Memoir of the Rev. Oliver Alden Taylor, of Manchester, Massachusetts ...

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Preface

THE SECOND EDITION.

A large amount of new material has been incorporated into this edition. There is less of minute detail than in the former, and whatever is retained has been carefully revised. The aim of the compiler has been to present a correct history of one who seems to have been raised up as a striking example of what may be accomplished in the pursuit of knowledge,' amid numerous and almost insurmountable difficulties. Yet the religious character of him whose life is here delineated, forms the most striking feature of the work. Few, if any, suffer more from a sense of inherent sinfulness and utter unworthiness ; and few, it is believed, enjoy more wonderful manifestations of Christ's glorious presence, than did he.

For the very kind and complimentary testimonials in regard to the execution and usefulness of the first edition, the writer presents his grateful acknowledgments. Especially does he feel indebt-

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T O vi

Preface To The Second Edition

cd to Rev. S. D. Clark, of Sunderland, Massachusetts, for an extended and very able Review of the Memoir in the New Englander, November, 1853.

Shakspeare's remark, " For by his face straight shall ye know his heart," was preeminently true of Mr. Taylor. The engraving was copied from an excellent painting executed a few months before his last sickness, at the request and expense of a friend. It is considered a very good likeness. The engraver who undertook the work, died in the midst of his labor; consequently the plate was not finished in that superior style of execution which the friends intended.

May Zion's King use this work for the promotion of his own glory.

Si.\teksville, R. I., March 18, 1S54.

CHAPTER I. Page

Parentage and Childhood, s 13-41

CHAPTER H.

Leaves Home — Death of his Father, . . . 42-63

CHAPTER HI.

Journey to Meadville and Residence there, . 64-95

CHAPTER IV.

His connection with Union College, . . . 96-127 CHAPTER V.

Studies Theology at Andover, .... 128-168

CHAPTER VI.

Calls to Settle declined — Literary Pursuits

CHAPTER VII.

Literary Pursuits from January, 1834, to the Autumn OF 1838, 230-273 viii CONTEXTS.

CHAPTER VIII.

Devotes himself to Preaching — Settlement at

Manchester, . 274-315

CHAPTER IX.

Pastoral Life from his Installation, September,

CHAPTER X.

Pastoral Life from November, 1843, till January,

1847, 385-426

CHAPTER XI.

Pastoral Life from January, 1847, to January, 1851, 427-475

CHAPTER XII.

His last Year — Sickness and Death, . . . 476-532

CHAPTER XIII.

His Library — Estimate of his Character — Publications, 533-556

MEMOIR.

CHAPTER L

PARENTAGE AND CHILDHOOD.

The subject of this memoir was born in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, August 18, 1801. His parents were Captain Jeremiah and Mrs. Martha Shaw Taylor, both of whom were natives of that town. He was the eldest of eleven children, seven of whom, together with their mother, survive him ; his father's death having occurred more than thirty years prior to his own. His father was son of Captain Isaac and Mrs. Mary Joyce Taylor, both of them noted for their piety. It was their custom on Thanksgiving days to invite to their house all the pious Indians in their vicinity to partake of a gratuitous entertainment. His paternal grandmother died at Yarmouth, 1/79. Soon after this event his grandfather removed to Ashfield and there died, December 31, 1786, aged 71. The venerable man was returning on foot from public worship, when he complained to a friend of faintness, and dropped down dead. The ground was then covered with snow. He fell in the road near the house in which Rev. Thomas Shepherd formerly re- 2 sided. A slate-colored stone marks the place of his burial in the old graveyard on the " Plain"

Oliver manifested in his mature years great interest in the history of his ancestors, but his attention was directed mainly to those on the paternal side. Speaking of them, he says : " I have found no men of royal blood ; no barons, lords, dukes, or conquerors ; but instead thereof, pilgrims and adventurers, characterized by all the imperfections of human nature, though often blessed with some of the virtues of Christianity. Let my boast, like Cowper's, be,

' not that I deduce my birth

From loins enthroned and rulers of the earth ; But higher far my pi-oud pretensions rise : The son of parents passed into the skies.' "

On the maternal side were many of the clerical profession. His mother was daughter of Rev. Timothy Alden, a descendant in a direct line of John Alden, one of the Mayflower immigrants. This maternal grandfather was the eighth son of Eleazar and Martha Shaw Alden, of Bridgewater, and was born November 24, 1736 (O. S.). He graduated at Harvard College, 1762, was ordained Pastor of the Congregational Church in Yarmouth, December 13, 1769, and died there, November 13, 1828. It will be seen that he sustained the pastoral relation nearly fifty-nine years, and had almost reached the age of ninety-two. On the tombstone erected by his people, the following testimonial is inscribed : " He was a faithful and beloved pastor ; a man of prayer ; of a mild, cheerful, amiable disposition, sanctified by grace ; of great humility, and exemplary in the va-

BEY • OLIVER A. TAYLOR.

rious walks of a long life. All his hopes rested on the merits of Jesus Christ, and his end was peace." During a few of his latter years Mr. Alden enjoyed the assistance of a colleague. Many pleasing anecdotes are still related of him by the aged people in Yarmouth. The venerable white icig which he wore in his last years, is in possession of the writer, and is in good wearing order. Mr. Alden married Sarah, daughter of Rev. Habijah Weld, of Attleborough, Massachusetts. She was one of fifteen children. Her death occurred very suddenly at Yarmouth, October 28, 1796, in the fifty-ninth year of her age. Her husband and three of her six children were absent and so far from home, that they could not return to be present at her funeral. She was a lady of great moral worth and exemplary piety. Mr, Alden's six children all lived till within a few years ; but now the mother of the subject of this memoir is the only survivor.

Rev. Habijah Weld, son of Rev. Thomas Weld, was born in Dunstable, Massachusetts, September 2, 1702. His father having died previous to his birth, his mother, in commemoration of this circumstance, called her son Habijah. He was committed to the guardianship of Mrs. Dorothy Williams, of Roxbury, a sister of his father. By her the orphan son was educated at Harvard, where he graduated, 1723. For two years he taught a school in Martha's Vineyard, and then was ordained in Attleborough, October 1, 1727, over the church to which his entire ministry was devoted. He was a most zealous preacher, fearing the face of no man. His voice was powerful, and his style pungent. Whitefield several times preached in his pulpit. So numerous were the communicants in his church at the time of a general revival in New England, that on communion-days they could not all be seated in the lower part of the sanctuary. ]\Ir. Weld's death was sudden. He preached on the Sabbath, May 13, 1782 ; Monday rode into Providence, Rhode Island, attended by his youngest daughter, Mrs. Eunice Day, returned at night; but just as he came near to his house, he was seized by an attack of asthma. Having entered his house, he seated himself by a window. The physician living near was immediately summoned, and was preparing to bleed him, (had corded his arm,) when Mr. Weld's head fell forward. Some one observed, " Mr. Weld is going." The venerable divine raised his hand, closed his own eyes, placed that hand upon his mouth, and passed away without a struggle or a groan. A heavenly smile lingered on his countenance. He was in the eightieth year of his age, and fifty-fifth of his pastorate.

Mr. Weld married Mary, daughter of Rev. John Fox, of Woburn, son and successor of Rev. Jabez Fox, of the same town. The latter is supposed to have been a native of Cambridge, and, according to tradition, was a lineal descendant of John Fox the martyrologist. He graduated at Harvard, 1665 ; settled September 5, 1679, colleague with Rev. Thomas Carter, the first minister of Woburn, and died of smallpox, February 28, 1702. His son John graduated at Harvard, 1698, taught a grammar-school several years in his native town; was chosen pastor as successor to his father, and entered upon that office October 4, 1703. His relationship of pastor

REV. OLIVER A. TAYLOR.

continued till his death, December 12, 1756, though during the last fifteen years of his life he was blind, and had a colleague. . Two sermons, which he preached on the occasion of a great earthquake that occurred October 29, 1727, are still extant. The maiden name of the lady whom he married was Tyng.

At the time of Oliver's birth, his parents were involved in almost overwhelming trials. Their history for a few years, commencing at a period a little prior to that event, is one scarcely surpassed for thrilling incident by any on record. His father had been suddenly reduced from a state of comparative affluence to absolute penury. While on a voyage to the West Indies as captain of a vessel, he was seized of a fever, and compelled to commit the management of his business to men who treacherously deprived him of his possessions and involved him in debt. The details of the case reveal wickedness at which humanity shrinks with amazement and horror. Captain Taylor was naturally high-spirited and proud. He yielded to no man in courage, yet was noble hearted and generous, but his soul was unbowed to the sceptre of Jesus. Reason lost her helm, and he was converted into a raving maniac. Like the fabled Saturn, he once seemed ready to destroy his infant child. When their little son was less than three months old, his parents removed with him into Ashfield, where they resided two years. They then took up their residence in the west part of Hawley, amid some of New England's wildest scenery. At an early age, Oliver exhibited a thirst for knowledge. His father taught him to be industrious, by taking him into the field, and instructing him in the various branches of 2* agriculture ; but as soon as the child returned from the toils of the farm, he would seize a book before seating himself. This was his invariable custom, though he might be drenched with rain or shivering with cold. His parents were possessed of many books. He, however, was not long content with the home supply, but borrowed of neighbors. An aged gentleman once remarked, that whenever Oliver came to his house, a book was the first requisition of the young visitor. When a mere child, he was known to weep because he could see no prospect of obtaining an education. About his thirteenth year, his zeal for learning became so intense that he would sit up very late at night reading by the blaze on the hearth ; and when the moon was large, he often arose from his bed, opened his chamber window, and studied by the assistance of its pale but benignant beams. Tiie penury of the paternal abode could not furnish him with even the light of poverty's dim lamp.

Dr. Johnson, in allusion to the penury of his parents, once observed : " There is little pleasure in relating the anecdotes of beggary." Oliver's parents were exceedingly poor, often finding it difficult to feed comfortably and clothe decently their rising family. One year in particular (there is some doubt in regard to the exact date) Captain Taylor denominated the poor yecw, and compared the condition of his family to that of a vessel on short allowance at sea.

Oliver was obliged to hear many a reproachful remark from wicked youth, because of his coarse and mended garments. Still he ever acted a heroic part, going wherever duty called, and bearing every taunt with dignified composure.

REV. OLIVER A. TAYLOR.

He has left us a brief history of his childhood efforts to obtain knowledge.

" I possessed considerable of a library, which, together with the books belonging to my father and mother, made the number nearly two hundred. Many of these had been sent by my uncle, T. Alden, from New York, to my parents, and were given by them to me. My study was sometimes a bedroom, but more usually a garret. My desk was one of my own manufacture. My father had a number of joiners' tools, and I made with them a desk, but continued to improve it till I was pretty well satisfied. In it were deposited my papers, books, etc., and to it I resorted whenever I came from the field. My attention was chiefly directed to music and mathematics, in which I had but little instruction. I also studied Turner's Arts and Sciences, and History, and wrote poetry. I began to study about the year 1813."

His mother says, that when he was a little boy he would collect curious roots and herbs, carry them to her, and propose many questions concerning their nature and uses ; that he was for prying into the nature of stones and rocks.

The years passed by this youth with his parents, were diligently employed in acquiring all the knowledge that his circumstances permitted. A friend once said to him, " You can have no bitter reflections for the loss of time." He replied : " I have endeavored to improve every moment." It became necessary for him to go out of his own school district one winter to find a teacher capable of aiding him in arithmetic, so much in advance was he of his associates in study, as also of the instructor. In the summer season, while employed on his father's farm, he was accustomed to write out lessons on pieces of paper, place them in his hat, look at them occasionally, and thus commit them to memory. In this way he mastered the rudiments of sacred music, and in the autumn of 1818 he commenced attending a singing school in the central part of the town. Having toiled all day in the field, he would walk at night live miles to that school. In this connection, testimony should be borne to the son's fidelity on the farm. His mother assures us that he did not need the presence of an overseer to stimulate him to execute the duties assigned him by his father.

At a very early age, he was in the habit of turning into verse the most pathetic parts of the Bible. His first attempt of this nature seems to have been David's elegy on Saul and Jonathan. In the course of a few years the entire book of Lamentations had thus passed under his pen. The products of this nature left by him surely possess not much poetical merit ; but they show the bent of his mind, and the industry which characterized him in efforts for mental improvement.

As further illustrating his juvenile mental turn the following items are condensed from reminiscences written by himself: " When I first began to read my Bible, I recollect not the exact period, I had been informed that a lion is the strongest and fiercest of animals ; also, that an eagle is the swiftest and noblest of birds. Like other children I had observed some birds flying very high and quick; also, I had seen some animals trying their strength, and evincing much power. I had come to the conclusion that man is by

REV. OLIVER A. TAYLOR.

no means swifter than the former, nor stronger than the latter. Yet, reading an account of Sanl and Jonathan, I found that they were said to be swifter than eagles and stronger than lions. At first I believed the statement to be literally true. Soon, however, I asked, can it be so ? The more I reflected the more I doubted, and finally referred the case to my mother. She said the language meant that those men were very swift and very strong. I believed her, but still was perplexed/' — u I recollect of hearing, when a child, an echo to my voice as I was speaking directly in front of a building. I thought somebody was within mocking me. Immediately I asked my mother to explain it, which she did satisfactorily." — " Having in my young years read a tale, I was much affected by it, till my mother told me there was no truth in it, when I cared nothing about it."

" What is poetry ? This question troubled me exceedingly when I was between twelve and fourteen years of age. I read it and was pleased, but could not tell what it was. I searched through some old grammars in my possession, but I could make out nothing from them. After examining these works again and again, I asked my father to propose the question to Air. Grout, who returned a dissertation on the different kinds of poetic measure. This, however, left me in as much darkness as before. I once more betook myself to the reading of what works I had and to the examination of poetry, until I observed that every line of it contained a certain number of syllables, and this fact proved a key. I gained just such an idea as the boy expressed, who, being asked what verse is, replied : ' It is the bottle to hold poetry * in.'"

Speaking of his boyhood, he says, he first felt the emotion of sublimity, when standing upon one of the lofty mountains near his father's house, and that his antiquarian tendencies developed themselves for the first time on being told, that soldiers and Indians had probably passed along where there were indications of an old road. " I was for collecting all the information respecting it, and writing myself or procuring some one to write, a history of that part of Hawley." Again he observes : " I was overwhelmed with sublime emotions when I first gazed upon the Deerfield river."

In his nature was the wellspring of glowing affection for kindred and neighboring playmates. Of the latter he had very few. His oldest sister died when about four years of age. Pie was almost ecstatic with joy when, in his ninth year, for the first time his father could tell him he had a little brother. All his sorrows, joys, and childish purposes he revealed to his mother. In the dawn of his existence commenced a freedom of communication with her, which lasted to the end of his life. To his sisters he was ever remarkably affectionate, and as brothers became of sufficient age, he entered into exciting sports with them. Very playful he could be. Sometimes he terrified them by plunging them into what they thought deep water, or by causing them to look down a precipice. His personations with a wooden sword of the great Napoleon, are remembered by a surviving brother. It must be added here, that in the neighborhood where Oliver's early years were passed, resided a class of young men whose supreme happiness seemed to con- ' sist in hectoring him. In his later years he has often

REV. OLIVER A. TAYLOR.

alluded to his dread of this class. He would no more designedly come in contact with them than with greedy wolves. Any time a walk of miles would have been a joyful alternative to the hearing of their reproachful remarks.

The following incident may not be out of place. When he was a lad, being sent by his parents one winter's day on an errand some miles from home, he was invited by two men in a sleigh to ride. He accepted their proposal, and was soon asked to drink from a bottle they were carrying with them. This he promptly declined. At length, finding them going in a wrong direction for himy he jumped from the sleigh. One of the men caught his hat, but finally perceiving him bent on doing without it, threw it after him. This event occurred in war time, and admitted of a serious interpretation. His deliverance seemed at the time, to himself and parents, as quite providential. In that early period of his life he was theoretically and practically in favor of temperance.

As previously intimated, at the time of Oliver's birth, his father was not hopefully pious. His mother was, and dedicated her son to God in baptism. According to the records of the Yarmouth church this event occurred September 23, 1801. Within the next two years the father consecrated himself to Christ, and both parents ever afterward walked before their house " as seeing him who is invisible."

Oliver's mother taught him, as soon as he was able to learn them, prayers, hymns, and Scripture truths. She used also to sing him verses respecting a little pious child who died qui+e young. In subsequent years he has told her that his whole soul was intensely moved by that singing. When more than twenty years of age, he besought her to furnish him the exact lines which had so powerfully affected his own infantile spirit. The operations of his mind he recorded from the time at which he was capable of committing his thoughts to paper. The following extracts are condensed from an account written of himself : —

" When I was six or seven years of age, my thoughts were much on God and my soul. On retiring to rest at night, I would not allow myself to sleep till I had asked my mother so many questions as almost to tire out her patience ; nor before I had offered secret prayer. Indeed, ever since I can remember I have been accustomed to pray in secret, and at times with comfort. I recollect to have first communicated my feelings to my mother one morning before the break of day. I had lain awhile weeping bitterly, then I arose and informed her that I was sorry for my sins. I continued quite serious for some time. Occasionally I neglected secret prayer, but grief was soon the consequence. At times I fell into bad company, and went so far as to join with the profane. Always, however, I managed to keep my guilt from the knowledge of my parents. Once I became so hardened that I seemed not to care whether I should be happy or miserable. In the year 1815, the Lord I hope appeared for my renewal. I then supposed that my convictions were unknown to every human being except myself. But my father has since told me that he had seen me at prayer in retired places. Often did I long for pious companions, that I might join with them in social devotions. Moreover, I desired to unite with the church, yet dared not for awhile name the desire to any one. On a certain evening I contrived to ask my mother divers questions in regard to the method of doing it. She remarked, ' I would be glad to see you join the church, if fit for it.' This reply cut short all my queries. I knew not what to do. Not long afterwards, my father, returning home from meeting on the Sabbath, announced the coining- out of one convert. I then thought if I were truly born again, some person must be able to report the fact. I resolved to hope no more, and gave up all as lost."

After making a public profession of religion he was wont to date back his hopeful renewal as early as when he first desired to unite with the ehurch. Yet he was never able to decide on any exact date for the supposed change. His account of himself proceeds : u I now have a desire to be a minister of the gospel, and to do what shall be in my power for the good of mankind. Oh that I had not spent so much of my time in sin ! May I henceforth look to God, hope in him, and trust myself in his hands, not because of supposed worthiness in me, but on account of the goodness of Jesus."

The following are specimens of his meditations while he was in his fourteenth year. His language is here altered, but his thoughts are not : " O son of man, why dost thou not think of thy last end ? Return unto the Lord. — Who shall deliver me from everlasting burnings ? I can not escape except through Christ, and yet I lie on a bed of sloth, crying for a little more sleep and slumber. Assist, Lord, and I 3

•26 will come to thee, bowing at thy feet. Save me — save me for Christ's sake, before it be too late."

Again he writes : " Let us seriously meditate on eternity. I behold my fellow-mortals falling into the grave, and know not how soon I shall be called to pass the iron gate of death. Lord, teach me the way to Zion. — One day when I was felling a tree, a limb descended suddenly and liked to have killed me. Thanks to God, I am spared. O my soul, why wilt thou not hear the calls to prepare for death. Open thy door to a crucified Saviour. Think a few moments on the solemn hour when thou wilt be called to stand before the judgment bar.

From February, 1816, for several months he kept an almost daily journal in addition to noting down fragmentary meditations. Beginning with that date some extracts will be presented. They furnish a connected view of the included period.

" Now let my pen record my sins, at least a few of them, for there is nothing good in me. My heart this day is in a dreadful state. 7. — Lord, let not thy spirit depart from me, but cause a double portion of it to rest upon me. O Jehovah, suffer not one who cries after thy love, to die without it. 22. — Last evening heard my father and sick mother talking about their immortal souls, and what warning should their anxiety be to me a sinner. To-day I have heard the Rev. Jonathan Grout converse with my mother respecting her soul. 23. — Still I have a sick mother. Oh, in what distress she was last evening ; how did she cry for mercy.

" March 1. — I have not been to the house of God

REV. OLIVER A. TAYLOR.

for some time, on account of my broken arm, which is getting better.* We hear of the goings forth of God in this and other towns. O joyful news ! May the revival come even to me. My life is running to waste. Lord, pass me not by. 3. — To-day I have been reading, and now sit down to write ; but it would be impossible to express all that I feel. Sometimes I am inclined to murmur against God ; at others I feel as though I would seek him, and prepare for death ; but in a few moments the good thought is gone, and I say or do something which fills me with horror. O Jesus, thunder into my ears the words of life. Fill me with a godly sorrow for all my sin ; send me ever so much pain, if thou wilt only preserve me from death eternal. •

"April 10. — Give thanks to God, and bless his holy name for the goodness he has shown to my soul. After much affliction in my mind, I have received comfort, I trust, from him. Light gently flowed into my mind, and I felt delivered from the borders of destruction. Wonderfully is the Holy Spirit poured out in this region. How greatly doth the Lord show mercy. 28. — Attended meeting to-day. Last week I was examined before the church with others, and to-day have been propounded for admission into it. There are fifty-three candidates.

" May 4. — The spirit of God doth rest on old and young in this town. No one gainsays religion publicly. For awhile we did nothing but attend meeting every day in the week. To-morrow, fifty-three expect to profess Christ. May it be that I shall be

* He fell one day on the ice and broke his arm.

found having on a wedding garment. 6. — Monday morning. Yesterday I attended meeting, and with more than fifty of my fellow -mortals entered into a solemn covenant with God." He stood the last of the candidates, and remarked afterwards, that he felt himself the least of them all. " Many were present from other towns. We sat at the table of our departed Lord. I hope that I did not eat and drink unworthily; yet fear that I have but little sense of his most precious body and blood. When for a moment I see myself in the arms of Christ, my heart is full, and I could devote my whole life to his service ; then of a sudden, like Peter, I lose sight of him and begin to sink. Still he is always at hand to hear my cry for help. Forty-eight out of the fifty-three who were received into the church had been baptized on the faith of their parents, which shows that God remembers his covenant. 24. — This day, as I was travelling, I turned aside into a burying-ground, and took a view of the graves. When the trumpet shall sound, the dead will arise. I was affected by what I saw, and trembled for the wicked. It is, indeed, a solemn sight to see the flesh of man returning to dust ; but sooner or later we must all come to it."