USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > The declaration of faith with the church covenant and list of members of the Federal Street Baptist Church, Boston, constituted July 16, 1827 > Part 3
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618 Mary Jane Smith,
619 David Foster, Leverett and Montague.
August.
620 Caroline W. Carter,
621 Martha L Clark,
622 Agnes S. Hutchins,
Ist Church, Lowell.
623 Eliza Brown, 2d Do.
624 Sarah Morrill, Hebron.
625 Betsey Colburn, Do.
626 Benjamin Webb Williams, Newburyport.
627 Joseph Seaver, Ist Church, Salem.
September.
628 Mary Jane Minot,
629 MIRON MUNSON DEAN, Monkton, Vt.
630 Emmeline Converse, Thompson, Conn.
631 Julia D. Johnson, Framingham, Mass.
November.
632 Gardner Colby, Ist Church, Charlestown. Gloucester Harbor.
633 Mary C. Colby,
631 Margaret Butman, Sandy Bay.
635 Mary Cudworth, 1st Church, Lowell, Mass.
636 Eunice B. Wells, Charlestown.
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December. 637 $Melania Ammidon, (now Parker,) 638 William W. Johnson, Ist Ch., Salem. 639 Jerusha Foster, Ist Ch., Haverhill.
RECAPITULATION.
Total now belonging,
431
Dismissed, .
168
Deceased, .
.
23
Excluded, .
15
Seceded,
639
Received on profession,
400
Received by letter,
239
639
THE
DECLARATION OF FAITH,
WITH THE
Church Covenant,
AND
LIST OF MEMBERS, OF THE
FEDERAL STREET BAPTIST CHURCH,
BOSTON.
Constituted, July 16, 1827.
Fifth Edition.
1
THE WBERRY ARY - :00
BOSTON : WILLIAM D. TICKNOR. 133 Washington Street.
1811.
1
V. S. BLAIR , PRINTER.
BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CHURCH.
ABOUT the year !820, the subject of establishing a new church in Boston, more central than either of the others, began to engage the attention of a few Baptist friends. Partly with the view, and partly to provide gospel instruction in a destitute vicinity, meetings for prayer and public worship were instituted in the eastern part of the city, and continued for several years with various degrees of encouragement. In August, 1521, was formed . The Baptist Society for promoting morality and piety in Boston," which, in October, 1525, assumed the name of the " Boston Baptist Evangelical Society. ' By this Society, meeting- were maintained in a convenient hall over the Ship Market, in Purchase Street, supplied by Mr. E. Lincoln and others, till the Rev. R. W. Cashman was engaged, who, for a number of months, regularly oc- cupied the station. In April, 1526, the sparious Julien Hall, in Milk Street. was procured, where the meetings were continued till they were removed into the meeting- house.
Early in 1825, active measures began to be taken toward erecting a meeting-house, in which a cordial in- terest was taken by the pastors and members of the three churches. After several preliminary meetings by a few friends of the undertaking, a general meeting was held at the lecture room of the Second Baptist Church, to con- sult on the subject, (Dr. Baldwin presiding, ) at which it was unanimously voted to proceed immediately to erect a central house of pubhe worship.
On the 25th of Sept, 1826, the corner-stone of the present edifice (86 feet long, by 71 wide) was laid, ar- companied with appropriate religions services. The
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whole structure was reared without the least injury oc. curring to any of the builders.
The pre-existing chiches each appointed committees, at the request of the Building Committee, to meet and unitedly deliberate on the measures proper for forming a church. Various steps were taken toward this object, by these united committees, and the third Thursday in May, 1827, was appointed for a meeting of all those members who felt it their duty to embark in this enterprise. 'The pastors of all the churches were present, to all by their conusels and prayers. At length, sixty-five brethren and sisters cordially united in the work, who were, on the 16th of July, constituted into a Christian church. The meeting- house was opened on the 15th of July, 1827. [See Bap. Mag., 1827.]
Until about this time, the brethren had not been able to fix their minds on any minister as their spiritual guide ; and this fact had added much to the sacrifice made by such as had given themselves to this cause. The Rev. Howard Malcom, at that time General Agent of the American Su- day school Union, having visited this city on the business of that Society, a few weeks before the constitution of the church, became known to the brethren, and was invited, Ang. 29, 1827, by a unanimous call, to the care of the Church and Society. After returning to the city to learn the path of duty by a few weeks' residence among the people, the invitation was accepted October 16th, and he entered upon his labors November 13th, 1927.
Among the early additions to the church were a number of persons resulting in that part of the city called South Boston, where meetings had been maintained by the " Evangelical Society," from the time when their efforts in relation to this church terminated. These persons were, on the 25th of August, 1928, empowered, in con- junction with a committee of three brethren, to hold church meetings for business on their side of the bridge. Their place of meeting proving too small, the members of
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this church and congregation, assisted hy a few other friends, erected a meeting-house, 72 feet by 57, which was dedicated July 224, 1830, in which are regularly maintained the stated ordinances of the gospel. The divine blessing evidently descended on this branch of the church, not only in peace and edification to the members, but in the conversion of souls, and growth of the congre- gation. On the first of March, 1831, it was deemed expedient that these members be formed into a church. The measure was adopted with perfect unanimity, and fifty-five brethren and sisters were affectionately dismissed to constitute the " South Baptist Church of the City of Boston."
Up to the present period, the most perfect harmony has existed, not only in the bosom of this church, but between it and the sister churches of the city. The gracious pres- ence of the Master of assemblies has, at every step, at- tended the little band who ventured this important under- taking. The additions to the church have been large and continual, and consist, in a great degree, of persons who have not been accustomed to attend a Baptist place of worship. An affectionate and harmonious congregation entirely fills the house, and many who wish to worship there are not able to obtain a place.
BOSTON, MARCH 10, 1531.
In resuming the narrative, and carrying it onward for the space of nearly six years, we have to record events of a more chequered aspect.
In the spring of 1531 our pastor's health became so much impaired, that a voyage to Europe was deemed requisite. During his absence of eight months, the fruits of his faithful and affectionate mmistration exhibited them- selves in a most interesting revival, which embraced a large proportion of the most prominent young persons in the congregation.
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Soon after his return, with partially improved health, he, with his church, was called upon to mourn the death of his two most efficient auxiliaries. Mr. Ensign Lincoln, whose active and constant exertions are identified with the origin and support of the society, died Dec. 2, 1532. The society may justly be sand to be indebted to his fus- tering care for its survival through the precarious period of infancy. He was a resource in every emergency. He participated affectionately and acceptably in the labors of the pulpit, aud in the pastoral care. He was the main, he- cause the constant supporter of the social meeting. To him the pastor might always resort for prompt and prudent counsel, and willing personal service. He made religion Ins glory ; and perhaps no man has ever died more uni- vereally acknowledged a consistent professor and a devoted Christian.
Mrs. Lydia M. Malcom, wife of the pastor, ched Jan. 15, 1833. This was a severe deprivation to both pastor and church. The energy and ability with which she managed every concern in which it was proper for her to engage, were remarkable ; and her precept and example were worthy of all initation. Her labors in the Sabbath school, and her active interest in the education of the Blind, and in the establishment of Infant Schools and Ma- ternal Associations, will be long remembered.
L'inther chastisement seemed to await the already lan- guishing piety of the church. An affection of the vocal organs silenced the public instruction of our pastor, and resulted, after a suspense of more than a year, in huis ask- ing a dismission from his pastoral charge. This was sor- rowfully though cordially granted in September, 1535, under the conviction that, in an appointment which was immediately tendered line to visit the missionary stations in the East, God had provided for him a most extensive field of usefulness, combined with the most promising course for the complete restoration of his health.
In October, 1535, a gummmous call was extended to the
Rev. 'This 183: the the but pre 10 1 1.0
to 11 11 1
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Rev. Geo. B. Ide, of Albany, to become the pastor. This invitation was accepted, and he was installed Dec. 30, 1835. Under his faithful labors, the waning prosperity of the society seems to have been stayed ; the harmony of the church remains unbroken, and nothing seems wanting but humility and devotedness in its members to ensure the presence and operation of the Holy Spirit, and to cause it to be with us as in times past, when the candle of the Lord shone in our midst.
JANUARY 1, 1837.
In the autumn of 1837, Mr. Ide received an invitation to become the pastor of the First Church in Philadelphia, under circumstances which, in connection with the ill health of his wife, induced Im to accept it. He accord- ingly resigned hus charge over this church in December, but consented to continue his labors a few months longer. An interesting revival spreceded, and, before his departure, in the April following, upwards of sixty were added to the church by baptism.
After invitations to several candidates, who successively declined, in consequence of holding offices in public mati- tutions, which they could not feel it their duty to resign, the Rev. Handel G. Nott, with hesitation, accepted a call, in March, 1839, and entered immediately upon his labors, and was installed May 23, 1539. After faithfully laboring one year, and judging that the indications to continue were not decisive, he, in the Christian temper which charac- terized all his labors and intercourse, tendered his resigna- tion, which, upon dne deliberation, was accepted.
For a series of years, accessions of families to the congregation had been very few ; while large dranghits had been made on it by removals from the city, and by new churches formed in the city about this time. In March, 1839, thirty-one members, many of them heads of families, were demneed to unite with others in forming
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the Boylston Church ; and, in the following April, thirty. one were dismissed at the formation of the Last Baptist Free Church. In the autumn of 1839 the building of the church in Bowdoin Square was undertaken, to which many of the most influential and wealthy families remain- ing, contemplated giving their support : and in September, 1540, nineteen were dismissed to that interest.
Under such deductions in power and numbers, and the attractions of new interests around us, the temporal con- cerns of the church and society assumed a discouraging aspect. These, together with the natural consequences of a frequent change of the pastor, tended to induce desfund- chey, which, however, yielded to united efforts for self- preservation.
In July, 1810, the church and society were prepared to unite in a must cordial and earnest invitation to Rev. Win. Hague, formerly pastor of the First Church in this city, to become their pastor. He acceded to their wishes, and entered upon Ins labors in September. May God grant that the humility and fidelity of the church may be such as not to retard the success which has attended his labors else- where, and which already begins to be indicated in our midst.
JANUARY, IS41.
9
DECLARATION
OF
Faith and Practice.
Ir having pleased the Lord to put it into the hearts of a number of persons to erect a new house for his worship, which has been accomplished under cir- cunstances peculiarly harmonious and pleasing, and with evident tokens of the propitions smiles of the Great Head of the church, we feel it an incumbent duty, with a view, as we trust, to the glory of the rich grace of the Redeemer, which we hope we have ex- perienced, and to the extension of his kingdom among men, and with the friendly advice and can- sent of the churches to which we belong, to associate and covenant together in the hands of Christian fel- lowship, under the name of the FEDERAL STREET BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHRIST IN BOSTON. And knowing, that, as with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, so with the mouth confession is made unto salvation, we deem it suitable to make the fol- lowing declaration of our views of divine truth :
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect rule of faith and practice.
All scriptgte is given by depiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproch, for gustechien, for struc God Of righteousness ; that the man of God posy les perfect, thoroughly furnished uhto all
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good works. 2 'T'in. in. If, 17. For the prophecy come not in old und by the will ed man ; but boly men of God spake us they were moved by the Holy Ghost. " Pet. 1. 21.
und xxvii. 25. H. b. 10. 7, 1. 9, x. 13.
We believe that the Bible teaches, among others, the following all-important truths :
1. The existence of the only living and true God, infinite in every natural and moral perfection ; and that he has mule himself known to his people under the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost ; the same in essence, and equal in every divine perfection.
The first of all the commandments is, Hear, Et Anol ; the Lord our tool, none land. Mark . 9, 35. For det is ung final, and one Mediator between God end men, the man Christ Jeans. I'm. 1. 5. Remember the longer dias of ull ; for love Ged, and there
ernment shall be upon his doubles; and his home still la r.l. Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty Good, the everlasting Pilar, the lines of Peace. La 1 6. In the Warning was the West, and the Word was wolk God, and the Hor gars Gel. Jules 1. 1. All men should Lanor tan con, UN that bonorech not the Son, hor him. Juli v. 9.3. 1 and ses Bother ... therefore, and touch all nations , I Father, mot of the Som one of the Holy Cho. Men word. 19. D'or there are three the boss record in liggen, the hinter, the Word, and the II ...
1 John 1. 3.
2. That man was created boly; last by violating the law of his Maker, he fell from that state, and from all con with God ; and as, by diving appointment, Adam was the representative of all his posterity, we in him became dead in sins. So
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that, by nature, we are indisposed to all good, and inclined to all evil, and are children of wrath, and subjects of death, and of all other miseries, temporal and eternal.
And God said, Let us make man in nar finnge, after our likeness. So Good created man in his own image ; in the image of find created he ban ; male and female created he them. Con. 1. 20, 27. And when the woman saw that the tree wie gand for food, mind that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree In be desired to make one wise, who took of the huit the roof and dol cel, and gove alsu unto her husband with her, and he and eat. And the eyes of them both were apencil, and they know that they were naked, and they saved fig leaves together, and mal thouse he agens. tien. 1. 6, 7. The whole head is ook, and the whole bert Mount. From the sale of the fact, even unto the lead, there is no setill waythey have not been closed, neither
11.01 1. 1. 1. 5, 6. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable ; that don'th gond, no, But one. For all have stated, out of the glory of final. Rum. m. 12, 23. And as they did not like to gethin God at their kanw ledge, God gave them over .
Hoa, wickedness, covetousness, malı delate, deven, 11 dignity { whispers, backlater, liters of find, Bonne , full of envy, minder, despreml, rund, busters, ive vil things, disole dient to
jente, withent n
Adalet, will
who, knowing the judgment of alfiction, implacable, Cool, that they who Tro 11 ungs are worthy of death. mit com them that do Them. Rom. 1.
only do the same, but by
denh ; but the gift of God Heter- 2- 34. For the wages of all !
ur Jord. Rom. v. 23.
See also tien. V. 5, and via. 21. P. vv. 1-3. Matt. Av. 15-20. Ecel. vn. 23. Rom. 11. 32. Gal. m. 22. James 1. 15. Rev. xxi. 8.
3. That the only way of salvation from this state of guilt and condemnation, is through the righteous- ness and atonement of Jesus Christ; who, as the good Shepherd, laid down his life for his sheep ; and that those only, who receive the gift of repent-
12
ance and faith in him, will finally be saved by his atonement.
Surely, he hath horne our griefs and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peste was upon him ; and with his stripes we are healed. All we the sheep have gone astiff; we have turned every one to his own way ; and the Lord huth land on him the iniquity of us all. For the transgression of my people was he stricken. By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justily many ; for he shall helt their iniquities. He both poured out his soul unto death , and he was numbered with the transgressore ; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressores. Ism. Hit. 4-12. Seventy weeks are determined upon the people, and upon thy hely city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sing, and to make reconciliation for meunity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to mount the Most Holy. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for bus. If. Dan. 1. 24, 26. 1 am the door : by me if any man enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and had posture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy ; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good Shepherd ; the good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father ; and I lay down my life for the she p. John x. 9, 10, 11, 15. Neither is there sal- vation in any other ; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Arts iv. 11, 12. To, the wagen of win is death, but the gift of God is eternal hte, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. v1. 23. De thất believeth on him is not condemned; but he that he heveth not, is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only be- go ten Son of God. He that believeth on the Son, both everlasting life ; and he that believe th not the Son, skall that see lite, but the wrath of God abideth on him. John in. Ir, 10. Except ye repent, ye shall all thewise perish. Inku sured.
See also Acts v 31. John v. 24, and vi, 49, and xx. 31. Rom. v. 6-21. 1 Pet. 1. 8, 9. Rom. m. 21-20.
4. That all who ever have been, or will be brought to repentance and faith in the gospel, were chosen in Christ to salvation before the foundation of the world ; and that, in consequence of the eternal
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love of God to them, through the atonement, the Holy Ghost is sent to effect the work of regenera- tion in their hearts, without which regenerating influence, none would ever repent or believe.
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yen, I have loved thee with an everlasting love ; therefore, with loving-kindness have I drawn thee. Jer. www. 8. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, und ordine you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your front shephl remmin. Jolmav. 16. I have me- Hested thy mune unto the men which then gavest me out of the world; thing they were, and then gavest them me; and they have kept the word. John von. 6. According as he bath chosen us th him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blume before fun in love ; having predestinated as unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to funself, according to the good pleasure of his will in whom also we have obtained un interstate, being prestihated according to the purpose of Hun who worketh all things after the counsel of las own will. Eph. 1. 4, 5, 11. Elect neropling to the fire knowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, Buto obedience. I Pet. i. 2. For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good of evil, that the purpose of God, according to election, night stand, not of works, lot of fun that culleth; it was said unto her, The elder shull serve the younger. Rom. I. 11, 12, 25. For whom he did firekuus, he ube dal prodestinate to he conformal to the i- age of lus son. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, then he also called : und whom he called, their he also justified ; und whom he justified, them he also glorithat. Rom. vill. 29, 20. Jesus answered und said unto In, Vents, serils, I muy nuite thee, Except i wan be boru again, he cannot see the kingdom of find. John 1 3. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, bath alimed in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. Iv. 6. Who huth saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jeste before the world began. 2 Inu, 1 9. Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his menis be saved us, les the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, Titun 11 5.
See also John Av. 1. 17, 19, 26. vv. 20. Tiph. 1. 1-6. John and vih. 2. anul v1. 5- 1 Cor 1. 10-15. Col. 1. 11-13. 2 Thers. 1. 13, 14. Jauns 1. 5. 1 Pct. 1. 2.
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5. That nothing cate separate true believers from the love of God; but they will be kept by his power, through faith unto salvation.
Yea, he loved the people; off his sauts are in the hand ; and they sut desithe day that, evers we shall receive of the words.
anti and they shall never perch, neither shall one of us land. My Father which gave them me, Father's Med. thing. tout her val
Si, and con 17, and ever. 1. 2. Prov. H. F.
Jule 1. 11.
(i. That the only proper subjects of the ordi- haters of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, are professed believers; and that Baptism is properly administered only by inumersion; and is, by Scrip- ture examples, a pre-requisite to communion at the Lord's table.
Then went out to bit all Juden, &c , and were baptized of lum in Jordan, con losthe Hidratos. Bring Forth, therefore, Drifts meet for re pente Abraham 1 with otter the is mhd 1. where
1 11 credere, atd teach
in the Feth ed ot the
tir enil Hathe
Site, auf se shall receive the att of the Hot Spot, Then they that shells received his word were haired well the same day there were added unto them about three these walls. Acto 1. de, Al. But when they be
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lieved Phibp; preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, Dry were butized loath men and Women. Arty shi. 12. And . . 1 much sind, Ser, here is water; what dech hunder me Je la baptized Levest with all time hart, that makes And he answered mal said, Ilcheve Dest Jesus Christ is the Son of Land,
the water, loath Philipeand the engine la; old he leftzeit him. when they were cui ac off of the water, the Sport of the lord caught away Plulfp, that the church saw lot no more ; and he Art. vm. : 6, 57, 9, 10. And Just, when he was legalized, weat the straight vus out of the water. And Jeden also was baptizing i Einen, near to Schon, lecause there was noch water there ; and they come and were leptina. com in. 23. Buried with form in lespust, where old se ne rien with hum through the both of the waxat tomed God, who length raised him Bom the dead. Col. n. 12. The like ligure wherenato, even tu-
3. 1. Jadon m. 22, and r. I. Ep. 1. 5. 6.0. 1. 2. 1 Our. v. 13.
7. That the first day of the week, called the Lord's Day, ought to be kept holy, as the Christian Sabbath ; and that it is our indispensable duty to assemble ourselves together on that day, and to worship God in a public manner, by offering up our prayers and thanksgivings, by attempting to the preached word and undlitances, and by singing psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs.
And God Blessed the seventh day, and sauchfind it ; because that in it he lind rested trots all IN work. Gandit'. Buangabe the the week, when the drogoles , the beatles the local area. Paul 1 Love and to Bago wurde; Wolnie Sive The PH women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brother is.
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Acts i. 14. Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Jord. Eph. v. 19. 1.et the word of Christ dwell in yon richly in all wisdom, teaching and udinewashing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Col. in. 10.
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