USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Chelsea > Church commended to God and to the word of His grace: a farewell sermon, preached before the First Baptist Church in Chelsea, Sept. 30, 1866, together with the articles of faith and church covenant, and a list of the present and deceased members of the church > Part 1
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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
3 1833 01067 3835
£
The Church commended to Chod and to the word of his grace.
A
FAREWELL SERMON,
PREACHED BEFORE THE
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH IN CHELSEA, 1 st
September 30, 1866.
BY
REV. A. P. MASON, D. D., PASTOR.
TOGETHER WITH THE
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
ARTICLES OF FAITH AND CHURCH COVENANT,
AND A LIST OF THE Present and Deceased Members of the Church.
BOSTON : J. M. HEWES, PRINTER, 65 CORNHILL. 1867.
1818078
1.
MASON, ALANSON P.
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D 284417 The church commended to God and to the word of His grace. A farewell sermon, preached before the First Baptist church in Chelsea, September 30, 1866 ... Together with the articles of faith and church covenant, and a list of the present and deceased members of the church. Boston, J. M.Hewes, 1867. 35p.
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SHELF CARD
NL 40-100
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/churchcommendedt00maso
D 2.844.49
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THE following Sermon, containing statistics and items of his- tory of the First Baptist Church of Chelsea, together with a few reflections on closing a pastorate of more than thirteen years, can be of little general interest except to the church and congregation. In accordance with their request it is furnished for printing with the Articles of Faith and Church Covenant, and a list of Membership, by their late
PASTOR.
SERMON.
Acts 20 : 32.
" AND NOW, BRETHREN, I COMMEND YOU TO GOD, AND TO THE WORD OF HIS GRACE, WHICH IS ABLE TO BUILD YOU UP, AND TO GIVE YOU AN INHERITANCE AMONG ALL THEM WHICH ARE SANC- TIFIED."
WORDS more pathetic and eloquent never dropped from lips of man than those uttered by Paul on taking leave of the elders of the church at Ephesus. The occasion was one of deepest interest. Paul's heart was overflowing with ten- derest love towards those for whose souls he had labored with many prayers and tears. His concern for their wel- fare and spiritual prosperity, as expressed in this address, was most touching and subduing. The Ephesian converts looked to him as their spiritual father. He first preached " to them the gospel of Christ. Under his labors they had been converted to God and constituted into a church. He had for them, all the tender regard and affection of a father for his children. He was now about to leave them. But before he uttered his parting words, a portion of which I have read for my text, he reviewed his labors among them. " He said unto them, ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind,
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and with many tears, and temptations, which befel me by the lying in wait of the Jews ; and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testify- ing both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ."- " Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men ; for I have not shunned to de- clare unto you all the counsel of God."
Happy servant of God,-happy Apostle,-happy Pastor, who, on leaving his people, can lay his hand on his heart and say, " I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men, for I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God !"'
It was with unshaken confidence in God, and the gospel which he had preached to the Ephesians, that Paul said, as he was about to leave them, " And now, brethren, I com- mend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified." He committed them to the highest guardianship,-to God himself, whose power is infi- nite,-and to the word of his grace, by which that power had been displayed in their salvation, and which was able to keep them and build them up in faith and holiness, and give them an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
The church at Ephesus had a history, and in view of that history, Paul commended them to God and the word of his grace.
The church in Chelsea has a history ; and,
1. Following the example of Paul, as I to-day close my labors among you as pastor, "Brethren, I first commend
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you to God " in view of his grace towards you as seen in your past history as a church.
Thirty years ago the 23d day of last June, this church was constituted. They were then commended to God and to the word of his grace which was able to build them up. A brief review of its history from that period constrains me to say, Brethren, I still commend you to God whose power has kept you hitherto, and whose grace has been so magni- fied towards you in building you up ;- I commend you to him as still able to keep you and to build you up, and ulti- mately to give you an inheritance with the sanctified in heaven. Let us look briefly at this history.
In 1834, when Chelsea numbered less than three hun- dred inhabitants, prayer meetings were here first established. Ministers from Boston and students from Newton occasion- ally preached. In February, 1836, a united and successful effort was made to sustain public worship on the Sabbath. These meetings were held in a private house, and the preaching was principally by students from Newton.
On the 23d of June, 1836, nine brethren and sixteen sisters were duly constituted into the First Baptist Church of Chelsea. Their names are as follows :-
Dea. Dwight Wheelock, Susan T. Wheelock,
Dea. Southworth Bryant, Mary Ann Bryant, Ann T. Clouse,
· Eliza A. Brintnall, John C. Blaney, Sarah Blaney, Victor S. Blair,
Lydia C. Blair, Nahum Ball,
Amelia J. Hubbard,
Eliza Ann Doe,
Lydia Bosson, Charles Hill,
Elizabeth Hill,
Isaac Elwell,
Elizabeth Elwell,
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Ann Hanscom, Charles Chase,
Priscilla Chase,
Aaron Blake,
Hannah C. Blake, Lydia W. Nichols, Mary Beck.
This little band were confident in God and the word of his grace, as able to build them up. Weak in pecuniary ability, but strong in faith, they felt that they were joined together in church relation for work. They shunned no re- sponsibility, and shrank from no burden which the providence of God and their duty put upon them. Being constituted into a church, they must have a house to worship in, and a pastor to preach to them. What God requires his people to do, he gives them grace and strength to perform. In August, 1837, they commenced building this house, and the same month Alanson Fish, a graduate of Newton Thelogical In- stitution, became their pastor, and on the 8th day of Feb- ruary, 1838, the new meeting-house was dedicated to the worship of God, and their pastor elect ordained as a minis- ter of the gospel. But this happy connection was soon to be dissolved. Disease had fastened upon the young pastor, and, after a lingering illness, he exchanged earth for heaven . July 8th, 1840. Those who knew him, and yet live to speak of his worth, say that he was a good man,-a dili- gent, faithful and affectionate pastor. During his brief ministry twenty-nine persons were added to the church by baptism, and fifteen by letter. During Mr. Fish's illness, Josiah Mc Whinnie, a student at Newton, spent his spring vacation here as a supply. While thus engaged, he was suddenly prostrated by sickness, and after ten days of suffer- ing, entered into life May 1, 1840.
In September following, William Smith was ordained as
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pastor. But disappointment and bereavement still awaited the little flock. Seven months after his ordination, he preached his last sermon, and on the 26th of July, 1841, he fell asleep in Jesus. His ashes repose in the Garden Cemetery, and over them the Ladies' Benevolent Circle, in which he took a lively interest, have erected a tasteful block of marble, holding his name in remembrance among the people whom he loved and for whom he labored.
During his pastorate, twenty-five were added to the church by baptism, and nineteen by letter.
Thus, in the brief space of fifteen months, three servants of God, who preached the gospel to this infant church, were called to their reward in heaven. Surely God's ways are not as our ways, nor are his thoughts as our thoughts ! Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth. These repeated blows, smiting down one watchman after another, were dark providences ; but the little church did not falter in their confidence in God and the word of his grace. They sought unto Ilim for yet another pastor, and the Lord hearkened and heard. Guided by Him who giveth and taketh away, to whom they had been commended and had commended themselves, the church extended a call to Rev. John W. Olmstead, of Little Falls, N. Y., to become their pastor. He accepted, and was installed Dec. 28, 1841.
This union was followed by a gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the addition of a goodly number to the church. The growth of the congregation and of the village at this time was such that the meeting-house was quite too small. To accommodate those who desired to worship here, extensive alterations and additions to this house of worship were made in the summer of 1843.
Mr. Olmstead resigned his pastoral charge in Mar. .
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1846, since which time he has been laboring for a larger and more widely extended parish, discoursing to them through the weekly issues of the Christian Watchman and Reflector. During his pastoral labors here, forty-one were added to the church by baptism, and seventy-six by letter. Thus, though afflicted, they were blessed. God's hand, that chastened, was yet dispensing mercies.
After Mr. Olmstead's resignation, the church was desti- tute of a pastor for nearly two years.
In January, 1848, Rev. J. N. Sykes accepted their call, and entered upon his labor as the under shepherd of this flock. During his pastorate of three and a half years, forty-two were added to the church by baptism, and thirty- five by letter.
In October, 1851, the church invited Rev. A. J. Hun- tington to become their pastor. He accepted the invitation, but after one year's service resigned, and accepted a pro- fessorship in Columbian College. During his brief pasto- rate, fifteen were added to the church by baptism, and twelve by letter.
I have thus briefly gone over the first seventeen years of the history of this church. During this period there were added to it by baptism 151 members, and by letter 152; making a total of 303. Well might they say, in view of all the Lord's dealings with them, " hitherto hath the Lord helped us ;" and well may we, in view of his manifested favor and care, say, brethren, we " still commend you to God and the word of his grace." He whose hand has been stretched out for your good, and who has thus built you up these seventeen years, is faithful, and able to build you up yet more abundantly.
This brings us to that period in our history, as a church,
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which comes more directly under review on this occasion. But I cannot go into detail, even in this history. For your sakes as well as my own, I must pass much of it in silence.
I entered upon my labors, as pastor of this church, May 1st, 1853. It then numbered 186 communicants. My first sermon, as your pastor, was from the words of Paul :- " I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified." Whether that determi- nation has been rigidly adhered to by me, I appeal to you, to whom for more than thirteen years I have discoursed from this desk.
During the winter of 1853-4, God gave us an outpour- ing of the Spirit, as the fruits of which, 27 were added to the church by baptism, and 27 by letter. During the summer of 1854, the church and society, with great una- nimity, enlarged and refurnished our house of worship. In 1855, 12 were added by baptism, and 14 by letter.
The next general awakening enjoyed was in the winter of 1857-8. As the fruits of this precious revival, the memory of which is fresh in many of our minds, 42 were baptized, and 19 received by letter.
In 1858 the church established a Mission Sabbath School in Caryville, and in 1859 dismissed more than thirty of its members to constitute the Cary Avenue Baptist Church. The growth of this branch, though slow, has been health- ful, and our prayer is, that it may continue to increase until the little one shall become a thousand.
Though not every year blessed with a special outpouring of the Spirit, the church has never been left without tokens of the Divine favor. God has blessed us, and while, at some seasons, sinners have not been converted and added to the church, the work of grace has been deepened in the
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hearts of its members, and it has been built up in faith and holiness.
Of the precious revival enjoyed in the spring of 1866, I need not speak. Its record, and that of Bro. Earle, who labored with us, is written in many hearts, and in the book of God's remembrance. It pervaded the whole city, and other churches shared in it no less than our own. As a fruit of this gracious work, 69 have already been baptized and received by experience into the fellowship of this church, and 25 have been received by letter, making a total of 94.
During the seventeen years of its history previous to my becoming your pastor, there were added to this church 151 by baptism, and 152 by letter, making a total of 303. During the thirteen years and five months that I have labored with you, I have baptized 198, and 187 have been received by letter, making a total of 385 received into the fellowship of the church during my pastorate. Since the constitution of the church, 349 have been added to it by baptism, and 339 by letter, making a total of 688 that have been received into its fellowship. Of this number, 245 have been dismissed by letter, to join other churches, and 65 have died. The present membership of the church is 319. To more than three-fourths of these I have extended the right hand of fellowship. The church was never more prosperous than now. Our congregations were never larger, nor our finances in a better condition. During the past year God has so crowned our efforts to pay our debts; that over $3,000 were raised ; and, to-day, we owe no man any thing.
Truly, God has been good unto this Israel. In no hours of darkness, in no time of bereavement has he left you.
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He has kept you by his power ; He has magnified his grace towards you by saving souls, and adding to your numbers, and by building you up in faith and holiness. In view of your past history, therefore, I may well say, as I close my labors among you, " And, now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of his grace." He has kept you and built you up hitherto, and He is able to keep and build you up in the future. As He planted this vine, so He has both pruned and watered it. He has sent sunshine or cloud, as was best adapted to develop its growth and make it fruitful. Brethren, I still commend you to Him, confident that the blessings of the past are a guarantee for others in the future. He never loved it in the past more than He loves it to-day. God's church is dear in His eyes. He has bought it with precious blood. And as our history shows His protecting care and love, so does the history of the church, as a whole. In all ages, in darkest times, when beset by foes without and foes within, when earth and hell combined against it, God has been as a wall of fire round about it, and has delivered it.
2. There is another line of experience in our history, in view of which I feel confident, in the second place, in commending you to God and the word of his grace. I mean your experience as individuals and families.
This has been varied. Some have lived only in the sun- shine of health and prosperity. But these are few. Most of your families, within the past thirteen years, have been visited by sickness and death. Among those who have de- parted are three of our deacons. Dea. Daniel Cummings, who joined this church in November, 1836, five months after its organization, died in December, 1852, a few months
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before I became your pastor. His manly piety, his devo- ted love to the Saviour and his church, and his willingness to spend and be spent for the glory of Christ, gave him a large place in the hearts of this people, and has rendered his memory blessed.
Dea. Southworth Bryant, a constituent member, and senior deacon, died suddenly in December, 1858. Having known him personally, we can speak of him more freely. He was a man always in his place, and always ready to do s duty. He was one of the most conscientious and God- fearing men. Duty with him was sacred; and whenever its path was made known, there was no parleying with flesh and blood. However rough the way, or crossing to per- sonal feelings, it must be done. His love for the truth, for the gospel, and for the church of Christ, swallowed up per- sonal interest. He never carried two faces. He always appeared just what he was, and acted just as he appeared.
In April, 1865, Dea. Sylvester Hunt fell asleep in Jesus. He was chosen deacon soon after he united with the church, and served in this capacity about ten years. He was a man of warm heart and earnest piety, ready to every good word and work. His prayers and exhortations in our so- cial meetings will long be remembered.
Of these three deacons who have gone to their reward, it may be truthfully said, " They used the office of a dea- con well, and purchased to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus." Their memory is justly cherished by the church, and will be, as long as any are left who knew them.
Many other members of the church, both brethren and sisters, have gone to be present with the Lord. I cannot, on this occasion, dwell upon their history. As I have
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looked over their names, and called to mind their life and death,-as I have thought of their sweet rest in Jesus, their confident hope and triumphant departure, my own soul has been strengthened in the Lord, and I have felt to say to you all, in view of their experience, and of your approach to death, " Brethren, I commend you to God and the word of his grace, which is able to give you, also, an inheritance among them which are sanctified." God smoothed their path, and as they went down the valley of death, filled it with light. The way was not dark to them, nor did they go alone. The Master was with them to support and lead, and to give them an abundant entrance into his everlasting kingdom. Brethren, I commend you to Him. He alone is able to light up death's valley with the radiance of heaven, and, bringing you off more than conquerors, to give you an inheritance with the just made perfect. Trust in the Lord, and wait for Him, and to you He will soon say,- Come up higher !
In looking over the congregation I have been led to ask, who of us but has learned by experience, during these thir- teen years, what affliction is ? What bereavement is ? Who of us but has drank the cup of sorrow ? How many of us have followed to the grave those we tenderly loved ! ' How many family circles have been broken ! Here a hus- band has been taken. There a wife and mother has fallen. Not a few of you have parted with dear children, and with your brothers and sisters. Some of you have given up hus- bands, and some sons, and brothers, who have fallen on the altar of their country. It has been my lot in these thir- teen years to attend three hundred and eighty funerals among you.
My friends, who has been your support in these deep wa-
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ters of affliction ? Who has kept you from sinking ? What power has held you up? The sympathy of friends is good, but is that all the support you have had ? No; you felt then that you needed a stronger support than an arm of flesh. None but God was sufficient for you. And I know that you who could trust him, fled to him. You could rest nowhere else. And you found his grace sufficient for you. My friends, I commend you to God still. Other afflictions and bereavements are in store for you. But He who has been your support in the past, is able to minister support in the future. God brings no trials on those who trust him, that he does not give them strength to endure.
But I fear I speak to some who have passed through these trials and have felt that they had no God to go to. I know that I have mourned with many such mourners. My heart has bled for you. But you will bear me witness that I have directed you to no other supporter or comforter than God in Christ. I cannot now. From my own expe- perience, as well as from the Bible, I know there is no other ; I know that He is all-sufficient. I commend you to God,-to God in Christ, who is able to give you a heart that will cheerfully bow, and say, " Father, thy will be done !"
There have been other changes in your families, joyful changes. In nearly every family here represented, some have been brought out of darkness into God's marvellous light, and are to-day rejoicing in hope of heaven.
3. Again. The history of this church is characterized by its love for the simple gospel of Jesus Christ. To this alone is it indebted for its prosperity and healthful growth. And I commend you to God and to THIS WORD OF HIS GRACE, which is still able to build you up.
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For the past twenty-five years, the Gospel,-the word of God's grace,-has been most wronged in New England by its professed friends. The effort has been made by not a few religious teachers to popularize its doctrines by knock- ing off their sharp corners, and by rendering its teachings acceptable to the unrenewed hearts of men. These efforts have now culminated in what is called the " Broad Church " platform, or " Liberal Christianity," which means little else than Christianity without Christ. It says yes, and no, to all religious questions and doctrines. It believes every thing, and believes nothing. It excludes no one from its fellow- ship on account of what he does believe, or does not believe. It throws its arms lovingly around religion, and then stabs it to the heart. It very reverently embraces Jesus Christ and then crucifies him. It clasps the Bible to its bosom as the book of God, and then tears it into shreds.
Against this rationalistic scepticism, even in its modi- fied and more insinuating forms, this church has ever stood firm. It has rejected, as not of God, every policy that would soften down, or popularize the doctrines of the gos- pel, so as to render them acceptable to unrenewed hearts. It has maintained that God's policy is, by the gospel of his . grace, to soften the heart into penitence, and renew it in the image of holiness, and so harmonize it with His doc- trines. It has maintained that all men were depraved and lost sinners ; that the atonement, finished" by Jesus Christ, is the only ground of the sinner's forgiveness ; that the only condition on which this forgiveness can be received by a sinner, is repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ ; and that this repentance and faith is the in- stant duty of every one to whom the gospel is preached. Ruin by Adam, Redemption by Christ, Regeneration by
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the Holy Ghost-Hervey's three R's-concisely express the great principles which have been preached from this desk ; and may the day be distant when they shall give place to any other ! May the day be distant when any man can find a hearing from this pulpit, however learned or elo- quent, who ignores, or softens down, or makes these funda- mental doctrines secondary in his ministrations! These doctrines are your life. They are embodied in the word of God's grace on which you are founded, and by which you have been built up. I commend them to you as contain- ing the only grounds of your reconciliation to God, and the only hope of salvation for men. Hold them with a strong and unflinching hand. Whoever may be your fu- ture pastor, God forbid that he should be a man who will not, from his heart, preach these doctrines, and make them the right arm of strength in his ministry.
4. Again. Union and harmony have characterized the history of this church. That they may mark your future course, and you be built up in love, I commend you to God and the word of his grace. Gathered as we are from vari- ous churches in city and country, each of which has its . peculiarities in business matters, it is natural enough that each member uniting with us by letter should think that the way that his church managed was the best. For a church composed of such diversified materials, and as inde- pendent as Baptists are, to move on for thirteen years with- out any open rupture, is no slight evidence of the predomi- nance of good sense and of Christian love and forbearance.
One thing that greatly relieves the painful emotions of this hour is, that I leave you a HAPPY and UNITED people, and, I am thankful to say, never more happy and united in
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me as your pastor, nor you more closely bound to my heart. And with earnestness of soul that no language can express, I commend you to God and the word of his grace that is able still to build you up in union and love. Let no one set himself above his brethren, or feel that his preferences or wishes are any more sacred than the preferences and wishes of others. Let there be no. " my policy " men in this church. They are as fatal to union and harmony in the Church as in the State, and as much to be shunned.
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