human
You've heard, no doubt, of Parson Turell; Over at Medford he used to dwell,-- Married one of the Mathers' folks.
gpt
I am black but comely, O ye daughters of Jerusalem. When he married a second time he chose as his text,
human
He is altogether lovely, this is my beloved, and this my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem! It is possible that each of Parson Turell's brides may have chosen the text from which he preached her honeymoon sermon. It was the universal custom for many years thoughout New England to allow a bride the privilege of selecting for the parson who had solemnized her marriage, or at whose church she first appeared after the wedding, the text from which he should preach on the bridal Sabbath. Thus when John Physick and Mary Prescott were married in Portland, on July 4, 1770, the bride gave to Rev. Mr. Deane this text:
gpt
Mary hath chosen that good part; and from it Parson Deane preached the
human
When Abby Smith, daughter of Parson Smith, married 'Squire John Adams, whom her father disliked and would not invite home to dinner, she chose this text for her wedding sermon:
gpt
John came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and ye say he hath a devil.
human
Unto us a son is born; and thus notified the surprised congregation of an event which they had been awaiting for some weeks. Another preached on the text,
gpt
My servant lieth at home sick, which was literally true. Another, a bachelor, dared to announce this abbreviated text:
human
A wonder was seen in heaven--a woman. Dr. Mather Byles, of Boston, being disappointed through the non-appearance of a minister named Prince, who had been expected to deliver the sermon, preached himself upon the text,
gpt
Put not your trust in princes. But Dr. Byles was one who would always
human
He that withholdeth his corn, the people shall curse him; but blessings shall be upon the head of him that selleth it. As the minister grew warmer in his explanation and application of the text, the money-seeking corn-storer defiantly and unregenerately sat up stiff and unmoved, until at last the preacher, provoked out of prudence and patience, roared out,
gpt
Colonel Ingraham, Colonel Ingraham! you know I mean you; why don't you hang down your head? In a similar case another stern parson employed the text,
human
Ephraim is joined to his idols, let him alone;