The life of Gilbert Haven : bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Preface

WHEN GILBERT HAVEN was appointed a missionary at Vicksburg he did not think he should return from that work alive. He therefore consulted the writer as to his readiness to prepare such an account of Mr. Haven's views and conduct as might vindicate his memory before the Church. Hence all the letters and documents relating to that transaction were put into the writer's hands. Several friends suggested that in case Mr. Haven's fears turned out correct, a biography would be required. In this contingency that task was to be performed by the same hands.

It came to be understood in the family of bishop Haven that, in the event of his death, any biography required should be prepared by the writer, with the aid of L. T. Townsend, D.D.

When Bishop Haven died the call for a biography was very general. Two well known editors and one college president offered their services for the preparation of such a work. It was every-where assumed that such a life must be carefully portrayed. Hence the literary executors thought themselves bound to undertake their appointed task. When a very imperfect life was issued by a Boston firm, the only option was to let that book have the field or to try to produce something different.

The materials for such a volume are so ample and interesting that some features of the book were determined thereby. All could not be used, and the task was to select and combine such matter as would best tell the story and illustrate the traits of Gilbert Haven. The choice of these materials has not been easy, nor can one flatter himself that in all cases the best selection has been made.

The private correspondence of Bishop Haven is rich and abun-

Preface.

dant. It was once the plan to publish many of these private letters. To have done so in any satisfactory way would have doubled the size of the volume without doubling its interest. This conviction led to a reluctant abandonment of this part of the plan. Twenty-five or thirty years hence an interesting volume could be made out of these letters if well edited.

The writer thanks the various friends of Bishop Haven for permission to use any letters of his in their possession in aid of this work. Such thanks are especially due to various members of Mr. Haven's family; to his brothers-in-law, Richard Ingraham, Esq., W. M. Ingraham, Esq., and H. C. M. Ingraham, Esq. ; and to Drs. William Rice, F. H. Newhall, G. M. Steele, D. Steele, A. S. Hunt, S. F. Upham, and W. F. Mallalieu.

To Bishop Haven's family at Maiden great credit is due for the care and patience with which his papers have been put into shape for convenient use. The]^; have lightened many a burden for the biographer.

Finally, to my true yoke-fellow, Professor L. T. Townsend, D.D., of Boston University, thanks are due for important suggestions and most friendly aid.

Weslevan University, December 22, 1882.

NOTE FROM PROFESSOR L. T. TOWNSEND, D.D.

Professor Prentice and myself were appointed in charge of all the literarv* effects* of the late Bishop Gilbert Haven. It was understood at first that the life of the Bishop was to be written by us in conjunction. The plans were subsequently changed, and the present volume, with the consent of all parties, is exclusively the production of Professor Prentice.

The faithfulness with which the work has been done, and the literary' excellence characterizing it, will certainly be acknowledged by every reader.

Luther T. Townsend.

Boston, December 10, 1882.

C O NTENT S.

Chapter I. Beginnings

Birth and Parentage — Home Life — Maiden and its Environments — Youthful Traits— First School and Teach(ir— The Mother's Influence- Miss Goodwin and Master Allard — Defense of a Negro Schoolmate — The Mother's Counsel — Public Sentiment concerning Colored People — Theodore Parker's Way — Gilbert Haven a Clerk — Makes Friends — Reading and Study Page 13

CHAPTER H.

SCHOOL LIFE.

At Wilbraham — The School — His Studies — Companions — Attitude toward Religion — Good Traits and Bad — Bethiah's Sickness — A Revival in School — Haven's Conversion — Joy and Fidelity — End of the Term — Happy Thanksgiving , 27

CHAPTER HI.

BUSINESS AND STUDY.

At Home — Business in Boston — Begins a Journal — Its Value — Petty Vexations — Becomes a Clerk at Tenney's — His City Home — Trials and Success as Clerk — Estimate of him by Employer and Associates — Religious Life — Religious Home — Preachers Heard — Social Meetings— Piety — Temptations — Study of Greek and Geometry — Rev. William Rice — Reading— Returns to Wilbraham — Preparation for College 37

Contexts.

CHAPTER IV.

COLLEGE.

Enters Wesleyan University — First Impressions — Extra Studies — Beautiful Middletown — Dr. Wliedon — Dr. Olin's Influence — Dr. Smith — Ardor in Work — Standing in Class — The Junior Exhibition — The Eclectic Society— Reading — College Friends — Class Pride — Gentleness in Judgment — Opinion of Himself — Teaching in Saugus — The Rice Household — F. H. Newhall — Social Life — A Revival — Emerson at Middleto^^Tl — Emerson's Influence — Lectures Heard— Prospects — Graduation Page 50

CHAPTER V.

TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL.

Amenia Seminary — Teaching Greek — His Associates — Social Life — Out of Doors — Made Principal — Success and Difficulties — Growth in Scholarship — Reading — Theology — The Life Spiritual — His Vocation — First Preaching — License to Preach — Vacation Days and Society — Death of Friends — Leaves Amenia 79

CHAPTER VI.

NORTHAMPTON.

Joins Conference — Stationed at Northampton — Reads Edwards — The Place and his Work — Salary — Becomes one of the School Committee — A Debt Paid — Value of this Experience — Letter to Rev. A. Gould— Marriage— Love and Courtship— The Wedding Journey— The Northampton Paradise — Mrs. Haven — Letters 106

CHAPTER VII.

WILBRAHAM.

The Ipswich Conference— Full Connection— Sent to Wilbraham— The First Service— Early Preaching— Preparation for the Pulpit— Advice to a Minister — Spiritualism — A Seance — Pastor Haven with the Young — Missionary Spirit — Judson's Example — Birth and Death of the First Child — New Friends 130

Contents

CHAPTER VIII.

WESTFIELD.

Ordained Elder— Stationed in Westfield— Letter to Hunt—Difficulties in Westfield— Haven and Trafton— Despondency about Preaching— Peril of Scandal— Westfield News— Father Cadwell— A Son Born— A Glimpse of Home Life— Address at Middletown— An Invitation 146

Chapter II. School Life

At Wilbraham— The School— His Studies- -Companions— Attitude toward Religion- Good Traits and Bad— Bethiah's Sickness— A Revival in School-Haven's Conversion- Joy and Fidelity— End of the Term- Happy Thanksgiving.

ESLEYAN ACADEMY is one of the earliest

^ ^ and most successful academies established under the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. Its name shows its ecclesiastical relations. Wesley's well-known Kingswood School was its chief model, though that model had not been closely followed in details. It was always free from that multitude of rules which were so often found at Kingswood a sore burden to teachers and pupils alike. This change was the result in part of differences between the countries in which the schools exist.

While the English school was open from the beginning only for boys, the Wilbraham one was open to both sexes. This feature was probably taken from the public schools around it, where persons of either sex studied and taught together. Since this seminary served as a model for many others, it naturally claims the proud distinction of a position in the vanguard of the great movement which is now opening the doors of the most famous colleges of the land to women.

The atmosphere of the school was deeply religious.

Life of Gilbert Haven.

It was intended to develop piety as well as scholarship, and its work would have been deemed defective if either aim had been missed. Still, moral suasion w^as mainly employed for the attainment of the religious purposes of the school. The regulations only demanded daily attendance on morning and evening prayers in chapel, and on two church services of a Sunday. Those who desired could also attend Sunday-school, and a weekly class-meeting and prayer-meeting. Besides these, Sunday morning prayer-meetings and meetings in private rooms for pious conversation were sometimes held by zealously religious students.

The school was then new. It had not yet the advantages of spacious and well-kept grounds, large and fine buildings, ample libraries, cabinets and scientific apparatus, which have since been so munificently provided through the generosity of its patrons. Its internal organization was not then so complete nor its corps of instructors so large and efficient as at present. Yet it deservedly held a high position among institutions of its grade forty years ago. Such was the school in which Gilbert Haven was a pupil during the spring and fall terms of 1839.

We have no very full accounts on which to found the story of his school-life at Wilbraham. Certain statements of his own, the clear recollections of several of his school-fellows, and some letters of that period from his own hand, are all the data that remain to us from that critical season. The books of the academy do not show what studies he pursued during those two terms. We know from other sources that he studied French, and was counted proficient enough to give an address in that tongue in certain public exercises of his society, " The Union Philosophical," at the close of the fall term. Mrs. C. L. Rice, of Springfield, Massachusetts, remembers him as one of the best declaimers in the school, with an easy and effective style of address. He was a ready debater, and warmed up when school topics were introduced, though he did not take a leading part in his society.

The only school composition of his preserved to these days, considers the fitness of certain limitations put upon the association of the sexes in the school. One of his letters says that the principal, Mr. Patten, had been talking to the students on that subject, but no good result had come of it. Haven was in favor of greater freedom. He always was, and hence reported somewhat hotly in one of his letters home : " They talk of making some new rules, stricter than the old ' blue laws' of Connecticut." His natural liking for relief from all such restrictions shows itself in a letter wherein he serio-comically sets forth the advantages of having to care for a sick chum : " I don't have to get up for prayers and hardly to breakfast, so I get along first-rate. I also fare first-rate, having custards, pie, cake, lemonade, rum punch, etc."

It seems, however, that young Haven was counted from the outset among the irreligious men of the school. His first letter home shows that he had accepted this position without much thought or compunction. He says : " I have been listening for the last half hour to a long sermon on religion by one of the most pious students in the school, and I can't tell how much good it has done, perhaps some." The bare fact that he consented to be treated in this way shows the bent of his mind to carelessness and irreligion. He had not the fixed character which makes school-life morally safe. Of quick social feelings, eager for popularity, fond of easy pleasures, Gilbert Haven found his path beset with snares. Among his companions were some who combined good scholarship and showy personal qualities with freedom from moral restraints. With some of these he was hail-fellow well met.

It admits of no doubt that young Haven's course at Wiibraham was for a time discreditable. Dr. Wentworth is correct in saying : *' He was for a brief season ' fast,' making associates of ' fast ' young men, making companions, says Dr. Rice, a schoolmate, of the best of the bad boys." This declaration is not only justified by what Haven himself wrote just after his conversion, when he might be suspected of unconscious exaggeration, but also by an entry made in his Journal during his pastorate at Wiibraham, in 1853 : "I have got back to an old home, the birth-place of my soul, of much of my mind, Wiibraham. Have enjoyed it some, though not so much as I might, had not the ghastly forms of boyish pleasure flitted before the memory, and a painful sense of loss marred the joyful one of gain."

During this evil period he was making a sad record of irregularities and deficiencies in school, which taxed

School- Life.

sorely the patient kindness of those who hoped better things for him. His own judgment, then and afterward, was that he had come to the verge of expulsion from school. He was characteristically frank in recognizing his own wickedness, and never tried to deck out his bad ways with any beautifying colors.

But, of course, he was not wholly bad, nor was he entirely given over to bad companionships. His letters home 'show, even at the worst period, a very affectionate nature. His father and mother, brothers and sisters, are all remembered quite tenderly at the very moment that he was keeping back from them facts which would have aroused their worst fears. He went boldly with his comrades upon some of his most desperate deeds of impiety, when he must have been smarting keenly under the reproaches of that faithful home-god," his own conscience.

While he was in this condition of growing wickedness and danger, word was brought him from home that his sister Bethiah was on the verge of death. The letter in which Gilbert acknowledges the receipt of these sorrowful tidings is filled with outbursts of intense grief. He sends words of tenderness and kisses of love to the dying girl. He confesses his evil ways, and promises to become a better boy, so that the hope of a future re-union may brighten her closing days. There is reason to fear that this penitence was only that sorrow of the world, which worketh death, since the duty of beginning the new life was not entered upon. He who adjourns duty to God insults his own conscience as well as the divine

Life of Gilbert Haven.

authority, since the intent to repent to-morrow involves the purpose to sin to-day. In Gilbert Haven's case it did not check him even in the worst practices into which he had fallen. Whatever penitential moods he may have passed through his companions saw nothing but his wonted darintj in transgression.

But God still had thoughts of mercy for the youth who seemed to be so recklessly throwing away his best opportunities, spiritual and intellectual. A religious revival, under the ministry of Rev. William Livesey, broke out in the town and school. Haven's attitude toward the movement at first was partly one of dislike but mainly of indifference. He went to the religious services held in the village church only when the preacher had the credit of being an eloquent speaker. Some of the ministers thus won their way through his ears to his heart. The following letter, with which he soon gladdened his troubled parents, tells the unexpected story of his sudden conversion to Christ. W'e omit and abridge what requires it. The letter is not dated, but was written on October 21, 1839, ^^e third day after the memorable conversion it records. It is addressed to his " Ever dear parents," and after explaining the reason for writing again so soon, continues :

I was afraid Bethiah might be taken suddenly away, and I never have the opportunity of informing her of the glorious news that I have some hopes of meeting her in heaven. ... I feel it my delight to tell her that I too can say, God is good. I know you will be surprised, aye, overwhelmed with astonishment and delight, to hear that the prodigal has returned 10 his Father's arms. But

School Life.

I hope and trust that such is the case. I feel the blessed assurance of sins forgiven, that my sins, which were as scarlet, have become as white as snow through the blood of the Lamb. . . . Little did I think, and less did I care, that I should become a recipient ot these joys. . . . Wednesday afternoon I attended meeting, because I wished to hear the preacher, second to but one or two that I ever heard in delivery. . . . He preached a beautiful sermon, but I had no particular impressions at the time. His text was, " And they all with one consent began to mai<e excuse." His name, I forgot to mention, is Rosser, [since Bishop Rosser of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,] a name which will long be treasured in my memory. . . . That evening, Mr. Rice, of Springfield, one of the two mentioned above as equal to Mr. Rosser, preached, but I slept under his sermon. Friday afternoon and evening Mr. Rosser preached. I liked him very well in the afternoon. His text was " Preach the Word; " I liked him because he was so eloquent, not because I felt that he did " preach the Word." In the evening he preached from the words, " Blessed are they that mourn : for they shall be comforted," a beautiful serinon. I felt some slight compunctions of conscience during the evening, but nothing very particular until 'after meeting, when I went to walk with Mr. R., the wildest fellow here, except myself, and one who was warned once to go home. No doubt we should both have been sent home if we had not taken the step we have. We had a long conversation, and at last came to the conclusion to go to the inquiry-meeting in the morning at any rate, if we proceeded no further. Well, we went ; and I bless the Lord that I was enabled to take up my cross and go forward. We were unexpectedly joined by another of our companions, and we three went forward. And that afternoon I believe the Lord spoke peace to my soul. I felt— 1 cannot describe my feelings; they were a mixture of joy and sorrow, of gladness and mourning. . . . The next day, almost for the first time, with delight I hailed the music of the bells. Mr. Livesey preached in the morning, Mr. Patten in the afternoon, and Mr. Miner Raymond in the evening. O,

I have spent one good Sabbath ! . . . Monday I did not feel so well 2*

Life of Gilbert Haven.

in mind until evening, when I was happy, superlatively happy. We had a glorious prayer-meeting previous to the evening services. . . . Then I heard Mr. Rice. His text was, " Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world ! " the best text and the best sermon that it was ever my lot to hear. O, I never was so happy, even in anticipation ! I never thought such could be the enjoyment of religion. . . . Tell Bethiah I hope now if I should never see her again on earth, I may behold her in heaven. I must write to William Richardson. Pray for me, that I may have strength to take up my cross, i have also three other letters to answer from wild fellows here. ... It is one o'clock and I must begin to think of retiring. Good-night, kind parents ; good-night, beloved brother and sisters ; good-night, dear friends, all, all.

The prodigal son, Gilbert.

Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," said Jesus of Nazareth. Thus, through the divine mercy, did that great change come to pass for Gilbert Haven, through which men are made new creatures in Christ Jesus. The same Master also said, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." We shall find this boyish conversion followed up by forty years of humble and faithful discipleship. No pretense was ever set up by Gilbert Haven that he was a model in his conduct up to the hour of his conversion. He had not lived in all good conscience " under the blessings which God had given him. He was such ^a sinner that he could put no confidence in his own righteousness. But he turned to God with childlike faith in the promises, and instantly found what holy Herbert had found before him :

School Life.

" Hungrie I was and had no meat :

I did conceit a most delicious feast ; I had it straight, and did as truly eat,

As ever did a welcome guest.

There is a rare outlandish root, Which when I could not get, I thought it here: That apprehension cured so well my foot, That I can walk to heaven well neare.

*• 1 owed thousands and much more ;

I did believe that I did nothing owe, And lived accordingly ; my creditor

Believes so too, and lets me go.

** Faith makes me any thing, or all

That I believe is in the sacred storie ; And where sin placeth me in Adam's fall,

Faith sets me higher in his glorie.

" If I go lower in the book.

What can be lower than the common manger ? Faith puts me there with him who sweetly took

Our flesh and frailty, death and danger.

" If blisse had lien in art or strength,

None but the wise or strong had gained it ;

Where now by faith all arms are of a length, One size doth all conditions fit."

We have no further remark to make on this wonderful conversion, save to note Gilbert Haven's instant endeavors to bring others to a like experience. That affectionate spirit which would not let him seek his own salvation alone, flashes out afresh in his eagerness to write at once to his friend Richardson about religion, and to answer the wild fellows," whom he cannot readily give up to evil. Such he was life long ; his loving nature clung fast to multitudes whom he would fain compel to turn with him to Christ. He was all the more zealous because the close of the term was just at hand, and men live fast in revivals. We only know that he was very assiduous in his religious duties, while his school-work was done with a patience and care such as he had never before shown.

The term closed so that he could return home in time for Thanksgiving, the great annual feast of our Puritan New England. We can readily imagine the higher zest wherewith the Haven household kept those memorable hours of festivity. Beyond all the temporal mercies which crowned the year, above the ordinary domestic felicity of their circle, was the crowning gift of the divine compassion, the recovery of a beloved son and brother from the gravest spiritual peril, and his surrender to God's will. Bethiah still lingered to welcome her favorite brother, talk over with him the new life he had begun, exchange pledges of future meetings above, and show him how a Christian ought to suffer and die. About a month later God blessed her with a happy end.

Business and Study.

Chapter III. Business And Study

At Home— Business in Boston— Begins a Journal— Its Value— Petty Vexations— Becomes a Clerk at Tenney's— His City Home— Trials and Success as Clerk— Estimate of him by Employer and Associates— Religious Life— Religious Home— Preachers Heard— Social Meetings— Piety— Temptations— Study of Greek and Geometry— Rev. William Rice— Reading— Returns to Wilbraham- Preparation for College.

E have no record of Gilbert Haven's doings for nine months after his return from Wilbraham. With that event the call for correspondence with his family ceased. He mentions a few other correspondents ; but, alas ! either hungry oblivion has swallowed them up, so that their memorial has perished with them, or they have not preserved the letters which would shed a twinkle of welcome light upon those months now grown as dull and opaque for us as they were once bright and happy for him.

That he kept up his old habit of much and various reading, with a religious and theological element added, was a matter of course. That he was true to his new habit of much prayer, pious meditations on the Bible and his personal experiences, and that his devotion was fed by the worship of the sanctuary and social meetings, admits no question. He remained at home during the winter, witnessed the happy end of Bethiah's pilgrimage, and helped his father about his work. Efforts were made to procure him a start in business in Boston.

Accordingly we find that he became a clerk in the store of L. W. & C. H. Nichols, at No. 14 Tremont-st., Boston, the fourth of March, 1840. We have no accounts of his life there until six months had passed ; then, on September i, Gilbert Haven began a Journal, giving an almost daily notice of his affairs until September 18, 1 841. The Journal then ends so abruptly that one suspects the rest must have been lost. Of this Journal the author wrote afterward :

I had just lost Bethiah, and my mind was deeply affected. I had a few months before begun the Christian life, and its novelty, solemnity, and grandeur engaged my whole heart. I was placed under a disagreeable master in a disagreeable store, which tended to drive me still further inward in my search after peace and pleasure. I had an intense thirst for knowledge, which increased my distaste for society and business. These circumstances tended to characterize my writings with sadness, solitariness and religious sensibility.

We have been informed that this record afterward seemed to its writer somewhat unreal and extravagant. But whatever its faults, it enables us to obtain an insight into these formative years which is invaluable. For one thing, it sheds much light on his business life in his new grapple with the world.

When he had been six months in the store he makes this entry :

Charles [the junior partner] was rather out of sorts, and vented his feelings on us clerks, finding fault continually, while I was laughing. I do not feel much condemnation, because I did not do it for revenge or scorn, but because of the grotesqueness of his conduct,

Business and Study. 39 Here is another touch :

This morning, preparing to obey a command of Mr. Nichols, I was suddenly stopped by Charles, and the article I was to carry demanded. I refused, and though afterward I was severely tried about my conduct, at last I felt no condemnation, and Mr. Nichols afterward approved it.

Charles was evidently a sore cross to young Haven. He taxed the two clerks with want of interest in the business, and subjected them to a jealous surveillance. On one occasion he hid away the books which Haven had on hand for use in moments of leisure.

The business itself was petty. To sell fifteen or twenty dollars' worth a day for each salesman was prosperity. Gilbert frequently records that business is ** dull," or so-so." Once he says : There is little doing in the mercantile line except in the Elssler cuffs." These cuffs were named in honor of the famous danseusey who was just then charming Puritan Boston by her bewildering pirouettes, and by subscribing $1,000 to the Bunker Hill Monument. It seems now incredible to recall the sensation produced by the too volatile Fanny in staid New England. Some wag hit off the popular madness by putting Emerson and Margaret Fuller among her spectators on one occasion. They came, saw, and were conquered. O Ralph, this is poetry!" No, Margaret, it is religion!" they exclaimed in turn.

The speedy consequence of the bad state of affairs in the store was that young Haven began to look about for some more eligible position when his year should expire. He denies the justice of the charges brought against him. His connection with the Nichols firm was not severed without some bad feeUng on their part. Characteristic of the clerk was it that he took pains to visit them afterward, and rested not until good feeling was quite restored. There is not a sign of bad temper in any record in the Journal on that subject. Three months later he enters without comment the following virtual vindication :

Received a note from Charles Nichols, requesting an interview. I went to-day. He proposed to have me come back to the store, offering me, indirectly and inferentially, a partnership. I declined, believing I should be much better situated as I am.

On March 4, 1841, he became clerk in the carpet store of Tenney & Co. This was then the largest concern of its kind in Boston. Haven was to have 8275 the first year. Tenney & Co. did business on the corner of Salem and Prince Streets. Haven found a pleasant home with a Mrs. Goddard, who lived at No. 3 Stillman Street, a street leading from Charlestown Street to Salem Street. These places are all in what is known as the North End, but were then in the very heart of the best business quarter of the city. Here Haven found himself among a set of alert and ambitious young men in one of the best-appointed stores of the city. His time was pretty closely occupied with his business. When trade was brisk so many goods would be tumbled in course of the day that the clerks would sometimes be kept busy until ten o'clock at night in getting them into proper order. But the place pleased him.