USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Taunton > The ministry of Taunton, with incidental notices of other professions > Part 22
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 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25
Society of Friends.
Up to the year of Mr. Briggs' settlement, but one re- ligious society existed in Mansfield, and this embraced several families within the limits of Stoughton. In 1809,
* Mr. Blake has published several discourses. I have seen a “ sermon occasioned by the sudden death of Harvey Cobb, delivered on the Sab- bath following," printed in 1844 ; " a sermon on the spiritual advantages of mortality," occasioned by the death of Mrs. Martha Mason, in 1845 ; " Two sermons on the import of the Church Covenant, and the duty of mutual forbearance, published by request, in 1846 ; " an address deliver- ed at the erection of a monument to the memory of Doctor Emmons in 1846 ; a small work, entitled "Gethsemane and Calvary," portraying some of the closing scenes of the life of our Savior. He is now prepar- ing a history of the Mendon Association of Ministers, which will soon be published, and prove a valuable ecclesiastical document.
295
CHURCHES IN MANSFIELD.
the denomination of Friends built a meeting-house, and formed a small congregation.
Methodist Episcopal Church.
THIS church was gathered, and a meeting-house was erected in the eastern part of the town, in 1811. Their ministers have of course changed nearly if not quite every year.
Christian Baptist Church.
THIS is located in the westerly part of the town. The society was organized, and house of worship built in 1830. Their ministers have been Messrs. Morton, Russell, and Goodwin.
Calvinist Baptist Church.
THAT portion of the Baptists in town who were Calvin- istic, associated with their brethren of Foxboro', whose meeting-house was near the north-western limits of Mans- field, until 1837, the year of Mr. Sayward's dismission, when a new congregation was formed in the centre of Mansfield, and a meeting-house was built, which they still occupy. Their ministers, who have not been settled as Pastors, but engaged as stated supplies, have been Messrs. Tingley, Bosworth, Page, Sibley, Saunderson, Appleton, Allen, and Carr. Rev. Mr. Lewis is about entering upon ministerial service with that people.
APPENDIX TO CHAPTER TENTH.
NOTE A. Page 287.
THE SUBSTANCE OF A SERMON PREACHED AT MANSFIELD, JULY 3, 1808 - P. M.
By the Rev. ROLAND GREEN, Late Pastor of the Church in that Town.
N. B. This was the last Sermon he ever delivered. Of course it may be considered, in some respects, as containing his dying words. To his People, they were his LAST WORDS. What is here inserted is a SUMMARY of what was then delivered.
PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.
EPHESIANS, v. 6.
Let no man deceive you with rain words ; for because of these things cometh the wrath of God, upon the children of diso- bedience.
INTHE Apostle urges the Ephesians to universal holiness ; and enforces the duty from the consideration of the divine com- passion, displayed in the gospel. He strongly cautions them against the gross impurities of the Heathen. Gross immorali- ties are to be abhorred. For the Apostle observes : No whore- monger, nor unclean person, nor coretous man, who is an idol- ater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Such as are impenitent, and allow themselves, either in the lusts of the flesh, or the love of the world, do not savingly belong to the kingdom of grace ; nor, as such, shall they ever come to the kingdom of glory. Let none, then, in this respect,
297
ROLAND GREEN'S LAST SERMON.
amuse and deceive you, with vain and sophistical reasonings, who would attempt a vindication of these things ; or, at least, extenuate the evil of them ; as though they were not provoking in the eyes of God - or that you may indulge them, and escape with impunity. Satan deceived our first parents with vain words when he said to them : Ye shall not surely die. On account of these things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of diso- bedience and infidelity. If the Heathen are punished for them, much less can we suppose, those who profess the gospel - who have so much greater advantages, for purity and virtue, in all their branches, and are under such peculiar engagements to cultivate the same, shall escape with impunity .*
BY the children of disobedience may be meant the Heathen, who disbelieved and refused the gospel ; or more generally, all obstinate sinners, who will not be reclaimed. Disobedience is the very malignity of sin ; and the wrath of God comes upon the children of such, sometimes in this world ; but more awful- ly in the next. We ought not to be partakers with them in their sins, that we may not be sharers with them in their plagues. We partake with other men in their sins, when we pursue the same course of disobedience ; when we comply with temptation and consent to sin ; but more generally. when we engage with them in their sin, prompt them to it, and do not, when in our power, prevent them from it. Because of these things, the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience. Ma- ny sophistical reasons men have, to palliate and excuse their vices ; but if the wrath of God falls upon the Heathen for these things, let us not imagine, that we can practice them with im- punity ; and let us not presume to be partakers with them. These things have reference to the verse preceding our text, where the enormities of the Gentile state are displayed.
.
THE method of our discourse is, to enquire -
I. WHAT we are to understand by the wrath of God.
* Vide Doddridge in loc.
298
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
II. WHO may expect to endure his wrath.
I. WHAT we are to understand by the wrath of God.
THE word wrath denotes the highest degree of displeasure, and resentment. When we read of the wrath of God, or any other passion, it is by way of allusion to man. For in reality God is not subject to such passions as we are. Our conceptions of God are very imperfect. We want language, when we speak of the incomprehensible Deity ; and are forced to borrow meta- phors from creatures, especially from man, to describe him. Thus we call such a manner of acting, as would be the effect of love among men, the love of God - and such a manner of act- ing, as would be the fruit of anger and resentment among men, we call the wrath of God. When we read of God's wrath, we are not to understand by it, any such violent emotions of the mind, as in man, when provoked to wrath ; but only, as when a man is angry with another for some fault or offence, he will pun- ish him severely for it, if he has power so to do. So God's punishing sinners, with exquisite tortures in hell, is called his wrath. Sometimes the wrath of God comes upon sinners in this world, as in Sodom and Gomorrah, Egypt and Jerusalem. It is spoken also to denote a future punishment. The day of judgment, when God will inflict upon the wicked the full and deserved punishment of their sins, is called the great day of his wrath. - Rev. vi. 17. However dreadful the displays of di- vine wrath are, in this life, upon communities and particular . persons, they are not to be compared with the dreadful execu- tion of divine wrath in a future state.
ON whom the wrath of God comes, it implies, in the first place, a loss of divine favor, and all the blessings which follow it. When the final and dreadful sentence shall be given, they shall go away -from whom ? From the presence of God and Christ ; from the company of the blessed ; and from all the joys and glory of heaven ! Was this all, it would be a dreadful pun- ishment ; but it implies also a total loss of all that is good and
299
ROLAND GREEN'S LAST SERMON.
happy, in the last period of time. The Spirit of God will ut- terly forsake them ; nor excite in them one faint desire after holiness, when once the soul is banished from God and heaven. How will they view their lost happiness ? When the wrath of God comes, then closes the scene of all the means of grace ; and a consideration of having despised those means, will but increase their woe. Secondly, it implies a positive punishment, not only a sense of what they have lost, but an infliction of punishment. They shall go away into everlasting punishment, which no doubt implies, that they shall suffer pain - the pains of hell. There sinners will dwell. There is the never dying worm. There miserable wretches suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. These are dreadful images, and fearful representations of the state of everlasting condemnation, which will be the portion of the wicked. A sense of God's wrath, impressed upon the con- science, is dreadful ; but it will be greater, when the punish- ment shall come from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
II. Who may expect to endure the wrath of God.
WHEN we read in the context of the lusts of the flesh, of cor- etousness, and the like, we may say, in consequence of all sin, comes the wrath of God. It comes upon such children of dis- obedience, as live and die in a state of impenitence ; unreformed and without an interest in the pardoning mercy of God, through Christ. Such sins as are more immediately committed against God; such as are forbidden by the first table of the law ; or those against the second table, which prescribes our duty towards our neighbor, deserve this wrath. The Heathen shall not es- cape. They will be punished, for' their rebellion against the
light of law and nature. And shall those, who know the mind of God, as revealed in the gospel ; who have a clear reve- lation of truth and duty, escupe ? Such may expect this wrath who are neither awed by threatenings, nor moved by mercies. Neglecting mercies and means of grace will greatly aggravate the condemnation another day ; and the gospel, which was or-
300
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
dained to life, will, to such offenders, be unto death. Christ told the unbelieving inhabitants of Chorazin and Bethsaida, that it would be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon, at the day of judgment, than. for them. The Heathen, who had been guilty of gross immoralities, never had such means of escape, as we have under the gospel ; and if we add to all our other sins, that of disobeying the gospel and despising an offered Sa- vior, the wrath of God will come in a dreadful manner. Those who have sinned against warnings, counsels and invitations, are objects of this wrath. On the impious and profane ; the ungod- ly and irreligious, comes the wrath of God ; nor will any such escape. No outward profession of religion, nor zeal for doc- trines, nor modes of worship, will make up the want of moral honesty, in the great day of accounts.
IMPROVEMENT.
1. LET us learn, then, not to make light of any sin whatever. For God's wrath will come upon all transgressors of his holy law ; and without a pardon, through the blood of Christ, the least sin will sink us down to hell forever.
2. Let us be thankful for Jesus Christ. If this wrath comes upon a guilty world ; and it inevitably will, how should we rejoice, that Jesus Christ has taken this wrath upon himself ; and has, in his own person, endured the cross, despised the shame ; and has opened a way for sinners to escape this wrath ! It follows -
3. That sinners are to be entreated to fly from this wrath. Oh ! Be entreated to take the warning ; now be entreated to make application to the Son of God, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant. You see what is coming upon this impious world, dead in trespasses and sins ; AND BE ENTREATED TO PRE- PARE TO MEET YOUR GOD, AND FLY FROM THE WRATH TO COME.
301
ROLAND GREEN'S CHARGE.
NOTE B. Page 287.
THERE is no certain evidence for what particular occasion the following Charge was prepared. It was however a " church an- tient and renowned," (as Mr. Green expresses it) which was about settling a minister, and what more appropriate application could the expression have than to the Church of Taunton, and what more probable than that the Charge was given in 1780, when Ephraim Judson was inducted into the Pastoral office, over that Church.
THE CHARGE, BY Rev. ROLAND GREEN, MANSFIELD.
WHEREAS it hath pleased the glorious Head of the Church to call you to take part of the evangelical ministry, and in his all- wise Providence to incline the hearts of this people to invite you to become their Spiritual Guide, and you to accept of their in- vitation :
We, who are Pastors of Churches, by special appointment hereunto, do in this public manner declare you an ordained min- ister, in office equal with ourselves, and commit to your pastoral care the Church and people of God, usually meeting for public worship within these walls - charitably believing that you take the oversight of them from love to Christ, and a sincere desire to promote his interest in the world.
We shall now proceed to the solemn Charge usually given on such occasions, and here a large field opens to our view, of im- portant duties inseparably connected with the ministerial charac- ter.
We charge you before God, the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you fulfil the ministry you have received - take heed to yourself that you be a man of God - take heed to your Doctrine, that it be pure, Scriptural and uncorrupted with human inventions - preach the word, preach it faithfully, plain- ly, affectionately, and with a seriousness becoming a messenger sent by God to his people upon their most important concerns ;
26
302
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
preach Jesus Christ and him crucified, Christ the wisdom and the power of God - display the glories of his divine person and character - represent him as he is represented in the sacred Scriptures, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace, the Alpha and the Omega - hold up to view the de- pravity of human nature, the necessity of efficacious Grace, preach repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, - the nature and importance of universal holiness - testify and declare to all such as profess to believe, that they maintain good works, as these are good and profitable unto men.
As an Ambassador and Agent for Christ beseech sinners to be reconciled unto God, compel them to come in, as you have heard this day.
As a Steward feed Christ's Sheep and Lambs - as a Watch- man, give warning of approaching danger and watch for souls as one that must give up an account to the Great Lord of all.
As a Light in this Golden Candle, shine with the Light of Doctrine and Example.
In reproving and rebuking, see that you attend to these with long suffering and patience - in the cause of God be faithful, bear a faithful testimony against the prevailing sins of the pres- ent day.
Administer the seals of the new Testament, making a differ- ence between the precious and the vile. Open the doors of the Church as wide as Christ and his Apostles have set them - nev- er narrow the limits of the Church, by unscriptural terms of communion. Urge upon your hearers the importance of a public profession of Religion, and of bringing their infant off- spring to Christ in the way of his ordinance, " for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
In governing the Church, preside with dignity as an officer of Christ, and be governed by his Laws, and guard against a lord- ly, supercilious temper and conduct.
303
ROLAND GREEN'S CHARGE.
As you will have power to ordain others, keep your eye on the Scriptural qualifications - " not a Novice, lest he be lifted up with Pride."
Remember there are no extraordinary officers in Christ's king- dom, as Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, but ordinary, such as Pastors and Teachers, such as are stationary to feed the flock. You will bear a faithful testimony against all such conduct as has a tendency to subvert the order of the Gospel, and intro- duce confusion in Towns and Churches.
Bless the Congregation in the name of the Lord - and re- member, Sir, and bear it upon your mind, that those graces, which adorn christians, and which you inculcate upon others, should shine with distinguished lustre in your own Character.
Be thou therefore an example to others in faith, in charity, in word and conversation - you are to be sober, just, holy, temperate, holding forth the faithful word, that you may be able to convince gainsayers - in fine, study to show yourself approv- ed of God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed -you must be sensible of your insufficiency for this great work. You will therefore give yourself to meditation and prayer, you will look up to the great Head of the Church, that his grace may be suf- ficient for you. You will need Grace and strength from Christ, to make you faithfully to discharge your duty as a minister and as a christian.
No doubt you will meet with discouragements and opposition if you are faithful, but a steady adherence to the Cause of God, will save you from shipwreck.
When you consider that this People have put themselves un- der your pastoral care - and that you must give an account of your Stewardship - you will travail in birth for them, you will warn the wicked, and comfort the feeble minded, and consider as an incitement to duty, the inspection of him, whose eyes are as a flame of fire, as well as the eyes of men.
304
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
And upon the whole, if you are found faithful in the discharge of all duties as a christian and minister, great will be your re- ward in heaven - and Jesus the Judge of all, will pronounce this blessed sentence, " Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord." - AMEN.
I shall now address the Church, brethren in our common Lord.
Our ready compliance with your call, and attention to the bu- siness to which we have been invited are demonstrations of our love and respect. This Church, antient and renowned, has been respectable ever since its first establishment, has weathered many a storm. When innovations crept into many of our churches and errors in doctrine, and disorder in practice prevailed, this Church, like Judah of old was faithful with the saints. Being built upon the Rock of Ages, though surrounded with enemies, it stands, having experienced the fulfilment of the Redeemer's promise, " the gates of hell shall not prevail." "Tis Christ that walks in the midst of the golden candlesticks. Our charge to you is, support your Character, as descendants from such vener- able ancestors. Through the tender care of Christ, you have a minister settled over you, whereby you will enjoy a regular ad- ministration of divine ordinances - receive him, as an ascension gift of our blessed Lord, love his person, treat his character with tenderness, pray for him, conscientiously attend his ministrations, and be at peace among yourselves.
I conclude with the words of the Apostle ; Finally, brethren, farewell; be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace be with you. - AMEN.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
305
CHAPTER XI.
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
THE plan proposed in the beginning of this work has been very imperfectly accomplished. Many a time during the months of its execution, has its humble compiler been ready to say with Solomon, not only that "of making many books," but, of making a single book, " there is no end." To one who has had any experience in statistical service, it need not be remarked that of all labor for the press, it requires the most research, and the greatest care. And with all our pains-taking, our short-comings and extreme fallibility must be confessed. Had the toil, the extended correspondence, and the necessary expense of such an undertaking been foreseen, probably the indulgence of the community never would have been invoked at the conclu- sion of such a history, and this tribute of esteem and af- fection, such as it is, never would have been paid to the memory of the founders and fathers of our town. With all its labor, however, and unappreciated toil, there has been no little pleasure in passing these few last months among the men of former generations and in the ages that have gone by. A sad pleasure indeed sometimes, like that of walking alone in the unfrequented grave yard, and looking over the indistinct record of the death and burial
26*
306
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
of long departed friends, but nevertheless a pleasure to those who would not forget whence they sprung, who would know, not only who, but what kind of men their fathers were.
We have reviewed a period of more than two hundred years. We have rescued from oblivion facts in the early history of this ancient town, which, if little valued now, may possibly be of some use, when two more centuries shall have passed away. Besides incidental notices of other professions* and of other men, historical memoirs, either more or less extended have been given of thirty- four ministers, ; prior to the present century, and of as many more since that time, who, for the most part, have done the church and the world important service in their day and generation, but whose ministry on earth has al- ready expired, or is soon to cease forever.
These all have been successors in the ministry to two men, Hooke and Street, the associated Pastors of the small church in the wilderness of Taunton in 1637. That wilderness spot is now covered with a population, (accord- ing to the United States Census of 1850,) of twenty thousand, six hundred and fourteen; of which
* Note A.
t Their names are as follows: William Hooke, Nicholas Street, George Shove, Samuel Danforth, Thomas Clap, Josiah Crocker, Caleb Barnum, Elias Jones, Ephraim Judson, Jolin Foster, John Lyon, Wil- liam W. Wheeler, Aaron Wheeler, Sylvester Round, William Nelson, Samuel Nelson, Ebenezer Nelson, Joseph Avery, Joseph Palmer, Pitt Clarke, Nathaniel Fisher, John Smith, Elder Goff, Matthew Short, Jo- seph Belcher, Solomon Prentice, Archibald Campbell, William Reed, John Wales, Peres Fobes, Samuel Tobey, Thomas Andros, Ebenczer White, Roland Green, all of whom were preachers within the limits of the original Taunton previous to the present century.
307
CONCLUDING REMARKS.
are included in Taunton proper,
10,431
6
" Norton,
1,967
" Dighton,
1,641
" Easton,
2,337
" Raynham,
1,541
66
" Berkley,
908
66
" Mansfield,
1,789
20,614
Not only these, but every other town in the county of Bristol have sprung into being since William Hooke preached his famous Fast Day Sermon on the bank of the Tetiquet, in the "Tetiquet Purchase," in 1640, in the hearing of Richard Williams, Elisabeth Pool, William Pool, and a score or two beside them, of kindred spirits." The descendants of those who listened to that sermon, and asked for its publication; the descendants of those who from a circuit of many miles, even to the extreme limit of the "North " and "South Purchase," came to "Taunton Green" to hear not only Hooke and Street, but Shove and Danforth preach, those of them yet re- maining within the limits of the ancient town, are distrib- uted, as we have seen, through thirty-nine churches and congregations of professed worshipers and answering to the call of the "church going bell," listen every Lord's Day to the instructions of as many professed ministers of God's word. With what more appropriate prayer, could one who has been occupied so long in the preparation of the preceding sheets for the press, conclude his work, than that which the devout Psalmist hath taught us to offer :
* Note B.
308
THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON.
" Turn us again, O God of Hosts, and cause Thy face to shine ; and we shall be saved. Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt : Thou hast cast out the heathen and planted it. Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars. She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river. Return, we beseech Thee, O God of Hosts; Look down from Heaven, and behold, and visit this vine, and the vineyard, which Thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that Thou madest strong for Thyself. Let Thy hand be upon the man of Thy right hand, upon the Son of Man, whom Thou madest strong for Thyself. So will not we go back from Thee : quicken us, and we will call upon Thy name. Turn us again, O Lord God of Hosts, cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved."
B. W. Thayer &C's Lith Boston'
Rol Freak Paine
Signed the Declaration of Independence at Philadelphia July 4th 17's Died in Boston May 11 th 1314, aged, 84 years
APPENDIX TO CHAPTER ELEVENTH.
NOTE A. Page 306.
A RELATIVE of Judge Paine furnished me with the following sketch of his ancestor, after my own brief notice had been sent to the press :
"Robert Treat Paine was born in Boston, March 12, 1731. His father, Rev. Thomas Paine, was born in Barnstable, grad- uated at Harvard College, 1717, and ordained at Weymouth, but in consequence of ill health removed to Boston in 1730, and afterwards resigning the ministry engaged in mercantile business.
His mother was daughter of Rev. Samuel Treat of Eastham, son of Governor Robert Treat of Connecticut, and was a grand- daughter of Rev. Samuel Willard, Vice President of Harvard College.
Mr. Paine studied at the Public Latin School, and graduated at Harvard College in 1749: he had hitherto enjoyed the ad- vantages which wealth could afford to an only son, but his fath- er suffering a loss of property just as he graduated, he thereaf- ter became dependent on his own exertions.
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.