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 7
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BOSTON, May 3, 1855.
The addresses, on the interesting and joyous occasion of your Social Gathering, to which it was my privilege and pleasure to listen, were of a character meeting the whole sympathies of my heart. They comprehended, without doubt, every sentiment and feeling of every individual, old and young, of the crowded audience. Any remarks from me would have been but a repetition of those from the lips of many able and eloquent speakers. One heart and one mind pervaded the happy assembly.
I have, with a feeling of deep interest and delight, seen in the Salem Register, since the first account of the meeting, communications affecting and edifying, casting additional lustre on one whom we all delight to honor, to every syllable of which the true friends of Zion must in heart respond. I thank my brethren, Rev. Dr. Dana and Rev. Dr. Adams, for the explicit testimony they were moved to offer, in unison with thousands, to the uniform devotedness, and consistent deportment of dear brother Emerson, stationed as a "minister of reconciliation " upon Zion's walls, to "proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound," crying for " deliverance from the bondage of corruption, and introduction into the glorious liberty of the children of God."
At a church meeting in your vestry, I shall account it a privilege, at some convenient season, when visiting my beloved relatives, to relate a portion of my experience in the glorious cause. resting with accumulated weight upon the hearts of all who have their faces Zion-ward.
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Whatever of good my humble labors may have done in this world of sin and trial, since leaving Salem, in February. 1807. I deem to have been in answer to the counsels and prayers of God's dear children, offered before my lot was cast in this city. A sermon from Mr. Emerson on the text, " Behold, he prayeth." has been present with me from the hour I listened to it to the present time. No rest had I from that time, till unreservedly and unconditionally the heart was surrendered to the disposal of Him who "ne'er will break the bruised reed, nor quench the smoking flax, till He send forth judgment unto victory."
The Lord be with you. dear brother. and your pastor, "a brother beloved " by us all. I can have not a shadow of doubt but, at the close of his eventful life, it may in truth be said of him, that, throughout his protracted ministry, he had proven himself an "epistle of his blessed Master, known and read of all men." Surely he hath been a faithful and wise steward, -hath " watched for souls as they who must give account." Having " turned many to righteousness," he will (the Scriptures warrant the anticipation ) "shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars, forever and ever." O that my own end may be as happy as his ! Then, having the rod and staff of our Saviour with us, we shall pass through the gates into the city. and there send up, with the ransomed multitudes, never-ending anthems of adoration and praise to Him who sitteth on the throne, and unto the Lamb.
"O let me climb those higher skies, Where storms and darkness never rise ! There He displays his powers abroad, And shines and reigns th' Incarnate God. Nor earth, nor seas, nor sun, nor stars, Nor Heaven His full resemblance bears ; His beauties we can never trace, Till we behold Him, face to face."
That we may, dear brother, continue " steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord," is the fervent prayer of
Your affectionate brother in Christ. CHARLES CLEVELAND.
Dr. EMERSON expected to find an opportunity, during some interval, or at the close of the services, to express his acknowledgements, in person, before the assembly ; but the evening wore away so rapidly and uninter- ruptedly, that no convenient moment occurred. On the succeeding Sabbath forenoon, he preached, as usual, with a firmness of mien and voice, and a freshness and vigor, truly wonderful, after the exciting scenes he had
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recently passed through. He took for his text, 1 Samuel vii. 12: " Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." After an appropriate exordium, he proceeded to consider how the Lord has helped us as a church, a city, a commonwealth, a nation. By a natural transition, he turned his attention to the Lord's mercies to us as individuals, and this brought him fitly to allude to the interesting events of the preceding week, and his own immediate connection with them. After suitably noticing the celebration, he expressed his gratitude substantially as follows :
"Though the speakers bestowed unmerited praise, which humbled rather than exalted my feelings, yet I thank them for their kind intentions and charity. I would especially thank our Junior Pastor," [continued the Doctor, turning gracefully and benignantly towards Mr. Dwinell. ] " for his expressions of high regard and cordiality of feeling toward me, and his favorable opinion of my ministerial character and course.
"I would also take this method of expressing my most cordial thanks to the members of the congregation, and to the children in particular, for the warm expressions of their kindness and love on that occasion, and for the magnificent present with which the expressions were crowned.
" I would also present my thanks to the Joint Committee of the Church and Parish for their prompt and judicious arrangements. To the Presi- dent for the energy and skill with which he presided. To the speakers for their generous sympathy. To the singers for their excellent music. And to the whole community for the deep interest they manifested on the occasion."
Dr. Emerson's entire reference to the scenes of Tuesday, was so toucli- ing and tender, and his manner so impressive, that there were few dry eyes in the assembly when he closed. It was an appropriate and beautiful finale to an occasion of surpassing interest.
NOTES.
A. - PAGE 8.
THE following account of the Ordination was published in the Salem Gazette, of Friday, April 26, 1805:
" ORDINATION. - On Wednesday last. the Rev. BROWN EMERSON Was ordained Colleague Pastor with the Rev. Mr. HOPKINS over the Third Church and Congregation in this town. After a thorough examination of the Candidate by the Council. the result of which afforded complete satis- faction, the usual solemnities took place at the New South Meeting House in the following order, viz: The Introductory Prayer was made by the Rev. Mr. SPRING, of Newburyport; a Sermon, appropriate, ingenious, and solemn, was delivered by the Rev. Mr. PAIGE, of Hancock. N. H., from 2 Corinthians vi. 1: " We, then, as workers together with Him, bescech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain." The Rev. Dr. EMMoss, of Franklin, made the Consecrating Prayer; the Rev. Mr. HOPKINS gave the Charge ; the Rev. Mr. WORCESTER, of this town. the Right Hand of Fellowship; and the Rev. Mr. AUSTIN, of Worcester, made the Concluding Prayer. An appropriate Anthem, and other pieces of music, were performed with taste and judgment. A very large and respectable audience attended. and the greatest attention and good order prevailed. Liberal public and private entertainments were given to the Reverend Clergy and other strangers attending."
The singing, on this occasion, was under the direction of SAMUEL HOLYOKE, a graduate of Harvard College, in the class of 1789. - a noter teacher and composer of his day, and one of the reformers who undertook to do away with the fugue in sacred music. He published his first collec- tion, the "Harmonia Americana." in 1791. At the dedication of the Church in which the Gathering took place. Mr. Holyoke likewise presided over the musical performances, which were of his own composition. These pieces were published in the same year, [1805.] under the title of . Dedication Service : containing two Odes, three Hymns, and a Doxology ; composed for the Dedication of the New South Meeting House in Salem, Massachusetts. By Samuel Holyoke, A. M." He died in Concord, N. H.,
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in the spring of 1820. Mr. Moore, in his valuable Encyclopedia of Music, states that he was a son of the late venerable Dr. Edward A. Holyoke, of Salem. This is an error. He was a son of Rev. Elizur Holyoke, of Boxford. The distinguished centenarian of Salem was a son of Rev. Elward Holyoke of Marblehead, who was subsequently Pres- ident of Harvard College. Rev. Elizar, the musical composer's father, was a son of Samuel Holyoke, who was teacher of the Latin School in Boston, and brother of the College President. Consequently the father of the composer was a cousin of the centennarian.
In connection with the above notice of the ordination, it may be inter- esting and proper to append the previous action of the Church and Society, in reference thereto, which was as follows :
"1804-FEB. 14. - The Proprietors voted, That it is agreeable to have an assistant with Rev. Daniel Hopkins.
" Voted, That the Standing Committee, together with Captain Jonathan Lambert, be a Committee to look out for some suitable person as an assist- ant to Rev. Daniel Hopkins.
"1804-Oct. 10. - At a meeting of the Third Church of Christ in Salem, at the house of Brother JJohn Jenks, after prayer to the Great Head of the Church. proper attention to, and deliberation upon the subject. the question was put, whether this church will proceed to make choice of Mr. Brown Emerson to be their Pastor, as Colleague with Rev. Mr. Daniel Hopkins.
"Voted 1. In the affirmative, and Mr. Brown Emerson was chosen accordingly.
"2. That Brother John Jenks, Deacon Batchelder, and Brother Jona- than Lambert, with the other members of the Standing Committee, be hereby requested to present the above vote to the Proprietors of the Old and New South Meeting Houses, for their concurrence.
"1804-Oct. 25 .- At a meeting of the Proprietors of the South Meeting House in Salem, where the Rev. Daniel Hopkins officiates, and also the subscribers and Proprietors of the New South Meeting House in Salem, it was
" Voted, That the said Proprietors and subscribers do concur with the Third Church in Salem, in the call and choice of Mr. Brown Emerson to the office of Pastor. as Colleague with Rev. Mr. Daniel Hopkins, in the work of the ministry among them.
"Voted, That the sum of six hundred dollars be paid annually, as his salary during his ministry among them.
" Voted. That the sum of one thousand dollars be given to Mr. Brown Emerson as a settlement, to be paid him by the Treasurer in three months after his settlement with us.
" Voted, That Messrs. John Jenks, John Norris, and Nathaniel Batch- elder, be a Committee to wait upon Mr. Brown Emerson, with a copy of the above votes, and pray his answer to them.
"1805-MARCH 18. - At a meeting of the Proprietors of the New South Meeting House in Salem :
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" Voted, To concur with the Third Church of Christ in Salem. in the day they have proposed, [April 24. 1505.] for the Ordination of Mr. Brown Emerson as Colleague Pastor with Rev. Mr. Hopkins."
The terms "THIRD CHURCH" and "Sorry CHURCH" are often used as synonymous. The designation of the Church as an Ecclesiastical body is " The Third Congregational Church of Christ in Salem." or, for brevity's sake. "The Third Church." The Meeting House is named the South Church, although the distinctive propriety which this designation once possessed has been superseded by the growth of the city, and the erection of Church structures still farther south. After the original Third Church editice, which stood on Old Paved, now Essex Street, was destroyed by the great fire of October 6, 1774, the Assembly House. alluded to in the Discourse and in some of the votes just cited as the Old House. was purchasel and called the South Meeting House, as appears by the fol- lowing record :
"1774-DEC. 19. - A legal meeting of the Proprietors of the House and Land recently purchased was held, and the Corporation was organized by the choice of Officers; and it was voted that the House of worship be known by the name of the South Meeting House."
This House at first contained fifty-eight pews. In 1778, Dec. 18. the Proprietors voted to enlarge the House to the Eastward, and it afterwards numbered eighty-five pews.
The subscribers to the present edifice were incorporated March 15, 1805, as "The Proprietors of the New South Meeting House in Salem," and the corporate name of the Society was simplified and changed by an act passed April 14, 1838, to the . South Church." Hence the popular application of that term.
Dr. Emerson was born in Ashby, Massachusetts, January 8, 1778. He was married. October 29, 1806, to Mary Hopkins, daughter of Rev. Dr. Hopkins, the father. of course, officiating.
Among Dr. Emerson's published Discourses are the following :
A Sermon on the " Essential difference between the Righteous and the Wicked." preached in 1810.
Discour-e before the Salem Female Charitable Society, 1811.
"The Equity of God's Dealings with Nations," preached on the day of the State Fast. July 23, 1812, occasioned by the Declaration of War against Great Britain.
National Fast Sermon, August 20, 1812.
" Dying Recollections of a Faithful Minister," December 25, 1814, the Sabbath after the interment of Rev. Dr. Hopkins.
" Departed Saints with Christ"-a Sermon preached at Essex, December 15, 1518, at the Interment of Mrs. Hannah Crowell, late con- sort of Rev. Robert Crowell.
" Excellence of the Bible," preached before the Bible Society of Salem and vicinity, June 9, 1819.
Right Hand of Fellowship at the Installation of Rev. Elias Cornelius at Salem, July 21, 1819.
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" Importance of Right Views of Christ," preached in Beverly, Decem- ber 22, 1822.
Thirty-Eighth Anniversary Sermon. April 24. 1843.
" Building of God," a Sermon preached April 6, 1851, on occasion of the death of Mrs. Rebecea Dodge.
Fiftieth Anniversary Sermon. April 24, 1855.
Rev. ISRAEL EDSON DWINELL was ordained as Colleague Pastor with Dr. Emerson, on Thursday, November 22. 1549. Mr. Dwinell was born in in East Calais. Vermont, October 24. 1520. He was graduated at the University of Vermont in Burlington. in the class of 1843, and at the Union Theological Seminary in the city of New York, in 1848. He was married September 12, 1848, by Rev. Ira Morey, to Miss Rebecca Eliza Allen Maxwell. of Jonesboro'. Tennessee. From the age of sixteen until the completion of his collegiate and theological education, he was, more or less, engaged in teaching, and it was while thus employed, in East Ten- nessee. that he became acquainted with Miss M. After leaving the Theological Seminary, he preached in the West as a Home Missionary, and for seven months, in 1848-49, was occupied in the work of the ministry, chiefly at Rock Island, Illinois, from which place he was invited to Salem.
The following account of his Ordination is extracted from the Salem Register of November 26, 1849:
" The Ordination of Mr. ISRAEL E. DWINELL, as Colleague Pastor with the Rev. BROWN EMERSON, D. D., over the Third Congregational Church and Society in Salem, took place on Thursday last. and was an occasion of no ordinary interest. The Ecclesiastical Council convened in the Vestry in Cambridge street, at 93 o'clock. A. M., and was composed of pastors and delegates from the following churches. viz :
" The two churches in Ipswich, under the pastoral charge of Rev. D. T. Kimball, and Rev. D. Fitz; the church in Essex. Rev. Robert Crowell, pastor ; the church in Rockport, Rev. W. Gale; the church in Manchester, Rev. O. A. Taylor ; the three churches in Beverly. of which Rev. Joseph Abbot, Rev. George T. Dole, and Rev. Allen Gannett, are pastors ; the church in Marblehead, Rev. E. A. Lawrence : the Crombie Street Church, (by delegates, having no settled pastor. ) and the Howard Street Church, Rev. M. H. Wilder, Pastor, of Salem; the churches in South Danvers, Rev. Thomas P. Field, and Danvers Plains. Rev. James Fletcher; in South Reading. Rev. Reuben Emerson; in Lawrence, Rev. Lyman Whiting: in Lowell, Rev. Joseph H. Towne; in Chelsea, Rev. Isaac P. Langworthy ; in Boston, the Old South. Rev. Dr. George W. Blagden ; Essex Street, Rev. Dr. Nehemiah Adams; Central Church, Rev. William M. Rogers and Rev. George Richards.
" The Rev. D. T. Kimball, of Ipswich, was appointed Moderator of the Council, Rev. Allen Gannett, Seribe, and Rev. George T. Dole, Assistant Seribe.
"In addition to the Council, quite a number of the clergy of the city, and many ladies and gentlemen. attended to witness the proceedings, which were all public. The examination of the candidate excited much interest.
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"It was close, searching, and thorough, upon all points of doctrine and church polity ; and some of the learned Doctors in Divinity appeared to put their ingenuity to the test in proposing the most difficult and embar- rassing questions of polemical theology. To the looker-on, the ordeal through which the candidate was obliged to pass. seemed indeed like a fiery furnace ; but the calmness, self-possession, frankness, and ability with which he sustained himself, throughont the 'searching operation' of three hours, won the sympathy and admiration of all present, and gave unusual satisfaction.
"The Council, with such of the clergy, students of Divinity, &e., as were assembled, partook of a public dinner. provided for them at the Mau- sion House, in Mr. Merriam's most attractive style.
" In the afternoon, the Ordination services took place in the South Meet- ing House, commencing at 2 o'clock. The Order of Exercises was as follows :
" 1. Voluntary and chant, . Holy is the Lord;' 2. Reading of the Minutes of the Ordaining Council. by Rev. Mr. Gannett of Beverly ; 3. Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Whiting of Lawrence ; 4. Selections from Serip- ture, by Rev. Mr. Fitz of Ipswich : 5. Prayer, by Rev. Mr. Crowell of Essex; 6. Hymn; 7. Sermon, by Rev. Mr. Rogers of Boston, from Ro- mans, v. 8: 'Christ died for us :' 8. Ordaining Praver, by Rev. Reuben Emerson of South Reading ; 9. Anthem, . How beautiful upon the monn- tains ;' 10. Charge to the Pastor, by Rev. Dr. Emerson ; 11. Fellowship of the Churches, by Rev. Mr. Langworthy of Chelsea ; 12. Address to the People, by Rev. Dr. Blagden, of Boston; 13. Concluding Prayer, by Rev. Dr. Adans, of Boston; 14. Doxology; 15. Benediction, by Rev. Mr. Dwinell.
"The Freeman says: ' All the services were of a high order, and pecu- liarly appropriate to the occasion. We may mention, in particular, the charge by the Senior Pastor, which was of a touching character. His allu- sions to the people of his charge, in their kindness and affection manifested toward him for the forty-five years he had been their spiritual guide, and his fatherly advice to the new Pastor. produced a deep feeling in the minds of the audience. The singing, under the direction of Mr. Jacob Hood, added much to the interest of the services, which throughout gave great satisfaction to a large audience.'"
B. - PAGE 15.
Some further particulars respecting Dr. Hopkins are contained in a Ser- mon preached by his surviving Colleague, December 25. 1814. - the Sabbath after Dr. H.'s interment, -and in Dr. Emerson's Thirty-Eighth Anniversary Sermon, preached in April. 1843, both of which have been published. From these and other sources the subjoined information is derived :
Dr. Hopkins was born of respectable parents in Waterbury, Connecticut, October 16, 1734. When he was fourteen years of age, his father died, and the care of his education devolved on his eldest brother, the late Dr.
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Samuel Hopkins, of Newport, Rhode Island, then a settled minister in Great Barrington. By him he was fitted for the University. and he entered Yale College at the age of twenty. In College he was distinguished as a scholar ; and in the Commencement exercises, when he received the Bach- elor's degree, he was honored with the first appointment. His theological education he pursued under the tuition of his brother ; but. soon after he began to preach. he was compelled, by the declining state of his health, to lay aside his professional studies.
He began to preach within a year or two after he had finished his colle- giate course ; and about the same time was recommended. by the President of the College. to a vacant parish in Halifax, Nova Scotia. There he was highly esteemed for his promising talents. amiable manners, and faithful preaching. But the low state of his health prevented his establishment in that place. During most of the interval of eight years which intervened between his leaving College. in 1758. and his coming to Salem. in 1766, he passed his time either in manual labor, travelling, or preaching occasion- ally, as his strength would permit.
In 1766, he came to Salem and preached to the Third Church and Society, then vacant by the death of Rev. Mr. Huntington. whose imme- diate successor was Rev. Dr. Whitaker. During a residence in this place of twelve years previous to his ordination, he was, most of the time, very usefully and acceptably employed as a teacher of youth. While thus employed, he preached in several vacant parishes in Essex County, and in Hamilton received a call to settle in the ministry, which he declined on account of his feeble health.
In 1775, he relinquished his school to attend to the patriotic duties which devolved upon him as a member of the Provincial Congress. - a post which he accepted at the urgent demands of the people of the town. to the detriment of his private interests. On the 15th of March, 1776. he was chosen Pastor of the Third Church, to which he had previously preached ; but, owing to his engagements in the Congress. and subsequently in the Council, together with the general interruption to ordinary pursuits occasioned by the Revolutionary troubles, he was not ordained until Novem- ber 18, 1778. The record of his call and settlement is substantially as follows :
"1776-MARCH 15. - At a meeting of the brethren of the Third Church of Christ in Salem. -
"Voted, unanimously. That we now make choice of Mr. Daniel Hopkins for our Pastor, and desire that he would take the charge of this Church, and the Society with which we are connected. and officiate and govern as such, in all things, as Christ in his word has directed.
" Voted, That Deacon Richard Lang, Brother Daniel Chever, and Brother Robert Peele, be a Committee to wait upon Mr. Daniel Hop- kins, with a copy of the foregoing vote. and desire his answer.
" 1776- MAY 8. - A meeting of the Proprietors of the South Meeting House was held, for the following purpose, viz :
"'To coneur (if they shall think fit ) with the Third Church of Christ in Salem, in their choice and call of Mr. Daniel Hopkins, to the office of
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Pastor and work of the ministry amongst them ; and. if they should so agree. to consider and determine in what manner they will support hinz during his ministry among them.'
"The meeting was adjourned to Wednesday, June 12, at 3 P. M., and then, without acting upon the subject, the meeting was dissolved.
"1778-FEBRUARY 24. - At a meeting of the Proprietors of the South Meeting House, it was
" Voted, That the said Proprietors do concur with the Third Church of Christ in Salem in their choice and call of Mr. Daniel Hopkins to the office of Pastor and work of the ministry among them.
" Voted, That the said Proprietors do think it their indispensable duty to contribute of their temporal goods to the support of a Gospel Minister among them, in such a manner that he may not be obliged to leave the word of God and serve tables.
" Voted. That Messrs. Benjamin Ropes. Matthew Mansfield. Samuel Page, Richard Lang, and Edward Norris be a Committee to wait upon Mr. Daniel Hopkins, with a copy of the foregoing yotes, and pray his answer to the same.
" 1778-OCTOBER 18. - At a meeting of the Third Church of Christ in Salem, it was
" Voted, To invite Rev. Mr. Robie. of Lynn ; Rev. John Cleaveland. of Chebacco ; Rev. Joseph Dana, of Ipswich ; Rev. Mr. Leslie. of New Rowley ; Rev. Mr. Sanford. of Medway ; to assist in the Ordination of Mr. Daniel Hopkins, on the 18th of November, as Pastor of this Church.
"OCTOBER 19. - At an adjourned meeting of the Third Church. at the house of Brother Edward Norris, it was
" Voted, to invite the Congregational Ministers of Salem to attend Mr. Hopkins's Ordination, and to sup with the Council; also, Rev. Mr. Spring, of Newburyport."
Dr. Hopkins was accordingly ordained on the 18th of November. 1778. Rev. John Cleaveland, of Chebacco, opened with praver; Rev. Mr. Sanford, of Medway, preached the Sermon; Rev. Mr. Robie, of Lynn. gave the Charge; Rev. Mr. Daun, of Ipswich. the Right Hand of Follow- ship; and Rev. Mr. Leslie, of New Rowley, the Concluding prayer. The whole was performed with great decency and order, says the chronicler of that day.
On the 7th of March, 1771. Mr. Hopkins was married to a young lady who had been one of his pupils. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. Whitaker, all the parties being residents of Salem.
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