USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Medford > Articles of faith and covenant of the First Trinitarian Congregational Church, Medford, Mass. : with a list of the members [1823-1858] > Part 1
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Ic 74.402 1465me 853279
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01114 8852
GENEALOGY 974.402 M465ME
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/articlesoffaithc00medf
THE
ARTICLES OF FAITH AND
COVENANT
OF THE
First Trinitarian Congregational Church,
--
MEDFORD, MASS
.
WITH A
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
LIST OF THE MEMBERS.
BOSTON : PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN, 42 CONGRESS ST. 1858.
1853279
KILBU
2580
BRIEF HISTORY
OF THE FIRST TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI,
MEDFORD.
FOR THE USE OF THE MEMBERS.
THE origin of this church was in 1823. The town of Medford, formerly called Mystiek, was settled by genuine Puritans, in 1630 ; and a Calvinistic church was organized February 11, 1713, when Rev. AARON PORTER was ordained over it. After a pastoral charge of nine years, he died, and was succeeded by Rev. EBENEZER TURELL, who was ordained November 25, 1721. After a successful ministry of more than half a century, he died December 8, 1778. ITis ser- mons show that he was a thorough scholar, a devout Chris- tian, and an eminently evangelical preacher. Towards the close of his ministry, the infirmities of age induced him and his people to make choice of Rev. DAVID OSGOOD as his col- league, who was accordingly ordained September 24, 1774, and who closed his life and labors December 12, 1822. After his decease, a very large majority of the church pro- ceeded to the call and settlement of a Unitarian pastor.
This step rendered a second church a matter of duty and necessity to the minority ; and seventeen members, early in June, 1823, began to meet by themselves for the worship of God according to the faith of their fathers. On the 20th of
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the same month, they formed themselves into a society, called " The Second Congregational Society in Medford." A Hall was fitted up as a temporary place of worship, and the desk was supplied by evangelical clergymen, and from the Theological Seminary in Andover, till October 2, when they were organized into a church, called " The Second Congregational Church in Medford," by Rev. Dr. Wisner, of the Old South Church, Boston.
Soon measures were adopted for the erection of a house of worship, which, when completed, was dedicated to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, September 1, 1824; at which time, Rev. AARON WARNER, who had been employed as stated supply from about the time of the organization of the church, was installed its first pastor. His ministry of eight years was eminently successful ; there were great accessions to the congregation, and about a hundred additions to the church, in which his memory is most affectionately cherished. He was dismissed, at his own request, October 2, 1832.
Mr. Warner's successor was Rev. GORDON WINSLOW, ordained June 12, 1833, and dismissed November 12, 1834.
Rev. LEVI PRATT was installed pastor, August 19, 1835, and died, much lamented, August 19, 1837.
The next pastor was Rev. ABIJAH R. BAKER, who was ordained April 25, 1838. During his ministry, several precious seasons of revival were enjoyed ; the church and congregation increased, and larger accommodations in the house of worship became necessary. Besides furnishing members, from time to time, for the organization of several evangelical churches of other denominations, in July, 1847, a strong colony, sixty in number, went out to form the Mystic Church of Medford. Mr. Baker, after an efficient and successful ministry of over ten years, was dismissed, by the decision of an ecclesiastical council, in September, 1848.
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For several years the church was without a pastor-pass- ing through severe trials, requiring much faith and patient sacrifice on the part of those who still loved the sacred altar which their fathers had consecrated-until Rev. ELIHU P. MARVIN, who had been supplying the desk for six months previously, was installed as Pastor, February 25, 1852.
From this time, the Great Head of the church began to send prosperity and encouragement. The congregation increased ; some souls were added unto the Lord and the church ; and in 1853, the church edifice was tastefully re- modeled and renovated ; and at the beginning of 1856, an organ was added as an important auxiliary in the praise of God.
" Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." To his name be the praise. And for the future, " God be merciful unto us, and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon us."
At a regular meeting of the church, June 25, 1857, it was unanimously resolved to change the name of this church from " Second Congregational," to " FIRST TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF MEDFORD."
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STANDING RULES.
I. All meetings for business shall be opened with prayer.
II. The annual meeting of the church, for the choice of Standing Committee and Officers, and for other business, shall be on the first Tuesday evening in January.
III. A special business meeting may be called at any time when, in the opinion of the Pastor or Deacons, it shall be expedient ; and shall be called at any time, upon the written application of five male members of the church.
IV. At the annual meeting, the following elections shall be made for the ensuing year :
1. A Clerk, who shall keep the records of the church, including an accurate list of the admissions, dismissions, and death of members, and of the baptism of children, and at every monthly meeting read the records of the preceding month.
2. A Standing Committee, consisting of nine, of which the Pastor, Deacons and Clerk, shall constitute a part, who shall examine all applicants for admission, and act as a com- mittee of inquiry and discipline.
3. A Treasurer, who shall take charge of all moneys be- longing to the church, and of all collections for religious and charitable objects, and make a written report at the annual meeting.
4. An Auditor, who shall examine the Treasurer's ac- count, and report at the annual meeting.
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5. A Committee upon contributions for religious and charitable objects, who shall devise and execute a plan for collecting the same, and who shall, at the annual meeting succeeding their election, recommend objects for the coming year.
V. All officers and standing committees shall be chosen by ballot.
VI. Candidates for admission to the church shall, in ordinary cases, stand propounded at least two weeks.
VII. All persons admitted to this church by profession of faith, shall publicly assent to the Confession of Faith, and to the Covenant ; and all those received by letter, to the Covenant.
VIII. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper shall be celebrated on the afternoon of the first Sabbaths in January, March, May, July, September and November ; and the usual collection shall precede the celebration.
IX. A collection shall be taken up, on the Sabbath pre- ceding Thanksgiving Day, for the benefit of the poor in the congregation, to be distributed by the Deacons.
X. There shall be a meeting specially for business on the first Tuesday evening of each month ; and there shall be a meeting specially for devotional exercises and religious conference on Sabbath evening and on Friday evening of each week ; and the Preparatory Lecture shall be on the Friday evening next preceding the Communion. And it is considered the duty of all the members to attend these and all the meetings established by vote of the church, unless providentially hindered.
XI. Delegates to ecclesiastical councils and to the con- ference of churches shall report at the next succeeding monthly meeting.
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XII. Members of this church removing from town shall obtain a dismission from this, and a recommendation to the church with which they intend to worship, within one year from the time of such change, unless reasonable excuse be rendered for such neglect. And this church deems it irreg- ular, if any members withdraw from them and unite in com- munion and worship with other churches, either on account of any offence, or on the plea of better edification, without giving notice to the church and requesting a dismission.
XIII. Members who have been habitually absent from the worship and ordinances of this church for one year, shall not vote in the meetings of the church so long as such habit- ual absence continues.
XIV. When any member of a sister church shall sta- tedly worship and commune with this church for more than one year, without removing his relation to us, it shall be the duty of the Examining Committee to request him to join this church, or to give satisfactory reasons for delay.
XV. The following, according to the 18th of Matthew, shall be deemed the regular course of procedure in all cases of discipline :
1. The brother offended or aggrieved should seek the removal of the offence, in the spirit of the gospel, by fra- ternal conference with the offender, alone.
2. Failing in the removal of his difficulty thus, he should take with him one or two judicious brethren, and with their mediation strive for Christian satisfaction.
3. This being in vain, he should bring the matter to the notice of the Examining Committee, who shall endeavor to bring about a reconciliation, and (if this cannot be effected, or does not result in harmony) shall prefer a formal com- plaint before the church against the offending brother.
4. If. the church entertain the complaint, they shall
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appoint a time for a hearing of the case, and summon the offender to be present at that hearing, furnishing him, at least one week before the time of the hearing, with a copy of the charges against him, together with the names of the witnesses who will be relied on for proof.
5. If, on such hearing, the church are satisfied of the guilt of the party accused, they may vote to admonish him publicly, to suspend him for some definite period from the privileges of the church, or to excommunicate him from its membership, according to the aggravation of the offence.
6. No such vote of censure shall be passed, except upon the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present at a regular meeting.
7. In case of the excommunication of any member, notice of the fact shall be given publicly from the pulpit.
XVI. No alteration shall be made in the foregoing rules, unless at a regular meeting of the church, it having been proposed at the next regular meeting previous, and by vote of three-fourths of the members present.
ECCLESIASTICAL PRINCIPLES.
1. This church is an independent ecclesiastical body ; and in matters of doctrine, order and discipline, is amenable to no other organization.
2. This church will extend to other evangelical churches, and receive from them, that fellowship, advice and assist- ance, which the laws of Christ require.
FORM OF ADMISSION.
-
ADDRESS.
Dear Friends :
You present yourselves in this public manner before God, to make a profession of your faith, and to take upon you the bonds of the everlasting covenant. Having well considered the nature of this transaction, the most solemn and momentous in which a mortal can engage ; and being prepared, as we trust, by divine grace, to renew in public that consecration to God, which you have made in private, you will now attend to the Confession of Faith adopted by this church, and publicly profess the same.
CONFESSION OF FAITH.
ARTICLE I.
We believe there is one, and but one God, the Creator, Preserver and Governor of the Universe ; a being self-existent, independent and immutable ; infi- nite in power, knowledge, wisdom, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.
The Being and Perfections of God.
I am the Lord, and there is none else ; there is no God besides me. The Lord is the true God, he is the living God. God is a spirit. The eternal God is thy refuge. I am the Lord, I change not. Do not I
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fill heaven and earth ? saith the Lord. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. The Lord God omnipo- tent reigneth. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Thou art good and doest good. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts. Righteous art thou, O Lord ! and upright are thy judgments. The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion. Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Is. 45: 5. Jer. 10 : 10. Jn. 4 : 21. Deut. 33: 37. Mal. 3: 6. Jer. 23: 24. Acts 15: 18. Rev. 19 : 6. Eph. 4 : 6. Ps. 119 : 68. Rom. 16: 27. Is. 6: 3. Ps. 119: 137. Ps. 145: 8. Is. 25: 1.
ARTICLE II.
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God ; that they contain a complete and harmonious system of truth ; and that they are a perfect rule of doctrinal belief and religious practice.
Inspiration of Scripture.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man ; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures. To the law and to the testi- mony ; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book : and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 2 Tim. 3: 16. 2 Pet. 1: 21. 1 Cor. 2: 13. Gal. 1: 11, 12. Matt. 22: 29. Is. 8: 20. Gal. 1: 8. Rev. 22: 18, 19.
ARTICLE III.
. We believe that God is revealed in the Scriptures as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ; and that these three are one, and equal in all divine attributes.
The Sacred Trinity.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. The grace of
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the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. The Lord (the Holy Ghost) direct your hearts into the love of God, (the Father, ) and into the patient waiting for Christ. Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. And God said, Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness. Matt. 28: 19. 2 Cor. 13: 14. 2 Thess. 3: 5. 1 Pet. 1 : 2. Gen. 1 : 26.
Christ is God.
Who, (Christ,) being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. For unto us a child (Christ) is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. In the beginning was the Word, (Christ, ) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. I and my Father are one. And Thomas answered, and said unto him, (Christ, ) My Lord and my God. But unto the Son he (the Father) saith, Thy Throne, O God, is forever and ever ; a sceptre of righteous- ness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. This (Christ) is the true God and eternal life. Whose are the fathers, and of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, (Christ,) which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. For by him (Christ) were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers ; all things were created by him, and for him ; and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead. That all men should honor the Son even as they honor the Father. And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, (Christ,) forever. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit .- Phil. 2: 6. Is. 9: 6. Jn. 1: 1. Jn. 10: 30. Jn. 20: 28. Heb. 1 : 8. 1 Jn. 5: 20. Rom. 9 : 5. Rev. 1 : 8. Heb. 13: 8. Matt. 18: 20. Jn. 21: 17. Col. 1 : 16, 17. Acts 10: 42. Jn. 5: 23. Heb. 1 : 6. Rev. 5 : 13. Acts 7: 39.
The Holy Ghost is God.
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Ghost ? Thou hast not lied unto man, but unto God. Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you ? Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.
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For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say. And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? The Spirit of God hath made me. By his Spirit he garnisheth the heavens. Elsewhere the Holy Ghost is called the eternal Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom and knowl- edge, the Spirit of prayer-the Spirit of power, the Spirit of holiness, the Holy Spirit, and the Comforter. We are baptized in his name, and prayer is offered to him in the Apostolic benediction .- Acts 5: 3, 4. Jn. 3: 5. Jn. 1: 13. 2 Tim. 3: 16. 2 Pet. 1: 21. 1 Cor. 3: 16. 1 Cor. 6: 19. Jn. 16 : 13. Luke. 12: 12. Luke. 3: 22. 1 Cor. 2 : 10. Ps. 139 : 7. Job 26: 13. Job 33 : 4.
ARTICLE IV.
We believe that God in his benevolence made all things to show forth his own glorious perfections ; that known unto Him are all his works from the beginning ; that He governs all things according to the counsel of his own will ; and that the principles and administra- tion of his government are perfectly holy, just and good.
God's Glory the Highest Aim.
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor, and power, for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things, to whom be glory forever. Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. The Lord hath made all things for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil .- Rev. 4: 11. Rom. 11 : 36. 1 Cor. 10 : 31. Prov. 16 : 4.
God's Counsels, Purposes, and Decrees.
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. According as he hath chosen us in him be- fore the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. To the praise and glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habita- tion. Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass. And truly the Son of Man goeth as it was determined, but wo unto that man
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by whom he is betrayed. Him being delivered, by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done .- Rev. 4: 11. Rom. 11: 36. 1 Cor. 10: 31. Prov. 16: 4. Is. 46: 10. Eph. 1 : 4, 6, 9, 11. Acts 17 : 26. Job 14 : 5. Luke 22 : 22. Acts 2: 23. Acts 4 : 27, 28.
ARTICLE V.
We believe that God created man holy ; and that he fell from his happy state by sinning against God ; that in consequence of the fall, mankind are by nature destitute of holiness, and alienated from God, and so continue until regenerated by the special influence of the Holy Spirit.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. So God created man in his own image, (moral likeness.) in the image of God created he him. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright ; but they have sought out many inventions. Where- fore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. By the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation. By one man's disobedience, many were made sinners .- Gen. 1: 26,27. Eccl. 7: 29. Rom. 5 : 12, 18, 19.
Unrenewed Men, dead in Sin and Enemies of God.
But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. For I know that in me, (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing. Be- cause the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God. The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked ; who can know it? And God saw that the wick- edness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. What then ? are we better than they ? No, in no wise ; for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are altogether become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Behold I was shapen in iniquity ; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Who can bring a clean thing out of an un- clean ? not one. What is man that he should be clean ? and he which is born of a woman that he should be righteous ? That which is born of flesh is flesh, (carnal in its views, feelings and affections, ) and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit, (spiritual in its views, feelings and affections.) For the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth. The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as
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they be born, speaking lies. Foolishness (wickedness) is bound in the heart of a child. For I knew that thou wouldest deal very treacher- ously, and wast called a transgressor from the womb .- Eph. 2: 1. Jn. 5: 42. Rom. 7: 18, and 8 : 7, 8. Jer. 17: 9. Gen. 6: 5. Rom. 3 : 9-12. Ps. 51 : 5. Job. 14 : 4, and 15: 14. Jn. 3: 6. Gen. 8: 21. Ps. 58: 3. Prov. 22: 15. Is. 48 : 8.
In a Slate of Condemnation.
And were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The wages of sin is death. And these (the wicked) shall go away into everlasting punishment .- Eph. 2: 3. Gal. 3: 10. Ezek. 18: 4. Rom. 6: 23. Matt. 25: 46.
ARTICLE VI.
We believe that Christ, being God manifest in the flesh, has, by his obedience, sufferings and death, made a full atonement for sin, and thus opened the way for the salvation of all who believe on Him; and that repentance for sin and faith in Jesus Christ, are the indispensable conditions of salvation.
Christ in his Divine Nature, God ; in his Human Nature, Man.
In the beginning was the Word, (Christ, ) and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word (which was God) was made flesh, and dwelt among us. Who, (Christ, ) being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God; but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. For in him (Christ) dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, (Christ,) and they shall call his name Im- manuel, which, being interpreted, is, God with us. And without con- troversy, great is the mystery of godliness ; God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. The Jews answered him, (Christ, ) saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blas- phemy, and because that thou, being a man makest thyself God .- John 1: 1, 14. Philip. 2: 6, 7. Col. 2: 9. Matt. 1: 23. 1 Tim. 3: 16. John 10: 33.
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