Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

single movement of a muscle; so quietly did he fall asleep. Sweetly resting upon that arm which had never failed him, he crossed the narrow stream, and rested from his labors.

Thus has passed from our view a good and great man, an honor to the bar and the bench, and an ornament to the church of Christ. His character is a luminous example, worthy of all imitation. Says his pastor: taken all in all he was the most perfect Christian man I ever knew. Though dead, he yet lives, and speaks to the living in language that should not be misunderstood. Let his unvarying integrity, and unquestioned honesty,-let his strength of principle, his respect for the Sabbath and the house and the worship and service of God, let his cheerful benevolence, his unequaled humility, his child-like love to Christ, let his earnestness, his unfailing perseverance and industry, his systematic and conscientious use of time, as a talent to be employed and to give a final account for,-let this beautiful, symmetrical Christian character be the reader's and the writer's that their last end may be like his! May his mantle fall upon a thousand times ten thousand who survive him!

From the many letters of condolence which his widow has received, we will make only a few extracts. Mr. Frelinghuysen writes, "I have long known, esteemed and loved your honored husband. He filled a large place in the affections of the Christian world, and his memory will be cherished with hallowed recollections." Rev. Dr. Goodell of Constantinople writes, "Judge Williams was long known and deservedly honored; and connected as he was with all the benevolent enterprises of the day, his death must be felt to be a public and no common loss. In his private character also, he was as highly esteemed, as he was extensively known. Like Job he was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame; and many of the poor and needy must feel that their best earthly friend and protector has been taken away."

A friend writes, "In looking over this Providence, I am struck with the eminent and even beautiful fitness of the time and manner in which he has been called. It was surely best and most fitting that he should die in the fulness and ripeness of his years, before his faculties had begun to be impaired, at an age far enough above most of his cotemporaries to verify the promise concerning length of days and honor and peace as the crown of the righteous, yet not so protracted as to sully and impair such a blessing, with the mental failure and second childishness often exhibited by the aged. It was eminently fitting that he who was always so helpful of himself and others, and so impatient of being helped, should be spared the mortification of that noble pride of character, by a long period of helplessness or disease; that he should be let down so gently and peacefully, and withal so rapidly, to his rest, as to leave behind nothing to regret for him, and for us only that temporary loss, which could be neither increased nor diminished by a longer stay on earth. The period, too, which his life has filled, measured historically, seems to me eminently fitting and complete. Born amidst the struggles of the Revolutionary war, the first great crisis in our history, he has lived to see his country's greatness established, and has died just as it is passing through the second great struggle and crisis of its history; the golden period of its peace and union and prosperity, coinciding with the golden period of his life. In his case as with so many others it may be true, that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.' Another writes: "In the removal of your venerable partner God has taken away from a community, long blessed by his example and labors, and from the circle of his friendships the steadiest light and wisest counselor to be found this side of heaven. No man within a range of acquaintance far from being limited, commanded so much of mingled reverence, respect and affection, as Judge Williams. I have often spoken

[ocr errors]

of him and always thought of him as the finest specimen of modern Puritan character known to me-inflexible in principle, unswerving in duty, yet genial in manner and feeling, and alive to every interest of the generation in which he lived. We can ill afford to lose such men in this day of disintegration and recklessness. Another writes: "I remember with pleasure the dignified and graceful form of your departed husband. I have ever associated him with whatsoever is lovely and of good report.' I have known something of his large, inobtrusive Christian liberality. Rarely do we see a character extending over so large a surface of time, so free as his was from any thing that was undesirable in principle or practice. Indeed, the symmetry of his Christian character has been often a matter of admiration with me. Few ever attain it to the degree he did. Elevated to the highest civil and political honors, how meek and lowly was he! How readily did he condescend to men of low estate. His intelligent and deep interest in the cause of Missions to the heathen, never faltered. He was willing to give to this cause his self-denying efforts, and his liberal contributions. Other objects of Christian benevolence shared his bounties."

We cannot more fittingly close this slight tribute to one whom all who knew so sincerely loved and honored, than by quoting the following lines from Mrs. Sigourney, which are found in the Memorial to which we have been already so much indebted. It was meet that the tender chords of that harp should vibrate, when it was said to her, a long known and much valued friend and neighbor, “Chief Justice Williams is dead!" She beautifully responds,—

""Tis not for pen and ink,

Or the weak measure of the muse, to give Fit transcript of his virtues who hath risen Up from our midst to-day.

And yet 'twere sad

If such example were allowed to fleet
Without abiding trace for those behind.
To stand on earth's high places in the garb
Of Christian meekness, yet to comprehend
And teach the tortuous policies of guile
With upright aim, and heart immaculate,
To pass just sentence on the wiles of fraud,
And deeds of wickedness, yet freshly keep
The fountain of good will to all mankind,
To mark for more than fourscore years, a line
Of light without a mist, are victories
Not oft achieved by frail humanity,
Yet they were his.

Of charities that knew

No stint or boundary, save the woes of man,
He wished no mention made. But doubt ye not
Their record is above.

Without the tax

That age doth levy, on the eye or ear,
Movement of limbs, or social sympathies,
In sweet retirement of domestic joy,
His calm, unshadowed pilgrimage was closed
By an unsighing transit.

Our first wintry morn
Lifted its Sabbath face, and saw him sit
All reverent, at the table of his Lord,
And heard that kindly modulated voice
Teaching heaven's precepts to a youthful class
Which erst, with statesman's eloquence, control'd
A different audience. The next holy day
Wondering beheld his place at church unfill'd,
And found him drooping in his peaceful home,
Guarded by tenderest love.

[blocks in formation]

THE SOUTH CHURCH, ANDOVER, MS.

This

THE South Church, Andover, is an offshoot of the First Congregational Church, North Andover. It was organized Oct. 17, 1711, with 25 members. It has since received on profession and by letter, 2,181. Its present membership is 327. church has contributed largely towards the formation of five other churches in Andover the Evangelical Church in North Andover, the Church in Methuen, and some three or four churches in New Hampshire. At one time, 56 persons were dismissed, to form the West Church. This church has furnished 31 ministers of the gospel, and a much larger number of ministers' wives.

On the same day with the organization of the church, Mr. Samuel Phillips was ordained its first pastor. He continued pastor 61 years, dying June 5, 1771. Mr. Phillips was succeeded in the pastorate by Mr. Jonathan French, Sept. 23, 1772; who, after a ministry of 37 years, died July 28, 1809. After an interval of more than three years, Mr. Justin Edwards was ordained, Dec. 2, 1812. He was dismissed Oct. 1, 1857. Mr. Milton Badger was ordained pastor Jan. 3, 1828; dismissed Oct. 4, 1835. Mr. Lorenzo L. Langstroth was ordained May 11, 1836; dismissed March 30, 1839. Mr. John L. Taylor was ordained July 18, 1839; dismissed July 19, 1852. Mr. Chas. Smith was installed Oct. 28, 1852; dismissed Nov. 28, 1853. Mr. George Mooar was ordained Oct. 10, 1855; dismissed March 27, 1861. The present pastor, Chas. Smith, was reinstalled Dec. 18, 1861.

The first church edifice in the South parish was erected in 1709, and occupied for the first time in January of the following year. There is no record remaining of the size and style of this first house, but it must have been small, as it cost only £108, and rude, as by vote of the parish

66

young men and maids had liberty to build seats round in the galleries on their own charge." The second edifice, "30 feet between plate and sill, 44 feet wide, by 56 in length," was dedicated May 19, 1734. Hon. Josiah Quincy, once a worshiper in this house, calls it "a shingled mass, lofty, with three lofty stories, and three galleries in the interior, always densely filled with apparently pious zeal, and earnest listeners." The third house, dedicated Dec. 7, 1788, was much larger than the second, being 70 feet in length, by 54 in width, with a porch at either end and one in front. The first bell owned by the parish was presented by Samuel Abbot, Esq., and placed in the belfry of this third house in 1792. In 1833 this edifice was remodeled, the old square pews displaced by modern long ones, the front porch taken down, and the pulpit transfered from the front to the west end.

The engraving represents a new church edifice lately erected for the parish on the site of the old one, which was taken down for that purpose. It was commenced June 15, 1860, and was completed and dedicated Jan. 2, 1861. The extreme length is 109 feet, and the extreme width 71 feet, outside of the finish. The main body of the house, exclusive of the front projection, being 71 by 88 feet, and the spire reaching to the hight of 164 feet.

The basement story is 12 feet in hight, and divided into rooms for the Sabbath school, committee room, library, entryways, &c., and is very conveniently arranged in all respects. In the extreme rear end of the basement is an entry 4 feet in width, extending across the entire width of the house, with a flight of stairs at each end 4 feet in width, leading to the auditorium on the principal floor. In the front end of the building is the

[graphic][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

principal entrance 25 feet in width, with a flight of steps 34 feet in width leading to the principal floor, two flights of stairs 5 feet in width leading to the vestry, and two flights 4 feet in width leading to the galleries. From this vestibule there are four doors opening into the audience room, which on the lower floor, exclusive of side and front galleries, is 65 by 71 feet, and 32 feet in hight. It contains 132 circular pews, and will seat 700 persons. A gallery extends around upon three sides of this room, the bottom of which is 8 feet and 4 inches above the floor. The side galleries are about 10 feet in width, and the front gallery extends over the vestibule. The front and side galleries contain 44 pews, and will seat 200 persons.

The speaker's desk rests upon a spacious platform about four feet above the principal floor and is a very neat and tasty structure, built by Mr. S. F. Pratt of Boston.

The audience room is lighted with kerosene lamps, supported by brackets from

the wall, and front of the gallery, and heated by three Magee's portable furnaces placed in the basement.

The organ used for the present is a very good instrument purchased of the Messrs. Hook in 1836, for the old house.

The bell taken from the old house is mounted in the tower, which is also furnished with one of Simon Willard's clocks, presented to the parish by Samuel Abbot Esq., in 1792.

The pews are uniformly upholstered by Adams & North, of Lowell, and the house is carpeted throughout. The edifice was erected by contract by the able builders, Messrs. Abbott & Clemont, of Andover, under the direction of the building committee, Messrs. Nathan B. Abbott, Edward Taylor, George L. Abbott, and Charles Tufty. The structure is built in the Romanesque style of architecture, from designs and specifications furnished by John Stevens, Architect, of Boston. Total cost, $19,500.

COLUMBIAN PHENIX AND BOSTON REVIEW.

WE introduce our readers to the titlepage and table of contents of a rare, and somewhat ancient work. The frontis piece is a large engraving of a " Review" on Boston Common, having in the background the monument on Beacon Hill, the new State House, very much as it now looks; the Hancock house and four other buildings complete the list from the State House to Charles street. This is the only number of the work that we have seen. Some of our readers may be able, and kind enough, to give us its history. Judging by this number, we should think) it deserved a perpetuity reaching to our day. We will add here, however, a few extracts from the editor's address

"TO THE PUBLIC.

"When the Editor of the COLUMBIAN PHENIX first issued his Proposals for this Monthly Publication, it was with a 'trem

bling diffidence.' But among the various pursuits of life, this, to which necessity and ambition have impelled him, is the only one which is consonant with his situation and

feelings. Being deprived of the inestimable privileges and properties of vision, his only resort, either for amusement or profit, is to the exertions of an ever-thinking soul; from which, though he cannot promise the most polished specimens of eloquence, he will endeavor to produce occasional dissertations, that may perhaps tend, not only to the amusement, but to the instruction of the reader.

He has lived long enough to know that the author, or editor, who does not promote the ambition of individuals, flatter their pride, and their avarice, or gratify their hate, finds in general but a scanty support; and to atone for his neglect and chagrin, has only the self-satisfaction of having deserved better.-Excellent food for the mind; but it will not keep the body from starving.

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »