1 -'- ijli && *£ rc ft*; iftSBiH m.r\NM 5 ^ am V ii^ A AA 1 > m *A *W -A ./UMblflfW wrafl mmm i LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, BKT M$$ti^ ftfiil^^i' * * * Aaa iliiii A.-. A ^(WaN AWwW V MA' ^J mw A A A 7v www '•''vaiWiip, . • ^Orf¥ t%.A Do£ior Dana's TWO OCCASIONAL DISCOURSES. BOS DISCOURSE I. THE COMMENCEMENT OF A NEW YEAR, ECCLESIASTES, I. 4. One generation passetb away, and another generation cometh : But the earth abideth for ever. REFLECTING on the vanity of fublunary things, and of human courfes in the purfuit of them, Solomon obferves, One generation passetb away, and another generation cometh. The human race pafs off and come on the ftage in quick fuccefiion. Thus it has been ever fince man was placed upon the earth. Thus it will be, till the angel fhall folemnly pronounce, Time shall be iio longer. When we have taken a fhort view of the vanity of the men and things of the world, and of human courfes and hopes with regard to them, we fhall proceed to dif- courfe of the faithfulnefs of God, as a fure fupport and confolation. The earth abideth forever. 1. — Upon the firft of thefe the wife man obferves, u Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labor which he hath taken under the fun ? One generation pafleth away, and another generation cometb. All things are full of labor ; man cannot utter it. The eye is not fatisfied with feeing, nor the ear with hearing." Such has been the complaint in former times. The world continues much the fame— mutable, unsatisfying. We mull look beyond it for durable and fatisfying happinefs. Thofe who are the moft Solicitous for the acquifxtion and continuance of earthly objecls, and who enjoy the moft, have the fulleft proof of their vanity and the folly of ardent hopes from them. Various illuftrations of the Subject are given us. Particularly, First, in the ftudy of wisdom, " I gave my heart to feek and fearch out by wifdom concerning all things that are done under heaven— and behold, all is vanity and vexation of Spirit. In much wifdom is much grief; and he who increafes knowledge,increafes Sorrow. Though a wife man labor to know the works of God, yet fhall he, not be able. Laborious as his researches are, the refult is a conviction of human ignorance, " And how dieth the wife as the fool ?" There is not lefs vanity in the purfuit of pleasures* " I faid in mine heart, go to now, I will prove thee with mirth ; therefore enjoy pleafure. And behold, this alfo is vanity, I builded me houfes ; I planted me vineyards ; I made me gardens and orchards, and planted trees in them of all kinds of fruits ; I made me pools of water ; I gat me Servants and maidens — men fingers and women fingers, and the delights of the fons of men, as mufical inftruments of all forts. Whatfoever mine eyes deftred, I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy." Having all the means of enjoyment, difpofed as he was to enjoy them, he mull have been fatisfied, if ex- ternal things could have fatisfied. Yet we find him pro- nouncing all to be " vanity and vexation of fpirit. There is no profit under the fun." Again, there is a vanity in unremitting labor, the fruit of which cannot be long enjoyed, and muft be left to we know not whom, " For who knoweth whether he fhall be a wife man or a fool ? Yet fhall he have rule over all my labor wherein I have labored, and wherein I have fhewed myfelf wife under the fun. This alfo is vanity." Thofe who inherit great pofleflions, for which they never labored, generally abufe them. How confpi- cuous then the folly of fuch as think, that their houfes fhall continue, and their dwelling places to all genera- tions ; and call their lands after their own names ? There is no good in worldly poffeffions, but thankfully and cheerfully to ufe them, and be rich in good works ; truft- ing in him who giveth us all things richly to enjoy. Further, the help of man is vain. Inefficient for his own wants, how has he enough for himfelf and us I Apt to misjudge with refpecl: to his own good, he may misjudge as to ours. Or his views and difpofition may change. At beft, he can do but little for us ; nor that long. An alteration of circumftances may render him unable any longer to do us the good he once did. Or the Sovereign of life may change bis countenance, and take him away. In that very day his thoughts perish. There- fore put not your truft in any fon of man, however wife, great or good. " The godly man ceafeth, and the faith- ful fail from among the children of men." The friend who is nearer than a brother is taken away. Thofe on whom our earthly hopes are chiefly placed, may be re- moved at an hour of which we are not aware. Joya » 8— which fiourifh to-day, may wither to-morrow. Some- times, by a reverfe of nature's law, thofe who were coming forward on the ftage, are removed ; and thofe continue upon it, who fhould voluntarily retire. Retire- ment becomes thofe whofe powers no longer fuffice for acting an ufeful and honorable part. The protraction of life beyond the period of enjoying and doing good is rath- er to be fubmitted to than defired. But we obferve that ufeful characters are often removed before their powers are impaired ; yea, in the midft of their ufefulnefs ; or foon after their entrance on the ftage. The hopes enter- tained from them are deftroyed* Thus the men and things of the world, " make our expectations vain, and difappoint our truft." — Yet, Secondly, 7be earth abidetb forever. We are to underftand this claufe of the verfe as the contraft to the former — a declaration of the faithfulnefs and unchangeablenefs of God. By his appointment, one generation after another pafleth away; arid one after another rifeth up, to fill the place of thofe who are gone, none of whom return. A new race fucceeds. " Thou turned man to deftruction, and fayeft, Return, ye chil- dren of men. Behold, thou haft made my days as an hand breadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee. A thoufand years are in thy light as one day, and one day as a thoufand years." Thus reflecting on human frailty and vanity, the pfalmift derived confolation from his belief of the eternity and covenant love of God. il Lord what wait I for ? my hope is in thee. Thou haft been our dwelling place in all generations. The earth and heavens wax old and perifh j but thou {halt endure.'* Hopes from creatures are vain. But the everlafting God, the creator and confidence of all the ends of the earth, fainteth not, nor is weary. Amidft the changes o- the world, he hath not forfaken the earth. " One generation {hall praife thy works to another, and iliall declare thy mighty acts. The father to the children fliaU make known thy truth. Forever, O Lord, thy word is fettled in heaven. Thy faithful nefs is unto all generations: Thou haft eftublifhed the earth, and it ablcleth." God will always have a seed to serve bim. However threatening their own circumftances ; however forrowful, deftitute or diftreffed,- whatever the public gloom — whatever occafion to mourn for Zion; the faith- ful know that God changeth not. Therefore they are not confumed. They put their truft under the fhadow of the Almighty. They dwell in the fecret place of the most high. They {hall not be moved, but abide for ever. A covenant God will guide and guard, help and comfort them, and embolden them in his caufe. He hath raifed up godly and faithful men, in all paft ages, and ftrengthened them to defend, and fpread, and tranfrnit his truth and worfhip : He always will raife up, furnifh, and be with fuch characters ; fo that, amidft the corrup- tion of the world, they (hall labor, and not faint. The antediluvians, fcorning all the remonftrances of Noah, he prepared an ark to the faving of his houfe, the prefervation of the human race, and of faith and pi- ety upon earth. The fafety of the ark in the deluge is an emblem of the ftate in which the church of God has often been. God is in the midft of her, and {hall help her right early. The burning bulh, which was not con- B —10— fumed, was alfo an emblem of the wonderful preserva- tion of the church. When, in a few generations from the flood, the world was overfpread with fuperflition, God called Abra- ham from the midft of idolaters, and fet up true religion in his family. A branch of this family was afterwards feledled to uphold the worfhip of one orly living and true God. He reproved kings for their fakes, faying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no barm. He fent Jofeph before them, who became the proteaor of his family and nation. After his deceafe arofe a new king who opprefled that people. But divine providence raifed them up Mofes and Aaron, by whofe.handhe led them as a flock, having delivered them by a mighty arm, JoQiua fucceeded Mofes ; and Eleaaer was clad with Aaron's garments for glory and beauty. God was with the judges. Samuel, the laft of them, was defervedly lamented by all Ifrael at his death. The Lord was with David, Solomon and Hezekiah. The fpirit of Elijah Tefted on Elifha. Ifaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah and others, were fignal inftruments in upholding the purity of God's worfhip, witnefles for him amidft the degeneracy of their people. Amidft all the declenfions and apoftacy of the chofen people, God al- ways had a greater number of friends than the faithful themfelves imagined. In a time of general apoftacy, the fears which Elijah expreffed are not unnatural. " Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they feek my life." The anfwer of God was, " I have referved to myfelf feven thoufand men, who hare not bowed the knee t© the image of Baal." The jewifh church was as a city on a hill. With the prefervation of their fcriptures, the means of falva- tion were preferved. Men of other nations, obferving the fpecial providence over the Jews, might be led to know and worftiip the true God. After the tranflation of the fcriptures into a language common to many other nations, the words of eternal life might be extenftvely known from that tranflation. There was among the eaftern nations a general expectation of fome great character to arife in Judea. This brought the wife men from the eaft to Jerufalern at the time of our Saviour's nativity. The chriftian church confifled firft of believing Jews. To them were added believing Gentiles ; both making one church. The many violent perfecutions of this church in its infancy muft, humanly fpeaking, have extinguiihed the chriftian profeffion : But its founder declared, that " the gates of hell fhould not prevail. Lo, I am with you alway, even to the end of the world." Events from that time to this have proved his power and faith- fulnefs. He made provision for the continuance of his religion, by a fucceffion in the chriftian miniftry, the ob- fervation of the Lord's dav, and the two facraments. It was left to the care of friends, to continue and propa- gate it by ordinary means, after having been onae miracu- loufly proved and eftablifhed. The chriftian church, through the middle ages, was overfpread with grofs darknefs and fuperftition. But the facred writings were preferved entire. From thefe fountains many minds might be favingly illuminated, not- withftanding the great apoftacy of the members and prin- cipal officers of the curch. The faithful, flying into the -—12 — wilderness from the fury of the Dragon^ bad a place pre- pared of God. With his lively oracles, as a light in a dark place^ they held the mystery of faith in a pure conscience. — Not indeed without a mixture of er- ror. This can be laid of no church, of no individual, in the mod enlightened age. But pure Chriftianity, though not loft in thefe dark ages, was much encumbered and {haded. From the dawn of the reformation, many burn- ing and fhining lights have rifen at different times, in different parts of Chriftendom. Though it was but for a feafon that the light of their perfonal miniftry could be enjoyed ; yet they continue to inftruct mankind, by their unanfwerable defence of the gofpel againft the bold at- tacks of the infidel ; and by the rational view they have given of it, in opposition to bigotry, fuperftition and fa- naticifm. Well informed proteilants are at length gene- rally agreed in allowing to all the right of private judg- ment, which is the bans of the reformation, and the on- ly principle upon which Chriftianity can be defended. In fome ages and countries the fupporters of pure religion have been more numerous and confpicuous than in others. Few or unobferved comparatively as they may have been in any age, they have been many more than thofe imagine, who confine religion to fuch as be- lieve and worfhip with them. In every nation and com- munion there may be fuch as are accepted with God. Kow many real Chriftians may there be in different com- munions, who, though not generally known to the world, have power with God£ There is, probably, m oft reli- gion in the private walks of life. The generation that is paffing away exclaim, that there is a deluge of vice unknown to former times. . The generation that is riling up, deny it, and give the preference to the prefent times. In this comparative view, we do not enquire wisely* The fcenery of the world fhifts, while the ftate of na- ture, the courfe of affairs, and characters of men may be much the fame. u The Father hath kept the times and feafons in his own power." From the fcriptures we learn, that " the knowledge of the Lord fhall fill the earth." When this glorious date of the church fhall open, a voice fhall be heard under the whole heaven, proclaiming, M Alle- luia j for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." While we daily pray, " Thy kingdon come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven ;" it behoves us to do what in us lies to extend and tranfmit a favor of religion. The earth abidetb* and will abide, till the time ap- pointed for the diffolution of the heavens, earth and ele- ments. This diffolution is referved to the day of judg- ment. The friends of the church die ; but others fuc- ceed to uphold and adorn it. It is founded on a rock. It can always boaft of fuch characters as its founder des- cribed ; " Thou haft not denied my name ; but haft held faft my faith. I alfo will keep thee in the hour of temptation; and they of the fynagogue of Satan fhall know that I have loved thee." Perfecution tries the friends of truth. In times of temptation they may leave their firft love. But they remember from whence they are fallen. " Though ye have lain among the pots, yet —14— fliall ye be as the wings of a dove coveredwithfilver, and her feathers with yellow gold." u The wife, and the righteous, and their works are in the hand of God." They are frequently removed at a feafon when their counfel, endeavors, example and prayers appear to be moil needed. But he in whofe hand they are, raifeth up others of a like fpirit, to make up the hedge, and ftand in the gap. The pillars of the earth are the Lord's. He can never want means or inftruments to fulfil the defigns of his immutable love. " The thoughts of his heart are to all generations. Blefied is the man who trufteth in the Lord, and whofe hope the Lord is." There may not be the molt true religion where there is moll talk about it. It is not the oflentation and confi- dence of a Pharifee. Nor is it the zeal of a perfecutor, fighting againft God, while thinking to do him fervice. Nor is it the warmth of a fanatic, pretending to private revelations, fubverfive of the oracles of God confirmed by miracles. Nor is it fuperftition. For if it be a good reafon for our worfhip, that we derived it from our an- ceftors, they certainly erred in renouncing pagan idola- try for the worfhip of the true God ; and afterwards in abjuring popery. It is, indeed, no juft objection to a re- ligious perfuafion, that our anceftors embraced it. But religion requires, that we prove all things, and be able to give a reason why we worfhip as we do. It con- fifts not in warmth without light, zeal without know- ledge ; or in any externals. It is to have Chrifl formed in the foul, to be fettled in the faith of him. It is love to God and men. The more there is of true humility, Unfeigned faith and chriflian charity in the world, the more is there of vital religion. The fearcher of hearts only knoweth how many fuch characters there are. The world may take but little obfervation of num- bers who are among the excellent of the earth, and of whom the world is not worthy. When the Sovereign of life removeth rulers, endowed with wisdom and knowledge, and therefore the stability of the times — When he removeth teachers from the church, who exemplified the character, Tears the light of the worlds the salt of the earth — Or when he removeth others, who were eminently and extent! vely ufeful to mankind, there is reafonfor the like lamentation as that of Eliiha for Elijah, ** My father, my father, the chariot of Ifrael, and the horfe- men thereof!" God is to be acknowledged in the time of their coming on the ftage, the part they acted, the abilities and fidelity with which they acted it, their op- portunities, and the time and circumftances of their go- ing ofF the ftage. With him is the residue of the spirit. Becaufe he abideth faithful, therefore as one generation pafleth away, another (hall fucceed. He will set others over his congregation, to go out before them, and to come in before them* Apply thefe reflections to the removal of any earth- ly friend, much valued and much depended on. He who gave and hath removed this friend, can raife up another, Or he will, in other ways, unforefeen and unthought of, fuftain you, while you truft in him. " He raifethup the — 16— poor out of the duft. Albeit that the Lord be high, yet hath he refpecl to the lowly. A father of the fatherlefs and a judge of the widow, is God in his holy habitation*" What has been difcourfed teaches us a proper temper and behavior amidft the viciflitudes of the world. Recollect paft providences, the hiftory of the church and world : It fupports the good man, however gloomy his own ftate, or that of his connexions, or peo- ple, or the church of Chrift. Clouds and darknefs fur* round the throne of God : But he changeth not. He feeth the end from the beginning. Vice and confufion triumph for a while. Righteoufnefs alone {hall be finally and eternally exalted. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth to the meek and humble. Their hope is fet on no perifhable good ; but on an eternal weight of glory. They therefore can pray and praife, though in prifon and chains. They blefs God alike when he taketh away as when he giveth. The world and things of it pafs away ; but they who do the will of God abide for ever. They mourn for Zion, when fhe is covered with a cloud. They ceafe not to pray, that her " righteouf- nefs may go forth as brightnefs, and her falvation as a lamp that burneth." They rejoice that Zion's God fhall reign to all generations. Shall Zion fay, " The Lord hath forfaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me ? Can a woman forget her fucking child, that fhe fliOuld not have companion on the fon of her womb ? Yea, they may forget j yet will I not forget thee : Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands ; thy walls are continually before me." Scoffers, walking after their own lusts, fay, All things proceed in an uniform courfe. There neither has been,' nor will be, any divine interpofition to reward vir- tue, and punifh vice. From the beginning of the world^ one generation has fucceeded another. Where is the God of judgment ! — Stop, bold blafphemer. Wilt thou fet him a time ? His goodnefs and forbearance lead to repentance. The church lives, notwithstanding the feoffs and rage of its foes. She had been long fince crufhed, and her name forgotten, had {he been founded in delufion or impofture. Her ftrong Redeemer liveth : And his love is as fure as his might. The flames of perfeeution, have not confirmed but purified her, as the furnace does gold, to which the precious fons of Zion are compared. Her children pafs away one after another ; but others arife, and withftand winds and floods. For " the Lord on high is mightier than the mighty waves of the fea." Shall the fcofFer ftill open his mouth wide ? Whom doth he reproach and blafpheme ? Againft whom doth he exalt his voice, and lift up his eyes on high? even againft the holy one of Ifrael, the Lord God omnipotent* 44 Who may ftand in his fight, when once he is angry?" -Will you confpire againft the Lord's anointed, faying, 41 Let us break their bands afunder, and caft away their cords from us ?" Can you reverfe the decree, " I have fet my King upon my holy hill of Zion ? Thou art my fon — I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermoft parts of the earth for a porTen^on?" How vain have been the counfels taken againft him in ages paft ! how impotent the combined rage " of powers on earth, and powers below" ? Can thofe revilers, who at this time talk of the age of reason, and the temple of — .18— reason, eflfecT:, by their blafphemy, what earth and hell have for fo many ages attempted in vain ? Sooner or la- ter they will verify that fcripture ; "There were they iii great fear ; For the Lord is in the generation of the righteous, Becaufe he is in the generation of the righ- teous, he will put the foes of Zion in fear. This truth has been many a time terribly exemplified in a day of ca- lamity with them j and efpecially in their laft moments. Our Fubject teaches us to reflect often on the pro- grefs of time. How many generations have pafTed away already ? Multitudes, in all periods of the world, have died by the fvvord — pnoft of thefe in full hVength and youth. Multitudes have died by famine occafioned by war — Mul- titudes by peftilence. Three generations pafs away in one century. Fifty four have therefore pafled away fmce the birth of Chrift. Abraham was born twenty centuries from the cre- ation of Adam and Eve, and as many before Chrift. After the deluge, human life appears to have been gra- dually contracted till the time of Mofes, when it was probably fixed at nearly the prefent ftandard. The lon- gevity of the antediluvians, and fome of the patriarchs after the flood, made the generations of thofe periods ve- ry different from what they have been for more than three thoufand years ; in which fpace about an hundred genera- tions, filch as now people the earth, have pafled away. Where (hall we of the prefent generation foonbe ? Buried in darknefs and forgotten. " Man lieth down, rifeth not till the heavens be no more," None of former generations return to us. We fill the place of our fathers. We muft loon leave our place empty for our children. They will leave theirs to the next gene- ration. Thus it will be till the fecond coming of Chrift. When former ages pafs in review before us, they appear ftiort. How fliort the term of one generation ? The paft years of our own life appear fhort. Shall we then contemplate the remaining part of life as long ? Future generations will run over the hiftory of our age with like rapidity and indifference as we do that which preceded us. My aged hearers will reflect with me, that very foon the grave, which waits for us, will be our houfe* The worm {hall feed fweetly on us, as it now does on for- mer generations, on multitudes who began life with us and after us — on multitudes in youth and childhood, whom we knew. Yea, what numbers of our own children have been long dead ? What changes have we witneffed and experienced ? How many friendfliips I How many of the tendereft relations has death diffolved ? Over fome of them we, perhaps, lamented, " Would God I had di- ed with thee 1 Or would God I had died for thee" I Recollecting our paft connexions in friendlhip, affinity and blood, and obferving how few are left, we appear to ftand alone. Thofe alfo whom we highly efteemed and honored in the deareft of all bonds, religion, now deep in Jefus. They have left a favor of real chriftianity be- hind them. Have we not a defire to be with them ? to enjoy them forever l What remains, but that we gird up our loins, prepared to go to the generation of our fa- thers ? — That when we go hence, we may he called up •ao- higher — to a place among those who stand by. The ref- olution of an aged faint is moft worthy to be emulated. " I will hope continually, and will yet praife thee more and more. I will go in the ftrength of the Lord God : I will make mention of thy righteoufnefs, even of thine only — I will (hew thy ftrength unto this generation, and thy power unto every one that is to come.*' Some are on the ftage a little longer than others \ None are long upon it. We, whofe time to quit it is nigh in the courfe of nature, have not been upon it long. If fpared a little longer, it will become us feafonably and decently to retire from the public eye, as much as may- be ; rather than wHh to be employed in bufy fcenes at a period which calls for reft. Let us give all diligence that our work may be well done — that the doling act may be well performed. Have we filled up our place in the world ? Are we ready for a better world than this ? My aged brethren, fuch reflections become our years* May thofe in younger life be ambitious to fill up the place of their fathers. Yea, my young brethren, fill up what has been wanting in them. This is, perhaps, as eventful a period as the world ever faw. It is impoihble to forefee what may be hafteningon the earth. The revo r lution in America has been fucceeded by a great making in the nations of Europe, and the iilands of the fea. If, while the ftrength of fo many kingdoms is deftroyed, the United States may efcape, they will have much caufe of thankfulnefs. You, who are now coming forward on the ftage, may (if diicord prevent not) fee your country ftrong in the means of defence, andfafe from foreign a g- •21- greffions. Be pcrfuaded to ferve it in the ftation divine providence may afiign you. He that walketh with wife men fliall be wife : But a companion of fcorners fliall be 'deft roved. Seek fir ft the kingdom of God. This is to be wife for eternity. All who are here prefent, of whatever age or or- der, voung and old, high and low, rich and poor, fhould call to mind the falvations of God — our health — the pre- fervation of our families and fubftance — the protection of our friends abroad — the divine imiles on our vocations and employments — the continuance of our privileges civil and religious. Every good gift is from above. Let hs return and glorify the Giver, by our thankful enjoy- ment and ufe of all we have. How precious are thy thoughts unto us, O God I how great the fum of them ! In love to our fouls thou haft preferred us in life, and under the means and influence of grace. " The grave cannot praife thee, death cannot celebrate thee. The living, the living, he fhall praife thee. The father to the children ihall make known thy truth." We have not rendered the homage and obedience which thy infinite perfections and mercies claim. In many things we all ofFend. In all things we come ill ort of thy glory. Thou haft not dealt with us after our fins. Thougiveftus a further fpace to acquaint ourfelves with thee. May the time paft fufrice, in which we have wafted or neglected our talents. Admonitions of the inftability of life are various and frequent. We may fee the end of all earthly per- fection. It is the trueft wifdom to keep in a prepared — 11 — ; poflurc for the viciflitudes of this probationary ftate, and the end of all things. It could not profit, might the whole world be purchafed at the expence or' the foul. The foul can neither be faved nor loft without our con- fent. Will a fingle perfon in this houfe acknowledge that he confents his foul fhould be loft ? There is not one. No ; it is the univerfal prayer, Let me die the death of the righteous. But the wifhes and interceflion of the impenitent, as they fee death approaching, cannot make their laft end like that of the righteous. No foul, who neglects the great falvation, can efcape the damnation of hell. To day^ if ye will bear his voice , harden not your hearts. My brethren, look diligently lest any man fail ■ e f *b e grace of God. Exhort one another daily ^ lest any , me harden through the deceitfulness of sin* esse DISCOURSE II. ON THE COMPLETION OF THE EIGH- TEENTH CENTURY. ECCLESIASTES, I. 4. One generation passetb away, and another generation cometb : But the earth abide th for ever. We have taken a concife view of the viciflltudes of the world, and vanity of human purfuits. We have dif- couribd on the faithfulnefs of God as a foundation of truft, while terreftrial expectations are vain. As a further exemplification of the general fubjec"l, the commencement of a new century leads to a rehearf- al of fome diftinguifhed events of the laft. With this re- hearfal a few feafonable reflections will be interfperfed, and others fubjoined as the eonclufxon of the dicourfe. Introductory to my defign, it may not be air.ifs to remark, that the progrefs of fcience favored the caufe of the reformation, which commenced under Luther 15 17. Later improvements have been as the fliining light, which fhineth more and more. Whatever modifi- cations the Romifti faith has undergone in modern times ; however the cruelty, impiety and profligacy of Rome may have faded, from well known caufes t her religion is — i4— fubftantially the fame as in the darkeft ages. The te* formers, warned of God, renounced her communion, at a time when the pontiff was in all his glory. The pow- ers who agreed to lay their honor and wealth at his feet, have agreed to hate him, and ftrip him of his dominions. The nation, whofe monarch firft recognized him as a temporal prince, and placed the triple crown upon his head, with the ceffton of three kingdoms, is now th* moil forward inftrument in his defolation. He has been inverted in Rome itfelf, fent into banifhment, and the city delivered to fpoil. Had the principles of the reformation and of liber- ty been underftood, either in the old or new world, through the greater part of the 17 th century, its hiflory would not have been ftained with persecution for the ex- ercife of the unalienable right of private judgment ; or with judiciary trials and decifions in violation of the principles of evidence. Our anceftors, perfecuted in their native country, fought a path through the fea, to a land that was not fown, that they might freely worihip God according to their own confcience. The fpirit of popery was retained for a confiderable time after its other errors were abjured. As good men may not know what spirit they are of, we do not pretend but our anceftors retained a portion of the error and bigotry, which, at that day, adhered to all proteftant communions. Any inftances of exterminating zeal in them,, which were not according to knowledge, were no other than dishonored the Englifti church, which has been confidered as the bulwark of the reformation. It was a very eventful period in England from 1646 to 1688. Behold in that period the viciffitude of hu- man affairs. For eight years the parliament fat without intermiffion ; at the end of which the king was tried and executed. To this fucceeded the interregnum of Crom- well. The restoration took place 1660. The metropo- lis was vifited with the plague 1665, and burnt 1666. The abdication of James II. the revolution, the fettle- tlement of the protestant succession to the crown, were in 1688. Worthy of fpecial remark is the act of uni- formity in the reign of Charles II. whofe court exceed- ed every other for luxury, diffipation and contempt of all ferioufnefs, whofe perfonal vices were an open de- fiance to piety and good, morals. .A prince and court of fuch description could have no concern for the form, much lefs for the power, of godlinefs But the political purpofe was to exfcind the puritans. In the reign of his brother and fucceffor we obferve the toleration act. It was oftenfibly a contraft to the other. The real view was to introduce and eflablifh popery. The bigotted papiit was much fuch a friend to toleration, as his luxurious, effem- inate predeceffor was to uniformity and purity of worfliip. Oliver Cromwell " reigned with equal conduct, « c moderation and fuccefs — The public treafure, of which « he had the difpofal, was managed with frugality and W care — Every nation, with whom the Englim had arty w connection, now courted their Protector's alliance M Very active, vigilant and refolute, he difcovered ever* " infurrection among the people, and every confpirac D 84 againft his perfon, before they took effect — Ae was M more an enthufiaft than an hypocrite." Character of Charles II. " His pleaiures, his flatterers, his concu- " bines, fcenes of mirth, riot and feftivity, engrofled all u his attention, and exhaufted his finances*." The revolution of 1688 was an event very propi- tious to New England. In that year and the next pre- ceding, her characters and powers of government were forcibly taken away. Opportunity was not given to make defence in England. Every fpecies of exaction Was fuffered under Andros and Randolph. It was deter- mined to place all New-England, with New- York and Ntw-Jerfey, under one royal governor. The abdi- cation of James II. and accelhon of the Prince of Orange extricated this country from the depths of deprerhon. Various acts of parliament fettled the proteflant fuccef- fion to the crown of England, Few events in Englifh hillory are of equal importance to the caufe of liberty and diffusion of knowledge. Within the 18th. century great changes have taken place. At the opening of it, two monarchs in the north of Europe drew the attention of that quarter of the globe.. With a daring genius and predominant paffion for con- quer!:, one of them aftonifhed and terrified the European world, by the boldnefs of hisplans, the rapidity of his vic- tories, and extenfion of his arms. Commencing his ca- reer at the age of eighteen, he puflied fouthward, and eaftward, and weihvard. Unexampled fuccefs, without a cheek, attended him for nine years. Enriched with the fpoils of two kingdoms, he purfued the armies of a. * Littleton, Vok II. page Go j 67 ; C9. —V7— third, headed by their fovereign, hunted them fron eve- ry poft and entrenchment, and directed his courfu to th e capital, invincible to obftacles which nature and art placed in his way. The enemy never dared to attack him with even numbers. The emperor of all the Ruf- fias had ferious apprehenfions, that this Alexander might overrun his empire and dethrone him ; and was compell- ed to fend forward propofals of peace ; to which he re- ceived for anfwer, " I will treat on peace at Moicow." The hero of the North wiflied to be the arbiter of Eu- rope. But from the time of his fending the above info- lent anfwer by the Ruffian ambaffador, the tide of victo- ry turned. His ufual fagacity failed him. He changed his rout againfl the bed advice. He had taught the fly- ing enemy the art of war. They turned upon their pur- fuers. He was completely defeated, and never recover- ed ftrength any more. His following misfortunes were as fignal as his victories had been. Some of his greateft misfortunes were the effects of his obftinacy. All Europe trembled while uninterrupted victory attended the arms of Charles XII. He died as a fool dietb 17 19, at the age of 36, and left his kingdom in a debafcd ftate*. * On what foundation (lands the warrior's pride, How juft his hopes let Swcuifh Charles decide: A frame of adamant, afoul of fire, No dangers fright him, and no labors tire: O'er love, o'er fear extends his wide domain,, Unccr.quer'd lord of pleasure and of pain : No joys to him pacific fcepters yield, War founds the trump, he rufties to the fiel ! j Behold lurrounding kings (heir pow'r combine, And one capitulate, ami one refign : Peace courts his hand, but fpreads htr charms in vain •: M Think nothing gain'd, he cries, Hill nought remain, «< On Mofcow's walls 'till Gothic flandurds fly, Peter the great of Ruffia was not lefs enterpris- ing, or lefs inured to fatigue, than Charles of Sweden, His genius and objects of purfuit were more noble, though cruelty entered into the compofition of his tem- per. Pie was born at Mofcow 1672. He gave the mod arduous attention to arms, commerce, a navy, civiliza- tion, arts and fciences. In a few years he built a larg# navy. Powerful Ruffian fquadrons are now feen in the Baltic, in the black fea, and in the Mediterranean. Hence the preponderance of the Ruffian power in the north, and its political importance in the fcale of Eu- rope. The Ruffians affiime a lefs barbarous afpec"l than heretofore. " Rugged as moil of them are at prefent, " attached to the brutiih fuperftition and difcipline of *' their anceltors, they may one day be reckoned among ' the civilized nations." *« ^.nd all be mine beneath the polar fky." The march begins in military itate, And nations on his eye fufpendtd wait: Stern famine guards the iclitary coaft, And wimer banicadts the realm cf Froft. He comes, not want and cold his courie delay : — Hide, bluihing glory, hide Pultowa's day : The var,q lifii'J hero leavt.8 his broken bands, And (hews his naileries in diitant lar.ds j Condemned a needy fupplicsnt to wait, While ladies interpofe, and flaves debate. But did not chance at length her error mend I s pid no fubverted empire maik his end ? Did rival mcrurchs give the fatal wound ? Or hoftile millions prefs him to the ground?. His fall was deftin'd to a barren (hand, A petty fortreiSj aud a dubious hand $ lie left the name at which ihs world grew pale, To point a moral, or adorn a tale. Johnson. —2,9— In the revolutionary war of America, England fought the aid of Ruffia j but without effect. She was more fuccefsful in addreffing the fame power to co-oper- ate againft France, two years ago. But the temporary aid of the " magnanimous ally" was withdrawn the next campaign. " Political alliances want friendship to ' combine, and force to compel. Affiftance is to be ex- pected only from native ftrength and unanimity. When a powerful people impute to the perfidy of foreign u itates ,thofe national difafters which a proper vigilance u and forefight might have prevented, they only bear " teftimony t their own indolence, or weaknefs of go- " vernment*." The hiftory^ of modern Europe evinces, beyond all contradiction, that the faith of treaties and the jealoufy for the balance of power will guard no nation. The par- tition of Poland is an inflance verifying the latter part of the obfervation. Civil difTentions gave opportunities to three of its neighbors to difmember that kingdom. The other powers faw, without interference, the rival courts of Berlin, Vienna and Peterfburgh act in concert in this opprobrious bufmefs. Frederic II, than whom the age produced not a greater politician, obferving that KuiTia was overrurining Poland, projected the plan of partition. Communicating the project to the Emprefs of Germany, it met with her ready concurrence. The Emprefs of Riifiia, mean- ing to grafp the whole, was with much difficulty induced to be content with a part. Frederick fuggefted to her, Littleton, Vol, II. p3ge tis\ *3$i ^39} 294.. — 3° — by his brother and very able minifter, Henry, refident at Peterfburgh, that, as flie was at war with the Turks, it was highly probable that the Emprefs of Germany would take part with them. Frederick engaged to ufe his mediation with the Emprefs of Germany not to in- terfere. His device fucceeded. An alliance was en- tered into at Peterfburgh, wherein the three courts agreed to divide among themfelves a great part of the provinces of Poland, and to force upon the other provin- ces a new conftitution. This was in 1772. Of the dif- membered provinces,Ruffiahas a population of 1,500,000; Germany 2,500,000 ; Pruffia 860,000, which is the moll commercial part. The remaining population of Poland is about feven millions. In 179 1 Poland eftab- lifhed another conftitution, which combined the interefts of the king, the nobles, the citizens and the peafants. It was the general wifh of all orders. But a few of the nobles, imagining that due regard was not paid to their privileges, flattered the ambitious views of the Emprefs of Ruffia ; who fent an army into Poland, under pretence of being guarantee of the conftitution of 1772* The conftitution of 179 1 was overthrown, and a feconddivi- vifion of that oppreflcd country took place 1793. Some unfuccefsful attempts were made to deliver Poland from its oppreflbrs, in which the valiant Kofciufko was taken prifoner. He was carried to Ruffia ; and the king re- figned his crown 1795. A third partition followed. * Poland is at prefent a country, but no nation, being " entirely fwallowed up by the dividers of the spoil" " Of the three powers who difmembered the prov- " inces of Poland, Pruffia was formerly in a ftate of vaf- " falage to the republic. Ruffia once faw its capital and " throne poffefTed by the Poles. Auftria," but little more than " a century ago, was indebted to a fovereign " of Poland for the prefervation of its metropolis, and M almoft of its exiflence. The m after and protector of H its neighbors was overwhelmed by them ; and now firft u felt and lamented the fatal effects of faction, internal " divifion and corruption." A Polilh citizen obferved, u Our liberty is like a two edged fword in the hand of an " infant; and for that very reafon our neighbors are anx- " ious to preferve it entire." The national exiftence of the United States com- menced four years after the firft divifion of Poland. The recent example is a moft inftruclive leffon to us. Like caufes produce like effects. Divifions within will deftroy our refpectability and ftrength, and lay us open to external attacks. Foreigners will take from us our liberty, if we, like infants, know not how to ufe it. Foreigners residing among us have a predilection for their own country. We do not blame them on this account. But it is a fufficient reafon why they mould not affume, nor be fufFered, to prefcribe to the citizens and government of the United States what inftitutions,- manners and political regulations are proper. Modefty forbids it on their part : Wifdom and fafety will not per- mit it on our part. Shall they affume the province of being guides to us in our ignorance, and confervators of our liberties ? Numbers bring with them habits of oppo^- fition to order and good government. Protection, not preferment, is all that foreigners may claim. This they may expect, fo long as they are quiet and peaceable*- Are they men of fcience ? As fuch they will be refpecT;- ed in their attention to literary purfuits • but not in en- deavors to fubvert our faith, or difturb our civil admin- iflration. From 1740 to 1786 few chara&ers make fo confpi- cuous a figure in European hiftory as Frederick II, of Pruffia. Great as a fcholar, philofopher and flatefman, he was tranfcendant in military {kill and valor. He was the ally of Britain from 1756 to 1762;. At that time many Americans had a fublime idea of him as a patron of the proteftant, reformed religion. He was in reality an avowed deift, and not improbably an atheift. To fay that he was a tyrant, is but to fay that he was what the fove* reigns of the earth generally are. The connections which united him to Britain were diflblved by the peace of 1763. His ftates and capital were in imminent dan- ger, once and again, in fome of the years of the preced- ing war. France and Germany, Ruffia, Sweden and Poland were all leagued againft him. A rare firmnefs of fpirit fupported him under the prefTure of the greateft difficulties and dangers. He never once gave way to defpondency. At a time when every other mind would have given up all as loft, he poffeffed his ufual conftancy. A concurrence of providential and unthought of events reftored him from impending ruin, and gave him complete triumph. We fee that war is the fyftem of Europe. We view " an affembly of gamefters, who demand their re- " venge, and refufe to quit play till they are totally ru- " ined." The year 1773 was particularly remarkable for the expulfion of the Jefuits from the Pope's dominions, and the fuppreffion of the order by his bull. Infidelity has run and been glorified through Europe— efpecially in the latter part of the laft century. Vain philofophy is ufed as a cloak to fubvert religious and civil inftitutions, introduce general anarchy, and de- moralize the world. This definitive fyftem, replete with the depths of Satan, appears to be gaining ground in the United States. The moft licentious and impious publications have free circulation. Looking back but a few years before our feparation from Britain, the French poflelled the great rivers o£ Lawrence and Miffifippi, and had interior fettlements from the one to the other. With thefe advantages, they might, in a little time, have encompaffed the Atlantic ftates, and made them provinces of France. We efcap- ed that fnare, by a total reduaion of the French power in North America 1760. No fooner had England reduced the power of France in North America, and fettled the peace of 1763, than {he turned her whole attention to deforce from her colon- ies the liberties they had enjoyed, under the fanaion of royal charters, from their firft fettlement. The arbitra- ry fyftem of colonial adminiftration which flie adopted, which flie obftinately perfifted in, and attempted to exe- cute with all her force by fea and land, is frefh in the memory of many of my hearers. Finding her deaf to expoftulation, America oppofed force to force, unequal as the conflict was. On the fourth of July 1776, our reprefentatives fubfcribed the declaration of indepen- dence. Says a royal author, " A wife government would " have been in hafte to appeafe the rifing troubles in " America. But madmen rivet their eyes on the objects " of ambition." Says another fenfible writer, " Toat- " tempt to govern a whole nation in a mode abhorrent " from their feelings, prejudices and principles, is a com- " plication of folly and wickednefs — The fpirit which " pervaded America is the fame which roufed all Eng- " land to action at the revolution." By refunding, once and again, part of the colonial expenditures, in the war for the reduction of the French, E no-land acknowledged that her American colonies had contributed, beyond their ability and proportion, to the eXpence of that war. This notwithstanding, the imme- diate project was, at the conclufion of the war, to bind the colonies, in all cases whatsoever, by laws of the Eng- lilh parliament. The ardor to execute this project in- creafed with the difficulties and misfortunes attending its prosecution. As new embarrafments arofe, England negociated for fuccors in every court of Germany ; and fucceflively proclaimed "war againft France, Spain and Holland. The capture of two Britifh armies fuffic- cd not to cure the obflinacy of the king. The laft cap- ture, however, preceded by the armed neutrality of the north, awakened a fmall majority, in both houfes of par- liament, to demand a pacification. England refolved on councils calculated to alien- ate a young and flourifliing country from their fovereign and fellow fubjects, or we had been this day her colonies, —35— ■*— -=■" '- Declared out of her protection, we appealed to heaven, and girded on our armor. Many good men thought that refiftance maft be unavailing. Unprepared and undifci- plined as we were, we were neither difmayed by mena- ces, nor feduced by infidious promifes. Unexampled difficulties and dangers could not extiriguifha well found- ed ardor to repel aggreiTions on our rights. Who guided our councils in the fenate and in the field? Who girded us with flrength, and brake the bows of the mighty ? Was it not the Lord ? Who gave us a Washington — a name fuperior to what any other age or nation can boaft? — the only man, perhaps, who could have been our fhield in war, and our counfellor in peace ? Who inspired the framers of our national conftitution? — the beft fyftem of human wifclom which the world ever faw? Who turned the heart of the whole nation, as the heart of one man, to fix in the chair, once and again, the patriot and the beft flatefman that was ever at the head of any government ? Had England been victorious in our revolutionary war, flie might have ruled the earth as well as the ocean. The world would have deplored fuch an event. Nor could univerfal empire have been of the fmalleft ad- vantage to that nation. The Spaniards and Portu- guese, by their ravages and carnage in South America, extended their dominion, and acquired immenfe wealth. From that time we date the decline of their indunry, manufactures and valor ; the effeminacy and luxury which deftroy the fpirit of defence, and fink a national charact- er. It was of the Lord to ieparate us from England at the time we were feparated. Elefled be his name. May - 3 rear > and the former part of 1800, were diftinguiflied by the death of many perfons in high office*-. I have said, Te are gods— but ye shah die like men. Connecticut may afcribe her lingular order and happinefs to inftitutions of her own, and an exemption from foreigners. In proportion to its extent, it is the moft popmous of the United States. The original fet- tlements on the river were made 1635. ThefirftinNew * Governor Sumner of M; fiachuletts ; governor Henry of Vir^nia; goverWr Henry of Maryland ; governs M.fflin ci P.nn- fyivani ; judge Iredell and judge Paca of the federal court j go- verno Rutledge of South Carolina , governor Gill of Maffachwfetts j Mr. Tazewell of the Senate, —43— Haven 1638. In 1639 feparate political conftitutions were framed at Hartford and New' Haven, and the o- - vernments continued diftindt twenty fix years*. Con- necticut government included the towns of Hartford, Weathersfield, Windfor, Say Brook. New Haven, Milford and Guilford were included in New Haven go- vernment. At the union of the two governments in 1665, there were nineteen towns. When the laft cen- tury commenced, thirty five towns had been fettled. There have been three inftances of a father and fon in the chair; — not in immediate fuccefiion. For about eighty years from the union, we meet with but one in- flance of a governor being omitted in the votes of the freemen. In that inftance, he was chofen deputy go- vernor ten years fuccemvely, until he retired from pub- lic life, at the age of 86f . In three inftances, through the eighteenth century the freemen of Connecticut have not rechofen the govern- or who was in the chair. The firft inftance was from mifreprefentationj; the fecond, from the ferment occa- sioned by the ftamp a& of 1765$. In the third inft&ice, the gentleman in the chair had more votes than any other, though not the requifite majority ||. The free- men, conlidering his advanced age, withheld their ufual number of votes. No government, purely republican, * Succeflioo of governors in Hartford: Hayne's, Hopkins, Wyiiys, We.ls, Winthrop. In New Haven : Eaton, Newman, Leet. f Treat. t WOLCOTT. § FlTCH. U Gr!SWOI,D, has had fo few changes as Connecticut. The' prefent* population is about 240,000 ; probably rather over than under this number*. The flate is about 90 miles long» and 60 broad. New England, including the emigrations, has dou- bled fix times within a century and a half. President Dwight's accurate and excellent centoi- ry difcourfe, delivered in your hearing lafl week, ren- ders it unneceffary for me to give any account of the churches in New-England, or of the inftitution over which he fo worthily prefides. Mr. Theophilus Eaton and the Revered John Da- venport, with about fifty fettlers, arrived at Bofton, in two (hips from London, June 1637. Mr. Hopkins, af- terwards governor of Connecticut, came in one of the {hips. Mr. Eaton was a merchant of reputation and faftuon in London. He had been feveral years in the * Governors of Connecticut from the union in 1665. John Winthrop from 1665 to 167^ Willcam Leet i«75 1683 Robert Treat 1683 169S Fitz John Winthroj* 1*98 1707 Gnrdon Saltonftall ' 1707 1725 Jofeph Talcott 17*5 1 741 Jonathan L.5W 1741 *7S* Roger Woicott 1751 "754 Thomas Fitch 1754 1766 William Pitkin 17P6 1769 Jonathan Trumbull 1769 X7*4t Matthew G = ifwold J 784 1785 Savnuel Huntington 1785 1796 Oliver Wclcot 1796 1797 Jonathan Trumbull »797 I Refigned 1783. Di»d 1735. JE 7|, Eaft-Indies, employed by the India company, had been a public minifterfrom the court of London at Copenhagen, and was a gentleman of great merit. Mr. Davenport was an eminent minuter in Goleman-Street, London. He had a great character for learning and piety. Under the Laudean perfecution, he was obliged to conceal him- felf in 1633. He was feveral years in Amfterdam. While there he received an invitation to Bofton in New- England. Many who had been his principal hearers in London came with him. Great pains were taken to per- fuade them to flay in Maflachufetts. The court offered them any place they would pitch upon. But they de- clined. They wifhed to fet up a civil and ecclenaflical polity by themfelves. Trade was the view of the fet- tlers, not hufbandry. Mr. Eaton was employed to find out and purchafe an eligible fituation for them. After feveral tedious journeys through the wildernefs, New- Haven was feledled*. * The names of the firft fettlers. Theophilus Eaton, John Davenport, Robert Newman, Matthew Gilbert, Thomas Fugill, John Punderfon, Jeremiah Dixon, Nathaniel Turner, Ezekiel Chee- vers, William Andrews, Samuel Eaton, John Clarke, John Chap- man, Robert Seely, Thomas Jeffreyes, Richard Hull, Tnomas Kimberly, Thomas Grigfon, John Mofle, Adam NichoIIs, Abra- ham Bell, William Thorpe, Francis Newman, Andrew Low, Thomas Monfon, ■ ■ James, George Lambertor, Thomas Nafli, Richard Perry, William Peck, Andrew Hull, Goodman Sherman, John Gibbs, John Livermore, Thomas Ell fey, Joflnia Atwater, Anthony Tompfon, Edward Wigglefworth, John Vincent, John Wakeman, John Benham, Stephen Goodyear, John Potter, Jafper Craae, Andrew Ward, Francis Bell, Richard Malbone, William Ives, Francis Browne, John Nafli^ William Davis. Seven of thefe began the fettlement in the autumn of 1637, Mr. Jofhua Atwater, f a gentleman of diftinftion and opulence, was of the feven. They •fr This gentleman built the houfe now occupied by his great- grandfon, Thomas Atwatcr ; a convenient habitation, tho' older, by about fifty years, than any in the city. —46— " They built veflels for foreign voyages ; and fet up trading- houfes upon lands which they purchafed at Del- aware bay for beaver ; bat were unfuccefsful. In five or fix years they were much exhaufted*". From the time that the government of New-Haven colony affumed form and confidence, Mr. Eaton was governor, until his death, 1657. Mr. Samuel Eaton, brother to the governor, was a few years teacher with Mr. Davenport the paftor. From fome family manufcripts, it fliould feem that there was not a perfect coincidence in fentiment, on the fub- je£l of civil polity, between thefe two gentlemen : And Mr. Eaton ( as is faid by advice of the governor) return- ed to England. The firft church was formed in the fummer of 1 639-5*, pafTed the winter in an indifferent fhelter, thrown up for the feafon, near the fouth market. Their affociaies followed them in the fpring. The firft houfes were commodious, of two ftories. They began to build on George ftreet and the oppofjte hill, between which fmall vef» fels then paffed, in a creek which for a number of years has heen fil- kd up. The plan of the town, and arrangement of the byildings on the feveral fquares, was originally formed on the idea of a regular, compact city. The governor's Uoufe was on the lot in Elmftreet 9 where the late Reverend Jbfeph Noyes lived j and Mr. Davenport's on theoppofite lot. * " They exerted themfelves, as xhs Jaft t/Fort, m building a #yip'* of 1 50 tons, 4t for the trade of England." In this fhip " they put there whole ftcck of money* pi te, and all the proper goods they could procure, to make a more valuable adventure. Mr. Gregfon, orp of the magnates, wect paflenger, in order 4o ppoeuic a patent $ ght or ten more/* moft of whom were " pirfons of chief note.'* The ftiv was never heard of after they fet fail, January 1647. "The k>fc of tb.is £j;j> ejntiveiy broke them op as traders.'' MxUhmfois, hifiwy at teagadufem* <£- S«e Bote &*. —47— and Mr. Davenport inftalled the paftor. Mr. Robert Newman was chofen ruling elder. In 1642 Mr. Daven- port was invited, by letters from London, to affift in the General Afiembly of divines at Weftminfter, and would have accepted the invitation ; but the church would not conic at. Mr. William Hook appears to have been teach- ing eider 1644. He returned to England 1656. Mr. Nicholas Street was ordained teaching elder November 26, 1659. He was a gentleman of exemplary piety and meeknefs, and eftecmcd as a preacher. In 1667 Mr. Davenport removed to Bolton, where he died, of the pal- fey, March 16, 1670, aged 73*. After his removal to Bofton, Mr. Street was the only inftructor of the firfl church in New-Haven, until his death, April 22, 1674- The church was deftitute of a paftor from that time, un- til July 2, 1684, when the Reverend James Pierpont was ordained. We do not find, after Mr. Davenport's time, that the office of a ruling elder was continued here ; and a teaching elder was no longer diftincl from the paftor. Mr. Pierpont died November 14, 17 14, in the 55th year of his age. He was fucceeded by the Reverend Jofeph Noyes, who was ordained July 4, 1716 ; and continued fole paftor until March 1, 1758, when the Reverend Chauncey Whittlefey was ordained colleague paftor, Mr. Noyes died June 14, 1761, in the 73d year of his age.f Mr. Whittlefey died July 24, 1787, set. 70 J The prefent paftor was inftalled April 29, 1789. * While Mr. Davenport redded at New. Haven, Whaley and Gcffc, two of king Charles' judges, wexe concealed feveial weeks in ms houfe. f In the long vacancy before Mr. Pierpont's introduction, the r* X See note B. —48— Five towns have proceeded from New Haven,* and feven churches from the firft churchf. The prefent pop, ulation of the city is 4,000 ; and 60 the ufual mortality for a year J. was a (harp contention in the church in regard to different candidates % particularly with refpecT; to Mi. John Taylor and Mr. John Herri* man. Each of theie gentlemen preached to the vacant church feveral years. The adherents of the former called the other party Herrima- nians. Tuefe returned the compliment, and called their brethren Taylorifts. The parties, after a tedious and very difhonorable con- tention, agreed to apply to fome eminent minifters, in and ntar Bof* ton, for direction to a fui table candidate. They recommended Mr. Pierpont. He was graduated it Harvard college 1680 j was a gen- tleman of exemplary piety, uncommon prudence, and very amiable manners. He foftened the (pint of controverfy, and united the con* tending parties.. He wis eloquent and mighty in the icriptures. In conversation from houfe to houfe, he eta fed not to warn every man, and teach every man in all wifdom. Under his rmniftry the church experienced that it is good and pleafant to dwell together in unity. Mr. Noyes was fon of the Reverend James Noyes of Stoning- ton. This ancient church was harmonious and happy under his mi- nistry, until 1741 j when, through* the influence of various itinerant preachers, numbers feparated from him. In 1757, enfeebled by age and many perplexities, he propofed the fettlement of a colleague j and was highly gratified by the unanimous choice of the Reverend Mr. Whittlcfey. After the fettlement of a Colleague, Mr. Noyes very much defifted from the public fervice of the fan&uary. He was na- turally difcerning and judicious, and acquainted with the learning of that day, having been a tutor of the college five years. In preaching he aimed to be plain and familiar : Yet he occafionally difcovered a good acquaintance with the art of criticifm and the phrafeology of fcripture. On doubtful panagea and myfterious doctrines, he wat always cautious, judicious and charitable. In prayer, few could exprefs themfelves with equal readinefs and propriety, on every occau lion. His converfation was entertaining and inftruclive. On ab- flrufe matters, but few couid fpealc with the perfpicuity which he did. He was prudent, hofpitable, patient. * Wallingford, Eaft Haven, North Haven, Woodbridge anil Ham den. f See note C. \ S«e note D* —49— Reflect, my hearers, on the great things Goii bath done for United America, in making us a nations a nd bellowing 6n us privileges fuperior to thofe of any nation on earth. Judging from paft events, it may be the defign of his providence to elevate us above all na- tions — to exhibit to the world an inftance of a govern- ment founded in freedom of election, a government which infeparably unites the interefts of the eonftituted author- ities and of their conftituents — affords equal protection to the individual ftates, and fecures to every citizen the juft fruits of his own talents, induftry and virtues. I admire our national confHtution. It breathes the "principles of liberty, to which I have been attached from my youth. Allow it a fair experiment. Weigh the con- fequences of its fubvernon. It is eafier to pull down than to build up. Is any fubftitute prepared, which may meet general acceptance, and better guard national and individual rights ? Is there a reasonable profpec~l 3 that a conftitution of comparable excellence with the prefent may or will be framed ? Will a good conftitu- tion be devifed or adopted, when the fpirit of party runs high? Among the greateft infelicities of the nation we may reckon the corruption of the source of public information and opinion. By this means confidence in the govern- ment is deftroyed. It is confefled, that the confidence of the people in their legillature andadminiftrationis the fupport of a republic, as ours. Well informed citizens never demand the abandonment of meafures conducive to Q Sesssaea the national intereft, nor the adoption of meafureg 6pp$* fed to that intereft. They cannot wifli to elevate folly, duplicity or vice to public Nations. They mufl prefer wifdom, integrity and firmnefs. The prefs fltould be the medium of information, not of impofition ; of fpread- ing truth, not falfhood. The freedom of the prefs con- fifts in the publication of truth. The publication of f alfhood and {lander is poifon to the political body. Dif«* union, the facrifice of fecial and patrial affections, arc ominous traits in our national character. Add to this, our irreligion and infidelit)^ God will pun'dh for all their iniquities, a people whom he hath highly favored. In what way can we provoke him to caft us out of his fight, if not by civil difeord, and contempt of his only begotten Son, whofe gofpel pro- claims univerfal peace and good will ? The gofpel, and this only, inftru6ls us how to acquaint ourfelves with God, and conciliate his favor to our country. It in- culcates principles of action which alone fecure our fidelity to any truft, to the duties of any relation ; under the in- fluence of which the friendly and public affections, and love to the cities of our God, will prevail and appear in the moft trying filiations. To uphold, and tranfmit in its purity, the gofpel of peace, life and immortality, will be the firft care of a people who know the things of their political falvation. It is calculated to make every na- tion, and every individual, wife and happy. If we hcar- ienunto God, if we reverence his Son, he will not leave fe, for his own great najie' sake. ~~ 5 !Z1 All orders fliould fuffer the exhortation to fear God, to believe in him whom he hath fent, and from whom we {hall bell learn the love of our nation. For he looked not tm bis own things. Chriftian charity seeketh not her own- That pious care, which heads of families and perfons of fuperior ftations formerly maniftfled for the honor of the gofpel — that regard to found morals, which formerly were confidered as requifite qualifications for the fiift of- fices in fociety, are declining, and faft departing from us* The wicked walk on every fide, when unprincipled men are exalted. u Religion and morality," fays our afcen" ded patriot and father, " are the great pillars of human * happinefs, the firmed props of the duties of men and " citizens. Where is the fecurity for property, for re- " putation, for life" without M the fenfe of religious "obligation? Reafon and experience forbid -us to ex- * c pec~t that national morality can prevail in exclufion of u religious principles." The difciples of deifm and atheifm are alike hoftile to civil as to religious order. If the foundations be de- ftroyed, what fhall the righteous do ? The afcendancy which a fpirit of difcord has acquired in our youthful re- public, the implacable animofities, as ill confiij with good policy as with the principles of natural or revealed re- ligion. They endanger all our deareft privileges. Could righteous heaven inflict a forer judgment,than to fuffer ug, by fach means, to pull down the political fa brie we have built ? May this wrath praiie God, and may he reftrain the remainder of it. The footfteps of God are not known. He can di& Hi— pel the public gloom, when it is greateft. When his fervants know not what to do, their eyes are unto him. He accomplifheth his unfearchable and gracious defigr.s by thofe means which vicious men and evil fpirits employ to defeat them. Individuals fay, when he afRicteth them, All these things are against me. Patriots fay, when the pofture of public affairs is critical, and public councils are embarrafled, All thefe things are againft th e nation. They are ready to defpair of the public caufe. God meaneth fuch events for good in one cafe as much as in the other. The method of his providence i3 not to extricate individuals or nations in ways which human, wifdom may devife. This truth was often experienced in our late revolutionary war. Paft falvations, great and furprifmg, teach us to truft in him to deliver us, in ways which elude human forefight. Amidft the great corruption in principles and manners, the bitter envy and ftrife, and warm litigation of parties, God hath re- ferved him many pious and excellent characters in the na- tion. If he meant to deftroy us, why hath he wrought ^ch great things for us ? We derive confolation from the recollectipn of his interpofition, in all paft feafons o* calamity and danger in our country. 4t The Lord reign- "eth : He is clothed with majefty and ftrength. The l ! floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up " their voice : The floods lift up their waves. Thy < 4 throne is eftabliftied of old. Thy kingdom ruleth over " all. The Lord on high is mightier than the noife of % many waters ; yea, than the mighty waves of the fea". Ever fmce the earth was firft filled with violence^ Bride has made aggreffions on its neighbor. Lawlefs 5 J £rength has" proftrated right. Europe is now fhaken to the foundation by the rage of war. The human race are" appointed as fheep to the daughter. We fee no profpcct of a termination to the dreadful calamity. It will be the wifdom of America to attend to defenfive meafures ; and iC always to prefer an honorable accommodation to hofti- lity." May the providence, which hath hitherto prefer- ved our nation from taking any part with the belligerent powers, ftill preferve it. The United States, if at peace among themfelves if not embroiled with foreign nations,will, with their ad- vantages, enterprize and induftry, rapidly advance in po- pulation, arts and fciences, commerce, agriculture and manufactures, for a long time to come. We may fay, A nation has been born in a day. May the empire, whofe foundations are laid, be durable. May the prefent and fucceeding generations in our country improve the advan- tages which no other people pofTefs. Of the fages who framed the conftitution, many reft from their labors. We venerate their memory. To theifr furvivors an/1 fuccelTors it belongs to build on the fame foundation. They would have been the laft to object to improvements. Senfible of the imperfection of human wifdom, they made judicious provifion for any amend- ments, which time and experience might point out.-— ■ This provifion we confide r as an excellence in the confti- tution. But a zeal for amendments, which would impair the foundation, will neither be wife nor patriotic. The argument for the preponderance of the executive and for hereditary fucceflion might have weight, were we fitu- —34 — ated as are the kingdoms of Europe ; but we are not fur- founded by jealous nations, whofe trade for ages has been War. We dwell alone. The rifing generation will have increafing opportu- nities for improvement with the growth of the nation* At the fame time, their principles and virtue will be af- failed. This is an age in which every fubjecl will be in- veftigated. It is alfo an age in which infidels and fcof- fers triumph, beyond any former example*. Very much * and experiment on human nature— The fhort-lived forms of power and office glided with fuch rapidity through fucctflne ranks of degradation, that they feemed rather to folicit acceptarce, than to be a prize contended for : Yet, as it was ftill impoflible for all to poffcls authority, though none were willing to obey, a gene- ral impatience to bre-k the ranks and mfh into the foremoft ground, maddened and infuriated the nation, and overwhelmed law, order and civilization with the violence of a torrent— —It was late before the atheifm of Epicurus gained footing at Rome j out its prevalence was foon followed by fuch fcenes of pro'cription, con6fcati an and blood, as were then unparalleled in the hiftory of the world j from which the Republic being never able to recover itfelf, after many un- fuccefsful druggies, exchanged liberty for repofe, by fubmiffion to abfolute power. An attempt has been recently made to eltablifh a fimilar fyftem in France. Let rofe who doubt, whether the barbari- ties, which have ftained the revolution in that unhappy country, are juftly chargeable to the prevalence of atheifm, recollect that the men, who, by their activity and talents, prepared the. minds of the peo- ple for that great change, Voltaire D' Alembert, Diderot, Roseau, and others, were avowed enemies of revelation j that, in all their writings, the diffufion of fecpticifm and revolutionary principles went h3nd in hand ; that the fury of the molt fanguinary parties was ef- pecially point d againft religious institutions — that their atrocities were committed with a wanton levity and brutal merriment} that the irign of atheifm was avowediy and expreflly the reign of terroi j that in the full maJnefs of their ciree*-, in the higheft climax of their horrors, they {hut up the temples or God, aboli/hed his wo*mip, and depends on the firft ftagas of life, on early choice. Would our young people be good citizens and. patriots, let them read, again and again, the counfel of Wafliington. As a fpecimen of human and political wifdom, it is unrival- led. Efpecially do we exhort them to be advocates and patterns of the morals inculcated by him who fpake as never man fpake. Chriftian morals make the beft citizens. A real Chriitian is afriend of his country and liberty— afriend of all mankind. If infidels and fcoffers entice you, proclaimed death to be an eterml fieep-No fooner were the fpecula- tions ot ath-.ftfcal philosophy matured, than they gave birth to a fer- ocity, « h ic h c nverted the moft poiiflied people in Europe into a horde ot aflarh s ■ * ■ - r When th if f,vage philofoph, has taught its difciples to look with pei lea in „ft. rence on the .-ffspring of his body and the wife of bis bofom, toeftrangehimfelffrom his friends, infult bis benefaftors, and fi.en* the pleadings of gratitude and pity, will he, by thus di- feftuig ; liimlclf or all that is human, be better prepared tor the difin- terelted love ot his fpecies. Will he" acquire « a paffionate attach, ment to the general good, becaufc he has ceafed to be a man » A « p»flion U the general gpod, or love to bein K in general;* which is a definmon ot virtue « many faihionable infidels have hit upon," is the ba6s or « M . Godwin's principal arguments againft the pri- vate ..tt.ction,— -h might have been worth while to refled, that in the natural world there are two kinds of attradion j one which Colo's the imparts of individual bodies in contact; another, which main- tains the union of bodies t'nemfelves with the general fyHem : and that, though the union in th e former cafe is much more intimate than u the latter, each h equally effentiai to the o.der of the world. &iniUr to tins .s the relation which the public and private affeflions bear to each other, and their uie in the. moral fyftem. The infidels of the p.efent day are the fitft fophifts who bare prelumcd to innovate in the very fubjiance of morals. The k>re and tear of the fupreme Being, the faced obfervation cf promifes, rev- ■rence to magnates, obedience to parents, gratitude to benefaflors, conjugal fidelity, and parental tendernefs, were" heretofore regarded as pr,mary virtues. M.dern innJ«ii,y confounds the firft elements ot loc.ety, an d blends every age, rank and lex in indifcriminate pro. tension and matfacie." * H a fci/s ftrmonon « modern infidelity, with re/fieS to its influence on foe'iety" (and you may expert they will) caft not in your lot witJj them. You owe more reverence to your conferences* Confefs your Redeemer, and defend his truth. No other hath the words of eternal life. Enquire for the good old 'paths •, walk therein^ and ye shall find rest to yout souls* The words of an eminent prophet and magiftrate in Ifrael, addreflfed to them upon occafion of an alteration they had made in their conftitution, may with propriety be addreffed to all orders in our nation. ** Only fear the ** Lord, and ferve him in truth with all your hearts. For " conlider how great things he hath done for you. But 44 if ye fhall ftili do wickedly, ye fhall be confumed, both 44 ye and your king." The period approaches, when, as prophecy aflures ** us, the wolf fhall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard 44 fhall lie down with the kid. They fhall not hurt nor 44 deftroy in all my holy mountain." The heavens fhall proclaim, " The kingdoms of this world are become the 44 kingdoms of our Lord — and he fhall reign forever and 44 ever." The fame word of prophecy aflures us, that this period will be preceded by terrible carnage. Some fuppofe, that the prefent European war is the beginning of the carnage predicted. Time will be the befl expofi- tor of the prediJVioa. " The Father hath kept the times 4t and feafons in his own power. Clouds and darknefs 44 are round about him ; righteoufnefs and judgment are 41 the habitation of his throne." Let us tremble and re- joice. He hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteoufnefs, by Jefus Chrift, Whatevet ■===■» may "be coming an the earth, it mod of all concerns every- one of us to be diligent in making preparation for that great day* In imbibing the principles, and forming our- felves on the maxims, of the gofpel, we mall have peace always, by all means-. Wboso 'will observe the divine foot- fteps, shall understand the loving-kindness of the Lord. We know not what we have yet to fufFer in life. We may expect various afflictions and temptations. We muft be armed with fortitude and refignation, with love to our duty and our fouls, would we be prepared for the events of time and for the account we have to render be- fore the judgment feat of Chrift. Our faith and patience, humility and hope may perfuade others to be Chriftians; or will comfort and eftablifli them, if already fuch. We need be affiduous to lay up in (lore every Chriflian grace, that we may fultain the conflict with the laft enemy, at whofe approach even the good man trembles. " Not " flothful in bufmefs ; but fervent in fpirit, ferving the " Lord. Rejoicing in hope ; patient in tribulation; con- " tinuing inftant in prayer*" Knowing that the remaining days of my life are few, and that thofe of my miniftry may be {till fewer, I would not ceafe to put you in remembrance of the mofc impor- tant principles, privileges and duties of the Chriftian pro- feflion. Of thefe, repentance toward God and faith to- ward our Lord Jefus Chrift are the chief and mofc profita* ble, I have endeavored to fpeak to you as the oracles of God fpeak. A review of great imperfeaions is a daily fource of humility and abafement. You have overlooked my many infirmities. While I acknowledge your candor H and refpe6t, let me requeft your concurring prayers andl endeavors, that the gospel may have free course, and be glorified with you. Attend to the education of your children. Bear teftimony againft irreligion and every vice. Stand fast i?i one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faithofthe gospel. The God of the spi~ rits of all flesh raise up a man, and set him over the con- gregation, to go out before you, and to come in before you* We will shew the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he bath done ; and which he commanded our fathers to make known to us. The children who shall be born shall arise, and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments. AMEN. NOTES. P. 32. 1. 4. " Are there no inconveniences to be tnrown into the fcale againft the advantage expected from a multiplication of numbers by the importation of fo- reigners ? It is for the happinefs of thole united in foci- ety to harmonize as much as poffible in matters which they muft of neceffity tranfact together. Civil govern- ment being the fole object of forming focieties, its ad- miniftration muft be conducted by common confent. Eve- ry fpecies of government has its fpecific principles. Ours perhaps are more peculiar than thofe of any other in the univerfe. It is a compofition of the freeft principles of the Englifh. conftitution, with others derived from natur- al right and natural reafon. To thefe nothing can be more oppofed than the maxims of abfolute monarchies. Yet from fuch we are to expect the greateft number of emigrants. They will bring with them the principles of the governments they leave, imbibed in their early youth : Or, if able to throw them off, it will be in exchange for an unbounded licentioufnefs, paffing, as is ufual, from one extreme to another. It would be a miracle were they to flop precifely at the point of temperate liberty. Thefe principles, with their language, they will tranfmit to their children. In proportion to their numbers, they will ihare with us the legiflation. They will infufe into it their fpirit, warp and bias its directions, and render it a heterogeneous, incoherent, diffracted mafs. I may ap- peal to experience, during theprefent conteft-, for a veri- fication of thefe conjectures. But, if they be not cer- tain in event, are they not poffible ? are they net proba- ble? is it not fafer to wait with patience — for the at- tainment of any degree of population ddired or expected J -r60— May not our government be more homogeneous, more, peaceable, more durable? Suppofe 20 millions of repub- lican Americans thrown all of a fudden into France, what would be the condition of that kingdom ? If it would be more turbulent, lefs happy, lefs ftrong, we way believe that the addition of half a million to our prefent numbers (Virginia) would produce a fimilar effect here." Notes on Virginia, fecond American edition, Philadelphia, 17940 Had the fentiments of the illuftrious author been a prediction, they could not have been more exactly ve- rified in iubfequent events, as applied to the United States. P. 40. A. This and Milfard church were formed under a very large oak tree in George Street, about two. rods from the door of Mr. David Beecher. The tree was {landing about fifty years ago. The church was gathered in the following manner. It was propofed that all the free planters ihouid make choice of twelve leading men — that theie twelve mould chufe from among them- felves feven, to model the church; and, having embodied themfelves, that they admit others. The l'even wer$ Mr. Theophilus Eaton, Mr. John Davenport, Mr, Robert Newman, Mr. Matthew Gilbert, Mr. Thomas Fugill, Mr. John Punderfon, and Mr. Jeremiah Dixon. Thefe, having laid a foundation, were accounted the feven pillars. The firft church in Walllngford appears to have been formed the fame way ; alfo the firft church in Milford, and the firft in Guilford. The firft meeting houfe was fi.niihed in 1646. There were then 90 fami- lies, or about five hundred fouls. In the whole jurisdic- tion or colony of New Haven, 210 freemen are entred on the records as, having taken the oath of fidelity in 1644. In 1647, the whole number was 241. In 1654, 283. In 1657, 314. In 1660, 335. P. 42. B. Mr. Whittlesey was the fecond fon of the Reverend Samuel Whittlefey of Wallingford. He was educated at Yale College, and a tutor in that femin- ary fix years. He was an excellent claffical fcholar, and well acquainted with general literature. His affability and dignity of manners, philanthropy and integrity, joined to an accurate knowledge of men and the affairs of life, commanded efteem and veneration. When fet- tled in the miniftry, he applied to theological ftudies and — 6i— the duties of the paftorial office with an ardor, zeal and affiduity equalled by few. He knew how to make his paftorai vifits, which were frequent, profitable to all ages and orders. The fame ferenity and firmnefs, which were confpicuous through life, diftinguifhed his clcfing fcene. P. 42. C. Succeffion of deacons in the firft church of New Haven. Chosen. Died. Mathew Gilbert 1 Robert Newman J 1639* 1680 William Peck 1^59 * 6 95 Richard Miles Jan. 7, 1667 Roger Allen 1669 Sep. 27, 1674 John Chidfey Dec. 31, 1688 John Punderfon 1689 Jan, 22, 1630 Abraham Bradley 1696 1718 Samuel Biihop March 12, 1748.iS.85 Ifaac Dickerman *75 8 John Punderfon, Jun. J" 1727 1742 John Monfon 1748 John Hitchcock 174-2 oa. 1753 JonathanMansfield] [751 Refigned i77iJan.io,i785 89 Samuel Bifhop l 75 6 17710a. 2, 1779 81 Daniel Lyman 1754 oa. 17S6 69 John Whiting I75<$ June 21, 1786 64 Thomas Howel ") Stephen Ball J 1771 May 18, 1797 79 Oa. 10, 1799 73 Samuel Darling 1786 John Hubbard 1797 Baptifms in the firft church from 1639 to 1685, ac- cording to the beft eflimate from imperfea records, 960. During Mr. Pierpoint's miniftry, being 29 years, 1467. During Mr. Noyes' miniftry, from 1716 to 1758, 1739. During Mr. Whittlefey's miniftry, being twenty nine years and five months, 476 males, 504 females, total 980. From Mr. Whittlefey's death in 1787 to Decem- ber 28, 1800, males 132, females 139, total 241. To- tal in 162 years 5364. • Both were of the feven who formed the church. Mr. Gil- bert was a magiftrate many years, and was chofen deputy govern- or one or two ^ears» —6a— P. 42. C. The churches which have proceeded from New Haven are I. Wallingford. The fettlement of this town was conducted by a committee of New Haven, who had full power to manage the whole affair. They appointed a fub-committee at the village, (as Wallingford was then called) flipulating particularly with regard to the mimicry and church affairs in the following manner". " For the " fafety and well being of the church affairs, miniftry " and maintenance, the committee [of New Haven J " do order, that the faid undertakers and fuccefiive " planters fhall before admitted fubfcribe to the foiiow- " ing engagement ; viz. He or they, as a'brefaid, fhall 44 not by any means diflurb the church, when fettled u there, in their choice of minifter or minifters, or other " church officers ; or in any of their other church rights, *' liberties, or adminiftrations : Nor fhali refufe or with- " draw due maintenance from fuch miniftry. And un- *' till fuch church be fettled, fhall fubmit to fuch " order as the faid committee fhall make for a godly f miniftry to difpenfe the word of God among them." This inflrument, fubferibed by the New Haven commit- tee, feven in number, is dated 31ft day of 11 month, 1699. Wallingford church was gathered 1674. Their firft minifter was the Rev. Samuel Street, fon of the Rev. Nicholas Street of New Haven. He was ordain- ed 1674 — died January 1717. JE. 82. Second paftor, Rev. Samuel Whittlefey, ordained April 17 10 — died April 15, 1752. M. 67. Third paftor, James Dana, ordained October 12, 1758. Removed 1789. II. East Haven. The church was gathered, 1705, (perhaps) Rev. Jacob Heminway, born in the place, af- ter preaching feven years to the church and fociety, was ordained paftor, October 17 n. He was ordained in a fchool houfe, fouth of the firft meetinghoufe, m which till then he had preached. He died October 1754* -&. 71. Rev. Nicholas Street, great grandfon to him of New Haven, ordained October 8, 1755, is now in his 71ft year. III. North Haven. The church was embodied 17 18. In November of that year, the Reverend James Wetmore was ordained paftor. He declared for Epifco- pacy in 1722, and was miffionary at Rye ; where he died May 14, 1760. The Rev. Ifaac Stiles,~who fucceeddd him at North Haven, was ordained November n, 1734 — died May 14, 1760, JE. 63. The Rev. Dr. Trum- buil, the prefent paftor, was ordained December 24* 1760. IV. West Haven. The Rev. Dr. Samuel John- fon, the flit minifter, was ordained 172,0. In Oclober 1JIZ heprofeffed himfelf an Epifcopalian, and left his people. He was miifionary at Stratford many years ; and afterwards Prefident of New York college. He died at Stratford, January 1770, iE. 75. He had the character of a great fcholar, fupeiior divine, and exemplary Chnftian. The Rev. Jonathan Arnold was the fecond minifter at Weft Haven, ordained 172,5 or 172,6. About the year 1734 he declared for Epifcopacy. Having offi- ciated as minionary at Derby and Weft Haven three or four years, he removed to Staten Ifland. The Rev. Timothy Allen, the third minifter of Weft Haven, was ordained 1738, and difmiffed 1742. He is now paftor of Chefterfield, (MafTachufetts) and in his 86th year. The Rev. Nathan Birdfeye, the fourth paftor, was ordained Oct. 1742; and continued in his paftoral relation until June 1758. He was then difmiffed by the Confociation mutually called, and recommended to the improvement of the churches. He had a family of twelve children, and a very imall falary. Removing to his patrimonial inheritance at Stratford, he has made it his rule to preach, occafionaily, when neceffity appeared to call for it. He is now in nis 88th year. The Rev. Noah Willifton, the prefent paftjr, was ordained June 1760: V. Woodbridge. The church was embodied, and the Rev. Benjamin Woodbridge ordained, November 1742. The Rev. Eliphalet Ball was inftalled (by the Kev. Mr. Woodbridge) colleague paftor, December 1783. Mr. Woodbridge died December 24, 1785, aged 75. Mr. Ball refigned May 1, 1788. Rev. Joftah Sherman was called July 13, 1789, and died the follow- ing November. Rev. David L. Beebee ordained Feb, 23, 1791 — difmiffed March 18, 1800, by a mutual coun- cil, on account of ill health. VI. White Haven church was formed May, 1742; and the Rev. Samuel Bird, who had been feveral vears the pafttor ofji church in Dunftable (MafTachufetts) was inftalled Oft. 13, 1751. Ifaac Dickcrman, who had been many years deacon of the firft church, was chofen deacon of White Haven church, April 2, 1754. Jofeph Ruggles was chofen April 10, of the fame year. Here* moved to New Milford in 1758. The fame year David Auftin was chofen deacon of this church. He died Feb, 5, 1801, JE. 69. Daniel Lyman, who had been fe vera 1 years deacon of the firft church, was chofen to the fame office in this (W. H.) April 30, 1758. Samuel Bifhop chofen April 20, 1760. Rev. Samuel Bird difmiffed January 19, 1768. He died May 3, 1784, JE» 64* Baptifms in Mr. Birds miniftry, being feventeen years and three months, 350, The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Edwards was ordained poftor of White Haven church January 4, 1769. Dif- miffed May 19, 1795. Baptifms in his miniftry, 314. VII. Hamden. The church was formed January 26, 1764. It confifted of members from New Haven and North Haven. The Rev. Nathaniel Sherman was inftalled May 18, 1768, difmiffed Auguft 9, 177 1, and died at Eafl Windfor. The Rev. Jofliua Perry was or- dained Oclober 15, 1783 and difmiffed 1790. The Rev. Afa Lyman, the prefent pallor, was ordained Sept. 9, 1800. East Plain. The church was embodied 1795 J and the Rev. Abraham Allen ordained 1796. Fair Haven church formed June 10, 177 r. The Rev. Aliyn Mather was ordained the paftor, Feb. 3, 1773. With an heart engaged in his work, he was willing to fpend and be fpent in the fervice of an affec- tionate flock. His feeble conftitution was broken down, by minifteriaj labors ; and his days fhortened. In 1784 he took a voyage for the recovery of his health, and di- ed at Savannah in Georgia, November 4, JE. 37. In Iris miniftry of 1 ,1? years the baptifms were 244. The Rev. Samuel Auftin was ordained paftor of this church, November 9, 1786. Difmiffed January 19, 1790. Bap- tifms in his miniftry 36. James Gilbert was chofen dea- con April 30, 1773 ; and died December 11, 1797, ^E» 71. Abraham Augur was chofen October 11, 1773; and died May 30, 1798, &. 74. Levi Ives was chofen June 27, 1787- -65- The united church and foe icty were formed 1796, The Rev. John Geramil was inftalled their paftor, Nov. 7, 1798. Captain Abel Burrett chofen deacon Feb. 25, 1801. Baptifms by Mr. Gemmil, 19 males, 17 fe- males. Total 36. The Rev. Ebenezer Punderfon was the incumbent of the episcopal fociety from 1755 to 1762* The Rev. Solomon Palmer, from 1763 to 1766* And the Rev. Bela Hubbard, the prefent incumbent, has had the charge of the fociety from the autumn of 1767. Mr. Punderfon removed to Rye, in the ftate of New York, where he died at an advanced age. Mr. Palmer remov- to Litchfield in this ftate, where he died not long after he left New Haven- P. 42. D. The number of families in the city is 730. The families average 5 J, the houfes 7 J. Males 1914. Females 2086. Slaves 85. Free blacks 115. Indians and mulattoes 48. Foreigners 142. Congre- gationalifts 47 1 families. Epifcopalians 226. Catholics 7. Moravians 1. Baptifts 1. Methodifts 3. Qua- kers 1. Prieftlians 4. Nothingarians 16. Public buildings 14; viz. 1 ftate houfe ; 3 large houfes of wor- fhip, improved by Congregationalifts ; and one large epifcopal church ; 4 college edifices ; viz. two occupied by the ftudents, a chapel, and a dining hall ; two fchool houfes, one of them an elegant new edifice of two ftories. Preparation is making for a new fchool houfe for the grammar fchool. A new goal, built of hewn ftone, of three ftories ; in the front, and adjoining, a ve- ry elegant brick dwelling houfe, of three ftories, facing the green. 1 Aims Houfe. Dwelling houfes 524. Stores 1 10. Barns and (hops 337. Navigation of the city, {hewing the number of tons, and in what trade employed In the fealing and India trade. Tons. <)$tbs. Four ftiips 1045 43 European trade. Two brigs 1 ,Q One fchooner J * ' Weft India frade. Fifteen brigs ~) Ten fchooners V 2962 30 JS'u. floops J . —66— Amount of tonnage employed in foreign trade, _ .4337 4* Veflels employed in the coafting trade to different parts of the United States One brig "J Three fchooners I 1098 51 Nineteen Hoops J * 5436 2 Of the above, 12 Hoops are employed as packets to New York ; the tonnage of thele is 648 63* Total Ships 4 Brigs 18 Schooners 14 Sloops 25 61 About fixty years ago, the whole navigation confin- ed of two coafters and one Weft India veflel. Before the American revolution, the outward bound cargoes of our Weft India veflels did not average more than 1500 dollars. They now average 6 or 7000 ; but the price of articles is doubled. Population in 1787,. 3364. Males 1657. Females 1707. Families 614. Houfes 466. Stores 103. Barns and fhops 324* The number of each age from one to ninety ftood thus in 1787. Age Number Age Number Age Numt 1 173 16 103 3 1 45 3 113 *7 62 32 42 3 100 18 84 33 J8 4 119 19 62 34 33 5 107 20 74 35 49 6 100 21 77 36 50 7 87 22 57 37 31 8 06 23 58 38 3 1 9 89 24 55 39 36 10 85 25 66 40 52 11 70 26 5 1 41 29 12 80 27 55 '4* 33 *3 86 28* 5° 43 29 14 95 29 40 44 18 *5 7' 3° 66 45 28 _6 7 - Age Number Age Number ^ Number 46 22 61 ir 70 1 47 34 62 8 77 5 48 9 63 9 78 2 49 12 64 10 79 3 5° 35 65 13 80 4 5 1 *7 66 8 81 5 Z 34 67 <5 82 O 53 16. 68 5 83 I 54 1 2 69 84 I 55 17 7° 6 85 56 18 7i 1 86 I 51 10 72 2 87 I 58 11 73 2 88 O 59 7 74 2 89 60 28 75 3 90 I N. B. The numbe rs under and above 17 are *qual. Within the firft \ 'ear we find on the lift of mor- tality almoft double the number of any bther year — In populous cities, pe rhaps, more that . deu 1 : le. In this ci- ty, one third of the deaths is of th ofe u nder ten years, calculating upon an uliial mortality; and more die under five and above iixty than in the intermediate fpace. Mr. Saurin, in a new year's difcourfe, delivered in the church of Rotterdam, 1727, fuppoiing his auditory to co null of eighteen hundred perfons, clamfies them jhus : jft of perfons from 10 to 20 years, amounting to 530. 2nd from 20 to 30 440 3rd 30 to 40 345 4th 40 to 50 255 ^th jjo to 60 160 6th 60 and upwards 70 lSC0 46 According to the. moft exact calculations, of thofe il who have made fuch kind of refeai ches their i>udy, *< each of thefe claffes mud, in the conrfe of this >ear, u prefent to death a tribute of ten penbns. " In New- England the yearly deaths from each of thefe clafles, and upon thefe numbers, rarely exceeds five. This city was viilted with epidemics in 17942nd 1 795, ifrhich added about two hundred to the ufual mortality. —68- In the former part of the year 1794, the Scarlet Fever, or Putr id SoreT hro at, prevailed. To this fucceeded the Yellow Fever. The Dysentery followed in 1795. The mortality by the firft was fifty; by the fe- cond, 63 ; and by the lait, 75. Of 140 who had the yellow fever, 77 recovered. A legacy of Governor Hopkins, appropriated to the grammar fchool, affords an annual intereft of two hun- dred and fifty dollars. This, with fome perquifites, and the advantage of rending in New-Haven, is an induce- ment to the moil deferving young gentlemen, from time to time, to undertake the inftruclion of it. In the ci- ty of New- Haven, there are, befide the grammar fchool, eight public and five private fchools. The number of fcholars in the former is 32,0. In the latter, viz. Union fchool, confiding of two departments, one for males, the other for females, 124; of which number 6x are males. In the three other private fchools 64. To* tal within the city 508. In the town, exclufive of the city, there are feven public fchools, and one private-^-viz. at Hotchkifs' town two, 60 fcholars. Allingtown one, 19. Dogman one, 49. Dragon bridge one, 40. Weft Haven three, 120. Total in town and city, fifteen pub- lic and fix private fchools. Number of fcholars 796. On an average, to each fchool 38. A free fchool within the city provides for the inftruclion of a number of poor children, included in the above. The new and very decent cemetery at the north end of the city was projected and completed by the honorable James Hillhoufe, Efquire. The various public exertions of this gentleman for the benefit, convenience and orna- ment of the city will be long experienced. P. 26. 1. 8. for characters read charters. P. 37. 1. 6. for aad read and, P. 63. 1. ult. dele / in past tor* P. 64, 1. 15. for postor read pastor % P» 64. 1* 8. from the bottom for \ read £. UffifibW^ ?ffl«A* wma rvwviww; mm* H ■ « ^Wwws AA/V AAA/V M/WA fVwPWP ■*mt . A'A/*Va> nnmm^ ^mMM*MmMmM^ mm^sm nflflrv ^a^*a ku? SMift** ttfeSMfc llMffiffi issi^ a^, ^..^ ^^ a a| /\ ^AAaAaA ^M^AAAWflfl^/AW HfclA'V AftAfc' Ia^ab^ WWS i4*rm^iA, aAA^AAa^aA^J uedciaiiiea using me DOOKKeeper process. 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