Our pastor; or, Reminiscences of Rev. Edward Payson, D.D., pastor of the Second Congregational church in Portland, Me.

Front matter

^ ■'vMSi'

to "

V*

Dedication

TO THE AND TO THE

SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY IN PORTLAND,

NOW UNDER HIS CARE, AND ESPECIALLY

Chapter II

His first coming' to Portland as a preacher, and the moral condition of his field of labor — The Pay son fever, so called

— Anecdote of Mr. N, C. — Evangelical religion revived

— Mr. Payson's ordination — Kev. Mr. Keliosrg's dismission — Some remarks on the occurrence, and upon Mr. K.'s character. 16

CHAPTER HI.

The sources of Dr. Payson's popularity considered — The character of his preaching — His appearance in the pulpit

— Anecdote of the Indians — The high estimation in which he was held by his people — Invariably the same with strangers — Opposition awakened by his preaching — An anecdote — The effect which his preaching produced upon the minds of his audience did not leave them when they retired from the sanctuary. 33

X CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

His prayers — Plis views of the importance of prayer — The effect of his prayers upon himself, and upon the congregation — His prayer at the funeral of the commanders of the Enterprize and Boxer — His confessions of sin and unvv'ortbiness — Not the effect of nervousness or insanity. 43

Chapter V

His manner of reading the psalm or hymn — The effect produced upon his hearers, described — General remarks upon the importance of this part of divine service, as a means of grace — Description of a scene in Rev. Dr. Spencer's conference room, by way of illastration. 56

CHAPTER VI. His effectiveness as a preacher. 63

His respect for the ministerial office — His respect for his

people — His self-respect — Reference to contemporary

preachers. (See the following chapter.)

CHAPTEP. VII.

Dr, Payson's mental powers described — Literary habits — His popularity as a preacher sometimes disputed — Defense — The cordial reception he met with daring his journeys — The opinions of judicious men with regard to ills talents — In what his intellectual pre-eminence consisted — The extraordinary influence accompanying his religious performances. 71

Chapter VIII

His sermons considered comparatively — Notice of Rev. ^Ir. Jenkins — Anecdote of two sailors — Scottish Iiousewife *-- The superior excellence of Dr. Paj^son's published sermons called in question by some — "His Thoughts" reviewed — The " Pastor's Daughter." DO

CONTENTS. XI

Chapter IX

His sensitiveness v/ith regard to the success of his labors - — His acute mental sufferings — Advantages of spiritual trials considered — Dr. Payson not of all men most miserable — The peculiarity of his piety described and defended. 104

CBAPTER X.

His weekly meetings for Inquirers — Church Fasts — Conference and prayer meetings — Incidents communicated by a correspondent — Communion seasons. 132

Chapter XI

Other special qualifications of Dr. Payson, as a pastor — His eminence as a spiritual anatomist — His tenderness towards the weak of his flock — An instance in point — Yet very faithful in giving rebuke when needed — Examples — His freedom from eccentricity — his hatred to it when seen in others — Anecdote. 144

Chapter XII

His conversational powers — His prolific mental resources — Dr. Cheever's remarks — He sought no monopoly in the social circle — The strong attachment of his people not lessened by time nor circumstances. 151

Chapter XIII

Would Dr. Payson have sustained his eminence in the ministry had he been continued to the present day ? — Was his influence not only salutary but enduring ? — Would he have been a suitable minister for the times ? — He was remarkably free from any signs of mental imbecility — His influence powerful and salutary among his people daring his life — And afterwards, as appears from the general religious character of those who survive him — [Je had a living, praying church — His church early brought into the harness. 161

Xii CONTENTS.

Chapter XIV

The faculty of attention and observation remarkably developed in Dr. P. — Remarks on the great advantages to a minister of possessing a habit of observation and a knowledge of common things — llu st rated by the examples of Bunyan, Newton and Scott. • 185

Chapter XV

The compiler's visit to Rindge, N. H. — The place deseribed — Anecdotes respecting Dr. Payson's childhood, furnished by several individuals. 200

Chapter XVI

Dr. Payson in person — Personal habits — His portraits generally imperfect likenesses — Dr. Payson's solemnity of countenance misconstrued — He was not morose or forbidding — His views of God's purposes with regard to his bodily infirmities — His tender and sympathetic feelings. 210

Chapter XVII

His condescension and humility — Illustrated by several examples — His aversion to flattery — Remarkably free from ostentation, flippancy or superciliousness — Remarks on the folly and danger of such a spirit in ministers — Peaceable in spirit, yet able to meet an antagonist when occasion called — Illustrated by an instance during a visit to Saratoga Springs. 230

Chapter XVIII

It is not known that he had any musical talent — An anecdote — He was not a fastidious or hypercritical hearer — His kind feelings towards young ministers — An illustration — His appreciation of talent — Several anecdotes

CONTENTS. XIU

furnished by a minister once a member of his church — His impatience at mental dullness — Our feelings of veneration towards him while in his presence. 242

OHAPTEE XIX.

His view of church discipline — Some remarks on the same subject. 249

His conversation always in keeping with occasions — A marriage ceremony — His prudence and propriety of speech and behavior — His remarks on hearing his sister's death announced. 267

Chapter XXIII

The different methods he adopted to advance the spiritual interests of his flock — His visits to the house of mourning — Happy results of one, related by a correspondent — Reference to his devotional habits in his family— The congregagation once called to arise — ^The scene described — Results in a revival — Interesting scene at a prayer meeting of the young men of his church — The "Young Men's Society" described. 270

Chapter XXIV

Charge of idolatry in Dr. Payson's people considered — His

Xiv CONTENTS.

uncommon piety and talents, combined, constituted the basis of his extraordinary eminence — The warm admiration for him universal among his people — No room for jealousy or envy on the part of his successors — Our opinion of Dr- P. unchanged afted a lapse of twenty years — A lady's visit to him during his last sickness — Lines composed by her, after her return home. ' 281

Chapter XXV

Character of his Theology — Anecdote respecting the Exercise and Taste scheme — His Calvinism once challenged

Was his preaching ^of a sufficiently doctrinal character ?

— Free from all innovations in his theology — Beautiful harmony between his preaching and practice — His strong confidence in God, illustrated. 292

Chapter XXVI

Difference in religious opinions, less a hindrance to ministerial exchanges now, than formerly— A word respecting difrent denominations — The white flag — Occasions in Dr. Payson's ministry, which called for his conscientious straight-forwardness — Rev. Dr. Nichols' ordination ~ Mr. Payson's dissent from the opinions of the council — Mr. Willis' remarks on the subject — Mr. Willis' high eulogiura on Dr. P. — His act of dismissing the people without the usual benediction explained and defended — Anecdote touching this subject, of the Rev. Mr. Flavel — His leaving the Conference room abruptly, noticed and explained — He did not possess an overbearing spirit. 306

Chapter XXVII

Would Dr. Pay son have been a " reformer," as the term is identified with the present age ? — Strictly conservative, yet not averse to modern improvements — The so-called "sixty nine Society," in 1815 — Peace Society — The first establishment of Sabbath Schools in Portland — He stood aloof from political struggles — Remarks of others on this subject. 823

CONTENTS 3^Y

Chapter XXVIII

Letters from several individuals respecting Dr.Payson and his ministry — One from Dr, P. to the compiler. 829

Chapter XXIX

Concluding Reflections upon his general character — His dying hours — Remarks on the intimate connection between the life and the death of individuals — Dying in character —The dying hour the index of the life — An affectionate and respectful consideration of the question, " What effect ought the twenty years of such faithful preaching as Dr. Payson's to have had upon his hearers ?" — Dr. Payson's remarkably triumphant death only!what was to have been anticipated — Some remarks of the biographer of Rev. Mr. Cecil, touching this subject. 33

Appendix

Portland in 1855 —The prediction respecting its prosperity, fast being accomplished — Portland renowned as the scene of Payson's labors and place of sepulture — Reflections awakened while on a visit to the house he occupied during the first years of his ministry, — ■ Drs. Reed and Matheson's

visit to Portland — to Dr. Payson's family and pulpit

Remodelling the church edifice and removal of the pulpit to the vestry — W. B. Tappan's lines at the grave of Payson. 352

INTRODUCTIOK

No recollections are more precious than those which relate t& the intercourse between a beloved pastor and his flock. Deatii Ims sundered the mortal tie, yet upon the memory of the bereaved flock the scenes of a faithful and endeared ministry still linger with undiminished interest. If such a relation is among the last that we forget on earth, will it not be the strongest and pure&t ^n heaven, except that only which will subsist between the blood.- bought and Him w4io paid the mighty price for their redemption?

To be able to say of our pastor, he was our spiritual fathe? and guide, we now see him as he stood in the holy place, at the baptismal-font, or at our Master's table, at the bed-side of the sick, or in the house of mourning; or as he walked with us by the way and opened- tons the Scriptures j to remember his humble? affectionate demeanor, his untiring efforts for our spiritual improvement; to cast a reflective eye over su<jh departed scenes^ how does it gladden the heart even in the sadness of the thought that we shall no more behold his face on the earth.

" The sweet remembrance of the just Shall flourish v/lien they sleep in dust."^ *

The fame of Dr. Payson had obtained a currency and an elevation of sufficient notoriety before his death ; as much so aswas desirable for his own comfort or usefulness. That his popularity was a source of bitter lamentation to hhn^elf, is seen from his published diary, a record of humiliating confessions of the " sin that dwelt in him."

No longer an inhabitant of earth, he is alike unaffected by censure and applause — he wrestles and mourns no more. The objects upon, that sea of glory upon which he launched, beheld once, in tlie dimness of mortal vision, and with which he is now surrounded. All to extacy every capacity of his immortal nature. Transported with the beatific employments of his everlasting homCy can he find a thought to bestow upon this " prioon of hi;? clay,."

VI INTRODUCTION.

only as memory may revert to the theater of his useful labors, or as the abode of his spirit's thraldom ?

It is good to mingle in thought with the scenes of the blest and to dwell by a lively faith on those employments in v;hich we hope, ere-long, ourselves to participate. Such a visit to the spirit-land cannot fail to deaden the glare of earthly attractions, and to clothe the objects of our faith with a deeper reality. There yet live upon the earth tliose who hung upon his lips and listened to the words of life ; who felt the warm breathings of his soul, the subduing power of his soul-lit eye, his kind and cordial embrace. Memory still retains his image in living colors, and we would transmit it as perfect as possible to our children ; and children's children in all coming generations shall behold and admire.

And the work should be hastened. Death is hastening with his work ; busy year after year in consigning to the dust the remnant of the pastor's flock. A large proportion of his great congregation are now slumbering with him side by side in that greater congregation of the dead. We walk among the tombs and read. The same hand which has chiseled their names upon the *' dull cold marble " will soon inscribe ours. Together they sat in heavenly places on earth, together they rest in the place of sep* ulture. And the morning of the resurrection cometh when to gether the sheperd and his flock Vv^il rise, '» for this mortal shall put on immortality." If it be "greatly wise to talk with our past hours," it may be wise and profitable to dwell upon the memory of the *4oved and gone,'' once the busy occupants of those hours, who were eminent examples of piety ; not only to stand at their tombs and weep over their ashes, but to recall the pious instructions which fell from their lips. Thus may we walk again with them on earth and live our lives over again, and receive, it may be, a lesson from the dead which shall be more heeded and better improved than those to which we listened from their living lips.

It cannot be doubted that an auto-biography of Dr. Payson would have been a rich legacy to the world Although his published diary and letters reveal much of his character, yet the curiosity of the public would h?.ve been more fully sitisaed could the

INTRODUCTION. Vli

portrait have been drawn at fall length by his own hand. To have published sach a biography would doubtless have been too formidable an undertaking for a man of his delicate sensibilities- Such an exposure of himself, as he appeared in his own eyes, would have resembled somewhat the "Prophet's roll," although abounding in sunny spots, joyful triumphs over sin, and " Ebenezers " set up all a.long the way, as monuments of God's wonderful interposition in his favor. Such a volume must have exhibited a most interesting portraiture, — the lights and shadows of a deep and extraordinary Christian experience.

Equally gratifying would it be, could he have given us a history of his youthful days, a peep into the dawn of his manhood ; could he have taken us vv^ith him over the hills and valleys of his early home and admitted us to his own contemplations of nature ) could he have taken us arm in arm with him to the village school or through the church-yard gate, or on the moonlight stroll, and allowed us to participate in the musings and aspirations of his youthful spirit. Could we have looked into his dark and thoughtful eye and seen pictured there the images of his anticipated future; in a word, could we have seen the future man in the embryo of his youth, how precious do we now feel would be the privilege.

There are but very few allusions to his childhood in any record which we can find. Hence the comparative blank which appears in his early history. Yet so universal has become his fame that an interest attaches to every incident of his earlier or later life, coming from whatever source. We find, however, but little respecting his childhood and youth beyond what is published in his memoir by Dr. Cummings.

RECOLLECTIONS OE PAYSON.

Chapter I

Portland in 1803 and Mr. Pay son's introduction there, in the same year. — Anecdotes of Mr. Pay son. — His oration on the Fourth of July 1806.

The writer first became an eye-witness to the rising prosperity of Portland, in 1802, the year before Mr. Payson commenced his labors there as Preceptor of the Academy. Portland- at that period was in the hey-day of its youthful pride, [t had gradually risen from the fires of the revolution like a Phoenix from its ashes. Commerce was rapidly enriching its enterprising citizens. The several learned professions were most respectably sustained. Young men of sparkling wit and accomplished minds were easily found. Yet Payson mingled with but few. Infidelity, if not seen stalking abroad at noon-day, yet in its shame lurked in the covert of night and the secret conclave. A father's instruction and a mother's prayers, however, still exerted a strong and healthful influence over the mind of our youthful adventurer, in his introduction to the duties of pubHc life. He

Drought with him to the place of his first three years' lahors a mind imhiied with moral principles, by which he was rendered in a measure impregnable to the fascinations of a popular skepticism, and by which he was enabled to shun the vortex of forbidden mdulgences. The snare in which others have been taken, he escaped. He was naturally of very retinng habits. He was seldom seen in the streets. When his school hours w^ere over, making a short way home, he was in his rooms poring over his books. He was remarkably neat in his personal appearance. We distinctly remember his attire ; his grave yet sprightly and unostentatious mien, and the slight inclination of his head to the left, as on the Sabbath he ascended the stairs of the church on his way to the gallery-pew which he occupied. In his whole demeanor, there was something peculiar even at that early period ; an impressiveness and a benignity of countenance seldom seen in the young ; while more from diffidence than any feeling of misanthropy or awkwardness {from which he was entirely free) he seemed to pass unheeding and unheeded along, with but little desire to mingle with the busy crowd. His physical constitution, naturally robust, was much impaired while performing the duties of his school, yet he possessed a great deal of energy, physical as well as mental.

An anecdote touching to his superior muscular strength and activity was related to me by a friend and fellow-boarder of his, to this effect. A proposal was made by their host that the three should try their strength in mowing a small field of grass. The man was a giant in stature and the fellow-boarder a person of no mean size. The match commenced. At first Payson lagged. The competition was brisk ; each laying himself out to ilECOLLECTIONS OF PAYSON» 11

the umiost, and each ''with lusty sinews throvi^ing it aside with hearts of controversy.'' ^Tayson will be up with us," said one of them, "he is^ look out for his scythe ;'' and in the full swing of his strength did he sweep by them, a noble swath lying at his feet. lie continued ahead of them until the work was completed.

An incident was related by his companion just referred to, which perhaps derives its principal interest from the character of the individuals who are the subjects of the notice ; yet it may help to illustrate a feature in his character. When Preceptor of the Academy in Portland, if any misdemeanor of his pupils rendered it necessary that some signal correction should be administered, he resorted to the method of locking them up in the school-room during the intermission, where they had to remain until he returned from dinner. On one occasion he had left ' locked up," one of the largest sized lads of the school and one who was rather high spirited. On his way home it occurred to him that the culprit might make an attempt to escape from one of the windows, which were at a considerable height from the ground, and by so doing his life or limbs might be endangered. On reaching his boarding house Pvlr. Payson spoke of the circumstance to the family, at the same time manifesting much uneasiness as to what the result mio;ht be. He hastened back to the school room, and as he approached the Academy, his fears were realized ; for he saw his young prisoner suspended on the outside of the building, holding on by the window-sill, afraid to fall, and yet unable to get back. Seeing him in this predicament the Preceptor cried out at the top of his voice, '' Hold on Belamy, hold on Belamy," — while he hastened to his rescue. The embarrassment of both parties may easily be imagined. The ludicrous scene was doubtless often recalled to the mind of the Preceptor; and the- pupil, .still siMrviving, and as eminent in his own profession as Payson became in his, will be reminded by this page, should lie chance to see it, of one of the ^amusing passages of his schoolboy life.

While in charge of the Academy in Portland, he was but little known, except as a teacher and as a member of a literary club, consisting of young men, law-students and others, who met at appointed times for various literary exercises. Yet he was highly esteemed by all who knew him, as a young man of great respectability and extraordinary talents. It was no equivocal evidence of the estimation in which he was held, that he was selected to deliver the Fourth of July oration, before the citizens of Portland in 1S06. Those were times of great political excitement, and Mr. Payson was the chosen orator of the Federal party. Pie v^as then in his 22d year; yet well and nobly did he sustain himself on the occasion. The oration is still remembered and spoken of as a most admirable production.

Although the writer had not the pleasure of listening to the oration he well remembers the appearance of the people as they came from the place of concourse, still under the fa.scination of the discourse. The extreme gratification both of young and old was expressed in an outburst of a most honorable enthusiasm. The youthful orator, with universal consent bore away the palm from all that had precedeed him. Says Mr. Willis in his late history of Portland '• I attended Mr. Payson's oration, being then one of his pupils, and recollect that it was received with the greatest delight. Many pungent hits at the national administration received hearty applause. It

]aECOLLECTlONS OF PAYSON. 13

was very spicy and spirited. The great interest which Prof. McKeen of Harvard Co^Ilege (who was at that time supplying the desk cf the First Parish in r*ortland), seemed to take in the oration, particularly attracted ine." its political character was, probably the principal reason of his refusing a copy for the press. He foresaw that a public disclosure of his political views might prore detrimental to his future usefulness as a minister ; an early proof of his wisdom and prudence. — They who have since listened to his eloquence can imagine how rich • must have been the literary repast furnished to the citizens of Portland on the Fourth of July 1806. Then, even on that very, day went forth the herald thatbespoke his. coming fame. The same flashes and thunder tones that had broken as in a tempest of eloquence upon a Fourth of July audience, were in a year or two to electrify the crowded, spell-bound congregation of the Sabbath, assembled in the same house, and continued to do so during a period of twent}^ years. His celebrated oration, I am informed by Hon. S. Patten, his room-mate and bed-fellow for several years, was a very hasty pro duction. Having accepted the invitation of the committee to address them on the occasion, he was only from noon until the next morning in writing and committing it to memory.

Mr. Pay son employed his pen occasionally in prepaid ing articles for one of the papers published in Portland. He was, says an acquaintance, a capital poet. He wrote a New Years Address in the Hudibrastic style which was regarded as a very successful production. The remark that '' he would have become eminent in either of the learned professions " none can doubt, who were acquainted with the man or his writings. Such was the extent of his knowledge, his acquaintance with human nature in all its hidden intricacies and developments ; his imagination, so inventive and brilliant, that had his attention been directed to the cultivation of poetry or to the writing of fictitious narrative, or had he wooed the traojic muse, in either case success would doubtless have crowned his efforts. Or could conscience have listened for a moment to the suggestion (as it would not) that he might have excelled in the histrionic art, no one v/ouM have stood a fairer candidate for success in that profession. The manliness of his person, the energy of his enunciation, the compass and intonations of his voice, the fire of his flashing eye — inueed the strong and flexible expression of his whole countenance, when irradiated by deep en>otion, as we have seen it in the pulpit, together with hi& accurate conception of the character he would personate, would have placed him hrgh among those who hive excelled in histrionic effort. We know not to what extent his youthful aspirations might have been kindled, in view of worldly fam€ or distinction ; but, if such an ambition had been awakened in his bosom, the rising flame was soon subdued by a nobler impulse. A *' world lying in wickedness " was spread out before him. He saw the curse of God pressing deep and heavy upon the race, which must soon sink its millions in the unmitigated despair of the second dealh. The Godlike purpose to go forth as a humble instrument to the rescue of his fellow men, sprang up in his heart ; a purpose strong and invincible, paramount to all others, and which was carried into execution with a zeal that never abated. Thus, in his early history v/ere seen developed those elements of character, wh ch constituted the man in later life. A path he trod, not indeed strewed with flowers, often rugged and densely overshadowed ; yet was it the way to endless life, both to himself, and to many whom he will rejoice to meet at the right hand of "God, saved through his instrumentality.

Undismayed he held on his way with occasional sungleams from the parting cloud, which at last passed aw^ay, leaving him to behold the rainbow of promise that over* hung his evening sky, until the sun of life went down in mild and unclouded splendor*

We cannot forbear to direct the attention of those young men whose minds are either vacillating on the subject of choosing a profession for life, or who may have decided against entering upon the work of the ministry, to the unalterable purpose which pervaded the breast of the subject of this memoir. Let them consider the amount of good which he was enabled to accomplish and view the ^' crown of his rejoicing" studded with im' perishable jewels that he now wears, and ask themselves in what other way they will be as likely to perform an equal amount of good as by following the example of this devoted minister of Jesus Christ. No man had stronger inducements than he to lay his acquirements upon the altar of worldly ambition, and yet he brought the *'gold, frankincense and myrrh," the riches of a highly gifted mind, and laid them down at the Savior's feet. Young man, silence not the voice of conscience, but hear him who now speaks, '' Let the dead bury thei dead, but go tliou and preach the kingdom of God."

The consideration that the minister's life is spent for the good of others, is pleasant indeed when he enters upon his labors, yet amounting to an unspeakable joy when the great master shall call upon his servants to give an account of their stewardship. What if the min^

ister of Christ is expected always to be imparting instruct tion, " line upon line, line upon line," giving and giving ; here sowing and there watering ; then watching and now praying, and then dying. Is there no reward ? No reaping in all this, even in the present life ? Whoso hath left houses and knds and all worldly good for Christ's sake and the Gospel's, shall receive not only the hundred fold here, but in the world to come everlasting life. But why present motives ? The *^ word shut up in the bones," will as surely find a Yent^ as the fire.s of Vesuvius. The man fit to preach at all, or who shall hope for success in the ministry, can no more be stopped in his course than can the flowing tide. Obstacles will only strengthen his power of resistance. Tell him of more lucrative occupations, or of more eligible professions, and you do but insult him. Point him to the cross he must take up if he would be a true minister of Jesus Christ, and you do but fan the flame which burns within him*

CHAPTER li.

ills firvst coming' to Portland as a Preacher, and the condition of his field of labor. — The Payson fever. — Anecdote of Mr. N. C\ —Evangelical religion greatly revived.— Mr. Fayson's ordination. — Rev. Mr. Kellogg's dismission. — Some remarks on his character.

It was a remarkable era in the history of evangelical truth in Portland, when Mr. Payson commenced his ministerial labors in that place. He appeared as a star of unusual brilliancy, v/hose presence was hailed as ominous of great good to the cause of piety, and which was seen shedding its light on the surrounding darkness.

In scarcely any period of the Christian church, has the hand of God been more distinctly seen, in raising up special instruments for his work, than when he bestowed upon this church so bright an accession gift ; one who was so eminently endowed with gifts of nature and o^ grace. His first sermon elicited tiie remark, that no such man as Payson had yet been among them. Nor was it an ephemeral brilHancy that sometimes dazzles the view of an enraptured audience, and calls forth the warmest encomiums upon a gifted orator, soon to vanish in disappointment.