[Rarebooks] FS: 1777 Discourse against Extortion by Massachusetts Soldier, Surgeon, Minister Jonathan French: Signed

[A.E. Tishman]

Ezra from Aardvark offers this pamphlet by Revolutionary War Soldier, Surgeon and Minister, exhorting his parishioners against the sin of Extortion or Usury.   

French, Jonathan. A PRACTICAL DISCOURSE AGAINST EXTORTION, FROM EZEKIEL XII, 12. DELIVERED AT A LECTURE IN THE SOUTH PARISH AT ANDOVER, JANUARY 1, 1777 (INSCRIBED BY MR. FRENCH) By Jonathan French, A.M.,, Pastor of Said Parish. Published at the Desire of the Hearers. Boston.: T. & J.Fleet, 1777. 12mo. Later marbled paper wraps. 38 pp. Clean,near fine copy. 38, [2] p. Handwritten on the half title is Mr. French's inscription: "The Gift of the Revd Author to J Winth" (with the rest of the name trimmed off.) It seems likely the inscribee was John Winthrop a mathematician, physicist, astronomer and Harvard professor who was also a member of the Governor's Council in 1773-74 and who subsequently served the patriotic cause in the Revolution, and descendent of the founder of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Only six copies located in libraries worldwide, Evans,; 15299; ESTC W027782. Signficant revolutionary war pamphlet in superb condition. Near Fine. Pamphlet. 

French (1740-1809), an unusual minister, fought in the French & Indian war, was a sergeant at Castle William. With the coming of the Revolution, 'Jonathan French, of Andover, Massachusetts, left his pulpit on the Sabbath morning, when the news of Bunker Hill arrived, and with surgical case in one hand and musket in the other started for Boston', joined the army after Bunker Hill.

At seventeen, Mr. French enlisted as a private in the French War, and was sent to Fort Edward. Thence, after a few months, he came back to Boston on account of ill health, but not without having done some valorous deeds in Indian fighting. He was stationed at Castle William, with the rank of Sergeant. Fond of books, he took to studying medicine here and practised surgery, but finally, by advice of friends who discovered his talent, he resolved to enter the ministry, and to that end set about fitting for college while still doing military duty. This he accomplished, and delivered up his sword only on the day when he entered a Freshman at Harvard. He was then twenty-seven years old. He graduated at the age of thirty-one. He had intended to be a missionary to the Indians (perhaps from compunctions derived from his experience and observation in the Indian fighting by Christians), but his plans were changed by his receiving a call to supply the pulpit of the South Church at Andover. This was given through the influence of Samuel Phillips, Jr., Esq., a classmate in college of Mr. French, with whom he had formed a warm friendship. At the age of thirty-two Mr. French began his pastorate, which continued thirty-seven years.

An active participant in town affairs, a zealous patriot, and a promoter of every proper measure of Revolutionary tendency, he

showed even in his peaceful profession his military training and ardor. ...Parson French could not be inactive. On Sunday morning, when news of the battle of Bunker Hill came, he took no scrupulous counsel concerning Sabbath-breaking, but started for the battlefield with his musket in hand, and his case of surgeon’s implements and medicines, and, no doubt, as became a minister, with his Bible also. He rendered valuable aid that day, caring for the wounded and administering comfort and consolation, physical and spiritual.

Excerpt from this pamphlet:

"...Extortion is a violation of the laws of mercy, kindness, and benevolence. These all require us to extend our pity, and compassion to our fellow creatures. But the Extortioner exercizes none of these. His heart, his eyes, his hands, and every bowel of love,and mercy are shut against the distresses and wants of others; and his ears deaf to all their complaints -- He matters not how great a diminution others sustain in their wealth, and happiness, if he can but secure his own -- Lost to every social virtue, he puts off the man, and assumes rather the character of some voracious animal, who, to satiate his own greediness, would devour all around him..." (p. 12)              $650


Pictures:   https://www.ezrabook.com/pages/books/79018/jonathan-french/a-practical-discourse-against-extortion-from-ezekiel-xii-12-delivered-at-a-lecture-in-the-south

Note: On an out of town appraisal trip; can ship by July 25th, 2022. 


Aardvark Books, ABAA 
&
Ezra Tishman Book Appraisals, LLC

P.O. 5252
Eugene, OR  97405
 (541) 683-3131; 

thebookfinder at gmail.com   
bookappraisals at gmail.com
http://ezrabook.com
Fine Books, Manuscripts and Archives Sold, Consigned & Appraised, since 1995.
Member ABAA, ILAB, IOBA 
Accredited Member, Books & Manuscripts
   American Society of Appraisers (ASA)