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 I
 
 CENTURY SERMON, 
 
 OR 
 
 S.KETCHES 
 
 OF 
 
 The History of the Eighteenth Century. 
 
 INTERSPERSED AND CLOSED WITH 
 
 SERIOUS PRACTICAL REMARKS. 
 
 DELIVERED AT NORTH-HAVEN, 
 JANUART i, 1801. 
 
 BY BENJAMIN TRUMBULL, D. D. 
 
 PASTOR 
 
 Of the Church of North- Haven* 
 
 NEW-HAVEN: 
 PRINTED BY READ AND MORSE. 
 
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 A&GJSJUES
 
 STACK ANNEX
 
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 CENTURY SERMON. 
 
 I. CHRONICLES, XXIX. 39, 30, AND PSALM LXXVII. II, 12. 
 
 Now the atts of David the king, first and last, behold 
 *re written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Na~ 
 than the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer, with all his 
 reign and bis might, and the times that went over him, and over 
 Israel, and over all the kingdoms of the countries. 
 
 J will remember the works of the LORD: stirtly I will re- 
 member thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work y 
 and talk of thy doings. 
 
 THE works of the LORD are great, honorable and glorious. 
 They are fought out of all thofe who have pleafure in them. His 
 works .of providence, in the redemption, prefervation, govern- 
 ment and final falvation of the church, efpecially, are great and 
 marvellous. They have employed the thoughts, the tongues and 
 pens of patriarchs and prophets, of apoftles and good men, in the 
 various ages of the world. They have been the wonder and joy 
 of faints and angels ; and will be celebrated in their united fongs, 
 for ever. They exhibit the glories of GOD to men, and teach 
 them their duty to Mm. How important is it therefore, that 
 they fhould be made known to us : That they may excite our 
 reverence and fear of him ; our gratitude and praife, our hope 
 and trufl ! 
 
 FOR thefe ends, thofe excellent men, Samuel, Nathan ana 
 Gad, who were prophets and teachers in the church, recorded 
 the great events of David's reign, and the times that went over 
 him, and over Ifrael, and over all the neighbouring kingdoms. 
 This affords full evidence that it is a pious and honorable work, 
 becoming the character of a teacher in the houie of GOD. 
 
 IN our text, David, the man after God's own heart, deter- 
 mined pioufly to recollecl, and mcft certainly to keep in his re- 
 membrance, the wonders, which, in former generations, the 
 LORD had wrought for his people. He formed a refolution, that 
 they fiiould be the fubjc6l of his pious and frequent meditations,, 
 
 20121
 
 C 4 3 
 
 and tliat he would converfe upon tncm, for his own fupport and 
 rt, and for the i;,flruc~lion and comfort of others. In how 
 mans uilur plaints dots he, in a moil fublime and animating man- 
 ner, celebrate the divine works ? How does he wake up his glory, 
 and i'u; mnon every thing which hath life and breath to praife the 
 LORD, for his mighty acls, and for his excellent greatnefs? How 
 does he teach ail men to regard and contemplate the works of 
 GOD, and to praife him, for the wondrous things he hath wrought 
 in ail the earth? 
 
 ANOTHER thing worthy of fpecial notice, in the words of the 
 text, is the doctrine of the univerfal providence of GOD, fuperin- 
 tending all the affairs of men all the revolutions and events of 
 ancient and modern times. Whatever influence creatures might 
 have in them, the pfalmiit teaches us that they are the works and 
 wonders of GOD. In numerous other pfalms he gives us the fame 
 view. Saith he, the LORD bath prepared bis throne in the bcav- 
 cr.s: and bis kingdom ruletb over all*. He celebrates the difpenf- 
 ations of providence over the fick, over travellers, captives, mari- 
 ners, the planters of new countries, princes and nations, as gov- 
 erning them in adveriity and in profperity, and in all the various 
 conditions of life. In this view, he exhorts all men to praife the 
 LORD for his goodnefs and wonderful worksf. The Almighty 
 claims it as his ible prerogative, to govern all events. I form 
 the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I 
 the LORD do all these tbingsj^. It was the do6trine of our SAV- 
 IOUR that the divine providence extended to all events, and to all 
 things : That the haplefs fparrow falls not on the ground without 
 the notice of our Father who is in heaven : That he gives to the 
 grafs of the field, to the tulip and the rofe their verdure, fragrance 
 and beauty. Saith the apoftle, of him, and through him, and to 
 him are ail things : to whom be glory for ever|j. 
 
 HAVING made thcfe general obfcrvations, fhowing the duty 
 of bringing into view and devoutly contemplating the works of 
 GOD, and that we fhoulu view the mighty revolutions and events 
 of ages as the operations of the divine hand, I (hall now proceed. 
 to give you a frxtch of th^ works of GOD, in the centuiy paft, in 
 Europe and other parts of the old world: and efpeciaily of his 
 cjifpenfations towards America, the United States, New Eng- 
 la;,J, and this town. 
 
 IN this fketch I fliall more efpeciaily notice thofe events 
 whici die church of GOD, in which prophecies have been 
 
 fulfilled and the work of ivdeuiption advanced. 
 
 * Piilm, ciii. 19, f cvii. J li'.iahi C. xlv. 7. 1| Rom. xi. 36.
 
 [ 5 ] 
 
 AT the commencement of the laft century William and Mary 
 reigned on the throne of Great Britain, and Lewis the XlVth 
 on the throne of France. Poland was a powerful Roman cath- 
 olic kingdom. At Rome the pope reigned with great power and 
 
 .ficence. He was fupported by the Lewifes, thole powerful 
 kings of France, by the emperor of Germany, the kings of Spain, 
 Pofugal and Naples, and by numerous petty princes and ftates. 
 A\..,iion, that large, opulent and capital city of Provence, in 
 France, where icvcn popes had fucceliively reigned, with the 
 whole province of the Venaiilin, was fubjedl to his dominion. 
 In America, the French and Roman catholics were powerful. 
 M'hj jefuits, who conftituted the mcft deceitful, intriguing and 
 
 Liable branch of the Romiih hierarchy, wei~e in full power. 
 Thcfe kings and priefts, with the v/hole papal hierarchy, in their 
 fefpeclive kingdoms, according to the divine prediction, had one 
 miad to give their power and flrength unto this anti-chriftian 
 bead*. 
 
 AT this period, the ftate of literature and civilization was 
 advanced to a confiderable degree of eminence; but its progrefs 
 fince is beyond calculation. The improvements of the laft cen- 
 tury, in philofophy, aftronomy, mathematics, law, phylic, the 
 fine arts, navigation, commerce and manufactures have exceeded 
 all former precedent. New and important difcoveries have been 
 made in the heavens and in the earth j\ The acquaintance of 
 mankind, with the feas, continents and iflands, with the various 
 
 inhabitants of the earth, with their cuftoms, manners, religion, 
 
 
 
 * Revelation xvii. 12, 13. 
 
 f The aurora borealis, or northern light is a new appearance, in the heav- 
 ens, to this country, peculiar to the eighteenth century. It had been ieen in 
 G.'eat Biitain, efpecially :n the north of Scotland, for many centuries pad, but 
 even in that country it had not appeared for eighty or an hundred years, until 
 M.irc i 6, 1716. Its iiifl appearance in New England was on the i^th of 
 December, 1719. It appears to have besn ^ great light, and began abou 
 o'clock in the evening. It filled the country with the greatelt alarm imaginable. 
 It was the general opinion that it was the fi;;n or the coming of the f<>n of man 
 in the heavens, and that the judgment of t .e gicat day was about to commence. 
 Accoiiling to the accounts given by the ancient people, who wert Imitators ot 
 it, there was Iit:le fi.ep in New England that night. 
 
 The ingenious M . Herfchel has m?.de new and ufeful difcoveries in tlie 
 fteljary legion*-. In 17?^ he difcovered a new planet, which has been called 
 Herfchet, in honor to ;ht d;!coverer. He has made new i ifcoveiies lir.ce of a 
 re\v region of ftjrf, bey r.d tint which h 'd been difcovered in piece<iing ages, 
 pref;ming to the mind a Jar more magnificent view of the work* of GOD, than 
 had been before conctived.
 
 r * i 
 
 commodities, manufactures and commerce has exceedingly in* 
 '. The progrefs in hiftory and geography in Europe and 
 America, Ins been very caniiderablef. In both countries there 
 liiivi been invat improvements in almoft every branch of agricul- 
 ture. In both the progrefs of civilization has been rapid. Nu- 
 :c\v and humane eftablMhments have been made, for the 
 relief and afnfhnce of the poor, the infirm, the unfortunate and 
 miserable of tlic human kind. A vaft number and variety of in- 
 ilrumcnts have been invented of great convenience and utility, in 
 manufactures, hulbandry, and the numerous branches of bufmeU 
 which employ mankind^. 
 
 Gr?at Britain has futnimsd ten circumnavigators the laft century j 
 Co!>ke 1708; Ciipperton ami Sh< ioock 1719; Anfon 1740; Byion 17645 
 Wallii anil Caitrret 17665 Cook 17685 177*, 17765 continued by King 
 1780 ; an i fmce by Poitlock *7S8. The Dutch have had one, Roggcwcin 
 17115 and the French on;', Boug'iinviite 1766. Other navig:it'S have ex- 
 |lorcd particular pans of the earth, and made new dilcovcries. By them many 
 new iflamU, and imihitudes of human beings have been found, of whom the 
 iviii?ed wot Id btfore bad no knowledge. Among thefe are ['ox tfland in the 
 worth Pacific ocean, difcovered 1760; Suffolk iflnds, 1774; Ouheite, June 
 18, 1765 5 Niw Caledonia, a large ifland in the Pacific ocean, 1774; O.vhy- 
 hee iilaud, the eatternmolt and largett of the Sandwich flands, 1778. This 
 itland is about eighty-four mihs long and fcventy-two wide, and is lupjiofed to 
 contain 150,000 inhabitants. It was here, on the i4'h of February 1779, that 
 the celebrate d Captain Cook tell a Lcrificc to the revenge of the natives. 
 
 f- Geogrij'hy, b; th in Europe and Ameiica was very Imperfecl. The 
 f'ogiaphy of alnic/ll every pAit of the world, is now much better underftood 
 ihni tle l>cil wiiui* in England knew that of the American colonies a century 
 'go. The accounts which they gnve of the American fettlcments were, in a 
 blgh degree laughable. But by reafon of th" great incieafe of navigation, and 
 thd aflitt.fnce of good writers on geography, mankind are beco'iie acquiinted 
 witli each oti>ei' countries, manners, tnterefts, religion ;inJ coinineic<. JBy 
 tlie affilta^ce of the Kevtretid Dr. Merle's Univerf^i Geogiaphy, and that of 
 Djftor D'.vi^ht'o for ichuois, Icliool boys kno* more of geography no\v, than 
 men clri an h in Med ye^ r s ngo ; my more than even the writers on geography 
 knew at tiiat j'niod. Ji.-ii'ii-*, fcveral good hiftories <;f liic C"ioni:S have beu 
 written duiing t!>:' lufl century, wliich hae greatly increafed their knowledge of 
 each cihjr, and ^.cqvnintsd the woild more intimately with their affairs. Nu- 
 merous hiftonts ot other countries w<-.re written during to--- i'.me period, by which, 
 knowledge iias been increa.'eu, nr,,J t!vj acquaintance of mankind, in the various 
 yiiU i;t the eaith, wi:h e.-^ch other gix-r-tly advanced. 
 
 J Among the numeious diicovcii --s and inventions of the Americans in 
 the lalt ccntuiy, t!;c >!i:co-.vry of the phiio'ojihv of the elefti ic fluid, and of rods 
 .::ve buildings tior.i t!;e tremen-ious eff .-> of !: ; ;lit:.,i.jr is vi".)it;y of no- 
 tit.-. I'H.U gre.it ger.ios an i pliii'ot'oplier, Doctor Frunkiin, conceived t!ie i ica 
 t.j ijUii.^ity >l>i>ut die year 1745, an.i hcgan to commwnicate his difoverics in 
 .. Utt.is to nien ,{' Iwrnmj IH 1746 jn.l 1747. H<: v^s the fi.il and fo'.e
 
 HOWEVER, it is remarkable, that in the mklft of all thcfe 
 Improvements, light and civilization, the mod illuminated r.nd 
 civilized nations upon the globe, have employed one half of the 
 century in fierce and horrid warfare. Between eleven and twelve 
 years, Queen Anne and her allies carried on a powerful and 
 bloody war, to defend thcmfelves againft the encroachments, 
 growing powers and influence of Lewis XIV, and to preferve the 
 balance of Europe. The wars of her fucceflbrs, with France, 
 Spain and America, have employed them nearly forty yours more. 
 About forty years of the lame period, thefe American colonies 
 and United States, have been obliged to fight in their own de- 
 fence, againft France, Spain, Great Britain, and the American 
 Indians. Other nations, in Europe and other parts of the earth, 
 have exhibited the fame hoftile difpofitions, and have engaged in 
 the fame work of rapine, defolation and death. What a public 
 and ftriking evidence have all men, that violence is yet in the 
 "earth ! That their feet are fvvift to filed blood; and that deftruc- 
 tion and mifery are in their ways ? 
 
 IN thefe mighty wars and convulfions, kingdoms, common 
 wealths and cities have been defpoiled, overthrown and erafed ; 
 thrones and royalty have been annihilated; whole countries im- 
 poveriftied and enflaved, and debts contracted which are the afton- 
 illiment of mankind*. In Europe and America great and won- 
 derful revolutions have been effected : and while kingdoms, and 
 
 inverv or of rods for the prefervatlon of buildings. Some difcoveries of this were 
 made in Germany, at an early period, but the Doclor appears to have been the 
 firtt man who (o fully invelligated this branch of philofophy. It was IK t Co 
 fully inveftigated arjd eftablifhed in Great Britain until about twenty years after, 
 in 1766. 
 
 * The debt of Great Britain is one of the modern wondrrs of the world. 
 It began in 1697, and was at that time about 5,000,000!. At the death of 
 King William in 1702, it was 14,000, oool. Ai the death of Queen Anne in 
 1713, it was 50,000,000!. In 1747, it was 64., 79 3, 797!. i6s. yi-d. In '757 
 when the intereft was reduced to 3 per cent, it wa v s 110,603,836!. 8s. I|T. 
 In 1780, it was upwards of 200,000,000!. and in 1790, it amounted nearly to 
 34.1,000,000!. befides an unfunded deb: of 30,000,000!. The F<enc!i war, 
 which was proclaimed in 1756, coft ih= nation 90,000,000!. fleriing. This 
 debt, in one century, has increased neaily 300 millions. A certain writer ob- 
 ferves upon this debt, as it flood in 1790. " This fum in cam, if put into 
 carts, each containing a thoufand pounds, and two horfes to diaw, allowing 
 40 feet to each cart, would load 3,000 carts, and cover 37 miles in length, 
 with a remainder of 116 in the 38 miles. Were it to be laid down in guinea* 
 in a line, it would extend 4,300 miles in length ; if laid down in (hillings, 
 would extend three and a huh times round the globe." How fliould this wai 
 the United State?, and all people upon earth, againft war and national debts.
 
 [__ J 
 
 tin-ones and cities have difapp eared in fome places, new and in- 
 dent itates, republics, and cities have fprung up in others. 
 
 AVOTIIFR event worthy of fpeoial notice, is the growth of 
 error, i.. fidelity, athcifm, the moil filthy and abominable doc- 
 trines , unnatural and wicked practices. Deifm, 
 
 . made its firft appearance in France and Italy, about two 
 hundred and forty years ago, and in England little more than a 
 hundred and feventy, in the lail century, as might naturally be 
 expected, degenerated into the grofleft atheifm. The falfe rea- 
 foning and tliiTolute lives to which infidelity led thofe who em- 
 braced it, fo blinded and hardened them, that they boldly denied 
 the being, and ridiculed the very idea of a Gon. They declared 
 authority to be a mere ufurpation: That family government 
 which GOD has enjoined, to be the beginning of all tyranny ; and 
 civil government a curfe. They have declared chaftity and natu- 
 ral affection to be mere prejudices : and that murder, adultery, 
 the poilbning of their neighbours, and other crimes of the fame 
 diabolical nature, are lawful, and, as circumftances may be, virtu- 
 ous actions. Their writings and converfation are too obfcene to 
 be expreficd among people of any modefty. There is no impiety ^ 
 filthinefs, villainy, nor cruelty which they do not vindicate. . 
 They have confpired againft religion, Ibciety, government and 
 GOD himfelf. In the latter part of the century they fpread their 
 infernal doctrines and manners far and wide, in France and Ger- 
 many, in feveral of the principal courts of Europe, and among 
 people in other countries. By this means they have effected the 
 late furprizing revolutions, in France, Germany and Italy : and 
 have filled Europe and other parts of the world with fuch a fcene 
 of horror, rapine, death and carnage, as has no parallel in mo- 
 dern ages# 
 
 IN thefe wars and revolutions, GOD in his providence, has, 
 in a conlpicuous manner accompliflied the predictions of his word, 
 and diminifhed the reiburces, wealth, power and influence of the 
 
 * See numerous quotations at large, from thsfe writers, in jirofcflor Rob- 
 infon's proof ot a con (piracy agninft all religions and governments ; and the 
 Abbe Barruel's Hilt"ry <-f J co')inifm. R ad all' Godwin, and know fails 
 from his own jjjjp. It is very remarkable how Goo in his pioviJrnc-, i< n- 
 il of t'jr c urts and priucts in Europe, their o-vn wickednsfs. 
 T hey have joined with infuitls in acling ag-iiolt GOD, h.s word nnd the gla- 
 lious S 'vruir, an 1 t.ow h-.- is '.'ufr.ii^ig tii'jl's; verj irmr.eral :i:ul abominable doc- 
 ttines ami prafticis which they encourugeJ, to be a means of fluking them from 
 their thrones an i tilling their kingdoms with rapine, violence arid death. How 
 t -ruble h is GOD fhown himfelf to the kint;s of the earth. Has he not brought 
 thcpricces to oothing, and made the judges of the earth as vanity ?
 
 I 9 1 
 
 Roman anti-chrift. Within the laft half century, the order of Je- 
 fuits has been abolifirjd*; and other orders of the Romifh clergy, 
 in tevcral papal countries, have been fupprefied or greatly re- 
 duced-j-. In tome, their permanent eftates have been confifcated, 
 The inquilkion in fome popifli countries has been ubolifhed^, and 
 in others greatly ameliorated. Poland, as a diftinc~l kingdom, is no 
 more[|. Venice, tha Sardinian monarchy, and the popifh part of 
 Switzerland, as political bodies, have vanUhed in the late memo- 
 rable revolutions. Auftria and the whole German empire have 
 been greatly impoveriftied, weakened and deeply wounded. Rome 
 and Naples have been taken, plundered and exceedingly weak- 
 ened. Italy has been conquered, impoveriflied and laid wafle. 
 
 IN France, the throne of the Louis's, thofe firm and pow- 
 erful fupporters of popery has been overthrown, and royalty an- 
 nihilated. The Romifh hierarchy has been perfecuted and de- 
 ftroyed with hatred and cruelty which have no example. Thou- 
 fands of the clergy have been flain or banifhed, and their eftates 
 confifcated. Not only in France, but in Belgium, the influence 
 of the clergy has been, in a manner deftroyed, and their immenfe 
 wealth taken from them, and employed for fecular purpofes. la 
 France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Egypt, millions have p*erifhed 
 in the revolutionary wars. 
 
 
 
 AT the fame time the perfonal revenues of the pope have 
 been exceedingly diminilhed, and in a good meafure annihilated. 
 Avignon, that ancient and opulent city, and the whole province 
 
 B 
 
 * The JcfotM were a famous order of priefts in the Romilh church, ef- 
 tablifhed under the name of the company of Jefus, A. D. 1540. Their foun- 
 der was Ignatius Loyola, a Spanifh gentleman of iliultr.ous rank. They 
 maile a rapid ami aitunifhing progreis through alt the Roman catholic coun- 
 tiies, and had great influence until they weie lupprcffed iu 1773. 
 
 f Friati and Nuni were fuj>prdTed io Germany, A. D. 1785. JnFranct 
 1790. 
 
 t Ail tortui - w? aSoliihed, and a toleration of religious faith granted, ia 
 A'iftiia, 1776. The inquifition/ in Franca, wai abolilhed by edift, 
 S> '7Soj at Naj>ie, 1788. 
 
 Jj Poland fiifF.-rcd a defalrttioa of ffveral of irs provinces, by Ruflii, 
 
 JrVviflTu, iul the E)ijt;or of Gsrinany, in 1771. M.*y 3, 1791, ti't-- c.owri 
 
 va* made heredita-y, and its citizens ad.nitt.-d to civti, military, and ecclcii- 
 
 altical enploymenn. Since that period it ha* been cooqiered, the ki.jJ ite- 
 
 y poleH, ar,J tbc kiugdo dirided piiKC'pilly bitww tb tyrants wf
 
 io 
 
 of wliich it was the capital, has been taken from him*. The 
 late pope was feized, diverted of all temporal dominion, reltric-letl 
 to :i certain penlion, and exiled from his royal city. For a cer- 
 tain time the beaft ceafed to reign on the fcven mountains. A 
 fiu'ccllor, it is true, has been chofen and crowned. But what 
 dominion, refources or influence has he ? Is not the myftical Eu- 
 phrates dried up? Is there not a drought upon all its waters? 
 
 CAN we not in thefe great events clearly fee the accomplish- 
 ment of feveral of the divine predictions, efpecially under the 
 fixthvial! What can more clearly anfwer to the description of 
 the three unclean fpirits, the fpirits of devils, working miracles, 
 and' going forth unto the kings of the earth, and of the whole 
 world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of GOD AL- 
 MIGHTY, than the teachers of thofc impious, and filthy dodlrines 
 of which I have juft been fpeaking? Have they not above all 
 men, in any period of the world, openly, boldly, and explicitly 
 contended againit GOD? Have they not, in a very extraordinary 
 manner, gathered the kings, and a great proportion of the inhab- 
 itants of thctearlh to fight agalnilGoD? Are they not ftill ga- 
 thering them together ? Is not the figurative Euphrates drying 
 up; ad the way preparing, fpv the deftriic~lian of the nnftical 
 Babylon ? 
 
 Is it not. remarkable indeed, that the ten kings, the fame 
 earthly powers, which, for a time, had one mind to give their 
 power and itrength unto the beaft, 'ihould now hate and deftroy 
 him? Is it not worthy of fpecial notice, that France, the very 
 power v/hofe king, nearly ten centuries and a half fmce, railed 
 the pope to temporal p.ower and dominion, fliould be the firft fa 
 implacably to hate him, and, with fuch power and fuccefs, to begin 
 the work of his deftrucYmn ? Is there not fome thing in this raprl 
 decline of popery, in the fliaking of all the Roman catholic king- 
 doms, and the deilrucYion of fo many men of eminence and figare 
 amon-; them, which looks like tlic falling of the tenth part of the 
 city, and the flaying of lev en thouiand men of name I At leaft, 
 do we not fee the commencement of them ? How ftrongly do 
 great events witnefs, That, known unto GQD, are all 
 his w<#k.; from the foundation of the world? What new and 
 mcreaft'.' ; evidence do they exhibit thaA- the fcriptures ar^ u. 
 divine word 1 
 
 * Avignon was tit ice n from the Pope by the King of France, 1769. Cut 
 on the fuppreflion of the Jrfuit?, four years afiei, it wag ie(t<>ie('. In 1791* 
 it.wa* declared to belong to France, and he has had no pifllflion of it fincc tliat 
 - -1.
 
 t ii 3 
 
 AMIKICA, New England, and the United States, in the 
 feme period, have witneffed great events and i'ulvations. At the 
 commencement of the century, they were few in number, poor, 
 and fcattered over a vaft tra6l of country, the principal part of 
 which was a vaft wildernei's. Their wants, enemies, and dangers, 
 were great and many. Queen Anne's long war impoverished, 
 \veakenedand almoft ruined the Northern, and greatly diftrefled 
 ibme of the Southern colonies. 
 
 IN 1707, the French invaded South. Carolina, demanded the 
 Surrender of Charitftown, landed in ijvtral places, and burnt a 
 number of buildings. They were, neverthelefs, through a variety 
 or providential circumftances, remarkably defeated. Of about 
 eight hundred of the enemy, nearly three hundred were killed and 
 taken. Among the latter was Monfieur Arbuiet, commander in 
 chief by land, with a number of naval officers, who offered ttn 
 thouiand pieces of eight for their ranibm. 
 
 THE maffacre of the Palatines, and war with the Tufcaroras 
 in 1712, ahd the general riling of the Indians in 1715, exceed- 
 ingly diftrefled the colony, and threatened its total extirpation. 
 But, in the mount of difficulty, GOD appeared for the diftrefled 
 colony and granted a fxgnal victory. 
 
 THE New England colonies, during the war, made great 
 exertions to defend themfelves againft the enemy. In 1710 they 
 were fuccefsful in an expedition againft ?9rt Royal. The next 
 year, they, with the Province of New York, made extraordinary- 
 exertions for the reduction of Canada. But the defign failed by 
 reafon of the ihipwreck of the fleet in the river St. Lawrence. 
 
 Ix 1742, Georgia experienced a memorable deliverance. 
 About the laft of June a Spaniih fleet of thirty-two fail, with more 
 than three thouiand men on board, under the command of Don 
 Manuel' de Monteano, came to anchor near the fort. They ibou 
 paffed it, and proceeding up the river, out 1 of the reath of its can- 
 non, landed the troops and erec"led a battery of twenty eighteen 
 pounders. The enemy had a fine artHiery, under a good com- 
 mander. But General Oglethorpe, with leven hundred men, ar.d 
 fome friendly Indians, defended himfelf for a confiderable time, and 
 finally, by a ftratagem, caufed them, after fuftaining confiderable 
 lofs, to raiie the liege and quit the colony. 
 
 THE capture of Louifburg, by the New Englanders, adifted 
 by a few of the King's {hips, it; 1745, was a truly memorable 
 event* It-i coafequeuces to New England, to Great Britain,-
 
 t I* 3 
 
 France were prodigious. The prizes taken, during and after 
 , .ge, amounted to about a million fterling. The French 
 fifhery on the coaft was deftroyed, the trade of the colonies was 
 preicrved, the Newfoundland fifliery rcftored, Nova Scotia and 
 the Eaftern Coail protected. What was ilill more important, it 
 finally purchafed a peace for the nation. 
 
 THE next year New England experienced a deliverance ne- 
 ver to be forgotten. The French, fired with refentment at the 
 lories they had fuftained in America, determined on the recovery 
 of Louitburg, the conqueft of Nova Scotia, the deftrucYion of 
 Boflon, and the ravaging of the American -courts from Nova Sco- 
 tia to Georgia. The armament defigned for this mighty work of 
 deftrucYion, confuted of eleven ftiips of the line, and thirty fmaller 
 ihips of war, from thirty to ten guns. It was accompanied with 
 tran fports, carrying between three and four thoufand regular 
 troops. Thefe were to form a junction with fifteen hundred 
 French and Indians, at Nova Scotia. The Duke D'Anville, a 
 nobleman of diftinguifhed abilities, in whofe courage and conduct 
 the French had repoled the greattft confidence, was appointed to 
 command the armament. Monfieur Pomeret commanded the land 
 forces. As early as the beginning of May, this formidable fleet 
 was ready for lea ; but it was fo detained by contrary winds, that 
 the Admiral could not leave the coafts of France until the aid of 
 June. Admiral Martin, with a fleet of obfervation, waited be- 
 fore the harbour to prevent his failing, but he got out unnoticed, 
 and proceeded without moleftation. The Duke detached Monf. 
 Confluns with three fhips of the line and a frigate, to convoy the 
 trade to Cape Francois in Hifpaniola, with directions to join him 
 at Chebuclo, the place of general rendezvous. This powerful 
 fleet and army were now left, without the lend moleftation from 
 any human being, to carry into execution all their mighty works 
 of deftrucYion againft the colonies. It was now left wholly to 
 Him, who difappointeth the devices of the crafty, and taketh the 
 prey from the mighty, to fave the colonies, and efpecially New 
 England, from ruin. Let us behold with grateful aftoniihment, 
 how he wrought for their ialvation. Beiide laying an embargo on 
 them, for more than fix weeks before they failed, he caufed their 
 paflage to be ftormy and tedious. Like the chariots of Pharaoh, 
 when the LORD looked upon them, they moved heavily. At more 
 than three hundred leagues from the place of their deftination, one 
 of their firft rate fliips became fo difabled, that the mariners were 
 obliged to burn her. Soon after, they were overtaken with a 
 ftorm, which fo injured the fleet, that three more fhips of the line 
 were obliged either to bear away for the Weft Indies, or return to 
 France. It was not until the JUth of September, that the Duke
 
 CJ3J 
 
 D'Anville arrived at Chebuclo, accompanied wit^i one (hip of the 
 line and four tranfports only. But one iliip had got in bet'" re 
 him. Conflans had arrived on the coaft ionic time before ; and, 
 not finding the fleet, returned to France. This long and dii'aft- 
 rous palfage had totally deranged his whole plan. He waited un- 
 til the 1 6th, and not one of t|ie lliips of w*r arriving, and but 
 three of his tranfports, he was fo affected with disappointment 
 and chagrin, that it brought on him an apopleptic fit, or he drunk 
 poiion, and died fuddenly the fame morning. In the afternoon, 
 atter his death, the Vice Admiral, with four {hips of the line and 
 forjie transports, arrived in port. By realbn of the long paifage, 
 the troops arrived in an extremely lick and miiera'ole condition. 
 The Admiral was dead, Confluns was gone for France, more 
 thin half the force deligned for the expedition had not arrived, 
 and the ieaion for Action was far ipent ; L'il.ftournelle was there- 
 fore for giving up the expedition, and returning to France. He 
 propoled it in council, to his officers; but Moufi^ur De la Jon- 
 quiere, governor of Canada, who was the third in command, with 
 a majority bf his officers, for nearly eight hours violently op^oied 
 him. De la Jonquiere and his party iiififted, that the fick, with 
 frelh air and provifioiis, would ibon recover, amLthat they were 
 able, at leait, to reduce Annapolis and Nova Scotia : After which 
 they might 1'afely winter in Cafco Bay, or return to France, as 
 fliould beft fuit their inclinations. The iflue of the debate was a 
 rejedhon of D'Eftournelle's proportion. This threw him into 
 fuch an extreme agitation, that it brought on a fever, and threw 
 him into a delirium. He feemed to be imitten with a divine ter- 
 ror, and put a period to his own life. Jonquiere, who was a 
 man of (kill and experience in war, and zealous for the honor 
 and welfare of his country, fucceeded him, and greatly railed the 
 expectations of the fleet and army. 
 
 ON the a8th of September, certain intelligence came to Bof- 
 ton, of the arrival of the fleet at Chebudlo. it was reported to 
 be more numerous than it really was when it failed from France, 
 and there was not the leaft intimation of the 'damages it had re- 
 ceived. England was not more alarmed with the Spanifli Arma- 
 da, in 1588, than Bofton and New England were at the news of 
 this armament at Chebucto. Every poilible meaiure of defence 
 was immediately adopted. In a few days fix thoufand and four 
 hundred of the inland militia marched into Bofton. Six thoufand 
 more were to march on the firft notice, from Connecticut, to the 
 affiftance of their brethren. The reft of the militia were to be 
 retained for the defence of the lea coafts. In the mean time, the 
 good people were proftrate, feeking the divine aid. The confe- 
 quencec were happy, the enemy never qaine againft a city, a vil-
 
 t 14 ] 
 
 lage, or a fmgie /ortrefs, or fliot an arrow there. Sicknefs and 
 death, in fuch an extraordinary manner, emptied thiir ftups, 
 thinned their ranks, -and wafted all the adjacent countiy Inch 
 florins and difafters conftantly attended them, that they finally 
 retin-ned with great lofs and fhame to their own country*. OUF 
 fathers flood dill and'faw the falvation of the LORD. 
 
 IN the French war, which was proclaimed in 17 56, the col* 
 fines experienced a great folvatioo. The French, for more than 
 half a century, had been planning 1 their total exth-j..iuu;:. "i Ley 
 had nearly encompafled them, on the land fide, with a line of 
 fortifications; and their plans were juft ripe for execution. But 
 thole memorable events, the capture of Louiiourg and Quebec, 
 and the conqueft of all Canada, in the courfe of the war, broke 
 up their bloody defigns, and threw them into the pit, which they 
 had digged for their neighbours. The ceffion of all that country 
 to Great Britain at the clofe of the .war, was of high confedera- 
 tion to the then American colonies, and to the churches of 
 CHRIST. It gave them a happy feafon to reft, populate, in- 
 c.reaie their fettlements, refources, and importance. It exceed- 
 ingly weakened the papal intereft, in America, and enlarged and 
 iecured the proteftant territories and churches. It was an im- 
 portant part of that great feries of events, which prepared the 
 way for the ceffion of fuch extenfive territories to the United 
 States, at the clofe of the revolutionary war. Who can but be 
 filled with a reverential and grateful admiration, in view of the 
 immenfe and gracious defigns of providence, in cauling that chain 
 of fortrefles which had been ere6led around them to be delivered 
 into their power, and to be the meang of their enlargement, con- 
 venience and defence. 
 
 THE repeal of the {lamp acl was, doubtlefs, a very eflential 
 part of that fcheme of providence, whieh led to the prefent inde- 
 pendence and freedom of the United States. Had Great Britain 
 perfiftcd in carrying it into execution, it is not improbable that 
 ihe would have fucceeded. America was not then able to refill. 
 Had flie fubmitted to that, it is very doubtful whether the revo- 
 lution would have ever been effec-led. 
 
 * The Acadiani and Indians Cocking to the French camp, with frefli pro- 
 vifions, touk the contagion ; and it was I'uppofed, that nearly half of the inba. 
 hitantt of tl.e a.ijacent country died with the ink&ion. he fides the lol* of two 
 Admiral* and a great proportion of troops, marines and lea>nen ( the F'ench 
 loft three capital ihips. The Caribou they were obliged to burn at fea, the 
 Mars wtei taken by the Nottingham, jurt as (ha arrived on the courts gf Frar.ce> 
 4*A tH A!ci l wasdmcn oa Ihorc by the Exeter, and buixt.
 
 [ *5 3 
 
 THE American revolution, in which thefc United States af- 
 fumed the rank of free, fovereign and independent powers ; and 
 iii confequence of which they have, in fo fhort a period, riien to 
 their prefent ftate of ftrength, opulence, profperity and refpecla- 
 bility, is one of the greatcft and moll memorable event* of the laft 
 century. That a people, who, at the commencement of the war, 
 fod not a regular regiment, nor a fortified town, nor a fliip of war; 
 who had neither money, arms, nor military {lores, ftiould main- 
 tain a feven years war, with one of the moil warlike and power- 
 ful nations upon earth ; that they fliould capture two complete 
 armies, and finally obtain their independence, ought ever to be 
 acknowledged as one of the wonderful works of Goo, 
 
 NEW ENGLAND, and the American States have not only 
 been wonderfully protected, but increaied. At the commence- 
 ment of this cefftury, the inhabitants of New England, I fuppofe, 
 did not amount to more than forty-five or fifty thoufands, and 
 row they p/robably exceed a million. The whole number of min- 
 ifters," in New England, was about one. hundred and twenty; 
 four within the province of New Hampftiire, one in the province 
 of Maine, eighty-fix in Maflachufetts, and twenty-eight in Con- 
 ne6ticut. Now there are in New England, I fuppofe, about fe- 
 ven hundred congregational and preibyterian minifters ; about 
 tlu'rty-feven epifcopaTian, and nearly one hundred and fixty bap- 
 tift minifters. The churches are much more numerous. In 
 Mafiachufetts there are more than eighty vacant churches, ex- 
 cluiive of the counties of Hancock and Wafliington, in which are 
 more than 40,000 inhabitants, with not more than three or four 
 regular minifters. In Ntw HampPiiire there are about forty va- 
 cancies in the congregational churches. In Connecticut there are 
 twelve. In the episcopalian and baptift churche* there are many 
 more vacancies in proportion to their numbers. 
 
 THE population and fettlemsnt of the United States, the 
 incrcai'e of their navigation, commerce and husbandry, efpecially 
 fiuce the revolution, have exceeded all parallel. From an hun- 
 dred, or an hundred and fifty thoufands, they have, 'in a century, 
 increased, probably to nearly fix millions. Their navigation, a cen- 
 tury ago, nay, at the pacification with Great Britain, was next 
 to nothing, and now the American flag is difplayed in the ports o 
 almoft every commercial ftate and kingdom upon the globe. The 
 United States have now more tons of {hipping upon the feaa than 
 any other nation upon the earth, except Great Britain. Thei-f 
 filheries have increased in fome happy proportion to that of their 
 numbers and fculsnients. The old colonies, new ftates, hare er-
 
 i6 ] 
 
 cee&ingly extended their fettlcments, and four or five new one* 
 have been added to them*. 
 
 CoNxr.cTicuT, fince the beginning of the laft century, has 
 increufjd, from about fourteen or fifteen thoufands of inhabitants to 
 two hundred and fifty or fi\ty thoufands. Within its limits, at 
 that period, there were thirty-eight churches, illuminated by the 
 fame number of minifters. Now there are more than two hun- 
 dred of eachf. At that period, except juft in the centre of the 
 towns, it was a wildernefs. Now it is covered with beauti- 
 ful villages, towns and cities, and appears like a well inclofed and 
 cultivated garden. 
 
 JUST after the commencement of the century Yale college 
 was founded, which, conlidering its i'mall endowments, for many 
 years at firft, has profpered beyond all parallel. It has been a 
 i'ource of bleflings to the church and commonwealth. More 
 than two thoufand and five hundred have received its public hon- 
 ors. Of theie, two hundred and thirty-five have been exalted to 
 the feat of magiftracy. Nearly eight hundred have flione as lu- 
 minaries in the American churches. Others have been eminent 
 in the profellion of law, phyfic, and natural philofophy, of eccle- 
 fiaftical hiftory and the learned languages. The State abounds 
 with academies and fchools, and with refpec~l to the degree of na- 
 tural and moral inftruclion, with which it is every where illu- 
 minated, it has no rival. Connecticut has not only fettled and 
 cultivated its own territories, but has borne a large fhare in plant- 
 ing, peopling, and forming churches, in all the other States. 
 Her inhabitants fettled Minas in Nova Scotia, Wyoming in Pen- 
 
 * The fettlement of Giorgis commenced 1733. The firft fettrement in 
 Vermont was at fort Dummer on Connecticut river, in the year 1714. But the 
 general fettlement of the State did net begin until after the tern ination of the 
 French war, in 1762. In Janu ry 1777, at a general convention of therepre- 
 lentames of the towns, it was declared a diitirct, free and independent State. 
 On the iSthot February 17911 it was unanimously admitted into the union of 
 the American States. Tliepuichafe of Kentucky was made in 1775. The 
 fettlement began about 1778. The Weftern Territory was made a government 
 under certain c.-nditions, July 13, 1787. This is very cxtenfive, containing 
 411,000 Iqmre mile=, equal to z6 3, 040,000 acres. By al of Congiels it may 
 be divided into five diftincl States, 
 
 { There are in this l ; ate 1 78 congregational paftors, and aboutlpo churches. 
 There are aocpiicopalian ministers, 16 pluralities, and 17 vacancies, comprizing 
 in the whole, 51 congregations. The baptifts have 15 minilters, and feveral 
 vacancies. The paftors have formed thcmfelves into two afiociaiions, by the 
 names of the Stonington Aflbciation, and of the Danbiry Aliociation,
 
 I 17 1 
 
 fylvania, large and numerous tracls in Man*achufett8, New 
 Hampihire, Vermont, New York, New Jeriey, and even at 
 Mulkingum. Her fons have been envoys to foreign kingdoms, 
 governors, members of Congrefs, chief judges, and generals in 
 this and other States. They have been prefidents in their col- 
 leges, heads of their academies, teachers in their fchools, and 
 minifters in their churches. They have been mifllonariss in the 
 new fettlements, and to the heathen. 
 
 INDEED, literature, civilization, and every thing which can 
 ameliorate the {late of man, hath been rapidly increafmg, in the 
 United States in general. At the commencement of the laft cen- 
 tury, there was but one college completely founded in New Eng- 
 land. Now there are fix*. In all the colonies, now States, 
 fouth of Connecticut, there was then but one, now there are fif- 
 teen or fixteeni. 
 
 C 
 
 Cambridge umverfity, founded 1*38, was the only college in New Eng- 
 land before the la! 1 ; century. In 1700 a number of minifters met at N w Ha- 
 ven, and gave about 4.0 volumes of book* for the founding of a college in Con- 
 necticut, la 1701 the general aflersibly gave a charter, and gave a leg..l eftab- 
 lifliment to the college, which has fince been called Yale college. The college 
 at Providence, in the Stare of Rhode Ifland, was founded 1764. D rtmouth, 
 in the State of New Hampfkire, in 1769. Williamftown college, in Miffachu- 
 fetts, was iniHtuted 1793. The Rev. Ebenezer Fitch, for ftveral ye.is a tu- 
 tor in Ya! college, ii prefident. A college has been lately inititutea in Bur- 
 lington, in the State of Vermont, 'and the Rev. Jeremiah Atwruer, who was 
 B:i'o a tutor in Yale college, ha* been appointed to the presidency of it. 
 
 f William and Mary cdlege, in Virginia, founded 1692, was the only 
 college in the colonies fouth of New England, until after the commencement of 
 the laft century. King's college, in New Yosk, was founded in 1754., and 
 Uiiion college at Scheneetady, in 1794. Naffau hall, at Princeton, was inltituud 
 1738, and Queen's college, Bruni'wick, 1775. In Pennfylvania, thtre are 
 thiee colleges, the univerfity at Philadelphia, founded during the \var ; Dick- 
 infon college, at Carlifle, eftablifhed 1783, and Franklin, at Lancafter, founded 
 1787. Maryland abounds in colleges : In it are Washington collegf, at Chef- 
 tenown, in the county of Kent, founded i/2z, and St. John's, at Annapolis, 
 eliabiifheJ 1784. Thele colkgt-s, by an a& of the legiiliture, conrtitute one 
 univerfity, by the name of the Univtriity of Maryland. In thsfe colleges uni- 
 formity of law, inftru&ion, mannen, and cultoms are punctually maintained. 
 T.ie Roman catholics created a college at George town, Potowmac, about the 
 . ear 1780 ; and the methodifU, about three yesi before, infiitutcd one at Ab- 
 ii'gtoi), in the coui'*y of I-Iavtford, named Cckeslzry college, in honor to Tho- 
 m -s C..ke, L, L. D. and Francis Alb'-iry, biftiops of the methcdift church. In 
 V.rginia, a fecond college has been erected, in FiSnce Edward county, named 
 LiatKpdfn Sydney college. The legiihtwre of North Carolina, in 1789, ir.ftituted 
 .* uuivfity, by the name of the University of Ntrtb Carolina. About tea
 
 r Ji_ ] 
 
 GOD hath not only wonderfully enlarged and pfote&ed" thfc 
 American church, but granted her happy days of fpiritual reviv- 
 ing and refrefhment. Befides the ordinary blefling of GOD on the; 
 churches and colleges in this country, from the beginning, there 
 have been extraordinary fcafons of ferioufnefs and attention ta 
 religion. In 1733, there was a very great awakening, in many 
 towns in New England, which continued for feveral years. 
 Happy additions were made to the churchei ; and thofe who had 
 been good people before, experienced the frefli anointings of the 
 fpirit, and were filled with new zeal and joy*. The great revival 
 in 1741, was much more general and powerful. It pervaded New 
 England, and the American colonies in general. The colleges in 
 New England and New Jerfey, efpecially Yale college, and the 
 college at Princetown, have experienced, feveral times of re- 
 freftiing. Dartmouth college, has once, experienced a moft happy 
 vifitation. By thefe feafons of falvation, a number of young men, 
 from time to time, hare been raifed up, who, in their day, have 
 been experimental, powerful preachers, and fignal Wettings to the 
 churches. At the time of the general awakening in Dartmouth 
 college, the towns in the vicinity participated in the heavenly 
 fliower. In 1783, a confiderable number of towns in the county 
 of Litchfield, and in the county of Berkftiire, in Maflachufetts, 
 enjoyed a precious harveft, in which many fouls appeared to be 
 gathered unto CHRIST. Befides thefe more general revivals, par- 
 ticular towns and parifhes, in this State, and in the other 'States, 
 have been gracioufly vifzted, when there has been nothing fpeeial 
 in the churches round about them. GOD hath difpenfed his mer- 
 cies in a fovereign manner. It hath rained upon one city, and 
 upon another it hath not rained : One hath been taken an'd ano- 
 ther left. 
 
 Tin late awakening and ingathering, which fo many churches 
 and congregations have experienced, for t\vo or three years pail, 
 
 I 
 
 years lince, the State loaned 5,000!. to the trufteea to enable them immediately 
 lo proceed with their buildings. Ju South Carolina there have bn three col- 
 leges iiftiti:tul, one at Ciuilelion, another at Winnborough, called Zioa college, 
 iinda third <u Cambiklge j but 1 bcii.v?, thai at Chukflon, anu the other ac 
 ge; aic liui<: n>oic than reiptttable academics. 
 
 I.i Georgia a colics has been inftitcted, at Louifville, and amply endow. 
 d, denominated the Uttivtrtity cf Georgia, Jofi.<h Meigs,' Efq. late ju-ofVflbr 
 vt mathematics and natural yhiinib^liy, ID Yale Colicgc, hus lately beei\ cholien 
 prefident of Lid uiavuiuj, and i- picpaiing to JLI..OVC and efluinc the picii- 
 
 y . 
 
 See the Rev. Jonathan Edward*' narrative of the wcik, ^tinted 1738.
 
 f ij> ] 
 
 and wVnch fome ftfC ftill experiencing, ought particularly, and 
 thankfully, to be acknowledged. CHRIST hath appeared, walking 
 in the midft of the golden candlefticks, with greater power and 
 glory than the churches have, at any former period, experienced. 
 The work has been more powerful and genuine, and the fruits of 
 love, union, felf-loathing, humility, prayerfulnefs, righteoufnefs, 
 and peace have been more abundant. 
 
 the laft century, have been formed all the religious 
 conftitutions, which unite the American churches, one with ano- 
 ther, and which harmonize and regulate their ecclefiaftical pro- 
 ceedings. The churches of Connecticut, aflbciated and confo- 
 ciated in the beginning of the century, and their religious confli- 
 tution, was approbated and eftabhihed by the legiflature*. The 
 formation of prefbyteries, fynods, and the general aflembly 
 of the preibyterian churches, in the United States, is of a 
 more modern date. The formation of the general aflembly was 
 not effected till ibme time after the American revolution-}-. 
 Within a few years, a general union hath been formed between 
 the general aflembly of the prefbyterian churches, in the United 
 States, and the general afibciation of the State of Connecticut. 
 A frnilar union hath been effected, the laft year, between the gen-- 
 cral affociation of the State of Connecticut, and the convention of 
 minifters in the State of Vermont. By thefe unions, the paftors 
 and churches are brought into a more general and intimate ac- 
 quaintance with each other, and with the general ftate of the 
 churches and of religion ; are under better advantages to give ad- 
 vice, guard againft vice and error, againft erroneous and immoral 
 miniilers and mere impoftors ; to at with more united and har- 
 monious exertion and influence i promoting divine knowledge, 
 
 * Oaober, 1708. 
 
 f The fynod of New Yoik ant! Philadelphia, at their fefllons 1788, divided 
 into four fynods : viz. the i'ynod of New York and New Jerfey, the fyned of 
 Philadelphia, the fynod of Virginia, and the f) nod of the Caiolinas. Thefe 
 four fynods were to constitute a general aflembly j the firft meeting of whicU 
 was appointed to be at Philadelphia, in May, 1789. .At the time of divifiun, 
 the four fynods confiftfd of fixteen prefbytei ies, in which there were i8t pref- 
 byters, who had the care of about 210 chuiches; and befides thefe, there were 
 about 210 vacant churches. In 1794, the number of pri-fl>yterics within the 
 limits of the general aflembly, amounted to i ; but theiciinns from thtra 
 were fo deficient, that the increafe of prefbytei and churches could not be afcer- 
 tained. Thespian of union between the general aflembly of the prtfbyteriaa 
 churches, in the United States, and the general afiuciation of ConntcYicuT, wa 
 agreed upon, by a committee of esch, at New Haven, September 15, 1791; 
 and adopted by the general aflctnbly, May 17.92, and by the general nfi 
 the June
 
 E-ao 3 
 
 tmity of fentiment, piety, righteoufnefs, and genuine chrifUanity 
 among themfelves, and in their refpecYive congregations ; and 
 all'o in diffufing chriftian knowledge in the numerous new and va- 
 cant fettlements, and in communicating the bleflings of the gofpel 
 to the heathen. 
 
 Silrcx the American revolution, the episcopalian church in 
 the United States, has been completely organized. The churches 
 of that denomination, in each State, have their own bifhop. Dr. 
 Seabury was the firft biihop in the United States. He was con- 
 fccrated to his office in Scotland, November 14, 1794. The 
 epifcopalian churches in Connecticut, were the firft in the United 
 States, who enjoyed the privilege of a biiliop. The epifcopal 
 clergy and churches meet in a general convention, or in particu- 
 lar conventions in each State, as they judge moft convenient r.nd 
 neceflary. They have agreed on the forms of prayer and mode 
 of worfhip adapted to the United States, and given themfelves 
 the name of the EPISCOPAL PROTESTANT CHURCH IN AMERICA. 
 
 PERFECT toleration and liberty of confcience is enjoyed in 
 all the United States, and the various denominations of chriftians 
 are forming, or have formed themfelves into fuch affociations, 
 claffes, i'ynods and conventions, as they judge moft fubfervient to 
 the great interefcs of religion*. 
 
 THE abolition of the ilave trade in Great Britain, in New 
 England, New York, New Jeriey, Pennfylvania, and in other 
 parts of the United States; and the total abolition of flavery in 
 feme of them, ought to be noticed as a happy event of the paft 
 century. The amelioration of the condition of the Haves in the 
 fouthern States, and in forae other parts of the world j the chrif- 
 tianizing of great numbers of them, with the pleafing profpecl; of 
 the total abolition of that horrid trade, in the human fpecies, is 
 matter of inexpreffible joy. May the GREAT PAREKT of all crea- 
 tures haften the day, when all human beings fhall enjoy natural 
 and moral freedom. 
 
 * The firft convention of the epifcopal clergy was at Philadelphia, 1789. 
 At this convention, they coi reeled and ratified the hook of common prayer. 
 The piayers for the king nnd royal fan iiy were left out, and prayus adapted 
 to tiic Government of tlv U .ited Stntcs inlerted ; an alteration WJS aifo made 
 in the hti. i il fei vice, and various refolntions pafled for the government and good 
 order of the epifcopal church in the United States. They have met twice, iu 
 general convention, fince 5 in September 1795, and in June 1799. It appears, 
 that tl'ere wrre, at that time, in the States fouth of New England, 164 ordained, 
 officiating, epiicopal clergymen. In the Staie of New York 18 ; of New Jerfey 
 6"; of Pinnfylvanii 14. } of Delaware 4j of Maryland 395 of Virginia 61 } and 
 of South Carolina 15.
 
 t.ai ] 
 
 ANOTHER occurrence which ftrongly characterizes the clofe 
 of the eighteenth centur^ and hath ftill a more happy afpect on 
 mankind, and the church of GOD, is that uncommon exertion, 
 and chanty, exhibited in Europe and America, for the fpreading 
 of the gofpel among the heathen, '/he formation of numerous 
 focieties for that truly apoftolica! and glorious purpofe, is a new 
 and peculiarly aufpicious event. That holy ardor and union in 
 prayer, among pious people, in both countries, for the converfiou 
 of the Jews ancl calling of the gentiles; the uncommon exertions 
 which have been made, and are ftill making, for the promulgation 
 of the goipel, to the continents in the r our quarters of the earth, 
 and to the moft diftant iflands in the feas, portend great good to 
 the church. They afford the higheft encouragement to pray for 
 the profperity of Jerufalem ; to exert curfelves, and ipare no 
 pains for the furtherance of the gofpel. When the people of 
 GOD take pleafure in the ftones aiad favour the duft of Zion, will 
 he not arife and build her up? is not the let time to favour her 
 then commencing ? 
 
 HAVING given this general view of the principal events of 
 the laft century, iuffer me to prei'ent you with a fketch of the hif- 
 tory of this fociety and town. 
 
 THE lands in the town were purchafed by the Rev. John 
 Davenport and Theophilus Eaton, Efq. in behalf of the firft plant- 
 ers of New Haven, of Momaugin i'achem of Q.tiinepiack, and 
 Montowefe, ion of an Indian fachem at Mattabefeck, now Mid- 
 dletown. The agreement with the firft of thefe, was made on the 
 2.4th of November, 1638; in which he concedes all his right to 
 all the lands, rivers, ponds, and trees within the utmoft limits of 
 the faid Quinepiack, with all the liberties and appurtenances 
 thereof, to the faid Davenport and Eaton, and the other Englifli 
 planters of New Haven, their heirs and affigns, for ever. The 
 other agreement and purchafe was made December u, 1638, in 
 which Montowefe confirms, in the fame ample manner, a tract, 
 principally north of the other, thirteen miles in breadth, extend- 
 ing eight miles eaft, toward Connecticut river, from the river 
 Quinepiack, and five miles weft, towards Kudfou's river, and ten 
 miles in length, north and fouth. Thefe two deeds conveyed a 
 tract of country about eighteen miles in length, and thirteen in 
 breadth, covering the whole tract within the towns of New Ha- 
 ven, Woodbridge, Hamden, Eaft Haven and North Haven ; the 
 principal part of the towns of Walllngford and Cheihire, and of 
 the parifli of Northford. By the terms of the agreements and 
 purchafes, the Indians were to enjoy lands to plant on, upon the 
 eaft fide of the river, upon the tract fince called Eaft Haven.;
 
 r * * i 
 
 they had alfb the right of hunting, fowUpg and fifliing upon th* 
 lands and rivers fecured to them. On their part, they bound 
 themfelves not to injure nor affright the Englifh, nor to enter into 
 any combinations againft them. 
 
 THE lands having been thus purchafed, and Governor Eaton- 
 wning a large tracl on the weft fide of the river, it feems, puts 
 one William Bradley, who had been an officer in Cromwell's ar- 
 my, upon it, nearly an hundred and fifty years ago. He, I fup- 
 pofe, was the firft perfon who came into the town. Next to him, 
 were Thomas and Nathaniel Yale, who, it feerns, came on to the 
 land about the year 1 660. In a deed of faid land, given by The* 
 ophilus and Hannah Eaton, heirs of Governor Eaton, to Thomas 
 Yale, executed March 9, 1659, it appears that Thomas was then 
 upon the land. About the year 1670, a confiderable number of 
 the inhabitants of New Haven moved to Wallingford, and began 
 the fettlerq/ent of that town, formerly call*d New Haven village. 
 This encouraged the fettlement of North Haven, apd Jonathan 
 Tuttle, about the fame time, began a fettlement near the river, 
 on the farm formerly owned by Deacon Ifaiah Tuttle, who was 
 his grandfon. Nathaniel Thorpe, Ebenezer Blakflee, and John 
 Humafton, foon after fettled on the eaftern bank of the river near 
 the centre of the town. Daniel and Thomas Barns, Thomas Ja- 
 cobs, and Mofes Brockett, made fettlements near the river, on 
 the eaft fide of it, about a mile north of the fouth line of the town. 
 Thefe appear to have been fome of the firft fettlers ; and they 
 began the fettlements in this Scattering manner. Next to thefe 
 families, were Stephen and Mofes Clarke, Michael Todd, Eben- 
 ezer and Thomas Ives, James Bifliop, John Cooper, John Gran- 
 nis, John Brockett, and Jofeph Ives. '-"ho two laft of thefe, 
 went firft from New Haven to Wallingforu, and afterwards moved 
 into North Haven. Jofeph Ives built on the road, abwut twenty 
 rods north of the hotile erected, at the- corner, by Ifaac Thorpe. 
 In this the people met for public worfliip, until they were able to, 
 build them a meeting houfe. Thefe were generally defcendants 
 from the firft planters of New Haven. The names of a confider- 
 able number of their ancefton are among the firft freemen and 
 church members, who entered into the remarkable agreement, 
 and fubfcribed the fundamental article* of government, adopted 
 at Quinepiack, June 4, 1639*. 
 
 THE fettlement was very flow, and it feems, that for nearly 
 forty years, fome of the firft planters attended public worfliip, and 
 
 * William Tuttle, Jchn Cooper, William Thorpe, John Brockett, WiU 
 Kan Ivc, and James Clarke^ are exprdTsd by name.
 
 t *3 1 
 
 Burled their dead at New Haven. The women ufualty went on 
 foot to New Haven, on the Lord's day, attended two long exer- 
 cifes, and returned. In fome inftances they did this with a child 
 in their arms*. The inhabitants were not made a diftiacl eccle- 
 fiaftical fociety, until the fefiions of the general aflembly, in Octo- 
 ber 1716, when they were veiled with all the privileges of fuch 
 .a fociety. The honorable Nathan Gold, Efq. deputy governor, 
 and the Rev. Samuel Andrews, then paftor ef the church, at Mil- 
 ford, were appointed a committee to repair to North Haven, and 
 to aflift the parifh in appointing a place in which to erect their 
 meeting houfe, and to advife them with refpect to the iettlement. 
 of an orthodox and worthy minifter. The Rev. Mr. James Pier- 
 pont had given them the plat of ground, on which the meeting 
 houfe now {bands, upon condition, that the people would erect 
 their houfe of worlhip upon it. This was thankfully accepted. 
 A houfe for public worfhip was creeled about 1618 ; 38 or 40 by 
 28. The polls were of a proper height for good galleries. 
 
 WHILE the parifh were transacting thofe affairs, they had 
 invited Mr. James Wetmore to fettle with them in the work of 
 the goipel miniftry. At the feffion of the general aflembly, in 
 May 1718, the aflembly gave the- inhabitants liberty to form into 
 a church. And the November following Mr f Wetmore was or* 
 dained. 
 
 AT the time when the parifh was formed, the limits of it exit 
 tended considerably north and weft of the ground on which the 
 meeting houfe in Mount Carmel has fince been creeled, and com 
 prehended twelve families, which, before 1716, were fettled upon 
 that tract. The whole number of families, at the time when they 
 were made a parifh, was about forty. Mr. Wetmore was greatly 
 efteemed and beloved by his people; but after he had laboured 
 with them for nearly four years, he altered his fentiments, and 
 in September 17 :u, declared for epifcopacyj-. The conference- 
 
 * The tradition is, that Mrs. Bbkflee, the great grand mother of the pre 
 fent Ciptain Blakihe, would take her child in her arms, on fabbath day morn- 
 ing, tiavel to New Haven aod hear Mr. Pierpont preach, and return again after 
 roe. ting. The fame is reported concerning M:i. Thorpe, the wife of Nubza- 
 iel Thorpe. The people who fettled this towu were brought up in the ftrict 
 puritanic religion of" thofe excellent men, Mr. Davenport and Mr. Piarpoat, and 
 were, numbei s of them, truly of the excellent in the earth, 
 
 f One or two families embraced epifcopacy with Mr. Wetoaore, which 
 began the church in this town. In 1751, when Mr. Ichabod Camp went for 
 orders for Wallingford and Middletown, theie were two fublcriher* for him at 
 North Hjven. He came back and officiated at Wailirgfordj MiU<4^(9yya **4
 
 [ 34 ] 
 
 YV ; . a difm'iiTion, foon after, from his paftoral relation. He went 
 .ngland and took orders, in 1723. He was re6tor of the church 
 at Rye, where be finiflied his courie, May 14, 1760. He was edu- 
 cated at the collegiate fchool at Saybroo:;, where he received the 
 degree of Bachelor of Arts, in September, 1714. 
 
 AFTER a vacancy of a little more than two years, the Rev. 
 K.iac Stiles fucceedcd him in the puftoral office. He was ordained 
 on the i ith of November, 1724. He was graduated at Yale col- 
 lege, 1722, and died May 14, 1760, on the fame day, and nearly 
 at the fame hour, in which his predeceffor, Mr, Wetmore, died. 
 He was well verfed in the fcriptures, had a natural gift of elocu- 
 tion, and was a zealous, engaging preacher. 
 
 THE bereaved congregation, after they had heard feveral 
 gentlemen, by the advice of the aflociation, made application to 
 me. Upon their invitation, I paid them a vifit, and preached to 
 them, the firft time, on Lord's day, Auguft 31, 1760. After 
 preaching with them a little more than two months, the church 
 and fociety, with great unanimity, gave me a call to fettle with 
 them, in the work of the miniftry. It appeared my duty to ac- 
 cept their invitation, and I was ordained to the paftoral office, by 
 the confociation of the paftors and churches of the whole county, 
 December 24, 1760. Through help obtained from God, I con- 
 tinue to this time. I am now juit .entering on the forty- fir ft 
 year of my miniftry. My locks have vhitened and my eyes grown 
 dim in your fervice ; but during; this long period, through the won- 
 derful patience and goodnefs of the GREAT FATHER of mercies, 
 I have never been unable to perform the public worfliip, on both 
 parts of the day, but in one fmgle inftance. I have been able to 
 meet you at every Ie6lure, ' at every funeral, and upon all occa- 
 Jlms in which my minifterial fervice has been recmired. Within 
 a little lefs than a century you have had three minifters, two of 
 whom have ferved you about feventy-fix years. 
 
 TIIKRF. have been in the church, ten deacons ; David Yale 
 and Samuel Ives, chofen 1718. Deacon Ives died November 
 25, 1726. Samuel Todd fucceeded him, chofen about 1727. 
 
 N-vtii Haven, until 1760, when he removed to Virginh. The Rev. Mr. Pun. 
 derfun vifiteii them frequently, the letter part of the fame time, ami fur a year or 
 two nltei wants. In 1760 thfy liuiit (hem a fma'l houfe^o hy 30. From the year 
 1761, until about the year 1783, they were under the pa oral cue of the Rev. 
 Mr. Andrews, of Wailingford. The Rev. Mr. Hart preached \o them ioi lev. 
 eial >ear finer, but they are now a plurality under the charge of the RtV, Reu- 
 btn Ives, of Chtfhirc, and have picaching ones in thiee fabbath*.
 
 .[ *5 3 
 
 Blakfl,' about 1728, fuceeeded Deacon Yale*. De?coA 
 Blakflee removed to Northbury, now -Plymouth, 1739, and Dea- 
 
 >con Thomas Cooper fucceeded him, chofen 1740. Upon the de- 
 Ceafe of Deacon Todd, Ifaiah Tuttle was chofen Deacon, about 
 the year 174 if- The Deacons, by re a ion of their advanced age, 
 defiring alliftance, Jefie Todd was chofen Deacon, December 
 24, 1771, and James Humafton, November 24, 1773. Upon 
 
 the reftgnation of Deacon Humafton, Solomon Tuttle was chofen, 
 November 2,, 1780. Deacon Titus Todd was chofen, March i, 
 1787, to iupply the vacancy made by the removal of his brother 
 Jefle Todd, to Spi'ingfield, in Maffachufetts. 
 
 THE firft military officers chofen and commiflioned in North 
 Haven, were Capt. Jofeph Ives, Lieut* John Granis, and Enfign 
 Samuel Ives. They received their commiffions at the feffion of 
 the general affembly, October, 1718. 
 
 YOUR anceftors were few in number, but you are now in- 
 creafed to about fourteen hundred fouls. They were clothed and 
 fed coarfely, and fared hardly j but you are generally drefled with 
 elegance, and have not only the conveniences, but many of the 
 delicacies of life. They were compaffed with a wilderncfs, with 
 wild beafts and favage menj. But you dwell amidft cultivated 
 and pleafant fields, orchards and gardens, and have nothing to fear 
 from either* In their times, the ways were unoccupied. A foli- 
 
 D 
 
 * Deacon Yale died 1730; and Tome years before his death rcfigned hi* 
 
 f Deacon Ifaiah Tuttle died September it, 1776, aged ft. Deacon 
 Thomas Cooper died March n, 1784, aged So. 
 
 The Indian* were fometimes very numerous in this place, and gav* 
 'much alarm to the inhabitants, efpecially to the women and chiidiei. When 
 the towni of N^w H*ven and Guilford fettled, the Indians from both town* 
 collected, principally to Branford and Ealt Haven. At Eaft Haven was the 
 grand Indian burying place, to which the Indians, at times, had a kind of gen- 
 eral relWt. The Intl.ans at Mattabeleck, were conn;ted with tfce Indians in 
 ti is [>ai t of the State, and the extent of the river into t'oe Southern part of Farm- 
 ington, and the fim- fi.'hing and fowling upon it, formed a connexion with the 
 Farmiugton Indian*. The combination of thefe ciicurnfhncef , fometime* filled 
 the pariflt with Indians. At particular- times ihey ft-etned to I'warm upon the 
 river, and the groves and fwamps ap^eaieti alive with tliem. Once alter the 
 I'cttiement C(>mint-iiced they m?.de a gt ?rd pawavv, on the ro^d betwten the corner 
 of the Mjiki-l pUce, and Mr, Jpha Hunialtun's j people were in great fear that 
 their lic-!J of corn wc.uM be mined by tt:tm ; but by the influence of tlie ch.tt 
 fache; f they we:c reft. aio;U from doing any
 
 tary path through a dreary fvvamp or wood, led to their hombld 
 cottages. But your roads are broad and fmooth, and your houies 
 are hirge and elegant. They had every thing to do, but their 
 means were finall. You have houfes tuilded, weils digged, gar- 
 dens planted, orchards and trees of various fru^t, prepared to 
 your hands. They were under great difadvantages for fchooling 
 their children, not only on account of their low tircun.ftanccs, 
 but of thjir diftaMfe From each other, and of the danger of chil- 
 dren's travelling fo far through groves and fwamps ; but you have 
 dilVmguilhh'g advantages to get wiidom yourfelves, and to fchool 
 your children. Your advantages, in thefe refpec~ls, are much 
 greater now, than they were at the time of my fcttlement with 
 you. There v,'c.s then but one fchool houfe within the limits of 
 thepariih: Now you have eight fchool diftricls, and the fame 
 number of fchool houfes, generally commodious and well built. 
 Your progrefs in knowledge, civilization, agriculture, and manu- 
 factures, has been very confiderable. You have experienced no 
 fuch diftreifing feafons of gene'ral ficknefs and mortality, as the 
 inhabitants hud been vifited with in former years. Your popu- 
 lation has been very great, though on the account of the numer- 
 ous emigrations, and the fetting off of a large number of families, 
 to the parifli of Mount Carmel, you are not, perhaps, more nu- 
 merous than you were in 1759*. In October, 1786, you were 
 made a diftin6l town, and veiled with all the immunities of fuch 
 a free corporation. You have a large and convenient houfe for 
 the public worfhipj;, an elegant fteeple, a large and excellent bell. 
 You enjoy peace amcr'g yourfelves, and the blefiings of uncommon 
 health pervade your habitations. Are not the lines fallen to u 
 in ple;.fant places ? Have we not a goodly heritage ? What more 
 is neceflury to complete our happinefs, than thankful and obedient 
 hearts, rendering unto the LORD according to his benefits? 
 
 S me t'ine btfore ir>y ordination, M^unt Cirinel w>s mar'e a ciiftirft 
 psrifh, im) l>;t.-.etn twenty and thirty f in<ia-s weif t .ken oft' from this (< < \e.t\-- j 
 but iltrtf wo< (hipped wkirlin* wut'l alioot the clofe of the yrar 1760. Tl'rclui.ch 
 in MM)' t C t rr.ei, w:i trnJ^ilif: J imaiy 26, 1764., at which ume ahout it 
 
 & or t-e thuicli f N> t:. ii. vn>, >>y n.U'ual coM-rt, \vtre en = 
 %v.th t . .'. c' r-.! wiih thii i.;u.:th u;.u; tij. t lii'ni:, tlion^i* 
 
 the) !ia<J been aniitxed to aiiLtli.i i> eiciy. 
 
 About 150 f - this tov n \vltl-,!;) tn^ ^ Q ye-'rs 
 
 tnii'illix, lvf,' ; .: ] )? .vc iv.ivrj 
 
 im.) if. Ai,o;t .:'.! ihc : -., aie ctnv.d lit in \h~ fi.it 
 
 is. 
 
 t It is 60 fest by 45 and f . It was crtded 1739, arid finiflied in Auguft
 
 [ 7 ! 
 
 I HAVE now only one great and folemn event more, of the laft 
 entury and year, to lay before you; that is tit., progfefs of death. 
 A view of this is neceilary, that we rv-ay laft, and begin 
 
 the new year v/ith proper views and exercifrs, and that we may 
 form juft conceptions with reipedl to the century before us. 
 
 EVERY year is rodu6live of events, folemn, vaft and won- 
 derful. A century increafeth thsm an hundred fold. From the 
 moil accurate bills of mortality, it appears, that half the human 
 race, even in this healthful climate, die under twenty years of 
 age: And it is computed, that, taking the world at large, one 
 half die under feventeen. Once in about twenty-feven years, it 
 is fuppoied, that a number dies equal to the whole number of in- 
 habitants upon the globe. . Some eftimate this number at a thou- 
 fand millions and that there die annually, about thirty-feven 
 millions feven hundred and twelve thoufands every week one 
 hundred and one thoufand feven hundred and fifty daily four 
 thoufand two hundred and thirty-nine every hour and about 
 feventy every minute. Nine hundred and fifty thoufand millions 
 is the loweft computation of the inhabitants of the earth. Ac- 
 cording to this eftimate, thirty-five millions one hundred and 
 eigihy-five thoufands one hundred and eighty-five die every year 
 fix hundred feventy-fix thoufands fix hundred and thirty- eight 
 each week every day, ninety-fix thoufand fix hundred and fixty- 
 two evey hour, four thoufands and twenty-feven and fixty- 
 feven each paffing minute. Wonderful, tremendous mortality 1 ! ! 
 What an aftonifhing current of fouls is rapidly borne on the tide of 
 time, iiiceiiantly {hooting into the ocean of eternity, and appear- 
 ing before GOD, in judgment I 
 
 IF this reprefentation be juft, the earth changes the whole 
 number of its inhabitants, at leaft, three times and an half each 
 century. Three thoufand three hundred and twenty-five millions 
 have exchanged worlds the laft century. During this period, four 
 kings and one queen have reigned on the throne of Great Britain. 
 William and Mary, Queen Anne, George the fir ft and. fecond, 
 with all their courtiers, admirals, generals, and mighty men, reft 
 together in the duft. The Louis'i, their courts and mighty 
 men are no more. Royalty has been abolithed, conftitutions and 
 tyrants, in quick fucceilion, have followed each other, and van- 
 iihed away, kingdoms and republics have been maken and de- 
 molifhed, the face of Europe, and of the whole world hath b^em 
 changed. 
 
 IF we come nearer home, and review America, New Eng. 
 lind, Csansclicut, aad our r-efpe&ive towns, will net the retro-
 
 [ a* I 
 
 ipcft be folemn, inftru&ive and affecYmg? All the venerable fa- 
 . who, at the commencement of the 1 aft hundred years, con- 
 <luc\td the affairs of church and ftate, with their children, and 
 moft of their grand children, are gone down to the fides of the pit.. 
 Their wifdoni, beauty, influence, and lives, Have all been loft in, 
 the ravages of time. In this State, which was fo fmall at that 
 pi-rind,- there have died ten governors^ with their councils and of- 
 ficers, nine presidents or chief inftru6lors of college. The fellows-, 
 who were their cotemporaries, and the tutors who affifted them, 
 generally are gone down to the congregation of the dead. About 
 three hundred minifters, who fhone as lights in this part of the 
 firmament of the church, have been extinguished, and new ftars* 
 and confbllations have arifen, to illuminate her children, and: 
 guide them in their fucceflive generations, to virtue and glory. 
 The numerous hearers, who -once affembled with thofe preacher*, 
 of righteoufnefs, and hung upon their lipsj have clofed their eyes 
 with them in death, and fpread their graves around them. The 
 paftors and the flocks have gone to judgment, and are reaping ia 
 different worlds, according to what they had fown. Your former 
 paftors, their churches and congregations reft together in the? 
 plates of burial. 
 
 DURING the forty years of my miniftry, there have died out 
 of the to'.vn 570 peribns j 484 from among the people of my pa 
 
 i.hargo; about 75 out of the epifcopalian fociety*, and ten 
 or twelve from among the feparates and baptifts. I fuppofe, tha^ 
 lij'j inhabitants of the whole town, upon an average, during the 
 term of forty years, have been about 1300, a little more than a 
 thoufand have been under my paftoral care. The deaths au4 
 
 * T'lis confifts of 4,1 families. The firft man in the fociety of this pro. 
 f fir n, w,<s M: . Ehcntzer Biakflee. He went off from the chinch in North 
 \\ v w th Mr. Wctmore. The church increafcd cor.fiJerahly, in nearly 40 
 , !>y tiic Copulation of his own family j fome families of the l^me perfua- 
 vid into the aiifh, anil (ome otheiB joining them, from among the pco- 
 cietfi -cwau s the latter part of Mr. Sti es's miniftry, they, on the 
 4 < -.( A; H, 1759, hdd attnineci to futh numlms, that they, in a folemn man- 
 i ciuirch (Ute, and for the fii U time, chofe wardens. At the 
 c > .iKT.c.-n ti;i c tl.elalt century there were r.ofe&aries in Connedicut, and there 
 UIK- i-|; icopalian church in New England, which was in Bufton. In 
 :? 7 ? !" I! cj>i!cjj)-.Jian church was eftabiilhed at Stratford, At the Tame 
 Mr. Wctmore declared for epilcop;icy, Mr. Cutler, the rtflor of 
 , :.m! M Johnlton, minifter al Welt H-ivcn, declared. They went to 
 i hi'ii t K k . riieis, ad rtilor Cutler was fixed at B. ftori, and Mr. John* 
 i i S'i:ttford. I'htfe gt-ntiemen, with one or two morr f who declared for 
 i-} iici-p'.cy, a', or about tht fame time, weie very much the fathers of tbe*pif 
 ciiuicj) in New England.
 
 ages, among thefe, have been accurately kept. The deaths, up- 
 on an average, have been about twelve and one- tenth annually, a. 
 little more than one to an hundred. Of the 484, 79 have lived 
 to 70 years of age and upwards. Thirty-feven lived to between, 
 70 and 80 ; thirty-five to between 80 and 90; and feven to 90, 
 and between 90 and 100 years of age. About 16 out of an hun- 
 dred have lived to 70 years and upwards ; eight out of an hundred 
 to more than 80 ; and feven of the 484 have lived to be 90 ; 
 and between 90 and an hundred years of age. Of the feven lalt 
 mentioned, one was 91, one 92, one 93, one 95, and the oldeft 
 99 and 8 months. This is the greateft degree of health and lon- 
 gevity, which, in modern times, i have known for fo long a period. 
 Neverthelefs, how has the face of this affembly been changed! 
 The fathers, where are they ? And how are the heads of their 
 children whitening with years J One generation passetb away t and 
 another generation cometb. 
 
 WHAT profitable reflections (hall we now make, on the view 
 \v.e have taken of our fubjec~l, and of the year and century paft ?- 
 With what feelings and pirofpe6ls ihould we begin the new year, 
 and the nineteenth century ? The doctrine of divine providence, 
 that the LORD governs univerfally, uncontrolably, perfectly, and 
 for ever, exhibits HIM as a proper and glorious objecl of our en- 
 tire truft, of our prayers and praifes. What encouragement is 
 there to truft in, and pray to HIM, who governs all worlds, crea- 
 tures and events, and performeth all things for his people? 
 What fupport and comfort muft it give to Zion and to all who fear 
 the LORD, when the earth is removed, and the mountains carried 
 into the midft of the fea, when the waters of it roar, and the 
 mountains tremble at the fweliing of it, that he fits king for ever, 
 and prelides in every ftorm? How calming and confolatory to hear 
 him fpeaking, in the dark day, and amidft the raging tempeft, as 
 he did to the affrighted difciples upon the fea of Galilee, Jt is /, 
 be not afraid, 
 
 THIS, at the fame time, fhould beget in us entire acquief- 
 cence and fubmiffion, with refpec-l to all prefent and future cir- 
 cumftances, relating to ourielves, the church of GOD, and all 
 creatures, and things. In view of the univerfal and perfect gov- 
 ernment of the MOST HIGH ; this fliould be the language of our 
 hearts, It is ibe LORD, let him fa iubat seemetb bim good. 
 
 THE univerfal dominion of GOD, teacheth us to acknowledge 
 him in all the judgments and fearful defolations which have been, 
 or are made in the earth, and in all the riches of goodnefs and 
 Biercv with which iv i* filled. It lead* us to communion with
 
 5iirn in all his providences, as well as ordinance*: To know him, 
 by the- judgments which he executeth, and to learn righteoufnefs, 
 while tht*y are in the earth: To fee him in all his goodnefs, and 
 to be led by it to repentance and thankt'givirg. 
 
 LE we behold his mighty works, and confider the opera^ 
 Jtion of his hands, how (hotild we adore his gi eatnefs, wil'dom and 
 power, and learn to fear him for ever? While we behold how lie 
 bringeth the princes to nothing, and maketh the judges of the 
 earth as vanity; how he maketh cities a ruinous heap, and 
 plucketh up and planteth the nations at his pleafure ; how fliould 
 we tremble before him, and fly to his mercy in CHRIST JESUS ? 
 
 WHILE \ve fee him, in his inflexible juftice and veracity, in 
 all plates and generations, executing that awful fentence, DUST 
 
 THOU ART, AND UNTO DUST SH\LT THOU RF.TUKN, how fliould 
 
 we learn, in this tremendous teflimony which he bears agair.il fin, 
 how his foul abhors it? How inexpreffibly fliould we, anci all men 
 loiithe and fear it? How ihould GOD'S inflexibility in the execu- 
 tion of this fentence, eftablifli us, in the perfuafion, that he will 
 execute all his threatnings ; and, that though hand join in hand, 
 the wicked Dull not be unpunHk'ed. 
 
 As we fee him in all paft ages, and in the prefent age, exe- 
 cuting his threatnings, and fulfilling the promifes and predictions 
 of his word, how fliould it confirm our faith in the fcriptures, our 
 confidence in him, and aflurance that he will accomplifli all the 
 good which he hath fpoken concerning Zion. 
 
 How does our fur>j?c"l teach us to give all glory to GOD, for 
 the fignal deliverances which he hath granted to our fathers, and 
 t^ us their pofterity? For his complicated and mighty works in 
 giving us this great and good land, in protecting his church here, 
 in evety emergency, and in the admirable increafe of it, the cen- 
 tury pa ft? With wlut venerable aid exalted ideas, fliould we 
 ndore hi?- providence in the American revolution, in the eftablifh- 
 tnent of our independence, and in our prefent peace, diftinguiihed 
 priviledges and growing profperity? How gracious has he been to 
 us, that while war hath hung out its bloody flag, and raged beyond 
 all former example, in aimoil every part of the world, we have 
 enjoyed peace ? While the cities, kingdoms, wealth, commerce and 
 resources of other countries, are in a manner annihilated, their. 
 inhabitants flain, by millions, and their habitations and pleafunt 
 tracts made deiblate, we have mot only rebuilt the towns and 
 cities, repeopled and fertilized the traces which war had ruined 
 and depopulated, but we have extended our fettlenaents, increafed
 
 sj 1 
 
 oaf numbers, navigation, commerce, fifhtfries, wealth, and re- 
 1 all parallel. The trucks where war raged, where 
 the etafliKig and roar of anas, the thunder of cannon and noii'e <>f 
 batde fhjok all the adjacent country, where the wounded groaned, 
 and the mighty Tell, are now covered with pleafant villages, walks, 
 and gardens, and fields wave with plenteous harvefts. There 
 freemen lie down in quiet, and mothers hufti their numerous 
 b;ibes to reft in fafety. Extenfive regions, which for ages part 
 had been a dreary wiidernefs, filled with the hideous howiings of 
 favage beads and men, are now peopled with chriftians, and pray- 
 ers and praifes are conftantly addrciled to the throne of heaven. 
 Are thefe my brethren, the works of the LORD, and (hall not all 
 America a-vake to praife him ? Can we contemplate, that accord- 
 ing to the common rate of mortality, three or four minifters, and 
 three or four thou lands of people, upon the. lowed computation., 
 die annually in this State*, and yet, that not one governor nor 
 magi ft rate, not one member of congrefs, nor judge of our courts, 
 
 Life, in Connecticut, and New England in general, is one thi; J, t 'esft, 
 nearly one halt longer and better than it is in the worlJ in general. According 
 to tie cmmon eitunate, one half of mankind di* under 17 yean of -gr, and in 
 populous cities and ionic parts of the world under it ytan of age ; but in the 
 bill of moitaiity for tins to.vn, but two more than half h'ive .tied under so. In 
 every thonl'attd people under 20, therefore, 3000 years of life ate gained. 
 Among i? 5,000, 375,000 years are gained. Were all the people through this 
 Stste as ht-aiihy as the people in North Haven have been for forty years part, 
 the biii of mortality for the whole State would be but about 3000. But the bills 
 of mortality in the more populous towns and ciiies are greater j fo that upon tb 
 licit calculation which can be made, the annual bill, upon an average, is between 
 tu;i. *.nd rive thoulands. This is but about one half of the number which die 
 thiough the world, in general, according to the common eft imate. ThL is not 
 owing wholly to the beaithinels of the climate, but to the manners and com' 
 toi table liv.ng of the people. In Great Britain and in other parts of the wo ; ! J, 
 wbeie the climates are as healthy ?. it? New England, the biils of mortality ar 
 much greater. The luxury of the great and opulent, fliortens their iive, .; i 
 lenders their children ki* healthful and vigorous. The taking them off from 
 the breafts of the mother, and putting them unnaturally to others, to fuckle ai;j 
 ui Te, is, doubtlefs, a further inj'iry to life. The great poverty, low iivinj, 
 DardQiip*, and vices of the people of the lower clalTs* in life, fhoiten their da) s. 
 But to New England, r.onc are fo poor, or neceffaiilj" fuhjeft lo fuch hirdfli;pv 
 * to fliorten their days. Tlic:ir grBtral temperance, regular and fyber tianr> 4 
 uf living, their tender care and nuifing of their children, are, uider Goa, lh: 
 grent mear.s ot their extraordinary population, health, am! longevity. ThetV-;-.' 
 oi th.- LORD prolongsth days. Teuiperance,' chattity, a contented and quut 
 cnin<!, and peaceful and righteous conduct, a chsarf'ul confidence in COD, ar.u 
 the teviving hope of bit evetlalUng mercy, aii unite theii iniluencs to frciut 
 and promote the natural life and happineis of man. Were there no world but 
 thia, the human race, would, no doubt, be mo'.t happy, in the belief ;.J pme* 
 aii ihia^s which Goo hsth cstcairJ c
 
 [ 3*1 
 
 ha died the jrearpau, and hut one mini (lev of the gofpelf, -and 
 rot be deeply alFec\ed with the divine patience and goodnefs? 
 Are we alive -amidft all the ravages of time and death, to cele- 
 brate the commencement of a NEW YEAR, and CKNTURY ; and is 
 the voice of health and peace heard in our habitations, and {hull 
 -we not ferve the LORD with gladncfs? Shall we not enter into 
 his gates with thankfgiving, and into his courts with praife ? 
 Should not every heart expand with gratitude, and every tongue 
 ling hallelujah ? Shall we not, like the pfalmiffc, remember GOD'S 
 wonders of old, meditate of all bis works, and talk of bis doings? 
 Shall not this be the nniverfal ftudy, What shall I render unto tbc 
 all bis benefits? 
 
 WHILE we weep over the graves of our anceftors, and con- 
 template the revolutions of time and ravages of death, {hall we 
 not lerioufly think of our own diflblution ? How foon time may be 
 with us no more ? Shall we not learn how frail we are ? How pre- 
 cious is every moment of time ? And how neceflary to prepare for 
 death without delay? Do we fee kings, counfellors and judges of 
 the earth, the wife, the ftrong, the young and beautiful covered 
 with duft and worms? Do we know that we fhall foon be like 
 them, and {hall we not be clothed with humility ? 
 
 Now we have clofed another year and century, with what 
 ferioufnefs fliould we reflect, that fuch an important portion of 
 time, all its fabbaths and opportunities are paft never to.be re- 
 called ? That time has borne us on fo much nearer to death, judg- 
 ment, and our final doom I How ferioufly fliould every one en- 
 quire, am I prepared for thefe great events ? Do my preparations 
 bear any proportion to the rapid advances I am making towards 
 them? What if this year fhould be my laft? What would be my 
 condition ? What my company ? Where fliould I make my ever- 
 lafting abode ? 
 
 WE are now advanced to a new year and century. The 
 events of it will be vaft and momentous. Old kingdoms andftates 
 will link, and new ones rife. Millions will die, and millions be 
 born, and the whole earth be peopled with new inhabitants. 
 States which are now fmall, may, by the clofe of the prefent cen- 
 tury, out-number the grcateil kingdoms in Europe. The inhab- 
 itants of the United States, at their ufual rate of population, will 
 in an hundred years, amount to ninety-fix millior.sj. In the fame 
 
 f The Rv. Nathaniel Taylor, of New Miifon.1, vho died Dtcembtr 9, 
 1 800, in the 79;!) year of hii age. 
 
 J On fuppofiiion that the inhabitants of the United States now amount to
 
 period, more than twice the nnmber of mankind- now upon 
 face of the earth will be fwept aAvay by the hand of death. 
 Solemn thought I All the intelligence, literature, wifdom, life 
 and beauty, now upon eartfi will he no more ! ! ! If Xerxes, when 
 he took a view of his army of feventeen hundred thoufand men, 
 from a lofty eminence, wept at the reflection, that in one age 
 they would all be dead ; how fliould our hearts melt and our 
 eves run down with tears at the profpe<5l before us ? In this we 
 fee our own funerals, the death* of our children, and of all our 
 friends. 
 
 FROM part -and prefent appearances, and from a general view 
 of the prophecies, the prefent century will be one of the moft 
 eventful and interefting periods, in which GOD, in rapid fuccef- 
 iion, will be carrying into execution his judgments againft his 
 enemies, and effecting the great events preparatory to the com- 
 mencement of a new, more pure, peaceful and glorious ilatc of the 
 church. 
 
 WITH refpefl to ourfelves, we know that we tliall never felt 
 -another century, we may not fee another year. We know not 
 what a day, much lefs what a year may bring forth. From the 
 profpe6l which has been exhibited, you perceive that thoufand* 
 will die in this State, before another year, and numbers among 
 ourfelves. Some of us who, and how many, GOD only knows 
 muft exchange worlds and go to judgment. With refpecl to fuel* 
 us (hall furvive, they may be called to lay their deareft enjoy* 
 inents in the grave, or wounds, iicknefs, or misfortunes, weariv 
 fome nights, and days, and months of vanity may be ppointe4 
 Unto them. How highly, therefore, does it concern us all to be* 
 gin the year with GOD ; with an immediate preparation for thf 
 events of it, whatever they may be? With what an entire fub 
 million to the divine will, with refpecl to all the occurrences o$ 
 the yeai', and of time itfelf, ihould we enter upon fuch a period 
 While we behold the rage of the wicked, the tumult and coafufi.oi> 
 of the nations, how the floods have lifted up themfclves, theiC 
 voice and their waves, how (hould we rejoice, that tbc LORD aft 
 high, is mightier than tbc noise of many waters / ys<^ tban tbs 
 mighty waves of tbs i?a ? Tbat it retgnetb and will reign fof 
 fill- tk* vast epticfnsr of tbe miivtf^ are h\ 14 kend^ 
 
 crct 55 
 miiiioi s; -,n 185?, 34 uniiioiij j ia
 
 ['34 3 
 
 **d tbat be will govern tbem for bis own glory, and the good of 
 kis boly kingdom ? 
 
 x 
 
 Ai our conduct may have great influence on the countlels 
 millions of thofe who {hall be born, live and die after us, and on 
 the prefent and future happinefs of our country, how pioufly^ 
 righteoufly, and circumfpelly fhould \ve live? What great and 
 united exertions fhould be made for the inftruc-lion, pious and 
 good education of young people, and to make the generations to> 
 come, wife, uieful and good ? With what pains, prayerfuineia and 
 perfeverance fliould all chriftians exert themfelves to dilfufe chrif- 
 tian knowledge, and, as far as poffible, to fpread the gofpel to the 
 ends of the earth? The honor of GOD, his love to men, the fal- 
 Vations he hath granted unto us and our fathers, the diftsnguifhing 
 privileges, and countlefs bleflings we now enjoy, love to GOD, to 
 our country, and to fuch an innumerable multitude of human be- 
 ings, combine all their energies, and prefs us to thofe duties. 
 
 WE are now, probably, under the pouring out of the laft part 
 of the fixh vial. The fpirit of devils is, doubtlefs, gone forth, 
 and is ftill going forth unto the kings of the earth, and to the 
 whole world, to gather them unto the tattle of the great day of 
 GOD ALMIGHTY. The battle is probably began, and will ilill 
 be fought with greater fury and wider deftrudlion. The ten kings 
 will deftroy the Romifli anti-chrift, burn her with fire, and then, 
 according to the prophecies, go into perdition themfelves. The 
 Turkifh empire the other great oppofer of GOD, and perfecutor 
 of the faints, will fall with the harlot of Babylon. The judg- 
 ments of GOD in the century paft, and at prefent, are remarkably 
 upon it, and it is not lefs rapidly declining than the papal intereft. 
 Conftuntinople has been eighteen times on fire, the laft century, in 
 \vhich, more than 12,0,000 thoufand houfes, befides other build- 
 ings, were burnt, with 8000 inhabitants. In 1750, it was vif- 
 ited with the plague, in which it loft 7000 people. The next 
 year it was almoft deftroyed by an earthquake, in which 3000 
 more periihed. Other -principal cities and extenfive countries 
 have been overthrown, and in a manner ruined, by earthquakes*. 
 The plague at ieveral times, in various parts of the empire, hath 
 
 * Auguft aa, 1752, the city of Adrianople, the fecond in opulence and 
 population, in the empire, was, the greatf ft part of it, deftioyed by an earthquake, 
 September *, 1754, Grand Cairo had two thirds of its buildings fliaken down, 
 ami 40,000 peopte fwallowed up. In 17551 Fez, in Morocco, was half deftioyed 
 fcy an earthquake, and iz,ooo Arabs weie buried in its ruins. A few year$ 
 *ncc that pait of the country was almoft defolated by the plague. Tippoo Saib 
 and his people, lately conquered by Great Britain, were Mahometans. 
 been executed vpon people of that denomiiiatioi).
 
 C 35 3 
 
 fwept away vaft numbers of the inhabitants. Ruflia has made 
 important conquefts within it, and greatly impoverished and 
 weakened the Turks. The French, in their invafion and con- 
 quell of Egypt and the adjacent countries, have (lain a prodigious 
 number of people, and feduced many others to rebel and take arms 
 againft the empire. They are progreffing in their conqutfts, and 
 threaten it with deilru6lion. At the fame time, the rebellion and 
 victories of Paflawan Oglou are of an afpe6l no lefs menacing. 
 In this tumult of the nations and wreck of empires, it is reafona- 
 ble to expect that the church will experience days of perplexity 
 and danger. Fortitude, circumfpe<5lion, patience, zeal, prayer- 
 fuln'jis and felf-denial, will, therefore, be of the higheft neceflity. 
 The language of the SAVIOUR to his church, at this period, is, 
 Behold^ I come as a tbief: Blessed is be that watcbetb and keepetb 
 bis gar/vents, lest be walk naked y and tbey see bis sbame. 
 
 To conclude, while I aflc your acceptance of my grateful ac- 
 knowledgments, for all the refpec\ kindnefs, and fupport which I 
 have received from you, in the courfe of my miniftry, with great 
 pafloral affe&ion, and dciire tor your welfare, I with you a happy 
 NKW YEAR. May it indeed, be a year of the richeft blefiings to 
 you and your families. Eipecially, may it be a year of fpiritual 
 quickening, peace and lalvation to all this flock, to this town and 
 State, to the United Spates, and the whole Ifrael of GOD. That 
 we may enjoy the fmiles, and abide under the fhadow of the AL- 
 MIGHTY, let us remember bis wonders of old. Let us meditate also 
 of all bis works, and talk of bis doings. Let the end of years and 
 centuries remind us of the end of time, and of all things ; of the 
 judgment of the great day, and of the ineffable fcenes of eternity : 
 and let us all be prepared for them. Whoso is wse y and will ob- 
 serve those things, even tbey sball understand the loving kindness 
 ff the LORD. 
 
 AMEN. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Page 3, laft line in the text, for work read works. 
 
 Page 7, marginal note, fourth line from the bottom, for 38 m*7<*. 
 
 read 38th mile. 
 Page 1 6, marginal note, fifth line from the bottom, for 90 read
 
 [ 36 1 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Tnr reafon that the churches of feveral denominations or 
 jchriilians, have not been more particularly noticed in the preced- 
 ing (lifcouric, has been the want of accurate ini'ormation refpecV 
 them. Some ^-.iL.-ral account, however, may be o ta 
 
 give the reader a fuller view of the American churches. A 
 there happens to be a vacant page it fhall he employed for 1 1 
 p'.irpofo. The Dutch reformed churches in Am. ancient 
 
 and refpe6lable. There were in the State of New Yrk and 
 New Jeriey, about ten or twelve years lince, 90 congregations 
 of this denomination, 66 in New York, and 2,4 in New Jeriey. 
 Theie were divided into five claffes, three in New York, and 
 two in" New Jerfey. The three in the State of New York, are 
 that of New York, containing 18 churches; that of Kingfton, 
 containing 23 ; that of Albany, containing 23 ; and there are 
 four minifters and congregations in the State of New York which 
 are an-iexed to the Hackinfack chu'iis in New Jeriey. In that 
 State there are two clafles, the claifis of Hackinfack comprifing 
 nine congregations, exclufive of the four in the State of New 
 York ; and the claHis of New Brunfwick, in which were fifteen 
 congregations. Thefe are, probably, now increafed to more than 
 an hundred congregations-. Theie churches were formed exaclly 
 upon the plan of the churches in North Holland, and were under 
 the direction of th-j clam's of Amfterdam, until after the Ameri- 
 can revolution. They are Calviniftic, and differ in nothing ef- 
 fentially from the Prefbyterians. 
 
 Sixer, about the middle of the laft century, a confiderable 
 number of Germans, Lutherans and Calvinifts, have made iettie- 
 ments in Pennfylvania. The number of their minifters and 
 churches, probably, is nearly 80. There are twelve or more 
 churches of German Lutherans in New York. 
 
 THERE are in New York and Pennfylvania, a number of 
 churches denominated Seceders, who maintain afeparate ecclefi- 
 nilical jurifdiclion ; hut they are Calvinifls, and differ in nothing 
 jnatcrially from the Prefbytenans. 
 
 . jw York, New Jerfey and Pennfylvania, there are 80. 
 
 cr p^Bapttft churches. In the Southern States there are mnir- 
 
 liaptifts and Methodifts ; but their numbers cannot be afcertain- 
 
 ed. In Pennfylvania, the Friends, or Quakers, are the mufl m.- 
 
 merou's denomination. There are about 20 congregations of 
 
 . ihe State of New York; and between 40 and 50 i 
 
 IN Rhode Jfland tlierc are a number of congregations, hut iw 
 ther parts of Ke\v Er.^'und there are few of Uus deiionunation- 
 
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