USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Memorial history of Bradford, Mass. > Part 9
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witness : Benjamin Emerson.
" Nath Woodman
" Jabez Emerson."
In 1733, Cesar, servant of Ephraim Kimball, was re- ceived to the church in Bradford. In the next year Thomas, servant of Jonathan Kimball. In 1742 Peg, ser- vant of Thomas Carleton. Two years later Scisco, ser- vant of Dea. Carleton. The records of baptism are sug- gestive. " T'homas, a negro boy, brought to baptism by " his master and mistress, Jonathan and Lydia Kim- " ball, who promised before the congregation to give "him a religious education, while he dwelt with them, " was baptized Sept. 1726." In other cases the master promised for the education of his servant. Nov. 9, 1729, London, a negro boy of Richard Kimball, Jr; Luce, a negro girl of Joseph Hall. 1730, Oct. 4, Peg, servant of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Fales. Nov., Kate, servant
* Gov. Bradstreet's reply to the King's letter. See also Felt II. p. 47. + Felt III. p. 639.
Į Chase's Ilis. p. 659.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD.
of Ephraim and Mary Kimball. Dec. 13, Argalus, ser- vant of Joseph and Frances Parsons. May 16, 1731, Samuel Kezer, Henry, a negro, and Hannah, an Indian, servants to Mr. John Griffin, and brought upon his account. 1738, Peg, servant of George and Mary Carl- ton, who engaged for her education, &c. 1738, Oct. 7, Sarah, servant of Jonathan Kimball, adult. 1741-2, Aug. 1, Scisco, servant of Thomas Carlton. 1762, Jan. 31, Lun, servant of Richard Kimball, Jr., and his wife, who both promised for his education in christian faith and practice. 1762, May 20, Sur, servant of Lt. Thos. Kimball, who promised, &c .; Pompey, servant of Joseph Parsons, who promised, &c. 1763, Sept. 11, " Joel, son, Scisco." 1767, Sept. 27, Cæsar, servant of James Head, adult. " George, servant of Eben Webster, who " prom- " ised for his education in christian faith and practice, " was baptized Sept. 27, 1767." One item should not be overlooked. On the thirteenth of Dec., 1730, Arga - lus, servant of Joseph and Frances Parsons, is offered for baptism. The pastor of the church holds a slave ! Thirty-two years later the same pastor "promises for the education in christian faith and practice " of another servant with the sounding name of " Pompey."
The Puritan followed Jewish laws closely. The stat- utes concerning servitude and criminals were in part the copy of Hebrew enactments. Slavery in the Massachu- setts colony indicates both the increase of substance and the growth of aristocracy. Not a little wealth was brought from England, great progress had been made in the colony, trade was remunerative, the people were gathering property, they could afford to have servants. This servitude was a modified slavery. The servants were religiously instructed, they joined the church under the same conditions as their masters. The laws regulate this servitude, which was absolute slavery modified by christian life. Certain rights were recognized as belong- ing to the slave, but these were not to conflict with the
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD.
interest of the master. In 1703 it was voted by Gen- eral Court "that slaves shall not be absent from the " families to which they belong, or be found abroad in "the night time after 9 o'clock." The Boston News- Letter from its beginning in 1704, was for years scarce- ly ever without an advertisement of slaves and Indians for sale."*
One name gives special significance to the adver- tisement : " A Likely Negro Woman to be sold. The " Rev. Mr. Prince has a Negro woman abont 20 years " of age, well educated, accomplished for all manner of " household business, to be disposed of."f The senti- ment of the people, it is said, "abolished slavery long before it was illegal to hold men in bondage. An in- stance, recorded by Mr. Draket shows this. He is speak- ing of Mr. Jackson, " an ardent friend of liberty, and the owner of a slave." Seeing his inconsistency, he placed on record in the Suffolk Probate Office the following document :
" Know all men by these presents that I, J. Jackson, of Newburyport, "in the county of Essex, gentleman, in consideration of the impropriety "I feel, and have long felt in holding any person in constant bondage,- "more especially at a time when my country is so warmly contending for " the liberty which every man ought to enjoy,-and having some time " since promised my negro man Pomp that I would give him his freedom, " and in further consideration of five shillings, paid me by said Pomp, I do " hereby remise and release unto said Pomp all demands of whatever na- " ture I have against Pomp. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my " hand and seal, this 19th June, 1776.
" Witness :
Jonathan Jackson.
" Mary Coburn,
" William Noyes."
The list of names on the roll of the church contains many titles, largely military. Times have changed. The early Puritan, with religion as the one thought and pur- pose, has become secularized. The "state has been evolved from the church." Wealth has increased. The
* Mem Ilist. of Boston, v. II. p. 485.
t Mr Prince was Pastor of the Old South Church.
# Memorial Hist. of Boston, v. IV. p. 155.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD.
people live no longer in the primitive cabin. The two- storied house, standing with side to the road, with the lean-to roof, was the typical house of the period. An occasional house of this sort is still standing. The an- cient Peabody mansion standing opposite the High School in the village of Bradford is a fair representation. An- other kind of house became common during the last half of the century, having a porch or entryway, like the house on Bradford neck where the late Raymond Kimball lived:
The style of life changes, rigors of the early settle- ment are known no longer, luxuries increase, imported goods, silver plate in place of the old-fashioned pewter platter, silks, laces, tea, coffee, foreign customs prevail, more courtly manners, more elaborate equipage.
In 1730 the First Church of Bradford obtained new service for the sacrament. Whether by gift or purchase we know not, but the sacramental cups are now in possession-two silver cups with a handle on each side, with this incription : For the use of the First Church in Bradford, 1730.
FIFTH PASTORATE.
Rev. Jonathan Allen was the fifth Pastor. Born in Braintree, 1749, graduated at Harvard, 1774, ordained at Bradford, June 5, 1781, died in Bradford, March 6, 1827. He studied theology with Rev. Ephraim Judson, of Taunton,* who was a Hopkinsian of decided type. He was brother of Rev. Adoniram Judson, Pastor at Malden, and father of the missionary to India. The council ordaining Mr. Allen was composed of the First and Second churches in Andover, Second church in
. Rev. Ephraim Judson, born in Woodbury, Conn, Dec. 5, 1737, and baptized (according to custom) the next sabbath, graduated at Yale 1763, settled at Norwich, Conn., 1771, and in Taunton, Mass., 1780.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD.
Boxford, Second church in Bradford, First and Second churches in Haverhill, and the church in Plaistow. Rev. Mr. Merrill opened with prayer, Rev. Mr. French preached from 1 Tim. v : 22, Mr. Symmes of Andover gave the charge, Mr. Shaw gave the right hand of fellowship, Mr. Adams offered the concluding prayer. There was a divided feeling in the church in regard to the call, but the whole matter was referred to the council and the result was a united and cordial reception of the Pastor by the whole people. Mr. Allen was a man of marked character. He is well remembered by persons now living. He is familiarly known as " Par- son Allen." He was in his earlier ministry less earnest and devout than in later years. His sermons indicate a marked gravity. He handled the word of God with great reverence, and preached the solemnities of the fu- ture life and the terrors of the law with rare fidelity. In 1785 he preached the ordination sermon, at the set- tlement of his class-mate Benjamin Thurston, in North Hampton, N. H. The text was from 1 Tim. iv : 6, And thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ. In this sermon* he describes the character of a gospel minister. A brief abstract will show Mr. Allen's idea of the work to which he gave his life :
" I. The christian minister is a christian in the humble attireof a servant, " bearing the cross of his Master. High and elevated titles are not his, " the highest honor is to be a servant of Jesus Christ. He will strive to "maintain a spirit of piety and an ardent zeal for the divine glory. He " will be exceedingly attentive to himself, will ' keep his body under' and "'bring it into subjection.' He will be animated for the glory of God, the " honor of religion, the worth of souls, and the importance of the charge " committed to him.
" II. He must improve in knowledge. The work requires the best "ability of the best minds. It is not so easy an employment to preach the " gospel as to reduce it to the capacity of a novice. He should know the "original languages in which the scriptures were written, He should be " acquainted with science, the history of nations, and, most of all, he must " know by daily study the word of God Ile must be 'mighty in the "scriptures.' He must understand human nature. He must not be im-
* The sermon was printed and a copy is in library of Bradford Academy.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD.
" mersed in study so as to be excluded from the world, and overlooking hu- " man nature, preach only abstruse and metaphysical disquisitions instead " of gospel sermons. He must be prudent, must starve the censures of the " world by prudence, while he feeds the souls of men with the gospel " food. He must have firmness and fortitude. He must go forward under " the most declining state of religion ; nothing should unhinge him from " his stability, he must not flinch through fear or favor, from duty.
" III. His employ is chiefly to preach the gospel, using language sim- " ple, strong, nervous ; his illustrations rational, pertinent, easy ; and must " never darken council with words without knowledge, so perplexing and "puzzling his hearers. He must set forth and impress a reverential awe " of the divine majesty, show the union of the Son with the Father, his " offices of mediation and atonement. He will not neglect the elapsed state " of man, the end of renovation, pardon, sanctification. lle will show the " duties of man and enforce them from motives of happiness and misery, " both in this life and in the future. He must preach by example as well "as by precept. He must advise, instruct, edify, and sympathise with "sorrow. He must reclaim sinners and bring them to the awakened sense "of duty. In all he must be a man of prayer and of holy, devout life."
It is said that Mr. Allen had the soberest view of the duties belonging to the christian ministry, but his life was not so solemn as his sermons. He was fond of fashion and festivity. He wore the short breeches and silver knee buckles and a cocked hat and powdered wig. He entered into the life of the people, the frolic and jest, and every social pastime. The social influences were strongly against religion. Bradford was very gay and festive. The young and old joined in frequent fes- tivity. John Hasseltine built his house and finished it with a dance hall. The second story of that house, in the rear part, which is still standing, was devoted to amusement and dancing. It was not an uncommon thing for Parson Allen to call for his deacon to go and spend the evening at the dance hall .* " A revival of religion was a thing never heard of."; But in the midst of this frivolity the spirit of God came to the heart of the minister and people with great power. There were faith- ful men, and women especially, who were praying for God's special blessing. The prayer was answered. The
* I had this from Miss Mary Hasseltine.
t Miss Mary Tenney.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD.
preaching was changed in its spirit ; the young people at the dance-hall were thoughtful in the midst of their frivolity. Among them one was a peculiar favorite- beautiful, thoughtless, rolicksome, and always ready and foremost in frolic and amusement. She used to chase the youthful Rufus Anderson "about the Academy grounds with a stick."* She could always bribe the bell ringer at the Academy with a smile. This was Nancy Hasseltine. She grew thoughtful while the dance went on. She left the gay throng, went out into the garden, walked under the fruit trees, while the thought came like a voice from heaven into her heart, "she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth." She sought for the advice of "Aunt Hall" who had counselled the gay girl till she had. become discouraged. The special visit, which was for the sake of gaining religious coun- sel; was almost over before the seeking girl unburdened her heart and found the affectionate christian counsel she sought. John Hasseltine and his wife were worldly people. They did not believe in " experimental priety." John Hasseltine passed by a window of his house, looked in and saw his daughter on her knees ; she was in tears, filled with emotion which found expression in prayer. She was his model ; he often referred to her as proof of his favorite doctrine that the natural heart needed no divine help in order to the complete virtue. He said in his heart, "if my child, so sweet and inno- cent and fair must needs weep when she comes to God in prayer, what will become of me ?" He walked out on his farm ; the vision of that girl kneeling and in tears kept before him. He threw himself down under an oak tree and poured out his soul in an agony of prayer. The answer was immediate. His belief, his feeling, his spiritual perceptions were all changed as by a sudden inspiration. The peace of God in his heart was so pre- cious and so full that he rose from his knees shouting
* I had this from Dr. Anderson.
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with strange joy, "glory to God !"* The good work went on in the church. The young people in the Acad- emy were interested. The Principal, Rev. Abraham Burnham,; was himself quickened in his religious char- acter and became an active helper. " God gave divine energy to his word." More than thirty inquirers sought the Lord, among them Mary Wheelwright,¿ Harriet At- wood, Fanny Woodbury, John Hasseltine and his wife, and four daughters, Rebecca, Mary, Nancy and Abigail C., Moses Hall and wife, and Betsey Trask, and many others whose lives have been a blessing in the church and in the world. The results of that work of grace were wonderful. The renewed church, the transformed Pastor, the new Academy baptized with the Holy Ghost, social life lifted to the higher plane of fellowship with truth and with duty and with God. We think of the house, transformed from a dance-house, where the minis- ter and his deacon were a little time ago engaged in frivolity, now a place of prayer, that house ever after associated with nurture in piety and education and ben- evolence, and we think of that fellowship in all that makes up the culture of the human mind, the poetry, metaphysics and theology of ripest scholars; we think of the maiden life prepared by that revival to confront the great question of personal surrender, for the love of Christ, in a life of missionary toil. We think of the question decided and the determined action, in face of the argument of many friends, and even the protest from very many christians against the rashness of the under- taking. We think of that heroic spirit of Ann Judson and Harriet Newell who crossed the sea and gave the world that rare example of self-sacrifice. The voyage
. * The whole of this account was given to me by Miss Mary Hasseltine.
t Rev. Abraham Burnham was born at Dunbarton, N. H., Nov. 18, 1775, graduated Dartmouth 1804, Preceptor at Bradford 1805-1807, studied theology with Dr. Parish, of Byfield, ordained at Pembroke, N. H. March 2, 1808, died 1852.
Į Afterwards Mrs. Dr. Codman of Dorchester.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD.
on the brig Caravan, the first sight of the Hindoo cot- tages, the hostility of the East India Company, the early death and lonely burial of that youthful missionary on the Isle of France. Two years at Rangoon, "remote," " unfriended," "reft of every stay but heaven," "the little grave in the garden," the troubled home at Ava, the red cloud of war, the death prison, the extortions, privations, the journey to Oung-pen-la, the daily expec- tation of death, the long years of engrossing agony and the recorded feeling of assurance in it all, " my prayers will be answered"-the work in intervals between the agonies for the women and girls, the few converts, the sudden death alone with her Burman women and the last cry of anguish in the Burman tongue, and the lonely grave under the Hopia tree, where pilgrims linger and weep. We have been tracing the ways of God, following one of the avenues along which the revival of 1806 has sent its' power, we have come to the ends of the earth where this church has buried one of its chil- dren. Again, we think of that majestic, queenly woman, the impress of whose life is to-day on a thousand homes, who has sent her pupils into all lands, and has given to them the inspiration of a noble purpose, led them to a christian hope, and we behold how that work of God reaches out into the wide world, itself a most important factor in the problem of the world's uplifting and salva- tion.
On the 5th of February, 1812, Parson Allen preached a sermon at Haverhill on the occasion of the em- barkation of the missionaries Ann Judson and Har- riet Newell. The text was from Jolin ii : 52-That also he should gather together in one the children of God, that were scattered abroad. In the sermon the preacher showed what God has done, what he is doing and what he has got to do to gather his scattered people. He tenderly addressed the missionaries as " my dear chil- dren," and gave his parting farewell and benediction.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD.
The service was closed with singing by the great con- gregation of the hymn written by the preacher for this occasion :
Go, ye heralds of salvation ; Go, and preach in heathen lands ; Publish loud to every nation, What the Lord of life commands. Go, ye sisters, their companions, Soothe their cares, and wipe their tears,
Angels shall in bright battalions Guide your steps and guard your fears.
Go, ye pilgrims, heirs of glory, Show to Pagans CHRIST your King ; While the gospel is your story, Earth shall with hosannas ring. Go, and let your whole behaviour, Show your love to CHRIST your LORD, Let the heathen know their SAVIOUR, Teach them to obey his word.
Led by him who in a manger, Once a feeble infant lay ; In rough climates, free from danger, You shall plow your briny way. Speed your course across the ocean, Till you reach the Burman throne, Tell those nations their devotion Must be paid to CHRIST alone.
Landed safe in distant regions, Tell the Burmans Jesus died ; Tell them Satan and his legions, Bow to him they crucified. Far beyond the mighty Ganges, When vast floods between us roll, Think how wisely Jesus ranges Nations wide from pole to pole.
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD.
While with heathen nations blended,
Light and peace within shall rise ; When your days on earth are ended, Christ receive you to the skies.
To his grace we now resign you, To him only you belong ;
You with every christian Ilindoo, Join at last th' angelic throng.
Parson Allen preached a sermon on the sudden death of Eliphalet Kimball, October, 1785, 2 Sam., xiii. : 39. The first sentence is this: "King David, although a good man, was very fond of his children." The divi- sions are,
I. Death is the lot of human beings and it may be very sudden.
II. After death their case is unalterable.
III. Sorrow on their account will not avail anything either to them or ourselves.
IV. Grief to an immoderate degree should not be in- dulged.
The sermon has on its cover a row of hour-glasses and underneath an equal number of skulls and cross- bones. On the title page is a very large skull, and the doctrine in the application is solemn, awful, somewhat sepulchral; but it is truth, the sovereignty of God, the present offer of grace, and the need of accepting it. Mr. Allen's sermons were marked by severity in the depiction of the guilt of sin and doom of the sinner. His sermon on 2 Peter, iii. : 8, is an example. His theme is the unchangeableness of God. First "to the child of God ; a comfort ; a lasting blessing : an eternal joy." " Happy the man under the care of an eternal friend." But . let the wicked fear and tremble.' "Be "sensible of this, oh sinner, that you are not more deter- " mined to sin than God to punish you. That same aver- " sion to sin which he now feels he will always retain." In his 807th sermon on the " blessed hope" he dis-
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courses on the immortal joy of heaven. It is a favorite theme. He gives wings to his imagination, presents the heavenly world with its all beauty and grandeur and never-fading glory.
It happened in 1801 there was a special interest awakened in the subject of baptism. Some members of the church were dissatisfied with the Pastor's pre- sentation of it. They concluded to withdraw from the church and unite with the church in Haverhill. They addressed a paper to the Pastor " with a number of ob- servations respecting his preaching, very illiberal, erro- neous, and unfounded." On the next lecture day the Pastor delivered a treatise on Baptism,* very elaborate and scholarly. It was printed at Concord. Forty-four pages of it only remain in the copy preserved. The covenant relation of the children of the church has rarely been set forth with greater power.
Mr. Allen was a poet. He published a " Poem on the Existence of God," " An Ode on Creation," and an "Eulogy on General Washington," with " Several Hymns." The longer poems are somewhat like his ear- lier preaching, dignified, a sprinkling of classic allusions, the affectation of learning, the voice of piety but with little heart, products of great care and labor, but lack- ing fervor and soul and life. The truer poesy of his nature appeared in later years, in the hymns which were inspired with the new life that came to him when the gospel of God became a new power, in those days when the heart of the Pastor thrilled with that love so tender and strong, and that fellowship so sweet with the present Lord, which rejoiced in the utterance of the Di- vine message of grace to dying men. After one of those sermons, when the whole congregation was melted and in tears, they sang for the first time that sweet hymn which has been adopted by christians all the
* A trentise on Baptism, vindicating the mode of sprinkling, and the rights of Infants, by Jonathan Allen, A. M. Printed at Concord, 1801.
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world over as one of the precious songs of the church. It has given Mr. Allen fame in two continents. It was born in the revival of 1806. It is printed in the hymn books of churches of every kind. The first version of the hymn is as follows :
Sinners, will you scorn the message, Sent in mercy from above ! Every sentence-O, how tender ! Every line is full of love. Listen to it, Every line is full of love.
Hear the heralds of the gospel, News from Zion's King proclaim, To each rebel sinner - pardon, Free forgiveness in his name, How important ! Free forgiveness in his name.
Tempted souls, they bring you succour, Fearful hearts, they quell your fears ; And with news of consolation, Chase away the falling tears, Tender heralds, Chase away the falling tears.
False professors, grovelling worldlings, Callous hearers of the word, While the messengers address you, Take the warnings they afford, We entreat you, Take the warnings they afford.
Who hath our report believed ? Who received the joyful word ? Who embraced the news of pardon, Offered to you by the Lord ! Can you slight it? Offered to you by the Lord !
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MEMORIAL HISTORY OF BRADFORD.
O ye angels hovering round us, Waiting spirits speed your way, Hasten to the court of heaven, Tidings bear without delay. Rebel sinners Glad the message will obey.
In the last years, growing feeble in body, Mr. Allen joined with the church in seeking a colleague. He pre- sided at the services of installation, gave his blessing to the young man who was to be his helper, and from that time his public ministries ceased in the church. His death occurred three years after the settlement of the junior Pastor, but there is no word in the records respecting it, and the last days of this godly minister of Christ have passed from the memory of man.
THE NEW ERA IN BENEVOLENT WORK.
The Pastorate of Mr. Allen covered the period when the church began to take a more intelligent, practical and personal interest in every kind of missionary labor. The early years of the nineteenth century were marked by the growth in the churches of a broader charity. " The missionary spirit was rising," young men in the colleges were moved as by a new inspiration. Mills, Hall, Richards, Nott, and others are considering in prayer the duty of young men to a dying world. Griffin, Wor- cester, Morse, Dana, Spring and many others among the clergy, with Bartlett, Walley, Huntington, Chapin and Treadwell among the laity, are in correspondence and consultation in regard to the need of an onward move- ment of the churches of God for the conversion of the world. On the 25th day of June, 1810, Dr. Spring of Newburyport and Rev. Samuel Worcester of Salem rode together in a chaise from Andover to Bradford, and on that fair June morning the plan was matured for the
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