USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Essex > History of the First Baptist Church, in Essex, Conn., during the first fifty years of its existence; read before the church, July 2d, 1861, with the declaration of faith, church covenant, and catalogue of members > Part 3
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verts were baptised between the Ist of March, and the Ist of May. Three more were baptised in June.
The good work was again renewed in the spring of 1843. In the journal before referred to, we find. "February Ist, 1843, Meetings increase, with fervent prayer. February 20th,- Backsliders return and stout hearts tremble and young con- verts begin to proclaim the goodness and mercy of God in the salvation of their souls." On the first Sabbath in April seven- teen followed the example of their Savior in baptism. In June eight more were baptised.
In the winter and spring of 1845-6, during the ministry of Elder Card, the Holy Spirit again visited this people and twenty converts were added to their number.
About the commencement of the year 1850, the Spirit of God seemed to hover over this church. Two persons were baptised January 6th. Soon the impenitent began to inquire what they must do to be saved, and asked christians to pray for them. Elder Charles Furgerson having been invited by the pastor, Elder Eastwood, labored here for some time, and God was pleased to bless his labors. Meetings were held every evening till late hours. Converts were multiplied, and on the first Sabbath in February, thirteen were buried with their Lord in baptism, and by the 27th of April, sixty-one persons had been added to the church by baptism. At no other pe- riod in the history of the church has so large a number been added in so short a time.
From 1851 to 1855, while Mr. Bailey was pastor, he says, "There were no general revivals experienced by the church during my connection with it. In 1853-4 there was an increase of interest and some conversions, but the work was not of that special character to affect generally the church or community." - Three converts were baptised in 1853, and eight in 1854.
In the years 1856 and 1857, there was no general revival though during these years fifteen were added to the Church by baptism. The largest number baptised at any one time, was seven, March 16th, 1856.
In the spring of 1858, this church with the other churches .in the village, and in common with many of the churches throughout the country, experienced a general revival, and from March 28th to June 6th, thirty were added to it by bap-
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tism. Mr. Ilsley baptised six more before the close of hi. ministry.
The church has received no members by baptism since the first Sabbath in May, 1859. Since that time not only have the impenitent among ns seemed unconcerned, with occasiona manifestations of some alarm, but members of the church are at ease in Zion, and some seem to have forgotten him who redeemed them with his blood.
Recently our hearts have been gladdened by the voice of a convert. May sinners follow the example, and professors be reminded of their first love; and this be but one drop before a copious shower.
Since the above was written, God has visited his people. In February, Elder Henry Bromley came to preach to us a few Sabbaths. He went about visiting the people and sow. ing the good seed. Soon some sinners were inquiring what they must do to be saved, and in prayer-meetings asked chris- tians to pray for them. Professors were aroused; they had not expected God's blessings till they saw it ready to descend upon them. Brother Bromley having returned to New York, Rev. Halsey W. Knapp preached to us the second Sabbath in March, and proposed to remain three days and hold meet .: ings every evening while with us. The meetings were crowd- ed, and the fields found to be " white, already for the harvest." For three weeks, Brother Knapp remained with us, visiting and exhorting, holding prayer-meetings every afternoon, and preaching every evening. Our meetings continued every night till ten o'clock, the anxious remaining to be prayed for, and christians remaining to pray for them and point them to the Lamb of God.
Sunday March 30th, ten persons were baptised, and the fol- lowing Sabbath, fourteen more, when twenty-five members, (one having been received by experience, ) received the hand of fellowship. April 20th, four converts were baptised and May 4th, six more descended into the watery grave. Still others who have experienced the love of God in their hearts, will, we trust, soon follow the example of their Saviour.
This work has been remarkable, not only for its power among those who never before professed to know Christ, and especially among the youth, but also among backsliders. Some who had been cut off, have returned and penitently renewed their covenant obligations with God's people.
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During all this time, the church has had no Pastor. But till within a few weeks, Brothers Bromley and Knapp have alternately labored among us, serving their divine master with fidelity, and they were permitted to bring in their sheaves.
Our church has had its trials and labors, even as Christ said, "It is impossible but that offences will come."
The church has had its afflictions; we expect that members will be removed by death; but on more than one occasion have those to whom the church has looked for counsel, and on whom it seemed to depend, been taken from it in quick succes- sion. Yet as a church we have great cause for thanksgiving and praise to God. He has borne with his people in their coldness and neglect of duty, and afflicted them only to teach them not to depend on an arm of flesh, and bring them back to himself. He has visited them with many precious showers of his grace, comforted the hearts of believers, and from time to time added to their numbers, we trust of such as shall be saved. For fifty years he has led this church and sustained it; may he abide with it still.
When fifty years more have passed, few if any of us will be here to tell the history of these times. Our work will soon be done. May we, and many more to be gathered into this fold, meet the members who have gone to Heaven, and there be united in praising our Redeemer.
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DECLARATION OF FAITH .*
I. THE TRUE GOD.
We believe that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is JEHOVAI, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of Heaven and Earth ;1 inex- pressibly glorious in holiness,? and worthy of all possible hon- or, confidence and love;3 that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ;4 equal in every divine perfection,5 and executing dis- tinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.6
1 John iv. 24. Ps. cxlvii. 5. Ps. Ixxxiii. 18. Heb. iii. 4. Rom. 1. 20. Jer. x. 10.
2 Ex. xv. 11. Isa. vi. 3. 1 Pet. i. 15, 16. Rev. iv. 6-8.
3 Mark xii. 30. Rev. iv. 11. Matt. x. 37. Jer. ii. 12, 13.
4 Matt. xxviii. 19. John xv. 26. ] Cor. xii 4-6. 1 John v. 7.
5 John x. 30; v. 17; xiv. 23; xvii. 5, 10. Acts v. 3, 4. 1 Cor. ii. 10, 11. Phil. ii. 5, 6.
C. Ephes. ii. 18. 2 Cor. xiii. 11. Rev. i. 4, 5; ii. 7.
II. THE SCRIPTURES.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by inen di- vinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruc- tion ;1 that God is its author, salvation its end," and truth, without any mixture of error its matter ;3 that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us;4 and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Chris- tian Union,5 and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried."
1 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. 2 Pet. i. 21. 2 Sam. xxiii. 2. Acts i. 16; iii. 21. John x. 35. Luke xvi. 29-31. Ps. cxix. 111. Rom. iii. 1, 2.
2 2 Tim. iii. 15. 1. Pet. i. 10-12. Acts xi. 14. Rom. i. 16. Mark xvi. 16. John v. 38, 39.
3 Proverbs xxx. 5, 6. John xvii. 17. Rev. xxii. 18, 19. Rom. iii. 4.
4 Rom. ii. 12. John xii. 47, 48. 1 Cor. iv. 3, 4. Luke x. 10-16 ; xii. 47, 48.
This form of Declaration of Faith, the Covenant and Standing Reso- lutions, was adopted July 7th, 1862.
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5 Phil. iii. 16. Ephes. iv. 3-6. Phil. ii. 1, 2. 1 Cor. i. 10. 1 Pet. iv. 11.
6 1 John iv. 1. Isaiah viii. 20. 1 Thess. v. 21. 2 Cor. xiii. 5. Acts, xvii. 11. 1 John iv. 6. Jude 3d v. Ephes. vi. 17. Ps. cxix. 59, 60. Phil. i. 9-11.
III. THE FALL OF MAN.
We believe that man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker ;1 but by voluntary transgression fell from that holy and happy state ;? in consequence of which all man- kind are now sinners,3 not by constraint, but by choice ;4 being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just con- demnation to eternal ruin," without defense or excuse."
1 Gen. i. 27; i. 31. Eccles. vii. 29. Acts xvii. 26. Gen. ii. 16.
2 Gen. iii. 6-24. Rom. v. 12
3 Rom. v. 19. John iii. 6. Ps. li. 5. Rom. v. 15-19; viii. 7.
4 Isa. Iiii. 6. Gen. vi. 12. Rom. iii. 9-18.
5 Eph. ii. 1-3. Rom. i. 18; i. 32; ii. 1-16. Gal. iii. 10. Matt. xx. 15.
6 Ez. xviii. 19, 20. Rom. i. 20; iii. 19. Gal. iii. 22.
IV. GOD'S PURPOSE OF GRACE.
We believe that Election is the eternal purpose of God to graciously regenerate, sanctify and save sinners;1 that it is perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, and compre- hends all the means in connection with the end ;? that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infi- nitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable ;3 that it utterly ex: cludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of His free mercy;4 that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree ;5 that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel;6 that it is the foundation of Christian assurance ;7 and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves, demands and de- serves the utmost diligence.8
1 2 Tim. i. 8, 9. Eph. i. 3-14. 1 Pet. i. 1, 2. Rom. xi. 5, 6. John xv. 16; John iv. 19. Hos. xii. 9.
2 2 Thess. ii. 13, 14. Acts xiii. 48. John x. 16. Matt. xx. 16. Acts xv. 14.
3 Ex. xxxiii. 18, 19. Matt. xx. 15. Eph. i. 11. Rom. ix. 23, 24. Jer. xxxi. 3. Rom. xi. 28, 29. Jam. i. 17, 18. 2 Tim. i. 9. Rom. xi. 32-36.
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4 1 Cor. iv. 7. 1 Cor. i. 26-31. Rom. ifi. 27; iv. 16. Col. iii. 12 1 Cor. iii. 5-7; xv. 10. 1 Pet. v. 10. Acts i. 24. 1 Thess. ii. 13. 1 Pet. ii. 9. Luke xviii. 7. Johni xv. 16. Eph. i. 16. 1 Thess. ii. 12.
5 2 Tim. ii. 10. 1 Cor. ix. 22. Rom. viii. 28-30. John vi. 37-40. 2 Pet. i. 10.
6 1 Thess. i. 4-10.
7 Rom. viii. 28-30. Isa. xlii. 16. Rom. xi. 29.
8 2 Pet. i. 10, 11. Phil. iii. 12. Heb. vi. 11.
V. THE WAY OF SALVATION.
We believe that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace ;' through the Mediatorial offices of the Son of God ;? who, by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon Himself our nature, yet without sin ;3 honored the Divine law by his per- sonal obedience,4 and by his death made a full atonement for our sins;" that having risen from the dead, He is now enthron- ed in Heaven,6 and uniting in His wonderful person the ten. derest sympathies with divine perfections, He is every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Saviour.7
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1 Eph. ii. 5. Matt. xviii. 11. 1 John iv. 10. 1 Cor. iii. 5-7. Acte xv. 11.
2 John iii. 16; i. 1-14. Heb. iv. 14; xii 24.
3 Phil. ii. 6, 7. IIeb. ii. 9; ii. 14. 2 Cor. v. 21.
4 Isa. xlii. 21. Phil. ii. 8. Gal. iv. 4, 5. Rom. iii. 21.
5 Isa. liii. 4, 5. Matt. xx. 28. Rom. iv. 25; iii. 21-26. 1. John iv 10; ii. 2. 1 Cor. xv. 1-3. Heb. ix. 13-15.
6. Heb. i. 8; i. 3; viii. 1. Col. iii. 1-4.
7 Ileb. vii. 25. Col. ii. 9. Heb. ii. 18; vii. 26. Ps. Ixxxix. 19. Ps. xlv.
VI. REGENERATION.
We believe that in order to be saved, sinners must be re- generated, or born again ;1 that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind;2 that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in connection with Divine truth,3 so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel;4 and that the holy fruits of repen- tance, and faith, and newness of life, are its proper evidences.5
1 John iii. 3; iii. 6, 7. 1 Cor. i. 14. Rev. viii. 7-9; xxi. 27.
2 2 Cor. v. 17. Ez. xxxvi. 26. Deut. xxx. 6. Rom. ii. 28, 29; v.
5. 1 John iv. 7.
3 Jolin iii. 8; i. 13. James i. 16-18. 1 Cor. i. 30. Phil. ii. 13.
4 1 Pet. i. 22-25. 1 John v. 1. Eph. iv. 20-24. Col. iii. 9-11.
5 Eph. v. 9. Romans viii. 9. Gal. v. 16-23. Eph. iii. 14-21. Matt. iii. 8-10; vii. 20. 1 John v. 4, 18.
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VII. REPENTANCE AND FAITH.
We believe that Repentance and Faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the re- generating Spirit of God ;1 whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness, and of the way of sal. vation by Christ,? we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession and supplication for mercy ;3 at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King, and relying on Him as the only and all-suf. ficient Saviour.+
1 Mark i. 15. Acts xi. 18. Ephes. ii. 8. 1 John v. 1.
2 John xvi. 8. Acts ii. 37, 38; xvi. 30, 31.
3 Luke xviii. 13; xv. 18-21. James iv. 7-10. 2 Cor. vii. 11. Rom. x. 12, 13. Ps. li.
4 Rom. x. 9-11. Acts iii. 22, 23. Heb. iv. 14. Ps. ii. 6. Heb. i. 8; viii 25. 2 Tim. i. 12.
VIII. JUSTIFICATION.
We believe that the great Gospel blessing which Christ1 se- cures to such as believe in Him is Justification ;? that Justifi- cation includes the pardon of sin,3 and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness ;4 that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any work of righteousness which we have done, but solely by faith in the Redeemer's blood;5 through which faith His perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God;6 that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and for eternity."
1 John i. 16. Eph. iii. 8.
2 Acts xiii. 39. Isa. iii. 11, 12. Rom. viii. 1.
3 Rom. v. 9. Zech. xiii. 1. Matt. ix. 6. Acts x. 43.
4 Rom. v. 17. Titus iii. 5, 6. 1 Peter iii. 7. 1 John ii. 25. Rom, v. 21.
5 Rom. iv. 4, 5; v. 21; vi. 23. Phil. iii. 7-9.
6 Rom. v. 19; iii. 24-26; iv. 23-25. 1 John ii. 12.
7 Rom. v. 1, 2; v. 3; v. 11. 1 Cor. i. 30, 31. Matt. vi. 33. 1 Tim. iv. 8.
IX. ADOPTION.
We believe that all the justified are adopted as sons and daughters, of the Lord Almighty, by which grace they all become members of one family, and are entitled to all the liberties and privileges of the children of God.1
1 2 Cor. vi. 17. Eph. i. 5, 6. Rom. viii. 15-17. Eph. ii. 18.
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X. SANCTIFICATION.
We believe that Sanctification is the process by which, ac- cording to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness;1 that it is a progressive work ;? that it is begun in regeneration ;3 and that it is carried on in the hearts of be- lievers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means-especially, the word of God, self-examination, self- denial, watchfulness and prayer.4
1 1 Thess. iv. 3; v. 23. 2 Cor. vii. 1; xiii. 9. Ephes. i. 4. 2 Prov. iv. 18. 2 Cor. iii. 18. Heb. vi. 1. 2 Pet. i. 5-8. .Phil. iii. 12-16.
3 John ii. 29. Rom. viii. 5. John iii. 6. Phil. i. 9-11. Ephes. i. 13, 14.
4 Phil. ii. 12, 13. Ephes. iv. 11, 12. 1 Pet. ii. 2. 2 Pet. iii. 18. 2 Cor. xiii. 5. Luke xi. 35; ix. 23. Matt. xxvi. 41. Ephes. vi. 18; iv. 30.
XI. THE PERSEVERANCE OF SAINTS.
We believe that such only are real believers as endure unto the end;1 that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial profes- sors ;2 that a special Providence watches over their welfare ;3 and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.4
1 John viii. 31. 1 John ii. 27, 28; iii. 9; v. 18.
2 1 John ii. 19. John xiii. 18. Matt. xiii. 20, 21. John vi. 66-69. Job xvii. 9.
3 Rom. viii. 28. Matt. vi. 30-33. Jer. xxxii. 40. Ps. cxxi. 3; xci. 11. 12.
[ 4 Phil. 1. 6. Phil. ii. 12, 13. Jude 24, 25. Heb. i. 14. 2 Kings vi. 16. Heb. xiii. 5. 1 John iv. 4.
XII. THE HARMONY OF THE LAW AND THE GOSPEL.
We believe that the Law of God is the eternal and un- changeable rule of His moral government;} that it is holy, just and good ;? and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arises entirely from their love of sin ;3 to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.'
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1 Rom. iii. 31. Matt. v. 17. Luke xvi. 17. Rom. iii. 20; iv. 15.
2 Rom. vii. 12; vii. 7, 14, 22. Gal iii. 21. Ps. cxix.
3 Rom. viii. 7, 8. Josh. xxiv. 19. Jer. xiii. 23. Jolin vi. 44; v. 44.
4 Rom. viii. 2. 4 ; x. 4. 1 Tim. i. 5. Heb viii. 10. Jude 20, 21. Heb. xii. 14. Matt. xvi. 17, 18. ] Cor. xii. 28.
XIII. A GOSPEL CHURCH.
We believe that a visible church of Christ is a congrega tion of baptised believers,1 associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel;" observing the ordinances of Christ ;3 governed by His laws ;4 and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His word ;5 that its only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons, 6 whose qualifications, claims, and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
1 1 Cor. i. 1-13. Matt. xviii. 17. Acts v. 11; viii. 1; xi. 31. 1 Cor. iv. 17; xiv. 23. 3 Jolin 9. 1 Tim. iii. 5.
2 Acts ii. 41, 42. 2 Cor. viii, 5. Acts ii. 47. 1 Cor. v. 12, 13.
3 1 Cor. xi. 2. 2 Thess. iii. 6. Rom. xvi. 17-20. 1 Cor. xi. 23.
Matt. xviii. 15-20. 1 Cor. v. vi. 2 Cor. ii. vii. ] Cor. iv. 17.
4 Matt. xxviii. 20. Jolin xiv. 15; xv. 12. 1 John iv. 21. John
xiv. 21. 1 Thess. iv. 2. 2 John 6. Gal. vi. 2. All the Epistles.
5 Ephes. iv. 7. 1 Cor. xiv. 12. Phil. i. 27. 1 Cor. xii. xiv.
6 Phil. i 1. Acts xiv. 23; xv. 22. 1 Tim. iii. Titus i.
XIV. BAPTISM AND THE LORD'S SUPPER.
We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion, in water, of a believer,' in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ;? to show forth, in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried and risen Saviour, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life;3 that it is pre-requisite to the privileges of a church relation ; and to the Lord's Supper,4 in which the members of a church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, commemorate the dying love of Christ, and display their fellowship in the church rela- tion ;5 it should always be preceded by solemn self-examina- tion.6
1 Acts viii. 36-39. Matt. iii. 5, 6. John iii. 22, 23 ; iv. 1, 2. Matt. xxviii. 19. Mark xvi. 16. Acts ii. 38; viii. 12; xvi. 32-34; xviii. 8.
2 Matt. xxviii. 19. Acts x. 47, 48. Gal. iii. 27, 28.
3 Rom. vi. 4. Col. ii. 12. 1 Pet. iii, 20. 21. Acts. xxii. 16.
4 Acts ii. 41. 42. Matt. xxviii. 19, 20.
5 Matt. xxvi. 26-29. Mark xvi. 22-25. Luke xxii. 14-20. 1 Cor. xi. 20-33; x. 17.
6 1 Cor. xi. 28; v. 1, 8; x. 3-32; xi. 17-32. John vi. 26-71.
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XV. THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH.
We believe that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath;1 and is to be kept sacred to relig- ious purposes,? by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations ;3 by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public ;5 and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.6
1 Acts xx. 7. Gen. ii. 3. Col. ii. 16, 17. Mark ii. 27. John xx. 19. 1 Cor. xvi. 1, 2.
2 Ex. xx. 8. Rev. i. 10. Ps. oxviii. 24.
3 Isa. lviii. 13, 14;' Ivi. 2-8. .
4 Ps. cxviii. 15.
5 Heb. x. 24, 25. Acts xi. 26; xiii. 44. Lev. xix. 30. Exodus
xlvi. 3. Luke iv. 16. Acts xvii. 2, 3. Ps. xxvi. 8; Ixxxvii. 3.
6 Heb. iv. 3-11.
XVI. CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
We believe that Civil Government is of Divine appoint- ment, for the interests and good order of human society ;1 and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored, and obeyed ;? except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ,3 who is the only Lord of the conscience and the Prince of the Kings of the earth.4
1 Rom. xiii. 1-7. Deut. xvi. 18. 2 Sam. xxiii. 3. Ex. xviii. 23. Jer. xxx. 21.
2 Matt. xxii. 21. Titus iii 1. 1 Pet. ii. 13. 1 Tim. ii. 1-8.
3 Acts v. 29. Matt. x. 28. Dan. iii. 15-18; vi. 7-10. Acts iv. 18-20. 4 Matt. xxiii. 10. Rom. xiv. 4. Rev. xix. 16. Ps. Ixxii. 11. 2 Rom. xiv. 9-13.
XVII. THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED.
We believe that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked ;1 that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in His esteem ;2 while all such as continue in impenitence and unbe- lief are in His sight wicked, and under the curse;3 and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.4
1 Mal. iii. 18. Prov. xii. 26. Isa. v. 20. Gen. xviii. 23. Jer. xv. 19. Acts x. 34, 35. Rom. vi. 16.
2 Rom. i. 17; vii. 6. 1 John ii. 29; iii. 7. Rom. vi. 18, 22. 1 Cor. xi. 32. Prov. xi. 31. 1 Pet. iv. 17, 18.
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3 1 John v. 19. Gal. iii. 10. John ili. 36. Isa. Ivii. 21. Ps. x. 4. Isa. lv. 6, 7.
4 Prov. xiv. 32. . Luke xvi. 25. John viii. 21-24. Prov. x. 24. Luke xii. 4, 5; ix. 23-26. John xii. 25, 26. Ecel. iii. 17. Matt. vii. 13, 14.
XVIII. THE WORLD TO COME.
We believe that the end of this world is approaching ;1 that at the Last Day, Christ will descend from heaven,? and raise the dead from the grave to final retribution ; 3 that a solemn separation will then take place ;4 that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy ;5 and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.6
1 1 Pet. iv. 7. 1 Cor. vii. 29-31. Heb. i. 10-12. Matt. xxiv. 35. 1 John ii. 17. Matt. xxviii. 20; xiii. 39, 40. 2 Pet. iii. 3-13. 2 Acts i. 11. Rev. i. 7. Heb. ix. 28. Acts iii, 21. 1 Thess. iv. 13-18; v. 1-11.
3 Acts xxiv. 15. 1 Cor. xv. 12-59. Luke xiv. 14. Dan. xii. 2. John v. 28, 29; vi. 40; xi. 25, 26. 2 Tim. i. 10. Acts x. 42.
4 Matt. xiii. 49; 37-43; xxiv. 30, 31; xxv. 31-33.
5 Matt. xxv. 35-41. Rev. xxii. 11. 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10. Mark ix. 43-48. 2 Pet. ii. 9. Jude 7. Phil. iii. 19. Rom. vi. 22. 2 Cor. v. 10, 11. John iv. 36. 2 Cor. iv. 18.
6 Rom. iii. 5, 6. 2 Thess. i. 6-12. Ileb. vi. 1, 2. 1 Cor. iv. 5. Acts xvii. 31. Rom. ii. 2-16. Rev. xx. 11, 12. 1 John ii. 28; iv. 17.
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CHURCH COVENANT.
Having been led as we believe, by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, and on the pro- fession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most sol- emnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advance- ment of this Church, in knowledge, holiness and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality ; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines ; to faithfully attend its meetings, to contribute cheerfully and regularly, as God hath prospered us, to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the Church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gos- pel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and secret devotion ; to pray for and assist our Pastor; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances ; to walk circumspectly in the world ; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our engagements, and ex. emplary in our deportment ; to avoid all evil speaking, and ex- cessive anger ; and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the kingdom of our Saviour, both in our own hearts, and in the world.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love; to remember each other in prayer; to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feel- ing and courtesy in speech ; to be slow to take offence, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Saviour to secure it without delay.
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STANDING RESOLUTIONS.
It is expedient that every member of this church abstain from making, selling, or using any intoxicating liquor as a beverage.
It shall be the duty of every member on removing to any other place where there is a regular Baptist Church, and ex. pecting to return within a few months, to take and present to that church a letter of recommendation for occasional com- munion.
It shall also be the duty of such member to give informa- tion of his or her residence and spiritual condition to this Church, on or before the first day of January in each year.
If a member remove to be absent one or more years, such member shall ask for a letter of dismission to some regular Baptist Church in the neighborhood to which he or she re- moves. If there be none within convenient distance, he or she shall give yearly notice to this Church, as required in the preceding resolution.
1.
PASTORS.
OLIVER WILSON, from August 1812, to October 1814. ASA WILCOX, from April 1818, to April 1828. PIERPONT BROCKET, from August 1828, to August 1835. HENRY R. KNAPP, from April 1836, to April 1840. WILLIAM GEORGE MILLER, from April 1840, to April 1845. WILLIAM H. CARD, from August 1845, to August 1846. HENRY G. BROMLEY, supplied from Sept. 1846, to Mar. 1847. WILLIAM G. HOWARD, from March 1847, to September 1849. MARVIN EASTWOOD, from December 1849, to December 1850. JOSEPH A. BAILEY, from September 1851, to September 1855. SILAS ILSLEY, from November 1855, to May 1858.
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