h for lasting praise
The ever-great First cause.

Then gladly know this wondrous muse
Who walks the aisles of Time;
And dare not thoughtlessly refuse
Her book of lore sublime.

For in it is the precious force
Of spirit-life divine,
Which even through a winding course
Leads on to Wisdom's shrine.

* * * * *

TWO REFORM MAYORS OF BOSTON.

JOHN PHILLIPS.

By The Editor.

The progenitor of the Phillips family in America was the Rev. George
Phillips, son of Christopher Phillips of Rainham, St. Martin, Norfolk
County, England, _mediocris fortunae_. He entered Gonville and Caius
College, Cambridge, April, 20, 1610, then aged seventeen years, and
received his bachelor's degree in 1613.

[Illustration: JOHN PHILLIPS, THE FIRST MAYOR OF BOSTON.]

After his graduation he was settled in the ministry at Boxted, Essex
County, England; but his strong attachment to the principles of the
Nonconformists brought him into difficulties with some of his
parishioners, and as the storm of persecution grew more dark and
threatening, he resolved to cast his lot with the Puritans, who were
about to depart for the New World. On the 12th of April, 1630, he with
his wife and two children embarked for America in the "Arbella," as
fellow-passenger, with Gov. Winthrop, Sir Richard Saltonstall, and other
assistants of the Massachusetts Company, and arrived at Salem on the
12th of June, where, shortly afterwards, his wife died and was buried by
the side of Lady Arabella Johnson.

Mr. Phillips was admitted "freeman," May 18, 1631; this being the
earliest date of any such admission. For fourteen years he was the
pastor of the church at Watertown, a most godly man, and an influential
member of the small council that regulated the affairs of the colony.
His share in giving form and character to the institutions of New
England is believed to have been a very large one. He died on the 1st of
July, 1644, aged about fifty-one years.

The son of the foregoing, born in Boxted, England, in 1625, and
graduated from Harvard College in 1650, became in 1651 the Rev. Samuel
Phillips of Rowley, Mass. He continued as pastor over this parish for a
period of forty-five years. He was highly esteemed for his piety and
talents, which were of no common order; and he was eminently useful,
both at home and abroad.

In September, 1687, an information was filed by one Philip Nelson
against th