713°)
.B.283
D.C. DISCOURSE,
DELIVERED FEBRUARY 15, 1818,
BEING THE -
sABBATH preceding run Dissolution
OF
THE PAstonAL RELATION BETweBN
THE AUTHOR
AND THE
FIRST CHURCH IN DEISHAM.
ſº-º-º:
* -º-º:
BY JOSHUA BATES, A.M.


3X.
7.333
T}.3 × 3.
J)4.
DISCOURSE.
-
2 COR. xiii. 11.
FINALLY, BRETHREN, FAREWELL.
FINALLY, brethren, farewell t-This is the
language of an apostle of our Lord to a beloved
church, which he had been instrumental in founding
and edifying; to which he had faithfully and suc-
Gessfully preached the everlasting gospel; and from
which, after two years happy residence with it, he
had been separated, to labor in other regions, and be-
come a witness of the truth to other people.
The second epistle of Paul to the Corinthians is
supposed to have been written, while the apostle was
in Macedonia, toward the close of the fifty seventh,
or at the commencement of the fifty eighth year of the
Christian era; about a year after he had sent his
first epistle to the same church from Ephesus, and
nearly four years from the time of his departure from
Corinth. He had, during this period, twice attempt-
ad to return and visit his Corinthian brethren; but
4.
both attempts had failed, through the special inter-
position of Providence, directing his attention to the
exigencies of other cities, and demanding his services
in establishing other churches. At the time, when
he wrote this epistle, it was still his desire and inten-
tion, to “see them face to face,” and speak to them
again in the name of the Lord : “This,” he inci-
dentally remarks in the chapter of the text, “is the
third time, I am coming to you.” But remembering,
that he had been twice disappointed in his expecta-
tions of seeing them, knowing too the uncertainty of
life, and feeling the importance of imparting to them
the instruction, reproof, and consolation, which (as
he had learned by the statement of Titus) they still
needed, he wrote this excellent epistle, not only for
their benefit, but for the edification of Christians in
every age, closing it with the most affectionate salu-
tations, tender exhortations, and devout aspirations
for their happiness in time and eternity: “Finally,
brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort,
be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love
and peace shall be with you.”
These sentiments are such, as all real christians
feel toward absent christian friends; and this lan-
guage is such, as any disciple of Christ, when remov-
ed or when about to remove from a place, in which he
has long resided and enjoyed the privileges of chris-
tian fellowship, may address to his brethren, with
whom he has taken sweet counsel, and in whose com-
pany he has walked to the house of God. More es-
pecially will these sentiments be felt, and with more
propriety may this language be adopted, by a christian
minister; when called in providence, to leave a
5.
church and people, with whom he has been long and
happily connected; to whom he has preached the
word of God and distributed the bread of life; for
whose spiritual good he has labored and watched and
prayed; with whom he has sympathized in the day
of sorrow, and rejoiced in the time of prosperity;
among whom he can number many spiritual children
and sincere christian friends; from whom he has re-
ceived many decisive tokens of affection and unequiv-
ocal expressions of confidence and attachment; in
whose welfare he feels of course a peculiar interest,
and to whom he is bound by a thousand tender ties—
by the most endearing considerations, pleasing recol-
lections, and delightful associations—by those cords
of affection, which are entwined about the heart and
moistened by the very current of life—by that love,
which is stronger than death !
This case, my hearers, is mine; and this day
permits me, with strict propriety, and in its highest
sense, to adopt the language of the apostle; and ad-
dress it to you, who collectively constitute the first
church and religious society in this town. Called in
providence, as I now fully believe that I am; and as
others, who are able and willing to take an enlarged
view of the subject, generally admit—called to leave
you, after a pleasant, and, I hope, not unprofitable
residence among you, for fifteen years—called, too,
to leave you for a purpose, so intimately connected
with the great interests of the church of Christ and
human happiness, and under circumstances, which
fully justify my removal in the view of the disinter-
ested—which have given, indeed, general satisfaction
to the serious and considerate—which, notwithstand-
6
ing the trials, and dangers, and temptations necessa-
rily involved, have excited no pious indignation
against me, drawn upon me no reproaches from the
mouth of charity, nor called forth any expression of
godly sorrow, but the tears of parting friendship ;-
called thus to leave you, I should be wanting in ex-
pressions of reciprocal affection, and do violence to
my own feelings, were I to depart, without pronoun-
cing upon you a final benediction, and raising to
Heaven a devout aspiration for your peace and hap-
piness. I am indeed constrained to bless you in the
name of the Lord, and say ; “ Finally, brethren,
farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one
mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace
shall be with you.”
I have placed the first clause only of this text at
the head of the discourse, not because any part of it
is unappropriate ; but because a regular and ample
discussion of the several topics, which it contains,
would lead me into a field of didactic discourse, too
extensive for the occasion, and necessarily exclude
many facts and considerations, which I wish to sug-
gest to your minds. I shall therefore use the text
merely as a motto ; while I attempt to give you a
brief history of this religious society, and gather:
from it some lessons of instruction, reproof, and con-
solation. In doing this, however, I shall avoid, as
much as possible, those facts which are calculated
merely to gratify curiosity, and confine myself to
those, which show the spirit of the times, and dis-
play the true character of the church.
It is well known, that the first settlers in New
England, who landed at Plymouth in the year 1620,
'4.
bºy
came from their native country, in an associated
church-state. Soon after their arrival, others, gene-
rally possessing the same religious views and feel-
ings, though not connected by any formal covenant,
followed them from various parts of England. Of
these, about thirty families, in the year 1637, settled
in this vicinity; where having associated by civil
compact, they entered into a covenant of church fel-
lowship, in the year 1639.--It would be a pleasant
employment, to repeat at large the account of this
solemn and interesting transaction, given in the church
records by the first pastor. It contains abundant evi-
dence of the piety, wisdom, brotherly love, and
christian watchfulness of your venerable progenitors.
But time will permit me, to give you nothing more
than a sketch of their proceedings.—“Being come
together,” says the reverend recorder, “by Divine
Providence, from several parts of England ; few of
them known to each other before, it was thought fit
and agreed upon, that all the inhabitants, who af.
fected church communion, or pleased to come, should
meet every fifth day of the week, at several houses,
in order lovingly to discourse and consult together
such questions, as might farther tend to establish a
peaceable and comfortable civil society, and prepare
for spiritual communion in church society.”—“The
order of which meetings was this ; the question being
propounded and agreed upon the week before, the
master of the family where the meeting was, began
and concluded with prayer; and, he first speaking,
as God assisted, to the question, others, that pleased,
spoke after him, as they saw cause to enlarge or ap-
prove what was spoken. Which order was so well
8
observed, that generally all such reasonings were
very peaceable and loving, and tended much to edi-
fication.”—A number of the subjects discussed in
these family meetings, before the organization of the
church, with the results of discussion, are minutely
recorded. They are all subjects of practical import-
ance; and the results are such, as display the piety,
wisdom, and religious knowledge of those, who took
an active part in these friendly conferences.
When they had thus become generally acquainted
with each other, and had discovered, that much har-
mony of sentiment and affection existed among them;
they proceeded to the formation of a church. For
this purpose, one was chosen to select a second, and
they two a third, and so on to the number of ten men.
—These ten having set apart a day for solemn fast-
ing and prayer, proceeded to examine each other more
particularly, and make farther inquiry concerning ev-
ery one’s faith, temper, and habits. “We agreed,”
says the recorder, “on these conclusions; First, that
in looking outfit matter for the foundation of a church,
we should respect the soundness of grace above all
things, so far as we could discern the same ; then a
spirit of wisdom to keep the church pure in the ad-
ding of members unto it, and finally such meekness,
amiableness of temper and innocency of life, as
might win the love and desires of all godly souls
to come into the church cheerfully. Secondly, we
concluded, that every one should go forth in turn, and
leave the scanning of his case to the rest of the com-
pany;” who all promised to be faithful to each other,
in examining, in giving information otherwise re-
ceived, in declaring their judgments, and in submit-
9
ting to the decisions of the whole ; without indulging
an ambitious spirit to be included on the one hand,
or on the other a desire to excuse themselves from the
number of the founders, through diffidence.—Ac-
cordingly each one in turn submitted himself to ex-
amination and retired ; while the other nine made in-
quiry of each other, concerning his general character,
and determined, whether he should be one of the first
members of the church. The result of this mutual
investigation was, that sia, out of the ten were imme-
diately approved.
“After this” (to use again the words of the rec-
ord) “we had many meetings, all the ten persons
assembling together, sometimes spending the time in
fasting and prayer, exercising the gifts of prayer in
every one at their season, and trying the cases of those
four persons, not formerly resolved ; endeavoring by
inquiry, observation, and hearing their farther rea-
sons, to discover the mind of God concerning them.”
—Proceeding in this cautious manner, and with this
conscientious regard to the purity of the church, after
farther information had been obtained by the arrival
of friends from England, two of the four were re-
ceived into the number of those, who were to consti-
tute the first members of the church.—These eight
persons, thus mutually examined and approved; ac-
quainted with each others views, feelings, and char-
acters; united in the faith once delivered to the saints,
and confirmed in love one toward another; being of
one mind and one heart, proceeded in a very solemn
and interesting manner, by the advice and with the
assistance of the Elders of the churches in Boston,
Roxbury, &c. to form themselves into a regular
2
40.
\
church.-Being thus embodied, as a church, and unit-
ed by the bonds of a voluntary covenant;* they pro-
ceeded to examine others, and admit them to their fel-
lowship; till the number of members amounted to eigh-
teen , when they called and settled JoHN ALLIN,t one
of their number, as their pastor and teacher.—It
would be impossible, without enlarging on the sub-
ject beyond the proper limits of a sermon, to exhibit
all the evidence, furnished by the church records, of
the piety, christian knowledge, brotherly love, and
mutual watchfulness of the first members of this pri-
mitive New England church. What has been said,
however, (and I could not feel satisfied in saying less)
is sufficient to give authority to their example, and
render their memory precious to their descendants.
During JMr. ALLIN’s ministry, which continued
thirty two years,f the same spirit of union, brotherly
love, christian watchfulness, and zeal in preserving
the purity of the church and promoting the glory of
God, which actuated the first members, seems gener-
ally, if not universally, to have prevailed both in the
church, and the civil society out of which it was form-
ed. No root of bitterness appears to have sprung up,
to disturb their peace, or retard their growth in grace.
They had, indeed, taken every precaution, which
christian wisdom could dictate, to prevent this evil.
Finding, that they were generally of one mind and
*See this covenant in the appendix to Mr. Dexter's Century
Sermon."
fAccording to tradition he had previously received ordination,
and been consecrated to the work of the ministry in England.
#The Rev. John Allin was ordained April 24, 1639; and died
Aug. 26, 1671.
41
one heart, they gave encouragement to none, but ap-
parently serious persons, to settle among them. Ac-
cordingly in the second article of the Society-Coven-
ant, or civil compact, they thus stipulated with each
other; “That we shall by all means labor to keep off
from us all such, as are contrary-minded, and receive
only such unto us, as may probably be of one heart
with us; as that we either know, or may well and
truly be informed, to walk in a peaceable conversa-
tion, with all meekness of spirit, for the edification of
each other in the knowledge and faith of the Lord,
Jesus Christ, and the mutual encouragement unto all
..emporal comforts in all things, seeking the good of
each other ; out of all which may be derived true
peace.”—The same spirit of christian prudence, I
find, existed, in the church at least, long after this
time; when being about to dispose of a lot of land
to a stranger, they directed the Committee of sale to
make inquiry concerning his character, and sell to
none, but one who should bring evidence of his good
moral conduct and christian principles, lest by invit-
ing some wicked and profane person into their society,
they should be instrumental in corrupting the rising
generation, through his evil example and licentious
maxims.—During the period now under consideration,
however, no such person seems to have found a place
among them. They lived in peace, in love, in chris-
tian fellowship. The church continued to increase
in numbers, * and, as far as we can learn from every
circumstance recorded, to grow in grace and in the
knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
*In less than a year after Mr. Allin’s ordination, A. D. 1649,
the number of church members amounted to 53.
12
After Mr. ALLIN’s death, the church was destitute
of a pastor two years. But its members were still
united in love, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.
They regularly maintained social worship among
themselves, and continued faithful in mutual watch-
fulness.
In the early part of JMr. ADAMs’ ministry, which
continued only twelve years,” there seems from sev.
eral circumstances recorded, to have been some small
declension in the zeal and spirituality of the church.
But this appearance of spiritual languor did not long
continue. They soon felt their danger, awoke from
their spiritual slumbers, solemnly renewed their cov-
enant with confession and humiliation, and thus drew
closer the bonds of brotherly love and christian fel-
lowship. From that time the church rapidly increas-
ed, and the word of God mightily prospered among
them; till they were again deprived of their pastor,
and left as sheep without a shepherd.—Fight years
elapsed between the death of Mr. ADAMs and the set-
tlement of his successor. What was the cause of
this delay in settling a minister, and what the pecu-
liar state of the church during this period, we cannot
at this distance of time fully ascertain; especially,
as the church records furnish but little information
for this portion of the history. Probably, however,
there was some division and alienation of affection.
At least we may be sure, that there must have been
a declension in spirituality and christian knowledge,
during this famine of the word of God, and suspen-
* The Rev. William Adams was ordained Dec. 3, 1673, and
died Aug. 17, 1685.
13
sion of christian ordinances among them.—But the
great repairer of breaches did not suffer them to be
scattered upon the dark mountains ; but in his own
time sent them another pastor after his own heart.
The able, pious, and zealous BELLHER was pastor
of the church thirty years;* and whatever had been
its state, while destitute of a minister, it soon put on
the appearance of joy and peace and spiritual pros-
perity. The word of God, being preached in the
power and demonstration of the Spirit, had free
course, and was glorified. Numbers were daily ad-
ded to the church of such, as gave evidence of their
faith by their works. Forty-five came within the pale
of the church, in the short space of ten months. Dis-
cipline was restored and exercised with prudence,
affection, fidelity and success; and thus the church
was purified, while it was built up and established.
About a year passed away after Mr. BELCHER’s
decease, before the ordination of Mr. DEXTER, who
succeeded him in the ministry, and continued to
preach the word thirty-one years.f His prospects
at first, however, were gloomy. A root of bitterness
had sprung up in the church. Difficulty existed be-
tween some of the brethren. What this difficulty
was does not distinctly appear from the records ; but
it produced many church meetings, gave great anx-
iety to the pastor, proved a time of temptation and
declension to the church, led to several ear parte ec-
clesiastical councils, and finally ended in the separ-
*The Rev. Joseph Belcher was ordained Nov. 29, 1693, and
died April 27, 1723. fº.
t The Rev. Samuel Dexter was ordained May 6, 1724, and
died Jan. 29, 1755.
14
ation of several members, residing in the South-
Western part of the town. The church, however,
was left in peace, and the pastor rendered happy by
this separation. The great Head of the church seems
to have smiled upon them for their united firmness,
mixed with tenderness, in discipline. For soon af-
ter this event, they found themselves not only estab-
lished in peace, but increasing in number beyond all
former example. A general revival of religion, such
as this town never experienced before, nor since, took
place.* The church, having with fasting and prayer
publicly and solemnly renewed covenant, seemed
purified and reanimated. Zion arose, and put on
her beautiful garments. Souls flocked unto Jesus,
as doves to their windows. Many were added to
the church daily; no less, than forty-nine were re-
ceived in three months, on three communion sabbaths
in immediate succession.f From this time to the
close of Mr. DExTER’s ministry, I find nothing re-
corded, which denotes any considerable change in the
state of the church. No event seems to have occur-
red, to interrupt the peace and harmony of the society,
or disturb the order and spiritual prosperity of the
church, while this man of God was permitted to con-
tinue with them.
During the ministry of my immediate and venera-
ble predecessor, which was protracted to the forty-
seventh year, the history of the church might be col-
lected from the memory of some of my hearers with
*This revival was in the year 1741.
# 17 on the first; 23 on the second ; and 9 on the third.
# The Rev. Jason Haven was ordained Feb. 5, 1756, and died
May 17, 1803.
Mºf
more accuracy, than I can possibly give it from the
few documents, furnished by the records. I shall
therefore only observe briefly; that the difficulty,
which existed in the minds of a few persons, at the
time of his settlement, was soon removed; and Mr.
HAVEN, by his prudence and fidelity in the pastoral
office was soon enabled to reckon the dissatisfied
among his best friends. Without any considerable
change in its state, the church seems to have continu-
ed in peace and spiritual prosperity, through a con-
siderable portion of his ministry. But I am not per-
mitted with truth and fidelity to extend this observa-
tion to the whole of this period. Towards the close
of his life, a gradual, but evident, declension in the
zeal and spirituality of the church took place; in-
iquity began to abound, and the love of many waxed
cold; mutual watchfulness and friendly reproof were,
in a great measure, discontinued ; and all regular and
wholesome discipline was lost. Probably the princi-
pal cause of this declension may be found in the gen-
erally prevailing spirit of that period—a period of
peculiar innovation and licentiousness, both in Eu-
rope and America—a period, when the church of
God, under every form, was assailed by all the pow-
ers of darkness—a period, during which all the
strength of a perverse philosophy and all the energy
of profane wit and daring ridicule were exhausted in
attempts to demolish the beautiful fabric of christian
doctrines, or undermine the foundation, on which it
rests—a period, in a word, though at the time boast-
ingly styled the age of reason ; yet now justly de-
nominated the age of infidelity and licentiousness.-
I cannot forbear to remark in this connexion, though
16
it way seem to be a digression, that these labors of
infidelity, at the close of the last century, however
pernicious in their immediate effects, have evidently
been overruled for the furtherance of the gospel.
They have spent their strength, displayed their weak-
mess, and illustrated the consoling truth, that the
christian church is founded on a rock, against which
the gates of hell cannot prevail. In answer to deis- .
tical and heretical publications, the evidences of Chris-
tianity, and the consistency and salutary influence of
its peculiar doctrines have been exhibited with the
convincing power of demonstration ; and infidelity
has shrunk back into her native darkness, drawing
after her, in quick succession, that host of errors, lat-
itudinarian principles, and licentious maxims, which
have long disturbed the peace and order of civil so-
ciety and polluted the temple of religion. "
Having brought down the history of this religious
society to the time of my connexion with it, I should
now proceed to notice some of the principal events
and circumstances, which have since occurred, affect-
ing its character assd interests. But I cannot omit
this opportunity, to pay a tribute of respect to the me-
mory of those venerable men, who preceded me in
the pastoral office.—Perhaps it would be difficult to
find a religious society in the country, which has en-
joyed the successive labors of five men, who were
better qualified for the work of the ministry, than the
first five pastors of this church. Messrs. ALLIN,
ADAMs, BELCHER, DExtER, and HAVEN were all
men of learning, respectable talents, evangelical sen-
timents, and exemplary conduct. From the eviden-
ces of their characters, remaining on record, it would
47
be difficult to determine, which was the most eminent
and useful in his day and generation. They were in-
deed distinguished by different gifts; but they all
seem to have excelled in some ; and, we have reas-
on to believe, that they were all faithful pastors, apt
to teach, living examples to the flock “in word, in
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
No serious charge, as far as I can learn, was ever
made against the character of either of them. Nor
was any report, except those, which seem to have
originated with the enemies of religion, and to have
been propagated by the tongue of slander, ever cir-
culated to their disadvantage. They appear to have
been men of liberal minds; sound in the faith; learn-
ed in the scriptures; zealous in the work of the
ministry; affable, pleasant, and exemplary in the
common walks of life. If we may judge from sp. ci-
mens of their writings in the records of the church,
notices given of the character of each by his immedi-
ate successor, traditions concerning them handed
down from generation to generation, and the sermons
which some of them published, we must conclude,
that they united, in a good degree, those two excel-
lent properties of a christian and a christian minister,
which Dr. Watts denominates ORTHoDoxy and CHAR-
ITY. Certain it is, that they all lived much beloved,
and died greatly lamented by the pious among their
people. They have, in succession, finished their
work, and gone to give an account of their steward-
ship; and when the chief Shepherd shall appear may
we appear, with them and their spiritual children, in
glory !
3
48.
The state of this church and religious Society,
since my settlement, is known to most of you; and
the facts and circumstances, concerning which it may
be useful to refresh your memories, are few and sim-
ple.—Having preached in this pulpit ten or twelve
sabbaths, I received a unanimous call from the church,
with the unanimous concurrence of the parish; and
on the 16th of March 1803 I was ordained colleague
pastor with the Rev. Jason Haven.”
During the period of my ministry, 279 persons have
been baptized, and 415 admitted to the church; there
have been 273 deaths in the parish, and I have
been called to solemnize 142 marriages.—Of the per-
sons baptized 16 were adults, and 268 children.—
Of those admitted to the church, 9 were received by
recommendation from other churches. In the mean
time, 6 of those admitted during my ministry have di-
ed, and 43 of the former members,t and 12 have been
dismissed. The number of members, by which the
church has been actually encreased, therefore, is 54;
and the whole number at present is about 180.
The following is a statement of the ages, of those
who have died in the parish since my settlement, viz.
30 were under the age of 1 year
33 between 1 and 7
6 * 7 and 15
3ö 45 and 25
55 25 and 50
42 50 and 70
82 above 70, of whom
*Mr. Haven survived this event only two months. \
tAmong those were the three Deacons, who were in office at
the time of my ordination viz. Joseph Whiting, Aaroa Fuller
and Isaae Bullará.
49
one lived to her 98th year, and 5 others exceeded the
age of ninety.
In reviewing this bill of mortality it appears, that
the average number of deaths in the parish is annual-
ly about eighteen. It appears likewise that the pro-
portion of those, who have lived beyond the common
age of man is large, and the comparative number of
those, who died in childhood exceedingly small. The
obvious reflections upon these facts I leave for each
one to make for himself. But I cannot leave this sub-
ject without remarking generally, that although this
review proves the local situation to be favorable to
health and longevity; yet it reminds us solemnly,
that men do not, and cannot live always. In the
course of fifteen years a very large proportion of your
families have been visited by death.” Very few of
you have been exempted from the warning voice of a
languishing and dying friend. Were you to read
over the catalogue of the deceased, almost every one
would find the endeared name of a parent, a child, a
brother or sister, a husband or wife, or some compan-
ion and friend; you would find too, that no age af.
fords security against the king of terrors; you would
thus find a warning adapted to every one, and press-
ed upon you with the voice of tenderness and love;
you would see the necessity of living every day in a
state of preparation for death; and, if not insensible
to things spiritual and eternal, would feel the impor-
tance of preparing immediately to meet your God, and
your departed friends at his “dread tribunal ſ”
Taking a general view of the church, and estima-
ting the state of religion in the parish, I cannot but
hope, that there has been a gradual improvement, at
$30
least for several years past. The church, we have
seen has been considerably increased in number.
There is reason to believe too, that there has been an
equal increase in spirituality. How many have ob-
tained a real christian hope; how many have received
the seed of the word into good and honest hearts, who
have not yet been able to rejoice in hope, and profess
their faith in Christ; and how many are now seri-
ously and anxiously inquiring, “ what they must do
to be saved,” we cannot indeed know. But with the
cases of a few of all these descriptions we are acquaint-
ed; and that there are some others looking toward Zi-
on, we have reason to believe. Certain it is, that there
has recently been an increased attention to the means
of grace.
Still, however, the present condition of this church
and society, we are obliged to confess, is far removed
from the purity, order, and spirituality, which prevail-
ed in the days of your fathers. The discipline, mu-
tual confidence, brotherly love, and faithful watchful-
ness, which once adorned the church, certainly do not
exist at present, at least in so high a degree, as in
its primitive state. Beside; out of the church there
is less restraint upon the evil propensities of the cor-
rupt heart. Iniquity abounds; errors prevail; vice
is bold; the profane tongue is heard in our streets;
and the cross of christ is still an offence, often sub-
jecting those, who bear it, to ridicule and reproach.-
May He, with whom is the residue of the Spirit, pour
out upon you a spirit of reformation; and revive his
work among you, in the midst of the years
Of myself I have little to say. I cannot boast;
I dare not say in the confident language of a faithful
21
and zealous servant of Christ, to a people among
whom he labored : “Ye are my witnesses and God
also,how holily, and justly, and unblameably we have
behaved ourselves among you’” I am forbidden to
boast, by a deep and humbling sense of deficiency in
zeal, and imperfection in duty; and I am persuaded,
that you wish not to hear my confessions. Letit suf.
fice therefore to say, that I have not wilfully pervert-
ed the scriptures, nor with"design kept back any
thing profitable for godly edifying; for I have not
sought yours, but you. I have been among you with-
out fear; and generally my intercourse with you has
been pleasant. My happiness would, indeed, have
been increased, if I could have seen more fruit of
my labor; if I could have seen you all walking in
the truth, and rejoicing in the Lord. But I have not
been without consolation; nor am I now without hope,
that the spiritual seed sown here, will spring up in
many renewed souls unto everlasting life.—Having
spent with you fifteen years of the most active portion
of my life, I expected and desired to continue with
you to the end of my earthly pilgrimage. Local at-
tachments, personal friendships, and many of the
most powerful sympathies of my heart have indeed
urged me to remain. But the indications of Provi-
dence have seemed to require my removal ; and I
have been compelled by a sense of duty to seek and
obtain a dismission.*
And now, brethren and friends, what shall Isay
*By mutual agreement, under the sanction of an Ecclesiastical
council, the dissolution of the pastoral relation, took place Feb-
ruary 20.
* h
22
to you—what, indeed, can I say; but thank you for
all the favors and tokens of esteem, which I have re-
ceived among you; repeat the warnings and exhorta-
tions, which I have often given you; and offer my
most ardent supplications to Heaven, for your united
peace and prosperity, and your individual comfort
and eternal salvation 2
To those of you, who possess a christian hope, and
are united in the bonds"bf christian fellowship; es.
pecially to those of you, who may have been assisted
in your inquiries after truth and duty, by the instru-
mentality of my ministry, I can only add the apos-
tolic exhortation; “be not weary in well doing; con-
tend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the
saints; stand fast in the liberty where with Christ
hath made you free; grow in grace, and in the knowl-
edge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; be ye
steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work
of the Lord; for as much as ye know that your labor
is not in vain in the Tord.”
To those, who have neglected, or abused the
means of grace, with which they have been indulged,
and continued in impenitence and unbelief—to those
who have disregarded both the warnings and exhor-
tations, which have been given from this desk—to
those, who have braved the terrors of the Lord, and
turned a deaf ear to the invitations of the gospel,-
to you, who are yet in your sins, I can only add anoth-
er solemn admonition.—Remember that except ye
repent, ye must parish. Remember that privileges
abused and warnings neglected will aggravate your
guilt and increase your condemnation. The means
of grace, which you have enjoyed, or might have en-
25,
Joyed, under my ministry (feeble and imperfect as it
has been) will have an influence on your final state.
“For we are a savour of life unto life to them that
believe; but of death unto death to them that perish.”
Brethren and friends, permit me to commend you,
as a society, to God and to the word of his grace,
which is able to build you up, and establish you in
peace, and truth and love. Allow me to express my
sincere desire and ardent hope, that you will, with
union, prayer, and perseverance, seek for an able
and faithful minister of the Gospel ; and that God,
in his tender mercies, will soon send you a pastor af.
ter his own heart–one, who shall preach the truth in
love; who shall be apt to teach, and able to convince
gainsayers; who shall come to you in the fullness of
the blessing of the gospel of Christ, and not shun to
declare unto you all the counsel of God;—one, who
shall be worthy to stand in the place of those vener-
able men, who have preceded me in the pastoral of.
fice;—one in fine, who having been the happy instru-
ment of converting sinners, and imparting consola-
tion and instruction to saints, shall obtain the bless-
ing of many ready to perish, and receive the reward
of the faithful in the kingdom of heaven.
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of
good comfort, be of one mund, live in peace ; and the
6iod of love and peace shall be with you.-AMEN.