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 6
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The same example, I am persuaded, you will continue to exhibit. till your justly respected pastor shall close both his labors and his life. This will not only reflect distinguished honor on you, but also happily tend to the good of other societies with their respective pastors. Pursuing this course, you may confidently expect an increase of temporal prosperity, together with the hope that the work of the Lord will greatly prosper among you. Many instances might be adduced to justify this expectation.
In elosing. I remind all present who preach and who hear the gospel, of the great importance of performing your respective duties so that you may meet each other with joy on the great rising day. It is recorded of the Rev. Thomas James, the first minister of East-Hampton, who exercised his ministry forty-eight years, that " when he came to die, he desired to set up some moment by which his people should be constantly reminded of the words he had spoken to them, and of the solemn account they must give at the bar of God for the improvement they had made of his instruc- tions. With this design in view, on his dying bed he gave it in charge to his friends that they should bury him on the east side of the graveyard. with his head to the east, that on the morning of the resurrection he might meet his congregation face to face. as they rose to judgment." Did all in this numerous assembly, who preach and who hear the word, solemnly con- sider that they will meet each other face to face on the morning of the resurrection, would not the gospel dispensation be crowned with greater success than it is? Let it then be felt through this whole assembly this evening, that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. and give account to him for the manner in which we dispensed and received his gospel.
Rev. GEORGE W. BRIGGS, Pastor of the First Church in Salem, being next introduced, remarked :
Mr. President: It was only a minute ago, as you know, that I had an intimation that I should be called upon to speak to-night. It has been my misfortune to be absent from the previous services of the day, on account of a sad and imperative engagement in another State. I have lost the pleasure of listening to the counsels of our venerated father, who is now in the centre of all your hearts. I have lost a portion of the proceedings of this evening ; but I hastened to the church as soon as possible, after my return, to join in the congratulations of the hour. I can heartily sympa- thize with the feelings which such an occasion awakens. And will you allow me, sir, not only to congratulate your aged minister, but to present
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my congratulations to his Colleague, also. A little more than five years ago, it was my good fortune to stand by the side of the Rev. Dr. Kendall, of Plymouth, as his Colleague, at the Jubilee which was held after he had completed a ministry of fifty years ; and while I felt myself as one of his congregation then, and shared the joy of his people as they circled round him with reverential and loving hearts, I seemed to myself in some degree to enter into his joy also. At least, it was pleasant to stand in the direct line of such a succession. It is a peculiar joy to be the Colleague of one who celebrates a Jubilee after a ministry of fifty years among a loving people.
Dr. Kendall, to whom I have alluded, has lived to enjoy the pleasant memories of his Jubilee through a number of succeeding years. More than four years after that occasion, he preached once for me in this city. He has had a second Jubilee. He was settled Jan. 1, 1800. Jan. 1, 1850, completed a ministry of fifty years; and on Jan. 1. 1855. after he had preached on the preceding day, his people, young and old. and the people of the town, gathered at his house again to express anew their affee- tion, and, in their reverence and love, to crown him with a deeper tender- ness, a higher veneration, than filled their hearts five years before. May our father in the ministry, whom we honor to-night, not only live long to enjoy the memories of this hour, but after one, and another five years, - we cannot tell how many to wish, but we trust that they will be many, - may he have another, and another Jubilee, and feel himself again and again encircled by grateful hearts and loving hands.
JOSIAH CALDWELL, Esq., of Ipswich. already alluded to as having, in the afternoon, occupied a place among the choir, of which he was a member at the time of Dr. Emerson's ordination, fifty years before, was also present in the evening, prepared to respond to the call upon him, as follows :
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : Having been kindly invited by your Committee of Arrangements to be present at the Jubilee in the South Church, this Fiftieth Anniversary of the settlement of Rev. Dr. Emerson, I heartily and sincerely comply with your request, and offer you my warm congratulations for the harmony, progress, and prosperity, which a gracious Providence has vouchsafed to you during the last half century.
When your beloved Senior Pastor was ordained, it was my happy lot to participate in the services as one of the singers, and in the discharge of other duties incident to the occasion. Then, this beautiful church, which still stands a monument of the goodness of God, and the munificence of
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those who erected it, was crowded, as it is on this occasion. I look around and see but few here who then thronged this spacious building, but trust that many of those who are gone are now tuning their golden harps in that blissful reahn where is never ceasing harmony and undecaying love. May we all follow them as they followed Christ !
Permit me to advert, for a moment, to the time of my being selected as chorister, at, I think. the age of twenty-one years. to succeed Mr. Amos Towne, who was the most popular leader in Salem at that time. This position enabled me to exert more influence for good ; for it gave me a large increase of friends whom I loved. and who reciprocated my regards. It also caused me to have delightful intercourse with the Honorable and Reverend Dr. Hopkins, of blessed memory.
One reminiscence of historic recollections I will here give. The society had decided to settle a colleague with Dr. Hopkins, and a Mr. Tenney. afterwards pastor of a church in Wethersfield. Conn .. was engaged to preach for several Sabbaths on probation. Many parishioners wanted to hear other candidates when Mr. Tenney's term should expire. Dr. Hopkins, aware of this feeling, asked me to go to Danvers and invite a young gentleman, Mr. Brown Emerson, then preaching there. to preach a Preparatory Lecture. Mr. Emerson accepted the invitation, and the pastor and people, with one voice, said " He is the man for us." Subsequently, with the entire unanimity of the Parish and Church. Mr. Emerson was settled as Colleague Pastor with Dr. Hopkins. So, I was the humble instrument to introduce Mr. Emerson to this field of labor, which he has adorned and cultivated with able. efficient. and successful results for fifty years. And may I not say, as an incident. that this trip to Danvers brought not only a minister to the parish. but a beloved husband to one of the Doctor's accomplished daughters ?* The two pastors were always mutually happy in each other's society, and in friendly cooperation to promote the welfare of the people of their charge.
With feelings of no ordinary regard for the now Junior Pastor. Rev. Mr. Dwinell, I may be permitted to say that. in following the example of the Rev. Dr. Emerson, ( who was ever affectionately kind and respectful to the then Senior Pastor. ) he will lay up " treasures where moths do not corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal." It is always a delightful spectacle for the younger to reverence the aged. not only in the clerical profession, but in all the walks of life.
But I must close my remarks, in order that more graceful speakers may occupy the attention of this vast assembly. Many years have passed away
. See Notes.
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since I resided in this beautiful city ; but time can never efface from my recollection the events that occurred in youthful days, and in riper years. During the many years of my absence from Salem, I have repeat- edly spent Sabbaths in your church, where I have been delighted and editied ; and, to the great satisfaction of my family. we have been gratified and honored by visits from Dr. Emerson, his lady, and some of their children.
Rev. Messrs. MICHAEL CARLTON, of the Bethel Church, -the second oldest minister in Salem after Dr. Emerson, -GEORGE LEEDS, of St. Peters. DANIEL RICHARDS, of the Methodist, and SUMNER ELLIS, of the Univer- salist churches, with Elder LEMUEL OSLER, of the Advent church, and others, were expected to speak, but, owing to the lateness of the hour. had left the house, or were otherwise prevented, before their names were reached. The venerable and Honorable DANIEL A. WHITE. for nearly forty years Judge of Probate, was also present during a portion of the evening, and would have addressed the assembly had not indisposition compelled him to retire at an early hour.
The services were closed about eleven o'clock, P. M., by the singing of Billings's old Anthem for Easter. commencing. "The Lord is risen indeed," &c .; but before the audience separated, letters were read from gentlemen who were unable to be present ; and an opportunity was offered, of which many availed themselves, to exchange personal con- gratulations with the Senior Pastor. Thus ended one of the most de- lightful religions, social, and intellectual celebrations, and interchanges of Christian fellowship, that ever took place in Salem, or any other city, on a similar occasion.
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WILLIAM D. NORTHEND. Esq .. one of the congregation who was pre- vented, by illness, from taking a prominent part at the Social Gathering, sent the following letter, which was read :
SALEM, April 23. 1855.
Gentlemen: Your invitation for me to take part in the organization of the meeting at Hamilton Hall on Tuesday evening next, the Fiftieth Anni- versary of the settlement of our beloved and revered Senior Pastor, and to contribute to the interest of the occasion, is received.
The state of my health is such as to preclude the possibility of my being present at the gathering, and I must consequently decline your kind invitation.
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It is to me a matter of great regret that I shall not be able to be present on that most deeply interesting occasion. I should rejoice with you to meet our beloved Pastor in the midst of his congregation and friends, and witness and participate in the kindly exchange of friendship and love.
Our Society has been signally blessed in their relation and intercourse with their Pastor. For fifty successive years, nearly two generations, he has regularly. and we all know how plainly and faithfully, dispensed the word of God from the same pulpit. No dissatisfaction or ill feeling has ever existed between him and his society, and the delight with which the members of the congregation, as I have been informed by the committee, contributed toward the purchase of a token of their love and regard for their Pastor, shows, stronger than words, the deep love and respect which they feel toward him.
I trust that the occasion may be particularly grateful to our Pastor, and that the love manifested toward him will be a slight reward for his long and useful services. May the evening of his days be obscured by no cloud, and may the remembrance of a long life of usefulness make " Senectus non solum non molesta, sed etiam jucunda."
With much respect, Yours truly, W. D. NORTHEND.
Rev. Dr. L. F. DIMMICK, of Newburyport, and many other gentlemen who were unable to attend, also sent letters, several of which are here subjoined.
Rev. DANIEL C. EDDY, of Lowell. Speaker of the House of Represent- atives of Massachusetts. (a native of Salem, ) wrote as follows :
LOWELL, April 17, 1855.
DEAR SIR: I have just received your invitation to the services connected with the Fiftieth Anniversary of your excellent and venerable Pastor. Few things could please me more ; and yet I find it impossible to be with you on that occasion, which must be, to all your friends of the Church and Society, one of so much interest.
Dr. Emerson is associated with many of my youthful remembrances. His devout life, his consistent course, have long been an example to the young men of Salem; and many years may he yet live to cast a salutary influence all around him. God bless his declining years !
Yours, &c., DANIEL C. EDDY.
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From Rev. Dr. Dana, of Newburyport.
NEWBURYPORT, April 19, 1855.
GENTLEMEN : It would give me great pleasure to attend, in compliance with your invitation, the interesting Anniversary before you; having enjoyed an unbroken friendship with Dr. Emerson alnost as long as his Pastorate. But I am detained by the necessity of attending a meeting of Presbytery, occurring about the same time. I must, therefore, be content with offering my prayers that the blessing of Heaven may attend the inter- esting occasion.
Believe me, gentlemen, very cordially and respectfully, Yours, DANIEL DANA.
From Rev. Isaac Braman, of Georgetown.
GEORGETOWN, April 20, 1855.
BRETHREN AND FRIENDS: I received a polite letter from your Com- mittee, inviting me to be present at the Fiftieth Anniversary of your beloved and worthy Senior Pastor. on the 24th instant. Your invitation is gratefully received. Had I the health and vigor I once had, it would give me great pleasure to be with you on the interesting occasion ; but having lived nearly eighty-five years, you will naturally suppose I feel the infir- mities of age, and am not able to endure much labor of body or mind, and must therefore ask to be excused.
I wish you may have an interesting meeting, and that the performances may be such as to promote the cause of truth and righteousness. It is hoped your aged Pastor will live and be happy and useful among you, and still be winning souls to his Divine Master for years to come. The Colleague of the Rev. Dr. Emerson I have not the happiness to know, save by common report, which speaks of him favorably. Colleagues do not always walk together in harmony and love ; but there are exceptions, as I can testify, having lived in harmony with my Colleague, Rev. J. M. Prince, for eight years or more. So may it be with your Pastors.
Yours respectfully, I. BRAMAN.
From Jacob Peabody, Esq., of Boston.
BOSTON, April 20, 1855.
DEAR SIR .: I received from Boxford, last evening, your circular, inviting me to be present at the Fiftieth Anniversary of the settlement of the Rev. Dr. Emerson. I was present on that occasion; and still retain
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many pleasant reminiscences relating to my former connection with that Society. I was present carly in the morning, on the day when the Build- ing Committee gave notice that materials were prepared, and the workmen were ready to proceed with the structure of a House for the Lord. We then listened to a fervent prayer, offered by the venerable Dr. Hopkins, for their safety and success in the important enterprise; and after uniting in a Doxology, the work went forward. When the House was dedicated I was present, and was subsequently associated with an interesting choir of singers for several years, until I removed from Salem. Dr. Emerson bap- tized all my children, and our families have always kept up a friendly and social intercourse to the present time. I should be highly gratified to meet my former associates, and those who may be present on the occasion, but am admonished by feeble health that I shall be under the necessity of depriving myself of the pleasure.
You will please express to the Committee, and accept for yourself, the sincere respects of your humble servant,
JACOB PEABODY.
From Rev. Mr. Pike, of Rowley.
ROWLEY, April 20. 1855.
MY DEAR SIR: Your invitation for the 24th instant is received. I have strong hopes of being able to comply with the wishes of your Com- mittee, at least so far as to hear from our venerable friend the voices of the past. It is pleasant to think that so worthy a memorial of other days still remains to us. His venerable age, his eminent services, his pure life, his kind heart, his strong attachment to gospel truth, the large space he fills in the eye of surrounding churches, and the multitudes he has pointed to the Lamb of God, must make this Anniversary Gathering as joyous as you could wish. Surely the people that have been blessed with such a ministry will be likely to have those refining graces of the gospel which make this world so happy. and fit us for that world where none of the frailties of the present shall keep our bliss from being complete. You are one of the few Christian societies, who, while binding to yourself the young through one as young as they, have kept bright and strong the bond for the venerable and aged through another, who started upon life's journey with them. Long may your happy, united, respected ministry continue. And should any- thing prevent my mingling in the services of the coming Anniversary, please present to our much respected father and friend my congratulations that he has reached the happy stage in life, where every one invites him to
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look back upon the thousands that rise up to call him blessed, and forward to the thousands who wait to receive him to his rest.
Very respectfully and truly yours,
JOHN PIKE.
From Rev. Dr. Nichols, of Portland.
PORTLAND, Me., April 21, 1855.
DEAR SIR: I beg the Committee of the South Church and Society in Salem, to accept my warm acknowledgments and thanks for the kind invitation they have been pleased to extend to me to be present at the Social Gathering in Hamilton Hall, proposed on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Settlement of Dr. Emerson.
Though circumstances will probably prevent my attendance, I could most cordially participate in the congratulations and social intercourse of that appropriate and pleasing occasion.
It is indeed a just subject for congratulation to you, to have been blessed with the presence and services of such a minister as has been with you for half a century. - as it is to him to have been connected, for so many years, with so appreciating and affectionate a people.
The ministerial office has had an opportunity of displaying its highest character in a Pastorate like his; and delightful it is to witness that the same opportunity has been so improved. to show what strong attachment and veneration it can awaken in return.
My highest regards to Dr. Emerson and to his people.
Respectfully yours, I. NICHOLS.
From Rev. Joseph B. Felt, of' Boston.
BOSTON, April 21, 1855.
MY DEAR SIR: Your invitation was received yesterday. It refers to an event within our own observation and remembrance, while in the days of our boyhood. What a large proportion of those who then lived and moved with us, have passed from earthly scenes and concerns! In one view. our days have been "swifter than a weaver's shuttle," though not altogether " without hope."
The proposed gathering must be one of special attraction to the parish- ioners and friends of your worthy Senior Pastor ; particularly to those who witnessed his ordination, and still survive, after the lapse of a half century, to share in the services which commemorate so important a ceremony. During this period, such have been the changes of public sentiment as to
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the ministry and its relations. there will be less celebrations of long pas- torates than in times already elapsed. This is a sign of progress which is rather downward than upward; more the result of versatile inclination, than of sound judgment and correct views of man's highest good. The congregation who have breasted the inroads of such an evil, and can point to their spiritual leader, and can truly say. "He has led us and ours, these fifty years, in the way of gospel instruction," have set an example which, so far as dutifully practicable, deserves perpetual imitation. While they honor him for his useful continuance among them. they consequently and inevitably honor themselves, in cherishing and manifesting principles of action which tend to promote the best interests of social, civil and religious communities.
It would afford me much satisfaction to be present on the contemplated occasion, when many recollections must arise, and many sympathies be exer- cised, suited to improve the affections, and cherish gratitude to the Father of mercies, and earnest aspirations for His approval, protection and guidance ; but my engagements are such as to prevent.
May the Spirit of all wisdom and grace be with the assembly, and enable them to prepare for perfect communion with the innumerable congregation of Heaven.
Very respectfully yours,
JOSEPH B. FELT.
Rev. Dr. NEHEMIAH ADAMS, of the Essex Street Church, Boston, a native of Salem, sent the following :
BOSTON, April 25, 1855.
REV. DR. EMERSON : My Dear Sir. - I had made all my arrangements to come to Salem yesterday, had changed the family dining hour to accom- modate me, when at the last moment I was kept at home by things beyond my control. I could not have been with you in the evening, owing to a special meeting of my parishioners, but I meant to come and hear you, and take you by the hand, and tell you privately of my early, continued, and ripened respect and love. Your kind words, spoken about me to my father, and reported by him to me, when I was fresh from the Theological Seminary, did very much to put confidence into a young preacher, who needed encouragement. I always felt grateful to you, and have always cherished a deep, affectionate regard for you, which would have found utterance last evening, as fully as from any heart, could I have been there. You are associated with the pleasant recollections of a happy childhood in my mind. You deserved all the love and respect which were expressed
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for you last evening ; and many who were not there, that is, the over- whelming majority of your friends, would have made the night too short had they expressed themselves. May you long enjoy these proofs of love and gratitude. Their chief effect on such as you is to make you feel your unworthiness, and the infinite grace of God; they make you humble, and I doubt if you ever enjoyed more of the rich feeling of self-abasement and dependence on Christ than last evening. But O those words at last from Christ himself, "Well done!" May I be a spectator of your joy when you hear them from those blessed lips! Please receive my little bunch of myrrh, and add it to your fragrant garlands, whereby they have made you glad. Most affectionately and respectfully,
Dear Sir, your friend,
N. ADAMS.
From Rev. Robert Southgate, of Ipswich.
IpsWICH, April 27, 1855.
REVEREND AND DEAR SIR: It was not until a late hour on Tuesday, that I gave up entirely all hope of attending your Anniversary Celebration. But the funeral of an aged member of my congregation, which could neither be anticipated on an earlier day, nor postponed to a later, con- strained me to forego the wish of the friend for the duty of the pastor. And now, if I come, at a late hour, last, and among the least of your brethren in our Father's house, to offer my congratulations, and assure you of my true respect and affection, though it can profit you in nothing, yet allow me the gratification it gives.
The changes of fifty years have left you standing almost alone, with but few of the friends of other days around yon ; yet is it not blessed to know that the best of all friends. He who has gathered so many of earth's into His arms, has been, the while, coming closer to you, and drawing you the nearer home to Him?
May your life's evening, made serene by His continual loving presence, be lengthened out till faith and patience shall have wrought in you, my honored father, their perfect work. Then may the friendly approvals that now greet you, prove but the prelude to a happier " Well done !" from your Master. And when your hand must lay aside forever the vessels of silver, that the love of your friends and children in Christ have given you, may you receive in their stead the pure gold, fashioned into a crown, beau- tiful as only a Divine hand can make it, the gift of a Saviour's love, and the token of his approbation for you.
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And although the Providence of God prevented me from sharing in the celebration of your late Anniversary, I will still hope. (if it be not too much for such an one as myself to hope for. ) the Grace of God permitting, to be present and join in the congratulations of angels, -when Jesus, our Master, Himself shall review your ministry, and in the presence of His universe, crown you with that crown of righteousness.
Very respectfully and truly,
Yours in the fellowship of the Gospel, ROBERT SOUTHGATE.
The Rev. CHARLES CLEVELAND, the venerable City Missionary of Boston, * now in his eighty-third year, formerly a member of the congrega- tion, was present during the services of the afternoon and evening. Hle subsequently sent a letter, from which the following passages are extracts :
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