AMERICAN

QUARTERLY REGISTER.

VOL. XII.

MAY, 1840.

No. 4.

BRIEF MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOSEPH LYMAN, D. D.

PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN HATFIELD, MS.

JOSEPH LYMAN was the son of Jonathan and of Bethiah Lyman, of Lebanon, Ct., and was born April 14, 1749. Of his early years, we have no particular account. In the nineteenth year of his age, he was graduated at Yale College, where he sustained a high standing as a scholar.* In 1770, he entered on his duties as Tutor in that seminary, being associated in the government, with the president, Dr. Daggett, with the professor of mathematics, Nehemiah Strong, and with Buckingham St. John, a tutor. In this office, he remained but one year. He was ordained on the 4th of March, 1772, pastor of the Congregational church in Hatfield, Ms., being, at that time, under 23 years of age.† In October following, he was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Huntington, of Lebanon, the place of his nativity, with whom he continued to live in much conjugal happiness till his death, a period of more than fifty-five years. Mrs. Lyman has since deceased. They were the parents of seven children, two of whom only survive.

Dr. Lyman early took a deep interest in all that concerned the welfare of his country. In the war of the Revolution, he was one of the most ardent patriots, embarking, with his whole soul, in what he conceived to be the cause, not alone of his country, but of the human race. In all periods of his subsequent life, he adhered firmly to those doctrines and measures, which he regarded as favorable to the true interests of the United States and of the world. Some persons thought that he felt too strongly on these topics, but none can doubt the sincerity of his motives and the integrity of his heart. He felt on these subjects, as he viewed them to be connected with the interests of infidelity, or of Evangelical truth, with the disorganization of society, or the establishment of order, virtue and happiness among the nations of the earth. We well remember

*The class of 1767, to which he belonged, is the last on the Yale Triennial Catalogue which is not numbered alphabetically. The whole number is 24. Among his classmates are several honored names. Samuel Wales, D. D., Professor of Divinity at Yale, John Trumbull, LL. D., A. A. S., Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Connecticut, John Treadwell, LL. D., Governor of Connecticut, and the venerable Nathanael Emmons, D. D. of Franklin, Ms., who is the oldest graduate of Yale living, except the Rev. Isaac Lewis, D. D. of Greenwich, Ct.

†The predecessors of Dr. Lyman, at Hatfield, were the Rev. Messrs. Hope Atherton, who died in 1679, Nathanael Chauncy, 1685, William Williams, 1741, and Timothy Woodbridge, 1770. The year before Dr. Lyman's death, Rev. Jared B. Waterbury, was ordained as colleague pastor. Mr. Waterbury is now settled in Hudson, N. Y. Rev. Levi Pratt, who died in Medford in 1837, was settled in Hatfield from 1830 to 1835. See Am. Quart. Reg. x. 262, 273.

his fervent discourses and impassioned thanksgivings on the final overthrow of Buonaparte.* *

He took a prominent part in the formation and support of a number of the more important benevolent institutions of the day. He was one of those individuals, with whom originated that plan of union among the Evangelical ministers of this Commonwealth, which resulted in the organization of the General Association of Massachusetts. The fourth meeting of this body was held at Hatfield in 1806. Dr. Lyman was moderator of the meetings in 1809, 1815, and 1818. He preached the annual sermon in 1818. Of the Hampshire Missionary Society, he was one of the warmest friends and most efficient patrons. From an early date, he was chairman of the committee of trustees, and in 1812, was chosen president of the society. "To his wisdom and perseverance, are to be attributed, in no small degree, the favor it has continued to enjoy with the Christian community and the great good effected by its instru mentality, not only in communicating the Gospel to the destitute settlements in our country, but in preparing the public mind for those higher movements of philanthropy, which, at the time of its formation, had scarcely commenced." +

When the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions was formed, Dr. Lyman was consituted one of the original members; and, at the decease of Governor Treadwell, in the year 1823, he was appointed president of that body; to which office he was annually reëlected, till feeble health induced him to resign. His feelings were warmly interested in the objects of the Board; and he watched all its operations with the most affectionate interest. He was in the habit of reading the principal papers devoted to the circulation of religious intelligence, particularly the Missionary Herald; and, after he was too weak to read himself, this publication was read to him from beginning to end, as each successive number arrived. The Auxiliary Society for Foreign Missions of Northampton and the neighboring towns, and the Hampshire Education Society, acknowledged him as one of their earliest, warmest, and most influential benefactors. He was president of both; and of the latter, chairman of the directors, till 1826, when he was induced, by his growing age and infirmities, to tender his resignation.‡

His religious sentiments were the same which were embraced by our Puritan ancestors, and which have been recognized in the Confessions of Faith of most of the Protestant churches. He regarded an open denial of the doctrines of the Gospel as a sufficient ground for withholding fellowship from men of otherwise the fairest professions. He deeply lamented the doctrinal errors which have prevailed in some parts of our land, and rejoiced in the increasing triumphs of Evangelical truth. As a divine, he was able, and as a preacher, he was instructive, spiritual, and highly acceptable. If he had not at command all those graces of composition, in which some modern preachers excel, still his style of writing was simple,

* Two sermons, which he wrote on this occasion, were published.

The Hampshire Missionary Society originally embraced the three counties of Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden. It was organized near the beginning of the present century, and labored, as an independent society, for many years. with great energy and success. Among its founders, and steadfast friends were Governor Strong of Northampton, Rev. R. S. Storrs of Longmeadow, Elisha Billings, Esq. of Conway, Rev. Enoch Hale of Westhampton, Rev. H. Lord of Williamsburgh, Rev. Dr. Lathrop of West Springfield, besides many among the living.

The objects and plans of Education Societies had his most deliberate approbation, and the approbation of such a man is not to be undervalued, for his understanding was clear and searching, and his judgments remarkably independent of the opinions of others. As an instance of this, it may be mentioned, that he was from the first decidedly opposed to the projects of the American Jews' Society.

clear, and a good index of his practical and sound understanding. "Few of his brethren," remarks the Rev. Dr. Woodbridge, 66 were more generally admired than he was, for those talents which secured the attention of an auditory. Besides the advantages of a superior mind, his attitude was commanding, he had a clear and piercing voice, and an eye which kindled as he spoke.' "In his person," continues the same writer, "Dr. Lyman was peculiarly dignified; and in his manners, though far from studied softness, he was paternal, affectionate and conciliatory. His countenance, when he was engaged in animated conversation, seemed to be illuminated; and his eye, which was, perhaps, his most remarkable feature, beamed with intelligence and feeling. It was the index of his understanding and heart. His mind was formed after no ordinary model. His Maker had originally impressed upon it the stamp of greatness. The idea of power was that which first seized you, as you contemplated his intellectual faculties, and especially, as you witnessed their development in the ardor of discussion. With the utmost kindness of disposition which you could not but love, he seemed made to awe and to command. He was as judicious as he was decided. He took comprehensive views of men and things; and often arrived at his happiest conclusions, by such rapid steps that his discernment seemed like intuition. He was perhaps equally familiar with practical details, and abstract principles. He was mighty in counsel; and on ecclesiastical questions, few have dissented from his opinions, without finding occasion afterwards, to acknowledge their error, and the superior wisdom of his views." *

The great foundation of his character was religious integrity. He was remarkable for a prompt and frank avowal of his principles, and for a firm and consistent course of conduct. He was at the greatest possible remove from a temporizing, time-serving policy. He accomplished nothing by finesse and management. He was above them. He sometimes felt indignant towards those who practised these low arts. He abhorred all meanness in action, word or thought. He was all he professed-warm and faithful in his offices of friendship, and untiring in kindness towards those who sought his counsel or aid. He was the steadfast friend of faithful ministers. He rejoiced in their success; he supported and comforted them in their troubles; he was not ready to take up evil reports against them; he would never seek his own popularity at the expense of their reputation. His house was the mansion of hospitality; and his heart was open, as well as his house, to all those whom he deemed worthy of his confidence. ‡

"From his aversion to every thing that looked like boasting of his religion," remarks Dr. Woodbridge, "he was more reserved than we could have wished he had been, in disclosing to others those moral exercises, on which he grounded his hope of reconciliation to God through the atonement. To us, doubtless, it would have been gratifying to have heard from his lips, a full relation of the dealings of God with his soul. His error, if it were one, sprang from the excess of modesty and self-distrust. It was

*The above sentences, in our opinion, do no more than justice to Dr. Lyman's intellectual character. We had the privilege of seeing him on various occasions,-participating in the innocent festivities of a wedding; on a journey to a college commencement; as the moderator of a clerical association; and as the moderator of one of the most interesting and important ecclesiastical councils, ever held in the western part of the State. On this occasion the most eminent legal counsel were employed on both sides. Among them were his son, the Hon. Jonathan H. Lyman, and the Hon. Isaac C. Bates. The concourse of spectators was, for several days, immense. In the midst of this exciting scene, Dr. Lyman presided with the utmost ease and dignity, his self-possession never forsaking him, and his sound judgment and tact never proving in fault. Missionary Herald, xxiv. 165.

Dr. Woodbridge's Sermon, p. 15.

not because he deemed experimental religion unimportant, nor because he was not comforted by the hope he cherished of his personal piety, that he so generally avoided allusions, in conversation, to the state of his heart, and his prospects for another world. No one could have been more firmly convinced than he was, of the truth of the apostle's declaration, 'In Christ Jesus, neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.'"

Salvation by grace was to him a precious theme. He was a lover of good men. He prayed and labored for the salvation of the world. For fifty-six years, he maintained the truth without wavering, and secured by his exemplary and consistent deportment, the confidence, esteem and veneration of the Christian community. In his early days, he had witnessed the evil of extravagant zeal; and he did not wish to encounter them again. He might, perhaps, have been too apprehensive on this point. But it does not, therefore, follow that he was not a cordial friend to revivals of religion. Often did his heart exult, often was his eye suffused with tears, at intelligence of the prosperity of the Redeemer's kingdom.

His various trials he sustained with a resignation and firmness, which all may admire, but few would have equalled. When following to the grave his beloved and only son,* in whose arms the aged parent had hoped to have breathed his last, his calmness and magnanimity appeared to be undisturbed. No murmur, no rebellious tear escaped him. With what manly and Christian serenity, did he meet that dreaded enemy-old age! Under the long and distressing disease,† which proved mortal to him-a disease which rendered his food nauseous, and which, frequently, produced agonizing pain, he never uttered a complaint. He continued to lead in the devotions of his family, till his strength was nearly exhausted; and when, by the advice of his physicians, he desisted from the service, he requested that the twenty-third Psalm might be read in his hearing, "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." Before his mental powers had failed, he said enough to satisfy his friends, that while he renounced all dependence on his own doings, his hope was firmly built on Christ, the Rock of ages. Even in the wanderings of his mind, his thoughts seemed to dwell on subjects pertaining to the welfare of the church. He had lucid moments; and in one of these, when asked, if he could cast himself upon the all-sufficient grace of Christ, he replied, "What else can I do?" He seemed to feel satisfaction at the thought, that, though he should die, yet the church would live; and he spoke with tender emotion of the gracious care of God over him. His last effort at conversation was very interesting. Being raised in bed, he addressed his colleague with great solemnity, exhorting him to be faithful to the souls of men, and, while laboring for their salvation, to be much engaged in securing his own. When asked if the doctrines he had preached were the source of his hope and consolation, he answered in the affirmative. "Jesus Christ," it was observed to him, “is a foundation broad and deep," "yes," he replied, with a peculiar emphasis, "and HIGH ENOUGH." He was exhausted and could say no more. He languished a few days, and expired on Thursday, March 27, 1828. He had entered on the 57th year of his ministry, and had almost completed the 79th year of his age. The funeral solemnities were attended on the 31st of March. An excellent and highly impressive discourse was de

*The Hon. Jonathan Huntington Lyman, a distinguished lawyer of Northampton, a gentleman highly esteemed in all the relations of life, and who was cut off in the midst of his days, from a large circle of

beloved and heart-stricken friends.

† A cancerous tumor in the mouth.