68.39.174.238 (talk) Expand title per WP:RD/L consultation |
No1lakersfan (talk | contribs) updated to new reference format |
||
Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
== Early life == |
== Early life == |
||
Mather was born in [[Dorchester, Massachusetts]]{{ |
Mather was born in [[Dorchester, Massachusetts]]<ref name="colombia">{{cite web|title=Mather, Increase. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-05.|publisher=Bartleby.com|url=http://www.bartelby.net/65/ma/Mather-I.html|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}}</ref> on June 21, 1639 to Rev. [[Richard Mather]] and Kathrine Holt Mather<ref name="harv">{{cite web|title=Mather, Increase, 1639-1723. Papers of Increase Mather: an inventory|publisher=Harvard Universiry|url=http://oasis.harvard.edu:10080/oasis/deliver/~hua28004|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}}</ref> following their participation in the [[Great Migration]] from England due to [[nonconformity]] with the [[Church of England]].<ref name="dorch">{{cite web|title=Dorchester Atheneum: Richard Mather|author=Dorchester Atheneum|url=http://www.dorchesteratheneum.org/page.php?id=70|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}}</ref> He was the youngest of 6<ref name="bio">{{cite book|title=The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans|publisher=The Biographical Society|location=Boston|date=1904|volume=VII|accessdate=October 17|accessyear=2006}} — The relevant excerpt can be seen here: http://members.tripod.com/clipclop/LM/mather/richard.html (Warning: Ads)</ref><!-- Some sources erroniously state a different number, hence the apparent "over-citation"--> brothers: Samuel, Nathaniel, Eleazar, Joseph and Timothy Mather.<ref name="bio" /> |
||
His parents were notoriously religious{{ |
His parents were notoriously religious<ref name="hd">{{cite web|title=A Brief Biographical Sketch of the Reverend Increase Mather|author=Andrew Mitchell|format=[[Microsoft Word]] (.DOC)|url=http://www.hillsdale.edu/Academics/downloads/andrewmitchellincreasebio_1.doc|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}}</ref>, and three of his brothers (Samuel, Nathaniel and Eleazar) also became ministers<ref name="1911rm">{{cite web|title=Richard Mather - LoveToKnow1911|publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica|url=http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Richard_Mather|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}}</ref>. |
||
=== Education === |
=== Education === |
||
In 1651 Mather was admitted to Harvard where he roomed with and studied under [[John Norton]]. |
In 1651 Mather was admitted to Harvard where he roomed with and studied under [[John Norton]].<ref name="hd" /><ref name="harv" /><!-- One source for studied with and one for roomed with. --> When he graduated (1656) with a [[Bachelor of Arts|B.A.]]<ref name="harv" />, he began to train for the [[ministry]] and gave his first sermon on his eighteenth birthday<ref name="ref1911">{{cite web|title=Increase Mather - LoveToKnow1911|publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica|url=http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Increase_Mather|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}}</ref>. He quickly left Massachusetts and went to [[Ireland]], where he studied at [[Trinity College, Dublin|Trinity College]] in [[Dublin]] for a [[Master of Arts (postgraduate)|M.A.]].<ref name="hd" /> He graduated with it in [[1659]]<ref name="colombia" /> and spent the next 3 years as a [[chaplain]] attached to a garrison in the [[Channel Islands]]<ref name="hd" />. |
||
Harvard was to later award him the first [[honorary degree]] in the [[New World]], a [[Doctor of Sacred Theology|S.T.D.]], in [[1692]] |
Harvard was to later award him the first [[honorary degree]] in the [[New World]], a [[Doctor of Sacred Theology|S.T.D.]], in [[1692]]<ref name="harv" />. |
||
== Establishing himself in Massachusetts == |
== Establishing himself in Massachusetts == |
||
In [[1661]], with the advent of the [[English Restoration]] and resurgence of [[Anglicanism]], Increase returned to Massachusetts, where he married Maria Cotton. |
In [[1661]], with the advent of the [[English Restoration]] and resurgence of [[Anglicanism]], Increase returned to Massachusetts, where he married Maria Cotton.<ref name="hd" /> She was his stepsister<ref name="hd" /> by virtue of his father's marriage to Sarah Hankredge, the widow of [[John Cotton]] and mother of Maria.<ref name="ref1911" /> She gave birth to [[Cotton Mather]] in February.<ref name="hd" /> |
||
He was [[ordination|ordained]] as minister of the [[Old North Church]], whose congregation included many of the [[upper class]] and governing class, |
He was [[ordination|ordained]] as minister of the [[Old North Church]], whose congregation included many of the [[upper class]] and governing class,<ref name="hd" /> on [[May 27]] [[1664]]. He held this post until he died.<ref name="colombia" /> By virtue of his position he quickly became one of the most influential people in the colony, both religiously and politically.<ref name="hd" /> |
||
=== Harvard === |
=== Harvard === |
||
In [[June 11]], [[1685]] he became the Acting President of [[Harvard University]] (Then Harvard College) and steadily advanced: A little over a year later on [[July 23]] [[1686]] he was appointed the [[Rector]]. On [[June 27]], [[1692]] he became the [[President of Harvard University|President of Harvard]], a position which he held until [[September 6]], [[1701]]. |
In [[June 11]], [[1685]] he became the Acting President of [[Harvard University]] (Then Harvard College) and steadily advanced: A little over a year later on [[July 23]] [[1686]] he was appointed the [[Rector]]. On [[June 27]], [[1692]] he became the [[President of Harvard University|President of Harvard]], a position which he held until [[September 6]], [[1701]].<ref name="harv" /> |
||
He was rarely present on campus or in the town, |
He was rarely present on campus or in the town,<ref name="colombia" /> especially during his term of Rector as he was out of the Colony for all but two years of his term in that office.<ref name="harv" /> Despite his absences he did make some changes: reimplementation [[Greek language|Greek]] and [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] instruction, replacement classical Roman authors with [[Bible|Biblical]] and Christian authors in [[ethics]] classes, enactment of requirements that students attend classes regularly, live and eat on campus and that seniors not [[hazing|haze]] other students.<ref name="harv" /> |
||
== Involvement in politics == |
== Involvement in politics == |
||
While politics and Puritan religion were closely related during Increase's life time, his first direct involvement with politics occurred as a result of [[James II of England]]'s manipulation of the New England governments. In [[1686]] James revoked the [[Charter of Massachusetts]] in the process of creating the [[responsible government|unresponsible]] [[Dominion of New England]]. |
While politics and Puritan religion were closely related during Increase's life time, his first direct involvement with politics occurred as a result of [[James II of England]]'s manipulation of the New England governments. In [[1686]] James revoked the [[Charter of Massachusetts]] in the process of creating the [[responsible government|unresponsible]] [[Dominion of New England]].<ref name="colombia" />. |
||
The Dominion was headed by [[Edmund Andros]], who not only disliked puritanism and was [[arrogance|haughty]] |
The Dominion was headed by [[Edmund Andros]], who not only disliked puritanism and was [[arrogance|haughty]]<ref name="harv" />, but ruled as a near absolute dictator: [[Town meeting]]s were outlawed, leaving the Dominion without consent of the government was outlawed, marriage was removed from the clergy and the [[Old South Church]] was temporarily appropriated for [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] services.<ref name="ish">{{cite web|title=Interactive State House|work=Governors of Massachusetts|publisher=Commonwealth of Massachusetts|url=http://www.mass.gov/statehouse/massgovs/eandros.htm|Accessdate=December 14|accessyear=2006}}</ref> Also disliked by the Puritan [[status quo]] was the [[1687]] [[Declaration of Indulgence]], prohibiting discrimination against [[Roman Catholicism|Catholics]].<ref name="hd" /> When Mather successfully roused opposition to the charter revokation, he was nearly framed for [[treason]]. He then traveled to [[London]] (eluding spies out to catch him) to petition the King.<ref name="ref1911" /> |
||
While engaged in petitioning he published pieces to build popular support for his positions, such as ''A Narrative of the Miseries of New-England, By Reason of an [[dictatorship|Arbitrary Government]] Erected there Under Sir Edmund Andros'' (1688) and ''A Brief Relation for the Confirmation of Charter Privileges'' (1691). |
While engaged in petitioning he published pieces to build popular support for his positions, such as ''A Narrative of the Miseries of New-England, By Reason of an [[dictatorship|Arbitrary Government]] Erected there Under Sir Edmund Andros'' (1688) and ''A Brief Relation for the Confirmation of Charter Privileges'' (1691).<ref name="ref1911" /> |
||
While there he attempted to get the old charter restored |
While there he attempted to get the old charter restored<ref name="colombia" /> and a royal charter for Harvard<ref name="harv" />; however, he abandoned that course and changed his petitions to a new charter not lacking any of the rights previously granted.<ref name="harv" /> Following the [[Glorious Revolution]] and subsequent overthrow of Andros, a new charter was granted to the colony.<ref name="harv" /> The 1692 charter was a major departure from its predecessor, granting sweeping [[home rule]], establishing an elective [[legislature]], enfranchising all [[fee simple|freeholders]] (previously only men admitted to a congregation could vote), and uniting the Massachusetts Bay Colony and [[Plymouth Colony]].<ref name="harv" /> Following Andros' deposition and arrest<ref name="ish" />, he had [[William Phips]] appointed as Royal Governor and they returned to Massachusetts, arriving on [[May 14]] 1692.{{citation needed}} |
||
Following his return, the administration of Harvard grew increasingly insistent that he reside nearer to the institution. Not wanting to leave his Second Church, he didn't, eventually resigning the Presidency. |
Following his return, the administration of Harvard grew increasingly insistent that he reside nearer to the institution. Not wanting to leave his Second Church, he didn't, eventually resigning the Presidency.<ref name="harv" />. |
||
== Involvement in the Salem witch trials == |
== Involvement in the Salem witch trials == |
||
As an influential member of the community, Increase was involved in the notorious witch hysteria of [[Salem, Massachusetts]]. As the court of [[oyer and terminer]] was beginning to hear cases of suspected witchcraft, Increase published "The Return of Several Ministers Consulted", which urged moderation in the use and credence of "[[spectral evidence]]".{{ |
As an influential member of the community, Increase was involved in the notorious witch hysteria of [[Salem, Massachusetts]]. As the court of [[oyer and terminer]] was beginning to hear cases of suspected witchcraft, Increase published "The Return of Several Ministers Consulted", which urged moderation in the use and credence of "[[spectral evidence]]".<ref name="va">{{cite web|title=Salem Witch Trials: Increase Mather|author=Mathew Madden|url=http://www.iath.virginia.edu/salem/people/i_mather.html|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}}</ref> In June and July 1692 as the trials and executions began to increase, Increase made a number of sermons interpreted as a plea to cool the heated atmosphere.<ref name="va" /> In September he published ''Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits Personating Men, Witchcrafts, infallible Proofs of Guilt in such as are accused with that Crime'' (More commonly just "Cases of conscience concerning evil spirits"), which defended the judges and trials, but strongly denounced the spectral evidence used by them. It contained his famous version of [[Blackstone's formulation]], that "It were better that Ten Suspected Witches should escape, than that one Innocent Person should be Condemned". Afterwards, his reputation was not improved by his involvement and association with the trials, nor by his subsequent refusal to denounce them. His refusal to repudiate was likely because of his longtime frienship with the judges involved.{{citation needed}} He was also [[slander and libel|defamed]]{{citation needed}} by Robert Calef in his harshly critical ''More Wonders of the Invisible World''<ref name="va-rc">{{cite web|title=MORE WONDERS of the INVISIBLE WORLD|publisher=University of Virginia|url=http://etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/speccol/calef/calef.html|accessdate=December 9|accessyear=2006}}</ref> (Refered to as ''More Wonders of the Spiritual World'' by the [[Encyclopedia Britannica Eleventh Edition]]<ref name="ref1911" />).<ref name="ref1911" /> |
||
== Later life and death == |
== Later life and death == |
||
Following Maria's death in August 1714, he remarried. |
Following Maria's death in August 1714, he remarried.<ref name="hd" /> On [[September 27]] [[1722]] he [[loss of consciousness|fainted]] and was bedridden thereafter.<ref name="hd" /> In August of 1723 he suffered [[bladder failure]]<ref name="hd" /> and died three weeks later on [[August 23]], [[1723]]{{citation needed}} in [[Boston]].<ref name="mhs">{{cite web|title=MHS Increase Mather Papers, 1659-1721 Guide to the Microfilm Edition|publisher=The [[Massachusetts Historical Society]]|url=http://www.masshist.org/findingaids/doc.cfm?fa=fa0239|accessdate=October 21|accessyear=2006}}</ref> |
||
== Beliefs == |
== Beliefs == |
||
Throughout his life Mather was a staunch Puritan, opposing anything openly contradictory to it, mutually exclusive with it, or potentially "distracting" from it. He supported suppression of [[intoxication]], unnecessary effort on Sundays and [[Sumptuary law|ostentatious clothing]]. He was initially opposed to the [[Half-Way Covenant]] but later supported it. |
Throughout his life Mather was a staunch Puritan, opposing anything openly contradictory to it, mutually exclusive with it, or potentially "distracting" from it. He supported suppression of [[intoxication]], unnecessary effort on Sundays and [[Sumptuary law|ostentatious clothing]]. He was initially opposed to the [[Half-Way Covenant]] but later supported it.<ref name="ref1911" /> He firmly believed in the direct appearance of God's disfavor in everyday life, e.g. the weather, political situations, attacks by "Indians", fires and floods, etc.{{citation needed}}<ref name="ref1911" /><!--1st ref explicitly states so, second gives examples--> |
||
He was strenuous in attempting to keep people to his idea of morality, |
He was strenuous in attempting to keep people to his idea of morality,<ref name="harv" /> making strong use of [[jeremiad]]s to try and prevent indifference and especially to try and get government officials to enforce public morality.<ref name="hd" /> |
||
During his tenure at Harvard he regularly stamped out any relaxation of Puritan strictness, such as [[latitudinarianism]], which had flourished during his overseas absence. |
During his tenure at Harvard he regularly stamped out any relaxation of Puritan strictness, such as [[latitudinarianism]], which had flourished during his overseas absence.<ref name="harv" /> |
||
Following his acceptance of the Covenant, [[Solomon Stoddard]] and others attempted to further liberalize Puritanism by [[baptism]] of children who had nonmember parents |
Following his acceptance of the Covenant, [[Solomon Stoddard]] and others attempted to further liberalize Puritanism by [[baptism]] of children who had nonmember parents<ref name="harv" /> and admittance of all but the openly immoral to services.<ref name="ref1911" /> To try and stop this, he had a [[synod]] called in an attempt to outlaw similar measures. A declaration was adopted, but never made binding.<ref name="ref1911" /> Following this, reform-minded members were sent to the body and it took on a less conservative tone, bitterly disappointing Mather.<ref name="hd" /> |
||
== "Increase" == |
== "Increase" == |
||
The stated reason for his [[first name]] was "...the never-to-be-forgotten [[wikt:increase|increase]], of every sort, wherewith God favoured the country about the time of his nativity." |
The stated reason for his [[first name]] was "...the never-to-be-forgotten [[wikt:increase|increase]], of every sort, wherewith God favoured the country about the time of his nativity."<ref name="ref1911" /> |
||
== References == |
== References == |
||
<div class="references-small"><references /></div> |
|||
* {{note|Colombia}} {{cite web|title=Mather, Increase. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-05.|publisher=Bartleby.com|url=http://www.bartelby.net/65/ma/Mather-I.html|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}} |
|||
<!-- Dead note "UMCK": {{cite web|title=Biography of Increase Mather|url=http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/ASA_INC.HTM|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}} --> |
|||
* {{note|UMCK}} {{cite web|title=Biography of Increase Mather|url=http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/ASA_INC.HTM|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}} |
|||
* {{note|Harv}} {{cite web|title=Mather, Increase, 1639-1723. Papers of Increase Mather: an inventory|publisher=Harvard Universiry|url=http://oasis.harvard.edu:10080/oasis/deliver/~hua28004|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}} |
|||
* {{note|Dorch}} {{cite web|title=Dorchester Atheneum: Richard Mather|author=Dorchester Atheneum|url=http://www.dorchesteratheneum.org/page.php?id=70|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}} |
|||
* {{note|1911RM}} {{cite web|title=Richard Mather - LoveToKnow1911|publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica|url=http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Richard_Mather|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}} |
|||
* {{note|HD}} {{cite web|title=A Brief Biographical Sketch of the Reverend Increase Mather|author=Andrew Mitchell|format=[[Microsoft Word]] (.DOC)|url=http://www.hillsdale.edu/Academics/downloads/andrewmitchellincreasebio_1.doc|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}} |
|||
* {{note|1911}} {{cite web|title=Increase Mather - LoveToKnow1911|publisher=Encyclopedia Britannica|url=http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Increase_Mather|accessdate=October 12|accessyear=2006}} |
|||
* {{note|Bio}} {{cite book|title=The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans|publisher=The Biographical Society|location=Boston|date=1904|volume=VII|accessdate=October 17|accessyear=2006}} — The relevant excerpt can be seen here: http://members.tripod.com/clipclop/LM/mather/richard.html (Warning: Ads) |
|||
* {{note|ISH}} {{cite web|title=Interactive State House|work=Governors of Massachusetts|publisher=Commonwealth of Massachusetts|url=http://www.mass.gov/statehouse/massgovs/eandros.htm|Accessdate=December 14|accessyear=2006}} |
|||
* {{note|MHS}} {{cite web|title=MHS Increase Mather Papers, 1659-1721 Guide to the Microfilm Edition|publisher=The [[Massachusetts Historical Society]]|url=http://www.masshist.org/findingaids/doc.cfm?fa=fa0239|accessdate=October 21|accessyear=2006}} |
|||
* {{note|VA-RC}} {{cite web|title=MORE WONDERS of the INVISIBLE WORLD|publisher=University of Virginia|url=http://etext.virginia.edu/salem/witchcraft/speccol/calef/calef.html|accessdate=December 9|accessyear=2006}} |
|||
{{start box}} |
{{start box}} |
Revision as of 14:52, 17 December 2006
Increase Mather | |
---|---|
Occupation | Minister |
Spouse(s) | Maria Cotton and Ann Cotton |
The Reverend Increase Mather (June 21 1639 — August 23 1723) was a major figure in the early history of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and Province of Massachusetts Bay (now the Federal state of Massachusetts). He was a Puritan minister who was involved with the government of the colony, the administration of Harvard College, and most notoriously, the Salem witch trials. He was the father of the equally influential Cotton Mather.
Early life
Mather was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts[1] on June 21, 1639 to Rev. Richard Mather and Kathrine Holt Mather[2] following their participation in the Great Migration from England due to nonconformity with the Church of England.[3] He was the youngest of 6[4] brothers: Samuel, Nathaniel, Eleazar, Joseph and Timothy Mather.[4]
His parents were notoriously religious[5], and three of his brothers (Samuel, Nathaniel and Eleazar) also became ministers[6].
Education
In 1651 Mather was admitted to Harvard where he roomed with and studied under John Norton.[5][2] When he graduated (1656) with a B.A.[2], he began to train for the ministry and gave his first sermon on his eighteenth birthday[7]. He quickly left Massachusetts and went to Ireland, where he studied at Trinity College in Dublin for a M.A..[5] He graduated with it in 1659[1] and spent the next 3 years as a chaplain attached to a garrison in the Channel Islands[5].
Harvard was to later award him the first honorary degree in the New World, a S.T.D., in 1692[2].
Establishing himself in Massachusetts
In 1661, with the advent of the English Restoration and resurgence of Anglicanism, Increase returned to Massachusetts, where he married Maria Cotton.[5] She was his stepsister[5] by virtue of his father's marriage to Sarah Hankredge, the widow of John Cotton and mother of Maria.[7] She gave birth to Cotton Mather in February.[5]
He was ordained as minister of the Old North Church, whose congregation included many of the upper class and governing class,[5] on May 27 1664. He held this post until he died.[1] By virtue of his position he quickly became one of the most influential people in the colony, both religiously and politically.[5]
Harvard
In June 11, 1685 he became the Acting President of Harvard University (Then Harvard College) and steadily advanced: A little over a year later on July 23 1686 he was appointed the Rector. On June 27, 1692 he became the President of Harvard, a position which he held until September 6, 1701.[2]
He was rarely present on campus or in the town,[1] especially during his term of Rector as he was out of the Colony for all but two years of his term in that office.[2] Despite his absences he did make some changes: reimplementation Greek and Hebrew instruction, replacement classical Roman authors with Biblical and Christian authors in ethics classes, enactment of requirements that students attend classes regularly, live and eat on campus and that seniors not haze other students.[2]
Involvement in politics
While politics and Puritan religion were closely related during Increase's life time, his first direct involvement with politics occurred as a result of James II of England's manipulation of the New England governments. In 1686 James revoked the Charter of Massachusetts in the process of creating the unresponsible Dominion of New England.[1].
The Dominion was headed by Edmund Andros, who not only disliked puritanism and was haughty[2], but ruled as a near absolute dictator: Town meetings were outlawed, leaving the Dominion without consent of the government was outlawed, marriage was removed from the clergy and the Old South Church was temporarily appropriated for Anglican services.[8] Also disliked by the Puritan status quo was the 1687 Declaration of Indulgence, prohibiting discrimination against Catholics.[5] When Mather successfully roused opposition to the charter revokation, he was nearly framed for treason. He then traveled to London (eluding spies out to catch him) to petition the King.[7]
While engaged in petitioning he published pieces to build popular support for his positions, such as A Narrative of the Miseries of New-England, By Reason of an Arbitrary Government Erected there Under Sir Edmund Andros (1688) and A Brief Relation for the Confirmation of Charter Privileges (1691).[7]
While there he attempted to get the old charter restored[1] and a royal charter for Harvard[2]; however, he abandoned that course and changed his petitions to a new charter not lacking any of the rights previously granted.[2] Following the Glorious Revolution and subsequent overthrow of Andros, a new charter was granted to the colony.[2] The 1692 charter was a major departure from its predecessor, granting sweeping home rule, establishing an elective legislature, enfranchising all freeholders (previously only men admitted to a congregation could vote), and uniting the Massachusetts Bay Colony and Plymouth Colony.[2] Following Andros' deposition and arrest[8], he had William Phips appointed as Royal Governor and they returned to Massachusetts, arriving on May 14 1692.[citation needed]
Following his return, the administration of Harvard grew increasingly insistent that he reside nearer to the institution. Not wanting to leave his Second Church, he didn't, eventually resigning the Presidency.[2].
Involvement in the Salem witch trials
As an influential member of the community, Increase was involved in the notorious witch hysteria of Salem, Massachusetts. As the court of oyer and terminer was beginning to hear cases of suspected witchcraft, Increase published "The Return of Several Ministers Consulted", which urged moderation in the use and credence of "spectral evidence".[9] In June and July 1692 as the trials and executions began to increase, Increase made a number of sermons interpreted as a plea to cool the heated atmosphere.[9] In September he published Cases of Conscience Concerning Evil Spirits Personating Men, Witchcrafts, infallible Proofs of Guilt in such as are accused with that Crime (More commonly just "Cases of conscience concerning evil spirits"), which defended the judges and trials, but strongly denounced the spectral evidence used by them. It contained his famous version of Blackstone's formulation, that "It were better that Ten Suspected Witches should escape, than that one Innocent Person should be Condemned". Afterwards, his reputation was not improved by his involvement and association with the trials, nor by his subsequent refusal to denounce them. His refusal to repudiate was likely because of his longtime frienship with the judges involved.[citation needed] He was also defamed[citation needed] by Robert Calef in his harshly critical More Wonders of the Invisible World[10] (Refered to as More Wonders of the Spiritual World by the Encyclopedia Britannica Eleventh Edition[7]).[7]
Later life and death
Following Maria's death in August 1714, he remarried.[5] On September 27 1722 he fainted and was bedridden thereafter.[5] In August of 1723 he suffered bladder failure[5] and died three weeks later on August 23, 1723[citation needed] in Boston.[11]
Beliefs
Throughout his life Mather was a staunch Puritan, opposing anything openly contradictory to it, mutually exclusive with it, or potentially "distracting" from it. He supported suppression of intoxication, unnecessary effort on Sundays and ostentatious clothing. He was initially opposed to the Half-Way Covenant but later supported it.[7] He firmly believed in the direct appearance of God's disfavor in everyday life, e.g. the weather, political situations, attacks by "Indians", fires and floods, etc.[citation needed][7]
He was strenuous in attempting to keep people to his idea of morality,[2] making strong use of jeremiads to try and prevent indifference and especially to try and get government officials to enforce public morality.[5]
During his tenure at Harvard he regularly stamped out any relaxation of Puritan strictness, such as latitudinarianism, which had flourished during his overseas absence.[2]
Following his acceptance of the Covenant, Solomon Stoddard and others attempted to further liberalize Puritanism by baptism of children who had nonmember parents[2] and admittance of all but the openly immoral to services.[7] To try and stop this, he had a synod called in an attempt to outlaw similar measures. A declaration was adopted, but never made binding.[7] Following this, reform-minded members were sent to the body and it took on a less conservative tone, bitterly disappointing Mather.[5]
"Increase"
The stated reason for his first name was "...the never-to-be-forgotten increase, of every sort, wherewith God favoured the country about the time of his nativity."[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Mather, Increase. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. 2001-05". Bartleby.com. Retrieved October 12.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=
ignored (|access-date=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Mather, Increase, 1639-1723. Papers of Increase Mather: an inventory". Harvard Universiry. Retrieved October 12.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=
ignored (|access-date=
suggested) (help) - ^ Dorchester Atheneum. "Dorchester Atheneum: Richard Mather". Retrieved October 12.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=
ignored (|access-date=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans. Vol. VII. Boston: The Biographical Society. 1904.
{{cite book}}
:|access-date=
requires|url=
(help); Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=
ignored (|access-date=
suggested) (help) — The relevant excerpt can be seen here: http://members.tripod.com/clipclop/LM/mather/richard.html (Warning: Ads) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Andrew Mitchell. "A Brief Biographical Sketch of the Reverend Increase Mather" (Microsoft Word (.DOC)). Retrieved October 12.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=
ignored (|access-date=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Richard Mather - LoveToKnow1911". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved October 12.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=
ignored (|access-date=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Increase Mather - LoveToKnow1911". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved October 12.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=
ignored (|access-date=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Interactive State House". Governors of Massachusetts. Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|Accessdate=
ignored (|accessdate=
suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=
ignored (|access-date=
suggested) (help) - ^ a b Mathew Madden. "Salem Witch Trials: Increase Mather". Retrieved October 12.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=
ignored (|access-date=
suggested) (help) - ^ "MORE WONDERS of the INVISIBLE WORLD". University of Virginia. Retrieved December 9.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=
ignored (|access-date=
suggested) (help) - ^ "MHS Increase Mather Papers, 1659-1721 Guide to the Microfilm Edition". The Massachusetts Historical Society. Retrieved October 21.
{{cite web}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=
ignored (|access-date=
suggested) (help)