Unitarianism in America: A History of its Origin and DevelopmentCooke, George Willis
History
Unitarianism in America: A History of its Origin and Development
Cooke, George Willis
Unitarianism -- United States
In the spring of 1834 the part of the ministry at large in Boston supported
by Unitarians consisted of Dr. Tuckerman's work in visiting and ministering
to the poor in their own homes, two chapels, in which Barnard and Gray
preached and conducted their Sunday-schools, and the office of the Visitors
to the Poor. In order more effectually to organize the support of this
work, the Benevolent Fraternity of Churches was then suggested. The Second,
Brattle Street, New South, New North, King's Chapel, Federal Street, Hollis
Street, Twelfth, and Purchase Street Churches entered upon the work; and
there was organized in each a society for the purpose of aiding the
ministry at large. Each of these societies was privileged to send five
delegates to a central body that should undertake the support and direction
of that ministry. At a meeting held April 27, 1834, an organization of such
delegates was effected. It was distinctly stated that "it was not the wish
to add another to the eleemosynary institutions of the city to which the
poor might resort either for the supply of the comforts or for the relief
of necessities which belong to their bodily condition"; but the object of
the Fraternity was described as being "the improvement of the moral state
of the poor and irreligious of this city by the support of the ministry at
large, and by other means."[9]
[Sidenote: Other Ministers at Large.]
Dr. Tuckerman continued his work of visiting the poor, so far as his health
permitted, until his death, which occurred April 20, 1840. His assistants
and successors continued the work of visitation outside of their own
congregations. In August, 1844, Rev. Warren Burton was assigned to this
special form of ministry, and to that of a systematic investigation of the
condition of the poor. He gave much attention to the needs of children, and
made inquiry as to intemperance, licentiousness, and other forms of social
degeneration. He was a diligent and successful worker until his ministry
came to an end in October, 1848. For about a year, in 1847, Rev. William
Ware also devoted himself to the house-to-house ministry; but failing
health compelled his withdrawal. In April, 1845, Rev. Andrew Bigelow took
charge of the Pitts Street Chapel for a few months; and then for thirty-two
years, until his death, in April, 1877, he continued to visit the poor.
With the assistance of his wife, he went about to the homes of the people,
administering to their physical needs, acting as their friend and adviser,
and giving them such moral instruction and spiritual consolation as was
possible.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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