Memoir of Rev. Bela Jacobs, A. M.

Front matter

Class ____ Book-__ r^

MEMOIR

OF

Preface

The records of a good man's life are generally short and simple. The incidents in his history are few, and, except to those who loved him, without interest. It was not otherwise with the subject of the following pages. 5 j His story might almost be written in the form used in Scripture. " And he lived fifty years, and he died." Yet as we believe that he did not live and die in vain, and as to some hearts, a selection from the papers of their friend and minister, will afford satisfaction, the selection has been made ; and this little volume is now offered to them, in the hope that it may have an influence — as had the living presence of the departed, to comfort and to cheer.

VI CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAPTER VI.

Extracts from Journal — Recognition as Pastor of the Church in Cambridge — Close of his first year in Cambridge— Visit to Pawtuxet— Extracts— Close of year 1819 - - 107

CHAPTER VII.

Extracts from Journal — Journey to New Hampshire — Distress on account of ill heahh — Remarks on Religious Subjects 126

CHAPTER VIII.

The year 1823 — Extracts from Journals — Six Months illness ---_-___ 143

CHAPTER IX.

The Year 1824— Ministerial Trials— Revival of Religion among his People _ _ ^ - 156

CHAPTER X.

The Years 1825. '26, and '27 — Increase of his Church during 1827 ' - 179

CHAPTER XL

Year 1827 continued — A Journey commenced which was interrupted by an Accident— Kindness received at this period 190

CHAPTER XII.

The years 1830, '32— Death of Mr. Weston— A RcTival of Religion in Cambridge - - - - 199

CONTENTS. Vll

CHAPTER XIII.

Conclusion of year 1832 — The beginning of 1833 — Resignation of the Pastoral Office - - 221

CHAPTER XIV.

Journal and Letters from the Western States - 228

CHAPTER XV.

Extracts from Letters 257

CHAPTER XVI.

NoticeofMr. Jacobs' Death— Remarks - - 280

Lines on the Death of Mr. Jacobs _ - _ 292

Sketch of Character — by Professor Sears - - 295

Chapter I

SOME ACCOUNT OF HIS EARLY LIFE CONVER- SION PREPARATION FOR THE MINISTRY

LETTER FROM MR. PHIPPEN.

Bela Jacobs was born in 1786, in the town of Dighton, Mass, Concerning his early years, but htile can now be ascertained. He has left no papers which record the circumstances of his childhood, and no relatives, from whom any information can be obtained. He was the youngest of his father's family, which consisted of nine children, none of whom are now living. The most that can be related of this period of his life, was gathered from himself in the unreserve of domestic intercourse, when he told stories round the winter's hearth. His father removed to Newport, R. I., before his remembrance. His mother was, for many years previous to her death, insane; so much so, as to need personal restraint. The only recollection of herself, she left her son, was that of just escaping a fork, which, while under the influence of this dreadful disease, she threw at his head. She must have died while he was very young, as he was at this time but ** a little higher than the table," 1 and never afterwards saw her. His father was a serious man of few words, much respected by his family ; he died at sea of yellow fever, when his youngest son was not far from fourteen years of age.

Previous to the father's death, the sons had all been settled to some employment. Most of them had chosen the sea- One was in the shop of an apothecary in Warren ; and the subject of this memoir had been placed as an apprentice to the business of rope-making. Disliking his employment, not pleased with his employer, and fascinated with the sea, he ran away from home, and requested a place as cabin-boy, in a vessel then ready to sail. The captain agreed to take him; '* that is, ^' added he, '* if you are not a run-away apprentice/' The youth, with the ingenuousness he always possessed, replied that he was, and consequently lost the place. Whether he was detected by his father in this attempt, or whether he despaired of success, he relinquished his design, and from this time labored steadily at his trade ; working extra hours to furnish himself with the means of attending an evening school. As it fell to his lot, to be the hewer of wood and drawer of water to his master's family, this part of his duty was performed at times taken from his repose, and from his meals, that nothing might prevent his acquiring some knowledge of writing and arithmetic, to which attainments his ambition was at this time confined. Immediately on his father's death, he bound up his few clothes, and fewer books, and set out alone and unfriended, to go he knew not whither. After walking till he was quite fatigued, he sat down on a stone, and wept bitterly ; he thought of other boys, who had parents to care for them, and friends, while he, houseless and forlorn, was destitute of all. At length, his mind settled on one object, a little less dark than the rest. He had a brother in Warren, and he resolved to seek him ; he arose from his stone, and walked rapidly forward, till he entered Warren; he did not there find his brother, but he found a friend in the benevolent apothecary of that town, Dr. Nathan Burr. For that gentleman and his family, Mr. Jacobs ever cherished the most grateful affection. The following extracts are from a letter written to the compiler of these papers, by a daughter of Dr. Burr. Between this lady and Mr. Jacobs, there subsisted a warm and uninterrupted friendship. After Miss Burr married, she was only occasionally resident in this country, and Mr. Jacobs rarely saw her ; she was, however, affectionately remembered by him, and, *'I hope sister Betsey is not at sea in this storm," was with him a never-failing accompaniment to a high wind.

'* I think that my lamented friend, your father, €ame to Warren, when about the age of fourteen, from Newport, where he was an apprentice to a Mr. Cahoone. Mr. C. died, and the indentures binding your father to the wife, he remained at the walk, in care of the foreman, by whom he was sadly abused. This ill treatment preyed on his health and spirits, and determined him to seek for a friend. He knew his brother Justin Allen had served an apprenticeship in Warren, but his ideas of his situation there, seemed very imperfect. He reached Warren, fatigned, hungry, and almost pennyless ; and, after looking about with intense anxiety for his brother, he went into a barber's shop, where he saw cake and beer for sale ; after eating a little, he rather loitered, which attracted the attention of the barber, who was a respectable colored man, and quite inquisitive. Suffice it to say, he drew from the boy his tale of wo, and then strongly insisted that he should accompany him to the house of my father, and make known who he was, assuring him of a welcome reception at the Doctor's, (as Prince would say.) Prince also told him that his brother was absent at sea, which was a deep wound to his heart, as he could not conceive of receiving kindness and care from his brother's master, having been so unkindly treated by his own.

** My parents received him with kindness and pity, and told him to remain with them until his brother's return, which, I think, would be in a few weeks. His great anxiety of mind brought on a fever during the night, and I perfectly remember that both my parents were up with him. (My mother's very delicate health made this so unusual, that I recollect it particularly.) He remained sick three or four weeks. After his recovery, and his brother's return, matters were adjusted with his mistress, my father was appointed his guardian, and he was again apprenticed to Mr. William Barton, of Somerset. When he was sixteen, I think, both master and apprentice were brought to the knowledge of the truth, as it is in Christ Jesus!"

Mr. Jacobs was nearly seventeen, when his attention was first directed to the subject of rehgion. He had previously been in some danger of becoming a wild young man. Possessing naturally a fine flow of spirits, and easy, social manners, telling a story well, and singing a song finely, his society was much courted by the idler and gayer part of his associates. He had to some extent become profane, and perhaps the honorable, generous, and noble feelings he possessed, would not have afforded him strength sufficient to resist the temptations besetting him, had not the Lord in his mercy been pleased to impart the higher, holier influences of his Spirit.

Mr. Jacobs was for some time rather fearful, lest by becoming religious, he should forfeit the favor and assistance of his brother, *' his sole remaining helper,'' While hesitating under the influence of this fear, he chanced to attend an evening meeting, whose results on his feelings were important. The meeting was held in a private house, and he, going early, placed himself in an entry, out of sight, as he supposed. He was however pressed forward by the crowd, and by the time service commenced, he found himself directly opposite the minister, who announced as his text, the words, '' there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." The event proved that his fears were groundless. On the avowal of his feelings with regard to religious truth, his brother, now Captain Jacobs, expressed pleasure in the change, since, as he

said, '' religion was the very thing to make a 1#

Steady fellow of Bela.'' He was baptized in Somerset, by the Rev. Joshua Bradley, whose church in Newport he joined.

He still remained with Mr. Barton at the rope-walk, where he might have been seen day after day, working with some school-book always in his bosom, ready for use at any leisure moment. In this way he mastered some of the elementary branches of an English education. He applied himself also to the study of sacred music, in which he made considerable proficiency.

About this time he went to Boston, Mass., for the purpose of claiming some property belonging to him as heir to a deceased brother. While in Boston he summoned courage to call on Dr. Baldwin, as he was, to use his own words, *' possessed with a keen desire to see a man of whom he had heard so much.'' The Dr. received his bashful visiter with his characteristic kindness; and when he took leave, invited him to call whenever he was in Boston.

Mr. Jacobs in after life frequently spoke of the pleasant, cheerful smile with which he was received by the great man whose house he had entered, and whose benevolent politeness was so grateful to the feelings of the uneducated but sensitive boy.

I return to the letter of Mrs. C. ** Your father remained with Mr. Barton some time, perhaps a year, when Mr. B — relinquishing the business, gave up his indentures, and he came home to Warren, to decide on his future course. He daily felt the want of education, and earnestly desired to earn the means of obtaining it. He was thought competent by Mr. Barton, to take charge of a rope-walk, and about this time he had an offer to that effect from Boston. But, before he was ready, the walk took fire and was consumed. While in Warren he worked for a few days in assisting to make a cable ; he here received a wound on his head, from which he suffered much ; he was obliged to be cupped and bled, and was unable to work for several weeks. After getting well again, he sought for journey-work at Bristol, four miles from us, and wrought with great diligence, often making seven days per week, and invariably getting up to our house on Saturday nights before tea, and spending the Sabbath with us ; and I recollect it was often made convenient to send him down in a chaise on Monday mornings. After leaving Bristol, he again made our house his home, attending the school of Samuel Randall, Esq. I think he was there six months ; he then went to the Rev. William Williams, in Wrentham. This was in the year 1807.

'* His brother Justin Allen wished to assist him in pecuniary means, but this hope was also frustrated, as he was, we suppose, lost at sea. I have a few letters written by your father to mine, which I send you,"

Wrentham, AiJgust, 1807.

Kindest of Friends^ — I cannot let this opportunity slip, although I have nothing to write worth your attention. Nothing to write ? There is enough. Jesus and his grace are inexhaustible subjects, if I knew how to write on them. The soul that has had a discovery of the beauty of Jesus, can truly say, He is altogether lovely ; while to those who know him not, he is without form or comeliness. While the latter are disgusted at the praise of Jesus, the former enjoy unspeakable delight in meditating on the fulness of his grace. I am sometimes permitted to take a peep at the glory of his love, and then I am refreshed ; but I wander much, very much from him, and love that distance but too well. Unruly cares seize my mind, such as " what shall 1 eat ? what shall I drink ? and with what shall I be clothed ? " an anxiety for the future, how I shall live, what I shall do, and how I shall do it. Sometimes I think that I will crawl into some rope-walk and spend my life. This is part of the dark side in my feelings. Sometimes I am brought to be in a measure reconciled to God, and then I trust the promise that saith '' Verily ye shall be fed," and give myself wholly to the Lord, and pray to be made useful in the world. This I have received as part of my creed, that nothing but an humble dependence on God can make me happy, and that can ; but it is hard to reduce my creed to practice.

October 19th, 1807.

Dear Brother^ — I received your letter this evening, and the melancholy news that she whom you justly loved so well, and whom all who knew her prized, is now no more. The news was to me very solemn : I feel that by this stroke of death, I have lost an invaluable friend, and so have you and your dear family ; but let us remember that he who holds the reins of government in his hands doeth right. Let us, dear brother, look forward with joyful anticipation to the period when we shall join her who has passed over the Jordan, and has gained the peaceful shore to go no more out. I trust that we are on the road.

The foregoing was written on hearing of the death of Mrs. Lydia Burr.

October SSth, 1807.

Respected Brother, — Through the mercy of our God, I am still spared and in good health, for which I hope I am thankful. We are extremely prone to overlook the common mercies of God, and to neglect giving him praise for kindness bestowed daily. I am, as I suppose you and other Christians are, sometimes in the enjoyment of the smiles of Heaven, and souk - times, through my disobedience, I walk in darkness. I frequently make a short excursion into the neighboring towns ; I was yesterday in Bellingham, where I heard Mr. Robinson, of Harvard, who is a good preacher and an agreeable man. I have also visited Mr. Reed, of Attleborough, and I intend at some convenient time to give Dr. Emmons, of Franklin, a call, and Mr. Fisk. Thus I try all things, I hope I shall hold fast the good.

Nov. 2Gth, 1807.

Dear Friend and Brother, — The good Lord is pleased to continue to me the inestimable blessing of health, together with some desire to

UELA JACOBS.

serve him, which is better than health. You will receive my cordial thanks for the line you sent me, with your other favors.

I am sorry to learn, by Br. M — , the backwardness of your people to attend the worship of Almighty God. It is not to be expected that the people of the world will always attend, but for Christians to forsake the assembling of themselves together, is not only repugnant to the scriptures of divine truth, but to the spirit they have received. I am persuaded that you feel some of the load of Zion, and see how she mourns that so few come to her solemn feasts. I hope you are enabled to keep the buyers and sellers out of your heart, and have that placed where true riches are.

I should write to some other friends in Warren if I had time and matter, but as there are some bright geniuses in my class, and as I am myself a dull scholar, I have to study pretty closely. We finish Virgil this week, and enter Cicero the next. I find the Greek to be as crooked as it looks ; but they say it comes butt end foremost.

I hope you enjoy the smiles of our Divine Master. In your devotions remember me, and beseech with me the Lord, that in the pursuit of information I may not forget that wisdom which cometh from above.

Hoping, for the benefit of my studies, not to have any occasion for seeing you before spring, I am yours, &/C. B. Jacobs.

It was during Mr. Jacobs' residence inWrentham, that he first suffered from asthma, which was in him not hereditary, but the result of a sudden and violent cold. He always preserved a grateful remenibrance of the kindness shown liim by the family of Mr. Williams, during the frequent attacks of this disease, which he experienced while there.

Extract from a letter lately received, from the Rev. Mr. Phippen, of Canton, Connecticut.

** I have busied myself this morning, in looking over my journal, while at Mr. Williams'" and consulting other dates, for reminiscences of my much-esteemed friend and brother, and your beloved and very affectionate father. Allow me to say, I rejoice you have it in contemplation, to publish a little book — the memoirs of him who was so dear to you all — the daughter's tribute of affection. ' Tis well so to do ; may Heaven smile upon your labor of love — * The memory of the just is blessed.'

" I hasten to answer your inquiries, in the order in which they stand in your first letter.

** Your father commenced study at Rev. Mr. Williams' private academy, in Wrentham, at the beginning of the summer or fall term, in 1807, and remained there, either a year or fifteen months. I cannot be positive on these points, as there is a deficiency in my journal about that time. My impression is, however, he commenced with the summer term, and remained there about fifteen months.

" He held a very respectable rank among his fellow-students : if my memory serves me, your father and myself were in the same class, in most, if not in all our studies. He commenced with the English — went through Virgil and Cicero, in Latin, and the Evangelists, and the Acts of the Apostles, in Greek. At the time he left, he was well fitted to enter college. Four of us entered Providence college, that fall, from Mr. Williams', and we deeply regretted that brother Jacobs could not enter with us, as duty called him another way.

*' As to your father's distinguishing characteristics, T would say — he was thoughtful without abstraction, cheerful without levity, scrupulously conscientious without bigotry or superstition — affable, frank, and generous. Many a time in our walks, he has referred to his boyhood — the scenes of early adversity, his struggles with poverty, and ignorance, his diagrams and arithmetical calculations, performed with a stick on the sand ; his book under his arm, or placed in a spot to be seized at any moment, as he passed and repassed in the rope-walk, when in early life, he earned his bread ; but of these, he has doubtless told his children time and again. They are the stories with which you yourself perhaps were amused in prattling infancy, or instructed in riper years. And I mention them for one object only, to show that your father possessed a noble spirit, a spirit to rise superior to the adverse circumstances w'hich surrounded him in the morning of life.

'' At the academy, I was the youngest professor of religion ; much of the time, your father was my room-mate and bed-fellow. We were on terms of the closest intimacy, and friendship. As he was several }ears my senior, I was in the habit of looking to him for advice and council, and cherished the utmost confidence in his disinterestedness and solid piety.

*' We were four in number — Baptist professors, and all looking to the ministry of Jesus Christ, as our calling for life. We felt bound to watch over each other, and pray for each other, and we adopted several plans to promote the spirit of true piety among ourselves, into all of which your dear father heartily entered. Indeed he was always forward to aid, in every way, our spiritual prosperity.

'' I find, in my journal, the copy of an agreement, into which those whose names are annexed, severally entered, for the purposes therein specified. It will, I presume, be interesting to you to have it, as the original, if I remember right, was written by your father, and afterwards submitted to those concerned, to make such alterations as they might think proper. And furthermore, when you are informed that we endeavored to live up to this agreement, you will have an answer to the character of his piety — his employment out of study hours, 6lc.

Wrentham, March, 1808.

" ' We, whose names are undersigned, being brethren in the common cause of religion, and proposing to live some time together, for our mutual benefit and furtherance in the gospel, do solemnly, and in the presence of God, enter into this covenant among ourselves, viz. that we will endeavor to live more agreeable to our profession in future — to accomplish which we will 2

22 BELA JACOL^S.

watch over each other in Christian charity, more faithfully than we iiave done; and for a help to our minds, and as a means to keep our minds upon the solemn duties of our high calling, we agree to meet among ourselves weekly, on Saturday evening, if there be no lawful impediment ; that this time shall be entirely spent in religious duties — that the meeting shall be opened and closed by prayers — that the intervals shall be taken up in religious conversations, instruction, reproof, exhortation and praise ; that in these meetings there shall be no warm disputes, but all shall be done for mutual benefit, in Christian candor, love and unity. And for the further improvement of our minds, in Literature and Theology, we agree that two of us shall, in the course of the week, write a piece of composition, on some religious subject, of our own choice, and present it at the weekly meeting for inspection. And further, as exercise is necessary for the refreshment of our bodies, as well as the relaxation of our minds, we agree to take a walk together every afternoon after recitation, if the weather will permit, and that in these walks, our conversation shall be confined to religious or useful subjects. These things we agree to, with what alterations and additions from time to time may be thought proper to be made.

BELA JACOBS.

ISRAEL ALGER.

DANIEL CHESSMAN.

GEORGE PHIPPEN.'

*' Your father was occasionally the subject of depressed feelings, but he rarely spoke of them.

His piety was a happy mixture of principle and feeling, which showed itself in subdued passions, in love to God and the souls of men, and in making efforts to live for usefulness and heaven.

** At the time we entered into the above agreement, we were in the habit of rising at daydawn and taking a long walk ; towards night, we took another long walk of an hour. The time was occupied in conversing on texts of scripture, and some thesis previously propounded. These were profitable seasons, and no one was more interested in them than your father.

*^We held meetings on Lord's-day evenings, and very frequently on week-day evenings, some two or four miles distant from our residence. Perhaps I more constantly attended those meetings than any other brother, and your father more frequently than any other one accompanied me. Many a precious season have we enjoyed together, not only in the little congregation of the saints, but by the way-side, or as we pursued our course over the meadows. We always walked, and almost always returned home after meeting. Memory loves to dwell upon those by-gone days ; but ah ! they are gone forever.

*' During the summer of 1808, your father often preached : I have frequent records of his preaching in different places ; sometimes for Mr. Williams, and at others in different sections of the town ; with the record, I have also the chapter and verse from which he spoke.

" 1 believe I have answered all your inquiries, whether satisfactorily I must leave, but I can assure you most cheerfully, I have been abundantly rewarded for the little toil I have bestowed, in the chastening influence the calling up of by-gone scenes has produced upon niy own spirit, and in trying to do a little to embalm the memory of a dear departed friend.'^

Soon after leaving Wrentham, Mr. Jacobs received from an English gentleman of large fortune, residing'^on Rhode Island, the offer of a collegiate education, lliough deeply grateful for the kindness, he saw fit to decline availing himself of it. He had left Mr. Williams' with impaired health, and he felt anxious to enter on the duties of the ministry. The people of Somerset, where he had first commenced a religious life, were very solicitous that he should spend a year in preaching to them. For these reasons he relinquished his design of entering the college at Providence.

CHAPTER 11.

RESIDENCE IN SOMERSET PRIVATE JOURNAL- HE TEACHES A SCHOOL.

Among Mr. Jacobs' private papers, the earliest bears this date, ''Somerset, October 1st, 1S08. Saturday. Left Warren this morning for this place, in order to stay a little while and preach ; but, alas ! how insufficient am I for the work ; my only strength is the help of the Lord. There is here a small Baptist church of about forty members, but they are mostly females, and poor. There are some Methodists in town, and many who care nothing about the worship of God, so that my prospects are small. But if the Lord will bless my labors to the comfort and benefit of his people, and to the teaching sinners his name, my purposes will be answered; for this I pray."

I find the following resolutions with regard to the employment of his time.

*' I intend daily to take my walks in the fields, to meditate and pray. May I be enabled to enjoy communion with Heaven. The rest of the morning I will devote to study. I must keep up 2* the constant practice of reading a chapter in Greek. May the Lord give me understanding to know his word.

*^ Tuesday, October 4tth.— Spent the forenoon in study. I have begun to teach souls — but my instructions w ill have but little weight, unless my hfe corresponds with my preaching ; how then ought I ever to feel that 1 am accountable to God, that God who sees the hearts as well as the lives of his children.

" This afternoon took a sail with a number of my friends I regret that I lost my ramble in the fields to-day ; had the pleasure of taking tea

at , where I had some religious conversation

with a gentleman from N. Hampshire. He is a Congregationalist ; his wife a Free-will Baptist; he appears to be an understanding believer, she an humble Christian.

" Wednesday , 5tL — Spent the evening at home with a number of the female members of the church in conversation and reading ; had a lovely time in prayer before we parted.

*' Thursday, 6th, — Our church meeting ; some difficulty between the brethren had not been taken up aright, which led me to explain to them briefly, the discipline of the church. There is, too, some uneasiness about politics, which induced me to talk a little on the duty of Christians to subject themselves to the higher powers, and to walk circumspectly before all men. Oh ! if we had more love for our Master and for our brethren, all animosity would be destroyed, and we should walk in peace and union. I have felt to-day something of the greatness of the work of preaching the everlasting gospel. I am much tried about it : shall I always feel as I do now ? wading through darkness and sorrow ? Those are happy who can follow their secular calling, and who are not impressed with the idea that it is their duty to preach. Lord, if thou hast called me unto this work, shine upon me, and enlighten my mind, and prepare me for usefulness.