'$itf(u SAA/i ^ a A a Ml™?- : ^,j;^f Cvfxh #\f Hfinf 'ISP! I ; r: tl <%,%.><%, <%. ! '"S. •%•'%-•%•'%. ^•■^•HI J LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. | [FORCE COLLECTION.] $ An W UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (OWR f-r '*••%■•'%>'*■■ C2 ^ [A A AB.B £\, TORHW AA AA $ ■j#j ifi /** 4.' »i^; SMmm^mfiF WA^ ? * * w s»ftw mm wmimm mwm\ n ■m n ^ r\ A aw f n A iilliiili R 2.\h . fl.rvf p liiiiilii SERMON, DELIVERED IN HAVERHILL, DECEMBER 22, 1820; BEING THE SECOND CENTESIMAL ANNIVERSARY, LANDING mmw^mw^^Awm »ATmii»s» YliXMO\ITII. BY JOSHUA DODGE, A. M. Pastor of the First Congregational Society in Haverhill. Published at the request of the hearers, ►©•»— HAVERHILL : PRlifTED BY BURRILI. & HERSF.Y, 1821 < v SERMON. Among all nations, signal events, beneficial in their consequences, have been celebrated by some manifest tokens of gratitude. The memory of Israel's deliver- ance from Egyptian bondage was kept alive, by the sol- emnization of an annual festival. A monument erected on the banks of Jordan perpetuated, through successive ages, the eventful day, which introduced them into the land of promise. In the church of Christ, there are me- morials, which are designed to bring to grateful re- membrance, merciful interpositions in the kingdom of grace. In conformity to an example so universal, an example happily calculated to preserve unanimity among a people, and to hand down a knowledge of important eras in the history of their country, the citizens of Amer- ica celebrate the day which gave birth to their independ- ence. In conformity to an example so universal, and led, 1 trust, by the impulse of gratitude, we are assem- bled, devoutly to regard this day, as the second centesi- mal anniversary of the first landing of New-England Fathers. — Called, my brethren, to lead your medita- tions on an event so replete with consequences, beue- ficial to civil and religious community ; I have selected as an appropriate theme of discourse, Psalm lxxviii. 3, 4. We have heard, and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, showing to the genera- tion to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. The Hebrews were a highly favoured people. To preserve in recollection deeds of old, they were instruct- ed to make known, and familiarize to their children, and through them, to succeeding generations, the won- derful interpositions of Heaven in behalf of their nation. Hence, the cruel oppressions, signal deliverances, miraculous preservation, and subsequent prosperity of their fathers, were subjects of frequent reflection aud discourse. By such recurrences, they brought back the scenes, and revived the emotions of former times — they kept alive a sense of their dependence on, and obligations to, their divine Benefactor, and adopted the most effectual method to perpetuate a grateful remembrance of mercies received. We may make a safe application of the words of our text on this occasion, to ourselves. — ' We have heard, and known, and our fathers have told us, the deeds of wo and sufferings of other times. We will not hide them from their children, showing to generations to come, the praises of the Lord, and his wonderful works, which he hath done.' The object of our assembling at this time, my hear- ers, is understood. This day, two hundred years since, the first settlers of New-England landed at Plymouth. Of the fruit of their sufferings, toils, and prayers, we now partake, in our rich inheritance. Whilst we embalm their memories with tears of filial affection, may we render to that glorious Being, in whom they trusted, and by whom they were prospered, and we are blest, a tribute of unfeigned gratitude. The ways of divine Providence are dark and myste- rious. From the most distressing events, frequently re- sult the happiest consequences. Apply this remark to the subject before us. New-England is indebted to re- ligious persecution for its first settlement. Elizabeth, Queen of England, during her reign, as- sumed the prerogative of prescribing to her subjects what principles in religion they should profess, and to what forms of church government they should adhere. Many of the modes and ceremonies practised under the preceding reign, when Romish superstition was trium- phant, she was determined to carry into the protestant service. This extent of royalty, exercised in matters of faith and conscience, excited fearful apprehensions among the most active of the Reformers. They ques- tioned the right, and refused obedience to the pleasure of the sovereign. This bold stand, assumed in defiance of the authority of state, was too wounding to the pride of Elizabeth, to be passed unnoted. She issued her threats, and made public her determination to suppress this daring spirit of non -conformity to the established church. By her active and persevering vigilance, she indeed succeeded in checking open and avowed opposi- tion, but could not extinguish the principles from which this opposition arose. The Puritans, " by whom alone," says Mr. Hume, " the precious spark of liberty had been kindled and cherished, and to whom the English owe the whole freedom of their constitution," the Puri- tans, conscious of the rectitude of their cause, and of the approving smiles of Heaven, were determined, however fettered in other respects, to be free in the worship of their God. Not succeeding in their attempts to estab- lish a separate congregation and discipline, they accus- tomed themselves to assemble for religious worship, in private houses, or other places retired from public no- tice. These practices, for some time, continued unre- garded, and were merely connived at ; but at length, the public jealousy was aroused, every mean was em- ployed to suppress them, and the most cruel methods were made use of, to discover, apprehend, and punish, all who refused obedience to the royal authority. Thus prohibited a privilege, dearer to them than life, the unrestrained exercise of conscience in the worship of their God, at home, the oppressed Puritans cast their eyes abroad, and determined to seek an asylum for their piety among strangers. About the year 1608, they bid adieu to the land of their nativity, and, with their be- loved pastor, Rev. John Robinson, embarked for Hol- land. Here their hopes were disappointed — it was not the place for which they sighed. Their cup of religious enjoyment was still embittered. The Dutch were li- centious in principle and practice. Apprehensive of the evil consequences which might result from any long- er continuance in that situation ; alarmed for their chil- dren and little community, surrounded with every spe- cies of wickedness, the embarrassed pilgrims extended their view across the Atlantic, and fixed on America, as a place of refuge, from the existing evils of Europe. In July, ltf20. after a residence of 13 years in Holland, they returned to England. After spending two month* in making all the preparation which their scanty means would permit ; having received the memorable counsel, and melting benediction of their beloved Robinson, with many tears and prayers, they once more bid adieu to the land of their birth and education, and, on the 6th of September, commenced their voyage for America, Di- rected by that sovereign Being, who " renders the winds and waves subservient to his glorious purposes," they safely passed the trackless ocean, and, on the 10th of November, anchored in the harbor of Cape Cod. After bending the knee in prayer and praise, to their kind Preserver, ere they sat foot on land, " they formed themselves into a body politic, by a solemn contract, and made choice of their first governor." The place on which they fixed, as most convenient for a permanent residence, they called Plymouth ; after the town from which they sailed in their native country. Thus, on the S2d of the cold month of December, the weary pil- grims, without a friend to greet them, or a shelter to screen their shivering limbs from the wintry storms, landed, and commenced the first settlement in New- England. Their history, through successive generations, to the eventful epoch, which gave birth to our independ- ence, is little else but details of want, toils and suffer- ings. Few iu number, oppressed with hunger, fixed down in a dreary wilderness, where seldom ever trod before the foot of a civilized being, surrounded by mer- ciless beasts and more merciless savages, without hope of succour from any created beings, visited with sickness, which, ere the opening of spring, swept away forty -five, 8 nearly half of their number; their necessities, their perils, their enemies, must have been many. With such chilling prospects opening on every side, under such disheartening circumstances, nothing but their religion could have preserved them from sinking into despair. Resting on the promises of their cove- nant God, walking in the light of divine truth, and making the throne of grace their rallying centre, our fathers toiled and prayed, in full confidence, that Is- rael's Shepherd would drive out the heathen from be- fore them, break the rod of their oppressors, and give their children a goodly heritage. They laboured not, they prayed not, in vain. The love of liberty could not be extinguished, but with life. Although still in alliance with the country in which they had been so un- justly treated, and from which they had been so cruel- ly driven, necessarily distracted by her broils, envied by her enemies, and oppressed by her wars, they were preserved, multiplied and prospered. No arm was permitted to wrest from them their dear bought rights. In the unmolested enjoyment of their religion, the arms of their hands waxed stronger and stronger, until they, in conjunction with their oppressed brethren, on the south and west, successfully repelled every invading foe — had broken the last link in slavery's chain, and established that rank among the nations of the earth, for which they aspired. Their cause was the cause of humanity and of God. A vine planted by such hands, watered by such tears, and inwalled by such prayers, could not but survive and flourish. With what emotions of gratitude, should we, my brethren, turn from that land of bondage, under whose oppressive laws groaned our puritan ancestors — that sea 9 of appalling dangers, through which they waded — that howling wilderness, where once they wandered de- fenceless, hungry, and naked, to a contemplation of a land of peace, plenty, and equal rights. As an answer to their prayers, as the fruit of their piety, we, their de- scendants, now sit unmolested, under the shade of our own vine. The war-whoop of the savage no more dis- turbs the slumbers of the cradle — no civil code fetters our conscience — no assuming pontiff prescribes rules for our faith. In the undisturbed enjoyment of their inesti- mable privileges, the inhabitants of New-England are the most favoured people, of the most favoured nation, under heaven. With respect to the religious sentiments professed by our fathers, and the church government to which they adhered, there is no question. They had imbibed much of the spirit of the great reformer. Calvin's sim- ple method of explaining the Scriptures, they adopted, and professed their belief in his system of doctrines. Driven from the bosom of their mother church, in which, according to their apprehension, were many things inconsistent with the simplicity of the gospel, in possession of a country, where no arbitrary power awed into obedience, contrary to the dictates of conscience, they were determined to expunge from their ecclesiasti- cal proceedings everything which. bore the least re- semblance to papal superstition. The platform of church government and discipline, on which they fixed, was purely congregational. The first settlers of New-England were good men. Their morality and piety, their love of truth, and the purity of their motives are unquestionable. They made Jehovah the rock of their confidence, and He was theii 10 fortress in the liour of danger. But, like other descend ants from a degenerate race, they had their imperfec- tions. Who couljl have imagined, that the same intol- erant spirit, which exiled the Puritans from the land of their fathers, from their homes and all the endeared enjoyments of civilized society, would have so soon armed them for the same cruel deeds of persecution, as subsequent events proved ! Yes, the very men, who had just escaped from the iron yoke of ecclesiastical tyranny, who contended that liberty of conscience, in matters of religion, was one of the most unalienable rights ever entrusted to man by his Maker, having se- cured the civil power J in their own hands, assumed the prerogative to prescribe rules for others' faith and prac- tice. Against dissenters, the same exterminating spirit raged in the new, as in the old world, till the liberal system of toleration established in the parent country, at the revolution, extending to the colonies, put an end to these proceedings. Thus, we see, that the best of christians are but imperfect men. After these cursory remarks, relative to New-Eng- land and its first settlers, in general, we will circum- scribe our limits, and fix our thoughts for a while, on those events, which more immediately concern this church and religious society. Haverhill, originally Called Pentuclcet, was proba- bly about the twenty-seventh, or eighth settlement made in the colony. The precise time when the first civilized inhabitants fixed on a permanent residence here, we have not sufficient data by which to determine. It is however supposed, to be as early as the year 1640. The place of their origin was Haverhill, Essex county, England. Hew John Ward, to whom they were af- 11 iectionately attached, and with whose pious instructions they had been favoured in their native country, was in- vited to visit them, become their gospel teacher, and participate with them in their joys and sorrows. Pre- vious to the settlement of the ministry among them, the inhabitants were accustomed to attend publick worship at Newbury, or Ipswich. The refreshing privilege of unmolestedly enjoying the ordinances of religion, they considered a rich compensation for the labour of travel- ling sixteen or eighteen miles. Sometime in the year 1641, this church was embodied. In its commencement, it consisted of fourteen members ; eight males, and six females. As the settlement on each side of the river enlarged, this little vine, planted in a wilderness, water- ed by tears, and defended by prayers, grew and strength- ened. Mr. Ward, on receiving the pressing invitation from his brethren at Haverhill, immediately visited them, and in November, 1641, was installed as the first gospel minister of this church and people. His age, at the time, was thirty-nine. He continued breaking the bread of life to his affectionate people, enduring;, in common with them, cold, hunger and fatigue, for forty- nine years ; and then, having reached the venerable age of eighty-eight, worn out in his Master's service, fell asleep, and left his little flock in tears. The number, as near as can be ascertained, which were added to the church, during Mr. Ward's ministry, did not fall short of 392. Those who received the seal of the covenant, probably, exceeded 780. Mr. Ward is respectfully spoken of by those, who have transmitted biographical notices of his character, as a man, a scholar, a christian, and minister. Both for vigour of body and strength of intellect, he was much 12 distinguished. " Though reserved aud unassuming, his judgment was revered, and his influence acknowledged, in all the churches throughout the infant colony." He was a warm advocate for the doctrines of the reforma- tion. Iu the strain of his preaching, he was evangelic- al, impressive, and practical. Eight years previous to the death of this faithful ser- vant of Christ, the people voted to hire an assistant minister, who should preach among them, with a view of settling as a successor to their aged pastor. They employed a number of candidates, who either refused, or were not requested, to continue for any considerable time with them. In 1684, Mr. Benjamin Rolfe was engaged on probation. In him they harmonized ; invit- ed him to settle ; and to their proposals he acceded. After preaching four years, as an assistant labourer ; after closing the eyes and catching the falling mantle of his ascending predecessor, Mr. Rolfe, January, 1694, was ordained and intrusted, with the exclusive charge of this church and people. Mr. Rolfe remarks, on the day of his ordination, • ; these four years past have been the happiest and most profitable to me of my whole life. 1 have had the. counsels of wisdom and experience, the admonitions of a father and a friend, and an example constantly before me, of undissembled virtue, ardent piety, and burning zeal." With this people, Mr. Rolfe continued, administer- ing to their spiritual, and sharing in their temporal wants, cheering their hearts amid the most appalling dangers — with them often in watching, fasting, and prayer, for thirteen years and eleven months, and then Suddonlv Slink intr» 1744, at their request, this church voted a dismission to seventeen of her communicants; 19 that they, in connexion with others, might establish a church in the eastern part of this town. In 17^1, May 30th, a similar request was made by fifteen members, that they might become incorporate with a church, then forming in Hampstead, N". H. This petition was likewise granted. During the year 1765, and the remaining period of Mr. Barnard's life, repeated applications were made to him by individual members, for a dismission from this, and a recommendation to the Baptist church, then estab- lished in this place. To a man so endeared to his peo- ple, so deeply interested in their christian union, and spiritual interest, of such tender sensibility, this was a circumstance peculiarly calculated to embitter the re- maining enjoyments, and becloud the closing scene of life. The successor of Mr. Barnard was Mr. John Shaw ; who accepted the invitation of this church and society^ and was ordained their gospel teacher, March 12, 1777* Mr. Shaw, in his system of religious faith, was Cal- vinistic ; in his strain of preaching, evangelical ; in tem- per, mild and forgiving ; hospitable and benevolent to all with who n he had intercourse. In speaking of him as a man, a christian, and a minister, we need but men- tion the honorable epitaph inscribed over his ashes. " A bright example of benevolence, meekness, patience and charity ; an able advocate of the religion he pro- fessed, and a faithful servant of the God he worship- ped." A respectable testimonial this, to departed worth. For eighteen years, Mr. Shaw continued his ministe- rial labours in this part of the gospel vineyard ; and then, without any previous indications of approaching dissolution, on the 29th of September, 1794, suddenly died, aged forty-eight. Whilst continued this servant 20 of Christ among this people, sixteen were admitted to full communion, and one hundred and sixty-five were baptized. From the period of Mr. Shaw's dissolution, this so- ciety continued destitute of the regular gospel ministry about ten months ; when the church and people harmo- nized in giving a call to Mr. Abiel Abbot, now intrust- ed with the pastoral charge of the first parish in Bever- ly, to settle with them in the Lord. He acceded to their proposals, and was consecrated their minister, June 3, 1795. Mr. Abbot continued a highly esteemed preacher in this desk, and a much beloved pastor among this people, eight years ; and in July 1, 1803, "the connexion was dissolved by mutual consent." During this term of time, forty-nine are recorded as having been admitted into the church, and one hundred and twenty as having received baptism. The very painful event of the dissolution of Mr. Abbot's connexion with this parish was succeeded by five years and six months, in which this church and so- ciety enjoyed no stated administration of the ordinances of the gospel. October S6, 1808, your present pastor received an invitation to the pastoral office, and, on the 81st of December following, was ordained. Since that period, forty- seven have been admitted to full commu- nion, and to eighty-six has been administered the seal of the covenant. The present number of members in connexion with this church are sixty ; twenty males and forty females. Four have been the number added the season past ; three communicants have died, and two received dismissions from us and recommendations to other churches. Thus, my brethren, the church and society of which we are members, have existed for one hundred and 2i seventy-nine years. During the lapse of which time, there have been eight ordained ministers, fourteen of- ficiating elders, and to full communion have been ad- mitted eleven hundred and eighty. The subject de- mands our serious reflection — our wise improvement. We belong to a religious community, venerable for its antiquity, and respectable for that peace and harmony, with which, it lias ever been characterized. We enjoy an inheritance purchased with prayers, toils, and blood ; we have before ns the examples of the best of men, of the best of christians, admonishing us to go forward, and cherish, and defend, and perpetuate the precious heritage. From the preceding observations, we may be led to reflect, 1. On the faithfulness of God, in accomplishing his promises, with respect to his covenant people. Zion dwells on the heart of everlasting love. She is the her- itage of the servants of the Lord. — JVo weapon formed against her shall prosper. — I will gather her, saith the Lord, that was driven out, and get her a praise and fame in every land. The powers of earth and hell combined, may indeed oppress, but they can never des- troy her. The existence, and final triumph of the church, are secured by the immutable promise of Jeho- vah. Although in every period of the world, her friends have been few in number, and weak in strength, her enemies powerful and numerous ; although kings have persecuted, and princes combined to crush her ; although she has been frequently called to confront all the terrors of the dungeon, the stake, the rack, and the gibbet ; has been driven through mountains of fire, and seas of blood, she has, not only survived, but waxed stronger and stronger, and extended further and further her triumphs. Our fathers were good men. Thpy made a covenant with Jehovah, and to him solemnly dedicated them- selves and their offspring. He promised to be a God to them and their seed. With the strength of their faith in this divine assurance, they withstood opposition at home, and braved dangers abroad. Conscious of the rectitude of their cause, with an eye steadfastly fixed on the glory of God, they rose above the objects, which bound them to their country and their homes, and cheer- fully embarked in an enterprise, than which, nothing could be more disheartening to the feelings of nature. Following the leading of divine Providence, their little bark outrode the storms of the ocean, and safely reach- ed these tli en inhospitable shores. Having renewedly consecrated themselves and their all to their covenant God, the pilgrims landed, and pitched their tents where dangers encircled every spot, and death lurked in every path. Oppressed they were, but not cast down. Cold, famine, and sickness were permitted to diminish their number, and retrench their means of subsistence, but not to destroy them. The Almighty remembered his prom- ise, and around them, and over them, spread the wing of his protecting providence. They prayed and toiled ; and were blest and prospered. Look abroad, my brethren, through New-England, and contemplate the blessed effects of the faith and prayers of our puritan ancestors, or rather, the bright evidences of God's faith- fulness to his people. See our fields, our villages, and our cities — our schools, academies and colleges — our privileges, laws and constitutions — our temples, churches and altars ! Yea, see the sons and daughters of the Pu- ritans, now labouring, and praying, and preaching, among the very descendants of those blood-thirsty sav- ages, who were the terror and scourge of our fathers, and we may well exclaim, What hath the Lord wrought for his people ! This church, my brethren— £/h*s vine of the Lord's planting, has never been forsaken. Though her ways have frequently mourned, and her friends have been ready to hang their harps upon the willoivs, because so few come to her solemn feasts, yet, she still survives, a living witness to the never-failing kindness of her God. Secured by the promises of Jehovah, she has enjoyed her union and privileges, for one hundred and seventy- nine years, and will thus, we believe, continue to be enriched, until she shall be embraced in the bosom of the church triumphant. 2. We are led to reflect on our obligations of grati- tude. Our privileges, rich and numberless, were the purchase of many sacrifices ; are the bestowment of cov- enant mercy. Our fathers sowed in tears ; we their children are reaping a plentiful harvest. In contrast- ing our condition ; our privileges with their's, and what bosom is so cold as not to thrill with joy ! The slumbers of our cradles, the repose of our pillows, the labours of our fields, the devotions of our altars, are no more liable to be interrupted by the aggression of hordes of merciless savages, or of the troops of a san- guinary despot. We are not under the necessity, as were our ancestors, of coming up hither for religious worship, bearing the implements of death, to defend our temple from the assaults of the pagan foe. We do not go abroad on the common business of life, under the dreadful apprehension, that when we return, we may find our dwellings plundered and in flames, our wives and children massacred, or borne into captivity. What New-England fathers defended at the hazard of life, and by the sacrifice of every earthly enjoyment, we un- molestedly partake. Where they beheld the beast prowling for his prey, ice see the industrious husband- man joyfully reaping the fruit of his labour. — Where they heard the horrid yell of the barbarian, we listen to the sweet accents of social intercourse, and brotherly love. — Where they witnessed sacrifices offered to de- mons, we assemble to worship the God and Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. — They bore the heat and burden of the day ; — we enjoy the purchase of their sufferings, and prayers, and blood. My hearers, what has not God done for us ? — The preservation of the pilgrims and their descendants from the barbarians of the wilderness, from French usurpation, their deliv- erance from the fetters of British tyranny, and the con- tinuance of our privileges, are some of the most signal evidences of the special interposition of the divine hand recorded on the page of history. Can we reflect and examine, and not feel the pulse of gratitude beat strong ? Can we reflect and examine, and not express our grati- tude to our divine Benefactor ? 3. We should reflect on our obligations to our des- cendants. Our ancestors toiled and suffered, withstood the enemy of the forest, and repelled the invaders of their rights, threw off the chains of servitude, and fought for independence, not merely for themselves, but for us. They looked down through succeeding genera- tions, and embraced in the arms of their charity, includ- ed in their prayers, their children, and our children's children. To them, under Providence, we are indebted for every thing most valuable on earth. In no way can we better express our obligations to them, our attach- ment to their memory, than by doing likewise— thm by sus handing down, unimpaired, undiminished, the inherit- ance, which we have received from them, to- those who are coming after us. To us, our offspring are looking for correctness of sentiment and purity of conduct, for that system of faith and morals, for that religion and that church, to procure the unmolested enjoyment of which, cost so much treasure and blood. The charge, with which we are entrusted is peculiarly weighty. Our conduct will cast a shade on distant generations. The future legislators of our country, and the ministers of the gospel, our civil and religious institutions, are to take their complexion, not so much from the opinions, the instructions, examples, of for- mer times, as from those of the present. If ive betray our trust, with what anguish will posterity reflect on the period in which we lived ! — " In what accents of grief lament the mistakes, the faults, and the crimes, which combined to rob them of their rich inheritance, and left them poor indeed." Our fathers were pious. They trusted in God, and walked in his statutes. They nurtured their sons and daughters in piety. They prospered, and, for their sakes, we are blessed. But, if we dishonor the God and Saviour whom they honored, if we swerve from the path in which they walked, can we expect the approving smiles of Heaven, which they enjoyed, and to transmit to our descendants the blessings they have, transmitted to us? Does our regard to religion, my brethren, to the duties of the Sabbath and sanctuary ; does our instruction of our children, our example before our household, our intercourse with one another ; do our exertions, and sacrifices, and influence, and prayers, to build up the church, and extend a saving knowledge of Christianity, answer the expectations of our ancestors ? are they correspondent to the light we enjoy ? are they 4 36 such as will best subserve the well-being of future gen- erations ? Lastly. We are led to reflect on the ravages of time. The patriarchs and prophets were not suffered to con- tinue by reason of death. One generation passeth away, and another cometh. What numbers have enter- ed on and passed off the stage of life in New-England, since the landing of our forefathers. An increase of population has but increased the congregation of the dead. Of those, who have lived before us, the dread destroyer has spared neither sex, nor rank, nor age. The numberless hordes of the original proprietors of our soil, with those whom they oppressed, enslaved and massacred, are gone to a state of impartial retribution. Not a solitary individual, who inhabited this town one hundred years since, is spared to celebrate with us, another centesimal anniversary of the first settlement of New-England. Our fathers, who procured for us this pleasant, this rich inheritance ; the founders and first members of this church and society, their brethren, and children, and children's children ; the ministers, who broke to them the bread of life, and participated with them in their joys and sorrows, have numbered their days, and returned to their kindred dust. In yonder burying ground, doubtless are encircled the ashes of more than three thousand of those, who once occupied the places we now inherit. There rests, not only the dust of our ancestors, but of many of those whom we personally knew, and with whom we have taken sweet counsel. There are entombed the remains of those, who in successive periods sang praises in this temple, occupied these seats, and surrounded these altars. There lies the ashes of the venerable Ward, the much lamented Rolfe, the zealous Gardner, the faithful Brown, 27 the beloved Barnard, and the benevolent Shaw. These servants of the living God, with nearly all those to whom they broke the bread of life, have entered eterni- ty,, and heard the irrevocable sentence of their impar- tial Judge. This day, my brethren, commences the thirteenth year of the speaker's ministry among you. During the time of my connexion with you, one hundred and forty-four from this society have been added to the catalogue of mortality. The average number, who have annually died, has been from ten to fourteen ; the last year ex- cepted, in which were removed thirty-four. — A subject this, my hearers, which demands our most serious con- sideration. With this vast congregation, we shall soon be uumbered. I may safely predict, that, unless the course of Providence should change, more or less of those, who now hear my voice, ere the return of this day twelve months, will have done with this, and com- menced another state of being. You or myself will have finished all concerns with preaching or hearing, and ev- ery other duty relative to time, and will have beeu fixed in that condition, from whicli there is no return. This reflection irresistibly leads us forward to a con- templation of a scene more momentous. We part here, but to meet again hereafter — to meet, on an occasion, where hypocrisy will be unmasked, and motives and actions of both ministers and people will be impartially weighed in the balance of the sanctuary. Yes, the time is at hand, my beloved flock, when we and our descend- ants, this temple and our religious ceremonies, will be no more. — When yonder sun will cease to shine ; the moon be turned into blood ; the stars fall, the heavens, the earth, the elements be on fire. — Then the re-animat- ing trump of God will re-echo through the extensive mansions of the tomb, Arise, arise, ye dead, and come to judgment f Then from yonder grave-yard, the vener- able Ward, with his fellow pilgrims ; then all his suc- cessors in the sacred office, with their respective charges ; the speaker, with all those who now hear him, will come forth to witness the sentence of eternal retribution, either, Come ye blessed, or, Depart ye cursed! Amen. HYMN FOR DECEMBER 22, 1820; AS SUNG IN THE FIRST PARISH MEETING-HOUSE. PART I. God of our fathers — Zion's king ! With eye propitious now behold, While in thy house thy praise we sing And celebrate thy works of old. When Israel 'scaped from Pharaoh's hand, Thro' seas and desarts bent their way, God was their guide to Canaan's land, Their fire by night, their cloud by day. When sixteen cent'ries roll'd around, Since Jesus bore the sinner's load, A new, and western world was found, A refuge for the church of God. Like Israel too, New-England's sires, By cruel persecution driven, Thro' dearths and desarts, seas & fires, Follow'd the guiding hand of Heaven. Religion bore their spirits up, And smooth'd the roughness of their road ; Faith was their shield, their anchor hope — Their wealth, the Bible, and their God. To heaven, their home, their prayer ascends, For, they were pilgrims on the earth ; Exil'd from country, kindred, friends, They sought the country of our birth. For this they plough'd the wintry main, And braved the dangers of the deep ; •Cheerful and patient under pain, or Christ ira« riifh th^m in th^ ship. PART II. Now on Columbia's savage coast, Escap'd from ship-wreck Hz from storm ; Behold the feeble shiv'ring host, Their pious hearts alone were warm. Heroic souls ! New-England's pride ! For us, who could all dangers brave ; They toil'd, they pray'd, they bled, they died ; Nor found their rest, but in the grave. But Thou, O God, wast with them stilP Their toils and patience to approve ; Thy faithful promise to fulfil, And pour the blessings of thy love. This little vine Thou didst defend, And water with rich showers of grace ; Its clust'ring branches wide expand — The pilgrims' numerous, happy race. With grateful hearts, and joyful eyes, We hail the standard they unfurl'd ; O bid the church's seed to rise, And fill with fruit the astonish'd world. . Look down,0 Lord, and grant that we, i Beloved for our fathers' sake, I Through Christ may thy salvation see, | And of thy cov'nant love partake. May we, their sons, thy praise acclaim, The God our fathers loved, adore ; Our children's children fear thy name, I Till euns shall rise and set no more. c