USA > New Hampshire > Hillsborough County > Mason > History of the town of Mason, N. H. from the first grant in 1749, to the year 1858 > Part 32
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Another instance of the readiness with which he saw, and appreciated the importance of new movements, first brought forward by others, has already been stated on page 42, in regard to the introduction of a new system of sabbath school instruction.
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In the sermon there referred to, he directed the attention of his people to the importance of the carly education of children, in matters of religion, and in the knowledge of the scriptures, and urged them to new and more persevering efforts in that direction; and from that time, so long as he was able to take any part in this portion of christian duty, he devoted a large share of his time, to the sabbath schools ; and he left among his papers, at his deccase, manuscript ques- tions carefully prepared by him for his own use, as a sabbath school teacher, embracing the whole circle of sabbath school instruction, usually undertaken in his parish. His last efforts as a religious teacher, were bestowed upon the children of his parish.
This summary of his life and character cannot be better concluded, than with the closing sentences of a notice of him, published soon after his death, in The Congregationalist. " In his later years especially, he was accustomed to spend several hours each day, in reading the Bible and in communion with his Savior. His humility was manifest, and also his love of the sanctuary. To him " Christ was all," and self was mor- tified and forgotten. His regard for his church was over the same, he cherished for it an undeviating affection. Between him and his colleagues, there was perfect harmony. Hc never gave them the least trouble. The ruling purpose of his mind showed itself, amid all his infirmities. Often when he was unable to preserve the sequence of his thoughts on ordinary subjects, and when he scarcely knew whether it was morning or evening, he would offer prayer in a perfectly coherent manner, as if his family were gathered around him. The christian graces all seemed to be ripe in him, years before his exit, and he "came to his grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season."
" Soldier of Christ well done, Praise be thy new employ, And while eternal ages run, Rest in thy Savior's joy."
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A SERMON,
PREACHED IN THE OLD MEETING HOUSE, IN MASON, NOVEM- BER, 1837,
ON THE OCCASION OF THE REMOVAL BY THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY, OF THEIR PLACE OF WORSHIP, TO THE NEW MEETING HOUSE,
BY THE REV. EBENEZER HILL.
DEUT. XXXII. 7.
Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations.
WHEN Moses had conducted the children of Israel, God's chosen people from Egypt, through the great and terrible wilderness to the very borders of Canaan, and was informed that the time was just arrived, that he should leave them and be gathered to the great congregation of the dead, by divine direction he gathered the people together, and rehearsed in their ears the great things God had done for them, and put them in mind of their many provoking sins and acts of rebellion, and of the many judgments God brought on them and their fathers for their sins and provocations, and also, the great mercy of God in sparing them. And when he had written the history of the law to be deposited in the sacred ark, by the same divine command, he was led to compose a hymn or song, comprehending the important facts in their past history, likewise containing many predictions of future events. This was designed for them to commit to memory, and to be often rehearsed and sung, that so they might never forget them. Here we see how important it is, in the sight of God, that men should retain the knowledge of his mighty acts, and remember his mercies and his judgments. He
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knew their liability to forget even the most remarkable and solemn scenes and events, and provided a help against this sinful infirmity, by having such facts as would excite the young to enquire about them, and keep the recollection of them ever fresh in their own memory, embodied in a popular, familiar song. This was the most effectual way of diffusing the knowledge, and preserving the memory of remarkable and solemn events which could be before the art of printing was discovered, and consequently when books would be scarce.
This is the only way in which unlettered nations can, or do preserve, any fragments of their history ; even by embody- ing them in their songs, and thus handing them down from generation to generation. God not only took care thus to preserve the history of his church and his dealings with his people and their enemies, but also in the very same way incul- cated the duty of charging the memory with these truths, and meditating on them much. Hence, whenever they repeated this song, they would of course repeat the command to " Remem- ber the days of old, and consider the years of many genera- tions." They are cautioned, that it is not enough for them to admit the facts related by their fathers, and treasure them up in their memory, but it is requisite, that they frequently call them up and cause them to pass before their minds, and make them subjects of deep thoughtfulness and meditation. From the words following the text, it is manifestly a duty to enquire after and seek to obtain knowledge of what God has wrought in ancient times and in later days. It is added to the text, " Ask thy Father and he will shew thee, your Elders and they will tell thee." It is a solemn and important duty of us all, to make ourselves acquainted with the history of the days of old, as far as we can, aud that we frequently revolve in our minds the events of past generations. This was certainly the case with the children of Israel, and we should remember that God addresses us in the same language that he did them. " Remember the days of old, consider the years of many gen- erations :" and ignorance or forgetfulness in us of the most
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wonderful and remarkable events of very ancient or of more modern times, would be very inexcusable. For we have the bible, which will carry back the mind to the very beginning of time, and we have richly the means of obtaining knowl- edge of civil and ecclesiastical history, in this day and land of books and general education. This is required as a duty, not only in the text, but in many other places, in plain and positive language ; and it is designed and calculated, as all other duties are, to promote our spiritual and moral edifica- tion, and comfort.
In further pursuing the subject, I shall call your attention,
1st. To some things we may see as included in the requi- sition, "Remember the days of old."
2d. To some of the advantages, which may result from the due remembrance and the contemplation of the days of old, and the years of many generations.
I. The remembrance of the days of old; things to be remembered and studied. Here I can name but few, and dwell upon none of them, as their importance requires. The things to be remembered and studied I name as included :
1st. The whole history of redemption, from the first inti- mation of mercy to fallen man, down to the full completion of the great work of redemption, by the actual sufferings of the divine Redeemer, and ascension of the Son of God.
Whatever other events may be correctly related, constantly remembered and carefully studied, if this be not in some measure remembered, and do not engage our solemn con- sideration, we shall only have the more splendid way down to eternal death. It would have been better for us, never to have had an existence, nor to have known what great things God has wrought for sinners, than for us to disregard the divine command, in this respect.
2d. Among the things included in the days of old, and to be remembered, we may see as included, the constant and unchangeable care which Christ has ever taken of his church, and the protection he has afforded to individual saints, and
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the wonderful deliverances he has effected for them, in sea- sons of the greatest perils and sufferings. Often has the church been brought low, exceedingly low, and the enemies have thought that they had prevailed, but the Lord has brought deliverance, and given the triumph to his distressed people. And we should remember the instances of his faith- fulness with individuals, when he has borne with them, and carried them through severest trials ; though they have passed through the water, it has not overflowed them, and though they have passed through the fire, it has not consumed them.
Wonderful indeed have been many instances, where God has wrought for his saints, when all other hope was gone, and these are recorded that we may remember and meditate on them.
3d. Again, the many instances wherein God has brought sore judgments upon his church and people, and individual saints, for their sins, are to be remembered by us. They are recorded, that we may know them well, and be admonished ; for examples, we have the histories of David, Hezekiah, and others.
4th. Again, the things to be remembered of old, are the remarkable judgments God has brought upon his enemies, and the enemies of his people ; such, for instance, as upon Egypt, Pharaoh and his host, and upon Babylon. We may also, especially on this day, view as included among the things of old to be studied, the events of divine Providence in which we are directly or individually concerned, such as :
1st. The preparation of our forefathers to leave their native land, their pleasant dwellings and possessions, in order that they might have the gospel in its purity, and worship God according to the dictates of their consciences, and especially, in preparing an asylum for them in this land, so shortly before unknown to the old world. Here God planted his choice vine, and caused it to take root and bear fruit, once glorious fruit, however since degenerated. The kind- ness of the Lord to our forefathers, the deliverances he
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wrought for them. when foes rose up against them, and the blessings he bestowed upon all their labors, until a little one had become a great nation ; these are all of them, things of old, which are to be remembered, and which ought to be studied, until our hearts are filled with gratitude and praise.
2d. There are many things in the history of our own life, though it be short, and in the events which have led on to the circumstances in which we are placed this day. Our child- hood and youth, our manhood and age, have not passed away, without many dispensations of Providence, which call for our continued remembrance, with deep feelings of gratitude, holy joy, and lively praise. The history of this town and of this church, with all the train of events, which have led to the circumstances in which we are placed this day, contains many things, which call for our lasting remembrance, and solemn meditation. In them, we may trace the leading's of divine Providence, and though on a smaller scale. yet more remark- able, because so much nearer to us.
II. I proceed to invite your attention to some of the advantages resulting from the continued remembrance, and due consideration of past events. And it is believed to be capable of proof, that historical facts, especially those which are contained in the bible and the late history of the church, teach us most conclusive lessons of wisdom, and the most solemn, remarkable, alarming, and profitable truths. If we remember and consider well, the whole history of redemp- tion, we shall learn that there is, and can be but one possible way of escape for sinners, from the just, though tremendous wrath of God. The dispensations of God against the wicked, as well as his faithfulness and truth to those who fear his name and believe his promises, occur on every page. The first hope that sinful man could ever indulge, was grounded on the promises to the woman's seed; the display of divine anger against stubborn sinners, in the days of old, is sufficient to make those fear, who are not in the way in which sinners may come into the favor of God. O! what
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proofs does the history of the world give of the prevalence of sin, and of its hatefulness to a holy God. If we look through the days of old, to the very morning of time, we see death reigning over all, in that all have sinned, for the wages of sin is death. In every view we take of the days of old, we see the evil of sin, and the dreadful consequences of apostasy from God. The whole history of redemption con- tained in the bible, when it is seriously contemplated, goes to teach the wicked world, that vain is the effort to prevail against, and overturn the church of God. How has God swept away whole and mighty nations, when they have risen up against his little flock ! How solemn a call is this on sinners, to accept his merey! We may learn some of the special benefits of remembering the days of old, and of acquaintance with ancient times, from many cases related in the bible ; and the special benefit to be obtained thereby, is to be seen. Thus, is the church in a low, depressed, or oppressed state; are christians borne down with troubles, discouraged, and ready to faint; let them remember the days of old, &c., and they will find facts, which may strengthen their faith, and encourage their hope. Thus it was with the Psalmist, as related in the seventy-seventh Psalm. He had a season of darkness and sore trial, and was almost ready to despair of the merey of God; but when he remembered the days of old, the years of ancient times, when he called to mind his song in the night, and on his having made diligent search, he was led to ask, will the Lord cast off forever ? Can such a thing be ? Will he be favorable no more ? Is his mercy clean gone forever ? Do his promises fail ? Hath God forgotten to be gracious ? Such desponding, unbelieving thoughts had troubled him. But how did he check himself, and recover a tranquil state; yea, a state of holy joy, by calling to mind what God had done of old. His language is, "I said this in my infirmity," and instead of yielding to such despondency, he said, "I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High, I will remember the works of the
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Lord, I will remember the wonders of old;" and we find him soon speaking the language of praise. This is the benefit that the people of God may derive, from remembering the days of old, when they are by any means brought low. Here they may take courage.
Again, when Moses would keep the people low in their own minds, and grateful to God for all his wonders of mercy and favors, he called upon them to "remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and a stretched out arm." If we would call to mind past events, and even go no further back than our own experience, we should remember our once totally ruined state, our state of slavery in sin, and how we owe all to divine mercy, if we are not now in worse than Egyptian bondage. If any thing in the world can humble us and hide pride from us, this would do it. And this is the great good received. And when he would bring them to deep repentance and continued humility, he charged them "remem- ber and forget not, how ye provoked the Lord your God to wrath in the wilderness, from the day when ye departed out of the land of Egypt, until ye came into this place ye have been rebellious until this day." And when he would inspire them with courage to face their enemies and attempt arduous duties to which they thought themselves not able, he thus called upon them, " Thou shalt remember what the Lord did unto Pharaoh and unto all Egypt."
Such benefits may result to us from proper meditation, on the years of many generations gone by. And the more we acquaint ourselves with the history of this nation and the Church of Christ contained in it. And the more frequently we call to mind, and the more closely we meditate on the dealings of God; the more we shall find to humble us and bring us to repentance, to incite in us gratitude and a desire to make returns for unmerited kindness. And to these mar- velous events we have not time to advert. Many circumstan- ces conspire to call our attention to know what to some would
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be things of many generations, things transacted long before their birth, and to some few, although they are things in which they had a personal share, they would seem of ancient times long since done. But entering immediately on the subject, I will call our attention to a few inferences ; I shall barely name them and then leave them for our own reflections. The Old Testament, much despised by many, would be of exceeding value for the edification of all, and for the strengthening of their faith; not only is it very essential to their salvation, as well as the New Testament, but to their establishment in the hope of the gospel. Here only have we the history of the dealings of God with man and with his church for about four thousand years.
2d. We see the value of his preached word.
3d. Acquaintance with the history of God's dealing with the church and the world, with the history of former times, is of importance, as affording subjects for profitable medita- tion, at all times, to the exclusion of vain, foolish and impure thoughts.
This day is an epoch in the history of this town and church. This day, we leave this house, where we, and our fathers have worshiped for many years, and we may receive it as the voice of God to us. "Remember the days of old." Let us now together meditate on the events occurring in the days of our fathers, and trace them down to the present day, and we shall see much to humble us, and to shew us the many, and wonderful kindnesses of our God. I begin with some in the civil history of the town, such as I have been able to collect. The time of the first inhabitants moving into this town, was in the year 1752, and it was called township No. 1; and the first white child born in the town, would be, if living, more than eighty years of age. The first settlers in the town were many of them poor, and the settlement did not proceed so rapidly as in some other towns, nor was it until the year 1768, that an incorporation was sought and obtained. In that year, the inhabitants were incorporated a
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body politic, and the place named Mason. This was in August ; and in November following, when the first tax was levied. there were but seventy-six rated polls or persons, liable to be taxed. The original proprietors erected a meet- ing house, just by where this stands, for the inhabitants, before the town was incorporated; that is, they set up a frame, covered and enclosed it, but it never was finished. There it stood a shell until 1790. And in that your fathers, and some now living, worshiped, and even in the winter. In that house, I commenced my ministry in this place. Then, there was not a riding carriage in the town, and in the winter, whole families would come to meeting on a sled drawn by oxen, and the ladies were not ashamed to be seen in their plain, decent, warm, comfortable, homemade clothing. Were those times more unfavorable, or on the whole more uncom- fortable, than the present, judge ye.
At length the town as a corporate body, agreed to build a house for the worship of God, but were not agreed as to its location. This was submitted to a committee of disinter- ested persons, and they unhappily selected this spot. I say unhappily, for had it been located where it should have been, it might have well continued many years longer as the place of our solemnities, and with small expense be made comfortable. When our fathers entered upon the work of building this house, it was with many discouragements and fears. They felt poor, and weak handed for such an undertaking; but God smiled upon them, and succored them far beyond their fears. They felt it to be a heavy burden, but they undertook it with cheerfulness, and were enabled to sustain it. And forty seven years ago this present month, the house was so far finished, that the ceremonies of my ordination were performed in it, which were the first public religious exercises in this house. It was soon after solemnly dedicated unto Almighty God, as a place for his worship, and through the rich goodness and mercy of God, very few sabbaths have passed from that time to the present, when the house has not been occupied by some
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as a place of worship. And since that time the Lord has blessed his people, agrecably to his promises to his chosen people of old. He has increased their number and increased their wealth, proving that none are poorer for what they spend for God. In the year 1790, when this house was built, there were but about one hundred and ten dwelling houses in the town, poor and good, and now there are more than two hundred and ten, and our eyes are permitted to behold a new house completed, to be dedicated to God for the use of this church and the congregation worshiping with them. Surely we have cause this day to set up our Ebenezer, and say, hith- erto hath the Lord helped us, and to give thanks at the remembrance of his merciful kindness, when we remember the days of old, and consider and think upon our present state as a society, for when we go out of this house we are not left houseless.
I will now add something relative to the changes that have taken place in the town, to be remembered among the things of the days of old. There is but one dwelling house and two barns now standing in all that can be considered as contained in this centre village, which were standing when I first came to this town, and but one building of any kind in all the west vil- lage, and there had never then been a resident physician, nor other professional man, except the short time Mr. Searle was the minister. Supposing five persons to a dwelling house, there would not at that time have been more than five hun- dred and fifty inhabitants, but they did probably some exceed six hundred. We have enjoyed at least a comfortable share of health with other places, and there have been many instan- ces of longevity. But some years have been distinguished by great mortality. In the years 1818 and 1819, we were visit- ed with that dreadful scourge angina maligna or throat dis- temper, and it swept away many of the children. In the year 1818 was the greatest number of deaths that ever were in the town in one year; there were thirty four; of these twenty two were children under fourteen years of age, and of these
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twelve died of throat distemper. In 1819, there were thirty one deaths, and of these eighteen were under fourteen years of age, and twelve of them were removed by the same malig- nant distemper.
In the space of forty-seven years, there have been removed from this place to the narrow house prepared for all the living, somewhat rising eight hundred. What a large congre- gation ! How often have all the now living, been warned to prepare for death and the judgment.
But it is time to call to mind the years of many genera- tions, respecting the church in this place. Previous to my acquaintance with this church, it had been in a state of per- plexity and trouble, for most of the time of its existence as a church. Among the earliest settlers in the town, were some professors, but no church was constituted until 1772, four years after the town was incorporated. When the church was embodied, it was stated to be a Calrinistic church, and the articles of faith to agree essentially, with the West- minster confession of faith. At this time Rev. Jonathan Searle was ordained, and constituted the pastor of this church. Shortly after, unhappy difficulties arose between the pastor and the flock, which caused his dismissal, nine years after his settlement. Soon after, or from the time of this event, he ceased to preach. He was appointed a civil magis- trate, officiated in that capacity, and remained in the town until his death. During the nine years of his ministry, fourteen were admitted by profession, and nine by letter, and eleven owned the covenant, so called, according to the practice of most of the churches in N. England, in those days. After that period, until the time of my ordination, I find record of admission of one member only. There was a long time of deathlike sleep in the church, until about the year 1785, when it pleased God to pour out his spirit, and cause a great revival of religion in his people, and of his work in converting sinners, in New Ipswich, under the ministry of the venerable Mr. Farrar, and soon it extended, in some measure, to this and other
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