USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Dorchester > The covenant and declaration of faith of the Second Church, Dorchester, with a list of its members > Part 2
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Miss Lucy P. Tolman Miss Mary E. Tolman Miss Sarah W. Tolman
Miss Susan W. Tolman Mr. Charles P. Tolman Mrs. Mary A. Tolman Mr. Jonas P. Tolman
Mrs. Sarah Tolman Mr. William Tolman Mrs. Mary Tolman Miss Emeline L. Tolman Miss Elizabeth Tolman Mrs. Sarah Townsend
Mrs. Lusanna Tucker Mr. Augustus Tufts t Mrs. Lucy Turner t
Mrs. Hephzibah Vinson
Mr. Stephen Wales
Mrs. Lydia V. Wales
Mr. William Wales
Mrs. E. A. W. Wales Mrs. Anna Wetherbee
Miss Sarah S. Wetherbee Mrs. Abigail T. Wilder Mrs. Nancy J. Wilder
Mr. Joshua II. Wilder
Mrs. Elizabeth A. Wilder
Mr. William F. Williams
Mrs. Mary Williams Miss Ellen C. Williams
Miss Eliza W. Williams Mrs. Jane Williams
Mr. Samuel Williams
Miss Sarah J. Williams
Miss Mary P. Withington
Mrs. Elizabeth Withington
Mrs. Sarah P. Withington Miss Eliza Withington Mrs. Eliza J. Withington Mrs. Elizabeth Withington t
Miss Mary Withington
Miss Lydia Withington
Mrs. Rachel F. Wood Mr. Samuel G. Wood
Mr. James G. Young Mrs. Julia A. Young.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
HISTORICAL SKETCH.
THE town of Dorchester was settled in 1630, by a company of Christians, who, with their pastors, Rev. John Wareham and Rev. John Maverick, emigrated from England for the enjoyment of greater civil and religious privileges. In 1636, Mr. Maverick died, and Mr. Ware- ham, with most of his church, removed to Windsor, Connecticut.
Previous to their departure, a new church, (still existing as the First Church,) was formed, under the pastoral care of Rev. Richard Mather, one of the most eminent minis- ters of his time, and the principal author of the " Cam- bridge Platform."
During the ministry of the eighth pastor of this Church, Rev. Dr. Harris, on account of the increasing population of the town, it became necessary to form a Second Society ; and a meeting-house having been built, on the 1st of January, A. D. 1808, the Second Church, consisting then of sixty-four members, was duly organ- ized ; Rev. John Pierce, of Brookline, preaching on that occasion.
On the 7th of December following, Rev. John Codman was ordained the first pastor. Rev. William E. Channing preached the sermon, from the words: " Be instant in season and out of season."
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Soon after difficulties arose, owing to a difference in doctrinal sentiment between the Pastor and some of the Church and Society, which resulted in the withdrawal of about twenty members in 1813.
In 1827, the Church was strengthened by the addition of fifty-four converts. In 1829, twenty-one members were dismissed, and formed into a new Orthodox Church, which took the name of the Village Church. In 1840, thirty-three were added to the Church upon profession of faith, and in 1842, thirty-five; of whom twenty were young men.
On the 23d of December, 1847, the long and devoted ministry of Dr. Codman was terminated by his death, in the sixty-seventh year of his age, and the fortieth of his ministry. The records show that he attended 649 funer- als ; solemnized 295 marriages; baptized 783 persons, 702 of whom were infants; and was permitted to wel- come to the fellowship of the Church, 639 members, 482 of whom were received by profession. Of those who were connected with the Church at his ordination, only eleven remained at the time of his death.
On the 13th of July, 1848, Rev. James II. Means was ordained the second pastor of the Church.
From the beginning, 785 have been connected with this Church, of whom 520 have here first professed their faith. Eleven of its members have entered the ministry. Over 220 have been removed from its membership by death ; about 240 dismissed to other churches. The present number of members is 302; sixty of whom are non-residents.
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DEACON'S ORDINATION CHARGE.
The following Charge was first used in 1724, by Rev. John Danforth,
then Pastor of the First Church, Dorchester. It is inserted here, because delivered by Dr. Codman, at the induction into office of the Deacons chosen during his ministry.
THE glorious King of the Church and world, the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, instituted the holy office of Deaconship by inspiration to his Apostles in the primi- tive church, and appointed that even the Gentile churches should have men, qualified as he has specially directed, chosen unto and invested with the sacred office.
Although the office of Deaconship is ecclesiastical and sacred, yet is it specificated and limited unto the temporal good things of the Church, which are offered and dedi- cated unto the house and service of God for the uses of piety and charity.
Of the Church's outward treasure, of all offerings and gifts given to the Church for the supply of outward need- the care and management belongs to the Deacons ; and therewith the Deacons are to supply the tables which the Church is to provide for, -viz. the Lord's table and the tables of such as are in necessity; to whom they are to distribute in simplicity and singleness of heart.
Ordination is the solemn committing of office ecclesi- astical, unto persons to whom that office doth belong ; the solemn putting of them into the actual possession of
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that place, station, dignity, trust and charge in the Church of God that they were chosen to, and had accepted of.
Wherefore, the Church of Christ in this place having chosen you, our dear brother, unto the office of Deacon- ship, and you having accepted thereof,-
We do,-in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Head of the Church in heaven and on earth, ordain you to be a Deacon of this Church, and put you into possession and administration of that holy and hon- orable office of Deaconship, in which you are to conjoin our beloved brethren who were in office before you.
And, forasmuch as God hath set you up in this Church not to be a Lett, but to be an Ilelp,-we solemnly charge you to watch and to pray, and to labor all that you can, that you may promote and further all religion, and virtue, and charity, and peace, and beneficence among us ; and uprightly, and prudently, and faithfully, and with great humility, and yet with liberty and holy courage, and with- out fear, and without partiality, and in singleness of heart as towards God, discharge, not only every part of your work as a Christian, but also every part of your office as a Deacon, accountably to God and our Lord Jesus Christ, to your own conscience, and to the Church by the help of Christ.
And we assure you for your comfort, that so using and discharging the office of a Deacon well, by the grace and help of your glorious Lord and ours, you will, though without any proper merit of your own, yet of God's infi- nite mercy, purchase or gain, or obtain to yourself a good degree and great boldness in the faith. And, when the great Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. AMEN.
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DIRECTIONS TO THOSE COMMENCING A RELIGIOUS LIFE.
MOSTLY SELECTED FROM VARIOUS AUTHORS.
REMEMBER that the Christian life is to be like " the light, which shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Therefore, when the hope of pardon dawns in the heart, do not consider the great business of life as accomplished, but only as begun.
Ever strive to maintain great earnestness in religion. Remember that you need daily to repent, confess your sin, cast yourself in faith on Christ, seek pardon and grace; as you did, when you first gave yourself to the Lord.
Seek evidence of piety not so much in high emotions of any kind, as in real humility, sorrow for sin, desires for righteousness, and a constant effort to regulate your daily life by the will of God.
Do not expect to find in your own experience, every thing you have heard or read of in the experience of others. " There are diversities of operations, but it is the same God, which worketh all in all."
If troubled by doubts, look away from yourself to the infinite grace of God in Christ ; and seek earnestly for new light, and a renewed experience of his love. "Then shall ye know, if ye follow on to know the Lord."
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Do not be afraid of indulging in feelings which seem to be right, from the fear that you are self-deceived. Go forward, and do your whole duty, and God will save you from deception while thus employed.
Expect not to be made very happy by religion, unless you become eminent in piety. A half-way Christian en- joys neither the pleasures of the world, nor the pleasures of religion. 1818073
Do not look at the practice and example of other Christians, but at the word of God, in forming the stan- dard of piety at which you aim. Consider not what professors of religion are, but what they should be.
Do not suffer a day to pass, without reading the Bible with devout attention. Strive also to obtain clear and full conceptions of the great doctrines there revealed.
Never omit for a single day the duty of secret prayer. Make known to God every doubt and fear; and ask, in submission to his will, with earnestness and faith, for each blessing you desire.
If you sincerely think you are a Christian, and the Church are satisfied with the evidence of your piety, it is your duty to make a public profession of your faith.
Prepare for that most solemn act by much meditation, self-examination and prayer. Then go forward, not in your own strength, but trusting that " He, who hath be- gun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."
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QUESTIONS
FOR
SELF-EXAMINATION.
THE solemn obligations of the Covenant have been de- liberately assumed by every member of this Church ; they cannot be thrown off; he that ' openeth his mouth unto the Lord, cannot go back.' It is, therefore, most impor- tant that Christians should often examine themselves, whether they ' walk worthy of their vocation ; ' especially as is enjoined by Paul, (1 Cor. xi. 28,) in preparation for the Lord's Supper.
The following questions, designed to aid them in this duty, are earnestly commended to the members of this Church.
Do I keep sufficiently in mind that I am not my own ? that I have given myself to God in an everlasting covenant ?
Do I make daily efforts, in reliance on the promised aid of the Spirit, to overcome all sin, to grow in grace ? Is the standard at which I aim, the perfect holiness of God, or the state of devotedness commonly seen in the Church ?
Am I faithful in the performance of the private duties of religion ; in reading the Bible, in devotional retire- ment ? Do I enjoy the hours thus spent ? Under their influence, do my faith and hope and love steadily in- crease ?
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What is the influence of my example on those around ? Does it prove to the unconverted that there is reality and power in religion ? What do those who know me best, think of my piety ?
Is the Church strengthened by my connection with it ? Am I deeply interested in its prosperity ? Do I take my part in sustaining its meetings ? Would I rather suffer, if need be, than be the occasion of injury to it ?
Do I love the brethren ; watch over them for their spir- itual good ; help them forward in the Christian life ? Is the law of kindness on my tongue ?
Do I attend constantly on the services of the sanctuary ? Do I join regularly and gladly in the commemoration of my Saviour's dying love ? In the Sacrament, do I sol- emnly renew my covenant with God ?
If a parent, are my children baptized, instructed in the truth, daily commended to God in prayer, and educated for eternity ?
Do I love the souls of sinners ? Do I feel for them ? Do I pray for them ? Is there one to whom I am faith- ful ; for whose conversion I feel constant anxiety ?
Do I strive to ' do good to all, as I have opportunity ?' Am I ready to deny myself for this purpose ? Is it a pleasure to contribute for the advancement of Christ's kingdom ? What proportion of my income do I devote to the Lord ?
For strength to perform all these and other duties, do I depend solely on divine aid ? And after I have done all, do I trust in Christ alone for salvation ?
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