USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Salem > Anniversary sermon : a sermon delivered in the South Church, Salem, on the thirty-eighth anniversary of his ordination > Part 1
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M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01115 3597
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A WINITVERSARY SERMON.
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A
SERMON
DELIVERED IN THE SOUTH CHURCH, SALEM, 72
ON THE
THIRTY- EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY
OF HIS ORDINATION,
BY BROWN EMERSON, D. D.
Published at the request of the Committee of the Society.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
Salem : CHAPMAN AND PALFRAY, PRINTERS. ........ 1843.
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The Sun
1851428
THE NEWDITRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
DR. EMERSON'S SERMON
ON THE
THIRTY-EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY
OF HIS ORDINATION.
SERMON.
PSALM LAXVII. 10.
I WILL REMEMBER THE YEARS OF THE RIGHT HAND OF THE MOST HIGH.
IT is not known when, by whom, or on what occasion, this Psalm was written. The writer, it is evident, was in great distress. Whether his distress was caused by personal affliction, or a view of public calamity, is quite uncertain ; nor does it appear of much importance for us to know. Whatever was the cause, he found relief by recurring to the merciful interpositions of the Lord, as seen in the past history of his Providence. And nothing is better adapted than such! a retrospect, to sustain the spirit in adversity, and to keep it humble in prosperity. It is very useful for any one, at stated seasons, to take a sober and discriminating review of the dealings of God with him ; and, for similar reasons, it is useful for communities to trace the footsteps of his Provi- dence in relation to them. With these views, I invite you to look back upon some of the leading events that have transpired within the time that has elapsed since my settle- ment among you.
This is the Thirty-Eighth anniversary of my ordination as your Pastor. The solemn service of consecration was per-
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formed on the twenty-fourth day of April, 1805. The scene is still fresh in my memory, and the impression of it will remain while reason and conscience fulfil their office.
During the time of my residence hiere, many great and surprising changes have taken place in the political, social and moral condition of the world. At some of these changes it would be interesting to glance, did the limits prescribed for a single discourse permit. But the occasion requires, that I bring before you some of the principal facts that relate more particularly to this city, and to my connexion with this church and religious society.
Before entering upon this duty, however, it may be ex- pected that I briefly refer to the most remarkable changes that have taken place in our own country, within the period of my residence in Salem. Many of them are so extraordi- nary in their character, and so deeply affect the interests of the nation, the church, and the world, that to pass them un- noticed, might be deemed an act of injustice to ourselves, and ingratitude to God.
Thirty-eight years ago, the power of Steam, in its most useful applications, was not known. There was not a boat in the United States, nor in the world, propelled by this mighty agent ; and all intercourse by water depended upon the uncertainty of the winds, or the slow movement of the oar. Now, in spite of wind and tide, these leviathans of the deep are seen upon every lake, river and coast, pursuing the lofty race, with a speed that leaves in the distance every thing else that floats upon the wave.
In 1805, there was not a canal of any considerable length in the United States. Now, the produce of the country is
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transported, in these artificial channels, in immense qualiu- ties and at low rates, over a space of four thousand miles.
In 1805, there was not a rail-road in the United States. Now, the aggregate length of these roads is five thousand miles. The astonishing facilities for travelling, and the inter- change of commodities, furnished by this application of the power of steam, are very recent.
Eleven years ago, there were but six miles of rail-road in use in the vicinity of Boston. Now, Boston has a direct connexion with a web of railways one thousand two hundred and three miles in length, all of which, except about twenty- four miles, are actually in use, being a greater length of rail- road than there was in the whole world eleven years ago.
The following anecdote gives an interesting and amusing view of the facilities for travelling two hundred years ago, compared with those we now enjoy :
Several years after the settlement of this place, four men undertook to go from here to Boston by land, an expedition of such difficulty that it had never been attempted by civil- ized man. They accomplished the journey in four days, and so extraordinary was it deemed, that on the next Sab- bath, they joined in offering a note of public thanksgiving and praise for that guardian hand, which had guided them through the toils and perils of the way, and brought them to their homes in safety. Now, without toil or danger, we are carried to the metropolis in thirty-five minutes !
The power of steam, directed by the ingenuity and skill of man, is working wonders for our country. Distant parts are brought into contact, sectional prejudices removed, mutual sympathy and attachment promoted, and the strength of the
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nation consolidated. By the rapid and casy transportation of the products of industry. the property of the great interior states is immensely enhanced, the settlement of the country extended, new sources of wealth opened on every side, the comforts of life spread over the whole land, and the nation enriched beyond the reach of calculation. The vehicles of knowledge and the heralds of truth are sent in every direc- tion, with the swiftness of the eagle, and the power of the pulpit and press increased a thousand fold.
Nor is the benefit of this recent invention confined to any part of the earth. Mighty ships, in mockery of the winds of heaven, are ploughing every ocean, bringing together thie remotest regions of the globe, conveying every where the blessings of civilization and truth, and hastening the golden age, when the children of our common ancestor shall be united in one happy family.
The improvements of the age, in every department of science and industry. too numerous to be mentioned here, are producing the grandest results in the physical, social and moral condition of our race.
A few facts will show, in a striking light, the progress made in our country, within a few years, in the means for diffusing religious knowledge, and promoting the cause of truth and righteousness.
Before the year 1808, there was not a Theological Semi- nary in the United States. Now, these institutions, of such vital importance to the prosperity of religion, are established all over the land, under the care of every large and respecta- ble denomination of Christians.
Until the year 1815, there was no such vehicle of intelli-
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gence and truth as a religious newspaper. The Boston Re- corder, now in the twenty-eighth year of its progress, led the van in this career of usefulness. Papers of this character are now issued from nearly every city and large town in the Union, diffusing the light of truth and the savor of piety through the nation, and in many places where the voice of the living preacher is seldom or never heard.
At the time of my settlement here, there was no such in- stitution in this country as a Sabbath School, a Bible Society, a Foreign Missionary Society, a Tract Society, or any of the numerous organizations, which act upon a large scale, and are kept in vigorous operation by the charities of the Christian public.
Since that time, the Sabbath School is established in con- nexion with almost every church of every denomination in the land, imparting the bread of life to many hundreds of thousands, who are soon to wield the destinies of this mighty republic. The operations of the American Sunday School Union, in planting schools in every part of the country, in preparing suitable books, and establishing libraries of useful knowledge, are admirably adapted to the wants of the vast regions of the West. This Society was formed in 1824.
The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis- sions, has pursued its noble object of spreading the gospel among the unevangelized in the four quarters of the globe, for thirty-three years. Their receipts the last year were cver $318,000. They have under their care 26 missions ; 85 stations ; 134 ordained missionaries, and 179 female assist- ant missionaries. The whole number of laborers from the United States is 356 ; including native helpers, the whole
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number of laborers sustained through the treasury of the Board is 488. They have also under their care 59 churches, containing upwards of 21,000 members, and 618 free schools containing more than 27,000 pupils.
It will interest many if I state a few facts relative to another of the principal benevolent institutions of the day. The American Home Missionary Society has employed, during the past year, chiefly in the wide fields of the West, 848 ministers of the gospel. In connexion with the efforts of these self-denying servants of the Lord, 68,000 persons have been brought under the influence of Sabbath School instruction, and 146,000 have been induced to take the Temperance Pledge. The receipts into the treasury of the Society, during the past year, were, in round numbers, $100,000.
Such institutions as these, for the projection and com- mencement of which we are indebted to our christian breth- ren of Great Britain, distinguish the present age as an era of light and love, and, next to our civil and religious institu- tions, should be considered the glory of our land. And I envy not that man the luxury of his moral sense, who either looks upon the benevolent efforts of the day with cold indif- ference, or turns away with feelings of disgust and hostility. They are regarded by those who look with just discrimina- tion at the signs of the times, as unequivocal indications of the favor of the Almighty, and that the glorious things he has spoken concerning Zion are hastening to their accom- plishment.
But I must come nearer home. It seems due to the occa- sion, that I here give, in a condensed form, a comparative
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view of the state of religion, within the period of my resi- dence in this place. And I remark in general, that in this vicinity, as well as throughout the commonwealth, there has been a gradual but rapid advance of evangelical truth and piety. The correctness of this remark is inferred from the following facts.
Thirty-eight years ago, the Essex South Association of Ministers was under the control of men, whose religious views were not those of the Reformation and of the fathers of New England. The more strictly evangelical, therefore, five or six in number, desirous of aiding each other in their work, formed what they called the Salem Minis- terial Conference. But so few were there within Essex South district, and in Boston and vicinity, who harmonized with them in their views and measures, that several clergy- men beyond the limits of this county, finding no body of ministers near them, with whom they could associate with satisfaction, came and united themselves with the Salem Conference. Some judgment may be formed of the activity and usefulness of this body from the single fact, that, in the spring of 1822, they resolved, and executed the resolution, that the members, two and two, should, once a quarter, visit the churches assigned them, so that every church in their connexion might have the benefit of a visit four times in each year. One year after this measure was adopted, the Confer- ence, having been in operation nineteen years, finding the number of evangelical ministers within its limits greatly in- creased, and no longer seeing the necessity of a separate ex- istence, was dissolved, and the members belonging to this district entered the Association of Salem and vicinity, now
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called the Essex South Association, which, from that time, has been decidedly evangelical in its character. It now numbers twenty-five members. Similar and greater changes have taken place in Boston and many other parts of the commonwealth.
Laxness in religious sentiment and practice had, for many years, prevailed among the clergy and their people, to a de- gree so alarming, that many churches, connected with the old parishes, being crippled in their zeal "for the faith once delivered to the saints," and their efforts for the salvation of men, were constrained to separate themselves, build houses of worship, and settle pastors under whose ministry they could be edified and happy. Since these separations, painful and trying as they were, the Lord has visited those who were steadfast in the faith, with the effusions of his Spirit, in a measure unequalled, we believe, since the primitive days of the church.
Thirty-eight years ago, in all this region, a revival of re- ligion was regarded with great distrust, if not aversion, and if a revival spirit appeared to be kindling, cold water was poured upon it until it was quenched, as a fire, which, if suffered to burn, would spread desolation and ruin in its progress. Now, revivals of religion are, in general, regarded, desired and received as the choicest blessings of heaven. And there is scarcely an evangelical congregation in all New England that has not received this blessing, in many cases ·often repeated, within a few years.
Let us now turn our thoughts to our own beloved city. Here, with the exception of Plymouth, where the pilgrims landed, was the first permanent settlement on these shores,
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and the Church now under the pastoral care of the Rev. CHARLES W. UPHAM was the first that was ever formed in America. From 1629 to 1719, a space of ninety years, it was the only Congregational Church in Salem. The present pastor is the sixteenth in regular succession. Several of the pastors were distinguished for talents and great energy of character. Among these were ROGER WILLIAMS, who was banished from the Colony in 1635, and HUGH PETERS, his successor in office, who was hung and quartered in England, as a regicide, on the restoration of Charles II. It is remark- able, that two men, JOHN HIGGINSON and Dr. PRINCE, held the pastoral office 105 years, more than half the period of the church's existence.
The Society of Friends was formed in 1667, and now worship in their third meeting house, a neat brick building in Pine Street.
The Second Church was formed from the First in 1718, and Rev. JAMES FLINT, D. D. is the fifth pastor. Their present house of worship, the first built by the Society, is one hundred and twenty-five years of age.
St. Peter's Church, which was removed in 1833, to give place to a more durable edifice of stone, was built in 1733, and the Rev. CHARLES MASON is their tenth rector.
The Third Church was formed from the First in 1735, and prospered under the labors of its three first pastors, Messrs. FISKE, LEAVITT and HUNTINGTON. But under the fourth pastor, Dr. NATHANIEL WHITAKER, a sharp contention arose between him and a part of the church, during which their house of worship was burnt, and a majority of the church adhering to Dr. Whitaker, became Presbyterians, built the
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house of worship now called the Tabernacle, and took the same name as their ecclesiastical designation. Their present pastor is the Rev. SAMUEL M. WORCESTER. After this withdrawal of the majority, which took place in 1774, entering another denomination, and taking another name, the minority, in 1775, called an ecclesiastical council to de- cide the question, whether the minority, remaining on the Congregational platform, ought to be considered as the original Third Church formed in 1735 ? The council unan- mously decided that it ought to be thus considered .* The church that I have the pleasure to serve, has, accordingly, from that time to the present, been considered and called the Third Congregational Church in Salem.
The North Church was formed from the First in 1772 .- The spacious and elegant stone house, where they now wor- ship, was built in 1836. Rev. JOHN BRAZER, D. D. is the third pastor.
The Howard Street Church was formed from the Taber- nacle church in 1804. It was Presbyterian, and called The Branch, until 1827, when it became Congregational and took the name of Howard Street. The Rev. JOEL MANN is the sixth pastor.
The First Baptist Church was formed in 1805. The Rev. THOMAS D. ANDERSON is the fourth pastor.
The Christian Society, so called, was formed in 1807. The house of worship they built in Herbert street, has been purchased for the use of the Salem Moral Society, and is occupied as a Seaman's Chapel, the Rev. MICHAEL CARLTON,
*See Appendix.
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preacher. The Christian Society now worship at Masonic Hall. the present pastor being the Rev. ALEXANDER G. COMINGS.
The Universalist Society was formed in 1809, and their present pastor, Rev. LINUS S. EVERETT, is the eighth in suc- cession.
St. Mary's (Roman Catholic) Church, was built in 1821. Dr. THOMAS JOHN O'FLAHERTY, is at present the officiating priest.
The First Methodist Society was formed in 1821. Rev. JESSE FILLMORE, is the pastor.
The Independent Congregational Society was formed in 1824. The Rev. JAMES W. THOMPSON is the second pastor.
The Second Baptist Church was organized in 1826. The Rev. JOSEPH BANTARD is the fourth pastor.
The Crombie Street Church was formed in 1832. The Society purchased the Theatre and converted it to a hand- some and commodious house for the worship of the truc God. Rev. ALEXANDER J. SESSIONS is the second pastor.
Two Methodist Societies have been recently established : one in Union Street, Rev. N. S. SPALDING, pastor ; and the other of colored persons in South Salem, Rev. J. N. MARS, pastor.
A Church has also been formed at the Seamen's Chapel ; and, last of all, a Society of Mormons, who worship in Con- cert Hall.
Of eighty-eight, who have been removed from the pas- toral office, in Salem, only twenty died in connexion with their charges.
In 1805, there were but nine churches in this town. Now there are twenty, and all provided with religious teachers.
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This increase of churches has not been demanded by a pro- portional increase of population.
The ecclesiastical history of Salem does not well accord with the import of its name; for a large majority of the churches have arisen out of the troubled waters of dissension and strife. But as a civil community, the town has justly had the reputation of peacefulness, intelligence, industry and enterprize. It has furnished many eminent men, who have' shone with surpassing lustre in the higher spheres of science, literature and commerce, and has had its full share of influ- ence in the affairs both of the church and the state.
In the career of improvement, Salem, if behind the age in some respects, is in advance of it in others. In the depart- ment of School education. she stands pre-eminent. For this delightful elevation we are deeply indebted to the intelligent and self-sacrificing exertions of our late philanthropic Mayor, the Hon. STEPHEN C. PHILLIPS, who, with laudable zeal, has devoted much time and property to this most noble object.
It has been represented by some, that we have long been either stationary or retrograde. But a slight comparison will show that even old Salem, though silent and unostentatious in her movements, has been going ahead.
Twenty years ago we had scarcely a comfortable side-walk in any of our streets, and but few public buildings that were worthy of particular notice. But we may now point the ob- servant visitor, without mortification, to our Custom House, our City Hall, our Alms House, our East India Marine Hall, our noble Court House, and Mechanic Hall. Some of our public buildings, and in particular, by general consent,
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this house of our solemnities, are confessedly erected on the finest models of architecture, and many private dwellings exhibit beautiful specimens of taste and elegance.
Many of our streets have been greatly improved, and the most beautiful street in the city has been almost entirely built since my residence here. When this house was dedi- cated, on the first day of January 1805, there were but two houses west of it on Chesnut street. Washington Square, a beautiful area of eight acres, well known to every citizen and visiter, now chequered with handsome gravelled walks, and enclosed by a neat fence and ornamental trees, affording a delightful promenade in summer, then contained the old dilapidated Alms House, and, near the centre, a frog pond, from which the amphibious tenants were soon after ejected.
Among the local improvements of our city, I ought to mention our Rural Cemetery, called Harmony Grove, the name given to it, more than forty years ago, by two young ladies, who often visited this shady retreat, in the evening twilight of summer, to catch the inspiration of its solitude. The grounds, containing nearly forty acres, were purchased and consecrated as a resting place for the dead, in 1840. The Grove is richly diversified with hill and dale, and spot- ted with many beautiful monuments of granite and marble. The whole scenery, from its impressive and strongly inviting character, has rendered it a place of great public resort.
Salem has long been distinguished for the intelligence, enterprize and wealth of her merchants. And they have erected a durable monument in the East India Marine Society, which was formed for the double purpose of afford- ing relief to indigent members or their families, and pro-
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moting the knowledge of navigation and trade. In further- ance of the latter object, the Society have a noble Hall, containing a Museum of very interesting curiosities, collected on a large scale from all parts of the earth, and open free of charge to visitors without distinction.
The town has also been distinguished for the sober, staid and industrious habits of her citizens. And she has never forfeited her claim to this character. The place was once, indeed, a theatre, on which were acted the scenes of an awful tragedy. One hundred and fifty years ago, twenty persons were condemned by the magistrates, and publicly executed, for the alleged crime of Witchcraft. The place of the execution has ever since been appropriately called Gallows Hill, and, until within about thirty years, the tree, with the very limb on which the victims were hung, was standing. But nothing now remains that may guide a stranger to the fatal spot. There seems to be no wish in the citizens to perpetuate the remembrance of that dreadful delusion. But it was not peculiar to Salem, nor to this country. It was a delusion of the age.
Having glanced at some of the changes that have taken place in the condition of our own country, and of this city, during my residence here, it is time that I give a sketch of the history of my connexion with this church and society. This has been lengthened out far beyond the usual term of such connexions at the present day. The restless spirit of the age, the love of novelty and change, the desire of exper- imenting in religion, as well as in philosophy and politics, has entered the church with disastrous results. So rapid has been the change in the ministry in the old sober county
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of Essex, containing one hundred and sixty ministers, when all the churches of different denominations are supplied, that one only, who was ordained before me, Rev. PETER EATON, D. D. of Boxford, remains as acting pastor of the same church. Most of the churches in the county have changed their pastors several times, and but a small proportion of them were removed by death. This frequency of change in the ministry, and the evils resulting from it, arise, in part, it is believed, from the too common practice of settling pas- tors either for a specified number of years, or on the condi- tion that the connexion shall be dissolved at any time, at the desire of either party, provided it gives to the other a speci- fied notice. The restless spirit, and love of change, of which I speak, is found among the ministers, as well as the churches and people. But it augurs well, that a disposition appears of late, to return to the good old way of our fathers. A good way, most surely, should not be forsaken because it is old, nor a new one preferred because it is new. Improve- ments may be expected, both in philosophy and religion, though not in their fundamental principles, and the mind should ever be open to the conviction of truth, from what- ever source it may come. But theories or measures that claim the attraction of novelty, should not be hastily adopted, but candidly and thoroughly tested by those laws, either physical or moral, which are immutable as their Author. And in these days, when the foundations of religion and social order are so recklessly assailed, it becomes us to stand fast by the law of God.
But the spirit of restlessness in the church, so much to be deprecated, seems not, my brethren, to have found an en-
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trance among you. With my ministry, feeble and defective as it is, you have hitherto been so far satisfied, as not to ex- press a desire for a change. And the length of time I have been with you, and the years I have attained, will justify mc in some remarks upon the character and results of my ministry.
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