USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Brookline > Discourse delivered, 9 November, 1817 : the Lord's day after the completion of a century from the gathering of the church in Brookline > Part 1
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John Adams Library,
IN THE CUSTODY OF THE BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY.
SHELF Nº ADAMS 141.30
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ADAT3 141.30
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with the respects
Author.
A
DISCOURSE
DELIVERED,
9 NOVEMBER, 1817,
THE LORD'S DAY AFTER THE COMPLETION OF A CENTURY FROM THE GATHERING OF THE CHURCH IN
BROOKLINE,
BY JOHN PIERCE, A. M. THE FIFTH MINISTER OF BROOKLINE.
The fashion of this world passeth away. THE APOSTLE PAUL.
One generation passeth away ; and another generation cometh. SOLOMON.
3330
BOSTON, PRINTED BY JOHN ELIOT, NO. 5 COURT STREET. 1818.
adamo 141.30
THE Author affectionately dedicates the following plain matters of fact, with the observations suggested by them, to the beloved church and people of his charge. They may find interest in details, which to others would appear tediously minute.
He has omitted many things, appropriate to the subject, be- cause they are already published in his sermon, delivered, 24 Nov. 1805, on the completion of a century from the incorporation of the town. To this, and particularly to an improved edition, con- tained in the collections of the Historical Society, Vol. II. New Series, beginning with p. 140, he begs leave to refer for informa- tion and authorities, relating to the church and town of Brook- line, which he has neglected to specify in this discourse.
He cannot dismiss the subject, without expressing the devout wish, that his people may be as anxious to imitate the virtues of their fathers, as they have been to preserve this tribute to their memory.
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CHURCH CENTURY DISCOURSE.
ZECHARIAH I. 5.
YOUR FATHERS, WHERE ARE THEY ! AND THE PROPHETS, DO THEY LIVE FOREVER ?
EVERY reflecting mind at times recurs to past gene- rations and events. A melancholy pleasure is derived from examining the place of our fathers' sepulchres, from holding converse, as it were, with the spirits of the deceased, from visiting the scenes of their former toils, sufferings, and enjoyments, and from contempla- ting the constant, yet gradual changes in the face of nature and of society.
The associations suggested by such inquiries are adapted to produce something beyond mere amuse- ment. They are fraught with useful instruction. They furnish us with facts important in the conduct of life. They enable us to discern, and thus caution us to avoid the errours of those, who have gone before us. They bring to view whatever was praiseworthy in their characters, and thus gently allure us- to-im- itation.
Such reflections, properly conducted, bring home to our consciences the most forcible demonstration of the frailty of human life, and the variable and transi- tory nature of all earthly possessions. They assure us, that changes similar to those, which we contem-
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plate in our predecessors, and in many of our cotem- poraries, await us, our persons, families, and proper- ty; and they thus silently, yet powerfully admonish us to live with reference to infinitely higher objects, than this world can afford.
Accordingly the sacred writers frequently direct our minds to such a retrospect. It is suggested by the inquiries of the prophet. " Your fathers, where are they ? and the prophets, do they live forever ?"
In the preceding verse Zechariah reminds the Jews of the transgressions of their ancestors. The queries in the text are designed to convey the sentiment, that, though their fathers are dead, and they, who minister- ed to them, are, in like manner, departed ; yet the truths, enforced by their ministry, are the same ; and it is of infinite importance, that they should observe them.
I have thought, that the solemn inquiries of the prophet are peculiarly appropriate, at the completion of a century from the organization of this church.
It appears by our records, that the church of Christ in this place was gathered, 26 October, 1717. If we allow for difference of style, a century from this date was completed, on the sixth of November, which was the last thursday.
As then, since the last Lord's day, so important an epoch has arrived in the history of our church, may not the present opportunity be seriously and profita- bly employed in such reflections, as the text and the occasion unitedly suggest ?
" Your fathers, where are they ?" Several succes- sive generations, it is well known, have passed away, since the formation of this church. How many more then, from the earliest settlements in this place, which
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were nearly a century sooner, have gone the way, whence they shall not return ?
We have historical documents to prove, that this town was inhabited, within three years of the incorpo- ration of Boston, of which, for more than seventy years, it formed a part. Yet so few were their num- bers, and so moderate their circumstances, that we hear of no place of worship, within the present limits of this town, for several generations.
Had our fathers contented themselves with lay preaching, like many of the present day, they might have had publick worship among themselves. But it appears to have been a fixed determination, from which they never departed, to appropriate no place to this purpose, till they could provide for a regularly éd- ucated pastor from the school of the prophets.
Accordingly, for the greater part of a century, they cheerfully submitted to the inconvenience of attending publick worship with the first parish in Roxbury, in such numbers, that a fifth part of the meetinghouse was devoted to their use.
On the incorporation of this town, 13 November, 1705, O. S. measures were soon projected for the erection of a house of worship, and the organization of a church.
Owing however to various obstacles, they were not carried into effect, till 10 November, 1714, when the first meetinghouse was raised, of the same dimensions with the one then standing in the South West of Rox- bury .*
On 10 December, 1716, Mr. James Allen of Roxbu- ry received a call to be the first minister of this town.
* The Rev. Joseph Jackson preached the two last sermons in this house of worship belonging to the 2d parish in Roxbury, 25 April, 1773.
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Preparatory to his settlement, a covenant was pre- pared, subscribed, and read in publick, and the church gathered by the Rev. Ebenezer Thayer, the first min- ister of the second church in Roxbury.
This step is agreeable to the general usage of con- gregational churches in our own, and other countries. It is recommended in the Platform of church disci- pline, framed by our fathers, in 1648. In this they say, " This forni" of a church " is a visible covenant, agreement,'or consent, whereby they give up them- selves unto the Lord, to the observing of the ordinances of Christ together in the same society, which is usually called the church covenant."*
During the reign of papal usurpation, no such lib- erty was enjoyed. All were obliged to maintain their faith, and regulate their practice in religious matters by the decrees of the Roman see. This hie- rarchy not only claimed an authority paramount to the holy scriptures ; but also assumed the power to dictate to the consciences of its subjects in all matters both of doctrine and discipline.
The third century is, this season, completed, since the intrepid Martin Luther made the first successful stand against the usurpations of the Romish church. Accordingly, the churches in the Lutheran communion, as well as some of other sects, agreed to observe the thirty first day of October last, as a jubilee to com- memorate the emancipation of christians from the thraldom of papacy. If we consider, from what ty- rannical impositions the glorious reformation has helped to rescue its adherents, and what exalted priv- ileges it confers on those, who enjoy it in its purity,
* Chap. iv. § 3,
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and are sensible of its full value, we can conceive of no higher ground of religious gratitude, and no fitter sub- ject of joyful celebration.
But so imperfect are the best institutions of mortals, and so gradual is human improvement, that Luther stopped far short of the progress, which has since been made in what he so magnanimously and glo- riously began. The same remark may be made of various churches, which are improvements upon Luth- eranism.
Our scrupulous forefathers agreed in doctrine with the church of England. But such dominion did she assume over their consciences, in matters of discipline, that they separated from her communion, and subse- quently from the land of their nativity, to enjoy un- molested their unquestionable and inalienable rights.
Yet such is the inconsistency of human nature, that the rigours, which had been exercised upon them, and of which they so justly complained, when freed from the restraints of others, they persisted in imposing upon all, who dared to vary from their faith or practice.
The rights of concience have since been better un- derstood, and more successfully maintained ; and, I am happy to add, that our church was founded upon the basis, and has uniformly acted upon the principles of the two grand doctrines of the reformation, the suf- ficiency of the scriptures, and the right of private judgment.
The original covenant of this church is short, com- prehensive, and, in a great measure, scriptural. It re- cognises no peculiarities of sect and party. It propo- ses no result, or confession, or creed of any council, or synod, of any leader of a sect, or of any body of men, as a term of union. Its foundation is so broad, that it
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offers communion to christians of every denomination. Its leading engagement is " to walk together, as a church of Christ, in all the ways of his worship, ac- cording to his word.", Proposing the word of God, as the great rule of faith, it does not bind the consciences of men to explain it according to any human standard whatever.
· By a different procedure, by requiring assent to in- tricate and unintelligible creeds of man's invention, some of our churches have so narrowed the terms of communion, that none, but persons of a single sèct ex- clusively, can conscientiously subscribe to them; and thus some scrupulous christians have been virtually excluded from church fellowship.
In reviewing the ecclesiastical proceedings of our fathers, it is proper to add, that this church, from its organization to the present time, has proceeded upon the plan of the baptismal covenant. In other words, it has admitted adults, on their assent to the church covenant, to baptism for themselves and their chil- dren, although they may be detained by conscientious scruples from the Lord's supper.
This practice, it is suspected, has been misunder- stood. What has contributed to fix the erroneous impression is the denomination of half-way covenant, as it has been improperly called, when owned, as a term of baptism.
This phrase seems to assume the supposition of a middle course between christianity and infidelity. But such a sentiment, it is manifest, derives no coun- tenance from scripture or reason. The fact is, our church, in accordance with others similarly constitu- ted, admits persons to own the covenant, as a term of baptism, on the ground, that they are sincere in pro-
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fessing it ; or, in other words, that they are christians, in a judgment of charity, although detained by con- scientious scruples from the table of the Lord. We accordingly never fail to state these principles clearly to such, as apply for this partial admission to chris- tian privileges. We admonish them, that the ordi- nance of baptism is no less sacred, than the Lord's supper; that the covenant, which they make in the one case, is not only no less obligatory, than in the other; but that it is in substance precisely the same ; that there are not therefore two distinct covenants, the one more solemn, or involving higher obligations, than the other. Hence we exhort them to enter up- on their obligations understandingly, not merely to procure baptism for themselves, or their offspring, as a mere form; but with " purpose of heart" to live agreeably to their covenant vows ; and to labour dili- gently and devoutly to remove the scruples, which hinder them from " walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord."
Exceedingly different are the forms of constituting churches, and of admitting members. In order to church membership, some demand assent to the pecu- liarities, which distinguish them from every other sect. Others have no express covenant. Between these extremes there is an indefinite variety of modes and forms.
It is not a little remarkable, that our forefathers, with all their zeal for the peculiarities of their own faith and practice and discipline, in matters of religion, should admit, that the constitution of a church may be valid without a church covenant .*
* See the Platform of church discipline, Chap. iv. § 4.
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It is manifest, that the scriptures lay down no precise rules in the formation of a church. As they are design- ed for all the countless varieties of taste, of disposition, of knowledge, of character, of forms of government, of mental powers, of means of information prevalent among mankind, the omission is doubtless wise and benevolent .. All are left to form churches after the model best adapt- ed to their own notions of right and of duty. For their guidance they have general principles, which they are allowed to apply to the circumstances of their situ- ation.
Certain articles of compact are, for obvious reasons, proper in the formation of a church, as well as in the constitution of other societies. In every church pro- vision should be made to confess Christ before men. On this our Saviour lays great stress. Attendance on publick worship does not amount to this confession ; because by this act no pledge is given even of belief in christianity. We may go habitually to houses of publick worship from motives apart from a respect for the gospel, and yet violate no express engage- ment.
Every church should therefore be so constituted, as to invite and induce all, as far as possible, who be- lieve in Christ, openly to profess allegiance to him, agreeably to the requisites of his gospel.
But care should be taken, in the compact adopted, that no sincere convert to christianity may justly scru- ple to enter into its obligations. For this reason, it is best, whenever a covenant is formed, that it should be expressed, as nearly as circumstances will admit, in- the language of scripture.
Will you say, that this will open the door of fellow- ship too widely ; because all sects profess to believe
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the scriptures ? If you find, that in this way undue ad- vantage is taken, admonish the guilty of their faults ; and, if you can reform them by no milder methods, excommunicate them. In this case you have equal ad- vantages for redress, as if they subscribed the best guarded human formulary.
Will you allege, that, in subscribing a scriptural creed, some may practise evasions ? This goes on the supposition of their dishonesty. But may they not with equal ease evade whatever the ingenuity of man can devise ? Do we not in fact find, that the churches, which require the most explicit confessions of human invention, are most liable to evasions from their mem- bers ?
The founders of this church, in the construction of their covenant, were careful not to descend into secta- rian peculiarities. Nor have their successours, at any time, deviated from this primitive simplicity.
Still as it is, in some parts, the production of falli- ble men, it may be chargeable with imperfection. If therefore a single sentiment, contained in our cove- nant, should prove a stumbling block to one sincere disciple of Jesus, so as to prevent his admission into this church, in the name of our Master, let it be ob- literated.
During the century from the organization of this church, there have been four hundred and eight mem- bers, one hundred and fifty-eight males, and two hun- dred and fifty females. This is an average of about four members, a year.
For the twenty-one years, in which your present pastor* has ministered in this place, there have been one hundred and five additions to this church, namely,
* He first preached, as a candidate, in this town, 2 October, 1796.
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thirty-four males and seventy-one females, which make the exact average of five, a year.
With solemn emphasis may I inquire, " Your fathers, where are they ?" For of the one hundred and eighty first members of this church every individual is re- leased from the church militant on earth; and these comprise all, who were admitted, during the ministry of the three first pastors of this town, as well as some of the first, who were added under the ministry of my immediate predecessor.
Of all, who were admitted, before my ordination, but fifty-one are living. Of the one hundred and five added, during my ministry, ninety three are now alive. So that of the four hundred and eight, comprised in the records of this church, one hundred and forty-four are living, and two hundred and sixty-four have gone to their long home.
During my ministration in this place, thirty members of this church have died in this town, namely, fifteen males and fifteen females ; and, besides these, twenty occasional communicants. The whole number of deaths, during this period, of those, who originally joined this church, is sixty.
There are now in this town seventy-eight communi- cants belonging to this church, besides eight in Rox- bury, making eighty-six, who statedly commune to- gether. Besides these, there have been, this season, fifty-one occasional communicants from various other churches, making a total of one hundred and thirty- seven, who have communed together, this year.
In addition to the communicants, one hundred and fifty-one have owned the covenant, since the gathering of this church, with a view to the baptism of them- selves, or their children.
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The members originally composing this church, a century ago, were thirty-nine, seventeen males, and twenty-two females .* To whatever side I turn, I be- hold the lineal descendants of these pillars of cur church, some of whom are members, and the chil- dren of members in uninterrupted succession from the organization of this body. In some instances there have been members of this church, for four and five generations in succession. In one case there are mem- bers of the sixth generation from an original member, and some of each inclusive generation have also been ' members. There are children of the seventh genera- tion from one of the first members of this church. So rapidly does one generation pass away, while another generation cometh. Within the short period, which I am sketching, some, who were of consideration suffi- cient to belong to this church, have not only passed off the stage of life; but the greatest antiquaries among us can give no account even of the families, to which they belonged. So soon may we also be forgotten by the generations, which in quick succession will occupy our places.
Having made these remarks concerning the church in this place, I propose now to take a wider range; and from additional facts, which show the changes continually occurring, to illustrate our obligations, as transitory, yet immortal being's.
Seventy-seven years ago, which is as far back, as the memory of any one,t with whom I have convers-
* Appendix I.
t For many facts relating to the early history of this church and towa, the author acknowledges himself indebted to Mr. John Goddard, a much respect- ed member of this church, who died, 13 April, 1816, at the advanced age of 86. He was the son of John Goddard and the grandson of Joseph Goddard, both members of this church, the latter, one of its founders. He was a man of an uncommonly extensive observation, and with a memory proverbially ac- eurate.
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ed, in relation to the events in this place, extended, there were sixty-one houses in this town .* The pro- bability is, that the number was nearly the same, at the gathering of the church, if not, for several years before. For, in the autumn of 1796, which was fifty- six years after the period aforementioned, there had been an increase of but eleven houses, making the whole number seventy-two.t Yet, since the time last stated, which is but twenty-one years, the houses have increased from seventy-two to ninety-seven, making the addition of more than a third of the former num- ber.
A striking proof of the vicissitudes, to which all earthly things are subject, is the circumstance, that of the sixty-one places, owned in 1740, but twelve of the present occupants are lineal descendants from those. who possessed them, at that period.+
The baptisms on record, since the church was gath- ered, are nine hundred and seventy-one. It is howev- er well known, that there are several omissions in the early history of the church. The average, for the last twenty-one years, has been about thirteen, a year, as there have been baptized, during that period, two hundred and sixty-seven, one hundred and thirty-eight males, and one hundred and twenty-nine females.
No complete account of marriages has been kept, previously to the ordination of your former minister, in 1760. From that time to the present, there have been two hundred and twenty-one marriages, of which ninety-four have been solemnized by your present pastor.
The statement of deaths, in like manner, extends no further back, than fifty-seven years. During that pe-
* Appendix II. + Appendix III.
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riod, four hundred and eighty-two have been number- ed with the dead.
For the last twenty-one years, two hundred and eight have deceased; one hundred and six males, and one hundred and two females. But, when we take into consideration the increase of population,* the deaths will not appear disproportionately numerous to former times.
In addition to the instances of mortality in this town, for the last twenty-one years, there have been nine- teen in Roxbury in families, which worship with us.
Such have been the ravages of death, during the short period of my residence among you, that but few families have escaped his desolating progress.t Some appear to have been marked out, as his peculiar vic- tims. Within one household, nine have been number- ed with the dead.j
It may serve to show the rapidity, with which one generation succeeds another, if I remark, that of the deaths in this place, which I have been called to wit- , ness, seventy-eight were from heads of families; and, in fourteen instances, both heads of families have de- parted this life.
Of those, who were voters, at the time of my call to the ministry, thirty-one are dead ; while but twenty- three are now living in this town, who were voters here, at the period of my ordination.
In the families of tenants the changes have been pe- culiarly observable. Of the forty-eight families of this description, inhabitants of the town, this year, not
* By the census in 1800, the number was 605. In 1810, it was 784. Ap- pendix IV.
¡ There has been a death in every house below the meeting-house but four ; and most of these have been recently built.
$ In the house belonging to Joseph White.
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one was here so early, as the time of my ordination. In several houses they have succeeded each other, a number of times .*
But the fact, which perhaps more forcibly, than any other, illustrates the revolutions, to which we are sub- ject, is, that there are but six families in the town, in which both heads are the same, and living in the same places, as they were twenty-one years ago. Of these four live above, and two below, our house of worship.
As then from the glance, which I have taken of our history, it sufficiently appears, that our " fathers" pass away, let us briefly inquire concerning " the prophets, do they live for ever ?"
It is well known, that, during the century, there have been five pastors ordained in this place, threet of whom died here in the ministry; and that four of them have gone to give an account of their stewardship.
Within the same period, there have been in our parent town, twelve congregational churches ; and
* In some instances there have been nine different families of tenants, most of them succeeding each other, in one house. The families of every description, at midsummer, this year, amounted to one hundred and thir- teen.
t The remains of the two first lie deposited in the same tomb in our burial ground. The body of the Rev. Joseph Jackson, after the funeral solemnities, was carried to Boston, and laid in Lis family tomb. No epitaph is inseribed on the tomb of either of these ministers. The character of the last is de- lineated by the Rev Jacob Cushing of Waltham, in the sermon at his funeral. No discourse is published on the death of the others. Some account will be found of the Rev. James Allen in the author's century discourse. Of the Rev. Cotton Brown, nothing was then known, but by oral tradition. He was minister here, not quite two years and a half. I have sinee ascertained, that the Rev. Dr. Cooper, who was his classmate at Harvard University, wrote his character, and says, " his genius had raised in his friends the fairest hopes, and given them just reason to expect in him one of the brighest orna- ments of society, and a peculiar blessing to the church " See sketch of Ha- verhill by Leverett Saltonstall, Esq. of Salem in Historical Collections, Vol. IV. N. S. p. 143.
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