USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > New Braintree > Recollections and anticipations: A half-century and dedicatory discourse, delivered in New-Braintree, Mass. Oct. 26, 1846 > Part 1
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974.402 ¥423f 1847567
REINOENS HISTORICAL GENEALONY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01094 6116
1:844621.3
RECOLLECTIONS AND ANTICIPATIONS.
A
HALF-CENTURY
AND
DEDICATORY DISCOURSE,
DELIVERED IN
NEW-BRAINTREE, MASS. church
OCTOBER 26, 1846.
BY JOHN FISKE, PASTOR OF THE CHURCH. 1
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THC NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
GREENFIELD : MERRIAM AND MIRICK, PRINTERS. 1816.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/recollectionsant00fisk_0
7vin-1901
1847567
NEW BRAINTREE, OCT. 28, 1846.
REV. DR. FISKE,
SIR :- The Congregational Parish in New Braintree, through their Committee, present you their thanks for the interesting Semi-Centennial Discourse, delivered by you, at the dedication of their Meeting-house, and request of you the additional gratification of a copy for the press. With much respect,
Your obedient servants,
SAMUEL MIXTER, WELCOME NEWELL, Com. of the AMORY FELTON, Parish.
GENTLEMEN :
In compliance with your request, I will furnish you with a copy of my Sermon, as soon as may be convenient.
Yours with great respect,
JOHN FISKE.
To HON. SAMUEL MIXTER, &c.
2543
SERMON.
1 THESSALONIANS, ii : 19 .- For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of' rejoicing ! Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming ?
IT is very generally, not to say universally, agreed, that either of the two occasions which have called together this numerous assembly demands from a Christian people some public expression of gratitude to God. We derive evidence from the highest au- thority, that when a new place is opened for public worship, it is the duty of those for whose benefit it was prepared, to consecrate it, by prayer and other religious exercises, to the sacred use for which it was designed. The example of Solomon on the comple- tion of the temple commends itself to every man's reason, and the remarkable display of God's approba- tion on the occasion affords full evidence that it was in accordance with his will.
Although we have neither precept nor example touching the manner in which any period that a min- ister may have continued with his people should be noticed, yet the completion of half a century is so unusual an event, and so fraught with results affecting
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their temporal and spiritual welfare, as to be justly deemed worthy of special acknowledgment to the God of providence. If such protracted connection has been as happy and beneficial as it is uncommon, there is certainly abundant cause for gratitude by both pastor and people. When these two occasions happen at the same time, which perhaps may never have been the case before this day, the obligations for fervent thanksgivings are doubly increased.
There is also another circumstance interesting to the speaker, although it may not be particularly so to others. This is the anniversary not only of my in- stallation* over this church and society, but also of my birth. As I enter on the fifty-first year of my ministry, in this place, I commence the seventy-sev- enth of my life-a solemn memento that the time when I must give account of my stewardship must be near at hand. In view of these two admonitory cir- cumstances, I would speak on this occasion, as I ought, did I know it to be my valedictory discourse to the people of my charge.
I have stated that the results of a connection be- tween a minister and people, for so long a period, must be highly important. Whether those results are good or evil, for weal or for wo, the remark will apply in either case with equal truth.
Let us suppose that when one is constituted a pas- tor, the fact should be made known to those who are to live under his ministry, that he will continue with them, as their spiritual guide and teacher for fifty
* Sce Appendix (A).
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years, they, at the same time being ignorant of the character of his ministry, further than they may have formed a judgment of it, from a few weeks' acquaint- ance, during his probation among them. What deep and painful solicitude must agitate their minds, in view of such a fact. How would hope and fear alternate in their bosoms, as they should contemplate the con- sequences of the protracted connection in anticipa- tion, involving to a great extent the present and future happiness, not only of themselves, but of their children and children's children. For he who con- tinues fifty years in the ministry in the same place will have an important agency in the moral and religious training of three generations, and before that period shall be half exhausted, the saying of the prophet, " Like people, like priest," will be verified. Let his religious sentiments and views be what they may, such also will theirs be, so far as they are satisfied with him as their teacher. His standard of piety and morals will be theirs also. The great body of the people will be won over to the truth, or seduced by the errors, which will have been inculcated for more than half the period of human life. How unspeakably impor- tant then is a fifty years' ministry, by one man, among the same people. The anticipation or the review of such a ministry may well cause one to tremble.
Through the forbearance of God, and of this church and society, I am one of the few, who have been permitted to live and to sustain the pastoral office in the same place for a full half century. I am hence- forward to speak of it, as matter of history and not as future.
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It would be deemed an unpardonable omission, if on the present occasion, I'should not bring into view some of the more important events which have trans- pired among us, since our connection, and notice the changes which affect our condition, especially in respect to religion. Such omission would not only, disappoint the expectations of most that are present, but entirely defeat one of the ends proposed by this meeting.
I would also lead forward your minds to the time when the connection which has so long and so hap- pily existed will be dissolved, your pastor being gath- ered to his fathers, or released from his labors by reason of age or infirmity.
But I would premise, " that we are little among the thousands of Judah." The population of the town being but about seven hundred and fifty, it must be borne in mind that other things will be graduated on a corresponding scale.
Previous to the brief review of past events which I propose to take, I shall make several remarks on the state of this church fifty years ago, some of which will strangely contrast with its present condition. These remarks will also apply to many other churches in the vicinity, and throughout the state.
In the first place, I remark, that at the time to which allusion has been made, the practice of baptiz- ing the children of those who desired it, although they did not come to the table of the Lord, was allowed in this church, as in many others-probably a major part in this vicinity. I mention this not merely as a histori- cal fact, but as tending to show the kind overrulings
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of Providence toward us, in the peaceful removal of a practice to which many were strongly attached, but which is now considered as founded in error, and as tending to evil, both to the churches and individuals concerned. I continued the practice in respect to such as had been permitted to offer them in time past, for a number of years. But in regard to others who might desire the same thing, they were to be con- sidered by the church as in such connection with it, that they might at any time come to the table of the Lord, and were to be under its watch, and subject to its discipline, like members in full communion. The adoption of this regulation nearly broke up the prac- tice. In eighteen hundred and ten it was entirely abolished by the unanimous vote of the church.
Another remark is, that fifty years ago, it was an unusual thing that any duty of a devotional character was performed, even by professors of religion, except in their own families, especially in presence of their pastor. It was not until I had been in this place more than eleven years, that I was permitted to hear a sentence of prayer offered by one of my people. The occasion of that new and delightful sound was this. I had been requested to attend the funeral of a colored man, but by reason of a powerful rain I was detained so far beyond the appointed hour, that it was thought I should fail of coming. Being unwilling to bury their dead without prayer, the friends and neigh- bors requested a professor of religion who was present, to perform that duty. He complied with the request. As I arrived before the close of the prayer, I enjoyed the privilege of listening to the latter part of it. If I
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ever felt any gratitude to God, it was never more in exercise than on that occasion .*
But it was not that there were no Christians at that day, or that they lived without prayer, that I present you with such a sad picture of the times. But the reason was, in part at least, that it was generally con- sidered as the special duty and privilege of the pastor to do all the praying, when he was present. This was designed as a mark of respect to the Christian ministry. During all that time, and so far as I ever learned, under the ministry of my predecessor, there was not a social prayer meeting in this place. It was much after this fashion in most other churches.
The aged and infirm who were unable to go to the house of God, used frequently to request their minis- ter to preach a lecture at their houses. But there was only one voice heard in the assembly, directed to God or the people.
Neither ministers nor churches would now think that they could afford to live in this way.
Another remark is, that churches at the time here spoken of consisted almost entirely of persons in married life, and most of them far advanced in years. At the time of my settlement there was but one member of the church in single life,-a female about fifty-five years of age. There was not a young person to be seen at the table of the Lord, when his people sat down to commemorate the love he mani- fested in giving his life a ransom for all. It seemed to be the general understanding, if we may judge
* See Appendix (B).
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from the prevalent practice, that when the better sort of persons had settled down in a family state, and children were born to them, they ought to. connect themselves with the church. The dedication of chil- dren to God in the ordinance of baptism was, at that day, viewed as a more important duty, than by many at this time. The neglect of it was considered as an implied renunciation of the gospel, and as an approximation toward heathenism; and I doubt not but a sense of that parental obligation led many to a serious consideration concerning their own souls, which was to them a means of salvation. Such as were not satisfied with placing themselves under the " half-way covenant" as it was called, were in many instances urged on to the performance of their whole duty, by their own consciences and the Spirit of God, to confess Christ before men in a consistent way. But as for the young, it was not expected by minister or people, that they would consent to so unnatural an act, as to unite with a church consisting only of married and to a great extent aged persons.
There was much to produce this apprehension in the minds of youth, particularly the manner in which that ordinance by which Christians do show the Lord's death was celebrated. The church instead of being as a city set on a hill, in that transaction was rather in conclave. At the close of the morning's exercises the congregation was blessed and dismissed by the pastor, which seemed to imply that in the remaining duties about to be performed in the church, the major part of the assembly had no concern. The conse- quence was, that most of those who lived near the
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house of worship, went to their homes, while others, especially the youth, sought for entertainment where it best pleased them. This most solemn and interest- ing gospel ordinance was either administered in haste, because the time was short, or the intermission was lengthened, so as to render it tedious to those without. There can be no doubt but the day on which the Lord's supper was to be administered was looked upon with a kind of dread by not a few, on account of these most inappropriate circumstances.
Such was the practice here, for I know not how many years. One thing I do know, that it was as long as my conscience would allow me to proceed in this manner.
Since we have made the administration of this ordi- nance the exercise for the afternoon, our meetings have been more fully attended, and a deeper interest has been manifested, than on almost any other occasion.
Such was the condition of this church and people when in the providence of God, I took the oversight of them as their pastor. I look back to that time with feelings which cannot be described, as I consider my inexperience, and want of preparation for the great work in which I was engaging. Though ignorant of what was before me, the Lord was pleased to lead me in a way that I knew not.
It was my understanding then, as now, that my principal business as a minister of Christ would con- sist in a faithful dispensation of all that is contained in his gospel, or the word of God. Although my views in respect to several points of doctrine varied from what they are at the present time, and as I now
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believe were very defective in comparison with what they became after the lapse of a few years, yet so far as I know my own heart, it was my purpose from the beginning to preach all that the bible teaches, keeping back nothing that God has commanded his ministers to publish as truth. I have endeavored to make known all his counsel to others, so far as he has been pleased to make me acquainted with it.
The doctrines which I have considered as funda- mental to the great plan of salvation revealed in the gospel, and on which I have more frequently dis- coursed are, the character of God as infinitely wise, good, sovereign and unchangeable ; subsisting in three persons, cqual in power and glory ; the complete ruin of man in consequence of the apostasy ; the entire depravity of his nature ; his recovery by the sacrifice of Christ, who was made sin for us; his dependence on the Holy Spirit for the renewal of his heart unto holiness, according to the election of grace ; justifica- tion by faith alone ; and the necessity of good works as the fruit and only sufficient evidence of the reality of that moral change which prepares a sinner for sal- vation. I have had a growing conviction of the im- portance of these doctrines, because they appear to me to stand out with great prominence on the pages of God's word, and because universal experience shows that they are the principal means of salvation to sinners.
In connection with the public dispensation of the word and ordinances on the Lord's day, like most of my brethren, I have made use of other means to pro- mote the spiritual welfare of my people, such as lec-
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tures during the week, in every part of the town, con- ferences, pastoral visits, addresses to parents and to children in separate meetings, social prayer meet- ings, bible classes, personal conversation, to which I must add, " and such like." For all is not included in what has been named.
While I most sensibly feel that in all things I have come short-far short of my duty, and in some points have been faulty, it would be ungrateful in me to say, that my imperfect labors have been productive of no spiritual good to my people. This would be to over- look, rather than to magnify the grace of God.
It was just two years after my settlement before one made a profession of religion. The time was long and dreary. But for each succeeding twenty-one years, with one exception, there were some additions to the church by profession. The second person who offered herself as a professed follower of Christ, was under eighteen years of age. As there is reason to believe from her subsequent life, she was moved to this duty by the Spirit of God.
This was viewed as a strange thing among us. As might be supposed, it occasioned a new train of think- ing in many hearts, and resulted in good. In several succeeding years four and five united with the church, some of whom were young persons, male and female.
In the year 1809, the Spirit of the Lord began to move upon the minds of many in this place, in an un- usual manner, and continued its gracious work from two to three years. In the first year nine made pro- fession of their faith in Christ, five of whom were youth, four at one time. The next year sixteen were
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added to the church by profession, and twenty in the year following-in the aggregate forty-five.
In 1818-19, we enjoyed the most extensive revival of religion, with which this people was ever blessed. The number that was gathered into the fold of Christ, as the fruits of that revival, was over ninety, consisting of persons of all ages and conditions, and from every part of the town. The next season of special refresh- ing from the presence of the Lord was in 1826, when the church had an accession of thirty. In 1831, twen- ty-five became professors, and forty-three in our last season of revival, which was four years ago. Besides these, there have been several other times of unusual attention to religion, when smaller numbers were brought to own the Lord that bought them.
As soon as these manifestations of the Divine Spirit were enjoyed among us, the character of the church was greatly changed, in various respects. A large portion of those who were admitted to its fellowship were youth. Social prayer meetings became fre- quent, in which the voices of young men, as well as the more aged were heard, in thanksgiving and sup- plication to that God whose grace they hoped had brought them out of the dark pit of sin and misery, into the glorious liberty of the gospel. Our choir of singers invariably felt a favorable influence from all the revivals we ever enjoyed, and this influence was reflected back upon the whole assembly. In several instances, nearly the whole number was brought into the kingdom of Christ, when there did not seem before to be scarcely any who had the fear of the Lord in their hearts.
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The whole number that I have received into this church is three hundred and fifty-nine ; three hundred and five by profession, and fifty-four by letter.
Although this number may appear small, and al- though some of these who seemed for a scason to run well were afterward hindered, yet my heart is greatly cheered, " and my soul doth magnify the Lord," as I review the record of God's gracious dealings with us. While I can see many things which were not as they should have been, yet I cannot but indulge the hope, that most of those names were written in the book of life, and that they have already joined the redeemed saints in glory, or remain as lights in the world. Num- bers have died in the triumphs of faith, whose final victory it has been my privilege to witness, and nearly all who have been called to leave the world, have enjoyed a hope that sustained and comforted them as they saw the approach of the king of terrors. I rejoice to see the names of five of my own children placed on the list of members in this church at differ- ent periods, who, as I hope, remain steadfast in their profession. One is not, God having taken her to himself.
To every faithful pastor, the church that has grown up under his fostering care, is inexpressibly dear to him. " For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing ? are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming ?" And I believe it proper to say, even now it is so. The church in which a minister has labored long, and which he has been principally instrumental in forming, is a com- mentary on his own character. It is an epistle known
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and read of all men. This epistle will be opened in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming.
There is a constant drain from this church by emigration. While only fifty-four have come to us from other churches, a hundred and twenty-nine have gone out from us, making a balance against us of seventy-five. On the return made in June last, the number of members stood at only one hundred and forty-five-forty-one males and one hundred and four females, having been much reduced since our last revival, which was only four years ago.
What more touching ministerial act can be named than that of placing the seal of God's covenant on such as make a profession of their faith in Christ, or on their infant seed ? On five hundred and sixty- three have I been permitted to place this seal-eighty- four of whom were adults and four hundred and sev- enty-nine in a state of minority.
On how many occasions of joy and sorrow, have I been called into your families, to mingle my sympa- thies with you, in seasons of intense interest, and to perform appropriate religious service. The celebra- tion of a marriage, as a general thing, is one of those occasions which tend to strengthen the cords of affec- tion between a minister and his people. There is scarcely a house in the town where I have not been called on that pleasing occasion, and into most of them not only once, but again and again. I have joined in marriage three hundred and six couples.
But it is on occasions of domestic affliction that the hearts of minister and people melt and mingle, and become cemented as one. When he is called to
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bow the knee beside the bed of sickness, or death, in the midst of sorrowing friends, where he pleads with God to spare the life of a dear companion, parent, or child, or to receive the departing spirit to the bosom of infinite love, or when he comes to administer consolation after death has done its dreadful work, the labors of a gospel minister are most appreciated. Never, till eternity shall declare it, can it be known how many times I have been summoned into your families on such occasions. There have been five hundred and ninety-seven deaths in the place ; the funerals, with very few exceptions, I have attended. Usually several, in some cases many visits were made previous to death.
And what desolations have been produced in our community by the last enemy ! There is not a single member of the church over which I was settled among the living. They are all in their graves. It is seventeen years since I followed the last male mem- ber to the house appointed for all the living, and it is more than two years since the last female deceased.
There is but a single husband and wife now living, whom I found connected in marriage when I was constituted the pastor of this people. There are members in that choir of singers, and certainly one in the church, deriving their origin from different ances- tors, whose great grandfathers took an active part in my settlement. One of them officiated nine years as a deacon under my ministry, and died four years after resigning his office, a younger man than I am, at the present time.
These facts may serve to suggest to our minds other
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corresponding changes which might be named .* But churches and societies do not become extinct, though the individuals of whom they were composed may be joined to the dead. It is known to all, that within the period of the last fifty years, the calls upon ministers, by reason of peculiar trials that have pre- vailed in the churches, especially in this state, have been very numerous. I may add also, that a strange instability and fickleness in the people, have been the occasion of large demands on their time, in other churches and parishes than their own. I have often thought that our congregations must be wearied by hearing " Letters Missive" read with such frequency as has been the case. I have been called to attend one hundred and twenty-one councils, and have been present at about one hundred and fourteen or fifteen. Sixty of those councils were for the purpose of install- ing pastors, and about thirty for dismissing them. The residue were for the formation of churches, or the settlement of existing difficulties.
The charge of district schools has occupied much time, and called for no small degree of labor. In the former part of my ministry these duties were pre- scribed by the state, and latterly by the appointment of the town as one of their committee. I have con- sidered this as matter of great importance, and toil- some as it has been, have endeavored to discharge the duties involved, with fidelity. It has been my object to raise the standard of education from year to year, by requiring as high qualifications in teachers, as it
* See Appendix (C).
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would do to insist on, by visiting the schools, without distinction, as nearly in conformity to the requisitions of law as circumstances would permit, and by doing all the good to them that was in my power. In these attempts I have been nobly sustained by other mem- bers of the committee, since committees have been appointed. The town has been accustomed to make liberal grants of money for the support of schools. By the last " Abstract of the Massachusetts School Returns," it appears that New Braintree raises $4.82 to the scholar, which, after taking out Boston and six neighboring towns, where the expense of education is much greater than in the interior, exceeds any other town in the state. The sum raised for schooling, the last year, was no higher than it has been for a number of years past.
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