USA > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > Warner > Historical discourse delivered at the centennial celebration of the Congregational Church in Warner, N.H., June 12, 1872 > Part 4
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Mr. Wellman's installation occurred on Wednesday, Sep- tember 26, 1827. Rev. Dr. Samuel Wood of Boscawen preached the sermon; Rev. Ebenezer Price of Webster
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made the installing prayer; Rev. John Woods, the former pastor, gave the charge to the pastor; Rev. Jacob Scales of Henniker gave the right hand of fellowship; Rev. Dr. Bouton of Concord addressed the people; and Rev. Robert Page of Bradford offered the concluding prayer. The rec- ords of the society contain the following vote, dated Sep- tember, 20, 1827: "That Mr. Ezra Barrett be chosen to lead in the music installation day, and take charge of it as he pleases."
Some of the measures adopted for the spiritual welfare of the Church and community during Mr. Wellman's ministry - part of which have been continued during the subsequent history of the Church-are worthy of note. A plan in . which this Church cordially united is thus described in the Minutes of the New Hampshire General Association for 1833 : "The churches in Hopkinton Association have adopted a course of mutual visitation which promises much in promoting the prosperity of the churches in that body. The plan is simply this: By invitation, two sister churches send a delegation of five members each to another church, to visit all her members on a certain day, for the purpose of mutual religious improvement. So far as is practicable, meet- ings are held by these lay brethren, in the evening, in the several districts in the town. On the following day a gen- cral meeting is held, at which the pastors of those churches . preach, aiming especially to confirm christians in the faith, . to stir up their minds to the duty of constancy and zeal, and thus prepare them for a continued revival of religion. The effect thus far has been signally happy." Meetings of this kind, held unitedly by the churches in Warner and Brad- ford, are recorded as occurring May 2, 1827, October 23 and ! November 5, 1828: In October, 1836, a meeting was held for three days in Warner, at which there was preaching by the pastors of the churches in Bradford, West Concord and Henniker. Affectionate fellowship with neighboring churches has ever beon cultivated, to the mutual benefit of all ..
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In October and November, 1827, special efforts were made to devise means " for bringing all the talent of the Church into requisition" in the work of Christ. The means then adopted for this most important object were the following : The appointment of a special season of fasting and prayer preceding the communion; a request to the standing com- mittee to visit all the members of the church, converse with them about their religious experience, and invite them to the church fast; the appointment of meetings in nine different districts of the town, to be held once in four weeks, under the superintendence of different brethren, who are named; and also meeting once in three weeks alternately at the Upper Village, Lower Village, and between the two, to be superin- tended by the pastor and others ; and that the Church encourage all the "minor members" (as the baptized children are called,) and others to attend Bible-class lectures by the pastor.
January 1, 1829, a meeting of the Church was held, at which reports were heard, as to the state of religion, from a committee who had been appointed to visit the Church and congregation. It is not certain when this plan of visiting was first adopted, but it continued as late as 1857. Quite a number of the brethren, including the standing committee, going two and two, annually visited every member of the Church, and others, for conversation upon personal religion. Some of the older people speak with much interest of their recollections of the happy effects of this practice. Let us, beloved brethren who now compose this Church, lay deeply to heart the fact that, whether we adopt the former methods or not, we must, in order that the blessing of our Lord may attend us, each be personally active in His service.
The years 1831 and 1832 were periods of especial atten- tion to religion. In June, 1831, the annual meeting of the Merrimack County Conference of Churches was held in "Warner. The exercises were especially adapted to the state
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of the Church, to quicken believers, and lead others to feel their need of salvation. The presence of the Lord was manifest, and within one week about thirty persons believed in Jesus. Writing in 1832, the pastor states, "Within five years past, nearly seventy children of the Church, who re- ceived the seal of the covenant in early life, have become hopefully pious in this town."
The practice prevailed of sometimes especially renewing their covenant with God. On Sabbath, January 1, 1832, the Church did this, when some others who hoped in Christ but had not publicly confessed their faith rose with them; and several who had not been christians rose to thus express their determination to begin the year with God. Other sim- ilar seasons are recorded.
During Mr. Wellman's ministry, in 1828, the Church first received aid from the New Hampshire Home Missionary Society. It was aided from 1828 to 1832, from 1837 to 1845, and from 1852 to 1863; in all, twenty-six years. During the intervening years it received no aid, and has re- ceived none since 1863. The whole amount appropriated to the Church by the Missionary Society is $2225. The largest appropriation made in any one year was' $150, and the smallest, $25.
While warmly grateful for the benefit this Society has con- ferred upon us and upon otlier churches, let us pray the Lord that we may be able ever hereafter to be independent, and cherish deeply the feeling that it is more honorable to sustain our own religious institutions to the utmost of our power.
Time warns me to hasten to the close of this account of Mr. Wellman's ministry -passing over other subjects of in- terest. The account of the ministries of the susequent pas- tors must necessarily be brief. They are more within your recollection, so that detail is less needful. The full account of any christian church and its pastors can only be written in the experiences of human hearts and in heaven.
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Mr. Wellman resigned his pastorate November 12, 1836, imperatively constrained to it by ill health. His resignation was sorrowfully given and sorrowfully accepted. He was dismissed February 15, 1837, and on the same day Rev. Amos Blanchard was installed as pastor. The council met at the house of Mr. Nathan Walker. Rev. Dr. Nathan Lord, President of Dartmouth College, preached the ser- mon; and Mr. Wellman gave the charge to the pastor.
Mr. Blanchard was born in Peacham, Vermont, Septem- ber 8, 1800. He worked on a farm till he was seventeen years old, and then served an apprenticeship to the print- ing business at Montpelier. At the age of twenty-one he began academical studies, and pursued them three years; after which he entered Andover Theological Seminary, and graduated there in 1828. He went West, and for three years was editor of the Cincinnati Christian Journal. December 9, 1832, he was installed pastor of the Congregational Church at Lyndon, Vt., and remained there until the winter of 1835. He was dismissed from Warner December 10, 1839, to ac- cept the pastorate of the church at Meriden, N. H. The prospect of usefulness to the students of the Academy was a strong argument drawing him to that place, where he re- mained more than twenty-five years. He died at Barnet, Vt., January 6, 1869, aged sixty-eight. Mr. Blanchard was a very able preacher,-clear, attractive and discriminating. As a pastor he was faithful and efficient.
During his brief ministry there was a good deal of relig- ous interest, and a considerable number were added to the Church.
His successor was Rev. James W. Perkins, who was in- stalled March 4, 1840. Mr. Perkins was born at Mont Vernon, N. H., and practised medicine for a time before en- tering the ministry. He studied theology with Rev. E. P. Bradford of New Boston, and preached for six years at New Hampton before coming to Warner. After leaving Warner,
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he was pastor, or acting pastor, at East Alstead and Decring N. H., and since 1857 has been preaching at New Chester, Wisconsin. We greatly regret that he, as well as Mr. Ful- ler, cannot be with us to-day. Mr. Perkins' ministry in Warner was characterized by earnest, laborious effort to bring all the people under the influence of the gospel. He preached frequently in the district school-houses in various parts of the town. He presented doctrinal truth with faithfulness, yet in a manner to conciliate attention.
One or two events of interest which occurred in Mr. Per- kins' ministry may be alluded to in passing. January 13, 1841, at a meeting held at the house of Mr. Jacob Chase, Mrs. Chase was received to the Church. Says the pastor : "The occasion was very interesting; Mrs. Chase, apparently near the eternal world, having recently indulged a hope in Christ and being desirous to profess Christ, was baptized, to- gether with her children; and the Lord's Supper was cele- brated." The Church spent the two days preceding the communion in January, 1842, in a special seeking after God. At that communion, one person was received to the Church on profession of faith, and baptism administered to a child. Says the pastor, "These circumstances, and the presence of the Savior, rendered the occasion one of much interest." The year 1842 was one of blessing to the Church. There was an extensive revival, and a large number united with God's people during this and the succeeding year.
In regard to the Sabbath-school Mr. Perkins wrote, in the year 1840, "The Sabbath-school at the meeting-house is large compared with the congregation, the latter averaging during the summer two hundred, and the former one hun- dred and seventy. Add to this those children taught by members of the Church in two other schools, and we have more persons under Sabbath-school instruction than make up the congregation on the Sabbath."
Mr. Perkins was dismissed January 30, 1846, and on June
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10 of the same year Rev. Robert W. Fuller was installed as his successor. The sermon at his installation was preached by Rev. Amos Blanchard, once pastor of the Church. Mr. Fuller was born at Milford, N. H., in 1807, and pursued his studies for the ministry at Gilmanton Theological Seminary. He was settled at Westmoreland, N. H., from June 16, 1841 to January 11, 1843. He then preached at Acworth for about two years. After leaving Warner, he preached at Westmoreland South and Lempster. The state of his health not permitting him to preach, he has resided for several years past at Stowe, Mass. Mr. Fuller was very sincere in labor- ing for what he believed to be the best good of his people. His sermons were able, and his labors in some places were followed by God's blessing in many conversions. He was a man of strong will, and great independence. The fortnightly · church conference was established during Mr. Fuller's min- istry, June 27, 1846. He was dismissed October 24, 1850.
From February, 1851, to February, 1852, the pulpit was supplied by Mr. Abel Wood, who afterwards became a teacher in the Academy at Meriden. January 26, 1852, the Church invited him to become their pastor, but he declined. The excellence of his sermons, and the worth of his personal character, left lasting impressions on the minds of some of the people.
August 1, 1852, Rev. Harrison O. Howland commenced supplying the pulpit. November 8, 1853, the Church gave him a call to settle, which he accepted. He was installed January 4, 1854, the sermon being preached by Dr. Bouton of Concord. Mr. Howland was born at West Brookfield, Mass., January 25, 1813. He graduated at Amherst College in 1840, and at Union Theological Seminary, New York City, in 1844. He was settled first at Ashland, N. Y., then at Warner, and afterwards at Chester, N. H., and Girard, Pa. His labors at Girard were abundantly blessed by the con- version of large numbers to Christ. But the anxiety and
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fatigue consequent upon these labors undermined his health, and he died February 13, 1872, aged 58. He was an in- structive and eminently scriptural preacher. Love for the Bible was one of his most prominent characteristics. Just before the close of his life, when in the room of a sick daughter, he pointed to the "Silent Comforter" upon the wall, open to these words of Job, "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food;" and with an expressive look, (he was almost wholly voiceless,) he sig- nified that such were his feelings. He was a very sincere man, so self-distrustful that he kept himself back, and his kindness and deep interest in the welfare of others were not always understood. He was a most carnest and faithful pastor.
In September, 1856, the Church united with the churches of Bradford and Henniker in mutual visiting; after which, - on October 1 and the two following days, meetings were held at which the pastors of the churches in Bradford and Henniker preached. The meetings were blest to the reviving . of religion in the Church, and the conversion of some souls. In June, 1857, Mr. Howland requested a dismission, that he might accept a call from the church in Chester, N. H. His statement of his reasons was, "I think I can thereby in- crease my own usefulness, and make better provision for my family; and this the Word of God makes it the duty of every christian man to do." The people reluctantly consented to his dismission, which took place July 1, 1857.
October 21, 1857, Rev. Daniel Warren was installed as pastor. Rev. Dr. William T. Savage of Franklin preached the sermon. Mr. Warren was born March 3, 1798, in Rochester, Vt., of which town his father was one of the first settlers. He served an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, but in the spring of 1820 entered upon a course of preparation for the ministry. He graduated at Bangor The- ological Seminary in 1825, two years after Mr. Wellman ..
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: He was pastor of the church in Waterbury, Vt., from 1825 - to 1838. He afterwards preached for different lengths of -time in several towns in: Vermont before coming to Warner. After leaving this town, he did not again assume charge of : a parish, but spent the remainder of his life at Lowell, Vt. Mr. Warren was a sound preacher, and commanded the re- „spect of all as a sincere, upright, kind-hearted christian man. His dismissal from Warner occurred February 18, 1863.
March 29, 1863, Rev. Henry S. Huntington commenced supplying the pulpit of the Church. He preached until September, 1864, when through sickness he was compelled for a time to cease. Meanwhile the Church extended to him a call, which he accepted, and his ordination took place January 31, 1866. The sermon, which included the charge to the pastor, was preached by Rev. Dr. Hiram P. Arms, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Norwich, Conn., from I Timothy, III. 1: " If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work."
The history of the Church since then need not be re- , counted, for it is fresh in your minds. It contains much for which to praise God, yet much of deficiency on our part to confess. We desire to see this whole community convinced . of their sin and their lost condition, and becoming new creatures in Christ Jesus. But we bless the Lord for His „work year after year, in the hearts of one and another, until many have believed and rejoiced in the Redeemer. May He come and impart to His people great increase of faith, hope and love; and bring all this community -inheritors of an open Bible and a preached gospel-to feel that the one - thing needful is personal faith in the only Redeemer of sin- ners.
Thus we have recounted, very imperfectly, the history of this Church for a hundred years gone by. No other history „'s so sacred and important as that of the Church of Christ.
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Every individual church, too, has its own personal character. In the history of our own Church some characteristics ap- pear which should be perpetually maintained. It has been characterized by a spirit of christian activity. Some of the early pastors diligently cultivated this. Many of the members of the Church have been very faithful in attending the social meetings and participating in them, and in other- wise using their personal christian influence. When there has been most of this, there has been most of growth. Union und brotherly love, too, have generally prevailed to such an extent that they have been a characteristic of the Church. Persistence in maintaining religious institutions under difficul- tics has been another. One of the former pastors states that he traces back a very precious revival enjoyed at the begin- ning of his ministry, to a solemn and prayerful resolve formed by the Church about the time of the dismissal of his- predecessor, "not to be without a pulpit supply a single. Sabbath, if it could possibly be avoided."
Let the christian virtues of the past be sacredly cherished by us upon whom the responsibility now rests. May this. Church, receiving light from the blessed Sun of Righteous -. ness, be itself, by its good works, a light in this community .. May it stand as a friend to the poor, the needy and troubled ;. and above all, as a guide to those who, convicted of their sin, seek a Savior. And may the care and loving kindness, of the Lord over this people for a hundred years greatly con- firm our trust in Him.
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APPENDIX.
MINISTERS RAISED UP BY THIS CHURCH.
[ Of the ministers whose names follow, the first five were members of our Church, the next two were the descendants of members, and the last was a constant attendant in the congregation.]
JOHN MORRILL pursued his studies at Amherst College and Andover Theological Seminary, and has been a home missionary at the West.
DANIEL SAWYER studied at Gilmanton Seminary, and has preached in New Hampshire.
REUBEN KIMBALL studied at Gilmanton, and preached in New Hampshire and Maine.
SAMUEL MORRILL graduated at Dartmouth College in 1835, and died while a member of Bangor Seminary.
JAMES MADISON PUTNEY studied at Dartmouth, and enter- ed the Episcopal ministry. His home was at the South.
ELIOT C. COGSWELL, son of Dr. Joseph Cogswell, is preaching in New Hampshire.
ISAAC DALTON STEWART, grandson of Deacon Isaac Dal- ton, is in the Freewill Baptist ministry.
ASA PUTNEY studied at Amherst College and Andover Seminary, and has preached in Vermont.
[ Besides these, the following names should find a place here :]
RICHARD COLBY, whose parents were members of this Church, went, about 1830, as a missionary blacksmith among the Western Indians.
MRS. LOIS S. JOHNSON, daughter of John and Judith Hoyt,-the latter a member of this Church-went, about 1831, as a missionary to the Sandwich Islands.
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BALLAD
WRITTEN FOR THE CENTENNIAL.
A hundred years have rolled along Their circling seasons, day by day, Since first, on yonder hill-top, drear, Our fathers met to praise and pray.
An humble church, log-built and small, With naked rafter, cleated door, Windows unglazed, and, thickly strewn, Rough seats upon a rougher floor.
A single pine tree, left untouched By woodman's ax and woodland fire, With tow'ring height and ceaseless song, Answered for organ and for spire.
With angles fill'd with forest gloom, Deep as the falling shades of even, The place was still, like one of old - "The House of God, the Gate of Heaven."
And thither, when the week of toil Was clos'd, they gathered, old and young; Listened to sermon, joined in prayer, And glad the deaconed hymn they sung,
And thither too, as years wore on, With reverent step and saddened eye, They brought their sacred dead to rest Where now, unmarked, their ashes lic.
But though to "formless ruin" gone - These early fathers, strong and just -
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Their God, who notes the sparrow's fall, Watches and guards their hallowed dust.
But larger crowds nced larger room, And, sheltered by the oak-crown'd hill, A broader, higher temple rose ; Though rude, unfinished, cheerless, still
Social distinction, oft ignored, Here ministered to man's weak pride ; Seats for the poor the centre fill'd, The rich built pews on either side;
Whose hinged seats, in prayer-time raised To give the people standing room, Fell with a crash when prayer was clos'd, As if t'applaud the service done.
Those quaint, square pews-to every child A sort of holy fairy-land, Where elf-folk stole from shadowy nooks And danced the night through, hand in hand.
And fortunate the restless boy Who, in his Sunday garb array'd, Could telegraph to neighboring boy Across the open balustrade.
And happier yet the roguish wight Who sat a loosen'd pillar near, And sly the creaking plaything turned ; His ready laughter check'd by fear -
For yonder stood the tithing-man With staff upraised, and stern-set eye ; And well he knew the darksome vault That waited for the naughty boy.
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While from the gallery's dizzy height The older youths look'd meckly down, And " felt or feigned " a wholesome fear, Awed by the same portentious frown.
No cushioned pulpit tower'd in air, For priest in sacred vestments clad ; A " table round," an antique chair, For years was all the desk they had.
And, duly as the Sabbath came, Upon a platform, rude but large, The pastor preach'd God's holy truth To the dear people of his charge.
No bigot he; but, mild and just, He hated controversial strife ;
And teaching love to God and man, Enforced his precepts by his life.
But richer grown, in later years, The town, to do the handsome thing, Once passed a " vote unanimous" "To build a pulpit in the Spring."
And soon the pond'rous structure rose, (Its height impress'd the childish mind) An architectural nondescript, Turret and mortar-shape combined.
Whate'er of symmetry, or grace, Or furnishing the thing might lack, l'o make it grand beyond compare, A patch of plaster graced its back.
And since the house was else embrown'd, And spider-webs its rafters furl'd,
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This glistening strip of virgin white " Shone like good deed in naughty world."
Small share of luxury or state Enjoy'd our sires in those old days ; Railroad and stage-coach all unknown, None own'd a wagon, gig or chaise.
But when the sultry Summer's sun Made useless Winter's cumbrous car, (A sled, by panting cattle drawn,) The horse to church' the household bore.
The husband in the saddle placed, The wife on pillion proudly reared ; One arm was round her infant thrown, The other tightly clasped her lord.
Faith in the supernatural, Which named old Salem's "Gallow's Hill ; " Though banished thence by civil law, Ran riot in the country still.
And to its life's too stagnant stream Ripples of fear and fun supplied ; 'The old still talk'd of witch's power, The younger, charms and projects tried ..
Shades of our fathers ! oh, forgive The pitying smile, the seeming sneer With which we name your weaker deeds,. Your frugal habits, customs queer.
And know that deep within our hearts, And not unconsciously, is hid 'True veneration for your worth,-' Praise for the noble acts you did.
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You smoothed for us the rugged way, With the stern courage virtue yields ; Wrested from forest and from rock, The smiling verdure of our fields.
You planted schools around the church; You raised the dam beside the mill; Built bridges, and the broad highways you wrought, Your children travel still.
And when the infant nation's strength Was crippled by a tyrant's sway, Your voices swell'd the rallying cry - Your arms help'd win the well-fought day ..
And if in fairer temples now We serve the God our fathers feared ; - If prouder halls of learning risc, And richer plenty crowns our board,-
"l'is but the fruitage and the bloom Of seed you sowed in those far years ; And as our hearts review the past, We thank you here 'mid smiles and tears ..
Nor would our lips or hearts forget The meed of gratitude to pay To those whose largess swells the list Of gifts we proudly name to day.
'The rich-voic'd bell's sonorous clang, The organ's sweeter, softer tones, These church walls, rising fresh and fair, Attest how generous are your sons.
"T'is natural, perhaps, that men Should bless the place that gave them birth ;
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But she must be a matron rare
Whose Foster-sons declare her worth.
And schools endowed for future years, And gifts that grace religion's fame, Show Warner how adopted sons, In more than words, revere her name.
May the Good Hand that led our sires . In safety through life's toilsome day ¿Guard us, their children, wheresoe'er Cur varying paths may stray.
Keep us from enmity and strife ; Save from detraction's with'ring pow'r;
Guide us in Honor's way and Truth's; Protect us in temptation's hour.
Save from the skeptic's blasting doubt, And keep from passion's baleful fires ; God bless our native town,
And make her children worthy of their sires.
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POEM WRITTEN FOR THE OCCASION.
BY ALFRED W. SARGENT.
At the first dawn of the past century, Within our town were met a little band Who loved and sought the Lord. Like us in vigor and like us in prime, In soul akin to the brave Pilgrim band Who from the grasp of persecution, o'er The trackless main fled darkling, while o'er sail And shroud, stern Winter's hand congealed full oft A glittering canopy.
In numbers few ; in courage, hope and faith Alike united ; they together met, Thus by the Spirit influenced to plant This little branch of the far-spreading vine. And as the few who stood an age before On Plymouth Rock, their heartfelt praises sung ; Or in the forest knelt, 'mid Winter's snow,
"Neath giant boughs outspread, their tribute poured, Of grateful thanks and faith-begotten prayer, Forth to the Mightiest. Thus, an age agone,
Our fathers met in place scarce tenable, While Nature slept,-hill, forest, vale and stream By cold embrace of icy Winter bound - In a rude hut of forest trunks upreared, They first assembled, there to worship God. No glowing embers burned within the place, Nor cheerful warmth was there, save of the soul Uplift in contemplation elevate Of God, creation, sin and providence, And matchless grace to save rebellious man.
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"Iwas thus they met in christian fellowship, By love fraternal each to other bound; Together off'ring love and prayer and praise, Their early and accepted sacrifice. For God looked down, e'en from the glorious throne Of Triune Deity, the faithful few Regarding, and to bless in love divine; And by his Spirit came and filled the place. Since then a hundred years have passed away, Eventful years, whose varied scenes are traced, Of good and ill, on the historic page. Nations have risen in strength and majesty ; Armies have met in hostile strife arrayed, For power contending; earth has reeked with blood ; Empires and realms have crumbled and decayed; But still God's church and providence endure. One hundred years, a living witness each Of God's good providence, extend c'en from The present, down the circling age unto The hoary past. They rise before us now, And throng around, a cloud of witnesses. List to their voice omnipotent divine : Of God they speak, time and eternity, Of carthly strifc, but endless peace in heaven. And as their last fleet moments glide away,
Twere sweet to feel their parting inspiration. Thus we meet; we who full oft within these Hallowed walls assembling, seek our fathers' Covenant God.
And others meet; with cordial hand outstretched, We bid you welcome to our hearts and homes And blest communion ; soon with you to sit At Christ's own table, and with you partake The sacred elements, remembering thus A Savior's dying love. For us he died ;
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For him, so let us live, by faith entire, Implicit in his word and power, henceforth Contending for the endless prize of full Salvation, that when ages past, to their Embrace the coming age receive; upon Whose threshold dim we faintly stand and strive In vain, though longing oft to pierce its dark Uncertain vista; then accepted, blest In the Beloved, with him to sit down, With prophets, kings, apostles, martyrs, saints, In God's high Paradise before the throne, Or on the shores of the empyreal stream, O'ershaded by the tree of life, adorned With golden fruits divine, and healing leaves, And clust'ring flowers of amaranth, intwined By angel hands, to bloom celestial fair, Their grace reflecting of the crystal stream, While heavenly zephyrs purest fragrance waft Through all the New Jerusalem, may we, Through heaven's centennials evermore sit down Unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.
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