That same year, he was ordained as co-pastor, with Abiel Holmes, of the First Congregational Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In 1854, he took a trip to the American South, and wrote a book entitled A South-Side View of Slavery (Boston, 1855).

[5] In 1861, Adams wrote a successor volume, The Sable Cloud, a Southern Tale with Northern Comments, to answer his attackers, and it was met with a similar response.

[6] He also wrote The Cross in the Cell, Scriptural Argument for Endless Punishment, Broadcast, At Eventide,[2] and a Life of John Eliot.

[2] In 1869, in consequence of his failing health, his people procured an associate pastor and gave Adams a long leave of absence.