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 3
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these earlier arrangements ; and, for the contracted limits of a private hall, to substitute the large and ample dimensions of this public temple; and, for the merely .. Social Gathering," this great assembly. Now, to the service of presiding at such a public meeting as this, and in such a presence, I had not agreed ; but. with the aids which the Committee have furnished me, on my right and on my left, I shall address myself, as well as I may, to the duties of the place and of the occasion.
We are here, in this vast and thronged assembly, to-night, to pay the tribute of our respects to the venerable man who has stood as a watchman on these towers, and within these walls, for the last half century, ever at his post in the discharge of his duties, and always watching, as one who must give an account. I am sure that I utter the united voice, sentiments, and feelings of this great multitude, when I say that we are all here to express our affectionate regards and our sincerest respects for this faithful and devoted pastor. this patriarch and father of the ministry in this city- indeed, in this ancient county, if reference be had to the settled pastors, still in active service, and one of the very few survivors of a half century ministry in the Commonwealth.
First and foremost, as well befits the signal event this day and evening commemorated, his own people, his own beloved and attached flock, have come up to this place of their solemnities, on this occasion of his honors and crowns-for honors and crowns may well adorn the brow of the humble and faithful Christian pastor, while yet in the midst of his warfare, and before the service is ended, - I say, his own people are here in large numbers, and of all ages and conditions, to express their unabated attach- ment and respect for their spiritual teacher, guide, and friend -for their fathers' friend, who has lived among them and their kindred for half a century of years- who has watched their various fortunes, has shared in their joys and sorrows, has baptized their children, and buried their dead. and has lived among them from generation to generation ; and during this whole protracted period, at stated times and seasons, has proclaimed to them and to their fathers the doctrines and precepts of the Oracles of God. bringing forth from this great treasury of absolute truth, things new and old, and always illustrating and enforcing his public teachings by an unspotted and exemplary private life-being always, in the highest and best sense, an ensample to his flock, and ever endeavoring, by his life and ministrations, to cultivate and diffuse among his people that love which is the bond of perfectness, and the essence of all true religion, if I may be permitted to refer to his own modest statements, as made here to-day, of the objects and tenor of his ministry.
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But this great gathering is not confined to his own people. Your parish, although large, gentlemen. is not so large as these numbers would indicate ; and we have no idea that you shall monopolize such pleasures and privileges as these ! The friends of your model pastor, of other kindred churches and societies in this city, and in other places-his friends from other com- munions and denominations, both of the reverend clergy and laity, are here-all anxious and desirous, withont distinction of sect or denomi- nation, to join with you, his own peculiar people, (peculiar in this-in keeping and cherishing, for so long a period, a faithful minister of the gospel-in maintaining an unbroken ministry of fifty years-a stead- fastness alike honorable to pastor and people) - I say, all are here, anx- ious to unite with you in this testimony of affection and respect for your venerated pastor. He has not been upon these watch-towers for fifty years, instant in season and out of season, always true and alive in the discharge of his high and responsible duties, without being seen, known, and appreciated by this whole community -a living epistle, known and read of all men. Of course, we all know him; we have marked his uniform and consistent life. the even tenor of his way. Many of us have heard from his lips, in our respective churches, the words of wisdom and truth, and all have seen and appreciated the fruits of his long and useful life.
But there is another personage who well deserves respect and remem- brance on this interesting occasion, and who, by her rare excellence of character. in the various relations of private and domestic life, by her uni- form and really sympathies with her father's and her husband's people, as well as with ministerial life and duties, may be regarded somewhat in the light of a public character, and therefore fit to be referred to here. Indeed, a minister's wife. according to New England usage and custom, is, in most cases, a sort of publie character. But when a lady sustains the relations of daughter of your former venerated pastor, and of wife of him whom we all honor here this evening-the successive pastors of the same church and people - then may she well be considered a public character. by a double clain and title : and especially fit is it that she should be remembered and held in honor to-night. and at all times, and on the further ground, that she is now one of the few surviving and brightening links, comecting this people with the generations that are past.
We may, therefore, without any impropriety. I trust, or doing violence to the delicacy of the sex, respectfully and heartily congratulate Mrs. EMERSON on this pleasant and agreeable gathering of her own and her husband's friends, on the occasion of this marked and honored epoch in the life and ministerial carcer of the Rev. Dr. EMERSON-long, we trust, in
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the favor of a kind Providence, by whose help, in the language of his own chosen text to his discourse this afternoon, he hath been continued to this day, still to be continued. the object of his people's love-still to be held in affectionate and respectful remembrance by the churches and among the people, where, in the high places, he has lived with an honored name for half a century ; and where his remaining life, still consecrated to the active service of his Divine Lord and Master, we would hope and pray may be yet further signalized and blessed by seals of his ministry, which shall be crowns of his final rejoicing.
The President then invited the Rev. ISRAEL E. DWINELL, the Colleague of Dr. Emerson, to address the meeting; and, in compliance with the request, Mr. DWINELL said :
Mr. President: I know of no other reason why I should be called upon, on this interesting occasion - when there are so many others present, better able to interest - than the simple fact of the relation which, as junior pastor. I hold to the senior pastor of this church. I should have much preferred the privilege of remaining silent. and hearing others. But the occasion is one so rare, and of so much interest. that one canmot help having his heart and mind full of emotions and sentiments, to which he can give some kind of utterance.
It is indeed. sir. an obvious thought, that such occasions as the present must be rare. The direct interposition of Providence limits them. Bodies wear out; nature gives way ; and disease suddenly arrests and prostrates ; and a sentiment of devout gratitude to God for the unusual prolongation of the life and health and vigor of our senior pastor, is one which should fill the heart of every one present.
Then the original or developed unfitness of ministers for parishes, or parishes for ministers, also thuits the continuance of the relation. Some pastors, who were adapted to their field when they entered on it, have had the field outgrow them, or they have outgrown the field; and the two natu- rally and properly fall apart. In other cases, the parties never were fitted for each other, and can only live together with irritation and violence ; and then the sooner a peaceable divorce can take place. the better.
Now, I am happy to say that, in my opinion -and I express it merely as an opinion, but it is one which the result has, I think, proved to be correct - Dr. Emerson was originally fitted for Salem, and Salem for him ; and that (what is remarkable ) they have kept side by side these fifty years. Salem has grown with him, and he with Salem. There is nothing obsolete
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or old-fashioned in him ; and I state it, I say, as remarkable. Ilis pro- nuneiation. his style of writing, his expressions of theologieal truth, the structure of his sermons, -in short, his entire clerical habit and manner, is as far from anything antiquated as that of a student fresh from the semi- nary. This original fitness, and the habit he has had of keeping alice while alive, and side by side with the modes of the most approved preaching, have no doubt been favorable to the occurrence of the event we celebrate.
Another thing which limits the pastoral relation. is the imprudence of pastor or people, or both. Some rash act, or course of procedure, of either party, or even of a single individual, may be enough to lead to its discontinuance. That few such acts were ever performed by him, who is a model of prudence and caution, and of dignified and manly bearing, or in reference to him by his appreciating parish. this occasion is sufficient evi- dence. Nothing can speak better for the general courtesy, kindness, for- bearance, and fair Christian dealing on both sides.
Besides all these circumstances, favoring the continuance of the relation in this case, no devont mind can overlook the fact that God has put His seal upon it and blessed it, showing it to be a union of His making and continuance.
Fifty years a pastor over one people ! No, not one people-over nearly two generations of people, considering only the inroads of death; but, considering the changes that take place by removals from one parish to another, in consequence of which, a parish in such a city as this changes almost as often as the particles of matter of which the human body is com- posed ; or at least, once in about ten years-over about five generations, according to the life of a congregation ! Fifty years a pastor over one people and its successors ! What a tide of humanity. with all its joys and sufferings-with all its spiritual yearnings and necessities -has swept past him, while he has poured into it the water of life! It would be no extray- agant estimate to suppose that at least five thousand persons have regularly passed under his religious training. been moulded by his plastie hand, and received from him. in no small degree. the impress they will bear to the judgment. Who can estimate the amount of good done during such a ministry ?
Fifty years a pastor over one people and its successors! How society has ever been passing away and renewing itself around him! That tender sapling sprung up in the thick forest more than three quarters of a century ago, surrounded by huge oaks and pines towering above it. It pierced its way upwards among them, and through them, and above them-they
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meanwhile falling around it, till now it stands almost alone, a patriarch of the forest, though with a thick and vigorous undergrowth around it, as this assemblage testifies.
Fifty years a pastor over one parish ! Such a fact is an honor to human nature, and gives it dignity. It enlarges our ideas of its capacity. It shows that man has in him -that some men have in them -fifty years' work, in the same line and strain of activity, and in the same field, and that, too, when acting on mind, without wearing out.
Fifty years a pastor of this people and their fathers !- the trunk of his pastorate stretching half way across a century, its roots struck in one col- leagueship, its boughs extending into another ! * And how well he can fill his part of such a relation, I may be expected to know, and to be able to testify. And it gives me pleasure, on this occasion, to refer to his forbear- ance. I have been astonished to see how much freedom of thought, and utterance, and action, he can tolerate. Few aged ministers, with opinions of their own to which they feel attached, and with forms of stating them which they are apt to consider almost as vital as the truths themselves, if not a part of their very substance, would bear, to the extent he has borne. the inexperience, the mistakes, the independence of a young associate ; and coming here, as I did, at the threshold of my ministry, with everything to learn, and everything to do, in order to make myself useful, I found the relation one of great advantage. It was a most valuable school; or. as I may call it, apprenticeship. Taking and retaining the entire care of the pulpit, during Sabbath forenoons, and attending to a large part of the official calls in the parish, he was also a pillar on which a colleague might lean for counsel and wisdom.
But the most agreeable part of my duty on this occasion remains; and that relates to yon, sir, [addressing Dr. EMERSON, ] personally. The con- gregation have desired me to express to you their gratitude for your faithful labors, their appreciation of your irreproachable life and many virtnes. and their high esteem and love for you personally. And, as a slight token that these things are not forgotten, they have desired me to present to you these pieces of silver :
A Salver, bearing this inscription :
"WE TOOK SWEET COUNSEL TOGETHER, AND WALKED UNTO THE HOUSE OF GOD IN COMPANY."
. See Notes.
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A Goblet, from the children, bearing the initials and inscription :
B. C. APRIL 24TH, 1855. " THE LITTLE ONES REJOICE."
So, you see, sir, that even the "children arise up, and call you blessed."
And a Pitcher, inscribed on the one side :
A
HALF- CENTURY MEMORIAL PRESENTED APRIL 24th, 1855.
And on the other :
FROM
THE CONGREGATION OF THE
SOUTH CHURCH, SALEM, MASS.
TO THEIR PASTOR, Brown Emerson, D. D.
May they be associated in your mind with pleasant memories during the remainder of your days-and may they be many : - till " the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain."
This agreeable feature in the entertainment was entirely unexpected by Dr. EMERSON, and the flush of surprise which irradiated his countenance was greatly enjoyed by the thronged assembly.
The pitcher is a large water pitcher, of elegant form, and is artistically chased with a representation of the water lily leaf and flower on the body. The nose is a mask, personating " Father Thames," with the lotus in his mouth, emblematic of water. The handle presents stalks of the lotus entwined with lily-leaves. The chasing is of the boldest and most elegant workmanship. and the style and design throughout are models of taste and finish. The salver and goblet are equally appropriate and beautiful, and the engraving of the inscriptions is exquisite, and the perfection of the art. The three pieces are of pure and massive silver, and were from the estab- lishinent of Jones, Shreve, Brown & Co., Boston; Mr. Benjamin Shreve, one of the partners, being a resident of Salem.
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Immediately after the presentation, the full choir sang, to the tune of "America," the following
ORIGINAL ODE.
WRITTEN BY MRS. CHARLES M. RICHARDSON.
Our Pastor ! 'tis of thee, On this glad Jubilee, Of thee we sing ; Here in this place to meet,
And our dear Pastor greet,
We come with willing feet, Our song to bring.
Our fathers' God ! we raise
To Thee our notes of praise, This joyous day - Fraise that our Pastor here,
Through many a weary year,
Has taught us in Thy fear, To Heaven the way.
Long may our Pastor live,
His presence gladness give, And peace and love -
And O! when shadows fall, And earthly visions pall, Be Thou his " All in All," Great God above !
Afterwards ensued many interesting addresses, interspersed with enchanting music from the choir.
The first speaker introduced was Hon. CHARLES W. UPHAM, formerly pastor of the First Church, and subsequently Mayor of Salem, and member of Congress. Mr. UPHAM said :
I beg leave. Mr. President, to thank the Committee of Arrangements for the honor of an invitation to be present on this occasion. I consider it indeed an honor ; particularly as it was personally communicated to me by the senior pastor himself, acting in concurrence with the Committee. But, sir, I think it proper, in all candor and frankness, to say that I should have come without an invitation. Nothing could have kept me away from this scene. It has attractions to which it would have been impossible for me not to yield.
It carries me back over the whole range of my mature life. When, more than thirty years ago, I was led to fix my abode in this city, the
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venerable man towards whom we have expressed today the respect and affection we have all ever felt, by the dignity of his deportment, and the wisdom of his course, had already become regarded, by his brethren and the community. as a Father in our Israel. For twenty years I was engaged in the same professional pursuits with him. Although belonging to different denominations, and occupying. in some respects, quite opposite theological positions, circumstances, cherished in the memory of both of us, caused our paths to cross, and often brought us into contact. Sectarian controversies, now happily, and I trust, forever suspended, were prevalent then. But I do no more than repeat here and now, what I have always said, during my whole acquaintance with him, that in his publie walk and private intercourse, he has been a model of a true Christian gentle- man and minister.
I have had some little opportunity to witness, as a near observer, what are considered the highest forms of public life ; and hesitate not to express the opinion that no position to which political ambition may aspire. can transcend, in true greatness, the office of a Christian pastor and teacher. He who has filled that office faithfully and successfully for half a century must be allowed to have accomplished an amount of usefulness, and ex- perieneed an aggregate felicity of lot, above the reach of any station, in the whole structure of our Government, in any of its departments, State or National.
With these sentiments and views, I cannot but take the liveliest and deepest interest in this occasion, and sympathize fully in all the personal affections, and more general associations and reflections to which it elevates every thoughtful mind.
The continuance of the pastoral relation for half a century is indeed a rare occurrence-how rare is shown by the fact that there have been but two other instances of it in all the annals of this ancient city. Most heartily and cordially I congratulate this church and society upon the privilege they have enjoyed for so remarkable a length of time. But few religious bodies have had so happy an experience, and none have been more worthy of it. The wisdom and steadfastness of the pastor have been paralleled, all along, by the harmony and fidelity of the people. They have each acted well their part. and filled well their sphere. To each this community has been constantly indebted for salutary influences; and each will forever be remembered as having respectively presented examples of what clergymen and congregations ought to be.
I will occupy a moment more on a topie introduced by the preacher, this afternoon, in his admirable sketch of the events and characters embraced
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in the retrospect of his ministry. In speaking of his predecessor, colleague, and father-in-law, Dr. Hopkins, he mentioned his connection with political life.
Daniel Hopkins engaged in the business of keeping a private school in this town, having erected a building for that purpose, in 1769. In that schoolhouse he held religious services before he was ordained as pastor of this church and society.
The Third Provincial Congress of Massachusetts convened at Water- town, May 31st, 1775. Hon. Richard Derby, Jr .. Mr. John Pickering, Jr., Captain Samuel Williams, and Mr. Daniel Hopkins, were the Repre- sentatives from Salem. In that Congress Mr. Hopkins took an active and conspicuous part, serving on many important committees. It was in session on the day of the battle of Bunker Hill. It completed the work of organ- izing Massachusetts for the Revolution, and led the United Colonies on in that great movement. No patriot was more zealous in the cause than Mr. Hopkins. He was a member of the Massachusetts Council in 1776-1778.
In the meantime, arrangements were matured for his ordination, which took place November 18th, 1778 .*
The circumstances of his election to the Provincial Congress were rather peculiar. Cincinnatus was not more suddenly or unexpectedly thrust from private into public life. My friend, Charles W. Palfray, a member of this society, has put into my hands, since entering the church this evening, a paper from which I will read an extraet. The document is copied from an original statement, drawn up by Mr. Hopkins, which I found some years ago, in examining the valuable old papers in the archives of our city :
" Mr. Hopkins was in his school. with all his pupils around him-a Committee of the Town came in, and said, the Town had chosen him to go to the Provincial Congress. .
" Mr. Hopkins had no Reason to expect this. He informed the Com- mittee that he was willing to serve his Town and Country; but could not suppose that he was called to do it in the way now proposed.
" Men there were enough in the Town who were qualified to represent the Town. He was engaged in a useful Employment ; this was the way in which he expected to procure daily Bread for his little Family, &c.
"The Committee said no man would go. A dark Cloud hung over the Community, &c., &c., and that it was his Duty to go. They suggested that provision would be made for support, &c.
"Mr. Hopkins therefore, upon a second application, dismis'd his Scholars, and went. By this he gave up an income of 500 D. per year."
. Sce Notes.
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I cannot but congratulate this society, and I do most particularly con- gratulate yon, sir, that, during your whole fifty years. no committee ever broke into your premises, and compelled you to go to Congress.
Rev. SAMUEL M. WORCESTER, D. D., pastor of the Tabernacle Church, was next introduced, and remarked :
My much respected friend who presides here this evening has informed you that he has found himself in very different circumstances from those which he anticipated at the time he consented to occupy his present position. I may say the same of myself. I received an invitation to be here, and was told that some remarks from me would be expected or desired; and thus, as at other times, it would seem that whether willing or not willing. there are those who are pressed into service, and are obliged to pay for the invitation which they receive, by affording entertainment in such manner as best they can.
But I should have been here without being invited. The very idea of this occasion - the simple thought that one man. for fifty years, has been a preacher and pastor to one congregation - has for me a power of inspiration to move all the sensibilities of my heart. But I cannot speak as I would. I cannot allow myself to attempt any such address as, perhaps, I might make if it were not that so many were yet to speak. I have myself been crowded out when reserved among the last ; and I will not be guilty of thus treating any gentleman here this evening.
I confess that I have not entertained a desire of living to be an aged pastor in actual service ; but as I have witnessed the scenes of this day. I have been so much affected that I find my feelings somewhat modified ; and I have begun to think that if I could be sure of receiving such expressions of reverence and esteem as I have seen so freely manifested. I might be disposed to think it quite an object to be gained, if I could have a similar experience. But a Jubilee I can never expect to have ; and it is not probable that any one of all the pastors here will reach such an occasion ; and sure I am that no one will ever have a more joyous fiftieth anniversary of his pastorate.
This is not the time for any formal address. It is not a discourse of the intellect, but of the heart, that is appropriate to this jubilant occasion. We have come together to interchange our sentiments and sympathies in the freest manner of sincere and warm emotion. To you, my venerable friend. I could say much, while joining with those who have preceded me, in their expressions of high and honorable regard. But may I be permitted
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to intimate that I have been prompted to inquire, as I have listened to them, whether they had not a little forgotten that you are still alive and here among us. Some things certainly we should say, if you were no longer among the living, that we cannot say now. Perhaps you may antici- pate, in a measure. what these would be ; and you will allow me to add, that I have been reminded of an incident in the life of Dr. Emmons. When the "Sage of Franklin" was approaching his ninetieth year, I be- lieve, a certain eccentric clergyman, who had been one of his pupils, was deputed to prepare himself to preach his funeral sermon !
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