USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Epsom > A topographical and historical sketch of Epsom, New Hampshire > Part 2
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).
But a few extracts from his sermons may show more clearly the manner in which he viewed aud exhibited the doctrines of the gospel. The fol- lowing extract is trom one of his man- uscript sermons from the text. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlast- ·c pull mans apostaer from Gol, he lost his Maker's image and incurred his righteous displeasure. and became an enemy to his Maker. who is the Lord of hosts. The areal tain i- said to be commits gadget food. and is not subject to the list of the. neither Ended caul. No ther -)
3
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF EPSOM, S. ! I.
the apostle, ) they that are in the flesh cannot please God." This carnality of mind appears in pride and. haughti- ness of spirit, and opposition to the God-exalting and creature-abasing doc- trines of the law and gospel, which must be pulled down, before persons will see and be convinced of their de- plorable situation by nature, and the necessity of believeing in a Saviour provided for their relief." Further on he says, "They (the unbelieving, Jews) took him (Christ) to be a mere man only. They would not believe chat he had the divinity conjoined with his humanity. A belief that there was and is such a person is absolutely nec- essary, and without such a belief. we can by no means be said to believe on the Son .- But. 2dly, (says he.) be- Heving on the Son pre-supposes a true seuse of our need and necessities, and also a sense of his suitableness to our wants .- But. (he adds. ) Bdly. believe- ing on Christ implies such a faith as makes application of his righteousness to us for justification."
His views respecting the leading doctrines of the Bible may be still more Extensively seen from an extract from the printed sermon preached by him at the ordination of Rev. David L. Mor- ril of Goffstown. "The wicked heart, (he observes) will bear very well, to hear that human nature is partially de- praved-that the old man wants some jaiching up-that man cannot quite save himself -- that the praise for salva- tion shall be divided between Christ and the sinner, and, perhaps, that Christ shall have the greater part. Che shut beall Cau very wen liar w hear, that God is a Being, exalted somewhat above man ; and, perhaps. that he knows past, present and future events .- But the total mord depravity Of the human hoort ; isstotal gestion tofind : it being entirely destitute of Inly, moral exercise; that the carbal
mind is enmity against God: is uot subject to his law, neither indeed can be ; so then they that are in the Aesh cannot please God ; that mankind are naturally in a state of spiritual death, dead in trespasses and sin ; : hat God is a universal Soverign, infinite in every perfection. and incapable of an increase or decrease of knowledge, or any other perfection , whose plan was laid from eternity ; that all the wheels of Divine Providence are mov- ing on, in exact regularity and order. for the accomplishment of that perfect eternal plan : that he worketh all things after the counsel of his own will ; that all events will ferminate iu his own glory. or in the clearest way possible. display his own most glorious perfec- tions ; the doctrine of personal eternal election ; the doctrine of the Divine de- crees ; the absolute necessity of regen- eration, and that this is efferted by the special operations of the Divine spirit on the mind of sinners : that the tree must be made good. before the fruit can be good-are important truths, re- vealed in the Bible, which are caleu- lated to afford pain to wicked heart .. because muregenerate persons are up- posed to them. These doctrines are so evidently and plainly exhibited in the sacred pages, and if we disbelieve them, we disbelieve the Bible." Sueli were his views of the doctrines of the Bible. But while he from time to time. exhibited in his discounses the great lending truths comprised in the fore- going extracto: stil! these were no; dwelt upon to the exclusion of this more practical duties of religion. Un-
.
Fisted. Nor was his own example wanting to give them importante and attractiveness. Mr. Smith says of Him. in time sermon above pferd por. . 12. not only preached sound de strine. but insisted on the Beesany of Anyme !- tal and practical religion, as med
e
10
1766797
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF EPSOM, N. H.
in the Christian character : and was himself a bright example of those moral and religious duties he inculca- ted upon othe.s. He was a man of great modesty and diffidence. auassume ing in his carriage among his own pco- ple and others ; a man of strict integri- ty, and uprightuess in all his dealings ; a man of a quiet spirit ; a promoter of peace and love among all ; a mau of hospitality and charity so far as his ability permitted ; kind and friendly to all mankind ; and in consequence of his virtues, was respected by all his ac- quaintance." Such is the character given him by one who knew him well.
Two of his sermons were printed ; the one above mentioned at the ordi- pation of Mr. Morril, and a sermon Addressed to young people. During his ministry, 87 were added to the church ; and 363 received the ordinance . of baptismn.
He was called from his labors by death, November 10, 1813, iu the 59th year of his age, and 30th of his mipis- try.
About one year after the death of Mr. Haseltine, the church invited Rev. Jonathan Curtis to take the pastoral charge of them. In this, the town re- fused to coneur. A religious society was then formed. who expressed their concurrence with the church. Rer. Jonathan Curtis. the present minister, having manifested his acceptance to their call. was accordingly ordained February 22, 1815. At His settlement the church consisted of 50 members. During the first year after this, 6 were added to the communion of the church. The next year il were added. In INi7. if were added. About this time. Cial saw fit to awaken. in an unusual de- gree, the at ention of mans. Mach what the Bible requires, and to be where Chrisios praved. Nodi. however, Hier enthusiasm, or thunde
was exhibited by those who felt inter- ested in divine things. But the general operations of God's Spirit. were to show the creature, by the light of the sacred Word, his sin and danger ; to point him to Christ the only deliverer : and to dispose him, humbly. cordially. and thankfully to receive him. Soex- tensively were the divine influences .x- perienced (as we may hope in most in- stances) that the next year. 1818. the church was increased by 47. There were 29 at the same time sol moly covenanting with God and his people. Every year since that revival, there has been some additions, though some years the number has been small. The whole number added to the church since 1815, is 97. The whole uum- ber of members at the present time is 115. Since 1815, parents in the church in imitation of those who brought their children to Christ, when he was ou earth, and whose conduct he approved, have brought to the arms of that Sar- iour, with whom they trust their own souls, 101 of their children, to seek for them an interest in the blood of sprink- ling ; and have solemnly promised to use their best endeavours to maia then up for God. The church is very bap- pily united in their rehgious senti- ments, and harmonious in all their ec- elesiastienl proceedings.
Their views of the great truths of the Bible, are what are generally terin- ed Calvinistick.
The officers acknowledged by the church, for their instruction, regula- tion and government. are pastors of ministers and deacons. They have now one parter and two. deacons. ine latter are Dea. Ira Sanborn and Dea. David Locke. The church bas Bever had any written articles of faitu, to which the members have soloribei : though it has always been understand that the Cambridge Human com- pri es the substance of their with ato!
E
11
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF EPSOM. N. H.
practice. and before. admission to the , church. the candidates are examined with respect to their doctrinal belief.
The most ancient church covenant which stands ou record, and which re- mains the same with a little abridg- ment, and some verbal alterations is the following :
"We. whose names are hereunto subscribed. apprehending ourselves called of God into the church state of the gospel, do first of all confess our- selves unworthy to be so highly favor- ed of the Lord, and admire that free and rich grace of his. which triumphs over so great unworthiness ; and theu with an humble reliance on the aids of grace therein promised for those that, in a sense of their inability to do any good thing, do humbly wait on him for all : we now thankfully lay hold on his covenant:' and will choose the things that please him. We declare our serions belief of the Christian re- ligion, as contained in the sacred Scriptures ; and, with such a view thereof, as the confession of faith in . our churches has exhibited, heartily resolving to conform our lives unto the rules of that holy religion as long as we live in the world. we give up our- Alves unto the Lord Jehovah, who is the Father, and the Son. and the Holy Spirit ; and avouch him this day to be our God, our Father. our Saviour, and our Leader. and receive him as our portion forever. We give up our- selves unto the blessed Jesus, who is the Lord Jehovah. and adhere to him as the head of his people. in the cove- nant of grace ; and rely ou him as our . ... u alid our propici, and our Ating, to bring us to cterua! blessedness. We acknowledge our everlasting and indispensable obligations to glory our God in all the duties of a godly. and a Hier. and a righteous lite! and very particularly in the duties of a church date, as a body of people associated
for an obedience to him in all the or- dinances of the gospel : and we there- upon depend upon his gracious assis- tauce for our faithtul discharge of the duties thus incumbent on us. We desire and intend ( with dependence on his promised and powerful grace, ) we engage to walk together as a church of the Lord Jesus Christ in the faith and order of the gospel so far as we shall have the same revealed to es; conscientiously attending the public worship of God, the sacraments of his new Testament ; the discipline of his kingdom, and all his holy instructions iu communion with oue aucther ; and watching for the avoiding sinful stamb- ling blocks and coutentions, as be- comes a people, whom the Lord hath boand up together in the bundle of life. At the same time we do also present our offspring with us unto the Lord. purposing with his help, to do our part in the method of religious ... neation, that they may be the Lord's. And all this we do. flying to the blood of the everlasting covervant of the par- don of our many errors, and praying that the glorious Lord, who is the great Shepherd, would prepare and strengthen us for every good work in do his will, working in is that which shall be well pleasing to him. to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."
The town is divided into various re- ligious denominations but, except the Congregational, I know not that there has ever be a any other church of society formed in the town.
APPENDIX.
NO. 1.
Biographical Notice of Hon. John Mettere.
The person here referred to is the father of Con Michael Mothers. 1 in cui; đây of the town. he was re- warded as one of the miami. all ad virtuous citizens.
12
HISTORICAL, SKETCH OF EPSOM, N. Ii.
father removed from Londonderry, in Ireland to this country, John was but six years old ; and Elizabeth Harvey, who afterwards became his wife, and was from the same place. was but three. Though unassisted by the great advantages of education. which many at this day enjoy ; he notwith- standing was honored with a very large share of the public confidence, and that too in the most trying times. Besides sustaining to mach acceptance several important offices in the town, he was valled by his fellow-citizens, at that period of danger and solicitude, when the provincial Congress was formed, to hold a seat in that important body. He also successively held a seat in the ' house of representatives. in the council and senate of the state. He was also a man of piety. So exemplary was his christian walk, that the church elected him to the office of deacon. which he sustained with much faithful- ness and credit for many years. He lied at the, advanced age of 82 years.
NO. II.
Succession of Ministers and Deacons.
Revs. John Tucke, Ebenezer Haseltine, Jonathan Curtis, now in office ; Dracous: George Wallace, John DieClary, Satan Manden. John Cate, Abra Lamp I.ocke, Samuel Morril; Ira Sanborn David Locke now in office.
NO. III.
Succession of Physicians.
Stephen Swett, Obadiah Williams, John S. Os- born, David L. Norr. M Daw in practice in Gatoon; Smapi Merril. my in practice in Coa- in; Gowith Crosby, M. D., now in practice in
VOL. IV.
Succession of Attorneys.
Benjamin Molly, La. Jonathan Stelle, Fsc, It s in practice in sandwich ; Samen : Peabody . Eq. now in practice in Sport.
·NO. V.
Succession of Representantes.
-
D. Merrill, Esq., John McClary, Exq., after wards of the senate. Hanover D ckey, Esq., Richard Trippe.
NO. VI.
Justice of the Peace in the order of their ap- pointment.
John McClary, Michael McClary, throughout the state, now in office in Epecm; James II. MeClary, Josiah Sanborn, also of the quorum, now in office in Epsom: Samuel Moriili, now in office in Concordl; John McClary, Jonathan Steele, now in office in Sandwich: Hanover Dickey, Samuel Peabody, also of the quormn, Thomas D. Merrill, Esquires, now in office lu Epsom.
NO. VII. Succession of Town Clerks.
The names of those who were elected a secoud time, after an interval of one or more years, are not repeated.
Joseph Simpson, Pau! Chapman, Joseph Hains, Pennsi Chapman, James Berry, Sumnaet Libbre, Nathan Marden, James Gray. Eliphalet Sanborn, Andrew McClary, Michael MeCiary, John Casey, Solomon Sutton, David L. Morril, Samuel Morril. John McClary, Michael McClary.
NO. VIII.
Names of those belonging to Epsom, who enlist- ed into the regular aray in revolution, with their rank at the time of their discharge.
Benjuoin Berry, John Bickford Samme: Bickford, James Blake, John Jenness, Ozom Locke, killed it Bennington ; Francis Locke, drew at Chimney Point ; Samuel Locke, Major Andres MeClary, Killed ac Bunker Hill; Capt. Michael Mec lars, Adj. John MeClary, died of a wound at Albany ; Lieut. Andhow MeGaffey, wounded at Bunker Hill; Neal Meinfry, Major Amos Morri, Jethro Pettengill, Abraham Pettengill, died at Chimney Point; Benjamin Pet- tengill, Peter Pomp, an African, died at Valley Forge; Simon Sanborn, died at Chimney Pain; Noah St. Clair, wounded at St. Johns; Jalm Wal. lace, killed ar Bouner Till: Weymouth W.ver, wounded at Bunker Hin ; Theophilus Cass, Solo. :non Chapman. Richard Diowr, Capt. James Gray, Francis Locke, Mose- Jocke
F 84225.2.
5918H
V
-
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.