With Noyes, Parker also prepared students for Harvard, refusing all compensation for his services. On John Woodbridge's return from England in 1663, he was made assistant to Parker, who had complained of failing eyesight in 1643, and towards the end of his life became quite blind. His blindness did not prevent Parker from continuing to teach, usually twelve or fourteen pupils at the James Noyes House, where he lived with Noyes. He taught languages with ease from memory. Samuel Sewall (a cousin of Shubael Dummer) was one of his scholars and wrote about Parker in his diary. During Parker's pastorate, a bitter controversy on the subject of church government divided his parish.
