Tta 
 
 Glass 
 
 Book » 2>W3_^i3L 
 
SERMON, 
 
 DELIVERED AT 
 
 SHREW'SBURY, 
 
 JBY JOSEPH SUMNER, 
 
 JUNE 23, 1812, 
 
 THE DAT WHICH COMPLETED 
 
 jFiftp gcariEf 
 
 tROM THE TIME OE HIS INDCCTIOrT INTO THB 
 
 PASTORAL OFFICE, 
 
 OVER THE 
 
 Church and People in that Place. 
 
 SECOJ^D EDITION 
 
 
 PRINTED AT WORCESTER, BY WIl^^IA* MANNIXG. 
 
 JiTLT, 1819, 
 
■^■^-';4 
 
 F74. 
 
SERMON. 
 
 PSALM cxlv. 4. 
 
 eSE GENERATION SHALL PRAISE THY WORKS TO ANOTHER, AND SHALt 
 DECLARE THY MIGHTY ACTS. 
 
 1 HE works of God are a glorious and con- 
 tinued display of his perfections. Day unto day ut- 
 tereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge 
 of God. The works of creation and providence loud- 
 ly proclaim, through all the earth, his wisdom and his 
 power. The work of redemption more abundantly 
 manifests his grace and his mercy. This has employ- 
 ed the thoughts, the tongues and the pens of patri- 
 archs and prophets— of apostles, and many other de- 
 vout men, in various ages of the world. This has been 
 the admiration and joy of saints and of angels, and 
 will be celebrated in their united songs through all e- 
 ternity. The works of creation, providence and re- 
 demption exhibit the glories of Deity to men, and 
 teach them their duty to Him. Hence the importance 
 of handing down, from one generation to another, these 
 works of God, that they may excite our reverence and 
 fear of Him — our gratitude and praise — our hope and 
 trust. These important purposes are directly promot- 
 ed by sacred^ and are aided by all authentick history. 
 Nations which are not favoured with divine revelation, 
 possess much knowledge of the works and ways of 
 
God, which Divine Providence enables them to trans- 
 mit from one generation to another. In every age 
 God endows some with super-eminent talents, to per- 
 form distinguished services in the world ; and he rais- 
 es up others to be the historians of their deeds : and 
 Avilh these, they also register many of the dealings of 
 God with the children of men, for the benefit of suc- 
 ceeding generations. 
 
 The works of God call for the notice and praise of 
 his rational offspring, because they tend to the glory of 
 tlie Creator, and to the instruction of his creatures. It 
 is suitable at all times to praise God forliis works, and 
 to speak of him for the improvement of the risjng gen- 
 eration ; but there are certain periods in the revolutions 
 of years, when it is proper to take a retrospection of 
 the great events in providence, that we may impress 
 our minds with the recollection of those providential 
 dispensations, which have been conveyed to us by sa- 
 cred and profane history, to strengthen our own faith 
 and hope in God, and to establish these in others. It 
 is also our duty to register and to declare those works 
 of God, which have been exhibited to our view, while 
 we have been upon the stage of action. In thij^ man- 
 ner, one generation should praise God's works to a- 
 nother, and declare his mighty acts. 
 
 This day completes half a century since my induc- 
 tion into the pastoral office over the church and people 
 in this place. This connexion must soon be dissolv- 
 ed ; and I therefore desire to direct your attention, 
 
 I. To some of the advantages, which result from 
 the declaration of the works of God by one generation 
 to another. 
 
 II. To notice tlie principal events that have taken 
 place among us, during my ministry, particularly tho-^e 
 
lyliich had an immediate relation to the inhabitants of 
 this town. I shall close the discourse by a few reflec- 
 tions, as the application of our subject. — Permit me, 
 
 I. To direct your attention to some of the advan- 
 tages which result from the declaration of the works 
 of God by one generation to another. 
 
 The communication of important knowledge from 
 one generation to another, is one principal design of 
 sacred history, which preserves the knowledge of the 
 state of innocence, in which God originally placed 
 man — -of his fall from this state ; and of the provision 
 ITiade for his recovery. We cannot but admire the 
 wisdom, power and goodness of the Creator in the 
 formation of man, in whose composition earth and 
 Jieaven were united. A body formed of earth and 
 wonderfully constructed, and a spirit of understand- 
 ing given by the inspiration of the Almighty. We 
 j&re justly astonished, when we contemplate the won- 
 derful method devised and executed for the recovery 
 of the race of mankind from the state of ruin into 
 which, by their transgressions, they had plunged them- 
 selves. The historical part of scripture, and indeed 
 the whole of the sacred writings, is one continued his- 
 tory of the work of redemption by Jesus Christ. The 
 knowledge of the interposition of God in favour of 
 fallen man was at first conveyed by tradition, one gen- 
 eration declaring the works of God to another, for 
 which the longevity of those early generations was 
 favourable. Unity of design, steadiness of co-opera- 
 tion, and a progress of discovery respecting the great 
 designs of God towards man, were carried on from 
 Adam to Noah, from Noah to Abraham, and from 
 Abraham to Moses — one generation declaring the 
 works of God to another. Moses compiled that 
 
part of the most ancient, the most elegant, and the 
 most instructive of all books, which contains the his- 
 tory of the world from the creation to his own time. 
 After him, numbers were raised up to continue the 
 history of the dispensations of Providence with the 
 Jews and some neighbouring nations, with which they 
 had occasional intercourse, for the space of two thou- 
 sand years. All these dispensations were intended to 
 prepare the world for the appearance of the Messiah, 
 concerning whom many predictions are interspersed 
 in the sacred writings, and of whom sacred history 
 gives many types, in the characters of men who were 
 distinguished by a greater measure of gifts and graces, 
 exhibiting to the world examples of human excellence, 
 as patterns for our imitation. Hence \Ve are called to 
 notice the faith of Abraham, the iimocence of Joseph, 
 the meekness of Moses, and tiie patience of Job. 
 
 We also derive much information respecting the 
 dispensations of Divine Providence from authentick 
 profane histoiy ; every page of ^vhich tends to confirm 
 the sacred truth, that a wise, i)owerful and benevolent 
 Being governs the universe — who brings good out of 
 evil, and order out of confusion. History teaches us, 
 that the powers and efforts of men and of nations are 
 often directed to purposes very difterent from the 
 original intention and design. The same Being made 
 the greatest things and the smallest : all are parts of 
 the same system ; and what appears to us the most 
 inconsideq^blO, answers a useful end — as our Saviour 
 observes, not a sj)arrow falls to the ground >vithout 
 the permission of God, and the very hairs of our heads 
 are numbered. As nothing was made in vain, so 
 nothinj^- comes to pass without the appointment or the 
 i)crnii>ssion of God : sonic purpose therefore is intend- 
 
ed by every thing that happens, as well as by every- 
 thing that is made. A design may not be so appar- 
 ent in small things as in great ; but the hand ot* God 
 is really in every event which happens, and a recog- 
 nition of past events is a source of useful instruction 
 and improvement ; for it will be the means of increas- 
 ing our knowledge of God and of his works. What 
 above all discovers the hand of Providence, as well 
 as the weakness and short-sightedness of man is, that 
 great events are often brought about contrary to the 
 intention of the persons who were the principal in- 
 struments of them, and by the very means which were 
 designed to produce contrary effects. Thus persecu- 
 tion has always been the means of promoting the per- 
 secuted religion, insomuch that it has become a com- 
 mon proverb — *' The blood of the martyrs is the seed 
 of the church." On the contrary, the success and 
 prosperity of a nation have often proved the means of 
 their ultimate ruin. In like manner, small events, and 
 such as had no apparent connexion with the effect 
 produced, have been, over-ruled to bring about the 
 greatest changes. Thus the desire of Henry VIII. to 
 be divorced from a wife, was the means to produce the 
 reformation in England, for which Protestants to this 
 day rejoice. 
 
 Monuments erected in commemoration of great 
 events are all fading, and mouldering into dust. Mon- 
 umental inscriptions, which are intended to perpetuate 
 the names of men who were greatly distinguished, as 
 instruments in the important events of the uorld, are 
 also perishing. It is the faithful page of history only 
 that hands down to posterity the great events of the 
 world, or the men w!io were conspicuous actors in 
 them. Here the knowledge of them may be acquired, 
 
while the smallest vestiges of literature shall remain 
 upon earth. — I pass, 
 
 II. To notice the principal events that have taken 
 place anioni^ us, during my ministry, particularly 
 those which had relation to the inhabitants oi this 
 town. 
 
 The last fifty years, perhaps, include as many im- 
 portant changes as the same space of time in any pe- 
 riod of the world. North-An\erica, half a century 
 ago, was harmoniously connected with Great-Britain, 
 and the latter was then closing a vigorous war with 
 France and Spain. In the former part of that war 
 ^ve were unsuccessful ; but in the latter part. Provi- 
 dence greatly smiled upon us — the British dominions 
 were enlarged ; and, by the conquest of Canada, this 
 country was delivered from the terrour of an inimical 
 neighbour. In consequence of this great event, our 
 country promised itself long peace and rest. The 
 most favourable opportunity was then offered to in- 
 crease our settlements, extend our borders, and mul- 
 tiply our resources. Although these then provinces of 
 the British empire had no design of becoming a sepa- 
 rate nation, yet Divine Providence was preparing the 
 way for this great event. An extensive territory on 
 the north and west, which, at the close of the Freneli 
 war, was ceded to Great-Britain, a\ ith a chain of for- 
 tresses originally erected for our annoyance, at the ac- 
 knowledgement oi' our independence was included 
 within the limits of the United Stntes. This territo- 
 ry extends our national frontier, increases our conve- 
 niences, and adds to our security. 
 
 A perfect calm in the political world is not long to 
 be cx|>ected. The reciprocal happiness of Great- 
 Britain and the Colonies was too great to be of long 
 
duration. Soon after the peace of 1763, trouble cariie 
 from an unexpected quarter. Great-Britain claimed 
 a right to tax the Colonies without their consent, " in 
 all cases whatever," and the claim gave general 
 alarm. The opposition made to the encroachment 
 upon American liberty was so far successful, as to 
 keep back the dispute between the two countries from 
 coming to the last extremity for about ten years ; in 
 which time we were rising in strength for an appeal to 
 the Arbiter of the Universe, by the sword. A long 
 and distressing war ensued, which cost the lives of 
 many worthy citizens. Some of us still remember 
 the gall and wormwood of those years, during which 
 scarcely a family escaped the bitterness of having some 
 friend slain in battle, or perishing in captivity. When 
 we look back upon those scenes, in which we were ei- 
 ther actors or spectators, we cannot but wonder, that 
 the infant Colonies, so unprepared as they were for 
 war, should dare to engage with one of the most pow- 
 erful kingdoms of the earth ; and at an early period 
 of the contest to assume a name and a place among 
 free and independent nations. But the Divine coun- 
 sels must and will stand. That was the time appoint- 
 ed by Heaven for a nation to be born in a day ; and 
 circumstances were made to concur for its accom- 
 plishment. The situation of this country, from its 
 first settlement by Europeans, has been very different 
 from that of most others. In them, territory has been 
 obtained by conquest, and government established by 
 the sword. In this, the soil was purchased of the 
 original inhabitants, and cultivated by the owners, 
 who, when they could no longer be governed under 
 the British crown, agreeably to their native privileges, 
 framed a government for themselves, and established 
 2 
 
10 
 
 it by mutual consent ; in all the concerns of which 
 Heaven favoured thcin, and tinder which they, for a 
 time, greatly prosjicrcd. 
 
 Haifa century ago, the number of inhabitants in the 
 district of country which now composes the United 
 States, was small in comparison with our present num- 
 bers. The increase of husbandry, navigation and 
 commerce, has been in full proportion to the popula- 
 tion ; and all these, since the revolution, have increas- 
 ed beyond example. At the close of the revolutiona- 
 ry war, the nav illation of this country was next to 
 nothing; but, within twelve years, the American flag 
 was displayed in the ports of almost every commer- 
 cial state and kingdom upon the globe ; and, had not 
 the spirit of enterprize been checked by commercial 
 embarrassments, we cannot calculate the degree of 
 wealth and respectability to which these United States 
 would have arisen by this time. New settlements 
 have been greatly extended, and four or five new 
 states have been added to the original thirteen. Set- 
 tlements have been made, churches formed, acade- 
 mies and colleges founded and put into a flourishing 
 condition, where, less than fifty years ago, it was a 
 howling wilderness. The wilderness has become a 
 fruitful field, and the desert made to blossom like the 
 rose. *' Thus the period has been replete with events 
 in our own country, whicii have astonished the care- 
 ful and wise observers of Divine Providence in hu- 
 man aftairs," which the historick page will declare to 
 |X)Sterity ; and in which future generations may trace 
 the agency of the Almighty in the support of his 
 church in the world. 
 
 From America the spirit of liberty was carried into 
 France ; but it could not there flourish. That nation 
 
11 
 
 was not prepared lo entertain it. Upon throwing off 
 monarchy, they fell into anarchy, and have been con- 
 strained at last to submit to a military despotism. In- 
 stead of ameliorating their condition, they have ren^ 
 dered it seven-fold worse than it was before. This 
 might have been expected ; for, under the influence 
 of atheistick philosophy, they destroyed the constitu- 
 tions of their religion, trampled upon the temples and 
 the worship of their God ; and they declared death to 
 be an eternal sleep. An aspiring chieftain seized the 
 favourable moment to usurp dominion ; and he has 
 established an absolute despotism over the nation. 
 Not satisfied with the sceptre of France, he has spread 
 desolation among the nations of continental Europe ; 
 and by intrigue and the sword has subjected many of 
 them to a state of abject slavery. How far he may be 
 permitted to go, and how long he may be permitted to 
 be a scourge to the earth, God only knows. 
 
 But the compass of one discourse will not permit 
 me to v/ander among the nations to declare the works 
 of God, These all in a wonderful manner display his 
 power, wisdom and goodness. In every country there 
 have been distinguished characters raised up, who 
 have proved great blessings or great curses to the na- 
 tions which gave them birth. They who have been 
 great and extensive blessings in their day ought to be 
 remembered with respect. Many such, whose names 
 are enrolled in the records of this country, were 
 brought upon the stage of publick life during the last 
 half century, and took their several parts in our rev- 
 olution; most of whom have done their work, and 
 have passed off. There have been many in the pri-. 
 vate walks of life, whose memory may be as precious 
 to us as that of those who moved in a publick sphere. 
 
12 
 
 whose example may be as worthy of imitation, and 
 the copy more extensively useful. The general on the 
 field of battle, and the statesman in the cabinet, may 
 exhibit something worthy the notice and imitation of 
 those who may act in a like capacity ; but to the general- 
 ity of mankind it is a copy they do not aspire to write af- 
 ter. It is the industrious, prudent man, in private life, 
 who sustains the character of an afFcctionate husband, 
 a tender parent, a kind neighbour, a good member of 
 society, and, which crowns all, of a good Christian, 
 who sets an example for general imitation ; and this 
 copy may be useful for mankind at large. In many 
 respects the state of societ}-, within the last fifty years, 
 has been improved. Civilization has been extended, 
 and knowledge increased. The slave-trade has been 
 discountenanced within the United States, and in the 
 northern states slavery is wholly laid aside; and we 
 are told that the condition of slaves in the southern 
 states, as well as in some other parts of the world, is 
 made better. They are not only pro>'idcd with more 
 comfortable food, but a degree of attention is paid to 
 their religious instruction, and some of them are 
 ciiristianized. These circumstances give us reason 
 to hope that the time is approaching, when all God's 
 rational offspring will enjoy civil and moral freedom. 
 During the period within our review, invention has 
 been upon the stretch in this country. Many useful 
 discoveries have been made in the mechanical arts, by 
 which much labour is saved, and greater dispatch 
 made. Another occurrence, which strongly charac- 
 terizes this period, and exhibits a still more favourable 
 appearance respecting mankind, and the church of 
 God is, the charitable exertions that are making to 
 ijprcad the gospel in our infant plantations, and among 
 
the heathen. For these apostolkk and glorious pur- 
 poses numerous societies have been formed ; and they 
 give great encouragement to all who have any interest 
 at the throne of grace, to pray for the bringing In of 
 the Jews, with the fuhiess of the Gentiles, that when 
 the people of God take pleasure in the stones, and fa- 
 vour the dust of Zion, that IJe would arise and build 
 her up. 
 
 But as smaller events become important to those, 
 who, by their local situation, have an immediate inter- 
 est in them, I would notice some things respecting the 
 church and flock of God in this place, and more par- 
 ticularly those which have taken place within the last 
 fifty years. Some of these may be worthy of atten- 
 tion, as they may excite your gratitude to Heaven 
 for the smiles of Divine Providence upon the inhabit- 
 ants of this town from generation to generation. We 
 have it from good authority, that the land which origi- 
 nally composed the town of Shrewsbury, was passed 
 over by the proprietors of the adjacent towns, because 
 they thought it not worthy of being taken into their 
 grants. Hence the form of it was irregular. But a 
 governing Providence had not destined this tract to 
 remain a waste. In process of time it was to become 
 a fruitful field. In 1717, it was granted to a body of 
 men, who were not only enterprizing and industrious, 
 but also religiously disposed. They considered pub- 
 iick worship and the publick institutions of religion to be 
 of the first importance, in their tendency to promote the 
 highest interests of society, and to prepare men indi- 
 vidually for the kingdom of heaven. About the year 
 1721, the first meeting-house in this place was built 
 by the proprietors. On the fourth of December, 1723, 
 the church was gathered under the inspection of an 
 
u 
 
 Ecclesiastical Council, which was convened for the 
 purpose of ordaining the first minister of the town, the 
 liev. Job Gushing, who was called and settled by the 
 proprietors ; and who was distinguished for his pru. 
 dence and e:cneral exemplary deportment. lie died, 
 .•suddenly, August G, 1760. 
 
 The land in the grant which composed Shrewsbury 
 was originally rough, and it had been greatly impover- 
 ished by frequent burnings by the proprietors of 
 neighbouring settlements. Much hard labour was 
 necessary to bring it into a state of cultivation, and the 
 progress of its settlement was consequently slow ; but, 
 from personal acquaintance with some of the first set- 
 tiers, and from correct information res|:)ecting others, 
 I am authorized to say, that they were remarkable for 
 their industry, frugality and temperance. It seems 
 that they attended unto and embraced the doctrine in- 
 culcated in the first sermon that was preached in the 
 plantation. It was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Breck, 
 of Marlborough, on the 15th of June, 1720, from the 
 following words, viz. — " Righteousness exalteth a na- 
 tion, but sin is a reproach to any people." It appears 
 that they adopted the resolution of Joshua, that, as for 
 themselves and their households, they would serve the 
 Lord. The church when formed consisted of sixteen 
 male members ; and about an equal number of female 
 menibers was soon after admitted into the church, 
 most of them the partners of those who were first em- 
 bodied. It appears from the church records, that 
 within four years from the time the church was gath- 
 ered, the heads of families, almost without exception, 
 became members of it. The church remained in per- 
 fect harmony and peace for eight years, when some 
 dispute arose respecting discipline, and particularly on 
 
15 
 
 the question, whether Riilin.^ Elders be a distinct office 
 appointed by apostolick authority ? This controversy 
 continued about ten years, when a small number with- 
 drew from the church ; but they afterward returned, 
 and remained regular members until the time of their 
 death. This was the only controversy, as far as I cant 
 learn, which has ever arisen in this church. After the 
 death of their first pastor, and before the ordination of 
 the second, the church renewed their Christian obli- 
 gations ; and at that time they added one article to 
 their covenant. This, after some years' e^^pericnce, 
 was found to be the ground of uneasiness to some 
 members, and an objection, in the minds of numbers, 
 against seeking admission into the church. The ar- 
 ticle was in consequence rescinded by an unanimous 
 vote. During the fifty years of my ministry, the 
 church has scarcely in any instance met, but for the 
 management of its prudential concerns ; aiid I have 
 scarcely known a vote passed which was not unani- 
 mous. 
 
 In December, 1742, the north part of Shrewsbury 
 was incorporated into a parish ; and in the next year, 
 fourteen male members of this church and sixteen fe- 
 male were dismissed and recommended by this church: 
 these, with some others, were formed into a church 
 state, on the 6th of October, 1743, when the first min- 
 ister was ordained over the church and people of liiat 
 parish. In March, 1786, this parish was incorporated 
 into a town, by the name of Boylston ; and in Sep- 
 tember, 1796, a second church was formed in that 
 town, by a number of members from the first church, 
 together with some members from the churches in 
 Holden and Sterling ; and this new society has b'mc.c 
 been, incorporated into a town, by the j-iame of '^'W-- r 
 
16 
 
 Boylston. Three houses for puollck w orship are now 
 standing on the original grant of Shrewsbury. 
 
 This ehurch, when it renewed its covenant in the 
 year 1761, consisted of twenty. eight male memloers ; 
 the number of female cannot be ascertained : but the 
 communicants were more numerous than the mem- 
 bers of the church. Many who moved into town did 
 not remove th-^ir relations from the churches which 
 they originally joined, and become acting members of 
 this body. 'I'his church, from the first, has manifest- 
 ed a candid spirit towards other denominations of 
 Christians. They have never refused communion to 
 Christian professors, whose lives and conversation, in 
 the judgment of charity, supported their profession. 
 Although emigration of ehurch members, as well as 
 of other inhabitants of the town, has been very con- 
 siderable, yet the church has been gradually increasing 
 in numbers. There have been ten officiating deacons 
 in this church, since its formation. The two who 
 Avere in oflice, when the second church was formed, 
 fell within the limits of that society. There is bur 
 one individual now living in town, who was a member 
 of this church at the time of my ordination ; this is a 
 iemale : and there are, I believe, but three persons 
 now alive who were then members. Two hundred 
 and sixty-seven have been admitted to full connnu- 
 nion during my ministry, and about one thousand one 
 hundred and twenty have been baptized. The births 
 within this period were between thirteen and fourteen 
 hundred. Tiie number of marriages I cannot precise- 
 ly ascertain. I have solemnized the marriage of four 
 hujidred and ten couple, the greater part of whom em- 
 jii^ratcd. The deatiis have been about six hundred 
 and fifty — between twelve and tiiirteen in a year. For 
 
17 
 
 some of the first years of my ministry, I cannot be 
 answerable for the correctness of my bill of mortality. 
 The average number of deaths in the year, since that 
 time, has been a little more than one to an hundred of 
 the inhabitants. According to the census in 1790, 
 the population of the town then was nine hundred and 
 sixty-three souls ; in 1800, one thousand and forty- 
 three ; and in 1810, one thousand two hundred and 
 ten. Thus hath God increased our numbers. Did 
 the inhabitants of the town attend publick worship as 
 universally at the present day as they did fifty years a- 
 go, this house would scarcely contain our assembly. 
 
 From the first settlement of the place, our people 
 have been laudably disposed to make suitable provis- 
 ion for the education of the rising generation. Not a 
 few have felt themselves able and willing to give some 
 of their children more than a common school educa- 
 tion ; by which they have been qualified to become 
 instructers in schools, and to serve their generation in 
 various other useful departments. Twenty of our 
 youth have received a collegiate education within the 
 last fifty years, and three at an earlier period, many of 
 whom became respectable ministers of the gospel ; and 
 others of them have been distinguished in important 
 offices of the government.* 
 
 * The Hon. Artemas Ward, Esq. was bom in Shrewsbury, November, 
 1727, and graduated at Harvard College, 1748. Soon after, he received the 
 commissiovi of a Justice of the Peace. He was a field-officer in tlie French 
 war, in 1758, and in 1762 was appointed a Judge of the Court of Common 
 Pleas for this county, and in 1775, was constituted Chief Justice of this, 
 court; and for a time he filled the office of Judge of Probate for the coun- 
 ty. For many years he was the Representative of this town in the Gene- 
 ral Court: he was chosen the Speaker of that honourable body, and he for 
 several years filled a seat at the Council Board. When hostilities between 
 Great-Britain and America were expected, the Provincial Congress of Mas- 
 sachusetts appointed him to coii.mand the forces of the Province ; and at 
 the commencement of the war, in 1775, he commanded, the American ar- 
 my, near Boston, from April to July, whea he was superseded in this ardu- 
 ous duty by Geueral AVashington, Under Congrtss he was appointed (he 
 
18 
 
 l\w towns liavc Ikcii favoured with more general 
 health than this fur tlie List luilf century. The greatest 
 number of deaths which has happened in any one year, 
 took place in 1770. The canker-rash or throat-dis- 
 temper then prevailed, and twenty-seven persons died 
 by it. Two families lost four in each. In 1775, the 
 dysentery was brought into this place from the camp, 
 and proved fatal to numbers ; others of our inhabitants 
 died of various disorders, and the whole number of 
 deaths in that year was nineteen. These two were the 
 years of our greatest mortality. A large proportion of 
 our people have attained to a good old age, and some 
 to a degree of longevity which, in modern times, is 
 rarely the lot of humanity. John Ke yes, Esq. died 
 March 3, 1768, at the age of ninety- four : he left a 
 uidow, who lived to be ninety-six years old, and they 
 lived together in the married state seventy-two years. 
 In 1790, one in fifty of our inhabitants had passed 
 eighty years of age. Of these, one died in her hun- 
 dred and fifth year,* and another lived to be an hun- 
 dred and five years and two months old.f They who 
 live the longest, find an appointed time beyond which 
 they cannot pass. One generation passeth away, and 
 another cometh. Every year makes changes in fami- 
 lies, in churches, and in towns. 
 
 It is computed, that in this country, which is con- 
 sidered one of the most healthy in the world, one half 
 of the human race die under twenty years of age. It 
 is supposed, that in 'twenty-seven years as many die 
 
 ytcoiul in coininnnd in Uie continental army, which tomnii>?ion he resigned 
 Mjon after the British trooi)« evacnatiil Boston. Under tlie old Conledera- 
 tion, he was cin-'eii a IVKiubtr of Coi'gress, and was repeatedly elected a 
 Mtmher of the llt)use i>r lli'|ireicntativ s in Concrs.'.-, «t'ter the ebtal)li?h- 
 inent of the K«deral Constitution, He continued in |)ubli«-k life until hodi- 
 ly iuCruiily obliged hiui to retire. He died October 21, IGOO. 
 
 * Widow Mabx Jo.vxi. t Widow Rutu Garfilld. 
 
19 
 
 as are living at any given period of time. The whole 
 population of the earth has been estimated, by some, at 
 one thousand million. From these principles we may 
 calculate, that about thirty-seven million persons die an- 
 nually on our globe — seven hundred and twelve thou- 
 sand every week — one hundred and one thousand sev- 
 en hundred and fifty daily — four thousand two hun- 
 dred and thirty-nine every hour — and about seventy 
 every minute. This number of human beings is com- 
 ing into and passing out of the world without inter- 
 mission. " What an astonishing current of souls is 
 rapidly borne on the tide of time, incessantly shooting 
 into the ocean of eternity, and appearing before God 
 in judgment!"* According to this calculation, the 
 earth changes its inhabitants twice in a little more than 
 half a century. When we compare our bill of mortal- 
 ity with the above estimation of the mortality of the 
 world, it will appear very small ; and we shall per- 
 ceive our obligations to bless and to praise God for 
 his goodness manifested towards us. 
 
 In this climate, healthy as it is, half a century makes 
 great changes in the inhabitants of our land. It has 
 changed all the ministers of the gospel in this extensive 
 county ; and very few remain in the Commonwealth who 
 were in the ministry at the time of my induction into of- 
 fice. Thirty years have swept away almost all the lead- 
 ing characters in the revolution. Rulers and ruled, min- 
 isters and those to whom they ministered, are gone 
 upon the current of time. If we look into families, we 
 find very few instances where both the heads continue 
 for fifty years. There are but two such families now in 
 this town, which were here when I was ordained ; and 
 there are very few instances where either of those, ^\'ho 
 were then heads of families, remain unto this dav. 
 
 *Rev. Dr. Trumbull.. 
 
20 
 
 APPLICATION. 
 
 The cursory review we have taken of the events of 
 the last half century, naturally leads us to serious re- 
 flections. This period of time has been important — 
 not because I, an unworthy minister of Jesus Christ, 
 have been continued among you ; but because it has 
 been filled up with important publick events, and 
 with concerns of great personal interest to you, indi- 
 vidually, or in your connexion with domestick life. 
 Almost every one of you can recollect, that within 
 this period, a parent, a partner or a child has died. 
 Not one of those years perhaps passed without events 
 highly important to some of us. Few of us, who 
 have not been called within these years, at different 
 times, to take the place of mourners, and to follov/ 
 divers of our friends to the silent mansion. Lovers 
 and friends have been taken from us, and put far into 
 darkness, Wc lamented their deaths. 'I'he worm- 
 wood and the gall, our souls have still in remembrance. 
 It is highly important that wc inquire what effect those 
 things have had upon us ; whether they have awaken- 
 ed in us a carefulness to prepare for our own great and 
 last change. 
 
 When we look forward fifty years, they appear very 
 long ; but when we look back fifty, they appear very 
 short. I cannot realize that so many years have rolled 
 away since the day, when, with fear and trembling, I 
 took the oversight of this flock, then solemnly commit- 
 ted to my charge. It had been my intention not to en- 
 ter into the ministry at so early a period ; but it ap- 
 peared to others, as well as to myself, to be the will of 
 Providence that I should. I could not doubt the sin- 
 rere aflTeclion of those who invited and solicited me to 
 
21 
 
 take the charge and oversight of them in the Lord. 
 I have reason gratefully to recognize their candour and 
 kindness to me during my more youthful years, and 
 even as long as they were continued with us. But they 
 are nu mbered with the congregation of the dead. Like 
 candour and kindness I have reason to acknowledge 
 in the present generation. I am sensible, that in such 
 a long course of ministrations, the manner and method 
 of a preacher usually become obsolete ; and, I trust, that 
 while any traces of reason remain with me, I shall not 
 forget the kind reception I have met with from the 
 body of this people. The unhappy habit, which some 
 of this society have formed, of neglecting the publick 
 institutions of religion, has been the greatest discour- 
 agement which I have experienced since my settle- 
 ment. This has caused me to entertain serious thoughts 
 of discontinuing my pastoral relation to this church and 
 people, in the hope that a new preacher would engage 
 the attention of those who habitually absent themselves 
 from publick worship, and bring them off from their 
 dangerous neglect. But this, when I have mentioned 
 the thought, has been universally condemned by those 
 in whose wisdom and friendship I have been accus- 
 tomed to confide. But my course is almost finished : 
 according to the order of nature, my work is almost 
 done. I have been with your predecessors, and with 
 most of you, in seasons of trial and affliction. I have 
 endeavoured to minister unto you according to my fee- 
 ble ability, in private as well as in publick, agreeably 
 to the revealed will of God. This I have tak^n for my 
 guide, without enlisting myself under any dividing hu- 
 man name. It has been my endeavour to preach Christ 
 and Him crucified, and to inculcate the important du- 
 ties of the Christian character. With what success and 
 
22 
 
 profit I have ministered, will more fully appear on an- 
 other day ; and, where no advantage has been derived 
 from the means of grace in this place, it will then also 
 appear who was the blamcable cause. All I have to 
 say is, that, as far as I know myself, I have endeavour- 
 ed to fulfil the ministry which I have received of the 
 Lord Jesus ; and Providence has favoured me with 
 such general health, that I have rarely failed in stand- 
 ing in my lot in publick, or of obeying more private 
 calls to ministerial duty. If life, health and any tolera- 
 ble degree of mental strength should be continued un- 
 to me a little longer, I shall be willing to spend these 
 in your service. But I find the infirmities of age in- 
 creasing upon me, especially mental infirmities : these 
 may perhaps increase so fast, that I may not be sensi- 
 ble of my own decays : in that case, you will kindly 
 prevent my attempting to minister unto you. 
 
 According to the course of nature, you must ere 
 long be destitute of a minister ; you will not therefore 
 think it assuming, if I give you a word of advice re- 
 specting the re-settlement of a Christian pastor. You 
 will not, I presume, be willing to live without the pub- 
 lick ministrations of the gospel. As you have a fund 
 for the support of a Congregational minister, which can- 
 not be alienated to any secular purpose, nor converted 
 to the support of a minister of any other denomination 
 of Christians, there can, I trust, be no doubt that on 
 my decease, the pastoral office in this church will soon 
 be re- filled. Still I feel anxiety lest divisions should 
 arise among you. There are at this day dividing 
 names, among which many preachers enlist : I there- 
 fore take the liberty to recommend the following tilings 
 unto you. Let your waiting eyes be unto God, not 
 only in secret and in private, but also in publick, witli 
 
' 23 
 
 humiliation and fasting. Take advice, especially ot* 
 the neighbouring ministers, who, it may well be suppo- 
 sed, have more acquaintance with candidates than you 
 can possess — then hear and judge for yourselves. Be- 
 ware of such preachers as place the essence of relig- 
 ion in external modes and forms, in dividing names, 
 or in speculative matters, in themselves doubtful, and 
 which would be useless if their truth could be made 
 certain. They, who enrol themselves as the disci- 
 ples of this or that distinguished man in the Christian 
 world, feel that they are pledged to support his peculiar 
 system ; and they call into exercise all their metaphysic- 
 al powers, to persuade the less informed that they sec 
 further into hidden things than their fellow-men. 
 
 There is, I conceive, more danger of deception from 
 these metaphysicians than from those who make the 
 essence of religion to consist in external rites, or in a 
 mode of administering them ; because the latter at 
 first view, appear so absurd, and savour so much of a 
 Pharisaical spirit, that none but the most uninformed 
 can be deluded by them. The Congregational socie- 
 ty in this town, in their fund, possess the best barrier 
 against sectarianism and fanaticism. Professions are 
 cheap things, and many are willing to offer that which 
 costs them nothing. I urge upon you diligently to 
 search the scriptures, and to try every man's doctrine 
 by this standard. Place not your dependence upon the 
 creeds and confessions of men, nor upon any human 
 composition. If any man preach any other gospel 
 than that which you find in the scriptures, believe him 
 not. If the scriptures be not a sufficient rule of faith 
 and practice, we cannot expect to find this rule among 
 human forms. It will be a misapplication of the a- 
 vails of your funds, to apply them for such speculative 
 
24, 
 
 prcachlnj^, as tends neither to enlighten the mind nor 
 to regulate tl\e practice. But, as none but professed 
 Congregationalists will have a right to a voice in the 
 choice of a minister here, I trust you will harmonize 
 upon this important subject. Having witnessed in 
 many places the unhappy consequences which result 
 from pushing the settlement of a minister, in opposi- 
 tion to a respectable minority, I cannot but caution 
 you against this errour. The spirit of party is hereby 
 ixcitcd, and an alienation of brediren ensues, which 
 requires a long time to remedy. In case of great divis- 
 ion, permit the individual who is the object of it, qui- 
 etly to depart, and invite a new candidate, looking to 
 God to unite you in his o-.vn time and way. Be not 
 too hasty in forming an opinion of your candidate, but 
 take time to satisfy yourselves respecting his doctrine, 
 his morals, and his prudence. Some appear better up- 
 on a slight acquaintance than they do when fully 
 known. ' It is the complaint of some societies, that 
 their ministers preach a different doctrine after their 
 ordination from that which they preached while can- 
 didates. You will therefore consider the importance 
 of as full an investigation as in your power of the in- 
 tegrity, the knowledge, in a word, of the various qual- 
 ifications for a minister, possessed by your candidate, 
 before you proceed to setUe him. 
 
 The review of the last half century naturally leads us 
 to inquire, what probably will be our situation before 
 the next fifty years shall complete their revolutions. 
 What intervening changes may take place with us, or 
 any of ours, we cannot tell : what sufferings arc allot- 
 ted us— what conflicts we may be called to sustain, 
 God only knows ; but this one thing we know, the 
 greater part of us, who are now in the house of God, 
 
25 
 
 will be in an eternity of happiness or misery before the 
 expiration of half a century. It concerns us all to re- 
 flect, for which of these states we are prepared — wheth- 
 er we are vessels of mercy preparing for glory, or ves- 
 sels of wrath fitting for destruction. 
 
 What changes those of this audience will witness, 
 who shall live fifty years from this time, is beyond hu- 
 man foresight. Whether the Federal union of these 
 States will last half this time, is, from present appear- 
 ances, very doubtful. But, according to the best re- 
 ceived interpretation of ancient prophecies, the millen- 
 nial state of the church will commence about that 
 time.* We may rejoice in the anticipation of such a 
 glorious event : but the eternal state of most of us will 
 be fixed before the arrival of this period. It concerns 
 us, one and all, to prepare ourselves for whatever may 
 take place in the Divine government, while we shall 
 be upon the-stage of life. More especially it concerns 
 us to prepare for our dissolution by death, from which 
 no age is exempt. We who are old may be assured 
 that our time on earth is short — that we must soon go 
 the way whence none return — that the places which 
 now know us on earth will know us no more. The 
 greatest kindness we can extend to posterity, the great- 
 est good we can do to those who may succeed us in 
 our respective places, is, by a life of godliness and so- 
 briety, to give our dying testimony for God and for re- 
 ligion. As we wish that posterity may enjoy the fruits 
 of our labour, and reap the fields we have cultivated, 
 let us teach them, by precept and example, to fear 
 
 * The Pope was formally invested with the authority of Universal Bishou 
 by the Emperor Phocas, A.D. 606. Adding to thi.s period, the r2G0 days 
 nientjoned by Daniel, or, as is intended by prophtjtick davs, l^GO rears 
 ^re are brought to the vcar 1866. 5ce Fahn. ' " ' 
 
26 
 
 God, to regard his word, his day, his house, his 7Uor- 
 ^g/iip, his injunctions o^ Justice, benevolence and charity. 
 Finally— let it be the care of all to act their parts 
 well on the stage of life, and to approve themselves 
 faithful unto the death. May God of his mercy grant, 
 that in the day of judgment we may meet together at 
 the right hand of Jesus, and may be admitted into the 
 kingdom of glory, Amen. 
 
 THE venerable Author of the above Sermon still lives. Tor 
 
 his age, he possesses an unusual degree of bodily and mental 
 
 strength ; and, until the present time, (the lifty-eighth year of 
 
 his ministry, and the eightieth of his life) he has been enabled, 
 
 with little assistance, to perform all the duties of his office. 
 
 Editor. 
 Worcester, July, 1819.