A memoir of the Rev. John Edwards Emerson, first pastor of the Whitefield Congregational church in Newburyport, Mass

Front matter

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Appendix

A. List of Clergymen, natives of Newbury and

Newburyport, Mass 395

B. Names of Members of the Whitefield Church . 399

C. Order of Exercises at the Ordination . . . 402

D. Order of Exercises at the Funeral .... 404

Introduction

A desire having been very generally expressed, that a Memoir of the late Mr. Emerson should be prepared, his friends placed in my hands his papers and letters, with the request that I would undertake the work. In executing the task assigned me, I feel that not only a kindness is done to the relatives and personal friends of the departed, but a service is rendered % to the community at large. It is true that we have already a great number of excellent biographies ; and not a few persons question the expediency of adding to this species of literature, of which the supply is so abundant. For one, I rejoice that there are so many works of this character, and I hope that there will be a great many more. The

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large number of works of a pernicious tendency, that have been published, does not prevent their increase, and shall " the children of this world, in their generation," be "wiser than the children of light 1 "

We live, too, in an age when mankind are influenced more by example than precept; when a life has more power than a principle. Men, before adopting a truth or system, desire to see its workings upon character, as well as listen to arguments in its favor ; and an augmentation of this kind of religious influence should be coveted, as much as new developments of truth, or an increase of evidence in support of any particular doctrine or principle. A new living testimony to the practical power of Christianity, should be saved from oblivion, and should, if possible, be incorporated in that system of moral means that is designed to elevate and bless society. The efficacy of the Gospel, in penetrating and controlling the hearts of men, is derived in a great measure from the life

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of its Author. Before Christ appeared, mankind had laws and principles. Systems of truth were presented to them for their acceptance, by teachers inspired and uninspired. But they failed to secure general obedience. Under their sway, darkness continued to " cover the earth, and gross darkness the people."

But the Messiah comes to furnish a perfect example, as well as a perfect theory. He comes to live, as well as to teach Christianity; and a system through which shines the lustre of his eminent virtues, a system radiant with the beauty, loveliness and holiness of his character, this is " the power of God and the wisdom of God" unto the salvation of men.

The most influential Christian writers have been as eminent for the purity and holiness of their lives, as for the soundness of their doctrines. Their writings have indeed acted upon their characters, and their characters have reacted upon their

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writings ; and the combined influence of both has given to them a power that shall last while the Gospel lasts ; that shall grow and expand with the growth and expansion of Christianity.

There is something, too, about example, whether it be good or bad, beneficial or pernicious, that is imperishable. While the death sentence is rigorously executed upon the body, the influence lives. " It is," says one, " a high, solemn, almost awful thought for every individual man, that his earthly influence, which has had a commencement, will never through all ages, were he the very meanest of us, have an end ! What is done, is done ; has already blended itself with the boundless, ever-living, ever-working universe, and will also work there for good or for evil, openly or secretly, throughout all time." Though all that is mortal of eminent skeptical writers, whom Ave might name, has long since mingled with the dust, yet the influence of their characters lives.

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Their opinions are, even at this hour, travelling through society, fortifying the unbelieving, creating doubts in-the minds of the inquiring, and blasting with their poisonous influence the virtues and hopes of multitudes.

But independent of the general power of example and character, we must all have noticed the signal blessings which have attended religious biographies. Who, comparatively speaking, ever heard of James B. Taylor, Harlan Page, James Brainerd, and others that might be mentioned, before their memoirs were given to the world. These holy men died in order to live. They, most of them, died young, in order that their influence might possess immortal youth. Their death was the signal that attracted public attention to their memory, and never at any former period was their influence greater than it is now. "While they lived, a few minds were benefited by their example, instructions and prayers. Now, thousands

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throughout Christendom feel the hallowed influence of their piety. Multitudes, as they read of the religious exercises, emotions, conflicts and victories of these heroes in the Christian warfare, have their own faith strengthened, their hopes quickened, and their desires for usefulness kindle with new and fresh ardor. They obtain at their hands weapons, with which to fight the battle of life, with which to contend against the triple forces of "the world, the flesh, and the devil." They learn from them the way of access to the mercy-seat ; learn the value of the diligent study of God's word; learn the benefits of religious meditation, and thorough self-examination ; learn, what we most need to know, how to die ; how to leave these familiar scenes w T ith composure, and enter upon the mysterious future life with " songs and everlasting joys " upon our heads.

In seeking a place in the picture-gallery of the saints, for the subject of this memoir,

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we are ambitious for no conspicuous position ; neither do we desire to adorn his fair and mild countenance with an elaborate and gilded frame-work. We would rather, as most congenial with his own modest and placid spirit, select some retired nook or corner, where the spectator in his meditative moods may pause, and look upon one who humbly, yet earnestly, strove to serve his Master ; who, like the beloved disciple, delighted to lean upon Jesus' bosom, and to receive the w r ords of wisdom and love that fell from his lips. If viewed attentively, there may be discovered in this countenance traces of the influence of divine love. The eye beams, almost sparkles with Christian hope. The brow is solemn with thoughts of God and eternity. The cheek, though faded by disease, wears an aspect of serenity. The lips are ready to speak of the love of Christ, ready to offer encouragement to the believer, consolation to the afflicted, invitations of mercy to the penitent.

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If, indeed, no other benefit results from this volume, the author will have the happiness of feeling that his own soul has been blessed by communion with such a spirit ; that his own piety has been quickened, his own hopes strengthened, by having had the life and character of such a man pass in review before him. We trust, however, that others may be equally benefited. We trust that the young may here learn how to live consistent Christian lives, amid the trials and temptations to which they are peculiarly exposed. We trust that parents may derive from this volume encouragement, to dedicate their children to a covenant-keeping God; and to offer the prayer of faith for their early conversion. We trust that the members of a bereaved church and society may, in their leisure hours, resort hither to commune with a pastor, who felt an interest in their spiritual welfare, and loved them with a devotion, that, we are confident, was never surpassed.

Chapter I

John Edwards Emerson was born in Newburyport, Mass., September 27th, 1823. He was the son of Mr. Charles L. and Mrs. Rhoda P. Emerson, and the grandson of the Rev. John Emerson, who for more than fifty years was an able and devoted minister of the gospel in Conway, Mass. The ancestry of Mr. Emerson is distiDguished for the large number of faithful ministers which it has furnished. Joseph Emerson, w r ho came from England, and who was probably the progenitor of all who bear his name, was a clergyman in Mendon, Mass., a small settlement that was, after his residence there, broken up by the Indians. He removed to Concord with his family, where he died in 1680.

Joseph Emerson of Maiden, son of Edward, and grandson of Joseph Emerson of Mendon, was also a clergyman. He was bom in Chelmsford, educated at Harvard College, and settled in Maiden in 1721, and died in 1767, aged 67 years. Three of his sons were ministers ; Joseph, of Pepperell, William, of Concord, and John, of Conw 7 ay, — the latter, the grandfather of John, the subject of this memoir.

Both of Mr. Emerson's parents were members of the First Presbyterian Church, in New T buryport, and in infancy he was baptized by the Rev. S. P. "Williams, then pastor of the church. At a very early age he manifested decisive marks of a religious disposition, and a high degree of conscientiousness. His parents and friends treasure up in their memory many striking and pleasing incidents illustrative of his sensitiveness under the least deviation from rectitude and truth. Whenever he did any thing that he thought w^as wrong, he could not rest until he had hastened to his parents and obtained their forgiveness.

One day, having read in his Bible the

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passage, " Confess your faults one to another," he went to his mother, and with emotion manifested in his countenance, referred to what he had been reading, and said that he had taken something from the closet without permission, and wished to confess the wrong, as the holy Bible required.

Every Sabbath noon the children were required to repeat the ten commandments, and after each one, they were asked whether during the preceding week they had been guilty of its violation ; — a plan eminently calculated to implant right principles in their young hearts. One evening after the eighth commandment had been repeated, John remarked that the day before, he picked up a cent in an adjoining yard, and thinking that it might belong to one of the neighbors he did not feel right to retain it, and proposed to take it to them the next day, and very cheerfully did so. This hour on the Sabbath, between one and two o'clock, was peculiarly precious to John through life. It was at this time especially that his mother sought to make deep religious impressions upon the minds of her children, and lead

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them to repent of any sins they had committed during the previous week. Even when John was absent from home, he would spend the hour in prayer and meditation.

When very young, he was in the habit of praying in secret ; and from the commencement, his prayers were remarkable for their appropriateness and fervency.

Among his childish propensities was a fondness for imitating the preacher, and going through with the services of public worship. He would even carry the matter so far as to appear to exchange with the brethren in the ministry, and so perfectly did he imitate the voice, manner and gestures of others, that it was at once apparent with whom he was exchanging.

This disposition of his mind to imitate, which, however, seldom degenerated into mimicry, he early restrained; and from a child was remarkable for his profound reverence for every thing pertaining to religion.

Although he was always more or less thoughtful and serious, yet on the last Sabbath in December, 1833, he passed through a crisis in his feelings that decided his religious character for this life, and his hopes for eternity. The previous Saturday evening a more th^n usual seriousness was apparent in his countenance and deportment. The Spirit of God was evidently striving with him, and he felt that he must make a full and entire consecration of himself to Christ.

Sabbath morning he came home from church bathed in tears. He asked his mother to accompany him up stairs — said that he was a great sinner. She urged him to go to God with his desires and troubles. Beferring to his meditations, he said, " But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." He then fell upon his knees, and poured out his soul in supplication before God. His mother stood near, perfectly astonished at his fervency, and the appropriateness, beauty and force of his language. He prayed as one who had long had access to the mercy-seat; one w r ho was acquainted with the workings and treachery of the human heart, and who felt his entire dependence upon God for strength and hope. After dinner he communicated his feelings more 2 fully to both of his parents, and they, with paternal affection and Christian earnestness, directed him to " the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world." Again they had a season of prayer together, and the spirit of the young disciple was comforted and refreshed.

A few days after this took place, an inquiry meeting was appointed to be held in the church at the close of a public religious service. All who desired to converse with the minister, on the subject of their soul's salvation, were invited to remain. John accepted the invitation and tarried. While sitting in his seat, he observed some boys in the gallery pointing to him and laughing. The blood rushed to his cheeks, and feeling keenly the ridicule, he took his hat in his hand to leave the house ; just as he w 7 as rising to go, these lines flashed into his mind :

" Ashamed of Jesus, that dear friend, On whom my hopes of heaven depend! "

In an instant he was ready to reply:

" No ! when I blush, be this my shame, That I no more revere his name."

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Immediately he resumed his seat, laid aside his hat, and resolved that, God helping him, he would stride, in spite of every obstacle, to obtain, salvation.

In conversation with the minister, he stated his views and wishes, and was urged to exercise sincere repentance for sin, and rely solely upon the merits and sufferings of Christ for pardon and acceptance.

A pious friend residing in the family relates the following touching incident :

" In February, 1834, when John slept in the trundle-bed in my room, very early in the morning, I heard him weeping, and now and then a whisper ; at first I took no notice of it. He continued weeping for some time ; I then said, ' John, what is the matter ? ' He did not answer me, but wept more bitterly. I went to him and said, ' What ails you, John, are you sick ] ' He then with great sobbing said, ' I am such a great sinner, I am afraid God will not forgive my sins.' I said a little to him about Christ. His heart seemed to be broken, and his face was wet with tears. I told him he might go into Aunt L.'s room, and she would talk with

If)

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him, (a lady who was visiting at our house at the time ;) he went, and found her engaged, so that she could say but little to him. He then came to me and said, ' No one cares about my soul.' I then told him to go into his room, and tell the Saviour all about it ; he would care for him. He went and staid until breakfast was ready, when he came to the table, ate but little, and appeared very solemn, and seemed in a very subdued state."

In March he wrote (being then ten years old) to his brother William the following letter, giving an account of his feelings and hopeful conversion.

" Newburyport, March 22, 1834.

" Dear Brother, — I have long wanted to write, to tell you my feelings. The last time that you were at home from Andover, on Saturday evening, a dark and stormy night, mother w r as conversing with us on the subject of religion. She said that, probably, a great many persons before the next Saturday night would be sealed for heaven or hell. Those words made a deep impression upon my mind, and I hope will never be effaced. The next day (Sabbath) I felt very much what a sinner I was. I read the second chapter of Proverbs, which gave some comfort to my mind ; I hope that you will read it. Monday, the protracted meetings began here ; I attended them all but three.

" I kept on with my hope in Christ till one Sabbath morning I received such light, peace and comfort, that I came down from my chamber and asked mother to go up with me. She did so, and we read and prayed, and had a most delightful season ; I went to the Sabbath school afterwards, and communicated my feelings to my teacher ; he was delighted. I then went to meeting, and heard a sermon from this text : — ' Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.' It was just what I wanted. I went home rejoicing in my Saviour.

"After the meeting in the afternoon an inquiry meeting was appointed, and a great many persons stopped. I was one of them. Dr. Skinner addressed us, and showed us our duty, showing that Christ requires us 2*

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to deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow liim.

" For the last two or three days, I have had light and comfort poured into my .oul. I feel as though I could trust in the Lord at all times. O, William, I do earnestly hope that you and Charles will he brought to see the error of your ways, and now ' turn unto the Lord, who will have mercy upon you, and to our God, who will abundantly pardon.' I do hope that your feet will be taken out of the horrible pit and miry clay and planted upon the rock Christ Jesus. I know how many temptations and snares you are exposed to, but you must pray to God to keep you from them, and from the great adversary of souls.

" I have a chamber where, morning, noon and evening, I retire to read the Scriptures, pray, and meditate, and sometimes sing. I have many a time had sweet communion with God, and many a time have had to weep and mourn over my folly and sins. But I trust that I shall not have to mourn much more, for I hope to live very near to God. "We have no minister yet at our church ; but we have meetings most all the time, and I attend them, and find them a great deal more interesting than I did before I felt as I do now on the subject of religion. The Sabbath is more precious to me now, and I can treasure up a great deal more of the sermon than I used to. Sometimes I feel as if I could see God right before me, w 7 hile I am praying ; but I find that when I sin, I do not get such nearness to him.

" Mother, Samuel, and I have an hour every Sunday between the ringing of the bells in the afternoon, and w^e have very pleasant seasons together. Samuel, we hope, is thinking on the subject of religion. He has attended a great many of the meetings. He told mother to-day, that w r hat made him want to pray was this sentence, — ' Praying will make us leave off sinning, and sinning will make us leave off praying.' He wants you to learn it. He prays for you every day most sincerely, and I hope his prayers for you will be answered.

" We have now a great revival in this town ; many souls have been converted.

" I hope you will write me a very long

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letter in return for this, and I hope to hear that you have turned to God. Pray for me, and the Lord be with you and bless you forever and ever.

" Your affectionate brother,

" J. E. Emerson."

In such simple and pious language did our little convert relate what the Lord had done for his soul. His allusions to his seasons of prayer are peculiarly touching, and, indeed, prayer was his meat and drink.

On one occasion, he was praying aloud as was his custom, and a friend overheard him in an adjoining room. After listening for a few moments, she was so affected by his earnestness and childlike confidence in God, that she burst into tears. Such a prayer she never heard before from infant lips.

Whenever he committed sin, or had any thing upon his mind that troubled him, he at once went to the throne of grace, and there obtained relief and comfort. This privilege w T as never to him a mere form, but was a blessed reality. He felt that there was power and efficacy in prayer ; and he loved to bend the knee before his Heavenly Father, and abide in the light of his divine countenance. He had each day three seasons of prayer, and as he entered his little sanctuary he would repeat the following lines : —

" By morning light I '11 seek his face, At noon repeat my cry ; The night shall hear me ask his grace, Nor will he long deny."

After he commenced attending school, he would hasten home to his quiet retreat, and enjoy a little season of communion with God.

Feeling a strong desire to be useful to others, he voluntarily established a prayer meeting among his schoolmates; and he led their devotions with all the propriety and solemnity of one who had enjoyed a long Christian experience. Often, too, he might be seen earnestly conversing with them upon the importance of loving God, obeying their parents, speaking the truth, and avoiding every sin.

His interest in the public services of the sanctuary, was manifested, too, at a very early age. He loved to go with his parents to the house of God, and his remarks upon the sermon and other exercises, on returning home, showed that he had listened with attention, and with unusual discrimination, for one of his years.

The views he entertained of ministerial excellence were very exalted ; and he took great delight in the society of ministers. When listening to their conversation or prayers, and especially when they conversed with him, he seemed to be perfectly happy.

The ordinances of the gospel, the rite of baptism, the holy sacrament, and the covenant which God entered into with his children, w 7 ere peculiarly dear to him. It is not a little remarkable that the mind of one so young should have dwelt so much upon these ordinances. He would often refer to his own baptism, and would make inquiries respecting the Lord's supper and the covenant, which showed that his thoughts were often busy with these themes. In this respect, his example teaches a valuable lesson to those of a maturer age.

The Sabbath was a very precious day to eTolm. Its morning light lie hailed with gratitude and pleasure. Early might his voice be heard ascending to his Father in Heaven, for the divine blessing upon his own soul, his parents, and upon the exercises of the day. Its hours were never wearisome, its duties never irksome, even to his youthful spirit. There seemed, indeed, every day to be a Sabbath, with its peaceful, hallowed influences abiding in his soul, and the privileges and sacred associations of the day appeared to be more congenial to his feelings, than the employments of the week.

We would, by no means, present the character of this youth as faultless. We would use no false colorings in delineating his traits and virtues. We simply give the impressions that we have received from many witnesses. All testify to his purity, loveliness of disposition, and tender regard for sacred things.

His fondness for reading was manifested at an early age. The books that specially interested him, were the lives of persons eminent for their piety. The Memoir of Nathan Dickerman, of Mary Lothrop, the

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Exercises of Harriet Newell, and works of a similar character, he read over and over again. He longed to be imbued with their devotional spirit, and mould his character after the patterns here presented. Nor do we deem the opinion tinged with partiality, when w r e say, that, in our estimation, the disciple surpassed his teachers.

The Bible, however, was John's greatest treasure. He did not simply read it. He studied it. He prayed over it. He could say, " Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." He stored his memory with its most precious and forcible passages ; and this enabled him, during his life, to make on all occasions appropriate and striking quotations from the Scriptures. He often appeared to think in Bible language, and mould his ideas in Bible imagery. The beautiful figures scattered throughout the Psalms of David — the sublime language of the prophets — the pictorial instructions of the Saviour — delighted his youthful imagination. He was particularly fond of the Proverbs of Solomon, and the second chapter he was in the habit of calling his chapter, as he had read it over, I think I may say, hundreds of times. He referred to this chapter on his death-bed, and remarked that it had always been his guide. The words of the wise man seemed ever to ring in the ear of his memory, — " If thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding ; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures ; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God."

When Mr. Emerson was between ten and twelve years of age, he read entirely through Scott's Bible, with the notes and practical remarks. It was his custom to read a chapter or two each day, aloud, with the notes. Thus he furnished his mind with a fund of Biblical knowledge, that he found of great service in after life. Besides he acquired, by the exercise, no small degree of mental discipline, and cultivated a taste for the study of other and more critical, and elaborate commentaries upon the Scriptures. The completion of this undertaking within so short a period, is proof of the energy, as 3 well as the devotional character of his mind. But few of his age would have manifested such perseverance, or have devoted so much time to such an exercise. While other lads were engaged in their sports, he wa$ in his little sanctuary, bending over the sacred volume, and preparing, though unconsciously, for an early summons to the temple above.

His parents, besides doing all in their power to develop and strengthen these religious tendencies, were also careful to shield their son from the evil influence of improper companions. For such society John, too, had a positive aversion. The wicked, language and censurable conduct of such boys sent a chill through his heart, and he avoided them as much as possible. In so doing he certainly acted most wisely : for of all the pernicious influences to which children are exposed, I know of none more destructive than that which flows from bad associates. In vast multitudes of instances, the faithful instructions of parents, the warnings of friends, the good effects of early religious culture, are lost in this vortex of iniquity. While the Christian parent, at home, is

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doing all in his power to promote the growth of right principles, and fortify the mind against the power of temptation, the child is often learning that abroad which will blast and scath his character, and eventually defeat all the efforts that are made to train him to habits of virtue and holiness. Many of the young who, on leaving home for our large cities, fall victims to dissipation, carry with them the seeds of vice sown by the hand of improper associates. While they remain under the parental roof, they are subject to restraints that prevent these secret sins from ripening into open transgression. But these restraints removed, and the youth left free to act for himself, then the poison begins to work. Then its ruinous effects are experienced; and in the contest between the hallowed influences of home, and these awakened evil tendencies of the heart, the youth is fortunate if he escapes absolute destruction.

This, however, is not the place to discuss so grave and important a subject ; yet we cannot but remark that Mr. Emerson was greatly indebted for his purity of mind,

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integrity of character, and strict conscientiousness, to his freedom from these baneful influences. He uniformly sought the society of the good, the virtuous, and the wise. He delighted in the company of those older than himself, and was fond of mingling with those visitors at his house, who were eminent for their piety, and were ready to converse on religious subjects. The fair little boy, with his intelligent blue eye, his thoughtful brow 7 , his pensive countenance, his respectful demeanor, might be seen often, sitting for hours, and drinking in the words that fell from those w 7 ho spoke of Christ, and conversed upon the doctrines and blessings of our holy religion. Under such influences was he nurtured, and by such means was he protected from the evils of pernicious companions.