USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > North Brookfield > Sermon : containing a brief history of the town and especially of the church and parish of North Brookfield from 1798 to the present time > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5
I have endeavored, though with much imperfection and weakness, to preach to you the gospel of the grace of God-both its doctrines
5
-
34
and duties-its warnings and encouragements-its promises and threatenings. How much soever I have failed in the attempt, I have endeavored to promote real revivals of true religion. A revival preacher, I have thought to be one, who with sincerity, and discrimi- nation, and plainness, and perseverance, and meekness of wisdom, preaches the whole gospel for man's salvation, in humble dependence upon the Spirit of God for success. I have meant to present to you, without giving needless offence by mode of expression, all the doc- trines of Christianity and inculcate all its duties, to expose all vices, and sins, and crimes, not amongst other nations and communities, so much as amongst ourselves, and inculcate all Christian virtues.
It has been my study to visit the sick and the afflicted in their sor- rows, the widow and the fatherless in their afflictions, and live peace- ably with all men,-to rejoice with those who rejoice, and render to all their dues, always giving special honor and respect to those who honor Christ. I have endeavored to preach the gospel in season and out of season. Through the goodness of God to me, and to you also, so far as my labors are useful, I have rarely failed of being at the House of God on the Sabbath. Except in 1813 when I was disabled from preaching for three Sabbaths, I have been laid aside but 13 days. I have preached only about 2,000 written discourses, far less than some of my age ; several of which, through your favor or that of others, are in print .* I wish my sermons had been better. In some parts of my ministry I have not preached so well-studied and finish- ed sermons as I might have done under other circumstances. For notwithstanding all your kindness,t I have had to expend too ma- ny thoughts and too much time upon the question, how I should live and support my family, and still continue my labors in this part of the vineyard.
From the beginning of my ministry, I have not seen occasion, or found any reasons, to change my theological opinions, or essentially change my views of the gospel, or the instructions I have given you. I have indeed somewhat changed my form of expression in speaking of certain doctrines, lest I should leave the shadow of a plea for the sinner to remain impenitent, and also adopted a greater directness of address in preaching to faithless men. I have presented to your minds the humbling doctrine of man's state of apostacy from God, and of his guilty helplessness-the ample provisions of divine grace
* Note Q.
t Note R.
-
1851477
35
through a crucified and arisen Savior-the perfections and decrees of God, according to which he does all his works of creation, provi- dence and redemption-the moral agency and accountability of man -the duty of immediate repentance and the sinner's aversion to it- regeneration by the Spirit of God through the instrumentality of di- vine truth-justification by faith in Christ-the resurrection of the dead, and future judgment and eternal retribution. These things I have taught publicly and from house to house, testifying repent- ance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. But I feel that I have done these things in a very poor and imperfect manner, that calls for the forbearance of man and the forgiving mercy of God.
God has surprised me and shown you great mercy, in crowning the dispensation of the gospel with success, so far beyond what the im- perfect manner in which it has been done would have led us to ex- pect. This treasure is committed to earthen vessels, that the excel- lence of the power might be of God, and not of men. Though my labors and life will soon close, yet may you live to witness and expe- rience still greater things than these, and instead of the fathers, may there be the children, and all the children, from generation to gene- ration, to come and worship before God in this temple, and in other temples that shall stand up in its stead in brighter and better days than these. And now, brethren, I commend you to God and the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheri- tance among all them which are sanctified.
APPENDIX.
DR. JACOB KITTRIDGE was the only physician in town at the time of my settlement in 179$. A few years before his death another physician settled in the place, and the following is a list of all who have since attempted to establish themselves in town as practicing physicians, viz. Drs. Ira Bryant, - Crossfield, Daniel Pierce, Oli- ver Kittridge, - Wright, Cheney Potter, Moses Porter, Thomas Jones and Joshua Porter, who is now the only physician in the place. Dr. Potter is the only one of the nine that died amongst us, or con- tinued to practice any considerable number of years. Whether more or less skilful, each one had his admirers, who reposed in him next to unbounded confidence, while others thought him unworthy to be trusted with the care of a patient, except in the plainest case. It is not however to be questioned, but what there were amongst them worthy men of talents and well read in their profession. In respect to physicians, people have their partialities and prejudices unreason- ably strong, and not unfrequently think the most ignorant who are loud in their own praises, to be men of consummate skill ; and those who are twenty miles distant, or who bear the name of some cele- brated physician in former days, to be of course far better than their own. The truth is, men are disposed, like the King of Judah, to expect too much from physicians, and depend too little upon God.
B.
About 25 years since, the manufacture of sale shoes was cominenc- ed upon a small scale by Mr. Oliver Ward who moved from Grafton.
-
-
380
This business enlarged, and in the course of ten or fifteen years hundreds engaged in it, until it became the principal occupation of the people. Two years since, shoes were manufactured at the rate of nearly half a million in a year, principally for Messrs. O. Ward, T. & E. Batcheller, and F. Walker, upon whom and some others, might well come the blessing of some for their present competency, who were ready to suffer from poverty, if not to perish.
Some 20 years ago, a person that often travelled through the town and had been acquainted with it since 1784, observed ' that he knew of no place that remained so uniformly the same as North Brookfield. Nothing doing, no new buildings going up, the same old dwelling- houses and barns, the farms and fences just so, all the people plodding on after the old sort, without much life, or any disposition for im- provement-all satisfied with present attainments and living at ease.' Since my settlement in the place, there have been erected in town more than 100 dwelling houses, and a number of others have un- dergone repairs about equal to building anew. Most of these houses are large, commodious and well finished, 70 of them erected where no house before stood, and much the largest half within 10 years past. It is worthy of notice, that in the course of these 40 years, but three dwelling houses have been destroyed by fire-all of them small, old, and of little value, all together not worth 8800, and all burnt in broad day light. The old plan of insurance, in distinction from mutual insurance, would have carried out of town in the same time not less than $50,000. This estimate is made on the princi- ple that every dwelling house in town is insured at its full value and at the rate of one half per cent. The object of these remarks is to show the saving of mutual insurance companies above others, and how much less expensive it would be for the town to make up all losses occasioned by fire, than to have their dwellings insured on the plan of former days. Since the establishment of Mutual Insurance companies, no one who neglects to have his dwelling insured, can expect, should it be consumed by fire, to receive much assistance from the community ; the expense is so trifling and the principle of insurance so just and reasonable.
/
C. Among others who were actively engaged in erecting a new house
39
of worship, were Col. C. Henshaw, now of Boston, Dea. W. Walker, Col. W. Adams, Col. P. Nye, Messrs. P. Haskell, F. Carruth, &c .; while some few were active in opposing the enterprise, more espe- cially because the locating committee, (which consisted of Col. Jones of Barre, Col. Sargent of Leicester, and Esq. Crocker of Pax- ton,) pitched upon this spot as the most central and convenient place where the edifice should stand. The site and building, exclusive of the bell which was procured by subscription, cost about six thousand dollars. The slips were prized by the builder so as to cover the whole expense, and in the course of a few hours were about all sold at auction-none for less than the appraisal, and the rest for so much more that the amount of choice money was about $700. It is pre- sumed that no one at this day is disposed to question the wisdom of erecting this house of worship when, and where, it was done.
D.
The old meeting-house was allowed to stand for several years after erecting the new one ; and was used for a town-house and for occa- sional religious meetings held by other denominations ; no man say- ing aught against it. But it became so shattered as to be to many an eye-sore ; and as no vote could be obtained to repair it, it was agreed by the parish to make arrangements to have it sold at auction ; when it was bid off by Mr. Charles Southworth, and demolished. It appeared that some had a desire to have it stand, and repair it for a place of worship; and individuals thinking that others meant to de- feat this plan, were excited to make an effort to build a new house of worship, which resulted in the erection of the small edifice now standing nearly on the spot where the first meeting-house stood. A dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Fiske now Presi- dent of Wesleyan College in Middletown, presenting, amongst other things, the excellences of the plan adopted by his own denomination, particularly, in very frequent changes of ministers, so that no one should continue in a place more than two years, and in many instan- ces but one or two months. The Rev. Dr. thought that when a man was permanently settled, he would become of course, careless and indolent and uninteresting in his services and cease to be useful. This dedication was attended with a series of meetings. The Rev. Mr. Davis was their first minister, a very well meaning man, who continued his labors two years. The following year, Rev. Mr. Mayo
40
was their preacher. Who succeeded him is not known to the writer. But one and another occasionally preached, until the house was shut up about one year since, and has been closed to this time. The com- mittee, or trustees, who contracted for building the house, not abounding in property, and being forsaken by several wealthy men who had encouraged them to build, were unable to fulfil their en- gagements-the house was attached and advertised for sale at auction .: What is the present state of the concern, I do not know. Individu- als of the Congregational Society afforded them some little help in dressing the pulpit, and in furnishing preaching, as their means were small. A few years since, a member of the Methodist Society was requested to ascertain the number who usually attended their meet- ing in good weather in the summer ; it was found to be about one hundred. It is hoped that these may again be collected and many others also, who for their own good have been too much estranged ยท from the sanctuary, and coming under the sound of the gospel, may be converted from their sins and feel its sanctifying power.
Were we to judge of the effect of a very frequent change of minis- ters from this particular case, according to the doctrine advanced in the dedicatory sermon, we should not be very partial to the plan. It is believed that our Baptist friends have suffered no small evils from these frequent changes, and that the influence of this system on some other denominations, is not very salutary.
2.
It is conceived that a man, without children, has in fact a more plausible excuse for refusing to pay his proportion for the support of common schools, than for refusing to support the gospel. Because the moral and religious instructions attendant on the public worship of God are a far greater benefit to him, than the common education of the young. He is receiving more and greater benefits from the dispensation of the gospel where he lives, though he never hear it, than from common school education. And of course he would have a better-a stronger plea for exemption from taxation in support of schools, than in support of the gospel. And doubtless these great estates possessed by childless men which do nothing to support the gospel, would generally pay nothing for schooling the young, did not the law compel them. But how important to the community-to the preservation of our civil privileges, is the intelligence of the peo-
41
ple ?- but how can a people be intelligent without education ? And how will the education of the young be sustained without the preach- ed gospel ?- The state of education in Rhode Island, where the gos- pel has been sparingly preached, will read a long and loud lecture upon this subject. And what will there be to throw around men necessary restraints, and exert upon them a civilizing influence, and set before them proper considerations, drawn from God's moral gov- ernment, to hold them back from crime, aside from the instructions of the gospel ? It is very desirable that this subject be looked at in its true light, and felt to the full extent of its importance.
F.
It is now very generally considered a covenanted duty of members of the church in a place, to do their proportion toward the support of Christian institutions. 'They engage to attend on the ordinances of the gospel, to strive for the edification of the church, to conse- crate their powers and faculties to the service and glory of God, and practice righteousness, truth and charity.' But how can this be, if members of the church refuse to help defray the necessary expenses of the ordinances of the gospel, and throw the whole burden upon others. If one can excuse himself, then another, and indeed the whole brotherhood ; and then what becomes of the preached gospel and its ordinances ? And what becomes of the church ? It is a piece of dishonesty and a breach of covenant engagements for a member of the church to excuse himself from taking a proper share in the necessary expenses of sustaining the worship and ordinances of God's house. If a brother be poor, he has then but little to pay. Such a neglect of duty is now considered by the churches a discipli- nable offence. The enemies of the gospel, and all who feel indiffer- ent to its provisions, may be expected to refuse their pecuniary sup- port in many cases ; but this can never be consistently expected of Christians-of professors, under covenant bonds to sustain gospel ordinances.
G.
The present incumbent is the third Pastor of this Church. About the time it was embodied, Rev. Eli Forbes was ordained Pastor, June 3d, 1752, 86 years since-dismissed March Ist, 1775. No account is
6
42
given in the Church Records with respect to the cause of this event, or the circumstances that led to it. But I am informed, that it originated in difference of views respecting the controversy between England and her American Colonies. The people called him a tory, and some of the whigs stoned his chaise one evening as he was passing the street, which induced him to ask a dismission, in which request he persisted till it was granted, and the relation dis- solved by a mutual council. As soon as 1776 he was installed in Gloucester, where he continued his ministry till 1804. His Pastoral relation to the church in this place continued 22 years and nine months. He was a pleasant, companionable man, and in his day, a popular preacher. His sermons appeared better from the pulpit than from the press. He was born in Westboro', and bore the name of Forbush, and thus wrote his name in the Church Records till, in the French war, he officiated as Chaplain to a regiment under the com- mand of Gen. Forbes from England. In conversation with him, he somehow concluded, whether with, or without the help of conjecture, I do not know, that Forbush was a corruption of Forbes, and ever after wrote his name accordingly, and many of his kindred did the same ; while others retain the former spelling and pronunciation.
Rev. Joseph Appleton, who is supposed to have been born in Ips- wich, was a graduate from Brown University, and ordained the second Pastor of this church in Oct. 1776-died July 25, 1795-aged 44 years. He continued Pastor 18 years and 9 months. The ministry of both these gentlemen united, continued forty one years and a half. The church was vacant about three years, after Mr. Appleton's decease, employing several candidates in succession, but without suc- cess in any of their attempts to settle. Amongst others, they employ- ed Rev. John Fiske of New Braintree; Rev. Nathaniel H. Fletcher, late of Kennebunk ; Rev. Dr. Moore, late President of Amherst Cor- lege ; and Rev. Mr. Briggs, now of Rochester.
One thing that contributes so much to a frequent change of minis- ters, is the short time the Churches hear their candidates ; perhaps from one to four Sabbaths. The gentlemen above named preached for months-I preached five months-almost half as long as some mi- nisters now stay with their people. And it is believed, that in order to give the ministry greater perinanence, churches and people must re- turn to the good practice of trying their candidates longer, till they know their doctrine, their ability, their spirit and views, and how they would probably perform parochial duty ; and every church and society
.
43
should endeavor to ascertain whether they shall be pleased with their candidate for their settled Pastor and Teacher. Unless time and op- portunity are given for some acquaintance, it is probable that they will soon separate.
This church has always conformed to the good usage of our puritan- ical ancestors, in leading the way in extending an invitation to the can- didate to become their Pastor, followed by the parish in a concurrent vote to receive him as their religious Teacher, and making provision for his support. This order should ever be observed, where people mean that Christ shall have a church in distinction from the world.
The Hon. Thomas Hale was the son of Capt. Thomas Hale, one of the first settlers in North Brookfield, and one that was a mem- ber of the church when first embodied. He moved from Boxford in the north-east part of the state. Esq. Hale was much employed in public business-a member of the Legislature for 15 or 20 years- for several years a member of the Senate. He had a great share of public confidence as a man of integrity and sound judgment, was very useful in the community, a consistent man and Christian. He cast his influence on the right side in civil concerns, and in such as related to education, morals and religion. Were all public men of his spirit and character, our public affairs would be in a more pros- perous train, than sometimes they have been found. He died in a good old age, holding fast the doctrines as summarily set forth in the Assembly's Shorter Catechism. The two females who only remain of all the church members when I settled, are Mrs. Rhoda Potter and Mrs. Lydia Cary, a sister of Esq. Hale, both in a state of wid- owhood; the last, when I settled, was the youngest member of the church.
I.
In the first two revivals we were blessed with, in 1817 and 1819, several ministers in the region came occasionally and preached at week-day meetings with much acceptance and spiritual benefit to the people.
In the midst of the revival in 1831, we had a series of meetings for two or three days in succession-several of the ministers from
+
44
the neighboring churches afforded their kind and acceptable assist- ance. Though it was a solemn and joyful time, in which God made bare his arm for the conversion of sinners ; still I do not think that the protracted meeting was, on the whole, for the greater prosperity of the church, than the mode adopted years before, when the Pastor performed most of the labor, with the occasional assistance of his brethren. At least, is is very questionable whether the protracted meeting was instrumental of accomplishing any greater amount of good, than the frequent and stated meetings of former days. And I very much doubt, whether in such a region as this, abundantly sup- plied with religious instruction and with places of worship, it is wise to resort to such a measure for the revival of religion, or for the ad- vancement and extension of a revival, already commenced. Wisdom is profitable to direct what is best to be done, under circumstances that may, at the time, exist.
In the revival of 1937, the Pastor had no help from abroad, except in a few meetings for prayer. No one but the Pastor preached dur- ing the time of God's gracious visitation, except in one solitary in- stance. Most of our meetings during the week were prayer meet- ings, except one for religious conversation with anxious minds, and another for instructing young converts. The brethren of the church took a very active part in these prayer meetings, conversing with in- dividuals, and addressing the hundreds of people assembled for reli- gious instruction, and scores of them under anxious concern. The work of grace was carried on with great stillness and with much ef- fect upon many hearts. There was no more preaching than at other times, though many more meetings for prayer and inquiry ; some of which were conducted wholly by members of the church, much to the edification of the people.
We never encouraged females to speak or pray in promiscuous as- semblies, and their own sense of propriety and their understanding of apostolic injunctions was such, that no dissuasives were necessary to prevent it, and it is questionable whether any efforts to induce them to attempt it, would have overcome their respect for the laws of Christian decorum.
The church have neither sent for an evangelist, nor employed one in those seasons of attention with which we have been blessed. Though they may be better preachers, than the stated Pastors of the churches, and more gifted men, yet there are some very serious ob- jections to employing such men as have gone forth as Revival Preach-
45
ers, among the churches in our country for a few years past. They are generally strangers-the churches do not know them-nor have they tried them-nor can they say whether they are worthy their confidence. In some respects they are irresponsible men. Who has sent them forth ? If disturbers of the Pastors and churches; if in- discreet and injurious to the interests of religion ; to whom are they accountable, or to whom is complaint to be made? Expecting soon to leave the place of their labors, as they are generally on the wing, they are induced to say and do things they would not otherwise say and do, and indulge themselves in extravagance of speech and conduct, that no man in his sober senses can justify, and by which no respectable man would be willing to have his character tried and determined.
Good men may have very wrong feelings, and in a measure come un- der the influence of a bad spirit. Giving these men on the score of piety and talent, all they can claim, they are in danger of thinking themselves the great power of God and that wisdom will die with them-of assuming authority over the pastors and the right of dicta- tion in all the affairs of the churches-of pursuing a course which will give their own agency peculiar prominence and throw that of God into the back ground, and thus exalt the creature and depreciate the grace of Heaven. They cannot so well know the state of the church and the spiritual wants of the people as the minister of the place, who has for years been conversant with them. For a stranger to pronounce the church all asleep and dead, because they are not on the high pressure system, or are indisposed to follow in his wake, is what he has no right to say, and is illy calculated to promote the cause of Christ. If we must have these revival preachers to travel the country, let them be discreet men-men of modest pretentions, of Christian humility, instructing others in the meekness of wisdom, preaching the gospel in its purity and simplicity, seeking not their own things, but the things of Jesus Christ-let them be men of God, consulting the peace and order and future prosperity of the churches, and leaving it for the after conduct of their hearers to determine who have been converted from their sins. While some individuals may have done much good in the church, still, take them as a whole, it is my candid opinion, that for eight or ten years past, such has been their character, their spirit, their measures and extravagances, that they have been a curse to the church, rather than a blessing. The state of religion in many parts of our land affords sad evidence of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.