Nehemiah Adams
Encyclopedia
Reverend Nehemiah Adams was an American
clergyman and writer.
, in 1806 to Nehemiah Adams and Mehitabel Torrey Adams. He graduated from Harvard University
in 1826, and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1829. That same year, he was ordained as co-pastor, with Abiel Holmes
, of the First Congregational Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1832, he married Martha Hooper.
In 1834, he became pastor of Union Congregational Church in Boston, Massachusetts. He would remain in that position through 1878. In 1850, he married again, to Sarah Brackett.
In 1854, he took a trip to the American South, and wrote a book entitled A South-Side View of Slavery (Boston, 1854). This book was one of several polemic works he wrote. It caused a great sensation, and he received much hostile criticism. The book was attacked by abolitionists for its perceived moderation. In the book, he lauded slavery
as beneficial to the Negro
es' religious character.
In 1861, Adams wrote a successor volume, The Sable Cloud, a Southern tale with Northern Comments, to answer his attackers, and it was met with a similar response.
He also wrote The Cross in the Cell, Scriptural Argument for Endless Punishment, Broadcast, At Eventide, and a Life of John Eliot
. He was a member of the American Tract Society
and the American Board for Foreign Missions.
In 1869, in consequence of his failing health, his people procured an associate pastor and gave Adams a long leave of absence. He made a voyage round the world and described it in Under the Mizzenmast (1871). He died in 1878, aged 72. He left nine children.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
clergyman and writer.
Biography
He was born in Salem, MassachusettsSalem, Massachusetts
Salem is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 40,407 at the 2000 census. It and Lawrence are the county seats of Essex County...
, in 1806 to Nehemiah Adams and Mehitabel Torrey Adams. He graduated from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
in 1826, and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1829. That same year, he was ordained as co-pastor, with Abiel Holmes
Abiel Holmes
Abiel Holmes was an American Congregational clergyman and historian in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. He was the father of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. and grandfather of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.....
, of the First Congregational Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 1832, he married Martha Hooper.
In 1834, he became pastor of Union Congregational Church in Boston, Massachusetts. He would remain in that position through 1878. In 1850, he married again, to Sarah Brackett.
In 1854, he took a trip to the American South, and wrote a book entitled A South-Side View of Slavery (Boston, 1854). This book was one of several polemic works he wrote. It caused a great sensation, and he received much hostile criticism. The book was attacked by abolitionists for its perceived moderation. In the book, he lauded slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
as beneficial to the Negro
Negro
The word Negro is used in the English-speaking world to refer to a person of black ancestry or appearance, whether of African descent or not...
es' religious character.
In 1861, Adams wrote a successor volume, The Sable Cloud, a Southern tale with Northern Comments, to answer his attackers, and it was met with a similar response.
He also wrote The Cross in the Cell, Scriptural Argument for Endless Punishment, Broadcast, At Eventide, and a Life of John Eliot
John Eliot (missionary)
John Eliot was a Puritan missionary to the American Indians. His efforts earned him the designation “the Indian apostle.”-English education and Massachusetts ministry:...
. He was a member of the American Tract Society
American Tract Society
The American Tract Society is a nonprofit, nonsectarian but evangelical organization founded on May 11, 1825 in New York City for the purpose of publishing and disseminating Christian literature. ATS traces its lineage back through the New York Tract Society and the New England Tract Society to...
and the American Board for Foreign Missions.
In 1869, in consequence of his failing health, his people procured an associate pastor and gave Adams a long leave of absence. He made a voyage round the world and described it in Under the Mizzenmast (1871). He died in 1878, aged 72. He left nine children.