USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > New Haven > Thirteen historical discourses, on the completion of two hundred years : from the beginning of the First Church in New Haven, with an appendix > Part 35
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"The interest of Christ's kingdom lay near her heart, the ad- vancement of which she attempted, not only by prayer to the God of all grace, but also by her serious, instructive discourse, man- aged with admirable pertinency and discretion, according to the con- dition and character of different persons; and by many little projec- tions, judiciously formed and executed. For to do good appeared to be her study and delight. Who among us but could testify of her savory, religious conversation, when 'she opened her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue was the law of kindness ?'
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" She highly prized the public worship of God, and the ordinan- ces of his house; and acted with honor in the several relations that she sustained as a wife, a parent, a sister, and a friend. As she ad- vanced in life, she appeared to grow in grace, and was more and more engaged to do good. She was especially concerned for the education of children, and the good of the rising generation; ac- cordingly she herself kept a free school in her own house for a con- siderable time toward the latter part of her life, and by her will, laid a foundation for the instruction of poor children, yet unborn. Du- ring the last year of her life, her faith and patience, her piety and goodness, has shone forth with peculiar and (I was ready to say, from every opportunity of conversing with her and observing) with increasing lustre : and it pleased God to purify her, and ripen her for glory by some peculiar dispensations.
"It is now almost a year since it was the divine pleasure to take away from her (and from us!) her only son, lovely in the eyes of all, and especially dutiful and tender to her. How were her friends then apprehensive, that she would sink down under the infirmities of old age, and the pressures of that sore affliction ! But she bore the shock at the time, and has sustained the loss ever since, to the day of her death, with surprising steadiness of mind and Christian fortitude. I have often thought that the supports of divine grace appeared in her more conspicuous than in any instance I ever saw. Truly it appeared, that 'her heart was fixed, trusting in the Lord.' By that affliction she was tried and purified like gold that hath passed through the furnace. But God was pleased after this, to ripen her more fully for glory, by another remarkable incident. Some months before she died, she was by a sudden disorder brought even to the valley of the shadow of death; but when she appeared to be just expiring, and the blaze was, for an instant, parted from the lamp, God said, return. She revived. This event she regarded and im- proved as an admonition from her heavenly father. Accordingly, from this time she appeared to live more above the world, and to be more engaged in doing good, especially to the souls of those with whom she was concerned, standing daily in actual readiness for her departure.
"In one word, she has been long a bright ornament to this Church, and a great blessing to this place ; to her have those words been often applied, 'Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.' But she has finished her conrse, and we doubt not, now inherits the promises."
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No. XIII.
DR. DANA'S INSTALLATION.
APPENDED to Dr. Dana's sermon, at his own installation, is the confession of faith, if so it may be called, addressed by him to the installing council.
" Mr. Moderator,-Most of the members of this venerable coun- cil have been well acquainted with my religious sentiments for many years. A free communication of them on this occasion may, per- haps, be desired by some, and not be disagreeable to any.
" The eternal existence and infinite perfections of God are man- ifest from the frame of nature. The priori argument is either in- conclusive, or unnecessary, or too high a road for the comprehension of an ordinary intellect. The other is level to every mind, and con- vincing as soon as proposed.
" The divine unity is apparent from unity of design in the works of nature, and from the contradiction implied in the supposition of two or more infinite beings. One such being could produce all the phenomena of nature. That there should be two or more, would be to suppose an unnecessary deity or deities-a sentiment repug- nant to absolute perfection.
" The natural government of God is evident from the conservation of all things and uniform course of events. His moral perfections and administration appear from the moral nature of man, from ob- servation of the administration of providence, and apprehension of the future consequences of virtue and vice. God cannot, therefore, be the efficient of moral evil. He that committeth sin, and he only, is the efficient cause or author of it. Goodness (implying perfect wisdom and rectitude) appears to be the divine plan-a plan appa- rently pursued in the present state. The completion of this plan being reserved to a future state, the elucidations of eternity must explain the present seeming irregularities of providence. I can neither approve nor understand the reasoning of those who under- take to solve all objections on this subject.
" A being of infinite perfection could not make creatures wicked ; nor withdraw his influence from his creatures but in consequence of
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their forsaking him. The original rectitude and present apostacy of mankind must therefore be maintained. Whence moral evil sprang, or how the liberty of finite agents consists with the infinite know- ledge of God, I do not find that the Scriptures have explained, and therefore excuse myself from attempting an explanation. That sin is in the world, and that man in particular is a free and accountable agent, are not matters of speculation, but of fact and experience. Our speculations must yield to practical principles, not these to those.
"Revelation, Christianity in particular, I admit on the authority of the revealer. Human faith and divine agree in this, that each is founded on testimony. They differ in this, that the former is found- ed on the testimony of man, the latter on the testimony of God, which is greater. Signs and wonders, miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost, proved that the Scriptures were the word of God. To deny the pos- sibility of miracles, is to deny the possibility of a revelation, these being the confirmation of it. One miracle at least was necessary to prove Christianity to be true ; even the resurrection of Jesus. And this indeed proved it beyond contradiction. Admitting this, there can be no objection to the admission of the other facts of Christian- ity .. The apostles were competent judges whether Jesus rose from the dead. If competent judges, they were also competent witnesses, They were as credible witnesses as they were competent. They testified the resurrection in plain and unadorned language, as hon- est men would declare any common fact-testified it amidst poverty and ignominy, persecution and death. Had there been fraud, it must have been detected. They themselves wrought miracles in confirmation of their testimony. Those who saw the miracles of the apostles, but saw not Jesus after he rose from the dead, had the au- thority of miracles for their faith in his resurrection. The apostles themselves really believed the resurrection, because they died for their opinion. This being a matter obvious to sense, in judging of which, persons of the meanest capacities could not be deceived, the resurrection must doubtless be true, if they believed it.
"The original confirmation of Christianity was sufficient for after years; but the fulfilment of prophecy has been an additional and perpetual confirmation. Its extensive propagation, surprising suc- cess, and present existence, all circumstances considered, further prove this counsel to be of God. The testimonies of Jews and heathen, as well as of Christians, establish the facts. The doctrine of this religion, its moral precepts, the example of its author, its sanctify-
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ing influence, and the conversation of its true disciples, all concur to prove it divine. I am therefore settled in the belief of it.
" The peculiar titles, attributes, and prerogatives of God are claimed by, and given to, the author of this religion. Such as, The Almighty ; I am that I am ; the same yesterday, to day, and forever ; I am he that searcheth the hearts and reins. All things were created by him, and for him, and by him all things consist. His divinity and humanity are thus declared by St. Paul : God was manifest in the flesh. All the angels worship him. We are com- manded to honor him even as we honor the Father.
"The scriptures are express in giving the appellation of God to ' the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,' and in declaring that 'these three are one.' But great is the mystery of godliness.
"The imputation of the offense of the first Adam, and of the righteousness of the second, appear to me to be the doctrine of St. Paul; though I do not suppose that either implies a transfer of per- sonal qualities. I view the atonement of the Mediator as the object of justifying faith. I consider faith as the general condition or qual- ification of the gospel, involving a principle of holiness; so that the subject of it submits to the yoke of Christ, is filled with the fruits of righteousness, and patiently continues in well doing. Grace and the atonement are exalted when the sinner is humbled, and from being the servant of sin, becomes the servant of righteousness.
"The doctrine of the necessity of a special divine influence to beget and maintain saving faith, I esteem one of the doctrines and glories of the gospel, intimately connected with the atonement, and without which, Christ must have died in vain.
" The Scriptures (so far as I have learned them) give us no ex- ample of a final falling from grace. Believers are kept by the power of God, who performs his own work until the day of Jesus Christ.
" Faith, as the apostle teacheth, cometh by hearing-by the word of God. 'This word is the medium of regeneration. A prepara- tory work of grace, the conduciveness of the means to effect the end of religion, I do not once question. There are, as I suppose, many unprofitable, unscriptural, and dangerous speculations on the state of the unregenerate, the use of means, moral agency and hu- man endeavors-speculations which have contributed greatly to the spread of skepticism and infidelity. None more so than the doc- trine of the greater enmity of sinners in proportion to their illumi- nation, and present solicitude about their spiritual interests ; con-
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nected with which, is the blasphemous opinion of God's being the cause of moral evil.
"Some make it a term of salvation that a person be willing to be damned. Were the thing possible, which this opinion supposeth, I see not but the damnation of such persons would not only be just, but inevitable.
"Baptism is the only form of admission into the Christian church ; nor do I find either precept or example in scripture for professing the faith of our Lord Jesus a second time, as a term of communion at his table. It is agreed that there is but one covenant, one faith. In the churches where the practice of owning the baptismal cove- nant obtains, there is no objection to the admission of the person covenanting, to full communion. The objection is only in his own mind. This practice was introduced in condescension to tender consciences.
" Mr. Moderator, the time permits me only to suggest my senti- ments in a general way on the doctrines and evidences of religion. I acknowledge no other than the protestant rule of faith, the bible. My aim is to preach the word."
President Stiles in his Literary Diary, noticing " the installment of Dr. Dana, bishop of the First Church in this city," says, "This was a critical transaction, as it involved some reference to the old Wal- lingford controversy of 1758, when Dr. Dana was ordained." Under a later date he refers again to the installation for the sake of introdu- cing the questions which Dr. Dana proposed to Dr. Edwards in reply to, or rather in retaliation for, the questions which Dr. Edwards had addressed to him. Dr. Dana's questions are as follows :
"Is every idea and volition of the creature excited by the Creator ?
"Can any being will and effect sin, and yet not will and effect the sinfulness of sin ?
"Is God, or the creature, the efficient cause of the sinfulness of sin ?
"Doth sinfulness consist in volition itself, or in the execution of volition ?
"Is all the sinfulness that is, or ever was in the world, for the best ?
"Do those moral agents, whether men or devils, who have most exerted themselves in promoting this part of the moral plan, deserve commendation in proportion to such their exertions.
"Ought we to give thanks for all the sins of men and infernals ?
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" Is the enmity of the unregenerate to God and holiness increased in proportion to their illumination and solicitude about the concerns of salvation ?
"Is it the duty of the unregenerate (continuing so) to pray ? Or have they any encouragement to pray ?
" Are there any means of regeneration ?
"Is the first offense of Adam imputed to his posterity ?
" Was that offense our personal act ?
"Is human depravity limited to any one faculty, or doth it extend to all the faculties ?
" Is it a term of salvation, that a person be willing to be damned ? Or were Moses and Paul willing to be damned for the salvation of their people ?
"Are such qualifications requisite to Christian communion, as none but the searcher of hearts can judge of?
" Are all those points which are fundamental to one Christian, fundamental to all ?
" Must we exclude from Christian fellowship all those who do not admit all the points that are fundamental to us ?
"Hath any man, or body of men, authority from Christ to make any thing necessary to salvation and Christian communion which the Holy Ghost hath not clearly and expressly declared to be so, in Scripture ?
" May any man, or body of men, determine that their own inter- pretation is the certain and infallible sense of Scripture ?"
Dr. Stiles adds, that he copied these questions "from the original paper which Dr. Dana had before him in his own handwriting in council, at the time of asking the questions, and from which he asked the questions. Dr. Edwards asked his questions also from a prepared paper, which he brought into the council, took out of his pocket, and used."
Dr. Stiles subjoins two other questions which he says were on Dr. Dana's paper, but crossed, and he does not remember whether they were asked.
"Is there a tendency in the means of grace to effect the end of religion ?
" Doth the Spirit improve the word of truth as a means of regene- ration ?"
It is not too much to say, that a manifest object of these questions was-as the object of such questionings and of theological controver-
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sies too often is-to excite odium against supposed innovators in theology. If we had Dr. Edwards's questions addressed to Dr. Dana, it would not be strange to find them framed with a similar intent.
MISCELLANEOUS CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS.
THE note on page 16, was added in a hasty moment, and contains an error. Trumbull (I, 251) gives the information, which I had forgotten, that one of the first acts of Connecticut after receiving the charter was, "that the same colony seal should be continued." The three vines appear to have been the arms of Connecticut, from the time when the three towns of Hartford, Windsor, and Wethers- field, were planted in that rich valley.
The New Haven colony too had its seal, the device of which was left to the judgment of Governor Eaton, and which was received from England-a present from Governor Hopkins-when the printed laws were received in 1655. I have taken pains, but unsuccessfully, to find some traces of the armorial bearings of the New Haven col- ony. The device is probably one of the things lost on earth :
" Nor ever more Herald or antiquary's patient search Shall from forgetfulness avail to save Those blazoned arms."
In reference to the three vines, let me add from the same poet,
" But oblivion ne'er Shall cancel from the historic roll; nor time Who changeth all, obscure that fated sign."
Another error which escaped a more seasonable correction, is in the word "polygonal" on page 208. The old meeting-house of 1668, was I believe quadrangular, with a pyramidal roof, of which the apex was surmounted with a belfry. I have seen those who remembered it; though I know not that any such person is now living. The bell-rope came down into the middle of the broad aisle; and if my recollections do not deceive me, the stairs mounting to the galleries, were on the outside of the building.
I find another slight error on page 256. The Episcopal Churches in New England were opened before the close of the revolutionary war. In the autumn of 1778, the bishop of London sent over an
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order to the clergy under his government in America, to open their Churches, and perform divine service according to the liturgy, omit- ting the prayers for the king and royal family. Dr. Hubbard ac- cordingly opened his Church in this city on the 20th of December, 1778, for the first time after the declaration of independence .- Stiles's Lit. Diary.
Some account of the dates of the several ecclesiastical edifices in New Haven, may be added here.
The house of worship occupied by the first Church and Society, commonly called the Center Church, was erected in the years 1813 and 1814, at an expense of about $34,000. It was dedicated on the 27th of December, 1814.
The house of worship occupied by the Church and Congregation of the United Society, commonly called the North Church, and the Episcopal house of worship, called Trinity Church, were erected si- multaneously in the years 1814 and 1815, the former at an expense of about $30,000, the latter at an expense of about $28,000.
The Methodist Episcopal Church on the northwest corner of the public square, was erected in 1821. The walls and roof had just been finished, when by the great gale of September, 1821, they were laid prostrate to the foundation. It was immediately rebuilt.
The Baptist Church was erected in 1824, and enlarged in 1837.
The Church at the corner of Chapel and Union streets, was erect- ed by the Third Congregational Society in 1828 and 1829, at an expense of $18,000, including the land.
The Episcopal place of worship, called St. Paul's Chapel, was also erected in 1828 and 1829, at an expense of about $17,000, in- cluding the land.
The Congregational Church in Fair Haven was erected in 1829 and 1830, at an expense of ahout $9,000.
The Roman Catholic Chapel was erected in 1834.
The Methodist Church in Fair Haven was erected in 1835.
The Congregational Church in Westville was erected in 1835.
The Free Church (Congregational) was erected in 1835 and 1836, at an expense of about $16,000, including the land and the rooms in the basement.
The Episcopal Church in Westville, St. James's Church, was erected in 1837.
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Besides these, there is a convenient little edifice, occupied by the congregation of colored people in Temple street, and another in Westville, occupied by the Methodist congregation there.
There are then in the town of New Haven, exclusive of the Chapel of Yale College, fifteen edifices, devoted to the use of as many religious assemblies. Several of these are very large and costly, and are among the finest specimens of Church architecture in New England ; generally they are neat and attractive; and all of them are commodious and pleasant to the worshipers.
The portraits which accompany this volume are of unquestionable authenticity. That of the venerable Davenport is from an ancient, and doubtless original picture, which has been long in the possession of Yale College, and which from a date on a corner of the canvass, seems to have been painted not long before his death. Of Mr. Pier- . pont, an ancient portrait remains in the possession of his great grand- daughter, Mrs. Foster, of this city. This picture, before it falls to pieces, ought to be copied, and placed in the Trumbull Gallery. The portrait of Mr. Whittelsey, copied by the engraver, was painted by an artist named De la Noy, and is now in the possession of his daughter in this city. And the striking resemblance of Dr. Dana's most peculiar features, is from a miniature by Dickinson, now be- longing to E. Dana Comstock, Esq., of New York.
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