine years of married life she, too, was taken from him. In 1638 his old and dear friend Roger Harlakenden died, and was buried with military honors. Mr. Shepard afterwards married Margaret Boradel, who survived him, and became the wife of his successor. There were four sons remaining to him when he died.
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Among his honored descendants were John Quincy Adams and the remainder of that illustrious line.
The 25th of August, 1649, was a day long to be remembered by this church. With perfect memory and clear understanding Mr. Shepard made his will, making a brief but explicit statement of his faith and then giving small bequests to his sons and a few friends, - among whom was the faithful Ruth Mitchen- son, the Yorkshire servant who followed him to this country, - and leaving the rest of his temporal estate to his wife. The inventory of his estate amounted to £ 810. Some of his last sayings are preserved. To his weeping friends he said, " I love the Lord Jesus Christ very much ; that little part which I have in him is no small comfort to me now." To several young ministers who visited him a little before his decease he said, " Your work is great, and calls for great seriousness. As to myself I can say three things: that the study of every sermon cost me tears ; that before I preached a sermon, I got good by it myself ; and that I always went up into the pulpit as if I were to give up my account to my Master." He was solicitous concerning his successor, and when he found that the man of his choice had commended himself to his people, he was content to depart. So he died, in the forty-fourth year of a large life, after a career of singular diligence and usefulness, leaving upon many hearts and lives the impress of his character and work. No man knoweth of his grave ; but he is with his Lord. He died, but the stream flowed on, making glad the city of God. It flows still to clothe in living green the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
" His name and office sweetly did agree ; Shepard, by name, and in his ministry.'
LECTURE IV.
" THERE SHALL BE AN HANDFUL OF CORN IN THE EARTH UPON THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAINS; THE FRUIT THEREOF SHALL SHAKE LIKE LEB- ANON : AND THEY OF THE CITY SHALL FLOURISH LIKE GRASS OF THE EARTH." - Psalm 1xxii. 16.
"T is a question whether the word translated handful should not be rendered plenty or abundance. The rabbinical tradition favors the rendering of our version, while modern lexicographers prefer the other. It is a question of etymology. The psalm portrays the glories of the Messiah's reign, taking its imagery from the peaceful, prosperous reign of Solomon. There shall be an abundance of all blessings ; the fruits of the earth shall grow in luxuriance, and man shall be full of all vigor and honor. Either rendering of the verse now before us will be true of that happy time. Its promise of plenty will be fulfilled. From the beginning there will be an abundance. Yet to the eyes of men the beginning of the Messiah's career, the earthly life of our Lord, promised little of stability or grandeur. Few dreamed that Jesus of Nazareth would show himself Lord of Hosts; that he who was nailed to the cross would sit upon a throne which should be for ever and ever. There was enough of power, of rule, of majesty, for the work of his earthly years ; more of marvels, of wisdom and mercy, more of divine revelation, of the close presence of God, than the centuries had ever known. Men might call it a handful; it was abun-
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dance. Even they who saw the most would see yet more and more as the kingdom of the Great King widened. Christianity now has possession of the earth, and moves on to bring all lands, all men, under the beneficent sway of Christ, the King.
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