SECTION XIV. From the settlement of Mr. Chauncy, 25 October, 1727, to the death of Mr. Foxcroft, 18 June, 1769. 1728 WE have now arrived at a memorable period in SEC. XIV. the history of First Church. During forty-two years, the present pastors lived in great harmony with each other and their flock; and, whoever has heard of the Old Brick Church in Boston, will find it associated, in his memory, with the names of Foxcroft and Chauncy. The affairs of the church were now in a flourishing condition. She saw her elder pastor unrivalled in popularity, as a preacher, and already marked, in his young colleague, the dawn of those brilliant powers, which were destined to enlighten and improve the age. It was during the joint ministry of these two men, that the church of England made her most strenuous exertions to introduce the forms of episcopacy into the provinces of Newengland. These attempts were resolutely resisted by the divines of this metropolis, who, in the success of such measures, apprehended an injury to that religious liberty, for which their fathers had abandoned their native country, and encountered the 1729. SEC. XIV. difficulties of planting this western wilderness. The ministers of First Church were strongly in this sentiment. The elder of them, Mr. Foxcroft, had been educated in the episcopal church, and was designed for her service. But, from a thorough examination of the principles of christianity, and a research into ecclesiastical history, he became a sincere convert to congregationalism. It was the active influence of this settled opinion, that drew from Mr. Foxcroft, in 1729, a publication, entitled, "the ruling and ordaining power of congregational bishops, or presbyters, defended." This treatise was an answer to Barclay's Persuasive, and was written in so masterly a manner, as to be itself unanswerable. What Mr. Foxcroft was, from principle, Mr. Chauncy was from principle, and from constitution, and from the prejudices of education. His early notions of civil liberty, his theological studies and sentiments, and all the habits of his great mind were opposed to prelatical establishments. Accordingly in the episcopal disputes, as we shall see, which were agitated between 1760 and 1770, he bore a part, that does equal honour to his patriotism and his learning. During the united ministry of Foxcroft and Chauncy, several improvements took place in the 1730. management of both the spiritual and fiscal concerns of the society. Until now, the church, that is, the male communicants, were alone concerned in fixing the ministers' salaries, and, in short, in making all pecuniary appropriations. But, in this year, it was voted, that, "whenever there is occa sion for money to be raised,the congregation be no- SEC. XIV. tified to meet with the church in the doing of it.” 1730. About this time, the question, relative to the enlargement of baptism, which was agitated, in the year sixteen hundred sixty-two, was again the subject of conversation among the clergy, and of discussion in their churches. At a meeting of First Church, 3 March, the fifth proposition of 1731. the result of the synod, in the year abovementioned, was voted to be a rule in the church.* the same time also, was renewed a vote of the church, which passed in January, one thousand six hundred fifty-seven, relative to the discipline to be exercised over the children of church members. At The same subject, in regard to the terms of admitting members, which was considered, in 1712, again solicited the attention of the brethren. Relations of what are called "experiences" were still continued in the church; but the number of those, who disapproved the practice, was greater, than that of its advocates. Accordingly the following question was proposed, 9 June, 1730, which, though not decided immediately, was finally passed in the affirmative. "Whether, in case any particular persons appearing, in a judg ment of charity, visible saints, and offering to join with this church in full communion, do seriously scruple the practice of making a relation, as usual at admissions, whether, in such case, it be your mind, that persons shall be left to their christian liberty, and admitted without obliging them to comply with the said custom; provided always, * See Sect. IV. 1730. SEC. XIV. that they do make a publick confession of their faith or belief, and that the elders do declare their having received satisfaction by private examination, as to their knowledge and experiences in religion?" 1731. 1732. The salary of the ministers, for several years previous to this period, had been 47. 10s. a week, a sum, which was found inadequate to the purpose. Towards the close of this year, several attempts were made to increase it, and, in the beginning of 1732, it was raised to 6%. It was now, that the time of beginning divine service in the afternoon, on sundays, was altered from 2 to 3 o'clock. This measure, which originated in First Church, was concurred in by the churches in the south part of the town. It was the custom, in the period of which we are writing, for each church in the government to express, in some way, its sense of the doings of every other church. Thus the records of this church contain a particular account of its attention to a pamphlet, written concerning an ecclesiastical dispute at Salem, of so little notoriety, as not to be thought worthy of mention by the historian of that town.* "Lord's day evening, March 2, 1734-5. The brethren of the church were stayed, and received information of a printed pamphlet, entitled, A faithful narrative of the proceedings of the ecclesiastical council convened at Salem, in 1734; occasioned by the scandalous divisions in the first church in that town. Which pamphlet was sent, superscribed to the pastors, to be communicated by a committee of the said council, appointed to prepare a narrative of their proceedings for the press, and, when printed, to communicate the same to the several congregational churches in the province. The matter was left under consideration, for a week." "Lord's-day evening, March 9. The brethren of the church, being stayed after the publick worship, Voted, That they would meet, It had hitherto also been the usage in this church SEC. XIV. to hold the seats and pews, for the most part, in 1737. on the next wednesday seʼennight, at 2 o'clock, p. m. in the meetinghouse, to have the abovesaid narrative communicated." 66 Wednesday, March 9, 1734-5, 2 o'clock, p. m. The church met in the meeting-house. Then we proceeded upon the business of the meeting, the communicating of the narrative of the late council at Salem. One of the pastors read out of it, one hour, and the other, for another hour. Then, the weather being very cold, a motion was made, that we should adjourn to Mr.Jonathan Williams's house, which was voted. And, the brethren immediately repairing thither, we finished reading of the book abovesaid." "Upon which, among other matters discoursed, a considerable debate was had on the propriety of this church's accepting and approving the result of a council, in which we were not represented by our delegates, nor so much, as invited to be present." "Then, upon the motion made by sundry, it was Voted, that the affair should lie under consideration; and the meeting was, by vote, adjourned to the first wednesday, in May next, being the 7th day of the month, at 3 o'clock, p. m. in the meeting-house. Entered pr. T. FOXCROFT.” "Wednesday, May 7, 1735. The church met, by adjournment, upon the Salem affair; but there being but a very small appearance of the brethren, by reason of a town-meeting, this day, it was thought proper to adjourn for some considerable time, by reason of the late surprising turn of affairs in Salem, the aggrieved brethren having claimed to be the majority, and declared themselves to be the first church in Salem. Therefore it was Voted, that this meeting be adjourned to the last wednesday, in June next, being the 25th day, at 3 o'clock, p. m." June 25. The church met, and, there being but a thin appearance of the brethren, they adjourned to the next sabbath evening, in order to urge and procure a more general attendance." "Sabbath evening, June 29. Church stayed, and adjourned, till to-morrow, at 10 o'clock, a. m." " June 30, a. m. The brethren came together more generally, (between fifty and sixty being present,) and, after a long debate upon the objection, made at the first meeting, and now renewed, Voted, Not to proceed any further, in the consideration of the Salem affair, by a great majority. The question put both affirmatively and negatively." First Church records, pp. 134, 135. Thus seven meetings of the church were had for the discussion of a question, in which no member had any peculiar concern. Y |