VIEW OF IIOLHSTON IN ITS FIRST CENTURY. 
 
 CEHTUSIT SEIl2C02?r, 
 
 DELIVERED IN HOLLISTON, MASS. 
 
 SEOEHSEH % 1826. 
 
 B7 OHAHI.SS FITCH9 
 
 Ftstor of the Coogregatienal Church and society of HelIi8tOD< 
 
 H. & W,. H. MANN FRINTERS. 
 
 / 
 
 Hfir- iiiriiiiiiilf' 
 
X 
 
 ^ 
 
?^' / 
 
 VIEW OF IIOLLISTON IN ITS FIRST CENTURY. 
 
 OEHTTrnr sss^icorr, 
 
 DELIVERED IN HOLLISTON, MASS. 
 
 DEOSMSEIl % 1826. 
 
 B7 OHARLXIS FITOH9 
 
 Fastor of the Congregational Church and society of HolIistOD. 
 
 H. &W,. H. MANN PRINTERS. 
 
 utannjtmfr ^4ltk 
 
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS 
 AT AMHERST 
 
 UNIVERSITY LIBRARY 
 
 Special Collections & Rare Books 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
HoLLisTON, Dec. 28lli, 1826. 
 Rev. and Dear <S'/r, 
 
 The citizens of Holliston, witli their numerous and 
 respectable neij^hbours, who had tlie pleasure of hearlni^ 
 the truly learned and elocjuent discourse delivered by you 
 in comnienioration of the past century of this Town, have 
 been pleased frequently to express their admiration of the 
 same, and a desire that it might be published. We, there- 
 fore, at a legal Town-meeting, have been elected to express 
 the publick sentiment, and respectfully solicit a copy for 
 the press. 
 
 Your most obedient and humble servants, 
 ICHABOI) HAWES, 
 TIMOTHY ROCKVVOOD, Jr. 
 JAMES CUTLER, 
 
 CommiUee. 
 Rev. Charles Fitch. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 It gives me pleasure to learn, that the discourse 
 which was delivered in commemoration of the first centu- 
 ry of this town, has met the approbation of those who 
 heard it. And as it was expressly designed, as a History 
 of the Town, for the use and benefit of its inhabitants, I 
 scarcely feel myself at liberty to withhold it; which under 
 other circumstances, I should be disposed to do. With 
 sincere wishes and prayers for your individual welfare, and 
 that of the people whom you represent, I subscribe myself, 
 Yours respectfully, 
 
 CHARLES FITCH. 
 Col. IcHABOD Halves, 
 Capt. Timothy Rockwood, and 
 Mr. James Cutler, 
 
 Committee. 
 Holliston, Jan. 3d, 1827. 
 
ADVSRTZSSMSSarT. 
 
 The first Century of this town was comple- 
 ted on the 3d of December, 18S4; and it was 
 contemplated by the inhabitants to have com- 
 memorated the day. Bot in consequence of 
 the ill health of my predecessor, tlie Bev. Jo- 
 sephus Wheaton, who was unable to prepare a 
 discourse for the occasion, the subject was de- 
 layed until December, 18S6. 
 
SERMOH. 
 
 ZECHARIAH I, 5. 
 
 Your fathers^ where are they? and the 2^rophetSy 
 do they live forever? 
 
 The object which assembles us, my hearers, is 
 one of no ordinary interest. It is to commemo- 
 rate, for the first time, the day which gave a dis- 
 tinct and corporate existence to that portion of the 
 community, in which, by the good providence of 
 God, our lot is cast. It is to go back a century in- 
 to antiquity, and review the records of the years 
 which have intervened ; — to converse ^^ith genera- 
 tions that have gone before us; — to survey the do- 
 ings of our respected ancestors, and the scenes in 
 which they were actors; — and thus to look up and 
 rehearse the most prominent and interesting par- 
 ticulars in the existence of our town. And in this 
 developement of our object, how forcibly are we 
 reminded of the pleasing, and yet mournful fact, 
 
6r 
 
 that the place, ive now occupy, was once the abode 
 of other people; the scene of their iaboars, enjoy- 
 ments, sifTerin :s, and trials ; and their last and 
 only earthly possession — the '^possession of a bu- 
 rying place ! " — And how natvu*ally does the inqiury 
 of the prophet suggest itself! and with what pe- 
 culiar solemnity and impressiveness does i^ strike 
 the mind! — Your fathers — where are they? and 
 the prophets — do they live forever? — 
 
 In prosecuting the object of this discourse, I 
 propose, for the sake of order and perspicuity, to 
 comprise the history of this town in three parts ,• — 
 the first part to contain its civil history ; the sec- 
 ond its ecclesiastical history ; and the third a sta- 
 tistical view of the town, with the addition of oiher 
 important miscellaneous matter. 
 
 The first part, we have devoted to the civil his- 
 tory of the town. 
 
 Holliston was originally a part of Sherburne ; 
 which at that time embraced a large extent of ter- 
 ritory, from which a considerable portion of sever- 
 al towns has since been taken. The dismember- 
 ment of this part of Sherburne, and its subsequent 
 erection into a town, originated in a disagreement 
 upon the subject of a site for a Meeting-house. 
 The people, who resided in this extremity of the 
 town, were anxious for the removal of a serious in- 
 convenience, under which they had long laboured, 
 occasioned by their distance from the place of wor- 
 ship ; and insisted upon a position more contigu- 
 ous to themselves for the erection of the contem- 
 plated new House. While the larger proportion 
 
of the inhabitants were resolved upon its loratiou 
 upon the spot, vvhi h had loni^ been occupied for 
 this sa^ red purpose. Under these circumstances, 
 the minor party respectfully petitioned for the priv- 
 ileire of disimion; which beins^ granted, the parlies, 
 peaceably, and on friendly terms, separated. The 
 petition for dismemberment was si^;ned by thirteen 
 individuals,* and presented to the inhabitants of 
 Sherburne, in town-meeting, Nov. 18th, 1723. — 
 The colonial government was next petitioned ; and 
 on the 3d of Dec. 1724 the Act of Incorporation 
 foraially passed both branches of the General 
 Court; giving the town the name of Holliston, in 
 token of respect for Thomas Hollis of London, a 
 patron of the University in Cambridge; who, in 
 reliu'n, presented the congregation v^ith an elegant 
 folio Bible for the Desk. — The form of Holliston 
 has al vays been extremely irregular. From plans 
 taken in the year of its organization a map has 
 been drawn, and the number of acres, which the 
 township comprises, ascertained to be 15,086. — 
 The first town-meeting was held, agreeably to the 
 provisions of the act of incorporation, at the house§ 
 of Ti.noihy Leland on rhe 21st of the same month 
 in vvhich the act was passed. At this meeting, 
 
 =*^ The names of those who pet'tioned were as follows; 
 Jonathan Wl)it»iey, Timothy Leland, Aaron A.'orse, Moses 
 A anis. Jcseph Johnson, Ebenezer Pratt, Gershora Eames, 
 J 'm Goulding, Joshua Underwood, Thomas Jones, Isaac 
 Adams, John TvvichelJ, and John Larnite. 
 
 § This hoHse was situated on the place now occupied by 
 Mr. Amory Leland. 
 
8 
 
 0re Select-men,! with the other appropriate offi- 
 cers, were elected; which gave the lirst impulse to 
 the operations of this infant member of the body 
 politick. 
 
 It was certainly an important object, with this 
 Bew established commimity, to promote its growth 
 in population and wealth by holding out every 
 possible encouragement to emigrants. And yet, 
 desirable as the inhabitants, doubtless, felt it to 
 be, we find them early adopting and prosecuting 
 measures to guard against the introduction of a 
 mixed and corrupt population;— at one time, rais- 
 ing monies to encourage and aid the removal of 
 certain French families to Canada; and at others, 
 expelling immoral and licentious individuals and 
 families, that had crept into their territory, and 
 were polluting their soil, by the rigour of law. 
 We notice this as forming a peculiar and interest- 
 ing feature in the character and acts of the primi- 
 tive inhabitants of this place; and as constituting 
 an important basis for the subsequent character 
 and prosperity of the town. 
 
 The attention and efforts of our ancestors were 
 early directed towards the education of their chil- 
 dren. In August 1731, the town voted the appro- 
 priation of a considerable sum to defray the ex- 
 pense of a reading and writing school. This was 
 its first public act upon the subject of education ; 
 previous to which, the young probably received in- 
 struction at private expense. After this period, 
 
 f The names of the Selectmen were John GoulJing, 
 William Sheffield, Ebenezer Hill, Jouathan Whitney, and 
 Thomas Marshall. 
 
8 
 
 the sum annually appropriated for the support of 
 schools was increased as necessity requireu, until 
 it has <i;rovvn to the amount of $G00 per annum. 
 Nos'iitable places were provided, however, for the 
 accommodation of schools previous to the year 
 1738; when three school-houses were erected at 
 the expense of the town. These have subsequent- 
 ly been multiplied, till they amoimt to more than 
 double that number. The vah:e and importance of 
 the system of education, so early introduced, are 
 now apparent in the general diffusion of learning ; 
 the prevalence of virtuous habits ; and the increas- 
 ing attention paid to the higher branches of educa- 
 tion. 
 
 The original inhabitants of this town were not 
 wanting a proper measure of the spirit of civil lib- 
 erty. And although, with their fathers and nei< h- 
 bours, they were wont to dwell qui^ly under their 
 colonial subjection ; yet when the grievances, im- 
 posed by the mother country, had become too ma- 
 ny, and too mighty to be tamely endured, they were 
 prepared to second every worthy meas'^re for the 
 resistance of oppression, and to venture their prop- 
 erty, and their lives in a common and united strug- 
 gle for freedom. Accordingly, as though actuated 
 by a presentiment of the approaching revolutionary 
 conflict, they resolved upon a measare for prepara- 
 tion for the worst that mi^ht befall them, and began 
 in 1731 to collect military stores, which they after- 
 wards continued to augment, as the aspect and 
 feeling of the times seemed to render necessary.— 
 
 The fic&t pubiick and fonual step taken by them to- 
 
 2 
 
10 
 
 wards the independence, which they afterwarde 
 aided in achieving, was in the form of a resolvition 
 adopted in 1768, in accordance with proposals from 
 the people of Boston^ "that this to \Yn will take 
 all prudent and legal measures to encourage the 
 produce and manufactures of this province, and to 
 lessen the use of superfiuilies imported from 
 abroad." I give the resolution in the very lan- 
 guage in which it stands recorded. And as a 
 pleasing evidence of their conscientious and in- 
 flexible adherence to it, and steadfast purpose to 
 carry it into execution ; we find them seriously vot- 
 ing, upon the very back of it, to use no gloves at 
 funerals, but such as were made in the province ; 
 and to procure no new garments for those occa- 
 sions, but such as were "absolutely necessary." — 
 The same year saw this town represented by a del- 
 egation of its own appointment in a Convention^ 
 made up of delegates from neighbouring towns, and 
 held in Boston for the purpose of devising and rec- 
 ommending such measures as the existing state of 
 things demanded. — In 1770, it was resolved, in 
 town-meeting, to purchase no European goods of 
 certain importers^ whose names were posted for 
 public information. — In 1773, the town passed a 
 formal resolution in favour of a commimication, 
 addressed to its inhabitants, setting forth the rights 
 of the colonies, and the infringement of them by 
 the British nation. The year following, it was 
 represented in a " County Congress," held at 
 Concord. And in the same year, it formally pro- 
 hibited the sale, or consumption of East India 
 
II 
 
 Ten».~~On the 0th of Jan. 1775, tho town voted. 
 *^ to adhere to the advice and association of t lie 
 Continental Conirress;" and in March following^ 
 previously to \he annual election of town officers, 
 it was thus resolved ; "that no man shall serve ia 
 any town office or place whatsoever the ensuing 
 year, who shall refuse or neglect to subscrihe his 
 consent to, and compliance with the advice and 
 association of the last Continental Congress; and 
 that such individual shall be treated with neglect.^ 
 *~The Constitution, which had been framed for 
 this State, was, in 1780, subjected to the inspect 
 tion of the several towns for their approval ; and, 
 after much consideration, was approved by thiis 
 town, with the exception of a few articles to which 
 amendments were proposed. On the 4ith of Sept 
 •f this year, the town met to elect a Governour and 
 other officers of the State government for the first 
 time; when it was found, that 39 votes had been 
 given in for John Hancock, and only 2 for the op- 
 posing candidate, James Bowdoin; — so great was 
 the unanimity which at that period prevailed upon 
 political subjects. — I have been more particular, in 
 relating the doings of our forefathers in matters 
 connected with the early and most interesting part 
 of our national history, than I should have been, 
 did I not feel it due to their memory to exhibit the 
 p-ompt, decisive, energetick, and manly spirit, with 
 which they seconded every measure devised for re- 
 sisting the oppressions of the mother country; and 
 with which they stood forth for the maintenance of 
 civil and reUgious liberty in those ^Himes, which 
 
18 
 
 tried men's souls.'' During the whole of that glo- 
 rioas struggle, which resulted in the establishment 
 of our independence, they bore a decided and hon- 
 orable part. They sacrificed their property and 
 hazarded their lives in the cause of liberty ; and 
 their reward is in the grateful remembrance of their 
 posterity. May their posterity never forfeit, by 
 their ingrratitude and degeneracy, the inestimable 
 blessings they purchased for them at the price of 
 blood. 
 
 The second part ofthis discourse, we proposed 
 to devote to the ecclesiastical history of the town. 
 
 It was an object of first importance, in the esti- 
 mation of our worthy progenitors, to make provision 
 for the worship of God, and for the regular dispen- 
 sation of the ordinances of the gospel. And accor- 
 dingly, we find they had no sooner assumed the 
 form and functions of a corporate body, than they 
 net themselves, without delay, to "find out a place 
 for the Lord, an habitation for the mighty God of 
 Jacob." Their second town meeting was called 
 for this express purpose 5 and was held on the 4th 
 of January, 1725, — within about a month from the 
 time of the first meeting; — when they resolved upon 
 the erection of a House of Worship. To accom- 
 plish this object, they raised by tax one hundred 
 pounds Old Tenour, as it was called, being about 
 $44,45 Federal money ; allowing to each individ- 
 ual assessed the privilege of bestowing labour to 
 half the amount ot his tax. The dimensions of the 
 contemplated house were fixed at about forty feet 
 In length by thirty-two feet in breadth, with g^t^ 
 
13 
 
 of twenty feet in hei<rht. It ^.vas located upon land, 
 containing about three acres and a half, ^iven to 
 this town by Col. William Brown, of Salem, Mas- 
 sachusetts — to be perpetually occupied as a site for 
 a Meeting-house and B iryini'-ground. In 1728, 
 the people saw the House of the Lord completed, 
 and commenced occupymg it for his worship; after 
 it had cost them more than double the s vim origi- 
 nally levied. They were not, however, previo' s to 
 this event, destitute of preaching. This they had 
 formally adopted measures for procuring daring the 
 first year of their existence as a town; and on the 
 26th of June 1727, a meeting was held for the elec- 
 tion and call of a minister. The second arii le in 
 the warrant for that meeting; contains something so 
 peculiarly characteristick of the people, that I can- 
 not consent to its omission. It reads thus ; ^Ho 
 choose an orthodox^ learned, and pious person to 
 dispense the word of God as a minister of the ; os- 
 pel in the said town." I dor.bt whether, if the 
 children were not half ashamed of the stern princi^ 
 pies, and honest deeds of their fathers, they wo?ild 
 not think their example upon this subject worthy of 
 imitation. At any ra? e, the fathers thought, — and 
 so might their children think, — that in such plain 
 and honest methods of proceed ure they would likely 
 save themselves much difficulty, and jrreat hazard 
 in their religious concerns. The resu It of the meet- 
 ing just named was an invitation to the Rev. James 
 Stone to undertake the work of the ministry in this 
 town. For some unknown reason, however, he was 
 not ordained until the 20th of November of the fol^ 
 
m 
 
 lowin<T year, 1 728. The same day which witnesse<J 
 the consecration of Mr. Stone to the service of God 
 -at the altar, witnessed also the organization of a 
 Church consistin^^ of eight memhers, of whom the 
 pastor elect was one. Previous to the solemn and 
 interesting occasion, which was to constitute a 
 church, and give it a shepherd, a day of fastin'^ and 
 prayer was ohserved, a practice which is still fol- 
 lowed, for the purpose of devoutly seeking the di- 
 Tine blessing to accompany those transactions.* 
 
 Mr. Stone was born in Newton, Mass. in 1703. 
 His father was one of foar brothers, who emigrated 
 to this country from England. Of his early life we 
 know nothing; except that he was graduated at 
 Harvard University in 1724; being at that time, 
 twenty-one years of age. And the only informa- 
 tion, I have been enabled to obtain, of his life and 
 character as the minister of this people, is contain- 
 ed in the preface to one of his Sermons, which wa» 
 published after his decease, and said to be the last 
 he ever composed. It was published, as a valuable 
 relic k of its author, under the direction of the Rev. 
 Oliver Peabody of Natick, and the Rev. Samuel 
 Porter of Sherburne, — who, in their preface to it, 
 thus speak of Mr. Stone. '^The great esteem which 
 his own people, as well as those in the neighbour- 
 ing towns, had of the author for his great sweetness 
 
 * Mr Stone's salary was fixed at 75/. or %33^33; whicb 
 was to be raised to 80/. when the town had received an in- 
 crease of ten families; and to 85Z. when there should be 
 an addition often more. He was also to receive a seliie- 
 ment of 100/. or a little more than $44. — His salary was 
 finally raised in 1742 to 130/. or about |^67. ^ 
 
16 
 
 »f temper, his ^ood humour, his instructive conver- 
 sation, his cxeniphiry piety, his <:reat (lili:;encc and 
 faithfulness in the work of the nanistry, his prudence 
 in all his conduct, his uncommon and excelling gift 
 in prayer, and his or//f o^/o.r, judiiioi's, and fervent 
 preachin??, — all \vhich, and many more desirable 
 qualifications were well known to shine in him, — 
 tias caused many in Holliston, and some in other 
 towns, to urge the publication of this sernion."* 
 From the same sorrce, we also learn, that when 
 Ihis sermon was written, "it was an uncommonly 
 sickly time among his people ; and that he w as al- 
 most constantly, night and day, visiting and praying 
 with the sick, sometimes for whole nights together; 
 ^'beingj as he said, willing to spend and be spent 
 m the service of the souls oj his people. ^^ Mr, 
 Stone departed this life July 19th 1742, in the 39th 
 year of his age, and in the 14<th of his ministry. 
 Three children survived him. 
 
 The first and only candidate, whom the people 
 employed after the decease of Mr. Stone, w as the 
 Rev. Joshua Prentiss, w ho w as ordained, and in- 
 stalled their pastor on the 18th of May 1743.t Mr. 
 Prentiss was born in Cambridge Mass. in 1718. 
 
 * The text of that Sermon is contained in John 17. 4. 
 I have alonfied thee on the eaith; 1 have finished the work 
 which thou gavest me to do. 
 
 t Mr. Prentiss' salary w^as 140r annually, Old Tenour; 
 or about <6:?,43; — with a settlement of 200/ or about -89. 
 After the first two years of settlement, his salary was to be 
 increased, — by an addition of 100/. per year, — until it 
 should amount to 200/ annually. His wood was also fur- 
 nished bini) as was that of his predecessor- 
 
16 
 
 He was the oldest son of an intelligent and piou^ 
 father. From a letter addressed to hhn by his fa^ 
 ther, a few days previous to his ordination, contain- 
 ing most ajffectionate and faithful advice, we learni 
 that when seven years of age he was visited with a 
 violent fever, which reduced him so low as to leave 
 little hope of his recovery. Under the anxiety and 
 distress produced by the forbidding prospect of 
 losing a child upon whom he doted, his father 
 writes ; ^^retiring from the bed to another chamber, 
 I spread my case before the great God, and prayed 
 earnestly for the life of the child, — yet with sub^ 
 mission, — that if it might be consistent with his holy 
 will to spare his life, and to bring him back from the 
 grave's mouth, and restore him to health, I would 
 then according as he should enable me, give him 
 up, and devote him to his service ; and by his graces 
 I have been enabled, in some measure, to perform 
 those vows which my lips uttered, and mouth spake 
 when I was in trouble." In addition to his bap- 
 tismal dedication to God in infancy ; his father say% 
 "you have been, by a more particular and renewed 
 promise of your father, given and devoted to God's 
 service." And there is no inconsiderable ground 
 for believing, that the prayers, and vows, and pious 
 efforts of the father, in regard to this son, were not 
 unavailing. In early life, he professed faith in 
 Christ, and publickly assumed the obli<xations of his 
 parents in his baptism, and devoted himself to the 
 service of God. He was graduated at Harvard 
 University in 1738; being at that time only twenty 
 jmsLTS of age. His religious sentiments were Calvi* 
 
17 
 
 uistick; and his prnaching was plain, instriictiv^j 
 and evangelical. For about i\ye years before his 
 death, his health was so greatly impaired as to ren- 
 der him unable to preach only occasionally. And 
 perhaps it was owing wholly to this circumstance, 
 that the congregation was iiuUiced to procure, in 
 1784<5 a dissolution of the pastoral connection sub- 
 sisting between him and them. But the fact, w hich 
 seems the most unpleasant upon this subject, is, 
 that having fallen behind in the payment of his sal- 
 ary, the people should refuse his pecuniary claims, 
 and compel him to the ungrateful task of a civil 
 prosecution. The demand was, however, ultimate- 
 ly discharged without a legal process 5 greatly to 
 the credit of the people, and the satisfaction of the 
 pastor. From the time of this settlement to his 
 death, peace and good feelin.<j prevailed ; as is evi- 
 dent from the fact, that after his dismission the town 
 exempted his estate from taxation, and appropriated, 
 for the use of his family, a seat in the Meeting- 
 house. Mr. Prentiss finished his earthly course 
 April 24th 1788, having attained the age of man — 
 his threescore years and ten ; forty-t^vo of \\ Lich 
 he employed in the ministry* among this people. 
 He had been thrice married. His first wife was 
 one among the many, who died during the preva- 
 lence of the dreadful malady, which we shall notice 
 hereafter. His third, he left a vvidow\ He had 
 Hine children ; one of whom w as for many years the 
 
 * The last text from which Mr. Prentiss preached is 
 contained in Psalm 37, 37. Mark the periect man, «nd 
 behold the tipright; for the oud ol that man is peace. 
 
 a 
 
18 
 
 lulmster oi'Meclfield Mass. and was distinguished io 
 his profession; and three of whom are no a living. 
 
 It was during the ministry of Mr. Prendss, and 
 in the year 17 IS, that a number of famihes, Kving 
 remote from the place of worship, and contiguoag 
 to Medway, were, for the sake of better accommo- 
 dation, set off from the congregation of Holliston 
 by an act of the General Court, and comprised as a 
 component part of the West Parish in Medway, at 
 its original incorporation. The number of families 
 belonging to the religioris society of this town was 
 at that time stated to be about ninety. 
 
 After the dismission of Mr. Prentiss, this people 
 heard thirteen successive candidates; and were 
 destitute of preaching one hiuidred and live sabbaths. 
 Put notwithstanding the evils which miiiht be sup- 
 posed tp result from so long a period of vacancy, 
 and from the unusual number of candidates heard^ 
 there w as a perfect unanimity in the call given No- 
 vember 13th 1778, to the Ilev. Timothy Dickinson. 
 Having accepted the invitation, he was solemnly set 
 apart to the work of the ministry* in this place on 
 the 18th of February 1789. Mr. Dickinson was 
 born of respectable and pious parents, at Amherst 
 in this State, the 25th of June 1761. The traits of 
 character which, more than any other, marked the 
 opening period of his existence were the mildness 
 and amiableness of his natural disposition. He wa« 
 also noted in early childhood for a great fondness 
 for literary pursuits. So that, "although his con- 
 
 * Mr. Dickinson's Salary was fixed at 80^ Sterlin^pei* 
 annum; with a settlement of 200/. 
 
atitiition was naturally slender, and his liralth feeble 
 and intemipted," a very considerabie poriiun of the 
 hoars, whicli were not eiiiployed in manual labour;^ 
 were devoted to study, "lie livc^d wiUi his parents^ 
 and laboured upon a farm until sixteen years of 
 age;" when, beholding his country engaged in a 
 common and dubious struggle for independence^ 
 the deep interest excited in his bosom for her wel- 
 fare roused his youthful ardour, and would not suf- 
 fer hijo to be dissuaded from espousing her cause^ 
 and cnlisiin^r, ris a private soldier, in the militia. In 
 this capacity he continued to serve in the army about 
 fifteen momhs. Upon leaving this post of suffering 
 and dan::;er, his health having been enfeebled by the 
 €xpos!ires and hardships to whi -h he was unaccus^ 
 tomed, he commenced fi.ting for College under the 
 fuitionof the Rev. Dr. Dwight, late President of 
 Yale College, who was then engaged in the instruc- 
 tion of a private school at Northampton. "It ig 
 believed, on good authority, that Mr. Dickinson 
 was principally induced to seek a liberal education 
 in consequence of his w itnessing so much depravity 
 and wickedness in the army. This depravity and 
 licentiousness which he found to be more or less 
 acted out by mankind generally, he felt determined 
 to combat ; and that he might do it the more effect- 
 ually, he sought the aid of a publick education.'^ 
 Having completed the preparatory course of study^ 
 he wa§ admitted at the age of about eighteen, a 
 member of Dartmouth College. During the first 
 year of his collegiate life, the Institution and vicin- 
 ity were together visited with a "special and r^ 
 
20 
 
 markable revival of religion," in which he became 
 a hopef^^l subject of reneving grace; and subse- 
 quently made a pubiick profession of the religion of 
 the gospel. ^* While at Collet e, Mr. Dickinson was 
 diligent and persevering in the prosecution of his 
 studies ; appeared to advantage at recitations and 
 all the literary exhibitions of his class ; and acquir- 
 ed the reputation of a correct, classical scholar." 
 He was graduated in 1785 ; and was immediately af- 
 ter appointed Preceptor of Moore's Charity School^ 
 which is connected with the College. In the in- 
 struction of this school, he continued one year ; 
 when, for the more advantageous prosecution of his 
 theological studies, he put himself under the private 
 instruction of the Rev. Dr. Tappan, then minister 
 of Newbury Mass. — and afterwards Professor of 
 Divinity in Harvard University. Previous to his 
 settlement in this place, he preached at Exeter and 
 Hopkinton in New-Hampshire, and in several va- 
 cant parishes in the northern part of this State. — 
 On the 20th of November succeeding his ordina- 
 tion, he was married to the eldest daughter of his 
 venerable predecessor, with whom he lived till his 
 death. He had seven children ; five of whom are 
 now living. 
 
 The christian and ministerial character of Mr. 
 Dickinson I shall give in the language of his* Bi- 
 ographer, and of Dr. Emmons in his Funeral Ser- 
 jjjon. — "As a preacher,'' says the former, "he was 
 
 * For the history of Mr. Dickinson's life, I acknowledge 
 myself principally indebted to a biographical notice of him 
 in the Number of the Panoplist for Jnne 1814. __ 
 
21 
 
 plain, Aiitlif-i], and aftectionate. And as he firmly 
 believed in those doctrines, which are nsnally <le- 
 noininated the doctrines ofgrace^ he felt it his duty 
 often, plainly, and affectionately to state and illus- 
 trate them. The native and total depravity of sin- 
 ners; the necessity of rei^enera^ion by the sperial 
 operations of the Holy Spirit; the doctrine of per- 
 sonal election ; the necessity of disinterested and 
 holy affections towards God and men, in order to 
 become interested in the atonement of the Savio-r; 
 the Deity of Christ, and the doctrine of a Trinity 
 of persons in the Godhead, together with those doc- 
 trines, which naturally grow out of the preoedinjx, 
 are sentiments which he firmly believed, and v hi- h 
 he considered as of the greatest importance. No 
 considerations of popularity or self-interest coild 
 deter him from a plain and frequent exhibition of 
 those truths which are so offensive to the carnal 
 mind." "He was very apparently," is the lan- 
 guage of Dr. Emmons, "a man of God, who exhi- 
 bited the reality and beauty of religion in his private 
 conversation, as w ell as m his more publick and of- 
 ficial conduct. He gave convincing evidence, that 
 he loved those doctrines which he taught to others, 
 and taught them in love to their souls. The whole 
 tenour of his preaching plainly indicated, that he 
 sought to please God, rather than men ; for he did 
 not shun to exhibit the most essential, the most hu- 
 miliating, and the most heart-searching truths, in 
 terms too plain for any to misunderstand. He had 
 a clear, strong, and pleasant voice, which enabled 
 bim to speak with peculiar propriety and energy ; 
 
and as he aim6d to draw the attention of his hear^ 
 ers to his subjectj rather than to hiaiself, so he sel^ 
 dom failed of deeply impressing their hearts and 
 consciences. He loved to converse upon religious 
 subjects^ and greatly excelled in private discourses 
 with his people. He took heed to his ministry, and 
 left no proper methods unemployed to promote the 
 Spiritual benefit of his people. He was among the 
 most zealous ministers and christians to spread the 
 gospel, and to extend the kingdom of Christ through 
 the world."* 
 
 Mr. Dickinson's ministry was attended with some 
 peculiar and great trials. At one period of it, there 
 was much uneasiness, animosity, and disturbance, 
 which continued, in a greater or less degree, through 
 several years ; so that the parish twice refused to 
 grant his salary. But in each of these instances the 
 people were wise enough to discover their mistake^ 
 and rescind their votes. The origin and occasion 
 of the difficulties which existed do not appear from 
 any record either of the town, or the Church ; but 
 are commonly understood to be found in the offen* 
 siveness of the doctrines upon which he insisted. 
 They, however, resulted in the calling of a Council 
 by the Church, June 4th, 1804; which advised to 
 the dissolution of the pastoral connection subsisting 
 between him and the people of his charge, in the 
 August following, should not an amicable adjust- 
 
 * Mr. Dickinson was one of the most zealous founders of 
 the Massachusetts Missionary Society; was repeatedly elec- 
 ted a member of its Board of Trustees; and in 1811 delir^ 
 cred its Anniversary Sermon, which was published. ^ 
 
» 
 
 meni of difficulties previously take place.** IIappi«» 
 ly those diiiiculties were so l*ar settled, that, on the 
 25th of the same month in w hich the Council sat^ 
 the parish passed a resolution in favour of the con- 
 tinuance of the connection. For ahout nine years 
 subsequently, Mr. Dickinson continued, in peace 
 and quietness, — for aught that appears, — to exer- 
 cise the office of a gospel minister in this place. 
 And on the 6th of July 1813, after a lingering and 
 painful sickness, he calmly and peacefully expired ; 
 having numbered fifty-two years of age, and been 
 the minister of this people twenty-four years and a 
 few months. 
 
 After the decease of Mr. Dickinson, the congre- 
 gation were destitute of a regular ministry only 
 about a year and a half; during the most of which 
 lime they were supplied by candidates. Their 
 
 *The question submitted to the Council was srmpljp, 
 "In existing circumstances, is it duty, tliat my pastoral re- 
 lation to this Church should be continued?" — It is perhaps 
 due to the character of Mr. Dickinson, that the following 
 paragraph, extracted from its declared result, should be here 
 inserted. "The Council are deeply affected with the cat- 
 lamatous situation of this Church, and the divisions which 
 subsist in this town. They tenderly reflect on the try- 
 ing situation in w^hich the Pastor, a brother honoured itu 
 tlic Churches^ and afedionately respected by themselves, i§ 
 placed. The merits o^ the Controversy have not been submit* 
 ted to this Council. They, therefore, will not undertake to 
 approve or condemn; but recommend it, with great splicitude 
 for the present comfort, and his^hest spiritual interests of 
 the Pastor, the Church, and the People, that they respect^ 
 wthf cultivate that unoffending and conciliating spirit; that 
 attachment to truth and virtue; and that hjve to one another, 
 which reason so poiverfully dictates; aod the gospel^ under st» 
 many motwss, enjoins.^* 
 
24 
 
 fourth minister was the Rev. Josephiis Wheatoii ; 
 who, having received an unanimous invitation to 
 take the pastoral charge of this Church and People, 
 which he accepted, was ordained and installed on 
 the 6th of December 1815.* 
 
 Mr. Wheaton was the son of Joseph Wheaton 
 Esq. — and was born at Rehoboth, Mass. March 
 16th 1788. His natural disposition was amiable; 
 his behaviour peaceable, condescending, and kind- 
 He was uniformly, even in childhood, sober min- 
 ded ; and although not pious, he was, nevertheless, 
 free from the many follies and vices peculiarly in- 
 cident to that early period of life. "This was pro- 
 bably owing to religious instruction, seasonably 
 and faithfully imparted ; which, before it was the 
 means of his conversion, operated as a strong mor- 
 al restraint. Until about the age of seventeen, his 
 opportunities of education were confined within the 
 limits of our common winter schools. At this time, 
 the native energy of his character, and his thirst for 
 knowledge began to open his way to the means of 
 obtaining a more finished education. By his own 
 ingenuity and perseverance he obtained a trade, the 
 avails of which were destined by Providence, to 
 prepare him for his future usefulness in a profes- 
 sion, where it may be said of him, that his feet were 
 shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. — 
 He entered Brown University, a year in advance, 
 in 1809. Here he prosecuted his studies with ar- 
 dour, diligence and success. He was graduated in 
 
 * Mr. Wheaton's Salary was $600 per annum; with a 
 aomiaal settlement of ^600. — 
 
September 1812, one of the best scholars in hi« 
 chiss^ among wlioin was Khiisbiiry, the able and 
 devoted missionary to the Indians; who was also 
 his room-mate and endeared friend. Mr. Wheaion 
 entertained a hope of reconciliai ion to God, before 
 his entrance into Colle<;;e; but whether the hope 
 was well or ill founded, he with that self-distrust, 
 which was always peculiar to him, abandoned it. 
 Near the close of his collegiate course, his mind 
 was refreshed with peace in believing ; and if ii w as 
 not the time of his conversion, it was evidently of 
 deepened seriousness, and more unreserved dedica- 
 tion of himself to God. He then united himself^ 
 by solemn covenant, with the visible church." 
 
 " In respect to the choice of a profession, he 
 formed different desijins and expectations at differ- 
 ent periods of his preparatory and collegiate edu- 
 cation. His first view was to the law^ ; and for a 
 considerable time, his habits of mind were forming 
 under the influence of that expectation. But for 
 what particular reason, it is not understood, he be- 
 came afterwards inclined to the profession of medi- 
 cine ; and attended the various lectures of that de- 
 partment, under the expectation, that he was pre- 
 paring for the business of life. When, however^ 
 his christian hope permitted him to turn his atten- 
 tion to the ministry, he abandoned all other pros- 
 pects of life, and determined to consecrate all his 
 powers and acquisitions to the work of preaching 
 the gospel. His changes of purpose will not be 
 imputed, by those who knew him, to any instabili- 
 ty of character. They have been mentioned, uji- 
 4 
 
£6 
 
 der the eonvictioii, that they were, in this case, and 
 have been in others, jrrovidential^ and well calcu- 
 lated to enlarge the sphere of ministerial useful- 
 ness." 
 
 " After leaving the University, Mr. Wheaton 
 was engaged as Preceptor of George-street Acad- 
 emy in Providence ; but was soon invited to a tu- 
 torship in the University. He was a tutor more 
 than two years ; during which time, he was not 
 merely gratifying his high relish for classical learn- 
 ing ; but was devoting what time his office would 
 allow to the study of Divinity. Previously to his 
 resigning his office in the College, he was licensed 
 to preach, and was invited to supply the desk in 
 this place." 
 
 " In his intercourse with his people, Mr. Whea- 
 ton' s wisdom was evangehcal^ first pure, then 
 peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated. His 
 concihating deportment, amiable temper, and dig- 
 nified, yet unaffected manners won the affections 
 of those who were not always pleased with his the- 
 ological sentiments;" which closely resembled 
 those of his worthy predecessor, and embraced the 
 peculiarities of Calvinism to which the term Hop- 
 kinsian is applied by way of designation. He was 
 completely successful in uniting and harmonizing 
 this people at a time when they were found not a 
 little discordant in opinion and feeling ; and enjoy- 
 ed, in an unusual degree, their respect, confidence, 
 and affection from the commencement to the close 
 of his ministerial life. 
 
 " Mr. Wheaton was a student as well as a pas- 
 tor. What time the more active duties of his of- 
 
5T 
 
 flee woiilH ponnif, ho wns \\i\\\ his hook and hw 
 pen. lie excelled in an intimate acfjuaintance with 
 the ehissicks. Ilis Hterary character, and eminent 
 talents as an instrncter of youth, made his house a 
 favorite resort of young men fitting for College, or 
 perfecting their education." 
 
 " As a preacher^ Mr. Wheaton was, what he 
 principally aimed to be, instriiciivc. Yet he was 
 also an animated and animating preacher. His 
 whole sord appeared in his work. — To he eloquent 
 was not his object ; and yet he w as occasionally 
 eloquent to a liij>h degree. Ilis style was worthy 
 the man w ho wrote, and of the important subjects 
 on which it was employed. He seemed to think 
 wilh Addison, that good thoughts ought to be well 
 dressed. — As it respects the delivery of his dis- 
 courses, it was natural," though uncommonly rap- 
 id ; " and his animation, united with the rich mate- 
 rials of his sermons, made him a highly acceptable 
 speaker. And yet perhaps it may be said of him^ 
 as of most preachers in this part of our country, 
 that he did not pay proportionate attention to the 
 delivery of his compositions." 
 
 "His piety was ardent; and humility was a dis- 
 tinguishing feature of it. His trials w ith respect 
 to his own piety, though not without example, were 
 peculiarly severe. But his sun was not always 
 overcast ; he hoped in God ; resigned himself with 
 confidence to his disposal ; and often had joy and 
 peace in beheving." 
 
 " Mr. Wheaton' s health was declining for near- 
 ly three years before his death. And his disease^'" 
 
28 
 
 *-which was of the pulmonary kind, — ^*' was obsti- 
 nate and peculiar; ca^ising a frequent alternation 
 of hope and fear, not only in him, but in his friends 
 also.'' During several months towards the close 
 of his sickness, he was entirely deprived of sight, 
 and exercised with great bodily pain. Yet "he 
 was always patient, usually serene ; and sometimes 
 evenjoyfjl." He left this earthly scene of his la- 
 bours and safTerin^s on the 4th of February 1825; 
 having nearly completed the 37th year of his age, 
 and little more than commenced the 11th of his 
 ministry. He was twice married ; and had four 
 children ; three of whom, with his widow, remain 
 to feel the loss occasioned by his early departure. 
 He was peculiarly respected and beloved by his 
 people, who will long retain him in affectionate re- 
 membrance.* 
 
 Before his decease, Mr. Wheaton had the pleas- 
 ure of seeing a work accomplished, which he had 
 long felt important to the interests of religion 
 among his people ; and to which his influence and 
 efforts greatly contributed ; — I mean the erection 
 of a new Meeting-House. The first decisive step, 
 towards the accomplishment of this object, was 
 taken November 2d, 1818. And on the 3d of De- 
 cember, 1823, — one year precisely before the close 
 of the century, — it was solemnly and joyfully dedi- 
 cated to the worship of Almighty God. Mr. 
 Wheaton delivered the Sermon on the interesting 
 
 * This biographical sketch of Mr. Wheaton is principal- 
 ly taken from a Memoir of him contained in the number of 
 the Christian Magazine for July 18j25. 
 
29 
 
 occasion, whirh wns puhlishcd ;*^ and which stands 
 as a IasUn<>- monument of the man, iind tiic event, 
 at the very close of his earthly lahours. — The 
 IVIeetrnsf-hoiise, which, thns dedicated, it is our 
 privile£:e to occupy for the service of the Lord, lias 
 cost, >sith its appendaiies, and the necessary ex- 
 penses attending- its location, the sum of S7353,35.t 
 The Church and Congregation of this town have 
 continued for so long a period, remarl ably united, 
 harmonious, and peaceable. Dil^culties there 
 have been, it is true ; but they have soon passed 
 away like the morning cloud, and have been suc- 
 ceeded by brighter days. It is presumed that few 
 towns can present a parallel in this respect. And 
 yet, though the external condition of the Society 
 has been almost uniformly prosperous ; and though 
 an orthodox, evangelical, and faithful ministry ha» 
 been enjoyed with little interruption ; it is, never- 
 theless, a fact no less lamentable than true, that 
 nothing in the form of a genei^al i^evival of religion 
 has ever been witnessed in this place. Such an 
 event, the pious men, who here preached, prayed, 
 and died ; with many of their pious people, whose 
 
 * Mr. Wbeaton has left in print a work on School Edu- 
 cation; together with several Sermons; one of which, '• On 
 the Equality of Mankind, and the Evils of Slavery,'- is par- 
 ticularly celebrated. 
 
 t The Meeting house, with the Blinds and Bell cost 
 $6092,20. — Preparing the ground, and the Cellar, — exclu- 
 sive of the portion of land purchased, and of the Time- 
 Piece, which was presented by Nathaniel Johnson, Esq. — 
 makes an addition of $1261,15 to complete the whole 
 amount. 
 
39 
 
 graces are with us, longed and prayed to see ;— 
 but they saw it not. We hope the privilesre, of 
 which they were denied, is yet in reserve for their 
 favoured successors and posterity. 
 
 The largest number ever received into this 
 Church, upon profession, any one year, is 20 ; 
 who were added in 1742. — The whole number of 
 Communicants that have belonged to it, from its 
 organization to the close of the century, is 412; of 
 which number 136 were males, and 276 females ; 
 and 333 were added by profession. — The Church 
 has been favoured with a succession of eight Dea- 
 cons.* — The whole number of Baptisms, up to the 
 year 1825, is 1355.— This town contained in 1824, 
 as nearly as can be ascertained, 221 Familes ; of 
 which 23 belong to the West Parish in Med way 5 
 1 to the East Parish ; and 1 to the Congregational 
 Society in Milford ; — 10 belong to the Society of 
 Baptists; 9 to that of the Methodists; and 21 to 
 that of the Universalists ; leaving, with the addi- 
 tion of one family from Medway, 157 families of 
 which this Congregation is composed. 
 
 The third part of this discourse is designed to 
 comprise a Statistical view of Hoiliston, with sucli 
 additional matter relating to the town as is not con- 
 tained in the preceding parts of it. 
 
 From the defective nature of the town Records 
 
 * The names of the Deacons, and times of their election 
 are as follows; Thomas Marshall and Timothy Leland, 
 Dec. 25th, 1728; — Joseph Brown and James Russell, June 
 1748;— Aaron Phipps, May 2d, 1706;— Jesse Haven, May 
 1st, 1789;— Esek Marsh, June 3d, 1793;— and Asaph Lc- 
 Tand, Feb. 27th, 1816. 
 
31 
 
 Lliirin« !?K)ine of the first years of its existence, it is 
 impossible to furnish a statement of Birtiis, Mar- 
 riages, and Deaths, wliich can be rehed on as per- 
 fectly accurate. But so far as the materials would 
 allow, the account I am about to present, may be 
 depended upon as correct. — 'V'hv whole number of 
 persons born in this town, during its first centuryj 
 is 2181 5 of whom 1146 were males, and 1038 fe- 
 males ; makmg the average number of Births an- 
 nually to be nearly 22. — The whole number of 
 Marriages is 563 ; 11 being the average number 
 for every two years. — The whole number of Deaths 
 is 678 ; being somewhat more probably than half 
 the present number of inhabitants ; and making an 
 average of about 7 annually. Until the year 181 1^ 
 the ages of those who died were not inserted in the 
 Records. From that time until the close of the 
 century, the number of those, who died under 15 
 years of age, was 58 ; of whom 30 were males, and 
 2S females; — between the ages of 15 and 45, 53^ 
 of whom 26 were males, and 21 females ; — between 
 the ages of 45 and 70, 41 ; of whom 19 were males^ 
 and 22 females ; — and over 70 years of age, 43; 
 of whom 26 were males, and 17 females. The 
 greatest age of which we have any account is that 
 of a Mrs. Winchester, who lived to number 104 
 years. 
 
 The most remarkable, as w ell as the most mourn- 
 ful fact, which the history of this town furnishes, is 
 that of the Great Sickness^ as it is very appropri- 
 ately called. This fatal sickness prevailed between 
 the 18th of December, 1753, aiid the 30th of Jan- 
 
Q2 
 
 uary, 1754. At the time of its appearance the 
 town contained a population of about 400. — The 
 symptoms, which pecuharly marked the disease, 
 were violent and piercing pains in the breast or 
 side ; a high fever ; and exa-eme diHiculty of ex- 
 pectoration, which in some cases, — if not in most, 
 — resulted in strangulation. Some, it is said, ap- 
 parently in the last stages of the disease, were evi- 
 dently relieved by administering oil, who eventual- 
 ly recovered. No derangement of mind usually 
 accompanied the disease. — The sick generally sur- 
 vived their attack only from three to six days.— - 
 From notes taken, during the prevalence of the 
 sickness, by the Rev. Joshua Prentiss ; and which 
 were found among his papers after his decease, we 
 learn, that on the 31st of December, 7 5 and on 
 the 4th of January, 10 lay unburied; — that during 
 the week, on which the last date occurred, 17 di- 
 ed ; — and that from 2 to 5 were buried in a day for 
 many days successively. The whole number, who 
 died of this fatal malady, is 53 5 more than one 
 eighth of the population. Of this number 27 were 
 heads of families — 15 males, and 12 females; — 12 
 were unmarried persons of adult age — 8 males and 
 4t females ; — 7 were children; — and 7 were inhabi- 
 tants of other towns, all of whom were males with 
 one exception. — In the fearful desolations produced 
 by this disease, the church of Christ was bereft of 
 15 of its members. Few families escaped ; and 
 four were entirely broken up by the removal of 
 both the husband, and the wiie. — For more than a 
 mpnthj there were not enough in health to attfin<i 
 
the sick, and bury the dead; thon<rh their whole 
 time was employed in such services. Tlie sick 
 suffered, and the dead hiid unburied; notwithstand- 
 ing charitable assistance, and personal attendance 
 were furnished by people in the vicinity. A most 
 remarkable circumstance attending this sickness is 
 its being almost wholly confined to a small town, 
 without the smallest apparent natural cause for its 
 existence at all ; especially for its restriction with- 
 in so narrow a compass. To those, however, who 
 are disposed devoutly to trace whatever effects are 
 discernable in the natural world back to the Great 
 First Cause of all things ; and to view every event 
 as ordered and directed for some wise and right- 
 eous purpose, by his controuling hand ; there will 
 appear something, at least, remarkable in the facts, 
 — of which there is little doubt, — that previous to 
 the breaking out of this desolating sickness, the 
 people were violently engaged in fierce law conten- 
 tions, which seem to have originated in the pro- 
 ceedings of the town upon the subject of roads ; — 
 that two of the principal men in town were engaged, 
 against each other, in a law-suit about a most tri- 
 fling matter,* and were the first seized with the dis- 
 ease, while on their return from Court ; both of 
 whom fell its speedy victims — one of them before he 
 could reach home ; and the other soon after ; — and 
 that immediately upon the removal of the scourge 
 with which the people had been most sorely visited, 
 
 * The subject of this contention, as stated by Capt. Sam- 
 uel Bullard, who recollects to have heard the circumstan- 
 ces related by his grand-mother, a contemporary with the 
 parties, was the value of a wig. A fact, which fully shows, 
 that a previous enmity existed, which only needed an op- 
 portunity to exert itself. 
 5 
 
34 
 
 their contentions ceased ; their tumults were hush- 
 ed ; and peace and concord prevailed. Since that 
 afflictive season, no town has been more noted pro- 
 bably for the little its inhabitants have troubled 
 themselves with disputes in law. May the children 
 continue to profit by the lesson, which the sorrow- 
 ful experience of their fathers furnishes them. 
 
 I have now accomplished the design of this dis- 
 course. And in closing it, you will again suffer me 
 to awaken your reflections upon the past by repea- 
 ting the inquiry with which we started ;^ — Your 
 Fathers — where are they ? And the Prophets — do 
 they live forever? They have accomplished^ as a 
 hireling, their day ; and have gone to the genera- 
 tions of their fathers. All that we know of them is 
 obtained from their works, which are fast following 
 them to decay, and to oblivion. And while we en- 
 deavour to rescue their works from immediate for- 
 getfulness, and to preserve in our minds some faint 
 remembrance of their authors ; it becomes us to 
 remember also, that the soil we inhabit ; the free- 
 dom we enjoy ; and the social and religious privi- 
 leges we possess are the rich inheritance they have 
 bequeathed to us. In the quiet and full enjoyment 
 of this inheritance, you, my respected friends, now 
 live. It remains for you to say, by the use you 
 make of it, how greatly you value it ; and how 
 grateful to them and to the Author of all good, you 
 are for its bestowment. And though I do, by no 
 means, desij^^n to flatter, I am hjippy in being able, 
 this day, to point my audience to evidence too pal- 
 pable to be resisted, that the spirit of liberty, indus- 
 try, peace, harmony, and improvement, so conspic- 
 
36 
 
 uous in the fathers, is no less so in their children. 
 Half a century since, and this goodly land of highly 
 cultivated farms, and large and beautiful dwellings, 
 was comparatively a dreary wilderness with some 
 few cultivated spots ; and with here and there a 
 small and ill-constructed tenement concealed from 
 distant view by the dense forest which encircled it. 
 A few years since, and there stood, hard by, the 
 temple of the Lord in such size, and form, and 
 beauty as the infant, struggling into existence, was 
 able to rear ; but in the size, and form, and beauty 
 of this second temple, in which we worship, we 
 discern the wisdom, strength, and energy of the 
 full grown man. A few years since, and our insti- 
 tutions of a civil, moral, and intellectual kind, 
 which we now behold in complete and successful 
 operation, were just rising into palpable existence, 
 encumbered with a multitude of imperfections. — 
 The century, which, at its commencement, saw 
 this town an infant and feeble settlement ; sees it, 
 at its close, populous, wealthy, and respectable ; 
 and its inhabitants enjoying in quietness and har- 
 mony the possession which their fathers purchased 
 them, and unitedly pursuing the things which make 
 for peace, and things whereby one may edify 
 another. May the century which has opened upon 
 you so favourably, — in the beginning of w hich you 
 have been unitedly engaged in the erection of a 
 commodious building* for the transaction of your 
 publick business, and in the promotion of the gen- 
 eral interests of your town, — see you, through sub- 
 sequent generations a united, holy, and happy peo- 
 ple, whose God is the Lord ! 
 '^' A Town-House was built in 18^5. 
 
36 
 
 But in the midst of the prosperity which now at- 
 tends you, and of the still brightening prospects 
 before you, forget not that you are mortal. One 
 generation passeth away, and another generation 
 cometh. When the present century shall have 
 completed its revolution, other feet will tread the 
 soil we now cultivate ; other people will stand in 
 the places we now occupy ; and other voices will 
 echo and re-echo through the vales, and the hills 
 which have echoed and re-echoed ours. Where — 
 oh ! where shall we then be ? With the nations 
 sleeping under ground ; waiting the last trump to 
 wake our slumbers, and call us to the bar of God ; 
 where every one shall give account of himself, and 
 receive according to that he hath done. And while 
 we sleep with our fathers, the monumental marble 
 may stand at our grave's head to tell to future gen- 
 erations that we have lived ; but it is only the mon- 
 ument which our works shall erect, that shall assure 
 posterity that we have lived and acted loell. If 
 therefore, we would leave behind us a blessed mem- 
 ory, we must live honestly, soberly, and godly. 
 And if, moreover, we would leave behind us a 
 virtuous and pious posterity, that shall honour 
 their birth, and perpetuate the virtues of their par- 
 ents, we must be virtuous and pious ourselves. 
 And when we, and our ancestors, and our descen- 
 dants shall together stand before God, may ive be 
 found prepared to join the full chorus of saints and 
 angels in praise to Hiin that sitteth upon the throne, 
 and to the Lamb forever and ever. Amen and 
 Amen.