USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampstead > A memorial history of Hampstead, New Hampshire, Congregational Church 1752-1902, Volume II > 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 | 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 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
44
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
church at Jerusalem, which seemed to have the care of Chris- tians, particularly lying upon them while in a loose unincorporated state.
Full of grateful surprise at such an unexpected revolution on behalf of Christianity, they concerted measures to forward the good work, and immediately sent Barnabas, one of their body, as the most suitable.
In pursnance of this great end he journeyed for Antioch, and having reached the city he was abundantly rejoiced to see the grace of God in bringing them to the knowledge of Himself and Son, and exhorted them all, that with full purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord, for (says the text) he was a good Man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith.
He was possessed of a firm and unshaken belief in Christ and the new dispensation which was setting up, grounded upon clear and copious views of the excellency and evidence of both. He was endowed with the graces of the Holy Spirit, which was con- nected with faith, and the extraordinary gifts which in that day were communicated to believers. Being thus fully persuaded of the truth, and experiencing so largely the advantages of Chris- tianity. he could not but earnestly press upon them steadfastness in their profession. He was a man of benignity, too; his dispo- sition was very kind, and therefore he rejoiced in the prospect of their present and future happiness through the grace of God manifested to them.
Goodness oftentimes in Scripture signifies the special virtue of benevolence. Thus the good man is opposed to the righteous, and goodness is enumerated with righteousness and truth in original terms, the same with the text. So that we may well understand this description of Barnabas to denote, not so much his general moral qualities, as that he was one of a sweet and gentle disposition.
A celebrated writer upon this passage supposes that the Church of Jerusalem pitched npon Barnabas rather than another to re- pair to Antioch because they imagined the softness of his tem - per would indispose him to lay any unnecessary burdens of the malice law upon these new converts. Whether they had this particular thought or not, it is certain that in a
45
HAMPSTEAD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
more general view they consulted the happiest method to pro- mote the interests of religion among those who were strangers to it. or had just embraced it, by sending one who would in the best manner recommend it.
Although the state of the gospel in that early age and the sit uation of affairs at Antioch might render it specially that a minister should shine in an eminency of goodness, yet it is a virtue of vast moment to a person in that office, in every age and past of the Christian church, and fit to be considered at all times, most of all upon such an occasion as that of this day. Here. then, I will attempt :-
I. To illustrate briefly the virtue pointed out in the text. And then,
II. To show the importance of it on the Christian minister. In the first place, then, let me briefly illustrate the virtue pointed out in the text.
This is goodness, which imparts the propensity or inclination of the soul towards every being who can justly attract it, partie- ularly mankind. It appears in a diversity of lights, agreeable to the different circumstances of the objects it regards and the modes of the operation in and upon the passions, and is accord- ingly variously denominated.
Does it respect the miserable ? Then it flows in compassion. Are those who are the subjects of it happy ? Then it issues in a generous satisfaction and delight. Does it meet with provoca- tion ? It allays a turbulent passion and becomes mildness and gentleness to the offender, or patience and forgiveness. Consid- ered in relation to near societies is brotherly kindness, but a reaching forth on a larger extent it is charity.
Goodness is not merely a natural good humor, but a religious temper. It does not consist only in the original turn of the mind or a peculiar discipline of the animal frame, but arises from the principles of the reason and Christianity. The former being accidental, can scarce be called virtuons : the latter being matter of choice, is so.
As we are understanding beings, it is fitted that we should be actuated by the arguments of actual religion to this virtue : and as we are under the Christian dispensation that we should he
46
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
influenced by the additional motives of that. Nor can we be justly deemed the true subjects of either if we have no regard to them.
Goodness is expressly denominated the fruit of the Spirit. It is a production of a divine agent suggesting to and impressing upon the mind such truths as are incentives thereto.
From this representation of it it is plain that it is not an unmanly softness, melting the soul and betraying it, a criminal easiness of conduct, nor blind, disproportionate affection towards all objects alike, or most towards the meanest, or preferring a lower measure of our neighbor's good, or that which is greatly superior. Nor is it a high flush of passion upon sudden good fortune, or an occasional sprightliness of spirit. In opposition to all this, it is a solid disposition exerting itself in an exact conformity to the dictates of judgment and a permanent habit- nal frame of mind.
But though we thus distinguish between a natural and moral goodness, yet the former is not an apt foundation for, and donbt- less is very often connected with an eminency in the later. For it seems at least highly presumable that where God is pleased to set home divine truth upon a tender soul, there will be greater proficiency in goodness than the like operation ou another more rigid. Falling into the natural track of the softer powers, it meets with less obstruction than in a more hard and selfish mind, and makes swifter conquest, while this same native temper is refined and sublimated into gracious.
But I hasten to the other general head.
II. To show the importance of this grace or virtue to a Christian minister.
This we may do by two or three considerations. As,
1. Goodness is peculiarly eneumbent upon a Christian minis- ter, in respect to his character as an ambassador of Jesus Christ and a preacher of his gospel.
As an ambassador of Christ it is the utmost propriety that he be a good man ; yea, an absolute necessity. in order with any consistency with his profession.
Though our Lord Jesus was possessed with universal virtue, yet in none did he shine more illustrious than goodness. All the
47
HAMPSTEAD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
days of his publie ministry were filled with a thousand instances of benevolence. What love and compassion did he breathe in all his discourses ? How did he testify it in all his conduct ? He went about doing good to the bodies of men by healing all manner of diseases ; to their souls by preaching the doctrines of the kingdom of heaven : and in a variety of pungent addresses endeavoring to bring sinners under his wings. And to crown all, he poured out his soul unto death. and offered himself upon the cross an oblation for our offences. An amazing act of grace this ! which was thought worthy by perfect wisdom of perpetual memorial by a standing ordinance in the church, and which is an endless source of the most elevated ascriptions to the Lamb from the various orders of glorified spirits throughout the immense regions of light.
Now Christ is a pattern for all Christians in all periods of time, for he has left us an example that we should follow his steps. But his ministers are under superior obligations to imi- tate him in this divine virtue, as they are brought nearer to him by relation and communion than others. Do they represent his person ? how absurd is this without a remembrance of his tem- per. Are they his peculiar servants ? how odions is the appel- lation without a conformity to his image. Agreeably we find our Lord exhorting his apostles to condescending goodness by his example. Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister, and whosoever will be chief among you let him be your servant : even as the Son of Man came not to be minis- tered nnto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
From the character of Christ let us proceed to his gospel, and we shall find it a powerful argument for goodness in a minister as he is a preacher of it. This is a dispensation of grace, and it proclaims peace on earth, good will towards men. The glad tidings it brings by introducing joy and gratitude tends to calm every rougher passion and to put the whole soul into an easy, gracious temper ; besides that, the love of God therein displayed is the strongest obligation upon us to love one another.
And then. further, it is the law of love, and presses upon us a new commandment, even that we exercise charity, much fuller
48
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
and clearer and by more cogent measures than by any religious scheme before. So that upon all these accounts it is in a very singular and extraordinary manner calenlated to promote good- ness, and in the loudest and most peremptory language de- mands it.
A coldness and indifference, therefore, unto men, is a great and obvious incongruity in any professor of the gospel. most of all in the minister of it. Does he publish the news of salvation as master of great joy, yet does a sullen, uneasy temper deform his brow ? Does he urge his hearers to look to the things of others, because of the kind aspect of the gospel upon them, yet is he of a stingy spirit ; does he insist upon goodness as a nec- essary subjection to the Christian religion, yet is he impatient or vindictive ? What a palpable contradiction is this! In what a monstrous light must such a minister appear !
II. Goodness is of vast consequence to a minister's useful-
ness. And this considered in a larger or more limited view.
1. Goodness renders a minister extensively serviceable. A contracted mind is fitted only for a narrow sphere, and is often- times confined within it. But the generous soul, like the sun, scatters blessings far and wide, and sends a copious influence.
A good minister adorns the doctrine of God, and proposes it in the most attractive light. His temper disinelines him to embrace the extreme of any controversy in religion, nor will he form his notions by the little rules of bigotry. Much less will he make the gospel an engine of contention, and be fond of bickering about such things as are hard to be understood, well remembering the apostle's instructions to Timothy, that the ser- vant of the Lord umst not needlessly strive, but be gentle towards all men. He abhors persecution even in the lowest forms, and maintains the least molestation for religious senti- ments to be unwarrantable where they are not inconsistent with the rights of society. He persists not upon a precise uniformity in doctrine or manner of worship in order to his kind regards, but readily discharges the offices of humanity to such as differ most widely from him, and joins in sacred fellowship with those who profess and practice nothing incompatible with the being and happiness of a Christian, or the regular exercise of social
49
HAMPSTEAD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
acts of worship. endeavoring to keep the unity of spirit in the bonds of peace. in short, a generous temper runs through every branch of his conduct. He is given to hospitality, and his heart and house are open to every worthy guest so far as is con- sistent with his worldly circumstances and the duties of his station. He shows mercy to the distressed by his personal ben- efactions, according to his ability, and in stirring up others to be rich in good works : by this means upholding the fatherless, comforting the widow, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, and becoming in a vast variety of respects a minister of God for good.
Hence he holds forth the Word of Life. in its original colors, as a system calenlated to sweeten men's tempers and soften their manners. The religion of Jesus being thus delineated in its native attire, looks glorious and lovely, and can scarce fail of obtaining much influence over the heart of mankind. Such a elergyman must appear to the warmest unbeliever at least un- worthy of the severe imputations cast upon the priesthood, and he will be ready to deem the religion which he inculcates and lives as worthy to be true, if it is not really, while those of weaker prejudices, not being able to resist so many charms, fully and cheerfully embrace Christianity, and give themselves up to its excellent dictates.
A good minister promotes the Kingdom of Christ in general by encouraging the hearts and strengthening the hands of those in the same order with himself.
He is so far from magnifying every small mistake in his brother to a fundamental and dangerous error, that though he wishes they might all think the same things, yet he willingly bears with a different judgment and embraces him as his fellow- laborer (finding in him a serious temper and godly life), and esteems him as acceptable to Christ, and worthy to be esteemed by man, and says with the apostle, Whereunto we have attained let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
As he indulges no unreasonable suspicions concerning his brother, so he insinuates none in the minds of his people, nor fulfils prejudice or heightens disaffection by exposing failings in private conduct, or exaggerating such as have been observed
50
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
in public, which are reconcilable with integrity. Well knowing how dear every man's reputation is to him and what weight a minister's is to his usefulness, he studiously endeavors to con- firm and increase it.
He will not invade another's charge to serve a cause of a party, or gratify a spirit of curiosity or malignity, but rather reprove such as are restless and uneasy under their pastor, who is faithful to his post, and assiduously labor to recover their affections to him, being conscious that this must tend much more to the good of those souls committed to his sacred care than any single ministration of his own under those disadvan- tageous circumstances.
In fine, the good minister is ready at all times to counsel and advise his brethren under difficulties, and assist in all exigencies.
Goodness multiplies a minister's opportunities of service by turning the eyes of societies upon him under embarrassments. He will be sought to for the repairing breaches, cementing par- ties, and restoring unity. Men even of impetuous tempers will find the necessity of calling in the mild and pacifick to heal the disorders which their wrath hath occasioned.
But I proceed to say, a goodness is of eminent advantage to a minister's usefulness among his own flock.
Here his chief business lies, and here his virtue is chiefly to be exerted. Let me be somewhat particular in the considera- tion of this head.
1. Goodness is a powerful incentive to continued diligence in his work. " The soul, considered abstractively from its passions. is slow in its resolves, and languishing in its executions. But the passions stir it up to action in forcing the will and making the whole man more vigorous in the prosecution of his designs. ' Now goodness being attended with a desire of the happiness of its object, must stimulate to go through the hardest duties, and to surmount the greatest obstacles to accomplish it, especially where nothing less than a blessed eternity depends upon its efforts. Many waters cannot quench this love, nor floods drown it ; and a minister whose bosom glows with this flame will spend and be spent for souls. But it is further to be considered that goodness engrosses other passions in its cause, particularly fear
51
HAMPSTEAD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
and hope, two mighty springs of action. The former takes an alarm at every danger of a soul's miscarrying in the important affairs of salvation, the latter gives vivacity to the spirits in every prospect of refusing it from death, or carrying it on to sublimer heights of virtue. Both combine to waft the minister forward in his business and to prompt him to the discharge of his errand with unwearied ardor.
2. Goodness inclines the minister to the best methods of pro- moting religion.
Hereby will he be incited to treat chiefly upon such subjects in his publiek preaching wherein the generality of Christians are agreed, and with which the salvation of souls is most intimately connected. The great and substantial things which are the most frequent subject of the Word of God will be oftenest insisted upon in his discourses. It will refrain him from making the pulpit a theatre of war. And when, in the course of his teach- ing, he handles such points as he judges subservient to godliness, but have been understood in a different sense, he will do it in so calm and rational a way as may enlighten. without exasperating. This will engage him to press the conditions of the gospel cove- nant and duties of the Christian religion with life and fervency. Being touched with the coal from the altar, and burning with love to souls, he will set the arguments of Revelation in the most moving light he is capable, and represent them in all the lan- guage of perfection, and speak with the tongue of a seraph, sent on an embassy from heaven.
As he is to go before his people in the administration of dis- cipline, goodness will cause him solicitously to labor, that it be not attended with unnecessary rigor, and that nothing of a vin- dictive nature intermix itself therewith. He will be concerned that such a degree of tenderness be exercised with ecclesiastical censure as shall bid fair to impress it upon the heart of the offender, and recover him to a godly sorrow and amendment of life.
This virtue renders him easy of access at all times. It throws off anything haughty, severe, or any ways forbidding, and invites the burdened heart to open its nearest concern and discharge its grief.
52
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
This will not suffer him to become a party to civil broils where he can possibly escape ; yet will it put him upon the office of a peacemaker, from an abhorrence of contention and a pros- pect of its retarding the success of his ministry.
Do errors arise ? This will incline him to instruct in meek- ness those who oppose themselves, if peradventure God will give them repentance, in the acknowledgment of the truth, and that they may recover themselves out of the suare of the devil who are led captive by him at his will.
This will not allow him to hate his brother in his heart by neglecting to reprove him ; yet where the fault and the temper require it. he will of choice discharge the duty with so much meekness of wisdom as to render the rebuke a real kindness and like an excellent oil.
In sum, this disposes the minister to speak a suitable word to weary souls. To encourage the despondent sinner to pursue his highest welfare, and wait upon God to fulfil the good pleasure of his goodness, " to revive the spirit of the contrite and heal the broken in heart," to dispense needed support to the afflicted, the good minister is a son of consolation, and delights to give it to fit subjects. His tongue drops manna ; he can't use harsh- ness and severity with the trembling and bowed down ; he over- looks weakness, despises not the day of small things, but culti- vates what is good, even as his Master brake not the bruised reed and quenched not the smoking flame.
3. Goodness conciliates the respect and affection of a people to their minister, which is an happy foundation for the success of his labor.
When this virtue is exercised with judgment it gives a dignity to a character, as well as beauty, and nothing in the whole circle of Christian graces yields so bright a lustre, or seizes or draws the mind with such irresistible power. A minister, therefore, who hath in this manner captivated his audience, is in the best condition to do them real service. Their ears are open to take the whole counsel of God ; their attention to it is doubled : every word comes with its due emphasis. Then, if ever, may we ex- peet they will give divine truths their proper weight, and receive into their souls the engrafted Word which is able to save them.
53
HAMPSTEAD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Thus largely have I considered the tendeney of goodness to a minister's usefulness. I might now go on to show :
3. That a minister's comfort much depends upon and is pro. moted by goodness.
It secures him greatly from enemies and gains him friends. It keeps his mind serene under the difficulties of his post, and the opposition and reproach he may sometimes meet with in the conscientious discharge of his duty. It qualifies him to taste the true pleasures of society, while a consciousness of it in his course of ministerial action is a spring of continual high satis- faction. But I hasten to add :
4. Goodness is of great importance to the glorious rewards of a minister.
The exercise of the various offices of love is effectual to true religion. Nor are there any greater commandments than those which respect it. But it is those only who do the will of God from the heart that shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. This is not only necessary by the wise appointment of God, but in the nature of the thing, particularly with respect to the virtue before us.
For love is a constituent of the happiness of the kingdom of glory, which results very much from the blissful society there. So whoever has no affection to intelligent beings here cannot enjoy them there. Goodness, therefore, is absolutely requisite to a minister in his special work, in order to his giving up his account with joy and participating in the blessedness of the up- per world, reserved for the peculiar servants of Christ. For this is an universal principle, and leads men to a diversity of duties agreeable to the calls of Providence and their character. In consequence it is as encumbent upon a minister that he performs the peculiar business assigned him under the habitual influence of goodness, in order to the rewards of grace, as that the private Christian discharge the more common duties of his station from a regard to the welfare of mankind. Nor otherwise does he ful- fil his ministry, nor can he ever expect the approbation of his Master and an admission into his everlasting kingdom. But tis time that I proceed to some improvement of this subject.
And will the ministers of Christ here present, in the exercise
54
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH HISTORY.
of that goodness which I have been recommending, forgive me while, forgetful one moment of my age, I apply this discourse to them. It is very natural for you (my fathers and brethren) to compare the spirit and conduct which hath been considered with that, which your acquaintance with ecclesiastical history must suggest to you hath prevailed in the church of Christ. And it is a very melancholy reflection which you must make, that goodness has been almost as much neglected by the greater part of professing Christians as though it was no branch of our re- ligion.
This in connection with the predictions of the Scriptures con- verning the prosperous reign of Christ in the later days inclines you to expect and pray for a better state of things. But to prayers should not their attempts be added which bid fair for the hastening so delightful a scene .- particularly by the culti- vation and exercise of moderation and charity, which will be grand ingredients in the glory of that illustrious period. For, as a great divine of the last age hath observed, " The true hap- piness of that season is not to be measured by formalities and opinions : unshaken devotion, purity of heart and innocence of life, by faithfulness, common charity, cheerful obedience to su- periors, abundance of kindness and discreet condescension one to another. in nnspotted righteousness and unshaken peace, in the removal of every unjust yoke, in mutual forbearance, and bearing up one another as living stones of that temple where there is not to be heard the noise of axe or hammer, no squabble or clamor about forms and opinions, but a peaceable study and endeavor of provoking one another to love and good works."
But however strong the general argument to goodness is, yet there are others which come nearer home and more particularly urge us to it.
The present circumstances of the church in this land address us to act under the most lively influence of this heavenly dispo- sition.
We have been greatly afflicted, tossed with tempest, and are comforted. The divisions and factions among us have been high and numerous, and though they are much abated, yet there some uneasiness and the voice of complaining, like the
55
HAMPSTEAD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
hoarse murmurs of the sea after a long storm. Goodness, guided by discretion, must hush the angry passions and calm the dis- contents which still remain.
Suffer me to remind you, my fathers, of the low ebb of vital virtue amongst us. A generous, kind treatment of one another is a rare thing. Now what shall we do to revive the primitive spirit and practice of Christianity ? Is it enough that we preach its excellency and inculcate its necessity ? Will this be likely to succeed without we go before our people in shining instances of benevolence and illustrate its beauty by our own example ? And particularly as to that part of ebarity which goes under the denomination of alms (in which even professing Christians are very deficient, notwithstanding the solemn declaration of Scrip- ture on this head). Of what consequence is it that we incite them to it by forwarding all publiek schemes of this nature, as well as by our benefactions to particular persons in their exigen- cies ? And could we, in the visitation to the poor of our flocks, under their distress in addition to the spiritual things which we dispense, communicate to them our carnal, it would be acting in character, and might be of eminent service to their souls, as well as bodies. How happy it would be for us, and our people, if our worldly circumstance would admit of large donations. But let even those in the meanest situation do what they can. being willing to deny themselves some pleasures of life for this end, that Christ may say to them. as to the angels of the church of Christ. "I know thy poverty, but thou art rich."
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.