Defence of Rev. Charles W. Denison, from the slanders of the Boston Baptist Bethal society ...

Preface

It is with a feeling of delicacy and reluctance that I spread the following pages before the public. Every well balanced mind instinctively shrinks from the presentation of private affairs, even in self-defence. But the attacks that have been repeatedly and for so long a time made on my character, compel me to the task.

The histories of individuals, both in the church and state, are oftentimes so con nected with the vindication of virtue and the exposure of vice, as to render their publication necessary. Such is believed to be the case in the present instance.

I should have submitted this defence before, but for two reasons. In the first place, it was not until a few days since that the last of the documents I had sent for, reached my hands.

In the next place, I was anxious to take time in preparing my statements, so that every word might be duly weighed. These reasons, I doubt not, will satisfactorily account for my delay.

It is not impossible that some reply will appear; and, it may be, that certain additional ecclesiastical action will take place. For this, I wish it to be understood, I am fully prepared. The facts I now submit are all true to the very letter; and, if necessary, they can and shall be sustained, in a court of justice.

The society of which I am the minister is not, in any way, responsible for the facts and opinions contained in this pamphlet. The work is entirely my own.

I am compelled to speak more freely of myself than is agreeable to my feelings. I trust, however, I shall be excused, when the character of the assaults on me is generally known.

My aim is to establish in every honest heart these facts:

1. That I am much misunderstood, and therefore injured.

2. That I have been hastily, and therefore unjustly, excluded from the church.

3. That the course pursued toward me by " Elder JVathaniel Culver," formerly of Washington County, N. Y., (now known as Rev. N. Colver, of Boston,) is malicious, and therefore the reasons for it should be exposed.

Determined to mete out even-handed justice to others, and resolved to be satisfied

with nothmg less myself, I respectfully submit the accompanying plain statement to

the public.

C. W. D.

Boston, 58 Salem Street, March, 1846.

* P. S.— June 15.— Another reason is found in the repeated attempts made, by threats and otherwise, to suppress the work. It has been delayed on this account, from March until June. The names of the parties attempting thus to destroy the liberty of the press are given within. D.

V

DEFENCE.

THE BAPTIST BETHEL SOCIETY.

My attention was called to the subject of establishing a Bethel for seamen in Boston, and more immediately in connection with the Baptist Churches of this city, as long ago as the year 1839. At that time I wrote to my then friend, S. G. Shipley, Esq., and asked his kind aid in the enterprise. I was then pastor of a church in the city of Wilmington, Del., where I had been happily settled nearly three years. In 1840, I returned to New England, still bent on this great purpose of my heart. I corresponded and enquired with reference to it as extensively as possible ; but it was not until the summer of 1842 that the door to enter this wide field of usefulness opened before me. I loved the object, for my father and many of my kinsmen were sailors. I had preached to seamen more than two years ; and had consecrated my life to their cause.

In order that I might be sustained in my comtemplated meetings with as little expense as possible to my denomination, my first step was to establish the seamen's paper called " The Sheet Anchor." From this I expected to derive enough to pay the expenses of myself and family — and I should have done so, if its bills had been promptly collected and its business effectively managed by the publisher — so that I could enjoy the happiness of preaching the gospel gratuitously to my brethren of the sea.

Relying on the Sheet Anchor in this manner, and on the sum of five dollars a week, paid me by Mr. Theodore Abbott, then connected with me in another paper I had originated to promote the temperance cause — the Boston (now the New England) Washingtonian — I commenced the work of benevolence under the Bethel flag. The first meeting was held on Sabbath, June 16, 1843. I shall never forget the day. The hall I had procured was over the store of the firm known as Gould and Proctor, on the corner of Commercial and Lewis streets. It w^ould seat a hundred persons. Chairs had been borrowed for the occasion, a rough box turned on its side was the platform, and a faded yellow wash stand, with the back broken off, was the desk. An old family bible was temporarily loaned me by Mr, B. Abrahams. I had brought my own hymn book, prepared (as I did) to raise the tunes myself; and thus arranged, without a sexton, without a singer, without a 1* hearer, the first Baptist Bethel meeting commenced in Boston. I did not kow a single person beside myself who would attend. To my surprise, therefore, as well as gratitude, I counted about forty persons present in the morning; and in the afternoon the number had more than doubled. We could not hold a meeting in the evening, for we did not have any lamps, nor oil to put in them if we had. But my mind v.'as made up. I saw success was before me — and I went forward — preaching from the text " In the name of our God we will set up our banners." The congregation rapidly increased. The partition was taken down, and a hall capable of seating 300 persons provided. This hall was usually well attended every Sabbath; and from the first day to this, the flag has been unfurled, and a meeting continued for the benefit of seamen, in that place. Long may that flag float there — long may that meeting continue, for the best good of this dark and sinful world !

In August, 1843, the " Boston Bethel Union" had its origin in my efforts. I was placed under its sanction, elected its Chaplain and Corresponding Secretary, although without any salary.

Soon after this, I had the happiness to form the " Boston Marine Total Abstinence Society," an institution that has been the means, by its meetings in that Bethel and on shipboard, of obtaining thousands of seamen as signers to the temperance pledge, several of whom have since become humble and devoted Christians. From it afterward sprang the " Mariner's Total Abstinence Society," now one of the most efficient temperance associations in Boston — and also, indirectly, the first Total Abstinence Society connected with the Bethel in North Square.

The " Female Bethel Union" was originated by me not long after — a society that was mainly instrumental in paying for the settees in the Bethel, and that has done well in providing clothing and other necessaries for seamen. It is still in active and useful existence. Some of its officers and members I am happy to esteem as among my best friends.^

It was my privilege, also, to form a Bethel Sewing circle about the same time. This was usefully employed in the seamen's cause, and is now merged in the Female Bethel Union.

During the twenty three months I was chaplain of the Boston Bethel Union, I received for my labors in their service, and from the Marine Temperance Society, a sum not exceeding $200. Nearly every dollar of this was contributed by individuals not connected with the Bethel Union. I acknowledged at the time and now acknowledge with gratitude, the sum of $70, received as the avails of a Seamen's levee, under the auspices of the first Sewing Circle; a little short of $20 from a concert connected with the cause of Temperance, given by those whose kindness will never be forgotten ; $30 from the first Temperance Banner presentation ; $30 as the offering of a few friends who held a social gathering at the Bethel; $26 from some of the members of the Female Bethel Union, as I was about leaving Boston; and

* The name of this association has been suddenly changed, since this pamphlet was in press, to the " Boston Baptist Female Bethel Society." The reason for this hasty change is quite obvious.

S25 presented me, as will be seen by accompanying letters, by a society in Westboro,' Mass.

In addition to these sums, I received perhaps ten dollars, handed me from time to time, which, with my marriage fees, amounted to about S200, for nearly two years of laborious service in the sailor's cause. During this period, my wife and two children sickened and died at my former home — Norwich, Ct. Debts, incurred in removing to Boston to engage in the cause of seamen, had to be paid ; and with all these expenses, I was expected, out of these $200, to set an example of generosity by contributing to all the benevolent objects presented at the Bethel and elsewhere, and board and clothe myself!

How far the receipts connected with the Bethel were employed to enrich me, the public may judge, when it is known that of the $70, obtained at the levee, S50 were paid the next day for the purpose of keeping the Washingtonian newspaper afloat; and the remaining $20 were carried to the sick bed of my dying companion. The $25 received from Westboro' were paid out in distributing a temperance newspaper, and in a journey made to Washington for the sole purpose of pleading the cause of seamen there, and in introducing the Sheet /. nchor into the Revenue Cutters and Marine Hospitals, that its circulation might sustain me in preaching at the Bethel in Boston without a salary. Nearly every dollar of the iremainder of my receipts was expended in fitting up my little room at the Bethel Hotel, a seamen's home where I boarded, and in payina: a previous year's board bill of S178, to my friend the late Dr. J. C. Ayer.^

While thus employed, at this compensation, I have begged the Bible for the pulpit of the Bethel Union, the clock that hangs on their wall, the curtains that screen their windows, and the lamps that light their desk, and put forth every effort in my power, at my best discretion, to do good to seamen. Knowing well the disposition and habits of my sea-faring brethren, I adapted myself to their wants. I went down among them, as my Saviour did; and. as the son and brother of a sailor, I took their hard, tarry hands in mine, that I might win their noble hearts as trophies to the cross. I mingled in their temperance, social gatherings ; I chatted, sang and huzzaed with them over the glorious triumphs of the pledge ; I stood on their ships' decks and rallied them around the total abstinence banner; I sat at their tables, as reformed men, and partook with a hearty relish, of their humble fare — remembering that my Lord and Master once ate with the sailors of Galilee, and journeyed and slept in their lowly barks.

Those were happy though laborious days to me. I felt in my element. I saw the sons of the ocean, the brethren whom I loved, coming to the fountains of Christianity, Temperance and Virtue. I saw iheir families blessed, as husbands, fathers and sons were redeemed. I was contented with my lot, and willing to spend my days in such a benevolent service ; "but I discovered, toward the close of the second

* Many persons, I find, have been under the impression that I spent money freely in travelling for pleasure. It was reported in Boston last summer, that I was expending SlO a week at Saratoga! — when, in reality, my travelling expenses were next to nothing, in consequence of my connection with the press, and I was hospitably entertained as an invalid at the Springs. Thus is one basa coin after another nailed to the counter ! What petty scandal will my enemies put in circulation next ?

year, that, from some cause or other, I could not be sustained as I felt I ought to be. Prejudice, misrepresentation and slander were at work against me. Bereaved, dispirited and almost alone, J thought I saw indications of Providence that my usefulness could be greater in another department of the seamen's cause.

In February, 1845, therefore, I began to take steps for changing my field of labor. I did this in a quiet manner, without casting a reproach on any, for withholding from me the support I so much needed. I made arrangements with the present preacher at the Bethel, Rev. P. Stow, to become my successor; introduced and commended him to the people repeatedly; and, in consequence of his difficulties at Danvers, Mass., (his last place of settlement,) I aided him under circumstances he will well remember, by walking several miles to fill his place, that he might preach at the Bethel in mine, and thus secure for himself a useful post.

As farther proof of the friendly feelings with which 1 parted from the Bethel, and my desire to benefit it, I insert here the following extract from my farewell address to the readers of the Sheet Anchor:

" I avail myself of this occasion to inform those friends at a distance who may not otherwise learn the fact, that the Bethel where I have preached to seamen and others, will be regularly supplied with a faithful ministry. I understand that Rev. Phineas Stow, recently of Danvers, Mass., is engaged, under the sanction of several of the churches, and that his prospects of usefulness are encouraging. I hope my friends, and particularly those of the sea, will statedly attend at that dear little chapel in Commercial Street, and that it may become to them all 'none other than the house of God, and the gate of Heaven.' "

Having thus discharged my duty, I preached my farewell sermon to a crowded house, on the third Sabbath in April, 1845 — uttering my last adieu with an uncomplaining tongue, and turning away with tears, like Paul from the shores of old Miletus. I felt that 1 was leaving a field of labor that was very precious to my heart. I stated that my only object in going, was to do more good in the seamen's cause ; and in doing it, to earn, by the increase of the list of the Sheet Anchor, and by other honorable means, enough to pay the debts I had incurred, in my efforts for the good of others in that place.

" The head and front of mine offence Hath this extent— no more."

I was told, just before leaving, in the strongest terms, by several persons, that a salary should be pledged to me, and raised, if I would stay. I was told, too, that the only source of complaint was that I had absented myself occasionally ; while the very persons who made these promises and complaints knew very well that I was about going abroad in the cause of seamen, and bidding farewell to a people so much attached to me, and to whom I was equally attached, solely because I was not sustained at home."^

They knew very well that I wanted to stay, or I never would have gone on with such sacrifices as I had made. Out of the twenty-three

*The majority of the congregation would have sustained me, independent of the churches ; but I felt it to be my duty to go, that the churches might have an opportunity to come forward in the work.

months that I labored at that Bethel, I was not absent five. Three months of that time was spent at the bed side of my departed wife and children. The most of the remainder was occupied in a sad and solitary pilgrimage, made after I had buried my loved ones, to the dwellings of my two only sisters, on the prairies of Wisconsin. And even in these journeys, the claims of seamen were uppermost in my soul. I delivered addresses in their behalf, and earned all I could for the Sheet Anchor.

Surely, the Boston Bethel Union ^ has great reason to complain of me for this ! Surely, after laboring hard twenty-three months for the enormous sum of two hundred dollars, and involving myself in debt all the while to advance the work of Christianity and temperance among seamen, that Society is very kind to charge me with instability, and heap its anathemas on my head !

I pass by, as unworthy my notice, the individual remarks of some of the officers and members of the Baptist Bethel Society. The attention of the reader is called, now, to but two of their official acts. One of them is contained in their late " Address" to the Christian public. The second paragraph of that address reads as follows :

"About two years previous to this, (June last) however, a movement in behalf of seamen had been commenced, and a place of worship opened, in which Rev. Charles W. Denison officiated as preacher. Several of the members of the First and Second Churjches, who then had confidence in this individual, cooperated with him in sustaining public worship on the Sabbath, a Sabbath School, and evening meetings. But this movement failed to command the confidence of the churches, or the public generally, till at length, those few brethren who had acted in connection with Mr. Denison, became convinced that their confidence in him was misplaced, and he left the servfce. Thus it will be seen that the Baptist Bethel Society has no connection with, and is in no sense responsible for the movements or the character of Mr. Charles W. Denison."

It is not in my nature to be acrimonious or revengeful ; but, after having bore my injuries thus long in silence, I shall now speak of this paragraph as it deserves. I write solely in self defence.

I beg the public to notice the studied caution with which all allusion to the character of my early labors is avoided. Not the slightest intimation is given as to who originated the Baptist Bethel meeting. "A movement in behalf of seamen had been commenced, and a place for worship opened." Very true ; and who commenced this " movement.?" Who opened this " place for worship ?" " Thereby hangs a tale," which the author of the address doubtless thought it prudent to keep out of sight. And who is he that is thus attacking an innocent man ? Who is he that is thus privily slandering his neighbor ? I answer, he is the Rev. William Crowell, Editor of the Christian Watchman, Boston, who wrote the document. He is the same " individual" who once thought a poem of mine — " The Burial of Knowles" — good enough to be copied into his paper, but too good to have my name attached to it ! He is the same •' individual" who, (if report speaks truly,) allowed his oion father to go the Poor 'HousCy

* Now the Baptist Bethel Societjr.

to he supported as a pauper ! And yet this " individual" talks about his being " in no sense responsible for the character of Mr. Charles W. Denison !" He " responsible" for my character !

" I thank thee, Jew, for teaching me that word."

Yes — and more than this : 1 devoutly thank God that I am " in no sense responsible for the character or movements" of the filial, dutiful, parent-honoring Kev. William Crowell.

But it is said, by this " individual," that I had not " the confidence of the churches." Completely to disprove this false charge, I submit the following testimonial, signed by nearly all the Baptist ministers in Boston and vicinity, and given to me a short time previous to my leaving the Bethel :

We the undersigned, having reason to believe Rev. Charles W. Denison calculated to be useful in the cause of seamen, respectfully recommend his appointment as an Agent to the managers of the American Seamen's Friend Society :

Daniel Sharp, Pastor of Charles St. Bap. Ch., Boston.

Baron Stow, Pastor of Baldwin Place Ch., Boston.

R. W. Cushman, Pastor of Bowdoin Square Ch., Boston.

Rollin H. Neale, Pastor of First Baptist Ch., Boston.

Robert Turnbull, Pastor of Harvard St. Ch., Boston.

William Hague, Pastor of Federal St. Ch., Boston.

Duncan Dunbar, Pastor of South Boston Bap. Ch.

J. W. Olmstead, Pastor of First Bap. Ch., Chelsea.

J. W. Parker, Pastor of First Cambridge Bap. Ch.

T. F. Caldicott, Pastor of Roxbury Bap. Ch.

Nath'l Colver, Pastor of Tremont St. Bap. Ch.

Geo. W. Bosworth, Pastor of Bap. Ch., Medford.

Jona. Howe, Publisher of the Sheet Anchor.

S. G. Shipley,* a friend to seamen.

Josiah Rogers, keeper of the Bethel I^tel, Boston.

Benj. Abrahams, Treasurer of Boston Bethel Union.

Hiram A. Graves, Editor of Christian Reflector.

William Howe,t

The Rev. Mr. C^^lver, formerly of Washington County, N. Y., was the only signer who seriously objected to giving his name. The reason for this will appear in the sequel. I did not ask him — I did not urge him — for I really thought his name would do the cause of seamen more harm than good — and was about removing the paper; when, thinking it would not be judicious to be missed from such an array, he hastily seized the pen and signed it.

Rev. Mr. Neale objected when I first asked his name, on the score of my being in debt — a strange objection for him to make — but when I assured him that my object in asking the appointment named in the paper was to secure the payment of ray debts, in connection with the circulation of the Sheet Anchor, he readily gave his name.

This document, then, given me at such a time, will show how true Mr. Crowell's statement is respecting my having lost the confidence of the churches ; for if I had lost that confidence, these ministers and

* President of Boston Bethel Union. t City Missionary.

other gentlemen, who knew perfectly well the feeling of the churches, would never have given me such a testimonial.

It will be observed that the Rev. William Crowell's name is not in the list. This may seem, to many, very unfortunate. But, the truth is, (whether I acted wisely or not time must determine,) I wished to be " in no sense responsible" for an " individual" who would deprive another of the right use of his name, and (if report speaks truly) consent to make a pauper of his own father.

The other act of the Bethel Union, to which I have alluded, is one performed through the present chairman of their Board of Managers. That gentleman " took the responsibility" to notify one of the officers of the Mariner's Total Abstinence Society that they could not continue their meetings in the Bethel, if /was allowed to attend and address them ! The Society the same week adjourned to the new Bethel, corner of Eastern Avenue and Commercial Street.

This is the last official act of the Boston Bethel Union toward me. I leave the public to judge how far T have merited such treatment as I have received at the hands of that associaton. I leave the public to judge of the propriety of turning a seamen's total abstinence society into the streets of Boston, in the month of February, because they invited their former President to attend and address their meetings.

The following resolutions, passed by that Society, in my absence, and without my having seen them, will express the views of the Mariner's Total Abstinence Society on the subject.

[Extract from the Record Book of the Boston Mariner's Total Abstinence Society.]

Tuesday Evening, Feb. 3, 1846.

President Vose in the Chair; Prayer by the Rev. C. W. Denison ; Addresses by Messrs. Hopkins, Walker, (a reformed seaman,) Rowan and Hanscomb.

At the close of the meeting, Mr. Vice President Perkins arose, and requested the attention of the audience to some remarks that he had heard disrespectful of our beloved friend Denison. It appeared from Mr. Perkins's statement that the Mariner's Total Abstinence Society had been threatened, in case they should countenance Mr. Denison, and admit him into our meetings. This aroused the indignation of all present. It was considered to be an attempt to deprive us of one of our most able defenders.

After some remarks in favor of our worthy friend Denison, and after he had retired from the Hall, the following resolutions were unanimously passed :

Resolved, That the Mariner's Total Abstinence Society of Boston, solemnly protest against the unchristian course pursued by the Boston Baptist Bethel Society, toward the Rev. Charles W. Denison.

Resolved, Furthermore, that we best understand our own business, and know how to perform the same, and in leaving this Hall, we pledge ourselves anew to the cause of temperance, and its able advocate, Charles W. Denison.

President Vose then informed the audience that hereafter the Society will hold their meetings at the new Independent Bethel Hall, corner of East Boston Ferry and Commercial streets.

A true copy from the Records.

Attest, E. PERRY, Secretary.

It has been and probably will be said, that if I had not attended so many temperance meetings, and thereby "injured my moral character" by mingling so much with " common sailors," I should have been well sustained as chaplain of the Bethel Union. I am charged with the henious offence of a want of dignity in my manner of going down the ladder of the fore-castle to do good to seamen; and, unfortunately, I do not carry in my pocket a pair or two of black silk gloves to put, on my hands when I stoop down to lift the unfortunate inebriate from the streets. I have even been known to walk arm in arm with a foremast hand ! I have partaken of a simple repast, given by our Seamen's Total Abstinence Society, in a temperonce restorator ! My worthy fathers and brethren in the ministry, can attend their public festivals in splendid rum-selling hotels, where the table is swimming in alcoholic poisons, and it is all right ; they can devoutly thank God for the good gifts of his beneficent providence, poured out in such purple streams of profusion, and give way at the late feast that the company may dance until the incoming of the small hours of the morning ; and not a solitary tongue is wagged in censure. But because a humble seamen's preacher attends temperance social gatherings, where the only beverage is coffee, tea, or cold water, and puts forth his efforts there for the present and eternal happiness of his neglected brethren, until he embarrasses his finances, he is placed under the ban of ecclesiastical committees — allowed to suffer for the want of the patronage of the society that employs him — and finally is excluded from the church !

But let me assure the persons who thus adjudge me, whether in the Baptist Bethel Society, or out of it, that they totally misapprehend my character. Sociable and cheerful as I am habitually, I defy any person to say that I have ever been found in any gathering, public or private, except in connection with some great moral reform. I am never seen at any mere parties of pleasure — even when invited to them by members of the Church. I never enter the walls of any place of mere public amusement. I am never heard indulging in jokes with reference to any personal matters. I challenge my enemies to meet me on these points. If I am inclined, occasionally, to a repartee, it is always that I may lead those who hear it, to some good act for themselves or others. I think I understand something of human nature ; I think I appreciate the peculiarities of seamen, especially ; and I must be allowed to pursue my own way of doing them and others good while I live, even if my '* moral character is injured" in the estimation of the Baptist Bethel Society.

There is another thing I wish to have understood in this connection. — The want of support I have had to experience as a Bethel minister, is not confined in its effects to myself alone. Other chaplains make the same complaint. I might, if it were prudent or necessary, give their names. They are men, too, much older and better than myself — men who have all the " dignity" and " moral character" requisite even for the Baptist Bethel Society ; — and yet they are not supported as they should be by the churches — yet they talk seriously, at times, of hauling down the Bethel flag, and entering fields of labor where their toils will not be so harrassing.

One of these preachers I will take the liberty to mention. He is the Rev. Mr. Steward, the Baptist Bethel minister in New York. Mr. Steward left a large and flourishing society in Groton, Ct., where he had dwelt, been known as a sea-captain and a pastor for a number of years,— where his support was good, and where he expected lo spend his days, to enter on the work of benefitting seamen in the commercial emporium — among the rich and influential Baptist churches there. After toiling on in a room that would seat about a hundred persons, he wished to procure a chapel, and feel more certain with reference to the wants of his family. He made repeated appeals to the churches. The following is an extract from one of them :