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DISCOURSE, 
 
 ON THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND SOCIETY 
 
 IN 
 MJiRBLEnEAl); 
 
 DELIVERED TO HIS PEOPLE 
 
 JANUARY r, 1816, 
 
 BY SAMUEL DANA, A. M. 
 
 nrxa pisTon or said chtthch. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 PniHTED HT SAMUEL T. ARMSTRONG, SO. 50, COBSftlLt. 
 
 1816. 
 
r n 
 
 M a meeting of the Standing Coiiimitlee of the First Religions 
 Society in MarUehcad, Jan. 18, 1816. 
 Voted — ^That Richard Prince Esq. and Doctor Calvin 
 Briggs, be desired to Mait on Rev. Mr. Dana, to thank him 
 for the Historical Sermons preached by him on the 7th inst. 
 and request a copy of them for the press. 
 
 Stephen Swett, Clerk. 
 
 Those who heard this discourse, as it was delivered in two 
 parts, will perceive that it has been considerably abridged,, 
 in order that it might be reduced even to its present form; for 
 which an apology, it is presumed, is unnecessary. It has 
 received no other material alteration. To the members of the 
 Church and Society, for whose information and benefit it was 
 particularly designed, and to the other gentlemen of the town, 
 who have kindly expressed an interest in the publication, it 
 is now affectionately inscribed. — 
 
 Marblchead, January 22, 1816. 
 

 1^? 
 
 jDISCOUMSE... 
 
 Psalm Ixxvii, 10, 11, 12. 
 But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most 
 High. Twill remember the works of the Lord: surely I will 
 remember thy xc orders of old. I will meditate also of all thy 
 work, and talk of thy doings. 
 
 i.N this passage, and tlic verses with which it stands con- 
 necte(i, the devout psalmist, referring eitiier to personal 
 trials, to puhlick evils, or to both of them combined, appeaj's 
 to be describing his unbelieving despondency, and the method 
 he adopted to procure relief. <«l remembered God, and was 
 troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. 
 Selah. IMiou boldest mine eyes waking; I am so troubled 
 that I cannot speak. — / hare considered the days of old, the 
 years of ancient times. I call to remembrance my song in the 
 night: I commune wit'i mine own heart: and my spirit made 
 diligent seareh. Will the Lord cast off forever? And will he 
 be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone forever? Doth 
 liis promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gra- 
 cious? Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 
 And I said, Tliis is my infirmity: but / will remember the 
 years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember ilie 
 works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy womlers of old. 
 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings?" 
 
 A similar resolution becomes us, my hearers, at a period, 
 when, if we are friends of Zion, we cannot but feel concern 
 and dismay in view of iicr waste places, and her mourning, in 
 the midst of us. 1 have, indeed, been long contemplating a 
 
discourse, on "the days of old, and tlie years of ancient times/' 
 ♦<the years of the right hand of the Most High," with a spe- 
 cial reference to the history of this ancient Church and Socie- 
 ty. Such a discourse may not only he fnteresting, and use- 
 ful by preserving the remembrance of many dates, facts, and 
 circumstances, which ought to be i-etained and might other- 
 wise be lost, but may serve to animate our heai-ts under every 
 discouragement, and to excite an increase of that zeal and so- 
 licitude, to maintain, in tlieir primitive purity, the religion, 
 worship, and ordinances of Jehovah, for which our ancestors 
 were so highly distinguished. — The subject was judged to be 
 not unsuitable for the first sabbatli of tlic revoh ing year, 
 
 I rely therefore on your attention and candour, wliile I at- 
 tempt a detailetl.ilidWTnt, of the origin of this christian church, 
 and of the most prominent events and circumstances, which 
 have marked its continuance to the present time. 
 
 This design may be Introduced, with advantage, by a very 
 cursory survey of the puritans, the fathers of New-England — 
 their noble, apostolick spirit, their almost unequalled suffer- 
 ings, and the wonders of divine providence, which were 
 wrought for their deliverance, increase, and prosperity, 
 
 Pei'secutcd for righteousness' sake, and cruelly opi)rcssed 
 with ecclesiastical usui't)ation, in their native land, they 
 made immense sacrifices for their religion, and first emi- 
 grated, in I60r, to HoUand, wiiere they hoped to enjoy the 
 unmolested worship of God, '^thorovghly reformed; that is, 
 purged from all those inventions, which had been brought 
 into the church since the age of the apostles, and reduced en- 
 tirely to the scripture standard." In the course of a few years, 
 however, it was found, that the general moral complexion of 
 tiiat country, as well as more particularly the prevailing pro- 
 fanation of the sabbath there, would render the situation a 
 snare to the young, and prove unfavourable to the grand ob- 
 jc( t, wiiich they esteemed paramoinit to every otlier. Direct- 
 ing, therefore, their attention to the new world, after long 
 
and derout consultation, they adopted the Iicroick resolw-' 
 lion, ot seeking an asylum for themselves and tiieir religion 
 in these remote and savage wilds: and finally, with undaunt- 
 ed perseverance, having surmounted the most appaling diffi- 
 culties and perils, they reached the harhour of Cape Cud, on 
 the tenth of November, 1620, and ut Plymouth commenced 
 the settlement of New-England. 
 
 The number which landed was but an hundred and one 
 souls. '-Their situation,'* says the historian, *<was tiuly 
 distressing, and their prospects discouraging. Wherever 
 tliey turned their eyes, trouble was before tiiem. Fatigued 
 by their long and b(ji.sterous voyage — arrived on a dangerous 
 and inhospitable shore, in the advance f|f a cold winter— sur- 
 rounded with hostile barbarians, without any hope of humaH 
 succour in case of an attack — denied the aid or favour of the 
 court of England — without a patent — without a publick pro- 
 mise of a peaceable enjoyment of their religious liberties— 
 worn out with toil and sufferings, and ^\ithout convenient 
 shelter from the inclemency of the weather — such was the 
 situation, and such the prospects, of these pious, solitary pil- 
 grims. To increase their disti'esses, a general mortal sick- 
 ness prevailed among them, which swept off foi-ty-six of their 
 number before the opening of the spring. To support them 
 under these trials, they had need of all the aids and comforts, 
 which Christianity afibrds — and these were sufllcient. They 
 bore their hardships with uncommon patience, and persever- 
 ed in their pilgrimage with such resignation and calmness, 
 as gave proof of great piety and unconquerable virtue.'' 
 
 These were with emphasis "llie years of the right hand of 
 the Most High;" for he, in whom they trusted, would not 
 permit the sword of tlie wilderness to devour, or cold, or hun- 
 ger, or sickness, utterly to destroy, the little company, who, 
 as they solemnly declared, "had undertaken the voyage for 
 the glory of God, and tlie advancement of the cliristian faith." 
 Accordingly, they were very signally preserved; additions 
 from time to time were made to them of their brethren: the 
 
spirit of the Lord wiis poured forth; and the wilderness soon 
 became a fniitfid field. <«In iwcnty-sevcn years, there were 
 Jbrtif-three churches in joint communion, and in twenty-seven 
 years more, there were upwards oi eighty churches, composed 
 of known, pious, and faithful professors." 
 
 That the pilgrims, who thus laid the foundation of this part 
 of our p;>pulous repuhlick, were eminent christians, valiant for 
 the trutii, and full of piety and good works, thougli by no 
 means exempt fi"om tlie errours and imperfections of our 
 fallen nature, there is abundant evidence. "Having adopted 
 the Assembly's Catechism and Confession, as tlie substance 
 of their creed,* they steadily aimed at tlic utmost purity 
 of doctrine and disci^ine, in order to maintain and promote 
 the power of godliness." — It has been observed, that "there 
 was never perhaps before seen, such a body of pious people, 
 on the face of the earth. For those who came over first, 
 came hither for the sake of religion, and for that pure religion, 
 whicii was entirely hated by the loose and profane of the 
 world, iioth their civil and ecclesiastical leaders, were ex- 
 emplary patterns of piety. They encouraged only the virtu- 
 ous and good to come with and follow them, and were so strict 
 on the vicious, both in t!ie church and state, that the incorri- 
 gible could not endure to live in the country and returned.'* 
 It was a memorable saying of a distinguished minister, in the 
 British Parliament, respecting New-England at this period — 
 "I have lived in a country seven years, and in all tijat time 
 I never heard one profane oath; and in all that time I never 
 did see a man drunk in that land." 
 
 • "When there was a Synod assembled at Cambridge. Sept. 30, lf)4S, even that 
 Synod which franied, agreed to, and publislied the Plalforiu of Church Discipline, 
 there was a most unanimous vote passed in these words: — Tliis Synod having pe- 
 rused and considered with much gladness of heart and thankfuhiess to God, the 
 Confession s/" Faith, published by the late Reverend Assembly in England, do 
 judge it to be very holy, orthodox, and judicious, in all matters of faith, and do 
 therefore freely and fully consent thereunto for the substance thereof. And we 
 do therefore think it meet that this Confession of Faith, should be commended 
 to the churches among us, as worthy of their due consideration and acceptance."' 
 
 [^JMathev'' s Magnalia, B. v, P. i, Sec. v.J 
 
The way is now prepared for the commencement of oui- 
 own history. 
 
 On the twenty-nintliof June, 1629, two hundred persons, with 
 the Rev. Messrs. Skelton, Higginson, and Bright, arrived at 
 JSTaumkeag, now Salem; one half of whom removed the same 
 yeartoCharlestown — Messrs. Skelton and Higginson remain- 
 ing with the lest at Salem, wliere tliey formed, and were or- 
 dained over, the most ancient churcli in the most ancient tow n 
 of Massachusetts, as distinct from Plymouth. At tliis time, the 
 whole colony of New-England consisted of only three hundred 
 souls. The first town was incorporated the same year, 
 twenty years before the incorporation of Marhlehead, whose 
 inhabitants, in the interim, belonged to'Salem. It is not im- 
 probable that the first settlers here, constituted part of the 
 above mentioned church, when it was formedj with that 
 church, however, it is certain that those of this place, who 
 were communicants, continued to be coiniected, till the thir- 
 teenth of August, 1684, the date of our establishment as a 
 distinct organized church; though previously, for not less 
 than thirty-six years, there had been preaching here, by a 
 Mr. Walton, and by Mr. Cheever, who at length became the 
 first pastor. 
 
 From the earliest records of this town, — ^\vhicli for a great 
 number of years have been mislaid, but arc just come to 
 light, — it appears, that as early as 1648, when "tlic planta- 
 tion," as it was called, contained forty -four families,* there 
 was preaching among them by Mr. Walton; as is evident 
 from the following curious extract — "October 8, 1648. At a 
 
 * "James Smith and Rowland, Samuel Dolibcr, Edmund Xicolson and Franci<:, 
 John Gatchell, William Barber, David Thomas, John Legg, Petev Pitford, Eras- 
 mus James, Thomas Bowinge, John Stacie, George Chine, John Northy, Nicolas 
 Men-et, Thomas Pitman, Timothy Allen, Thomas Sams, Arlliui" Sanden, Isaac 
 Allei-ton, Moses Maverick, Mr. Walton, John Lion, Henry Stacie, William 
 Chichester, and Samuel Corwilhen, David Corwithen, Thomas Gray, Richard 
 Norraan, John Peach}', Richard Curtice, John Hart, William Ciiarles, Joim De- 
 veroc, Abraham W^hitcare, John Peach senr. John Bartoll, Joseph Doliber, Rob- 
 ert Knight, John Bennet, Francis Johnson Walsingham, John Norman, Williain 
 Luckis, Christoplier Latimore, John Goyt." 
 
town meeting it was agreed on, tliat tlieix3 might be an equal 
 A^ay of maintaining the ordinance by Mr. Walton, that tliere 
 should be a rate made, whereby every nihabitant should be 
 rated, according to equity; as also strangers, as have benefit 
 by the plantation, by fishing, and make use of wood and tim- 
 ber, and enjoy the benefit of the ordinance, should be rated 
 according to the discretion of t!ie raters; also, to add to every 
 man's rate, eighteen pence for JNlr. Walton's wood:— and it 
 is agreed that Mr. Walton should have for this year the 
 sum of forty pounds." Of :Mr. AValton little is known; but it 
 is exceedingly gratifying to find, how early, and how liberal- 
 ly, the first settlers made provision for the dispensation of the 
 gospel among tiiem, Mhcn they were tbw and small. For it 
 further appears from the same records, that so late as 1660, 
 there had been but fifteen or sixteen houses built,* and that so 
 late as 1674, the number of persons called householders, did 
 not exceed an hundred and fourteen^ whose names are all re- 
 gistered.! Mr. Walton continued to officiate as a publick 
 teacher, though without ordination, about twentij years, till 
 he was removed by death, in August or September 1668,:^ 
 but a few weeks before the commencement of Mr. Checver's 
 labours. 
 
 • "All those 15 or 16 houses, which were built in Marhlehead before the year 
 1G60, shall be allowed one cow's common and a half." 
 
 •j- Names not contained in the preceding list- John Waldern, "William Woodij, 
 Thomas Rose, William Nick, John Codnar, Elias Hcnly, Roller and Lot Conant, 
 Mr. Samuel Cheever, Thomas Smith, James Dennis, William Bartoll, Mark 
 Pitman, Mr. Samuel Ward, Mr. Ambrose Gale, Mr. Richard Knott, Samuel 
 Cundv, Matthew Clarke, Thomas Cawly, William Waters, John Roads, Henry 
 Trevelt, William Beal, Stephen Griggs, Thomas Dixie, Benjamin Parmiter, 
 Edward Read, Samuel Morgan, Mr. William Bi-own, Capt. Corwinge, Mr. 
 Thaddeus Reddan, Mr. William Bartholomew, Mr. William Pitt, Richard Reed, 
 John Brimbiecom, Richard Hanniford, Henry Russell, Thomas Treuy, Dinson 
 Stilson, Richard Reith, Samuel Reed, Thomas Tainor, Edward Iloman, Thoms* 
 Ellis, Edward Damon, Nicolas Fox, Thomas Pousland, Thomas White, Thomas 
 Dod, Robert Houper, John Houper, John Pedrick, Elias Fortune, John Martin, 
 Francis Oodlar, John Tribby, George Peach, Andrew Tucker, Robert Bartlett, 
 Richard Crocker, George Bondfield, Mr. William Pow, John Harris, George 
 Godfrey, John Hoyle, Alexander Gilligan, John Williams, W^illiam Poat, 
 Cieorge Darling, James Walts, William Ligbtfoot, Philip Harding, Widow Boat- 
 son, Robert Johnson, Samuel Walton, John Marriott. 
 
 i "1668. 36 December, The inhabitants being warned to a town meeting, by 
 the worshipful Maj. William Hathorne and the Rev. Mr. John Higginson, whe 
 
Let me now invite your particular attention, to tlie inter- 
 esting circumstances attending the establisiiment of this 
 church, and the solemn consecration of its first pastor, a» 
 wc find them minutely detailed in our own records. 
 
 «'May 24, 1G84. The brethren at Marhlehcad, finding- a 
 great inconveniency in going to Salem,*' with the unanimous 
 concurrence of the congregation, "applied themselves to Mi'. 
 Samuel Checver, who had been their minister among thrm 
 for fifteen years and a half past, that he would take tlic ofiice 
 of a pastor, and themselves might be congregated into a par- 
 ticular society, for the enjoyment of all th.e ordinances iu this 
 place, orderly, as in otbcr towns and places iu the country.'* 
 On the ninth of July following, :Mr. Checver "expressed his 
 willingness to serve his generation by the will of God, and to 
 give up himself to that particidar service, so long as peacea- 
 bly and with a good conscience, according to his best knov/- 
 ledge of the mind of God in his word, he could discharge 
 such an ofllce among them."" A fa.st having been first solem- 
 nized, "calling in the help and advice of the neighbouring 
 churches, by their elders and messengers, viz. .Salem, Ip- 
 swich, Lynn, and Beverly, the churcli was congregated on 
 the thirteenth of August; the fij'tlj-jonr persons, mIiosc 
 names are subjoined, uniting togethei- iu tins following Cju- 
 fession, and Covenant^ aud Samuel Cheever ordained their 
 pastor; Mr. Higginson, of Salem, giving him his charge, aiul 
 Mr. Hubbard of Ipswich the riglit hanil of fellowship, and 
 both them, with Mr. Ilalc of Beverly, laying on of iiandn,* 
 
 were desired br the lionotirei] court at Sa'.cra to bear and advise -viitb Mrs. W;>1- 
 lon a)id tbe inhabitants, coneerning ivbat lie was to bave for the year 'G", and the 
 year '68, so long as he lived — tbe general vote passed, that for the year '67, it 
 stood as formerly voted at fifty jiounds, and for (be year 'C8, as long as he lived, 
 about eight rnontlis, Mrs. Walton was to have tiiirty-five pounds." 
 
 Further extracts. "1058, It is agreed, by a general consent of tbe inliabitants, 
 that tbe passage between .Mari^lebead and Salein, shall be two pence for tbe in- 
 habitants of Marblehead, and whosoever keeps tbe ferrj', shall provide a suffi- 
 cient ferry-boat." 
 
 "1664," five men were chosen, "to meet tbe n-.en of Salem, to ?m/ outtheJ'i^h 
 
 ''■oath- between Salem and Marblehead." 
 O 
 
iO 
 
 llie wlioie work countenanced with tlic presence of the 
 Deputy Governoui", with five of the assistants, and twenty 
 ehleis, witli other ministers, and young scholars, and many 
 others." 
 
 COXFESSION OF FAITIT. 
 
 "1. We believe in one God, the eternal Jehovah, infinite in 
 wisdom, power, holiness, goodness, and truth, the Foreor- 
 dainer. Creator, and Governor of all thin,qs, distinguished into 
 three persons, the Fatlier, Son, and Holy Ghost, having all 
 of them the same godhead, power, and eternity, 
 
 "2. The Lord made man at first in his own image, in 
 knowledge, righteousness, and holii^css; from which estate 
 man falling, by transgressing the law of his creation, all his 
 posterity are corrupted in their whole nature, averse to all 
 good, and strongly inclined to all evil, from whence do proceetl 
 all actual transgressions, which bind men overto death, tempo- 
 ral, spiritual, and eternal. 
 
 «S. God, out of his mere mercy, hath ordained his Son, 
 the Lord Jesus, to be the Redeemer of man, by the execution 
 of his Prophetical, Priestly, and Kingly ofiices^ w ho, being 
 truly God, took man's nature on him, yet without sin, being 
 conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, born of the vii'gin 
 Mary, suffered in that nature the death of the cross, to ran- 
 som the elect, was buried, and rose from the dead m ith the 
 same body, with which also he ascended into heaven, where, 
 sitting at the right hand of God, he makes intercession for 
 them that believe on him, and from thence shall return to 
 judge the world at the last day. 
 
 *'4. In the new covenant, made by God with his people, 
 the Holy Spirit of God works faith and re])entance, and dwells 
 with and in all such, who are truly drawn to Christ; who, 
 being united to him, are in this life pardoned, and accounted 
 lighteous, adopted, in their whole man sanctified, shall per- 
 severe to the end, and at last in heaven shall be eternally 
 Slorified, 
 
11 
 
 ■ «5. God hatli given unto man the scriptures of the Old and 
 iS'ew Testament, to be the only perfect, sufficient, and perpe- 
 liial rule of his faith and life; not alwlishing but establishing 
 the law, as a rule of righteousness for christians to walk by, 
 promising to accept of sincere obedience to the law and gos- 
 pel, tlirough Christ, when such as live and die unbelieving, 
 impenitent, and disobedient, shall suffer the vengeance of 
 eternal fire. 
 
 "6. All true believers jnake up that one body, the church, 
 of which Christ is Head; who, for the gathering in and per^ 
 fecting of the saints, hath appointed the w ord, prayer, bap- 
 tism, and the Lord's supper, the minist^-y, officers, and disci- 
 pline in particular churches; and therefore it is the duty of 
 every christian to attend carefully thereunto." 
 
 CHURCH COVENAXf. 
 
 "We do, in the presence of the eternal God, under the 
 sense of our great unworthiness personally to transact with 
 so glorious a Majesty, acknowledging our inability to keep 
 covenant with God, unless the Loi-d Jesus enable us there- 
 to by his Spirit, with humble dependance on him for his 
 gracious assistance, make and renew^ our covenant, with 
 God an*d with one another, as follows: 
 
 «1. We give up ourselves, this day, to that God, whose 
 name alone is Jeliovah, Father, Son, and Spirit, tbe oidy 
 true and living God; and to our blessed Lord Jesus, as our 
 only Redeemer and Saviour, Prophet, Priest, and King over 
 our souls, and only Mediator of the covenant of grace; en- 
 gaging our hearts to this God in Christ, by the help of his 
 grace, to cleave unto hire as our God and chief good, and 
 unto Jesus Christ, as our Mediator by faith, in a way of gos- 
 pel obedience, as becomes his covenant people forever; engag- 
 ing by the help of Christ, to keep ourselves pure, especially 
 from the sins of the times, and to observe the Lord's com- 
 mands, in the exercise not only of publick worship, but of 
 
private in our I'amiiics, by praj er, ami reading the scrip* 
 tures, and in secret also, as God in his word doth require. 
 
 <»2. We give up also our offspring unto God in Christ, 
 avouching him to be our God and the God of our children, 
 and ourselves with our children to be his people, humbly 
 adoring his grace, that we and our children may be looked 
 on as the Lord's; promising, by his help, as far as there shall 
 be need, to be instructing, catechising, setting good patterns 
 before them, and to be much in prayer for their conversion 
 and salvation. 
 
 "5. We do also give up ourselves one to another in the 
 Lord, according to the will of God, to walk together as a 
 particular church of Christ, in all the ways of his worship and 
 service, according to the rules of the word of God; promising, 
 in brotherly love, to watch over one another's souls, and to 
 submit ourselves to the discipline and government of Christ 
 in this his church, and to the ministerial teaching, guidance, 
 and oversight of the elder or elders thereof, and duly to at- 
 tend the seals and censures, and whatever ordinances Christ 
 bath commanded to be observed by his people, according to 
 the order of the gospel, in sach degrees of communion unto 
 which we have attained, as far as the Lord hath or shall re- 
 veal unto us; desiring also to walk with all regular and due 
 communion with other churches; for the observing of which, 
 and all other duties, we desire to depend wholly on the grace 
 of God in Christ Jesus to enable us thereto; and wherein wc 
 sliall fail, we shall humbly wait upon his grace in Christ for 
 pardon, acceptance, and healings, for his name's sake. — 
 Amen.*'* 
 
 ♦"Samuel Cheever and his wife Ruth, Moses Maverick and his wife Eunice, 
 Ambrose Gale, Richard Reith, William BartoU and his wife Mary, George Bond- 
 field, William Beal, Benjamin Parmiter, Edward Read, Francis Girdler, Johu 
 Merritt and liis wife Mary, Samuel Sandin and his wife Charity, Benjami* 
 Gale and his wife Deliverance, John Stacy and his wife Agnes, Jolm Seaward 
 Sarah Wai'd, Jane Pitman, Elizabeth Conant, Mary Dixey, Mary Morritt, 
 Elizabeth Legg, Miriam Pedrick, Elizabeth Watts, Anna Symmes, Abigail 
 Clarke, Sarah Henly, Sarah Buckly, Margaret Ellis, Joanna Hawley, Dorcas 
 Pedrick, Sarah Dodd, Mary Fortune, Elizabeth Russel, Mary Ferguson, Miriaiii 
 
13 
 
 Such, my heavers, are tlie sacred principles, ai«d holy vo\v5,«r 
 thus admirably ami affectingly expressed, on which tliis 
 church of our blessed Redeemer was originally founded; and 
 may it not be ti'uly said, that it was "built on the foundation 
 of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Ciiri^t hinisclf being tiie 
 chief corner stone." We have here a Confession and Cove- 
 nant, worthy to be written in golden letters, worthy to be in- 
 delibly impressed on every memory, and on every heart, 
 ^ndlet it never be forgotten, that these precious monuments of 
 the faith and piety of our fathers, not having been removed 
 or varied, ai'c the basis, on which we professedly rest to 
 this day. 
 
 A society, established by such men, on such principles, and 
 with snch a spirit, could scarcely fail to experience the 
 smiles of the Almighty. It of course enjoyed a great de- 
 gree of prosperity. The vine, which God's own right hand 
 had thus manifestly planted, being watered with continual 
 dews of iieavenly grace, became fair, fruitful, and flourishing. 
 
 As soon as the church was organized, at a meeting for tlie 
 adoption of rules respecting the due administration of the 
 ordinances, among other things it was agreed — "That the 
 pastor hath liberty to proceed, according to the seven propo- 
 sitions of the Synod in 16G2, in their discourse concerning 
 the subjects of baptism:"* and two years after, "on the mo- 
 
 HanniforJ, Abigail Merrct, Mary Rolls, Abigail Hinds, Charity Pilman, Eliza- 
 beth Glass, Mary Claltery, Jane Blackler, Rebecca Carder, Grace Coos, Marv 
 Doliber, Alice Datby, lUizabeth Gatchell" 
 
 Mr. Moses Maverick appears to have been the most distinguished character in 
 the place, from its settlenjent to this date, and to have died the next year. He was 
 usually firfit on tlielist of the "townsmen," as tlicy were then called, discharger the 
 duties of Townclerk, and solemnized ail the marriages till July 1685, when "the 
 President and Council liaving autliorized the several ministers of the several 
 towns," that duty began to be performed by Mr. Cheever. 
 
 •"Pi'oposition I. They that, according to scripture, are members of the visible 
 church, are the subjects f.f baptism. 
 
 "Prop. H. The members of the visible church, according to scripture, are 
 confederate visible believers, in particular churches, and their infant seed, that is, 
 tthildppii in minority, whose ne.xt parents, one or both, are in covenaj;'.. 
 
 "Prop. V. Churth mecBbcrs, who were adiaittedin aiaority, understanding th<i 
 
14 
 
 t!on and desire of some adult uiibaptized persons, that the 
 ordinance of baptism might he administered to them, though 
 they dare not adventure to the Lord's table, — after agitation 
 of the matter, the whole church came to the result, that such 
 persons, submitting themselves to the examination of the el- 
 der, and he finding tliem qualified, as those in the Synod's 
 fj'th proposition, whose diildren ha^ c been hitherto baptized, 
 and after standing pro})ounded, no just exception in their life, 
 such might be baptized themselves, and have the seal also ap- 
 plied to tlieir cliildrcn, upon monition to such parents, to keep 
 up family worsiiip and instruction in their houses; the children 
 nj profane^ ignorant, and scandalous parents, being hereby ad- 
 mitted to no such privilege, till those burs were regularly re- 
 moved" 
 
 We may learn, fi-om these extracts, the origin of Aviiat is 
 called owning the covenant in this society; which, agreeably 
 to the sanction of Synod, was generally practised by tlie 
 churches, in the best days of New England. In our time, 
 though there is some diversity of ojjinion among christians in 
 regard to the use, it is impossible there should be any I'espect- 
 ing the abuse, of this practice. In "tlyj prolane, ignorant, 
 and scandalous," every reflecting person must be agreed, 
 that it is a shocking profanation. 
 
 In great liarmony and mutual affection, the society enjoyed 
 Ihe faithful labours of Mr. Cheever, till the twenty-ninth of 
 May, 1724; when he was removed by death, at the advancecl 
 age oi eighty-Jive, after he had been devoted to his people ^liy 
 fire years; during the last eight of which, however, he was 
 relieved by the assistance of a colleague. 
 
 Of this venerable man I have collected, from the discourse 
 at his funeral by Mr. Barnard, entitled "Elijah's mantle," 
 
 jloctrine of faith, and publickly professing their assent thereto, not scandalous in 
 life, and solemnly owning the covenant before the church, wherein ttiey give up 
 themselves and their children to the Lord, and subject themselves to tlie govern- 
 ment of Christ in the church, their children are to be baptiaed." 
 
15 
 
 and from other authentick documents, a few particulars, which 
 are worthy of rememhrance. 
 
 He was the son of Mr. Ezckicl Cheever, a celebrated 
 schoolmaster,*- and was boi'n at New-Haven, on the twenty- 
 second of September, 1639. He came to this place in 1668, 
 arid was soon the common father of the wiiole town, by 
 means of the many temporal advantages they I'cccived fron» 
 him. He went about doing good, sening the people in all 
 their interests. He did not however forget, that preaching 
 is peculiarly the minister's work; and for this he ^^ as re- 
 markably fitted, as he had a thorough knowledge of the 
 scriptures, which rendered him a most excellent tcxtuarj , 
 and enabled him to carry in his head a complete body of di- 
 vinity. In his publick discourses, he preserved the purity 
 and simplicity of the gospel, and inculcated the unadulterated 
 truth, as it is in Jesus. His great aim, was to sJiew his hear- 
 ers their guilt and danger, and to point them to the only re- 
 medy, that they might be persuaded to flee from the w rath to 
 come, and lay hold of the hope set before them in the gospel. 
 As his object was to win souls to Christ, he took no pains to 
 please the fancy, but delivered the mind of the Spirit with 
 great plainness and cogency, not shunning to declare all the 
 counsel of God. He was fervent and zealous, constant and 
 assidious, in proclaiming the everlasting gospel to his beloved 
 people. It is said, that for forty-eight years, he was never 
 hindered from performing the duties of his office, a single 
 sabbath. 
 
 When the infirmities of age at length compelled him to 
 take leave of his stated ministerial exercises, in October 
 
 • This extraordinary man, who was the author of a famous Latin Accidence 
 and several religious publications, was born in London, January 25, 1615, came to 
 this country in June 1637, was a grammar master atNew-Havcn 12, at Ipswicfe 
 11, at Charlestown 9, and at Boston 39 years, where he died in his 94tli vear. 
 Dr. C. Mather, one of his pupils, observes— "He was as venerable a sight as the 
 world, since the days of primitive Christianity, has ever looked upon." 
 
 His second son, Thomas, pastor of the church at Rumney Marsh, now Chelsea 
 lived to le 93» 
 
16 
 
 iri9, lie did it in asoiemnly imprcssivp discourse, (Vom these 
 words — "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it 
 is day; the night cometh, when no man can work." Yet we 
 find, that a year afterwards, on a special occasion, he deliv- 
 rred a short hut earnest exhortation, to be *»zen jous of good 
 works." He was a man of a truly catholick spirit, of exten- 
 sive, universal philanthropy; distinguislied also as a peace- 
 maker, never exciting or encoui'aging parties, excepting such 
 as were engaged in the cause of God and religion. His con- 
 versation was both gra^'e and pleasant. The v/hole tcnour of 
 his life evinced an entire submission to the disposing I'roA i- 
 dence of God, and acquiescence in it. His deportment war5 
 uniform, blameless, and exemplary, 
 
 "NTc arc told, that he never had a moment's indisposition in 
 ])is life; yet he suffd'cd in consequence of the deca}^ of na- 
 ture, and would often say to his colleague — "Age is too heavy 
 for mc, hut I must bear it. I cannot die when I would. I 
 must wait patiently God's time. My times arc in his hands. 
 I rejoice tliat he has provided for liis people before I go. He 
 has satisfied mc with long life." His senses iinally forsook 
 Iiim, and the lamp of life fairly burnt out; for he experienced 
 neither pain nor sickness to the last, nor shewed the least 
 symptom of either, even in his expiring moments. Tiius. 
 having been possessed of a comfortable hope, without any 
 violent emotions of joy, he took his departure, and entered 
 into eternal rest.* 
 
 * The Latin inscription over his grave, appears not to have been written with 
 perfect accuracy, and in one passage is very enigmatical. Tlie principal part of it 
 may be thus rendered: — 
 
 "With this sod are covered the remains of Mr. Samuel Cheever, the Reverend 
 Pastor of the first Church of our Lord Jesus Christ in Marblehead. At the lifnie 
 of his decease, though he had entered his 85tl) year, he possessed s»1most the visr- 
 4.>irof youth, and scarcely appeared to have grown old. He discharged the pas- 
 toral duties toward the flock of the Great Shepherd, with the greatest integrity, 
 diligence, and watchfulness, in love, benevolence, and affection, for SO years; until 
 spent with his labours, he jras confined about four years to his dwelling, still zea- 
 lously devoting himself to his studies and to prayer, while his people deeply la- 
 mented his loss, though it was so remarkably supplied. At length, his work being 
 completed, he was summoned to receive his reward, on the 29lh of May, 172-*, 
 and, with perfect resignation, without pain, with no disease bnt mere age, he de- 
 parted, sml sweetly slept in Jesus " 
 
if 
 
 During tlie ministry of Mr. Cheovcr, alter ordination till 
 l\ie settlement of liis CoUeai^iie — a period of abont tim-ty-iwo 
 yesivs—jbrty-one males and an hundred and sixty i^cmsAcs were 
 added to the church,* three hundred and forty-Jive recognized 
 the covenant; and one tliousand Jive hundred and Jifty-sevcn, 
 were baptized. 
 
 His successour, preached for tlie first time to this people, 
 July eleA^enth, 1714. The church and town had concurred 
 ill a determination, to hear tliree candidates on trial, one of 
 w'jiom was to be elected assistant pastor. The candidates 
 were Mr. John Barnard, Mr. Edward Holyoke, who became 
 Tresident of Harvard Colleg-e in 1737; and Mr. >Amos^ *'^^' 
 Cheever, son of the aged minister, afterwards settled in Man- 
 chester. When the church proceeded to a choice in Decem- 
 ber, and the town soon after, there was a majority of votes 
 in both bodies for Mr. Barnard; who accordingly received a 
 regular call, which he fitudiy accepted, but was not ordained 
 till the eighteenth of July, 1716. In the interval, a number 
 of the minority withdrew, erected what is still called the 
 New Meeting, and settled the Rev. Mr, Holyoke; on the 
 morning of whose ordination, which was three months before 
 that of Mr. Barnard, four male membei^ of this church,* 
 and twenty-four females, were dismissed to the new Society. 
 it is also understood, that about this time, in t!»c year 1714, 
 the episcopal church was instituted; but I find no mention of 
 it in our records. 
 
 When Mr. Barnard was inducted to oflice, by a couiicil 
 consisting of Dr. Cotton Mather, Dr. Colman, and other 
 worthies of that day, this church, notwithstanding tlie estab- 
 lishment of the two ''>ther societies, was in a flourishing state, 
 containing twenty-seven men and ninety women. 
 
 //e, it may well be said, was a burning and shining light, in 
 this golden candlestick; and, like his predecessor, was blessed 
 with a long, happy, and useiul ministry. He laboured in 
 
 ♦Samuel Stacey, Richard Trevett, Richard Skinner, and John Allan. 
 
18 
 
 ihiH part ot' the vineyard fijbj-fixe years, aud was greatly 
 loved and revered. He was extensively known and honoured, 
 for his learning and talents, his zeal for the faith once deliver- 
 ed to the saints, and the excellence of his christian walk and 
 conversation. He departed tliis life, on the twenty-fourth of 
 January, 1770, in his eighty-ninth year, after Mr. Whitwell 
 had been settled with him eight years. His, doubtless, was 
 the blessing of many who were ready to perish; and numerous 
 souls, we have reason to think, will be the crown of his eter- 
 nal rejoicing. 
 
 But a more circumstantial account of the life and character 
 of one, whose memory is so precious, is probably expected; 
 for most of the materials of which, I am indebted to the ser- 
 mon delivered after his decease by Mr. Whitwell. 
 
 He was born in Boston, on the sixth of November, 1681, 
 was devoted to the ministry from his birth, and, while at the 
 university, is supposed to have experienced the reality and 
 power of religion. Though he excelled in various branches 
 of human learning, and was skilled in many of the arts, di- 
 vinity was his favourite study. Having made a business of 
 perusing authors of different sentiments, comparing tliem 
 with the divine oracles, and forming his judgment by the 
 standard of religious truth, he w^as led to embrace what is 
 denominated the Calvinistick scheme, though he wslh careful 
 to **call no man master oneai*th." 
 
 In the year 1707, he was appointed by Governor Dudley, 
 oneof the Chaplains of the army sent against Port-Royal, 
 the duties of which appointment lie performed; and in 1709, 
 he embarked, in the same capacity, with Captain, afterwards 
 Lieutenant Governor Wentworth, for Barbadoes and Lon- 
 don. While in England, he became intimately acquainted 
 with Doctor Oldfield, Mr. Fleming, Doctor Calamy, and 
 other celebrated divines of the age, and received several ad- 
 vantageous proposals for settlement, but preferred his own 
 cmmirr. 
 
19 
 
 On Ijis rcturii; and after he had preached some time in thig 
 place, havin!:^ been invited to settle with the old Nortli 
 Church and Society in his native town, he replied, that he 
 felt himself under such oblifi^ations to the inhabitants of Mar- 
 blehead, in consequence of their friendly treatment of him, 
 that no prospect of worldly advantage should prevail with 
 him to leave them.* — Ilis first sermon was delivered hei*e, as 
 we have seen, in Jidy, 1714, and his last on the el,^hth of 
 January, 1769, about a year before his death, — a remarkable 
 discourse, still remembered and often mentioned by man; , 
 on those words — "Let brotherly love cojitinue." 
 
 From a manuscriptof his, which has been in my possession, 
 ^nd which lie entitled "The Preacher," containing the texts 
 and dates of all his sermons, with other interesting notes, it 
 appears that he preached about seven thousand times. This 
 valuable volume, and the original copy of his version of the 
 Psalms — used for a long time in this society— accompanied 
 with recommendations from Doctor C. Mather, Dr. Byles, 
 Dr. Cooper, and others, have been deposited in the archives 
 of the Massachusetts Historical Society. 
 
 He was a man of extraordinary dignity, whose presence 
 restrained every imprudent folly of youth, and when the aged 
 saw him they paid him reverence. "Dining the latter part 
 of his life, when he retained a vigour of mind and zeal un- 
 common at so advanced an age, he was regarded as the father 
 oftlic churches. His form was remarkably erect, and he 
 never bent under the innrmities of eighty-eight years. His 
 countenance was grand, and his mein majestick." "He gave 
 a spring to that commercial entcrprizo, wliich ehangcd Mar- 
 blehcad from a fisliing place to the second rank of any town 
 in Massachusetts." — His character as a christian was irre- 
 proachable, and an ornamoitto his sacred profesi^ion. Very 
 extensive Mere liis charilies and liberality; tor v\]iich, as he 
 was blessed with afiluence, and had no children, he possessed 
 both the means and tlie disposition. By his last will and 
 
 WhcUier tliis statement, -.vliicli ngrees with i\iM of Jiis cuUesgue, or a verj 
 •liffereiit account of thn mattL-r, in Elliot's and Allen's Biograpliical DictionarreSj 
 be entitled to most confidence, others mivst juiiijefoi- tlicnasclves. 
 
20 
 
 testament, lie beqr.catlied a liberal donation, in books »ud 
 money, to the College at which he was educated.* 
 
 As a minister of Jesus Cin-ist, he ap|>ears to have been 
 «t!>.oroug,'h!y lurjiislicd unto all good works/' It seemed to 
 he the height of his ambition, that he might be enabled to 
 promote the good of souls. The indpit was his element; and 
 he was often heard to say, that he should be willing to die 
 there, in the service of God, and of those for whom Christ 
 died. The apostacy and ruin of man, his i-ecovery by the di- 
 vine Saviour, and the necessity of faith, repentance, and holy 
 obedience, in order to the possession and enjoyment of heav- 
 enly filicit}', were his principal topicks; — in explaining 
 which, he entered into the distinguishing doctnnes of the gos- 
 pel, and most earitestly besought his hearers not to receive 
 the grace of God in vain. In one of hispiinted discourses, 
 when he ^^as upwards of eighty years old, he addiTsses them 
 in these alTecting words — "I solemnly protest unto you, that if 
 there should he any of you, which God forbid — who, after all 
 
 • "Item, I will and confirm the gift of the booki I have already gent to Harvard' 
 College in Cambridge; and now, in thankfulness to God for the great mercy of my 
 liberal education there, and sincerel)- desirous of the flourishing of that society in 
 religion and gooii literatiiie, I will and give unto the said College, after my wife's 
 decease, the sum of i'wo hiiinb-ed pounds, lawful money, to be paid by my Execu- 
 tors into tiie hands of the Treasurer of the said College ibr the time being, to bf 
 improved for the benefit of the said College at the discretion of the President and 
 Fellows of the saifl Society, for the time being; — and my desire is, that if the 
 above named Jolin Barnard Sxvett, who is now- a student of said College, should, 
 after being graduated there, be inclined to apply himself to his studies and reside 
 at the College, and the said two hiimlred pounds should be received by the Trea- 
 surer, he, the said John Burnurd Siveff, may haye the benefit of the income 
 thereof for three years; after which it shall b e improved as above without any in- 
 eumbrance." 
 
 •* Item, having some years ago, given a silver flagon, for the use of the commu- 
 nion table, to the first Church of Christ in said Marblehead, of which, through di- 
 vine patience, I have been many years an unworthy pastor, which I hereby ratify 
 and confirm, I do now further will and give unto the said church forever, for the 
 speciid use of the ministry forever, my piece of marsh or meadow land, adjoining 
 to I'nH of Nathan Bowen Esquire, which the Commoners gave me, situate in 
 said Mai'blehead." 
 
 May 1 be excused for adding, that Mercy Turner, of Boston, who is mentioned 
 hi another article, as one of the children of the testiitor's brother James Barnard, 
 sas my maternal grandmother. 
 
21 
 
 the pains that have been taken witli jou, to instruct and 
 rounsel and warn you, shall be found at the last to have re- 
 fused to believe the report of the gospel, to receive Jesus 
 Christ the Lord into your hearts by faith, and live in obe- 
 dience to him, lam free from the blood of all men; your blood 
 be tipon your own heads!" 
 
 A little before his death, he observed that he had reason to 
 l)clieve he Iiad dedicated himself to God in truth while lie was 
 young, and had served him with sincerity in tlie ministry^ 
 but "1 have been guilty,'* said he, "of many breaches of my 
 vows." Then, witii tears flowing from his eyes, and with a 
 faltering voice, he added, *'my very soul bleeds wdien I re- 
 member my sins: but I trust I have sincerely repented, and 
 that I shall be accepted for Christ's sake. His righteous- 
 ness is my only dependence. Assurance of salvation is what 
 
 have not attained to; but I have a strong hope of being 
 happy forever." 
 
 This learned and good man, *»though dead, yet speakc-th,'' 
 particularly to the people he so ardently loved, in his nume- 
 rous publications, many of which arc very valuable; particu- 
 larly, his "Confirmation of the Christian Religion;" his aoI- 
 ijme on "Tlie Imperfection of the Creature;" that called 
 «Janua Ccelestis;" his sermon on "Tiie Extent of tlie Di- 
 vine Law," and another on "The true Divinity of Jesus 
 Christ."-* Beside these, he published nineteen separate dis- 
 courses on difTerent subjects. 
 
 * From the conclusion of this sermon, which was delivered at the Thursdaj 
 Lecture in Boston, when the author was eighty years old, the following quotation 
 Tvill, I doubt not, be interesting to many. 
 
 " Suffei- me, seeing it hath pleased a merciful God to spare me to a great old 
 age, to spend some of my latest breaths, in asserting and ■vinflicating the honour 
 of our common Saviour, by improving this last opportunity lean ever expect, ot 
 standing in this place ar.d upon such an occasion, to address myself, with great hu- 
 mility and all due respects, parlicularFy to my ymmger brethren in the ministry, 
 and to the candidates therefor." — Dearly beloved in our Lord Josus Christ, "let 
 it be your great care, firstly to get your own hearts firmly established in the faith of 
 this vital principle of the christian religion, and then to instruct the souls that may 
 be undtr your charge, and confirm them in the belief, that oUr Lord Jesus Christ 
 
22 
 
 Dui'ing the niinislry of !Mr. IJaruard, uinely-four males 
 and three hurtMred and ten females were added to the cliurcli; 
 ^ix hundred and for hi -one recoe^nized the covenantj and thret 
 thousand four hundred andffty-ninc were baptized. 
 
 I have been thus particular, respccling the two first pastors, 
 because the information iierc cnibudied, being of ancient date, 
 is by no means generally possessed, and would soon sink in- 
 to oblivion, were no pains taken to preserve it. Little com-, 
 paratively need be offered, concerning persons, and events, 
 posterior to the removal of Mr. Barnard, since witli wliat is 
 more recent you arc already acfjuainted. 
 
 The reverend ^yilliam Whitwcll, received ordination as 
 Colleague, on the twenty-fifth of August, 1762; and continu- 
 
 is tlietrne God. — Remember, rav brethren, you owe tliisin fidelity to your Lordj^ 
 and in love to the souls of his and your people. 
 
 "You owe it in fidility to your Lord and master, both your Lord and ours. 
 For if, threugli an affectation of being thought deeply studied in philosophj-, yot^ 
 should insinuHtein your conversiition, or pablickly teach your people, otherwise 
 than this wliolesome doctrine of sound words, that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, 
 and Saviour of the world, is the true Gixl, would yau not degrade him from his 
 throne of glory, strip him of his peculiar honours, and number him, who is liigber 
 than all the angelick orders, in the rank of beings, tlie most e.valtcd and renned f>r 
 which is infinitely below the Deity. — and thereby cast the highest contempt anil 
 indignity upon him? Would not such a treatment of the incarnate Son of God, ex- 
 pose you to the danger of being found among those teachers, of whom Peter 
 says, they "bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought 
 them:" or Jude's "ungodly men, before of old ordained to condemnation, who 
 turn the grace of God into lasciviousness, denying the only Lord God, and our 
 Lord Jesus Christ?" Where, by the way, 1 observe, that the article, in the 
 Greek, placed before tiie "only Lord God," without any before "our Lord Jesus 
 Christ," evidently siieweth (for the reason before mentioned) that it is one and 
 the same subject that is spoken of "the only Lord (lod," and "our Lord Jesus 
 
 Christ." 
 
 " And you oive it in love to tlie fxrecions soul* of /us and your people, who are 
 put under your particular care. For if, by an u nmanly sneer at the great dsctrine 
 wfthe ttue divinity of (Jhrist, or by laboured and .sophistical periods, you should 
 ?.each them any thing herein, that is contrary to the sound doctrine of the glorious 
 iiospel of the blessed God, will you not be guilty of leading them into gross er- 
 i-onr; of teaching them to believe in and wor-ship a creature instead of the only 
 true God, and so blindiy cnnduct them into abominable idolatry:' Will you not 
 herein direct them to build a!! their hopes of salvation on a sandy foundation, 
 which, in the time of trial, will prove ruinous and destructive to their immortal 
 souls; and if the blood of souls should at last be found to lie at your doors, what 
 the consequence of this will prove unto yortrJclTe?, you are able ttj judje " 
 
 
 
ed, it is believed, in the conscientious, liumblc, and faithful 
 dischai'ge of the important duties of his office, deliverin,^ the 
 true gospel, and watching for souls as one who expected to 
 give an account, devoted to the best interests of his people, 
 and highly esteemed and beloved by them, till the ciglith of 
 November, 1781; when it pleased the great Head of the 
 Church to translate him to a better world, in the midst of his 
 days and usefulness, in the forhj-jijtk year of his age, and 
 twentieth of his ministry, A tribute is paid to his wortfj, by 
 Mr. Stone, in his sermon at the ordination of Mr. Hubbard. 
 "Our dearly beloved brother "NVhitwell," he says, "though 
 snatched away in the prime of life, acquired and mair taincd 
 a most amiable character. He was the gentknian and the 
 cliristian happily united. He was a well instructed scribe, 
 concise, pertinent, enlightening, and moving in his addresses 
 on all occasions.'* Mucii more doubtless might be said of his 
 excellence, as a man and as a minister. His printed sermon 
 to mariners, occasioned by the loss of a large number of ves- 
 sels, in the year 1769, is truly affecting and impressive. 
 
 During his ministry, twelve males and sLvtij-seren females 
 were added to the church; itvo hundred and sixty-Jive recog- 
 nized; and one thousand and eightij-two were baptized. 
 
 His successour, the reverend Ebenezer Hubbard, of whom 
 most of you had sonic personal knowledge, was inducted to 
 office on the first of January, 1783; and, having remained in 
 it less than eighteen years, was suddenly removed, on the fif- 
 teenth of October, 1800, in the forty -third year of his age.— 
 So that the two last mentioned ministers were iii office only 
 thirty-seven years, a little more than two-thirds as long as 
 either of their predecessors; — a solemn memento to those w ho 
 come after them. 
 
 During the ministry of Mr. Hubbard, twenty-one males 
 and eighty-one i'envAes were added to the church; txvo hundred 
 and six recogni'zed; and on: thousand and thirty-om ssn-*^ 
 baptized. 
 
24 
 
 At my ordination, October seventh, 1801, tlie churcU coU' 
 sisted of ten men and eighty-one women. Since that time, sioc- 
 teen males and scventtf'Seven females have been added; one 
 hundred and thirtij-three have recognized; and eit^hl hundred 
 andfortij-two have been baptized. The church now consists 
 of fifteen males and one hundred and three females; several of 
 whom, however, arc not at present residing among us.* 
 
 It is a remarkable fact, that each of the two first ordained 
 ministers of this society continued in its service, from the 
 commencement of his labours, about Jjfty-five years, and 
 that each of them had the aid of a colleague eight years; thus 
 from the beginning of Mr. Cheever's preaching in 1663, to 
 the death of Mr. Barnard in 1770, is a period o^ one hundred 
 and two years; an instance seldom equalled, it is presumed, 
 in the ecclesiastical history of this or indeed of any other 
 country. — It is now one hundred and thirty-one years since the 
 church was organized; in which time it has been destitute of 
 a pastor hut a little more than two years. The four who have 
 preceded me, died in office, and arc buried among you.f Dur- 
 ing the whole period, nine hundred and thirty-three persons, — 
 namely, one hundred and ninety-nine males and seven hundred 
 and thirty-four females have been members of the church; one 
 thousand jive hundred and ninety have recognized; and seven 
 thousand nine hundred and seventy-one have been baptized. — 
 
 There have been, in all that time, but sixteen deacons;:^ 
 though formerly it was usual to have three in oiHce at once. 
 
 ♦ It will be observed, that it wtjs not within the design of this discourse to ilwell 
 on recent events, particularly such as have occurred since the settlement of the 
 preacher. Grateful mention would, otherwise, have been made, of the specmi 
 religious attention, vith which the society was graciously visited in 1810, at 
 which period tliirty-four oi'xKs members became professors of Christianity. 
 
 f Mr. Cheever became « graduate ot Harvard College in 1659; Mr. Baruard 
 In ir09; Mr. Whitwell, a native of Boston, and graduate of Nev/ Jersey in 1758, 
 was admitted ad eiindem at Harvard in 1762; Mr. Hubbard, a native of Goncard, 
 ^Mass.) became a graduate of Harvard in 1777. 
 
 ^ Ambrose Gale, Ricliard Reith, John Stacy, John ^Ferritt, John Dixer, 
 Richard Skinner, John White, John Bayley, Benjamin Heudly, Joshua Orne, 
 William Gale, Stephen Phillips, Benjamin Stacey, William Williams, John Good- 
 Tciriy JSIathan Soteen. 
 
25 
 
 The two last, who were elected togetltcr, have officiated more 
 than twenty-eight years; and it is devoutly hoped, that they 
 may still he continued many years. 
 
 It would be gratifying, to have a complete ^history of this 
 ancient building, so venerable as the seat of worship to your 
 fathers, through so many generations. I will give what 
 information I have been able, after considerable research, to 
 collect respecting it. In the records of the town, we find it 
 ordered, in 1648, "that t!»c rate for the metting house should 
 be gathered.'' It is understood to have been originally placed, 
 on the hill now improved as a burial ground, near the spot 
 where the ministers are interred. In 1659, '*at a general 
 town meeting it was agreed, that the meeting house should be 
 seated," and a person was employed "to complete the work, 
 for nineteen pounds." In the following year, a committee 
 was appointed "for the placing and seating of all the inhabit- 
 ants of the town, both men and women, in the meeting house.'' 
 Thus every individual had his seat, and there is reason to be- 
 lieve that every one's scat was occupied with great constancy. 
 The tradition is probably well founded, that at this early peri- 
 od, the men thought it necessary to carry their arms to meet- 
 ing with them, and to have sentinels during divine service, on 
 account of the danger apprehended from the Indians.* In 
 1662 "it was determined, that a gallery should be built, at tlie 
 South West end of the meeting house, sufficient for four seats, 
 which seats were to be completed, tlie front seats witli col- 
 umns, and a board at the bottom to keep the dust from com- 
 
 * "Some of the ancient planters have told us, that the Indians, being posgessed 
 ■with fears lest the English should in time take theii- country from them, did early 
 conspire to destroy them; and the small handful of christians then at Salem, were 
 alarmed with the report of no less than a tliousand barbarous natives coming to 
 fAit them off, and that upon a Lord's day: whereupon they discharged several great 
 guns, leaden with small shot, which made such a terrible rattling among the trees 
 afar off, that the amazed Indians returned without putting their bloody design in 
 execution." — {^Dr. I. Mather's Relation of Indian Troubles.J 
 
 4 
 
 .y 
 
26 
 
 ing down, and to be arclied sufficient to strengthen the liouse;'* 
 and, after several years, measures were adopted for erecting 
 **a gallery at the North East end, with five seats, stairs, and 
 all other necessaries, as the otiier gallery then was." At the 
 same time a person was employed, «to look after the meeting 
 house, and to ring the bell, and to officiate about that w^ork, 
 for which he was to ha^e four pounds by the year.'* In 1672, 
 <«it was ordered by general consent, that a Lentoo^ should bo 
 built, adjoining to the backside of the meeting house, twelve 
 foot in breadth, forty foot in length, with three gable ends in 
 the same of timber work." Persons, the next year, were cm- 
 powered "to seat the Lentoo men and women in their seats, 
 put an alley through the old part, dispose of any that should 
 want seats, or lose their seats by means of the alley, in the 
 most convenient places in the old or new part, and rectify 
 any disorders with due care, that such as had been formerly 
 seated might keep their places as many of them as conveniently 
 could." — The records of the town are imperfect,' and I have 
 been unable to determine, with precision, the period when 
 the house, thus repeatedly eiilarged and improved, was trans- 
 feri-ed to this spot. It is rendered pretty certain, however, by 
 information obtained of the oldest person in town, that it must 
 have been removed a little more than an hundred years since, 
 not long before the settlement of father Barnard. If, as is 
 generally supposed, some of the original part remains, it must 
 be an hundred and sixtij'Seven years old. At any rate, it is 
 probably the oldest publick building in New England. That 
 we may live to see it rebuilt, and to see the ways of Zion re- 
 joicing in it, as in "the days of old," and "the yeai'softhe 
 right hand of the Most High," is among my most fervent 
 Tvishes and prayers. 
 
 I shall now conclude with some brief reflections; and regret 
 that the time will not admit of a more enlarged improvement, 
 
 • See, iti Pickering^s Vocabularj-, the word Htito, orleanto, defiaedbj Mason-^ 
 "a low ahallo-vr building joined to a higher." 
 
 '^mm- 
 
27 
 
 Wc have reason, in tlie first place, gratefully to acknowl' 
 edge — ^(Hitherto hath the Lord helped «s/' Having survived 
 repeated periods of uncommon trial and difficulty, the church 
 and society exist, and it is humhly hoped, that the God of 
 our fathei's has not yet utterly forsaken us. Contemplating 
 our whole history, it is evident, that as much general pros- 
 perity has heen here eiijoyed, as has heen usual in the coun- 
 try, and a very unusual degreeot'harmony, peace, and broth- 
 erly affection. No uneasiness has ever arisen, which requir- 
 ed the aid of a council; but the ecclesiastical and parochial 
 concerns of the society have invariably been conducted with 
 v»'onderful unanimity. The ministers and their people have 
 lived and died together in love, and appear to have manifested 
 to each other an affectionate, accommodating spirit. "We 
 ought to rejoice, with thankfulness, in view of these and many 
 otiier tokens of the divine benignity, that have been experien- 
 ced; especially, in the thought, that multitudes in all probabili- 
 ty have here been prepared for glory, and that this candle- 
 Htick has not yet been removed. May it be continued in its 
 place, so long as the sun and moon shall endure! 
 
 Secondly, we ought never to lose sight of the foiindaiion, on 
 which this church is established, nor the puritanical, exem- 
 plary faith and piety of its founders. It is certainly a distin- 
 guished honour to be the descendants and successours of such 
 men. The principles, on which they provided for the wor- 
 ship and ordinances of God, were derived immediately from 
 the oracles of truih, and are of perpetual, everlasting import- 
 ance. The divinity of th.e reformation, was tlie divinity they 
 enjbraced, in which they lived and died, and which — tha)iks 
 to their faithful care — is the basis on which we now professedly 
 rest. «'It is called Calvinism, but injuriously. It has been the 
 divinity of the church of Christ in all ages. It is the divinity 
 «if Saint Paul, and of Saint Paul's blaster, who met him in the 
 nay to Damascus."* It includes the doctrines of grace, 
 
 ' Cooper's Letter'. 
 
 mm^ 
 
28 
 
 ••Uocti'iiies according to godliness," the doctrines which make 
 genuine, thorough christians, and prepare sinners for glory. 
 These are the root of the goodly tree of holy living. It was 
 the faith of our fathers, "the faith once delivered unto the 
 saints," which rendered them so eminently pure and upright; 
 and, in proportion as tlie proper influence of tlie same pre- 
 cious faith has heen and shall be extended, undefiled religion 
 and ti'ue morality have been revived and w ill ever flourish. 
 
 Thirdly, it concerns us to be sensible of our melancholy 
 declensionSf and deeply to lament them before God. In many 
 respects, it is certain that we arc degenerated as a society. 
 We have, at tliis time, less ontxvard prosperity, than has been 
 formerly enjoyed. This doubtless is owing, in a great meas- 
 ure, to the long continued scries of public distresses, which 
 have probably been heavier on this people than on any other 
 in the land; — and in some degree, perhaps, to the springing 
 up of sects and denominations, of which our fathers had no 
 knowledge. But, after all, is it not owing still more, to the 
 want of that puhlick spint, that ardour, and interest, in regard 
 to the maintenance of the gospel and its ordinances, for whicii 
 the great body of the community in former years were distin- 
 guished? The decline of sjuritual prosperity is the main dif- 
 ficulty, and this, more than any thing else, is to be deprecated. 
 There are aged persons still living among us, who remember 
 when this temple of the Most High w as literally thronged 
 with devout worshippers, and attentive hearers, every sab- 
 bath. If the same spirit were now prevalent, since numbers 
 arc not wanting, it would be so still. Look back, my hear- 
 ers, to the time, when every inhabitant of this tow n had his 
 pai'ticular appropriate seat; and then view tlie multitudes in 
 our day, who have either no place at all in the house of God, 
 M-hich they can call theii* own, or, at least, arc extremely in- 
 t onstant in their attendance there. How many of our young 
 people, of both sexes, encouraged by the example of their 
 riders, waste and profane holy time in the most dreadful man- 
 ner, and are scarcely ever to be seen in a place of worship* 
 
 ■«• -vi. • 
 
29 
 
 unless it may be occasionally, by night, for amusement, or 
 even for disorderly purposes. As an attendant, or direct con- 
 sequence, of such a state of things, how much ii-religion, im- 
 piety, and iniquity of various descriptions, is continually 
 practiced by those, whose ancestors humbly w alked vitli God, 
 in a careful, conscientious observance of all his command- 
 ments and ordinances. While it is thus w ith a large propor- 
 tion of the present generation, and while false opinions and 
 views, respecting tlie nature of religion, have an alarming 
 prevalence, where is that activity, zeal, and exemplariness of 
 professed christians, by \a hich they were once, and sliould be 
 always, characterized? These tilings, my fiiends, I trust yoir 
 will receive with meekness, for they are uttered in the fulness 
 of my heart, with an unfeigned solicitude for your best wel- 
 fare for both worlds. 
 
 Finally, permit me, then, in the same spirit, to exhort you, 
 solemnly and with earnestness, to feel the duty and imoort- 
 ance of making resolute exertions, not only for the preserva- 
 tion and support of the gospel, but also for the revival and in- 
 crease of Aita! religion among us, in its priniitive power and 
 purity. — It is ardently to be m ished, that all the influential 
 members of the society, would be impressed with their obli- 
 gations faithfully to consult its interest, and would be willing 
 to be at some cost and pains to promote it. No labour, no 
 cxpcnce, will be likely to yield sincerer satisfaction, in the 
 
 last hours of life, than what is devoted to such a cause I 
 
 would ])articularly conjure you, my beloved people, ^'not to 
 forsake the assembiing of yourselves together;^' but to stren"-thcn 
 and encourage him, who is "your servant for Josiis' sake," by 
 a regular, diligent attendance on his humble ministrations. 
 In the numerous, disheartening trials, to which he is subject- 
 ed, he needs, he greatly needs your countenance and your 
 j)rayers. The early removal of his immediate predecessors, 
 loudly aii^ojiishes him liow soon he may be called to give an 
 account of his ministry: and suftlr me to remind you, how 
 speedily 7/0]i too may be i-eqnirfi], to render arrount how vou 
 
so 
 
 liavc received it. Entreat, therefoie, for him, that he may 
 be made faithful, and for yourselves, that you may entertain 
 the gospel by him dispensed, though it be in much weakness, 
 as a message from the living God. — "Brethren, the time is 
 short." "Our fathers, where are they; and the prophets, do 
 tliey live forever?" Another year has been recently "numbered 
 with the years beyond the liood^" in the course of which, tfiirty 
 four of this society, have entered the eternal world.* Within 
 a very few days, also, two worthy members of this church, 
 beside a valuable young manf and a little boy, have "gone the 
 way of all the earth,*' What is done must be done quickly. 
 — Let it be our united, fervent supplication — *' Awake, awakCf 
 jmt 0)1 strength, arm of the Lord; awake, as in the ancient 
 datjs, in t/ie generations of old.'*^ Let us pray and strive to- 
 getlier, tliat the Lord would *'raise up the tahernade that is 
 fallen, and close up the breaches thereof, that he would raise up 
 its ruins and build it as in the days of ohW§ **Tkus saith the 
 Lord, stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, 
 wlierc is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find 
 rest for your souls. *'\\ The Almighty King of Zion is address- 
 ing us, as he addressed the church of Ephcsus— "/ have 
 somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thyfrst love. Re- 
 member, therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent and 
 do the frst works; or else, I will come unto thee quickly, and 
 will remove thy candlestick out of Ms place, except thou repent.^'^ 
 Listen, I beseech you, to this solemn admonition. Steadily 
 adhere to the tinith and way of God, in opposition to that gen- 
 eral inclination to apostacy, in principle and practice, which 
 
 * 21 males and 13 females: I at the age of 95; 3 between 10 and 90; 6 between 
 70 and 80; 6 between 40 and fO; 9 between 20 and 40; 5 between 10 and 20; 1 
 at 6, and only 3 under that age. Of this number, 7 were lost or died abroad, and 
 5 belonged to the church. 
 
 j- ^^^s. Ruth Knight, the respectable relict of Mr. William K. JE. 73. Mrs. 
 Elisabeth wife of Mr. Joseph Steithens, who died in the triumphs of faith. JE. 44. 
 And r'r. Samuel Swett jun. greatly lamented. JE, 2S. 
 
 i^ Isa. li, 9. § Amos i.\, 11. [) Jer. vi, IC. 1! Rev. ii, 5. 
 
prevails at the present duy. Receive and embrace the glori- 
 ous doctrinal peculiarities, and esteem very highl/ all the sa- 
 cred institutions and requirements, of the gospel of Christ. 
 Let the great and good work of reformation, be immediately 
 and resolutely commenced, with a humble dopendance on the 
 power of divine grace, in every heart, in every family. — 
 Moreover, "let: brotherly love continue,** and be increased, by 
 our always "endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in 
 the bond of peace;" — aiid Oh! may the Holy Ghost be sent 
 down from heaven, to warm our cold bosoms, to inspire us 
 with due zeal in the worship and service of our divine Master, 
 and cause us to grow and flourish, "like the cedars of Leba- 
 non." AmetVo 
 
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