USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Salem > The pastor's jubilee : a discourse delivered in the South Church, Salem, Mass., April 24, 1855, by Brown Emerson, D.D. on the fiftieth anniversary of his ordination : with an appendix > Part 2
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The deacons of the church at the time of my settle- ment, were Richard Lang and Nathaniel Batchelder. Since then, Daniel Lang, Richard M. Chipman, Eliphalet Kimball, Jacob Hood, William Goodhue, Ebenezer Buswell, and Thomas Roundey, have held the office. Messrs. Hood, Goodhue and Roundey now sustain its responsibilities and perform its duties. Deacon Kimball,
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who would have been with us to-day, had his life been spared, has been suddenly removed by death, and his remains were brought to this city for interment, on Thursday last. He sustained the office of deacon, here and in Boston, thirty-five years ; was the founder of the Salem Evangelical Library, which was thirty-six years under my care : and was a principal founder and sup- porter of the Pine Street Church in Boston.
Within thirty years past, ten young men, members of the church, have been educated for the gospel min- istry, and have gone forth as heralds of salvation, and are now engaged in the good work, in different parts of the land. And fifteen young women of the church have shared in the responsibilities and toils of the sacred office, by becoming partners for life with those, by whom the office is sustained. Of these, I name Miss Susan Bulfinch, of precious memory, whose heart ever glowed with the spirit of Christ. She, prompted by an ardent desire for doing good, established, single handed, in our chapel, the first sabbath school ever formed in Salem, and the first, it is believed, in New England. She was married, in 1815, to the Rev. Daniel Poor,* a missionary to Ceylon, lately deceased; one of the second company sent out by the American Board to Asia, and one of the most prominent of its missionaries. She died at Tillipally, on the seventh of May, 1821, in the full triumphs of the christian faith.
· See Note D.
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The history of my connexion with this religious community is not marked with that division and strife which have convulsed many other churches and congre- gations, and torn them into fragments. Through the favor of divine providence, this connexion has been lengthened out far beyond the average term, even in the days of our fatliers, when the spirit of restless- ness, the love of novelty and change, and experiment- ing in religion, as well as in philosophy and politics, which mark the present age, were unknown. So rapid has been the change in the ministry, in the old, sober county of Essex, containing one hundred and eighty ministers, that not one who was ordained before me, re- mains an acting pastor. And of the one hundred and twenty-one ministers who have held the sacred office in Salem, within the period of two hundred and twenty years, only two, Mr. Diman, of the second church, and Dr. Prince, of the first church. held the office fifty years. The pastorate of Dr. Prince was lengthened out to fifty- seven years, and that of Mr. Diman to fifty-one. And such have been the dismissions and resignations, that only twenty, about one-sixth of the number, died in this town. Of these, six have been taken away by death, within the period of my residence here ; Mr. Fisher, Dr. Hopkins, Dr. Barnard, Dr. Bentley, Dr. Prince, and Dr. Flint. The obsequies of the last mentioned were attended on the seventh of the last month .*
· See Note E.
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During all the time of our connexion as pastor and flock, we have enjoyed as much harmony and mutual affection as often fall to the lot of imperfect mortals. Though exciting causes have sometimes operated among us, they have not been permitted to break the peace, by which the church and society have been so long distinguished. And while I do not claim the credit of this happy result, I may be per- mitted to say, that I have ever desired and earnestly sought to cherish, in my own breast, and to promote in others, by precept and example, that love, which is the bond of perfectness, and the essence of all true religion.
You have borne with my imperfections, and been disposed to put upon them the most favorable con- struction they would bear. Feeble and defective as my ministrations have been, I cannot, in the retrospect, charge myself with any palpable dereliction of known duty; but have endeavored, in my public and private services, to keep a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men. I have been with you at all seasons, in prosperity and adversity, in sickness and health, in joy and sorrow, in season and out of season, ever ready to attend your lectures, your church meet- ings, your prayer meetings, your funerals, your wed- dings, your family visits, and every other call, both public and private, which, in these days of general excitement and benevolent enterprise, make such heavy draughts upon the time, the intellect, and the
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physical strength of evangelical clergymen, especially in our cities and large towns.
In regard to the services of the pulpit, I may say, that, though I have doubtless come short of preaching the great truths of the gospel, with as much plainness, simplicity, fervor, and fidelity, as I might have done; yet I am not conscious of having kept back any divine truth, through the fear of man, or any other motive; or of having presented the truth in such a manner as to blunt its edge, and prevent its intended effect. I have testified repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ, aiming to hold up the glass of the divine law in so clear a light, that, if you looked into it, you would not fail to see your true character; and urging every one to seek eternal life through the mediation of the Son of God. Imperfect as my minis- trations have been, the Lord has deigned to give them, in some degree, the seal of his approbation.
In consideration of the great amount of labor to be performed in so large a congregation, and of my ad- vanced age, the Church and Society deemed it necessary, for my relief and for the prosperity of the society, that a younger man should be sought, who might be settled as a colleague pastor. In this judgment I cordially acquiesced. The Rev. ISRAEL E. DWINELL was accor- dingly employed as a candidate for the responsible post, and after a probation of three months, was ordained in November, 1849, and the joint pastors work to- gether in the same field, with uninterrupted peace and
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harmony. Mr. Dwinell is proved to be a man of su- perior talents and attainments, well fitted, by practical wisdom, kindness, and untiring devotedness to the work of the ministry, for the place he occupies. It affords me much satisfaction, that, when my pastorate shall cease, I may leave the flock I love under the guidance of a faithful shepherd: May his ministry here be much longer than mine, much more successful, and deserving much higher praise.
While the review we have taken of the dealings of divine providence with this church and society, calls upon us for a tribute of gratitude and praise to the Father of mercies for our temporal prosperity, and the richer blessings of his grace, it impresses our minds with many solemn thoughts and touching reflections.
Since our connexion was formed, one entire genera- tion and most of another have passed away, and we know that soon it will be with us as with our fathers, the places that now know us will know us no more. They felt in their day as we feel, and were as active in life as we now are. The grass grows over their graves, and nature wears the same aspect of beauty and loveliness as when they walked among its flowers, in- haled its fragrance, and tasted its sweets.
The world will have the same attraction for our off- spring as she has had for ourselves, and that she has now for our children. Yet a little while and all this will have happened. These throbbing hearts will soon be stifled, and we shall be at rest. The funeral prayer
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will be heard in the house of mourning; the proces- sion will wind sadly on its way; our friends will return; but we shall be left behind to moulder in darkness and silence. And when we are gone, the things of life will move on, and our names will soon be forgotten. Days, months and seasons will continue their revolu- tions; and laughter and song will be heard in the place in which we died. Such is life; - a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. And since our time is so short and uncertain, how forcible is the exhortation, "Whatsoever thy hand find- eth to do, do it with thy might."
I call you this day, my dear friends, to witness, that I have set before you life and death, and have labored to persuade you to choose life, by the motives exhibited in the word and providence of God. It may seem to some of you, that you have remained stationary in your spiritual state, but you have been, every hour, wafted upon a current, that has been moving onward with con- stantly increasing force. All the means of grace, and all the influences of the Spirit, in the midst of which you have lived, have been accomplishing in you a change either for better or for worse.
Reminded as I am by the flight of years and the his- tory of the past, it will be for me to warn, and you to listen, but a little longer. Soon will this heart cease its throbbings, these eyes be closed in darkness, this voice be heard no more. But the spirit will live, and soon shall we all enter that state of being where character
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and condition will know no change. And since we are so rapidly hastening toward those retributions, let us improve our short probation, in such a manner, as to secure a blessed immortality.
"And now what remains but that we gather all the solemn teachings of this hour into one great lesson, that shall quicken our sense of mutual obligation, and render the relation we have so long borne to each other, as minister and people, a channel of richer and still richer blessings."
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APPENDIX.
. ANNIVERSARY SERVICES.
A PASTORATE of fifty years duration has been an event so rare in the past, and is likely to be so much less frequent in the future. that every occurrence of this kind deserves to be commemorated by some marked observance. The Rev. BROWN EMERSON, D. D .. having approached such an interesting period of his ministry. the people of his charge felt desirous of celebrating the occasion by such exercises as would enable his friends in the community. of all denominations, to participate in testarying their esteem for him personally, and their respect for his public char- aeter and course.
Accordingly, at the Proprietors' Meeting, holden March 26th, 1855. it was " Voted, -That the Standing Committee, with the Proprietors Clerk, be requested to confer with our Senior Pastor. Rev. Dr. EMERSON. and, in connection with a committee of the church. should one be appointed. make such arrangements on the occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of his Settlement, as they may deem expedient."
The General Committee was composed as follows :
Committee of Proprietors,
ROBERT PERLE. LEMUEL B. HATCH. WILLIAM PHELPS, JR., OLIVER PEABODY. THOMAS B. FLORANCE.
Proprietors Clerk.
Committee of the Church.
JOHN CHAPMAN. WILLIAM GOODHUE, CHARLES M. RICHARDSON, CALEB WARNER. WILLIAM ARCHER.
The Committee having completed their arrangements, public notice was given in the papers of the day, extending a general invitation to Dr.
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EMERSON'S friends; and the following special Circular was sent to the several pastors in the city, and to such gentlemen in other places as were supposed to feel a particular interest in the occasion :
"FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY. "SALEM, APRIL 12, 1855.
'.On Tuesday, 24th of April instant. will occur the Fiftieth Anniver- sury of the Settlement of Rev. BROWN EMERSON, D. D., as Pastor of the South Church in this city, and it is proposed to notice the event by appropriate public services.
.. Rev. Dr. Evensox will deliver a discourse on the afternoon of that day, in the South Church, the services to commence at half past 2 o'clock ; and on the evening of the same day. a Social Gathering of the past and present members of the Society, and of all who are disposed to attend, will be held at Hamilton Hall .* for the exchange of congratu- lations and social intercourse, and to listen to such addresses as any may be inclined to offer.
" The Committee of the Church and Society cordially extend an invi- tation to you to be present, as above mentioned, and hope that such arrangements will be made as will render this Anniversary occasion one of no common interest. In behalf of the Committee,
JOHN CHAPMAN, Clerk."
The Anniversary Day proved to be mild and delightful; and, at the hour appointed for the afternoon services, the spacious church was filled with a large and attentive congregation. Not only the members of the parish, but ministers and laymen of all denominations attended. Former parishioners, who had removed to other towns. came "home " once more. The Clergy from the vicinity and from distant places gathered; and a peculiar and remarkable feature in the assembly was the great number of aged persons, of both sexes, who honored the occasion by their presence. The exercises were as follows :
I. VOLUNTARY ON THE ORGAN, BY CHARLES HENRY TOWNE. SINGING BY THE CHOIR-Ver Jerusalem.
FROM the third Heaven, where God resides, That holy, happy place, The New Jerusalem comes down, Adorned with shining grace.
II. INVOCATION AND READING OF THE SCRIPTURE,
BY REV. ISRAEL E. DWINELL, JUNIOR PASTOR.
. The Church was afterwards substituted for Hamilton Hall as the place of meeting.
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III. HYMN LXXIX. OF THE SELECTION-Tene, Psalm 31th. READ BY REV. JAMES M. HOPPIN. OF THE CROMBIE STREET CHURCH.
THROUGH all the changing scenes of life, In trouble and in joy, The praises of my God shall still My heart and tongue employ.
Of his deliverance I will boast, Till all who are distressed, From my example comfort take, And charm their griefs to rest.
The hosts of God encamp around The dwellings of the just; Protection he affords to all Who make his name their trust.
O make but trial of his love, - Experience will decide How bless'd are they, and only they, Who in his truth confide.
Fear him, ye saints, and you will then Have nothing else to fear ; Make you his service your delight, - Your wants shall be his care.
IV. PRAYER BY REV. REUBEN EMERSON, OF SOUTH READING, [A BROTHER OF DR. EMERSON, and member of the Ordaining Council, April 24, 1:05. ]
V. ORIGINAL HYMN-Tune, Billings's Jordan.
READ BY REV. EPHRAIM W. ALLEN, OF THE HOWARD STREET CHURCH.
[WRITTEN BY MRS. CHARLES M. RICHARDSON, a member of the Congregation. ] HIE came, a messenger of God, In all the zeal of youth, Discoursing to our fathers here, The words of sacred truth With carnest heart and gentle tone, He won a people's love ; And many a dear one now in bliss, His faithfulness can prove.
Here, on this watch-tower, he has stood, Through all his life's long day ; H s morning prime has changed to noon - His noon to evening grey ; And now the almond blossom wreathes His venerable brow ; And where our fathers gathered erst, Their children's children bow.
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Full fifty years upon these walls, The Gospel trump he's blown ; Full fifty years, the way to Heaven By life and precept shown. He's watched for souls, as they who give Account unto their Lord ; And many precious souls are bis Exceeding great reward.
In all the varying scenes of life, He's kindly borne a part : Our joys and sorrows ever shared With sympathizing heart : And now a living, grateful throng, We've gathered here to day, To offer on our Pastor's shrine, The tribute love can pay.
Our Father, God ! Thy power alone Has led us all the way ; To Thee let grateful incense rise On this auspicious day. Within these hallowed walls this day, Let prayer and praise ascend ; Thou who hast borne our Pastor on, O keep him to the end !
VI. DISCOURSE, BY REV. BROWN EMERSON, D. D.
VII. PRAYER, BY REV. SAMUEL M. WORCESTER, D. D., OF THE TABERNACLE CHURCH.
VIII. SINGING-PSALM CXXXIX. PART 3, C. M .- Tune, St. Martin.'s. READ BY REV. DR. WORCESTER.
LORD, when I count thy mercies o'er, They strike me with surprise ; Not all the sands that spread the shore To equal numbers rise.
My flesh with fear and wonder stands- The product of thy skill : And hourly blessings from thy hands Thy thoughts of love reveal.
These on my heart by night I keep : How kind, how dear to me! O may the hour that ends my sleep, Still find my thoughts with Thee !
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IX. DOXOLOGY-PSALM CXVII. L. M .- Tune, Old Hundred. THE ASSEMBLY JOINING WITH THE CHOIR.
FROM all who dwell below the skies, Let the Creator's praise arise ; Let the Redeemer's name be sung Through every land, by every tongue.
Eternal are thy mercies, Lord ; Eternal truth attends thy word : Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, Till suns shall rise, and set, no more.
X. BENEDICTION. BY REV. MR. HOPPIN.
The services, as has been before intimated, were participated in by a large concourse of Dr. Emerson's fellow-citizens, irrespective of sect or so- ciety, by a large munber of the clergy from abroad, and by an unusual assemblage of aged men and women from the city and neighboring towns. Among the auditors were noticed the venerable Judge Punchard, who had, within a few weeks, entered his ninety-third year; Benjamin Cox, Esq .. the only living proprietor of a pew in the old house, and who has continued a proprietor of the present structure during the entire period of Dr. Em- erson's ministry ; Deacon Nathaniel Frothingham. and Robert Brookhouse, Esq., of Salem, and Josiah Caldwell, Esq., of Ipswich, the only other surviving original proprietors of the present house. Mr. Caldwell was a member of the choir at the time of the Ordination of Dr. Emerson in 1805, and took his place with other former members, in the orchestra, and united his voice with the singers on the Anniversary Day.
Dr. Emerson is now in his seventy-eighth year. His brother, Rev. Reuben Emerson, of South Reading, who was present and took part in the services, is in his eighty-fourth year, and is the only surviving minister of the Ordaining Council. He preached his Semi-Centermial Discourse in October, 1854. It was a touching sight to see these two aged brothers together, both of whom have held a pastorate fifty years or more, and both able to perform their respective parts with vigor, firmness, and unfal- tering propriety.
A third brother, also a clergyman. Rev. Noah Emerson, formerly settled in Baldwin, Maine, but now residing in Hollis. New Hampshire, and nearly seventy years of age, was confined at home from the effects of an accident, which disabled him in the autumn of 1854. He fell from a ladder, while engaged upon an apple tree, fracturing an ankle so badly as to require amputation.
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It is likewise worthy of mention, that two sons of Dr. Emerson, both clergymen, with portions of their families, were present, viz: Rev. Daniel Hopkins Emerson. of York. Pennsylvania, and Rev. Edward Brown Em- erson, of Heath. Massachusetts. A third son, (by marriage, ) bearing the father's name, Rev. Brown Emerson, of Northumberland, Pennsylvania. was unable to attend. Of the posterity of Dr. Emerson, including the children by marriage. there were present four sons, five daughters, and three grand-children; absent, four sons, four daughters, and thirteen grand-children.
The music was under the direction of Mr. ELMER VALENTINE. the leader of the South Church choir, with organ accompaniment by Mr. CHARLES H. TOWNE. the regular organist, and was grand beyond concep- tion. The choir for this occasion was composed of between sixty and seventy vocalists, volunteers from the choirs of the several churches in the city, and several past members who had removed to other places; and the swelling harmonies of New Jeru-alem. Psahn 34th, Billings' Jordan, St. Martin's, and Old Hundred -favorites of the fathers- were poured out with a gush of melody. a fervor of feeling, and a volume of sound, truly inspiring. Venerable men and women in the congregation caught the in- spiration, and, ere they were aware of it, found their power of song renewed, and joined in singing the ancient tunes with all the buoyancy of their youthful days. The performance of Old Hundred, by the united voices of the choir and assembly. produced a thrilling effect which will never be forgotten by those who were present.
The Discourse of Dr. Emerson was presented in his accustomed digni- fied, clear, animated, an l impressive style ; and although it occupied more than an hour in the delivery. there was not the slightest symptom of faltering on his part. or of weariness in the listeners.
The services occupied about three hours, until between five and six o'clock, P. M .; and at the conclusion, an invitation was extended to all present to attend the Social Gathering in the evening.
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THE SOCIAL GATHERING.
Ir being found that Hamilton Hall would not begin to accommodate the crowds of people who were desirous of attending the Social Gathering in the evening, this also was holden in the Church, which was completely filled ; and the proceedings, from the hour of assembling, at seven o'clock, until eleven o'clock, P. M., were of the deepest interest. Hither thronged all classes and denominations of our fellow citizens, and so general was the sympathy manifested, that the occasion seemed to call forth universal rejoicing.
The elegant chandelier. alluded to in the Discourse, displayed about thirty wax candles, the light of which, added to the numerous gas jets with which the church is ordinarily illuminated, produced a most pleasing and brilliant effeet.
Two superb bouquets, of rare and fresh blooming flowers, were arranged in elegant vases, and placed on the pillars, one on each side of the pulpit. where they remained during the services of the afternoon and evening. They were from the conservatory of Capt. Charles Hoffman in Chestnut Street, and were presented by Mrs. Hoffman, a former attendant upon Dr. Emerson's mini-try, but for several years past of the North Church.
The choir of the afternoon, increased by orchestral instruments and additional vocalists, gave a charm to the evening exercises also ; and by the repetition of New Jerusalem, and the performance, at suitable inter- vals, of Lenox, Majesty. Invitation, Confidence, the Easter Anthem, and other favorite tunes of by-gone days, caused universal delight and gratifi- cation. The Easter Anthem, with which the musical exercises terminated, was sung with organ accompaniment ; the other tunes with the accompani- ment of instruments comnon in the churches before the general intro- duction of organs, viz. : a flute, two violins, two violoncellos, and two double- bass viols-furnished voluntarily by the Salem Musical Education Society.
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The effect which these ancient songs of Zion, performed by so powerful and skillful a choir, produced upon the aged by reviving reminiscences of their youthful days, and upon the young by their peculiarity and novelty, must have been witnessed to be truly appreciated.
The arrangements, unlike those of most anniversary occasions, included no public entertainment .- the Committee deeming it expedient to provide a festival for the intellect and the social feelings, rather than for the appetite, and believing that. by this omission, a larger portion of the community could participate in the celebration, and that it would be more generally satisfactory. The result justified their reasoning. Strangers from abroad were amply provided for by private hospitality, and the only refreshments, furnished by order of the Committee, were a substantial supper for the choir. handsomely spread in the neighboring Hamilton Hall building.
The carlier moments were devoted to social greetings, the free inter- change of congratulations, and the renewal of acquaintanceship by many who here met again for the first time in a long series of years.
Soon after seven o'clock. P. M., the meeting was called to order by Mr. CHARLES M. RICHARDSON, the Superintendent of the South Church Sab- bath School, who announced that the Hon. ASAHEL HUNTINGTON, of the Tabernacle Church, a former Mayor of the city, had consented to preside, and Hon. JONATHAN COGSWELL PERKINS, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, of the Episcopal Communion. and RICHARD PALMER WATERS, Esq., of Beverly. formerly U. S. Consul at Zanzibar, and, until recently, of Salem. to assist as Vice Presidents. He accordingly invited them to take the seats assigned for them at the altar; and these gentlemen having severally assumed the stations named. with Dr. Emerson sitting at the right hand of the President, Mr. HUNTINGTON proceeded to address the assembly as follows :
Ladies and Gentlemen : As already announced by one of the Committee, I had been requested to preside at a " Social Gathering, " in Hamilton Hall, in honor of the Rev. Dr. EMERSON, and had consented to discharge, as well as I could, the office with which I had been honored. But, as already inti- mated, it has been found necessary. on account of the troops of friends who wish to manifest their respect for the man and the occasion, to depart from
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