USA > Rhode Island > Bristol County > Bristol > Historical sketches of the First Congregational Church, Bristol, R.I., 1689-1872 > Part 4
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Such were the men, earnest, devoted, godly and highly esteemed, who gave the weight of their char- acter and influence to the foundations of our beloved Zion. We wonder not that such men in the Divine Providence drew around them and left behind them many others of kindred spirit. Every decade of our history has furnished those whose names are worthy of special commendation for their faith, their integrity, their shining example of Christian character.
But not the men alone were thus worthy. Though
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at the organization of the Church the fathers of the town only united, the mothers in Israel soon after joined them. In their humbler spheres they were equally faithful, and then, as in our later history and as in the almost universal history of Christ's Church in earth has been true of godly women, they contri- buted the largest share of christian graces to the Church life, and by far the brightest light, in its daily shining before the world.
SAMUEL LEE, D. D) .. FOUNDER AND FIRST PASTOR. HIS LIFE, MINISTRY, AND PUBLISHED WORKS.
MR. LEE was a son of MR. SAMUEL LEE, a wealthy and highly respected citizen of London, and was born in the year 1625. He early in life manifested a fondness for books, which his parents were pleased to gratify, sending him to the celebrated "St. Paul's School " to pursue his studies preparatory for college. Such was his proficiency here that in 1640, at the early age of fifteen years, he entered the University of Oxford, where he took and maintained high rank as a scholar, and in 1648, received the degree of Master of Arts. He was soon after settled in a Fellowship in Wadham College, and, having been a highly successful lecturer in Great St. Helen's Church in London, he was, in 1656, appointed Proc- tor of the University. These offices were well sus- tained, and gained for him the reputation among his contemporaries of being a man of very superior learning and moral worth.
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At the time of the famous "Bartholomew Act " which deprived nearly two thousand clergymen of their parishes and pecuniary support, because of their dissent from some of the prescribed forms and cere- monies of the Established Church, his sympathies were heartily with the Dissenters, although he had himself no preferment to lose. After the death of the minister of a Non-Conformist Church in Hol- burn, London, which took place in 1667, he was associated in the pastorate of that Church with the celebrated REV. THEOPHILUS GALE. In September, 1679, we find him settled at Bignal near Bicester, in Oxfordshire, and he was afterwards, for several years, the Minister of an Independent Church, at Newington Green, near Bishopgate, in London.
After these years of distinguished service in the Ministry of Non-Conforming Churches, he was urged by BISHOP WILKINS to accept a living in the Estab- lished Church, and was strongly advised thereto by many of his friends. But his dissent from the cere- monies and usages of that Church was conscientious and hearty, and while he was liberal to concede to others their rights of conscience, he could not com- promise with his own conscience for the sake of any of the flattering advantages offered to the gratifying of a lofty ambition. This persistence in identifying himself with the weaker Non-Conformist party offended those who desired to avail themse ves of his great talents and learning, and who felt that they had as it were a preemptive right to all distinguished personages in the Realm. For this offense he suf-
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fered much annoyance and petty persecutions at their hands. But the Non-Conformist party, grateful for his labors in their cause and for the strength of his name, rallied around him as a leader, and gave him the enthusiasm of their admiration.
At length, being apprehensive of a still further invasion of the rights of conscience, he resolved to migrate to New England, where he could, untram- meled, exercise the Gospel Ministry in accordance with his own sense of duty. This resolution was not made without a struggle, for he ardently loved his native land, was strongly attached to his numer- ous friends there, and having inherited from his father large real estate, his departure from England would involve much pecuniary loss. But, in spite of all that opposed, his resolution was made, and, with the clearest conviction that he was following the guiding hand of Providence, he sailed with his family and landed in Boston in the summer of the year 1686.
Of his reception in this country and his happy settlement in Bristol, an account has already been given.
On the accession of William to the throne of England, a change was inaugurated which promised greater tolerance and freedom to Dissenters. The heart of Mr. Lee yearned for his native land and the friends of former days, there to enjoy what a few years before had been denied him. Accordingly, to the regret of all who knew him, not only here but throughout New England, he decided to return. After an affectionate parting from his flock in Bristol,
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he embarked with his family on board the " Dolphin" at Boston. After a boisterous voyage, nearing the coast of Ireland they fell in with a French Priva- teer, were captured and carried prisoners into the port of St. Maloes, in France. After some deten- tion, his family were allowed to proceed to London, but he was still held as a prisoner. Depression of spirits, solitude and the rigors of winter induced the prison fever which soon terminated his valuable life in December, 1691, aged sixty-four years. Being denounced as a heretic, his body was interred with- out the walls of the city .*
Mysterious are the ways of Providence. Many of the Lord's chosen are called from the earth in the way of suffering Martyrdom ; his Church are left to mourn the loss of these precious ones of their num- ber. But, doubtless, heaven opens to these saints, with joys all the brighter because of their earthly tribulations, and in the triumphs of their faith, those left behind learn important lessons of trust in the darkest hours, and are animated to press forward in the march to final victory.
The Ministry of Mr. Lee in Bristol was very brief, though remarkably fruitful in good results. The Church received additions constantly, and there had been enrolled in its fellowship forty-eight persons. They continued harmonious in all their church re- lations, and were spiritually profited by the minis-
*Sprague's Annals. Allen's Biog. Dict. Dr. Shepard's Hist. Disc. etc.
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try of their beloved pastor. His was a Catholic spirit. His learning was united, with charity and the poor were often relieved by his bounty. His toils, says tradition, out of the pulpit in visiting the sick and afflicted and administering the consolations of the Gospel, were continuous and faithful ; and his preaching was sound, able and eloquent. The fol- lowing passage from one of his sermons, preserved in the recollection of one of his people, has been handed down to the present day :
"Every breath we draw should go forth warm with anthens; the blood's circulation should run around in songs, and every pulse beat upon the strings of David's harp. The wholesome herb should cure our murmurs, and all the creatures of earth, air and water, should by us render a tribute of praise to God."
Mr. Lee kept up an acquaintance with other pas- tors, and by frequent interchange of views, strength- ened them in their work and was himself strengthened in his work. The following extracts from published letters, show how fraternal and cordial was this ministerial intercourse .*
The Rev. Joshua Moody, then associate pastor of the first Church in Boston, in a letter to Increase Mather, then on a visit to England, in 1688, says :
" Mr. Lee is in Town (tho' going out to-morrow,) Wee spent the 2d instant in your study & had his compy part of the day with us where wee had (blessed be God) a good
*Mass. Hist. Coll., VIII., 4th series, 355, 540, 542.
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day of Prayer for you and hope in God's good time to have in the same place a day of Praise with you."
The following extracts from letters of Mr. Lee to Mr. Mather, show not only cordial friendship but his interest for the spiritual welfare of the whole region round about as well as for his own parish :
"AUG. 25, '87 Mount Hope.
Deare Mr. Mather. I am compassed with va- rious humors in neighboring towns & Islands, but blissed be God the fogs fly. I have had a long disceptation I cant call a disputation with a stout Anabaptist. But blessed be his holy name they give ground. I am invited to the Island & hope next week to see it, with the Lord's leave & try what work may enter. I want strength of body. Iam in a Frontire. You had need incourage us with amunition ยท & auxiliaries from Heaven & to begin to think of some learned, holy, discreet man, that might undertake at New- port. But no more at present. My hearty love to your good son, to my ancient loving friend Mr. Allyn & to my Beloved Brethren Mr. Moody & Mr. Willard, intreating your prayers for strength every way, with hearty respects to my deare sister of whose Turkeys I have so often tasted. Yours affectionately in the Lord. S. L."
"8, 14, 87, Mount Hope.
Deare Mr. Mather,-Methinks its very comfortable to see your hand & had I Dove's wings I would soone see your face with divine permission & a supply, which you can more easily have there. My good ffriend Mr. Morton [Rev. Chas. Morton] has been here. I thank him, but he runs up & down here from place to place & suddenly runs back. That truly I am much troubled at. Once he left me among the bears at Cambridge & now among the .all bears in Rhode Island, but all in Love. Yet I
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shall hope when you come, you will give me some more of your company. Theres no discoursing under a bit of waxe ; but meeting at Heaven's gate with the same petitions, through our gracious Redeemer. I found great respect from the Islanders, as Paul speaks, no little kindness in Malta. One desired me to speak for a young scholar or student to live in his house & teach his children; a man of some quality : but I think will give onely dyet at pr'sent. If any good ffriends would help for about 10 lbs. a y. for clothes : we might begin some work there I hope. I have preacht once there to a few with kind resentmt. & I took occasion by the Judges going in there & would fain have p'suaded Mr. Morton ; since the P'sident told him he would provide for his place : but his love to his wife & some other things were his Apology I'intend to give him some account in time God willing. My hearty love to your good son & acquaint him he is in debt a letter to me. To your kind wife & to all our Brethren in the Ministry & in the Lord my wife and drs. pr'sent their hearty resp., especially Anne & so does your truly Lov. Br. & Serv't. in the Ld. S. L."
The following to Mr. Mather, on the eve of his departure on a visit to England, is especially affec- tionate and kind :
" FEBR. 15, 8 7-8.
Deare Good Mr. Mather. Your hearty letter I rec'd as heartily & embraced it utrisq ulnis & in imo sulce pectoris. I am glad & sorry of your motion to England nostri haec farrago libelli. I doe earnestly desire to sit up one night with you. 3 things hinder as yet. A supply of my place which if you or our f'ds would engage Mr. Metcalf or Mr. Parry to come for 2 or 3 sabbaths I should endoavor to come to you toward the end of next month by the will of God. Another is I expect some things from England in
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May & that will double my trouble to come then too. Another is the difficulty of travell to me. But if I get a supply by that time with your loving help & some of our ffds when they come up to you, since my house is as farr from being put in equipage now as in Octob. last; onely hopes begin to spring. There be many things uncommitta- ble to a languid seale, which I remitt, if the Lord p'mitt, to enjoymt. I am shutt off into an Angle from your com- pany; but not from a conversation with you above the circle of human affairs. In haste, longing my letter should quickly see you, subscribe deliberately Your psvering ffd & throu. Grace Br., S. L."
He published several works, among which was a dissertation on " The Ancient and Successive State of the Jews, with Scriptural evidences of their fu- ture conversion and establishment in their own land." This was in 1679, and was as able and ingenious a work in advocacy of that theory, which is now held by but few, as was ever published. In 1810, more than thirty years afterwards, Dr. Buchanan, in a ser- mon before "the Jewish Institution," a benevolent society in England, says,-" It is possible before the end of the present year the four gospels will be pub- lished and copies sent to the Jews in the east, as the first fruits of the 'Jewish Institution.' It is very remarkable that this should be the very year which was calculated long ago by a learned man, as that in which 'the times of happiness to Israel' should begin. In the year 1677, Mr. Samuel Lee, a scholar of enlarged views, who had studied the prophetical writings with great attention, published a small vol- ume entitled "Israel Redux" or the Restoration of
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Israel. He calculates the event from the prophecies of Daniel, and commences the great period of 1260 years from A. D. 476, which brings it to 1736. He then adds :
' After the great conflicts with the papal powers in the west will begin the stirs and commotions about the Jews and Israel in the East. If then to 1739 we add 30 more they reach to 1766; but the times of perplexity are deter- mined by Daniel to last 45 years longer. If then we con- join those 45 years more to 1766 it produces one thousand eight hundred and eleven-1811-for those times of happi- ness to Israel.' "
His other published works were "The Joy of Faith," in 1689 ; a sermon preached before the Court of Bristol, entitled " The great day of Judgment," in 1691. "The triumph of Mercy," much read in New England, an edition of which was printed in 1718 ; and "Contemplations on Mortality," respect- ing which Dr. Allen says, " they display great learn- ing and genius :" Besides these, there were other sermons and smaller works, in all some ten or twelve volumes.
He devoted great attention at one period to the study of Astrology, but afterwards testified his dis- approbation of it, by burning his collection of books relating to the subject, a hundred volumes.
As a specimen of his style and exuberance of thought, we give the following extract from his "Triumph of Mercy," p. 27 & foll.
" The Rainbow of the Heavens knows not more rare and delightful colours than the rainbow of the Covenant,
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under which our Saviour hath placed his Throne. The beauty of a picture shines in variety : which sets such a delicious ; and pleasant lustre upon prospects and land- scapes, where hills and dales, woods and plains, rivers and seas, castles and cities, and the carcases of ancient ruins and hanging rocks are curiously drawn by the Pencil of nature. * * * * *
God seldom delivers in the same methods. There was never the same face of Heaven from the Creation to this day. The aspects, clouds, and weather do always vary, as * the shells on the seashore, and the pebble stones none ex- actly alike. We have new songs for every moment had we hearts to tune them. When God's wisdom takes one mercy away, his beneficent bounty sends another. When some setting stars dip their flaming rays in the Western Ocean, new ones glitter in the east. Never did the same water bubble from the same fountain : but as God is the inexhaustible spring of new and amiable mercies: So we find he adorns the out-rooms of the world, and the cham- bers of the Tabernacle of his Church with the Tapestry- hangings of the curious needle-work of his Providence. Such Wisdom dwells with Prudence and finds out the knowledge of witty inventions. All the curiosities of Art and the cunning devices of Artificers are from God: the swarthy Plowman derives his seasons and management of his lands, tillage and culture from Heaven : the women that sit at the wheel, turn it about by the direction of God for the ornaments of the Tabernacle: The weaver, the embroiderer and the ingenious lapidary learnt all in the school which is above the stars; the most admirable of all inventions have dropt into the fancy from the Celestial intelligence. For what the vain unthinking world calls casualty is a graft upon the minds of men cut from the trees of Paradise. * * *
And shall we not think that infinite wisdom cannot always present new and ravishing wonders of mercies
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upon the stage from him who is unconceivable in Counsel and as admirable in working? When we study in this Library we still find new lines and new editions; we sail upon new coasts and see new stars as in the Southern hemisphere, and enjoy a new set of Creatures, and smell at many leagues distant fragrant odoriferous scents ; as of Cinnamon from the mountains of Ceylon in India; of Rosemary from Spain ; Cedar from Lebanon, that perfume the very thoughts of a Saint; and the further we travel, the more delicious are the surging tops of the hills of Canaan! 'And the more we taste the more surprising sweetness astonishes our Palates; like the Queen pine in Barbadoes that supplies and transcends expectations with new and rasive favours and tunes our vocal instruments for new songs to bear a part with the Harmony of Angels forever,"
From " The Joy of Faith," p. 6 and foll. we give the following extract, a portion of an argument for the worth of the Scriptures deduced from their " imperial power and efficacy on the souls and con- sciences of men :"
" Let the world rage in storms of contradiction and like him in Laertius affirm snow to be black, or assert the sun shines not when I see it, or a cordial comforts not when I feel it or that a troubled conscience is but a melancholy fancy, when the terrors of the Lord drink up the spirits of men. These should be sent to Anticyra to purge with Hellebor for madness. Pray, what energy or power can be in a printed paper, in the reading of a chapter where -. with Austin and Iunius were converted from sin to God, or what powerful charm in hearing a mean Preacher, per- haps none of the Learnedest, like the blessed Fishermen of Galilee, to change the heart : if so many proud, haughty and rebellious sinners who of direful persecutors have
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sometimes turned tender cherishers and protectors of the Church of God : were it not for the fire of the Word of the Lord hosts that melts the stone of the heart and the ham- mer of that Word that breaks the sturdy Zauzummins all to powder; insomuch that bitter scoffers have been changed into witty Tertullians and turned their satires into pane- gyricks. What can that be imagined to be that works so strange effects upon whole Nations from the East to the Western-Indies, whitened the Blackmoors, civilized the hearts of Scythians more ragged and brutish than the Rocks and Hyrcanian Tygers that gave them suck and beautified the barbarously painted Britians far beyond the oratory of the Gaules. It could be no other power than the awful dread of the Divine Majesty and the melting sweetness of his Mercy concomitant with his heavenly Word. Wherefore such are justly to be suspected for strangers to the work of grace like Nicodemus at first, tho' a great Doctor in Israel, yet a great dunce in the ex- cellent point of the New-Birth: or like that Doctor at Oxford, sometime since, that searcht the dictionary for the word, and could not tell what to make of it because he found it not there. I say we may greatly fear that they never felt this mighty power of the Spirit of God to change their hearts that dare talk so proudly and irreverently against the self-evidencing power of the holy scriptures on the consciences of men : when the Majesty of God shines ten thousand times brighter in the meridian of that book, than the sun without clouds at noonday in the zenith of Africa."
His sermon, entitled " A summons or warning to the Great Day of Judgment," preached "at the Assizes at Bristol, in N. E., October 7, 1687," was a pictorial scene of soul-moving terror such as few could hear without most serious thought. The
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text was from Revelation 20: 12: And I saw the Dead, small and great, stand before God: and the Books were opened : and another Book was opened which is the Book of Life : and the Dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books, according to their works. The sermon closed with the following words of exhortation.
1. " As to you the Worthy and Reverend Judges that are to sit in judgement before the Lord this day: I shall not enlarge but only present unto you what King Jehoshaphat gave in charge to them from God, when he set them about this work, City by City. Take heed what you do, for ye judge not for man but the Lord who is with you in the judg- ment. Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Take heed and do it : for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of Persons, nor taking of gifts.
2. " To you that are the People and anditors this day Count it a great mercy, that you have been pre- served by Restraining or Sanctifying grace, not to stand in the place of the nocent and so to become obnoxious to the wholesom laws & Righteous judgment of the Magistrate. Bless God for that singular mercy : If it were not for the Magistracy, that great ordinance of God in the world, mens tongues would be like poisoned arrows shot forth, - speaking deceit, treating their neighbor with their mouths peaceably, and laying wait in their hearts : Some such sons of Belial there are that a man cannot speak to them, they are so surly and interrupting & ought to be thurst away like thorns : if a man touch them he must be fenced with iron & the staff of a spear. Men would prove wolves and vipers ; tigers and dragons mixt in one and the same per- son to each other. O bless God for this great gift of Princes and Judges to rule the wicked and enormous world and to sway the scepter of righteousness in the earth. O Remem-
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ber to speak honorably of Rulers and dignities; for they are Ordained of God for the praise of them that do well; and God's Ministers and Avengers upon them that do evil. Were it not for them such as are now but secret, malacious backbiters would soon prove badgers and bite through the bone to the very heart. Have then a special care of two originating sins that lead to many foul enormities, that is pride and envy : First in yourselves that you be not tempted thereby to hurt others : and Secondly in others that you do not hurt them. For wherever you see manifest signatures and tokens of these sins, lurking or putting out their forked tongues against others; beware of them, they are persons marked of God. And always have engraven upon your breast that famous emblem of a righteous man. Do as you would be done by : Tis our Lord's most Golden Rule of Equity : Then judge yourselves before God as to all in- firmities, and otherwise insuperable weakness: then fear not man's day : having presented yourselves by Faith as clothed with the Righteousness of Christ and in some sweet measure prepared for that solemn appearance at His Tribunal.
3. " A word or two also to the poor guilty person which has murdered her own unlawful infant, and so I con- clude. As for thee poor Creature .. What was it that in- ticed, intangled, inflamed thee to the commission of these . sins against the laws of God, the light of nature and the just laws of the land. I understand thus much from thee in the prison ; that thy parents were very negligent of thy education, and so becamest a great neglecter of Sabbaths and sermons, and then fellest into the fellowship of lewd companions, which may be a just warning to all others. All that I shall say at present: because of the great Sor- row, remorse & Repentance which thou hast manifested before many witnesses, and I hope may prove sincere: If thou fleest from the horror, stain and shame of these thy crying sins unto the most precious blood in Jesus Christ;
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and layest hold upon it with a true though but a weak faith : thou hast patterns of mercy in the blessed book of God: Manassah, Mary Magdalen, and the Thief upon the Cross to dispell their black and dismal cloud of despair : and to lead and incourage thec to hope in His Mercy. To which I humbly and heartily commend thee in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord both of Dead and Living. Amen."
Mr. Lee was regarded as one of the most learned and pious men of his day, and was called " the light of both Englands " and " the head and glory of the Church of Bristol." Cotton Mather said of him that " if learning ever merited a statue, this great man has as rich an one due him as can be erected ; for it must be granted that hardly ever a more uni- versally learned person trod the American Strand."
THE MINISTRY LANDS.
The Proprietors of Bristol, among other gifts for the benefit of the town, gave certain tracts of land " for the encouragement and use of an able Gospel Ministry, which land shall remain forever and be for the use of the Ministry for the time being," viz. : One lot on the corner of High and Bradford streets containing two acres, the site of our present Chapel and Church edifices ; one twelve acre lot west of " the Commonage ;" and one one hundred and fiftieth part of "the Commonage." These lands were designated as " the Ministry Lands."
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