1729 April 15. [1] About five months agoe I set down some account of the more remarkable Mercies of God to Me in the Course of His Providence in and Since that my memorable dangerous Sickness when I was a Young School Boy; Having made Some (though I confess very imperfect) Record of what went before, in a little Book bearing Date August 24, 1719, and Several other Dates from thence, but in a great deal of Confusion, and with too many other marks of my puerility, when I Scribbl’d them however honest and upright my intention was to have Some Remembrances of those (to me) important Things by me; Having of late experienc’d So much of the divine Goodness as gives me new and the greatest Reason forever to esteem and admire the various Expressions thereof to me, and every way to manifest my greatfull Returns to my unspeakable Benefactor for what He has, in infinite Tenderness done for Me, I have here transcrib’d a Sort of Catalogue or Memorandum of those abovesaid Mercies to God to Me, have carry’d it along with what I have received Since.
Divine Benignity and Providence
- Recovery from a very Dangerous Fit of Sickness, and of near, if not altogether 4 Months Continuance, at the Time of the Meazles rageing in this Country. I was taken in October — had a Fever, then the Meazles — then languished as aforesaid. But the Lord was gracious and redeemed my Life from Destruction.
- My being Sent, and my admission into, Harvard College, in the Year 1717. Examin’d July 8, admitted July 11, and went up to dwell at Cambridge August 13. Under Mr. Leveret,[2] president, and Mr. Robie,[3] my Tutor.
- The good measure of Health, and the Prosperity enjoy’d while I liv’d at College.
- The Honours of Bachelor of Arts, conferr’d in the Year 1721, July 5.
- What acceptance I met with (the Same year) in keeping School at Newton, and Preservation from the Infection of the Small Pox, by which many of my Friends were remov’d into the Eternal World.
- My Brother Elias’s[4] Kindness and Bounty when he took me to Board in His House and allow’d good and pleasant accomodattions there, in April 7th, 1722 and continuing the same for Near a Year and half, that is, till my more frequently going into the country to preach, which was July 27, 173 at Hopkington (or rather August 2 at Worcester) more occasionally, and afterwards (August 21) at Westborough more constantly, during the latter part of which Time, I did also reside at Times at Cambridge, where I kept a Chamber with Mr. Edward Hunting.[5] Indeed from the time of my first preaching at Wrentham (which was April 14, 1723) or before I was not constantly at Boston, but divided a part of my Time at Cambridge. Nevertheless I account that near a year and half I was at my Brothers, because thither I went as to my home when I was at Boston and kept my Library, etc. there, and had a Chamber Study and entertainment occasionally there, for the space of Two years I suppose.
- My admission into the New North Church and the assistance in my preparation therefor, March 31, 1723.
- The Assistance God was pleased to grant me, and what Acceptance I (undeservedly) met with in my Preaching, which began first of all (as abovesaid) at Wrentham, April 14, 1723. My Text was 1 Cor. 3.11. “Other Foundation can no man lay.”
- The Honour of a Second Degree at Harvard College, viz. of Master of Arts, conferr’d July 1, 1724.
- The Blessing afforded me by my Marriage July 7, 1724 to Miss Mary Champney, Daughter of Mr. Samuel Champney at Cambridge, at which the Reverend Mr. Appleton,[6] with gracefull Solemnity officiated. And here I would Bless God for his wondrous Grace in restraining me from the Sin of Fornication, and carrying me through so many Temptations as Those pass’d in the Time of Courtship.
- The Distinguishing Honours, and gracious Presence of God, at my Ordination, October 28th in the same year 1724. N.B. The Reverend Mr. Dorr[7] open’d the solemnity with prayer. The Reverend Mr. Prentice[8] preach’d on 2 Cor. 2.16. Reverend Mr. William Williams of Weston pray’d and gather’d the Church. Mr. Prentice gave the charge. Reverend Mr. Loring[9] of Sudbury the Right Hand. Sung Ps. 69.17 to 21.
- Recovery from the illness that debarr’d Me the public Exercises, immediately after my ordination, Two Dayes of Service.
- I look upon those Kindnesses receiv’d from my Westborough Nei[gh]bours, as the Favours of Providence to me and my Family, and do return Thanks to God for them.
- Gods appearing for my Wife in her hour of Peril and giving us a Daughter (which was Mary) September 14, 1725.
- Three weeks after her lying in my wife had a very Sore Breast, which broke twice, and brought us into a great Affliction. I would thankfully remember the Deliverance out of that Grievous Trouble.
- My Fathers recovery out of dangerous Sickness in January 1725/6, I would always number amongst Gods mercies to Me, and particularly because I then look’d upon my Self very unprepar’d to entertain his Death, as I ought.
- My Wife’s Restoration and Recovery from her great pains and illness (Laps-uteri) July 1726, under the Care of the Reverend Mr. Barrett[10] and Mrs. Whitcomb. This is to be remembered as a Special appearance of God for us.
- The Lords Compassion in healing My Daughter when very ill. July 3, 1727, is to be observ’d by Me.
- Deliverance to my Wife when in Travel [sic] the Second Time, and giving me a Son, August 20, 1727. This I call’d Ebenezer, Saying with Gratitude Hitherto hath the Lord helped.
- I would record the Salvation vouchsaf’d us in the Time of the uncommon Thunder, Lightning and Wind in this Month, August (1727).
- Still greater and more memorable Salvations in the Great Earthquake, and I would that more Special Notice be taken of it because I would lay those Threatenings in Divine Providence, with the awakenings of His word publickly delivered the Day before; which compleating the Third year Since the gathering our Church and my own ordination, I preach’d on Luke 13.7.
- The Goodness of God to me in the time of uneasiness touching Mr. Josiah Newton and preventing Divisions among us. April 4, 1728.
- Recovery of my Son out of Sickness which he Labour’d of in the Months of September and October, of this Year 1728.
- My Recovery from my Ague in November, Seizing Me the 7th at Night and continuing to the 15th a great part of the time in much Extremity.
- Healing my Son in December in the Same Year.
- I would put into this Account the Favour of my Library, So much larger than (considering my Circumstances) I might have expected it to be, Though I would humbly wait for the Divine Goodness in further Additions to it still, but especially beg for Grace to improve it to the Glory of God.
- I would reckon also the Comforts pour’d on in from my Farms. But I pray God to preserve me from Worldly mindedness and Covetousness which may prove to the Detriment of my Spirituall State, and to my Studies and Ministrations. And thereby not a little to the Dishonor of God, and the Holy Ministry, and to the Disservice of the Interests of Religion. To that I would be not a little concerned on this Score.
- I must ever remember with hearty gratitude My Recovery out of Dangerous Sickness, weakness and Pains that I was brought low with in March 1729. I was first of all Seiz’d February 11 and kept from public Service the 16th, But was So well on the 23rd as to go to Meeting again. I was again disorder’d on the 28th and March 1, was faint and feeble the 2d, yet ventur’d to meeting and preach’d all Day and had extremity of pain in my Limbs, and oppression in my Stomach. The nights after the 7th and 8th I had such fits my Physician call’d my Distemper and Rheumatic Fever as were not without Difficulty to be born; and I fear’d a 3d would be more than Nature Could resist. The 9th I had, through the omnipotent Mercy of God, a instigation, and escaped the Danger. I was in the beginning of my illness under the Care of Reverend Mr. Barrett and afterwards of Dr. Roby.[11] However I was under Confinement and in Weakness, in Pain and [illegible] for weeks after. April 6. I went to meeting part of the Day, the 13th all Day. On the 20th I preach’d in the forenoon but could not undertake more than to baptize a child, in the afternoon.
- I would Set it down among the Divine Mercies that after the Difficulties, weakness, pains in my Stomach, faintness, etc., on my Journey to Boston June 2d, 3, 4 which put me and my Relatives into great Fears and Concern. I was carry’d through and brought home to my Family June 6, though continuing in much feebleness and in Fear and Care about the Event. I would record my Thanks also that I found my Son So recovered from the illness he had been for some time labouring under, and that he was much afflicted by, when I went from home.
[Editor’s Note: Parkman appears to have added the last four items at a later date.]
- July 3, 1729. The Salvation of God was Seen, and my Wife brought forth a Second Son, and upon Consideration of God repeating his Blessing in this kind, as well as my having an ancestor of that Name, I call’d him Thomas.
- August 18. The Goodness of God was manifested to us and to my little Daughter Mary in preserving her when She had Sadly wander’d away, and was a long time lost in the Swamp; and directing a Young Man (David Maynard, Jr.) to her Deliverance.
- February 17, 1729/30. In my great Weakness, the Reverend Mr. Campbell[12] of Oxford visited me, and persuaded me to ride. We rode to Marlborough and then proceeded to Cambridge. My Wife also went with me but it was, above all, a kind and merciful God who sustain’d me. The Glory to His Name! The 19th Day was Fast at Westborough on my account.
N.B. The affectionate Regard which the Reverend Mr. Breck[13] show’d me in the Exercises at the Fast which was kept at Westborough on the foresaid occasion: in particular in his Sermon which was from that Text Phil. 2.27. “For indeed he was sick” etc. Reverend Cushing[14] also assisted in the Fast.
- Deliverance to my Wife when Travailing with my Second Daughter, Sept, 20, 1731. On account of the Singular Love and Affection, and numberless[15] kind Regards of my Wife’s sister, Miss Lydia Champney, we Thought fit to call this Child by her name, Lydia.
[1]All of the material for April 1729 is found in the Natalitia.
[2]John Leverett (Harvard 1680).
[3]Thomas Robie (Harvard 1708).
[4]Elias Parkman of Boston.
[5]Edward Hunting (Harvard 1725). Sibley, VII, 542-543.
[6]Reverend Nathaniel Appleton.
[7]Joseph Dorr of Mendon.
[8]John Prentice of Lancaster.
[9]Israel Loring.
[10]Samuel Barrett of Hopkinton.
[11]Ebenezer Roby (Harvard 1719), a physician of Sudbury. Sibley, VI, 336-339.
[12]John Campbell.
[13]Robert Breck of Marlborough.
[14]Job Cushing of Shrewsbury.
[15][Walett transcribed this a “memberless.”]