The Bay State Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2 | Page 5

no serious checks; they had agencies for the
sale of goods in Boston, New York, New Orleans, and large orders
came from other cities. They bought materials for cash, so that when
the commercial crash of 1837 carried disaster to multitudes, they
survived. "We did not fail," said Mr. David, "for we owed no one
anything, but we lost nearly all we had by the failure of others." The
result of this experiment was a contraction of the system of credits and
selling goods for cash or by guaranteed commissions.

For many years, the manufacture of whips was the most important
business in Amherst. It gave employment to several persons and
furnished the means of support to ten or twelve families. The purchases
of ivory, whalebone, and other raw material, were usually made from
first hands and in such quantities as often gave the firm control of the
market; while in the style and workmanship of their handmade whips,
they had few competitors.
With the enlargement of their resources, Messrs. Melendy & David
became interested in other enterprises. They held real estate and
buildings. They bought shares in the railways which were finding their
location in New Hampshire. Mr. David belonged to the Board of
Directors that laid out and constructed the Northern Railroad.
Subsequently this property was sold, and with the proceeds they joined
in new undertakings at the West, which subjected the firm to very
serious losses. The business was entrusted to others, and unforeseen
difficulties arose, attended by material disasters, which no precaution
will certainly avert; and failing in the support which was supposed sure,
defeat ensued. But these reverses were not without their uses, as
subsequent events clearly demonstrated. Accepting the conditions,
which were most disheartening, Mr. David and his partner addressed
themselves to the work of securing their creditors and restoring their
fortunes. It was a long and weary struggle, demanding persistent
application, economy, and careful management. They were subjected to
painful imputations and occasional rebuffs, but they also found
sympathy, and at the end of nine years, in which they sought no relief
from the usual claims of social and religious obligations, every debt
was discharged and their real estate freed from all incumbrance. The
example was most commendable, illustrating the sterling virtue and
high determination of the men in circumstances where weak minds
would have faltered, and unconscientious persons would have evaded
payment.
Going back in this history to the period of their increasing business, we
shall find that a strong religious element controlled the lives of both of
these men. In the years from 1830 to 1836, which were so memorable
in large accessions to the Churches of New Hampshire, the power of

the gospel was manifested in Amherst, and these men with many others
were persuaded to act upon their religious convictions and avow their
faith in Christ. Mr. Melendy united with the Congregational Church in
1832, and Mr. David and several of his workmen followed the example
in 1835; the character of all these men for integrity and steady habits
had been good, but from this date a higher standard of conduct
prevailed. A new direction was given to their thoughts, and the tone of
the establishment was elevated by superior motives. While resident in
Boston. Mr. David had been attentive to the vigorous doctrinal
discussion which divided the community sixty years ago. He had
listened approvingly to the preaching of Wayland and Beecher, then in
the fulness of their strength. He was persuaded that the doctrines to
which these divines gave such prominence were in harmony with the
teachings of the New Testament; accordingly, when Mr. David
accepted the Evangelical system of faith as the ground of his own hope
of God's favor, he acted intelligently. He acknowledged his dependence
on the grace of God in Christ Jesus. He recognized the sacredness of
the Christian calling. He became a student of the Scriptures, entered the
Sabbath School as a teacher, and assumed the responsibilities of
sustaining the ordinances of public and local religious worship. In 1846,
he was elected deacon in the Congregational Church. He accepted the
office with some reluctance, being distrustful of himself, but his
counsel and service were of great value to the brotherhood. Intent on
improving himself in all the qualities of Christian manhood, he was
observant of the great movements of society, and deeply interested in
the new and enlarged applications of Chistianity. He followed the
operations of the American Board, as new fields opened to the
missionaries of the Cross; keeping informed as to the changing phases
of Evangelical effort in this and in foreign lands. In this particular he
manifested the same accuracy which marked his knowledge of current
affairs. He was familiar with the history of the United States and Great
Britain, and