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CENTURY SERMON 
 
 DELIVERED IN HOPKINTON 
 
 LORD'S BAY, DECEMBER 2% 181f). 
 
 BY REV. NATHANAEL HOWE, A.M. 
 
 PASTOR OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 2 Peter i. 13. — " Yea, i think it meet, as long as i am in 
 
 THIS tabernacle, TO STIR YOU UP, BY PUTTING YOU IN 
 REMEMBRANCE." 
 
 . ANDOVER : 
 
 PRINTED BY FLAGG AND GOULD. 
 
 1816. 
 
ADVERTISEMENT. 
 
 The Author had no reason to expect, when he wrote and de- 
 livered this Sermon, that it would be requested for the press. 
 However, as it has been requested, he consents it should be made 
 public : with this impression full upon his mind, that no person 
 will think he has aimed at any thing more than truth, impartiali- 
 ty, perspicuity and precision. As it may occasion unpleasant 
 feelings in the minds of some of his people, he requests them to 
 consider, that it is as suitable to discover engagedness for the cause 
 of truth, as to go to law for the sake of justice, or take physic for 
 the sake of health. 
 
 The Author, therefore, dedicates this discourse to the people 
 of his charge, with his best wishes for their peace, prosperity and 
 eternal happiness. 
 
 // 
 
SERMON 
 
 ECCLES. i. 4. 
 
 ONE GENERATIOK PASSETH AWAY, AND ANOTHER GENERATION 
 COMETH; BUT THE EARTH ABIDETH FOREVER. 
 
 ▼ T E live in a changing world ; this truth is evident from 
 our text, from our observation, and from our experience. 
 
 We have no need of going to the Bible to discover, thf«t 
 one generation passeth away, and another generation com- 
 eth : we know it by our own observation. Where are the 
 people wIjo were old, twenty five years ago? They are 
 dead, with only one exception. I remember that Mr. Jo- 
 seph Cody was an old man, when 1 first saw him. All 
 the rest are dead ! 
 
 Where are those who were twenty five years ago, in 
 the midst of life, active, useful and promising ? All who 
 are living, have now become old, and are drawing to- 
 ward the grave ; for the grey hairs arc growing thick upon 
 their heads. 
 
 Where are those who were young twenty five years 
 ago ? They have come forward to the midst of life, and 
 fill the most active, honorable and useful stations. Some 
 of them are Deacons of the Church. Magistrates of the 
 Commonwealth. Selectmen of the Town. JMiilitary Of- 
 ficers of various grades. And others in more private sta- 
 tions, acting in diflTerent town offices; members of civil 
 society ; heads of families, Sid, 
 
 And what shall 1 say more ? Shall I say that more 
 than half our inhabitants have been born within that time? 
 
 It now lacks less than twenty five days, of twenty five 
 years, since my first coming to this place, to preach to tjii?! 
 
4 
 
 people. At that time I had only arrived to a state of man- 
 hood ; 1 had youth, activity, and a considerable share of 
 sprightliness on my side ; I am now old. 1 have lived to 
 see more than half a century ; the grey hairs are growing 
 upon my head ; the grinders cease because they are few ; 
 the keepers of the house tremble ; my infirmities indicate, 
 that I have but a few more years, or months, or days to 
 live! 
 
 Is it not evident, thenf that we live in a changing world ? 
 Is it not evident that one generation passetli away, and 
 another generation cometli : but the earth abideth forever ? 
 
 If we appeal to our own experience we shall find, that 
 we live in a changing world. The seasons of the year 
 are changing. Our circumstances are changing. Our 
 relations are changing. The^inhabitants of the world are 
 changing. One generation passeth away, and another 
 generation cometh : but the earth abideth forever. 
 
 There was formerly a man living in the kingdom of 
 Great Britain, whose name was Edward Hopkins. This 
 man was not one of those ignorant, selfish, narrow-con- 
 tracted souls, who could think of nothing but himself, his 
 family, and friends. He could think of America ; an 
 infant country, thougli it was tln^ee thousand miles distant. 
 He could think of the benefits of education. His enlarg- 
 ed mind took into view the difficulties of educating youth, 
 in an infant country, to fill important stations in Church 
 and State. 
 
 In the year 1636, the General Court granted four hun- 
 dred pounds to erect a College within the Commonwealth. 
 In the next year they voted ^that the College should be 
 erected in that part of New^gwu, which is now called Cam- 
 bridge. The year following they decreed that the College 
 should be called Harvard College, in honor of the Rev. 
 John Harvard, who had bequeathed his library, and up- 
 ward of seven hundred pounds for the benefit of the Col- 
 lege. 
 
In the year 1642, the General Court established a board 
 of Overseers. In l6.>0, the Charter of the Corporation 
 was granted. And in the year 1(557, Edward Hopkins 
 Esq. made his will. 
 
 The Father of Spirits had not only endowed 'Squire 
 Hopkins with an enlarged mind, but he had given him a 
 great estate ; and what was of vastly more importance, he 
 had given him a benevolent heart. 
 
 'Squire Hopkins was a man of great wealth ; his estate 
 was estimated at twenty thousand pounds sterling ; equal 
 in value to S8888S,88. Eight hundred pounds sterling 
 of this property was given to be laid out in lands, three 
 fourths for the benefit of tlie College, and one fourth for 
 the benefit of the Grammar School in Cambridge. That 
 is to say, S266B,66 were given to the College, and S888, 
 88 to the Grammar School in Cambridge. This was giv- 
 en " for the breeding up of youth in the way of learning 
 for the public service of the country in future times." 
 — " For the upholding and propagating of the kingdom 
 of the Lord Jesus Christ." These are expressions taken 
 from the will of Edward Hopkins Esq. In the year I7IO, 
 it was ordered that this money should be laid out in lands. 
 This donation of 'Squire Hopkins to Harvard College 
 was the money which first purchased Hopkintou, which 
 in its original state contained what is now called Hopkin- 
 ton, about three thousand acres of Upton, and five hun- 
 dred acres of HoUiston. The lands began to be settled 
 between 1710, and I712. On the 13th day of December, 
 (Old Style,) which according to the present mode of reck- 
 oning brings it to the 21th day of December, 1715, this 
 town was incorporated. This day, therefore, is the be- 
 ginning of a new Century, to the inhabitants of this place. 
 
 As the town was purchased by the donation of 'Squire 
 Hopkins to Harvard College, the lands were to be leased 
 out to tenants, at one penny sterling per acre, to be paid 
 
6 
 
 annually to the College to the year 1833, and three pence 
 of like money afterward. Twelve thousand five hundred 
 acres were to be leased out to tenants ; the residue to be 
 common land, to be divided among the tenants to enable 
 them the better to pay the quit rents ; and moreover, the 
 tenants w ere to pay a province tax, for what they were 
 worth, above the rents reserved. 
 
 It is natural to suppose these considerations would lead 
 many people in indigent circumstances to come, and to 
 settle here : the town, therefore, increased rapidly in pop- 
 ulation for a number of years. 
 
 May Si, 17^3. The town '^ voted to have preaching 
 constantly on the Sabbath.'^ May 20, 172% they voted 
 to give Mr. Barrett " sixty pounds, in day-labor, oxen's 
 work, boards, shingles, clapboards, slitwork, and other 
 materials to build liim a house ; and if not paid in those 
 articles, to be paid in money." The same day they voted 
 to give Mr. Barrett thirty five pounds, in addition to the 
 cutting and carting his firewood for three years ; and sev- 
 enty pounds afterward with the cutting and carting his 
 firewood to be his annual salary, during his ministry. On 
 the £d day of September following, a Congregational 
 Church was gathered, consisting of fifteen members. 
 Their names were, Samuel Barrett, Samuel Wadkins, 
 William Montgomery, Robert Hamilton, Samuel Wark, 
 Benjamin Burnap, liobert Cook, Elnathan Allen, John 
 Wood, Josej)h Haven, Robert Huston, William Dunag- 
 lioi, Patrick Hamilton, Obediah Allen, and Jacob Gibbs. 
 These were the only members of the Church when it was 
 formed. The same day the Rev. Samuel Barrett, a native 
 of Boston, who graduated at Harvard College in 17^1^ 
 Mas ordained Pastor of said Church. Tiiis was at a pe- 
 riod of our country when ministers were respected, public 
 worship attended, family religion and family government 
 were maintained, morality and piety prevailed. 
 
But in the course of a few years a dissension took 
 place ; a large number had been admitted to communion ; 
 some of whom proved themselves unworthy of their Chris- 
 tian standing. 
 
 It appears on record, that on the ninth day of April 
 1731, the Church voted to comply with the Cambridge 
 Platform of church discipline. Tliis gave great offence. 
 James Montgomery and his mother, Robert Cook and his 
 %vife, William Hinry, Walter Stewart, llobert Huston and 
 Lis wife, John Hamilton, llobert Barrett and the widow 
 Hamilton, and others, absented themselves from commu- 
 nion. The elders therefore were sent by the Church to 
 inquire of these delinquents, the reasons of their absent- 
 ing themselves from the Lord's Supper. They replied, 
 they had laid the matter before ministers, and if their advice 
 was such as they could not comply with, they meant to 
 leave the town. 
 
 When the Church insisted on knowing their reasons, 
 it was replied, that the Church had altered their mode 
 of government ; that they had received members from 
 Framingham without a dismission ; and tliat they were 
 not under obligation to keep covenant with such a Church. 
 
 On June 14, 1733, Joseph Bixby and Joseph Haven 
 were ordained to the office of ruling Elders in the Church. 
 Also Benjamin Burnap and Henry Mellen were ordained 
 Deacons. On this occasion the Rev. Thomas Prince, and 
 the Rev. John Webb, both pastors of churches in the town 
 of Boston were present and assisted. 
 
 This, Avith the other causes before mentioned, led part 
 of the members of the Church to separate and absent 
 themselves from communion. These offended brethren 
 formed a society, built a meeting house, and maintain- 
 ed their separation for a number of years. There is no 
 account that they ever had a minister. It is more than 
 probable, that they met together, sung, prayed, and ex- 
 
horted one another. But in process of time, their zeal 
 abated, their society dwindled, their meeting house de- 
 cayed, some died, others sold and removed ; and a num- 
 ber of years after they imd been admonished and sus- 
 pended by tlie Church, those who remained in town re- 
 turned, made concessions to the Church, and were restor- 
 ed to their former standing, and admitted to communion. 
 
 Thus we see that this society, formed by prejudice and 
 passion, when the fever of the moment had abated, sunk 
 and disappeared. 
 
 This difficulty, however, which originated in the year 
 1731, was not completely settled till the year 1738. 
 
 As the Rev. Samuel Barrett's ministr}"^ was lengthy, 
 honorable, and successful, I shall divide it into five dif- 
 ferent periods of ten years each, except the last, which 
 was about eight years and three months. 
 
 In the first ten years of his ministry, there were 146 ad- 
 mitted to full communion ; — 58 owned the covenant ; — 
 SD6 received the ordinance of baptism ; — and 41 couples 
 were joined in marriage. 
 
 In the second ten years of his ministry there was a diffi- 
 culty existing between this Church and the churches of 
 Framingham and Shrewsbury, respecting the admission 
 of members from those churches, who had not been regu- 
 larly recommended and dismissed. After repeated exer- 
 tions to settle it, a Council was called consisting of the 
 llev. Mr. Cheever of Rumney-Marsh, Rev. Mr. Moody 
 of York, Rev. Mr. Wise pf Berwick, Rev. Mr. White of 
 Gloucester, Rev. Messrs. Thatcher, Webb, Dr. Sewall, 
 Prince, Gee, and Mather, pastors of churches in the town 
 of Boston, with their delegates. 
 
 The 35th day of June 1735 was appointed for the 
 Council to meet. When it was ascertained that this large, 
 learned, and venerable Ecclesiastical Council could not 
 be convened, on account of the distance, season of the 
 
year, &c. the Church voted to strike out Mr. Moody, Mr. 
 White, and Mr. Wise, and send to the church in Sudbury ; 
 but the Council were providentially detained from meet- 
 ing. The Church then voted to send again to the same 
 Council with the addition of the Church in Berwick. Vot- 
 ed, That the third Wednesday of September be the time 
 for the Council to meet. Voted also, to add Mr. Moody, 
 and his son from York, to the Council. 
 
 This Ecclesiastical Council convened, at the time and 
 place, and after mature consideration of the subject, 
 they resulted in favor of the doings of this Church, The 
 Church voted thanks to the Council, requested the Rev. 
 Mr. Gee of Boston to be present at the reading of the re- 
 sult, and voted to comply with the result of the Council. 
 
 In this period, that is, from Sept. 2, 1731 to Sept. 3, 
 1744, there were 90 admitted to full communion ; — 4S 
 owned the covenant ; — 289 were baptised 5 — and 44 cou- 
 ples joined in marriage. 
 
 In the third period of ten years of the Rev. Mr. Bar* 
 rett's ministry, there were troublous times. Mr. White- 
 field, Buel, Tennant and other ministers were travelling 
 through the country, and preaching with uncommon ani- 
 mation and success. No doubt by their doctrines, zeal 
 and oratory they did vast good ; but like all other human 
 beings, they were imperfect, and sometimes indiscreet. 
 Mr. Whitefield acknowledged very freely, the last time 
 lie travelled through the country, that he had done wrong 
 in speaking against the standing order of ministers as he 
 had done formerly ; that he should not have done it, had 
 he been more acquainted with them. These animated, 
 ardent preachers, drew away the affections of many peo- 
 ple from their own ministers. 
 
 At this time Mr. Barrett, for a season^ lost the confi- 
 dence and affections of some of the most serious and 
 pious people in town. The late deacon Moses Haveu 
 2 
 
10 
 
 and others absented themselves from Mr. Barrett's min- 
 istry, and joined with the Rev. Mr. Reed's society in 
 Framingham ; sometimes hearing him, and sometimes the 
 Rev. Mr, Frost of Milford : but when the fervor of their 
 affection abated, they returned to this Society, respected 
 Mr. Barrett, lived under his ministry, and were edified. 
 About this time the Rev. Roger Price, a clergyman of the 
 episcopalian order, came to this town, purchased a large 
 tract of land, built a church, and endowed it with a glebe 
 containing one hundred and seventy acres ; preached here 
 about three years, and returned to England. Soon after 
 this, he sent the Rev. Mr. Troulback, who officiated here 
 for some time, and then removed. Since his removal, there 
 have been only a few solitary instances of that mode of 
 worship for nearly sixty years. I have never heard but 
 what the Rev. Mr. Barrett and the Rev. Mr. Price lived 
 in great harmony, though they were of different religious 
 denominations, and lived within a few rods of each other. 
 And we have the more reason to believe this, from the 
 circumstance, that the descendants of the Rev. Mr. Price 
 have been unusually kind and beneficent to the descen- 
 dants of the Rev. Mr. Barrett. During this period, that 
 is, from Sept. %, 17-i4 to Sept. 3, 1754, 26 were admitted 
 to full communion ; — 43 owned the covenant ; — ;S88 were 
 baptised ; — and 14 couples were joined in marriage. 
 
 In the fourth period of ten years of the Rev. Mr. Bar- 
 rett's ministry, that is, from Sept. S, 1754 to Sept. S, 1764, 
 the state of this people was more tranquil and happy. 
 Mr. Barrett's character was established, his wisdom had 
 been manifested, and his stability was undoubted. He 
 had sustained the office of a gospel minister for thirty 
 years. He had stood firm and unshaken through times of 
 violence, intrigue, and faction. Neither contention, nor 
 division, nor separation, could divert him from his course. 
 Mr. Barrett was not an animated preacher, but he was 
 
11 
 
 sensible, orthodox, and exemplary. The Historical So- 
 ciety of Massachusetts have published his character as 
 foliovvs : — '^ He wks a pious, good Christian, a man of 
 great candor, and good nature." This appears to me, in 
 some measure, to fall short of his real excellence ; they 
 ouglit to have added, a man of great stability and perse- 
 verance. 
 
 In this period he admitted 31 persons to full commu- 
 nion ; — 72 owned the covenant ; — 837 were baptised ; — 
 and 70 couples were joined in marriage. 
 
 In the last period of the Rev. Mr. Barrett's ministry, 
 which consisted of eight years and three months, his ac- 
 tivity abated ; his faculties were diminished ; but in this 
 period, he admitted 15 persons to full communion ; — S2 
 owned the covenant ; — 193 were baptised ; — d2 couples 
 were joined in marriage ; — but we have no account of 
 deaths. 
 
 Mr. Barrett called a church meeting, Dec. 2, 1771? for 
 the purpose of choosing a colleague pastor to assist him 
 in the decline of life. But " by reason of age and infir- 
 mity," as the records state, he was unable to preside at 
 said meeting ; however, the Church proceeded, and unan- 
 imously made choice of Mr. Elijah Fitch for a colleague 
 pastor. On the fifteenth day of January 177!^? the Rev. 
 Elijah Fitch was ordained ; and on the eleventh of the 
 December following, the Rev. Samuel Barrett died, in 
 the seventy second year of his age, and the forty ninth year 
 of his ministry. Thus he died, like God's ancient and 
 faithful servant Job, " being old and full of days." 
 
 As the Trustees of Hopkins' donation to Harvard Col- 
 lege gave Mr. Barrett one hundred acres of land, adjoin- 
 ing this meeting house, for his own personal use and be- 
 hoof forever, because he was the first minister ; so also 
 they gave him another hundred acres of land, which was 
 given to him, his heirs, assigns, and successors ; which is 
 
1^ 
 
 called tlie ministerial land, and is now in my possession. 
 As Mr. Barrett lived at a time when black people were 
 slaves, and had them for servants ; — and beside this, had 
 in Boston wealthy and benevolent connexions, by whose 
 liberality he was furnished with such things as he need- 
 ed ; — and, in addition to this, had seventy pounds, with 
 the cutting and carting his firewood, for his annual salary ; 
 - — we have reason to believe he had a comfortable support, 
 though the people were generally poor. The Rev. Mr. 
 Barrett left but one child, a son, who departed this life 
 March 10, 1800, who was exemplary, industrious, and 
 inoffensive. 
 
 The Rev. Elijah Fitch was ordained, as we have before 
 said, on the fifteenth day of January 1772. Almost eleven 
 months before the death of the reverend Mr. Barrett. Mr. 
 Fitch was a native of Connecticut ; born in the town of 
 Windham ; educated at Yale College ; graduated in the 
 year 1765. He was a man of great powers of mind. He 
 possessed a sound judgment. He was somewhat reserved 
 in mixi companies, but in tlie pulpit he was remarkably 
 eloquent. He was unassuming ; a man of meekness and 
 candor ; a man of humility and benevolence ; he was pa- 
 tient, industrious, and persevering. His life was spent in 
 one continual series of exertion for the good of his church, 
 people, and family. Perhaps no man, with his advanta- 
 ges and income, could have left his family in better cir- 
 cumstances than he did. 
 
 Mr. Fitch was not rigid in his religious opinions ; he 
 was considered a moderate Calvinist. He was respected 
 by his own people, and esteemed by the neighboring reli- 
 gious societies. During his ministry, which lacked one 
 month of seventeen years, he admitted 37 persons to full 
 communion ; — 100 owned the covenant ; — 422 were bap- 
 tised ; — 189 couples were joined in marriage ; — and in 
 this time there were 316 deaths. In the first year of Mr. 
 
13- 
 
 Fitch's ministry there were 39 deaths ; SO of them were 
 occasioned by the canker. 
 
 In the year 177^? when the army lay in and about Cam- 
 bridge, there were 45 deaths ; S9 of these were occasion- 
 ed by the dysentary. This was probably the greatest 
 mortality, that has taken place in any one year^ since the 
 town was settled. In the year 1788 there were only ten 
 deaths ; the Rev. Elijah Fitch was the last of that num- 
 ber. 
 
 When the town voted to concur with the Church in 
 giving Mr. Fitch a call to settle with them in the ministry, 
 they gave him Si^^j'i'lfor his settlement, and S^OO annu- 
 ally for his salary. This was at a time when provisions 
 w ere low, land was cheap, labor easily obtained, and at a 
 moderate price. Within three years of this time, paper 
 money was emitted, and it depreciated from one degree to 
 another, till Mr. Fitcli's salary, for a year, would only pay 
 a common hired man for six months' labor. The Rev. 
 Mr. Fitch was liberally educated, — regularly introduced 
 into the ministry, — necessitated to keep an horse to enable 
 him to discharge the duties of his office, to attend funerals, 
 visit the sick, &c., to board his hired man, and himself, 
 and then his whole salary for a year would only p^-iy a 
 hired man, for six months' labor ! 
 
 Is there no bounds to oppression, injustice, and cruelty ? 
 I confess for myself 1 know of none. This was in the 
 time of the revolutionary war, when our liberties were in 
 danger, and our country in distress ; but after the peace, 
 the town had so much sense of honor and duty, as to raise 
 Mr. Fitch's salary from sixty to seventy pounds lawful 
 money, and that continued to be his salary while he lived. 
 
 But after Mr. Fitch's death, the town had so little com- 
 passion on the widow and ftitherless, that they took the 
 ministerial land into their own hands, without any lawful 
 right, and applied the profits of that to their own use, which 
 
14 
 
 was given by the Trustees of Hopkins' donation to Har- 
 vard College, " to the Rev. Samuel Barrett and his suc- 
 cessors in the ministry." 
 
 However Mr. Fitch was not only an industrious man 
 himself, but he had an industrious family. He left an 
 amiable and pious widow, and five children. The eldest 
 daughter, who had professed and practised religion while 
 she was well, sickened and died about five years after her 
 father. The eldest son is the Rev. John Fitch of Dan- 
 ville, in the State of Vermont, who has been minister of 
 that town for more than twenty years, and is now one of 
 the most respectable ministers in that State. 
 
 The eldest daughter, now living, is with her mother, 
 and well known to the generality of this assembly. The 
 youngest son is Deacon Elijah Fitch, chosen to that office 
 by an uncommon unanimity, having had all the votes ex- 
 cept his own, or all but one except his own. And the 
 youngest daughter is Mrs. Betsey Rawson, the wife of 
 the Rev. Nathanael Rawson of Hardwick, in the State of 
 Vermont. 
 
 All amiable characters, all professors of religion, all of 
 one denomination, adorning their profession by a pious 
 life. 
 
 Whose descendants can vie with the descendants of the 
 Rev. Elijah Fitch ? 
 
 It is true the family were never wealthy, but they have 
 always been respected. Such was tlie rise, progress, 
 character and success, and such the descendants of the 
 Rev. Elijah Fitch. 
 
 In the former part of his ministry he enjoyed good health, 
 and an uncommon share of activity ; but two years before 
 his death, he was unwell and unable to preach through the 
 winter. In the spring he recovered partially, was able, 
 and continued to preach till the April preceding his death. 
 The Rev. Elijah Fitch lived beloved, and died lamented 
 
15 
 
 by his numerous acquaintance and friends. He departed 
 this life Dec. 16, 1788, in the 48d year of his age, and 
 17th year of his ministry. 
 
 Thus we see " one generation passeth away, and an- 
 other generation cometh ;" and passeth away, " but the 
 earth abideth forever." 
 
 Not only the ministers, but the people have been dying 
 from year to year. In the forty years last past there have 
 been not less than 700 deaths ; and is it not reasonable to 
 suppose that in the sixty years preceding there were as 
 many deaths, as there have been in the forty years follow- 
 ing? Admitting this to be a reasonable calculation, we 
 may conclude there have been since the incorporation of the 
 town 1400 deaths ; which is equal to the number of our 
 present inhabitants. After the funeral of the Rev. Mr. 
 Fitch, the bearers supplied for a considerable time, and 
 then candidates were employed. 
 
 The Rev. Solomon Adams late of Middleton, deceased, 
 was your first candidate. Rev. Joshua Cushman late of 
 Winslow, Rev. Stephen Baxter late of Western, Rev. 
 Pearson Thurston late of Sommersworth, Rev. Alden 
 Bradford formerly of Wiscasset, now Secretary of State 
 for this Commonwealth, Rev. Gordon Dorrance of \\ ind- 
 sor, and a Mr. Stone of Shrewsbury, who preached here 
 four Sabbaths, the two last in December 1790, and the 
 two first in January 1791. The weather was unfavoura- 
 ble, and the travelling bad, and in no one of those Sab- 
 baths were there so many as thirty persons assembled in 
 this house to worship God ! 
 
 At this time your present minister was engaged to come 
 and preach to this people as a candidate. He was era- 
 ployed by a committee consisting of 'Squire M'Farland, 
 Mr. Henry Mellen, and Dr. Stimson Esq. After preach- 
 ing here for three months, from the third Sabbath in Janu- 
 ary, then being absent a few weeks to fulfil a former en- 
 
16 
 
 gagemeiit, he returned to preach to this people, and on the 
 May following received a unanimous call from the Church 
 to settle as their pastor. On May 19th the town " voted 
 to concur with the Church, provided Mr. Howe consents 
 to admit children to baptism, whose parents are in the 
 half-way covenant, so called." * 
 
 The half-way covenant was a scheme devised by our 
 forefathers, assembled in synod, 166^, to determine, who 
 were the proper subjects of baptism ; and they decided, 
 " that cliurch members, who were admitted in minority, 
 understanding the doctrine of faith, and publicly profess- 
 ing their assent thereto, not scandalous in life, and solemn- 
 ly owning tiie covenant before the church, wherein they 
 give up themselves and children to the Lord, and subject 
 themselves to the government of Christ in his Church, 
 their children are to be baptised.'' 
 
 This scheme inclined persons, who had no reason to 
 think themselves qualified to partake of the Lord's Supper, 
 to make this kind of profession and have their children 
 baptised. At this time, there were probably more than 
 twice the number, who belonged to the half-way covenant, 
 than there were who belonged to the Church in full com- 
 munion ; for my reverend predecessor had admitted one 
 hundred to that covenant, and only thirty seven to full com- 
 munion during his ministry. Tliis call of the town was 
 presented by a large and respectable committee, consisting 
 of Deacon Moses Haven, Mr. Jacob Gibbs, Col. John 
 Jones, Deacon Stephen Kinsman, Mr. Barachias Morse, 
 Col. Nathan Perry, and Maj. William Price. When 
 the call was presented and read, I took occasion to ob- 
 serve to the committee, that I had never been convinced 
 that the half-way covenant could be supported by scrip- 
 ture, and I could not consent to baptise in that way, till I 
 was convinced ; and if that was a fixed condition in the 
 minds of the town, I could give them an answer at that 
 
17 
 
 time as well as any other. Mr. Morse inquired if that 
 was the only objection I had to settling here ? to which I 
 answered, it appeared to be the greatest. Upon which it 
 was proposed to have another town meeting, and see what 
 compromise could be made. 
 
 When the town assembled, 1 attended, and when call- 
 ed upon stated — "That no difference in sentiment respect- 
 ing the half-way covenant, so called, should prevent me 
 from exchanging with any of the regular gospel ministers 
 in this neighborhood ; and although it does not appear 
 to me to be right, to administer the ordinance of baptism 
 in this way ; and I cannot consistently do it before I am 
 convinced it is right : yet I think I feel myself disposed 
 to give other people the same liberty, with respect to reli- 
 gion, I take for myself. 
 
 '^ Therefore whenever I exchange, if the minister with 
 whom I exchani^e thinks he can conscientiously baptise 
 children by the half-way covenant, and those, who are in 
 that covenant, think they can conscientiously offer their 
 children, 1 shall not feel myself under obligation to ob- 
 ject against their doing what appears to them to be right. 
 
 " And that every man may see, that I am disposed to 
 be fair and plain ; and that no diificulty may ever arise 
 concerning this matter, I say further, that, notwithstanding 
 I am opposed to that practice ; yet, if the Church and the 
 minister with whom I exchange think proper to take any 
 more into the half-way covenant, I shall treat them in the 
 same manner, 1 do those, who are already in that cove- 
 nant." 
 
 This town meeting was on July 18, 1/91, at which 
 time the town voted " to concur with the Church in giving 
 Mr. Nathanael Howe a call to be their gospel minister, 
 upon the proposals Mr. Howe has now offered. '^ 
 
 Also, " voted to ratify the doings of the town on the 
 nineteenth of May last, respecting Mr. Howe's settlement 
 
 3 
 
18 
 
 and salary," that was, to give two hundred pouuds settle- 
 ment, and seventy pounds salary, in addition to the im- 
 provement of the ministerial land. 
 
 Our pious forefathers with good intent, no doubt, devis- 
 ed the half-way covenant. Being alarmed at the declin- 
 ing numbers of the Church, and the corresponding increase 
 of the unbaptised, depending on human wisdom, and dis- 
 trusting the divine faithfulness, this plan was devised and 
 adopted : and when it was introduced into the Churches, 
 it occasioned contentions, divisions, and separations ; as 
 you may see by reading Mather's Magnalia. When it 
 was discovered that its tendency was to destroy the 
 Church ; for if every person joined in that way, there 
 would be no Church, when it was discovered that its 
 tendency was to injure the persons received, by making 
 them think they had done their duty, when they had not ; 
 and to pervert the ordinance of baptism, by administering 
 it to unsuitable subjects : — it was opposed both by minis- 
 ters and Churches. And it occasioned as much conten- 
 tion and opposition to lay it aside, as to introduce it. That 
 erroneous practice is now dead ; only fourteen have been 
 baptised by that covenant since my ordination ; none with- 
 in fifteen years last past : and none have been admitted 
 since my introduction to office. 
 
 In the first year of my ministry, I leased a part of the 
 ministerial common to Maj. Burnap, during my ministry ; 
 the said Burnap was to clear the laud, fence it, subdue the 
 bushes, and keep the fences in good repair ; on these con- 
 ditions I believed it would be as valuable to my successor, 
 as to myself. This however, gave great offence. It oc- 
 casioned a town raeetiug, which I attended ; but previous 
 to the town meeting I had agreed with Maj. Burnap to 
 rescind the bargain. 
 
 The town complained that I was making an unsuitable 
 use of the ministerial common 5 to which I replied, that the 
 
19 
 
 land was lawfully mine, during my ministry ; for it was 
 not given to the town^ but to '' the Rev. Samuel Barrett 
 and his successors." I then complained that the town 
 had been inattentive in their obligations to me ; not hav- 
 ing paid the salary they promised. For on Nov. 2, 1793 
 they granted my first year's salary, which was almost a 
 month after the first year expired. And not one cent of the 
 first year's salary had been granted, assessed, or paid; and 
 at that time T owed no man in town a single shilling. This 
 difficulty was settled on Jan. 14, 1793, by ray offering to 
 relinquish my right to the ministerial common, on the con- 
 dition, the town would pay the salary on the day they pro- 
 mised, or put it on interest. This was a good bargain 
 both for me, and the town, for it secured to me my salary, 
 at the time appointed, which has been a great benefit ; 
 and it secured to the town the ministerial common land, 
 without any expense, provided they punctually fulfilled 
 their obligations to me. 
 
 About this time, 'Squire M'Farland and Mr. Henry Mel- 
 len, two of our principal men, left this society, and joined 
 the Methodists, because they were dissatisfied Avith the 
 doctrines here delivered. But not finding themselves so 
 agreeably situated as they expected, they returned to this 
 society. Mr. Mellen is since dead ; and 'Squire M'Far- 
 land has manifested his regard to the Sabbath, and public 
 worship, by attending very constantly, though he has never 
 approved of my religious or political sentiments. 
 
 At this time, a brother of the Church left our commu- 
 nion, and joined the Methodists : the Church dealt with 
 him as an offender, and seeing he did not reform, excom- 
 municated him. 
 
 . The Church passed a vote May 13, 1790, the year be- 
 fore I came to town, that if any should omit praying 
 with their families, or omit public worship, or communion, 
 or be found from time to time disguised with strong drink. 
 
so 
 
 they should be under the immediate admonition of the 
 Church. It was found that one brother did not pray with 
 liis family ; he was dealt with as an oifender, and seeing 
 he did not reform, was excommunicated. 
 
 When the public took sides upon politics, your minister 
 was a Federalist, though he was sensible a very great ma- 
 jority of the town, were of diiferent sentiments. He be- 
 lieved then, as he believes now, that he ought to have 
 more regard to his country, than to any particular part of it: 
 and when he has occasionally preached political sermons, 
 they have repeatedly occasioned uncomfortable feelings. 
 
 Another difficulty your minister has had to encounter, 
 was the want of support. A vast change has taken place, 
 in the expenses of dressing and living since my ordination, 
 and yet no addition has been made to my salary. 
 
 When a candidate, I determined I would never settle, 
 till I saw a reasonable prospect of a comfortable support, 
 and when settled, that 1 would never complain of my sal- 
 ary. I remained of this mind, till I had been your minis- 
 ter for fifteen years. 
 
 Born down with tlie fatigues of manual labor, pressed 
 into the woods in the winter, to the plough in the spring, 
 and into the meadow in the summer, to support my family 
 comfortably, and fulfil my promises, I felt the business 
 of the ministry was greatly neglected ; — that it was im- 
 possible for me to do what ought to be done in my profes- 
 sion, unless the people did more toward ray support. 
 
 I committed my thoughts to paper, then communicated 
 them to four brethren of the Church, then to the Church 
 as a body, and afterward to the town. 
 
 As there has been ranch raisunderstanding, and many 
 misrepresentations upon this raatter, I will read it again, 
 and then the doings of the town thereon.* 
 
 * " To the Brethren of the Church of Christ in Hopkinton. 
 "'• Beloved Brethren, 
 
 •' When you s;ave me a call to settle with you in the Gospel min- 
 
2i 
 
 When my communication was read to Deacon Joseph 
 Walker, Maj. Burnap, Mr. Benjamin Adams, and 'Squire 
 
 istry, and the Town had concurred and made their proposals, I took 
 the matter under serious consideration. 1 considered the unanimity of 
 the Church and Town, as favourable circumstances, and the propo- 
 sals that were made with respect to my support, as reasonable, though 
 not large. The ministerial land I was sensible was good, though the 
 state of cultivation w as very bad, and the fences extremely poor. It 
 then appeared to me, if I should be favoured with prosperity, with the 
 knowledge 1 thought 1 had of agriculture, that 1 should be able to 
 support a family. With those views I gave my answer in the affir- 
 mative, was ordained, and soon had a family. At this time, every 
 article of provision was low, labor was cheap, and my income was 
 sufficient for my support. But within two years from my ordination, 
 money began to depreciate, and the price of labor to rise ; my salary 
 has continued depreciating and labor rising, till it is not worth more 
 than half what it was, when I was settled. 
 
 " I have always been sensible of the difficulty of transacting money 
 huslness, with any people ; and from this impression have labored 
 with my hands, to make provision for my family, and fulfil my prom- 
 ises : 1 have scarcely ever suffered myself to make any complaints ; 
 hut I find at present, that my expenses are increasing, and my income 
 decreasing. This has led me into considerable perplexity with res- 
 pect to my duty. If I ask a dismission and remove, it must be 
 Avith a considerable loss of property. If I remain as I am, I see no 
 reason to expect any better times. If I exert myself more in labor- 
 ing with my hands, it must be disadvantageous both to you, and me ; 
 for then I must neglect my professional business. If I advertise my 
 house and land for sale, it will appear precipitate. If I propose to 
 the town to purchase it for the next minister, and ask them to dismiss 
 me; I know not how this will operate. I do not iviah to leave the 
 ministry ; but if I should ever remove, it is full time, for I have pro- 
 bably spent the best part of my life among you. Fifteen years ago, 
 the expense of candidate preaching was four or five dollars a Sab- 
 hath : now it is eight or ten. Then the members of our general 
 court had one dollar per day, now they have two dollars per day. 
 A common laborer at that time, had fifty five, or sixty dollars per 
 year; now they have 130, 140, and some 150 dollars a year. 
 
 Is it reasonable then, for ministers to be satisfied with the nominal 
 sum, when it is not worth more than half its original value ? 1 make 
 no pretence to any lawful claim; but in point of equity, is it not rea- 
 sonable ? I grant that when two parties have made an agreement, 
 the one cannot dissolve it, without the consent of the other. I am 
 sensible it is very difficult for us to know many things except what 
 ■we know by experience ; and therefore, it is very difficult for any 
 people to feel for their minister, because they are not in his circum- 
 stances. Brethren, we have lived in a good degree of harmony 
 for years past, which I hope will never be interrupted. This society 
 perhaps enjoys as much harmony at present, as at any former period i 
 
Chamberlain, they lamented the circumstance, but thought 
 it proper to lay the matter before the Church for their ad- 
 vice. 
 
 and are abundantly able to make up the depreciation on my salary, 
 if they are so disposed : but this must depend entirely on their choice. 
 
 " In these circumstances, Brethren, I request your %dviee. Shall 
 I ask a dismission ? Or, shall 1 ask to have the depreciation made 
 up on my salary ? Shall I ask the town to purchase my house and 
 land ? Or shall I advertise it in a public paper ? Or ought 1 to re- 
 main satisfied as I am ? 
 
 "• It costs me this year one hundred and fifty dollars for one man's 
 labor, who cannot d(j my business either winter or summer; and if 
 i add to this sum the reasonable expense of his board, it will amount 
 to as much as the town pay to my support. It will be said that the 
 ministerial land is much more productive than formerly: this is true; 
 but how comes it to pass ? is it not in consequence of the labor and 
 expense I have been at, to cultivate and fence it ? Some years I have 
 expended as much on the land, as the whole of the income. 
 
 " If it should be said I have other income, I ask; Is it right for 
 me to spend the property that was left to my wife, by her parents, 
 ■while I am preaching to a people well able to support me ? When, 
 perhaps, by and by, she may be left in poverty and distress } 
 
 " If a farm be let out at the halves, the buildings and fences will 
 soon be out of repair, and the land impoverished. If all the labor 
 be hired to carry on a farm, and pay the other expenses, the income 
 to the owner will be but small. I say these things to show you my 
 situation, and to convince you, that should 1 ask a dismission in a 
 few months, you ought not to think it unreasonable. If any should 
 be jlisposed to make an addition to my salary, on account of the de- 
 prcT^iftion, this will be likely to make difficulty; the people will not 
 be agreed in it, and beside, no addition would be satisfactory, except 
 it be granted to continue, till such times as labor and provisions fall 
 in their prices as low as when I was ordained ; then 1 would relin- 
 quish it : and if they ever fall below what they were then, I will eon- 
 sent to take less than seventy pounds for my salary. I do not say 
 these things, because I think the town would be willing to make up 
 the depreciation in full, perhaps, not in part. If they made up what 
 I thought was equal to half the depreciation, I should rest satisfied. 
 As the relation between Pastor and Church is quite distinct from the 
 relation between minister and people, I have thought it my duty to 
 make this statement to you, before any thing be said to the town, and 
 to request your opinion and advice upon it. It is not my expectation, 
 that any thing should be done for the fifteen years that are past: and 
 if the town would now state my salary, on labor, corn, rye, cider, 
 butter and cheese, beef and pork, at the price they bore on the day of 
 my ordination, I would consent to take sixty pounds for my salary. 
 If any should think it disadvantageous to the town for me to be dis- 
 missed and remove, they must know, on the least reflection, that it 
 will probably be attended with more loss to me, than to any other per- 
 son. 
 
:83 
 
 When it was read to the Church, sixteen brethren were 
 present ; fourteen of whom advised me to ask the town for 
 
 " With the hope and expectation that you, brethren, will be ena- 
 bled and disposed to advise ine in this case to what will be wisest, 
 and best, 1 subscribe myself your friend and Pastor, in the faith and 
 fellowship of the gospel. 
 
 « NATHANAEL HOWE. 
 " To the Church of Christ in Hopkinton.^^ 
 
 Oct. 30, 1806. This was read to Deacon Joseph Walker, and 
 three other brethren, viz. Benjamin Adams, I. Burnap, and Moses 
 Chamberlain. 
 
 Nov. 10, 1806. The Church met at the request of their Pastor, to 
 give him their advice, what he ought to do, in the present depi-peiated 
 state of his salary, and they advised him to ask to have the deprecia- 
 tion made up. And he observed to them, that if that was their ad- 
 vice, he would thank them to carry it into effect. They then voted 
 to request the selectmen, (a majority of whom were present, and 
 members of the Church) to call a town meeting within five weeks, to 
 see if the town will add fifty per cent to the salary, till such time as 
 labor and provisions fall in their prices as low as when he was or- 
 dained. 
 
 The town met on Dec. 15, 1806. Mr. Howe was called upon to 
 read to the town the communication, he had made to the Church. 
 Upon which the vote was put, "To see if the town will (on account 
 of the depreciation of money) add gll6,67 to the yearly salary of the 
 Rev. Nathanael Howe, till such time as labor and provisions fall in 
 their prices, as low as when he was ordained. This passed in the 
 negative by a large majority. 
 
 Then Mr. Howe proposed to see if the town would add gl 16,67 
 till such time as the members of our general court receive less than 
 two dollars per day for their services. This was negatived by a large 
 majority. 
 
 Then Mr. Howe proposed to see if the town will add gi 16,67 for 
 seven years, from the first day of January next. This passed in the 
 negative by a large majority. 
 
 Then Mr. Howe proposed to see if the town will make up one half 
 the depreciation on his salary from this time while hp continues their 
 minister. This passed in the negative by a large majority. 
 
 Then Mr. Howe proposed to see if the town will in future give him 
 two hundred dollars for his annual salary, and average it on labor, 
 corn, rye, cider, butter and cheese, beef and pork, at the piices they 
 bore on the day of his ordination. This passed in the negative by a 
 large majority. 
 
 Then Mr. Howe proposed to see if the town will purchase his 
 house and land and keep it for the next minister. Tliis passed in 
 the negative by a large majority. 
 
 Then Mr. Howe proposed to see if the town will request the Church 
 by a vote to grant him a dismission. This passed in the negative by 
 a large majority. 
 
24 
 
 an addition to iny salary, and two were opposed to it. 
 And in town meeting there were only three of the fourteen 
 who advised me to ask it, who held up their hands in fa- 
 vour of it ; viz. Deacon Josepli Walker, Maj. Isaac Bur- 
 nap, and Mr. Benjamin Adams ; — and only three of the 
 town ; viz. 'Squire Stimson, Col. J. Valentine and Mr. 
 Samuel Goddard. 
 
 The reason of my fixing on that sum, and not being 
 willing to accept of less, was because a less sura would do 
 me no good. If I had an addition to my salary, I must 
 pay more attention to the ministry ; and if not, I must 
 continue to supply the wants of my family by the labor of 
 my hands. It was plain the town were unwilling to 
 make that addition, although it was only one half of what 
 justice and equity required them to do ; and it has always 
 aflforded me pleasure, to think I had opportunity to show, 
 I did not value an hundred dollars, as much as the people 
 generally did an hundred cents : for but few would have 
 had more than one dollar annually to have paid, above 
 the nominal sura, to have furnished me with as much as I 
 needed. Some have supposed that the town did nothing 
 that day, because they granted no money ; but in this they 
 were greatly deceived ; for they convinced me, 1 could 
 place no dependance on their justice and equity ; and that 
 I must take care of myself, or perish. This opened my 
 eyes in every direction, and employed my hands every 
 day. 
 
 As it has been frequently said, that the town would 
 have done something handsome, had I not stipulated the 
 sum which they must grant, or nothing, they have had 
 
 Tlien Mr. Howe said he liad but one proposition more to make ; 
 which was to see if the town were willing he should publish the eoni- 
 niunication he had made to the Church, and read to the town this day, 
 and all the doings of the town thereoHj And this also passed in the 
 negative by a large majority. 
 
 Attest, EPHRAIM READ, Town Clerk. 
 
2a 
 
 reason siace to tliiiik, that in this also they were greatly 
 deceived ; for when the town had a meeting the next year^ 
 through the instrumentality of Deacon Fiske, to show their 
 benevolence, and their regard to justice and equity, there 
 was a tie ; — the moderator, the late Col. Eames, could 
 not determine the vote : the meeting was adjourned for 
 two weeks, and at that time there was a handsome ma- 
 jority in favour of doing nothing. 
 
 You are sensible, that my health has sometimes been 
 poor, and my mind greatly depressed : poverty has stared 
 me in the face. 
 
 My brethren, may 1 ask a question, a plain, simple 
 question ? How shall I obtain your consent ? Shall I 
 take silence for consent ? Your countenances discover a 
 willingness. 
 
 The question is this : Do you know by what means I 
 have become so rich, as to have a great house, finished 
 and furnished ; a farm, a herd of cattle, a flock of sheep, 
 horses, and money at interest ? I say nothing about my 
 debts to day. 
 
 Shall I answer the question ? — The principal reason is 
 this : because I have been doing your businpss^ and neg- 
 lecting my own. — What is your business ? — Your business 
 is to support your minister ; and that is what I have been 
 doing, for more than twenty years. And what is juy hu- 
 sinfss '? — My business is to study, and preach ; and in 
 this I have never abounded. It is true, I have been ab- 
 sent from public worship, not more than four or five Sab- 
 baths, for twenty five years ; but I have frequently been 
 present, and attempted to preach, when it has been morti- 
 fying to me, and could not have been edifying to you. I 
 have sometimes administered reproof, both to the Church 
 and the society, in a manner that has been thought to dis- 
 cover some degree of severity ; but in thp«o cases you 
 4 
 
2G 
 
 have always had good sense enough to know, you richly 
 deserved it. 
 
 My object in preaching has been to explain, defend, and 
 enforce, what have appeared to me the true doctrines of the 
 gospel, God's decrees; for it must be glad tidings of 
 great joy to all people, that God governs the world ; — 
 that his government is not only perfect, but universal, and 
 lays the only solid foundation for foreknowledge ; for no- 
 thing can be certainhj foreknown, that is not fixed in the 
 Divine Decree. 
 
 The divinity of Christ : — this lays the only solid foun- 
 dation for the sufficiency of the atonement made for all 
 mankind. 
 
 The doctrine of personal election from eternity to ever- 
 lasting life, as the only doctrine that makes it absolutely 
 certain, that any of our sinful race will be saved. 
 
 The doctrine of total depravity, as laying the only solid 
 foundation for regeneration. 
 
 Regeneration by the agency of the Spirit of God, as 
 laying the foundation for all holy exercises in the hearts 
 of men. 
 
 Justification by faith alone, which is the same thing as 
 Divine forgiveness. 
 
 The certain and final perseverance of the saints, 
 " through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the 
 truth ;'' the eternity of hell torments, and tlie duties of 
 morality. I have always believed and always preached, 
 that a good life is the best evidence of a good heart. 
 
 I have aimed to persuade you to follow Christ ; but not 
 in his circumcision, nor in his keeping the passover, nor in 
 his baptism ; for that was " to fulfil all righteousness,'' — 
 " to manifest Christ to Israel/' and introduce him into the 
 ministry. If you follow Christ in his baptism, you must be 
 baptised withoutp'o/ess?\^ either faith or repentance. An 
 innocent person cannot repent ; — Christ professed no re- 
 
S7 
 
 pentanee; and it would be absurd to suppose lie profess- 
 ed faith in himself. The new testament dispensation be- 
 gan, when the Sabbath was changed from the seventh to 
 the first day of the week. *^For where a Testament is, there 
 must also of necessity be the death of the testator." Tiie 
 death of Christ ratified the New Testament, and introduced 
 the gospel dispensation. My object has been to persuade 
 you to follow Christ in liis patience, in his meekness, in his 
 humility, in his self denial, in his forgiveness of injuries, in 
 his piety to his Father, and benevolence to all mankind. 
 
 During my ministry among you, 84 persons have been 
 admitted to full communion. There liave been 17^ bap- 
 tisms. — 235 couples have been joined in marriage, — 467 
 deaths. — S7 members of this Church have been dismissed 
 and recommended to the watch, and fellowship of other 
 Churches, — and 8 have been excommunicated. 
 
 Those gentlemen of this society, who have some years 
 past extended the hand of charity, in equity, for my relief, 
 will receive my gratitude. 
 
 Those ladies, who four years ago presented me with an 
 elegant and costly surplice, will accept my grateful ac- 
 knowledgments. But my obligation for that favour, great 
 as it was, bears no comparison witli the gratitude I feel to 
 those, who have expressed hy their practice, peculiar kind- 
 ness and attention to Eliza,* in her lengthy and distress- 
 ing illness ; such kindnesses cannot be described, nor re- 
 paid ; — may God reward them. If any have injured me, 
 whether in word, or deed, they will accept my forgive- 
 ness. And if I have injured any, I have only to say, iu 
 the language of our Saviour ; — " When ye stand praying, 
 forgive, if ye have ought against any ; that your Father 
 also, who is in heaven, may forgive you, your trespasses." 
 
 * Eliza, was the author's eldest daugliter, who had been sick of a 
 consumpfion for niitre than two years, and died tlie Wednesday fol- 
 lowing the delivery of this sermon ; in the 32d year of her age. 
 
28 
 
 The Rev. Nathan ael Howe was born in that part of 
 the town of Ipswich, which belongs to Linebrook parish, 
 Oct. 6, 1764 : — graduated at Harvard College I786 : — 
 ordained Pastor of the Church in this town, Oct. 5, 1791 ; 
 and has continued in the ministry, for more than twenty 
 four years. 
 
 As 1 have given you an account of the Pastors of this 
 Church, from the time it was formed ; of the number of 
 admissions, amounting in the whole to 444 ; of the bap- 
 tisms, amounting to 1907 ; I will give you an account of 
 the Deacons. 
 
 Deacon Benjamin Burnap. 
 Deacon Joseph Haven. 
 Deacon Joseph Bixby. 
 Deacon Henry Mellen. 
 Deacon Jason Walker. 
 Deacon Moses Haven. 
 Deacon Stephen Kinsman. 
 Deacon Joseph Walker. 
 Deacon Abel Fisk. 
 Deacon Samuel Walker. 
 Deacon Elijah Fitch. 
 Those gentlemen, who have received a liberal education 
 from this town are — 
 
 The Rev. Elias Haven graduated in - - 1733 
 Rev. John Mellen . - - . 174I 
 
 Dr. John Wilson .... 1741 
 
 Rev. Benjamin Caryl - . . - I76I 
 Rev. Moses Adams - . - - 1771 
 
 Dr. Jonathan Eames _ - . - I775 
 Rev. John Fitch . . „ . 1790 
 
 Dr. Gilbert Dench - . . _ 1793 
 
 Leonard Mellen Esq I797 
 
 Rev. Daniel Loring . . , _ 1800 
 Rev. Josiah Moulton . . . , 1803 
 
Dr. Jeremy Stirason . . - . 1804 
 Rev. Isaac Jones - - - - 1810 
 
 Appleton Howe A. B. - - -' - 1815 
 
 Such has been the town, Church, Ministers, Deacons, 
 graduates, and such the state of society, for an hundred 
 years. 
 
 What now remains is to conclude the subject with some 
 reflections on what has been said, and some advice in 
 the choice and treatment of another minister. 
 
 " One generation passeth away, and another generation 
 cometh ; but the earth abideth forever." 
 
 Your habits are so firmly fixed, that no reformation is 
 to be expected during my ministry ; and, indeed, it would 
 require more power in the Deity to effect it, than it did to 
 create the world. For when he created the world, he 
 had only to say ; " let there be light, and there was light." 
 But to bring you to a sense of justice and equity, he must 
 overcome your private, personal attachment to your own 
 supposed worldly interest ; and that would require more 
 power than it did to create the world ! 
 
 And beside, my life is so far spent, that should you re- 
 form, it is doubtful, whether it would produce any very 
 beneficial effects on my labors. I mean to tell the whole 
 truth, without partiality, or respect of persons. 
 
 1. Then, we see from this subject, that when a people 
 are unjust to their minister, they do not know where they 
 are going, any more than the man, who goes to the tavern, 
 into company, to the gambling table, to intemperance, 
 family quarrelling, poverty, sickness, death and hell ! 
 Such persons frequently think they are walking at liberty, 
 when they are, in reality, bringing themselves under the 
 severest of all masters. 
 
 Just so, quarrels, divisions, contentions, separations, 
 meeting-houses, lawsuits, are the consequences of injus- 
 tice to ministers. 
 
30 
 
 When a people begin to step on the devil's ground, they 
 do not know when they shall stop. 
 
 2. We see from this subject the meaning of that part of 
 the second commandment, which speaks " of visiting the 
 iniquities of the fathers, upon the children, to the third 
 and fourth generation." The injustice of the fathers to 
 their minister, falls on their children, in the loss of that 
 religious order, instruction, and discipline, which they 
 would have received, had the fathers been just and equita- 
 ble ; and it descends to the third and fourth generation, 
 in contentions, divisions, and every evil work. 
 
 3. We may see from this subject, what abundant grati- 
 tude we ought to feel, to the Creator and Governor of the 
 world, that we can live in so much harmony, when we 
 have had so many things to disturb our peace. The half- 
 way covenant, — religious sentiments, — politics, — Church 
 discipline, — and the want of justice, and equity, in the 
 support of the gospel ! ! 
 
 All, which now remains, is to give you some advice in 
 your clioice, and treatment of another minister. One gen- 
 eration passeth away, and another generation cometh ; but 
 the earth abideth forever. In a little time more, this sa- 
 cred desk will be left vacant by my dismission, or death. 
 This countenance you will see no more, in the land of the 
 living ; the tongue which now speaks will be silent ; and 
 these eyes closed in death. Then, you will need another 
 minister. Will you receive the word of exhortation, from 
 one, who has had some experience in the gospel ministry, 
 and who thinks he wishes your temporal and spiritual 
 good ? 
 
 Look out a man of good natural understanding, of a 
 good education, and a pious heart : and this you must 
 learn, not so much from his profession, as practice. For 
 when men talk very freely of their own piety, we have 
 
 Lot«l9 
 
31 
 
 reason to doubt their sincerity. " Empty vessels sound 
 the loudest.'' 
 
 When you have found a man of good natural abilities, 
 of a good education, and pious heart ; settle him. Give 
 him a generous and honorable support, and pay him punc- 
 tually ; as you have paid me. This you must do as a du- 
 ty you owe to God, to yourselves, and your children. 
 To enable him to apply himself to the work of the minis- 
 try, if his salary depreciate ten per cent, make it good ; 
 if iifty per cent, make it good : if it depreciates to half its 
 original value, double it : this you must do to convince 
 him, yon mean to be honest ; and that he has no occasion 
 to be troubled about worldly things. 
 
 Attend on his ministry constantly : you build shool- 
 houses, and support school masters ; but of what conse- 
 quence is this, unless you send your children to school ? 
 Just so it is with respect to a minister. You may have a 
 minister, and pay him seventy pounds salary, or seventy 
 times seven, but if you do not attend on his ministry, it is 
 all lost. 
 
 Pray for him sincerely and piously: this will bring you 
 to the house of God in a suitable frame : this will prepare 
 you to receive the gospel from his lips, and to be saving- 
 ly benefited by its blessed eifects. 
 
 And one thing more. Live at peace among yourselves. 
 — *' Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, 
 and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice." 
 — " And be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, for- 
 giving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath 
 forgiven you."* 
 
 If ye do these things, prosperity will attend you on 
 earth, and heaven will be your eternal portion. 
 
 * Ephes. iv. 31, .33. 
 
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