DISCOURSE, DELIVERED AT LEXINGTON, MARCH 31, 18ia, THE DAY WHICH COMPLETED A CENTURY FROM THE INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN. BY AVERY WILLIAMS, FIFTH PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN LEXINGTON. BOSTON: PRINTED BY SAMUEL T. ARMSTRONG, No. 50, Cornhill. 1813. DISCOURSE, DELIVERED AT LEXINGTON, MARCH 31, 1813, THE DAY WHICH COMPLETED A CENTURY FROM THE INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN. BY AVERY WILLIAMS, FIFTH PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN LEXINGTON. BOSTON: PRLNTED BY SAMUEL T. ARMSTRONG, No. 50, CornhiU. 1813. UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AT AMHERST UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Special Collections & Rare Books CENT U 11 V 1)1 SCO U IIS i: 1 Samuix vii, 12. HITHERTO HAHI THE LORD HELPED US. IT was a memorable day, on which Samuel expressed this grateful and jVious acknowledgement of the good- ness of God to Israel. By a wonderful interposition of providence the nation had been delivered from impending ruin. When they were trembling in ex- pectation of a calamitous defeat, ihc JjOrd thundered with a great thunder upon the Philistines, and they were smitten before Israel. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it up hetrceen Mispeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, sa?/iug', hitherto IIATII THE LORD HELPED US ^ The subjects of God's providential care and gra- cious smiles have constant occasion to erect monu- ments to his goodness. It is a duty we owe our divine Benefactor to maintain a lively sense of our depend- ance upon him, and to review with gratitude and humility his past dealings with us. Tliere are periods in our lives, when we should, in a special manner, regard the 'work of the Lord, and consider the oper- at ions of his hands; and there are particular seasons which every civil and religious community should spend in calling to mind events, the fruits of which they are reaping. The ancient people of God were. 4 required to remember the days of old, the years of many generations; and the practice of observing cer- tain fixed portions of time for commemorating past dispensations of providence was enjoined upon them by divine authority. God established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he com- manded their fathers, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born: who shoidd arise and declare them to their children; that they might set their hope in god, AND NOT forget THE VTORKS OF GOD; BUT KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. It is no less beneficial than pleasing to cultivate an acquaintance with the history of ancient times. The inquisitive iand serious are not only amused, but essen- tially improved, by inquiring into the origin and pro- gress of states and empires, and especially of the church of God. *'By knowing the things that have been, they become better judges of the things that are;'' and by tracing the footsteps of Jehovah through past ages, they obtainiilmore elevated and affecting views of his character and government. If a knowledge of history in general be thus useful, it certainly cannot be unprofitable to know the char- acter and circumstances of our ancestors, and the past events which are intimately connected with our present condition. The displays of divine goodness in the set- tlement and growth of the towns and churches in this vicinity demand a grateful acknowledgment and per- petuation. Durable as the everlasting 'hills should be the monuments raised in honor of Him, who was the God of our fathers, and who has been the Friend and Shield of their offspring. We are under sacred obli- 5 gations to remember, and shew to the generation to come, THE PRAISES OF THE LORD, AND mS STRENGTH, AND mS WONDERFUL W^ORKS THAT HE HATH DONE. Having obtained help of God, ice continue imioi his day, andlu-e assembled in'hls house for the purpose of reviewing a series of events, whieh should remind us ol our obiiglitions to love, and fear, and serve him. The last of one hundred years since the incorporation of this town is now closing.* With the elapse of these years many things have taken place, which are worthy of recollection. The occasion invites, curiosity impels, and a sense of duty should incline us to look back to our "day of small things" and examine the progress we have been making to our present condition. One generation shall praise thy t€orks, Lord, to another. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and sing of thy righteousness. The territory we inhabit was, for many years, m- eluded within the bounds of Cambridge, and distin- guished from other parts of the town by the name of ^Cambridge Farms, ^Cambridge appears, in the first instance, to have contained merely a sufiicient tract of land for a fortified town.^' As early as 1(334, only three years after the first settlement of the place, ''the number of inhabitants had become disproportioned to the township." They '^complained of straitness for want of land, especially meadow, and desired leave of the Council to look out either for enlargement or re- • The act of incorporation bears date, March 20, 1712. When it is remembered that the vear was then considered as bej,nr.niiig on ihe 25.1> of March, and that a diflPcrcnce of eleven days between Old and Ncv,' Stile must be allowed, it ^viU at once be perceived that the date of the incorporating act, according to the present n.ode oi co.nputm- tune, would be M arch 31, 1713. y i) moval, which was granted."* In 1636, about a hun- dred of the inhabitants, consisting of the principal part of Rev. Mr. Hooker's church and congregation, who came there in 1632, removed, "through a hideous and trackless wilderness to Connecticut. "t The inhabi- tants which remained, soon finding their limits too nar- row, discovered a like propensity to emigrate. In the spring of 1644, the church was about to remove to Mattakeese, (now Yarmouth) where a settlement had then lately commenced.^ To prevent this removal, *the General Court was pleased to grant them a tract of land at Shawshine, (Billerica) and another parcel ad- joining to Concord line, for the enlargement of their boundaries, and to enable the church and town to maintain the ministry.'^ It was at this time that the limits of Cambridge were so extended as to include whcit now constitutes the territory of this town. Previous to this, however, and probably as early as 1640, some of the inhabitants of Cambridge took pos- session of several tracts of land and began to erect buildings within the limits of this place. |1 They first occupied the meadows, some of which were found open and fertile, and hence better prepared for imme- * Dr. Holmes' Hist, of Cam. Gov. Winlhrop's Journal, fibid. + Winthrop's Journal, p. 152, 183. § Records and Documents in the Secretary of State's Office, under the date of lc4i, and 1683. — The act referred to passed in the following ■words: *'Shawshine is granted to Cambridge without any condition of making a village there; and the land between them and Concord is grant- ed them, all save what is formerly granted to the military company, pro, vided the church present continue at Cambridge.** y In 1642, the proprietors of land in this town were Herbert Pelham, Richard Champney, Edward Goffe, John Bridge, Edward Collins, John Russell, Goldon Moore, Edward Winship, Richard Park, John Betts, and Thomas Danforth. — N- B- For this note and several other particulars I am indebted to the kind assistance of William Winthrop, Esq. of Cam- bridge. diate improvement than the iiplanj. It cannot cvv tainly be ascertained at what period permanent scUlc ments were effected; but it must have been not far from the time when the land was granted to Cambridfi;(.' — The inhabitants, for several years, were few, and iuid numerous inconveniences and hardships to encounter. They were necessarily destitute of many things which we re2:ard as essential to a comfortable subsistence. In addition to the labor of subduing a wilderness, they long endured severe trials in being often threatened with savage violence and cruelty, and in having but few advantages for religious instruction and social en- joyment. The settlement, however, progressed, and the em- barrassments, with which it was at first attended, grad- ually diminished. In 1682, the number of families had incieased to about thirty, and the number of souls to one hundred and eighty. They had now no op- portunity of attending public worship without trav- elling from five to ten miles. Earnestly desirous that they and their children might enjo}', in a much great- er degree than it was possible for them under such cir- cumstances to enjoy, the ordinances of the Gospel, in October 1682, they presented a petition to the Gener- al Court, praying for liberty to become a parish.* The inhabitants of Cambridge zealously opposed theii' being separated, and the petition was not granted. They renewed their application in 16S4: and the Court, at this time, so far listened to their request as to ap- point a committee to examine the place and establish * This petition \y:is s"gnccl nncl prcFcnti d in beluilf of tlie inlwibitants^ i»y James Culler, Mailhew Brid^^^t-, jun. D;ivi(l F-ske, sen. Samm^l Su.iv,', a^zn. Francis Wliiimore, John TuUl, Epiu-aini Winsliip, and John WiiUer- bounds for a parish. This committee performed the service assigned them; but the opposition of Cambridge was so great that the prayer of the petitioners was again rejected. Conscious of the rectitude of their in- tentions, they again renewed their petition in 1691. The Court, convinced of the propriety of their request, ^'ordered and granted," December 15, 1691, "that the petitioners be permitted and allowed to invite and set- tle an able and orthodox minister for the dispensing of the Gospel among them." The bounds of the par- ish were ordered to be the same as those pointed out by the committee in 1684, and very near the same as those of the town at the present day.* Previous to their being thus formed into a parish, the inhabitants of this place were under the pastoral care of the Rev. Messrs. Thomas Shepherd, Jonathan Mitchell, Urian Oaks, and Nathaniel Gookin. Mr. Shepherd came to New England, "with the people which were to constitute his society," in 1635. The church, over which he presided till his death, was gathered, February 1, 1636. It was the eleventh church organized in the colony, and the first perma- nent church in Cambridge. Mr. Shepherd, died, Au- gust 25, 1649. He was succeeded by Mr. Mitchell, August 21, 1650, who died, July 9, 1668. Mr. Oaks succeeded Mr. Mitchel, November 8, 1671, and died, July 25, 1681. Mr. Gookin was ordained, November 15, 1682, and died, August 7, 1692.t — Under the min- • Records and documents in the Secretary's office. — Lexing^ton origin- ally included a part of Lincoln and a part of Bedford. It has of late had a small part of Burlington annexed to it. It is i;avy bounded on the north- cast by 13urlington and Woburn, on the south-east by West-Cambridge and Wultham, on the south west by Waltham, on the west by Lincolu and on the north-west by Bedford, It contains 10,300 acres. t Dr. Holmes' Hist, of Cam, and Ceptury Sermoi>. 9 istry of these learned and eminently pious servants of Christ, our ancestors were instiucted in those doctrines of grace, which are the pillars and the glory of the christian system, it was not in consequence of any disaffection to their religions teacher, or to the church and society with which they were connected, that they requested to be separated from them, but it was, that they and the generations which should succeed them might enjoy the privilege of uniformly waiting upon God in the way of his appointment. Immediately after they were constituted a parish they began to make provision for carrying the objects of their incorporation into effect. A sum of money was raised by subscription for the purpose of erecting a house of public worship; and it was probably early in the summer of 1692 that the first house was erect- ed. "April 22, 1692, they invited Mr. Benjamin Es- tabrook to preach with them a year, and made pro- vision for his support. He accepted the invitation and commenced his labors on the first sabbath in May. At this early period the inhabitants discovered a provident and pious care for the support of the minis- try. In April, 1693, they purchased of the town, for this purpose, *^twelve acres of common land on the east side of the causeway, and the rest of the common land on the other side, and on the south side of vine- brook meadow."* By this purchase they laid the foundation of a fund, the income of which is now ad- equate to the support of a minister. • This land was surveyed in 1762, and the three pieces found to con- tain 148 acres, and 55 and a half rods. The piece on the northerly side of the causeway, containing' about five acres, was sold in 1770. 2 10 Mr. Estabrook continued in the place and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of the people. The anxiety they manifested for his settlement and their exertions to provide for his support indicate a strong attachment to him. In the summer of 1694, they built and gave him a house, on condition of his becoming and con- tinuing their minister.* Their pecuniary embarrass- ments, however, were such that they made but slovf progress in preparations for his settlement. It was not till April 13, 1696,that they made him their final prop- ositions for his maintenance. On the third of June following he gave an affirmative answer to their call, and on the twenty-first of the ensuing October the services of his ordination were performed. At the time of his ordination, Mr. Estabrook had been laboring with the people in word and doctrine about four years and six months. They were bound to each other by many strong and endearing ties. Satisfied with means of support which could promise him no more than a comfortable subsistence, he was encouraged and animated by the prospect of doing good and obtaining the final reward of a faithful ser- vant; and the little flock intrusted to his care were rejoicing in the hope of being long blessed with the labors of one, whom they loved as a friend and revered as a good minister of Christ But the period was short in which they were permitted to rejoice in his light. He, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, saw fit to disappoint their expecta- tions and damp their joy by soon depriving them of * The house was 42 by 18 feet. It stood a few rods east of vine- brook and back of the house now occupied by Mr. Benjamin Green. 11 their pastor. He died, July 22, 1697, having lived to eoinplete only nine months of his ministry.* The ehurch, which w as gatlici ed on the day of Mr. Estabrook's ordination, consisted, at the time of his decease, of thiity three members. The original number was twelve.t During his ministry twenty-one were added, nine of which were by letters of dismission from other churches. Soon after the death of Mr. Estabrook, the atten- tion of the society was directed to Mr. JohnHancockJ. On the seventeenth of November, 1697, they made choice of him to preach with them till May followmg, as a candidate for settlemxnt. He complied with the invitation they gave him, accepted proposals for ordi- nation which were made to him in February succeed^ ing, and was consecrated to the pastoral office, No- vember 2, 1698.§ • Mr Estabrook graduated at Harvard College in I690.-On his tomb- stone is the following inscription: HERE LIETH INTERRED THE REMAINS OF MR. BENJAMIN ESTABROOK, LATE AND FIRST PASTOR OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN THIS l-LACE, SON TO THE REV. MR. JOSEPH ESTABROOK, PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN CONCORD, WHO DEPARTED FROM US TO CHRIST, JULY 22, A. D. I6fr. AGED 26 YEARS AND FIVE MONTHS. VIRTUS ANTEIT ANNOS. t The following are .he names of the first men,bers. -;- benjamin Eslbvook. Davfd Fisk. San^uel Stone. ]c-hn ><--»' '^-^ ^J ^^ Thoma. Cutler. David Finke. jun. Samuel WIMtemore. W.lham Re.d. John Miriam, Samuel Stone, .jiin. Thomas Mir.am. t He was a son of Mr. Nathaniel Hancock of Cambrid£e. He grada. ated at Harvard College in 1689. ,„j ,•,„ n«v Mr § The Rev. Mr. WiUard of Boston gave the charge, and l..e Kev. R»u Estabrook of Concord the right hand of fell iwslup. 12 The increase of inhabitants and property, and va- rious inconveniences to which they were subjected by remaining a part of Cambridge, inclined the people to petition for a separation from the town. Accord- ingly a committee was appointed in October, 1712, to 'present their address to the town of Cambridge and to the General Court,' requesting that they might be "confirmed and established as a township." The terms of separation were amicably adjusted, and an act passed, March 20, O. S. 1713, incorporating the town by the name of Lexington. The house, in which they had now worshipped about twenty years, being found too small for the ac- commodation of the inhabitants and too inelegant for their taste, they voted, January 26, 1713, to build a new one; and, in the course of the two following sea- sons, the second house of public worship was erected and completed. Religious services were performed in it, the first time, October 17, 1714. The records of the town afford evidence of the faith- ful exertions of our ancestors to discountenance idle- ness and vice, and to maintain a respectful observance of divine institutions. In December, 1728, the select- men summoned a person to appear before them and "answer to a complaint, they being informed that he loitered about, and spent his time idly, and behaved himself very disorderly;" and committees were repeat- edly appointed to 'take prudent care that children and youth be restrained from irregular conduct in time of public worship, and to prevent the profanation of the Sabbath.' In 1734, a thousand acres of land were granted the town by the General Court, to assist in defraying its proportion of the expense of supporting the bridge over 13 Charles river in Cambridge. Portions of tliis land were annually leased, till it was sold in 1757. The proceeds of the sale afforded the town a considerable income for several years; but were finally lost in con- sequence of the depreciation of paper money.* In November, 1733, Mr. Ebenezer Hancock was invited to settle in this place, as colleague with his fa- ther. After completing his collegiate studies in 1728, he took the charge of a school in town, in which em- ployment he continued till nearly three years after his ordination. His distinguished talents and virtues se- cured him the high esteem and ardent affection of the people. The advantages they hoped to derive from his pastoral labors among them disposed them cheer- fully to undertake the additional expense of his sup- port, when the annual demands upon them already were a burden which they seemed hardly able to bear. He was pressed "with repeated earnestness to a settle- ment elsewhere;" but "the advice and counsel of men of judgment and letters," his desire to ease the task of a beloved father in the eveniog of his life, his at- tachments to the people with whom he had spent the first of his years, and his belief that this was the place which God had pointed out for his ministerial labors, induced him to accept proposals for a settlement here. He was ordained, January 2, 1734. t * One of the propositions made by Cunnbriclg'e to tlie inhabitants of this town, in 1713, and to which they agreed, as a conditi(jn ofsepMia- tion, was the following-, viz. **The farmers, upon their beinj^ dismissed from the town, shall annually pay to our town treasurer such a proportion of our part of the charge of the great bridge over Charles river ii. Cam- bridge, as shall fall to ihcm according to their annual pn^poriif.n with us in the pnnincc tax." The land granted the town to assist in defraying this expense, lay in Dorchester-Canada, now Ashburnl.am. t His father preached and gave the charge. The llcv. Mr. Wllliani:-: pf Weston expressed the fellowbhip of the churches. 14 Mr. E Hancock entered upon his ministerial labors with bright and encouraging prospects. The Holy Ghost had made him an overseer of a flock which he tenderly loved, and whose confidence he enjoyed. The church was large and respectable, and religion was in a flourishing state But, alas! he was not sitf- fered to continue by reason 0/ death. Having served as a son with his father in the gospel only about six years, he died suddenly, January 28, 1740, in the thir- tieth year of his age. — He was highly esteemed as a scholar, a man of eminent piety, and an able and faithful minister of Christ. He was an example of the believers in word, in conversatioji, in charity^ in spirit, in faith, in purity. His praise was in all the churches, and he ''died greatly and universally lamented." After his death, his venerable father, though far ad- vanced in life, and visited with affliction upon afflic- tion,* continued to perform the duties of his office nearly thirteen years. "Instead of sinking in the day of adversity, or having his gray hairs brought with sorrow to tlie grave, his spirit revived, his health re- turned, and his strength was so far confirm.ed, that he carried on the work of the ministry with as much or more zeal and fervency of spirit than ever.^'t His peo^ pie were attentive to his necessities, gave him comfort by manifesting an increasing love and tenderness to him, and encouraged his heart by faithfully attending his ministrations. But the time of his departure at length came. He preached with uncommon fervor the sabbath previous • His eldest son, the Rev, John Hancock of Braintree, "avery eleg^ar^t and acconiplislied preaclier," died in 1744, I Dr. Appletqn's discourses on his death. 15 to his decease/ and enjoyed his usual health till tlie night after Tuesday, the tifth of December, 1 753, when he^'was awoke from sleep by pains, from which he was soon relieved by the sleep of death. He died in the eighty second year of his age, and fiUy fourth ot his ministry. TheUev. John Hancock was possessed, m an unu- sual degree, of qualifications which fitted him for the station in which he was placed. The great Fatlier of spirits formed him for the people of this town. He was genile among ihem, even as a nurse clierisheth her children; and being affectionafelij desirous ofihem.was njoillhig to have imparted to them, not the gospel of God onlii but also his own soul, because tlieij were dear to him. "I have studied," said he in one of his addresses to them, ''that I might not be burdensiuiie to you. You know how these hands of mine have miiHstered unto my necessities, and how Ihave borne the burden with you in the day of your small things " His nat- ural capacities, acquired accomplishments, and gra- cious endowments, not only made him a pleasaiit com- panion, but gained him a general esteem and respect, and rendered him eminently and extensively useful in a great variety of ways. He was a lover of peace, an'd peculiarly calculated to heal existing contentions and prevent discords and animosities. His facetious temper and ready wit enabled him often to scatter the clouds of melancholy that hung upon people's spirits, and excite a pleasant cheerfulness; and his miid and gentle counsels and reproofs frequently had the effect of softening the tempers and correcting the ill huniors of men. He had an uncommon vivacity of spirit. •Jlis texts were, Luke 2, 49. and Rom. 5, 12. 16 He was hospitable, cheerful, active, diligent, and ready to every good work. He was early in the morning and early in the week at his studies and in his prep- arations for the sabbath. By the sound doctrines, the wise counsels, and the moving exhortations with which he entertained his hearers, he made it appear that he gave attention to reading and meditation and was a scribe well instructed to the kingdom of heaven. He was an able and zealous advocate of the distin- guishing doctrines of Christianity. His preaching was such as is calculated to alarm the impenitent, to make sinners in Zion afraid, to guide inquiring souls to Christ, and to encourage saints to be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. The usefulness of Mr. Hancock was not confined to the church and people in this place. He was much resorted to for counsel and assistance^ so that the care of neighboring churches in a manner came upon him.* Wherever he was known, he was respected and loved by the people of God for his learning, his wisdom, his piety, and his fidelity in the cause of Christ, t * For more than 30 years, he was the senior minister in this ptirt of the counlry. On account of his age and gravity he was long honored with the trile of Bishop. He gave the solemn charge to twenty one min- isters, th.e last of which was the late Dr. Gushing of Waltham. I The above remarks upon the character of Mr. Hancock are principal- ly compiled from one of the sermons preached the sabbath afierhis fune- ral by Dr. Appleton of Cambridge. His printed discourses are, 1. A sermon at the General Election, 1722, Luke 22, 25. 2. A sermon at the ordination of his son in Braintree, 17v(^. Luke 24, 49. S. A sermon at the ordination of his son in Lexington, 1734. 2 Cor 1. 24. 4. A sermon at the public lecture in Boston, November 21, 1754, before his Excellency the Governor and the General Court. Jer. 5, 5. 5. A sermon at the installation of the Pvev. Timothy Harrington in Lancaster, November 16, 1743. 1 Cor. 9, 19, 17 During his ministry, 445 were added to the church by profession, and 32 by letter; 180 owned the cov- enant, and 1637 were baptized. After his death, several gentlemen were employed as candidates for settlement. April 25, 1754, was ob- served as a day of fasting and prayer, preparatory tc the choice of a minister. In June following, Mr. Aa- ron Putnam received an invitation to settle here; but, in consequence of opposition to his settlement, gave a negative answer. In July, 1755, my worthy predecessor, the Rev. Jonas Clark, was called to the pastoral office in this place, and was ordained on the fifth of the ensuing November.* — Between the death of Mr. Hancock and the ordination of Mr. Clark, six were admitted to the church by letters of dismission from other churches; four owned the covenant, and fifty six were baptized. The inhabitants of this town early manifested a firm and spirited attachment to the rights and liberties of the country. In October, 1765, they publicly expressed their apprehension of the dangers which threatened the colonies, and particularly their opposition to the noted Stamp Act. In December, 1767, they ''unanimously voted to concur with the town of Boston in their re- solves respecting importing and using foreign com- modities.'' Sensible of the importance of seeking di- vine direction in times of public difficulty and distress, they set apart a day for public fasting and prayer, in the autumn of 1768, on account of the alarming sit- • Mr. Clark was a native of Newton. He graduated at Harvard Col- lege, 1752. At his ordination, the Rev. Mr. Lawrence of Lincoln made the iniroductory prayer; the Rev. Dr. Appleton of Cambridge preached; the Rev. Mr. Cotton of Newton gave the charge; and the Rev, Mr- Cook of Cambridge, the right hand of fellowship. 3 18 ttation of the country. In December, 1772, a coni- mittee was appointed to correspond with committees of other towns "on matters of common concern;" and at the same time, the town instructed their representa- tive "in the great Court of Inquest for the prov- ince," to ^use his utmost influence that all mat- ters, in which the rights and liberties of the people were concerned, might be impartially inquired into, and dispassionately considered by the General Assem- bly; and that measures be pursued, by petition to the throne, or otherwise, as the Court in their wisdom should see fit, for a radical and lasting redress of griev- ances; that, whether successful or not, succeeding gen- erations might know that they understood their rights and liberties, and were neither afraid nor ashamed to maintain them; and also that they might have this consolation, at least, in their chains, that it was not through their neglect that the people were enslaved/ In December, 1773, resolves were passed prohibiting the use of teas, imported by the East- India company and expressing the readiness and determination of the people to concur with their brethren in Boston and other towns in every rational measure that might be necessary for the recovery and preservation of their rights and liberties,— It is but iust to observe that, from tlie commencement of the contest between this country and Great Britain to the close of the revolu- ution, the inhabitants of this town manifested a spirit worthy of freemen. It was here, and but a few rods from the place in which we are now assembled, that the first sacrifice of lives, in defence of our country's rights, was made. Yonder monument revives a lively recollection of the alarms, anxieties, and distresses of the day, which open- 19 ed a long protracted scene of bloodshed and war in the land.— The mournful catastrophe of the NiNi:'rEi:NTH of April, 1775, is fiesh in the memory of many of my hearers. You beheld the slaughter of your inoffend- ing fellow-citizens and friends. You heard the cries of the wounded and the dying. You saw your dwel- lings forsaken, plundered, and threatened with devour- ing flames. You beheld and shared in the calamities of that gloomy day.— Ten of the inhabitants of this town were slain, and ten wounded by the British troops; five buildings were destroyed by fire; and cloathing, furniture, and provisions and goods of vari- ous description, to a large amount were pillaged and wasted.* The nineteenth of April was "statedly observed^' in this place, during the war, ''by a respectable appear- ance of the militia in arms, and a solemn assembly of the whole congregation in the house of God, to drop a tear upon the graves, and mourn over the ashes ot their slaughtered friends; religiously to notice and ac- knowledge the hand of God; humbly to express their confidence in him, as the righteous and powerful ♦ Aparlicular account of the interesting events of this day was pub- lished in an appendix to the Rev. Mr. Clark's sermon, delivered April 19, 1776. General statements of the same facts may be found in tlie histo- ries of the revolution. Referring my readers to these sources of infor. mation, I shall only add here the following list of sufferers in Lexington. The persons killed in the morning were, Robert Munroe, Jonas Parker, Samuel Hadley, Jonathan Harrington, jun. Isaac Muzzy, Caleb Hariing- ton, and John Brown; wounded, Jedediah Munroe, Thomas Winship, Nathaniel Farmer, John Robbins, Solomon Pierce, John Tidd, Joseph Comee, Ebenezer Munroe, jun. and Prince, a negro. In the afiernoon, as the British troops were returning from Concord, Jedediah Munroe, . John Raymond, and Nathaniel Wyman were killed; Francis Biown was wounded. The buildings destroyed by fire were, a house and barn of Deacon Loring, a house of Mr. Joshua Bond, a house of Mrg. Ljclis MuUiken, and a shop of Mr. Nathaniel MulUken, 20 avenger of injured innocence; and devoutly to implore his presence and aid in the cause of their country, of posterity, and mankind."* In 1776, a large addition was made to the funded property of the town by the sale of wood on the min- isterial land for the use of the continental troops then stationed at Cambridge. The foundation of this fund, as I have before observed, was laid by the purchase of this land in 1693. From the time of the purchase, it afforded the town a gradually increasing income. At what period a permanent fund was established, I have not been able to ascertain; but it was not till the year 1781, that the annual interest and the income from the land were appropriated particularly to the support of the ministry. A large proportion of what now constitutes the principal of the fund has been ob- tained by sales of timber and fuel in the course of forty years past.t The judicious management of these sales and of the proceeds of them, entitles the gentlemen, who have compi sed the committees appointed for the purpose, to the gratitude of the town. It is, in no small degree, owing to their fidelity and economy, that the people have not been incumbered with a ministerial tax for mure than fifteen years. ^ • Appendix to Rev. Mr. Adams's sermon. ..The ministers whft officiated on these occasions were. In irre. Rev. Jonas Clark, of this town... Joel lii. 19, 20, 21. ■— 1777, Rev. Samuel Cooke of C.imbridge-., Exodus xvii, 14,15, 16. — 1778, Rev. Jacob Gushing" of Waltham....Deut. xxxii, 4S. — 1779, Rev. Samuel Woodward of Weston....! Sam vii, 12. — 1780, Rev. Isaac Morrill of Wilmington.... Psalm xxvii, 13, 14. — 1781, Rev. Henry Cummings of Billerica... Psalm Ixxvi, 10. •^ 1782, Rev Phillips Payson of Chelsea ..Exodus xii, 14, — 1733, Rev. Zahdicl /\dams of Lunenburgh....Gen. 1, 20. t An addition of about 2->0Q dollars, the amount of what the pews in ih* m^Qting hous^ sold for above the cost of the house, was made in 1795* In 1784, the house, now improved by the town for the accommodation of the poor, was built. The people of this town were firm and resolute in opposition to the rebellious spirit which confused the state in 1786. In an address to the town of Boston, they observed, "we feel ourselves, equally with you, interested and affected in the commotions and disor- ders that have taken place in the Commonwealth, to the weakening of constitutional government, the ob- struction of a due administration of justice, and pre- venting the course of the laws of the land; and while we stand ready to every exertion, which wisdom may dictate, for obtaining a redress of any grievances under which we or our fellow citizens may groan, you may rest assured that nothing on our part shall be wanting, for the confirmation and establishment of the social compact, the support of the honor, dignity, and authority of constitutional government and the execu- tion of the laws of the land." The house, in which we are now assembled, was built in 1794.* The service of dedication was per- formed by the Rev. Mr. Clark, January 15, 1795. — May the sacred edifice long stand, a house of habita- tion for God, a temple filled from sabbath to sabbath wnth solemn worshippers. In 1799, the monument, which bears the names, of those who were slain on the morning of the nineteenth of April, 1775, was erected "by the inhabitants of this * It stands 20 feet back of the ground covered by the former one The house, which was built in 1691, stood not far from ilio sam^i place» town, under the patronage and at the expense of the Commonwealth."* On the fifteenth of November, 1805, the church and society were again deprived of a pastor. — The Rev. Jonas Clark lived to enter upon the fifty-first year of his ministry, and to complete nearly the seventy -fifth of his age. To a large proportion of my hearers he was endeared by an intimate acquaintance and many labors of love. He was with you in seasons of pros- perity and joy, and in times of peril and distress. You • On the monument is the following inscription; Sacred to Liberty and the Rights of Mankind!!! The Freedom and Independence of America, Sealed and defended by the Blood of her Sons, This monument is erected By the Inhabitants of Lexington, Under the Patronage and at the Expense of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, To the Memory of their Fellow-Citizens, Ensign Robert MunroCt and Messrs. yonas Parker, Samuel Hadley, Jonathan Harrington, jun. Issac Muzzy, Caleb Harrington, and yohn Brovtn Of Lexington, and Ashael Porter of Woburn, Who felU on this Field, the first Victims to the Sword of British Tyranny and Oppression, On the Morning of the ever Memorable Nine FEENTH of April An. Dom. \775' The Die was cast!!! The blood of these Martyrs Was the Cement of the Union of these States, then Colonies; and gave the Spring to the Spirit, Firmness, And Resolution of their Fellow-citizens. They rose as one Man to revenge their Brethren's Blood, and ai the Point of the Sword to assert and Defend their native Rights. They nobly dar'd to be free!! The contest was long, bloody, and affecting. Righteous Heaven approved the solemn Appeal, Victory crowned their arms: and The Peace, Liberty, and Independence of the Uniteb States of America, was their Glorious Rewaro« 23 Kcell knew his manner ofUfe^fulih, charity, patience, and afflictions. Yoa remember with what serious- ness and ardor he engaged in the services of religion; how instructive and consoling was his conversation in the chamber of sickness and tlie house of mourning; how appropriate, solemn, and impressive wgvc his ad- dresses to the throne of grace, especially on unexpect- ed and mournful occasions; with what wisdom and prudence he sought to preserve the harmony and pro- mote the temporal and spiritual interests of the peo- ple of his charge; how firm and inflexible were his at- tachments to his country in ^'the days which tried men's souls;" and how willing he was to spend and be spent in the cause of Christ. — That he was a be- liever in what are usually denominated the doctrines of grace, and that he was deeply sensible of the im- portance of a zealous and persevering defence of these doctrines, they who enjoyed his ministry can testify and his printed discourses afford ample evidence. In the following solemn and impressive language he described the necessity of ministerial fidelity. '-To be influenced by the fear, or flattery of men; to truckle to the humors of the vicious or depraved; to shun to declare the counsel of God for fear of offending, or striking at the darling sins, lusts, or appetites of men; to deal deceitfully with the word of God, out of regard to favorites or friends; or to cause the truth of Christ to bow to the preconceived sentiments of fallible mor- tals, is utterly inconsistent with the dignity of the sacred character, and altogether unworthy the heav- enly trust reposed in the ministers of his kingdom. And should venal motives, fondness for applause or any other sordid desire, influence any to aim at pleas- 24 ing men rather than God, so far the end of the minis- try is subverted, God dishonored, and the religion of Christ exposed to the malice and power of its bitterest enemies. And as to wretches in office, who are chargeable with such conduct as this, it is easy to see, that of all men, they are most justly exposed to the severest resentments of an angry God and the hottest thunderbolts of divine vengeance, for meanly betraying the very cause, which, by every sacred and endearing tie, they were so solemnly engaged to defend."* Had 1 been favored with a personal acquaintance w^ith my highly respected predecessor, I should feel more competent than I now do to a just delineation of his character. As I had not that privilege, I shall only subjoin the following observations of that vener- able servant of Christ,t who addressed you from this place at his funeral. ''Our deceased brother," said he, "believed in the fulness of that redemption which is in Christ, and depended on him for sanctification, as well as for righteousness to justification, being equally con- cerned for both, convinced of the necessity and beauty of holiness, and desirous to glorify God in a holy obe- dience. He honored his Master, delighted in his work, and had a love for precious souls. His good natural parts, his attainments in human literature, and his spiritual gifts were a rich furniture for his ministerial office, and made him a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word oj truth. He was a pattern of patience and resignation under his * Sermon at the ordination of Mr. Muzzy, p. 17. j The Rev, Dr. Gushing of Waltham. 25 many domestic afflictions and painful trials in the course of his ministry. Through all the enfeebling in- fluence of his bodily diseases, he behaved with exem- plary composure of spirit, and with resignation to the will of God. He was not insensible of the hand of God upon him, or of his own weakness and want of help from above; and while he found himself incapa- ble of his Master's work, his heart continued in it, and quietly waited the events of Providence. For several of his last days, he was, by reason of an additional dis- order, unable to discourse, perhaps incapable of reflec- tion; but was in the hands of the Almighty, who is just and holy in all his ways and w^orks."* In the time of his ministry, the admissions to the church were, by profession, 387, and by letter, ten; 69 owned the covenant, and 1040 were baptized. In May, 1807, Mr. Henry Colman, now pastor of a church in Hingham, received an invitation, which he declined accepting, to settle in this town. * Mr. Clark's publications are, 1. A sermon preached to a reViglous society of young men in Lcxmg- ton, ir61— Prov. i, 9. 2. A sermon at the ordination of the Rev. Josiah Bridge in E. Sudbury, 1761 — Luke x, 3 and 16. 3. A sermon at the Artillery Election, 1768—2 Chron. xvii, 16. 4. A sermon on the use and excellence of vocal music in public wor- ship, preached at an occasional lecture in Lexington, 1770— Psalm xlvii, 6, 7. 5. A sermon, delivered April 19, 1776, with an appendix containmg a narrative of the events of April 19, 1775. 6. A sermon at the General Election, 1781— Psalm xlvii, 8, 9. 7. A sermon at the ordination of the Rev. Joseph Estabrook in Athol, 1787— Jer. iii, 15. , 8. A sermon at the ordination of th« Rev. William Muzzy m Sullivan, N. H, 1798—1 Thess, ii, 4. 26 On the fourth sabbath in August, 1807, your pres-' ent pastor first addressed you from this desk. On the twelfth of the succeeding October, I received your unanimous call to take the oversight ot you in the Lord; and on the thirtieth of December, was solemnly consecrated to the work of the ministry among you.* I have reason to acknowledge with gratitude the kind- ness you have manifested to me and my famil}^ My heart's desire has been to preach to you the truth a.v it is in Jesus, to declare all the counsel of God, and to be instrumental of guiding you to the Shepherd and Bishop of souls; and my hands have been strengthen- ed and heart encouraged by finding, as I trust 1 have found in some instances, that I have not labored in vain, or spent my strength for naught. It is my prayer to the Father of mercies and God of all grace, that I may discharge the duties of my office with in- creasing fidelity, and that you may feel and manifest the power and spirit of the Gospel. After the death of Mr. Clark and previous to my settlement, four were added to the church, two owned the covenant, and eleven were baptized. Since my ordination, the admissions to the church have been thirty-seven; the baptisms seventy-five; two have own- ed the covenant, and seventy- five have been removed by death. It is now 116 years and about five months since a church w^as gathered in this place. In this period, • On this occasion, the Rev, Samuel Gile of Milton made the introduc- tory prayer, the Rev. Dr. Kendal of Weston preached from ' iius i, 9; the Rev. Mr. Marrett of Burlington made the consecrating prayer; the Rev. Dr. Cusliing- of Wallham gave the charge; llie Rev. Mr. Fiske «f West Cambridge gave the right hand of fellowship; and the Rev. Dr, Stearns of Lincoln made the concluding prayer. 27 seventeen deacons have been chosen and have offjriul- ed;* 954, includino those who were en":a2red in formiiiir it, have been admitted to the fellowship of the church; 257 have owned the covenant; and 2819 have been baptized — In tlie century, which is now closing, the admissions to the church have been 833; admissions to the baptismal covenant 200; baptisms 2410; and deaths 1446. Laudable attention has been paid by the inhabi- tants of this town to the education of their youth. They have generally been careful to employ and have made liberal provision for the support of able instructors. Though for several years, in latter times, unpleasant contests existed concerning the division of districts, at present harmony prevails, and the arrange- ments for schooling are such as to afford the rising generation, good advantages to become prepared for usefulness and respectability in Society. Since the incorporation of the town, thirty one young gentle- men, who were natives of the town, or whose parents • John Meriam, chosen in 1696; died in 1727, Samuel Stone, 1696; 1703. Samuel Stone, jun. 17 '5, 1732. Joseph Estabrook, — — 1?16; • < , . 1733. Joseph Brown, 1727; 1764. John Laugli'on, 17 53; dismissed to Harvard cUh.l7'34i- Joseph Estabrook, — — 1?33; died in 1740. John Stone, 1743; 1762, Joseph Loring, 174 >; 1746. James Brown, -— — 1756; 1768. Joseph Loring- 17j6; 1787. Jonas Stone, 1766; 179.0. Benjamin Brown, — — 1768; . . 1802>i John Bridge, 1787; l^'Q^. Nathan Reed, 17vS7; resigned, 1808; died, 18:- 1 James Brown, 1808. Isaac Hastings, 1808. £8 resided here while they were members of college, have been favored with the privileges of a public edu- cation. Nineteen of these have been preachers, and seventeen ordained ministers.* • John Hancock, A. M. graduated 1719; was ordained over the north church in Braintree, Nov. 2, 1726; died May 7, 1744, M. 41. Jonathan Bowman, A. M. grad, 1724; was ordained at Dorchester, Nov. 5, 1729; died, May 30, 1775. Ebenezer Hancock, A. M. grad. 1728; was ordained colleague with his father in this town, Jan, g, 1734; died, Jan. 28, 1740, iE. 29. Edmund Bowman, A. M. grad. 1728; was a merchant in Portsmouth, N. H. Thaddeus Mason, A. M. grad. 1728; was many years clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for Middlesex; died. May 1, 1802; M, 96, Philemon Robbins, A. M, grad. 17S9; was ordained at Branford, Con, Josiah Brown, A. M. grad. 1735; was a preacher; died at Lancaster, March 4, 1774, JE. 59. Matthew Bridge, A. M. grad. 1741; was ordained at Framingham, February 19, 1746; died, September 3, 1775, M. 55. Nathaniel Trask, A. M. grad. 1742; was ordained at Epping, N. H.-— died in 1789, JE. 67. Nathaniel Robbins, A. M. grad 1747; was ordained at Milton, Feb- ruary 13, 1751; died May, 19, 1795, JE. 69. Jonas Meriam, A.M. grad. 1753; was ordained at Newton, March 22, 1758; died, Aug. 13. 1780, JE, 50. Josiah Bridge, A. M. grad. 1758; was ordained at East Sudbury, November 4, 1761; died June 19, 1801, JE. 62. SamuelFiske,A.M. grad. 1759; was an episcopal minister in — Carolina. Micah Lawrence, A. M. grad? 1759; was ordained at Winchester, N . H, November 14, 1764; died January 1794, JE. 55- Ephraim Woolson, A. B. grad. 1760; was a physician in Hanover, N, H; died, Jan.— 1S02, JE. 61. Joseph Brown, A. .M. grad. 1763; was ordained at Winchendon, May .24, 1769; died,— 181L Amos Winship, A. M. M. B. grad 1771. Benjamin Muzzy, A. B. grad. 1774; sailed from Boston, Sept. 1777, in the privateer. Hero Revenge, as chaplain, and was lost at sea, Isaac Reed, A. M. grad. 1780; was a merchant in Littleton; died, Dec. 5, 1789, JE, 35. Ebenezer Bowman, A. M. grad, 1782; attorney at law in Wilksbarre, Penn. Joseph Estabrook, A. M. grad. 1782; was ordained at Athol, Novem- ber 21, 1787. It would be inexcuseable to pass in silenrr those who have manifested their attachments to tic church and town and their desires to promote the interests of virtue and religion by generous donations. The com- munion table has been richly furnished by the liberal- ity of individuals.* In 1700, a bell was given the parish by the town of Cambridge. In 1731, the Nathan Underwood, A. M. grad- 1788; was ordained at Harwich, November 21, 1792. Samuel Chandler, A. M. grad. 1790; was ordained at Eliot, N. H. Oct. 27, 1792. Joseph Dennie, A. B. grad. 1790; instituted and edited the Port Folio, a literary publication of high merit, in Philadelphia; died, Jan. 7, 1812. Daniel Marrett. A. M. grad. 1790; was ordained at Standish, D. M. Sept. 21, 1796. William Muzzy, A. B. grad. 1793, was ordained at Sullivan, N. H. Feb. 7, 1798. Abiel Chandler, A. B. grad. 1798; died, Feb. 11, 1799. Phinehas Adams, A. B, grad. 1801. Elias Phinney, A. M. grad. 1801; attorney at law in Charlestown. Timothy Willington, A.M. M. B. grad. 1806; ph}sician in West Cambridge. Oliver Danforth, A. B. grad. at Williams College, 1811. • The following articles of plate for the sacramental service have been given by individuals; 1 tankard by Mrs. Rachel Butterfield. 1 cup by Deacon Samuel Stone, 1715 1 .^— by Mr. William Reed, jun. .... 1716 1 — — by Mr. Samuel Haugh, 1727 1 by Messrs. David Fiske and Phillip Russel, - 1732 1 — — by Rev. Ebenezer Hancock. 1 by Messrs- Matthew Bridge and Thomas Meriam, 1745 1 — by Capt. Samuel Stone, 1F52 1 by Joseph Bowman, Esq. ... - 1755 1 by Mr. Nathaniel Whittemore, - - - - 1756 1 — — by Deacon Joseph Brown, ... - 175'J 1 by Mr. Richard Arms, 1763 2 by Thomas Hancock. Esq. of Boston, - - 1764 I —— by Mr. Isaac Stone . - - - - 1765 3 — — by Francis Bowman, Esq. 30 practical works of the Rev. Richard Baxter, in four folio volumes, were given the church by the H-onorable Samuel Holden, Esq. of London. In 1762, the sec- ond bell was given the town by Mr. Isaac Stone.* In 1764, a legacy of twenty pounds, lawful money, was left the church by Thomas Hancock, Esq. of Boston.t In 1779, Mrs. Rachel Butterfield of Bridge- water gave the church 'thirteen pounds, six shillings and eight pence for the purchase of U silver tankard, and fifty pounds more to be disposed of as the church should think fit."J She also gave the town "fifty pounds, the interest of which to be annually improv- ed for the use of a school.'' In 1793, the late Gov- ernor Hancock presented the church and congregation this Bible, and gave the town one hundred dollars towards defraying the expense of building this house *The bell, now in use, was purc|)asedin X801- The clock in the meet- ing-house was procured in 1802. •j- He was a son of the Rev. John Hancock of tliis town, one of the principal merchants of New England, a most useful member of society, and for many years one of his Majesty's council. He left 1000 pounds for founding a professorship of the Hebrew and other oriental langua- ges in Harvard college: 1000 pounds for the society for propagating the gospel; 600 poumls lowai'ds a hospital for the reception of persons de- prived of their senses; and 200 pounds for a linen factory. Dr. Eliot's piog. Diet. i In consequence of the depreciation of paper money, this legacy was found, in 1781, to have "sunk in its value, so as in a great measure to frustrate the benevolent and pious intentions of the donor." That a me- morial of lier kindness might be possessed, Mr. Simeon Leonard, the executor of her "will, generously offered tlie church *'twenty dollars to v.irds pur.-hasmg a handsome tankard for the communion table, in case ihc ciiurch agreed and saw fit to prociu'e one, engraved with the in- scription which Mrs B. in her life time, had mentioned." The proposal ■was accepted by the church, and the tankard, now in use, accordingly procured. C!ih. Rcc. 31 of public worship.* The same year, and for the same purpose, the town received twenty-two dollars from the Rev. Jonas Clark — Thankfully may we ever re- collect, and carefully transmit to posterity, the names of our kind and pious benefactors. The goodness of God has been distinguishingly manifested to the church and people in this place. Our fai hers trusted in Him, and he delivered them; they trusted in Him, and were not confounded. In their seasons of peril and distress, he was their defence, and in their endeavors to honor him, he blessed them. He has favored the town with a good degree of health, and preserved an unusual number of its inhabitants to old aget He has sent into this part of his vine- yard faithful laborers; ministers of the everlasting gos- pel, who were ^'burning and shining lights." He has blessed the church with seasons of refreshing from his presence. His spirit, at times, has come down like rain upon the mown grass, and as shotcers that wat- er the earth.l The days have been, when there were but few, very few, who did not regard the sab- bath as ''the holy of the Lord;" when the youth were * Gov. Hancock, whose patriotic and benevolent deeds entilled him to a distinguished rank among the friends of his country and tlic benefac- tors of mankind, was a son of the Rev. John Hancock of Braintree, and grandson of the Rev. John Hancock of this town. .f There are now living in town fifty persons, who are over seventy years of age. Of the sevent}-five. who iiave died since my ordination, twenty ■were seventy and over seVenty, and eight over eighty years of age. 'rhe numberof inhabitants, according to the last census, is 1052- The nuni^ ber of families IS 198; of dwelling houses, 168. it The admissions to the church, in 1755, were thirty-two; in I7i2, forty two; in 1728, seventy four- Twenty nine, the greatest number ad ded at any one time, were admitted, April 14, 1728. 5i2 generally united in inquiring the way to Zion;* and when the common voice of the people was, on every Lord's day, "Let us meet together in the house of God." Harmony has generally prevailed in the church and among the inhabitants. The interfere ence and advice of ecclesiastical councils has, in no in- stance, been found necessary to heal divisions — Many and various are the instances of divine goodness, which we are permitted this day to review. Truly, we may say. Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. Reflect, my brethren, on the years which are past, and contemplate the blessings your ancestors enjoyed. Sur- vey the rich inheritance which has been transmitted from them to you, and let it be the desire of your hearts that their god may be your god. If you would enjoy the friendship of that almighty Being, who was the fountain whence all their mercies flowed, let it be your constant and unwearied endeavor to imitate their virtues. Be faithful, like them in main- taining the ordinances of religion. Cultivate the piety which warmed their hearts and adorned their lives, and shun the vices which they avoided and reproved. Let your houses be houses of prayer, and let your youth be taught the fear of the Lord. If you be fol- lovcers of them who through faith and patience^ inher- it the promises; if you be stedfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, the smiles of your fathers' God will rest upon you, and unborn generations shall arise and call you blessed. But if you be a disobedient and backsliding people, the • For ma-.^y years tliere was a society of young" men, who regularly met on sabbulh evenings for religious purposes. Lord will jight against you with the stcord of /livf moiUh, and remove this candlestick out of its place. The time may not be far distant, when he, who now addresses you, will be numbered witli the dead. When that time arrives, and either you or your children shall be called to the important duty of seeking one to min- ister to you in holy things, remember hoxc you have heardy and let no man deceive you with enticing words. As you love your own souls, and as you value the eternal interests of your posterity, guard against those who pervert the Gospel of Christ. Believe not every spirit; but try the spirits, whether they be of God; for •many false prophets are gone out into the world. You will need counsel and assistance. Ask it of them who feel the power and know the value of divine truth. Ask it, especially, of God. Earnestly implore hisligl\t and guidance. Importunately supplicate that he would give you a pastor after his own heart, and that he would never suffer this holy ground to be polluted by the feet of "wolves in sheep's clothing." And we be- seech you ever to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their tvork's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Our time, my brethren, is short. Man''s days are as grass. As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth: for the wind passeth over it., and it is gone, and the place thereof shall knotv it no more. A review of past scenes is pow^erfully calculated to remind us of the fleeting nature of time and the instability of all earthly things. How numerous and vast are the changes which have been effected in a century! What multitudes have been gathered to the congregation of ^ 34 the dead! What commotions and revolutions has the world experienced! — Future years will unfold occur- rences no less interesting and important. The millions of the human race, who now inhabit the earth, are in rapid succession going to the house appointed for all the living; and the present agitation of the nations is tending to the accomplishment of events, which will deeply and extensively affect the condition of future generations. With trembling fear and hope we con- template the scenes which are passing, and desire to look into futurity— But, in the multitude of our thoughts, let us not be unmindful "what manner of persons we are," Let us not forget that the ever- flowing stream of time is rapidly bearing us to the ocean of eternity. _ Life speeds away From point to point, though seeming- to stand still; The cunning fugitive is swifi by stealth; I'oo subtle is the movement to be seen; Yet soon man's hcr.i- is up, and we are gone. — YouifG. Sensible of the important errand on which we are sent into the world, and conscious of the worth of time, let us do with our might what our hands find to do; for there is no work, nor device^ nor knowledge, nor tvlsdom in the grave, whither we go. Let us live the lives of the righteous, that we may die their death. Let us walk in those paths of godliness which our pious ancestors, now in glory, pursued: that we may stand with them hereafter on the holy hill of Zion, and unite our voices with theirs in ascribing blessing, AND HONOR, AND GLORY, AND POWER, UNTO HIM THAT SITTETIl UPON THE THRONE, AND UNTO THE LaMB FOR EVER AND EVER. "^1^