Biography of Rev. Elhanan Winchester

Front matter

BEQUEATHED BY HIM TO

THE LIBRARY OF

Boston 'ub. by Benj?P ' 1836

Contents

Abom, Capt. Samuel, the friend of Mr. Winchester, . . 97

Andrews, Col. Z. correspondence with, . 96—102, 181, 222, 224 Annihilation not God's design, ....*. 141

Address to Mr Winchester, ....... 173

Preface

It has been the author's aim in the following pages to subserve the interests of divine truth, by delineating the history of an eminent christian minister. How successful he has accomplished his design, would not become him to decide. He may be permitted to say, however, he has done what he could — not indeed all he could wish to have done — but what his means allowed. And if the work shall in never so slight a degree advance the Redeemer's cause, and fan to a brighter glow the flame of missionary enterprize, his ardent prayer will be answered.

The materials from which this volume is prepared were widely scattered, and have been collected at the cost of much time and labor. Brief sketches of Mr. Winchester have at various times appeared in different periodicals. Of these free use has been made. A few incidents are gleaned from a short memoir by Vidler, published in London 1797. For the residue which is not the fruit of correspondence and personal research, credit is given in the body of the work.

The author has not the vanity to think his work faultless. In extenuation of its imperfections he would plead the peculiar difficulties with which his labor has been attended. Thirty-nine years have elapsed since Mr. Winchester's decease. I1 is not known that he left a diary, or any papers from which a biography could be entirely or in part compiled. The resources from contemporaries, too, are comparatively limited. Most of his personal friends and associates have followed him to

X. PREFACE.

the tomb ; and consequently much of his early history which they only could supply, and much of the minutise of his numerous journies, conversations and public labors, which would fill the outline of his life with a pleasing variety, is irrecoverably lost.

Still with all these restrictions and disadvantages, it is believed the volume will not be found void of interest. Successful exertions have been made to collect some of Mr. W's correspondence never before published. These letters were not written for the public eye. They show the writer in his moral undress, as he appeared to his friends, and on this ac-> count are doubly valuable.

The quotations from various of his publications interspersed through this work, it is believed will impart additional interest to its pages, furnishing as they do, a concise outline of his theological opinions, and a comprehensive exposition of several important subjects. The portrait prefixed is considered a correct likeness. It will be a precious memento to those who have seen and were acquainted with the original. To all who appreciate his worth, it will be a valuable relic.

On the 67th page an omission occurs, which was not noticed until the sheets were worked off. The reader will please supply the following enclosed in brackets, at the close of the extract from the " Outcasts Comforted."

["To his new place of worship in the University Hall, Mr. Winchester enjoyed the pleasure of finding himself attended by nearly half the members of the Baptist church, which in conjunction with others were immediately organized in church order, and a regular ministration of the Lord's Supper observed.

" Released from the restraints of his former connexion, he preached with renewed zeal and with increased effect His con" gregation enlarged until no more seats were to be obtained, and at the end of four years, as mentioned page 50, the society felt itself in circumstances to purchase a commodious house for the service of God. It was in this house that Dr. Priestly, in 1796'

PREFACE. XI.

delivered a 6eries of sermons on the evidences of revealed religion. At the close, he preached a discourse explanitory of his peculiar theological tenets, in the course of which he frankly avowed his belief in the final restoration ; a doctrine, he observes, "eminently calculated to promote alike gratitude to God, and consequently every other virtue."

"During his ministry in Philadelphia, Mr. Winchester had no stated salary, but derived his support from weekly contributions • These were adequate to the wants of his family and the purposes of benevolence. It was doubtless expedient that he should receive his support in this way ; but in the present state of society, it is believed that a permanent provision for the dispensation of the word is best for both pastor and people."]

The author would avail himself of the present opportunity to express his greatful sense of indebtedness to those gentlemen who facilitated the execution of this work by kindly and promptly answering his inquiries. He is desirous of gaining further information for future use. Gentlemen acquainted with any particulars of Mr. Winchester's life not included in this volume, are respectfully requested to communicate the same to the author by letter or otherwise, carefully annexing dates when practicable.

" The subject of these pages," to adopt the language of another, " had but a short period allotted to him on earth. His work was great, and his abilities suited to it. He labored with a zeal that has not often been exceeded : he fought a good fight; he kept the sacred deposite committed to him ; he finished his course with joy and entered into rest." e. m. s. Beverly. May 9th, 183&

Note. A few authographical errors escaped the author's observation. It is deemed unnecessary to particularize them, as they do not materially affect the sense.

BIOGRAPHY

REV. ELHANAN WINCHESTER.

Chapter I

Birth and parentage of Mr. Winchester — an incident in early life — his religious experience.

11 His name is cherished where the great of this world are unknown."

Elhanan Winchester, the subject of this biography, was the son of Elhanan and Sarah Winchester. He was born in Brookline, in the State of Massachusetts, on the thirtieth day of September, A. D. 1751. His father was a respectable and industrious mechanic. He had a family of fifteen children of which Elhanan was the eldest. For these he provided by associating agricultural pursuits with the business to which he had been bred.*

* The Winchester family are of Welch descent, and emigrated to this country in its early settlement. The elder Mr. W. was a man of fervent piety, and frequently led in public religious exercises. He was married three times. His first wife died without issue. His second was the mother of 6ix children ; Elhanan, Samuel, David, Jonathan, Silas and Benjamin. By his third he had four sons and five daughters ; Moses, Aaron, Daniel, Ebenezer, Lois, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth and Phcebe He died in 1810, aged 91 years.

Very early in life Elbanan gave indications of an uncommon mind. At the age of five he could read with fluency and propriety any book printed in his vernacular tongue. His taste for study was remarked by all his acquaintance. He appeared to have but little relish for the amusements common to youth. At school he avoided the play-ground; and while his companions devoted recess to the sports incident to juvenile years, he was observed to be attentively engaged with his book. Indeed, books were the food of his soul ; and all that fell in his way he devoured with avidity to satisfy the cravings of his mental appetite. His memory was unusually retentive, and the rapidity with which he committed his lessons was often a subject of admiration to his instructers. Of all books the Bible was his favorite. From his early and extensive acquaintance with the Word of Life, his friends did not fail to prognosticate his future eminence and usefulness. He was of a contemplative turn, which connected with his scriptural attainments, probably laid the foundation of that religious character for which in subsequent life he was pre-eminently distinguished.

The restricted circumstances of the elder Mr. Winchester, necessarily precluded his doing much for the education of his children. He was able to afford them only the ordinary advantages of a common school. But the mind of Elhanan rose superior to circumstances. His thirst for learning was irrepressible. Circumscribed as were his means, he nevertheless perfected himself in all the branches at that time taught in district schools ; to which he added a knowledge of the latin language. When the latin grammar was put into his hands, he qualified himself in one evening, to the agreeable surprise of his teacher, to recite with a class which had been studying several weeks. The same energetic and persevering spirit, enabled him in later years to acquire the French, Greek and Hebrew.

In his constitution, Elhanan was naturally feeble. Through life he was the almost constant subject of disease and pain. He developed in childhood an amiable disposition, and a mild, conciliating temper. "I have no recollection of seeing him in a passion (writes a brother) while living with my father." " He always made it a rule (writes

another) never to speak evil of any person Indeed

he seemed an entire stranger to envy, and was no less remarkable for his humility than his generosity." Vidler, in his sketch, makes a less favorable statement of his youthful characteristics on the authority, as he says, of Mr. Winchester himself. It was natural that a man like him should speak of himself with great modesty : But as his brothers and sister unite in ascribing to him an unusual sweetness of mind, we have chosen to follow them. So far as can be learned from contemporaries, their statements may be relied on as substantially correct. Gentleness, forbearance under the pressure of injury, and a tender regard for the feelings of others, were prominent features in his juvenile character. The early activity of Elhanan's mind, and the readiness with which it embraced simultaneouslv a variety of subjects, is pertinently illustrated in the following anecdote. It was received in substance, from reputable authority.

His father was exemplary in the observance of the Sabbath. He considered it holy time, and wisely taught his children to regard it reverentially. He was constant in his attendance upon public worship, and always impressed upon his young family, the duty of order and attention in the house of God. To secure this end, he sometimes required them to remember the text and repeat it to him on their return from meeting. " Elhanan," said his father to him one pleasant sabbath morning, " you will attend meeting to-day. I wish you to keep your eyes upon the minister, and inform me when you come home from what part of the scripture he selected his text." "Yes, father," was the reply. At the hour of service the family set out for the place of worship. The meeting-house, like many at that day, was in an unfinished state ; the posts, beams, braces and rafters being exposed to view. The old gentleman, as usual, took his seat below ; but Elhanan, escaping for a moment, his observation, slipped into the gallery, and placed himself in a front seat. It was now too late to call him down without disturbing the congregation, and as he sat in full view of his father, he concluded to allow him to remain undisturbed. The meeting was opened in the customary form, and the clergyman soon rose and commenced his sermon. The father now raised his eyes to his son, hoping to find him regarding the morning injunction. To his sorrow and vexation, however, Elhanan appeared entirely to have forgotten it. Instead of attending to the discourse, his mind seemed to be busily occupied with objects in distant parts of the house. The old gentleman was exceedingly uneasy, and resorted to various methods to arrest his attention without attracting the notice of the assembly — but in vain. -As the sermon progressed, Elhanan became apparently more engrossed in the objects which first engaged his gaze. Occasionally, he was observed to cast a look upon the speaker, as though the recollection of his father's charge flashed upon his mind; but soon his eyes again wandered over every part of the house, and he appeared insensible to the presence of any. His father was vexed beyond measure, and resolved to catechise him severely for his disobedience. The meeting at length closed, and the audience dispersed. As soon as the family reached home, the old gentleman commenced rather sternly,

" Elhanan, did I not bid you this morning to keep your eyes upon the minister, and bring me the text at noon?"

" Yes father."

" Why then, have you disobeyed me ?"

" I have not disobeyed you, father," replied Elhanan, looking up with a strong expression of innocence.

" My son," hastily rejoined his father, " do not strive to conceal your fault by falsehood."

ii Father I am not guilty of falsehood."

" My child, do not persist in this assertion. I observed you narrowly during the whole of divine service, and your eyes were any where but upon the minister. You will not deny this ?"

" No, father, I will not deny that 1 sometimes looked upon other objects : but indeed I have not been disobedient as you think. I remember the text."

" Indeed ! repeat it then."

This was immediately done, citing chapter and verse.

" Well," resumed his father, " I am glad to find you have been more attentive than I at first supposed. It would have grieved me much, had you convicted yourself of untruth. But, my son, I must caution you to refrain in future from gazing around the house of God. Such conduct indicates a want of just reverence for your heavenly father."

" I am heartily sorry father, that my conduct has been censurable. I would not willingly give you pain j and I will try to behave more becoming in the house of God.

But father, (he continued, brightening) I not only remember the text, but I can tell you what the minister said."

He then enumerated the heads of the discourse, and repeated large portions, nearly in the words of the speaker. The stern features of the father relaxed into a look of complacency as he remarked, " your memory, Elhanan, is very good, and I am pleased to observe that you have exercised it so profitably this morning*"

" And now father, (continued Elhanan, gathering courage from his altered tone) if you will rot be offended, I will tell you the number of people present this morning, and the number of beams, posts, braces, rafters and panes of glass there were in the meeting-house. I counted them all and remembered the text too."

This was uttered in a tone of earnest simplicity that totally disarmed the old gentleman of his anger. The associations too, were such as rendered it difficult to repress a smile ; but assuming a look of gravity, he replied,

" Well, Elhanan, I am willing to believe you meant no wrong. For this time I will overlook what perhaps under other circumstances, I should esteem an unpardonable offence. But be warned my son, hereafter to give your undivided attention to the religious exercises while in the place of public worship."

In the eighth year of his age the halcyon and sunny days of childhood were first o'ershadowed by sorrow, in the death of his mother. She deceased January 7, 1760, in the thirty-first year of her age. She was a pious, exemplary woman, and an affectionate, faithful mother. Elhanan's attachment to her was of the most tender character, and her decease afflicted him even more deeply at that tender age, than any of the family. He speaks of her in later years in the strongest terms of respect and filial reverence. At what time his mind was first seriously impressed cannot with exactness be determined ; but in 1769, at the age of nineteen, he became savingly acquainted with Christ, and made a public profession of religion. He united himself to a separate church in his native town of which Rev. Jonathan Hyde was pastor.*

The following is a brief account of his christian experience written by himself.

" It pleased God, by an incident too trifling to mention, to bring me to seek earnestly for an unfading treasure ; and by a train of circumstances, fixed the concern deeply upon my mind ; and I labored night and day, but could obtain no rest till one morning — a time never to be forgotten ! As I was walking on a journey, under great distress, and when deliverence seemed farther from me than ever, all at once I was brought to resign my soul into the hands of God, and thus I expressed myself : " Lord, here I am : a poor helpless sinner : I resign myself into thine hands. Take me, and deal with me just as thou pleasest. I know thou canst do me no injustice." Immediately these words came into my mind with great power and sweetness : " In an acceptable time have I heard thee ; and in a day of salvation have I helped thee." Isa. xlix : 8, and I had then such a view of Christ, as to make me cry out, " Glory to God in the highest ! This is

salvation ; I know this is salvation I saw the

fulness, sufficiency and willingness of Christ to save me and all men, in such a manner as constrained me to ven-

* Mr. Hyde was ordained Jan. 17, 1751, and performed the duties of pastor for nearly thirty years.

ture my soul into his arms ; and if I had ten thousand souls, I could have trusted them all in his hands. And O how did I long, that every soul of Adam's race might come to know the love of God in Christ Jesus ! And I thought I could not be willing to live any longer on earth, unless it might please God to make me useful to my fellow creatures.

" What peaceful hours I then enjoyed ! How sweet their memory still !

But they have left an aching void The world can never fill."

This is a little abstract of what God did then graciously teach me by his spirit ; but I had been brought up in that particular system, and in the course of a few years came to be so firmly attached to it, as to refuse, in my preaching, to make general invitations to mankind at large ; rightly reasoning with myself, that if provision was only made for a small part, I had no warrant to call or invite the whole to come and partake, — and therefore cnly pressed the duty on such and such characters, as hungry, thirsty, weary, heavy laden, such as were without money, sensible sinners, &lc. all of which I concluded to be of the elect, because I judged the spirit had begun to operate savingly upon their hearts ; and that to these only, the scriptures directed invitations to be made ; never considering that text: " Hearken unto me, ye stout hearted, that are far from righteousness. I bring near my righteousness ; and it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry." Isa. xlvi : 12, 13. During the time that I remained in this close hearted system, laboring with all my might to maintain it, I chanced to come to a house where, as far as I can judge, was a very sensible and pious young woman, whom I never saw before nor since. She gave a very judicious account of the work of grace upon her heart ; but when she came to that part where she said .she beheld an infinite fulness in Christ for all the world, I interrupted her, and told her, that could not be ; for there was no provision made for all, and therefore it was impossible that she could have any such discoveries made to her by the spirit of God. This I insisted upon, according to my system, contrary to my experimental knowledge. She, on the contrary, maintained that she clearly viewed matters in this light ; and that she certainly was taught to believe that in Christ there was fulness and freeness for all. This I denied, and she was thereby prevented from finishing what she had begun. I can never forgive myself for the opposition I made to what I knew to be truth by experience ; and as I did not inquire the name of the person, I have had no opportunity of making a recantation by letter, as I ought to have done ; and having never been in the place since, and it being highly improbable I ever shall, I feel myself extremely hurt, whenever I think of it."

In confining the invitations of the gospel to the elect, Mr. Winchester, as he must hereafter be called, acted like a consistent Calvinist. But he plead for this sentiment against his personal experience and the convictions of conscience. So powerful is the influence of system ! His better judgment and pious feelings urged him to bear the eternal interests of the whole world upon the arms of prayer before the throne of infinite mercy, and to proclaim the gospel " to every creature." But this militated against his system — and that he was taught must be maintained. And it was not until he became assured from scripture that Christ tasted death for every man, that truth triumphed in his mind over error. Then it was that he dared offer prayers, supplications and intercessions for all men, as consonant with the will of God.

Chapter II

Mr. Winchester marries and enters the Ministry — travels in various parts of the United States — remarkable family bereavements— visits Philadelphia and accepts an invitation to take the pastoral care of the Baptist church and society — his popularity.

" I saw the Evangelist of God ascend The holy place. He stood in the heauty Of meekness. He spake, and on my heart Fell accents glowing with the prophets fire."

In the Autumn of 1769, Mr. Winchester was united in marriage to Miss Alice Rogers of Rowley, Mass. He soon after commenced the public work of the ministry. Subsequently experiencing a change in some of his views of religion, he visited Canterbury, Ct. where he received baptism by immersion from Elder Ebenezer Lyon, and was received into his church. This was a Baptist church on the open communion plan. " How long he tarried here is not known; but before the next spring he removed to Rehoboth, Massachusetts,where he spentthe year 1771, and in its vicinity. Hisyouth, his extraordinary memory, his eloquence, and apparent zeal, together with his singular dress, excited much interest, and drew multitudes to his meetings. A revival followed. A church of about seventy members was gathered on the plan of that at Canterbury, and he was ordained over it by Elder Lyon. In less than a year, however, Mr. Winchester adopted the plan of close communion ; to which his church so far practically assented, as to exclude him for breach of covenant. During the commotion which this affair produced at Rehoboth, he took a journey into- New-Hampshire and Vermont ; and on returning, stopped at Grafton, Mass. where he preached to the astonishment of those that attended. When arrived at Rehoboth, finding the difficulties had not subsided, he called a council to mediate between him and his church. The result was, the council declared that he had left an error to embrace the truth ; and the people declared the contrary. Accordingly Mr. Winchester then joined the Baplist church in Bellingham, Mass. of which Elder Noah Alden was minister. About this time he renounced his Arminian sentiments, avowed the system of the celebrated Baptist Dr. Gill, and soon became considered one of the most thorough Calvinist preachers in the country."

In the early part of 1772, Mr. Winchester removed to Grafton, where he preached through the summer. His labors were successful in the conversion of about thirty in that place, and in the neighboring towns of Northbridge and Upton. The years 1 773 and '4, he spent in Hull and various other places. His preaching in his native town was attended with success. Most of the church to which he formerly belonged, and of which his father was a member, received his sentiments and became Baptists. A church of that order was established in the adjoining town of Newton, which is still in existence.

He now concluded to visit the South, and in the autumn of this year (1774) set out for Charleston S. C. After a short detention at Hopewrell N. J. where he was inoculated for the small pox, he continued his journey to the place of destination. Whether he preached in Charleston is uncertain. Probably he did. Shortly after his arrival at this place, he received an invitation from the Baptist Church at Welch Neck on the Great Pee Dee river, about sixty miles from Georgetown, to become its pastor. This he accepted, and after remaining a few months, returned to Massachusetts for his wife. In the mo th of October 1775, he commenced his removal. And now was the beginning of sorrow. Sickness entered his family. When he reached Fairfax county, Va. Mrs. Winchester was unable to proceed. He left her in tv.e care of a friend, and went on to his charge at Welch Neck, where he spent the winter. In the following spring (April 1776) he returned to convey her to his new residence. But he returned too late. He never saw her more. When he arrived, her mortal remains were reposing in the grave ! He did not go immediately back, but proceeded on to Massachusetts. He came to Boston, and during the summer supplied the pulpit of the first Baptist church in the absence of their pastor, the late Dr. Stillman. In the course of the summer he married Miss Sarah Peck, of Rehoboth, the scene of his early ministerial troubles. In the autumn he returned to his people at Welch Neck. His return was hailed with joy.

The divine blessing followed his labors. An interesting revival soon after occurred, and about forty were baptized. Among the number was Mrs. Winchester. Happiness now pervaded the domestic circle; but it was only for a brief season. Scarcely had hope put forth its buds of promise, when they were blighted by the frost of disappointment. Death once more severed the nuptial tie, and in less than a year from his marriage, he was again bereaved ! Soon after this afflictive event, he was attacked by a fever which brought him to the verge of the grave. But God, who in judgment remembers me cy, was pleased to sanctify his dealings to the sufferer's benefit. A continued course oi prosperity tends to weaken our sense of dependence, — to make us forgetful of the sustaining hand of God, — and to induce an undue confidence in our own powers and resources. Unmindful of the Creator, — we become proportionately regardful of the creature, — and contemplating more the present, and less the future, the praise of man is soon paramount with the approbation of heaven. Mr. Winchester was an eloquent and popular preacher — multitudes flocked to hear him — extraordinary success attended his ministry— and his name was celebrated in all the churches. Under these circumstances, it would be strange were he found indifferent to public opinion. With his wonted frankness, he assures us he was not. Up to the period of his present affliction, he was both gratified with, and cherished a desire for, popular applause. But now, as he

O'er a dying friend in anguish hung,

his wayward affections were recalled, and fixed on Him ia whose favor alone is life. The chastening was for his profit. He felt it as such. Self-esteem was humbled, — vanity subdued, — aad realizing his own impotency, he was ready

11 To lean on Him on whom arch-angels lean ;" and sensible that

" Heav'n gives us friends to bless the present scene, Resumes them to prepare us for the next,"

he, to adopt his own sentiment, was from this time " crucified to popular applause forever."

The residue of this year Mr. Winchester continued ministering to the people of his charge. The next year, 1778, he visited Virginia, where he spent the summer in 3 travelling and preaching with distinguished success. In the autumn he returned to Welch Neck. Here, the chalice of affliction, of which hehad twice drank deeply, was again presented to his lips. His third wife, to whom he was married the early part of this year, sickened and died.* She appears to have been a woman of amiable temper and fervent piety. To her, Mr. W. was tenderly attached, and her decease filled his heart with corresponding grief. " Amidst a consuming pain of ten or eleven days, her mind rose to a high state of devotional joy ; and her example and conversation served to abstract her husband from the common objects of life, and to concentrate all his powers on the work of the ministry. :J He preached and exhorted with a zeal and singleness of motive that

* Her name before marriage was Sarah Luke. A remarkable Providence followed Mr. W's matrimonial alliances. He was afterwards twice married, and at the age of thirty-two was four times a widower ! As this is an event of an unusual character, we have thought it might be interesting to furnish a brief table of his respective unions, &c. We give it below.