(seq. 65)

OverviewTranscribeVersionsHelp

Facsimile

Transcription

Status: Complete

[fol. 2v]

I forgot to mention, that immediately after the
afternoon service, I called with Mr. D. to visit
Mrs. Woodbury, who is apparently on the borders
of eternity. She conversed with great propriety on
leaving the world. A humble hope has caused
her to triumph over the fear of death. She spoke
with a smile of complacency on the subject of
leaving her husband, her children, & all she holds
dear on this side of eternity. I think, she will
continue here but a few days. There was no
note, this day, for sickness. Three were offered
by persons returned from sea. I desired the Church
to remain to recieve a letter inviting them to the
installation of Mr. Lerley.

Last wednesday & thursday I had a te-
dious session in a Council at Dedham. Seven-
teen Churches were invited by the Church in Ded-
ham to impart advice, as to the conduct they
ought to pursue. It appears, that Mr. Lam-
son, a Cambridge graduate of 1814, was ordain-
ed, the very day you sailed, over the first parish
in Dedham, to the exclusion of the Church. In
giving the call, there were 15 of the Chh for
Mr. L. & 17 against him. He could not therefore
be ordained over a body, the majority of which
was opposed to him. According to the Council,

[fol. 2r]

consisting of 15 Chhs, among the pastors of which
were Messrs Channing & Lowell, unanimously vo-
ted to ordain him minister of the parish, & not
of the Chh. The lawsof the State, it is said, will
countenance the measure, though perfectly novel
in our ecclesiastical annals. Our council were
much perplexed by what advice to give to the Chh.
Attempts were made by several of us to recom-
mend to them the hearing of Mr. L. with a
view on recoucilation. But all, which could be
obtained was advice to worship wherever con-
science should dictate. Deac. Swan, your bro-
ther Wales's butcher, was so affected by the un-
happy divisions in his Chh, that he became
delirious, & died last week on friday. I cannot
but wonder, that Mr. L. should consent to
settle under such peculiar circumstances.

At our last Assocation we approbated Mr.
Pierpont, the celebrated American poet and a
Mr. Francis of Medford. The latter young gentle-
man would, I think, make a promising candi-
date at Charleston, should there be occasion for
one in Mr. F's parish. Since you left us,
there has been a grand rebellion in the Soph. class
at College. Eleven were publickly censured, & the
whole of them sent away. But they now have lib-
erty to return, on a written application, & the prom-
ise of obedience to the laws. I shall hope for a
good long letter in your usual style to your affectionate J. P.

Notes and Questions

Please sign in to write a note for this page

snowdrop4300

"Pierpont" probably refers to John Pierpont (1785-1886) who was a poet, teacher, lawyer, and Unitarian minister. His most famous poem is The Airs of Palestine.