E:\DCB\scans\MA-NOR~1\HINGHA~1\hib2eccles2.html 18 History of Hingham.





It was a saying of Alphonsus (whom they sir-named "the wise, King of Arragon,") that "among so many things as are by men possessed or pursued in the course of their lives, all the rest are baubles, besides old wood to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to converse with, and old books to retel." Now, there having been Protestant and reformed colonies here formed, in a new world, and those colonies now growing old, it will certainly Ile no unwise thing for them to convene with some of their oldfriends, among which one was Mr. Peter Hobart, whom therefore a new book sliall now present unto my readers.

Mr. Peter llobart was born at or Bear Hingham, a market town in the county of Norfolk, about the litter end of the year 1604. His parents Were eminent for piety, and even from their youth "feared God above many; " wherein their zeal was more conspicuous by the impiety of the neighbourhood, among whom there were but three or four in the whole town that minded serious religion, and these were sufficiently maligned by the irreligious for their Puritanism. These parents of our Hobart were such as had obtained each other from the God of heaven, by Isaac, like prayers unto him, all(] such as afterwards 11 besieged Heaven " with a continual importunity for a blessing upon their children, whereof the second was this our Peter. This their son was, like another Samuel, from his infancy dedicated by them unto the ministry, and in order thereunto, Beat betimes note a grammar school ; whereto, such was his desire of loaraing, that lie went several miles on foot every morning, and by his early appearance there, still shamed the slothr of others. Ife went %fterwardi unto the free-sebool at Lyn, from whence, when he was by his master judged fit for it, lie was admitted into a colledge in the University of Cambridge; where he remained, studied, profted, until he proceeded Bateliellor of Arts; giving all qlong an example of sobriety, gravity, aversion from all vice, and inclination to the service of God.

Retiring then from the university, he taught a grammar school ; but he lodged in the house of a conformist minister, who, though he were no friend unto Puritans, yet be employed this our young Hobart sometimes to preach for him; and when asked, 1, What his opinion of this young mail was? " lie sold, "I do highly approve his abilities ; he will make an able preacher, but I fear lie will be too precise." When the time for it came lie returned unto the university, and proceeded Master of Arts : but the rest of hill time in England was attended with much unsettlement of his condition. Ile was employed here and there, as godly people could obtain permission from the parson of the parish, who upon any little disgust would recal that permission : and yet all this while, by the blessing of God upon big own diligence and discretion, and the frugality of his virtuous consort, lie lived comfortably. The last place of his residence in England was in the town of Haverhil, where he was a lecturer, labori. ous and successful in Lite vineyard of our Lord.

His parents, his brethren. his sisters, bad not, without a great affliction to him, embarked for New-England; but some more time after this, tile (qoud of prelatield impositions and persecutions grew so black upon him,




tl.a dw eolivitations of his friends obtained from him a resolution for
En , Omni also, where lie hoped for a more settled abode, which was
,r-. lide ill his inclination.
ll -nlinj ' v, it) the summer of the year 1635, lie took ship, with ),I,

i. ,, Ollie minimer; but lie chose with his father's family and some






,on I in, in, ible hindrances of his removal.
N,a 1,oilr ift,r this, helvel (is his own expression for itwas) "his heart

tl. i, l,-th th, Lord ! " and fee whom lie employed many tears in his I- r- 11) G~d, that they might be happv, and, likc anotbe~ Job, offered Up 1. 'I'lik. slapplicatiolls.

ill h-arningmade him strive bar(] that his hopeful sons might
a fle'll a learned e(Immition; and accordingly we find four or five
11 1- lit i I'Al inq laurels in the cataloone of our 11raduates; and several of
ill o an- at thk day worthy preachera of the gospol in our churches.
I ' V%a, nw,t]-y a morning- student, net meritho, the name of Ronal Lee-
:,"oq. i'l he in the witty epigralionatist, from his long lying a bed; and


I. ]h, nowh valued that rule, slang standing; and until old age in(]
l,o, s ,onlolied him, lie rarely wool,] study sitting. . . . And when
,,d all oploo ninit , v to hear a sermon from any other minister, lie did
gllnt and reverent attention, as niade it manifeq that he
"lill .... I (;od u, doile, of it; and lie was very careful to be present
a Ill, 6-hillio;q of the. exorcises, counting it. a recreation to sit and
of God.




1, 1,- was a faithful repiover, both ill Ialbliek and in private ; and

" k ' "!1 t I. I I -I ~1,q ~ .... I li:iSpeoee of precious done in tipliug or talkho,
~ql, lie 1-r-l's , which ho ste, grown too common, will an evil so ex'
k "ff. i"i, " lo him, that he Would enll it " sitting at illeat ill all id"I's
;"J.1, ; " !"',I % lwn Ile saw that vanity gi ow upon the more high profes
20 History of Hingham.

sets of religion, it was yet more distasteful to him, who in his own behaviour was a great example of temperance.

P-1-1-dr-, expressed in a gai-'y and brim-rY of apparel. would also cause him with much compassion to address the young persons with whom lie saw it budding, and advise them to correct it, with more clare to adourn their souls with such things as Nl ere of great price Vore God.- and here likewise his call eXanlphl joined handsomeness with grovity, and a larderation that could not endare it show. But there Was no Sort of men from whom lie more turned away than those. who, under a pretence of zeal for church discipline, were very pragmatieal lit controversies, !lot] furiously act Upon blivingall things carried their way, which they would call o the rule," but at the same little were most insipid creatures, destitute of the 11 life. and power of godliness," and perhaps immoral in their conversations. To these lie would apply it saying of Mr. Cotton's, "that some men are all church and no Christ."

Ile was a person that met with mally temptations and afflictions, which are better forgotten than remembered, but lie was internally and is now eternally a gainer by them. It is remarked of the Patriarch Jacob that when he was it very old man, and much older than the most that lived after him, lie complained, 4' Few and evil have been the days of the years of my life," lit which complairlt the few is explained by the evil. His days were winter-days, and spent in the darkness of sore calamity. Winterdays are twenty-four hours long as well as other days, yea, longer, if tile equation of time should be mathematically considered, yet we count them the sheriff days. Thus. although our Hobart lived unto old age, he might call his days ftw, because they had been evil. But "mark this perfect mail, mod behold this upright one ; for the end of this man was peace." In the spring of tile year 1670, lie was visited with a Hikness that seemed the " reelcenger of death; " but it was his humble desire that, by having his life prolonged a little further, lie might see the education of big own younger children perfected,and bestow more labour also upon the conversion of tile voting people in his congregation. 11 1 have travelled in the, ministry in this place thirty-five years, and might it please God so far to lengthen out my days, as to make it up forty, I should not, I think desire any more." Now, the Lord heard this desire of his prili servant, and added no less than eight years more unto his days. The most part of which time, except the last three-quarters of a year. he was employed in the publick services of his ministry.

Being recovered from his illness, lie proved that lie did not flatter with his lips in tile. vows that he had made for his recovery, for he now set himself with great fervor to gather the children of his church under the saving wings of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in order therounto lie preached many pungent sermons oil Eccl. xi. 9, 10, and Eccl. xii. 1, and used many other successful eudeavours.

Thoul,,h his labours were not without success, yet the success was not so general and notable but that be would complain, 11 Alas, for the barrenme.a of my ministry ! " And when he found his hings; decay by old oge an(Ifever, he would clap his hands on Ids breast, and say, 11 The bellows are burnt, the founder bits mefted in vain! " At length, infirmities grew so fast upon this painful servant of our Lord, that in the summer of the year 1678 he seemed apace drawing on to his end, but after some revivals be again got abroad; however, he seldom, if ever, preached after it, hot only a dministered the sacraments, In this time his humility, and consequently





1 1. it it wa, tle- %vork of heaven, which he was willing to anticipate."
1; I.,ut ~ :_,ht weeks before his expiration, he did with his aged hand
..r,l , :k to -emu- l which, when lie had performed with touch solemnity,,



h,- ~ileot Ili% hours according] v in assiduous preparations, not without
I irk iotervals of temptation, but at last with " li 1,ht arising in dark
oet.~ him. While his exteriour was deculing, 1119 interiour wits re-

q i-~crv day. mitil the twentieth day of January, 1678, when lie -11 aivi ilentiv resioned his holy send unto its faithful Creator.





0~sn sub how Saxe, Latitant, defesso Sepulchro, Spiritus in Calo,

careers, missus agit.


ldr. ~,4iivagc, the learned editor of Wilithrop's Journal," says
,~l this mention of Mr, Hobart in the Magnalia

it, U,a3l, Mather provei; his kbvhieq~q more than his accuracv; for he

k, ~t I f-loart as haviie, been a minister at Haverhill, in Eniland, and

:1 .... it h,Al ition affirms that lie was earnestly invited to return thither

iz.r I,,, hol liven here some years. Hobart's'own jouned does not on

'i, - 11, 11 :t representation, and n1l other old writin.gi; in our Hingham

~l 11 ... mt, ~ aiiii the derivatiou of the pastor and flock from tire village of

1 .. . .... ~! e eno lit Norfolk. This is probably a mere blunder, for the

"1., 1. Ile kil-ev it was in April -, and lie adds that, oil arriving lit Charles

, " ,, - Io. f"klll.( his desired rebitimis got sale there before ljir~n.' But his

T I,- r hol i ... en here nearly two years, and two of his brothers, at least,

~- - (11 ol one year, so lhat Ill-, oo dool)t, hall letters from them before


-,,, Pr fi%, ' Sells in tile millistry, tholt'gh the author had certainly in
.1 L ~~f -1110 0 them. Such is the custionary laxness of the ' Manedia."'
i,

U--%. J,ihn Norton, the second minister, was born in Ipswich

'1011 '~Vlvftlf being one of his classmates. Ile was ordained

- k.-ole pastor m ith Mr. Hobart, Nov. 27, 1678, Of Mr. Norton

'(c i.,i kiv,tvn. His ministry seems to have been for the most

I 'it quiel :'ad peaceable. Ile is described as a man of amiable

'I tr':Wj(~r, forvent pietv, and religious zeal, a faithful and beloved
22 11istory of 11inghaln.

pastor. Only one of his sermons was printed. This was an Election Sermon, delivered on May 26, 1708, Judge Sewall makes the followin.- entry in his " Diary 7' : -


11 Midweek, May 26, 1708. Mr. Jtio. Norton preaches a Flattering Sermon as to the Governour."

11 May 27. 1 was with a Comittee in the morn. . . . and so bv God's good providence absent when Mr. Corwin slid Cushing were order'd to Thank Mr. Norton for his sermon and desire a Copy."


Praise of Governor Dudley was distasteful to Judge Sewall, who was opposed to the policy of the Governor.

March 26, 1710, Judge Sewall " went to Hingham to Meeting, heard Mr. Norton from Pgal. cxlv. 18. Setting forth the Propitionsmss of God."

Mr. Norton died Oct. 3, 1716, in the sixty-sixtb year of big age, and the thirty-eilghtli year of his ministry.

It was during the ministry of Mr. Norton that the first meetinghouse became too small for tile growing town, and a second ]louse was erected.

The first niceting-liouse was built shortly after the gathering of the church in 1635. It was oil tile main street, on a hill in front of the present site of the Derby Academy. It was surrounded by a palisade erected in 1645 11 to prevent any danger that may come into this town by any assault of the Indians," and was surmounted by a belfry with a bell. Around it upon the slope of the bill the dead were buried. Tile hill was removed in 1831, and the reinaing, which were disinterred by the removal, were beried within the old fort in the Hingham ceinctery, and ,I monument erected over them by the town, bearing the inscription " To tile first settlers of Hingham. Erected by the Town, 1839."

The first meeting-house was undoubtedly a rude structure, but there are indications that it was not wb~lly without ornament. For forty-five years it was the only house for public worship in tile town.

Jan. 19, 1679--80, the town agreed to build a new mecting-house

with all convenient speed;' and a committee was appointed to view the mecting-houses of other towns, for the purpose of aseer. taining the dimensions of a building necessary to accommodate tile inhabitants, and the probable expense. This committee were to report to the town at the next town-ineeting in Alay following.

May 3, 1680, the Selectmen were directed to 11 carry on the business to effect about building a new mecting-boutie," and it was voted 11 to have tile new meeting-holi8e set tip in the place


where the old one doth now stand." On this last quest tile Town Records give the names of tbirty-four persons voting in the affirmative, and eleven in the negative.

Aug. 11, 1680, the dimensions of tile house were fixed by the town as follows: length, 35 feet ; breadth, 45 feet ; and beikht


.,f tl,,. posts 1, twerity, or one and twenty feet," with galleries on
'Ie. l.h. and at botfi ends.
kll~ 2, 16-81, the town approved of the action of the Selectmen
n I. lation tothe buildingof the new meeting-houge, andthe place
it %vas to be set. Thirty-seven pet-sons dissented from this
These transactions were brought to the notice of the Gov-
1.rn-,i. and (lie authority of the magistrates interposed.
'I'll(! following are copies of papers in the State archives


Hw Coverno' and Magistrates having considered the p'sent motions
i1m,,ictin relating to the placing of a New meeting house, and also
r- Oic, by information of the Holv` IV- Stoughton and Joseph Dud-
F'.1" who were desired to view the place of the present House (which

to lie inconvenient by them), do therefore hereby disallow of the I thill, tip of a New meeting house either in the old plate or in the plaine. 1,1 't, further order that a new meeting of all persons in the Towne h.. h:kA e right to vote in such cases be speedily ordered at which it may

1, ful 1% vot"I where to place the new meeting house, And the Selectmen ... h. n4o, required to make a speedy returns of the number of votes ta ti,.~ Mat"' Governo'.


Sup,r,,ribcd to the Selectmen
,,f Ili,e,hann, to be communicated
t., ill(. Towne.

At a Towne meeting holden at Hingham on the 24th day of May, 1681,

I fi,auas Andrews was Chosen moderator of that meeting, and at the said fing the vote passed by papers, with sevelity-threp hands for the now

)louse that is now building in Hinghara to be set it) the conve!ii, ni,st place in Captame Hobart's land, next or nearest to Sammell haxter's house.



I'lie magisl* having Considered the Returne of the Selectmen of fling-
l1run in refferenc to the vests for setting the meeting house there, Dlle
Approove of said vote and Judge meete, all Circumstances considered, that
It. ill,%%- nicetilIg house be errected accordingly ill tile convenientest place
It$ Cap: Hubbards land neerest to Samuell Tl;axte's house.
Put by y' Council,
Erlw~ RvIvSON, SeCreL

And go, after a controversy of more than a year the location of

11p. new house was settled. Immediate measures were taken to `41'r.t the votes of the town into effect. July, 8, 11;81, Capt~ 1-411a 11(hart conveyed to the town by deed of gift tile site for ill(- niecting-house ' which is the same upon which it now stands.

, I'll,, frarrip of the meeting-house wag raised on the 26th, 27th
't :1. 241 It davs of July, 1681 and it was opened for public wor'
N;~ I Jall. 8,'1681-82,It cog't the town X430 and the old ]louse,
24 History of 11inghom.

the necessary amount being raised by a rate which had been made in October, 1680.

There is a tradition that the site for the house was 'xed on the Lower Plain, and that on the night preceding the y appointed for the raising of the frame it was carried to the spot where the house now stands ; but there is no record of a vote of the town fixing the site on the Plain, and the story does not have a very plausible foundation.


After the death of Mr. Norton the parish was without a settled minister for a period of twenty months. During this interval Mr. Samuel Fisk and Mr. ThoiiIas Prince were invited to take the office, but neither accepted the invitation. Towards the latter part of the year 1717 Mr. Ebenezer Gay preached as a candidate, and on Dec. 30, 1717, the church and congregation by their unanimous votes invited him to become their minister. Mr. Gay accepted the invitation, and was ordained June 11, 1718.

Mr. Ga * y was born in Dedham, Aug. 26, 1696.1 He was gradu-
ated irorn Harvard College in 1714, being one of a class of eleven
members, of whom four were from Hingham.

At less than twenty-two years of age this remarkable man began his ministry Isere. " Ile was a burning and a staining light;' and this people did 11 rejoice in his light for a season ; " his ministry falling Short, by a few months only, of seventy years. He died on Sunday mornin.w, March 8, 1787, when he was preparing for the services of the day, in the, 91st year of his age. He received the degree of S. T. D. from Harvard College in 1785.






The Rev. Dr. Gay was the third minister of this my native town, and of the parish in which I was born and nurtured. Though lie had passed away before I came upon the sta,p, I have had a good opportunity of expforing the best sources of information concerning him, and of gathering many traditionary reminiscences illustrative of his character,

Dr. Gay outlived two generations of his parishioners; and not one of those who was a member of the parish at the time of his birth, wns livin at his decease. Nor can I ascvrtain that a single individual mbo was an acting member at the time of his Ordination survived him. More thin three fourths of a century bas elapsed since his decease, yet big menierv is preserved fresh in the traditions of the generations who knew him loa~- and well. I have known many persons who recollected him in his Old age.

He was of about the middle size, of dignified and patriarchal appearance, and, if we can judge of his features as delineated by the peneil of Razlitt, they were not particularly handsome. Ile had, however, in the recollection of those who knew him, a grave, yet benignant expression of





IlIko 11 111"0. Those who loved him held him in such affection and rev.
111:lt theY vAould not adroit that Hazlitt's portrait was not a beauti-

III ib.it lie recollected seeing three venerable and learned men, - Dr.

4. ,, Ili-, Ulinincy, and Dr. Appleton, - pass through the college yard th, Lilmnr% . . I, Dr. Gay and Dr. Chauncy were oil a visit to Dr. Ar they walked up to the chapel together, two being nearly itinety

dd, kild the other, Dr. Cliamacy, about eighty-threv. It excited It an, jition at the time." Crest intimacy existed between these three

O,i,o, le, during their ]an,,, and useful lives. Chaurc3 and Gar died
Ill, line year. Appleton's death took place about three years cailier.

X! thI- ordination of Mr. (afterwards Dr.) Simeon Howard, as pastor of t L, %% c.,t Church, in Boston, Dr. Chimney preached the Sernion, Dr. 4. 1% the Charge, and Dr. Appleton presented the Fellowship of tile it iI;,n b, . They were often associated in similar services.

I ),I earliest sermon of Dr. Gay's which was printed wink delivered at

it.,- .rdination of Rev. Joseph Green, at Barnstable, from Acts xiv. 15, - ., it,- are also men of like passions with you," -which was much adwin -1 f,-r iv, wise lessons, seasonable admonitions, and moving exhortsHis classmate (Foxeroft) accompanied its publication with a

Pn 1..tka , N Address "To the Reader," commending the sermin) in the most
jkfi.. liolwalk, terms. Towards the close of this most impressive discourse,
%, firld like following passages in Dr. Gay's peculiar vein. Speaking of
III.- candidate for ordination, Joseph Green, lie says : 11 We trust that lie
.,flk it J osErn unto his BRETHREN, whom he is to feed with the By-cad
k,f . Lif~. and that God sendeth him here to preserve their Souls from
P, i i4ino I r. The Lord make him ksjruki~ful Bough, even afrui~ful Bough
ly I, tr4t. grafted into the 7!,-eek, of Lift, and always GREEN, and fourish
I,,,/ in It, (owit, Of our God."
III. CaY nas remarkable in the selection and application of the texts of
)J~ 11 Intals. Having for a long time been unsuccessful in procuring it
,,- 11 111 niter oil his homestead, lie introduced the subject into his prayers,
-1-d al,o preached a sermon from Num. xxi. 17, "Then Israel SMW
tlli~ Spring oil. 0 well, sing ye unto it." In 1728 lie kidivured t~
I. I iir,- ilk his ow'n pulpit 1, to bring Lot's wife to remembrance," from the
1, N1 ii Lake xvii. 32, 11 Remember Lot's wife," and entitled this verv
04, :,ild intcrestirw lecture, "A Pillar of Salt to Season a Corrupt Age,
Ti `~
III, lext. of his Sermon preached at the. instalment of tile Rev. Ezra Car-

IlAo,%er may have been the theological views entertained by Dr. Gity
III Illf (':Ll'l , V lent of his ministry, it is well understood that lie sympathized
,kill. the Spirit of free inquiry, which gradually wrought a cloinge in the
.Til'im's , I
if nially enwinent divines, commencirw about the middle of the
-,t - e ntum.
Ill hi,Co,vvntiotk Sermon of 174iii, lie attributes dissensions among the
r_-, t I. I. ... inisters so often choosing to insist upon the offensi%e pecu-
ritik,, If tit,. leirty they had espoused, rather tban upon the more mighty
tlIle-I, ill ahi,h we'are .ill agreed."
Ill. ct, "i-posed to creeds, or written Articles of Faith. proposed by
I. Ilk thus expresses himself, ilk 17.11, iii his wrinon tit the ordina
26 History of Hingham.

tion of Rev. Jonathan Darby, at Scituate : 11 And It is pity any man, at his entrance into the initistry, should, in his ordination vows, get a snare to his seat by subscribing, or any ways crigagnq, to preach

other rule 'of faith, creed, or confession, which is merely of human illrescription or impogi tion.11

Ile was it warm friend of tile celebrated Dr. Mayhew, of Boston, whose biographer thinks the latter was indebted to Dr. Gay for the adoption of the 11 liberal and rational views " which lie embraced.

PresidentJohn Adams, in a letter to Dr. Morse, dated May 1.5, 1815, remarks as follows: 11 Sixty years ago my own minister, Rev. Lemuel Bryant I Dr. Jonathan Mayhew, of tile West Church, in Boston, Rev. Mr. Shute, of Ilingliam, Rev. John Brown, of Cobasget, unit perhaps equal to all, if not above all, ev. Dr. Gay, of libigbam, were Unitarians."

By some, who fully understand the position of Dr. Gay after the middle of the last century, be has been claimed to have been the father of American Unitarianism. This must Ile conceded that his discourses will he searched it, vaill, after that point of time, for say discussions of contraversial theology, any advocacy of the peculimr doctrine regarded as orthodo x (it the e~prissimi of any opinions at variance with those of his ilistt~nguishcd successor in the same, pulpit, the Rev. Dr. Ware.

But I coutuot leave Dr. Gay without adverting to his political opinions, for our traditionary isdficrniatic~n concerning them finely illustrates his character. Ile was opposed to tile measures which preceded the American Revolution and Declaration of Independence. His sympathies were not with the Whigs. Yet, such was his discretion that lie maintained his position at the bead of a large and intelfilgent parish, couiprisint, all shades of political opinion, but in the main Whigs, without alienatialy the alleetion of his people at- impairing his usefulness. On one occasion he and his friend and neighbor, Dr. Shute, who was an ardent Whig, were invited to address the people in town-meeting oil % political question, and they both succeeded so well that tile town gave them a vote of thanks. Still, Dr. Gay's political sentiments were well understood, and were a cause of occasional unertsiness imost, his parishioners (luring the period of the Revolution. We have this anecdote from at) authentic source: It was a part of the duty of the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety to call upon suspected citizens, and those known to be loyalists, to demand a search for arms. It was proposed dust tile Committee should call upon Dr. Gay and demand his arms, probably not because they supposed he had any of which he would make improper use against tile new government, but because the Opportunity was a good one to givIt him a sort of official admonition that he held obnoxious sentiments, in which some of the most influential of his people did not share. That the thing to be done was. a little aggravating did not take away the zest of doing it; it would have been ungenerous also, had there not been a very per ct accord between Dr. Gay and his parish, as pastor and people, oil all subjects save politics. The Committee presented themselves before the Doctor, who received them in his study, standing, and with entire calmness and digr.'ty, when he inquired of them, " What do you wish with me, gentlemen ? "

-We have come, sir, in accordance with our duty as the Committee of Safety. to ask you what arms you have in the house."

Ile looked at them kindl ' y, ~erliapa a little reproachfully, for a moment
or two before answering, and then said, laying his hand upon a large



Itit!, ,,, tile, table liv which lie stood, 11 There. my friends, are my arms, 111A I It a,t to find thein ever sufficient for me."

Ili. Committee retired with some precipitation, discomfited by the
,j,.,itod nianner and implied rebuke of Dr. Gay, and the chairman was
s, iol o, ,a ' v to Isis associates, as they passed out of the yard, oThe old
L1 ILIII 111.01 k always rcadv."
.1,~,teitllstandiiJ,thc pi~litical opinions entertained by Dr.Gay,ho found

(Ill. "lergy lvljo held opposite views his most ardent friends. The tit. r, llur~v between him and the Rev. Dr. Shute, of the Second Parish,

ii,, wt~ a zealous Whig, was of the most friendly character, and lie was x,, lit-tit ternis with Air, Solids, of Weymouth, the father of Airs. John %-I ut~. and Ali. Brown of Cohasset, who, at one time was chaplain to the


I it (;:IV's son, lotham Gay, was a captain in the same department. 11'. DI'ettur, in writing to Mr. Brown, says, " I wish you may visit Jotham .1 1 iiiini~fer good instruction to him and his company, and furnish him ,,0h nitalic sermons in print, or in your own very legible, if not very iw, fli,,ihle manuscripts, to read to his men, who are without a preacher, o, tl,,, rooin of on(,, constitute Jotham curate."

I think I ina-A, AfcIV Buy that New England could listast of few mitistvr,~ during the last century who exerted a wider influence than Dr. Gay.


Nfinit, amusing and characteristic anecdotes are told of Dr. Gay. TI,. following will illustrate his ready wit and humor.

Docks,,, the Revolutionary War, a little before the time of the
annual Thanksgiving, and when it was generally expected that
III-re would be a great deficiency of the foreign fruits, as raisins,
,.nriants, etc., with which that festival had abounded, several Erig
li,h vvsiods bolest with those productions were driven by a storin
upon our const, captured, and brought into Boston. Dr. Gay, who
%1:o4 CiAlsidoreal a prudent loyalist, was accustomed on Thanksgiv
ine fill * vs to make mention in his prayer of the special blessings
`f 010 year. Such a token of Divine favor did not escape without
dav notice. Accordingly, in his Thanksgivirsg prayer, he ginfe
fullt. acknowledged the unexpected bounty somewhat after this
~,Irt : - Oil Lord, who art the infinite Disposer of all thing-,, who
ililk-st Ilse winds and the waves according to thy own good pleas
ore, we devoutly thank thee for the gracious interposition of thy
Pro, idence in wafting upon our shores so many of thy rich boun
t i. A, st o make glad tile dwellings of thy people on this joyful oc
I%Ision." Shortly after its occurrence, some one repealed the
Poctor's ejaculation to Samuel Adams, who, with his usual
1-1 oniptnuss and decision, exclaimed, 11 That is trimming with the
;ni.dltv."
)r'GiLy had, for some time, missed the bay from his barn, and
";N satisiled that it was stolen. With a view to detect the thief,
Dr. Ca v took a dark lantern and stationed himself near bis barn.
11, 41w time a person whom he knew passed along into the barn,
tol quielil , v came out with as large a load of bay as lie could
"11~ upon Iiis back. The Doctor, without saying a word, fol
28 History of Hingham.

lowed the thief took the candle out of his dark lantern, stuck it into 'he butiall-I of hav7 and then retreated. Ili a moment the


hay was lit a light blaze, and the fellow, throwing it irom him~ in utter consternation, ran away from his perishing booty, The Doctor kept the affair a secret, even from his own family, and within a day or two the thief came to him in great agitation, and told him lie wished to confess to him a grievous sia,that lie had been tempted to steal some of his hay, and as lie was carrying it away the Almighty was so angry with b"' that ho had sent fire from heaven, and set it to blazing upon his back. The Doctor agreed to forgive him on condition of his never repeating the offence.

A young minister having preached Ilia first sernion in Dr. Cay'R pulpit, and having, as be thought, done it with considerable eloquence, was anxious to obtain the approbation of his learned brother. "Tell me sincerely what you think of this first effort of mine." " I think it sensible and well written," replied Dr. Gay, 11 but another text would have been more appropriate," "What would you have selected, sir ? " "When you preach it again, I would advise You to prefix this text, I Alas, inaster, for it was borrowed.' "

Oil one occasion Dr. Parties, of Scituate, preached for Dr. Gay,
when he was at horric to bear him. The manner of Dr. Barnes
was exceedin-gly drawling, and when the services ivere concluded,
and tire two clergymen were oil their way home, Dr. Gay said: 11 Dr.
Barnes, your discourse was excellent, but you spoil all you say by
your nianner. Your method of drawling out your words is so ul
tolerable that you put nearly all my people to steel)." To which
frank testimony Dr. Barnett then alid there made no reply. Now
it happened that Dr. Gay had an unusually large month. In the.
afternoon Dr. Barnes a.~ain occupied tile sacred desk, and after
going through the preliminary set-vices, - putting the congrega,
tion, as usual, to steel) in the long prayer, lie Came to the serition.
" At ' y text, my brethren I " lie said, " may be found in the eleventh
verse of the fourth chapter of the Book of Exodus, and is In
these words," -be paused, and looking down over the high pul
pit into the pew of Dr. Gay beneath, and upon the very top of
Dr. Gay's head, lie proceeded with it drawl more pronouju~cd tblin
ever, but with a manner most emphatic, 11 in these words : 'Who
--ti-,tth-mado-mqn's-motitti.'" Dr. Gay lead no occasion
tleentocouiphiinot the drowsiness of his congregation,fortbey
all woke tip and audibly tittered.

The old Arminian and Calvinistic clergy, ere the bitter controTersy broke out, used to meet and criticise, in a f riendly way, each other'B theology. In the same association met Dr. Gay aint Dr. Dunbar, - the former representing Arininianisin, the latter Calvinism. It fell to the lot of Dr. Dunbar to preach before the Association. He felt moved to be very positive, and make a very





he would bring down Ili,,, list upon the desk with fill, Cx,jaruation
This is the gospel I~irst, tota-1 dep,av"RY "'as depicted, Vij~



so on to the end; and under each it tremendous sled"e blow (11
tire pulpit, with " This is the gospel ! " After service , tile inilds
ters inet, and each in turn was asked by the inoderattir to give
hils views of the sernion. Dr. Gay bad a sly
IV lich it iffuse at humor,
d good - -Dature throught the clerical Lmig"I'le' belonged
to it tile theological odium. Ilis 'turn Caine to

,ritli',"isde'tc'hpe's"eur'm(ofti, and be delivered himself in this way, - -

"The sernion reminded me of the earliest efforts at.pailltill* When tile art was in its infancy, and the first rude d)awings weac made, they wrote tile name of an animal under the figare, Ivilich was drawn,so that the people could be sure to identifyit Under One rude figure )'On woldd see written, ' Thbi is a horse'; ' under another, I This is an ox ; ' and So oil. JilThen the art is Perfeeted

Toes unnecessary and the allimad is recognized it little, this beco without the moderscript. I am irclitlY Obliged to nly brother Dunliar, in this infancy of the art, that be belped me in this WaY to identify the gospel, As I followed him through tile live figures which lie sketched for us, I must Confess that unless lie had written under each one, of' them in large betters, 'This is the gosPel !' I never should have known it.o

The following is front ',in article in the Massachusetts cazette, shortly after his decease : -


" His prudent and obligim, waidupt rendered Min satiable ind beloved

as a iieiglibiiar- His tende"feullags for tile distressed induced Ilia] to atTord relief to the poor, according to his ability. His beneficent actions illdiouted the practical sense he, had of ill(, 1,ord'R own words, , it is more blessed to give than to receive., The serenity of his mind ill,([ evvil 11-s of Ilia temper, under tile infirinities of advanced yetirs, made bito allrileable to his friends and continued to the last the ilappilleKs which bad so long subsisted jn~ his family; in which lie a) ivaj 8 presided I% ith great tenderness and dignity."


Dr. Coy retained his mental facalfties lit a remarkable digree

of I igor to the very close of his life. it, his celebrate(] sernion, vntitled IiThe Old Man's Calendar," delivered Aug. 26, 1781, front tile text, "And now, to, I arn this day fourscore and live .%Vars old " (Joshua xiv. 10), in speaking of his parkbionel 8 lie SAY-9,"I retain a grateful sense of the kindness (injurios I reinvinher none) which I have received from them."' ']'his ser. IllonIvas'ePrinted in Ehigl and, translated into the Dutch lallcu",e and taildished in Holland, and several editions were publisheil lit I this country.

,:) ainote attached to Rev ' Peter Ilobarts Diary, Ivritten by Nil ('1 11 all Ilobart, we read: -
30 History of Hingham.

11 The PeVd My. Gay, the third pastor of the town, gave us an excel, fell, seranin, Sent. 17th, 1735, on the conclusion of the first century, from I Cbrou. xxix. 15."


It was during the miniRtry of Dr. Guy that the East, or Second, Precinct was formed and a church elita~lished at Conollasset (now Cohasset).

In 1713 the proprietors of the undivided lands of Hingham gave their consent to the erection of a meeting-bouse by the inhabitants of Conobasset "oil that land called the Plain."

At a town-meeting, March 7, IT14-15, the inhabitants of Conobasset 11 desired the town that they would be pleased to give their consent that they might be made a precinct, or that they might be allowed Romethim, out of the town treasury to help to maintain the worship of God amongst them, or that they might be abated that which they pay to the minister to maintain the worship of God at the Town; and the vote of file town passed in the ne~qative concerning all the forementioned particulars."

This petition having been rejected, the inhabitants of Conohasset presented their case to the General Court, but the hibabit, out,.; of ffingluain opposed their petition and a committee was chosen "to give answer to it" at the General Court in June, 1715.

In July, 1715, the town voted to remit to the inhabitants of Conoliasset their ministerial taxes, on condition " that they provide an orthodox minister among themselves, provided th ey cheetf ally accept of the, game ; " but file reply was made 11 that they could not cheerfully accept thereof."

In September, IT15, the town voted to reimburse to the inhabitants of Conobasset, or to those who should afterwards inhabit the first and second divisions of Conohasget uplands and the second part of the Third Division, all their ministerial and school taxes so long as they should maintain art orthodox minister among themselves, but this did not give satisfaction; and in March, 1715-16, the town voted to remit to them their mini%terild and school taxes for that year, but even this wits not satisfactory.

In November, 1716, a committee was chosen by the town to oppose the petition of the inhabitants of Conobasset before the General Court, and again in 1716-17 the town defeated a motion lookin~ to all agreement with the inhabitauts of Conollasset about a precinct.

lit May, 1717, a committee Was appointed by the town to meet the ~olnraittcc of the General Court appointed to view the 11 lands and dwellings of the inhabitants of Collohasset [or Little Ilingliam, as it was also called], to see if it be convenient to make them a precinct;" and about this time the desired privileges of a separate pariah, for which so long an effort had been made, were obtained, a house of worship was erected, and soon after a minister was settled.


            Ecole8io,qlicol History. 31

In consequence of the creation of the qc(nd Precinct, ill, re
amining inhabitants of ni
of Cormhasset, composed "91111111, Dot included a,ithh, the. lialits
the First Parish or 1, eelect, and Or
ganized all such, March 6 17-0-21, succeeding for the parochial
rights of the town. I
Still another church was formed within the original firnits of
Hingham durinu, the in
erected at whatl l"istrY of Dr., Gay. A ineeting-bnose Was
          18 DOW South Hingham in 1742. This parigh was

set o" arch 26, 174,1~46.
until th! 1'bi8 church was the 11 Third Church
      establishment of Cohasset as a separate town in 1_70


organizations, without the earnest protests of flip
since which time it has been styled the 1, Second Cluirreci)jt.,,church.

light of l'orTliha0pss,elcicknedaafno(ilidtfiimrodtlicehrl,lrseliflee,scowtifl,drt,,iiioiottlife(arilutelide asioseparate

trusting her children alone, separated fmin her protecting influPnee. But she could not restrain or Control the independent ill'termination of her children, and, in spite of all blu~ oppol3itioll, they forced her to accede to their wishes.

Undoubtedly this sentimental view had much influence, but our ancestors were in a great degree matter-of-fact people, ,And there was a practical side to this opposition to tile foundatioo of new parishes, which had more weight than all)* sentirtiont. It real estate within the territorial limits of a parish Was in 'ho'se davs taxable for the support of preaching. Much of the real estnte lYing within the limits of the proposed Conoluisset and South


Parishes was originally granted to residents of the more thicklv set ed portion of the town, and had been inherited or purehase~ (kv lose who would still remain residents of the First Parish - and nat rally enough there was strong objection to being tavp,~ fo,r tile Kill) ort of preaching in parishes from which no direct fienefit 11 (it d he derived.


The fourth minister of the First Pariah was Rev. Henry Ware. fie '%'as born in Sherborn, Mass., April 1 1764, was graduated at flarvard Colle~e in 1785, and Was ordaine'd minister of the churell and congre.ption Oct. 24, 1787. In 18 fie was chosen Hollis Professor of Divinity in Harvard Uuiveros'5ity, and Ilia request for


fli-sinissal from his pastorate was granted He delivered' his
tl d

%~IledivforY discourse May 5, 1805, in the ei,;hte
I enth vear of his
ministry, In 1806 lie received file degrec of 8. T. D.'from Ilar
;:Ird College. Dr. Ware died July ii, 1845, He was a man of
liboral vicivs, admirably adapted to follow up the sentillients of
ilay in religious matters, of logical mind, sound judgment,
large attainments.

    '%fler file close of Dr Wire's uninigtri, several candidates were A majority of the Parish preferred Rev. J07ph Richard, 1114 he was invited to become the minister. Tb`e Call mu; not

32 History of Hiligham.

Unanimous. 11 Behold, there ariseth a little cloud, like a man's hand "' and- soon 14 the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a g at rain.93 There wag gVeat disaffection on the part, of a large minority, and an eventual separation of those opposed to Mr. Richard son's settlement. The controversy has been de scribed as the second "sad, unbrotberly contention " in the town ; and it is certainly to be regretted that a more con. ciliatory spirit was not shown on both sides. At this distant day more than three quarters of a century after this unfortunate

            study and without prejudice upon the j . catiolis of our ancestors. Whether the differopinions of the members of the parish taining to their spiritual welfare would have c oth" canse for dissension, or whether the jpo for action, of course, it is Impossible to r' deals with facts and not opinions, and cause of this unhappy difference must Ile

that a large inimber of the members of the church ad onaregation found it impossible to continue their conne tion witli'the'ir ancestral religious home under the ministrations of Mr. Richardson. The result was the formation of tile "Third COUI~LTII'atiOllal 1,ocictyl" which was incorporated Feb. 27, 1807. The 'effe'et a of this separation were of long continued duratioll. 11'ij, harniony of the town was disturbed in Ponsequence of it. Happily the olive brmich of peace was long since held (Tot and acccpt~d and wo, may well hope that the woids of Scripture may find in this town no Vel'ification in " visiting the iniquity of the'fathors upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation-11

Rev. Joseph Richardson, the fifth in . mister, was born in Bille
rica. Feb. 1, 1778. lie was graduated at, Dartmouth College in
1802, and was ordained pastor July 2, 1806. During his ministry
be filled various public offices. He was a member of the conven
tion for the revision of tile State Constitution, in 1820-21. Ile
was a member, by repeated elections, of the Senate and House of
Representatives of Massachusetts, and was elected to Congress
for the term commencing March 4, 1827, and was re-elected for
the term commenchn, March 4, 1829. tie continued to per
form his parochial dut'ics until the spring of 1855, when, on ac-
c4ut, we may look c ousies and unwise act ing sentiments and la~iai matters not per ultimately found som scasor, was already r say. History, howeve the statement of tile confined to the fact a c c

infirmities of age, his active ministry ceased,
Count Of in(UTLSIng
Mr.
and Rev. Calvin Lincoln was, with I Richardson's consent and
approval, settled as associate pastor. Mr. Richardson's official
conne,,tion with the parish ended with his death, go
ty~l. 25 ' 1""
in the ininety-fourth year of his age, and the six six Of his
                            _tIj


ministry. Appropriate, Bervices were held in com memoration of tile completion of the fiftieth year of his ministry, on which occasion Mr. Richardson delivered a discourse ; and on Feb. 1, 1863, a sernion prepared by him was relid by the associate pastor, from the text, 11 \nd now, Iti, I am this liny fourscore and five years

            Ecclesiastical History. 33


old," (Josb. xiv. 10), - the same as that selected by Dr. G ay as the text for his " Old Man's Calendar," preached at the same age from the same pulpit.

When about to build his house in liffigham, Air. Richardson stipulated with the workmen that at the " raising," and during tile building, no liquor should be used, as was the custom, agreeing to pay is much additional money as the cost of the liquor would amount to. From this incident be is spoken of by some as the

original prohibitionist " of the town.

Rev. Calvin Lincoln, the sixth ministw-, was a native of lliu~gham, and was born Oct. 2T, 1799. Ile was pj-adnated it Hal% ard College in 1820, was ordained over the First Parish in Fitchbarg June 30, 1824. His pastoral connection was dissolved in Fitchburg May 5, 1855, and he was inducted as associate pastor of the First Parish in Bingham May 27, 1855. After the death of Mr. Richardson, Mr. Lincoln continued as role pastor until his death, except during the three years 1877 to 1880, when Rev. Edward A. Horton was associate pastor with him.

Mr. Lincoln was a close student, and although lie cannot be
conRidered a brilliant pulpit orator, his preaching was inaiked by
sound common-sense, and at times, especiall. ' v in extempore
speaking, lie seemed to pour out his whole soul ill the earnestness
of his appeals. He was not inclined to controversy upon new
theological questions, pref erring to consider many points as already
st,ttled beyond dispute, but lie nevertheless kept himself well in
formed upon all the signs of the times in which lie lived. Ile was
            T

It the denominations in the town, and few of a wellcoinQ friend to a our ministers have possessed in as great a deg-reo ap, Air. Lincoln tile respect of the people of Ilinghain, without distinction.

Nil% Lincoln died 'Sept. 11, 1881, in the eighty-gecond year of his alge, and the twenty-seventh of his ministry here. On"I'llursday, Sept. 8, 1881, the (lay appointed by tile (;overnor for prayers f~,~ President Garfield, Mr. Lincoln, standim, in front of the pill pit in tile niceting-lionse, and while in the net of praying for tile 11111"Vel1v of the wounded president, was stricken with paralysis, Mal died on the following Sunday morning.


lb,~. Edward A. Horton, the seventh minister, was born in
~~Jpt in-glield, Alliss., Sept. 28, 1843. Ile was ordained it Lcoinhi
O(~t- 1, 1868, where his pastoral connection was dissohed
jo,Lt 1,1875. Ile was installed as associate pastor of this parish
,\piil 25, 1877. flis pastoral connection was dissolved Alay 3,
1 ~", and Ill, was installed pastor of the Second Cluirch, Boston,
Nl:t,N 124, 188o.

Q,v- H. Price Collier, the eighth minister, was born in DavenP~It,,ilowal May, 25, 1860. Ile was graduated at the Harvard

      School in 1882, and was ordained minister of this parish

34 History of 11ingharn.

SeDt. 29,1882. He resigned his pastorate Nov. 1, 1888, to accept
a I -
call from the "Church of tile '1~avlor;' ffiuokljn~ N. Y.

March 10, 1890, the parish voted to invite Air. Eugene R. Ship sit, who was graduated at Harvard College in 1887 and at ae flarvard Divinity Schook in 1890,but.the invitation was not accepted.

Rev. John W. Day, the ninth and present minister was born in Woburn, Mass., June 13, 1861. He studied theology at the Meadville Theological School in 1891-82 and afterwards at the Harvard Divinity School, where lie was graduated in 1885. He was ordained at Newport, Jai). 6, 1886, as minister of tile Channing Memoiial Church, and remained there until 188T. From 1887 until 1890 lie was minister of the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, N.Y, Oct. 1, 1890, lie became minister of this pariah, the services of installation taking place Oct. 8, 1890.


      DEACONS OF THE CHURCH OF THr FOIST PARISH.


lienly Smith . . chosen Jan. 2q, 1610. Removed to Rehoboth.
Ralph Woodward . 11 11 11 11 d. 1663

Thomas Loring . . .
Thomas Thaiter
Matthew Cushing
John Fearing . . .
John Leavitt . . . .
John Smith . . . .
lhr~hl Hobart . . .
Benjamin Lincoln
Peter Jacob
Joshu% Hersey . . .
,,~olomou Cushing
Thomas Andrews
Josiah Lincoln . . .
Joshua Heresy . . .
Benjamin Lincoln (Geli.)
Joseph Thaxter . . .
Benjamin Cushing . ,
Isaac Cushing . . .
Thotims Feai in,
William Cushing
Caleb tlobart*
David Lincoln . . .
Nehemiah Ripley
Caleb Ilobart .

d. 166 1
d. 1651
d, 1660
d. 1665
d. 1691
d. 1695
d. 1717
d. 1727
d. 17-53
(A. 1740
d. 1769
d. 1781
d. 1774
d. 1781
d. 1810
d. 1808
d. 1812
d. 1815
d. 1820
d. 1848
d. 1846
d. 1825
d. 1863
d. 1865

mt. 71 yrs.

mt. 83 yrs. W~ th.
      th. .~ ~,~.ffng

      I . ~zWd .

mt. 66 Vr4. mt. 55 ~rs. mt. 86 ~rs. mt. 63 yrs. mt. 77 yrs. Ch~ befor. 17r wt. Bd yrs. wt. 74 rts.
'mt. 80 YM S..ost,d Id. f.thu.
"t ~7 yr:,
t M ,
Is y, Lb.c. P.b V. 11M.
mt. 87 ~rs.
mt. 69 yes.
Wt. 70 yrs.
mt. 94 yra. 8~ceedtd Wi Adber.
mt. 92 yrs.
Wt. 59 Yrs.
.mt. 83 Y1 S.
Wt, 82 yrs'. hl. fath.,

Den, W.. VM~hj,,g

OriginallY a Puritan church, under the influence of Dn Gay,
wit'i his spirit for free inquiry, tile opinions of the people became
less and less Calvinistic. The Trinitaran became Unitarian. It
cannot be said that, there was all ' v fixed date of this change ; it was
gradual. When the Unitarians were acknowledged as a denom
mation, this parish was confessedly Unitarian and has continued
as such to the present time. The same is true of tile Cohasset
d to. The Third Congrega
~~ A."ornillatioll. There was

            &clesiastical Mstory. M


not in this town any division of the churches on denominational
lines, as was counnon in Other places
century. in the latter part of the last

The Oloeting-bouse of the First Parish, ur tile " Old Nleetill,-
house " as it is low called, was built ill 1681.
niecting-house were used in the coll, Parts of tile first
,truction
antiquity makes it, one of tile prjocipal of the NCIW One, tS
f fingliam, No house for objects of illt"r(~st in
public ""Shil) exists within the ornfinal
limit% of the United States, which continues to be used ful- tile

OLD MERTINQ-110USE PULPIT, DINGHAST.

Purpose for which it was erected, nod reinaillille, On the same site
a1lere it was built which is so ob, as tile jue"ting-house of he
Pirst I e
Pgrish in Hingham. in 1730 it was enlarged, and again enlarged in 1755, In tile latter year the Present Pulpit was built and placej near1j, it, it, "'Psent Position. Dr. Gay preached from it for tile first time ;Ift('I* it was built front Nellemiah viii, 4:
stood upon a P " At'd Ezra tile scribe
ulpit of wood 'which tlICY lVid made for tile pur
'a the same year the first PeWs Were bUill, viz.: two re's
u1 square Pews all around the house, exeppting, til
vied by le sp,
    aPes

    tile Pillpit and the aisles leading fr(Ill tile porches. ocell-

nas a pew ill front of tile ','here
;uk Pulpit known as the eldeW pew or Seat
an enclosed Beat or Pew in front of tile elders' Pew, ficein

                                ~Ir

Be History of ffii,~qharl.

the broad aigle, for the deacons. The two latter pews were re
moved in 1828. The central space or body of the house was oc
cupied by long oaken seats for tile occupancy of innics on one
side of the broad aisle and of females on the other. These seats
were removed from time to time, until the whole space was cov
ered by pews. In 1799 five pews were built in tbo front of vach
side gallery, and in 1804 the same number in the rear of those
first built, making twenty in all. At subsequent dates all tile
side gallery pews were removed and new pews built in their
place~, viz. : eight in the eastern galler ' y in 1854, the same mure.
her in (lie western gallery in 1855, and in 1857 four were built in
the eastern, and four in the western, galleries. In 1859 four pews
were built in the front gallery, and in 1868 four more had been
built ill the same gallery.

In 1822 stoves were introduced for the purpose of heating the house.

In 1869 the present, new pews were built on the floor of the limiso, furnaces were introduced, and extensive repairs were inade.

Oil tile occasion of the reopening of the meeting-bouse, Sept. 8, 1869, appropriate services were held to commemorate the event.

Ju 1867 an o-gan was placed in the front gallery. Previously to this date for maily years the choir had been accompanied by a flute, bass-viol, and other instruments at various times, In 1869, at the time of the general repairs, the location of the organ was changed to the platform on tile easterly side of the pulpit, and in 1870 a new and larger organ was purchased. It is the one now ill use.

The parish seal was adopted in 1869. It con.,ists of a picture of the meefing-bouse in the centre, surrounded by an ornamental circular border, which is encircled by another, leaving a space between the two in which is the following' 4 -


    ,,LET THE WORK OF OUR FATHERS STAND,-%1681.'1


In 1870 the Parish received from flon. Albert Fearing the gift of a lot of land adjoining its other land oil the southerly side,

being a part of tile land granted to Robert Peck. Teacher of the
    0

First Churelt in Ifingliam, in the year 1638," as tile deed of the same recites.

Ali,,. 8, 1881, very interesting and impressive exercises were field in tile meeting-honse in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the building of the house. Mr. Charles Eliot Norton, a lineal descendant of the second minister,during whose ministry it was built, delivered the principaI address. At this time a talilet of brass, set in mabogany, was placed upon the wall

westerly side of the pulpit, containing a list of the nliniste_ a statement relating to the building of the rneeting-house.

Jan. 8, 1882, a discourse was delivered by Rev. Edward A. Ifor
tell, on the oceasiou of the 200th anniversary of the opening of
w(rs 1.

            Ecclesiastical History. 37


    flrneeting-bouse was completed and dedicated March 20, 1891.

ieThe Pariah TIOuse, which stands oil opposite
1111- 1 ,
'mag .110 vesh,Y --onj "n'. ch."~l 'on, Nitli tile
~ -11~ I - - u t dal ~ n

inecting-house, tile need had long been felt of a suitable building for the uses of tile Suriday-school and other purposes connected with the religious and charitable work and social life of tile


parish. For fifteen or twenty years efforts had been ruade b
those interested, with good success, to accumillate a fillid suft
cient for the erection of such a building. The Ladies' Ifenevolenc
Society connected wit), tile parish, by means of fairs and enter
taininents, nulde substantial contributions to this field; itev.
Calvin Lincoln, 1) ' 1, his will, left (o tile parish ft slim of njoliq
which could be used for the purpose ; these with other aujonnis
being invested from time to time increased by, the acconnilatioos

of interest; money wns subscribed for the purchase of the lotand ill due time tliill Parish House was built. PeabodY & Steal c., were the architects.


        SECOND PARISII (COITASSET).


TIw difficulties qtterlding th, JoInlation of this parkh b:1,c eI - ready been stafcd.

Ill ~~ hat 3 ear it ... ret - ing-11011se ails crect('d it, Couoha~set d(pg 1)(1, appear by the reor,b,, It %v~ls pr;)bably ill l'in,,

p(sSibly not U;)tjj aftcr U17, ))at certaitill before 17-01. 1,roj",

, bIV tile],(" Was preaelbill'-, 'lI it before the sottleloput of the first pa~tor. I b, dimensdous Avere

five by tm enty-Ij s c foet, and it wqs situated on tile Plain a little to tile south of tile prcsout house. May 14, 17V;


COnASSET XUl?,TlNQ-aor,,.

it Wag v(led "that ill e proprietors of the 1ludivjjed . hulds gi ,
Waselit to the it Be

    11 abitants of Conobaps0t 10 crect a mectill" qI that land called ' The Plaiij.,

.1f;1l1v f:'ets yelut
1111:11,110, , ill"' to the history, of the Second p1lish olav be
d f"(41 tile valuable and interesting ( -
      , liscourses delkered bV

      Jacob Flint, Oil file colll])Ietioll of the first century of j(3

38 History of Ifingliam.

Mr. Nehemiah Hobart, a grandson of the Rev. Peter Hobart, file firilt, m4ugle, of jflio~banj, preached as a candidate from July 13 to Dec. 13, 1721, oil which day lie was ordained pastor, the church having been organized the day previous.

After his ordination, Mr. Hobart wrote in big book of records:

1- 0 my soul, never (lure to forget that day and the solution charge I re
ceived therefrom, but 6c. mindful of 2 Tim. iv. 1, 2, - the preacher'li text,
- that at the last da ' v T may be able to say as in Acts xx. 26, 27. ' I take
you to record this day, that I lon pare from tire blood of all men, for I
have not shunned to declare auto you all the counsel of Cod.' "

The new society was a-cak in numbers, and their meetinghouse was built in accordarice with their means. It was small and plain.

At the formation of tire church, Mr. Helmet drew up rl covenant ending ill these word,~ : -


11 We (to, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the presence of God and the holy angels, explicitly and expressly coverimit and hied ourselves in manner and form following, namely t We do give up ourselves to God, whose nalne alone is Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. To God the Father, as our chief and only good ; and unto our Lord Jesus Christ, as our propbut, priest, and king, and only Mediator of the covenant of grace; %ad unto the Spirit of God, is our only sanctifier and comforter. And we (]a give up ourselves one unto another in the Lord, covertanting and lawinisingg to walk te~gedrer :is a church of Christ, in all ways, of his own iii4titution, according to the prescriptions of his Italy word, prornis~ i:ig that with all tenderness and brotherly love, we will, with all faithfuli esi, watch over each other's souls, and that we will freely yield up ourselves to tire discipline and power of Christ in his church, and attend whatever ordinances Christ liath appointed and declared in his word; and wherein we fail and come short of duty, to wait upon him for pardou and remission, beseeching him to make our spirits steadfast in his covenant, and to own us as his church and covenant people forever. Amen."


Rev. Nehemiah Hobart wait born in Hingham, April 27, 1697, and was graduated at Harvard College in 1714, in the same class with Rov. Elecriezer Gky.

In tile call, settlement, and ministry of Mr. Hobart there was perfect hariviony. There seems to have been no opposition to him oil the part of .my- one in the paris~i. He was a 11 truly devout, enlightened, and liberal divine." Between him and his neighbor, Dr. Gay, there was a warm Hympathy and affection. He died May 31, 1740, in the forty-fourtli year of his age, and the nineteenth of his ministry, much lamented by his people.


    The parish, says Mr. Flint, " lost no time, after the death of Mr.

Hobart, before they took measures suitable to fill his place with all-
other well-educated and respectable pastor ; . . . but they did not
          I one in whom ther could unite." Finally'.after


            rfeclesia8tical History. 39


hearing several candidates, Mr. John Fowle, of Charlestown, was ni-litairred, not without a strong opposition, though with the ultimate d'urited at Harvard College in 1732, and " was allo
graKent of a number of the parish, Dec. 31 1741. MrcdFobwvlgwo,(,1;

judges, to be a man of considerable genius, and handsome ac'quirements." He soon, unfortunately-, developed " a most irritable nervous temperament, which rendered him unequal in his perforniances, and at thnes quite peevish and irregular." The I joleber of those opposed to him increnad, and his pastoral connoctiout with the parish was dissolved in the fifth year of his ministry.

At this time the pariab bad so increased in numbers and ma~ Ivrial prosperity that the need will; felt, of a new and more colnmodious meeting-house. The work of building the same ivas commenced about the thno of Mr * Powle's dismissal, and in the ensuing year the howse now standing was crected, at a cost of X1622 J9s. 9d. The butildirni

was sixty feet, by forty-five. On the northerly end of tile roof was a belfry, and two flights of stairs leading to the galleries were on the inside. The front porch and the steeple were added fit a Intel- date.


Before the coari~laeat~ ~Ijjllle now inecting-house, several caildi
lie

dates were "Jed It great lumilinlitY Mr. John Brolvill a natile of Haverhill, was invited to beeo~uo tile pli4cn% Ile was a graduate of Harvard College in 1741, a Ill ivas ordained over tire Second Parish Sept. 2, 1747~

'I'lle followit"T anecdote is told of his settlement.

It is said thc~e was one opposer only, whom Mr. Brown reconciled by a stroke of good humor. Calling to gee the opposer, lie inquired the cause of opposition. " I like your person and manners , " -said the opposor ' " but your preaching, sit, I (lisapprove, "

said Mr. Brown, "we are agreed. MY preaching I do not like very well myself ; but bow great the Toll), Tor you and I to set up our opinion against that of fit(,, whole parish." The opposer felt, or thought lie felt, the folly, and was no longer opposed.

"Tho talents of Rev. John Brown were considerablv more than

ordinary. In a stately person lie possessed a mind whose perceplions were quick and clear, and his qentimet!ts were generally the lcelllt of just reflection. Ile thought for 11 unself; and when lie had formed his opillions, be uttered them with fearless freedom~ Acquainted fron) childhood with the Holy Scriptures, from them


In! formed his religious opinious. Ile believed tile Soll of God

abFai lie said, "I'lic Father is greater than 1;' and althotodi lie 6.1 toted that mankind was sinful, yet lie did not attribute their .4ins to his immediate act who is the Author of all tood. Till a;fvancod in life lie was foud of social intercourse, atill was able .1 wayst to make society innocentlY clicerfull" Ile s;erved ill one PRIllpaign as chaplain to it colonial regiment in Nova Scotia, anti

40 11istory of Hingham.

by his word and example, during the Revolutionary period, encouraged his fellow-citizens to maintain the struggle for liberty. He died ]if file six1y-soventh Year of big age and the forty-fifth of his ministry. Ile preached until the Last Sabbath of his life, and was buried in Cobasset.


It was during the ministry of Mr. Prown that Coliasset was set off from Hingham find incorporated as; a town in 1170, and from that time the history of this parish ceases to be a part of the history of Hingham.


              THIRD (APTERWARDS SECOND) PARISH, SOUTH HINGHAM.


The Third Parish, in Hingham, was set off March 25,, 1745, and a meeting-house had already been erected in 1742. It comprised the southerly portion of the town. There was much opposition in the town to the setting off of this as a separate parish, and bitter controversies arose in consequence; but by persist-


sonTu nINGIIAM, 3TEET11sr-ROV81C.

ent efforts the inhabitants of flie south part of the town at last succeeded in carrying out their wishes.


On the church record we find : -

"Nov. 20, 1746. The church in tire south If in Hirightim, wig embodied by the rcv~ Nathaniel Eelles, of Scituate, and the rev! William Smith, of Weymouth."


And the covenant to which tire members assented was the following : -

,,We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, apprehending ourselves called of God into a sacred fellowship with one another in the profession and practice of the holy christirui religion as a particular Church of tire Lord Jews Christ, do solemnly covenant with God and with one another as follows : -

11 In the first place, We avouch the Lord this dify to be our God, yielding ourselves to him to be his servants, and cloning him to be our pertion forever.

11 We give up ourselves unto that God, whose name alone is Jelf and is the Father, and the Soft, and the holy Ghost, to be his people, to


            rwilefrialdieftl HiiClory. 41


walk in his w s, and to keel) his statut", and his commainhoents find his judel Cents, onid
I I to hear-ken unto his voive. We declare our serious belief
of tire. christian religion, its it is taught in ills llible, which we take for s.
perfect rule of faitlif worship, and nninner,.
We acknowl"I"
          le the Lord Jesus Christ its the befit of his )leol)le ill

attilled cdoevpeennadi oielidgraitei, t,;Itine(lwaacycewpltiicfihilitie:lgli~Lotilitr pardon, and eternal life.

I, We profess our seriolis resolution to deny, fig tbe grflOP of God tCilelhuth (is, all ungodliness anti worldly lustq, juld to live frobetIv, righteouslA, :kill[ godly in this present world, to endelLVor that our conver'sation may 6e such its becomes and adono; the gospul.

11 We promise to walk together in :kit wavs of hotv communion as brethren in the family of Christ and children'tif our Father, who is ill beaven, to keep the faith and observe tile order of the gospel ebein,folly to support and conscientiously to attend the public Nvorship of '("oil in all flic instituted ditties thereof; and to submit to the discipline of his kingdoni, to watch over one another with christian tenderness ;full circumspeelion, to avoid sinful sturabbin, blockil 'full COntonti0la, Und to endeavor Our mutual edification in holiness and comfort.

11 Parthermore, We dedicate our ofifspriteg with ours(lves, unto tire li~Ord, eirgaging to bring them up in his Ourti6r'e and admonition, to serve , In with our household, anti command them to keep t1w way of the Lord; alld. its tat- as in Its lieth, to transtuit tile ordinances of Christ pure ~knd enture to them who shall come after us.

" All this we (to in the presence and fear of God, with a fleep scose of
our unworthiness to be admitted into covenant with him, and to eujo * Y ill(
privilidges of the evaroplical Uhurch state, :in,] our own to
          1~' 'God

1wriorni the duties of it, Cost (to therefore rely on find pray to Life

~d grace and peace, who brought iteain front the dead our Lord Jesus Uhrkt, that great Shepherd of the Si`ieep, through the blood of the ever,_,:,tuig elivenant, to pardon our many sins and to make us perfect in every

)od work, to (to big will, working in its that which is well plelising in his ,wht, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."


The record says

" Decemb' 10", 1746. Panic] Shute was ordained flasior of the. third church of Christ, in Ilinghatu."

'I'll(, following letter , sent on the day before the ordination, bv
Qvv' Ebeliezer ("a ' V to the Third Chureh ill Hingham, indicates
the state of feeling in the town towards the new parish

1:11.mcu Biw1inuj:N:-

I I 'non, [(If icated to the Church under my pastoral carte tire letter you lit if) Its dololing our preNerice and assistance tit the Ordination yon fire rof ,-dilw

, to. 1~y Withholding the VOtG Of C0111plinnee with ~0111 i."fillf"t, Op. iirl-ater part of the Brettiren bv ffle Signified tbeir lot w illijjgjle~S if) -'raut it : whence, and by w hat I ej tii since learn, 't is pinin to me that I tol,t alfewl tht, Ordination of vour ininister its a Delegate from tire i'll., 11. it beilO, the mind of fill! generality of them not to send aliv. I ... ... I r., fled flUoters 'Ire So circullisolneed betwixt you flood A our bretbroll

    jj';u flu'v lfro ]lot to ('oullOLjctjo'U joel :j"i't NMI inore in ill,, set-

k 'if, CI of Ibo G"Spel Ministry aillon" yon. I looddle ]lot eith what liai
                                      r

42 H18tory of Hingham,
Ecclesiastical Histo?.y. 4"
been in controversy between you and them, being of a civil nature.
Therefore shall be ready to serve you all I can in your religious affairs
and interest as a Christian imighbour arid Gospel M11rd.-ter. Tho' I now
may not in the particular you have desired as tile, Aftessenger of a Church 'MEMOia OF THE uEV. 1)[1. SRUTE.
-than whom an Elder in an Fcclesiastical Council is nothing more, -
since the important affair before you may be as well niquaged without as By SOLONOIN LINCOLX.
with its, I pray you to be content that this Church Ahould not be active in Daniel Shute, a son Of lohn :Left Alary (Wavm) Shot, Was born in
it, and - explicitly encouraging of it, since they have not sufficient sight Maiden, the residence of hi,, parents or, tile 1~01 of jul;" 1722. 11,
therefoi. enterud Harvard College in 1739, r,mained therO for the Whole term of
I believe it seems bard to you to be refused what you have asked of fmtr years, and Was grad
your mother, but you know it has been a day of temptation and llolt:Foster if 6 flitted in 1-43. Altiong his ct alates were tile
provocation in the town, and angry resentments, whether just or unjust, sachuseus; M utchinson, of ill, S,p,enlv Court of the Proviiiec of Alas,
ajor Samuel Thaxter, of llin,,11,1111 a (liqia~
are not wont soon to be quite laid aside after the strife between contend- in the war against tile French and tile Iij(7 officer
iin~g parties is it all end, and tile conquered, when they submit, are not I lialls ~ tile I on. James Otis
fit her Of the ~bdlratcd Revolutionary patriot mid orator ; and tile Rev'
presently so loving friends as afterwards they sometimes prove. Gilt] llitelw~k, D-H, a (listilelklish,d divine Of Pembroke.
If you patiently and silently pass over tile conduct of the Chureh to- Mr. Shute, having chosen tile pro
wards you, I hope, there will be a comfortable harmony of affections be- April, 1746, to cominellep his pra, fess'on Of 1)ivillitY , wii~ invited in
tween you and us, Ott tile walls of a new meeting-house view once essional career as tt'laudidate in the
South Parish of Malden. In 311110, of the same 3m, lie $,let to
etwraven these words, "Build not for J40ion nor a Party, but for pro- preach as a candidate in the reecuttv formed Third purish in
in
oting Faith and Repentance in communion with all that love our Lord This Parish was set off from the First Parish (1), (juv,s) in that
Jesus Christ in sincerity." Alay this be verified in the House you have March 25, 1745, find at tha! time true de,i~jljjted the 'I
larva
erected for Nvine Worship. I wish you God's presence in it at all times, 11ird, as Coliasset:
wbieb was tile Second Precinct, had felt the'n been incorporat~d , 11 sepa~
and espeoially oil the morrow at the Ordination of % Pastor over you, and rate distriet or town, This was dQnv ill 1770, find the 'iJjjj,d poish of
I pray God to make him it great blesshig to you and to your children. "'ell-hunt has 'bl,, be,, know,, as tile Surond Cou"),11,10"nal Parish.
I arn Your sincere and affectionate friend, 'I'lle inhabitants composing this I'Zirisdi, whio, emhr,~`od "
and late unworthy Pastor, sculth part of the town, ),ad territorial])- tile
HINGRAfe, Incem a, 1746. E. GAY. conte"ded 7V,'11OjjSly for nVjj,lv t,
I for separate parochial privilliles, hi,h were deiied to theni. etity years
To the Third Church of Christ ation of feeling naturally g ~ Some allen
in Hingham. rew out of q controversy so 101o, protracted,
Cullfi lent of ultimate snecesg in their efforts, tile irdethitallts'of tile gouth

In the face of the facts indicated by the above letter, one can part of the town hid, in 1742, er,,ted a , I
hardly Ruppress a smile at the very first vote in the records of andin, ill q good state of ilreservatlon,
                                          Glad-Tidings Plain, which is now st; Illmodious meethig- case Ott


the first inceting of the church after the ordination of Mr. Shute, Mr. Shilte declined an invitation to settle in Malden, :,ad in s,ptalber,
1746,aecepted the, ell]] at Hingham 1,
on Jail. 1.3, 1746-T, which is is follows was vinbodi'd by file Rev. Nathl; tht' follow"T ~Xavealbcr it vilurch
                                                          iel Felles, of S,;t,at" 1 .... I tile Rev.

"That the church will choose a committee to request of the First William Smith, 4 Weymouth.Air". Shate wits Ordained their pastor, De.
Church, in HiDgbam, some part of the furniture of their communion cluber lOth, 1746. Tile Rev. Messrs. E~lles of ,,it
table, provided tile Rev! At' Gay shall think proper to advise to it." ;,,rokv, Emerson of 3fdrien, l1a,ley a,)d i,; liate. Lowi.4 of pCill
d0legates, to form tit "'it], of Weymouth, vvere invited,
e Ordainirl, Council. 'tile P rt ll~rforiavd lo,
It is almost needless to state that, at a meeting held on the Wh 01, that occasion is I ~q
not known. 'I'lle Qxercises Wero not Printed.
twenty-fifth of the same month, tile committee reported 11 that Air- (;3Y of the First Church n,faq i1130 invited to be present with dele~
upon their application to Mr. Gay he did not advise to it." gat-'s, but lie declined the hnvitatio, ill behalf of his church, fail did flat
11"I"'If intend. He wrote a very conciliatory letter to the new church. . . 4
The principal facts concerning the formation of the Third 'lot q short time elapsed before the most friendfY relations were est.ab
Church and Parish, and Dr. Shute's ministry, are contained in an )"' between tile two Parishes and their pastors. In May f'llowitio, tile
excell(nit niernair prepared by the father of the writer in 1863. Weluent of Mr. Sh-te, he I.chim,ed pulpit services with Dr. Ca ~and
It would be an affectation of an ability not possessed bv his son to 'Nottililled to '10 so alitil the death ' ' y ,
Of the hitte,. Mr. Shute w,eq it fe,_
attempt any improvement upon, or addition to his aceiirate state- '(rile"t at tile "OsPitable table of Dr. Guy, and they cnjo~,,d
monts relaiitig to the hiBtory of affairs in this town, or his eati- repast ,fall rich iniellectuill feast moother.
'I'liere w,I,, at;,, harmonv in their opinions ; and it has bQen
mate of its leading men, and it is a pleasure to be able to give his aiil [left there'was great un,anind I
words as prominent a place as possible in this 11 History of Hing- of I ) Association to wbi,b ity of scilliale.at between all file mentlif,ri;
I thev belonpd, of ,ld,b I)m G.),., S;11,t,,
hain." The accomplishment of such a work was his hope, but llit~ , ~:("oeli liiu,,es, Smith, thrown, Rand"and others were mo, bers. At
that hope, though long entertained, he was not destined to see 11 Ul ovil net) I period of their lives, City find Shute took opp,,jt('~ views of
44 Hi8tory of Hingham.

the great political questions which agitated the country,-the former Wit,, ,k nioderate Tory and the latter all ardent Whi.g. Their political (14-e"re-ncos, however, caused no interruption to their fricial

a severe, illness of Mr. Shutc, Dr. Gay manifested the most anxi . ous Bolicitude for his recovery, all([ expressed the warrinest feelings z~ attactii client. The first ireirriage of Mr. Slane was solemnized by Dr. ity, all

at file funeral of tile latter, Mr. Shute, in his discourse on that occasion, paid it most affectionate tribute. to the kneloory of his distinguisbud friend.

The ministry of this venerable. tuan covered more than the last balf of the, last century. During that period pastivirs and people were severely tried by the French and Itcvolutionary wars. In both, Mr. Shute entered warinly into the feelings of the great body of the people, and used all active intluence in forming and guiding public opinion. In 17.18, lie was appointed by Governor Pownall chaplain of :I regiment conicaaa(led by Col. Joseph Willialtis, raised 11 for a general invasion of Canada."

In 1767 lie delivered the Annual Sermon before the Ancieth and Ilonorable, Artillery Company, froin the text, Ecclesiastes ix. 18 : 4~ Wisdom is better than weations of war." In 1768 lie preached the Election Sermon front the text, Ezra It. 4: k' Arise, for this matter belongeth onto thee; lie will also be with thee; be of good courage and do it." Both these. discourses were printed, and hear marks of careful composition, sound views, and strong common sense. His sermon at the funeral of his venerated friend, Dr. Gay, in 1787, was also published, and was a most impressive and fitting mernorial of the character of that carkinetit diviul in whose footsteps be delighted to tread.

No discourge of his has been published which presents guy discl: of points of controversial theology. Indeed, tradition inforins us his public performances were remarked for the absence of all such topics; yet it is well understood that be sympathized with those who entertained what were terniked 11 more liberal views " than those entertained by the great body of the clergy. III this respect there was great harmony of opinion in the whole town, and in all the parislieB which it then contained.

The sound jud,gatiant and knowledge of the human character possessed by hint were often called into requisition on Ecclesiastical Councils. From his papers, which have been carefully preserved by big deSCCIT(lants, who hold his mennory in veneration, he appears often to have been a peacemaker, and to leave aided, by his moderation and discreet advice, in composing unhappy differences fit parishes quite remote from his own, but to which his reputation had extended.

His salary was a moderate one. His parish was not large, and wag composed chiefly of substantial farmers and mechanics. To procure the means of a more inal(q)eDdent support, lie took scholars to prepare them for college ,and the pursuits of business. HiR pupils being generally sells of wealthy patrons, lie derived it considerable income from their board and cation, wbereby lie enlarged his library, kind acquired a respectable amount of real estate, which is now held by his descendants. Among his scholars are recollected the Hon. Thomas H. Perkins and the Ron. John Welles of Boston, and sells of General Lincoln and Governor Raul

In 1780 lie was chosen by his townsmen a delegate to the convention to frame a Constitution for the State, - such wall the confidence reposed in his abilities and patriotism.

]it 1788 he was associated with General Lincoln to represent the town

            Ecclesiastical History. 45


in the Convention of mas,,,begett, which ratified the Collst,t t, I of t
Ullited States, and on this oceasion voted and took % ' 11 to Ike
of adowiti-g the (j,,,jtjtutio,. In t f 11 active part it, favor
lie brief sketches of the (jetates which
have been pileserved there is the substance Of a Speech which be I,Ii,.
eck-d oil the subject Of s lieligious Test which strikinglir illustrates his
liberalit, ( go It is characte'rized by a viig~or`cus and louldy
y in I (, od B,uge.
toile, ta king file g,oulld that to ,tablish
(111ces ill tile proposed pliciler:11 (Ionstituti An(" a test 119 ft qualification for
:tells consequences to 011, Would be attended with illjl,-
11111lity tit large. le individuals, and With 110 Mlvatlta~e to like core
After the (.lose of the IjeVolationary If,. Sl ... to 'I'vet"(1 hiniself
alluost entirely to bis paroebW dutics, itil
rc,l Vat" . . ), b'r Wav of
    ]oil, In agricultural pung,jits.

In 1790 he was I ~,l "all tile degree of Doctor of Divinity fron,
Ila rvard Collki~,e,
to Noverillicr, 17.97, on account of tile iTairalitiq of age
of his Ki~gllt, be wrote to his parish " " a failure

    for v , 11 herleVer it shall become oeee~sary , oil to settle and support a colleague With like, I will I-clinquish ... Y,

slillolated salary, at,() I ivill do it as sooll as I oil shall Nupl)lv file pulpit
:tlt,r I lialst resku preaching." In Aprit, 17iJ9, 1

le relle"ed the pl-oposiColl in a letter to the parith, ill which lie roncu ks: 1,TbjK ,lijejul~bIllent ot DIN' legal ricilt in advUlIeCd ilge in thu fiftN_tIjiI,d 3-cal. of 11

I wake for tbo' Gogliel's sah', -, ; ly rnillistr~,
I;elBuadill, ",Y,(,If that. this 'elnbarrak;~s~
"It ]It being relanved, 3 on will procood ill fle- Illialigellicat of
.1our reli
110"s Concerns lvith greater unallinlikiv alo[ action"
Dr. 81lute relinquishod hi,g public, caters in March, 17911, fro,j which
tinio lie retained bis pastoral relation Illicit his decease. ln;~ 11ave 111) Ili's
,:tlary, as lie ])I"] proposed. 'I'll, 1?(.11. Nicholas Itowus"Whit
('I Shirley :it,,] it "rallua liev, a native

    to Of IbU'Vard Colfe,o kill 17( J was or(kill"d as it I of Dr. Shute, jalillart- 1

1802, !1) tbe Pj"btj,_fir,t ite (lied Au"I"t ~;o
ill, his aoo, and the flity,ixth of his
"k,t his fulailal'il sern)"n'lvas d(Tycred by the filev, Ilellrv
tho saocegso, of Dr. ("ay as Irt,U)c of (h, I"i,.,t
Dr. Ware represe,eq hir, tt, h,Lvi "411 ish- 11, ti at gernion

                  big bicthren for talents, repetall"' "il a (listill gill sill-d link arrion(T and public asefulikess; as havill'o

lkos~(,scd it pliek ppZeeptim, and clear discerlillient, and been calkable of
(lacile, it 1b,"At i 1 :111 its varions recatiolIS ; Its hal-i
I lot all-lod in his
Vrvaebin,~ 'it eldig);tenilig tile Understanding, inipressiic~'tho llcnrt~ and
provill~ file life '19 havill, frained his di,,norses in"Sucli :I mallner
;;~Itt they were level to co'clunton capacities, allile Net they fill likh"I food
to,] the knock, "floeting 'and iotolli~gellt - it, .... ited ~,reat soletoltit,
I% ith great pertinence in big ndfir"S, y
If" ;it the IIII!,ute (1,,
Inill"Ied with bis people "'itj "I'ace
I great freedoll, and kilellines's, ai,l
14.11111 lou"Ilt t
          oto their advantage, temporal as well as spiritual, by ek,,I-v Intlaip, it be

hi,; power. In short, represents hill, Its 11 line kkagI,l "]ergyniall,

              fit(, conlitillonly add licit tradition is ill fall a,k,(j,(j

I i(V ill which )to hi,,d -rce the olittlen(gi of
~Ikd ;is having enjoyed i n .... orlosual (h of it

alwo aith Dr, I I VIlre's statements,
it"- Shute p-Bessed lut excellent collstit"fi(n. and livrd to tbc we of
foul wore Y,ars it) the, nioyn-l of :to
      ](So of bis life. The partial 1088 of sight

lWar tile , U nColotlao, deglop of lle:1111,1%litil
I c and sorenity, and the appl.ollell'of the end of I'va' borike ailh pa-
i:il:~Icf his usual clicerfulues. ifo dill 'lot depri"'13
46 History of Hinghain.

Rev. Nicholas Bowes Wilitnev, the second minister, wag born in
Shirley, March 21,1772, alid,wtis graduated at Harvard College in
I _1- T- I Unill and offer
1793. lie was ordained colleague Past- ~~o~. ., - --- ----
the death of Dr. Shute continued as sole pastor until April 16,
1833 when his connection with the parish was dissolved in the
th ' fourth year of his ministry. Ile died Nov. 26, 1835.
irty- rat Bernion after
Rev . Charles Brooks says of him in a fune
his death : -

Mr Whitacy hall lanch ill health. Circumstances of constitution Its]"hitn'to struggles which few could have more valimitir sustained. With Derves tenderly strung~ and a depression of spirits at times weighing olountain-heavy upon ]Jim, he was not fitted to make speedy progress

among the sharp angles of file- lie was naturally it diffident, mail.
hicli offensively pushes itscif into public obser
That pres's-forwardness IV
t till it is seen, acknowledged, and admired, was
vation, which 11,18 no res 3, seem striving'for office
,no part of his character. At a time when man

with twice the zeal they strive for heaven, it Nvas comforting to find one who courted neither place nor power. His home and hill parish ,,to the centre, however wide the circumference. His ideas were clear, jlatural,al]dpractica~l. lie loved no warfare. lie was Willing tbfttotliers should venture out upon the boisterous sea of controversy and bear the peltirig of sectariall storms ; and wherever the waves Of polemic strife ran high, we found him mooring his bark far up in sonic quiet haven."


Rev. Warren Burton, a graduate of Harvard College, in 1821,

Succeeded Mr. Whitney. His ministry extended from May, 1833, to the bitter part of 1835.


Rev. Joint Lewis Russell was the minister for one year, begin-
ning in 1886 ; from May, 1842, to June, 1849 -, and rather irregu-

I I'ly n 1 853 and 1854. Mr. Russell was born in Salem, Dec. 2, i"808,"alid died there June 7,1873. Ile was a graduate of Harvard College ill 1898. He was a man of canineut talents. Thevarious branches of natural history afforded him abundant scope for the gratification of his tastes, and he waswidely known among students for his scientific knowledge. He was somewhat eccentric, at times blunt and extremely outspoken, and was distiDguisbed more as.a scientist than as a divine. It has been said of him in a memoir by Rev. Edmund 11. Willson, of Salem: -


    Mr. Russell's chosen profession was that of the ministry. Though

be did not spend the gTeater part of bisactive years in permanent pastoral relations with any religious society, his heart Wag in this calling. lie was interested in theological study, and marked its progress with a keen attention. Ile had great respect for good learning, , and never failed to pay due honor to true scholarship. Though his personal tastes led him persuasively to the study of nature, and his deep moral convictions and humane feelings impelled him strongly to certain forms of philanthropic discourse and action, he set none the less value upon patient research, sound criticism, and the fruits of thorough professional culture.

    11 Mr. Russell showed marked fondness for botanical observation aril


            Ecclesiastical History. 47


lady. Side by side with his ministerial work it held its place in his
r,,,ard, without, however, causing his earnestness in the minister's work
to , flag. He was an earnest and uncompromising opponent of American
,javery, at it time when slavery had many and powerful apologists in the
Northern States. Although a I hard hitter' in the fleld of theological
controversy, he was no sectarian."

Under Mr. Russell's ministry in the Second Parish the followim, covenant was adopted July 7, 1844:


With a deep sense of our need of improvement and with a degire of 1,,rforniing all our religious duties through the means of grace provided f,,r its in the mission of Jesus Christ, whom we receive as the Messenger 4,f rrati, from God, we enter into the communion of his disciples; carlje~lly proying that by imitating his example, and by imbibing his spirit, ive may walk together in the fellowship of the Gospel."


During the interval between the first and second ternis of Mr. Russell's ministry, Rev. Mr. Pickering was the settled iniiii4ter fioni August to November, 1837, and Rev. Lyman Maynard from April, 1838, to May, 1842.


Rev. John Prince was culployed as minister for five months in 1850, and Rev. B. V. Stevenson from April, 1851, to March, 1853.


Rev. William T. Clarke was minister for four years from 1855 to 18:19. The Church and Parish were reorganized and united under Mr. Clarke's administration, the following covenant being adopted ~


11 Acknowledging our dependence upon the Infinite Father and the ,blilgations that rest upon us as rational, moral, and immortal beings, ,arnestly desiring to perform all our dutics and extend the reilgo of truth ool righteousness among men, with ~esus for our teacher in(] guide, we nnite with this church, that by mutual assistance and co-operation in ,piritual things we may inake that improvement and accomplish that good in the world which as individuals we cannot effect."


Rev. Jedediab J. Brayton was minister for two years ending in 1860, Rev. Robert Hassel for three months, Rev. J. L. Hatch for two years, from 1862 to 1864, Rev. Mr. Sawyer for one year, and Rev. John Savory, a graduate of the Harvard Divinity School in 1860, for two years until 1868.


Rev. Allen G. Jennings was ordained minister of the Parisi) June 9, 1870, and continued in the office until 1881, a period of eleven .1 cars. Mr. Jennings was a faithful and energetic pastor, and was, duri g the last nine years of his ministry, the Superintendent of tilt, ;:ublic schools of the town. By his labors in the cause of ed ucation the schools of the town were much improved, and lie laid the foundation for that further development which bas brought then, to a high rank aniong others in the Commonwealth.

48 _17istory of Hingham.

Rev. William 1. Nichols, a graduate of Harvard College ill 1874, was ungaged as minister, and took chargo, of tire pariah ,~ept. 4, 1881" 'After a vear's service be was ordalued pastor Oct. 4,1882, and continuid as such until Oct. 7, 1883, when be resigucd~ It was his firstsettleinent. Mr. Nichols had previously been the preceptor of Derby Academy.

Rev. Alfred Cross was tire minister from Nov. 1, 1883, to July 81,1886.

After tire pastoral relations of Mr. Cross lead been dissolved, the parish was for four years without a settled minister, Ili the mearditne the pulpit of the Third Con-gelptional Society had become ~ acant, and -arrangements were made to settle a minister, who should have both these parishes under his charge, services to be, held iu the New North Church oil SUIRIH V lloo'llphigii and at South Ilhighani in tire afternoon. This plan was satisfactory to the members of both parishes and Mr. Charles T. Billings b"aine the minister. lie wris boru in Fitchburg, Mass., Feb. 27, 18GO', and was graduated at Ilqrvard Colloee in 1884. After teachinIg two years at the Adann; Academy in QRincy, Mass., and studying a year in Europe, lie piu-sued his theological studies at the Harvard Divinity School, where lie was graduated in 1890. Ile was ordained minister of the two parishes July 2, 1890, the ordination servioes beim, held in the New North Isteeting-house.

He is the present minister.

The merding-lionse was raised June 22, 1742, oil the lot oil Mail) Street, where it now stands. The parish was set off March 25, 1745. The original front of the building was on the southerly side, having an entrance there, and another entrance to the galleries on the westerly side. The pulpit was on the northerly side, with a sounding-board over it ; the floor was occupied by square pews, and long seats were in the galleries.

Extensive repairs were made in 1756, but the house remained
substantiall ' v as it was built untilabout 1792, when a porch was built
oil tire westerlY side ; it tower was built on the easterly side, and
additional pews and seats were constructed. In 1"199 a bell was
placed on the weeting-liouse, Stoves were introduced in 1822. Ili
1829-30 the soother) ' v and westerly entrances were abandoned; tile
tower was widoned to the roof ; the easterly end under the tower
became tire main entrance, with two doors; a larger bell was pur
chased; tire old square pews were removed and new long ones took
their places ; tire pulpit was removed to the westerly end.

In 1869 extensive improvements and changes we6 made. Ali organ gallery was built in the westerly end in the roar of Iho pulpit and an organ was placed in it; tire pow doors were removed, and the interior was quite generally renovated. In 1881 the cl-'k was placed in the tower.

        is of the Unitarian deivimination.


          Ecclesiastical 11i,trog. 49


THIRD CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY (UNITARIAN).

                              I


THE NFW NORTH 5WETrNG-ilorS,,, acso HAW,

The cireturstances w
Thild Congregational Clb'cb ~"`e rise to tire forinatioll of the

    ulrell and S0cjciV in 1806 have aheady alluded 6. This society- was iR c'"'110rated 1)y mi Act of the

1 " --'isl r1t I I To Feb. 27, 1807, Tb, church Was on,ailized under
tho nanie (if the Third CluIrch if, Ifiwharli, -June 1'(3 1807. The
        was built, upon tile sHole lotof limit I

'Imi is, at the time of the formation o oil which it new
1. who f the society 6v file propric
Were incorporated byan Act of ~gi~hltlirc linder
      of the Now North L

ilculle Corporati(n, and was
fl . t "I Jone 17, 1807, The tivo' corporations Cxi8t tire 4aille

    1101il Colimin tbc tirst Minister, was Ilin-H in Boston

12, 178,,-), and was' graduated at Dartmouth College in 1805' tr[Is ordained pastor of this society~ June 17, 1807, and Was Ht his request, March 14 1820, in the tbirte~nth year bix Rlinistry. Ile died in 1.91ington, England Atn, 17 1849. tJ," )caving, Hingham 110 opened an ar-lid"Hy hi'BrZ

jloo,r it for a few N~ okline, cell
cars, when lie became the pastor of tile
_10'rident Church in' Salem, holding itlitit Office from Feb. 16,

    to Dec. 7, 1831. Ire thell became ftlinost e~jclusively a havirn, "Olnured I for-in at Dce~-field, Mqs~. Influenced I pill

    IMV-Suit and e(InIllissioried try t, c State, lie visited

50 History (f Hingham-

land France, and other foreign countries, and fell ill in London,
I sed excellent abilities, with a fatal disease. Mr. Colman Posses!
ooa is said to have
was very fascinating in Pei-Son Ran lo.n.-l" ---- -- la
(en more hospitably received by tile aristocracy of Ei ngland t an
b letter Ili the writer's
any other private American citizen- 111 a
Possession, 110 says : - 9 ad,

I have spent three, day, at tile I)uke of Ritillmonal's, at Goodwo

positively that I will go to Gordo, Castle in md have flow Promise(' st a fortnight, when lie says be will show me Zpttanber to spend at lea

tile whole county-"

Lord Hatherton said of him in a letter to a friend in America, after Mr. Colmail's death:-


,, I riever knew anv foreigner so identified with us and car ballits and so entirely adopted by the country. And Yet there was 110 lack of inde-

and lie avowed preference of most tbiligs
pm,d,,,.,ecof tiloueht and action, he was so candid
both i,il ,d` social life in his owl' country. Yet nd with
and true and honest,, and so fond of those qualities it, others, a
so charming a simplicity of character, that he won
great talents there was 're is no exaggeration in his printed
a, everybody lie approached. The cable solicitations be
which he so often spoke of the in"",
            .n ... lY Part Of EnAmd to visit them. All who

received from persons I - the pleasure, and their report
had once received him wished a repetition of
caused him to Ile courted by others."

A 111011111coUt to his memory stands in Highgatc Cemetery,
Middlesex, Englandl which was erected by order' of and at tile
expense of Lady Byron.

    Rev. Charles Brooks the second minister, was born in Med,

ford, Oct. 30, 1795, and was a graduate of Harvard College in
              18t(, . Ile was ordained Pastor Jan. 17, 1821. extract from a , Memoir of the Rev The folb)Winq Is on Solomon Lincoln : -

Charles Brooks" by Hon. A at, once upon active dutvl

    ,, Upon his settlement Mr. Brooks entere .... res which be thought

              "Ictioll, with great earnestness in all tile in parish or the community. He established a

,Oald ~0 Useful to hi all.
            is society in 1822; a parish reading society; a

S Book,
, undav School in h Ote a Family Prayer
    chwitu; the first year of his oiristcy, Ile wx 1, published in 1111191111111 tended for his people, which was afterwar(

in 0 ach.
Ei~gjit,en editions of it were issued, Mary burring 4 ' 000 copies e
11 Air. Brooks took an active interest in the, Peace cause, lie, Was an
ardent friend of the American Colonization society, by his the
Savings Bank was eiltablislied in Hingham lie was an early advocate 'if
in the Old Colony, be was the first person to intro
the Temperance call into Hingham, and he started the project of 3 line
duce anthracite coal 7
of steamboats between Boston and Hingham. of Popular education.
    , , I s a early and constant friend b-dfold

    Mil. Brooks wa ces Of 111",ham, and 11

... Vill, its it member of the school coman'tt ' by Academy.
d lie wits also a Trustee of Der
for nearly forty years, an

            Ecclesiastical History. 51


11 The various employments in which Ali-. Brooks engaged with great readiness,and in which lie worked with enthusiasmand perseverance, besides the dischargu of his parochial duties, bore heavily upon his strength. Ile

      eliof l I 'est le, choo" of le, tod 1 T.

Itirope Ili 1833, and made the acquaintance of many distin-onished loasons, among them Rogers, Campbell, Wordsworth, Ileffiev, Cousin, Anigo, Schlv,M, Mrs. Henians, Miss Martineau, and inany othe;s of note.

11 It was during the voyage to ELII'01)o that ]ill became interested in the Prussian system of education. His rooni-niate was Dr. Julius, of Ilamburg, who was seat to this country by the King of Prussia, to collect information respecting our prisons, bosl4tals, all(Clichools; so that Alr. Ilrooks, in a passage of forty-one days, had a line opporttwitv of loeomint, acquainted with the Prussian system, and of eUlarginIg his European correspondence. In 183,5 lie addressed his people oil Thanksgiving Day oil tile subject of Normal Schools ; tool from that day forward, oil everl opportunity, lie lectured before conventions to advance the cause into which lie had entered with so much entlausiasm. Ile loctured in nuirlv one hundred different towns and citics, - Ili every place where lie w:;s invited. By invitation of the legislatores of Massachusetts, New lIampshire, Vermont, Rhode island, Connecticut, New JU1.9i and PCOOSVI%anin, lie delivered to crowded assemblies, in each, two or three leCtuieS, besides speaking ill most of the, capitals between Boqon still Washington. The results were the establishment of Board., of Education :laid Notinal Schools. A distinguished educator, who is entirely competent to judge in this matter, says that Ali-. Ilrookg, for his long, disineieRted, and unpaid labors in the cause of eilUeation, is entifled to Ili- consillered, inore than any other individual, what lie has been cAlvd, thin, , Father of Notanal schools.'

"The citizens of Plymouth County owe. him a debt of gratitude for ill(! influences which he set in motion resulting in the establishment of the .N;,inial School :it Bridgewater. It was in 1838 that the celebrated ineetiii.,, of the ' Plymouth County Association for the Improvement of CMD looll Schools, was held at Hanover, where brilliant speeclies weie mado 1~l I lorace Al Robert Rantoul, Gcorlive Putnam, John Quilicy Adams, :it,,[ Daniel Webster, and a poaerful impression wits made upon the joillfic mind. It was oil this occasion that Air. Adanis, after speakinl, ,if viliat monarcha hall (lone to establish Normal Schoods tlirti tile 21

n ir
rl-thas, exclaimed, I Shall we be outdone 1) ' ykings?' and closed :1 very
id,yo-nt speech amid the acclamittions of the a,senibly. Air. Webster
'l-ke aho, with his accustomed simplicity, directness, and lariver. I If,'
I I I had as utility sons as old Priam, I Would send them all to the
Ill le schools.'

" Mr. Ibooks was present at this ineeting; took the lead ill tile nicasorl, proposed, and was deferred to as the liorincer of the work to he (lone Ill wate a correct public sentiment.

It 1838 lie was elected professor of Natural History in tile IT[,iV(.,.Si(V

the City of New York. and proposed to visit Europo to lictlify hillm-if 1--r tile duties of his new office. Ile accepted tile ollice ivith tlc~, concurr: ~~,p Of Ili, parish, and it allopted resolutions oil the dissolation of the I . u.."tion, expressing gratitude for his past services, and wishes for his Iolure success.

In 1839 lie departed for Europe, where. lie remained upwird of four
111. Iledevotedhis time to scientific studic,,, and such as lie de, llwd
52
            History of Hingham.


of importance to him in the professorship. On his return to this country
the failure of his si.,Iit compelled him to resign his professorship, and to
retire to P,;-ate fifo, Allva~s engaged in some philanthropic object, lie
turned his attention to the condition of aged and destitute clergymen. I Ile
collected statktics, and formed a society for their relief. It has been eml
nently nsefuL dispersing its blest,ing with % liberal hand. lie devoted
much of his time to unday-schools, and was all efficient officer of the
StInday-school Society.

" Air. Brooks was sincere in his friendship, candid in his judgment, genial, cheerful, and affable. Ile was averse to till controversy ; lie avoided theological polemics, and was a peace-maker, adding to a life of practical benevolence tile graces of a Christian character."


MI

r. Broolls',q pastoral connection was dissolved Jan. 1, 1839, after a ininisiry of a few days less tban eighteen years. He died in Medford, July 7, 1871

I'll(., followingr letter from Mr. Brooks in relation tothe introduction of anthracite coal into ff inglatan is worthy of preservation:


To 110N. SOLOMON LINCOLN:-

illy Friend, - Knowing you tire the only person who could pardon me for sendito, a bill of coal,1 dated Nov. 15th, 1825, 1 would let my explanation be illy apology.

In 1825 all anthracite coal was called Lehiyh cool. The difficulty of
igniting it gave rise to grove objections and nimble wit. One person
proposed to bore a hot(-, into tile centre of tile mine, then to creep in
and Ile perfectly Safe in the general conflagration . I read something
about tile cold :tied believed it would be just the thing for my study ; I
therefore purchased of Alessrs. Lyinan & Ralston, of Boston, It, sheet.
iron pyramidical stove, lined with fire-brick, and one ton (then 2,000 lbs.)
of coal. That good-natured captain, Peter flersey, Jun ., brought the
stove and coal to Ifingilank, in ]its packet, on the 15th do ' V of November,
1825, and arrive(] about 4 o'clock, P. At., of flint (Illy. I leave the im
prossion that this was tile first piece of anthracite coal introduced into the
town, and perhapi into the County.

Like most strattgers, oil first introductions, my ton of coal met with some singular treatment. Tile paskunigerg oil board the packet interested themselves ilk laillifflig it; breaking it, or rather in trying to break it ; in guessing about its properties ; in wondering how beat could be got out of it; and finally in concluding to try to burn some in the open cabin fireplace. The packet bad a light head-wind, and therefore the curious and


    Hr. Choi. Brooks, I BOSTON, 15th Nov. 1825,

              Bought of Lyinion & Ralston, 71 Broad Street.

    1 siuall Sheet Tron St.,e . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . s lao)

    1 ton (2,000 lito.) LclAglk Coal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.00

    Trucking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

    9121,50

    Ree'd Pay't, LYMAN & R AmTil

    By S. 1). 1, -g-


N11TE, - This was the first anthracite coal brought into Hingham ; and this stove
the first one used for burning it. C. K

            Ficclesiastical ijistopy.


took three or four pieces and put them upon the live coals and expected
I inquisitive passengers bad time enough to tri tliQir experiment The

Inarl to blaze, very soon. Fifteen l ainutes passed, and tile cii was is
                                y


black quit allu0st as cold ass ever. Tile bellows were brought ad begin
to (to their best, bill no signs of i~nidon. Another pair of old bellies
,A;t., pressed into the service, and two strong, young men began to blow.
The fall now commenced. Out of te,clity lKtssea,m,rs, hLiff of them at
lca,t proposksl some now, way of setting lire to t ie queer sled . Every
way that promised the least Success Was faithfUJI ' V tliOd, and v,t [lot tile
,1i-,hto8t appearance of fire could be discovered it) the lia~-k massVg f
11w experimenters reasoned rightly about it, They sniki, it it u'ut C:tpalde
,if i'-,itition, fire Would i'llite it ; Ind as thcy had fire elloll"ll to inelt it Oil
            6

they could ignint that cold, and several of theni resolved to upoll it
till they arrived at tile wharl; and they did so. The full which these
olua-ations produced Ivas great indeed , and ought to have been Saved 1, ' v
sonot historian as part of tile queer triumphal entry of Lol)igh coal into
I liogbam. 'The tardy packet at last reached its cluarf in th", c ov'e, and
a,1 file passengers went down to take a last look at tile andi,till be(] black
ru-,s of their inexplicable subjects, there was a geuccal ~ erdict a-, linst
the wisdoon of tile, minister, and ;is general it desire to sev tile coal 6111-11.
if that phenomenon could over be viihoessed. This inattvr became !I town
talk, and was better for Lyllikin & RmIston than :ill tla,ir advertisements.
If those three or four pieces of irresistible Lehigh hall been saved, I
should certainly put them hito the Canduritb,e ANS(ann.
Oil the next Notably moruit g, the tiuman cattle whil a &W pipVs of

lo-li fullnel, and Iny stove was properly prepare(] foi the groat evelt.
1 1 ir~t shavirt,gs, thei~ charcoal, then Lehigh and then it match, and 010
I ?tilt- was done. fit one hour I had Inv Steve full of i-nited cou], and I
klTt it replenished a week without its jOiag Out, The t, lleer, jo.ond, ald
'j,itors enough I laid ; and Snob laughable exclamations -,in([ raw aondvr
.1~ my experiment elicited were truly refresbing to me. One anxious
friend, after examinike, the fire, lugubriousIly Said, " Those rid-liot stories
mu , N give out some lm~lt, but I alkit afraid they'll set lire to your house."
'k c,athol0ill Said " I T not fait(! tiny insurance oil your house." Anothoe
okcd, 11 I)o you tijink you can cook will) your red stones ? " A good
to irh6or said 41 We shall not sleep contentedly a-bile we knour you have
'it, 11 it fire going till night." A brother minister from another 6vin came
to see it, and though lie liked it, lie could not help saying, " It is MAI, for
")it that you have a good salary ; for if you had n't, You'(] link] that ~ighc
dollals a ton for such stuff would emptyyour purse before April."

Thus, my dear sit, you see what fiery trials I went tllloRll! Aly L,IdOi, in tile mean time, burnt itself into populanty-and ~ou know till, rek;t.

I loping to see you at the next meeting of the Historical Swiety, I am, "ith kind regards,

                Yours, CHARLEs BRooKs.

%it i-Foun, March 10th, 1862.

(tov. Oliver Stearns, the third minister ' tras borri in Lunerdair,
.1 Ile 3, 1807, and was graduated at Harvard College in 1826
.lf~% Stearns was ordained at Northaintiton, Nov. 9, 1831, and
;IIN'r Short terms of ninkisterial service in Northampton New
54 History of Hingham.

buryport, and Boston, was obliged to give up preaching for a time on account of ilhiess. Hus pastoral connection with the Third Congregational Society in Hingham began July 1, 1839, under an engagement for one year, and he became the settled pastor April 1, 1840. On the first Sunday of April, 1840, he preached a sermon recognizing the permanency Of his pastoral relation with the Society, which was the only form of his installation in Hingham. His pastoral relation was dissolved Oct. 1, 1856, in the eighteenth year of bis ministry here.

From the time of his leaving Hingham in 1856, to 1863, be was President of the Meadville Theological School, arid from 1863 to 1878 lie was a Professor in the Harvard Divinity School at Cambridge. He received the degree of S. T. D. from Harvard Colle"e ill 1857. Ile died July 18, 1885.

Dr7Stearns was a learned divine and a fine writer. Ile was not of a rugged constitution. Lack of physical strength and endurance prevented him from undertaking much outside the lines of his pastoral and professional duty, yet by his patient industry and constant application lie accomplished a surprisingly large amount of work during his long life. He was of a mild and amiable temperament, a man of positive convictions, a stanch advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States, and fearless in expressing his opinions. Although the life of Dr. Stearns does not present as many marked characteristies for biographical notice as many others of the clergymen of Hingham, yet the caudid critic will credit him with being one of the most scholarly and learned of those who have been settled in the town. Under his ministry the society prospered, and he was much respected.


Rev. Daniel Bowen, the fourth minister, was born in Reading, Vt., Feb. 4, 1831, and was a graduate Of the University of Ruchester. His theological studies were pursued at the Theological Seminary of. Rochester and at the Harvard Divinity School. Ile was ordained pastor of the Third Congregational Society, Dec. 21, 1859, and this connection was dissolved Sept. 24, 1863. Mr. Bowen discontinued preaching in 1867, and removed to Florida.


Rev. Joeliua Young, the fifth minister, was born in Pittston, Maine, Sept. 21, 1823, was a graduate of Bowdoin College in 1~45, luld of the Harvard Divinity School in 1848. Ile ;v:vi pastor of the 11 New South Church " in Boston from 1849 to 1852, and was settled in Burlington, Vt., flow 1852 to 1862. Having preached to the society in Hingham for a short time previonsl~, he began his services under engagement as pastor in April, 1864, and continued in that office until Dec. 20, 1868.


            Rev. John Snyder, the sixth minister, was born in Philadelphia. __and was graduated at the Meadville Theolo,_6


            Ecclesiastical History. 5 15


cal School in 1869. Ile was settled over this parish in September, 180, and was ordained Jan. 20,1870. lie resigned Dec. ',It, 1872, to a(wept a call from file Church of the Messiah, in St. Louis, Mo.


Rev. William G. Todd, the seventh minister, began his parochial connection with the parish ill April, 1873, and resigned in DcCeinber, 1875.


Rev. Herirv A. Miles, D. D., was living in Hinglearn at the time of Mr. Todds resignation, and was invited to preach on the first ,;undq

ty in January, 1876. He continued for the following Suit. davs,and received a call to become the settled minister, March 13, 1876. He was installed April 9, 1876, and resigned his active ditties Sept. 30, 1883, but continues his parochial connection to the present time as pastor emeritus.

Dr. Miles was born in Grafton, Mass., May :10, 1809. He was graduated at Brown University in 1829, and at the Harvard Divinity School in 1832. lle was ordained at, Hallowell, Me., Dec. 14, 1832, and was settled there as minister until 1836, when lie accepted a call from the Unitarian Society in Lowell, Mass. His ininistry in Lowell continued from 1836 to 1853. After varied set-vices in the line of big profession, but without any long confinned parochial connection with any religious society, lie removed to Hingham, and shortly afterwards became connected with this societ , v as already stated. Ile received the degree of 1). D. from Brown University in 1850.

It is not the part of the histotian to be the eulogist of the liviug, yet the writer cannot forbNtr to sq.v that Dr. Miles has the affectionate regard and universal respect of the people of his parish arid the town.


After the relinquishment of active ditties by Dr. .1files. Rev. Alcxander T. Bowser, born in Sackville, Now Brunswick, Feb. 20, 1848, and a graduate of Harvard College in 1877, received a call to become the minister. At r. Bowser's first year in the ministry, after graduation from the Harvard Divinity School ill 1880, was devoted to mission work it) St. Louis, Ito. He was ordained there, in the Church of the Messiah, May 2, 1881, Rev. John Snyder, pastor of that church and a former minister of this so-~ ciety in Hingham, givin.g him the right band of fellowship. After two years spent in Evansville, Indiana, as the represcuta(i%(. of the American Unitarian Association, he received the call float Hingham, Jan. 24, 1884. Ile was installed June 11, 1884, aud continued as pastor until Jan. 2, 1887, when lie resigned to woept the position of pastor of the First Unitarian Congregation 4 Toronto, Canada.


Itev. Charles T. Billilqs, the present minister, was ordained Ininister of this society and the Second Parish, July 2, 1890,

56 History of Hingham.

and entered upon his pastorate at that time. A more detailed account of Mr. Billings and his settlement over the two pa

has been given in the history ol t1ho Second Par",

The "New North" meeting-house was crected, as has been stated, in 1807. No material change in the exterior of the building has been made. New pews were placed in the galleries about 1833, at the time of the purchase of ail organ. March 18, 1833, John Baker, Jairus 13. Lincoln, Martin Lincoln, and Jairus Lincoln were chosen a committee "to purchase a church organ for the society, the expense of which sliall riot exceed the sum of twelve hundred dollars." This organ was formerly the property of the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston. In 1849 a contract was made with George Steicris for a new organ, to cost twelve hundred dollars. This latter instrument is the one in use at the present time.

In 1852 the appearance of the interior was Dutch changed by the removal of the draperies back of the pulpit, and the painting of the wall% and ceilings in fresco, which included upon the wall over the pulpit a tablet bearing the inscription, "Sanctify them through thy truth." A'commemorative sermon was preached by Rev. Oliver Stearns, Dec. 12, 1852, on reopening the meetinghouse after these expensive repairs and alterations.

In the spring of 1890 still further changes were made in the interior of the meeting-bouse. The fresco painting gave way to tinted walls and ceiling of a less ornate character, some of the front pews were removed to give additional open space in front of the pulpit, new pulpit stairs were built, a background of drapery was put upon the wall behind the pulpit, and the organ was thoroughly repaired and improved by the addition of now pipes and stops.

The clock, procured by private subscription, was placed in the tower in 1845 .


    Ecclesiastical History. 57


THE FIRST BAPTIST SOCIETY.

There is nothing to indicate that ,in persleg
        ~ g

sons profes 'aptist sentiments lived in Hingbarn previously to the year 1814. In tbut year Mr. Nathaniel T. Davis inqde this town his place of residence, and lie, with his wife and Aliss flannah Beal, Avere the only Baptits


BAPTIST MFETING-110USK.

here for several succeeding years. A few others subsequently joined them in the same religious belief, and the first prft-VCI~ ineetingwas field atthe house of Mr. Davis ill 1818. Mi.. Asa Wilbur, of Boston, was visiting in town, and was invited to be present at the meeting. He la~aine much inter", ted in the eff(rts of this small band of worshippers, and was afterwards oftVil present at their meetings. For his carnest labors and finan-


                                I

cial aid to the Baptists of this town, through inany succeeding years, be is held by them in grateful remembrance,

In this same year, 1818, the first sermon by a Baptist was preached in Hingliam. by Mr. Ensign Lineoln:aud a Suuda~- .school was organized. This was the first Suilday-school ill Hingham. Its meetings were held in the schoolhouse which stood on the hill in front of the Derby Academy. It was collected and organized by Nancy Studley, Polly Barnes, BeGey Lincoln (afterwards Mr;. Rufus Lane),'and Ilarinah Kiugma~, and there was an attendance of Dinct, v scholars oil the first Sonday. This school was not under the patronage of any religious society, but was an independent school. The first three named ladies were connected with a few Baptisti who held meetings, as before stated, at the house of Mr. Davis. Not long afterwards, Rev. Mr. Richardson of the First Parish, find Rev. Mr. Colman OL the Third Congregational Society (both Unitarian), thinking the instruction in the school too evangelical, withdrew the children connected with their parishes and formed schools of their own. The original school continued, however, though with a diminished ,lumber of scholars; and when the Baptists, in 1828, became a branch of the Second Baptist Church, of Boston, the school becalue a Baptist school, and has so continued to the present time.

In 1820 the first baptism took place, making a strong impression upon many of those who witnessed it.

The early struggles of this little band to establish and main