USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > New Braintree > Recollections and anticipations: A half-century and dedicatory discourse, delivered in New-Braintree, Mass. Oct. 26, 1846 > Part 2
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There have been fifteen publicly educated men from this town, three before my residence here and twelve since. Besides these, two died in college, and two are now in college. Eight have entered the min- istry in the Congregational order, and one in the Bap- tist denomination, a popular preacher and highly es- teemed. I refer to Dr. Davis, who closed his ministry at Hartford, Connecticut, a number of years ago, much lamented. We have also furnished to the country six lawyers, five of whom are now living .*
The fifty years in which it has been my privilege to labor in the ministry, has been a most eventful period to the church and the world. In the former part, political revolutions were almost every where taking
* See Appendix (D).
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place. Infidelity spread with astonishing rapidity ; and a very extensive combination was formed to establish principles which would subvert not only all Christian institutions, but the foundations of civil society. The darkness of the middle ages seemed to be returning upon the civilized world, and next to nothing was doing to cause the light of the gospel to shine among the benighted. Religion was generally in a very low state, partaking much of formalism, and the prospect was continually gathering darkness.
But when the enemy came in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord set up a standard, around which the friends of order, virtue and religion were ready to gather. After a quarter of a century of violent com- motion among the nations, universal peace ensued, which has been of longer duration than any other that has existed since the commencement of the Christian era. God was pleased before the close of those troublous times to pour out his Spirit upon min- isters, churches, and people very extensively, and greatly to revive his work, especially in this land. He has done great things for Zion and for the world, by disposing his people to engage in so many Christian and philanthropic enterprises, upon which he has so manifestly set the seal of his approbation. While these enterprises have greatly increased the labors and responsibilities of Christian ministers, there is much occasion to praise God for them. It is among the chief reasons why I would wish to live yet longer, that I may see this glorious work of mercy spread, until all shall know the Lord, and that I might work together with him and his faithful servants in helping
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it forward. But I would be thankful for what of his grace I have been allowed to see, and in respect to the future I would say, "The will of the Lord be done." In this paragraph I have wandered from the path I had proposed for myself, and will now return.
It is worthy of our special and most grateful acknowledgment, my brethren and friends, that while so many disastrous changes have taken place around us, it has pleased God to preserve this church and society, and their pastor in a state of so much har- mony, for so long a time. " Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight." True, my conscience testifies that it has always been my study to promote peace and brotherly love, and to allay existing diffi- culties. But I take less of the honor to myself, than I concede to the people. There has ever been with them a settled aversion to a rupture with their minis- ter, believing it to be among the greatest evils in society. They have chosen rather to bear with many imperfections, and to make little of that of which they might have made much. Where all parties sincerely aim at peace, there can be no contention.
As one evidence of our peaceful state it may be stated, that until within three years there was no parish, or religious society in this place. The bu- siness pertaining to parochial concerns was trans- acted in open town meeting, and carried into effect by officers of the town, as from the commencement of my ministry. There is reason to believe that the last remnant of union between church and state, in Massachusetts, and if so in the nation, was finally and forever sundered, when this parish was organized.
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Another circumstance showing the character of this people, as a religious community, is worthy of notice in these days. I refer to the number of persons in town whose estates, by the voluntary consent of the owners, help sustain the gospel by taxation. As an example, the first year after the parish was formed- three years ago, about six-sevenths of the property in town was assessed to support Congregational preach- ing. This includes, however, several estates that pay in neighboring parishes, it being more convenient for the owners to attend there than here. My salary was assessed on a valuation of $1-18,000, owned princi- pally by between eighty and ninety farmers. Of the one-seventh who did not pay a parish tax, there was one Baptist and a few Methodists who helped to sus- tain their own institutions in their own way. Of the residue I can give no account.
This church has not been exempt from ordinary trials. We have been under the painful necessity of excluding from our communion numbers, who either renounced the faith they professed when they united with us, or ceased to maintain a Christian character. But no serious divisions were ever occasioned in the church by these proceedings. We were never asked to have those proceedings reviewed by a higher tribunal. Three ecclesiastical councils have been convened in this place, but they were for the purpose of ordaining pastors over the church. It is believed there has been no suspension of the Lord's supper, nor of preaching for a single Sabbath, on account of any existing difficulty among the members, since the formation of the church, which was in 1754. To
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those acquainted with the difficulties and trials which many, perhaps I ought to say most, meet with in their ministry, it cannot appear strange that I should add, that I am deeply penetrated with a sense of the very gracious manner in which God has been pleased to deal with me, from the beginning to the present time. Not only have my trials been small, but I have en- joyed great happiness with my people. There has never, to my knowledge, been any combined opposi- tion to myself, or to such measures as I have deemed proper to pursue for the advancement of religion. But rather, there has been a disposition to aid in car- rying such measures into effect. I am always received in the families, into which I enter, with apparent and I trust real cordiality. My people have shown me more respect than was my due.
In relation to my domestic concerns, God has been very merciful to me and mine. He has spared the wife of my youth, until we have both arrived to a good old age, though as you well know, for the last four years, her strength has been small and her suffer- ings great. Nothing could have been more gratifying to her feelings, than to have been present on this oc- casion. Though not here in body, yet in spirit she is with us. Of eight children, six yet survive, who I re- joice to say, are all present, as also their companions, and a goodly number of their children. The two that have deceased had arrived to adult age. One was in single life, the other the head of a family, whose surviving companion is present.
I have also been greatly favored in respect to my bodily health. Although I possess a constitution nat-
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urally fceble, yet I have generally. enjoyed strength sufficient to enable me to perform the various duties and labors, which in the providence of God, have fallen to my lot. For the last thirty-four years espe- cially, having been previously raised from dangerous sickness, I have very rarely failed of being at the post of duty, through bodily infirmity. I must make an exception of five Sabbaths in an early part of the past summer, when I was unable to perform ministerial duty among my people.
I desire to be thankful, that I have not long since been laid aside as a worn out garment. While I speak of these things, especially the kindness of those whom I serve in the Lord, it is a subject of painful consciousness that I have not been more faithful to them, and done more to promote their eternal interests.
(Here a brief respite was taken, while the following stanzas were read by the pastor, and sung by the choir, in the tune, " SIDDIM.")
" GOD of my childhood, and my youth, The guide of all my days, I have declared thy heavenly truth, And told thy wondrous ways.
Wilt thou forsake my hoary hairs, And leave my fainting heart ? Who shall sustain my sinking years, If God my strength depart ?
Let me thy power and truth proclaim To the surviving age ; And leave the savor of thy name, When I shall quit the stage.
The land of silence and of death Attends my next remove ;
O may these poor remains of breath Teach the wide world thy love."
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Having taken a review of scenes that have passed away, many of which must be interesting to those whom I more particularly' address, let us now turn and look to the future.
Although we can see nothing before us with dis- tinctness, time and circumstance being wholly con- cealed from our vision, yet we know that important changes await us. As I am now the oldest minister in the state, of the Congregational denomination, who has the entire charge of a church and parish, reason teaches that I can be with you but a short time. Soon shall I be called to give account of the manner in which I shall have fulfilled the ministry which I received of the Lord. The Lord show mercy in that day !
Whenever a people are left destitute of a minister, it is attended with more or less hazard. It is equally certain also that a number in this church, and in this society, of nearly my own standing in age, who have been firm supporters of the gospel, and ready to every good work which had relation to our common welfare, who have stood " shoulder to shoulder," in times of difficulty or danger,-men of prudence, wealth and influence, must soon have their names enrolled with my own, among the dead. We must lay aside our armor nearly at the same time. These changes will be felt. I will not say with the apostle, when speak- ing with reference to a particular people, " I know that after my departure shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock." . I will not allow myself to believe it.
Though great reverses do sometimes occur, yet I
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trust that the God of peace, who has so long con- tinued his favor, will dwell among you and bless you, when the changes spoken of shall have taken place. He has promised to Zion, "Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children." May this precious promise be eminently verified with you. May the sons of these fathers fill the breach that will soon be made by death. May they be in their stead, not only by coming into possession of the houses, lands and treasures which will be left to them, but by adopting and carrying out the views and principles which they early imbibed, and to which they adhered with great steadfastness and consistency.
In view of these considerations, the preparation of this house of worship is a most seasonable enterprize, and its completion affords just occasion for mutual congratulation and of united praise to Him who caused the people to prepare their hearts to the work. It was much needed for our immediate comfort; and it provides for an exigency which must occur at no dis- tant day. I trust it will be a bond of union to this parish, and serve to preserve it from those unhappy divisions which we have witnessed in most of the re- ligious societies around us, and which have been pro- ductive of unnumbered social, as well as moral evils, in every community where they have prevailed.
And now the hour has arrived which you have ap- pointed for the dedication of this house to the service of God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, as a place for the worship of his great name. I hope, my friends, you will prepare your hearts for this solemn transac- tion, in the dedicatory prayer that will be offered at
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the close of this discourse. Let us remember that the God with whom we have to do requireth truth in the inward parts. Although this duty specially concerns the people who expect to worship here, we wish and believe we shall have the sympathy and the prayers of all our Christian friends, in this interesting transaction.
It affords me great satisfaction, that I am allowed to see you assembled in this very commodious and pleasant house of worship, and to anticipate with you the rich blessings which may here descend upon you and your offspring. May the God of Abraham, and your fathers' God, always meet you here, when you assemble to call upon his name and to humble your- selves before him. May the glory of the latter house be greater than that of the former. In that we were permitted peacefully to assemble about forty-four years. And as you have heard, the gospel preached was the power of God unto salvation to a goodly number of precious souls. Of this and that man, it may be said, " He was born there." In that house some hundreds confessed Christ before men. There the church sat together as in heavenly places, as they commemorated that love which many waters cannot quench, nor floods drown. The remembrance of these affecting scenes calls for unfeigned gratitude to God.
But for this house in its modified state, we ask for greater things. May the gospel of salvation be preached with greater effect, and be a means, through God's blessing, of life to all who shall enter these gates in search of the wisdom that is from above. May you often see in this middle aisle, many conse- crating themselves to the service of God, until the
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church and the congregation shall be one body. May the Lord pour his Spirit upon you and your children, and make you his heritage forever.
There are two subjects about which I have much solicitude.
The first respects the condition in which I may leave you, when my labors shall cease. It is my most earnest desire and prayer to God, that this church and society may then be in a united and prosperous state. The thought that here may be the seat of discord- that you may be rent into parties, or involved in diffi- culties that will remain to be settled under the ministry of a stranger, perhaps a young man-is extremely painful. And next to this, I should reckon as ruinous, a falling off' of the members of the society,-a with- drawal of a support of gospel institutions. Far dis- tant be that day, when in passing through this pleasant town, there shall be occasion for the frequent remark, " The man who owns this well cultivated farm, or dwells in that stately mansion, renders no support to religion." I would deprecate the thought of con- tributing to such a state of things in a town like this, by too long a continuance in the labors of the minis- try. With your present union, here will be an inviting situation, to the one whom you may choose to supply my place. But if your union shall be gone, your glory as a religious community will also have departed.
Let the church be of a meck and lowly mind, be wise as the serpent and harmless as the dove, and pray with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, watching thereunto with all perseverance, and God will surely bless you.
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I have spoken of a successor. As a people need great wisdom, in so important a concern, I will make one remark, which may possibly be of some use. The remark is, that far less is made of choosing a pastor at this day, than was the case fifty years ago. I had preached eleven or twelve sabbaths as a candidate in this place, before any movement was made by the church in respect to a call to settle. I was here about five months before my installation took place. In two other instances in which I had received an invita- tion to settle, the time of probation was still longer, before a call was given. It was generally so at that day. The settlement of a minister was a matter of so much importance in the people's view, that they dared not make haste. Full time ought to be taken by a church and society to satisfy themselves as to the native powers, the acquirements, the disposition, the habits, the faith, and especially the piety of their candidate, before they invite him to become their pastor.
The other subject to which I alluded is of still greater importance, namely, how shall we stand as minister and people in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming ?
There we shall meet, including not only you who are present, but all who have ever sat under my min- istry, whether they be now among the living or the dead. Yes, we shall there stand face to face. And shall we be a crown of rejoicing to each other ? A momentous question ! I do indulge the pleasing hope of seeing many to whom I have ministered, then standing on the right hand of the Savior, clothed in
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white robes, with palms in their hands, and crowns of glory upon their heads. " Ye are our joy, our hope, our crown of rejoicing, in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming." Without this hope I should faint.
But will it be, can it be, that some of the dear peo- ple with whom I have so long labored and for whom I have so often prayed, will not be there? Must I see any of you in that other assembly, whose doom angels cannot contemplate without weeping, and over which the Savior wept?
Nothing gives me more pain, as I view the time of returning my commission to preach the gospel to be so near, than the consideration that there are some whose kindness and friendship I have enjoyed, who have been habitual attendants on the usual means of grace, who have appeared to entertain a high respect for the institutions of the gospel, but do not account themselves worthy of a place among the professed disciples of Christ. In view of our final meeting in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming, " I bescech you in Christ's stead, Be ye reconciled to God." May you lay up for yourselves a good founda- tion against the time of need.
To all, all of my beloved people, I would express the earnest desire and hope of meeting you in glory, through the riches of divine grace. God forbid that I should cease to pray for you, and warn and teach you in all wisdom, so long as I live, that I may present every man, yes, every one of you, perfect in Christ Jesus. And in return, let me always have an interest in your prayers.
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And now, may the good will of him that dwelt in the bush ever be with you.
" The Lord bless you and keep you.
The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace"-eternal peace.
To all from abroad, who have honored this occasion with their presence, our thanks are due. It is particu- larly gratifying to sce so many of the sons and daughters of New Braintree return to the place of their carly associations, once more to exchange saluta- tions with each other, after so long an absence, and from distant parts of the country. Not a few do I recognize as the lambs of this flock in former years, whom it was my delight to feed with the sincere milk . of the word. It recalls to remembrance the time of your espousal to Christ, when a new song was put into your mouths, even praise to God. It will be a subject of eternal gratitude if in the time of your deep anxiety for your souls, God was pleased to make me the humble instrument of leading you to the Rock that is higher than you. I hope to have oppor- tunity, in another part of this house, at least to take you all by the hand, and to express my joy on meeting you again. All who ever sat under my ministry, either in childhood, in youth, or in manhood, I do af- fectionately bear on my heart, and I pray that God may bless you with his richest favors, temporal and spiritual.
My brethren in the ministry, have always received a cordial welcome at my house. Your society and
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friendship have been a source of more pleasure to me than I can describe. The gratification which I derive from your presence on this occasion is unusually great. It helps to sustain me, in view of the affecting considerations to which our attention has been directed.
Now that I am in the decline of life, when not only strength but judgment fails, I need your sympa- thies ; I need your counsels ; I need your prayers : do not forget me.
And the Lord be with you. May he spare you all to your people, many years, prosper you in your good work, and give you the reward of faithful servants.
This is a great meeting. I can hardly account for the number in attendance. But what is it, either in number or object, compared with that in which we shall all be assembled in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming, and receive a reward, cach according to the deeds done in the body ? May we all be prepared to join the redeemed throng in the words, " Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever, AMEN."
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APPENDIX.
(A.)
At the time I received license to preach, which was May 6th, 1791, at Hadley, by the Northern Association, in the county of Hampshire, I was ordained at their request, for the purpose of spending a season in Seneca, New York. The second time I preached was in what is now the town of Geneva, consisting then of five or six log cabins, and one or two framed buildings.
(B.)
The person deceased was Saul Job; the prayer was offered by Mr. Elijah Norton.
(C.)
Dea. Jonathan Gould, Capt. Thomas Whipple, and Mr. Jacob Pepper took an active part in my settlement, and their great grandchildren are now on the stage. Of the latter person named there is one of the fourth . generation.
(D.)
Educated Men. Ministers. Lawyers.
Jonathan Gould.
Jonathan Gould.
James Tufts. James Tufts.
Joseph Delano.
Edwards Whipple.
Edwards Whipple.
Luther Wilson.
Luther Wilson.
Thomas Pope.
Thomas Pope.
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Educated Men. Ministers.
Frederick Matthews. Luke Foster.
Luke Foster.
Henry Penniman. Charles Eames. Frederick Whipple.
Waldo Converse.
Eli Harrington.
Eli Harrington.
Charles Bowman.
William Miller. William Miller.
(Died in College.) Joseph Washburn. Dr. Davis.
James Woods.
William Penniman.
(Now in College.) David Burt. George H. Gould.
The exercises on the occasion were as follows :- 1. SINGING [Chant] " See what a living Stone," &c.
2. SHORT PRAYER AND READING THE SCRIPTURES, by Rev. Levi Packard, of Spencer.
3. SINGING [122d Psalm, as in the Bible.] " I was glad," &c.
4. PRAYER, by Dr. Bates, of Dudley. 5. HYMN [" The House of God."] 6. SERMON, first part.
7. SINGING, 71st Psalm, third part.
8. SERMON, second part.
9. DEDICATORY PRAYER, by Dr. Snell, of North Brookfield.
10. SINGING [Chant] 87th Psalm, as in the Bible. 11. CLOSING PRAYER, by Rev. Joseph Vaill, of Somers, Conn. 12. SINGING, " Praise to Jehovah," with the Doxology, in Long Metre.
13. BENEDICTION, by Rev. Micah Stone, of South Brookfield.
Lawyers.
Frederick Matthews.
Charles Eames. Frederick Whipple. Waldo Converse.
Charles Bowman.
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