USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Middleborough > Book of the First Church of Christ, 1854 > Part 14
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I appeal to you, all. Ye aged ones, your day is fast declining. The shades of night will soon be upon you. Yours is the privilege to see the church enter upon another, and as we trust, long course of its existence. Be thankful that you have lived to see this day, and now whatever you would do to help in giving a right direc- tion to its Christian energies, let me entreat you to do quickly. If you have any more time, or prayer, or property, or labor, or influence, to give to the church of the Lord Jesus, give it now ; for your day of giving and of serving will soon be over.
I call upon the members of the church in middle life. Your danger, my friends, is that you will be like one, whom the Saviour rebuked for worldly-mindedness, " careful about many things." Be exhorted to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Be faithful to your covenant vows and your Saviour. Love and serve huis church, and he will let your names appear at last, writ- ten in bright letters in the Book of Life.
My dear young friends, members of the church, I delight to turn to you. Oh, what is there, that I may not say to those whom I so tenderly love ? What word of ministerial exhortation shall I keep back from those,
48
whom it has been my lot more particularly to be instru- mental of bringing to the hope of the gospel, and even into the bosom of the church of Christ. To you I would affectionately appeal. Shall I not have your youthful days, your youthful prayers, your youthful en- ergies, for the service of Him, whose I am, and whom I aim to serve ? Oh, will you not go with me to the la- bors, and toils, and sacrifices, necessary to follow a self- denying and crucified Saviour ? Is there any mere earthly pleasure or enjoyment or object, which you will not freely give up, if necessary, that you may be found among the holy, devoted disciples of Jesus? Be faith- ful, my dear young friends, to that sacred name which you have taken upon you. Serve this church of Christ with a pure mind, and with a holy zeal; and in the great day he will say of you, as he did of some in Sar- dis, " these shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy." Yes, through the golden streets of the New Jerusalem, even you shall walk with that Saviour, being made worthy through the infinite merit of his death.
Brethren and sisters of the church, of every age and every condition, "Suffer the word of exhortation." So far as you are concerned, let the church begin the second era of a century and half, as it began the first, with an entire consecration of all there is in its members to Christ. Are you conscious of backslidings ? Then look to Him, who alone can heal them. Is there less of prayer in your closets and in your families than there should be? Then return to those neglected duties. Resolve, as did Joshua, and as did the pious founders of this church, and say, each one of you, " as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Are there any of you who feel that you have neglected a duty you owe to
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your beloved children, in consecrating them, as well as yourselves, to the Lord ? Then bring them forth with- out delay, and let the seal of the everlasting covenant be set upon them. Let them be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Let this be done, on your part, with true faith in God, and then you will have his promise that he will pour his Spirit upon your seed, and his blessing upon your off- spring. Do your consciences tell you that you neglect the public and social means of grace? Then come to the house of the Lord on his Holy Day, and be present when his word is preached and his ordinances are admin- istered. Attend the private meetings of prayer and religious conference. Speak often to one another, as did the pious Jews in the time of Malachi, and the Lord will hearken and hear it, if you fear Him and think upon his name ; and he will pronounce you His, in the day when he makes up his jewels. Do you feel condemned for not walking more worthily of your Christian voca- tion ? Then think of him "who was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners."
You know, my Christian friends, what is needed to make this generation among whom you dwell, a truly Christian people, and to impart to their character a piety, which shall send its influence down far into the era which we are now commencing. You have feeling enough to wish for the divine interposition ; and some- times you exclaim, " Oh, that the work of the Lord were revived!" I have therefore but one more question to ask you. Do you not know it is written, that your heavenly Father is more willing to give his Holy Spirit to them that ask him, than you yourselves are to give good gifts to your children ? As you value your own hopes of 7
50
eternal life, and your growth in grace; as you wish to see the Saviour honored, in the conversion and salvation of the generation to which you belong; as you desire to be instrumental of accomplishing something that shall tell upon all the generations of this people, down to the end of another century and half, (A. D. 1995,) then come to what you well know is your duty. That is all that God requires of you, the rest is His.
And this brings me to my
4. Final reflection, which is, that all our hope for the preservation of this church, and for the salvation of this people in coming time, is in God alone.
His hand enabled the feeble band of twenty to estab- lish it at first; his hand has sustained it hitherto; his hand, and his alone, can keep it to the end. It consists now, and as long as it has a being, will consist, of sinful and erring mortals. If left to themselves, they will make shipwreck of the faith, they will tread under foot the Son of God, they will count the blood of the covenant an unholy thing, and will do despite unto the Spirit of grace. If forsaken of God, they will " wax worse and worse," and will be judicially given up, and their name will be forever blotted out. Such, I say, will be the course and end of the church, if it be not God's merci- ful purpose to keep it and save it. We come, then to give up an interest so dear to us into the hands of a sovereign God, rejoicing in Him, and humbly believing that, for his own name's sake, he will manifest his faith- fulness unto all the coming generations of this beloved church and people.
He can, with infinite ease, prepare for them those future pastors and teachers, whom they will need. With him is the residue of the Spirit, and he can, from time
51
to time, add to the communion of the church glorious numbers of such as shall be saved. His word is truth, and through that word he can sanctify and fit them for his heavenly kingdom. Here we leave the church, and trust its keeping to its Almighty Saviour's care.
But shall I close without adding a word to those who are not members of the church ? No; I would not,- for surely they have a deep interest in all I have said this day. There are two classes of this description among my hearers. Some of you, my friends, are hoping that although you are not members of the visi- ble church, you are yet real Christians, and in the way of being saved. It may be so; but if it is, there is one serious and difficult question for you to answer at the beginning of this year. It is this: Why, with such a hope, however feeble and trembling it may be, you can go on in disobedience to the will of Him who requires you to confess him before men, and in remembrance of his dying love, to sit with his followers at his table ? I do not put this question to reproach you, but to bring you to the performance of a neglected duty. Under the covenant protection of God, there is not only safety for your souls, but comfort and strength also. Seek those spiritual blessings, then, which you need, in the covenant favor of Him who is willing to avouch himself to be your God, if you will avouch yourselves to be his people.
But I would speak also to those of you, my friends, who have not this Christian hope. You have this day heard me say much concerning the favor of God toward those who become his true people ; and I think you will admit that their hopes and prospects are of infinitely greater value than all that the world can bestow upon
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them. You are now, in common with all here, who are real Christians, beginning that period which I have often named. You do not expect to see its end. Your reason tells you that with the first of the generations of that time, you will pass away from the scenes of this proba- tionary state, and will dwell in eternity. And where, let me ask you, will you be, at the end of one hundred and fifty years from this day ? Where will your immor- tal spirits then dwell ? Will it be in the world of glory, or in the world of woe? If you become the people of God, you will dwell in his kingdom. If you fail of that, you will " be cast into outer darkness." You will allow me, my friends, to speak thus plainly to you, for I am seeking your good. I beg you to give these thoughts a place in your minds. Let them sink deep within you. Think how quickly one generation, the average term of your life, passes away. Fifty years ago, Rev. Mr. Barker stood almost on this very spot, and preached a century sermon, on an occasion similar to the present. Even that appears to be a long period. But those fifty years are gone, and with them are gone the preacher and almost the whole of that assembly who heard him. How few are in this house to-day, who were present then ! An- other fifty years, and yet another will pass equally soon. One generation of this people will follow another. These older burying grounds will be filled with the dead, and the living will seek new places where to lay their own bodies when they shall follow in their turn. Thus will come round the year 1995, which will show a gene- ration here, who will know little or nothing of us, and who will walk unconsciously over our graves. But where then shall we be? Where the immortal spirits of this ambly? To have been in heaven, during what we
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here call a hundred and fifty years, will be but the begin_ ning of bliss. To have been in hell, that same duration, will be but the beginning of wo !
But I must cease : Let me, then, only add that now the church on earth is open, and all may enter, who will seek admission through the door which the Saviour has appointed. Open also is the entrance to the church above: will you, my hearers, seek admission there ? You have your free choice. You can take your lot either with the people of God, or with those who slight the promised rest. Oh, make the WISE choice. Secure the favor of your final Judge; and then, when centuries and ages shall have rolled away, your happiness will be secure, and you will look forward to scenes of increas- ing bliss and glory throughout an unending eternity. AMEN.
CHRONOLOGICAL NOTICES.
1694, O. S., Dec. 26. The First Church of Middleborough, was or- ganized, and Rev. Samuel Fuller ordained.
1695, Aug. 17. Mr. Fuller died, aged 70.
1700, May 29. Second Meeting House erected.
1702, May 2. Rev. Thomas Palmer ordained.
1708, June 30. Mr. Palmer deposed.
1709, Nov. 2. Rev. Peter Thacher ordained.
1725, Oct. 12. West Precinct Church organized.
1734, Oct. 13. Nineteen members dismissed to form a church in Halifax.
1737, Nov. 13. Dr. Thomas Palmer, formerly Pastor, restored to the fellowship of the church.
1742,-The great Revival ; 148 added to the church.
1744, April 22. Mr. Thacher died, aged 55.
1745, Mar. 7. Rev. Sylvanus Conant ordained.
1745,- Third Meeting House erected.
1748, Feb. 4. Church in North Middleborough organized.
1777, Dec. 8. Mr. Conant died, aged 55.
1781, Dec. 5. Rev. Joseph Barker ordained.
1807 & 1808,- Revival ; 95 added to the church.
1815, July 25. Mr. Barker died, aged 64.
1816, Feb. 14. Rev. Emerson Paine ordained.
1822, June 4. Mr. Paine dismissed.
1823,- Revival; 72 added to the church.
1824, Mar. 10. Rev. William Eaton installed.
1828,- The present Meeting House erected.
1829 & 1831,- -- Revival ; 36 added to the church.
1834, Mar. 5. Mr. Eaton dismissed.
1835, Oct. 28. Rev. Israel W. Putnam installed.
1840, '41, & '42,-Revival ; 68 added to the church.
1843,-The Chapel at Four Corners Village erected.
1847, Mar. 12. Thirty-three members dismissed and organized as the Central Congregational Church.
1849, Aug. 16. The Meeting House of the Central Church dedicated, Rev. Isaiah C. Thacher installed.
A TABLE,
Showing the annual admission of Members, the number Baptized when admitted and the total Baptisms, in the FIRST CHURCH OF MIDDLEBORO', MASS.
PASTORS.
PASTORS.
Years.
Admitted as Members.
Baptized when admitted.
Total Baptisms.
PASTORS.
Years.
Admitted as Members.
| Baptized when admitted,
Total Baptisms.
Rev. S. Fuller.
1694
20
3
7
Rev. S. Conant.
1773
6 2 17
Rev. J. Barker.
1814 1815
2
0
6
Records lost to
|1708
15
0
0
1775
0 0: 1
Rev. E. Paine.
1816
3
0
2
1709 1
0
2
1777
1
0 10
1817
0
0 16
1710
11
1:19
1818
0
5
1711
0
5
1778
0
0
1819
11 6
9
1712
1 0 8
1779
0
0 3
1820
1 0
1713|
9 6 13
1780
1
0
5
1821
0 0 0
1714
1
1
8
1822
0 0
0
1715
13
3 23
Rev. J. Barker.
1781
4
0 2
Vacancy.
1823
72 44 44
7
1 28
1784
7
1 10
Rev. Wm. Eaton.
1824
11 2
1720
2 0 11
1786
6
1 25
1826
3
2
8
1721
235
1787
7 3 16
1827
1 0 4
1722
9 2,20
1788
3 1 12
1828
0 0'
1
1723
118
1789
7 035
1829;
15 12 18
1724
7| 1 19
1790
105
1830
5 2 4
1725
8 1 25
1791
3 110
1831
21 17 17
1726
4
1 26
1792
2 1 7
1832
2' 0 1
1727
114
1793
3' 1 5
1833
3 2 2
1728 18
1 30
1794
13
613
1834
0
0
1729
22 7/70
1795
4 0. 3
1730 - 7|
0 34
1796
2'
0 6 |Rev. I. W. Putnam.
1835
100
1732
1 36
1799
1 111
1837
10 7 11
1733 22
4 33
1799
3 0 0
1838
9 915
1734 15
539
1800
10 1 6
1839
203
1735: 5
1/28
1801
2 2 2
1840
23 15 17
1736
15 5 46
1802
3.
. 8
1841
26 15 18
1737
4 041
1803
2 04
1842
19 11 11
1739
12 2 37
1805
1 0 2
1844
9 2
2
1740
3| 1 32
1806
5 44
1845 3 0. 0
1741
14 1 34
1807
54 33 51
1846
1'0
0
1742 148 34 95
1808
29 13 35
1847
4
1743
17
1 37
1744
4 0:20
1810
6 225
1849
0 0
0
1811
106
1850
9. 5 6
1812
1 012
1851
11:
7 7
1746
31 031
1747
1 028
1748
3 0 41
1749
1
0 24
1750
3
1 36
1751
2 1 21
1752
0 0/28
1753
0
0.18
1754
1
0125
NAMES OF PASTORS.
Years of Pastorates
Members.
Baptized when
Admitted.
Total
Baptisms.
1756
1 0 24
1757
2 0 15
1758
7
0/26
Mr. Fuller,
20 |
3 |
7
1759
1 0 10
Mr. Palmer, no records,
13
15 |
1
1760
3 0 25
Mr. Thacher,
35 |
430 |
87 | 985
1761
1 0,14
Mr. Conant,
33 |
76 |
6 | 655
1763
11 0 30
Vacancy, -
3 |
1 |
0 ;
10
1764
2
0 14
Mr. Barker,
34 |
246 |
93 |
418
1766
3:1 11
Mr Paine,
71
15 |
6 1
33
1767
3, 126
Vacancy,
1 |
72 |
44 |
44
1768
1 0 10
1769
0. 010
Mr. Eaton,
10 1
63 |
37 |
66
1770
2 0 11
1771
5 0 15
1772
0. 010
1069 |
348 | 2316
-
1731 10
0/25
1797
6.
0'11
1536
4 0 2
1716
9 2.25
1782
15
4 31
1717
1 0 9
1783
5
0 18
1719
3 113
1785
5 1 4
IS25
2
2
1738
2 027
1804
100
1843
4 1| 1
1809 12, 4 10
1848
0. 01
1
1745
0,36
Rev. S. Conant.
Years.
Admitted as Members.
Baptized when admitted.
Total Baptisms.
Rev. T Palmer.
1774
1 0 16
1776
3
0 8
Rev. P. Thacher.
1813 17 6; 7
SUMMARY.
1755
1 0 19
1762
41 0.20
1765
0 25
Mr. Putnam, -
16 | 131 |
72 |
98
Vacancy.
1
1718
8,
3
Admitted as
9 513
ERRATA.
-
LINES FROM TOP.
P. 5, 1. 7 for Howlad read Howland. P. 6, 1. 6 for 1st r. 6th. P. 36, 1. 5 for Nov. 2 r. Nov. 1. 1. 10 and 23 for Mary r. Mercy.
P. 37, 1. 15 after Soule, add, and child. 1. 16 for Hannah Love r. wid. Hannah Cox.
1'. 42, 1. 8 for Blanford r. Branford. 1. 13 for 5 r. 25 ; p. 44, 1. 9 for 12 r. 15.
1. 15, 1. 10 for Tinkhiam r. Raymond. 1. 17, add, Henry Thomas and Joseph Tinkham. P. 50, 1. 13, for holy and without sin r. perfectly holy. P. 53, 1. 1 for Finney r. Tinklam.
I'. 54, ls. 2, 3 omit all after deacon. Is, 4, 5 after Cobb omit the two lines.
P. 61, 1. 1 after and r. was ; for was r. had a. P. 68, for 25 r. 12. 1. 74, Cobb, for 418, 425 r. 518, 525.
LINES FROM BOTTOM.
P. 3, line 9, for easterly read westerly.
P. 5, 1. 13, for 1690 r. 1698. P. 31, 1. 1, for 24 r. 193, p. 35, 1. 9, for 70 r. 78th.
P. 36, 1. 7, for Shore, &c., r. Stone of Southboro'.
P. 37, 1. 6, r. so sleep the saints and cease, &c.
P. 38, 1. 18, for grade r. glade. P. 13, 1. 5, for July r. June. P. 45, 1. 1, for fifty r. sixty.
I'. 49, 1. 11, after on r. having.
P. 51. 1. 7, r. a sentence of just.
P. 53, 1. 5, for 25, 1849, r. 12, 1847.
P. 54, 1. 13, for Rutland r. Royalton.
P. 60, 1. 1, after a, add, sound.
1. 61, 1. 13, for Abigail r. Abijah. P. 70, 1. 16, for There r. These.
Desc. Cat. No. 172, r. d. Jy. 30. No. 480, admitted 1750, not 1751, No. 640, was dismissed, when ordained. No. 948, is still a member here.
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NOV - 1 1944
0 014 078 783 8
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