This Society, which has exerted an influence in the Universalist
denomination second to that of no other, was incorporated December 13,
1816. The meeting for organization was held at the Green Dragon tavern,
on the evening of January 25, 1817. Major John Brazer was chosen the
first Moderator. The Standing Committee consisted of John Brazer, Dr.
David Townsend, Edmund Wright, Daniel E, Powars, Lemuel Packard, Jr.,
Levi Melcher, and John W. Trull, who were directed to ascertain where a
suitable lot of land could be procured on which to erect a house of
worship. After examining several lots, the one was selected on which the
church now stands, in School street, and it was accordingly bought about
the first of May following.
The original means for building the church, was a subscription for
shares of one hundred dollars each; one hundred and thirty-nine shares
being taken by forty-three persons. Of this number, after a lapse of
nearly a third of a century, the following are still spared to us, as
willing supporters of the Society and cause to which they devoted the
meridian of their days, to wit: William Barry, Daniel E. Powars, Winslow
Wright, Joseph Badger, Caleb Wright, John W. Trull, Samuel Hichborn, and
Job Turner.
On Monday, May 19, 1817, the corner-stone was laid, and within it was
deposited a silver plate, the gift of Dr. David Townsend, with this
inscription: "The Second Universal Church, devoted to the Worship of the
true God: Jesus Christ being the chief Corner Stone. May 19, 1817." The
building of the house was carried forward with energy, and on the 25th
of August the Chairman of the Committee was directed to address a letter
to Rev. Hosea Ballou, asking him if it would meet his approbation to be
considered a candidate for the office of pastor. The house having been
completed, it was voted to dedicate the same on Wednesday, October 15,
1817. The Rev. Thomas Jones was invited to preach the sermon, and Revs.
Edward Turner, Hosea Ballou, and Paul Dean, to conduct the other
services as might be mutually agreeable to them. In consequence,
however, of the Cattle Show at Brighton taking place on that day, it was
afterwards thought expedient to postpone the Dedication until the
succeeding day.
On the day following the Dedication, the Society met for the purpose of
selecting a pastor; and the Standing Committee were instructed, by a
unanimous vote, to invite the Rev. Hosea Ballou to that office, at a
weekly salary of twenty-five dollars. This vote was communicated to him
in an appropriate letter from the Chairman of the Committee, to which
the following reply was received:--
Boston, Oct. 24, 1817.
Sir,--The call of the Second Universalist Society in Boston,
inviting me to the labors of the Christian Ministry with them,
together with the liberal terms which accompany said invitation, has
been duly considered. And after weighing all the circumstances
relative to the subject, so far as my limited mind could comprehend
them, I have come to the conclusion that it is my duty to accept
their call on the conditions therein stated. I largely participate
the "peculiar pleasure" afforded by the consideration of the
unanimity of the Society, and entertain an humble hope that, with
the continuance of this harmony, we may long continue to enjoy all
spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus.
The Society's most humble servant in Christ,
Hosea Ballou.
To John Brazer, Esq.
He was publicly installed on Christmas day, December 25, 1817. Sermon,
from John xx. 24, and the Fellowship of the Churches, were given by Rev.
Paul Dean; Installing Prayer and Charge by Rev. Edward Turner, and the
Concluding Prayer by Rev. Joshua Flagg.
At the annual meeting in May, 1818, the thanks of the Society were
presented to Lemuel Packard, Jr., Esq., for his generous donation of a
chandelier for the use of the church. The clock now in the church was
the gift of John Brazer, Esq., probably during the time of the building
of the church.
In the summer of 1822, Mr. Ballou received an invitation to become the
pastor of the Second Universalist Society in Philadelphia, at a larger
salary than he was then receiving. In a letter to his Society, Mr. B.
states, that they are under no engagement to him beyond the term of six
months; and that, his salary being barely sufficient to support his
family, he felt bound to lay the invitation of the Philadelphia Society
before them for their assistance, in any decision he might make in
regard to it. The Society was accordingly called together, and by a
unanimous vote his salary was raised to thirty dollars a week. This vote
being communicated to him, he informed them in reply that the salary
voted him was fully and abundantly satisfactory to him, and that he
accepted it with pleasure.
During the year 1836, the Society built the vestry in the attic story of
the church, and the following year, 1837, the interior of the church was
altered by a new pulpit, ceiling, introduction of gas, painting, &c. at
an expense of nearly five thousand dollars. And in the year 1840, the
Society purchased the organ now in the church.
During the first years of the existence of the Society, the singing was
considered of a superior order; and it may be interesting to some of the
younger members of the Society to know that, in 1833, the Standing
Committee approved of the selection, by the choir, of Miss Charlotte
Cushman, as the leading female singer. Mr. Win. Barry, one of the
original proprietors, and at present one of the oldest men of the
congregation, conducted this part of public worship for several years.
In 1840, the subject of an associate pastor was first brought forward;
and, in 1841, commenced those unfortunate difficulties in regard to it,
which continued with little interruption until the fall of 1845, when
the proprietors were called together to act upon a proposition to sell
the meeting-house and wind up the affairs of the Society. This
proposition was, however, rejected, by a decisive vote of more than two
to one, out of one hundred votes cast. During this period, the pulpit
was supplied one half the time by Father Ballou, and the other half by
Rev. T.C. Adam, from May, 1842, to May, 1843; by Rev. H.B. Soule, from
May, 1844, to May, 1845; and the other two years by the Standing
Committee.
That portion of the Society who voted against the proposition to sell,
had, early in that year, taken counsel together in regard to the future
prosperity of the Society. Father Ballou expressed a willingness to be
relieved from all active duties as pastor of the Society, other than
those he might choose to perform as senior pastor, and also to
relinquish his salary if the Society felt that with their whole means
they would be able to secure the services of one who would again unite
them together. Accordingly, September 28, 1845, the proprietors were
called together, and his proposition was accepted. They also unanimously
invited the Rev. E.H. Chapin to become junior pastor, at a yearly salary
of two thousand dollars; and on the 8th of November the following
acceptance of their call was received by the committee through whom the
invitation was tendered.
Charlestown, Nov. 8, 1845.
_Brethren:_--
The invitation to become associate pastor of your Society, which you
have extended to me, is hereby accepted. Preliminaries relative to
the time when I can assume my connection with you must be the
subject of future communications. And that God may bless this
decision to your good, to mine, and to his glory,--is the prayer of
Yours, Fraternally,
E.H. Chapin.
To the Committee.
Br. Chapin was installed January 28, 1846. The sermon was preached by
Father Ballou, from I Peter iv, 10 and 11. Rev. Messrs. Cook, Hichborn,
Streeter, II. Ballou 2d, Skinner, Fay, and Cleverly, took part in the
services. At the annual meeting in May, 1846, a committee was appointed
to express to Rev. Hosea Ballou the feelings of high regard unanimously
cherished towards him by the Society, in consideration of his long and
valuable services as their pastor; and to assure him that their prayers
for his welfare were still with him in his relations as senior pastor of
the Society. To this, the following reply was received by the committee.
Boston, May 25, 1846.
Messrs. Benajah Brigham,
Joseph Lincoln, and Bela Beal,
_Brethren_:--
After having enjoyed so many years of pastoral connection with the
Second Universalist Society in this city, and having served the same
so long a time with constant solicitude for their spiritual
prosperity and with a consciousness of my many imperfections, I find
that words are insufficient to express the satisfaction I feel on
the reception of the unanimous vote of the Society expressive of
their approbation of my services, as pastor, and their prayers for
my happiness in my present position as senior. You will, brethren,
accept my thanks for the acceptable manner in which you have
communicated the vote of the Society to me, and assure the Society
of my fervent prayer for their spiritual prosperity under their
junior pastor.
In the bonds of the Gospel,