USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > Discourses comprising a history of the First Congregational Church in Providence; delivered June 19, 1836, after the close of a century from the formation of the church > Part 4
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" Here to the High and Holy One, Our fathers early reared A house of prayer, a lowly one- Yet long to them endeared By hours of sweet communion Held with their covenant God, As oft, in sacred union, His hallowed courts they trod.
Gone are the pious multitudes, That here kept holy time, In other courts assembled now For worship more sublime. Their children, we are waiting In meekness, Lord, thy call ; Thy love still celebrating, Our hope, our trust, our ALL."
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
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NOTE A-p. S. Roger Williams.
Not only was Roger Williams a Congregationalist before he came here, but he came from the bosom and the vicinity of a church most remarkable, and as many would say now, most extravagant, in its adherence to Congregational principles, and in carrying them out to their full extent. It is a memorable fact, that the four first ministers of the first church in Salem, viz : Francis Higginson, Samuel Skelt- on, Roger Williams and, Hugh Peters, were invested with the pasto- ral office by laymen from the midst of the congregation. And this principle was long persevered in by the church and guarded most jeal- ously, the ministers and messengers of other churches not being al- lowed to take part in the services of ordination, and being present, if at all, only as spectators. It was to such facts that we referred, in saying that the early churches were more strictly and consistent- ly congregational, than many which have followed them.
So suspicious was Roger Williams of every movement that appear- ed to threaten in the least the entire independence of his own and ev- ery separate church, that he opposed strenuously the formation even of the Pastoral Association ; and the fears that many expressed in re- gard to that Association, though groundless fears, show their peculiar priciples and the character of their churches .- See Upham's Second Century Lecture, Salem, 1829.
NOTE B-p. 8. First Baptist Church, Providence.
Mr. Benedict thus speaks of the First Baptist Church in Provi- dence :-
" This church has experienced some changes as to its doctrinal
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sentiments; it was, as we have seen, first founded on the Particular or Calvinistic plan ; in process of time they became what our En- glish brethren would call General Baptists, and so continued, for the most part, more than a hundred years. From the commencement of Dr. Manning's ministry, they have been verging back to their first principles, and now very little of the Arminian leaven is found among them. From first to last the Bible, without comment, has been their Con- fession of Faith."-( History of the Baptists, I. p. 486.)
NOTE C-p. 9. Rhode-Island Religionists.
SEEKERS, was the name, as is well known, that was taken by Rog- er Williams and those who withdrew with him from the Baptists .- He then doubted the existence of any true church on earth. His first connexion with the Baptist church has been differently viewed. It is questioned by Callender and other writers, whether he ever be- longed to that church properly, or was ever its regular pastor. That he was actively concerned in its formation, and regarded virtually as its pastor for some time, there can be no doubt. But there is enough of uncertainty in regard to his actual opinions and those of the other settlers of Rhode-Island, to make us willing to smile at the manner in which Cotton Mather speaks of the religious character of this State, in 1695.
"I cannot learn that the first planters of this Colony were agreed in any one principle so much as this, that they were to give one another no disturbance in the exercise of religion ; and though they have some- times had some difference among them, as to the exercise of that principle also, I believe there never was held such a variety of relig . ions together on so small a spot of ground, as have been in that colony. It has been a Colluvies of Antinomians, Familists, Anabap tists, Antisabbatarians, Arminians, Socinians, Quakers, Ranters, ev- ery thing in the world but Roman Catholics and real Christians ; though of the latter, I hope, there have been more than the former, among them ; so that if a man had lost his religion, he might find it at this gen- eral muster of opinionists."-(Mather's Magnalia, b. VII. ch. 3.)
NOTE D-p. 9. Religious Liberty.
There can be no question, that Roger Williams and the govern- ment which he established, deserve all the praise that has ever been
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awarded them, for their early promulgation, and fearless, consistent vindication of the principle of Religious Liberty. We say consistent, notwithstanding the alleged exception excluding the Roman Catholics from this Liberty. That amounts to very little. It is admitted, and regretted, that a clause to that effect did appear, at a late day, in the revised statutes, though little now is known of it except its nullity .- It is certain it never was acted upon, so that the great principle it- self remains inviolate. And it must ever stand alike to the honor of one province, and to the disgrace of the others, that when, in 1686, the colonies of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Hartford and New Haven, attempted to force their sanguinary and savage laws against the Qua- kers upon Rhode-Island, calling upon the General Assembly to unite in a persecution of that sect, and enforcing their call by a threat of cutting them off; if they refused, from all commercial intercourse, this colony, unmoved even by the fear of a measure from which they must greatly have suffered, made the noble reply-" We shall strict- ly adhere to the foundation principle, on which this colony was first settled ; to wit, that every man, who submits peaceably to civil government in this colony, shall worship God according to the dictates of his own con- science, without molestation."
Nor should it be forgotten, with what directness and beautiful sim- plicity, this principle was first expressed, in conclusion of the code of laws adopted by the first General Assembly, in 1647. "Otherwise than thus what is herein forbidden, all men may walk as their con- sciences persuade them, every one in the name of his God. And let the lambs of the Most High walk, in this colony, without molestation, in the name of Jehovah, their God, forever and ever."
Again, in the Preamble to the charter of 1663, there is this strong language, showing both liberty and restraint :- " That all and every person or persons may from time to time, and at all times hereafter, freely and fully have and enjoy his and their own judgments and con- sciences in matters of religious concernments, they behaving them- selves peaceably and quietly, and not using this liberty to licentious- ness and profaneness, nor to the civil injury nor outward disturbance of others."
After such declarations, which have never been rescinded or vio- lated, it is idle to bring up a clause which appeared only in later re- visions, which could not take effect in any way, there being no Catho- lics in the State, which was probably introduced merely to obtain favor with the mother country, or else to guard this very liberty of conscience against the infringement to which it would be exposed if Catholics should come in and get power, and which in fact has been a dead letter. But were all this otherwise, and at the very worst, it is wrong in the extreme to charge any inconsistency upon Roger Williams or his associates, for an act which did not exist till after
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their time, and against whose temper all that they said and did was totally opposed. Whatever else may be true or false of Rhode-Island, there is both merited justice and merited rebuke in what was early said of the people of this State. "They are much like their neigh- bors, only they have one vice less, and one virtue more than they ; for they never persecuted any, but have ever maintained a perfect liberty of conscience."
NOTE E-p. 12. Samuel Moody.
" Mr. Moody had many eccentricities in his conduct ; but he was eminent for piety, and was a remarkably useful minister of the Gos- pel. In his younger years he often preached beyond the limits of his own parish, and wherever he went, the people hung upon his lips .- In one of his excursions he went as far as PROVIDENCE, where his exer- tions were the means of laying the foundation of a church. Though a zealous friend to the revival of religion, which took place throughout the country a short time before his death, yet he gave no countenance to separations. His spirit was pacific. He was bold and resolute in the cause of Christ. Such was the sanctity of his character, that it impressed the irreligious with awe. To piety he united uncommon benevolence. While with importunate earnestness he pleaded the cause of the poor, he was very charitable himself. It was by his own choice, that he derived his support from a free contribution, rather than a fixed salary in the usual way. In one of his sermons he men- tions, that he had been supported twenty years in a way most pleas- ing to him, and had been under no necessity of spending one hour in a week in care for the world. Yet he was sometimes reduced almost to want, though his confidence in the kind providence of God never failed him."-Allen's Dic. p. 436.
NOTE F -- p. 12. Mr. Cotton's account of his Ordination.
"23 of October: 1728: Was the Day of My Solemn Ordination over a Church of Jesus Christ In Providence gathered into such a state the same Day: (N : B: This is the Third that ever was organ- ized or Embodyed in the Colony of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, and of the other two the Reverend Nathaniel Clap and John Adams are Pastors both of them being Att Newport.)
This Little Flock of ours Consisted at their first formal Constitu-
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tion of Nine Persons, Males ; (Exclusive of my self their Unworthy Pastor:) viz; Cornelius Salisbury : Nathaniel Blague : William Ran- dall : Joseph Bagley : Timothy Carpenter: Joseph Barstow : John Church: Thomas Pollok: And John Taylor : My Ordination was sol- emnized and Performed in the following most decent manner : Viz : My Eldest Brother John Cotton Began the meeting with Prayer: (I might have first said yt before we went to meeting the Reverend Baxter did in Cap: Abbot's Chamber open the Council by Prayer : thirteen Churches with yr Elders and Messengers being actually present, at which time The Reverend Baxter (being our Moderator) was unanimously Chosen to give me the Charge, and the Reverend White to give me the Right hand of Fellowship, and severall others to lay on hands, &c.) Then The Reverend Appleton preached from 6: Isaiah : 8: After Sermon was over, the Reverend Prince Embod- ied Our church ; we each of us Pastor and Church mutually renewing of our Call and Answer to and accepting of each Other : yn the Rev- erend Baxter (after yr appearing no one to bar our proceedings) gave me the Charge, And the Reverend White the Right hand of Fellowship: Those that imposed the hands of the Presbytery were The Reverend Baxter, Eclls, White, Prince, Cotton, And Appleton : The Reverend Eells concluded with prayer. (I might have said (in its place) that the Reverend Baxter did pray both before and after his charge to me.) Then I appointed the last part of the 118 Psalm to be sung and to itt I added the Gloria Patri extempore. And then we concluded all by my pronouncing the Divine Blessing : And all the Council resorted to the house and great chamber of Cap Daniel Abbott : Where they had prepared for them a very Sumptuous Din- ner, And I served the Tables, &c. A very large Concourse of per- sons yr were together on the occasion-for we sent to twenty- three Churches : viz : To the Seven United Churches in Boston, and to two In ys Colony, to one In Coneticnt, and to thirteen In the Mas- sachusetts Bay : eighteen of which were on the spot, assisting in the Ordination, With their Reverend Elders and Messengers, and of the Band-Men there were supposed to be near forty, Besides many Can- didates for the Ministry, &c. The like to which, as to Ministers and Churches for ye Numbers and possibly too for ye populace, this North America never saw : And oh That I may ever more keep itt in the Imaginations of the Thoughts of my heart The awfulness the weight and the Moment of this most Arduous Work In which I'm engaged ; and Particularly of the most solemn and tremendous charge that has now been laid upon me and I wishi to God that I may so preach Christ to others as not to prove a cast away myself but may save both you and me. Amen. JOSIAH COTTON!"
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NOTE G-p. 17. The Separates.
As this matter of the majority is always a vexed question, and aswe desire to be just, if we can, we give the precise words of the Record. "The separate brethren had before this pretended they were the major part of the Church, and in consequence of such a persuasion had assumed a power and authority, which Christ nor his Apostles never invested the Church with. They were so confident of their being the majority, that though their number did not exceed twelve, yet they promised and engaged that if it could be made to appear that the standing part were the greater number, they would acknowledge that they had done wrong and would return, and that what they had done should stand for nothing. Whereupon the Reverend Pastor proceeded to call over the names of the standing part of the church, which was found to be fourteen besides two that at that time missed being mentioned, and which would make the number sixteen. But notwithstanding their solemn engagement and promise, they neg- lected and refused to return."
"This was early in the year 1744; and those who thus withdrew and were suspended, were the following :- " Ten males, viz: Benja- min Cary, Dea. Joseph Snow, Thomas Knowlton, Alexander M'Ka- ry, Solomon Searle, Peter Tift, John Paine, Joseph Snow, Jr., Ebe- neezer Knight, and Berzil Richmond-with fifteen females, &c."
Some of these names may be wrongly spelt ; but in quoting a Rec- ord, it is best to quote it as it stands.
NOTE H-p. 17. Joseph Snow, Jr.
The only account we have seen of Mr. Snow's life or character, is that given by Mr. Benedict in his History of the Baptists, I. 488 .- " Mr. Snow was one of the zealous New Lights of Whitefield's time, was ordained at Providence in 1747, and was, in early life, a compan- ion in labors with Mr. Backus, and other successful itinerants of those times. He was a Pædobaptist in principle, but saw fit to administer baptism in any way his disciples chose ; and as the Providence peo- ple are much inclined to the ancient mode, a considerable number of them were immersed. Mr. Snow was well esteemed by the Baptists in Providence and elsewhere. His funeral sermon was preached by Dr. Gano, from 2d Tim. IV. 7, 8 :- " I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, &c."
Mr. Benedict speaks here of Mr. Snow as having been ordained in 1747. It was one of the peculiarities of those times and those trans-
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actions, that this ordination of Mr. Snow is understood to have re- sembled that by which the first ministers of Salem were inducted in- to office, i. e. it was performed chiefly, if not wholly, by laymen. Our records tell us, that this church earnestly protested against the ordi- nation, on the ground that Mr. Snow was under censure, had not been regularly dismissed, and had not been "an examined and ap- proved candidate for the ministry." This protest they addressed- "to Messrs. Deacon Marsh, Solomon Paine, Thomas Denison and Thomas Stevens, the assuming ordainers of the said Mr. Snow." No minister is here specified as on the council, though we have been in- formed there was at least one. The record thus closes. " But not- withstanding this remonstrance and protest, the pretended council proceeded to the ordination of said Snow."
Whether, in this particular act, Mr. Snow and his associates were wrong, it would require a greater knowledge of the circumstances than we possess, to determine. It shows his independence, though many may ascribe it to different characteristics and motives. We are no friends to hasty judgment, or any manner of ecclesiastical as- sumption or interference. The divine right of Kings, Bishops, Councils, Presbyters and Brethren, seems to us alike preposterous. and pernicious.
NOTE I-p. 24. From the Providence Gazette, October 30, 1762.
" Last Lord's Day morning, departed this Life, in the 64th year of" his age, the late Reverend Mr. John Bass, of this town-A gentleman, who in his public Performances was evangelical, learned, rational and accurate ; and in private life was sociable, beneficent, compas- sionate, instructive and exemplary. In his last sickness, which was- of long continuance, he submitted to the dealings of Divine Provi- dence, with the Patience and Resignation of a Christian, united to the calmness and fortitude of a Hero. His funeral obsequies were attended on Tuesday last by a numerous concourse of people."
NOTE K-p. 29. Installation of Rev. Enos Hitchcock.
" The parts were performed as follows :
The Rev. Mr. Howard, of Boston, began with prayer ; Rev. Dr. Cooper, of Boston, preached ;
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Rev. Mr. Townsend, of Barrington, gave the Charge ;
Rev. Mr. Hitchcock, of Pembroke, gave the right hand of Fellow- ship ;
Rev. Mr. Rodgerson, of Rehoboth, made the concluding prayer."
NOTE L-p. 30. Church censure taken off.
" At a meeting of the Church, July 13th, 1784; duly notified-
"The Pastor laid beforethe membersthe annual records of the church, respecting the suspension of " Mr. Joseph Snow and others" from the fellowship of the church. The members, impressed with a sense of the great importance of Christian charity, and desirous of preserving the unity of the body of Christ :
" Voted unanimously-That in consideration of the fair character and exemplary lives of said " Mr. Joseph Snow and others" named, the censure formerly passed upon them by the church, be, and here- by is, taken off; and he, with such of them as are now living, are re- stored to the full charity and communion and fellowship of this church.
" Voted also-That the church is ready and willing to receive into their christian charity and all good fellowship, the Church under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Snow, being desirous "above all things, to put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness." Col. 3, 14.
Voted also-That the Pastor be desired to furnish the Rev. Mr. Snow with a copy of the foregoing votes :- which was done accord- ingly."-Records of the Church.
NOTE M-p. 31. Ministerial Exchanges.
The allusion that I have made to this subject, may imply an opin- ion which I do not hold. I mean not to complain of the want of ex- changes between ministers of our own and other denominations. I wish indeed that ministers had the spirit of fellowship, as required by christian charity and equal fallibility. But I am not at all sure that exchanges would prove best practically, or that any of us would be gainers by them. It is far more important and desirable, that there be habits of intercourse and a spirit of co-operation, out of the pulpit. This is demanded, by the state of the community, and by the posture of infidelity. And those ministers and men who oppose and prevent it, take upon themselves a responsibility, enough to make any pro- testant, or christian, or fallible creature, tremble.
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NOTE N-p. 31. The Former House.
I acknowledge the favor of a beautiful Engraving of that ill-fated church, executed by William Hamlin, of this city and society. It confirms what we have said and heard of the house. Though of less costly and durable materials than the present, it was a little larger, and with its two towers must have made a more imposing appear- ance. In the Discourse which Dr. Hitchcock preached at its Dedica- tion, from Ps. cxxii. 1, 2, he intimates his own satisfaction and the general opinion in regard to the building, by cautioning his hearers, with his characteristic simplicity, not to let their principal pleasure in coming there, " be the gratification of the eye."
The destruction of this house was caused by an insane man, who, impelled probably by the double power of insanity and an old grudge against the Society, communicated fire to the house by perforating a column, and inserting a lighted candle. Yet this was called by some a judgment of heaven ! The new heresy of Unitarianism was just declaring itself, and this was a designed rebuke! Alas, since that time, or before, almost every denomination in the land has in- curred a similar judgment ! But it is too solemn a subject for trifling. Let Christians, of the 19th century, acknowledge the presence of God, and adore his power, and bless his goodness, with higher thoughts and better purposes, than are implied in these pitiful and wicked bickerings.
NOTE O-p. 37. Dr. Hitchcock's Doctrines.
The change to which I have alluded, and which was noticed in the last half of Dr. Hitchcock's ministry, related to the use of Trinitarian forms and phrases. He did not declare the change formally, but si- lently discontinued these peculiarities, especially the singing of the Doxology, and those threefold ascriptions at the close of his prayers, which are of human device, substituting for them scriptural forms.
. Since writing these Discourses, I have learned a fact which is in- structive on this point, as indicating the earlier bent of his mind .- While he was a chaplain, he was in habits of intercourse with anoth- er chaplain, who was quite "orthodox." This man used afterward to hint at Dr. Hitchcock's unsoundness in the faith, as he regarded it; and said that Dr. H. himself told him more than once, that he had examined one after another of those doctrines which are termed or- thodox, and which he with others had taken for granted, and set them aside ; so far at least as not to feel that confidence in them, or attach
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to them that importance which was common. Indeed it is doubtful praise, in any case, to say that he held those views, for he certainly did not preach them. And it would seem enough to settle this ques- tion, that out of eight or ten published discourses from him, there is not one, nor a page or line that we have seen, that is inconsistent with Unitarian preaching and believing.
We have presented these facts, not in eulogy or vindication of Dr. Hitchcock, for had he held the opposite opinions, we should have felt the same respect for his character and gratitude for his services. But it has been thought right, if not necessary, to settle this question, from the circumstance, that in this case as in almost all similar cases, it is sometimes alleged that the bequests which Dr. H. made to this church have been turned from their designed use, and are in fact il- legally, at least doubtfully, held by a Unitarian Society. In answer to all such allegations or suspicions or hopes or fears, we simply quote the language of the instrument, by which the legacy was orig- finally made.
Dr. Hitchcock's Will is dated Jan. 7, 1803; and begins thus :-
" Imprimis: Impressed with the importance of preserving religious Institutions, and the necessity of establishing Funds for the support of Religious Worship, I give to the Benevolent Congregational Society in Providence, Five shares in the Providence Bank, estimated at two thousand, five hundred dollars-the dividend, interest or income only arising therefrom, to be applied solely to the support of a learn- ed and pious minister of the CONGREGATIONAL ORDER: &c."-His other bequest was made in similar language. Congregational is the only condition annexed; unless the terms "learned and pious" be thought to involve a condition. And that, we suppose, must be left to the judgment of the Society who are to choose the pastor, not of other Societies, however orthodox, or other individuals, however as- suming.
NOTE P-p. 38. Ordination of Henry Edes.
July 17, 1805. The Council convened at the chapel of Brown Uni- versity, and after the usual proceedings, the exercises were assigned and performed as follows : Introductory Prayer, by Rev. William E. Channing, of Boston; Sermon by Dr. John Eliot, of Boston, from Luke x. 18; Ordaining Prayer by Rev. James Wilson, of Providence; Charge, by Dr. John Lathrop, of Boston ; Right Hand of Fellowship, by Dr. John T. Kirkland, of Boston; Concluding Prayer, by Rev. Th. Gray, of Roxbury. The other members of the Council, as Pastors, were the Rev. Pitt Clark, John Hill, John Piper, Samuel Watson, Henry Wight.
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NOTE Q-P. 39. Dr. Edes' Address, &c.
The laying of the corner-stone of the present House, May 29, 1815y was an event of peculiar interest, from the manner in which the for- mer House had been destroyed, and the promptness of spirit and generosity of plan with which this was begun. And there was another cause of peculiar interest. The destruction of the former House had been regarded by some as a judgment, as we intimated in another place. We do not suppose this was a general feeling, but it was thought sufficiently so by Dr. Edes, to call for an allusion at least. And every one must approve the manner in which he refers to it. We give parts of his Address, from the records, beginning with the subject of their recent loss.
-" We who were most nearly and deeply affected by this occur- rence, considered it ourselves, as it seems to have been viewed by others, as a judgment from heaven upon us-not sent perhaps on ac- count of our distinguished transgressions, the peculiar heresy of our doctrines, or the uncommonly wicked practices of our lives ; " not because we were sinners above all who dwelt in Jerusalem," but as a merited correction from our Divine Father, which we hope will be religiously improved by us, and ultimately made to work for our good, as we are assured all things will towards those who fear God, Bowing, as we trust, with christian resignation to this correcting stroke, and confessing the goodness as well as justice of God in its infliction, our desire and our intention now is to repair the breach he has made upon us-to rebuild our ruined walls, and from the ashes of our old, to cause to spring up a new edifice to the honor of his name; fervently praying, that bothi as respects the beauty and ele- gance of the building, and the zeal and piety of those who may here- after worship in it, the glory of the latter temple may be incompara- bly greater than that of the former. With our own, we hope the prayers of all catholic Christians, will ascend. At least, we should be extremely sorry to suppose, that there should be any so uncharit- able in their feelings and principles, so unfriendly to our interests as. a christian community, as not to wish us God speed. Towards our fellow-christians of every denomination, we have ever cherished sentiments of cordial esteem and good will. The rights of con- science, which we hold among the dearest, and which we are ready to defend at any risk, we have never been disposed to deny to others. Our affections have never been withheld, nor our fellowship refused to any, merely on account of a diversity in their forms or modes of worship, or a variance from our own in what we are led to consider speculative points in theology. We acknowledge all as Christians, who conscientiously profess, as we do, to love the Lord Jesus Christ
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in sincerity and truth ; and whether of our own particular commun- ion or not, we never have failed, and I trust never shall fail, to pray that " grace, mercy and peace may be multiplied unto them." We receive the Holy Scriptures as containing the revealed will of God, agreed and determined to construe their meaning for ourselves, and desiring to make them, and them only, the rule of our faith and our practice. We claim no infallibility of judgment in our peculiar con- struction of the doctrines they unfold, nor, on the other hand, do we shrink from the anathemas and reproaches which our openly avowed sense of their sacred contents may draw upon us. Our spiritual ed- ifice we profess to build upon that foundation which God has laid in Zion, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone, in whom we hope all the building, fitly framed together, will grow up into an Ho- ly Temple in the Lord."
The address, after laying the corner-stone, closes thus :
" To this spot, as in times past, may many soon again resort, to hear these glad tidings of great joy, which proclaim peace on earth and good will to men. Here may a new altar for spiritual worship be erected, and therefrom may pure and abundant incense of prayer and praise rise up in acceptance before the throne of God. Never, within these walls which we hope to see swiftly rise upon this foun- dation-never may the bloody or persecuting spirit of bigotry take up her residence or erect her standard. There may religious intoler- ance, gloomy fanaticism, ignorant and over-heated zeal, or pharasai- cal pride, never find a place ; but there may the angel of love descend, the heaven-born spirit of charity ever delight to live and dwell. To this spot, at no distant time, may many come to plume their wings for flight to happier worlds, and in the temple, about to be here erect- ed, may thousands, born and unborn, become prepared for a building of GOD, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
NOTE R-p. 41. Present Covenant of this Church.
" We, whose names are undersigned, do humbly and solemnly de- vote ourselves to the service of God, in Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit.
We profess our firm belief in the sacred scriptures, as containing the revealed will of God, and engage to take them for our sole and sufficient rule of faith and practice.
We do covenant and engage to and with each other, that in conse- quence of our relation to the visible kingdom of the Redeemer, signi- fied by our baptism, we will walk together as a Christian Society in
t 0 0
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the faith and order of the gospel-agreeably to the laudable practice of the Congregational Churches in New-England.
And we do farther engage that we will endeavor ourselves, and, so far as in our power, will strive to induce all under our care, to live in all good conscience towards God and man; professing our- selves to be in charity with those of every communion, who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and truth.
For the faithful performance of these engagements, we depend not on our own unaided strength, but on the assistance of the divine spir- it, which is promised to all who sincerely ask it.
We rely for the pardon of our sins, and our future and final salva- tion, on the mercy of God, as declared to us by Jesus Christ. And we besecch our Heavenly Father to strengthen us, and to enable us to keep this our covenant inviolate ; and, at last, to unite us to the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect."
This Covenant is signed, in the presence of the Pastor, by those who join the church, their names having been previously announced from the pulpit. Nothing is read or said to them in public, except in the case of their being unbaptised, when baptism is administered in the usual way previous to communion, in the presence of the con- gregation or of the church only, as they prefer, the former being the accustomed and almost universal mode. Communion is administer- ed at the close of the afternoon service, on the first Sabbath of every month. On the Saturday evening previous to each communion, the members of the church, both male and female, hold a meeting at some private house, for religious exercises and social intercourse, when a discourse is read and prayers offered by the brethren in ro- tation, the Pastor taking no part, and not being present unless per- fectly convenient to him. This is an old practice, recently revived, one in which all appear to take satisfaction, and one which is calcu- lated to exert good influences in many ways.
There are two standing rules of this Church, which may be pecu- liar to it. One-" That the Covenant be read, at least once every year, to the church ; the members standing up in token of their con- sent and renewal of it."-This is usually done the first Sabbath in May. The rule was adopted and the practice begun in 1783.
The other rule, adopted at the same time, is as follows :- "That the Pastor be directed, on sacrament days, before the assembly is dismissed, to invite all members of other churches, who are present, with- out any regard to their denomination, to sit down with us at the table of our common Lord and Saviour."-There is nothing peculiar in this practice itself, for we believe it is observed in all our churches at
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least. The peculiarity is, that it is here an early and standing rule of the church. They chose not to leave it to the discretion of the Pastor, and not to let it be his invitation alone, but to make it their own voice and their own direction.
NOTE S-p. 42. Installation of Edward B. Hall.
The present Pastor of this church, was installed the 14th of No- vember, 1832. Services of Installation were as follows: Introducto- ry Prayer by Rev. John P. B. Storer, of Walpole, Mass .; Sermon by Rev. Orville Dewey, of New-Bedford, from Ps. xl. 9, 10; Installa- tion Prayer by Rev. Francis Parkman, of Boston, Mass. ; Charge by Rev. Convers Francis, of Watertown, Mass .; Right Hand of Fellow- ship, by Rev. F. A. Farley, of Providence ; Address to the people, by Rev. Caleb Stetson, of Medford, Mass. ; Concluding Prayer, by Rev. S. J. May, of Brooklyn, Conn.
SUMMARY.
A table of prominent events and dates may be found convenient for reference.
This Society first met for worship, A. D. 1720
Erected first House for worship, 1723
Employed stated Preacher, Samuel Moody, 1724
Settled a Pastor, and embodied a Church, 1728
Divided, by the secession of Mr. Snow and others, 1743
Formed the " Benevolent Congregational Society," 1770
Engaged for one year an ordained minister, John Lathrop, 1775
Erected a second house of worship, [dedicated Aug. 16,] 1795
Lost that house by fire, [June 14th,] 1814
Erected a third, the present House, [dedicated, Oct. 31,] 1816
Helped to form a second Church, of its own faith,
1828
The Pastors have been,
JOSIAH COTTON, nineteen years, 1728 to 1747
JOHN BASS, six years,
1752 to 1758
DAVID S. ROWLAND, twelve years,
1762 to 1774
ENOS HITCHCOCK,
twenty years, 1783 to 1803
HENRY EDES, twenty-seven years, 1805 to 1832
EDWARD B. HALL,
1832
O BIEN
MAY 75
N. MANCHESTER, INDIANA
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