Sun Sep 27 1992 05:29:16 by James Davis MATHERs of NEW ENGLAND (1) ------------------------------- With the recent interest in MATHER, my Congregational background, and my inherant curiosity here is what I found out in our World Book Encyclopedia. I got more detail from my American Encycolpedia. Richard MATHER b. 1596 Lowton, Lancashire, England, d. 22 Apr 1669 Dorchester, Mass. 1620 ordained minister at Toxteth Park, Lancashire in Church of England 1633 suspended for Puritan beliefs 1635 came to Massachusetts Bay Colony and helped establish Congregational Church in America 1636-1669 pastor in Dorchester near Boston 1640 helped compile The Bay Psalm Book - helped write the Cambridge Platform (Congregational) adopted 1648 1649 Platform published as A Platform of Church Discipline m2.ca.1655 widow of John COTTON who was the most prominent theologian of early colonial America. Increase MATHER b.21 Jun 1639 Dorchester, Mass., d.23 Aug 1723 Boston, Mass. Son of Richard Mather. 1656 graduated from Harvard 1658 received M.A. from Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland 1661 returned to AMerica 1662 m. dau. of John COTTON 1664 joined Second Church of Boston as a teacher 1674 chosen as fellow of Harvard 1683 started a scientific society in Boston and encouraged scientif study at Harvard. he had printed over 100 books and pamphlets 1685/6 became president of Harvard with title of Rector 1688 to England to appeal to James II on behalf of NE churches for restoration of Mass. charter revoked by Charles II 1690 appointed as one of four Mass. diplomatic agents in London he got new charter and privilege to appoint governor of new govt. 1692 he chose Sir William Phips and the returned to Boston 1693 wrote "Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits" in which he was concerned about using spectral evidence as prooof of guilt. He felt it was better to let 10 suspected withces escape than to condemn 1 innocent person. 1701 removed as president due to conservative religious views Cotton MATHER b.12 Feb 1663 Boston, Mass., d.13 Feb 1728 Boston, Mass. Son of Increase MATHER 1675? age 12 entered Harvard 1678 got B.A. at Harvard 1681 got M.A. at Harvard 1680-1728 joined father at Second Church in Boston 1689 active in rebellion against Sir Edmond Andros, Royal Gov. of Mass. 1691 vigorously defended new charter and new Gov. Sir William Phips. 1692 he wrote against the use of spectral evidence and believed that witches might better be treated by prayer and fasting than by punative legal action. His interest in witches however probably stimulated hysterical fear of witches. The witchcraft trials were over by the time he was 30 and most of his achievements lay ahead of him. He published nearly 500 books and pamphlets many on scientific subjects. He was first American elected to the Royal Society (the famous British scientific academy). Both and his father supported smallpox inoculations when most doctors and colonists were suspicious. His interest in science is seen in his "The Christian Philosopher", 1721. He also wrote one of the earliest books on plant hybridization. He was probably better know internationally than any other American until Jonathan Edwards and Benjamin Franklin. His best know book is Magnalia Christi Americana, 1702, which contained much information of the people and issues of the day. Many historians believe it was he and his father who helped stir up the Salem witch trials in the 1690' with their sermons and writings. Other historians think their reputation for persecution was greatly exagerated. References were: "Cotton Mather: The Young Life of the Lord's Rememberancer", 1663-1703, 1978, David Levin "The Mathers: Three Generations of Puritan Intellectuals", 1596-1728, 1971 Robert Middlekauff "The Life and Times of Cotton Mather", 1984, Kenneth Silvverman John COTTON b. 4 Dec 1584, Derby, England, d.23 Dec 1652 Boston, Mass. Son of Richard COTTON, a well to do lawyer. 1603 A.B. degree from Trinity College, Cambridge 1606 A.M. degree " " " " 1610 ordained deacon and priest 1613 B.D. degree from Emmanuel College (most Puritanically inclined of all Cambridge colleges) 1612-1633 vicar of St. Botolph's Church in Lincolnshire, England 1633 fled to America to escape persecution as Puritan. Served with a church in Boston. Learned in Hebrew, Latin and Greek. He believed church and state should be close partners. He opposed unrestrained democarcy. He believed that people should chose their rulers who should govern according to certain unchanging principles. He became NE spokesman gains religious views of Roger Williams, founder of the Rhode Island colony. Wrote "The Keyes of the Kingdom of Heaven", 1644 and "The Bloudy Tenet, Washed, and Made White in the Bloud of the Lambe", 1647. He published more than 50 works including: "An abstract of the Lawes of New England", 1641 "The Way of Life", 1641 "The Way of the Churches of Christ in New-England", 1645 "Milk for Babes", 1646 (much used children's catechism) "The Way of Congregational Churches Cleared", 1648 "The New Covvenant", 1654 and "The Covenant of Grace", 1655 References: "The Writings of Roger Williams, vols. 1-4, 1866-1870, Williston Walker "Ten New Englnad Leaders", 1901 H.B. Parkes "John Cottoon and Roger Williams Debate Toleration" 1644-1652, 1931, New England Quarterly 4:735-756. I am not related to the MATHERs. I just grew up as a Congregationalist in Hawaii.