The following story which is given in the writer’s own words gives a
curious insight into the puritanical manners that prevailed in the New
England Provinces. About forty years ago many of the Chief Saints at
Boston met with a sad mortification, yea, a mortification in the flesh.
“Captain St. Loe, Commander of the ship of war, then in Boston Harbour,
being ashore on a Sunday, was apprehended by the Constables for walking
on the Lord’s Day. On Monday he was carried before a Justice of the
Peace; he was fined, refused to pay it; and for his contumacy and
contempt of authority, was sentenced to sit in the stocks one hour
during the time of change. This sentence was put in execution without
the least mitigation.
“While the Captain sat in durance, grave Magistrates admonished him to
respect in future the wholesome laws of the Province; and Reverend
Divines exhorted him ever after to reverence and keep holy the
Sabbath-day. At length the hour expired; and the Captain’s legs were set
at liberty.
“As soon as he was freed, he, with great seeming earnestness, thanked
the Magistrates for their correction, and the Clergy for their spiritual
advice and consolation; declaring that he was ashamed of his past life;
that he was resolved to put off the old Man of Sin, and to put on the
new Man of Righteousness; that he should ever pray for them as
instruments in the hands of God, of saving his sinful soul.
“This sudden conversion rejoiced the Saints. After clasping their hands,
and casting up their eyes to heaven, they embraced their new Convert,
and returned thanks for being made the humble means of snatching a soul
from perdition. Proud of their success, they fell to exhorting him
afresh; and the most zealous invited him to dinner, that they might have
full time to complete their work.
“The Captain sucked in the milk of exhortation, as a new-born babe does
the milk of the breast. He was as ready to listen as they were to
exhort. Never was a Convert more assiduous, while his station in Boston
Harbour lasted; he attended every Sabbath-day their most sanctified
meeting house; never missed a weekly lecture; at every private
Conventicle, he was most fervent and loudest in prayer. He flattered,
and made presents to the wives and daughters of the godly. In short, all
the time he could spare from the duties of his station, was spent in
entertaining them on board his ship, or in visiting and praying at their
houses.
“The Saints were delighted with him beyond measure. They compared their
wooden stocks to the voice of Heaven, and their sea-convert to St. Paul;
who, from their enemy, was become their doctor.
“Amidst their mutual happiness, the mournful time of parting arrived.
The Captain received his recall. On this he went round among the godly,
and wept and prayed, assuring them he would return, and end his days
among his friends in the Lord.
“Till the day of his departure, the time was spent in regrets,
processions, entertainments, and prayer. On that day, about a dozen of
the principal Magistrates, including the Select-men, accompanied the
Captain to Nantasket Road, where the ship lay, with everything ready for
sailing.
“An elegant dinner was provided for them on board; after which many
bowls and bottles were drained. As the blood of the Saints waxed warm,
the crust of their hypocrisy melted away; their moral see-saws and
Scripture texts gave place to double-entendres and wanton songs; the
Captain encouraged their gaiety, and the whole ship resounded with the
roar of their merriment.
“Just at that time into the cabin burst a body of sailors, who, to the
inexpressible horror and amazement of the Saints, pinioned them fast.
Heedless of cries and entreaties they dragged them upon deck, where they
were tied up, stripped to the buff, and their breeches let down; and the
boatswain with his assistants, armed with dreadful cat-o’-nine-tails
provided for the occasion, administered unto them the law of Moses in
the most energetic manner. Vain were all their prayers, roarings,
stampings, and curses; the Captain in the meantime assuring them that it
was consonant to their own doctrine and to Scripture, that the
mortification of the flesh tended towards the saving of the soul, and
therefore it would be criminal in him to abate them a single lash.
“When they had suffered the whole of their discipline, which had flayed
them from the nape of the neck to the hams, the Captain took a polite
leave, earnestly begging them to remember him in their prayers. They
were then let down into the boat that was waiting for them, the crew
saluted them with three cheers, and Captain St. Loe made sail.”