CHAPTER V. THE FIRST MINISTER. BENJAMIN CARYL- LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE ORDINATION -A CONFESSION OF FAITH CHURCH COVENANT-SELECTION OF DEACONS GIFT OF LAND FOR A PARSONAGE MR. CARYL'S BIBLE — DEATH OF MR. CARYL — FUNERAL ESTIMATE OF HIS CHARACTER - DAY OF FASTING AND PRAYER GRAVESTONE ERECTED TO HIS "The man of amplest influence, Whole in himself, a common good, Rich in saving common sense, And, as the greatest only are, In his simplicity sublime." Benjamin Caryl, A.M., was born in Hopkinton, Mass., in 1732, and graduated from Harvard College in 1761. He studied theology with the Rev. Henry Messinger, of Wrentham, whose daughter he married soon after his settlement. Although the call extended to him to settle over the Springfield Parish was made early in April, 1762, he did not reply until nearly five months after. He doubtless considered the question in all its bearings, and after much prayer and meditation, as was the custom of the time, saw his lines cast with this people, whom he faithfully served for nearly fifty years as a devoted minister. He beautifully exemplified in his life the truth of the Scripture, "He that is greatest among you shall be your servant." Mr. Caryl accepted the call of the parish the 5th of September, 1762, in the following letter: TO THE PEOPLE OF THE SPRINGFIELD PARISH IN DEDHAM, GREETING: Christian Friends,—I hope I am in some measure sensible of the overruling providence of God in all things, and willing to hear and obey his voice to me therein. Especially would I at this time acknowledge and view the providence of God, both in so far uniting your hearts to invite me to carry on the great work of the gospel ministry among you and in inclining my heart to accept of your invitation. And I desire to bless God that, after so much pains taken to know my duty, I am so well satisfied with the clearness of my call to settle among you in the work of the ministry, though I hope I am sensible of my own unfitness, unpreparedness, and insufficiency for these things; but being fully persuaded ye Christ as king and head of his church has appointed and established the office of ye ministry to continue in a constant succession to the end of time, and has promised to be with his faithful ambassadors always to the end of the world, I do therefore, humbly leaning on Christ's strength, seriously comply with your desire to take upon me the office of a pastor and to administer Christ's ordinances among you. And as, I hope, I do this with a desire for and aim at the glory of God and our own mutual good, so let your fervent prayers to God be that he would qualify me for this work and adorn me with all needful ministerial gifts and grace, that I may be a workman that need not be ashamed, and that I may be prospered in my labors among you, if it be his will to place me as a laborer among you, and that we may live in love and peace as followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, that another day we may appear before him with joy and not with grief. Thus, asking your prayers, I rest, Your humble servant, Benjamin Caryl DEDHAM, September 5, 1762. Dr. Samuel Williams, the famous Vermont editor, and a classmate of Benjamin Caryl's at Harvard College, left some curious notes on the Commencement programme of his class in 1761, in which he picked out six men whom he judged "to be the most advantageous men to the Commonwealth of any in the class, but not to be in the most honorable stations therein." Speaking of Benjamin Caryl, whom he included in this list, he says, "an extraordinary genius, a good scholar and companion." It is to be remembered that the man who made this estimate of Mr. Caryl was himself a fine scholar. He received the degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Edinburgh, and became a member of several learned societies abroad. The parish voted October 11, 1762, to ordain Mr. Caryl on the 10th of the following month; and a vote of thanks was extended to John Battle, who had generously offered to entertain the council at his own expense. As ministers in those days were settled for life, an ordination was of no common occurrence, and was always attended by a large number of people. This was no exception. A West Dedham lad, who wanted to attend the services but did not know the way, was told to go out to the highway and simply follow the crowd and he would have no difficulty in finding the place. the Sunday previous to Mr. Caryl's ordination a meeting was held, perhaps at the house of Dea. Joshua Ellis, where a church organization was formed, which consisted of fifteen male members. The church was "embodied" by the Rev. Mr. Balch, of the Dedham On |
