Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-01-16
AN OLD TIME MINISTER.


\
| Brief sketeh Of the Life Of Rev. Jonas
| Chrk. of lexington. Mass
The pastor Of New England church a
century and ahalf ago was often a iiliornt
and successful farmer He needed what
ever his well managed acres could ada To
his support, for his salary was small. That
Of the Rev. Jonas Clark, who was ordained
pastor Of the First Parish Church Of Iexine-
ton, in 1855. was ESQ and twenty cords OF
wood. The money was often 90 denreciated
as 70 be worth little more than the wood.
An interesting sketch Of his life, and Incl
dentally OF the village life at the time, Is
contributed to the Unitarian Review.
AT blowing. planting, hoeing, hayine,
harvesting and cider making, Mr. Clark
worked with his own hands and had the
help Of his boys. Through the season,
from the first peep Of dawn till dusky eve
he was at work in the garden or the field,
at the woodpile. in the barn, or in the
study. His wife and daughters were
equally busy. spinning. weaving, caring for
the dairy, or making the clothing for
twelve children.
When the town wished to instruct its
representative 10 the general court. or in
the provincial congress, or when core
spondence with committees Of safety in
other towns was to be carried on, Mr..
Clark was generally intrusted with the
drawing up OF the necessary papers His
house became a rallying place for the
patriots OF Middlesex county. He assisted
In sending forward men and supplies from
the town through all the dreary years Of
the war.
He averaged fifty six sermons n year dur
ing the fifty years Of his ministry. These
were strong in logic, fearless in denuncia-
ton OF tyranny and wickedDess and tire
mendous in their length. His grandson
has seen one OF them which must have re-
quired three hours for its delivery. IL Is
recorded that he was emphatic In his man.
ner and pounded the cushion without
mercy.
In l71e Governor Hancock offered 70 give
the society an elegant Bible for the pulpit,
II the church would consent TO its being
read as part of the service, a. it evidently
had not been up TO that time. Mr.. Clark
announced the proposed gift TO his congre-
CATION, and asked them to take action in
the matter
One Of the deacons arose and said that
he apprehended the innovation would not
be acceptable II IL should increase the
length OF the service, as the people were
anxious to get home to do their chores be-
fore dark. Mr.. Clark promised that IL
should not. The Bible was accordingly &C
cepted, and the reading established as a
part OF the church service.
Mr. Clark had a pair of fur gloves which
he wore in winter while preaching A slIt
in the thumb and forefinger Of the rioht
one enabled him to turn the leaves OF IN.
sermon readily. When IL was first uropo-ed
TO put stoves into the meeting house the pro-
ject was stubbornIy resisted. and one man
was so grievously offended that he refused
to enter the church again. After the stove,
were put in a lady actually tainted on sc-
count Of the opure,,iv. hear aItbonoh 4,
was a cold day. She was not a little cha
grined on learning that no fire had been
kindled in the stoves
Mr.. Clark was n companion TO his boys.
They toiled together in the fields They
set nets together for pigeous- ana the min.