o > SP-T^. ^. : "% V5> < D- • • ' aV 1^^ ^^ <-^ o V ^- V; ^0-.^^ 4 o ^-'<.. ^'•^^^ U -^ ^K" ^ % ■■' / '°* :! < o ,V^^ I.. . . . '"o V^' ^^^\ ^^yiWS .j/% ^^**4^.* '^^'^ ^>^%^V ^ V V ^% °^' ^0 \r> *^ /. s" / o V TllK LAST S E R M N PREACHED IN THE ANXIENT .MEETING HuUSE OF THE FIRST PAKLSH L\ IPSWICH, FEBRUARY 22, 18 16. BY DAVID T. KIMBALL, PASTOR. / BOSTON: TEMPERANCE STANDARD PRESS, 4 CONGRESS SQUARE. DAMF.r, KIMBAI.L, PRINTER. 1S46. Rev. Mr. Kimball: Dear Sir, — In conformity to the expressed wish of many of yonr people, who are desirous to preserve an authentic account of the valuable statistics, commu- nicated in your able and eloquent discourse of yesterday, on taking leave of their old Meeting House, and in accordance with their own feelings, the Trus- tees of the Parish cordially and respectfully request you to furnish them with a copy for the press. With great respect and regard, I am your obedient servant, JOSIAH CALDWELL. Per order of the Trustees of the First Parish, Ipswich. Ipsu-ich, Feb. 23, 1846. Gentlemen: I cheerfully submit to your disposal a copy of the sermon, requested for publication, in the hope that it will tend to perpetuate the remembrance of our ancient and venerable house of worship, when we shall sleep with our fathers. With sentiments of strong affection to you and all whose wishes you repre- sent, I am your friend and Pastor, D. T. KIMBALL. JosiAH Caldwell, Esq., Abraham Hammatt, Esq., Col. Nathaniel Harris, Trustees of the First Parish in Ipswich. Feb. 25, 1846. f1^ S E 11 M X . "It is the last time."' — 1 Joint . 2: 18. While these words fall with great weight upon the ear, they awaken deep emotions in the soul. Were an angel from heaven to announce to us, It is the last time for you to look upon these heavens and this earth ; it is the last time for you to look on these familiar faces ; it is the last time for you to hold an interview with each other, hefore the earth and sea shall give up their dead, and you shall meet at the final judgment ; how solemnly would the sound strike our ears ; how deeply affect our hearts ! .Scarce- ly less solemn, scarcely less affecting is the thought, that this is the last time we shall enter this house for religious worship : this is the last time prayer will be offered, and praise sung in this sanctuary. This is the last time /shall speak, and ynii listen to in- struction under the shadow of these time-honored walls. In a few days this building, sacred and venerable as it is, will be converted to other purposes. Here, where for nearly a century our fathers and we have assembled from Sabbath to Sabbath to worship the King of kings, we shall never meet again. ' The solemn hour of parting has come. We must bid adieu to this sacred desk, to these seats below and above, hallowed in our eyes, and dear to our hearts. This crumbling edifice, erected and consecrated by our fathers' fathers to the service of religion, must give place to one more congenial to the taste of the present day. To me this house has attractions of peculiar interest and strength. Here, in the davs of mv vouth. surrounded bv many devoleJ iVieiidy. I coiiimcuced my ministerial life. The first day 1 spent here was communion Sabbath. Your then respected Pastor introduced me to this desk, and offi- ciated at tlie breaking of bread, tlie kist service he performed here. I was then a slender stripling, less than twenty-three years old ; but my sermons of that day, on ' What must I do to be saved?' and ' Behold, how good and how pleasant it it is for brethren to dv/ell together in unity ! ' with the bles- sing of God, united all hearts, and rendered this house the place of my subsequent labors. Here, by prayer and the imposition of hands, 1 was set apart to the pastoral office. Here, for more than a third of a century have I dispensed the words of eternal life. Here, my children received the sacred rite of baptism. Here, in company with your sons and daughters, have my own received religious instruction, and some of them entered into covenant with (xod. Here, in labors and prayers for the salvation of souls, J have spent the strength of my past days. In this sacred desk have 1 stood, dispensing divine truth, till the seats, the aisles, and the very timbers seem familiar friends. I have been so long accustomed to lift up my voice in prayer within these walls, that they seem identified with the prhiciples of my spiritual life. 1 love the very dust of this sanctuary, the ground and rock on which it stands. I love to call to mind the faces that were familiar to me in my youthful days, the fathers and mothers in Israel who then occupied these seats, and who, full of years and of wisdom, have descended to the tomb. With emotions of joy and delight I look back upon the thousands of >Sabbaths on which 1 have led the devo- tions of this house ; the sacramental rites I have here ad- ministered; the anthems of praise I have hearct; the revival seasons 1 have witnessed ; and the sons and daughters here trained for happiness on earth and glory in heaven. Here, by prayer 1 have cherished a love for souls which, 1 trust, will never die. The God whom \ have served, though with great imperfection, from my ^^outli, is a witness: the walls of this sacred edifice are a Avitness ; the aged friends of re- ligion now present are witnesses, that for the space of near- iy Ibrty yoars my }nayers have been olfered here lor your union and strengtli, for yonr spiritual growth and prosperity. The love, thus enkindled and fed in my bosom, nothing can extinguish, short of the dissolution of my spiritual existence. Time may roll its ages; this house maybe removed; the visible universe may pass away : but the love of souls, kindled at this altar; kindled here by prayer, will continue immortal as the soul itself. The present hour, in its solemnity, savors of eternity. It is ' pregnant with all eternity can give.' The number now present ; the stillness pervading the assembly ; the fixed eye ; the expressive countenance ; the whole appearance, indicates that the occasion is one of unusual interest. Rogers and Frisbie and the Christians they instructed here, and guided to the New Jerusalem, look down from their high and holy abode with intense desire to see in what state of mind we perform the duties, close the book, and terminate the services of this house to-day. The impression, the moral impression of these last services on this great assembly is interesting to those upon and around the throne of glory ; and it will be interesting to us, when the books shall be opened, and the last sentence shall be pronounced. Assembled as we are, my friends, to bid farewell to this venerable house, permit me to pour out my heart in connex- ion with such thoughts as the occasion naturally suggests. Having the text more or less in my eye. but sketching no })articular landmarks, I proceed to say in familiar terms, that we should take a respectful leave of this sanctuary, because it is an, old friend. It is older than was either of its predecessors ; almost as old as all of them put together. This is the fourth house, in which this religious Society has statedly worshipped God, since the year 1G31. when this church of visible believers was gathered. The first house, erected soon after the set- tlement of the town, stood on the south side of the river, near the spot where the ^^outh Church now stands. It was ' beautifully built, and atlbrded a good prospect to a great part of tlie town.' The second was on the north side of the river, and near the place where this house stands. ■ It was a handsome building, and completed and paid for on or before the year 167S.' The third occupied the same site this does, and was of the same length and height, and thirteen feet wider. It was built by Abraham Tilton, in 1099, It was then the only meeting house in this village. It contin- ued fifty years, during the latter part of the ministry of Rev- John Rogers, the former part of that of Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, and the entire ministry, in this place, of Rev. Jabez Fitch. The present edifice was built m 1749, two years after the erection of the first meeting house of the South Parish. A brief history of the house will naturally be expected, in pre- paring which I have had recourse to the parish records. The house was built twenty-seven years before the declara- tion of our national independence, v/hen warrants for Parish meetings ran in this style — ' You are required in his Mcijes- tifs name to notify and warn the freeholders and other in- habitants of the Parish to meet,' &c. At that time George First was king of England, and Louis Fourteenth was king of France. Rev. John Cleaveland was Pastor of the Second Church in Ipswich, noAv the chiu-ch in Essex ; Rev. Samuel Wigglesworth Pastor of the Third Church, now Hamilton ; Rev. John AValley Pastor of the South Church ; Rev. George Leslie Pastor of the Church in Linebrook ; and Rev. Jededi- ah Jewett Pastor of the First Church in Rowley. At a meeting of the First Parish in Ipswich, December 24, 1747, it was voted that Thomas Burnam and ten others be a Committee to take under consideration the affair of repairing the meeting house, or taking it down in order to rebuild, and thoroughly v.^eigh the matter, and make report at the adjourned meeting of December 29. The Committee then made a verbal report in favor of rebuilding, on which it was voted, that the old meeting house be taken down, and a new one rebuilt in the room thereof at some convenient time ; and a Committee was chosen to consider what may be the most prudent method to proceed in order to take down the old meeting house, and rebuild it again for the interest of the Parish. Tliis Committee made their report at a legal meetiiiiT, held January 5, 1.748, Avliicli report was put on file, hut not accepted. The qncstion was then put, Avhether the Parish would, at present, proceed to rehuild the meeting house, and it passed in the iieirative. At a meeting of November lo, 1748, it was voted, that the Parish will pro- ceed this present year to take down the old meeting house, and rebuild it again as soon as may be. Voted, that Will- iam Dodge and thirteen others be a Committee to consider what dimensions may be most suitable and accommodable lor the Parish to build again, and what timbers and other materials will be wanting for the present, and make report at the adjourned meeting of November 21. 1748. Tiie Com- mittee then reported, that, having maturely considered the matter, tliey were of the opinion that a house of sixty-three feet in length, and forty-seven in width, and about twenty- six in height, will be most suitable and accommodable for the Parish. Voted, that the new meeting house be erected and built in the same place where the old one now stands. A oted, that Maj. Rogers (f^amuel). Mr. Thomas Burnam, Mr. William Dodge, Capt. Trcadv\'ell, Dea. Haskell, Lieut. John Smith, Mr. John Treadwell, Mr. Thomas Dennis, Moses Kimball. Jr.. Mr. Francis Cogswell, Sergeant Daniel Potter, Mr. Daniel Heard, Jr., Jeremy Lord, Ensign Moses Wells, and Mr. Francis Sawyer, be a Committee, authorized, em- powered and directed at the cost and charge of the Parish, to take down the old meeting house and erect a new one in the same spot, improving as much of the timber and other materials belonging to the old house as may be beneficial, of the dimensions already stated, and finish the house com- pletely, as soon as may be. reserving the pew room for the use of the Parish, and to be at their disposal. Voted, that the house be glazed with eight by ten glass. At a subse- quent meeting, held January 19, 1749, it was Voted, that a suitable and convenient steeple be built with the house, and that the house be sixty-six feet in length, Avhicli is its actual length. At the same meeting, subscriptions, which had been made by many individuals to forward the worlc, were 8 presented by the building Committee, accepted by the Par- ish, and pnt on record. Tliese subscriptions were to be paid in mone}^ timber and oliier materials, and in labor, and that on condition that the Parish, as soon as may be, build and finish the house, place it where the old one stands, grant room in it for forty-eight pews, and grant to each of the subscribers a convenient spot on the floor to erect a pew, &c. The amount subscribed was £4,567 2s, old tenor. At a meeting held October 30, 1749, voted, that Maj. Rogers and fifteen others be a Committee for appraising and numbering the pews on the floor of the new meeting house, acccording to their value and situation, and rank them into distinct classes according to their appraisements together with the subscribers, having respect to their taxes and sub- scriptions, in order to their being granted accordingly. V^oted, that no subscriber be admitted to draw a pew in the meeting house till he has paid his subscription. The Com- mittee performed the service assigned them, and made their report, November G, 1749, which was accepted and record- ed. The numbering of the pews was in the following order : beginning at the first pew on the left hand of the front door, (the house fronting the north-west.) as you enter the house, and so round the wall to the pew on the right hand of said door, including said pcAV, and then from the first pew of the second tier, as you enter the front door on the left hand, and so round to the pew on the right hand of said door, including that pew. The pews as appraised, varied from £120 to £60, and amounted in all to £3,480. Voted, that No. 40 be set apart for a Parish or ministerial pew. Voted, that fifty pews be allowed to be drawn by the subscribers, they pay- ing the respective sums at which they are appraised. No. 1 was drawn by Maj. Samuel Rogers, at £120. The aris- tocracy of that day chose the wall pews ; and the two wall pews next to the front door on each side commanded the highest price. No. 2 was drawn by Mr. John Treadwell, at £115; No. 3 by Mr. Isaac Appleton, at £110; No. 4 by Mr. John Wainwright, at £105 ; No. 5 by Joseph Goodhue, at £90: No. 6 by Mr. Richard Dodge, at £105; No. 7 by Richard Shatswcll* at £K)5 ; No. 8 by Mr. John (ioodhuc, at £100; No. 9 by Richard Maimhig, at £100; No. 10 by Job Harris, at £75 ; No. 11 by Nathaniel Lord and son, at ^7o ; No. 12 by Thomas Lord, liatter, at £75 ; No. 13 by John Appleton, at £75; No. 14 by Nathaniel Warner, at £75; No. ^o by Capt. Daniel Tilton, at £65; No. IG by John Safibrd, at £00; No. 17 by Ensign Moses Wells, at £85; No. 18 by William Goodhue, at £90; No. 19 by Mr. John Perkins, at £90 ; No. 20 by Jeremy Perkins, widow Hannah Yv'allis and others, at £75 ; No. 21 by Daniel Potter, at £75 ; No. 22 by Mr. Thomas Burnam, at £100 ; No. 23 by Francis Cogswell, Jr., at £105; No. 24 by Francis Cogswell, Esq., at £110; No. 25 by Lieut. John Smith, at £105 ; No. 2G by Pvobert Wallis, Jr., at £90 ; No. 27 by Dea. Mark Haskell, at £105 ; No. 28 by Lieut. Thomas Dennis^ at £110; No. 29 by Capt. Nathaniel Treadwell, at £115; No. 30 by Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, at £120 ; No. 31 by John Finder, at £90; No. 32 by Daniel Heard, Jr., at £85 ; No. 33 by Thomas Bnrnam, Jr., at £80 ; No. 34 by Nathaniel Lord, Jr., at £75; No. 35 by Caleb Waiter, at £80; No. 36 by Daniel Lumas, at £80 ; No. 37 by Joseph Lord and Joseph Wilcom, at £85 ; No. 38 by Nathaniel Cross, at £So ; No. 39 by Mr. Francis Sainjer, at £90 ; No. 40 Par- ish or ministerial pew ; No. 41 by Samuel Wainwright, at £75 ; No. ^ by Mark Haskell, at £80 ; No. 43 by John Hodgkins, at £80 ; No. 44 by Joseph Perkins, at £80 ; No. 45 by Jonathan Brown and three sisters, at £85 ; No. 46 by Sergeant William Adams, at SO ; No. 47 by Jeremy Fitts, at £80 ; No. 48 by William Jones, at £75 ; No. 49 by Benj. ' Shcdley, at £80 ; No. 50 by Jabcz Treadwell, at £85 ; No. 51 by Emerson (Cogswell, at £90. Thus the pew-ground on the two outer tiers of the floor oT the house was disposed of. At a Parish meeting held December 21, 1749, a Commit- tee, previously appointed for the purpose, presented a plan for gallery pews, which was accepted by the Parish, and was as follows : Beginning at No. 1 at the easterly corner * This and the following numbers which are italicised, have continued in the family line of the original owners down to the present time. 2 10 of the house, and thence proceeding round the wail to the northerly corner, coniaining twenty-six pews. These pews were appraised from £3;") to £3S each. No. 1 was granted to Josepli Fowler, No. 2 to Jeremy JiOrd, No. 3 to Richard Kimball, No. 4 to Bciij. Kimball, No. 5 to John Henderson^ No. 6 to David Peabody, No. 7 to James Lord, No. S to Ba- ker and John Roberts, No. 9 to widow Sittten and her son Ebcn, No. 10 to Jolm Warner, No. 11 to Bickford Pulsifcr, . No. 12 to Jolm Holland, No. 13 to David and Francis Ful- sifer, No. 14 to Thomas Smith, No. 15 to Jacob Leatherland, No. IG to Michael Farley, No. 17 to Nathaniel Jones, No. 18 to Aaron Kimhalh No. 19 to Dea. Williams, No. 29 to Benj. Wait, No. 21 to Moses Kimball, No. 22 to Samuel Lord, No. 23 to Thomas Safibrd, No. 24 to J\Ir. John Denison, and JoJui Ntwmarch, No. 2.5 to John Lull, iMo. 26 to Edmund Kurd, Jr. Appraisement of gallery pews £92G. Appraise- ment of gallery and floor pews £4,406. Amount subscribed £4,.567, 2s. ♦Subscriptions supra appraisements £161 2s. By whom was the house built \ According to tradition, many hands were employed in the work. The frame was made by Daniel Heard, father of the late John and Nathan- iel Heard ; the staircase by Nathaniel Lord, grandfather of Capt. Nathaniel Lord, now present. The pulpit was plan- ned and partly finished by Abraham Knowlton, Avho also gave the final polish to much of the work. Jle gave his whole soul and even sacrificed his life to it. While Ihiish- ing the part about the belfry, he took a severe cold, which brought on a favcr, of v/iiich he died. His son, a young man of about nineteen, completed what his father happily began. The sounding-board over my head, the brightest ornament of this temple, though planned by the father, was vvrrought chiefly by tlie son. Whatever becomes of this house, that sounding-board ought to be preserved, as a memorial of the ingenuity of its artificer throughout all generations. The entire house has always been regarded as a good piece of architecture for the time in which it was built. It has been standing on its original foundation more than ninety-six years, an evidence of the soundness of its 11 materials, and ilic raithfuliiess o'C us workmanship.* For almost a coutury its lofty spire has been pointing the citizens to tlio vi.sible heavens, \vhilc the pulpit within has been pointing the worshippers to the heaven of heavens. A'o fire- brand of the incendiary has been permitted to inflame it be- low, and no flash of lightning to strike it from aboA^e. For nearly a himdred years it has been a faithful land-mark to the sailor on our coast, as well as a faithful directory to the liaven of eternal peace. Its pulpit has been justly admired by men of taste from the beginnhig; and it does high honor to the original genius of the self-taught man who invented ii. It has been taken as a model in the chief city of our solemnities. Though in 1747 Ipswich complimented Boston by employing one of her artificers in building a pulpit, de- signed to be of superior elegance, to the neglect of one of her oAvn sons, tliat son in 1749 more than regained for her the compliment ; and Brattle f^treet Church still pays honor to our pulpit. But I must recall your attention to the history of the house. The whole central part of the floor, all within the two outer tiers, first sold, was originally made into free scats for the accommodation c»f those persons Avho were not pew owners. And a large and very respectable Committee was chosen every March meeting to seat the people accord- ing to their ages, taxes and rank. Though, generally speak- ing, the people were satisfied with the places assigned them, it was sometimes difficult to suppress the feeling, and to pre- vent its manifestation, ' 1 am entitled to a higher seat in the synagogue.- Then the complaint was not, ' They have taxed me too high,' but ' too low.' ' (jJentlemen of the Com- mittee," says Mr. K., 'you ought in justice to have given me a higher seat.' ' But, sir, you must consider that Esqs. A. B. and C. all pay higher taxes than you.' ' Ah ! But they ought to have taxed me four times as much as they have done.' Such occasionally were the complaints of those days. Any person, however, who refused to take the place assigned *-0n taking down the house it hears the firmest testimony to the honaty of the day in which it was built. 12 him, iind presamed to take another, was subjected to a peiial piinishment for tlie offence. Several aged and venerable men v/ere seated directly in front of the pulpit. Next to them were the deacons in their proper place, facing the as- sembly, and, like Aaron and Hiir. holding np the hands of the minister. And if the good nicn Vv^ere either slec])y them- selves or thonght others so, tiiey arose from their seats, stamped v^ith their feet, and smote the banister Vvith thoir fists, and commanded attention. One of the deacons sat near the hour glass, ready to turn it up the instant the text was named. And though ministers in those days ruled their people, as well as served them, and did both faithfully, a minister seldom presumed to pronounce the amcn^ before the last sands in the glass were run down ; and if he ever did it, it was at \}iic liazard of being cut short in \}i\Q measure of grain, granted by his hearers for his support. But the minister as often overrun his hour as he fell short of it, and then, tradition says, though I do not find it in the records, the minister would call on the deacon for a second glass, as I should have occasion to do this afternoon, if the glass were in its place, and the deacon at his post. The people filled the seats in the body of the house, the men on the west and the women on the east side of tlie broad aisle ; ty thing men being stationed, with stipulated salaries, well paid, to keep the boys and girls in order, as sentinels in earlier days were placed without our sanctuaries to prevent the interruption of public worship by the Indians. Nor Avas the office of tything men conlined to boys and girls, nor to the interior of the house, for tlie Trustees, by vote of the Parish, were de- sired to treat v^dtli the tything men and use their influence with them, that all boys, and all perso?ts whatever^ that should play on tlie Sabbath in the meeting house or about it, or be abroad at time of divine service, should be com- plained of to authority, that they might be punished, as the law directed. On Monday morning, the boys who had been disorderly on the Sabbath were put into the stocks near the whipping post on the common. •= * In the closet under the pulpit are found 16 rods, used by tything men, being about five feel in Ien;'th and one inch in diameter. 13 Though the ground oi' Ir-l' pews was rioni lime lo iiuio contracted, the practice of seating- the people, as originally hegun, continued down to the year 1791, more regard latter- ly having been paid to age, than to purse and to civil dis- tinction. rs'o particular place in this sanctuary was assigned to sing- ers during the first thirteen years of its existence. But in March, 17(33, fourteen 3^ears after the house was built, the Parish voted, that the two back seats on each side of the front alley be banistered at the Parish charge for the accom- modation of the singers. Those two back seats, thus ban- istered, the choir of singers occupied eiditcen years, A'iz : from 1763 to 1781, when the Parish voted, that the sing- ers should have leave to sit in the gallery during their pleas- ure. Some time after the singers had vacated their seats below, viz : on June 1st, 1786, the Parish offered for sale, as pew ground, the space which they had occupied. In conse- quence of this, six pews were added to the fifty-one first made, raising the number to fifty-seven. No. 52 was sold to Mr. John Hodgkins, 4tli; for £22 lUs, lawful money ; No. 53 to Mr. John Heard, Jr., for £21 15s: No. 54 to Dr. Samuel Adams and Capt. Joseph Dennis, for £18 lUs ; No. 55 to Mr. John Hodgkins, 4th, for £19; No. 56 to Capt. Ephraim Kendall, for £20 10s ; No. 57 to Capt. Jabez Treadwell, for £24. Twelve years after, viz: March 22, 1798, eight more pew- rights on the floor of the house were sold : one to Mr. John Heard, for ,^151; one to Mr. Jacob Treadwell, for $157; one to Mr. Moses Treadwell, for $151 ; one to Mr. Richard Shatswell, for $166 : one to Capt. Ephraim Kendall, for $140; one to Mr. Samuel Lord, Jr., for $145; one to Mr. Richard Sutton, for $110; and one to Capt. Jonathan Inger- soll, for $104, These "were the pews nearest to the broad aisle, and on both sides of it. This increased the nimiber of pews to sixty-five. At a meeting held April 15, 1S13, the Parish voted to sell the pew floor on the east side of the broad aisle for two pews, and half the floor on the west side for one pew. the 14 r'jiiiaiiiiiig iiali' lo bo baih uiio a j)cv./ ai the expense of the Parish. April 7, IbllS. the sale of the last pew was refer- red to the Trustees. '.riiese four made the whole number of pews below sixty-)iJne. Thus eighteen pews, the prop- erty of individuals, covered the ground originally improved as free seats. The only seats of that description then re- maining were in the side galleries. INor did all of these long continue free. t'or in February '^l. 182-5, the Parish voted, that the soutli-east gallery, together with suliicient room in the front gallery for tvro pews on each side of the singers, be appropriated for pews, and disposed of as v.-ill be most for the interest of the Parish. In early times contributions were made for the support of the gospel in the afternoon of every Sabbath. This prac- tice prevailed here as early as 1641, and probably from the iirst establishment of this Church ; and continued till the year 1703, when it began to be omitted. These contribu- tions took place under the direction of the deacons, whose care it was to see that the ministers were well provided for. At the proper moment one of the deacons would say : ' Brethren, now there is time left for contribution, wherefore, as God liatli prospered you, so freely offer.' The order of contributions anciently was this : ' The magistrates and chief gentlemen came forward first, and then elders ; and all the congregation came up one after another one way, and brought their offerings to the deacon in his seat, and put it into a box. Eighty years ago it was customary in congre- gations generally for persons visiting in town on the Sab- bath, to put some money into the box. This was called the strangers' money, and was stipulated as a perquisite for clergymen, when settled.' Our singing seats have gone through various changes,, without arriving to perfection ; and various versions of the ■psalms have been used in the songs of oin- sanctuary. Sternhold and Hopkins' version was first used. Abqut 1667 the Bay Psalm-book tool-: its place. Before 17.j7 Tate and Brady v^^ere adopted. The introduction of Dr. Watts' Psalms and l^vmns marks an important era in the historv^ 15 ol* our psalniodr. Tliis took place in ITlCi. At a meeting on April *^5th. of that year, the Parish voted a concurrenco with the Chnrch to change the version of tlie psalms we sing in the pnblic worship of (lod for Dr. Watts' J^salms and Hymns. AVhilo rilling elders v.'ere in office, one of them read a single line, and all in the congregation who coidd sing rose indifferent parts of the meeting house, and simg it, and then another line, till the psalm Avas throngh. When and where there were no elders, one of the deacons performed this office. In later times, tiie deacon read two lines at once, and still later, a whole verse. In !7(!i) Dea. Perkins, for the first time, and at the request of the singers, read a whole verse at once for them in the psalms. At or about 1793, ministers began to read at once the whole portion to be sung, as at the present day. A clock, purchased by subscription, Avas landed in Ips- wich May 29, 1762. The Parish, on May 31st, A^oted their readiness to receive it into the steeple of this meeting house ; and [September 16, 1762, they voted to be at the charge of putting it up there, and also of the tAvo dial plates and of one hand, and to record the subscriptions for the clock. Tliat clock, though I am sorry to say that in these degenerate days it does not ahvays speak the truth, has with great fidelity measured out time for our fathers and for us, during the space of eighty-four )^ears. As it has been directly in vieAv from my study Avindows for more than thirty years, I acknoAvledge myself under great obligations for its constant and faithful friendship. * The clock strikes one. We take no note of time But from its loss : To give it tlien a tongue Is wise in man. As if an angel spoke, I fee! the solemn sound.' A bell, presented to the tOAAai by Hon. Richard Salstonstall, was rung in 1659 at nine o'clock in the evening. In 1696 it Avas voted by the toAvn to get another of tAA'o hundred pounds from England. This Avas sold to Marblehead in 17(H), and auotlifr, Aveighing six hundred pounds. Avas purchased in 16 its stead. Tu 1710 the bell was rung at five o'clock in the morning from the Gth of March. In 1769 it was rmig at half past twelve at noon, and at nine in the evening. By vote of the Parish it was first hung up in the balcony of this house, at the town's cost, in 1794. This bell being broken in its great joy on the announcement of peace with the parent nation, the present bell was procured by the concurrent ac- tion and the mutual expense of the First and the South Par- ishes. This house has occasionally been used for . other than strictly religious purposes. A company of French soldiers spent a night in it near the close of the revolutionary Avar. It was filled with those who rejoiced on the declaration of our national independence, and with those who mourned on the decease of him to whom more than to any other mortal we are indebted for the blessings of that independence; whom we delight to call the father of our country ; and whose memory and exalted virtues come up fresh before us on this the anniversary of his birth. It was also filled to overflowing August 6, 1775, at the religious services imme- diately preceding the execution of Pomp for murdering his master, on which occasion prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Frisbie, and a sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Dana, of this town, from the text • He that sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.' It was filled in like manner at the centennial celebration of 1834, when the piety of Dana and the eloquence of Choate, were united in portraying the ex- cellent characters and worthy deeds of our ancestors. That noble philanthropist and devoted friend of America, the renowned Lafayette, in 1824, received such honors and congratulations as this ancient and respectable town could give him. In 1S1.5, it was brilliantly illuminated at every window on the return of peace with Great Britain. In surveying once more this house of our fathers, what do we see 7 The elders' seat in front of the pulpit deserted by its venerable occupants, retaining only the communion table, and that of modern date ; the deacons" seat, sacred almost as the pulpit itself, removed, its banisters torn away in a 17 lieatj or for a hciit ; lor the accommodation of a stove to Avarm a generation, unable to endure liardness or imwiiliuG; to endure coldness, like their lathers liet'ore them; the dea- cons themselves once in a lew months traversing the whole house to receive the contributions of a few in behalf of some l)euevolent object, instead of receiving it at their pew from all the congregation every f^abbath; the large company of men on the right hand, and of women on the left, banished from their free seats; the hour glass destroyed; and the ininister himself substituting for a sermon of a full lK)ur a discourse of thirty minutes, or, at most, of forty-live; and tlie people glad to have it so. And v.iiat will be the end thereof.^ What will come next ?• AVhy, tlie house it- self must be taken down. !>o all the yoimg people say. So most of the middle-aged say. 80 say not a few of the fjithers and mothers in Israel. All, all yield their assent in a spirit of harmony. And last of all, to cap the climax, the J^astor. with stronger attachment to the house than any othcn- mortal on earth, but with a love to tJie souls of the young inconceivably stronger, pronounces his hearty Amex. J?ut, my friends, none of us can think of taking our leave of this house with other sentiments than those of profoimd respect. J have mentioned its age, as a reason why we shoidd leave it with such sentiments. It is universally ac- knowledged, both by the pagan and the Christian Avorld, that age is entitled to respect. What man of common deco- rum, and what body of men. when taking leave of an aged and venerable friend, do not do it with expressions of re- spect and veneration ? Does a mnn. distinguished for wis- dom and worth as well as years, retire from our company? who, that possesses a particle of the spirit of onr fathers, does not rise to pay him reverence? This house is an old friend, as it respects the highest interests of men. Can we part with a friend, so constant, so valuable, and so venera- ble for age, almost all of whose cotemporaries have gone be- fore it, with other sentiments than those of profound respect? Though laden with infirmities, and on the point of dissolu- 18 tion, shall it not receive this day our sincere and united ven- eration '? It must awaken among us deep emotions to take a retro- spective view of those who were engaged in the active scenes of life, vhen this lioiisc ivas erected. Our fathers, where are they? Where arc the men who planned and erected this sanctuary? Where are they who, with demonstrations of joy, resembhng those of the morn- ing stars who sang the birth of time, were present when its corner stone was laid : when its noble, firm frame was reared ; when the whole work was completed ; and when with sol- emn religious services, led by the excellent and venerable Nathaniel Rogers, it was consecrated to Jehovah '? Where are they who lirst conducted its worship ; who first guided its sacred songs ; who lirst joined in its solemn services? Where are Rogers, and Appleton, and Til ton, and Perkins, and Wahiwright, and Williams, and Denison, and more than seventy others, who with their respective families first took possession of the pews of this house, and there first listened to the words of eternal life ? Gone, without a soli- tary exception, to the world of spirits. And since their de- parture what has been seen here but troops of pilgrims on their way to eternity? Since this house was erected, at least two thousand persons, while connected with this Soci- ety, have gone to their account. I have conversed and wor- shipped Avith those Avho saw the former house, and who re- joiced when the foundations of this then new one were laid. But not one of them remains among us : not one of them exists on earth. Where are the men to mingle their tears of joy and sorrow, in remembrance of the time when this sa- cred structure, founded on a rock, fit emblem of the Rock of Ages on which the Christian Church ever rests, was built, and in consideration of the fact, that henceforth it is no more? We should take a respectful leave of this house on account of the good it has done. Of this good, our present conceptions are very inadequate. It is not confined to earth and time. Its grand results, eter- 19 uity alone can disclose. Ilciv. three generations of men have assembled to pay their honors to the Most High, and learn the way to heaven. Here, on live thousand Sabbaths have they met to hsten to the gospel's joyful sound, and to ofler the incense of devotion. Here, from this sacred desk, on the Lord's day and on other days, not less than eleven thousand times have Christ's ambassadors proclaimed the messages of grace and salvation. For some tunc after this house was built, there Avas a weekly Thursday lecture, to which succeeded a monthly lecture in 1753, attended by members of the courts, when in session. Here, full twenty- two thousand times have our fathers and we called on the name of the Lord in prayer. In this sacred temple have the high praises of d'od been sung full twenty-eight thousand times. Here, around the sacramental board, have professing friends of Jesus, at no less than eight hundred and thirty precious seasons, commemorated the dying love of their Re- deemer; deacons Williams, and Perkins, and Low, and Crock- er, and Story, and Lord, and Knowlton, and Haskell, and others, officially distributing the sacramental elements. Here, baptism has been administered to two thousand and four hundred individuals. Here, four hundred persons have en- tered into covenant with God; the young with joy, that/they might devote their whole lives to their Maker, and the aged with regret, that they did not earlier johi themselves to God and to his people. Here, occasionally have the precious re- mains of some dear friend, accompanied by mourning rela- tives, tarried a sad and solemn hour, on their way to the si- lent grave, while the minister of the sanctuary commended the bereaved to the God of all grace, and endeavored to administer to them the balm of consolation. Here, too, have been seen the steps, if not heard the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, after their hands and their desti- nies have been miited in virtuous wedlock. Here, in former times, children assembled in joyful troops to be instructed by their Pastor in ' the chief end of man.'' Here, have the teachers and the members of the Sabbath school met togeth- er to impart and to receive that instruction which is adapted 20 to guide them safely to heaven. Here, have inmisters of Christ been solemnly consecrated to the pastoral oliice. Here, the most high Ciod has taken up his gracious abode. Here, he has poured out his Holy (Spirit. The sacred influence in the days of oiu- fathers and in our day has been like the dew of Hermon, like the dew that descended on the moun- tains of Zion, where God commanded his blessing, even life forever more. Here, from generation to generation he has met his people and blessed them. Gracious and glorious things have been done in tliis house of our God. Glorious things also have boon spoken of lier. ( U" this our Zion it has been said on earth, and it will be said in heaven, and, I doubt not, that it is said there to-day, • This and that man was born there.' AVho, what mortal, what immortal creature can estimate the good, in the formation of character, in the happiness of this life, and during an endless state, resulting from services performed here I 'j'he influence this house has exerted, is not confined to those who remain among us, and Avho have died in this place. Hundreds, who in early life worshipped here, who received the rudimoiUs of their religious education at this sanctuary, liaA'e gone into various parts of our coun- try, where their influence, as it jespects the conmion good of society and the cause of Christianity ; as it respects the pres- ent an.d the future welfare of men, is both powerful and happy. Wliat part of New England or of our country do you visit without meeting some, who remember, with grati- jtude to God, this ancient sanctuary as the seat of their early worship, and the source of their best impressions '? There is great power, great moral power in the sanctuary. Its prayers, its instructions, ajid its sacred songs have a mighty and momentous influence on tlie character and destiny of men. And where is the sanctuary, Avliich, considering the number of its attendants, has exerted a more extensive and more salutary influence than this? Its sons and daughters are in city and country, at the east and at the west, in this and in otJier lands. And the influence they exert and the good they effect, the spring of \vhich Avas in our Zion, ex- 21 c-eeds all our thoughts. ll'Ciod silted thiTC kingdoms thai ho nii^ht hriug choice wheat hito this wilderness, and it' a good ])ortii)u ol" that wheat fell in this place, it has lieen scattered by our (hilchvn broadcast over the land, and the harvest is rich and ahuiidaut. It is anions: the most pleasant circumstances ot" my life, that in most places which 1 visit I meet those who had their birth or early residence with us. and who. with gratitude to (iod and man, aclaiowledge the hajijjy inllm iicf of this sanctuary on theni. Said a man to me; a man ven- erable for years, rich in experience, careful in observation, and deeply interested in the temi)oral and spiritual good of men. livini: in one of our ]io])ulous cities, whose name gives weJLdit to every sentiment he niters; ' We always exjiect your young men to be correct in morals, respectable in character, and valual)le members of society; and we are seldom disap- pointed.' Young ladies, who have come to this place to re- ceive literary instruction, while they have added intelligence and brilliancy to our assemblies, have also received a new moral mipulse which has given increased power to their in- structions and example in subsequent hfe. But, my friends, tlie services of this day being closed, not another prayer will be offered, nor another sermon preaclied. nor another song suno- in these courts of our (Jod. Good impressions, which have been made on the minds of those wlio have worship- ped here, will be contimicd and extended, and a lia])py in- liuence will thence go down to the remotest period of time. But no new impression will thus be made here. rSever a^ain will the sacramental table here be spread with the emblems of the Saviour's dying love. Never again will any, whether children or adults, here be consecrated to God in baptism. Never will any hereafter in this sacred house join themselves to the Lord in solemn covenant. Never again will the sable bier, followed by those who mourn, on its way to yonder grave-yard, be borne in hither. Never will a Pastor here again impart catechetical instruction to the lambs of his flock. Never will another lesson to the Sabbath school be given out. another question asked, or another answer return- ed. Never will another minister of Christ here be consecra- 22 ted to his holy office. Never will another contribution be made to relieve the common wants of any among ourselves, or to promote the cause of piety or benevolence abroad. Never will another benediction be pronounced within these sacred walls. In view of the benefits this house has confer- red on mankind ; in view of the good it has done, how deep should be our emotions, how solemn our feelings, since this afternoon its services close forever. Here, holy men of God proeluimed with great poirer his sacred tri/th. Vain were tlie attempt to ennmorate all those servants of the Most Higii, wlio occasionally ascended this sacred desk to minister in the name of Christ. On this rock* the re- nowned Whitefield s]iroad out his hands like the wings of a seraph, and with an eloquence rarely equalled by man, poured forth weighty and eternal truth, grounded on the sacred pas- sage, 'On this rock will I build my Church, and tlie gates of hell shall not prevail against it.' Here, the beloved and ven- erated Nathaniel Rogers preached the gospel for the space of twenty-six years, after laboring in th'e former house almost as long, in connection with his father, Rev. John Rogers. Pleasant, modest, yet dignified in deportment; strong and discriminating in intellect: various and rich in knowledge, and happy in his manner of communicating it; thoroughly acquainted with the truths of the gospel, and full of love to them and to souls; uniting in an uncommon degree the great and the good; and firmly sustaining the loss of one half his church and congregation a short time before the dissolution of the former sanctuary ; with distinguished ability, fidelity and zeal, he preached the gospel of Christ in this house the first (piarter of a centiny after its erection. The happiest harvest of his labors he ever gathered, was in the former house, under the united ministry of himself and his father, who, a century ago, at the age of eighty, left the world in most successful action. Here, the amiable and lamented Frisbie, affectionately remembered by some of my hearers, *Tl)c pulpit is literally founded on an immense rock. 23 for thirty years prayed witli the fervency of tlie prophet Daniel; and, with unsurpassed integrity and faithfulness, preached the imsearcliabie riches of Christ. A house whoso reharious services for more than half a century were conduct- ed by such able and pious ministers of the New Testament, ouirht on their account to be regarded with respect on retiring from it. True, the success of their laliors. if tested by liie number received to the connnuniou of the Church, was small. After the great awakening luider tiie united muiistry of John and Nathaniel Rogers, which in the course of five years brought 1 49 into the Church, tliere was here as in other parts of our coinitry a lamentable declension of religion, which continued many years. So that dru'ing the twenty-six years of Na- thaniel Rogers' ministry in this house, only thirtij-Jive. and during the thirty years of Mr. Frisbie's ministry, only eighty persons, were received into communion with this (Jhurch, botli by profession and h\ lotirr. During the Inst tiiir\--nino years, blessed be tlie God of all grace, two hundred and eighty-eight have been received. The largest number ad- mitted at any one time, since the liouse Avas erected, was thirty, which was on ]\Tay 2d, IKid. The largest number admitted in one year was ninety-four, which was the year 1S30. A recollection of the interesting and momentous transactions of that year: a recollection especially of tlie vows of consecration to Cod by so many of the })resent members of this Church, connected with the consideration, that the very house which witnessed those vows will soon be no more, (those vows are still heard in heaven) should give additional solemnity to our minds on retiring this after- noon from these sacred courts. It should excite in our hearts deep emotion to reflect, that our fathers' fathers worshipped iiere. Not only have three generations come up to this sanctuary on the lust day of the week, but among them were those from whom many of us descended, and whose very names we bear. We attach a high value to a private dwelling which was the residence of our parents, grandparents, and 24 more remote ancestors, because it was their residence. So we naturally feel a deep interest in a house of worship in whicJi our ancestors in successive generations met to pay their honors to the Most High. Tiie pews in which tliey sat to hear tlie word are dear to their descendants. Those who this afternoon occupy seats first owned and occupied by their fathers" fathers, will leave them with deep emotions, as though they believed that the spirits of the first owners were actually present. AVith deep feeling should we leave this house to-day, considered as the place where our fathers poured out their hearts luito God, and where they received the counsels of his love. The fact, that viroiy who have iraited oti God In this Jiniise are iioir jtr(/i.sitffr h/j/i in heaven, should impart to us at once solemnity and delight. Not only has there been an invisible ladder, such as appeared to Jacob in vision, reaching from this consecrated spot to heaven, on which angels of God have ascended and descended, as divine worship lias here been paid ; not only has there been a happy sympathy be- tween Christians here and saints in glory, on the subject of redeeming love; but many worshippers have hence ascend- ed, and are before the throne of God, uniting with an innu- merable multitude of the redeemed in their holy and sublime services. This house has been to many the gate of heaven. The foundations for eternal joy and praise to many now within the pearly gates of the New Jerusalem were laid amid the services of this sacred temple. Voices that once united in joyful praises here, now unite in sweeter and loftier praises there. Hundreds who received the grace of God in these humble courts, about to be dissolved, are now wor- shipping God in a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. See them bending from their lofty seats to- day, and looking down with intense interest on their de- scendants, in affectionate and grateful remembrance of those instructions which were happily instrumental in preparing the a for their present glorified state. Is this house remem- ]>ered, and will it always be remembered with deep interest in heaven by all who were either new-born or nourished here? Then it should be regarded with interest by those who have been trained to piety in it, who are still on earth. Their last look upon its sacred wa^s. should be a look of filial respect. We should feel a deep interest in this house to-day, be- cause lost souls are j)ainfulhj inierestcd in. it. Lost men in wo have clear memories and faithful con- sciences. '■Son, rcinonbcr t/nj jMtst prii-ileo-cs,' pierces with intense anguish the soul that passes impenitent from the sanctuary of God to the tribunal of its Judge. All his sins in this life, especially his sins against gospel grace, against precious sanctuary privileges, rush upon and confound him. Do hundreds in heaven remember this house with gratitude to God for the benefits they received in it ? Do they cherish its memory with pleasure, as the place of their spiritual birth or growth '? And do not other hundreds in hell remem- ber with painful and poignant regret their absence from its services, their neglect of its privileges, and their rejection of its ofiers 1 Does not their exclamation seem to break upon our ears to-day : ' O, that we had been wise, that we had thought of these things, that wc had considered our latter end ! O, that we had duly valued and united in tlie prayers oftcred for us in the house of God, near to which our lot was cast, and which we were accustomed to visit on the Lord's day! O, that from the heart we had joined in the praises of God m his earthly courts ! O, that we had listen- ed to Rogers, Frisbie, and other ministers of Christ, when they taught us the way of life, and entreated us in his name to be reconciled to God ! Then had our peace been like a riv- er. Then, instead of mingling our wailings with the spirits of darkness here, we should have been uniting our praises with the spirits of light in heaven. Do their lamentations, my friends, come up to us from their dismal prison 7 Let us take heed, lest we come to the communion of their wo. Let us take heed, lest our sins in tliis house, our sins against its prayers, its praises, its instructions, invitations and warn- ins, be to us matter for deep regret in the M'-orld of despair. Tiet us tremble at the ihmijiht of leaving this house in a 4 26 spirit of opposition to its last calls and warnings. Let us tremble at the thought of taking our final leave of this sanc- tuary, where some of ys have assembled for worship many years, with all our sins against its gracious calls, unrepent- ed and unpardoned. Surely, impenitent rejectors of gospel grace will have cause for fearful forebodings, if they pass the throshhold of this house, as they return from it to-day, in that character. I cannot blame our aged friends, to whom this sanctuary has been the Zion of their days, if their sensibility is moved at its fountain: if tears run down their eyes at the thought of worshipping in it no more. I tenderly and fully sym- pathize with them. Did the aged men at the time of Dan- iel, who had seen the former temple which had long lain in ruins, weep on remembrance of it, when the foundation of the new one was laid ? Why should not our aged friends, who have spent all their Sabbaths in this sanctuary, weep, when they know that its dissohuion is at hand? While I sympathize deeply with you, my aged and respected friends, whose Avorship I have here guided almost forty years, let me bear you along with me in the sentiment of a highly re- spected aged brother, while he was with us, but who is now in glory, that as our fathers left us a convenient house of worship, we ought to leave a convenient one for our children. Your partiality to this venerable structure, arising from your long and familiar acquaintance witli it, and from its numer- ous tender and hallowed associations, you will cheerfully relinquisii in the earnest desire of leaving to your children a house adapted to their taste, in which they and their chil- dren, and children's children may hope to worship God. What better legacy can you leave your posterity than a home in a house of God, erected on one of the best sites in Zion, where the gospel in its simplicity and purity is to be preached every Sabbath ? If tears of sensibility should flow from the eyes of aged Christians, in vicAv of the approacliing dissolution of a house they so much venerate, tears of another kind; tears of penitential sorrow, should flow down the eyes of those, who. 27 though they have made that house the place of their wor- ship many years, have misimproved their precious privi- leges, and arc entirely destitute of Christian faith and holi- ness. It is a question of momentous interest for all stated wor- shippers, Hoiu have you improved your past privileges here ? As it is the last time for you to \vorship within these sacred walls, it seems as though the final day had come to settle the question, Have you improved your sanctuary privileges in a manner acceptable to your Judge? I entreat you, brethren and friends, to revolve this question in your minds, as if you felt that the Judge is at the door. Do you not hear the voice of the ^on of God, saying unto you, ' I am he who searches the reigns and the heart, and I give to ev- ery man according to his deeds 7 ' The Lord Jesus Christ perfectly knows how you have heard and received, or how you have refused, the counsels of his word and the ofters of his grace, durhig your attendance at this sanctuary. And he is making up his final sentence accordingly. What is that sentence? one of approval or one of condemnation? Have you improved your seasons of worship here in such manner that you are now prepared to give up your account with joy I Do not these scats, do not these walls, do not these pillars, does not this sacred desk, does not this holy book, does not the voice of God within you, speaking by your own con- sciences, testify against some of you, and reprove you for diso- beying that gospel which has here been preached to you, and for rejecting that Saviour who has here been offered you? Should the sentence immediately go forth from the great Judge, would it not be to some a sentence of condemnation ? My dear friend, would it be so to you ? ' Repentance should like rivers flow from both your streaming eyes.' If the doc- trine of immediate repentance ought ever to be preached, (and when should not that doctrine be preached to persons every moment liable to perish in their sins?) it ought to be preached to stated worshippers in this house, who are now impenitent. Let me then earnestly, but affectionately, call upon all such to repent without delay. Have you not 28 grievously sinned ill this house '? And will you not make the place where you have sinned against God, against the calls of his gospel and the strivings of his Spirit, the place of sincere and thorough repentance 1 Will you not repent in this house of your sins against its precious privileges, while its walls are yet standing ; before the sentinel on its lofty steeple shall cease to remind you of your transgres- sions, and before the ground beneath it shall exhibit a scene of desolation, before the last religious services within it shall be closed 7 I advise you as a friend ; I entreat you as a father ; I be- seech you as an ambassador of Christ ; in his name and by his authority through the imposition of hands in this sanc- tuary, I conjure you, not to leave this house this afternoon, not to leave it for the last time, in a spirit of alienation from God, in a spirit of unbelief, in a spirit of disobedience to the gospel. Repent, for God from on high, who in his provi- dence led your fathers to erect this house to the honor of his name, calls you to repentance. Repent, for Christ, whose death has been commemorated here for almost a century, as from the cross of Calvary, enjoins on you this duty. Re- pent, for holy apostles and ministers of Christ, in earlier and later periods, from the mansions of bliss add their ur- gent exhortations to the same. Repent, for all the friends and followers of Jesus, who have worshipped here and gone to their rest, this day enjoin it. Repent, or all the privileges of this house, all its instructions and warnings, will bear witness against you. Repent, for this sanctuary itself, about to be closed forever, calls upon you to turn to God without delay. Now, as the last service you can render here, yield your heart up to God. I entreat you all, my friends, in view of these sacred walls and of this more sacred desk ; in view of the spirits of your fathers, who ascended to glory from under the min- istrations of this sanctuary, and of those servants of Christ, who ' pointed them to brighter worlds and led the way ; ' in view of the God of our fathers, who has honored this house with his frequent and gracious presence : and in considera- 2\) tiou of ilic iacl, tliut lIus is the iasi iimc lor diviuc worship to be performed here ; 1 entreat you all to close your services here with a hearty, entire and solemn consecration of your- selves to God. Let his courts above and his sanctuary be- low witness at once the smcerity of your devotion to him. To little children in particular let me say : My dear young friends, if you live to grow up, you will be asked : Do you remember the old meeting house on the hill in Ipswich, and the minister avIio last preached in it !■ and each of you will be able to say : O yes, I remember it well. On a very pleas- ant day in February, 1S46, when the house was full of peo- ple, the Pastor preached in it, and looking directly at me, he said: ' O come, before you further run, Aud give yourself to God.' And shall it, my dear young friend, appear in the light of eternity, that you followed his advice? Still we love to linger witliin these sacred and time-hon- ored walls. But we must now take our final leave of them, looking back on what is most dear to our hearts. Thou Sacred Desk, ingenious in contrivance, excellent ill workmanship, venerable for age, dear to our fathers and to us,, where on the Sabbaths of almost a hundred years, stood the messenger of grace, ' negotiating between God and man, as God's ambassador, the great concerns of judgment and of mercy,' for the knoAvlcdgc, holiness and happiness im- parted by thee, thou art worthy to be preserved until that day which shall consume all things terrestrial, with terra Jirma herself. In the memory of the faithful, thou 'Shouldest stand acknowledged, while the world shall stand, A most important and efleclual guard. Support and ornament of virtue's cause.' Grateful for thy kind and faithful services, we bid thee an aflectionate farewell. Ye seats, devoted to ' music divine,' your songs more grateful than you commodious, with the song of Old Hun- dred, a song worthy to be smig in every Church, in every land, by every tongue, in all ages, we take our leave of you. 30 rejoicing in the hope, that seats more convenient will soon be provided, from which more joyful praises Avill ascend to Zion's King. Farewell, thou Temple of our God. farewell. The voice of prayer shall be heard no more in thee. The voice of praise shall be heard no more in thee. The voice of in- struction shall be heard no more at all in thee. The sigh- ing of the prisoners and the songs of the ransomed shall be heard no more in thee. The table of the Lord, overshad- owed with the banners of his love, will be spread no more in thee. The rite of baptism will be administered no more in thee. The covenant of peace will be embraced no more in thee. The Sabbath school will meet no more in thee. The light of the candle will shine no more in thee. The multitude who keep holy day will assemble no more at all in tliee. The solemn and affectionate benediction will be pronounced no more in thee. Farewell, thou sacred and venerable house of God, Farewell ! In taking our leave of this house, thanks to the God of our fathers, we do not take leave of the hill on Avhich it stands. 'This hill of Zion yields a thousand sacred sweets.' As a seat of divine worship for almost two hundred years, it is sacred, like the hill of ancient Zion. Here, on this rock, a church will stand, till hills and mountains, seas, earth and time shall be no more. Soon will another house rise here, rise in beauty and in strength. May its glory, through the gracious presence of the God of Jacob, far exceed that of its predecessor. When God shall come to build up Zion, he will appear in his glory. In the meantime, wherever we pitch our tabernacle, may his presence and grace attend us. May the cloud of glory be upon our tabernacle by day, and fire by night in the sight of all the people. Let our affec- tions still cluster around this sacred spot. Never on the returning sabbath let us forget the place where this house loas. In reference to it let us say with all the affection of the pious Jews, when, in the land of their captivity hanging their harps upon the willows tliey remembered Zion, and say individually, If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right 31 hand forgot her cunning ; if I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth ; if I prefer not Jeru- salem above my chief joy. Be it our care that we do not become scattered upon the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd, between the time of leaving this sacred spot and returning to it, to consecrate a new house to God. During that interval may the God of our fathers, who chose this hill, as the Zion of their day, be with us and bless us. With us may he return on that glad day. Then will be heard anew the voice of relisious joy and gratitude. Appli- cable to that season will be these words of ancient prophecy, Thus saith the Lord, again shall be heard in this place the voice of joy and the voice of gladness ; tlie voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride ; the voice of them that say, Praise the Lord of hosts ; for his mercy endureth forever ; and the voice of them that bring the sacrifice of praise unto the house of the Lord. Let us all now listen with attention to the dying words of the House itself My dear family, for many years I have been a nourish- ing parent to your fathers and to you. I have fed you with pure gospel truth, with ' doctrine uncorrupt.' I have re- freshed you with divine ordinances. To many of your departed friends I have been the gate of heaven. Many who honored me. as their earthly Zion, are now citizens of the >'ew Jerusalem. But my days are numbered and finished. The time of my departure has come. No more can I feed you with the bread and the water of life. I die ; but God be with you and bless you, if you keep in mind the couijsels I have given you, and obey them. W hen I am dead, bury me speedily. Carry me silently to the place of my rest. Lay up in your hearts the instructions you have received from me. They are your life. Practise them. Then you will be prepared the better to receive the instruc- tions of my successor. Let none of my aged friends, who hoped that I should live as long as they, too much lament my death. The days of my years have far exceeded those of either of my predecessors. When another church shall 32 rise ill my place, transfer in fall your affections from me to it. Kepair to it, parents and children, old and young. Take permanent seats in it ; and let them never be vacant. Invite the attendance of those who naturally belong here ; but xAio in consequence of my age and infirmities, or from whatever cause have had no church home of late. Be of one mind, and the God of love and of peace will be with you. 1 leave you all with the affection of a tender parent, deeply solicitous for your prosperity and happiness. Some of you I leave v.dth great sorrow of heart ; I mean those who have honored me with your presence ; but who have not profited by my instructions, who have attended at the outer sanctuary, but not entered the spiritual temple. How shall I leave you in the kingdom of darkness ! Come, and give your hearts to that God, to whose service I was consecrated at my birth, and to whose service my whole life has been devoted. Let my last counsel be heard — Be ye all children of light — and I die in peace. Then was sung Psalm 57, 3 — 6, in Old Hundred, the whole congregation rising, and all who could sing uniting in the song; and the services were closed with the Benediction in the foiiowing words: Blessed are all they who hear the word of God, and keep it. The grace of our liord Jesus Christ be with you all. 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