USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > History of the South Congregational Church, New Haven : from its origin in 1852 till January 1, 1865 > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20
Such a course of necessity divides the Church. It is the procuring and prolific cause of ecclesiastical schism. Breaking down the partition wall, the world comes in upon her like a flood. The excitements and storms shaking the State, sweep over and convulse the Church. How fully does the history of the Church, especially in our own country, manifest this fact : once introduce questions agitating the commonwealth into the sanctuary-once sow this wind, and you reap the whirlwind. You light the flame which burns out spirituality and Christian charity ; start the wedge that drives through and disrupts whole denomina- tions of Christians ; seize the sword that rends in twain the seamless robe, and hews the perfect body of Christ. Hence the jealous care with which the Apostles guarded the infant Church from the political conflicts of their day. Hence their refusal to iden- tify the Christian Church with the government of
240
REV. MR. CARROLL'S SERMON,
Jew or Gentile. The great secret of their success in organizing and establishing Churches in the various countries through which they passed, and amid civil revolutions and convulsions, was this : Apostolic exclusion of the secular, and inclusion only of the spiritual. It was the ignoring of this principle-the obliteration of this demarcation and distinction-the departure of ministers and Churches from Apostolic and primitive Church examples, that caused her sub- sequent and signal defeats ; her comparatively few and feeble triumphs ; and in this land at least, has written "Ichabod " on the Church of God.
True, as memorable, are the words of Edmund Burke : "Politics and the pulpit are terms that have little agreement. No sound ought to be heard in the Church but the voice of healing charity. The cause of civil liberty and civil government gains as little as that of Religion by this confusion of duties. Those who quit their proper character to assume what does not belong to them, are, for the greater part, ignorant both of the character they leave and the character they assume. Wholly unacquainted with the world in which they are so fond of meddling, and inexperi- enced in all its affairs, on which they pronounce with so much confidence, they have nothing of politics but the passions they excite. Surely the Church is a place where one day's truce ought to be allowed to the dissensions and animosities of mankind."
I am aware that these views concerning the sphere and duties of the gospel ministry in this respect, are
241
"THE MEMORIAL STONE."
in direct antagonism to those of the Congregational ministry here, and that this difference is regarded by them as radical and essential ; so much so, that from a candidate who is not prepared to conform to their views and practice in this particular, license is some- times withheld. My convictions of duty are strong and conscientious ; and being so, cannot be abandoned to please men, or to escape their frown. And if for excluding politics from my ministrations in a Congre- gational Church, I am utterly isolated, and stand alone in this city, or even in all New England, I can
well afford to be singular. If for the maintenance of this principle I am persecuted, I glory in persecution. For one, I had rather be proscribed for unswerving fidelity, and adherence to my convictions of duty, than, for a craven abandonment or a criminal com- promise of them, to be enthroned. I would fain say with Paul, " None of these things move me ; neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Archbishop Leighton was once asked why he did not preach more to the times. His answer was : "O, while so many are preaching to the times, give me, at least, leave to preach to the eternities." Be his reply ever mine !
4TH .- DELIVERANCE FROM DEATH.
Only four adults have died within the past two years, (although twenty-seven of our members have
242
REV. MR. CARROLL'S SERMON,
been exposed to sudden death in the army and navy,) and "all these died in faith."
Mid the thunder of artillery, in the thickest of the furious contest, just where Death was holding such high carnival ; from the bloody hill-side of Freder- icksburg ; there went up the gentle spirit of a young man,«-son, husband, father, church member, Sab- bath School teacher,-to the holy hill of Mount Zion above, where grim visaged war, with its rude alarms, and fierce baptisms, and crimsoned graves, is known no more ; where peace, sacred and serene, for- ever dwells; where is the rest that "remaineth ;" where, with the God of peace, he shall spend the Eternity of heaven, in the rest of serving of God.
"Do you mourn when another star Shines out in the glittering sky? Do you weep when the noise of war And the rage of conflict die ? Then let not your tears roll down And your hearts be sorely riven, For another gem in the Savior's crown, And another soul in Heaven!"
Within sight of this church, from the bosom of his family,-listening to the voice of prayer and praise, heavenly melodies filling the soul, like the notes that come floating down to us from the harps of the angels, -passed away the aged disciple and church officer.t As we bent over him adying, "my father ! my father ! the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof," fell from our lips, as he made his glorious exodus to the
* Thomas E. Barrett.
+ Deacon Benedict Burwell.
243
"THE MEMORIAL STONE."
Eternal. As we stood around his grave, we tran- scribed the lines from Machpelah to his headstone, -the epitaph of Abraham, written by no human hand,-" An old man and full." "An old man !" -Yes, we see the patriarch in the wasted face ; in the dimmed eye; in the furrowed brow ; in the trembling hand ; in the hoary head, whitened by the frosts of four-score winters, yet unto him a crown of glory, because "found in the way of righteousness,"- covered with snow, yet, like the mountain-top, because nearest unto heaven.
And " full,"-full, like Abraham, not merely "of years," but of experience, not earthly only, but hea- venly,-the favor and friendship of God ; like him, full of graces, not human, but divine,-obedience, prayer, faith ; like him, full of anticipations, not bounded by the horizon of earth, but sweeping be- yond the shadows of time and the gloom of death,- looking for Christ ; and he too "saw His day and was glad," clasping Him in his dying arms, "the antidote of death ;" looking for " a city" too,-and lo ! break- ing on the dying vision, bathed in supernal splendor, are the jasper foundations, the sapphire walls, the golden street of that " city whose builder and maker is God." What anticipations these ! full-orbed hopes of seeing Jesus, and of entering where, with no shadow on the heart, no tear-drop in the eye, with golden crown on the brow, and palm branch of victory in the hand, he should be " presented before the presence of God's glory with exceeding joy." And of these hopes he
244
REV. MR. CARROLL'S SERMON,
was "full." And see, as he rises to the realization of them-as the celestial convoy, upbearing him on im- mortal wings, nears the radiant hills, exultingly chant- ing, "lift up your heads, O ye gates"-lo ! these gates of flashing pearl wide open swing, while angel and archangel wake their harps to louder, loftier strains, sweeping them to the hallelujah anthem of Heaven's Harvest Home, because another matured soul has been ingathered to the garner of glory, " as a shock of corn cometh in in his season," ripe and " full." Mid heav- enly music, re-echoing his epitaph-" full"-bending before the throne to receive into his soul "fullness of joy," yea, " the fullness of the God-head,"-we leave him.
Not on the battle-plain, none by to quench the death-thirst or wipe the death-dew from the brow, but at home, mid its gentle, loving ministries,-a home fragrant with the incense of prayer, and per- fumed with the name of Jesus,-we saw the other soldier* member die.
Standing by the bedside, where pain had made stone the downy pillow, we saw that scene of suffer- ing transfigured into a Bethel, with its vision, and typical ladder leaned against the sky ; saw the cham- ber, darkened by the death-wing, made lustrous with the flashing of angel pinions, hovering there to carry the fluttering soul, all radiant and ready, to the pearly gates of its home ! As the pulse grew weaker, and the breath shorter, the heart was fuller and the
* John Crosby.
"THE MEMORIAL STONE." 245
lips more eloquent with prayer and gratitude. He consoles the little group gathered round to catch his last, hallowed accents, with thoughts of a brighter world, where sorrow never enters ; where farewell tears are never shed ; where are no griefs nor graves ; where no harp ever wails the sorrows of a bleeding or a broken heart. Kindling visions of that world are his ; heaven reveals its light and song, its triumphs and eternal transports, to allure ; God unveils His throne ; Christ, "the brightness of the Father's glory," flooding the death-couch with heavenly splen- dor, appears, fulfilling His promise, "I will come again, and receive you unto myself ;" while celestial voices, breaking on the dying ear, say, "come up hither." Leaning forward, as if responsive to the celestial call, the wan face reflecting the smile of God, from his faltering lips falls the mystic monosyllable,- " up." Hark ! again, with beaming eye still riveted upon "the excellent glory," and with arms uplifted, anticipating ascension, is heard the key-note of the heavenly harper's song, "up,"-' come UP hither ;' and he went.
In faith, also, the female member* and mother died. Disease had long marked her for its victim. Con- sumption laid its skeleton hand upon her, and flat- tered even unto death, imparting a hectic glow for the warm bloom of health,-autumn's leaf for the rose. Plying its stealthy, deceptive sapping at the
Mrs. Anna F. Gillette.
21
246
REV. MR. CARROLL'S SERMON,
very root of life, the tree at length fell, with thick foliage and clustering fruitage still upon it. Wasting daily during a lingering illness, yet no murmuring, no repining. To the last " her spirit, like frankincense, gave forth increasing sweeetness the more the corpo- real part was consumed." And when the summons came, calmly she looked upon Death, not as the ter- ror-crowned one, but as a kind messenger from her Father's house, and clasped his hand, that he might lead her, a weary and long absent child, home.
Besides these, and these prepared, no adults have died, and only four of our little ones,-lambs trans- ferred to the arms and fold of the Good Shepherd. And I always thank God, when, descending to the brink of Jordan, little hands press mine, and when it is the loving spirit of a confiding child I there anoint. For "verily to the eye of faith, nothing is fairer than the death of young children. Sight and sense indeed recoil from it. The flower, that like a breathing rose filled the heart and home with an exquisite delight,-alas, we are stricken with sore anguish to find its stem broken and the blossom gone ! But unto Faith, eagle-eyed beyond mental vision, and winged, to mount, like the singing lark, over the fading rainbow unto the blue heaven-even this is touchingly lovely. The child's earthly ministry was well done-for the rose does it work as grandly in blossom as the vine with its fruit. And having helped to sanctify and lift heavenward the very hearts that broke at its farewell, it has gone from this troublous
247
"THE MEMORIAL STONE."
sphere, ere the winds chilled or the rains stained it, leaving the world it blessed, and the skies through which it passed, still sweet with its lingering fragrance, to its glory, as an ever-unfolding flower in the blessed Garden of God ! Surely prolonged life on earth hath no boon like this ! For such mortal loveliness to put on immortality-to rise from the carnal with so little memory of earth that the mother's cradle seemed to have been rocked in the house of many mansions- to have no experience of a wearied mind and chilled affections, but from a child's joyous heart, growing up into the power of an archangelic intellect-to be raptured as a blessed babe through the gates of Par- adise. Ah ! this is better than to watch as an old Prophet for the car of fire in the valley of Jordan."
Come, my people, come, and sadly, yet smiling through our tears, let us set up the stone, and on it an " Ebenezer" too, when it is a memorial unto us of " garnered immortality."
Great deliverances, or exemptions from evil, imply great positive blessings. To some of these I have alluded in passing. Others must be omitted for want of time. But I cannot forbear to dwell for a moment,-
Lastly,-Upon the POSITIVE FEATURES OF OUR DELIVERANCE FROM SPIRITUAL DECLENSION, so far at least as they are shown by outward results,-and for them to raise the monumental pillar.
248
REV. MR. CARROLL'S SERMON,
To place these results in a stronger light, I will compare the number of admissions into this Church during the two years of my ministry here, with those of the years immediately preceding, and also with those of other Congregational Churches in this city and State. This I do, not in a spirit of vain-glory,- God forbid such a thought,-but to correct an im- pression industriously and perseveringly circulated in the community, to the effect that this Church was in a highly prosperous condition when I took charge of it, but that it has since dwindled in numbers, and almost fallen to pieces. Let us never forget, that whatever of good there is within us or about us,- whatever blessing is bestowed upon us,-is the free gift of our dear God in Christ, to whom be all the glory.
There have been received into this Church during the two years of my ministry here, fifty-nine mem- bers, viz : forty-one by profession, and eighteen by certificate from other Churches. The number sepa- rated from us during the same period, commencing 1st June, 1862, is sixty-three, viz : fifty-seven by certificate, two by discipline, and four by death. The number admitted is exactly equal to the number dis- missed by certificate and by discipline : Death is the only enemy that has made any encroachments upon us, beyond what, by the grace of God, we have been able to meet and overcome. But death has been foiled in his efforts, for each victim was crowned a conqueror, exclaiming, "O, death, where is thy sting." These
249
"THE MEMORIAL STONE."
results, viewed in connection with the extraordinary efforts which have been made, both within and with- out the Church, to crush it out, unless we would yield to the dictation of others as to the topics which should be introduced into the pulpit, and the manner in which they should be discussed, are indeed most encouraging. Of those who have voluntarily with- drawn during the period mentioned, forty-three are supposed to be in sympathy with the movement which culminated in the calling of an ex-parte Coun- cil ; leaving a gain of fourteen, so far as that move- ment was concerned. It is due to verity, however, to state, that quite a number of the families repre- sented in this movement, and even of these Church members, have seldom attended the services of this sanctuary, during my ministry ; so that what would seem to be a loss to us, is in many, if not most cases, a gain. It is surely a gain to be freed from a disturb- ing element, which never could be pacified except by yielding to its dictation. It is a gain to feel that we are speaking to friends, and that as a Church and people we are united. As an illustration of our essential unity since the withdrawal of disaffected members, it may be remarked that only in a single instance within the last ten months, has there been a dissenting voice on any question before the Church.
If we now proceed to compare the above results with those of the two years next previous to my coming among you, we shall find still further cause for gratulation and encouragement. During those
21*
250
REV. MR. CARROLL'S SERMON,
two years, commencing 1st June, 1860, and ending 1st June, 1862, forty-five members were dismissed by certificate, discipline and death, and only nineteen received, viz : six by profession (three in each year,) and thirteen by certificate : showing a net loss of twenty-six members during those two years, over and above the admissions.
If we go back yet another year, viz : from 1st June, 1859, to 1st June, 1860, we find again that only three persons were admitted by profession, and eleven by certificate. Thus it appears, that during these three years, commencing June, 1859, only nine persons were added by profession (three in each year), and twenty-four by certificate, (averaging eight in each year.)
Undoubtedly, taking the whole period of eleven and a half years since its organization, this Church has been blessed in a remarkable degree ; especially during the incumbency of Rev. Dr. Stiles. God blessed it ; numbers came to listen to the powerful preaching of the minister ; and very soon a revival commenced, which resulted in the conversion of many, and their admission to the Church. On the first day this sanctuary was opened, (last Sabbath in June, 1852,) the services resulted in the conversion of a confirmed sceptic, who, a few months after- wards, united with this Church, and has ever since adorned his profession. The Church was organized November 8th, 1852, with twenty-nine members, gathered from ten different Churches, in three States,
251
"THE MEMORIAL STONE."
and representing three denominations of Christians. In the following month eight more were admitted, five of them by profession, making a total in 1852 of thirty-seven. In 1853 forty-seven were received- including twenty-six by profession. In 1854, thirty- two, including seventeen by profession. In 1855, fifty-four, including thirty-five by profession. Thus far, and indeed for some time longer, there was no collision of opinion among the members,-for all were satisfied with the faithful preaching of the word. Secular and political or semi-political affairs were considered, as a matter of course, excluded from the pulpit. Nobody expressed a desire for their intro- duction. But in process of time the enemy came and sowed tares. He could not permit a work of so much promise to go on unimpeded. He whispered to some, as he did to the mother of our race, that they ought to know both good and evil ; they ought to be enlightened on all subjects in any way con- nected, or supposed to be connected, with religion and morals ; and who but the minister should teach them ! The rest is too recently and too well known, to require repetition here. Suffice it to say, that a kind Providence, in a way that we knew not, and should not have chosen, has freed us from these de- structive influences, and opened before us new visions of prosperity and peace.
Our present number is 170 ; of whom 50 are males, and 120 females. The whole number who are, or have been members, is 338. Of these, 184 were ad-
252
REV. MR. CARROLL'S SERMON,
mitted by profession, and 154 by certificate. Of the 168 who have been members, but are not so at present, 73 were admitted by profession, and 95 by certificate. Of the whole number dismissed, 23 were removed by death, 5 by discipline, and 140 by cer- tificate.
The addition of 59 members, in the two years just closed, (41 by profession, 18 by letter,) is more man- ifestly a cause of special gratitude to God, because it has occurred during a period of great depression in the Churches generally, throughout the State and nation.
Now compare this general resume with that of the Congregational Churches in the State. From the min- utes of the General Association, covering the last year of which we have returns, (the calendar year 1862,) we find that the aggregate number of persons admit- ted to all the Congregational Churches in Connecticut by profession, was 83 less than the number removed by death. In the same document, page 104, we find this further general review : "For the last four years, 187 Churches, two thirds of the whole num- ber, have lost more by death than they have gained by profession. In these years, ten large Churches- only one of them a city Church-with 2,633 mem- bers, have added only nine by profession, while they have lost 233 by death ; twenty-six times as many as they have added. In the last five years-1858 to 1862-4 Churches, with 170 members, have added none by profession. In the last four years-1859 to
253
"THE MEMORIAL STONE."
1862-28 Churches, with 2,672 members, have added none by profession. In the last three years-1860 to 1862-45 Churches, with 4,747 members, have added none by profession. In the last two years-1861 and 1862-83 Churches, with 9,447 members, have added none by profession. In the last year, 127 Churches, with 15,851 members, have added none by profession. For the last four years-1859 to 1862-from one-third to one-half of our Churches, yearly, have not added one by profession." Dr. Cleaveland, in his report to the Association, (page 51,) says : "In 1859, 110 Churches, with 14,184 members, gained not one from the world. In 1860, 136 Churches, with 19,323 mem- bers, were alike fruitless. In 1861, 146 Churches, more than one-half our whole number, with 19,685 members, received not one by profession."
Compare, now, the statistics of this Church during the past two years of my ministry here, with those of other Congregational Churches in Connecticut during the two calendar years 1861 and 1862. (No later returns have yet been published.) We find that only one of the 285 Churches in this State received so large a number of members by profession in these years as have been admitted into this Church during the past two years. That one Church received 42 members by profession ; this Church, 41. I also find that only two of the 285 Churches received a larger aggregate of members, including those admitted on certificate, than have been received into this Church during the past two years. One of these Churches
254
REV. MR. CARROLL'S SERMON,
received an aggregate of 74 in two years ; the other, 65. This Church, 59.
And how does our record compare with that of the Congregational Churches in New Haven ?
According to the Association statistics, the number of members admitted into the North Church by pro- fession during the two calendar years 1861 and 1862, was 25 ; Centre Church, 16 ; College Street Church, 8 : Howe Street Church, 7; Yale College Church, 9 ; Chapel Street Church, 7; Temple Street Church, 2 ; Davenport Chapel, (no Church in 1861,) 5; Third Congregational Church, 3; Fair Haven First, 1; Fair Haven Second, 1; Fair Haven Centre, 4 ; Westville, 2 ; Total in two years, 90. To the South Church, in two years, have been admitted by profession, 41 ; or nearly half as many as the total admitted to the other 13 Churches in two years.
Yet Churches, whose barrenness and unfruitful- ness appall us, sit in judgment on this Zion, whose record is so favorable when compared with years immediately preceding in our own history, or when compared with the Churches of this city and State. Is it for this we are adjudged guilty of having signally failed to accomplish the legitimate objects of the institution of the Church of God, and declared to have forfeited all claims to be considered as a Christ- ian Church ?
Dr. Cleveland, in his report, mourning over the lamentable condition of the Churches, and hinting at one of the causes, says :
255
"THE MEMORIAL STONE."
" It becomes us to be on our guard, lest any of the great doctrines of grace, which in all ages have been the wisdom and power of God unto salvation, should be eclipsed by nearer, but infinitely less important objects."
And it is a fair question to ask, how much of this failure of the great object of pulpit ministrations is chargeable to the admixture of foreign ingredients, which have blunted the edge of truth, and kindled worldly excitements and associations by the very means which should have led men to repentance, and on the day set apart by God Himself for His especial service and worship ? I presume not to decide ; but I am sure that there is nothing in these results which should lead this Church or its minis- ter to depart from the course they have pursued, of preaching and desiring to hear in this sacred place, and on this holy day, only the truth as it is in Jesus, -the truth which converts, sanctifies and saves.
O, then, brethren, as we set up this stone,-memo- rial of so many fruits of the spirit-of positive spir- itual blessings in Christ Jesus-for this Ebenezer of the past, let us call upon our hearts, and all that is within us, to bless God's holy name.
"Come, thou fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing thy grace; Streams of mercy never ceasing Call for songs of ceaseless praise.
Here I raise my Ebenezer,
Hither by thy help I'm come;
256
REV. MR. CARROLL'S SERMON,
And I hope by thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.