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 5
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
46
their unchristian and blasting influence. If the churches in the wes- tern sections of the state outgrow in one generation, the injury they received from their measures, it will be more than many good men anticipate.
J.
It is hoped that the time will soon come when there will be less bigotry and prejudice upon the subject of baptism, and when it will not be magnified above its real importance ; and when too, husbands and wives who entertain different views of the subject, shall cease to vex each other and to throw obstacles in the way of what either seri- ously thinks to be his duty. If the husband really believes it a duty to devote his children to God in baptism, let not the wife, who is of a different opinion, oppose him ; for she must know that it can do no harm to the children to make the very worst of the case; and her husband must live in sin. (if he believe it a duty, ) while he neglects it. And not only so; but if it be a divine institution, as many have no doubt, and therefore, both the duty of the parent and the privi- lege of the children ; she assumes an awful responsibility in prevent- ing her husband from giving his children to God in this ordinance. I say, it is a fearful thing to take upon one's self such a responsibi- lity. For no person, who candidly looks upon the subject, can say, that infant baptism is NOT a divine institution : all he can say is, I be- lieve it is not. What is here said of the wife, is equally true of the husband. If while he has no belief in infant baptism as required of believing parents, his wife thinks it her duty to dedicate her children to God, let him not forbid her this gratification,-nor hold her back from the performance of what she truly believes her duty and her children's privilege. He has no right to interfere in this matter of conscience-this transaction between herself and God for the good of her offspring. This would be an unkindness which no man should be guilty of toward his wife, and no woman toward her husband. If they differ in opinion upon this practical subject, let the one, whe- ther husband or wife, who thinks it a duty God requires of his peo- ple to dedicate their children to him in baptism, do his duty without being opposed and vexed and hindered by the other. It is not only vexatious, but wicked in professed Christians to keep back from duty their nearest friends. Perhaps you will say it is not his duty. But he thinks it is; and who must determine? Certainly every person
47
for himself. You are not to be judged by another's conscience. Let your wife-your husband-your children, after proper measures to enlighten them, act for themselves in the things of religion, and do what they sincerely believe to be their duty-let them fully enjoy the rights of conscience. Because you are the master of the family gives you no right to control their consciences. You think it not your duty to dedicate your children to God in baptism ; be it so; your husband thinks it is his duty. Then let him do it without your interference or objection, lest you bring sin upon him ; and unless you think it morally wrong, go with him, and assist him as a kind and affectionate wife ought to do. And the same I would say to husbands in like circumstances. This is the course, it is conceived, which the spirit of the gospel with enlightened views would prompt Christians to pursue.
We have never been much annoyed by other denominations in at- tempts to make proselytes. The few attempts which have been made, have succeeded so poorly as to prove a discouragement to such unprofitable business. A large portion of our Baptist people amongst us, have entertained too liberal views to devote themselves to this work. If people wish to be Baptists, let them be so, for it is their right. But were I to undertake to convert Baptists, or real Christians of any other denomination, and induce them to unite to my church-were I to enter their Society in a revival season, and at- tempt to draw away people to join my Society, I should think myself engaged in pretty small business; and no less mean than small.
K.
Dea. Benjamin Adams was son of a Benjamin Adams who moved from Ipswich, it is believed, and was one of the early settlers in this town. He was chosen Deacon in 1779. At the time of my settle- ment no member of the church or parish had so much influence, probably, in ecclesiastical concerns, and especially in settling a min- ister, as Dea. Adams. He was a good judge of preaching, a very at- tentive hearer, always at meeting when in health, a man of intelli- gence and uncommon attainments for one who enjoyed no greater advantages. He was a valuable member of the church and society, was ready to promote every good enterprize, was capable of impart- ing instruction to others, and very able in prayer. To his youngest son, Rev. Thomas Adams, he gave a public education, who is now a
ť
48
settled minister in Waterville in Maine ; only one of his children re- mains in town, William Adams, Esq.
The following is a list of the officers of the church during the 40 years of my ministry : viz. Samuel Haskell, a good and exemplary man, who died in office 1820, aged 87. Benjamin Adams, who re- signed in 1806, and died in 1820, aged 81, having officiated 27 years. Walter Walker, appointed 1806, and died in office 1835, aged 62. Humphrey Gilbert appointed 1510, resigned 1813, and died 1816, aged 48. John Rice appointed 1814, resigned 1820, and a few years since removed to Shrewsbury. Tyler Batcheller and Joseph Appleton Moore were chosen to the office of Deacon 1820, and Barnet Poland and Lyman Bush were appointed 1834. These four brethren are now the officiating Deacons in the church.
Deacon Walker who continued in office nearly 30 years, was a very useful man in the church, as well as Society. His influence was uniformly in support of order, peace and religion. He aided in works of benevolence at home and abroad, and wished that to be done which would promote the cause of Christ, while he afforded his personal services in the prayer-meeting, the religious conference, and the Sabbath School. He was the father of Amasa Walker Esq. of Boston.
L.
Some of the individuals who entered into this plan, were Dea. W. Walker, Dea. J. A. Moore and Mr. Horace Bailey. This was an en- tirely new thing in the place, except with one or two young men, who were never accustomed to use spirit. It had been contended that men could not endure the heat and labor of harvesting without the help of ardent spirit. But the result of the experiment wrought conviction in the minds of all who made it, not only that spirit is useless to the laborer in health, but also that it is injurious-increas- ing lassitude and weariness and pains; and enabled them to bear tes- timony to this fact, which greatly contributed to the success of early temperance efforts in the place.
As in other places, so in this, many difficulties were, and still' are, to be encountered, and some of a very serious and trying nature. It is extremely painful to think that there should be individuals in the community who are voluntary caterers to the drunkard's appetite. While painful to contemplate, it is also exceedingly vexatious to, those
49
who would reform their friends and bring them back to sober life. I have known a benevolent man to move 70 or 80. miles, and spend two or three years principally with the design, if possible, by kind and judicious management, to reclaim an intemperate brother, and restore him a blessing to his distressed family and his former circle of friends. But he found all his kind efforts in vain. And why ? Because in- dividuals there were, who would counteract all the efforts he was prompted to make by his fraternal affection. They would entice him away and feed his appetite, and then rejoice to think that they had drawn back to the path of shame and ruin, one whom a kind bro- ther would save. What more unkind could they do? what more infernal than to glory in their success? I can name no character more base, or more perfectly hateful, than this. The drunkard himself, who will finally be chargeable with self-immolation, is an honorable man, compared with one who designedly counteracts the kindest efforts to save him-efforts springing from filial and fraternal affection-yes, and from a father's, a mother's, and even a wife's sincerest love. How can we describe the vileness of those, whoever they be, that labor to defeat the efforts and blast the hopes of kind- ness in the consummation of the drunkard's ruin ?
With all the discouragements met with in this enterprise, there have happened many pleasant things. I must be permitted to men- tion one in particular of a very cheering character. One of the persons who made the experiment just mentioned and who had en- gaged to procure signers to the Constitution of the Temperance So- ciety, applied to an aged gentleman of influence for his signature, but he declined. The young man began to set before him some weighty considerations that should induce all the friends of man to enlist in this cause ; the old gentleman was a little disturbed, saying, ' I have always been accustomed to use ardent spirit, and am now ad- vanced in life and need this comfort in my old age. I wish well to your cause, but cannot join you.' The young man desisted. In the course of a year or two, a son of the aged man, who was almost ru- ined by strong drink, having signed the pledge and wholly abstained, began to recover his health and strength, and to attend to business, and be a comfort to his family. The father observed it, and could almost say, This my son was dead and is alive again ; he was lost, and is found. The next time he met with the young man who attempted to obtain his pledge to the Temperance Reform, he said, " Have you 7
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
4
50
the Constitution of the Temperance Society with you ?" No. " I wish to see it, and put my name to it before I die."
M.
Of this amount the ladies gave 830 to make their Pastor a life- member of the Amer. B. Society,->20 to make him a member of the Dom. Miss. Society->50 an honorary member of the A. B. C. F. M .- $72 to educate a heathen child in Ceylon, to bear the name of Thomas Snell-810 given by Miss Percis Howe to make her Pastor a life-member of the Sabbath S. S .- $40 were given to make him a life-member of the A. E S .- $25 to make him a life-member of the Seaman's Friend Society.
How it is in other places, I am not able to say ; but in this it is very noticeable how few intemperate men attend public worship; and indeed, how few men are constant attendants who have not adopted the principle of entire abstinence from ardent spirit. Out of the several hundreds who habitually attend our place of worship on the Sabbath, I know of but three or four who, I have any reason to think, are in the practice of using ardent spirit as a drink. There are a number of this description, who may occasionally attend. True, I do not know how many frequently use it in secret. But such as do it freely will very soon be betrayed.
Almost every constant attendant at the sanctuary has wiped his hands from the sin of the traffic and use of ardent spirit. And the men who come and vote and act against the cause of Temperance in our town meetings are not those who come here, or go elsewhere, to worship God-they do not throw themselves in the way of religious instruction, or under the civilizing and moral influence of the gos- pel. I could point to many persons, who, while they were sober men, attended constantly the worship of God; who, since they have become intemperate, have scarcely been seen in the sanctuary. When- ever men are observed to fall into the sin of intemperance, you may expect with much certainty that they will soon absent themselves from the place of worship. How surely then is the intemperate man in the highway to everlasting ruin! While he lives in sin and
51
drowns his sense, he voluntarily throws himself out from under the influence of that gospel which God has appointed to bring sinners to heaven.
It is not the regular attendants, or even the supporters of public worship, with very few exceptions, who come and lift their hands against the cause of temperance; but strangers to the sanctuary- aliens from our religious commonwealth.
Besides the number of deaths by particular diseases already men- tioned, it may not be amiss to state that there have died
Of Old Age,
. 53. Meazles, 10.
By Fits,
. 32.
Canker-Rash, 10.
" Paralysis,
. 29. Pleurisy, ·
.
9.
" Dropsy,
, 25. Worms, .
9.
Affection of the Liver, . 13. Croup, . 8.
Child-birth,
. 12.
Dropsy in the Brain,
.
7.
Casualties,
. 10. Whooping Cough, . 5.
P.
Some were probably more dissatisfied with the doctrine preached than with the salary. A second attempt was made in the year fol- lowing to effect my dismission, and in the same way. Expecting another attempt of the same kind the next year, I proposed that at some proper time and in some proper way, the members of the parish should candidly and freely express their wishes with respect to my continuing their religious teacher, in order that I might know the path of my duty ; and that I did not wish to remain, if the people did not wish to have me. A meeting was accordingly called, and being a pleasant day, was fully attended, about 130 voters being pre- sent. Thirty expressed their dissatisfaction, and the rest a desire that I should continue my services. This meeting put all things to rest for a number of years.
During the first 20 years of my ministry, I exchanged pulpits very frequently. My place was supplied by other Ministers one third part
52
of the time, and some years much more. Though some exchanges are pleasant for Ministers and agreeable to people, if not profitable, yet it is my opinion that many exchanges are not good either for a Minister, or his people. It is calculated to alienate their affections, or at least, to induce a people to imagine that their Minister cares but little about them, and this will of course prevent that attachment to him, which they might otherwise have. The more Minister and people are together in social intercourse, in the solemnities of reli- gious meeting, and in the trying and affecting scenes which are con- stantly presenting themselves in a parish, the stronger their mutual attachments-the more will the people feel that their Minister is their own-one of their number ; and the more will he feel that the people, are his charge, and the more will he sympathize with them in all their joys and sorrows. I should not advise a young Minister to be very much absent from his people either by, exchange, or otherwise, lest he beget in them the idea, that he feels indifferent to their wel- fare. It is pleasant to them, and is calculated to do them good, to believe that their Minister loves them and labors to promote their happiness.
In times of special attention, I have always attended three exercis- es on the Sabbath ; and since a village has sprung up around the place of worship, so that 300 souls or more are within about half a mile, embracing many young people, I have uniformly in good wea- ther, attended a third service : not however, because I think the same individuals can generally profit more by three services than two; but because some who cannot attend the usual exercises will have an op- portunity to attend the third, and because many people in a village, without a third religious service where they can attend, will have strong temptations to spend the evening hours of the Lord's Day very unprofitably. I would have a third religious exercise of some sort, for the purpose of preventing an open prof mation of the Sabbath, if there were no other object to be secured. In every considerable vil- lage where an assembly can easily be convened, it appears to me a matter of no small importance, that in favorable weather, the young people especially, have opportunity to attend an evening meeting. If it be of no use in other respects, it may prevent much evil. Impress- ed with this consideration, I have generally had a Sabbath Evening Lecture for 7 or 10 years past ; and to unite variety with instruction, have given a course of lectures upon the most important portions of Sacred History from the creation to the reign of David, making in
.
53
all about 200-the assembly in pleasant weather varies from 150 to 250.
For several years past, I have had a class of young gentlemen in the Sabbath School, placing myself among other teachers under the supervision of the Superintendent. Once I was unable, or thought myself unable, to perform the services of a third meeting on the Sab- bath ; but upon experiment, I find it can be done. I had but little to do with the Sabbath School for a number of years, thinking that I could not endure the service. But finding a class of men who would be pleased to have me instruct them in such portions of scripture as I thought best, I took the charge of them to the number twenty or thirty, and I must say, that it is one of the most pleasant services I perform on the Sabbath. And several important advan- tages attend it, that I did not fully estimate till I made the experi- ment. One is, I learn the turn of mind, and the talents of the young men, and their mode of thinking-learn something of their know- ledge of the Scriptures-learn their views of the doctrines of Chris- tianity and of its institutions and precepts-learn their objections and their errors, and their feelings on religious subjects, by which I am enabled to shape some of my public discourses, while it furnishes me an opportunity to correct any erroneous views of divine truth, and to present my own views of the great doctrines of Christianity. One other thing it does, viz. it prepares the way for me to invite any, and every body, to join the Sabbath School, since I belong to it my- self; and if they can find no better place, to come into my class, and I will instruct them according to the best of my ability.
It may be some gratification to individuals of the new generation who have never seen the sermons in print to which I alluded, to know on what occasions they were delivered. For their satisfaction I would mention some of the occasions and subjects. The sudden death of Capt. S. Skerry-The death of Mr. Daniel Tomlinson, jun., eldest son of Rev. D. Tomlinson-Dismission of Dr. Moore from Leicester-Two Discourses on our War with England-Before the Gen. Ass. of Mass .- Before the Society for the Reformation of Mo- rals-Ordination of Rev. Mr. Gaylord-Before the Legislature-The Submission of the Sinner to God-Formation of Missionary Society -Dedication of new Meeting-house-On Temperance, &c.
4
51
R.
I wish to speak, with sentiments of gratitude, of the kindness of the people, which I have experienced in prosperity and adversity. From individuals both of ladies and gentlemen, I have received ma- ny hundreds of dollars within 15 or 23 years past. Some of this has probably been bestowed as a token of respect ; but most of it under the impression that my salary was inadequate for my support. Aside from this friendly aid my circumstances must have been very much straitened. Take the whole forty years of my ministry, my salary has not paid my current expenses : the contributions of individuals have in some measure supplied the deficiency. The money I had when I commenced keeping house, had it been put upon interest, would at this time have amounted to more than I now possess.
I said that individuals have bestowed upon me their bounty and enabled me to live ;- I would add, that very much has been done in and for North Brookfield by indirich of effort ; far more than many are aware. Many hundreds of dollars have been expended for the common benefit of the Parish, if not of the town, that was contribut- ed by individuals, which might have been raised by a common tax without injustice. I have more particular reference to the support and improvement of sacred music. That Christian Psalmody has risen among us within 40 years past. every body knows who remem- bers any thing about those days. As to what it was then, I would only say, that it was, as in many other places, poor enough. That we have now respetable singing, cory body allows. Some think that we have excellent Psalmody. Many strangers say, that they have heard no such church music and seen no such choir of singers in the country, or even in the city, with one exception-amounting to more than 100. Now making all allowance, on what score you please, for these opinions, it must be admitted that our style of music has great- ly improved. But at whose expense ? I have found an article for rais- ing money to encourage sacred music in ten different Parish War- : rants-in five cases the article was passed over ; in one & CO were raised; in another #40; in three others $30 each=190 in the whole, during forty years-not half enough to keep the breath of life in singing. Sacred music has been sustained and improved and come to what it is. among us, wholly by individual contribution and effort ; and principally by the singers themselves. They furnish books of
-
55
music-books of hymns-instruments of music-time for learning music and making proficiency-and in addition to all the rest, money - to furnish accommodations and hire a Teacher. Is this equal ? Is it right ? Let every man answer.
.
1
D 28446348
MAY
75
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA
.
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.