Historical sketch of the Second Church in Boston

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Historical Sketch

OF THE

SECOND CHURCH IN BOSTON.

COMPILEiyBY

GEORGE h/eAGER.

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>WA8H\V^3^'

BOSTON :
PRESS OF ROBINSON PRINTING COMPANY,
1894.

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COPYRIGHT, 1S94,
BY GEORGE H. EAGER.

TO THE

HONORABLE FREDERIC W. LINCOLN,

WHOSE UNSWERVING LOYALTY, UNDOUBTING FAITH AND

UNCEASING LABOR HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO LARGELY

NOT ONLY TO THE PRESENT PROSPERITY OF

THE SECOND CHURCH IN BOSTON,

BUT TO ITS PRESERVATION DURING THE LAST HALF CENTURY,

THESE RECORDS ARE AFFECTIONATELY

DEDICATED.

PREFACE.

To such of the friends of the writer as
may chance to read this little book, he desires
to say, its materials were collected and arranged
in manuscript form several years ago merely for
the information of his own family and to an-
swer the casual inquiries of others, but with no
thought of its ever being printed. When, how-
ever, it was submitted to a few friends for their
critical judgment of its statements, they advised
its publication upon the ground that a need ex-
isted for such information as it contained. After
considerable hesitation he has consented to pub-
lish it in the hope that, notwithstanding its
imperfections, it may in some degree meet that
need and thereby prove the wisdom of his
advisors.

Preface.

Materials for its compilation have been
gleaned from various sources, both printed and
oral. Dr. Robbins's History of the Second
Church having been draw^n upon for much val-
uable information.

In a leisure half hour, it is hoped, one
may here obtain a passably correal impression
of the life of one of Boston's oldest and most
venerable institutions, nowr nearly tw^o hundred
and fifty years old.

The consecrated labors w^hich have been
bestowed and the personal sacrifices w^hich have
been made on its behalf in times past, should
inspire those of the present day to do w^hatever
is required of them to strengthen, sustain and
transmit to future generations this ancient and
time-honored church.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

OF

THE SECOND CHURCH IN BOSTON.

Near the main portal of the gothic brown-
stone church in Copley Square, Boylston Street,
is inscribed this legend: "The Second Church
in Boston, founded in 1649."

Of the thousands who pass this church
daily, native or stranger, how few comprehend
the significance of this record ! The history of
the Second Church is closely identified with that
of Boston. Its long line of ministers includes
many illustrious names which are prominent, not
only in the history of Boston, but also of New
England.

The origin of the Second Church was in
the nature of a branch, or off-shoot from the
First Church, which had been formed about

lo Its Environment,

nineteen years before, and of which John Cot-
ton, "the most esteemed of all the Puritan
ministers of England," was pastor. The motive
for its formation was the need of more extended
church privileges and the desire on the part of
its founders to have a meeting-house located in
the northerly part of the town, in the midst of
its growth at that early period of its history.

At that time, Boston was the most flourish-
ing town in the colony, but there were also
thriving settlements, with churches at Salem,
Charlestown, Dorchester, Watertown and many
other places in the vicinity. Harvard College
was an established seat of learning ; and John
Winthrop's career as governor of the Massachu-
setts Bay (under Charles I. of England) had
just closed, by his death in 1649. With this
environment in mind, the reader will be able
more clearly to comprehend the conditions under
which the life of the Second Church began.

The first meeting-house was built of wood
and was situated at the head of North Square.
But little is known of its design or appearance.

Its Founders : Samuel Mather. ii

but from old records it is inferred that some of
its pews had private doors opening direcftly from
the outside.

It was completed in 1650, and the first re-
corded preaching was on June 5th of that year,
by Samuel Mather.

On that day a sacred covenant was solemnly
assented to and signed by the seven original
-members, binding them together ''as a congre-
gation and Church of Christ * * in mutual
love and of special watchfulness over one an-
other." The names of the first seven members
were as follows, viz. : Michael Powell, James
Ashwood, Christopher Gibson, John Phillips,
George Davis, Michael Wills and John Farnham.
Samuel Mather was son of Richard Mather,
minister of the Dorchester Church. Although
born in England he was educated at Harvard
College, and was a member of the second class
which graduated from that institution. The new
society invited him to become their minister, but
could only prevail upon him to remain with
them a few months, during which time he greatly

12 JMichael Pozvell., Joh^t Alayo.

endeared himself to them. He afterwards re-
turned to England and resided there.

For several years after this short ministry,
public worship was condudled under the leader-
ship of Michael Powell, layman, one of the
seven founders of the church. Many members
of the society were desirous to make him their
spiritual leader, and a movement was made on
their part to ordain him as Teacher, but in this
they were prevented by the civil authorities,
who would not permit an unlearned person to
assume the sacred function of preaching the word
of God.

The first minister to be settled over the new
church was John Mayo, who was ordained on
November 9, 1655. He held the pastoral office
for nearly twenty years ; during the latter half
of this period he had the assistance of Increase
Mather, who ultimately became his successor.

In 1662, Mr. Mayo having become infirm,
was, with his own consent, relieved from the
duty of preaching, and in the following year he
retired from active work altogether and removed

Increase Mather. 13

to Barnstable County, where he passed the re-
mainder of his Hfe. He resigned his pastorate
in 1675; died in May, 1676, and was buried in
Yarmouth, Mass. The church proved its love
and respect for him by freely contributing to
his support up to the end of his life.

Increase Mather was the youngest son of
Richard Mather, pastor of the church in Dor-
chester, Mass., and was born there June 21,
1639. ^^ entered Harvard College at the early
age of twelve, graduated in 1656, and began
preaching before he was nineteen years of ao-e.
In July, 1657, he sailed for England and
remained abroad about four years, one of which
he spent in study at Trinity College, Dublin,
where in 1658 he received his second degree.
During the next three years he preached before
many congregations and received from several
of them tempting offers of settlement, all of
which he declined, being unwilling to conform
to the rules of the Established Church.

In September, 1661, he returned to Amer-
ica, and during the following winter, preached

14 Increase Mather : The Church Burned.

alternately at Dorchester and the Second Church.
He had many calls for settlement, but the one
made by the Second Church was ultimately ac-
cepted, and on May 37, 1664, he was formally
ordained as Teacher, the venerable Mr. Mayo
still holding the office of Pastor ; and of them it
was said that these two worked together in "love
and peace for the space of eleven years."

Upon Mr. Mayo's retirement, Mr. Mather
took up the work of the church with all the
energy and fervor of his devout and deeply
consecrated nature, and it may be truthfully
said, that at this time the real life of the Second
Church, — as a power in this community, — began.

In the great fire which occurred in Boston
on November 37, 1676, the meeting-house was
destroyed, but with commendable enterprise and
zeal on the part of the people it was rebuilt
upon the original sight in the following year.

Increase Mather, D.D., was pastor of this
church for a period of sixty years, during which
time he raised it to great distinction and pros-
perity, and so maintained it. He also exerted

Mission to England : Cotton Alatke?'. 15

a very marked influence on the civil and eccle-
siastical affairs of New England.

In 1688 he was sent to England on an
arduous and important mission to King Charles
II. It was to induce that ruler to mitigate the
wrongs and disabilities, — both civil and relig-
ious,— under which the people of the Massa-
chusetts colony were suffering. In this mission
he was eminently successful.

He was president of Harvard College from
1685 to 1701, and had the distinguished honor
of being the recipient of her first degree of
Doctor of Divinity, conferred in 1692.

He died August 23, 1723, and was buried
in Copp's Hill Burying Ground.

Cotton Mather, — son of Increase and grand-
son of the Rev. John Cotton, — was born at
Boston, Mass., February 12, 1663. He entered
Hai-vard College at the age of twelve and grad-
uated in 1678.

In early life he was distinguished for piety
and philanthropy. He was ordained as col-
league to his father, May 13, 1684.

i6 Cotton Mather : Joshua Gee.

A pastor of great zeal and devotion, he was
also deeply interested and adlive in civil affairs.

For his adlions and writings in conne6lion
with the witchcraft delusions of that time, he
has been severely blamed ; his later biographers,
however, find in a careful study of his charac-
ter many virtues, some of which were in his
time rare ; these compensate in a large degree
for the frailties and faults of his nature. His
ministry over this parish lasted forty-four years,
during which time the Second Church enjoyed
uninterrupted prosperity. The University of
Glasgow conferred upon him the degree of
Doctor of Divinity in 1710 and that of Fel-
low of the Royal Society in 1713. He died
February 13, 1728, and was buried with his
fathers in Copp's Hill Burying Ground.

Joshua Gee was ordained as colleague to
Dr. Cotton Mather, December 18, 1723. He
was born in Boston in 1698, his parents being
members of the Second Church. He graduated
at Harvard College in 171 7. He was a man of
strong intellect, a high Calvinist in dodlrine.

Samuel Mather, 1 7

and was held in great esteem by his parishion-
ers. He was pastor of the Second Church for
a period of twenty-five years.

Samuel Mather, — son of Cotton, — was born
in Boston, October 30, 1706, graduated at Har-
vard College 1723, and was ordained as col-
league of Joshua Gee, June 21, 1732. He re-
mained in this capacity nine years, during which
time serious dissensions arose between a large
portion of the people and Mr. Mather, which
ultimately resulted in his dismissal, December
21, 1741.

Mr. Mather's removal caused a considerable
portion of the congregation to secede from this
church, and to eredl another for themselves at
the corner of Hanover and North Bennett Streets,
where, with Mr. Mather as their minister, they
maintained worship until his death, which oc-
curred June 27, 1785'

From the time of Mr. Mather's dismissal,
Mr. Gee continued as sole pastor of the Second
Church until September 3, 1747, when Samuel
Checkley was ordained as his assistant, this step

1 8 Sa77iuel Checkley : John Lathrop.

being necessitated by the declining health of Mr.
Gee. His death occurred May 22, 1748.

Samuel Checkley, ordained as above stated,
was the second colleague of Mr. Gee. He was
minister of this church twenty-one years, and
died March 19, 1768.

In 1760, the records show, that this society
voted, " it was reasonable that the brethren of
the congregation should unite wnth them in
managing the temporal affairs of the society,"
thus showing, for that early time, a remarkable
degree of liberality.

John Lathrop was ordained May 18, 1768.
He was a wise and faithful pastor, of sound
judgment and liberal views, and the influence of
his life and labors was of great and permanent
benefit to the community.

For several months prior to the battles of
Lexington and Concord, signs of the coming
strife had caused many Boston families to seek
temporary homes in places more or less remote
from the tow^n ; but after that eventful day which
marked the beginning of the war and changed

Siege of Boston. 19

Boston into a British military camp, large num-
bers of the patriotic inhabitants went out, in
order that they might be with congenial friends
and escape, — not only the privations of a pro-
tracted siege but, — the indignities and insults of
an hostile soldiery. These events caused the
breaking up and dispersion of nearly all the
church congregations.

During the following winter many of the
meeting-houses suffered depredation at the hands
of Tories and British soldiers. Several were
occupied as barracks ; the Old South was turned
into a riding-schocl ; the steeple of the West
Church was pulled down because it had been
used as a signal tower to give intelligence to
the provincial army; the Second Church, which
had stood for more than a hundred years was,
*'by a number of evil-minded men of the King's
party," demolished and used for fire-wood.

It is difficult, at this time, to assign any
sufficient motive which should have induced the
British to mutilate one meeting-house and spare
another. Their natural dislike, — even detesta-

20 Union with the ^''New JBrick'^ Society.

tion, — of the Puritans would not in itself account
for their seeming discrimination, as several of
the Puritan meeting-houses were not injured.

That King's Chapel and the "New Brick"
escaped injury, may perhaps be accounted for
from the fac^ that in the former the British mil-
itary and naval officers worshiped, and that the
latter numbered as one of its parishioners Gov-
ernor Thomas Hutchinson.

After the evacuation of Boston, when the
congregation of the Second Church returned to
their homes, they found in the place of their
beloved sanctuary a heap of ruins.

In their disappointment and distress they
were very kindly invited, — both minister and
people, — to worship with the society of the
New Brick Church, on Hanover Street.

This society had also suffered depletion
during the siege of Boston, and its minister.
Dr. Pemberton, by reason of great infirmity,
had relinquished the adlive duties of pastor.
These Dr. Lathrop assumed by common consent
on March 31, 1769, and the two societies wor-

New Brick Church.

21

shipped together in perfe6l harmony for about
three years, and on June 27, 1779, they were
formally united in one, at the time adopting
the name of the older, the Second Church in
Boston.

NEW BRICK CHURCH, BUILT IN 1720-21.

To enable the reader to understand the true
line of succession or continuity of the Second
Church, it is necessary to go back and note
briefly the organization and early history of the

22 Nexv No7'th Church : Peter Thacher.

New Brick and one other well known Boston
church of the early times.

In 1 714? the Second Church, being large
and prosperous, a part of the congregation sep-
arated from the parent society and built for
itself a new meeting-house at the corner of
Hanover and Clark Streets. This was called
the ''New North," and the old meeting-house
in North Square (the Second Church) was after-
wards, by way of distincSlion, called the "Old
North." Mr. John Webb was the first min-
ister to be settled over the new parish ; Dr.
Increase Mather and his son Cotton assisted at
his ordination.

In 1 7 19, a movement was started on the
part of an influential fa6lion of the New North
society to settle Mr. Peter Thacher, pastor of the
church in Weymouth, as colleague to Mr. Webb.

This movement was met by strong opposi-
tion on the part of other members of the society ;
not because of any dislike or other objection to
Mr. Thacher as a man or preacher, but because
it was deemed unwise and as wanting in chris-

Netv Brick Church. 23

tian kindness and brotherly love towards a neigh-
boring parish to call away its minister. The
parties for and against the project were about
evenly divided, and the contest grew very heated,
even rancorous, and seriously menaced the wel-
fare of the society, as well as the temporary
peace of that neighborhood. In a vote taken
on the question, it was decided by a bare ma-
jority, to settle Mr. Thacher. Thereupon the
party of the opposition withdrew from the church
and soon afterward purchased land on the east
side of Hanover Street, — between Richmond and
Prince Streets, — and proceeded to ere6l thereon
a fine church edifice, known as the "New
Brick," before mentioned as the one with which
the Second Church united in 1779. The New
Brick church was dedicated on May 10, 1721.
Dr. Cotton Mather joreached the dedication ser-
mon, in which he said, "There is not in all
the land a more beautiful house built for the
worship of God than this." William Waldron
of Portsmouth, N. H., was the first minister,
being called to that oflSce before he was twenty-

24 Nexv Brick or Cockerel Church.

four years of age. He was ordained September
26, 1 72 1, being the last candidate to receive
ordination at the hands of Dr. Increase Mather,
then in his eighty-third year. Succeeding min-
isters of this church were, William Wellsteed,
1727; Ellis Gray; and Ebeneezer Pemberton,
installed March 6, i754'

By the above narration it will be seen that
the society of the New Brick was a lineal de-
scendent of the Second Church, and the union
of the two proved to be a most congenial and
fortunate event.

Dr. Lathrop's ministry covered a period of
fifty years, and was a most salutary and success-
ful one. To him and his kindly christian efforts
is ascribed the healing of the breach between
the two Hanover Street societies, occasioned by
the settlement of Mr. Thacher, and which had
rankled for so many years.

Dr. Lathrop died January 14, 1S16, greatly
beloved and honored.

The New Brick Church was known by the
somewhat fanciful but popular appellation of the

Early Settlers of Boston. 25

t' Cockerel Church," from the faft that it bore
at the tip of its tall steeple a weather-vane made
in the semblance of a cock with golden plumage.
The same emblem did duty on the steeple of
the successor of the New Brick, which was built
on its site in 1844.

This identical cock is still in service as
a weather-vane on the spire of the Shepard
Memorial Church in Cambridge. With but
slight intermissions of duty, from these lofty
perches, this famous bird has faced the winds
of this locality, — breasting the storm or bask-
ing in the sunshine, — for nearly two hundred
years.

Was the Second Church always Unitarian.?
This question has often been asked, and it
seems proper to meet it at this place with a few
words in explanation.

The early settlers of Boston, as also of New
England, were Puritans; Dissenters or Separa-
tists from the Established Church of England,
who came here that they might enjoy their relig-
ious beliefs, free from the disabilities and restric-

26 Early Pur it mi Churches.

tions which surrounded them in their native land.
Under these conditions, it was but natural that
the laws and customs which they instituted should
take on much of that severity and strictness
which marked their own chara6ler and which
they deemed necessary in order to secure indi-
vidual re<5litude and the establishment here of a
religious commonwealth. Hence, all the early
churches of New England were of the Puritan
type. Church attendance and support were con-
sidered to be the duty of every citizen, and any
one who neglected this duty was looked upon
with disfavor, and not infrequently became the
subject of contempt, — of persecution even. The
doctrines held m these churches were Calvinistic,
therefore stern and harsh. These were persist-
ently preached, in long sermons on Sundays and
in le(5lures through the week ; and were accom-
panied by long prayers for every conceivable
want of mankind, — temporal no less than spirit-
ual. The Second Church was no exception to
this rule, especially under the ministrations of
the Mathers and their immediate successors.

Change from Orthodox to Unitarian. 27

The change in religious beliefs from that
time to the present has been brought about by
the natural process of evolution; the gradual
unfolding being undiscernable except at certain
crises, the most notable of which was in the
early part of the present century, when many
of the Puritan societies, — under what is known
as the Unitarian controversy,— threw off the old
Calvinistic doarines and titles, and declared
themselves Unitarian, as distinguished from
Trinitarian.

Of these, the Second Church was one. Its
people, under the gentler teachings and minis-
trations of Dr. John Lathrop, were prepared to
experience the change without disturbance. Of
this good man and pastor. Dr. Robbins, in his
History of the Second Church, said: "His doc-
trinal views underwent a gradual and material
chang-e towards the close of the last century.
At the commencement of his ministry, his con-
fession of faith was in conformity to the Calvin-
istic sentiments embraced by the Second Church ;
but as his life advanced, he became less and less

28 Henry Ware., Jr.

''Orthodox," and, — without the spirit of secta-
rianism, which was contrary to his nature, —
lent his influence to the ' liberal ' side."

It may, therefore, be said, that at this point
in the history of the Second Church the change
in denomination from "Orthodox" to "Unita-
rian " took place.

A model of the New Brick Church, made
of its original wood, is still preserved in the
church parlor on Boylston Street. Several cups
and flagons, forming a part of the communion
plate now in use by the Second Church, were
gifts to the New Brick from some of its mem-
bers prior to its union with the Second Church.

Henry Ware, Jr., was ordained pastor Jan-
uary I, 1S17.

Under his ministry, which lasted over twelve
years, this church experienced " another golden
age like that which it had enjoyed under the
first of the Mathers."

The cause of peace, of freedom, of tem-
perance, of education and of charity, found in
him an earnest advocate and diligent worker ;

Ral-ph Waldo Emerson. 29

so much indeed of his strength did he give to
these, in addition to that bestowed on his ardu-
ous parochial duties, that his health failed and
he was obliged to offer his resignation, which,
at the close of another year of partial relaxation,
was reluctantly assented to by his people, Sep-
tember 36, 1830.

He afterwards accepted a professorship in
Harvard University — that of "Pulpit Eloquence
and the Pastoral Care" in the Divinity School, —
which he retained for twelve years.

His name is the synonym for saintliness
wherever known. He was born in Hingham,
Mass., April 21, 1794, and died at Framingham,
Mass., September 33, 1843.

Ralph Waldo Emerson was ordained as col-
league to Mr. Ware on March 11, 1839.

The short time during which he was pastor
of this people, was yet sufficient to discover that
great strength of mind, subtlety of reasoning,
clear discernment of truth and candor of speech
which marked his after life and gave him world-
wide fame.

30 C/iandlei' Robbms.

His views concerning the obsen^ance of the
Lord's Supper differed somewhat from those
which prevailed in this church, and so fine was
his sense of truthfulness and so alert his con-
science, that he could not bring himself to its
administration in accordance with the established
traditions without a feeling of constraint, which,
in a nature so sensitive, could not be continued ;
he therefore asked of the society a dismissal
from the pastoral office, which was granted,
but with sincere regret on the part of his par-
ishioners.

Mr. Emerson was held in tender and affec-
tionate regard by this people throughout his long
life. It was his only pastorate, and terminated
October 28, 1832. He died in Concord, Mass.,
April 27, 1882.

Chandler Robbins was ordained pastor of
the Second Church December 3, 1833.

For many years prior to the event, a ten-
dency on the part of many old North End fami-
lies to seek new homes in the more Southerly
portions of the city had prevailed, so that, at

The JVezu Brick Demolished. 31

this time, the homes of the congregation were
about evenly divided between the two sections.
The tide of removal continued, and, — as might
be expe(5led, — produced a marked effedl on the
future welfare of the society.

The New Brick Church, which was built in
1720-21, had now, in 1844, become old and di-
lapidated. It was, in fad, "The oldest temple
in this city." To repair and renovate it would
involve great expense; to take it down and re-
build was of questionable expediency, as many
of the people desired a more Southerly location.
After lengthy discussion and deliberation, it was
decided to rebuild the church on the old site.

The last religious services were held in the
old church on March 11, 1S44, when Dr. Rob-
bins preached impressive farewell sermons. (See
his History of the Second Church, page 194.)

During the time the work of rebuilding was
in progress, the society "availed itself of an
invitation to worship under the roof of the Old
South. In courteous recognition of the hospi-
tality extended to it at this time, it gave a silver

32 Distress and Discourageinent .

cup to the Old South, which appears upon its
table every communion Sabbath, in testimony of
the friendly relations which have subsisted be-
tween these historic churches for more than two
hundred years." (Histoiy of the Old South
Church, by Hamilton Andrews Hill.) This sil-
ver cup was one of the original vessels belong-
ing to the communion plate of the Second
Church. It bears this inscription :

THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH

IN MEMORY OF HER

CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITY

TO THE

SECOND CHURCH.
1844.

The project of rebuilding on the original
site, in Hanover Street, which had been strenu-
ously opposed by many of the more substantial
parishioners of the Second Church, caused their
withdrawal, and during the process of rebuilding
others followed, so that when the new church
was completed and dedicated, in 1845, the par-
ish found itself greatly reduced in numbers and
deeply involved in debt.

Union with the Church of Our Saviour. 33

Now followed a season of great distress and
discouragement to this people. "But the church
was venerable with age ; rich in sacred recollec-
tions ; renowned in the ecclesiastical annals of
New England," and her sons and daughters,
upon whom devolved the sacred duty of uphold-
ing and perpetuating this ancient institution, al-
though few in number and overburdened, proved
themselves equal to the task. Many plans for
the extinguishment of the debt were tried, but
without success, and in 1849 ^^ church was
sold to another religious society.

Public worship on Sundays was maintained
unbroken. For a time services were held in
the hall of the Masonic Temple ; afterwards the
society found a new home in Freeman Place
Chapel, which was purchased in 1850, and here
they continued to worship until their union with
the Church of Our Saviour, about four years
later.

About the year 1845, a new religious soci-
ety was organized in Boston, called the Church
of Our Saviour, and under the leadership of

34 Union with the Church of Our Saviour.

Rev. Henry Waterston, built for themselves a
fine church in Bedford Street. It v^as of pure
gothic architedlure, designed by the late Hammat
Billings, and w^as then considered the most beau-
tiful church edifice in this city ; but its great cost
proved a heavy burden to the society w^hich built
it, and in time led them to seek relief therefrom
in a union with the Second Church.

In 1S54 these two societies were formally
united in one, under the original corporate name
of The Second Church in Boston, with all its
ancient records, its library, communion plate, and
other sacred relics.

The chapel in Freeman Place was then sold
and the church in Bedford Street purchased by
the united society. Rev. Dr. Robbins being re-
tained as its pastor, Mr. Waterston retiring.

This union proved a most fortunate and
happy one to both societies, for out of weakness
came strength and prosperity which lasted many
years.

The encroachments of business, however,
and the continued tide of removal of the people

Sale of the Bedford Sti-eet Church. 35

Southward, seemed to point to the early necessity
of another change of location. At length a
decision was reached, and in 1872 the land was
sold for mercantile purposes and a new site for
the church was purchased on the corner of
Huntington Avenue and West Newton Street.

Soon after these transactions the great fire
of November 9, 1S72, occurred, which changed
the. aspect of affairs greatly. The plans for
building a new church on this spot were aban-
doned, and a new site was sele6led and pur-
chased on Copley Square, Boylston Street, in
April, 1873.

The corner stone of the present church was
laid with appropriate ceremonies at 9.30 A. M.,
on Wednesday, September 17, 1873.

The church edifice on Bedford Street, to
which the people had become strongly attached,
had been carefully taken down and the materials
stored for their proper preservation. The stones
composing its walls were used in building the
present church and chapel edifices ; the stained
glass windows, the pews, the j^^lpit and the

36

Church in Boy Is ton Street,

organ were also replaced in the new building.
Although of different form and arrangement, the
same style of architecture prevails.

SECOND CHURCH AND CHAPEL, BUILT IN 1874.

After the demolition of the church in Bed-
ford Street, which took place in 1S72, the con-
gregation was cordially invited to worship with
the King's ChajDel society, which invitation was
accepted for that season. It afterwards wor-

Present Church Dedicated. 37

shiped in the Children's Mission hall until the
completion of its new chapel in Boylston Street.
This was dedicated on February 15, 1874.

On the evening of September 17, 1874, the
new church edifice was dedicated with appro-
priate ceremonies, and the Second Church in
Boston, in the two hundred and twenty-sixth
year of its age, found itself again in a new
home. Its faithful band of worshippers, although
few in number, were yet so filled with the
spirit of loyalty to this venerable church and a
firm faith in its re-establishment upon its former
plane of prosperity, usefulness and power, that
no obstacle could turn them aside and no dis-
couragement dishearten.

The first Sunday service in the new church
was conducted by the beloved pastor. Dr.
Chandler Robbins, who had guided this flock
through many trying periods of its history, and
now, after a faithful ministry of forty-one years,
he tendered his resignation December 4, 1874.

Dr. Robbins's preaching was always earnest
and persuasive; his aim, often expressed, being

3S Chandler Robhlns.

to "preach Christ and Him crucified." His
religious views were conservative in a marked
degree, and in the later years of his ministry
he evinced a desire and inclination to hold this
church aloof from close fellowship and affiliation
with the Unitarian denomination, and from adlive
participation in its religious work. His kindly
and genial nature made him a welcome guest in
every household, and in the chamber of sick-
ness or at the bed-side of the dying his presence
was a source of great comfort and consolation.
He died at his summer home in Weston, Mass.,
September 11, 1SS2.

On Sunday evening, December 31, 1883, as
a tribute of respe(5l to the memory of Dr. Rob-
bins, a special memorial sei'vice was held in the
Second Church, of which he had been so long
Pastor.

Rev. Andrew P. Peabody, D.D., preached
the sermon; Rev. J. H. Morrison, D. D., offered
prayer. Both these venerable and eminent divines
were life-long friends of Dr. Robbins. Rev.
Edward A. Horton read selections from the
Scriptures.

Robert Laird Collier. 39

'' Remember now thy Creator" was chanted
by the choir, and the congregation sang the hymn
written by Dr. Robbins beginning:

"Lo! the day of rest declineth."
Robert Laird Collier was installed as min-
ister of the Second Church March 15, 1876.

By him the Book of Worship, compiled by
the Rev. Doctors Martineau and Sadler of Lon-
don, England, was revised and its ritual and
sacraments adapted to the uses of this congrega-
tion. It was then republished by the society,
together with a short colleaion of hymns, and
has since been used in place of the former Ser-
vice and Hymn Book.

Through his instrumentality a large amount
of indebtedness ($50,000), incurred in rebuild-
ing the new church and chapel, was paid.

He resigned in August, 1879, and returned
to England where he had been preaching for
some years prior to his settlement here. He
afterwards returned to America and was settled
in Kansas City. He died July 26, 1890, at
''The Everglades," near Salisbury, Maryland.

40 Edward Augustus Horton.

Edward Augustus Horton was installed pas-
tor of this church on May 24, 1880.

The record of his ministry in this ancient
pulpit is that of an able preacher, an earnest
worker, a sincere and devoted pastor. Under
his care this church grew strong and prosperous
and became again, — as in the olden time, — one
of the foremost in charity and good works.

After a faithful and laborious service of
nearly twelve years, with the knowledge on his
part that his health demanded either a long rest
or a radical change of mental occupation, he
resigned his pastorate, to take effedl on February
I, 1892. The necessity which induced him to
take this step, caused great disappointment to
many and sincere regret to all of his parishion-
ers, who held, and still hold, him in affedlionate
esteem. He immediately accepted the presi-
dency of the Benevolent Fraternity of Churches,
and also that of the Unitarian Sunday School
Society, positions which served to divert his
thoughts into new channels and to furnish fresh
and at the same time congenial fields of labor.
The love and esteem of this people follow him.

The New Organ. 41

Of Mr. Horton, now in the prime of life,
as a minister and preacher of today, it may be
said, that his style of preaching is unique. His
subjects are always fresh and charged with vital
interest. He is seldom doctrinal, never dog-
matic, but always pra<?tical and helpful in an
eminent degree by reason of his sincerity and
earnestness. Although a pronounced Unitarian,
he lays little stress on secft or dogma, but much
on religion and a religious life; his aim being
nobility of charadler and purity of life in the
individual. All the important questions of the
day are of interest to him, and the common needs
of this community make demands on his time
and strength to which he cheerfully responds.

On December 26, 18S9, ^^ present organ
was dedicated with appropriate religious services
and music. On that occasion the hymn, written
in 1822, by Rev. Henry Ware, Jr., for the
dedication of the organ in the New Brick
Church on Hanover Street was sung. The new
organ was a gift to the Second Church from
Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Denio, in memory of their
daughter, Mrs. Florence A. Sawyer.

42 Thomas Van Ness,

Thomas Van Ness was called to the pulpit
of the Second Church early in the year 1893,
from his ministerial labors on the Pacific coast.
His first sermon was preached on Easter Sun-
day, which in that year occurred on April 2.
His installation took place on the evening of
Tuesday, April 4, 1893, with appropriate cere-
monies, in the following order :

Invocation,

Rev. George Angier Gordon, Old South,
Third Church, Organized 1669.

Scripture Reading,

Rev. Julian Clifford Jajnes, First Unita-
rian Society of West Newton.

Sermon,

Rev. Francis Greenwood Peabody, D.D.,
Harvard University.

Prayer of Installation,

Rev. Edward Everett Hale, D.D., South
Congregational Church, Boston.

Right Hand of Fellowship,

Rev. Grindall Reynolds, First Parish,
Concord.

Address to the People,

Rev. Edward Augustus Horton, Boston.

Thomas Van Ness. 43

Concluding Prayer,

Rev. Stopford Wentworth Brook, First
Church, Boston.

Benediction by the Pastor.

An original hymn, written for the occasion
by Rev. Minot J. Savage, was sung by the
choir.

Mr. Van Ness is a young man of marked
ability and most fruitful promise, and with the
earnest support of his loving and devoted fol-
lowers, under the blessing of God, the future
prosperty of this time-honored church seems
now to be amply assured.

In her ancient churches and other venerable
institutions, Boston enjoys a noble heritage. Let
her sons and daughters cherish, sustain and per-
petuate them.

'''■Children's children are the crown of old men ;
and the glory of children are their fathers,'^

THE END.