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pleasant and beneficial.
After the death of his brother, Thomas Brattle, he skilfully performed the duties of Treasurer of the College, for about two years. At the election of President, Oct. 28, 1707, he had one vote.1 His literary attainments were further recognized by his election as a member of the Royal Society,—an honor conferred on very few Americans.
After “a languishing distemper which he bore with great patience and resignation,” he “died with peace and an extraordinary serenity of mind,” Feb. 15, 1716-17, in the fifty-fifth year of his age. An obituary appeared in the “Boston News Letter,” dated Feb. 25, in which it is said that his “good name while he lived was better than precious ointment, and his memory, now being that of the just, will be always blessed.
They that had the happiness to know Mr. Brattle, knew a very religious, good man, an able divine, a laborious, faithful minister, an excellent scholar, a great benefactor, a wise and prudent man, and one of the best of friends.
The promoting of religion, learning, virtue, and peace, every where within his reach, was his very life and soul, the great business about which he was constantly employed, and in which he principally delighted.
Like his great Lord and Master, he went (or sent) about doing good.
His principles were sober, sound, moderate, being of a catholic and pacific spirit.”
In a preface to Dr. Sewall's sermon on the death of Rev. Ebenezer Pemberton, Dr. Mather fully corroborates the foregoing testimony: “In the same week another faithful minister of God was taken away, viz. the Rev. Mr. William Brattle, pastor of the church in Cambridge, whom also I had reason to have an intimate acquaintance with, for that I presided over the College all the time of his being a Fellow and a Tutor there; and I had much comfort in his conversation.
Had I not known his abilities, I would not have advised the precious Church in Cambridge to have elected and ”
1 It is not unlikely that this vote was given by Increase Mather, D. D. A Ms. letter from Mr. Brattle to him, dated May 8, 1707, preserved in the Library of Harvard College, indicates their mutual respect and affection. After hearty thanks for a book which he had recently received, Mr. Brattle says: “As to the affairs of the College, I wish they were under better circumstances than they are: I do not hear but that the Commencement is like to be carry'd on as of late: If not, I would with all earnestness wish that yourself would once more honor that society and that day with your presence and managements. I know it would be very great condescension in yourself; but because of the special service which would come thence, and for the sake of the public glory that would attend it, I cannot but wish it. I have deep resentments of your respects to my unworthy self: it is what I am most apt to be proud of, that I have in any measure your smiles. The argument you urge my compliance from in case and of your presence, &c., is without flattery the greatest temptation from the head of honor that could assault me.”
Boston. Houghton and Mifflin. 1877.
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