USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > Hampstead > A memorial history of Hampstead, New Hampshire, Congregational Church 1752-1902, Volume II > Part 7
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If we should hope to have our ministry comfortable to our- selves or profitable to others, our aim must be to cultivate in ourselves that most excellent knowledge which has been spoken of and hold forth to others in the plainest and most affecting view we can. the pure. unadulterated truths of the gospel, not shunning to declare all the counsel of God, but still insisting chiefly on faith and repentance, those practical truths and duties by which the Christians live, and endeavor to promote the holi- ness of the truth, without which no man shall see the Lord. Though our work is difficult. and we are insufficient, yet it is very good work and pleasant to a Christian, and our great en- couragement is that we have a good and kind Master, who had a feeling of our infirmities, and has promised to be with his faithful ministers to the end of the world.
It is upon this, our encouragement, that this, our brother, who is about to be separated to the ministerial office and pastoral care of the church in this place, now offers himself willingly to this service, and we cannot but rejoice, dear sir, that the great Head of the Church, who has, we trust, furnished you with needful graces and gifts for the work, has also opened an invit- ing door for you to enter upon it, and inclined you to accept the invitation which has been tendered to you with so much una- nimity.
The step you are taking and the prospect which lies before you must strike you with a serious awe. You are about to be an ambassador of Christ to men. in his name to beseech them to be reconciled to God, and administer his holy ordinances. You are about to take a commission under the captain of our salva- tion, the duties of which will require diligent care, patience. condescension, as well as courage and firmness. You are to stand as a light in a golden candlestick, yea, as a star in the firmament of the church, to diffuse the light of knowledge and holiness before men to the glory of God. and as the star which went before the wise men in the east, you are to lead them to Christ. once more. You are to be an angel of the church-so gospel ministers are styled. And as the angels which appeared to the shepherds. you are to be a messenger of glad tidings con- cerning Christ the Saviour. Like the angel who appeared in
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the vision flying through the midst of heaven. you are to preach the everlasting gospel to them who dwell on the earth, and your views, temper and deportment must be angelical, answerable to the sublime and dignified title, and I must also add you must be the servant of all, and in this, too, your business is to be like that of the angels, who are ministering spirits to the heirs of salvation.
The work you are entering upon, whatever the world may think of it, is noble and excellent-a work that carries a rich reward in it to those who engage in it and pursue it with the true spirit of Christianity. Your business will be to search out, contemplate, enjoy and communicate to most excellent knowl- edge, to drink abundantly of that fountain the streams thereof inake glad the city of God, to feel the light and truth break in with increasing brightness and energy, to make many rich by dealing out to them those treasures of heavenly wisdom which are more precious than fine gold. Nor need you fear that your distributions in this way will impoverish you. This is a way of scattering which greatly increaseth; your gifts and graces will, like the widow's oil, multiply and increase by being drawn and poured out for the benefit of others, and by profiting them you will profit yourself, for to him that hath shall be given.
As to the hardships and difficulties in the warfare upon which you are entering I shall not say much. You know these things are to be expected and prepared for. And I trust you have counted the cost and are so much of a Christian hero that you can say deliberately and firmly, "None of these things move me." The greatest difficulty we find is to keep our hearts always in frame for the duties of our sacred calling. But for this our dependence is on Christ, whose grace is sufficient for us. If the prospect of straightened worldly circumstances should arise to view, " seek first the kingdom of heaven and his righteousness," and all of these things shall be added to you. If the messengers of Satan should buffet you with the scourge of the tongue, I trust you will find yourself so well armed and mounted that a little barking (pardon the expression) will rather enliven than intimidate you.
Go forth boldly, then, in the strength of Christ, your leader :
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go forth and war a good warfare. put on the whole armor of God and fear not. Heaven is on the side of truth and righteousness, and Christianity ; it will be supported : it will prevail; it will triumph over all opposition : be faithful unto death in promo- ting this glorious canse, and you shall enjoy and share the tri- umph and receive a crown of life and immortality.
It has given concern to those who have the cause of ('hris- tianity at heart that so many societies of professed Christians amongst us should remain so long without a settled ministry among them, but it gives us much joy that so many laborers have lately been sent into the harvest, and this society, which (since the sorrowful breach it suffered in the death of the late worthy pastor, whose memory is blessed), has been so long as a flock without a shepherd, will allow us to express our joy in meeting you here to-day, on so happy an occasion, and that God has at length disposed you with so much unanimity to elect one for your pastor in whose ordination we can so heartily concur and assist.
From present agreeable facts we are encouraged to hope that the important transactions of this day will be remembered by you and him with much satisfaction and thankfulness: that he and you will be a comfort and blessing to each other, and that by your devout and increasing prayers for him, by concurring with and assisting him in his endeavors to maintain the faith, holiness, worship and discipline of the gospel, by taking in good part his labors for your spiritual edification and profiting by them, and contributing freely for his temporal support and comfort, and treating him with Christian candor, kindness, and respect, suitable to his character, you will encourage his heart and strengthen his hands in his great and difficult work, and so be fellow-helpers to the truth.
As this is the first time, and possibly may be the last, in which I shall have an occasion to address for the greater part this large assembly, give me leave before we part to suggest one thing for your serious consideration.
Since the knowledge of Christ and his glorious gospel is, as you have heard, so excellent, ought not Christians to profess their faith without fear or shame ? My brethren, is not our
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gospel the foundation of all our joy and hope ? Shall any who hope for salvation through the merits of the Redeemer, be of so base a spirit as to dissemble their faith and religion for the sake of humoring or courting the favor of infidels, and act as if they would steal into heaven in disguise ?
Let us show that we are not ashamed of Christ and the gos- pel by making an open profession of our faith and attending the holy ordinances. and above all, by a holy life. By thus causing our light to shine before man. we shall most commend our holy religion to their consciences. That we may all thus adorn the doctrine of God, our Saviour, may God in his infinite mercy grant. To him I commend you, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified.
Amen.
Charge by the Rev. Mr. Merrill, minister of Plaistow and a part of Haverhill.
In the name and by the authority of Jesus Christ, the great head of the church we his ministers, who now lay our hands upon your head, do by this solemn rite, and in virtue of our office separate and adorn you, Mr. John Kelly, to the office and work of the gospel ministry.
And as you are called of God in the course of his providence to the pastoral care of this Christian society, the church and congregation of Hampstead, we therefore commit unto you the oversight of this flock in particular, declaring you to be invested with all of the distinguishing powers, of the evangelical ministry, to preach the word, to pray with and for the people, and to bless them in the name of the Lord, or administer the holy institutions of the new testament, to bind and loose in the house of God. ac- cording to the laws of his kingdom, and, when regularly called and fit occasions arise, to ordain others to the same great and important work.
Take thou then the oversight of this flock, not my constraint, but willingly, not by sordid ends for filthy lucre, or vain ambi- tion, but of a ready mind, a mind sincerely disposed to promote
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the glory of God, the kingdom of Christ, and the great spiritual interest of immortal souls.
And permit us dear sir, to lay our solemn exhortations and charges upon you before God, who seeth all things, and the Lord Jesus Christ who shall judge the quick and the dead before the elect angels, and this whole assembly that thou take heed to thyself, and to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord to fulfil it.
Take good heed to thyself, imbibe and exhibit largely, the spirit and genius of the excellent religion which you are to recom- mend to others, be solicitous to feel its transforming power and to transcribe its amiable virtues, watch in all things-keep under thy body, be sober, just, holy and temperate, lest having preached to others you yourself should be a castaway.
Take heed unto the ministry, which thou hast received in the Lord to fulfil it.
In this view study the sacred scriptures, give thyself to read- ing and meditation. make the word of God the man of your counsel. the standard of your faith, practice and standard of your preaching, the invariable rule of your administration in the whole compass of your duty.
Preach the word. Be instant in season, and out of season and reprove, rebuke and exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Preach not yourself but Christ Jesus the Lord, Preach the truth as it is in Jesus. Testify repentance towards God. the faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. Represent the necessity of a temper formed on evangelical principles, and regularly oper- ating into a life of obedience and submission to the great Lord and lawgiver of the church. Shun not to declare the whole counsel of God-keep back nothing that is profitable - keep thyself pure from the blood of all men. Do thy diligence to in- struct the ignorant, to refute the erroneous, to establish the wavering, to convince the gain sayers, to warn the unruly, to awaken the secure, to direct the awakened into the path of safety. In one word preach the unsearchable riches of Christ, and in connection therewith affirm constantly, that they who be- lieve in God, be careful to maintain good works.
Feed the sheep, and feed the lambs, with the sincere milk of
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the word, that they may grow thereby. Study to approve thyself to God, a workman who needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, and giving to every one his portion of meat in due season.
Let your preaching be enforced by a corresponding practice, Go before the flock in a amiable and attractive example, be an example unto believers in word. in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith and in purity.
Administer the sacrament of the new testament, baptism and the Lord's supper to the proper subjects of them.
Let all of your addresses to heaven be adapted to assist to the devotion of those, who join with you in social worship.
As a ruler in the house of God, preside with dignity, integrity and discretion.
Exhibit a benevolent spirit, aim an extensive usefulness, en- deavor to serve the interest of the churches at large, to preserve their purity, their stability, their order, their renown, their peace and their prosperity.
When to call to introduce others into the sacred ministry, act with fidelity, prudence and caution, lay hands suddenly on no man, but the things which thou hath received before many wit- nesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall also be able to teach others. To sum up the whole as a watchman fail not to give faithful and seasonable warning of approaching dan- gers : as an ambassador let all your wisdom, fidelity and address be exerted in negotiating a treaty of reconciliation between God and men; as a bishop take heed to yourself, and all of the flock over which the Holy Ghost has made you an overseer ; as a shepherd or pastor, feed the church of God which he hast pur- chased, with his own blood and lead them to the green pastures, and the salutary waters of the sanctuary ; as an householder give to every one his portion of meat in due season, as an angel to be like a flame of fire, all alive in delivering the messages of the Lord of hosts; as a star be not eccentric, cross not the spheres but move on and shine in your proper orbit, diffusing the salutary rays of gospel light, and as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, endure hardiness, take to yourself the whole armour of God, fight the good fight of faith, let not the weapons of your
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warfare be carnal, but spiritual that they may be mighty, through God to pull down the strongholds of sin and satan.
Thus we have presented before you a summary of your duties annexed to your office and station and which in the gospel, are injoined in its ministration.
As motives to perform them, need we any more at this time than to suggest. that the honour of God, and the success of the gospel, the salvation of souls for whom Christ died, and your own present, future and everlasting happiness are all interested in your fidelity, let the consideration of the awful solemnities of death, judgment, heaven, hell and eternity, serve strongly to enforce on you and every minister discharge of our duty, and may God add the effectual energy of his grace.
In prospect of these arduous, official duties you are doubtless ready to exclaim, who is sufficient for these things ? Your work is great, your difficulties probably will be too. But be strong dear sir, in the grace which is in Christ Jesus. Look by faith and prayer to the everlasting hills. to the rock that is higher than you, for direction and assistance, for support and success in your great undertaking. He will be with you, while you be with Him. He will never leave or forsake you. If von obtain mercy of the Lord to be faithful. if you keep this good thing committed unto you, by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us, when the chief shepherd shall appear, then shall thou receive a crown of life which passeth not away. And this may God. in his infinite merey grant you, through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory, in his church throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
The right hand of fellowship, given by the Rev. Mr. Peabody of Atkinson.
However a careless world may neglect and despise the blessed gospel, the glorious salvation, it offers to men the regular means of grace enjoyed in a land of light: yet the happy effects of those distinguished blessings have been so conspicuous as to strike conviction into the minds of every serious, judicious observer.
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These being acknowledged privileges, every effort to preserve and increase them cannot fail of giving satisfaction and pleas- ure to such as are well wishers to the religion of Jesus, and to every friend of society.
The present prospects in this place, after a long interruption of the regularly stated means of religious instruction, are agree- able and encouraging. They produce sensations of joy. my Christian brethren of this church and society, in the hearts of all of your friends and in the minds of all who are the true friends of gospel order.
We would now most heartily congratulate yon upon the pres- ent occasion upon your union and harmony, and your having a pastor, who, we trust, is faithful, solemnly set over you. to minister unto you on the things pertaining to God and godli- ness. and to assist you in your most important interests. that you may no longer remain as a sheep without a shepherd.
May the Great Head of the Church, who walks in the midst of his golden candlesticks, increase your love, increase your union. and enrich you with all of the special and excellent graces of the gospel.
Friendship and brotherly affections are such necessary ingre- dients in a true Christian character that an exhibition of them should not be omitted by sister churches, in regular standing, upon all proper occasions. Giving the right hand of fellowship, apostolic example, and the universal custom of the churches in the States of America, has been rendered familiar upon all ordination solemnities.
As this part of the public exercises devolves upon me, I now, dear sir, in the name and by the direction of this venerable conneil, give you my right hand, hereby publicly testifying our entire approbation of you, as one regularly introduced into the work of the gospel ministry, and manifesting our most ardent desires that mutual love. friendship and communion may ever be found subsisting between us.
We rejoice with you upon your happy settlement in this place, and that you are engaged to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. We most cheerfully leave with you the divine presence and direction in all the labors to which you have been called.
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January 16, 1793, the church met to fix upon a recep- tive covenant, and accordingly the following was fixed upon.
"You do now, in the presence of God, of the elect angels, and of this assembly, devontly and solemnly devote yourself to the eternal God, who is the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, receiving him as your God and portion, desiring by his special aid to live to his glory.
Yon do likewise give up yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ. and as God manifest in the flesh, who is the Head of the Church.
And you receive him as made of God into you wisdom, righteous- ness, sanctification and redemption.
You do also own your baptismal covenant. You do likewise give yourself to the Church of Christ in this place, engaging with this help to attend upon the ordinances of the Gospel, and watehfully to avoid every sinful course and everything which shall have a tendency to bring a scandal upon the holy religion which we profess.
You engage also to worship God in your family, to devote your chil- dren to God, and to bring them up in the nurture and admonishing of the Lord.
This you promise.
We, then, the Church of Christ in this place, do receive you into our fellowship, and promise, by His assistance, to watch over you. and to treat you with that affection which our sacred relation requires.
This we do, imploring of our Lord that both we and you together may obtain mercy to be faithful in His Covenant, and to glorify Him with that holiness which becomes his house forever."
" At a church meeting at the meeting house, September 29, 1796, unanimously voted the following to be the recep- tive Covenant of this Church, instead of the one adopted in 1793, and confirmed the same by a unanimous voice again May 3d, 1804."
FORM OF THE COVENANT.
" You do here, in the presence of God and this assembly, own and profess your serious belief of the Christian religion as it is contained in the Holy Scriptures.
And professing your repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, you do give up yourself to the Lord Jehovah, who is the Father, Son. and the Holy Ghost, and receive him as your God and portion.
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You do give up yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ and put your whole trust and confidence in him alone for salvation, and receive him as your all-sufficient Saviour, and rely upon him as the Great Head of the Church in the Covenant of grace, and as your Prophet, Priest and King forever.
You do also own your baptismal covenant and your engagements thereby to be the Lord's.
You submit to the laws of his kingdom as they are administered among his people.
You do also give yourself in solemn covenant to this church of Christ, engaging with his help to submit to all of the ordinances of the Gospel."
" To this you submit."
" I, then, as a minister of Jesus Christ, do in his name and in behalf of the Church, acknowledge you to be a member of the Church of Christ. to be admitted to all the special ordinances and privileges for the communion of saints, and do promise that we will receive you and watch over you as such in the Lord.
This we do, imploring of our divine Lord that both we and you may obtain mercy, to be faithful in the Covenant, and glorify him in that holiness which becometh his house forever."
.. And now nnto him, who is able to keep you from falling." etc .- Jude 24: 25.
Rev. Mr. Kelly was pastor of the church forty-four years, " lacking eight weeks." He was dismissed Oct. 12, 1836, when seventy-three years of age. For a sketch of his life and other facts see pages 27 to 55 of Memorial History, Vol. I, or sketch of church members.
Sfinbruary 10th 183%. John Kelly Hampatias N.H.
Rev. Mr. Kelly preached the following sermon on the oc- casion of leaving the old meeting house for the new church, as printed at the time :-
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"UNION AND COMMUNION OF SAINTS."
A SERMON DELIVERED AT HAMPSTEAD, N. H., OCT. 13, 1837, TO THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND SOCIETY ON LEAV- ING THE OLD MEETING HOUSE AND REPAIRING TO THE NEW ONE, BY JOHN KELLY, A. M., LATE PASTOR OF THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY ABOUT FORTY-FOUR YEARS.
" This Sermon is Dedicated to the Inhabitants of Hampstead, in grateful remembrance of the uniform respect and kindness shown to the Author for a long series of years."
"Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded. having the same love. being of one accord, of one mind ; let nothing be done through strife or vain glory; but in loveliness of mind, let each esteem the other better than themselves."-Philippians 11 : 2, 3.
These words of the great apostle to the Gentiles were addressed in the most affectionate manner to the church at Phil- ippi, which was one of the most endeared to his heart, on account of their exemplary faith and patience, and their affee- tionate regard to his own person, in ministering to his necessi- ties, while some others have been neglectful of supplying his wants.
About twelve years before this epistle was written at Rome. the apostle had preached the Gospel at Philippi, and was driven from thence by the hand of persecution. But he could not for- get to edify and comfort those precious souls who had been brought to believe and obey the gospel by his ministrations.
So does the faithful minister love and cherish the souls of those to whom he has for years ministered in holy things, even though the more he has loved them the less he is loved by them.
And now, my hearers, since I have constantly preached the Gospel in this house, with the exception of a few days, thirteen years longer than St. Paul preached the Gospel in the whole of his ministry, which continued only thirty-one years, you will bear with me to speak to you once more.
And with a view of improving the words of the text, it is proposed :
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1. To show how all professors of religion ought to have the same love and to be of one accord, of one mind.
2. To consider some of the urgent reasons why all of God's people ought to comply to the exhortation in the text.
3. To consider the unreasonableness of doing anything through strife or vain glory.
4. To consider the duty of esteeming others better than ourselves. and the happy consequences of a lovely mind.
1. I am first to show how all professors of religion ought to have the same love and to be of the same accord and one mind.
In the first place, doubtless the apostle himself and the spirit of God by which he wrote, intended that we should have the same love to God, and toward our neighbor as the law of God demands.
And it is required that we should all be agreed in the cordial belief of all of the doctrines which are according to godliness. Because, as every science has its first principles, without which it cannot subsist, and upon which its faith and practice its vota- ries are founded, so in a special manner there must be certain first principles or doctrines of religion which all must admit and hold, or be chargeable of having no religion.
These doctrines, or first principles, are both the foundation and criterion of every man's character, in a religious point of view. If he has no religious principles it has decidedly no religion. If he has false principles, it has a false relig- ion : if he has false ideas of the divine character, he wor- ships a false God, or is an idolator, or an atheist. " As a man thinketh in his heart, so he is." So it is important that we should have correct views of the doctrines of religion.
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