# Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray/Chapter VII.

CHAPTER VII.
Summary Record of Events, from January, 1775, to October, 1809.
Amid the haunts of memory let me stray, As duty, love, and friendship point the way; With hand of diligence, and humid eye, The faithful record tearfully supply.
WOULD the beloved Preacher had continued his narrative. The Editor fondly calculating upon assistance, which she believed herself authorized to expect, pledged herself to continue the sketch, even to the closing scene. But, alas! disappointed in her cherished hopes, she stands alone. Her health is broken, her spirits are depressed, and she is advanced in life; yea, doubtless, she is inadequate to the performance of her promise—But she remembers that this volume is addressed only to the friends of the dear departed, and she mournfully proceeds to its completion.
Upon December 14, 1774, Mr. Murray again visited Gloucester; the numerous family of the Sargents, then seated in that place, embraced in almost all its branches, the truth as it is in Jesus, and their attachment to him, whom they believed an ambassador of the Redeemer, was proportioned to their zeal. Many respectable names were added, and a little congregation was collected, who seemed to have among them but one heart, and one soul. Like the primitive Christians, they assembled daily, and they continued from house to house worshipping the only true God their Saviour. On recurrence to the journal of the Preacher, we find a memorandum, written upon his second visit to Gloucester, which is thus worded: "Here my God grants me rest from my toils, here I have a taste of heaven. The new song is sung here, and worthy is the Lamb constantly dwells upon their tongues." Mr. Chandler's meeting-house was not closed against the Promulgator of glad tidings, until some time in January, 1775, upon the 20th of which month he made a second journey to Newburyport and Portsmouth. Those who had adhered to him in those towns, having ascertained that he absolutely believed the final restitution of all things, united with the many in the most unqualified censure. But the friends he had lost, particularly in Portsmouth, were replaced by many others, among whom we find the names of Judge and Sheriff Parker, Atkinson, Wentworth, Austin, Warner, Sheafe, Langdon, Sewall, Brackett, Whipple, Thompson, Turner, Gardner, Massey, Jackson, &c. &c. The heaven-instructed preacher continued ​many years an occasional visitor in Portsmouth, where his labours were greatly blessed, and when other pulpits were closed against him in that metropolis, the doors of the Episcopal Church was open for his reception. But after he had repeatedly lectured in that church, a few persons appeared in opposition, and we have this moment under our eye, an original writing, addressed to the Promulgator upon this occasion; we transcribe a verbatim copy.—"Whereas it is represented that some objections have been made by one, or more persons, belonging to the Church called Queen's Chapel, against the doors thereof being opened, for the admission of Mr. John Murray to preach the Gospel; Wherefore, we the subscribers, proprietors, and parishioners of the Church aforesaid, having taken the same into consideration—Do (in order to remove any difficulties that might arise in that gentleman's breast in consequence of such objections) hereby fully declare our free will, and consent, that the said Church be opened at all times, whenever it may be convenient for him to perform divine service in town, more especially during his present stay; and, instead of deeming it an indulgence granted him, we shall, on the contrary, acknowledge it a favour conferred on us, in his acceptance of this invitation. Portsmouth, May 24, 1781."—Signed by twenty-four of the leading members of the Church in Portsmouth. Our Preacher was also made the instrument of irradiating the mind of an exemplary Philanthropist, Mr. Noah Parker, now in regions of blessedness, who was so deeply penetrated, as to present himself a servant of the living God, a voluntary Preacher of the Gospel. A convenient house was raised for his use, by the brethren in Portsmouth, and he continued, until his departure out of time, a zealous and able minister of the Reconciliation.
Attached to the Gloucesterians, Mr. Murray once more believed he had found a permanent residence; yet, although he consented to consider that place as his home; he did not relinquish the persuasion that his commission obliged him to go forth a preacher of the Gospel, wherever, and whenever, the providence of God might seem to direct him. The inveteracy of his enemies in the town of Gloucester, was in full proportion to the attachment of his friends, and every mean of annoyance was in requisition. The spirit of liberty mounted very high in Gloucester, and for the purpose of influencing the ignorant, the teacher was proclaimed a Papist, sent out by Lord North, to aid the purpose of an obnoxious ministry; anathemas, and sometimes stones, followed his steps as he passed the streets; a town-meeting was called, the aim of which (lest the friends of the promulgator should take the alarm) was ​most illegally shrouded in silence, and a vote was thus surreptitiously obtained, that he should forthwith depart from the borders of Gloucester; of this vote he was advertised by an officer—let us not say of justice. Still, however, he continued witnessing both to small and great, what Moses and the prophets had testified, concerning Jesus of Nazareth, that he died for our sins, and rose again for our justification. The most unwarrantable means were employed, old slanders were resuscitated, and new accusations brought forward; tales which had been repeatedly confuted, were new garbed, and sent abroad, swelling the bosom of integrity with unutterable anguish. Among countless other calumnies which were afloat, a story was embellished, and published, originally propagated by one Maxwell, wherein the preacher, the lover of the Redeemer, is represented as treating the Eucharist in a ludicrous manner! although the gentleman—Mr. afterwards General Greene, at whose house, and in whose presence, the irreverent profanation was said to have taken place—had written to Doctor S——— and others, completely exonerating the accused. Mr. Murray's sentiments upon the sacred and consolatory ordinance of the Lord's Supper, are explained and expatiated upon, in his Letters and Sketches of Sermons, to which the interested reader is referred. It cannot be denied, that characters generally respectable, combined to stimulate the mob to the most desperate measures, but every unwarrantable project was frustrated. The doors of the meeting-house being now closed, the parlours of respectable friends became the places of assembling, until at length a spacious room was consecrated for that purpose. Letters of excommunication were now addressed, by the established Minister, to seventeen of the most respectable Church members, and this, for their attachment to the Gospel of God our Saviour. While others, availing themselves of a Provincial Law, endeavoured to expel the Ambassador of their God, as a Vagrant. To meet, and obviate which difficulty, the kind friend under whose especial patronage he then was, presented him with a deed of gift, which constituted him a freeholder in Gloucester. The months of March and April, in this year, were, by the Preacher, devoted to visiting his friends in Boston, and various parts of Rhode Island, and toward the close of April, he returned to his highly favoured home, rejoicing that the zeal, and attachment of the Gloucesterians, were nothing diminished, and their meetings for scriptural investigations were joyfully resumed. In the month of May, 1775, the leading officers of the Rhode Island Brigade, assembled in the neighbourhood of Boston, despatched a respectable messenger, with a letter, soliciting the ​attendance of the Promulgator, as chaplain to their detachment of the Revolutionary Army. We transcribe a verbatim copy of this letter.
"Dear Sir,
"Amidst that concurrence of events which the great Creator in infinite wisdom directs, for the accomplishment of his own purposes, a British armament hath set hostile foot upon American ground. What the design of the Almighty may be, we cannot at present absolutely determine. One thing we know, our cause is just, and also that the Parent of the universe can do no wrong. An army hath been raised in this Colony, which is now stationed upon Jamaica Plains, in Roxbury, and that this army may do honour to themselves, and the cause in which they are embarked, it is requisite, propriety of manners, regularity of conduct, and a due reliance upon the Almighty controller of events, should be cultivated and enforced. The most probable human means we can devise to effect an object so ardently to be desired, consist in a decent, sincere, and devout attendance, at opportune seasons, upon divine worhip. We have, therefore, selected you, as a Chaplain to our Brigade, well convinced that your extensive benevolence, and abilities, will justify our choice. We cannot, without doing violence to the opinion we have formed of your character, doubt of your ready compliance with our united request. The support you will receive shall exactly correspond with your feelings, and your wishes. We are, dear sir, &c. &c. &c.
Signed in behalf of the Brigade,
J. N. VARNUM.
May 24, 1775.
A persuasion that he could be of more use in the army, than elsewhere, would not allow the Preacher to balance, and, accordingly resigning the calm recess of friendship, he presented himself in the American camp, and, "armed with the sword of Jesse's youthful son," he was indeed most ardently engaged. The scene, however, was not calculated to give pleasure to a philanthropist. In a memorandum of this date, he thus expresses himself:—"My troubles have recommenced; I am now indeed in the world, and shall doubtless encounter tribulation; I am associated with an ungovernable set of people. It is true, the officers are gentlemen, and call into action every effort to strengthen my hands; but the soldiers—alas! the fact is, I am not in my own company." Upon the 3d of July, the chaplain accompanied a detachment of the Brigade, to compliment General Washington, upon his arrival to take the supreme command of the army at Cambridge; ​and he was received by the immortal chief, with that urbanity which he so well knew to practise. The subject of the first sermon, preached on sabbath morning at the Camp, Jamaica Plains, was Psalm xliv. 1, 2, 3, and upon the evening of the same day, the last verse of the same Psalm. The Preacher was engaged occasionally at Jamaica Plains, and on Prospect Hill. Every morning at 7 o'clock, he met the several Regiments upon the parade; gradually the habits of swearing and the rough manners of the soldiery, yielded to the Christianized eloquence of their Chaplain, and his success in the army was indeed most wonderful. His benevolence, and benignity while there, is storied by many a tongue, we indulge ourselves by selecting an instance, which did not reach our ears, until since his decease. A detachment of the army were ordered to march, a river was to be forded, a poor soldier in years, and struggling with sickness, was tottering under his burden: the preacher instantly accoutred himself with the knapsack, arms, and cartouch box, and, thus arrayed, proceeded on, while the sufferer disencumbered, passed lightly over. The writer of this sketch, could furnish a series of similar anecdotes; often, when his finances have been at the lowest ebb, and the prodigious expense of living has produced distressing embarrassments, she has seen him extend to the necessitous, an extricating hand, and he not only indulged, and cherished, but invariably stimulated every charitable purpose of her soul.
General Washington, honoured the preacher with marked, and uniform attention; the Chaplains of the army united in petitioning the Chief, for the removal of the promulgator of glad tidings; the answer was handed them, in the general orders of the ensuing day, which appointed Mr. John Murray, Chaplain of the three Rhode Island Regiments, with a command from his Excellency, George Washington, that he should be respected accordingly. Mr. Murray's commission was made out, and delivered to him, when inclosing it in a respectfully polite letter of thanks, he returned it to the noble minded Chief, earnestly requesting permission to continue in the army, as a volunteer. General Washington, after perusing, folded the paper, and observed: "Mr. Murray is a young man now, he will live to be old, and repentance will be the companion of his age." The preacher lived to see this prediction fulfilled. Had he embraced the rich opportunity then presented he might have continued in the family of General Greene, whose friendship was unbroken, and where his abode was hailed as a distinguishing favour, his daily ratio would have augmented for his emolument, his salary would have accumulated, he would have retired upon ​half pay, or commutation, and, during the years of languor, and decrepitude, he might have commanded his own carriage, and servants; but the reader must have seen, that the preacher was accustomed to withdraw from the approaches of affluence.
Mr. Murray continued in the army so long as his health would permit, but being violently seized by an indisposition, which terminated in a bilious fever that precipitated him to the gates of the grave, he was, by the Physician of the Brigade, conducted to Gloucester; and no sooner was his health re-established, than his strongest feelings were powerfully excited, by the sufferings of the sons and daughters of want in that town. War of any description, is particularly oppressive to its inhabitants, seated upon the margin of the ocean, their subsistence is principally derived from the deep. The rich sources of Commerce, thrown open by the genial hand of peace, become, to the hardy, and enterprizing Gloucesterian, legitimate objects of pursuit; and his uniform, and industrious efforts, are crowned by competency. But whatever obstructs his adventurous plans, inevitably involves him in distress, and the period to which we advert was, perhaps, the most gloomy of any during the revolutionary war. It had continued long enough to try without familiarizing or indurating the feelings, and hope had almost become the victim of despair. The humane preacher surveyed those multiplied children of penury—and he surveyed them with a philanthropic eye; nor was this all—commencing a journey in the depth of a severe Winter, he addressed the general officers in the American army, beginning with their revered Chief, and extending his application to many other gentlemen, whose confidence, and whose friendship he enjoyed. He addressed to those distinguished individuals, the voice of supplication, and so successful was his embassy, that he returned to Gloucester with a large sum of money, which he converted into rice, meal, and molasses, rendering a scrupulous account to the selectmen, and praying them to recommend such persons, as were proper objects of this providential bounty; the whole was punctually distributed, and many sufferers most essentially relieved. Yet on the 27th day of February, in the succeeding year, 1777, we find this same feeling solicitor, summoned from the house of a friend, Mr. Winthrop Sargent, where he was suffering from indisposition, and arraigned at the bar, of the then committee of safety, for the town of Gloucester. Some gentlemen councelled him to disregard the summons, especially as the whole committee were not assembled, and those who were collected, were decidedly his inveterate enemies,—but he answered, that possessing a consciousness of ​innocence, he could not fear the face of man. The following account of the extraordinary proceeding which ensued, is from the minutes of a gentleman, who was an ear witness of the scene. The chairman of the committee opened the business. "We have sent for you, to know who you are, and from whence you came?" "Your question is rather difficult, sir, I hardly know how to answer you, do you mean where did I come from last?" "I say where did you come from." "I have been in various places in this country sir." "I say where did you come from when you came into this country?" "From England." "From what part of England?" "London." "What business had you to come to this country?" "Business, sir! I felt disposed to come, and came—" "What business have you in this town?" "The same as I have in every town where I happen to sojourn." Here one of the committee, arose, and requesting leave to speak, which was granted, said: "I conceive we have sent for this man to know from whence he came, who he is, and what business he has here; this is a time of difficulty, we are at variance with England, he calls himself an Englishman, we do not know what he is. He associates with a great many, whom we look upon as enemies to this country, and they go to hear him, converse—I think—I cannot call it preaching." Here Mr. Murray would have spoken, but he was imperiously, not to say impudently commanded to be silent, and his accuser proceeded, until at length the chairman again resumed: "Where did you come from? We want to know where you were born, and brought up?" Mr. Murray answered. "Gentlemen, it is not my wish to give you unnecessary trouble. I was born in England, shortly after I had attained my eleventh year, I accompanied my father to Ireland, where I continued many years under his care; when I was between 19 and 20, I returned to England, where I abode, living generally in London, until I quitted it for this country. Since I came into this country, my residence has been in Maryland, Pennsylvania, the Jerseys, New-York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New-Hampshire." "What did you come into this country for?" "In pursuit of retirement, but concurrent circumstances rendered me a preacher." "Have you any credentials?" "Yes sir." "Show them." I have none present, there are many in this town who have heard me, and received my testimony; they are my credentials. "Ay, that is nothing—you see he has no authority. How could you think of preaching without authority?" "When I came into this country there was no war, I believed it to be a land of civil, and religious liberty—every charter, ​and every Law made among yourselves, breathed a spirit of toleration, I felt assured I should be allowed liberty of conscience, my intentions were upright; a conviction that God had ordained me to proclaim the gospel, has been powerfully impressed upon my mind, and I am still convinced, that I ought to preach the Gospel." "How long do you intend to stay in this town?" "I do not precisely know; but certainly until the weather and roads shall be good." "The weather will do, and it is pretty good travelling now." (At this time the winter having been extremely severe, the roads were nearly impassable.) "I do not believe I shall quit Gloucester until April, about that time I expect to commence a journey to Philadelphia." "The town is very uneasy at your continuance here, and we are a committee of safety. We are to take up all strangers and send them out of town." "Sir, I have already been warned out of town, and if you be apprehensive of my becoming a charge, I can procure bonds." One of the committee addressed the chair for liberty to speak, which having obtained, he said: "Your stay in this town, is cause of uneasiness to many, you hurt the morals of the people, and a great many who hear you are enemies to the country." Mr. Murray responded—"Those who hear me, and believe what I deliver, can never be injured in their morals." "I do not believe you." "You have not heard all I have said in defence of my persuasion." "I have heard enough, I neither believe, nor like it." "Well, sir, there is no act of assembly to compel you to hear; but you should remember your neighbour is entitled to equal liberty with yourself." "You deliver very erroneous principles." "My principles are all to be found in the sacred records of divine truth." "Ay, so you say." "I was not apprized that I was cited before a spiritual court." Mr. Murray then addressed the chair—"Sir, this gentleman asserts that I associate with a great many enemies of this country. I demand that they be pointed out. If I associate with an individual of this description, it is unknown to me." A gentleman at the chairman's elbow observed: "Mr. chairman, I think we have no business to answer this man a single question, we did not send for him to answer his questions, but to ask questions of him." The chairman then repeated, that the town were very uneasy, and advised Mr. Murray to depart to prevent further trouble, to which he answered. "Sir, I have been nearly seven years in this country, perhaps no one has a more extensive acquaintance, I have many friends, and many enemies. I feel that I am a friend to all mankind, and I am happy that no circumstance of my life can prove the contrary. I was invited to this town, and I have been cordially received, but it seems I am suspected, because I associate with many ​who are enemies to this country. I associate with Captain W. S., pray is he an enemy. During my residence in this place, I have never heard a syllable uttered, which this committee ought to consider as reprehensible. I am not acquainted with a single individual who appears to me an enemy to this country; two or three worthy characters I know, who do not perfectly approve every measure which has been adopted. I have recently endeavoured to recollect how many gentlemen, the circle of my connexions from Maryland to New Hampshire contained, who were suspected of being unfriendly to the present order of things, and I could number but five persons, not an individual of whom has ever been proved inimical to American prosperity. For myself, I rejoice in the reflection, that I am a staunch friend to liberty, genuine liberty. It is well known that I have laboured to promote the cause of this country, and I rejoice that I have not laboured in vain. I am so well known, and I have the happiness to be so well respected, that his Excellency, General Washington, appointed me to officiate as Chaplain to several Regiments. I should have imagined this fact would have been sufficient credentials here. I have injured no person in this town, I am invited to meet my friends, in the house of a friend, where they desire me to read the Bible, to comment thereon, and to unite with them in solemn prayer to Almighty God, for the continuance of his mercies to us, as a people, and not unto us only, but to a once lost, and now redeemed world." A member of the committee observed, that they could not be answerable for any thing that might be done by a mob, and, it was not in their power to prevent it, if he did not, without delay, leave the town. Mr. Murray laying his spread hand upon his breast, answered: "Sir, I feel such a consciousness of innocence here, that I know not what it is to fear. It is with perfect composure that I commit myself to God, and the Laws of this Commonwealth. If I have broken any law, let me be punished by law; but I bless God I am not a lawless person. Sir, I am a stranger to fear, I have committed no action worthy of punishment. Sir, I know not what it is to fear. No man can have any power over me, except it be given to him from above, no injury can be done me, but by the permission of my God. But I am not afraid: the worst this mob can do, is to deprive me of a life, which I have been many years quite willing to resign. Sir, I commit myself, and my cause to the Ruler of Heaven, and of Earth." One gentleman observed, that the rule upon Earth was delegated to them, or words to that effect—when Mr. Murray replied: "Sir, I conceive the God of Heaven is the only Ruler in Heaven above; ​and in Earth beneath"—and, addressing the chair he added: "Sir, I have answered every question you have thought proper to ask—and as I find it difficult to speak, I am so very ill, I will take leave to wish you a good evening. Gentlemen, good night"—when, without interruption, he departed.
Alas! alas! how tyrannical is the dominion of prejudice! in this instance it precipitated men, respectable men, who in the common occurrences of life, had uniformly preserved a decent reputation, upon a procedure the most absurd and unwarrantable. Interrogations so unceremoniously made, to a person, who, as the almoner of his God, had the preceding year, fed large numbers of their almost famished poor, who had never committed any act of violence, or discovered the smallest inclination to aid the enemies of the new world, was, as we trust, a singular outrage. But Mr. Murray was a Christian, and after the way that they called heresy, so worshipped he the God of his fathers, he could not therefore be allowed to merit either confidence or gratitude.
On the Christmas day of 1780, Mr. Murray first preached in a small, neat building, erected for his use, by the Gloucesterians. His adherents, associated for public worship, had, as they believed, organized themselves, and solemnly covenanting together, they conceived themselves an independent church of Christ. A writing was prepared, signed by every individual of the congregation, in which, after dilating upon the fundamental principles of the faith they had embraced, they professed to acknowledge, as Christians, no Master but Jesus Christ, receiving as their guide in spiritual matters, only the word and spirit of the Redeemer; but they pledged themselves to the community at large, and to each other, to yield obedience to every ordinance of man, to be peaceable and obedient subjects to the powers ordained of God in all civil cases. But as subjects of that King, whose kingdom is not of this world; they denied the right of any human authority to make laws for the regulation or their consciences; they rejoiced in the liberty wherewith Christ had made them free, and they determined no more to be entangled by any yoke of bondage. They professed a disposition to live peaceably with all men, to avoid unnecessary disputation; and, should they be reviled, to endeavour in patience to possess their souls. We make from this solemn instrument the following extract.
"As an independent church of christ thus bound together by the cords of His love, and meeting together in His name, we mutually agree to receive as our Minister, that is, our servant, sent to labour ​amongst us, in the work of the Gospel, by the great Lord of the Vineyard, our friend and brother John Murray. This we do, from a full conviction, that the same God, who sent the first preachers of Jesus Christ, sent him; and that the same Gospel they preached we have from time to time received from him. Thus, believing him a Minister of the New Testament, constantly declaring the whole counsel of God, proclaiming the same divine truth that all God's holy prophets from the beginning of the world have declared; we cordially receive him as a messenger from God. And as it hath pleased God to open a great, and effectual door, for the preaching of His Gospel, by this His servant, in sundry parts of this great continent; whenever it shall please his, and our divine Master, to call him to preach the everlasting Gospel elsewhere, we will wish him God speed; and pray that the good will of Him, who dwelt in the bush, may accompany him, and make his way clear before him."
Thus, we repeat, the little congregation in Gloucester considered themselves an independent church of christ. They were conscious that they had, in every instance, demeaned themselves as good citizens, and that their utmost efforts had uniformly been embodied, for the advancement of the public weal; they felt themselves deservedly invested with the privileges and immunities of free citizens, entitled to those liberties, with which God and nature had endowed them, and which they believed to be secured to them by a constitution of government, happily established by the people of this commonwealth. Dissenting essentially from the doctrines taught by the established minister, they had borne an early testimony against his settlement; and they humbly hoped, it would be sufficient for them to believe the holy scriptures, and to adopt the pure system of morals contained therein, as the rule of their conduct, and the man of their counsel. They rejoiced in the liberty of free inquiry, guaranteed by the strong arm of government; and they felicitated themselves, that they had been ushered into being at a time, when that fearful period had gone by, which, arming the Religionist with the potent vengeance of civil authority, wrapped the whole world in a cloud of impenetrable darkness, debilitated the human intellect, by closing the door of free inquiry, and gave birth to eight hundred years of ignorance, and barbarism, unequalled by any preceding era; whence arose an awful chasm in the history of the world, and men ceased to think, because thinking was a crime. The Gloucesterians adopted the idea of a respectable writer, who considered Ordination as nothing more than the solemn putting a man into his place, and ​office in the Church, a right to which he had obtained by previous election, which, together with his voluntary acceptance of such election, became a legitimate base, upon which was founded the relationship between pastor and flock. Thus, as the word ordain signifies no more than to appoint, they conceived that the election, and not the laying on of hands, completed the ordination. Reposing upon the second and third article in the declaration of rights, the Gloucesterians exultingly said: "No subject shall be hurt, molested, or restrained in his person, liberty, or estate, for worshipping God in the manner, and season, most agreeable to the dictates of his own conscience; or for his religious profession or sentiments, provided he doth not disturb the public peace, or obstruct others in their religious worship. All religious societies shall, at all times, have the exclusive right of electing their public teachers, and of contracting with them for their support and maintenance. And all monies paid by the subject to the support of public worship, shall, if he require it, be uniformly applied to the support of the public teacher, or teachers, of his own religious sect or denomination, provided there be any on whose instruction he attends." But while the Gloucesterians were confidingly singing a requiem to their cares, they beheld, to their great astonishment, and no small dismay, their goods seized by an officer, and sold at auction, for the purpose of answering the demands of the established minister. Articles of plate from one, English goods from another, and, from a third, the anchor of a vessel, on the point of sailing.
It was, as we believe, in the autumn of 1782, that this act of violence took place. An action was instituted by the independent church of Christ in Gloucester. Mr. Murray was urged to allow the prosecution to proceed in his name. His reluctance to this step was decided and affecting. He had passed through the country without even allowing, or accepting, contributions; and, to be considered a prosecutor for monies, said to be due to him, for preaching the gospel, which he had determined to promulgate free as the light of heaven! the very idea was a stab to his long cherished feelings: it appeared to him like prostrating the integrity of his character, and stripping him of those honours, which he had fondly hoped would remain forever unshorn. The situation of his mind, upon this occasion, may be gathered from two extracts of letters, addressed to him by a respectable gentleman: "You know the inducement I had to engage in this cause was to be emancipated from the shackles of a pontificate; and my aversion was ever determined, from having the suit brought in your name, as well from your ​abhorrence, as that the result, however favourable, would not establish us upon the broad base of genuine freedom. However, I am now convinced from reflection, that our cause will be ruined, unless you assume it. Mr. Hitchborne was clear it ought to have been in your name before; at our pressing request, he drew the last writ. Mr. Sullivan has declared it must be in your name. Mr. Pynchon (allowed on all hands to be deeply versed in the intricacies of the law) assured a gentleman, he would warrant success, and even undertake the conducting the cause, if the proper use were made of your name. Mr. Sewall's opinion is in unison with Mr. Pynchon. I hate delay and indecision, and shall lament if chicane and political views must prevail over the purest intentions."
To this letter Mr. Murray responded, in terms descriptive of much anguish of spirit, and his sympathizing friend immediately replied:—
"I essay not to communicate the impression which your letter has made upon me; would that pen and paper were adequate to express all that could be conveyed by the tongue. Shall I be condemned for being of an unsteady disposition, or shall I be justified in my change of sentiment, from the variety of events? Be it as it may, it matters not; your letter has produced another alteration in my mind; your conflict between the resolution you have taken, and the interest of your friends, which, I am persuaded, is very dear to you, is carried on in your breast to a degree of agony. I see how distressing it is for you, even in appearance, to stand forth and contend for what you have so nobly held in sovereign contempt. In this point of view it ceases to be a question. Let the idea of interest perish; I had rather a large part of mine, dear as it is, should be wrested from me, than that you should sacrifice any portion of your peace, or your honour; therefore, I entreat you, my dear sir, do no violence to your feelings. Thank God, the truth of our cause does not depend upon the decision of a court of judicature; and admit the worst, it is only what we are bidden to expect, that this world is opposed to the other. Justice, however, notwithstanding my sympathy for you, urges me to repeat that our lawyers see no rational prospect of success, but from your becoming a principal in the business. If you can bend your mind, well; take time to deliberate: delays in law, perhaps, are not so dangerous as in other affairs; at any rate, I entreat you to become more tranquil; I had rather make payment to parson F——— than that you should thus suffer."
​The preacher, under the direction of many importuning friends, loaned his name, which step was to him a permanent subject of regret. Trials succeeded trials, review after review, at Salem, and at the supreme judicial court, held at Ipswich, in 1783, 1784, and 1785.
The pleaders seemed an invincible phalanx, and the mind-bending eloquence of the honourable Mr. King was indeed a most potent aid. Men characterized the oratory of that gentleman, as persuading, commanding, and like an irresistible torrent, bearing down every obstacle. Many of the senior advocates seemed so to feel, and acknowledge the superiority of Mr. King, as to surrender to him the right of closing causes of great importance; and a high law character declared, that, had he a cause depending, of the greatest intricacy and magnitude, to be plead before the first tribunal in the world, he would prefer Mr. King as his advocate, to any man he had ever heard speak. Previous, however, to the adjudication of 1785, when a verdict in favour of the plaintiffs, by the suffrage of the jury, (exclusive of the judges) was obtained, the political career of this celebrated character removed him from their counsel, and their cause was committed to, and ably supported by, Mr. afterwards Governor Sullivan, and Judge Tudor. The late Chief Justice Parsons, and Mr. Bradbury were counsel for the defendants. The Gloucesterians, in their appeal to the "impartial public," pertinently observed that the decision of the question, agitated respecting them, ultimately involved every citizen of the commonwealth, and instantly affected the several religious orders of Episcopalians, Baptists, Presbyterians, Sandemanians, Quakers, and every other denomination of Christians, who, in this state, were called sectaries.
Upon the objection, that their teacher was not a preacher of piety, religion, and morality, they mildly observed: They were not convinced that the question could be determined from a revision of the motives he offered as to the rewards which are to be bestowed, or punishments inflicted in another world; they rather supposed it should be decided upon the evidence of his urging the people to piety and morality, as the foundation of the greatest good of which their natures were capable, and as a compliance with the will of their Almighty Creator and Preserver. They believed, that the scriptures affirmed, that God would punish men for sin, even in this world, in a manner which would far, very far overbalance the pleasures to be derived from vice. They conceived, that the idea that it was necessary to the good order of government, that the teachers of religion should thunder out the doctrine of ​everlasting punishment to deter men from atrocious crimes, which they might otherwise commit in secret, had long been hackneyed in the hands of men in power, but without any warrant from reason or revelation. Reason, without the aid of revelation, gave no intimation of a state of retribution beyond the grave; and the gospel brought life and immortality to light: nor, said they, was it until the Christian church was illegally wedded to state policy, that men in power dared to hurl the thunders of the Most High, at those who offended against government. But, they added, should the point be maintained, that courts and juries are authorized to determine, whether the teacher of a religious sect is a teacher of morality, from his opinion either of the cause, mode, or state of men's happiness or misery in another world, or from his opinion of the nature, or proportion of the rewards for virtue, or the punishments for vice in a future state, no sect or denomination could be safe, it being a matter resting on opinion only, without any earthly tribunal having the ability or authority to settle the question. Suppose an Episcopalian teacher should have an action in his name to recover the money, paid by his hearers. Perhaps he might be one, who had subscribed and sworn to the thirty-nine articles, the truth of which is well supported by act of parliament: an objection might be made from one of the articles, that tells us, God from all eternity elected a certain number to happiness, and predestinated all the rest of the human race to everlasting misery; and this of his own sovereign will, without any regard to the merit of the one, or the demerit of the other. A jury might be found, who would decide at once, that this doctrine is subversive of all morality and good order; for, if the state of every man be unalterably fixed from all eternity, and nothing done by him can in any wise change the divine decree, why, then the elect may conceive themselves justified in seeking to injure those, whom God from eternity has consigned to perdition.
But, should an Arminian be in trial, and it appeared he taught his people it was within their own power to procure future happiness, a jury might not be able to distinguish between the prescience and the foreordination of God; and it might be called impiety to allege, that the infinitely wise Being did not from all eternity know the ultimate fate of all his creatures. It would at least be called derogatory to the honour of the Most High, to suppose any thing to be contingent with Him; and therefore a teacher of such principles might in the eye of some persons be viewed as a teacher of impiety and immorality. From these and various other considerations, the Gloucesterians humbly conceived, that religion was a matter between an individual and his God; that no man had a right to ​dictate a mode of worship to another; that, in that respect, every man stood upon a perfect equality; and they believed that the paucity of their numbers, and the prejudices of their enemies, had pointed them out as proper objects for the first essay of religious tyranny; hence they rather chose to seek redress from the great law, made by the people, to govern the Legislature, than from the Legislature itself; believing they should betray the freedom of their country, if they timidly shrunk from a trial, upon the great principles of the constitution, indeed they seemed to consider themselves as the Hamdens of our religious world.
In the course of the month of September, 1785, a writ of review was again served, and the final decision was referred, and deferred, until the June of 1786, when a conclusive verdict was obtained in favour of the plaintiffs. Mr. Murray was then in the state of Connecticut. We transcribe an extract from a letter, which wafted to the eye and ear of the promulgator intelligence of the emancipation of his adherents.
"Last Tuesday our party with their cloud of witnesses were present, and called out at the bar of the Supreme Judicial Court. The cause was opened by Mr. Bradbury, and replied to by Mr. Hitchborne; the court adjourned to the succeeding morning. I arrived just in season to hear it taken up by Mr. Parsons, and closed by Mr. Sullivan. I wish for an opportunity to render my acknowledgments to this gentleman. He displayed upon this day an eloquence, not less than Roman. The judges summed up the whole. The first was ambiguous, the second was so trammelled, and inarticulate, as to be scarcely understood; but the remaining three, have acquired a glory which will be as lasting as time. The conduct of Judge Dana attracted particular notice. You may remember he heretofore laboured against us; there appeared a disposition to traverse our counsel; in his comments on the constitution, those parts, which made for us, he turned against us; he asserted the tax was not persecuting, but legal; religious societies were bodies corporate, or meant to be so; sect and denomination were promiscuously used and synonimous: and the whole was delivered with a sententious gravity, the result of faculties, laboriously cultivated by experience and study. But a revolution had now passed in his mind, and when he noticed that article in the constitution, which directs monies to be applied to the teacher of his own religious sect, he said, the whole cause depended upon the construction of that clause. He had heretofore been of opinion, it meant teachers of bodies corporate; he then thought otherwise; as the constitution was meant for a liberal purpose, its construction should be of a most liberal kind; it meant, in ​this instance, teachers of any persuasion whatever, Jew or Mahometan. It would be for the jury to determine, if Mr. Murray was a teacher of piety, religion, and morality; that matter, he said, had in his opinion been fully proved. The only question therefore before them was, if Mr. Murray came within the description of the constitution, and had a right to require the money. "It is my opinion," he decidedly declared, "that Mr. Murray comes within the description of the constitution, and has a right to require the money." The jury received the cause, and departed the court at half past three. In the evening they returned, with a declaration, that they could not agree. The Chief Judge, with some asperity, ordered them to take the papers and go out again; they continued in deliberation through the whole night. Thursday morning they came in again, declaring their unanimous agreement, that the judgment obtained the preceding year was in nothing erroneous. Thus have we gained our Cause, after trials of such expectation and severity. We rejoice greatly. It is the Lord's doings, and marvellous in our eyes."
Mr. Murray continued uniformly to devote the summer months to his multiplied adherents, from Maryland to New-Hampshire; in what manner, is copiously described in his Letters and Sketches of Sermons. In the February of 1783, we find the Preacher, as usual, deeply interested in the cause of his Great Master, and suggesting, in a letter to his friend and fellow-labourer, Mr. Noah Parker, the propriety of an annual meeting of the heralds of redemption; his words are: "Indeed it would gladden my heart, if every one who stands forth a public witness of the truth as it is in Jesus, could have an opportunity of seeing and conversing one with another, at least once every year. I believe it would be attended with very good effects. Think of it, my friend, and let me know the result of your deliberation. I think these servants of the Most High might assemble one year at Norwich, one year at Boston, and another at Portsmouth, or wherever it may be most convenient. I have long contemplated an association of this description; and the longer I deliberate, the more I am convinced of the utility which would be annexed to the regulation." In the September of 1785, the Preacher, writing to the same friend, thus expresses himself: "Although very much indisposed, I am commencing a journey to Oxford, where I expect to meet a number of our religious brethren, from different towns, in which the gospel has been preached and believed, for the purpose of deliberating upon some plan, to defeat the designs of our enemies, who aim at robbing us of the liberty, wherewith the ​constitution has made us free. On my return, I shall communicate to you the result of our meeting." Upon the close of the same month of September, he thus writes: "Well, I have been to Oxford, and the assembly convened there was truly primitive. We deliberated, first, on a Name; secondly, on the propriety of being united in our common defence; thirdly, upon the utility of an annual meeting of representatives from the different societies; and fourthly, upon keeping up a constant correspondence by letter. Each of these particulars are to be laid before the societies, represented by their delegates on this occasion, and, if approved, their approbation to be announced by circular letters, to the several societies. Mr. Winchester delivered a most excellent sermon; his subject was, "but though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you, than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." By the desire of Mr. Winchester, I closed the subject."
Thus was a convention formed, and, we may add, organized, by the Father of Universalism in this country. But, alas! in no long time, a root of bitterness sprang up, which destroyed his pleasure in the association. Yet, in the last stage of his pilgrimage, he frequently regretted, that his attendance upon this convention had not been more uniform; as he might possibly, by his years and his experience, have met and obviated the difficulties which distressed him. Mr. Winchester, searching the bible for arguments to confute Mr. Murray, became himself a Universalist, but he was a Universalist of the Chauncian school. He was a man of pure morals, and an ardent lover of the Redeemer.
At this period, in addition to the houses erected in Gloucester, and in Portsmouth, a convenient place for public worship was procured by the Universalists in the city of Philadelphia; and, in the city of New-York, a church had been purchased, which they forbore to open, until it could be dedicated by the peace-speaking voice of the Promulgator. In the course of the autumn, or winter of 1785, the Bostonians purchased a meeting-house in Bennet-street. This house they enlarged and beautified; here Mr. Murray was occasionally their officiating minister. And in the metropolis of Pennsylvania, New-York, and Massachusetts, he was earnestly solicited to take up his residence.
Previous to the decision obtained by the Gloucesterians, a prosecution was commenced against their Preacher, for performing the marriage ceremony. Persuaded that he was commissioned by his God to preach the gospel, and knowing that he was ordained by the people to whom he administered, he believed himself authorized to receive the ​nuptial vows of as many among his adherents, as, furnished with the requisite certificates, made application to him for this purpose. A single instance was selected by his implacable foes, and a special verdict obtained, which condemned the Preacher to pay a fine of fifty pounds. But this was not all; he had frequently performed the marriage ceremony. Prosecution would most unquestionably succeed prosecution; and the sum total of multiplied amercements would involve difficulties not easily surmounted. Prudence whispered the persecuted man of God, that he ought to absent himself until the interference of the Legislature could be obtained; and inclination pointed his way over the pathless deep, for the purpose of once more visiting his native shores, holding sweet converse with a few select friends, and folding to his filial bosom his venerable mother. Assured of the propriety of a step so important to his numerous American connexions, on the 6th of January, 1788, he embarked for England. Noble provision was made for him by the Bostonians, and all the expenses of the voyage defrayed. Russell, the benevolent Russell, was his friend. Russell the philanthropist; who, like his God, delighted in speaking peace to the sons and daughters of adversity. Dear, sympathising friend of man! to the children of sorrow thy memory is right precious. Had thy stinted abilities been commensurate with thy will, the voice of gladness would have resounded in every dwelling. Nor Russell alone: many pressed forward, whose liberal hearts devised liberal things; and substantial manifestation of affection to the preacher were abundant and munificent.
During Mr. Murray's absence, the Legislature was addressed. We regret that we cannot exhibit a complete copy of the petitions which were presented, but such extracts, as we can command, we transcribe:
"To the Honourable Senate, and the House of Representatives of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, assembled in Boston, in February, 1788; John Murray, of Gloucester, in the county of Essex, would humbly represent to your Honours, that about seventeen years ago, he came into this country, which he considered as the asylum of religion and benevolence; that on his arrival he began to preach the gospel of peace, in doing which he met with many cordial friends; some of whom, namely, a society of Christians in Gloucester, distinguished themselves by their uniform attachment to the message, and the messenger; and after your Petitioner had occasionally laboured among them, for a considerable time, they associated together as an Independent Church, built a meeting-house, and invited your petitioner to reside ​with them, as their settled minister; and, in the month of December, in the year 1780, did appoint, set apart, and ordain him to the work of the ministry, and to be their teacher of piety, religion, and morality; that ever since that period, he has considered himself, and has been considered by the people he has statedly laboured amongst, as their ordained minister, and though your petitioner has, on sundry occasions, visited, and laboured amongst his Christian friends, in other places, it has always been with the consent of his people, they still looking on him, and he on himself, as their ordained minister. It also appears, that the people, among whom your petitioner has frequently laboured, have considered him in the same light; as they have formally requested license of his people of Gloucester, who, after consultation, granted that license. Another circumstance, that tended to confirm your petitioner in the belief of his being an ordained minister in the strictest sense of the word, and according to the letter and spirit of the law, was the verdict given in favour of him and his people, by the Honourable Supreme Court and jury, when, after suffering much abuse from their persecuting opponents in Gloucester, they were reduced to the necessity of applying to the laws of their country, for redress and protection. But their opponents, dissatisfied with the verdict then obtained, demanded a review; after which review, the former verdict was confirmed by the full, and decided opinion of the honourable court given in their favour.
"Being thus by constitutional right, and legal decision, established as an independent minister, settled with, and ordained by, the joint suffrages of the members of that Religious Society, your petitioner supposed his troubles from his persecuting enemies were at an end. And upon consulting council learned in the law, who gave it as their decided opinion that he was an ordained minister, he proceeded to perform the ceremony of marriage to such of his hearers, who made application to him for that purpose. But some of his opponents, unacquainted with the independent mode of ordination, and presuming your petitioner was not ordained, because the same ceremonies were not made use of in his ordination, to the use of which they were accustomed, brought the question of your petitioner's right of officiating as an ordained minister, before the Judges of the Supreme Judicial Court, who gave it as their opinion, that he was not an ordained minister, in the sense of the law, as the forms of his ordination were not sufficienly notorious. Your petitioner, and the people who ordained him, conceived his ordination was sufficiently notorious, as the article was subscribed by every member of the society; and the honourable court considered him a public ​teacher of Piety, Religion, and Morality. The recent adjudication of the honourable Judges has involved your petitioner's little flock, in Gloucester, in expense, and exquisite distress, and your petitioner is ruined, unless your honours can interfere for his relief. He must not only satisfy the heavy penalty already forfeited, to his said opponents, and prosecutors, but he is liable to repeated forfeitures of like penalties for every marriage he has performed, since he has conceived himself the ordained minister of that people, which must involve his friends in expense, or consign him to a gaol. Nor is this all; supposing his ordination invalid, he is, by the letter of the law, liable to ignominious punishment. Now, as equity is said to be that interference of the supreme power, which alleviates, where the law, by being too comprehensive, has involved a case, to which it was not perhaps meant to extend; and as he, and his people, his council, and the world at large, supposed him ordained, as much as an Episcopalian, or any other teacher, however different the mode of ordination, he most humbly prays your honours, to indemnify him for any farther prosecution, for any marriage he may have solemnized, under his supposed right; and by this means rescue him from the persecuting power of his malignant adversaries, restore the exercise of religious rites to his oppressed, and afflicted people, establish in the Commonwealth, in which he has long had his residence, that peace which has been broken by the malice of his enemies. Your petitioner would in person have waited on such committee of your honours, as may be appointed to consider this petition, but his well grounded fears that prosecutions would be multiplied upon him, by the zeal of his religious adversaries, has necessitated him to absent himself from the country of his adoption, and his dear people, until such time as the clemency of your honours might be obtained in his behalf."
The Congregation in Gloucester, addressed the Legislature in a separate petition, and the Judges, Sullivan and Dawes, co-operated with Mr. Russell, in persevering efforts to obtain a decision. The petitions were referred to a committee of three gentlemen, of great respectability, who speedily prepared, and handed in their report, which was laid upon the speaker's table, whence it was drawn forth by the speaker of the House, James Warren, esq. accepted by a handsome majority, and sent up to the Senate for concurrence. The report was called up from the President's table, by the Honourable Mr. Dalton, when, after a debate of two hours, it passed the Senate, almost unanimously. This most acceptable result was made known to the deeply interested Gloucesterians, by a writing, of which the following is a verbatim copy:—
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
In the House of Representatives, March 17th, 1788.
"Whereas John Murray, and others, have represented to this court, that the said Murray, esteeming himself legally qualified, had solemnized certain marriages, and that, by a decision had in the Superior Judicial Court, it was determined that the said Murray had no such authority, praying that he may be indemnified. Resolved, that the said John Murray, be, and he hereby is, indemnified from all the pains, and penalties, which he may have incurred on account of having solemnized any marriages, as aforesaid, for which there has not been any prosecution commenced, or had; and the said Murray may, upon trial for any of the offences aforesaid, give this resolution in evidence, upon the general issue, which shall have the same operation, as if specially pleaded.
Sent up for concurrence.James Warren, Speaker.
In Senate, March 27th, 1788.
Read and concurred.Samuel Adams, President.
| Approved, | JOHN HANCOCK. |
True copy; attest, John Avery, jun. Secretary.
Meantime, the persecuted, and now nobly redressed promulgator, was speeding across the great waters. His passage over the Atlantic was uncommonly boisterous; the European winter of this year was very severe. More navigation, and lives, were lost, in the January and February of 1788, upon the tremendous coast of Cornwall, than had ever before been known, in any one season. At length, however, the Chalky Cliffs of his native shore met his gladdened view, and the heaven-protected vessel cast anchor in the commodious harbour of Falmouth. Mr. Murray was an entire stranger to this part of England; but, by the Bostonians and Gloucesterians, he had been furnished with recommendatory letters, thus worded—
"We, the Subscribers, members of the Christian Independent Church in Boston, do, on behalf of ourselves and our brethren, by these presents, certify to all whom it may concern, that the bearer, Mr. John Murray, (settled Minister of the Independent Church in Gloucester) for more than fourteen years past, hath occasionally laboured among us, in this place, much to the edification, and consolation of God's people; and we bless God, therefore, and most sincerely pray, that the good will of Him who dwelt in the Bush may accompany him on his way, and ​bring him back to his numerous friends, richly laden with the blessings of the Gospel of peace."
"Signed by the most respectable members of the Church."
Gloucester, January 4th, 1788.
"Be it known universally, that We the elders, on behalf of the Independent Church of Christ in Gloucester, do certify that the bearer, Mr. John Murray, is, and has been for many years past, our ordained minister, and we pray God to preserve him, and return him to us in safety."
| (Signed) | Winthrop Sargent, Epes Sargent, David Plummer. |
Mr. Murray was received in Falmouth, with fraternal kindness. The Sunday succeeding his arrival, the pulpit of a gentleman, once in connection with Mr. Whitefield, was thrown open to him, where he preached forenoon and afternoon, and continued delivering evening lectures until February 14, when he resumed his journey by land, to London, proclaiming glad tidings from the pulpits, as he passed along, to which free access was granted him; at Truro, Cheswater, Tregony, Mevegessey, St. Austle, Looe, in the several churches at Plymouth, and Plymouth Dock, Exeter, Wellington, &c. &c. he delivered his God-honouring, man-restoring message. Several clergymen always attended his lectures, and one gentleman accompanied him even to Exeter. We select a few of the subjects, upon which he delighted to dwell. The lights ordained by the Creator for signs, Genesis iii. 15. The dress of the Jewish High Priest, the 1st Psalm, the 89th Psalm, Zechariah ix. 9, 1st John, 4, and many passages drawn from Isaiah, and the Epistles of the Apostle Paul. His manner of passing his time, and the devout propensities of his pious heart, may be gathered from a short extract from his journal, a journal replete with beauty and interest, to the christianized mind, and containing descriptions and remarks, worthy the writer:—
"I am delighted with walking through the fields; the gardens are so very beautiful, the fields so very green, the linnets and goldfinches so busy on the hedges, preparing their habitations. These songsters of the groves, which are vocal on every spray, are to me like old and pleasing acquaintance, not seen nor heard of for a great number of years, while the fascinating choristers, in whom I have taken so much delight, seem, by their cheering notes, to welcome me as I pass along their native fields and hedges. The primroses, and a variety of other sweet flowers, are already in full bloom; in short, everv thing wears a ​cheerful appearance. How grateful ought I to be to the Author of every good, who, in this dear country, follows me with the same loving kindness and tender mercy, with which he followed me in the dear country I have left. The numerous friends, with whom I occasionally sojourn, are as anxious to detain me with them, and lament the necessity of my departure, precisely as did my American friends; their hearts swell with transport, while I simply declare the gospel of the grace of God, and they reiterate their expressions of admiration of the gracious words, which God enables me to utter, in like manner as did the good Gloucesterian Elder, Mr. Warner, on my first visit to that place. We mingle our supplications and addresses, our thanksgivings and our praises, and our hearts burn within us, while we converse of the goodness of our God, and the gracious purposes of redeeming love. Surely it would be ill judged, if not cruel, in such circumstances, to dash the cup of felicity from the lips of these humble dependents upon the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, because perhaps they do not see to the end of the divine purposes. I never will preach any thing but the gospel of God our Saviour, any where; but I will leave those dear people to draw their own conclusions, and, in the interim, I will feed them with the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby. The inhabitants of this place (Falmouth) are a very friendly, religious people. May God grant them peace, and give them abundant consolation in believing. The people every where hear with American attention. Clergymen, wherever I sojourn, are generally my hosts. Gospel, unadulterated gospel, is pleasant to the believing soul; I content myself with showing that man is lost by sin; that the law is the ministration of death; that the gospel is a divine declaration of life, by Jesus Christ, to every creature. Yes, I will continue to preach the gospel freely to every creature. I will endeavour to point out its glories, and the many advantages attendant on believing the divine report. This, by the grace of God, shall still be the business of my life. Many clergymen attend me in my progress, no less than seven have been among my audience at one time; and on my descending from the pulpit, they usually take my hand, and devoutly thank me for bearing so good a testimony for Jesus Christ; for speaking so well of the Redeemer, adding, that it is a pity I should do any thing but preach. Numbers flock around me, and, in fact, were I an angel descended from above, I could not be followed with more uniform attention."
London is two hundred and twenty miles from Falmouth. The Preacher did not reach that metropolis until the 16th of March, and ​his time was most delightfully passed in the service of God the Saviour. Upon one occasion, his entrance into one spacious place of worship was hailed by the musical choir, devoutly chanting
"Blow ye the trumpet, blow The gladly solemn sound, Let all the nations know, To earth's remotest bound, The year of jubilee is come, Return, ye ransom'd sinners, home."
Yet, even in this short visit to his native island, the Promulgator went through evil as well as good report. We subjoin a specimen of each. A gentleman of Falmouth, writing to his friend in Tregony, thus expresses himself:—
"Mr. Murray will shortly be in your town; we have attended upon him here with inexpressible delight; three such sermons, as he has delivered, my ears never before heard; such a preacher never before appeared in this town. I am convinced his ideas are all his own, I never heard any thing like them; his mind seems clearly informed, and his heart very much warmed by the love of God." But the following advertisement appeared in a London paper.
"Mr. Murray is an American, the most popular preacher in the United States. In the conclusion of one of his sermons, preached on that continent, he endeavoured to enforce, with all the powers of eloquence, the necessity of establishing in those states the same Olympic games, which were for many ages established among the Grecians." But this was not all; it was storied, that he had left America in consequence of a criminal prosecution.
Arriving at London, he was once more enriched by the maternal benediction. He found his venerable parent in the enjoyment of a fine green old age, and again she rejoiced in the presence of her son. In London, and at Hampstead, in the meeting-house once occupied by Mr. Whitefield, he delivered his message of peace. Patronized in the city of London, by an opulent family, who cherished him as a son, he was strongly solicited once more to take up his abode in that metropolis; but the providence of God had not so decreed, and, after continuing there a short time, he departed thence, and journeyed to Portsmouth, for the purpose of being in readiness to commence his return to America. In Portsmouth, he was again a solitary stranger; but he had not been more than four hours in that celebrated and important emporium, ere he was engaged, by a respectable clergyman, to preach a lecture, which had been previously announced. In Portsmouth he tarried two weeks, ​preaching frequently. On his first lecture, he was solicited by a doctor Miller to accompany him to his habitation, where he abode until he departed from that town. The circle of his acquaintance soon became large, among whom he numbered very respectable friends. When the clergymen, with whom Mr. Murray associated, during his last residence in England, became ascertained of his full and comprehensive views of the magnitude and extent of the redeeming plan, although very few adopted his ideas, yet they still continued warmly attached to the preacher; and the letters they addressed to him, after his return to America, which are still in being, would fill a volume. A few of the Preacher's responses are contained in the volumes of Letters and Sketches of Sermons.
Mr. Murray proceeded to Cowes, upon the Isle of Wight, and from thence embarking for America, commenced his voyage with a fair wind, which soon changing, they were under the necessity of dropping anchor in Portland harbour, where they were long wind bound. His passage was uncommonly protracted; but, fortunately, the passengers united to give it every charm, of which society is susceptible; and, when we add, that our late respectable President, the Honourable John Adams and Lady, were of the number, the pleasures of the voyage will be nothing doubted. Books, music, and conversation, varied the tedium of the passing weeks; nor was the Preacher debarred the exercise of his sacred avocation; Mr. Adams requested he would officiate as their teacher, every Sunday, and accordingly the ship's company, and the passengers, were, upon this holy day, collected round him. His first subject was the third commandment. They united in their addresses to the throne of grace, and in hymning the praises of their God.
Again reaching the shores of this New World, the voice of exoneration and of Freedom bade him welcome; and the glad acclamations of joy resounded among his congratulating, and most affectionate friends. A summons from the Governour, to attend a select party at his house, met him on the day of his arrival, and every liberal mind partook the rational hilarity of the moment.
The Gloucesterians, determining no more to hazard invidious prosecution, and its train of evils, appointed a day, the Christmas of 1788, on which to renew, the ordination of their Pastor; and, after assembling, and effectuating their purpose, that they might bestow upon the solemn transaction all possible publicity, they procured its insertion in the Centinel of January 3d, 1789, from which paper we transcribe it verbatim:—
​"Last Thursday week, Mr. John Murray was ordained to the pastoral charge of the Independent Church of Christ in Gloucester. After Mr. Murray had prayed, and one of the congregation had announced the intention of the meeting, and presented him, formally, with a call, Mr. Murray replied:
"Persuaded of the truth of the declaration, made by the compilers of the shorter catechism, that God's works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful, preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions; and having a full conviction that the affairs of the Church are, in an especial manner, under his immediate direction; and that you, my christian friends and brethren, are now, as formerly, under the directing influence of that divine spirit, which, taking of the things of Jesus, and showing them unto me, constrained me to become a Preacher of the everlasting Gospel, and directed you to set me apart, and ordain me, to be your Minister; I now again, with humble gratitude to my divine Master, and grateful affection for you, my long tried, and faithful christian friends and brethren, most cordially accept of this call."
One of the Committee then read the vote of the Church: "Resolved, that we, the proprietors of the Independent Meeting-House in Gloucester, the members of the church and congregation usually attending there for the purpose of divine worship, do, by virtue of that power invested in us by the great High Priest of our profession, the Bishop of our souls, and the Great and only Head of the Church; and according to the institutions of the first churches in New-England, and in perfect conformity to the third article of the declaration of rights, in this public manner, solemnly elect and ordain, constitute and appoint Mr. John Murray, of said Gloucester, clerk, to be our settled Minister, Pastor, and teaching Elder; to preach the word of God, and to inculcate lessons and instructions of piety, religion, and morality, on the congregation; and to do, perform, and discharge all the duties and offices, which of right belong to any other minister of the Gospel, or public teacher of Piety, Religion, and Morality; and it is hereby intended, and understood, that the authority and rights hereby given to the said Mr. John Murray, to be our settled, ordained minister, and public teacher, are to remain in full force, so long as he shall continue to preach the word of God, and dispense instructions of piety, religion and morality, conformably to our opinions, and no longer."
"The Committee then solemnly presented him the Bible, saying, on its presentation: "Dear sir, We present you these sacred scriptures ​as a solemn seal of your ordination to the ministry of the New Testament, and the sole directory of your faith and practice." His acceptance was affecting; as what comes from the heart reaches the heart.
"With my full soul I thank our merciful God, for this inestimable gift. With grateful transport I press it to my bosom; I receive it as the copy of my Father's Will, as the deed of an incorruptible inheritance; as the unerring guide to my feet, and lanthorn to my paths. Dear, precious treasure, thou hast been my constant support in every trying hour, and a never failing source of true consolation. I thank you, most sincerely do I thank you, for this confirming seal, this sure directory; and I pray that the spirit, which dictated these sacred pages, may enable me to make the best use thereof." A sermon by Mr. Murray, from Luke v. 2, succeeded, "The harvest is great, but the labourers are few," &c. &c.
"The solemnity, attention, and christian demeanour, that attended the whole transaction of the ordination, and every other occurrence of the day, gave universal satisfaction to a numerous audience."
Days of tranquillity now succeeded; weeks, months, nay years rolled on, and harmony, unbroken harmony, presided. Religion shed her balmy influence, her mind-irradiating, passion-subduing consolations; and we were ready to say, stability dwelleth even in our times. But alas! we too soon experienced that "bliss, sublunary bliss," was not the durable possession of mortality.
It was in this interval, of most pleasant memory, that Mr. Murray, in the summer of the year 1790, then on a visit to his Pennsylvania, Jersey, and New-York connexions, was, by the Universalists convened in the city of Philadelphia, associated with Mr. William Eugene Imley, to present an address to the immortal Washington, then President of the United States. We proceed to transcribe the address.
To the President of the United States.
The Address of the Convention of the Universal Church, assembled in Philadelphia.
sir,
Permit us, in the name of the Society which we represent, to concur in the numerous congratulations which have been offered to you, since your accession to the government of the United States.
"For an account of our principles, we beg leave to refer you to the pamphlet, which we have now the honour of putting into your hands. In this publication it will appear, that the peculiar doctrine, which we hold, is not less friendly to the order and happiness of society, than it is ​essential to the perfection of the Deity. It is a singular circumstance in the history of this doctrine, that it has been preached and defended in every age since the first promulgation of the Gospel; but we represent the first society, professing this doctrine, that have formed themselves into an independent church. Posterity will hardly fail to connect this memorable event, with the auspicious years of peace, liberty, and free inquiry in the United States, which distinguished the administration of General Washington.
"We join, thus publicly, with our affectionate fellow citizens, in thanks to Almighty God, for the last of his numerous signal acts of goodness to our country, in preserving your valuable life, in a late dangerous indisposition, and we assure you, Sir, that duty will not prompt us, more than affection, to pray that you may long continue the support and ornament of our country, and that you may hereafter fill a higher station, and enjoy the greater reward of being a king, and priest to our God.
"Signed in behalf, and by order of the convention. "John Murray. "William Eugene Imley."
President's Reply.
"To the Convention of the Universal Church, lately assembled in Philadelphia.
"gentlemen,
"I thank you, cordially, for the congratulations, which you offer on my appointment to the office I have the honour to hold in the government of the United States.
"It gives me the most sensible pleasure to find, that, in our nation, however different are the sentiments of citizens on religious doctrines, they generally concur in one thing: for their political professions, and practices, are almost universally friendly to the order and happiness of our civil institutions. I am also happy in finding this disposition particularly evinced by your society. It is moreover my earnest desire, that the members of every association, or community, throughout the United States, may make such use of the auspicious years of peace, liberty, and free inquiry with which they are now favoured, as they shall hereafter find occasion to rejoice for having done.
"With great satisfaction, I embrace this opportunity, to express my acknowledgments for the interest, my affectionate fellow citizens have taken in my recovery, from a late dangerous indisposition. And I ​assure you, Gentlemen, that in mentioning my obligations, for the effusions of your benevolent wishes on my behalf, I feel animated with new zeal, that my conduct may ever be worthy of your good opinion, as well as such as shall, in every respect, best comport with the character of an intelligent and accountable being."
And now, a large number of Mr. Murray's first friends in Gloucester were numbered with the dead. He had himself again become the head of a family. The times were oppressive, and he considered it his duty to provide for those of whom he had taken charge. The Bostonians were solicitous to hail the Preacher, as their settled Pastor; and it was certain his usefulness would, in the Metropolis, be more extensive. A partial separation from the Gloucesterians was, by mutual consent, effectuated. It was however stipulated, that Mr. Murray should occasionally visit them, and that they should be allowed to command his presence, upon every distressing, or important exigence; and the distance being no more than an easy ride of a few hours, the adjustment was accomplished, without much difficulty. Yet did the Preacher continue dissatisfied, until the establishment of his successor, in the midst of his long loved, and early friends.
The Rev. Mr. Thomas Jones, a native of Wales, whom he had induced, by his representations, to unite with him in his American mission, is a gentleman of great respectability, of the purest morals, and high in the ranks of integrity. Mr. Jones was educated at the college, established by the Countess of Huntington; in which connexion he continued, until his attachment to the doctrines of the gospel, in their most unlimited import, became the signal for his exclusion. The installation of Mr. Jones, in Gloucester, gladdened the heart of the philanthropic preacher, and his satisfaction was complete. The Gloucesterians love and respect their pastor, and their unanimity is unbroken. They have erected a new and elegant house of worship. In Salem also, and in Portsmouth and Charlestown, in New-York, and in Philadelphia, commodious buildings are reared to the honour of God our Saviour.
On Wednesday, 23d of October, 1793, the installation of Mr. ​Murray, took place in the Universal Meeting-house in Boston; the Presiding Deacon, addressed the church and congregation.
"Brethren, it having pleased the Father of mercies to unite in bonds of Christian love and affection the hearts of the people, usually worshipping in this place, in the choice of Mr. John Murray for their Pastor and Teacher. We have accordingly assembled together, at this time and place, for the solemn purpose of ratifying here below, what we humbly trust is already recorded in heaven. It is the duty of all men, at all times, and in all places, humbly to implore the direction of the great Head of the Church, in all their lawful undertakings." (Then followed an appropriate prayer by Mr. Murray.) After which, the Deacon demanded of the church and congregation, as they had heretofore expressed their desire, that Mr. Murray should become their Pastor, and Teacher, if, at this time, they continued of that mind, they would publicly confirm it, by vote—which was unanimous. He then requested Mr. Murray's answer, which being given in the affirmative, he concluded his address: "I, therefore, in the name and behalf of this church and congregation—supported by the constitution of this Commonwealth, declare you, John Murray, to be the Pastor and Teacher of this First Universal Church in Boston; and in their name I present unto you the sacred Volume, as the rule of your faith and practice, and as containing a perfect and complete revelation of the perfections and will of God; and I furthermore declare unto you, that so long as you continue to preach the gospel, as delineated in these sacred pages, which is glad tidings of great joy to every creature, as the purchase of the blood of Immanuel, so long you shall be considered as our Pastor, and no longer. And now, dearly beloved Sir, "I charge thee, therefore, before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick, and the dead, at His Appearing, and His Kingdom; to Preach the Word, be Instant in Season, out of Season; Reprove, Rebuke, Exhort, with all long Suffering, and Doctrine. In all things showing thyself a Pattern of Good Works: In Doctrine showing Uncorruptness, Gravity, Sincerity, Sound Speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part, may be Ashamed, having no Evil thing to say of you. A Workman that needeth not to be Ashamed, Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth. And now, sir, commending you with the Church, and Congregation, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseer, to the care and protection of Him "that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood," earnestly beseeching Him, to build us all up in the unity of the One Spirit and in the bond of peace. Now unto ​Him who is abundantly able to perform all these things for us, and to present us all faultless before the throne of an Infinite Majesty, be all honour, glory, dominion, and power, throughout the ages of time, and a wasteless eternity, Amen."
Mr. Murray's reply was animated and replete with affection; after which, a hymn was performed by the choir of singers, accompanied by the organ. Next, an excellent discourse by Mr. Murray, from 1. Cor. ix. 14. "For though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me if I preach not the Gospel." A collection for the distressed inhabitants of Philadelphia succeeded the sermon, and an anthem suited to the solemnities of the occasion was most admirably chanted. The whole was conducted with strict decorum, to the satisfaction of a very numerous, respectable, and attentive audience.
Perhaps no congregation were ever more unanimous, and more perfectly satisfied with the Pastor of their election, than were the people worshipping in the Church in Bennet-Street; and perhaps no Minister was ever more unfeignedly attached to the people of his charge, than was the long-wandering Preacher. Both the minister, and congregation might truly be said to worship the Most High in the beauty of holiness. The ordinance of the Lord's supper was administered agreeably to their ideas of its genuine import. Parents brought their children into the great congregation, standing in the broad aisle, in the presence of the worshippers of God; the father received the babe from the hands of the mother, and presented it to the servant of God; who, deriving his authority for this practice from the example of his Redeemer, who says, "suffer little children to come unto me," &c. &c. pronounced aloud the name of the child, and received it as a member of the mystical body of Him, who is the second Adam, the Redeemer of Men. How often has his paternal heart throbbed with rapture, as he has most devoutly repeated, "We dedicate thee to Him, to whom thou properly belongest, to be baptized with His own baptism, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; and we pronounce upon thee that blessing, which He commanded his Ministers, Moses, Aaron, and his Sons, to pronounce upon his people, saying, The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; The Lord make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."
The preacher, however, never surrendered the persuasion, that he was sent out to preach the gospel, and his visits to his far distant friends ​were frequently repeated; yet these visits were always made by the assenting voice of the society, and he regarded every individual, congregated under his directing auspices, as in an essential and solemn sense his children. A gentleman, attending in the church in Bennet-street, addressing Mr. Murray by letter, thus observes: "I was very much pleased at your meeting; the orderly, respectable, and serious demeanour of your society; their silent, and fixed attention upon you, penetrated me with sentiments of attachment and satisfaction, and I forbore not to invoke the providence of God, that no froward, or adverse spirit, should interrupt the harmony which now so evidently subsists between you."
Yes, it is indeed true, that Mr. Murray considered the interests of the people of his charge as his own. Most fondly did he cherish, and perseveringly did he seek, by every possible means, to advance their reputation. He sympathized with the afflicted, and largely partook their sorrows; while, so often as the course of events brought joy to their bosoms, his eye beamed gladness, and his tongue exulted to dwell upon facts, which illumined the hours of his protracted pilgrimage. His voice, at the bed of death, was the herald of consolation. Are there not uncounted numbers, still passing on, in this vale of tears, who, while attending upon their expiring relatives, have witnessed the divine effects emanating from the luminous understanding of the preacher, and lighting up a blissful smile of anticipated felicity, amid the agonies of dissolving nature. To the aged he delighted to administer consolation; his presence gave a face of cheerfulness to those social hours, which the numerous classes, with whom he mingled, were wont to appropriate to enjoyment. Children lisped with infantile transport the name of the philanthropic preacher, and they were even eloquent in expressions of unfeigned attachment. The pleasures of young people, if under the dominion of innocence, were uniformly sanctioned by their Preacher; and his appearance in well regulated circles of hilarity, so far from clouding, was always considered as the harbinger of high-wrought entertainment. If we except a single instance, we do not know, that, through a series of revolving years, the harmony subsisting between the minister and his congregation, suffered either interruption or diminution. This instance originated in political pertinacity. Party spirit occasionally ran very high; and federal and democratic leaders were among the adherents of Mr. Murray. A July Oration was to be delivered; much invidious disquisition was afloat; but it is fruitless to delineate; suffice it to say, that this oration, and its consequences, were ​pregnant with anguish to an oft-stricken heart; but, blessed be God, the threatening aspect of affairs, which seemed to gather darkness, was soon dispersed, and the sun of righteousness seemed to break forth, with renewed splendor. Nor is it wonderful, that transient animosities existed; it is rather astonishing they were not more frequent. It was truly affecting, it was beautiful, and eminently consolatory, to behold persons of the warmest feelings, and strongest prejudices, depositing every dissenting, every foreign sentiment, at the foot of the cross, meeting, and mingling souls, and emphatically, although tacitly, saying to every minor consideration, "Tarry ye here, while we go up to worship."
Too soon have the years of felicity fled away. They rise to view like the vision of some blissful era, which we have imagined, not realized. Suddenly we were aroused from our dream of security; the torpid hand of palsy blighted our dearest hopes; the Preacher, the Head, the Husband, the Father, was in a moment precipitated from a state of high health, and prostrated beneath the tremendous stroke of the fell destroyer. ——— ———