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T\\e dv\ty of \Wm^ fov i\ic good of postevvty. 
 
 DELIVERED AT JVORTH-YARMOUTH, 
 
 * December 22, 1820, 
 
 *n commemoration of the close of the 
 SECOND CENTURY 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 OF JVEW'EJ^GLAKD, 
 By STEPHEN CHAPIN, 
 
 PASTOR OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN NORTH-YARMOUTH-. 
 
 . 1867 _^_. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY REQUES'foj,^ ^<iW 
 
 PORTLJiXD: 
 
 PRINTED BY THOMAS TODD U C«. 
 
 1 821. 
 
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 / 
 
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 IJ 
 
I. Chronicles, xxii, 5. 
 
 ■" 50 DAVID PREPARED ABUNDANTLY BEFORE HIS DEATH." 
 
 David, not long after his coronation, marched his army 
 
 against the Jebusites, and dislodged them from the strong hold 
 
 of Zion. Having taken possession of this place he changed its 
 
 name, and called it the citj' of David, and resolved that it should 
 
 become the capital of his kingdom, and the seat of national 
 
 worship. He therefore proceeded to erect such a palace and 
 
 other magnificent buildings, as would be suited for the established 
 
 residence of the King and court. In further completing his 
 
 design, he took early measures to remove the Ark of God 
 
 from Kirjath-jearim and to fix its abode at Jerusalem. He 
 
 assembled about thirty thousand chosen men of Israel, and with 
 
 them he marched to Kirjath-jearim, and thence brought up the 
 
 Ark with the most august solemnities, and placed it in the midst 
 
 of the tabernacle, which he had prepared for its reception. From 
 
 these transactions David retired to his own private dwelling, and 
 
 sat down to contemplate, with admiring gratitude, the mercies 
 
 of God in preserving him amid all the perils of war, and in 
 
 granting him rest round about from all his enemies. But in the 
 
 midst of these pious meditations, he was led to look around on 
 
 the wealth and splendors of his royal palace, and to contrast 
 
 them with the poor and humble abode of the Lord of Hosts. 
 
 His generous mind was deeply wounded to think that he, a poor 
 
 and sinful worm of the dust, should live in a princely mansion, 
 
 surrounded with the splendor of stale, whilst the God of Israel 
 
 abode beneath a tent. This reflection had hardly passed his 
 
 mind, before he determined to build a house, suited for the 
 
 reception of the Ark and the symbol of Jehovah's presence. 
 
He lmm''r!'ately sent for the prophet Nathan and acquainted' 
 him with his resolution, and said to him : " Lo I dwell in a house 
 of cedar, but the Ark of the covenant of the Lord remaineth 
 under curtains." Nathan, being ignorant of the designs of heaven,, 
 applauded the King, and encouraged him to execute his purpose. 
 But soon after the prophet had left his master, " the word of 
 God came to him saying, go and tell David, my servant, thus 
 saith the Lord, thou shalt not build me an house to dwell in.'* 
 "But it shall come to pass, when thy days be expired, that thou 
 must go to be with thy fathers, that I will raise up thy seed after 
 thee, which shall be of thy sons ; and I will establish his kingdom. 
 He shall build me an house, and I will establish his throne 
 forever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son ; and I 
 will not take my mercy away from him, as I took it from him 
 that was before thee. But I will settle him in mine house and 
 in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established 
 foievcrmore." Though David had set his heart very much on 
 building an house for God, yet he received this divine interdict 
 with cordial submission, and immediately prayed, saying, "Lord, 
 let the thing that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and 
 concerning his house be established forever, and do as thou hast 
 said. Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified 
 forever, saying, the Lord of Hosts is the God of Israel, even a 
 God to Israel : and let the house of David thy servant be 
 established before thee. For thou, O my God, hast told thy 
 servant, that thou wilt build him an house : therefore thy servant 
 hath found in his heart to pray this prayer before thee." 
 
 David, when thus disappointed, not only prayed in acquiescence, 
 but he discovered a readiness to act a humbler part, than that of 
 building an house to the honor of Jehovah. He was willing to 
 spend the eve of his life in gathering materials for the Temple 
 of the Lord. He did not expect to see this house, or to enjoy 
 from it any personal pleasure or advantage, as it was not to be 
 built till after his disease ; still such was his benevolent regard 
 for the welfare of his posterity, that with great liberality he 
 contributed of his labor and substance. He probably spent a 
 
considerable portion of the last twenty-seven years of his days 
 in collecting stock for the intended building. An account of his 
 extensive preparations wc have in I. Chron. xxix. 2 — 4. "Now 
 I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God, the 
 gold for the things to be made of gold, and the silver for things 
 to be made of silver, and of brass for things of brass, the iron 
 for things of iron, and wood for things of wood ; onyx stones, 
 and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colors, and 
 all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. 
 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my 
 God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which 
 I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that 
 I have prepared for the holy house, even three thousand talents 
 of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of 
 refined silver, to overlay the walls of the house." This last and 
 private donation amounted to the immense sum of more than 
 eleven millions sterling ! Tiie King, while thus noble himself, 
 mvited others to imitate his example. Saith he : " Who then is 
 willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord?" This 
 invitation was at once accepted. " Then the chief of the fathers, 
 and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands 
 and of hundreds, with the rulers over the king's work, offered 
 willingly. And gave for the service of the house of God, of gold, 
 five thousand talents and ten thousand drams; and of silver, ten 
 thousand talents; and of brass, eighteen thousand talents ; and 
 one hundred thousand talents of iron. And they, with whom 
 precious stones were found, gave them to the treasure of the 
 house of the Lord." 
 
 This profusion of wealth may well give us the most exalted 
 idea of the countless riches and of the public spirit of the nation. 
 The reasons for all these mighty labors and preparations are 
 assigned in the verse of our text. " And David said, Solomon 
 my son, is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded 
 for the Lord must be exceeding magnifical of fame and glor}'^, 
 throughout all countries ; I will therefore now make preparation 
 fbr it. So David prepared abundantly before his death." The 
 
6 
 
 temple of Solomon wag a building too magnificent and costly 
 to be completed by the wisdom and resources of any individual 
 generation. David therefore, and the elders of Israel prepared 
 for its erection before their death. They expected to receive 
 from it no personal good ; yet such was their regard for their 
 posterity that they were willing to devote their last labors and 
 much of their property for the religious instruction of future 
 generations. They wished to leave behind them some memorial, 
 that would remind their children that their fathers did not live 
 simply for themselves, but extended their views beyond their 
 grave, and labored for the well being of succeeding ages. " So 
 David prepared abundantly before his death." These words 
 teach us this important and practical doctrine : Christians should 
 labor to spend their lives in such a manner, as shall be useful to 
 their posterity, after their own decease. 
 This sentiment we shall 
 
 I. Support. 
 
 II. Exhibit some motives to enforce this obligation. And, 
 
 III. Specify some of the ways in which we may benefit our- 
 survivors. 
 
 This truth is confirmed by a number of direct passages of the 
 holy scriptures. See II. Cor. xii, 14. "For the children 
 ought not to lay up for their parents, but the parents for their 
 children." In these words Paul states an universal rule, by 
 which all parents are bound to labor for the benefit of their 
 posterity. Paul declares, that, " Whatsoever things were written 
 aforetime were written for our learning." And again he says, 
 " Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples, and 
 they are written for our admonition." Christ says, " He that 
 reapeth receiveth wag^es and gathereth fruit unto life eternal, that 
 both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together." 
 Peter says : "Moreover, I will endeavor that ye may be able, 
 after my decease, to have these things always in remembrance." 
 Peter, knowing that he must shortly put off his earthly tabernacle, 
 resolved that he would commit his doctrines and precepts to 
 writing, that after his death christians of other nations and ages 
 
might have them in remembrance, even until the close of time. 
 " He establislied a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in 
 Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make 
 them known to their children, that the generation to come might 
 know them, even the children which should be born, who should 
 arise and declare them to their children ; that they might set 
 their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep 
 his commandments." Here the Psalmist informs, that it is a 
 Standing law in Israel, that parents should labor to transmit 
 pious instructions to their children, and they again to theirs, 
 through all successive ages, to the latest posterity, that they 
 might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, 
 but keep his commandments. Moses just before his death said 
 unto all Israel, "I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; 
 I can no more go out and come in ; also the Lord hath said unto 
 me, thou shalt not go over this Jordan: — Behold thy days 
 approach that thou must die." He then commanded theLevites^ 
 saying, " take the book of the law and put it in the side of the 
 Ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may be there 
 for a witness against thee. For I know thy rebellion and thy 
 stiff neck: behold while I am yet alive with you this day ye have 
 been rebellious against the Lord ; and how much more after my 
 death.'* Gather unto me all the Elders of your tribes, and your 
 officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call 
 heaven and earth to record against them. For I know that after 
 ray death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from 
 the ways, which I have commanded you, and evil will befall you 
 in the latter days." How evident is it, my brethren, that Moses 
 performed this labor of love and uttered these, his last words, 
 with the design that after his death they might stand as a perpetual 
 and warning testimony to all future generations. 
 
 We trust that enough has been said in support of the sentiment, 
 deduced from our text. We will therefore, 
 
 II. Proceed to present motives to enforce the obligation on 
 all men to live in such manner, that their usefulness may extend 
 beyond their graves. 
 
1st. The brevity of life. If our lives were to be protracted 
 through several thousand years, we might liope to accomplish 
 much before our death, and tlien the motive to live for posterity 
 would be somewhat diminished. But instead of being permitted 
 to continue, during so many ages, our days are contracted to 
 the narrow boundaries of threescore years and teu. And 
 very few, comparatively speaking, complete even this short 
 period. Most all die short of the common age of man. But 
 all that saints will ever do by their personal activity, to 
 enlarge the boundaries of Zion, must be accomplished during 
 the few and fleeting years of their probation. At their death, 
 their prayers, their alms, their counsels, their toils, all come 
 to a perpetual close. Hence said the wise man, "What- 
 soever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might ; for there 
 is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the 
 grave whither thou goest." Should we, my brethren, be 
 sufiered to behold seventy years, we must well remember, that a 
 considerable portion of this scanty season glides away, while we 
 are incapable of advancing the general good. Subtract frora 
 the term of life our days of infancy, of childhood, of youthful 
 preparation, and all the helplessness of old age, and you will 
 find but a few years left for public service. It is a general truth, 
 that all that saints ever do by their personal exertions to advance 
 the cause of Christ, is all accomplished in the short space of 
 twenty or thirty years ! Can you then feel willing, that in your 
 interminable existence, this little point of time should be the 
 only portion in which you were of any use in promoting the 
 interests of the militant church? Do you wish to leave no 
 memorial behind you, that shall, like the i-eligion of Abel, speak 
 and act and help on the glorious work, long after you have 
 gained your final rest ? 
 
 2d. Gratitude should prompt us to live so that our existence 
 here may do good to future generations. Patriarchs, prophets, 
 apostles and primitive saints labored abundantly, endured perse- 
 cution, suffered privations and fought bravely, whilst we, their 
 descendants, are reaping the fruit of their toils and conflicts. 
 We are furnished with a divine history of the church for many 
 
9 
 
 centuries, and may derive much advantage from the collected 
 wisdom and experience of all antiquitj'. 
 
 Our progenitors, who settled in this country, did and suffered 
 much to obtain and transmit the ricliest blessings, both civil and 
 sacred, to their posterity. When cruelly oppressed, they fled 
 for an asylum, where they might enjoy that religious freedom, 
 which they were denied at home. But, disappointed in their 
 first removal, they left their native continent, and embarked for 
 these western shores. Hither they arri^ ed, when the season was 
 far advanced, and they were but miserably supplied with clothing 
 and provision to resist the severities of the approaching winter. 
 They endured privations, accomplished labors, encountered 
 dangers, which we, their degenerate sons, are unequal to sustain. 
 They were a rare race of men, reared up for a rare purpose. 
 They were preeminent for their hardihood of constitution, for 
 their undaunted bravery, for their patience under accumulated 
 sufferings, for their invincible attachment to religious truth, for 
 the strictness, and even severity of their morals, for their 
 quenchless zeal and perseverance, for their attention to the 
 rising generation, for their devotedness to God, and for their 
 unconquerable love to rational freedom. Before them the native 
 inhabitants were driven out by famine, pestilence and war, and 
 left them room to plant their colonies. Through their labors, 
 succeeded by the smiles of heaven, forests fell, fields were cleared, 
 planted and secured, roads were cut, buildings were reared, 
 schools were established, colleges were endowed, churches were 
 gathered, and the means of instruction abundantly encouraged. 
 From a little band of renowned ancestors, we have advanced 
 in population, in arts and sciences, wealth and power, with a 
 rapidity, unparalleled in the pages of history, till we have 
 become a great people, and now command a distinguished rank 
 among the nations of the earth. The rich inheritance, which we 
 now enjoy, was obtained by the treasures, and even by the blood 
 of many of our progenitors. What return, then, shall we make 
 for our inestimable blessings ? To our fathers we cannot be 
 profitable. They sleep in their grave, and are beyond the 
 
10 
 
 influence of our prayers or labors. But to God we may and 
 ought to express our gratitude for the fruit of their toils, by 
 emulating their example in laboring for the good of those, who 
 shall live after our decease. 
 
 3d. To this duty we are urged by the peculiar state and 
 relation of our children. They are rising up, and coming upon 
 the stage in a period, to be more interesting and eventful, perhaps, 
 than any other, since the age of the Apostles. The promised 
 rest of the church is unquestionably fast approaching. But 
 before It can be fully enjoyed, much, very much, must be 
 accomplished. The Jews are to be gathered ; the Gentiles are 
 to be enlightened and converted unto Christ ; the Papal and 
 Mahometan powers ai-e to be destroyed, and idolatry and 
 paganism of every description must be driven from the earth. 
 This great work of evangelizing the world may rest more on 
 our children, or children's children, than on any other generation. 
 How important then, and desirable, that they should be instructed 
 in the right ways of God ? The spiritual temple must be great 
 and exceedingly magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout 
 all countries. And we may say of our children, as David said 
 of his son Solomon, they are young and tender ; and like him 
 we should therefore resolve to prepare abundantly for the building 
 ot the Lord before our death. 
 
 4th. Another motive for action is found in the honor and 
 benevolence of this labor. Saint Paul teaches us that it is more 
 honorable to go before to subdue and sow in uncultivated soil, 
 than to follow after to gather a harvest, where we did not plant. 
 Saith he, "Yea so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where 
 Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's 
 foundation.'* Christ says, "And herein is that saying true, one 
 soweth and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that, whereon 
 ye bestowed no labor. Other men labored, and ye are 
 entered into their labors." Those primitive teachers, who were 
 commissioned to preach the gospel among the most rude and 
 "barbarous nations, performed services far more distinguished, 
 than those committed to men, who pursued them, simply to defend 
 
11 
 
 (he 'field which their fatliers had won by much toil and valor. 
 So at this day those missionaries, who take ihcir lives in their 
 hands and make the first adventures into the habitations of 
 cruelty, and there translate and spread the word of God, open 
 schools, and gather the first churches, are performing more 
 honorable labors, than will be left for those who shall enter the 
 field at a later period, when the power of paganism is quite 
 destroyed, and the gospel of Ciuist generally embraced. The 
 feeble and the timid may venture and make some progress afte^" 
 the dangers are removed, mountains levelled, vallies raised, the 
 rough made smooth, and the crooked straight. 
 
 But furdier, this labor for the good of succeeding generations 
 furnishes the best proof, that our motives are benevolent. Here, 
 regard to private interest has not so much room to control. If 
 in the erection of our buildings, tilling and securing our soil, it 
 is manifest, that we do not wish our works to survive our own 
 existence, we shall be considered, and that justly, as under the 
 supreme dominion of self-love. Tlie Lord Jesus hath said, "It 
 is more blessed to give than to receive." So we may say it is. 
 far more noble and blessed to spend our strength and charities 
 in services, which will be of public and lasting utility, than to 
 employ our time and wealth in schemes to advance our immediate 
 and personal good. 
 
 5th. We ought to labor to do something to benefit those, who 
 may succeed us, because wicked and crafty men do much to 
 injure the rising and future generations. How many thousands 
 have perished by running in the ways of Cain and Korah, of 
 Balaam and Balak, of Absalom and Jeroboam, of Ahab and 
 Manassah, of Judas and Simon the sorcerer. The counsels of 
 Omri were followed long after his death. The corrupting 
 doctrines and the pernicious examples, which some of these 
 wicked men taught and set, have descended like a stream of 
 deadly waters from generation to generation. It was said by 
 one of the ancient Grecians, that he would engage to rule the 
 politics of the nation, if he were permitted to furnish their festal 
 and patriotic songs. It is still more true, that those men will 
 
iHile the destinies of any nation, whose youth they are peiinitted 
 to educate in their own favorite schools of policy and morals. 
 Rome, while her principles were correct and her habits good, 
 Stood firm and prospered. But the demoralizing philosophy of 
 Ej'ijurus, and the luxuries of Asia, sapped the foundation and 
 overturned the whole fabric of that mighty empire, which had 
 been the terror and the wonder of ages. The infidel writers of 
 the last century, were, many of them, men of the first powers, and 
 of the first acquirements. They formed a grand conspiracy 
 against the religion of Christ. In executing their design they 
 looked forward and made many just calculations. They seemed 
 to despair of gaining much control over those whose opinions 
 and habits had gained their meridian strength. They were 
 deeply versed in a knowledge of men and things, and knew well 
 how to touch the springs of the mental powers, and to gain 
 ascendancy over the human mind. It was their policy to regulate 
 the education of children and youth, to fill the press with books 
 of their own composition; concealing, in a golden cup, the poison 
 they meant to administer. They acted on the "maxim that an 
 army o^ principles will penetrate where an army of soldiers 
 cannot. It is neither tke Rhine, the channel, nor the Ocean that 
 can arrest its progress. It will march to the horizon of the world, 
 and it will conquer." Hence they poured upon the public a 
 flood of writings, all deeply charged with the infection of 
 licentiousness and infidelity. They labored to shape to their 
 favorite sentiment all schools, academies and seminaries of 
 learning. They were apprized that Christianity was deeply 
 rooted and hoary v/ith honorable age. They well knew that 
 such a system was not to be overturned with feeble exertions. 
 Hence the mine, which they sunk was deep and broad, and so 
 filled with powerful ingredients, that when it was sprung, the 
 noise of its explosion spread dismay more than the deep rumbling 
 of an earthquake, and shook all the thrones of Europe. Its 
 mighty heavings threw up a far wider ruin than the eruptions of 
 Etna. But thanks be to God, that amid all these convulsions 
 the Lord stood around his people, like the everlastinjj hills round 
 
IS 
 
 about Jerusalem. The church, though then burning with fire, 
 yet, hke the busii in Ilorcb, was not consumed. When the 
 enemy came in like a flood, tiien the spirit of the Lord 
 lifted up a standard against him. The evidences of Christianity 
 were subjected to the most rigid and critical examination by men 
 of the greatest acuteness and learning. And thus the tempest, 
 which was raised to sweep away the christian's hope, was 
 instrumental of disclosing more fully the firmness of its 
 immoveable foundation, just as a heavy wind proves that the roots 
 of the mighty oak of the forest are deep and strong. 
 
 The writings of the venei'ablc Fuller have done more, perhaps, 
 than those of an^^ other man, in stemming the torrent of corrupt 
 opinions, and in confirming the faith of the people of God. His 
 "Gospel its own witness, and his letters on the comparative 
 influence of the Socinian and Calvinistic systems, are worth 
 thrice their weight in gold. They present such a mass of 
 evidence, so judiciously arranged, and sustained with such 
 luminous and powerful arguments, that they can never be 
 battered down by all the artillery, within the control of the 
 enemies of truth. 
 
 Let us rememljer, my hearers, that the emissaries of vice and 
 infidelity are still in existence, and busily engaged in making 
 converts to their false doctrines. To check the s])read of theii* 
 immoral habits, and destructive views, we are bound to rear an 
 opposing barrier. It should be our prayer to live in such 
 manner, that we may raise some lasting monument, which shall 
 warn, or counsel, or guide, those who may live after we are 
 removed from the stage of action. Abel, by his deeds of faith, 
 still speaks, and will continue to speak even till the close of 
 time. Joshua, in his day, gave a lone and direction to public 
 opinions and habits, which continued for centuries after he was 
 called home to his heavenly rest. See Joshua, xxiv, 31. The 
 labor of Elijah in teaching the school of the prophets, continued 
 its good effects in reforming the wickedness of Ahab and Jezebel, 
 long after he was translated to heaven in a chariot of fire. 
 5tli. Anotlier motive to stimulate us to do good to onr 
 
14 
 
 posterity, is lound in the fact, that in this way we are'pursuing 
 the surest measures to promote the best interests of the present 
 generation. Our encouragement to seek the welfare of those, 
 who may succeed us, would be much weakened, if such attempts 
 led to neglect or to injure our cotemporaries in life. This, 
 however, is very far from being true. It is said, that the present 
 and the future world are both served best, when each is served 
 in its proper place and according to its relative importance. So 
 we may say of the present and coming generation, that we best 
 promote the welfare of both conjointly, when we bestow on each 
 its due regard. If a farmer should cultivate his lands and enrich 
 them to the extent of his power, with the benevolent design of 
 having a greater amount of surplus produce to bestow in 
 charities to relieve the necessitous, in this way he would not 
 only gratify the best feelings of the heart, and feed the hungry 
 poor, but he would hereby augment the value of his estate. It 
 is a maxim of perpetual truth, that no man can designedly injure 
 another without injuring himself by the same act. On the other 
 hand, no man can do good to another with pious motives, 
 without doing good to himself. Hence, if you never wrong 
 others, you will be in little danger of hurting yourselves. If 
 you would benefit those, who may live after you are gone, by 
 jnaintaining a life of watchfulness and prayer, by leaving a good 
 example, or by educating your children, or by founding new 
 public institutions of science or charity, or by laboring to suppress 
 immoral customs, and to establish habits of virtue, or by 
 studying to make new and useful discoveries or inventions— 
 in each and all these ways, if you are successful, you are 
 promoting the interests of yourselves, of your children, and of 
 all those, who fall within the circle of your influence. No one 
 therefore, can with any propriety object, that the sentiment, 
 which we are laboring to inculcate, will lead us to neglect those 
 who have the first and the highest claims on our service. 
 
 6th. We ought now to engage in labors of public and lasting 
 utility, because we are now blessed with peace and internal 
 tranquillity. In times of war, famine, pestilence, present wants 
 
15 
 
 and miseries may be so pressing, as to claim our immediate and 
 undivided attention. Wliile the children of Israel were in an 
 unsettled state, moving from place to place, and involved in al- 
 most perpetual wars, they had neither leisure or means to build 
 the house of the Lord. Such a mighty and costly work requir- 
 ed a state of rest and prosperity. Hence when David and 
 Nathan were both inclined to commence this building, God for- 
 bade ihem saying, " I have not dwelt in an house since the days 
 that I brought up Israel unto this day, but have gone from tent 
 to tent, and from one tabernacle to another. Also I will ordain 
 a place for my people Israel, and will plant them and they shall 
 dwell in their place, and shall be moved no more. And I will 
 subdue all thine enemies." Until these promises were fulfilled 
 and peace was granted them from all their enemies round about, 
 they were not allowed to commence the building of the temple. 
 In the peaceful reign of Solomon, this great work was begun 
 and soon completed. We are now blessed with health and 
 plenty and peace on every hand. Most of the nations of the 
 earth are at rest. And we are now furnished with one of the 
 most favored seasons to engage in devising and executing 
 schemes of extensive and lasting beneficence. But it is time to 
 specify in the 
 
 III. Place, some of the ways in which we may do good to 
 posterity. The first that I shall mention is, prayer. Means 
 in themselves are unavailing. The best may be employed with- 
 out effect. The Psalmist says, " except the Lord build the* 
 house, they labor in vain that build it ; except the Lord • 
 keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." It is worthy 
 of very distinct observation, that the apostle doth not say, when 
 the least gifts in the church, the weakest teachers are employed, 
 there will be no increase without the divine blessing, but that 
 when the greatest gifts, the most improved talents, even such as 
 those of Paul and Apollos, were employed, God must give the 
 increase. The residue of the spirit is with the Lord, and he 
 generally grants it in answer to the prayers of his people. In 
 this duty all the righteous may engage. Those, who have 
 
16 
 
 ueitlier strength, nor gold, nor silver to bestow, may offer their 
 praj^ers for a blessing on the efforts of others. Prayers are not 
 always immediately answered ; the answer is sometimes delayed 
 long after the petitioner is gone to his grave ; so that those who 
 abound most in this duty may leave the richest legacy to future 
 generations. The prayers of Noah, of Abraham, of Isaac, of 
 Jacob, of Moses, of Joshua, of Samuel, of David, of Solomon, 
 and even of Christ and his Apostles, God has as yet answered 
 only in part. In fulfilling their desires, God is now pouring 
 upon his church unnumbered streams of mercy. The prayers 
 and the predictions of Noah, God has been answering and fuJfilling 
 from generation to generation, even to this present hour. He is 
 now enlarging Japheth and giving him room in the tents of 
 Shem. And Canaan still labors under the ancient anathema, 
 and remains to this day a servant of servants. How solemn, 
 yet how animating is this consideration to all who have an in- 
 terest at the throne of grace. Pray then often and fervently, 
 that God would revive pure religion in all his churches ; 
 greatly encourage and succeed the labors of ail his ministers ; 
 smile on all the means of useful and religious education ; abun- 
 dantly bless all our benevolent societies, by augmenting their 
 funds, and by granting wisdom to apply them all to purposes of 
 the most extensive usefulness ; that he would enrich the mission- 
 aries of the cross with all those common and special endowments, 
 which they need to comfort and prosper them in their perils and 
 labors ; that he would send forth more faithful men into the 
 harvest ; that he would remember the seed of Abraham ; dispel 
 all the delusions of Mahomet ; destroy the man of sin by the 
 brightness of his appearing ; that he would pity the poor pagans, 
 and cause them all to embrace the gospel of his Son, and that he 
 would cause his blessed word to be faithfully translated and 
 circulated in all the living languages, and among all nations 
 under heaven ; that Gentiles may be emancipated from the worst 
 kind of slavery, and prepared by the grace of God for the 
 blessedness of another world. If God long delay to hear, as a 
 trial of your faith and patience, yet you may be certain tliat he 
 
17 
 
 will eventually answer in blessings far beyond your present most 
 enlarged desires and expectations. Let us then abound in this 
 duty; and if our supplications are not granted now, we shall 
 leave to the future church the inheritance of our prayers, which 
 infniite wisdom will answer in such time and manner, as will 
 best subserve his gracious designs. 
 
 2d. By maintaining a good example. The influence of our 
 characters does not close with our probation. The character of 
 a good man is generally more correctly prized, and more 
 cheerfully imitated, after his decease, than while he was on the 
 stage of action. His death enlists our sympathies, and does 
 much to cure prejudice against him, so that we are more inclined 
 to bury his faults, and to recommend his virtues. If during our 
 generation, we are enabled to set a commanding example, so 
 much the more good shall we do after we have finished our 
 earthly course. Since the days of Joseph, Moses, Joshua, 
 Nehemiah and David, some stewards, legislators, generals, 
 governors and kings, have taken them as good models for 
 imitation in their respective stations. But if it be evident that 
 you are ruled by a wicked heart, then your directions and 
 precepts, however good, will be dashed 4:o the ground, with this 
 indignant reproach: Will you bind heavy burdens and grievous 
 to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders, whilst you yourselves 
 will not move them with one of your fingers ? We may defend 
 the fiilh and the foi'ms of the Gospel with the driving zeal of 
 Jehu ; we may counsel with the wisdom of Solomon, tithe with 
 the exactness, and pray with all the parade of a sanctimonious 
 pharisee ; but if our lives are corrupt, then, instead of transmitting 
 any good to those who may survive us, our names will rot in the 
 grave. But if we evince, by our daily walk, that we are governed 
 by the spirit of Christ, our names will be held in everlasting 
 remembrance, and will continue to do good long after our personal 
 labors shall have terminated. 
 
 3d. By educating our children. It ever has been, and ever 
 will be the duty of parents to instruct their children in human 
 knowledge, and to bring them up in the nurture and admonition 
 
 3 
 
18 
 
 of the Lord. But there are periods in the world when this dutj 
 is more highly important, than at other seasons. We, my hearers, 
 are highly favored in being permitted to live in such an age of 
 unprecedented activity, and numberless devices, to benefit mankind. 
 A vast field is opening before us, and great events are to be 
 achieved between us and the glories of the millennial state. It 
 is of the greatest moment that those, who are to be the instruments 
 of accomplishing these great works, should be prepared for their 
 allotted labors. We should labor to instruct our children into 
 the history of divine providences, and of the travail of the church 
 thus far in her militant state. We should show them that many 
 signal prophecies have already been fulfilled, and that many of 
 the richest promises of mercy are j^et to be accomplished. And 
 thus we may present them v/ith a view of the ground of encour- 
 agement to the friends of Zion. Above all, it should be our 
 daily and fervent prayer to God, that they may be eminently a 
 generation to serve the Lord. Though much is doing to instruct 
 the rising generation, 3 et they are not out of danger. Error 
 and wickedness still abound. The enemies of all righteousness 
 yet survive, and are busy in seeking to turn away many from 
 the faith. It is among^the rising generation that they are most 
 sanguine of gaining proselytes. The thoughtless youth, whose 
 mind is vacant of religious principle, they Vt'ill be active in 
 alluring into the vortex of ruin. It was a young man, void of 
 understanding, whom Solomon saw through the casement of his 
 window, in the twilight of the evening, enticed by the fair speeches 
 of an harlot, to go to the " house, that is the way to hell, leading 
 down to the chambers of death." How much do the volatile 
 youth, when their passions are warm and impetuous, need the 
 frequent cautions and counsels of age and experience.^ Those 
 parents or guardians, who are the favored instruments of the 
 instruction, the awakening and conversion of their children or 
 wards, perform for their posterity one of the most important 
 services. To engage in this labor of love, you are furnished 
 with the most powerful motives. Moses, you well remember, 
 was nursed by his mother, after he was drawn from the waters of 
 
19 
 
 the Nile. She unqr^estionably early taught him the character of 
 Jeliovaii, his niercit'ul dealiiiffs with his people, and his purpose 
 to emancipate them from the slavery of Eg-ypt. These 
 instructions, enforced by the blessing of heaven, preserved him 
 hi his juvenile years, amid all the profligacy of the court, and 
 prepared him to become the future deliverer, guide and legislator 
 of the people of God. "In the city of London hved a poor and 
 obscure woman, who brought forth a son, who at his birth was 
 laid aside as dead. But through tlie assiduities of the nurse the 
 expiring flame of life was rekindled. This child his mother took 
 and brought up for God. Before he could read she taught him the 
 history of the old and new Testaments by the assistance of some 
 Dutch tiles in the chimney of the room, where they usually sat. 
 Ah ! little did this pious mother think that she was then training up 
 the, famous Philip Doddridge, who appeared in the kingdom of 
 God, as a star of distinguished radiance." 
 
 Those of you, who have read the life of the late celebrated 
 John Newton, will recollect, that the instruction, which his mother 
 gave him before he was four years old, made such a deep 
 impression on his mind, that they were not effaced during all 
 his years of dissipation. They kept him from entire apostacy to 
 open infidelity, and were, under God, among the means of his 
 conversion, and of his becoming a distinguished minister of 
 Christ. This jMr. Newton was the earthly agent in the conversion 
 of Mr. Scott, the famous commentator on the sacred scriptures, 
 whose works will continue to benefit the church, long after the 
 author shall have slumbered in the dust. This same Mr. Newtou 
 was the instrument of the conversion of Claudius Buchanan, 
 who in his youth strolled the streets of London, and accidentally 
 heard this servant of God. This man, by his travels, his 
 researches and publications, has lighted up a missionary fire, 
 which may shine with continued brightness until the general 
 reign of Christ. Look now at this assemblage of good, produced 
 by the labors of these three eminent men, and remember, that 
 so far as human means deserve to be mentioned in any case, all 
 this may be traced back to the instructions which a little child 
 
20 
 
 received from his pious mother, before he was four years old ! How- 
 encouraging these examples ! You, who are the true followers 
 of Christ, are engaged in building up the spiritual house of God, 
 which is to be of far greater fame, than that of Solomon. If, 
 by your prayers and instruction, you are instrumental in the 
 conversion of a single individual, you will bring a lively stone 
 for this building of God, which will be infinitely more valuable, 
 than all the gold of the universe. 
 
 4th. By laboring to abolish bad customs, and to correct 
 dangerous opinions. These, Avhen long settled, are often permitted 
 to pass on from century to century. In the dark ages, an opinion 
 generally prevailed, that character, and right and wrong, might be 
 known by the smiles or frowns of heaven. Hence in cases of 
 private quarrels, an appeal was made to the lot, or to single 
 combat. They presumed that God would interpose, and decide 
 according to the righteousness of the cause. This false sentiment, 
 during the prevalence of the feudal system, involved the high 
 spirited Barons of Europe in almost perpetual war. When 
 difficulties arose, they made an immediate appeal to the sword ; 
 and victory, in their view, marked the innocent, and defeat, the 
 guilty. Thousands of lives have been lost in consequence of 
 this barbarous practice. But the light of truth gradually 
 corrected the error, and the habit of settling disputes by a resort 
 to arms, was exchanged for the right of trial by jury, 
 
 A belief was long maintained in the church, that heresy in 
 religion was an offence against the state, and that earthly tribunals 
 had a right to sit in judgment on the consciences of men, and to 
 aAvard to the unhappy man, who dared to swerve from the dominant 
 faith, stripes or chains, banishment or death. In consequence 
 of this cruel sentiment, what tortures have been endured, what 
 oceans of blood have been spilt ? How many thousands have 
 been bound and lodged in the gloomy prisons of the inquisition, 
 that papal court, black and rank with infernal deeds. Even the 
 pious ancestors of New-England brought with them the same 
 mistaken opinion. They showed, by their subsequent conduct, 
 in banishing Williams, and in hanging the Friends, that their 
 
21 
 
 cry in tlieir native land, was only against the application, but 
 not aG:ainst tlie principles of persecution. 
 
 By this remark, we do not intend to insinuate, tliat they were 
 constitutionally more intolerant and cruel, than tlieir liberal 
 posterity. Persecution was the error of the times, and the 
 legitimate offspring of their misapprehension, respecting the 
 rights of conscience. Had they possessed the light of the 
 moderns on the evil of forcing uniformity in religious belief, they 
 would have been equally catholic. 
 
 But this error of sul)jugating the right of private judgment, 
 either to the civil, or to the ecclesiastical jurisdiction, has been 
 in a great measure corrected. And it is dev outl}- to be desired, 
 that the day may soon arrive, when this principle, this grand 
 source of religious oppression and tyranny, shall be utterly and 
 forever, banished from the church and world. For the light, 
 which has been shed on this subject, we are, under God, greatly 
 indebted to the immortal writings of Milton, Locke, Owen, 
 Sidney,De Laune, and many others. These men and others of later 
 date, some of whom are now on the stage, have stated and defended 
 the ground of free toleration in matters of religion, with a 
 clearness and force of argument, that cannot be fairly obscured 
 or destroyed. These men have not only done immense good to 
 their posterity, by slacking, and nearly stopping the tide of 
 religious persecution ; but they have set in motion principles of 
 rational freedom, which will continue their march, and multiply 
 converts, till religion becomes as free as the water we drink, or 
 the air we breathe. 
 
 The time has been, and not many years since, when slaverj", 
 and the slave trade, Avere strenuously advocated, not only by those 
 selfish individuals, whose whole interest was embarked in that 
 abominable traffic, but by some of the highest statesmen in the 
 British parliament. And even some, who profess to preach good 
 will to all men, have polluted the sanctity of the desk, by pleading 
 that some men have a right to enslave others, and to deal in the 
 souls of their fellow mortals ! So popular, and so general has 
 been this opinion, that many good men hn\o been so far blinded 
 
22 
 
 tis lo give it countenance. In the year 1G21, the first Africans, 
 that were ever transported to this country, were brought in a 
 Dutch vessel, and sold for slaves in the State of Virginia. If 
 from that period you could count up all the wars of the petty 
 chieftains of Africa, which have been carried on to capture their 
 own countrymen to drive them to market ; could you know all 
 the tears and anguish of husbands and wives, mothers and children, 
 when those tender bonds, by which they were united, were cruelly 
 broken forever; could 3^ou see all the wretchedness of these 
 miserable beings, while loaded with manacles, and stowed thickly 
 away in slave ships, to breathe a polluted and pestilential air ; 
 could you see all the bones of those unhappy victims, who have 
 found a w^atery grave, while passing from continent to continent, 
 an^ could you realize all the miseries of those who survive, while 
 feeding on a scanty subsistence, laboring under a hot sun, and 
 driven on by the whip of a cruel task-master, you would be 
 prepared to see what infinite evils would be prevented by the 
 abolition of this diabolical practice. Confident we are, that it 
 will come to a close. There is a righteous Judge, who sitteth in 
 tlie heavens. The day will come, when he will make inquisition 
 for blood ; and tremendous must be the doom of those, who have 
 lived and died in laboring to continue the crudest servitude. 
 Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hand unto God, and her sable 
 tribes, no longer the sport of avarice and cruelty, shall become 
 an important branch of the heritage of Christ. God, of late 
 years, has reared up able advocates to plead her cause. The 
 writings, and the unwearied efTorts of Clarkson and Wilberforce, 
 have been blessed to the entire abolition of the slave trade through 
 the Empire of Great Britain, and in many of the kingdoms of 
 Europe. The wound which has been inflicted on this execrable 
 custom is deadly, and it must expire under the reiterated blows of the 
 hand of justice. The evils v. hich these men will prevent, and the 
 good which they will achieve, transcend not only ail the powers of 
 language, but even our most exalted conceptions. Millions of 
 unborn generations will have reason to rise up and call them 
 blessed. These men will leave behind them a monument, which 
 
23 
 
 will embalm their memory and transmit its blessed influence 
 through all the subsequent periods of time.- 
 
 That retaliatory wars arc right, has been maintained by many 
 nations from the days of Cain to the present period. This single 
 principle has turned this earth into one vast slaughter house, or an 
 aceldama of blood and golgotha of bones. One half of the human 
 race have ever been employed in fabricating munitions of war, and 
 wieldir.g the instruments of death against the other half of their 
 . fellow mortals. The ancients had such views of the miseries of 
 war, that they traced its origin to the world of darkness. They 
 maintained, "that it was brought thence by the assistance of 
 furies, and that only the most furious of the furies, Alecto, was 
 fit for the infernal office. As die poets describe her, she is armed 
 with snakes without number, and blows her blast in the trumpet 
 of hell. Pan fills all the space around her with mad uproar. 
 Bellona, in frantic mood, shakes her scourge. And the unnatural, 
 impious fury, breaking every bond asunder, flies abroad, all 
 horrible to behold, with a visage besmeared with gore." O how 
 much v/ould the world be indebted to the man, or body of men, 
 who should evince the wickedness of this principle, and thus stay 
 the fountain, which has so long poured out such floods of destruc- 
 tion ? But though human efibrts have as yet failed in correcting 
 this evil, yet we have assurances from the oracles of truth, that 
 war, in all its characters, will be chased from the earth before the 
 growing light of the gospel of peace, before whose brightness no 
 darkness can stand. 
 
 5th. We may benefit our posterity by laboring to devise plans; 
 of usefulness. Though we may feel ourselves to be of little note 
 or use in the world, yet one thought, one hint, one word, or plan 
 of ours, may be the mean of infinite good in the salvation of 
 thousands of souls. The suggestion of Reuben, to cast Joseph, 
 into a pit, and not to kill him, was the mean of saving the kingdom 
 of Egypt, and the nation of Israel from entire destruction. The 
 fidelity of Mordecai in giving timely warning to the king, that a 
 plot was laid to take his life, proved the occasion of saving the 
 
 *See Hote A. 
 
24 
 
 Jews from an appointed massacre. The firmness of Daniel's three 
 companions, ia refusing to worship the golden image, was 
 instrumental of spreading the knowledge of the true God throughout 
 the whole Empire of Babylon ! Mr. Carey, and a few others, when 
 they first agreed to meet on the first Monday in evccy month to 
 pray for the spread of the Gospel, little thought, that they were 
 then commencing a custoai, which was to spread over the earth, 
 and to be the mean of exciting, every month, the prayers of the 
 people of God, in every quarter of the earth, to draw unnumbered 
 blessings on christian and pagan nations. A pious female in 
 Boston, at a dining hour, proposed to the company to lay aside 
 one cent for some charitable purpose, instead of taking their glass 
 of wine, and to repeat it weekly. But she was not apprized that 
 she was then laying the foundation for those cent and mite 
 societies, which have contributed one of the largest streams of 
 charity to aid in accomplishing schemes of benevolence. The 
 cent institution in Ncw-HaL.pshire paid into the missionary 
 treasury, in one year, more than fifteen hundred dollars ! 
 
 Robert Raikes, when he opened the first Sabbath school in 
 thecity of Gloucester, did not imagine, that he was then founding 
 an institution, which was to be extended through Christendom, 
 and even into pagan lands, and within a few 3'ears to furnish 
 gratuitous instruction to more than 600,000 children! On many 
 of these schools God has poured out his spirit, and in them 
 spreading revivals, have been commenced, and many chiklren 
 have been gathered " from the highways of sin and death" into 
 the told of Christ. That obscure individual, by performing that 
 obscure act, did not know he was then doing that, which would 
 ciirol his name among the most distinguished benefactors of 
 mankind. But yet, when all the splendors of royalty, and all 
 the fame of conquest, are buried in oblivion, Robert Raikes will 
 be remembered, by saints in glory, " as the father and founder of 
 Sunday schools." 
 
 The Rev. Joseph Hughes, when the thought first darted 
 through his mind of forming a Bible association to supply the 
 destitute, did not anticipate that that thought would give rise to 
 the British ^ind Foreign Bible Society; a society which displays 
 
25 
 
 most ardent and enlightened zeal, and comprises vast weight of 
 influence and vast resources of wealth. Its spirit is so nobly 
 catholic that, disregarding all civil and political distinctions, it 
 is pouring forth its streams of charity to numerous nations of the 
 earth. It has expended, during the sixteen years of its existence, 
 three million six hundred and eighty three thousand and fifty 
 seven dollars, and has engaged in the printing and distribution 
 of the scriptures in one hundred and twenty-six dilFerent languages 
 and dialects ! This society may well be styled the glory of tlie 
 British nation and the wonder of the world. How little did Mr. 
 Hughes imagine that this suggestion would be tlie origin of such 
 an immeasurable good ! t!iat it would put in motion an institution, 
 whose effects will continue and augment till the latest moment of 
 time, and throughout every age of eternity ! 
 
 How encouraging these examples ! One word, one thought, 
 one act, of yours may be the source of some unspeakably great 
 and everlasting good. The word, Eternity, accidentally seen 
 by a fashionable Lady, who looked over the shoulders of a maid 
 engaged in reading a little tract, pierced her soul like a sharp 
 arrow, and threw her into tremblings and amazements, and she 
 had no more rest until she found it in a well grounded hope of 
 eternal life through the blood of her once despised, but now 
 adored Redeemer. Solomon says, " a word fitly spoken, how 
 good is it — it is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." A 
 remark of the Rev. Mr. Simeon, on the benefit which had resulted 
 from the services of Dr. Carey in India, first arrested the attention 
 of the late Mr. Martyn to the cause of missions, and his thoughts 
 then became occupied with the vast importance of the subject. 
 Soon after which, perusing the life of David Brainerd, his soul 
 was filled with a holy emulation of that extraordinary man ! and 
 after deep consideration and fervent prayer, he was at length fixed 
 in his resolution to imitate his example.* 
 
 Thus all the incalculable good, produced by this devoted 
 missionary of the cross, is traced to an individual and casual 
 
 * See the life of Henry Martyn, B. D. late Chaplain to the Hon. East India Company, page i2d, 
 Boston edition. 
 
26 
 
 remark! You must not think, my friends, that every field of 
 usefulness is occupied, that all possible plans of doing good have 
 been devised, and that you have nothing to do but accomplish 
 the designs made ready at your hands. There are paths ta 
 facilitate the progress of truth, which the vulture's eye hath not 
 seen ; but which will be discovered by our posterity, who will 
 wonder that we, their progenitors, were so long held in darkness. 
 
 6th. By becoming the authors of valuable publications. Says 
 Christ to his Apostles, "I have chosen you and ordained you, 
 that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should 
 remain.'*'' Here we learn from Christ, that it is our duty not 
 only to bring forth fruit, but such fruit as shall remain. 
 
 The primitive teachers, by their holy lives, their fervent 
 prayers, their faithful preaching, and triumphant deaths, brought 
 forth much fruit. Nor did the effect of their labors cease at the 
 close of their lives ', but it has continued from age to age, even to 
 the present hour ; so that millions, since that day, have risen up 
 and blessed God for the grace bestowed upon them, and for their 
 inspired writings, which will transmit the gospel through every 
 age, dovvn to the end of time. And thus the fruit of their labors 
 will continue to benefit others, just as good wine will prove a 
 refreshing cordial, long after both the vine and the dresser have 
 returned to their dust. 
 
 The writings of Luther and Calvin carried light and terror 
 into the dark and mighty domains of popery, and produced that 
 revolution in religion and government, which has changed the 
 face of Europe, and will continue, in its consequences, to the 
 close of the world. The writings of Watts, Edwards, Bunyan, 
 and Fuller, with numerous others, will continue to comfort and 
 quicken saints, and to awaken and convert sinners, until the 
 militant church is removed to her eternal rest. " Baxter's call 
 to the unconverted," has been the instrument in the hand of God 
 of the salvation of many souls, and will be of many more ; and 
 thus this eminent saint will continue to speak, and do good, even 
 to the day of judgment. In his writings, his days will be, as it 
 were protracted, and his usefulness will not be confined to the 
 
27 
 
 brief period of his natural life ; but will extend through many 
 successive centuries ! How great and lasting is the benefit, 
 which, in this way, learned and pious men may render to the 
 church in every subsequent period of the world ! 
 
 We must not think, my hearers, that every topic in government, 
 science and theology, has been discussed, and that too, in the 
 ablest manner. Many important subjects are as yet but imper- 
 fectly known ; a darkness envelopes them, which must be 
 dispersed by some luminous pen. Discoveries are yet to be 
 made ; hidden truths are to be brought to light by laborious 
 research. A boundless field lies open for culture, inviting men 
 of talents and piety to cast abroad their seed with an assurance, 
 that from their labors, unborn generations may reap a plentiful 
 harvest. 
 
 7th. Weakhy individuals may do good long after their death, 
 by founding, or by richly endowing, seminaries of learning and 
 public institutions, whose salutary eiiects are designed to march 
 on with the progress of time. 
 
 Alfred the great, by founding the famous University of 
 Oxford, continues to benefit the British empire, even to the 
 present hour. Harvard, Wheelock, Yale, Williams, and Bow- 
 doin, have by their wisdom and wealth, become the founders 
 and benefactors of institutions, which will transmit their names 
 and usefulness, through all the pages of American history. Let 
 those who are now laboring to imitate these eminent men, take 
 courage and consolation, remembering that they are sustained by 
 honorable examples, and that their present labors may be better 
 appreciated, and become more eminently useful, long after they 
 are removed from the earth. They will have as much success noiv^ 
 as is compatible with their growth in humility, and simple 
 reliance on the power and mercy of God. When their hearts 
 are freed from the alloy of pride, they may look down from the 
 world of light, and behold their present plans of benevolence 
 carried into execution, and producing an amount of good, far 
 beyond their highest anticipations. 
 
 .^^ 
 
28 
 
 8th. By becoming the authors, of new inventions and new 
 discoveries. That man, who is the author of any valuable 
 instiument, or machine, wliich diminishes the quantity of labor 
 and multiplies the comforts of life, performs a lasting service to 
 his country. How much are we indebted to those, who invented 
 the forge, the plough, the loom and the mill ! Those instruments 
 form the grand distinction between the civilized and the savage 
 state. Without them, civil society could not subsist. Take 
 away the forge and the plough ; and agriculture, commerce, the 
 arts, and navigation must all expire ! 
 
 By the invention of the Telescope what wonders have been 
 opened to the astonished view of the astronomer! Aided by this 
 instrument, man has penetrated far into the field of boundless 
 space, and brought within his view unnumbered worlds of light, 
 which lay far beyond the discovery of the natural eye. 
 
 Laurentius, of Haerlem, while he was cutting some letters on 
 trees in a wood, afterwards rubbing them over with ink, and 
 applying a piece of paper to them to take off the impression for 
 the amusement of his grand children, little thought that by this 
 simple sport he was inventing an art of more importance to the 
 world than any other that can be named. I mean the art of 
 printing. This art has set in motion the most powerful engine, 
 that has ever been made to act on the dearest interests of man- 
 kind. It was owing principally to this art, that the great 
 reformation from popery and the revival of learning were effect- 
 ed, and spread with such amazing rapidity. It was through the 
 medium of the press, that Luther multiplied and diffused his 
 books, and copies of the scriptures, and thus a flood of light was 
 poured upon the benighted mind. Men soon began to wake up 
 from their long slumbers to see that they had been holden under 
 the most cruel servitude, and pressed dov>'n with an enormous 
 load of false and superstitious ceremonies. Printing, in modern 
 missions, holds a place similar to the gift of tongues in the days 
 of the Apostles. Indeed, without this aid, the oracles of God 
 could never be known in all the living languages, the gospel 
 could never be spread among all nations, unless God should 
 
29 
 
 apain bestow those miraculous powers, which were f^iven to tlie 
 primitive churcli. But the press and the tongue will be the two 
 principal external means of enlightening and renovating- the 
 world, and of hastening the universal reign of the Prince of 
 Peace. 
 
 Flavio Gioia, when he first perceived that the application of 
 the magnetic powers gave a polar direction to a rod or needle 
 of iron, was not aware, that this little instrument in the mariner's 
 compass, would give to man the dominion of the sea, and put 
 him in possession of the whole earth, by enabling him to traverse 
 every ocean, and to visit every quarter of the globe. Before 
 this, the cautious sailor crept along around the coasts, rarely 
 losing sight of land, having nothing for his guide but sun and 
 stars, which were liable to be obscured by clouds and fogs. But 
 when he learned the properties of the magnetic needle, he ven- 
 tured out fearlessly on his favorite element, and could navigate 
 his ship in all weathers, to whatever part he pleased. With the 
 history of the seaman's compass is intimately connected the 
 discovery of this western world. A discovery which has had 
 greater influence on agriculture, commerce, science, church and 
 slate than any other in the history of man. 
 
 The person, to whom was reserved the honor of making this 
 discovery, was Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa. This 
 skilful navigator had gained a pretty correct knowledge of the 
 spherical figure of the earth, and was induced by a variety of 
 arguments, to believe, that beyond the Atlantic, lay a mighty 
 continent, forming a counterpoise to the eastern hemisphere. He 
 believed also, that, by steering west, a passage might be found 
 to the East Indies. And thus the vast commercial wealth of 
 that rich country would be laid open to the west of Europe, 
 without reaching it by the slow route of the Arabian gulf, the 
 Nile, and the Mediterranean. As soon as Columbus had settled 
 his plan of discovery, he made application for public aid. With 
 a patriotic spirit he tendered his first services to his native gov- 
 ernment, the senate of Genoa. But they, not possessing his 
 correct and vast compass of reasoning, rejected his scheme, as 
 
highly chimerical. He next made overtures to John II. King of 
 Portugal. But that monarch, forgetting the true dignity of his 
 throne, first endeavoured to seduce Columbus into a full disclosure 
 of his plan, and then to rob him of his glory by fitting out a 
 secret expedition to make the intended discovery. Indignant at 
 such mean and surreptitious conduct, he left Lisbon and repaii-ed 
 in person to Ferdinand and Isabella, who then governed the 
 united kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. Here, after repulses, 
 and long and vexatious delays, his cause was espoused by the 
 court of Spain. After the requisite preparations were made, he 
 sailed from Palos, Aug. 3d. 1492, amid crowds of spectators,who, 
 with hearts deeply aifected, offered up their prayers to Almighty 
 God for his blessing on this adventurous voyage. He continued 
 his western course, till on Friday morning Oct. 12th, Roderic 
 Trianna, from the mast head sung out, land, land. The tidings 
 went from ship to ship, and their crews began, with joy and 
 transports of congratulation, the song of Te Deum, as a hymn of 
 praise and thanksgiving to God. They soon landed in great 
 pomp and splendor, accompanied with the sound of martial 
 music. Columbus, with a rich dress and with a naked sword in 
 his hand, was the first European who ever sat foot on this new 
 world. When they reached the shore, they fell prostrate and 
 kissed the ground which they had so long desired to see, and gave 
 thanks to God for conducting their voyage to such a triumphant 
 issue. The land, which he first discovered, was an island, among 
 that cluster in the West-Indies, now known by the name of the 
 Bahama Islands. 
 
 When Columbus returned to Spain, intelligence of his success 
 rapidly spread and soon filled all Europe with joy and amaze- 
 ment. Men of learning and of enlarged calculation, received the 
 news with high congratulations, that they had been permitted to 
 live in an age, when the limits of human knowledge were so 
 suddenly and greatly extended, and that a boundless theatre was 
 opened, where new and happier nations might soon arise, exciting 
 the spirit of enterprise and emulation among the inhabitants of 
 the old world. What if Columbus had relinquished his object, 
 
31 
 
 after having "spent twenty-five years in toils to obtain liberal 
 patrons ? This country mig:ht have remained to this day, a vast 
 wilderness, resounding with nothing but the war whoop, or the 
 noise of prowling beasts. 
 
 As it is not the object of this day to celebrate the first discovery 
 of America, but the second century of the landing of the Fathers 
 of New-England, I shall, therefore, confine my remaining 
 observations to this latter subject. 
 
 Perhaps you may think, that I have deferred this topic very 
 unreasonably. But you may be assured, that it has been kept in 
 view in all that has been said. We have shown that it is the 
 duty of all to live for the good of their posterity. The whole 
 weight of this sentiment teaches us the principal ground we have 
 to love and esteem our pious ancestors. The regard which they 
 manifested for the good of their children and their children's 
 children shone, as one of the most brilliant traits in their 
 character. Had they been actuated simply by selfish consider- 
 ations, they probably would have borne their sufierings at home, 
 knowing that death would soon bring them a sw eet release. But 
 they were fathers ; their offspring were growing up around them. 
 To have their descendants in religious bondage was a thought, 
 which they w^ere unwilling to endure. They therefore resolved 
 to take their lives in their hands, and seek some distant asylum, 
 where they might enjoy that freedom, which they prized, as their 
 dearest earthly blessing. At that time the spirit of intolerance 
 and persecution ran very high in the British nation. At the head 
 of the English Church stood the lofty, the severe and the 
 superstitious Laud, shaking his rod, and ready to chastise all who 
 should venture to worship God, without the forms established by 
 law. The puritans, who saw, that the episcopal church w as then 
 but little removed in form and spirit from the papal hierarchy, 
 refused to obey the laws of uniformity. Upon them, therefore, 
 the hand of oppression fell with intolerable severity. In many 
 instances their houses were watched and plundered, their persons 
 were rifled, they were hunted about "like partridges on the 
 
32 
 
 mountains," and obliged to worship God in their cellars and in 
 secret places to escape the vigilance of mercenary informers. 
 
 Perceiving no hope of any redress of grievances, our ancestors 
 resolved to leave their native land. They first agreed to sail for 
 Holland, where they heard that freedom of conscience was 
 fully enjoyed. But as all the ports and harbors were strictly 
 watched to prevent their escape, they were obliged to proceed 
 with all possible secrecy ; and yet, after all, they were repeated- 
 ly detected and stopped in their way. Once they engaged an 
 English ship to carry them over. But after they had got all 
 their goods and families on board, the master betrayed them in- 
 to the hands of the searchers, and they were plundered of every 
 thing ; the women suffering the most brutal insults, and then the 
 whole company were driven about the streets of the town, as a 
 spectacle to excite the wonder of the multitudes, who flocked 
 together to behold the pitiful sight. Not discouraged, they made 
 the second attempt, and hired a Dutch shipmaster, and fixed on 
 a secret spot, where he was to take them in. To prevent surpri- 
 sal, they sent on their wives, children and goods, in a barque 
 beforehartd, while the men were to reach the place by land. But 
 when the vessel arrived, the barque was aground at low water. 
 The captain sent his boat a shore, took in most of the men, who 
 came on foot. Upon this immediately a large company of horse 
 and footmen came up full speed and took all the women, children 
 and goods, that were left behind, a«d carried them off. " Think, 
 reader, of the sorrowful fate of the poor, piteous mothers and 
 children, in the barque, who fell a prey into their merciless hands ! 
 But what becomes of the few that had just been carried aboard 
 the ship ? Here is presented another scene, courteous reader, 
 almost too much for the writer to narrate. The Dutchman, 
 seeing they were detected by the English, swore his country's 
 oath, he would not wait a minute longer. And, having a good 
 wind, he gave orders to weigh anchor, hoist sail, and away for 
 Holland. Our men on board in vain represented to him their 
 ov/n and the distress of their wives and children, left behind in 
 the barque. And with their parting eyes, they saw them taken 
 
33 
 
 ijy their enemies and could give them no relief. Themselves also, 
 were in tiie mo^t destitute condition ; not havinc^ a shift of clothes, 
 more than they had on tlieir backs ; and some of tliem scarce a 
 penny to help themselves withal ; all they had being put aboard 
 the barque. O what would we give, said they, to be on shore 
 again, but all in vain. Tlierc is no remedy. They must sadly 
 part, rent from their families and friends, and going to a strange 
 country, where they know neither people nor language. Yet 
 this is but in a sense the beginning of sorrows to this desolate 
 few. A terrible storm comes on in their passage, which continued 
 for seven days and nights together, in which they saw neither sun, 
 moon, nor stars, and were driven to the coast of Norway. At 
 length it increased to such violence, that all hopes of life seemed 
 gone — the mariners tiiemselves, despair of ever seeing land. 
 After some time a doleful shriek is heard — she founders — she 
 sinks, she sinks. But behold, " in the mount the Lord is seen!" 
 Wiien man's hope and help wholly faileth, the Lord's power and 
 mercy appeared. And while the poor sailors with trembling, 
 yield to despair, our pious company on board are plying the oar 
 of prayer; and with great faith and fervency, but calm and with- 
 out distraction, even while the water ran into their mouths and 
 ears, are heard to cry, *' yet Lord thou canst save, yet Lord thou 
 canst save !" When to the astonishment of the whole crew, the 
 ship rises — the Avind lessens, and the storm abates ; and the 
 mariners get courage to manage the ship. Their spirits revive, 
 and the Lord fills the afflicted hearts of our brethren with such 
 comforts, as every one cannot understand, or conceive of. And 
 now in a short time they arrive at their desired haven, where 
 the people come flocking about them, being amazed at their 
 deliverance. And while their hearts overflowed with gratitude, 
 their mouths repeated the words of David, " O that men would 
 praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to 
 the children of men." 
 
 Let us now return to the scattered company, that were left on 
 the English shore. The most of them, as we have observed 
 before, made shift to escape and hide themselves from their 
 5 
 
34 
 
 pursuers — a few only tarrying, in order to afford, if possible, 
 some little comfort to the women and children. But pitiful it 
 was, indeed, to see the condition of tliese poor creatures. What 
 weeping and crying on every side — some for their husbands, who 
 were carried away in the ship — others melted into tears to see 
 their poor little ones hanging about them, er3^ing for fear and 
 quaking with the cold. Being thus apprehended, they are 
 hurried away from one place to another, and from one justice to 
 another, until in the end they know not what to do with them. 
 To imprison so many women and innocent children for no other 
 crime or cause, than their being obliged to go with their husbands, 
 seemed to be unreasonable and they knew all would cry out 
 against them. And to send them home again, was as difficult, 
 for as the truth was, they alleged they had no homes to go to, for 
 they had sold and otherwise disposed of their houses and livings. 
 In short after they had been thus turmoiledand harrassed along 
 time, and conveyed from one constable to another, the officers, 
 being wearied out, were glad, in the end, to get rid of them on 
 any terms." 
 
 From these sufferings, much good arose, " By these so public- 
 troubles in so many eminent places, their cause become famous 
 and occasioned many to look into the same. And their godly 
 carriage and christian behavior was such as left a deep impres- 
 sion in the minds of many. And although some few shrunk at 
 those first conflicts and sharp beginnings, (as it was no marvel) 
 yet many more come on with fresh courage and greatly animated 
 others. And in the end notwithstanding all these storms of 
 opposition, they all got over to Holland at length, some at one 
 time, and some at another, and met together again according to 
 their hearts desires with no small rejoicing.* After they had 
 yesided in the city of Leyden several years, various reasons 
 induced them to embark for America. Among which were the 
 immorality of the place, the profanation of the sabbath, " but 
 above all, the desired hope they had of spreading the gospel of 
 
 * See C. Robbin? Scr. preached atriymoutb, Dec. 2?, 1795, 
 
35 
 
 Christ, and laying a foundation for the advancement of religion 
 and the kingdom of Christ in this remote part of the world." 
 
 Accordingly, previous to so great an undertaking, and agreeably to their 
 pious character, they first of all, set apart a day for prayer, to seek direction 
 from God, in tlie important affair now under consideration. That scriptural 
 direction being always their maxim, " In all thy ways acknowledge God, 
 and he will direct thy paths." And after due deliberation, they come to a 
 resolution of removing to America; and accordingly set about the necessary 
 preparations for it. They make application to the king, for permission to go 
 under the royal sanction, but are refused. They renew their request, and 
 endeavour to engage some of the great men of the nation, to aid their cause. 
 Sometimes they meet with encouragement, and again are disappointed. 
 Some speak well of them, others misrepresent and vilify them ; and thus 
 they are tossed between hope and fear — spend a great deal of time, are at 
 vast expense and labor, until, at last, they gained their point so far, as that 
 they are encouraged to make preparations for their voyage. 
 
 They hired two ships for the purpose, concluded upon the number who 
 should go over first ; for all could not go at this time. And as the major 
 part' of the company tarried behind, their pastor stayed with them. While 
 the others, with their pious elder, Mr. Brewster, prepare to embark. 
 
 When all things were ready and just before they sailed, they 
 spent a day of humiliation and prayer, and Mr. Robinson 
 preached to them from these words in Ezra, viii. 21. " Then I 
 proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might 
 afflict ourselves there before our God, to seek of him a right way 
 for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance." The 
 language which describes the parting scene was doubtless written 
 by a member of the company, and is therefore better then a stran- 
 ger can command. It is taken from the original records of the 
 church at Plymouth. " And now the trying time being come, 
 that they must depart, they were accompanied by most of the 
 brethren out of the city, into a town called Half-haven, where 
 the ship lay ready to receive them. So they left that goodly 
 and pleasant city, which had been their resting place near 
 twelve years. But they knew they were pilgrims, and looked 
 not much on those things, but lifted up their eyes to heaven, 
 their dearest country, and quieted their spirits. When they came 
 to the place, they found the ship, and all things ready. That 
 night was spent with little sleep b;y most, bnt with Chri^nan dis- 
 
36 
 
 course and other like real expressions of true Christian love. 
 The next day, the wind being fair, they went on board, their 
 friends accompanying them — but truly doleful was the sight of 
 ihat parting — to see what sighs and sobs and prayers did sound 
 among them, what tears did gush from every eye, and expres- 
 sions which pierced each others heart. But the tide calling them 
 to depart, their reverend pastor falling down on his knees, and 
 they all with him, with watery cheeks commended them, with most 
 fervent prayers to the Lord, and his blessing, and then with 
 mutual embraces, and many tears, they took their leaves of one 
 another, w hich proved to be their last leave with many of them."* 
 They then sailed and touched at Southampton, where the other 
 vessel lay, which was to accompany them, but which finally 
 proved too leaky to be safe, and they were obliged to leave her 
 behind with many of their intended companions. At length on 
 Sept. 6, they sailed the last time from old England fo.r America. 
 " On they come all alone, a small feeble band, through contrary 
 storms and boisterous seas, which they were never used to ; late, 
 in the year; a terrible winter approaching — their wives and poor 
 piteous children with them, going to a strange land. But the 
 Lord is with them and is their guide — he divides the sea before 
 them and leads them through in safety."f 
 
 Figure to yourselves, my hearers, this ship, containing about one 
 hundred passengers, approaching the perilous and barren shores of 
 Cape Cod in a cold and boisterous season. In their rear spread 
 the broad Atlantic, which they had no inclination and hardly the 
 ability to repass — in their front lay a deep and dark forest, 
 how ling with beasts of prey and savage men — worn down with 
 the fatigue of nine weeks passage, unaccustomed to endure the 
 rigors of an American winter — ^yet poorly supplied with provisions 
 and clothing. 
 
 They first went ashore on the 10th of November. But they find the place 
 where they first landed, by no means suitable for them. They travel with 
 their arms in their hands, from pl.'.ce to place, through wet and cold, in this 
 late season of the year — often, for days and nights, lying exposed, in the 
 wilderness, to the open air and inclement sky. After many days spent in a 
 
 •* See C. Robbins Ser. p. SO. t IMS P" 31. 
 
37 
 
 lluitless search for a convenient jHace, tliey at length, concUide, by the advice 
 of one of their company, to come in quest of </u"s harbour — [Plymouth,] And 
 he engages, (having touched here; once before, in a voyage of discovery ) to 
 be their pilot. They accordingly man their boat for the enterpriz*, with some 
 of their principal men, and set out. 
 
 " They are now in the bay, in a small shallop. After some hours sailing, 
 it begins to snow and rain. It it now Friday afternoon. The wind rises, and 
 blows will) great violence. The sea grows rough— they brake their rudder. 
 It is as much as two men can do to steer her with oars. The storm increases, 
 and night coming on, they carrying what sail they can, to get into the harbor, 
 broke their mast in three piece 5 — their sails fall overboard, in a very grown 
 sea, and they are like to foundter suddenly. Yet, by the mercy of Heaven„ 
 they recover, and the flood being with them, they strike into the supposed 
 harbor. But the pilot was dec eived — and cries out, ' Lord be merciful, my 
 eyes never saw this place before.' — They, with some difficulty, get her about 
 as soon as possible, and providence shewing a fair sound before them, though 
 very dark and rainy, they get under the lee of a small island, in our harbor,* 
 but are still divided about goin g ashore, lest they fall into the midst of savages. 
 Some keep the boat — but oth prs, womout with wet, cold and fatigue, venture 
 ashore, and with great difficulty kindle a fire. After midnight, the wind 
 shifting and the weather grovjing very cold, the rest are glad to get to them : 
 and here they stay that nigh*;. In the morning they discovered it to be an 
 island, secure from Indians ; and it being the last day of the week, here they 
 dry their clothes, rest thems jlves, and give thanks to God for their many 
 deliverances.' 
 
 And here, I find, the nex t day, they kept the Christian sabbath, being 
 about 20 in number. The J irst sabbath ever observed in a religious manner, 
 in this town, and in this par t of the world.f 
 
 When they sat their foot on the rock at Plymouth, two hun- 
 dred years ago this day, they found no goodly houses builded, 
 no wells digged, no orc;hards planted, but still they were not in 
 despair; the same God who had been their assurance while far 
 off on the sea, could su[)ply their wants upon the dry land. The}' 
 well knew that the sami? Lord who once rained manna on jour- 
 neying Israel, could still give bread to his people even in the 
 wilderness. Penetrated with a sense of his goodness and with 
 profound reverence, the y knelt down on the shore, raised their 
 hands to heaven, and thanked God for his protecting mercies, 
 and implored liis benedictions on the colony which they were 
 
 * Called Clark's Island, from the msra who first stepped ashore. ♦ <= w C. Rob. S prroan. 
 
38 
 
 about to plant for the glory of his name and for the good of 
 future generations. 
 
 Unexampled toils and privations generated disease, which, 
 before the opening of the next spring, carried to the grave about 
 half of their small number. To add to their affliction, Carver, 
 their governor, vi^as among the dead. Just before their arrival 
 the Lord removed many of the heathen by a terrible plague, 
 which gave them room for settlement. In consequence of this 
 mortality, or of some other cause, treasures of corn were left, 
 buried in the sand, which our Fathers found, and were thus pro- 
 videntially supplied with food. But such was their honesty that 
 they kept an exact account of what tliey consumed, and stood 
 ready to pay the value should any return and claim the pro- 
 perty. 
 
 This company possessing but little wealth, and few resources, 
 advanced but slowly, when compared with the progress of some 
 other colonies, which were begun by mon of more influence and 
 greater capital. 
 
 A condensed history of this little band of strangers and pil- 
 grims would swell into volumes. This you will not expect on 
 this memorable day. Numerous Avere the mercies and suffer- 
 ings, which they experienced in the providence of God. It 
 ■would require considerable research to furnish a correct cata- 
 logue of all the wars, in which this country has been involved 
 from its first settlement down to this period. Some of the most 
 important I will briefly mention : — 
 
 The first of note commenced in 1630 with the Pequods, a 
 powerful tribe in the south part of Massachusetts. The second 
 begun in 1651 with the Dutch and Indians. The third, and 
 one of the most memorable was with king Philip, a powerful 
 Indian chief. Wherever he marched his armies, he spread deso- 
 lation, mourning, and terror. Mothers beheld their tender in- 
 fants dashed against the wall, and then they were cruelly mur- 
 dered by a barbarous enem3^ All that fierce cruelty, and re- 
 lentless massacre, which characterize Indian warfare, marked his 
 way with blood. In this contest many towns and villages were 
 
3& 
 
 burnt, and about 600 ot the flower of New England perished in 
 the field. Passing various periods of conflict, I would observe^ 
 that hostilities recommenced with France in 1750. In this war 
 various events occurred, which occupy a prominent place on the 
 page of history. In it General Braddock was sent to dislodge 
 liie French from Fort du Quesne, and in the attempt his army 
 was routed, and himself slain in the memorable battle on the 
 river Monongahela. To this general, so extremely unfortunate 
 in his measures, Washington was aid. And it was in this dis- 
 astrous campaign, that the military powers of this then young 
 officer, were so fully displayed, as to give a flattering presage 
 of his future greatness. In that bloody engagement a savage 
 discharged his musket at Washington seventeen times, and that 
 too within pointblank shot, which led him to say, " Washington 
 was not born to be killed with a bullet." After the death of 
 Braddock the command fell upon his aid, who with great ability 
 collected the scattered troops, and marched them back to the 
 main body. This contest between the two great powers of 
 Europe became a military school, in which Washington was 
 trained up to take the command in the revolutionary struggles, 
 and to become the defender and father of his country. 
 
 In the year 1759 were slain generals Wolfe and Montcalm, 
 while fighting with great bravery at the head of their opposing 
 armies on the plains of Abraham, where the English obtained a 
 memorable victory, and the surrender of the city of Quebec. 
 These events paved the way for the peace of '63, which gave 
 to the wearied and impoverished colonies a short interval of 
 repose. But soon our fears were alarmed by hostile and 
 oppressive acts of our parent country. The causes, the com- 
 mencement, the progress, and the ti'iumphant close of the 
 revolutionary war, are familiar to most of the assembly. Some 
 of my fathers, who are now before me, have those days, " which 
 tried mens souls" fresh in their recollection. Should I attempt 
 to lead you over the ground, where our troops fought, and bled, 
 and conquered, you might forget the infirmities of age, feel the 
 enkindlings of the martial spirit of youth, and be ready to 
 
40 
 
 Moulder your arms to show how fields were won. For all our 
 invaluable blessings, both religious and national how much, my 
 hearers, are we indebted, under God, to the immortal Washing- 
 ton, and to his companions in the perils and privations of war ! 
 At the close of the revolution we were victors, and in the posses- 
 sion of freedom, but deeply involved in debt, and exposed to all 
 the evils of anarchy, being destitute of any efficient bond of 
 union. But a constitution, embracing the happiest form of 
 government, was soon framed, and accepted by the people. 
 Under its steady administration wc have grown in arts and 
 science, in power, and population, with a rapidit}^, unexampled 
 in ancient or modern times.* While for a scries of years 
 £urope was involved in the most bloody conflicts, we were 
 blessed with peace, and even were enriched by the calamities of 
 the old world. We heard the noise of the terrible tempest, 
 which burst upon her guilty head, as the roaring of distant 
 thunder. We were not, however, permitted to escape the storm. 
 We were again called to a short, but bloody war, which soon 
 closed in an honorable peace, which has been instrumental with 
 other things, of cementing our union, of subduing the spirit of 
 party, and of giving us a more elevated rank in the face of all 
 the nations of the earth. 
 
 In the discovery and settlement of this country, God had 
 some great end in view. As the eastern continent was honored 
 with the birth of the Saviour, and blessed witii the earliest beams 
 of gospel light, which have travelled toward the west, so this 
 land may be fevored with tiie first dawn of the millennial sun, 
 which may return to the east, shining with growing brightness 
 unto the perfect day ! 
 
 In the review of this subject, how many reasons may we 
 discover to excite our wonder, gratitude and praise? Compare, 
 for a moment, our present state with that of our pious ancestors. 
 Compare our wealth with their poverty, our strength, with their 
 weakness, our comforts, with their privations, our peace with 
 their wars, our freedom with their bondage. Two hundred 
 
 ^Bee tiole B^ 
 
41 
 
 years ago our land was a gloomy wilderness. Now behold ouv 
 coasts, glittering with wealthy and populous cities, from Georgia 
 to Maine. Behold our ships whitening on every sea, conveying 
 our abundant surplus to distant markets, and bringing home the 
 luxuries of every clime ! Look into our interior, and behold 
 villages, and towns,and fruitful fields, and schools, and seminaries, 
 and churches, scattered over a vast tract of territory, which is 
 intersected with navigable streams, canals, and roads opening 
 a free intercourse with every part of the union. Here under a 
 mild government, the various classes of christians enjoy the un» 
 disturbed privilege of settling their own articles of faith, anct 
 forms of worship. 
 
 In view of all this we may well exclaim, " What hath God 
 wrought!" Happy art thou, O people, saved of the Lord* 
 Surely our lines have fallen unto us in pleasant places, yea we 
 have a goodly heritage. 
 
 But while the revision of this history should awaken oup 
 thankfulness, it may, unless we are watchful, excite our pride and 
 vanity. Moses solemnly warned the Jews, that, after they should 
 have passed over Jordan, and gained the possession of Canaan, 
 builded goodly houses to dwell in, and when their herds and 
 flocks, their silver and gold, and all their substance should be 
 multiplied, there would be danger, that when they had eaten and 
 were full, they would be lifted up, and be ready to say in their 
 heart, " my power, and the might of mine hand hath gotten me 
 this wealth." Have you contributed property, or labor, or 
 counsel, or have some of you jeoparded your " lives unto the 
 death in the high places of the field," to rear the temple of 
 freedom, that now adorns this favored land ? You ought 
 to be ready to adopt the language of David, when he said^ 
 "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power and the glory, 
 and the victory, and majesty : for all that is in the heaven, 
 and in the earth is thine, thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and 
 thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor 
 come of thee, and thou reignest over all, and in thine hand h 
 power and might ; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to 
 6 
 
give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, 
 and praise thy glorious name — that we should be able to ofl'er 
 so willingly after this sort ! for all things come of thee, and of 
 thine own have we given thee." " Such is this address of David 
 to the Lord God of Israel ; and nothing on this side heaven can 
 be conceived, more humble, pure, evangelical, spiritual, de- 
 vout, or exalted, than the praise, adoration, gratitude, confidence, 
 love, zeal, and philanthropy, which it breathes throughout." 
 
 Fathers and brethren, the present solemnity should remind us 
 of the rapid motion of time. How swiftly have glided away the 
 hundred years, which are now brought to a close! Few gene- 
 rations are permitted to witness the termination of so long a 
 period. We should seriously consider, that this is the^rs^, and 
 this the last century celebration, that we shall ever behold. Few 
 centuries have ever opened under such a combination of circum- 
 stances, both auspicious and foreboding; and few, probably, 
 have ever been more pregnant with important events. What 
 human penetration will venture to predict the mighty changes, 
 which may transpire among the nations of the earth, and in the 
 kingdom of Christ before it is completed .'' We can better ima- 
 gine, than describe the progress of things during this epoch in 
 this great republic and in this whole western hemisphere. Both 
 north and south America may become the happy residence of 
 light and freedom ; and all their numerous pagan tribes become 
 the subjects of civilization and converts to Christianity. What 
 will be the grand result, if these States continue to the close of 
 this century to advance without interruption, as they have done, 
 since our national existence.'* An extensive and appropriate 
 train of means is now in successful operation to circulate the 
 word of God in all living languages, and to proclaim the gospel 
 of peace to all the inhabitants of the earth ; and tlie momentous 
 effects, which will be produced by such a powerful combination 
 of causes, will be learned by future generations. It is evident, 
 both from calculations on prophecy and from the aspect of the 
 times, that the reign of the beast and of the false prophet is fast 
 hastening to a close; that the warfare of Jerusalem is nearly ac- 
 
43 
 
 complished; that tlieputcasts of Israel will soon be gathered 
 with the fulness of the gentiles ; and that all the numerous king- 
 doms of the world are to be consolidated into one vast and holy 
 empire under the government of tiie Prince of Peace. But will 
 these events be achieved without some severe conflicts with the 
 powers of darkness? Satan is to be bound, but will he quietly 
 receive his chains, and make no effort to burst them asunder ? 
 AVill he suffer himself to be dislodged from his strong holds, and 
 put forth no strength to retain his dominions? Though the 
 papal and mahometan powers have received their deadly wound, 
 yet they will not die without a struggle. They may have so 
 much strength left them, that their expiring throes and convul- 
 sions may shake both the heavens and the earth. The mother 
 of harlots, who has long made war upon the saints of the Most 
 High, has not yet drunken up all the dregs of her bloody cup. 
 The decisive battle in the valley of Jehoshaphat is not yet fought. 
 When these things are accomplished, then a voice from heaven 
 will declare, " The kingdoms of this world are become the king- 
 doms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever 
 and ever." Then the sun, in all its progress round this globe, 
 will behold but one undivided congregation of saints, whose in- 
 cense of united prayer and praise will continually ascend before 
 the throne of God. 
 
 But if these great events do not take place, during this cen- 
 tury, 3'et this is certain, that before it shall expire, you and I, 
 my hearers, and many more than all the many millions, who are 
 now on the shores of time, will all be ushered into eternity! 
 Days and montiis and years are rolling away, and will bring us 
 all to the grave, and to the judgment seat. O sinner, will you 
 slumber on still, while the current of time is swiftly bearing you 
 down to the gulf of long despair? O saint, 3'ou have been re- 
 deemed by the precious blood of Christ, and you will soon be 
 in glory. Have you lived for the good of posterity ? what have 
 you done for your offspring? what, for the church of God? what, 
 for him who died to save your soul from death ? Are you now 
 laboring and praying for the good of generations yet unborn ? 
 
44 
 
 If you were summoned this night to appear before God, what 
 monument would you leave behind to give proof to your sur- 
 vivors, that your existence was a blessing to them ? Penetrated 
 with the guilt of past neglect, let us implore the forgiving and 
 the quickening grace of God, that at last we may hear that wel- 
 come plaudit " Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou 
 into the joy of thy Lord." 
 
A. 
 
 "Mxtract from the Charge delivered by Hon. Judge Story, to the 
 
 Grand Jury of the Circuit Court of the United States at its 
 
 first session in Portland, for the Judicial District of Maine, 
 
 May 8, 1820. 
 
 I have called this an inhuman traffic, and, gentlemen, with a view to en- 
 list your sympathies as well as your judgments in its suppression, permit me to 
 pass from these cold generalities to some of those details, which are the or- 
 dinary attendants upon this trade. Here indeed there is no room for the play 
 of imagination. The records of the British Parliament present us a body of 
 evidence on this subject, taken with the most scrupulous care while the sub- 
 ject of the abolition was before it ; taken too from persons who had been en- 
 gaged in, or eye witnesses of the trade ; taken too, year after year in the pre- 
 sence of those whose interests or passions were most strenuously engaged to 
 oppose it. That it was not contradicted or disapproved, can only be account- 
 ed for upon the ground, that it was the truth and nothing but the truth. 
 What, therefore, I shall briefly state to you on this subject,will be drawn prin- 
 cipally from those records; and I am free to confess that great as was my 
 detestation of the trade, I had no conception until I recently read an abstract 
 of this evidence, of the vast extent of misery and cruelty occasioned by its 
 ravages. 
 
 The number of slaves taken from Africa in 1768 amounted to one hun- 
 dred and four thousand ; and though the numbers somewhat fluctuated in 
 different years afterwards, yet it is in the highest degree probable that the 
 average, until the abolition, was not much below 100,000 a year. England 
 alone in the year 1786, employed 130 ships, and carried off" about 42,000 
 slaves. 
 
 The unhappy slaves have been divided into seven classes. The most con- 
 siderable and that which contains at least half of the whole number trans- 
 ported, consists of kidnapped people. This mode of procuring them in- 
 cludes every species of treachery and knavery. Hu,sbands are stolen from 
 their wives, children from their parents, and bosom friends from each other. 
 So generally prevalent are these robberies, that it is a first principle of the 
 natives not to go unarmed while a slave ship is on the coast, for fear of be- 
 ing stolen. The second class of slaves, and that not inconsiderable, consists 
 of those, whose villages have been depopulated for obtaining them. The 
 parties employed in these predatory expeditions go out at night, set fire t6 
 the villages, which they find, and carry off" the wretched inhabitants, thus 
 suddenly thrown into their power, as slaves. Tiie practice is indeed so com- 
 mon, that the remains of deserted and burnt villages are every where to be 
 seen on the coast. 
 
 The third class of slaves consists of such persons as are said to have been 
 convicted of crimes, and are sold on this account for the benefit of theiv 
 Jungs ; and it Is not uncomiiioij to impute ctiraes to them falsely, and tft 
 
bring on mock tiials fov the purpose of bringing them within the reach of 
 the royal traders. 
 
 The fourth class includes prisoners of war captured sometimes in ordinary 
 wars, and sometimes in wars originated for the very purposes of slavery. 
 
 The fifth class comprehends those who are slaves by birth; and some 
 traders on the coast make a practice of breeding from their own slaves, for 
 the purpose of selling them, like cattle, when they are arrived at a suitable 
 age. Tlie sixth class comprehends such as have sacrificed their liberty to 
 tlie spirit of gaming; and the seventh and last class, of those wbo being in 
 debt are seized according to the laws of the country, and sold to their credi- 
 tors. The two last classes are very inconsiderable — and scarcely deserve 
 mention. 
 
 Having lost their liberty in one of the ways already mentioned, the slaves 
 are conveyed to the banks of the rivers or sea coast. Some belong to the 
 neighborhood ; others have lived in distant parts ; and others are brought 
 a thousand miles from their homes. Those who come from a distance march 
 in droves or cauHes, as they are called. They are secured from rismg or run- 
 ning away by pieces of wood which attach the necks of two and two togeth- 
 er — or by other pieces, which are fastened by staples to their arms. They 
 are made to carry their own water and provisions ; and are vvatched and fol- 
 lowed by drivers, who by force, compel the v. cak to keep up with the strong. 
 
 They are sold immediately upon their arrival on the rivers or coasts, ei- 
 ther to land-fiictors, at depots for that purpose, or directly to the ships engag- 
 ed in the trade. They are then carried in boats to the various ships whose 
 captains have purchased them. The men are immediately confined two and 
 two together either by the neck, leg, or arm, with fetters of solid iron. They 
 are then put into their apartments, the men occupying the fore part, the wo- 
 men the after part, and the boys the middle of the vessel. The tops of these 
 apartments are grated for the admission of light and air ; and the slaves are 
 stowed like any other lumber, occupymg only an allotted portion of room. 
 Many of them, while tiie ships are waiting for their full lading in sight of 
 their native shore, manifest great appearance of distress and oppression ; and 
 some instances have occurred where they have sought relief by suicide, and 
 others where they have been afflicted with delirium and madness. In the 
 day time, if the weather be fine they are brought upon deck for air. They 
 are placed in along row of two and two together, on each side of the ship, a 
 long chain is then made to pass through the shackles of each pair, and by 
 this means each row is secured to the deck. In this state they eat their mis- 
 erable meals, consisting of horse-beans, rice, and yams, with a little pepper 
 and palm oil. After their meals, it is a custom to make them jump for ex- 
 ercise ashigli as their fetters will allow them ; and if tJiey refuse they are 
 •whipped until they comply. This the slave merchants call dancing, and it 
 would seem literally to be the dance of death. 
 
 When the number of slaves is completed, the ships begin what is called the 
 middle passage, to transport the slaves to tlie colonies. The height of the 
 apartments in the ships is different according to the size of the vessel, and is 
 from six feet to three feet, so that it is impossible to stand erect in most of 
 the vessels, and in some scarcely to sit down in the sameposture. If the ves- 
 sel be full, their situation is truly deplorable. In the best regulated ships, a 
 grown person is allowed but sixteen inches in width, thirty-two inches in 
 height, and five feet eleven inches in length, or to use the expressive language 
 of a witnesjs, not to so much room as a man has in his coffin. They are in- 
 deed so crfuvded below that it is almost impossible to walk through the 
 groupes without treading on some of them ; and if they are reluctant to get 
 into their places they are compelled by the lash of a whip. And here their 
 situation becomes wretched beyond description. The space between decks, 
 
 i 
 
4t 
 
 >yhere they are confined, often becomes so hot tliat persons who have visited 
 them theie h;ive found tlieir shirts so wetted witli perspiration thut water mif'ht 
 be wrung (Voin them; and the steam from their confined bodies conies up 
 through the gratings like a furnace. The bad elfects of such confmement 
 and want of air are soon visible in tiie weakness and faintness wliich over- 
 comes the unliappy victims. Some go down apparently well at night and are 
 found dead in the morning. Some faint below and die from sullocation be- 
 fore they can be brought upon deck. As the slaves, whether well or ill, al- 
 ways lie upon bare planks, the motion of the ship rubs the flesh from the 
 prominent parts of their body, and leaves their bones almost bare. The pes- 
 tilential breath of so many in so confined a state, renders them also very sick- 
 ly, and the vicissitudes of heat and cold generate a flux — when this is the case 
 (which happens frequently) the whole place becomes covered with blood and 
 mucus like a slaughter house ; and as the slaves are fettered and wedged 
 close together,the utmost disorder arises from endeavors to relieve themselves 
 iin the necessities ofnature ; and the disorder is still further encreased by the 
 healthy being not unfrequently cliained to the diseased, the dying, and the 
 dead!!! When the scuttles in the ship's sides are shut in bad weather, the 
 gratings are not sufticient for airing the room ; and the slaves are then seea 
 drawing their breath with all that anxious and laborious efibrtlbr lii'o, which 
 we observe in animals subjected to experiments in foul air or in an exhaust- 
 ed receivci of an air pump. Many of them expire in this situation crying 
 out in their native tongue " we are dying." During the time that elapses 
 from the slaves being put on board on the African coast to their sale in the 
 colonies about one fourth part, or twenty-five thousand per annum are de- 
 stroyed — a mortality which may be easily credited after the preceding state- 
 ment. 
 
 At length the ship arrives at her destined port, and the unhappy Africans 
 who have survived the voyage are prepared for sale. Some are consigned to 
 Brokers who sell them for the shi|)s at private sale. With this view they 
 are examined by the planters, who want them for their farms, and in the se- 
 lection of them, friends and relations are parted withowtany hesitation ; and 
 when they part with mutual embraces they are severed by a lash. Others are 
 sold at public auction and become the property of the highest bidder. 
 Others arc sold by what is denominated a " scramble." In this case the main 
 and quarter decks of the ship are darkened by sails hung over them at a con- 
 venient height. The slaves are then brought out of the hold and made to 
 stand in the darkened area. The purchasers who are furnished with long 
 ropes, rush at a given signal within the awning, and endeavor to encircle as 
 many of them as they can. 
 
 Nothing can exceed the terror which the wretched Africans exhibit on 
 these occasions. A universal shriek is immediately heard — all is consternation 
 and dismay — the men tremble — the women cling together in each other's 
 arms — some of them faint away and others are known to expire. 
 
 About twenty thousand or one fifth part of those who are annually import- 
 ed die during the "seasoning;" which seasoning is said to expire wlien the 
 two first years of servitude arc completed. So that of the whole number 
 about one half perish with.in two years from their first captivity. I forbaar 
 to trace the subsequent scenes of their miserable lives worn out in toils, from 
 which they can receive no profit, and oppressed with wrongs from which they 
 can hope for no relief. 
 
 The scenes which I have described are almost literally copied from the 
 most authentic and unquestionable narratives published under the highest 
 authority. They present a picture of human wretchedness and human de- 
 pravity, which the boldest imagination would hardly have dared to pourtray, 
 and froui which (one should think) the most abandened profligate \voulcl 
 
48 
 
 shrink with horror. Let it be considered that this wretchedness does not a- 
 rise from the awful visitations of providence in the shape of plagues, famines 
 or earthquakes, the natural scourges of mankind ; but is inflicted by man on 
 man from the accursed love of gold. May we not justly dread the displeas- 
 ure of that Almighty Bemg, who is the common father of us all, if we do not 
 by all means within our power endeavor to suppress such infamous cruel- 
 ties. If we cannot like the good Samaritan bind up the wounds and soothe 
 the miseries of the friendless Africans, let us not like the Levite pass with sul- 
 len indifference on the other side. What sight can be more acceptable is 
 the eyes of heaven than that of good men struggling in the cause of oppres- 
 sed humanity .'' What consolation can be more sweet in a dying hour, than 
 the recollection that at least one human being may have been saved from sa- 
 crifice by our vigilance in enforcing the laws ? 
 
 I make no apology, Gentlemen, for having detained you so long upon this 
 interesting subject. In vain shall we expend our wealth in missions abroad 
 for the promotion of Christianity ; in vain shall we rear at home magnificent 
 temples to the service of the most High ; if we tolerate this traffic, our chari- 
 ty is but a name, and our religion little more than a faint and delusive 
 shadow. 
 
 B. 
 
 ,The number of Colleges in the United States is forty-eight. The num- 
 ber of States in the Union is now twenty-four. The white population of the 
 British colonies, (now United States) in 1749, was 1,036,000. In 1775, 
 about 3,000,000. In 1790, 3,951,000. In 1800, 5,405,666. In 1810, 
 7,230,514, 
 
 Now in 1821, our population is not far from 10,000,000. Upon this cal- 
 culation it has doubled a little oftener than once in twenty-five years. If we 
 proceed to increase at the same rate to the close of the century, it will then 
 be between 80 and 90,000,000. 
 
 In 1789 our present mail establishment commenced, then the number of Post 
 Oflices was 75, the whole route 1S75 miles, and its annual revenue 55,795. 
 In 1816 the annual revenue was $156,579. In 1817 the route, over which 
 it passed.was 51,600 miles. Now in 1821, the whole number of Post Offices is 
 about 4,030. What is its present revenue is unknown, as the last report of 
 the establishment has not been received. 
 
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