SERMON, DELIVERED AT WESTON, JANUARY 12, 1813, ON THE TERMINATION OF A CENTURY SINCE THE INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN. BY SAMUEL KENDAL, D.D. Minister of said town. PUBLISHED A2. 11 church had embraced the true protestant faith, and that circumstantials only were the ground of difference between that church and the Puritans, or Noncon- formists. On this ground, however, our fathers ex- perienced great privation, vexation, and suffering. If it be said, on the one hand, that they were too ardent, and that they were actuated by a spirit of enthusiasm ; it must be allowed, on the other, that they were cru- elly oppressed, and that, in general, they preserved a fair character. But, strange as it may seem, when they were fixed in this country, they discovered but little less zeal to preserve uniformity in faith and wor- ship, than those had done, from whose persecuting measures they fled into the American wilderness. They were too deeply tinctured with the spirit of the times. But, after every deduction candour will ad- mit, or even malice suggest, their characters were tru- ly venerable, and ought to be held in admiration by their descendants. The energies of man, some of the strongest fea- tures in the human character, are called into exercise, or displayed, in times of peculiar trial. Borne down with oppression, but entertaining a high sense of civil and religious freedom, our fathers conceived the plan of resigning all the comforts and convenien- ces of their native soil, crossing an ocean three thou- sand miles in breadth, and planting themselves in an unexplored wilderness. This was a hazardous under- taking, a bold design, which their more effeminate sons would hardly conceive and execute without a suc- cessful example to encourage their hope. 12 Religious motives had a predominant influence: with the first emigrants to this country. Hope in God was their support, and his providence their protection. In 1620 a company of 101 persons arrived on this coast, late in the season, landed at Plymouth, and laid the foundation of that colony. Within the five succeeding years Massachusetts Bay was explored, and a settlement attempted at Cape Ann ; but Naumkeak, afterwards called Salem, was chosen as a more convenient place for a plantation. Progress was made in the three following years in pre- paration to settle a colony in Massachusetts. A pro- ject was formed, in particular, by the Rev. Mr. White of Dorchester, England, for providing an asylum in this colony for silenced nonconformist ministers. The grantees favoured the design. In 1628 Mr. John En- dicot with others came over, and commenced a per- manent settlement at Salem, the first town that was planted in Massachusetts. In 1629 an accession was made to their number. The Rev. Samuel Skelton, Rev. Francis Higginson, and about two hundred oth- ers arrived this year. One of their first objects, after their arrival, was to form themselves into a church state, and provide for the regular administration of the divine word and ordinances. " Mr. Skelton being as- sociated with Mr. Higginson, in the work of the min- istry, a day of religious preparation was observed."* The church at Plymouth was invited to attend the proposed solemnity of gathering a church, and ordain? jng its officers, f * Dr. Eliot's Biog. Die. p. 252. 4" Dr. Holmes' American Annals, i. 25fc IS But so extremely cautious Were these first planters of Massachusetts of admitting any thing that might in- fringe on the entire christian liberty of the churches, that they entered into an agreement, " that the church of Salem would not acknowledge any ecclesiastical ju- risdiction in the church at Plymouth. And that the authority of ordination should not exist in the cler- gy, as in the protestant churches, but, as the unquali- fied sense of the reformed churches, should entirely depend upon the free election of the members of the church, and that there should be a representative of this power continually in the church."* The right of a particular church to induct to office as well, as to choose its own officers, when occasion requires, is re- cognised and maintained in the Cambridge Platform, chap. 9th. They who laid the foundation of the church at Sa- lem entered into a solemn covenant, a copy of which was presented to each member. Extracts from this covenant will shew how little respect they paid to the authority of human creeds, and how determined they were to adhere to the scriptures, as the rule of their faith and practice. They say, " We covenant with the Lord and with one another, and do bind ourselves, in the presence of God, to walk together in all his ways, according as he is pleased to reveal himself unto us in his blessed word of truth."! .... Mark, they did not engage to adopt any human formulary, as the guide of their faith and duty ; but to learn the will of the Lord from his word. * Eliot's Bios;. Die. p. 1.72. + Coll. His. Sop. vi, 283. 14 The Shorter Catechism had not then made its ap- pearance. Its birth was of a later date. Had it been framed and published, at that early period, we cannot say how much deference the pious founders of the church at Salem might have paid to this particular invention, or interpretation, of men; but, from the second article in their covenant, we should not suspect that they would have adopted it, as the basis of their communion, or taken it, instead of the scriptures, as the rule of their faith. In the second article of their covenant they express themselves thus : " Wc promise to give ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, and to the word of his grace, for the teaching, ruling, and sanctifying of us, in matters of worship and con- versation ; resolving to cleave to him alone for life and glory, and to oppose all contrary ways, canons, and constitutions of men in his worship."* If the example of these Puritans, who suffered so much for their nonconformity to human systems, had been followed to the present time, the holy scriptures, which heaven has given as the rule of our faith, would not so often have been dishonoured, or obscured, by creeds of human structure. Nor is it likely, it is hum- bly conceived, that there would have been, at this day, so great a diversity of sentiment among christians, as is supposed to exist. A common standard, and that confessedly given from heaven, must be the best mea- sure of faith and duty. But it must be applied accord- ing to every person's own judgment so far as it relates to himself. * Coll. His. gbc. vi. 283. 15 In conformity to their avowed principles *' this ancient church" (the first church at Salem) " was or- ganized, August 6, 1629."* " They ordained their ministers, by the imposition of the hands of some of the brethren appointed by the church. Governor Bradford and others, messengers from the church of Plymouth, gave them the right hand of fellowship,"! thus testifying their approbation of the adopted regula- tions of that church, and expressing for it their chris- tian affection, charity, and fellowship. If the clergy of this country should assume the sole power of ordination, or refuse fellowship with such churches, or their ministers, as choose to pre- serve the right and freedom of election, and to have men of their own choice set over them in the Lord, they would trespass against the rule and example of our forefathers, if not against the laws of christian char- ity. This year, 1629, a number removed from Salem, and laid the foundation of Charlestown. There being no relaxation of the severity practised in England upon the nonconformists, the number of emigrants to New- England greatly increased in 1630. A spirit of enterprise doubtless gave activity to other causes that operated in producing the effect, and in an- imating the courage and religious zeal of the sufferers in their native land. Fourteen ships (some say more) with about fifteen hundred passengers, arrived in the summer of this year. " In this fleet came passengers * Eliot's Biog. Die. p. 253. * Holmes' Amer. Ann. i. 250. 10 governour Winthrop, deputy governour Dudley, with several other gentlemen of wealth and quality."* The Rev. John Warham, the first ancestor of my wives and children that ever trod New England ground, mostly in the female line,f with the Rev. John Maverick, * Amer. Ann. i. 234. f Mr. Warham, after spending about five years as teacher at Dorchester, removed, with most of the church, and some people from Watertown and Newtown, to what is now called Windsor, in Connecticut. Here he was pastor until his death, April 1, 1670. Mr. Richard Mather, the ancestor of all the great men of the name in this country, having been twice silenc- ed in England for his nonconformity, arrived in New Eng- land, in 1635, and was ordained at Dorchester, August 23, 1636. In 1661 his son Eleazer was ordained the first pastor at Northampton, and married a daughter of the Rev. John Warham of Windsor, by whom he had an only daughter, nam- ed Eunice. Mr. John Williams, son of Mr. Samuel Williams of Roxbury, born Dec. 10, 1664, was ordained first pastor of the church at Deerfield, in May 1686, and married the only daughter of Mr. Mather of Northampton, and grand daughter of Mr. Warham. Mr. Warham Williams, w ho was minister at Waltham (originally part of Watertown) was son of Rev. John Williams of Deerfield, and the youngest child that escap- ed death, on the fatal night of 29th cf Feb. 1704, when the Indians destroyed that town, and killed, or carried into captiv- ity, most of its inhabitants. Mr. Warham Williams of Wal- tham was the father of the late Mrs. Abigail Woodward, the only wife of my immediate predecessor, Rev. Samuel Wood- ward. Abigail and Miranda, the two oldest daughters of Rev. Samuel Woodward, and Abigail his wife, have been succes- sively the wives of the writer, and mothers of his children, who are descended, in a direct ministerial line, without interrup- tion, from the Rev. John Warham, and Rev Richard Mather, both ministers of Dorchester. 17 Mr. Rossiter, Mr. Ludlow, and some others, arriving earlier than most of the company, were put on shore at Nantasket. Thence they proceeded to Charles- town in a boat. Here they found " a few English peo- ple, and one house with an old planter, who could speak the Indian language." Taking him into their company, consisting of not more than ten, " they as- cended Charles river, until it became narrow and shallow, and landed their goods at a well watered place ; whence, in a few days after, they removed to Matapan (some say by order) and here began to build a town." This company having landed on the bank of Charles ri- ver, at night they had notice of 300 Indians " hard by ;" but the old planter (who had accompanied the adventurers from Charlestown) going, and requesting them not to come near the English, they complied with his request. The next morning some of the natives appeared at a distance ; and one of them at length holding out a bass, a man was sent with a biscuit, which the Indian received in exchange for it. After this introduction, the natives were very friendly, and furnished the English with fish ; " giving a bass for The Rev. John Williams returned from hi9 long and dis= i.ressing captivity, and, after an absence of about three years, resumed his ministerial office at Deerfield, in which he con- tinued until June 13, 1729, when he suddenly died of an apo- plexy, having just entered upon the 41th year of his ministry, and being in the 65th year of his age ; not in the 48th year of his ministry and 66th of his age, as the Rev. John Taylor^ late minister of Deerfield, has stated iu his appendix to the Redeemed Captive, sixth edition, p. 212.* * Redeemed Captive, and Eliot's Biog. Die. 3 18 a biscuit."* There is a place in Watcrtovvn, known by the name of Dorchester Fields, which tradition says is the spot upon which these Englishmen first landed. Soon after their removal to Matapan, Sir Richard Sal- tonstal, Rev. George Phillips, and others began a per- manent settlement at Watertovvn. " At the second court of assistants held at Charles- town, September 7, 1630, it was ordered," among other things, " that Trimountain be called Boston ; Matapan Dorchester ; and the town upon Charles riv- er Watertown."f I know of no other act of incor- poration. Situated in an unexplored wilderness, the boundaries of Watertown were indefinite. The next year a settlement was begun at Newtown, afterwards Cambridge. In 1634 the bounds between these two towns were settled ;| according to which Watertown bordered north, east, and south on Newtown. The south-westerly and westerly limits were undefined un- til the incorporation of Concord, Dedham, and Sud- bury, upon which it then bounded. From Newtown, or Cambridge, on the north, east, and south, extend- ing westwardly, Watertown included what is now Wa- tertown, Waltham, Weston, and a part of Lincoln. The exact period when what is now called Wes- ton began to be settled is not known ; but it must have been pretty early ; for there are still standing houses, or parts of houses, which were erected about one hun- dred and forty years ago. In ecclesiastical affairs, however, this town was connected with Watertown * Amcr. Ann. in a note, i. 235. t Prince's Chron. p. 24S. 219. J State Records. 19 about sixty eight, and in civil concerns about eighty three years. The tradition is, that the inhabitants of the remote westerly part of this town went to worship at the remote easterly part of Watertown, at a house not far from the old burying place. In this they man- ifested a zeal for the house and worship of God, not often found among their descendants. As the fathers of this town were so long interested in them, it will not be irrelevant to my purpose to give a sketch of the ecclesiastical hiot s ry . of Watertown aMi from its first settlement, at least to the time of our sep- aration from it. The first church in Massachusetts was planted at Salem ; the second at Charlestown, including Boston ; the third at Dorchester ; the fourth at Roxbury ; the fifth at Lynn, and the sixth at Watertown.* Of the * In placing the churches in this order I have followed Dr. Holmes' Amer. Ann. i. 262$ though he has placed the date of their formation one year too late, as the author of Wonderworking Providence had done before him. This last author, Mather's Magnal. and Co!!.. His. Soc. call the church at Watertown the seventh, numbering that at Boston the fourth. This must be an errour ;t for Winthrop's Journal, p. 45, Prince's Chron. p. 250, and Emerson's Hist, of First Church, probably taken from the records of that church, the best evi- dence to be had, place the division of the original church, composed of members in Charlestown and Boston, Oct. 14, 1633 ; which was certainly after the other six churches had been formed. By more attentively examining and comparing authorities, since the delivery of the discourse, I find reason to doubt the correctness of the order in which Watertown church is plac- ed. Without deciding positively on the question, I shall ad- f [It is corrected in Hist. Coll. x. 314. A. ZT.] '(U U 20 last the Rev. George Phillips, the ancestor of the late and present Lieut. Gov. Phillips, and other respecta- duce a number of authorities, and leave the subject for the in- vestigation of those who have more leisure, and think it of sufficient importance to engage their attention. According to Prince's Chron. 2i2, 243, Gov. Winthrop proposed that July 30, 1630, should be observed as a day of fasting aud prayer, on account of the prevailing sickness, aud with a view to seek the divine direction in their ecclesiastical affairs. The people at Salem and Plymouth were invited to keep the same day. The day was observed at Charlestown, " when Gov. Win- throp, Dep. Gov. Dudley, Mr. Johnson, and the Rev. Mr. Wilson, first enter into church covenant, and lay the founda- tion of the churches, both of Charlestown and afterwards of Boston " Of Watertown Mather, Magnal. B. Ill, chap. 4. pp. 82, 83, says, " Upon a day set apart for solemn fasting and pray- er, the very next month after they came ashore, they entered into this Holy Covenant, July 30, 1630." The covenant fol- lows. Mather considered this transaction as the formation of a church. He says, " About forty men, whereof the first was that excellent Knight Sir Richard Saltonstal, then subscribed this instrument, in order to their coalescence into a church state ; which 1 have the more particularly recited, because it was one of the first ecclesiastical transactions of this nature managed in the colony." Allen's Amer. Biog. and His. Die. 476, assigns the same period to the church at Watertown. According to these authorities, when compared, it appears to have been co-eval with that at Charlestown. But from other testimonies it seems to have had a prior existence, and to have been second only to the church at Salem. Under date August 27, 1630, Gov. Winthrop says, Journal 20, " We of the con- gregation kept a fast, and chose Mr. Wilson our teacher," &c j and he informs us, that other officers were that day chosen, and that all were ordained by the imposition of hands. Prince,, 21 ble characters of the name, was the first minister, and continued in the office until July 1, 1644, the day of his death. In 1654 the Rev. John Sherman, who " received his first impressions of religion under the ministry of the famous John Rogers," came to this country, and preached his first sermon at Watertown, where he con- tinued some time an assistant to Mr. Phillips ; but af- ter a while removed to Newhaven, preached OCCasion- 217, places Mr. Wilson's ordination on this day ; and says, it is " the first ordination of an elder in Massachusetts Bay." He here makes a distinction between elder and pastor and teacher ; for the two latter officers had been ordained at Sa- lem the preceding year. Amer. Ann. i. 256, place the founda- tion of Charlestown church, including Boston, at this period. Emerson's History of First Church, p. 11, informs us, that " a covenant was formed and subscribed, August 27, 1630." To reconcile these authorities, may we not suppose that, July 30, 1630, Gov. Winthrop, Dep. Gov. Dudley, Mr. Johnson, and Rev. Mr. Wilson agreed upon a form of covenant, and took preparatory steps to the gathering of a church, which was ef- fected the 27 of the following month ? Wonderworking Prov- idence, speaking of Salem, does not allow that a church can be constituted by a less number than seven men. Four only are mentioned in Prince's Chron. as having covenanted at Charlestown, July 30, 1630. These might not consider them- selves to be a church, but design to prepare the way to erect one in due form. On the same day, July 30, 1630, at Water- town forty men subscribed a church covenant, and from that time seem to have been considered a distinct church. If there be no mistake in the historical facts now adduced, it would seem that Watertown church had a prior existence to the one at Charlestown, and was second only to that at Salem in the Massachusetts Bav. 22 ally in the vicinity, and at length was appointed a mag- istrate in that colony. In 1639 the Rev. John Knolles came to New Eng. land, and was teacher with Mr. Phillips at Water- town until 1642, when, in consequence of letters from Virginia, soliciting ministerial assistance, he and Mr. Thompson of Braintree went to that colony. But on his arrival there he found both the form and spirit of the English church, and was not permitted to preach publickly on account of his non-conformity. He return- ed, and, I find by Watertown records, was associated with Mr. Sherman- in the ministry in 1648. He went back to England about 1650, and, after suffering much persecution, died in old age. After the death of Mr. Phillips, the people of Wa- tertown applied to Mr. Sherman to settle with them in the ministry. He accepted their invitation, though requested, at the same time, to settle in a church at Boston, and invited by letter to return to London, and there enter into the ministry. Mr. Sherman was one of the most distinguished scholars of the age, and a great blessing to the College. " He was chosen fel- low of the corporation, and for thirty years delivered lectures which most of the students attended once a fortnight," walking from Cambridge to Watertown to enjoy the privilege. * For an account of Mr. Phillips, Mr. Sherman, anil Mr. Knolles, or Knowlcs, see Mather's Magnal. book 3, chap. 3, p. 216, book 3, 2d part, chap. 4, p. S3, chap. 29, p. 163. El- lot's Biog. Die. 377, 378, 427, 4:28. Allen's Ainer. Biog. and His. Die. 476, 512. Holmes' Amcr. Ann. i. 331. Palmer's non-conformist ii. 340. ftc. 23 The exact period of Mr. Sherman's settlement at Watertown I have not been able to ascertain. He was in office there in 1648,* and continued in it until his death, August 8, 1685. He was taken sick at Sudbury, where he preached his last sermon.f The Rev. John Bailey was the immediate succes- sor of Mr. Sherman. His brother Thomas Bailey was for a short time his assistant. These brethren were ejected ministers in England, and came to New England in 1683, or 1684. It appears from the rec- ords of Watertown that they both resided in Boston. I find no intimation that either of them resided at Watertown previous to Mr. Sherman's death. June 15, 1685, a committee was chosen to apply to Mr. Bai- ley (christian name not mentioned in the record) to come and dwell among the people at Watertown, and be an assistant to Mr. Sherman. August 24, 1685, about a fortnight after the decease of Mr. Sherman, the town applied to Mr. Bailey the eldest, which was Mr. John Bailey, to come and dwell among them, and labour in the ministry. At a subsequent meeting the town vot- ed to be at the expense of transporting Mr. Bailey from and back to Boston, until they could provide a * The records of Watertown for several years previous to this date I have not found. The fact here stated is confirm- ed by the following extract : " At a general town meeting the 1G (7) 1648, the town granted to pastor Knowles and pas- tor Sherman, 120 pounds for the year following, to be equally divided between them." f Mr. Sherman married twice, and ha.il twenty six children: six by his first, and twenty by his second wife, who lived, his widow some vears. 24 house for him and his family. He eontinued to labour among them, and early in 1686 manifested his accep- tance of their invitation to settle with them in the min- istry. He was ordained, Oct. 6, 1686. His brother Thomas Bailey was invited to be his assistant ; and for this purpose he was moved up to Watertown, Nov. 2, 1687. He died, Jan. 21, 1688. Perhaps it should stand, if we begin the year with January, 1689. In the first case he was not minister three months at Water- town ; on the other supposition, not fifteen months. It does not appear from the records that he was any more than assistant to his elder brother at Watertown.* * Dr. Eliot, in his Biog. Die. p. 40, must have fallen in- to a mistake in respect to these two men. John, and not Thomas, was the minister who statedly, not occasionally, sup- plied at Watertown. The records of the town prove this fact. The first church records now to be found were kept by Mr. John Bailey, beginning in 16S6, which was 56 years after the formation of the church, and ending, by him, in 1692. In this book of records, the only one known in Watertown, he insert- ed an Epitaph engraven on the tombstone of his brother Thom- as, and the one engraven on the tombstone of his wife, made by Mr. Moody ; I suppose Mr. Josbua Moody, who, after be- ing persecuted at Portsmouth by Cranfield, preached at Bos- ton for a considerable time. Extracts from Judge Sewall's manuscript journal. " July 25, 1686, Mr. John Bayley preaches his farewell sermon, and goes the 2Sth to Watertown. Oct. 6, Mr. Bayley ordained at Watertown. Mr. Bayley not ordained as congregational men are." On examining Watertown records, and comparing them with other authorities, it appears that Mr. John Bailey was the minister at Watertown about six years, and that his bro- ther Thomas was his assistant a few months. Both had resid ed, and occasionally, if not statedly, preached, at Boston. 25 Mr. John Bailey removed to Boston in 1692, and in 1693 became assistant to Mr. Allen, minister of the first church, and continued in the office until Dec. 16, 1697, the day of his death. He died in the 54th year of his age. In 1690 application was made by the town of Wa- tertown to Mr. Henry Gibbs to be assistant minister with Mr. Bailey. He accepted the invitation, and was induced by renewed calls, often repeated, to con- tinue his labours with them several years after Mr. Bailey's removal to Boston. An attempt was made by the town in 1692, to fix upon a place for a new meeting house, " most con- venient for the bulk of the inhabitants." The town did not agree upon a spot. The selectmen then ap- plied to the Governour and Council to appoint a com- mittee to examine and report on the subject. Dec. 27, 1692, the town voted to submit their difference 11 relating to settling a minister, and the placing of a meeting house, v to a committee to be appointed by the Governour and Council. William Stoughton, John Phillips, Ja. Russell, Samuel Sewall, and Joseph Lynde, men distinguished in the annals of New Eng- land, were appointed to this service. They attended upon it, and dated theif report at Boston, May 18, 1693. It does not, however, appear to have been com- municated to the town until April 17, 1694. The committee say in their report : " We do advise and determine, that forasmuch as you have once and again called the Rev. Mr. Henry Gibbs to labour in the Lord's vineyard at Watertown ; 26 which he has so far accepted, as to spend some years with you ; in which time yourselves and others have had plentiful experience of his ability and real worth, that therefore you do your endeavour that he may be speedily fixed among you, in the work and office of the ministry." " And whereas there has been of a long time, even ever since the days of your blessed pastor Phillips, an earnest contending about the place of meeting for the publick worship of God, having heard and duly weigh- ed the allegations of both parties, in your public meet- ing, and considering the remoteness of the most of your inhabitants from the place where the meeting house now stands, our advice and determination in the matter is, that within the space of four years next com- ing there be a meeting house erected in your town on a knowl of ground lying between the house of the wi- dow Sterns and Whitney's hill, to be the place of meeting to worship God, for the whole town." This report did not meet the wisftes of both par- ties. A protest against the place for the meeting house, containing a plea in behalf of the farmers, was signed by 118 persons. Mr. Gibbs was still employ- ed. The proposed meeting house was erected and accepted by the town, Feb. 4, 1696, as the place of publick worship, according to the advice of the com- mittee. On this day, Mr. Gibbs, who had been near- ly six years with them, and was still the object of their affection and choice, refused to accede to the propos- als of the town to officiate in the new meeting house, on account, as he stated, of the dissatisfaction respect- 27 ing it. The town urged him to comply with their request ; but he persisted in his refusal. Whether induced to reject their overtures by the state of irrita- tion in the parties, or, in some measure, by his own predilection for the old house, and the favour he had for those who adhered to it, we cannot, at this dis- tance of time, positively determine. Subsequent events render it probable, that the last motive had some influence. Previously to this time the following vote passed, Oct. 2, 1694, "Our neighbours the farmers being upon endeavours to have a meeting house among themselves, the town consents that they may come as far as Bea- ver Brook* upon the country road leading to Sudbu- * This brook still retains the name. It passes the great road at the lower part of Waltham plains. The origin of the name will be seen in the following extract from Gov. Win- throp's Journal, page 32. " Jan. 27, 1632. The Governour and some company with him went up by Charles River, about eight miles above Watertown, and named the first brook, on the north side of the river (being a fair stream and coming from a pond a mile from the river) Beaver Brook, because the beavers had shorn down divers great trees there and made di- vers dams across the brook. Thence they went to a great rock upon which stood a high stone cleft asunder, that four men might go through, which they called Adam's chair, be- cause the youngest of their company was Adam Winthrop. Thence they came to another brook, greater than the former, which they called Masters' Brook, because the eldest of their company was one John Masters. Thence they came to an- other high pointed rock, having a fair ascent on the west side, which they called Mount Feake, from one Robert Feake, who had married the Governour's daughter in law. On the west ry, and so run north and south upon a line, to the end there may be peace and settlement amongst us." I find side of Mount Feake they went by a very high rock, from whence they might see all over Whipcutt, and a very high hill due west about 40 miles off, and to the N. W. the high hills by Merrimack above 60 miles off." Our veneration for Gov. Winthrop and his companions leads the imagination into the pleasing idea, that every brook they named flows with purer water than other streams ; that every mountain they ascended exhibits the bush burning, but not consumed; that every hill upon which they trod is a kind of holy ground, hallowed by the presence of those pious pil- grims; that every rock at which they halted is a kind of al- tar, reared by the hand of nature to nature's God. With these feelings we are eager to trace their steps, and to plant our feet where theirs were once placed. But to ascertain the pre- cise spots mentioned in the Journal would require attention, and perhaps be attended with some difficulty. The descrip- tion of Beaver Brook does not fully agree with present ap- pearances. Though one branch of it proceeds from a pond ; yet this pond is double the distance from the river stated in the Journal. The probability is, that the meadow west of Walt ham meeting house was so flowed by the beavers, as to have the appearance, in the winter season, of a natural pond. Adam's Chair, according to the Journal, was found between the two brooks. I find no person able to point it out to me. Perhaps in the lapse of nearly two centuries the position of the cloven parts of the high stone may be so changed, as not to excite notice as a curiosity. Masters' Brook is now known by the name of Stony Brook. Mount Feake has lost its name ; nor is it certainly known where it stands ; some conjecture in the southeast part of Weston. The very high rock on the west side of Mount Feake may be ascertained, with a consid- erable degree of certainty, by the compass, and by the pros- pect it gives 5 especially if it were known where to look foj 29 ho evidence that this offer met the wishes of the farm- ers, or that any measures had then been taken to erect the farms into a distinct precinct. June 26, 1696, the town agreed to keep a day of humiliation, to be fixed upon by the Rev. Samuel Willard and Rev. Cotton Mather, who were requested to aid in the religious so- lemnity. August 28, 1696, the church called the Rev. Samuel Angier, who had been settled at Reho- both, to be their minister, to officiate in the new meet- ing house. Sept. 21, 1696, the town met to have a friendly de- bate on their affairs. After some discussion they chose a committee of conference, and adjourned to the 28 of the same month. The dispute was now between the east end and middle part of Watertown. Being met according to adjournment, and finding that their committee had not agreed upon the matters in dispute, the town concurred with the church in the call of Mr. Angier. Feb. 1, 1697, the farmers, that is, the inhabitants of what is now Weston, were by vote exempted from ministerial rates in the town. Mr. Angier accepted the call, and manifested a rea- diness to be inducted to office. Upon this the church chose the Rev. Mr. Estabrook of Concord to " give the pastoral charge to the Rev. Mr. Angier, and to be the mouth and moderator of the church in the publick management of the whole affair of perfecting Mr. An- gier's settlement." Whipcutt. The very high hill due west from this vock, about 40 miles distance, is unquestionably Wachnsett, a well known •hill in the north part of Princeton. 30 May 17, 1697, the church voted to proceed to a full settlement of Mr. Samuel Angier as their pastor, he taking the charge over them according to the rules of the gospel, without reordination by imposition of tvands. Here is an ancient example of considering a first ordination valid, after dismission from a particular charge. The right and authority to administer spe- cial ordinances remain after such dismission, if by it the ordination be not nullified. The church agreed to invite ministers to their as- sistance in the settlement of Mr. Angier ; but, if they could not be obtained, that they would proceed to the settlement of Mr. Angier, with his concurrence.* What gave rise to this precautionary measure does not appear from the records. But the right of a church to induct into office ministers of their own choice, other ministers and churches refusing to assist in the solemnity, is here assumed in conformity to the Cam- bridge Platform. If ministers and churches would admit this principle of our fore-fathers, we should not often see ecclesiastical councils attempting to over- rule the choice of christian societies. Mr. Angier was inducted into his office at Water- town, May 25, 1697, and so far as appears, without any other ministerial aid than that of Mr. Estabrook. He was minister for the whole church and town at this time. " At a meeting of the two precincts July 2, 1697," * Waltham church records, committed to Rev. Warham Williams by Rev. John Angier of Bridgewater. 31 (this is the first instance that two precincts occur in Watertown records,) the town renewed their efforts to settle Mr. Gibbs in connexion with Mr. Angier.* Mr. Angier approved of the measure ; but I find no answer to the call. Judge Sewall in his MSS. says, " Oct. 6, 1697, a church was gathered at Watertown east end, and Mr. Henry Gibbs was ordained. The ceremony was abroad, because the western party got possession of the meeting house." We infer that the Farmers, being previously exempted from ministerial rates in the town, took no part in this opposition and disor- der. We have now come down to the period when the Farmers were virtually, though not in legal form, a distinct precinct. But, before we enter upon the lo- cal history of this section, we will pursue a little far- ther that of the other parts of the town. Mr. Angier and Mr. Gibbs were now ministers at Watertown, the former at the new, the latter at the old meeting house. Orders passed in the General Court to regulate the support of the ministry in Watertown, and to determine where their meeting houses should be placed. According to the records of the town these orders passed in 1700, 1712, and 1720. It ap- pears that both ministers were supported from the common treasury, and that the eastern and middle * Watertown reeords, " Voted, that we do renew our call once more to the Rev. Mr. Henry Gibbs, that he be assistant to the Rev. Mr. Samuel Angier in the work of the ministry in the new meetinghouse for the town." 32 parts of the town were not, in any legal form, divided into distinct precincts. Attempts were still made to unite both parties in one house of worship. The town continued in much the same state for several years, expressing a desire to maintain the worship of God according to the rules prescribed by the General Court. The east congregation manifested a ready submission to these rules. May 13, 1715, the town voted to " build a meet- ing house for the accommodation of the inhabitants of the most westerly part of the town." This was after the incorporation of Weston ; and therefore had res- pect to what is now Waltham. Nothing, however, was effected for seven years. Sep. 6, 1715, the east- ern congregation petition to be a separate town. It does not appear that the prayer of the petition was granted. Motions were made to fix a dividing line between the two congregations, as to the expense of repairing their respective meeting houses, and parson- age houses ; but not in respect to the annual support of their ministers. The line was proposed by a com- mittee from the General Court ; but does not appear to have been accepted at that time by the town. Jan. 21, (some say June 21) 1719, Mr. Angier died, aged 65, and was buried in Waltham grave yard. Nov. 19, 1720, the General Court appointed a committee to determine the dividing line between the two precincts, to consider the expediency of removing one or both meeting houses, and to fix upon the places most proper for them. The committee reported, Dec 3, 1720, that they had agreed on a divisional line, and determined that within two years the new or west meeting house should be removed to a rising ground within twenty rods of Nathaniel Livermore's dwelling house, or a new one erected on that spot within the term ; and that the old or east meeting house should, within ten years, be removed to school house hill, or a new one built on that spot. This report was read and accepted by the General Court, Dec. 7, 1720; at the same time the Court ordered the west precinct to pay their proportion to the removing or rebuilding the east house, when it should be done, as shall be paid for removing or rebuilding their house. The town voted compliance with this report of committee and order of the General Court, granted money to effect the removal of the meeting houses, or to build new ones, and appropriated the town's proportion of the £50,000 of bills of credit, issued by the government, to the same object. The oe*t precinct applied for the ft™ new meeting house, in order to remove it to the select- ed place, which was near the ground now occupied by Waltham meeting house ; but they did not obtain it. They then purchased of Newton their old meeting house, removed and newly erected it on the ground designated in the order of the General Court. Having accomplished this object they called Mr. William Welstead to be their minister, August 14, 1722. He returned a negative answer the 7th of the following September. Mr. Welstead was afterwards settled in Boston. Dec. 18, 1722, in concurrence with the church 5 34 the precinct called Mr. Warham Williams, one of the captive sons of the Rev. John Williams of Deerfield, to be their minister. He returned a conditional affirma- tive answer, April 17, 1723. The precinct complied with his proposals, April 30, 1723. His ordination was June 11, 1723. Sept. 7, 1731, the church records, preserved by the Rev. Samuel Angier, were committed to the custody of Mr. Williams by the Rev. John Angier, minister at Bridgewater, and son of the former, as being the property of his church. Hence the inference, that, though Mr. Samuel Angier was minister of the town of Watertown, the majority of his church and congre- gation, upon the division, were included within the west precinct, and consisted of what afterwards be- came Waltham. The east precinct, or rather the town of Watertown, took measures, at a much earlier period than the com- mittee of the General Court had ordered, to have a meeting house erected on school house hill. They attempted to purchase the west, or what was then call- ed the middle meeting house ; but did not succeed in their overtures. They therefore agreed, Jan. 14, 1723, to build a new meeting house on school house hill, pursuant to the order of the General Court, to the advice of a council of churches, and to a former vote of the town ; and to have it built in twelve months. Oct. 21, 1723, Mr. Gibbs died, , page 646, &c The committee, to whom the conveyance was made, consisted of Mr. Thomas Willson, Capt. Josiah Jones. Capt. Francis 40 pel in the west precinct of Watertown." He was af- terwards settled at Stoughton, now Canton. In the controversy between the precinct and Mr. Mors, whatever might be the grounds of it, there was, no doubt, considerable irritation. He and his oppos- ers were thought by council to be in fault. This sel- dom fails to be the case among contending parties. Mr. Mors had stedfast friends, who were zealous for his settlement ; but they agreed to relinquish this ob- ject, and unite in the choice of another man, if the pre- cinct would join in calling in mediators to attempt a reconciliation between Mr. Mors and his opponents. This was done without effect. In 1706 the precinct was presented at the court of sessions on account of their not having a settled minis- ter. A committee was appointed to answer to the presentment, at Charlestown, Sept. 25, 1706. Feb. 11, 1707, the precinct chose Mr. Nathaniel Gookin to be their minister. He negatived their call, and was afterwards settled at Hampton, New Hamp- shire. The presentment still lay before the court of ses- sions. A committee was again chosen to make re- turn to the court at Charlestown, to be holden, April 23, 1707. May 9, 1707, the precinct met to hear the order of the court ; and again, June 9, 1707, to agree upon a return to the court at Concord. A petition was prepared, to be presented to the court, assigning Fullarm, and Lieut. John Brewer. The premises were assign- ed to the Rev. William Williams, April 28. 1714, recorded in book 22, page 211 41 reasons for not having a minister settled. The petition- ers say, " O.ice more we humbly pray, that the Hon- ourable Court would not put Mr. Joseph Mors into the work of the ministry in our precinct," &c. From this it appears, that the people in this place were ap- prehensive that Mr. Mors might be fixed here by or- der of court, and not by their own election. July 16, 1707, they chose Mr. Tiicmas Tufts to be their minister. He negatived the call, Sep. 4, 1 707, and, falling into an ill state of health, was never settled in the ministry. As late as Sep. 1707, the difficulty with Mr. Mors, in respect to his interest in the parish, was not adjusted. If we might be allowed to draw an infer- ence, it would be, that he was not very ready to ac- commodate himself to the views either of this people, or of their advisers. Faults there were, undoubtedly, on both sides ; but as much condescension appears on the part of the precinct, as is to be found in almost any similar case. I cannot but venerate the fathers of this town when I trace the records of their proceed* ings. Jan. 14, 1708, they agreed to keep a day of fasting and prayer, and choose a committee to state the rea- sons and grounds for the observance of a day for this purpose to those ministers who should be invited to assist in the solemnity. Feb. 4, 1708, the people gave Mr. William Wil- liams* a call to settle in the ministry in this place. * Mr. Williams was son of the Rev. William Williams of Hatfield, grand son of Mr. Isaac Williams of Box bury, and 42 Some time being taken for consideration, and to adjust certain preliminaries, Mr. Williams manifested his acceptance of the call, August 23, 1709. A church was gathered in this place, and Mr. Williams ordain- ed, Nov. 2, 1709, about eleven years and an half after the Farms had become a distinct precinct. The church consisted, at first, of eighteen male members, nine from other churches, and nine who had not been communicants.* Jan. 4, 1710, two deacons were chosen, who accepted the trust. March 30, 1710, money was granted to finish the meeting house. By this we learn that the small meet- ing house, only 30 feet square, begun in 1695, was not finished in fifteen years. This was truly a day of small things. March 1718, a motion was brought forward in town meeting to build a new meeting house. The subject was deferred. Oct. 23, 1721, the town voted to build a new meeting house, and to appropriate their proportion of the bills of credit issued by the General Court to this object. Thus it appears that the build- great grand son of Mr. Robert Williams, who came to this country from Norwich, in England. Mr. Williams of Hat- field aud Mr. Williams of Deerfield were cousins, classmates, and neighbouring ministers in the frontier settlements. * Nathaniel Cooledge and Thomas Flegg from Mr. Gibbs's church; Joseph Lovell and John Parkhurst from Mr. An- gler's; John Livermore, Francis Fullam, Abel Allen, Ebene- zer Allen, and Francis Pierce, from the church in Sudbury. The other nine were Josiah Jones, Thomas Weight, Joseph Allen, Josiah Jones jun. Joseph Livermore, Joseph Allen jun Samuel Seavcrns, Joseph Woolson, and George Robinson. 43 ing of three meeting houses, within the limits of the original town of Watertown, was aided by the pub- lick bills of credit, issued, I suppose, on the principles of what was called the land bank. Weston progressed in the work, and in the sum- mer of 1722 raised the house in which we are now as- sembled, making it ninety years old the last season. It underwent thorough repairs in 1800, when the stee- ple and two porches were erected, and the bell pro- cured. Mr. Williams continued in the ministry until Oct. 24, 1750, being forty one years wanting nine days, and was then dismissed by a mutual council. He was esteemed a scholar, and good preacher. After his dismission, contrary to the too frequent practice of clergymen that are removed from office, he was a peaceable parishioner, and treated his successor with kindness and respect. The Rev. Samuel Woodward succeeded Mr. Wil- liams in the ministry, and was ordained, Sept. 25, 1751, eleven months and one day after the dismission of his predecessor. Mr. Woodward died, Oct. 5, 1782. setat: 56. Allowing eleven days for the altera- tion of the style between his ordination and death, one day was wanting to complete the thirty first year of his ministry. He died greatly beloved and lament- ed by the people of his charge, by his brethren in office, and by an extensive circle of acquaintance. His memory is yet dear to many of this society. He was a serious, sensible, practical preacher, rarely entering upon controversial points, but always striving to mend 44 the heart and life. Extremes he carefully avoided, while he pre.ichcd Christ, and him crucified, and adopt- ed the evangelical style in his discourses. He was cheerful and facetious without lessening his dignity as a minister, or christian. He had uncommon social talents. No man could more happily blend the cheer- ful with the grave in conversation, and yet preserve their exact bounds. His company was sought and ad- mired by all classes, old and young, the serious and gay ; and he discovered a disposition to please and improve all ; and with a peculiar air of pleasantry, he could give perfect ease and satisfaction to the most mixed circles ; while at the same time, with a no less singular air of gravity he could set bounds to any pro- pensity to overleap the rules of decorum, or of chris- tian sobriety. He delighted to see all happy, and, so far as it depended on him, to make them so : but, in his most pleasant and free intercourse with his people and friends, he took care not to lose sight of the great object of his ministry, the moral improvement of men, their ultimate happiness, and the glory of his and their God. Mr. Woodward was a descendant of an ancient and respectable family in Newton.* The speaker was the immediate successor of Mr. Woodward, and was ordained, Nov. 5, 1783, just thirteen months after the decease of his predecessor. -\ * He was son of Mr. Ebcnezer Woodward, and grandson of Mr. John Woodward, an early settler in Newton. The in- heritance is in possession of Mr. Elijah Woodward, one of the fifth generation inclusive. t The author of the discourse takes the liberty to add a 45 Having obtained help of God, he yet continues. Though he has experienced some indisposition, he has not been kept from the house of worship but one sab- bath, either by sickness or inclemency of weather, for thirty years : Nor has he left the pulpit without a sup- ply, on his own private business, but two sabbaths within the term. On comparing dates it will be perceived, that this town has been without a settled minister only two years and one day for one hundred and three years the thir- short account of his own ancestors. Mr. Francis Kendal, who settled in Woburn, was the first in this country, and, so far as he has been able to ascertain, the ancestor of all that bear the name of Kendal in New England. The time of his arrival in this country is not known. He married in Woburn in 1644. His grandson Thomas, whose father's name was Thomas, mar- ried Sarah, the eldest daughter of the Rev. Thomas Cheever, of Chelsea, and grand daughter of Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, who kept a grammar school more than 70 years, by whom he had fourteen children. The writer, born at Sherburne July 11, 1753, is son of Elisha, their twelfth child, now living, Feb. 24, 1813, in the 89th of his age. Dr. Eliot, in his Biog. Die. 137, 138, has noticed the lon- gevity of Mr. Ezekiel Cheever, and ©f some of his descendants. The venerable school-master died setat: 94, his son Samuel, minister at Marblehead, 85, his son Thomas, minister at Chel- sea, 93, his daughter, who married Mr. Benjamin Burt, 88. To this account we add, his daughter, who married Mr. Thom- as Kendal, died setat: 78. Her husband lived to 94^. Their daughter Sarah to 93, their son Benjamin to 96 wanting four days. Their son Elisha, as above stated, is in the 89th year of his age. The inheritance of Francis Kendal is yel, in part at least, possessed by his descendants that bear the name. 46 teenth of last November. The three ministers ordain- ed in this place have filled the office more than a cen- tury. Including the first eighteen, 694 have been admit- ted to church fellowship ; 425 under Mr. Williams's ministry ; 163 under Mr. Woodward's ; 106 under mine. There have been 2569 baptisms ; 1082 in Mr. Williams's ministry, 18 between his dismission and Mr. Woodward's ordination, 922 in Mr. Woodward's ministry, 15 between his decease and my induction to office, and 532 since. Twelve deacons have been chosen, and have offi- ciated in this church ; of whom the four last chosen still live and sustain the office.* There is no correct source from which I can ascer- tain the number of births and deaths within the past century. The population of the town has varied but little since my acquaintance with it. According to the census, taken at three different periods, it stands at a little more than a thousand. * Capt. Josiah Jones and John Parkhurst, chosen Jan. 4. 9 1710. Benjamin Brown, April 20, 1715. Ensign John War- ren in 178a. Of the choice of the next two, viz. Nathaniel Allen and Ahijah Upham, I can find no reeord ; but they both officiated within the memory of a number of the present inhabitants. Sept. 14, 1767, Thomas Upham and Thomas Russell were chosen. Dec. 18,1780, Samuel Fiskeand Isaac Hobbs were elected. Jan. 7, 1808, Nathan Warren and Thom- as Biglow were appointed. Since my ordination we have buried but one deacon, viz. deacon Thomas Russell, who sustained the office almost twen- ty five years. 47 Since my ordination I have solemnized 214 mar- riages, besides a few in neighbouring towns which have been destitute of a minister. The bill of mortality I shall exhibit is for thirty years, beginning Jan. 1, 1783, and ending Jan. 1, 1813. I have no document to enable me to extend it farther back. There stand on my records 416 deaths; from which number deduct 20 that do not properly come into the account, being only visitors, or such as had come into the town in the last stages of disease, hop- ing to find relief from the salubrity of the air. After this deduction the number is 395, making the annual average number thirteen and one fifth, or sixty six in five years. Of the 396, ninety arrived at the 70th year of their age, and upwards, making more than one in four and an half that arrived to what is called the com- mon age of man. Out of the ninety, who lived to this age, fifty two attained to their eightieth year, and upwards, giving more than one in eight that arrived to four score years. Of the fifty two that arrived to this age, twenty seven lived to eighty five, and upwards, giving one in fourteen and two thirds that attained to these advanced years. Twelve lived to ninety, and up- wards, making one in thirty three of this very great age. Three lived to ninety five and upwards, giving one in one hundred and thirty two that continued to this advanced period ; and one lived to be one hundred and two years old, wanting about six weeks.* * This was Mrs. Mercy Hastings, relict of Mr. John Has- tings, who died at the age of 88. She was a native of New- ton. Her maideu name was Mercv Ward. She retained her 48 The bill of mortality now given, which includes a period of thirty years, shews Weston to be as healthy a spot, as almost any in the known world. A greater proportion have attained to 70 years, than we meet with in other accounts. Perhaps no place in New En- gland could present fairer proof of the salubrity of its air and situation. But the fathers, where are they ? and the prophets \ do they live forever ? The hand of time has removed all who were on the stage at the commencement of the century, whose close we this day witness ; and it is not probable that any now born will see the end of the one on which v, e are entering. According to the ratio for the last thirty years, al- lowing the number of inhabitants to have been the same, which, however, is not the fact, the number of deaths would amount to 1320, nearly a third more than the whole population. With but very few exceptions, a century of years carries with it all the inhabitants it found on the earth at its commencement, thus evincing the mortality of man ! But, as one generation passeth away another cometh ; and, in rapid succession, the sons take the place of their fathers. The period we have been reviewing, and of which we have given only a few historical sketches, has been faculties till she was about one hundred years old. A little before she was 99 years old the writer met her from home, at the wedding of a grand daughter, where she spent the evening and gratified, at least a part of the company, by correct an- swers to inquiries relating to the days of old. She was a plea- sant guest ; not loquacious, but intelligent 49 fruitful in great events, and brought upon the stage many illustrious characters. Distressing calamities, and mighty revolutions have fallen within its compass. America has risen to the rank of an independent na- tion, and at a former period enjoyed unexampled pros- perity. But we have not time to trace events, in which our own country has had a deep interest, or borne a conspicuous part. In a retrospect we see that the Lord has done great things for us, whereof we have reason to be glad. He has protected our fathers, and blessed their offspring. Since our ancestors landed on these shores, the wil- derness has blossomed as the rose, and the desert be- come a fruitful field. The haunts of wild beasts, or of savage tribes, have become populous cities, villages, or towns. Where nothing met the eye but nature in her rudest dress, where nothing saluted the ear but the yell of savages, and the howlings of beasts of prey ; there spacious temples are erected to the living God, united vows offered to him, and the blessings of civiliz- ed life enjoyed. The religious institutions of our fathers, and their conscientious observance of them, have been New En- gland's glory. I am well aware, that those institutions have been represented, perhaps really thought, to be unfavourable to the enlarged views, and to the inde- pendent feelings, which are desirable in a race of free- men. But nothing can be more incorrect than this idea. Our religious and school institutions have from the beginning had an intimate connexion ; and their joint influence has given an elevation of character to 7 50 the several classes of our citizens, which no other sec- tion in the union can justly claim. In other portions of our country the rich bestow upon their children a good education ; but the poor have not, as we have, the means/of instruction ; and they that have advanta- ges, are nurtured in such notions of their superiority, that they can scarcely enter into the feelings of medioc- rity, and allow to their more destitute neighbours equal privileges ; much less can they be persuaded to restrain the lash from those of a more sable complex- ion. Although there has not always been sufficient care, in years past, to provide able instructors ; yet our schools in general have been so well taught, that the youth in this place have been as fully prepared for ac- tive service and usefulness, as in almost any town of equal ability in the commonwealth. With high satis- faction we make this remark, while we express an earnest desire that there may be an increasing atten- tion to the education of the rising generation. They are the hope of our country. May the means of knowledge be multiplied. The culture of young minds, especially in religious and virtuous sentiments and habits, is of vast importance, not only to individ- uals, but to the community. Twenty young men who were natives of this town, or whose parents lived in the town at the time of their receiving collegiate honours, have had a publick edu- cation ; nineteen at Cambridge, and one at Provi- dence.* * Their names, and the years in which they took their 51 In considering the days of old, the years of ancient times, we ought to notice the errours of our fathers, not with a view to reproach their characters, but to avoid their mistakes and failings ; and we should mark their virtues and pious examples with a determination to imitate their praise worthy deeds. They were a generation of men who, after every reasonable allow- ance for the influence the spirit of the age had upon their minds, merit our veneration, and from whom we may receive instruction at this distant period. It will be our fault if we do not learn wisdom from them. When they attempted to procure a minister of the gospel, they sought direction from heaven by fasting and prayer, and applied for advice to the most judi- cious clergymen of their day. These measures indi- cate prudence and discretion as well, as a spirit of pi- ety ; they were fit and proper, and will merit the at- tention of the religious society in this place at a future ^ and not very far distant period. J§ The time is fast approaching, when the lips of the present speaker will be closed, when his tongue will>^ be silenced forever. Should he live to the common^. first degree are as follows, viz. William Williams, 1729, JVa- ^ than Fiske, 1734, Daniel Jones, Phineas Whitney, and DanieL Stimpson, 1759, Ephraim Woolson, 1760, Samuel Savage,"^ 1766, Isaac Biglow, 1769, Stephen Jones, 1775, Samuel J Woodward, 1776, Abraham Biglow, 1782, Ebenezer Starrp^ 1789, Silas Warren, 1795, Isaac Allen and Isaac Fiske, 1798, r Charles Train, 1805, Benjamin Rand, 1808, Alpheus Biglow, 1810, Abraham Harrington, 1812. These at Cambridge, Isaac Fiske at Providence, 1812. 52 age of man, the event is not far distant. Should he even exceed those bounds, comparing the future with the past, there is but a step between him and the grave. He does not expect to attain to the days of the years of his fathers, to whom long life has been granted. Permit him to offer the friendly counsel which he may never have a more favourable opportu- nity to give. As now, so when he shall have rested from his la- bours, Be at peace amongst yourselves, and mark them that cause divisions. Nothing ought to be more dread- ed than a spirit of contention. When you shall be- come destitute of a minister, take early care to fill the vacancy. In this attempt seek first the blessing and direction of heaven, not in a mere formal, but in a sincere and devout manner. In connexion with this apply to the most serious and judicious ministers in the vicinity for advice. But receive with caution ad- vice that may be offered by men devoted to a party, or who are zealous to support opinions that have no necessary connexion with evangelical truth, or who have not charity for such as differ from them in points that have long divided the christian world. With pure and upright intentions such men will be apt to consider a conformity to their own mode of thinking on subjects of speculation an essential qualification for the ministerial office, and to overlook a deficiency in other very requisite qualifications. Under impres- sions of this kind, good men may excite unreasonable fears and prejudices among a people who are seeking a good minister. 53 The fathers of this town, under circumstances now in contemplation, applied to the President of the College for advice. In general he, and the other of- ficers of the institution have the most correct knowl- edge of the talents, learning, and character of the stu- dents in divinity, or candidates for the ministry ; and it may be expected they will be as little influenced by personal considerations, or party feelings, as any men in the community. A minister that loves the people of his charge, or regards the honour of the institutions of religion, can have no wish nearer his heart, than that there may al- ways be a succession of serious evangelical preachers, who will not amuse, nor perplex, their hearers with empty speculations, but feed them with knowledge, the knowledge of Christ, and of the uncorrupted doc- trines of his gospel. It has long been the settled opinion of the speak- er, that a destitute society ought with good advice to fix their minds upon a candidate, and then let him have no rival in their hearts ; but prove him to their satisfaction, and as they judge, so act. This should be the course till they obtain their object. The idea of having several candidates in view, at the same time, in order to a choice, is not favourable to union and harmony, nor to the wisest election. The caution is to be taken in the preparatory steps, and not by open- ing the way for invidious comparison. The first that unites the hearts of a people should be called to the office, without gratifying a curiosity to hear others. This rarelv fails to create a division in sentiment. As 54 men have different tastes, so they will be pleased with different objects. Multiply the objects, and union in the choice of any one of them can hardly be expected. One word of counsel more. Let me entreat you, my brethren, to guard your christian liberty, to study the principles of the reformation, to look at the exam- ples of our forefathers, and to exercise and defend your rights as a church of Christ, amenable only to your Lord and Master for your faith and worship. Be not entangled with any yoke of bondage. As St. Paul said to the Philipians, " Beware of the conci- sion ;" so I say unto you, brethren, Beware of conso- ciation. Never suffer this engine to enter within the walls of this church. The contents of its dark cav- ern would prove as destructive of congregational prin- ciples, and of the liberty our fathers asserted, as those in the fabled Grecian horse were to ancient Troy. Re- member, brethren, I have told you beforehand, and warned and exhorted you as a father. Be persuaded always to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free, and thus prove yourselves the genuine and worthy offspring of the fathers, whose deeds we this day commemorate. Innovations are, in general, hazardous experi- ments. Though they may remedy some evils, they frequently open a door for others of a more serious na- ture. If attempted and effected by secret combina- tions, they rarely fail to produce a strong excitement and jealousy in the publick mind. To give encour- agement, or facility, to a few restless members of a community to disturb the peace, and disappoint the 55 hopes of a religious society would be an evil, for which we should not readily find a counterbalance in any good produced. The idea, which some entertain, that, in order to the union and prosperity of our churches, a tribunal must be erected, which shall be as decisive in all eccle- siastical affairs, as our civil tribunals are in matters that come before them, is not very consistent with con- gregational principles, nor with the liberty of individu- al churches. It is devoutly to be desired, that the con- gregational churches in Massachusetts may have too high a respect for the examples of their fathers to yield their liberty to any such tribunal, under whatever name it may be known. The union and prosperity of the churches may be promoted in a way more congenial with the spirit of the gospel ; that is, by putting on that charity which is the bond of perfectness ; not by claiming dominion over each other's faith, but by be- ing helpers of each other's joy. May this charity reign in your hearts, this benevolence appear in your lives ; and may the God of peace dwell among you, and endue you with the richest blessings of his grace. APPENDIX. Weston lies about thirteen miles west of Boston. The post road from Boston to New York passes through the ceutre of the town. Twenty years ago it was thought that there was more travel on this road than on any other of equal distance from any capital city in the union. Some diversion of the travel has been made, of late years, by turnpikes, and by other improvements of publiek roads; but still it is a post road which retains a large portion of the travel. There is a post office in the town, A very considerable road, leading to Lancaster, passes through the north part of the town; another of less tra- vel, leading to Framingham, through the south part of the town. The town is bounded, north, on Lincoln ; east, on Wal- tham, stony brook being in part the line ; southeast, on Charles river, which divides it from Newton ; south, on Ncedham, which was originally a part of Dedhain ; southwest, on Natick ; west, on East-Sudbury. It is in general an uneven, and in some parts, a broken tract of land. High clefts, or ledges, of rocks are found within its limits. Probably Mount Feake, and the other very high rock, mentioned in Gov. Winthrop's Journal, lie within its boundary. A considerable proportion of the town is elevated above the common level of the adjacent country, and gives an extensive view of other parts. A hill of excellent land on the southwesterly part of the town presents a very extensive, and, in the month of May, a very romantick prospect. The soil in the elevated and rocky parts of the town is, in general, a deep red strong loam, very favourable to the growth of fruit trees. There are several tracts of plain land : but these are of no considerable extent. The hills are 57 mostly springy, and very little subject either to frost or drought. A number of brooks and rivulets accommodate the inhabitants^ and pay their tribute to the bordering streams. The greatest part of these brooks rise within the town, and are fed by springs. A part of jVone-such-Pond, so called, falls within the south- western limits of the town. There are few or no stagnant waters ; but several tracts of meadow that abound with excel- lent peat. There are no very noticeable natural curiosities, ex- cept a horizontal cave which is found on the westerly side of Snake-rock, so called, near Stony-Brook bridge. This cave is not large at its entrance, nor in any of its known dimensions. Tradition says that it has formerly been the depository of stol- en goods. The inhabitants of the town are mostly industrious farmers, a class of men, which, in a country like ours, merits the high consideration and esteem of every other class. There is a congregational, baptist, and methodist meeting- house within the territory. The town is divided into six school- districts, each having a school-house, and its proportion of schooling. On the whole, the town, notwithstanding its rocky and rug- ged appearance in some parts of it, is pleasant, and contains a considerable portion of good land. The character of its inhab- itants would not suffer by a comparison with those of almost any other town in the Commonwealth of no greater advantages. They have merited the confidence and esteem of the writer for thirty years 5 and will accept his acknowledgments for the candour, with which they have, in general, treated him, and accepted his services among them. 8 58 NOTE (on Dr. Kendal's Note, p. ±9 J by Ji. H. The Author of the Sermon, in a letter to the writer of this Note, observes : " The Note relating to the order in which u Watertown church is placed, was inserted to invite inquiry. " Truth should be the only object. As you have been so K obliging, as to inspect the proof sheets, and, observing that ** note, to make further inquiry into the subject; by placing " the result of your investigation immediately after my short a Appendix, you will increase the obligations of " Your friend and brother, « S. K." The argument for arranging the ehurches in a different order, from that generally observed in our histories, is founded on the single fact, That the Watertown settlers entered into Covenant July 30, 1630. The question is, Was a church formed at the signing of this Covenant I Or, Was this a preparatory solemnity ? The supposition in your Note is, That the church was then formed ; the following considerations may fur- nish presumptive evidence, That it ivas hut a preparatory exercise. 1. The Fast, observed that day, was not for the purpose of gathering churches. At the instance of governor Winthrop, the 30th day of July, 1630, was observed as a day of solemn fasting and prayer, by all the peo- ple in Massachusetts, and by the people of Plymouth. (Prince, p. 243. Morton's N. Eng. Memorial, A. D. 1630.) The first cause of this solem- nity was, nothing of an ecclesiastical nature, but the prevalent sickness at Charlestown. A secondary design of it was, " to seek the Lord in his '• ordinances, that then such godly persons among them as know each " other, may publickly at the end of their exercise make known their de- " sire and practise the same by solemnly entering into covenant with him " to walk in his ways." (Prince, 243. Morton.) At the close of the public solemnity of the day, governor Winthrop, deputy governor Dud- ley, Mr. Johnson, and Rev. Mr. Wilson, of the Charlestown settlers, and Sir R. Saltonstal and others of the Watertown settlers, subscribed res- pectively a covenant. Had the formation of a church been intended, in either of these instances, would not the design have been more distinctly declared beforehand, and the public solemnity itself expressly directed to this great object, agreeably to the usage of the New England church- es from the beginning ? 2. Though a covenant was signed at Charlestown 30 July, 1630, yet the church is not dated from that day. A supposition is made in your Note, that the four, who signed the covenant at Charlestown, "agreed " upon a form of covenant, and took preparatory steps to the gathering of " a church, which was effected the 27th of the following month." These four, not being a competent number, " might not consider themselves to " be a church, but design to prepare the way to erect one in due form." Had not such preparation been judged expedient, it would seem strange, that the Charlestown church was not organized in due form on the same day. The want of a sufficient number of candidates for membership can hardly be supposed, when it is considered, that all the fleet had now an 59 rived from England ; that seven ships had come into Charlestown during the month of July ; and that when the church was formed, 27 August following, about 90 were admitted members. [See Emerson's Hist, of First Church.] Jf, then, the Fathers of the colony thought it proper to have a covenant subscribed, preparatory to the organization of a church, why might not the Watertown people entertain the same opinion, and ob- serve the same preliminary ? 3. The Form of the Covenant, subscribed by the Watertown settlers, bears marks of a more general design than that of organization : " Be- " ing safely arrived here, and thus far onwards peaceably preserved by " his special Providence, that we may bring forth our intentions into ac- " tions and perfect our resolutions, in the beginnings of some just and " meet executions, we have separated the day — and dedicated it whol- •' ly to the Lord — that we might know what was good in his sight.'* — " And the Lord was intreated for us. For in the end of that day after " the finishing of our publick duties, we do all, before we depart, solemn- " ly and with all our hearts, personally, man by man, for ourselves and " our's promise," &c. Morton's manner of relating the public solemnity of July 30 is not unlike the above, and seems to denote an incipient and prepar- atory exercise, not the complete formation of a church : " And the Lord " was entreated not only to asswage the sickness, but also encouraged " their hearts to a beginning, and in some short time after to a further " progress in the great work of erecting a way of worshipping of Christ •• in church fellowship, according to the primitive institution." Memorial. Dr. Mather's manner of narrating this transaction, in the Magnalia, de- serves notice : " About 40 men subscribed this instrument, in order to " their coalescence into a Church Estate. But in after time, they that join- " ed unto the Church, subscribed a Form of the Covenant somewhat alter- " ed, with a Confession of Faith annexed unto it." 4. It was the early practice of the New England churches toobserve a day of Fasting and Prayer, previously to the organization of a church, and to sign a covenant personally by themselves on that day. For this fact we have Dr. C. Mather's own authority. " The persons who are engaging " and combining for the weighty undertaking of gathering a Church, set " apart a day to be spent by them together in Prayer with Fasting, that they " may prepare for what is before them, and confess their dependence on " Heaven for favours which they own themselves unworthy of, and obtain " the blessing of God (on which day they privately together sign their " covenant). Sometimes more than one such day ; sometimes in a pub- " lie assembly, where the neighbouring pastors come to instruct and as- " sist them. They think it proper to make a very great preparation for " an undertaking the most holy, and awful, and heavenly, that can be on " this side of Heaven engaged in.— In time convenient the good men of " this intention, (who from first to last, privately wait upon pastors in the " neighbourhood for their direction) send letters unto the pastors and ** churches of the neighbouring towns" — The Council, thus invited, con- venes, '* and chusing their moderator, the candidates of the new church " appear before them, and present unto them a Confession of their Faith, " and therewithal the Covenant or Engagement, in which they recognize ■ their obligations, &c. They produce also the testimonials of the allow- " ance which the churches whereto they formerly belonged, have given " them to transfer their more immediate relation unto the society now to " be gathered." Ratio Discipline Fratrum Nov-Anglorum, p. 3, 4. ■ ■ An example of this usage is recorded by Dr. Trumbull. The New Ha- 60 ven settlers arrived at Quinipiack in April, 1638. Soon after, on a day of fasting and prayer, " the first day of extraordinary humiliation they had " after they came together," they entered into a solemn covenant, " That " as in matters that concern the gathering and ordering of a church, so " likewise in all public offices which concern civil order, &c— — — they '• would all of them be ordered by the rules, which the scripture held n forth to them. This covenant was called a plantation covenant, to dis- " tinguish it from a church covenant, a church not being then gathered, " but was deferred till a church might be gathered, according to God." See Fundamental articles of the colony of New Haven in Trumbull's Hist, of Connecticut, i. p. 534. On this subject Dr. Trumbull remarks : " This was adopted as a general agreement, until there should be time '• for the people to become more intimately acquainted with each other's " religious views, sentiments, and moral conduct ; which was supposed " to be necessary to prepare the way for their covenanting together, as " Christians, in church state." Ibid. p. 91. The church of New Haven (as appears from the same History, p. 298 ) was not gathered until the 22 August, 1639. The church of Salem, in 1629, appears to have been formed in the same manner, after " a day of religious preparation." See Prince, 190, and Bentley's Hist. Salem in Hist. Coll. vi. 242. Although therefore, when cursorily treating of the Watertown settlers, in a Bio- graphical sketch of their minister (Rev. Mr. Phillips), Dr. Mather seems to represent them as formed into a church state 30 July, 1630 ; yet there is room to doubt, whether he considered the covenant, signed on that day, as the formation of a church. 5. That he did not so consider it, we should naturally infer from his own arrangement of the order of churches, when professedly giving a Historical account of" The Progress of the New Colony." Magnalia, Book I. chap. v. " First, there was a church thus gathered at Charles- '.' town, on the north side of Charles River; where keeping a solemn " Fast on August 27, 1630, to implore the conduct and blessing of heaven " on their Ecclesiastical Proceedings they chose Mr. Wilson to be their " teacher— —After the gathering of the church at Charlestown there " quickly followed another at the town of Dorchester. And after Dor- " Chester there followed another at the town of Boston, which issued "out of Charlestown To Boston soon succeeded a church at Roxbc- "ry; to Roxburv, one at Lyk; to Lyn, one at Watertown." ERRATA. Page 10, line 16 from top, for ' churces,' read churches. Page 19, line 10 from top, for ' history,' read affairs. Page 33, line 13 from bottom, for ' next precinct,' read west precinct. Page 45, in the note, last line of first paragraph, after * 89th,' insert year.