BX 7233 SERMON DELIVERED BEFORE THE AT THEIR ANNUAL MEETING IN WEYMOUTH, JUNE 12, 1833. BY ASAHEL BIGELOW, Patlor of the Orthodox Congregational Church in Walpolt. BOSTON: PRINTED BY PERKINS & MARVIN. 1833. jj -- , SERMON DELIVERED BEFORE THE AUXILIARY EDUCATION SOCIETY, OP AT THEIR ANNUAL MEETING IN WEYMOUTH, JUNE 12, 1833. BT ASAHEL BIGELOW, f tutor of the Orthodox Congregational Church in Walpolt. BOSTON: PRINTED BY PERKINS & MARVIN. 1833. SERMON. ROMANS, x. 14. HOW SHALL THEY HEAR WITHOUT A PREACHER? THE gospel is a religion designed for all nations. It is suited to the wants of man, in every age, wherever found, and of whatever character. Consequently, it is important that all nations and people should enjoy its blessings. But how shall the gospel be effectually communicated to them, who are deprived of its privileges ? Shall it be conveyed to them as a written message ? or, must it be presented by the living preacher ? It appears from the text, and its connection, that the apostle Paul considered the preaching of the gospel essential to the general diffusion of Christianity ; for, while he admits the truth that, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved, he asks, How shall they call on him in whom they have not believed ? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard ? and how shall they hear without a preacher ? In accordance with the sentiment here expressed, I shall attempt to show that the gospel, presented by the living preacher, is essential to any great and permanent success in the work of saving men. To illustrate this proposition, I remark, I. That the indifference of men to their spiritual interests is such, as renders the gospel, presented by the living preacher, essential to any great success in the work of their salvation. Something, it is true, may be effected, by sending the Bible and other religious books where the gospel is not preached ; but this is not sufficient to produce great and last- ing results. Man is naturally opposed to the truth, averse to contemplating his character and prospects as a sinner, dis- posed to cherish the most favorable views of himself, and, in the height of spiritual danger, feels secure. If, therefore, you give him the Bible, suited as it is to pour light upon his condition, to expose his ruined state, to sweep away his vain hopes, and persuade him to be reconciled to God, he feels no interest in examining it, but hateth the light, neither com- eth to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved ; or, if he is induced to read the Bible, sees his true character and pros- pects disclosed, and begins to feel alarmed, will he not throw it aside, and welcome his former indifference, unless the liv- ing preacher is there, to keep its truths before his mind, and apply them to his conscience ? Is not this obvious, from what takes place where the gospel is preached ? When im- penitent sinners are awakened, see their lost condition, and their fears are excited, do they not almost uniformly endea- vor to suppress their anxiety, and often succeed in doing it, and this too, notwithstanding the truth is held up to their view and applied to their conscience, with all the power of human eloquence ? What, then, can we expect, if the Bible and other religious books are left to operate alone ? Will they not be comparatively inefficient ? Yes, the impenitent are dead in trespasses and sins, insensible to their moral con- dition, and love this insensibility, and merely sending them the written word, to apprise them of their danger, is not enough. Heralds must go about among the dead, crying, Awake, thou that sleepest ! They must not only be ap- prised of their danger, but it must be kept before them, and their attention kept fixed on it, till they shall be induced to escape. Further, should they to whom the gospel is not preached receive it as a written message, they would probably fail, in most cases, of being convinced that they need the provision it makes, for their salvation. For, so favorable are their views of themselves, they would doubt the truth of the de- scription it gives of their character, and consequently doubt their need of a remedy, suited to the wants of them whose character answers to this description. They would also doubt whether the religion of the gospel is a reality, produ- cing the great and happy effects it claims to produce ; for they see not its appropriate effects. The written word speaks, to them, in silent language, addresses more their intellect than their heart, and, on its lifeless page, exhibits not reli- gion in action. To affect them deeply and permanently, the religion of the gospel must assume form and life, and ap- peal to their sympathies. Like its Author, it must come to them clothed in h'umanity, animating a nature like their own, living and acting in their midst, and exhibiting before their eyes its transforming, happy effects. And this it does, in the person of that preacher, whom the love of Christ constrains, and, thus presented, it possesses a power comparatively re- sistless ; a vitality, before which doubts melt away ; an elo- quence, to which even the ear of indifference cannot be deaf. II. That the gospel, presented by the living preacher, is essential to any great and permanent success in the work of saving men. appears from the general tendency of the human mind to embrace error. Man will have a religion, of some kind : but, fallen as he is, possessing a heart deceitful and wicked, he is naturally much more inclined to false, than true religion. Therefore, if left, with the Bible, and a sufficiency of other religious books, to form his opinions, unaided by those that have felt the power of truth on their own hearts, the probability is, that, in most cases, he will embrace some system of error. If he reads the Bible, he will either be, like the nobleman of 6 Ethiopia, not able to understand what he reads, unless some man should guido him, or, understanding, will shield his heart against it. And this is matter, not merely of spec- ulation, but of fact. Look where you will, over heathen lands, or those called Christian, and in every place, where the gospel is not heard from the lips of the preacher, you find error bearing almost undisputed sway. And what shall be done f How shall these moral wastes be cultivated ? these erring souls reclaimed? Will you send them the Bible ? Some of them already have it, and, with it in their hands, have become what they are in religious sentiment. And would they be more likely to profit by it, whose opin- ions are already formed ? whose minds are subjected, and their hearts wedded to the various systems of error and idol- atry ? No : the living preacher must go with the Bible. He must go and disclose to men their errors, by pouring upon their darkness the light of truth ; by presenting, explaining and enforcing the demands of the law and the gospel ; by assailing their false systems of religion, proving from the scriptures that they are false, and, by doing this repeatedly and continually, arrest their attention, and excite them to a serious examination of themselves by the truth. There is scarcely a probability of their being reclaimed in any other way. Their understanding is perverted ; all their thoughts and feelings are accustomed to flow in a wrong direction, and it is not easy to turn them back. Simply a glance at the truth, will not do it. The truth must be kept steadily before them, and they be made to see and feel that it is truth, whether they desire it or not. There must also be something visible, with which they may compare the effects of error. They must see religion, vigorously active in the living preacher, not merely addressing the intellect, but pour- ing forth, from an overflowing heart, its compassion for dying men, and exhibiting its blessed effects in a life of joyful hope, else not half its preciousness will be seen, nor half its power felt. What had been the comparative result, had the gospel, merely as a written message, been sent to those pla- ces which Paul, as an ambassador of Christ, visited, with such unparalleled success ? Would it have exposed and overthrown the false systems of Judaism and heathenism, as it did ? Would it not have wanted that subduing, resistless power, which it possessed, while flowing from the lips of him whose heart's desire and prayer to God was, that Israel might be saved, and whose spirit was stirred within him, when he saw the nations wholly given to idolatry, and who, while proclaiming it to others, as tidings of great joy, pre- sented, in his own person, living evidence that it really does for lost sinners, all it professes to do ? III. That the gospel, presented by the living preacher, is essential to any great and permanent success in the work of saving men, is evident from the fact, that error is every- where supported by living advocates. There is no place where they are wanting. If, in some instances, there are not professed teachers of the various systems of error, there are those who supply the deficiency. This is true of Christian lands ; and, in heathen countries, religious teachers are al- ways numerous. And who does not know, that the living advocate of any cause exerts a much more favorable influ- ence, in favor of that cause, by being present with and per- sonally addressing those whom he wishes to influence, than he could exert by merely sending them written communica- tions ? Who is not conscious of this ? When you wish to in- fluence a person, in some particular way, why do you feel so much more confident of success, if you may see him and speak face to face, than you do when merely writing to him ? Because, when present with him, you have an opportunity to meet his objections as they rise, to allay his prejudices, to adapt your arguments to his state of mind and feeling, and to follow up any advantage which may be gained. This you cannot do, when absent. If, by letter, you make on his mind a favorable impression, it may be effaced before you can profit by it ; for like reasons, the living preacher exerts, 8 in favor of the truth, a much greater influence than can be exerted by merely the written word. And the advocates of error derive no less advantage from being present with those whom they wish to influence, than do the advocates of truth. And, where there is not the living preacher, the advo- cates of error have this advantage exclusively to themselves. If, then, you furnish the population round them with the Bible, and religious books, they are present to defend their own systems against the truth ; to misrepresent it ; to ridi- cule and persecute them who are inclined to embrace it ; and, in these and other ways, they will nearly or quite coun- teract its influence. Indeed, they do much to check the progress of truth, when exhibited and defended by the living ministry, and operating under the most favorable circum- stances. If, therefore, the written word is left to operate alone, against all this opposing influence, can we expect of it great achievements in the work of saving men ? But the living advocate has another important advantage over written communications ; for men are so constituted as to be peculiarly susceptible of impression from the power of speech. The voice is the most efficient means of influence which man possesses. It is the only medium through which he can adequately express what he feels, what importance any truth or subject assumes in his own mind ; the only medium through which the soul can communicate her most vivid conceptions and her deepest emotions. Suppose Paul's reasoning of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, had been laid before Felix on paper, instead of com- ing in the living voice direct from a soul burdened with the theme ; would the Roman governor have trembled as he did? Or had a like course been pursued with Agrippa, would he have been almost persuaded to be a Christian ? And there was Whitefield, blazing like a comet over the land, at whom almost a nation went out to gaze j and, as they saw and heard, the attention of the most thoughtless was arrested, and hearts burning with malicious rage were changed to penitence and love. But what, compared with this, is the effect of Whitefield's sermons when read on the siJent page ? Indeed, the human voice has an unrivalled power to arrest attention ; to excite feeling and sympathy, and may almost be said to create them. It seems designed of God to exert influence and man designed to be influenced by it. There are in the soul chords which nothing will so move as the human voice^ conveying to them the vibrations of kindred chords. For these reasons the living preacher has a high pre-eminence, in point of influence^ over all other means that can be employed for the salvation of men. And the advo- cates of error, for the same reasons, have a like advantage for the promotion of their cause j and, where the living min- istry of the truth is not, this advantage is exclusively their own. And what must be the result, should the cause of truth be left to sustain itself in these circumstances, however well aided by the press ? Effects, no doubt, would be produced; effects over which angels would rejoice* But would the cause of truth thus advance and triumph ? Could it, unless miraculously sustained and made superior to the mighty pre- eminence which the cause of error would have over it ? IV. That the gospel, presented by the living preacher, is essential to any great and permanent success in the work of saving men, may be inferred from the fact, that God has appointed the preaching of the gospel as the special means of salvation. Previous to his ascension Christ commissioned his apostles to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every crea- ture, and, at the same time, intimated that this commission extended, not only to them, but to a succession of ministers which should continue to the close of time. For, he adds, Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Agreeably the apostle says that, when Christ ascended up on high, he gave some, apostles ; and some, prophets ; and some, evangelists ; and some, pastors and teachers ; for the 2 10 perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. This, certainly, implies that the living ministry is of divine appointment, having for its object the advancement and perfection of the church, and was designed to continue till the church shall be perfect, or till all its members, throughout all ages, to the end of time, shall have been gathered into the kingdom of God, when every member being present, the body will be complete. Again, the apostle testifies that, When in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe. Hence it appears that the preaching of the gospel is the special means ordained of God for the salvation of men. What reason, therefore, have we to expect that any great success will attend efforts made to accomplish their salvation without the preaching of the gospel ? True, God is able to make other means effectual, and, for aught we know, to sub- stitute for the preaching of the gospel means equally effica- cious. But will he do it ? Is there any reason to expect he will ? Is not the arrangement he has made for the world's conversion, such as he saw was appropriate and best, and such too as he intends shall continue always, even unto the end of the world ? The church, therefore, must fall in with this arrangement, and sustain the gospel ministry, if she would see the cause of her Redeemer advance, and the pre- dictions respecting her own triumph and glory brought to their accomplishment. V. That the gospel, presented by the living preacher, is essential to any great and permanent success in the work of saving men, is evident from facts. We can refer to no instance in which Christianity has ex- tensively prevailed without the living ministry. That good has been done, souls converted, without the preaching of the 11 gospel, is unquestionable ; and that, in some cases, the truth has been cherished in small circles, and retained in purity for a long time without the preaching of the gospel, is also unquestionable. But nowhere do we meet with an instance in which the gospel has prevailed, and made conquests from generation to generation, without the living ministry. But there are numerous instances the reverse of this. We have only to look around, and they meet us in every direction. Even in New England, a place where the gospel has had as fair an opportunity to exert, extend and retain its influence, as in any other portion of the globe, there are numerous in- stances in which its influence has declined and been almost annihilated for want of the living preacher. Of such in- stances we are; repeatedly told in the reports of our benevo- lent societies. " In our own State," says the report of an education society in New Hampshire, " one church, which, fifty years ago, contained sixty-two members, is reduced to two females. Another church of forty members has become extinct, and another of eighty-six members has become ex- tinct." And these are by no means solitary instances of the kind. They are of frequent occurrence. But why is it that once flourishing churches are become nearly or quite extinct? Why are we told of waste places in our Zion ? Why so often see the church clad in mourning and hear her lamenting, as of old, I have lost my children ; I am desolate ? Why is this ? Simply because the living ministry, for some reason, was discontinued in these churches. For they were neither . deprived of the written word, nor denied the privilege of social worship, nor excluded from the throne of grace. All these remained after the preaching of the gospel was sus- pended ; and if they are of themselves sufficient to secure permanent spiritual prosperity, then there was no good reason why these churches should decline and come to nought. But these means and privileges alone are not sufficient. These churches and the surrounding population could not live with- out a preacher, and this instrumentality, specially ordained for the prosperity of the church, being laid aside, declension and desolation followed of course. And now, whenever a church is deprived of the preaching of the gospel, though left in the enjoyment of all the other means of prosperity, she soon begins to decline and waste away, and, if left in this situation for a great length of time, becomes nearly or quite dissolved. And who has not, in numerous instances, had the unhappiness of witnessing the process of her dissolution ? Who has not before him facts sufficient to convince him that great achievements in the work of saving men will never be made without the living preacher? For what are facts of the nature we are contemplating, but an exhibition of the principles of the divine government as it regards the church ? an obvious coincidence of the providence of God with his revealed will? an unequivocal proclamation to the church, that there are means ordained for her prosperity, without which she will go to ruin ; and that, among these means, the living ministry is pre-eminent and indispensable. But if the gospel will not prevail and be permanently suc- cessful where churches are planted and thriving, without the living ministry, it cannot in any other circumstances. If in Christian lands it must be proclaimed to men by ambassa- dors of Christ in order to produce great and lasting results, what could we expect of it if conveyed to heathen merely as a written message ? How shall they hear without a preacher ? Will any thing but the living ministry bring churches into existence where they are not, since flourishing churches, waste away and die when deprived of it? Thus, whatever view we take of the subject, the con- clusion is unavoidable, that the gospel, presented by the living preacher, is essential to any great and permanent suc- cess in the work of saving men. Heralds of salvation must go all abroad, proclaiming the tidings of great joy, presenting again and again to lost sinners the provision and claims of the gospel, or they will die in their sins. And, my friends, J have dwelt at length upon this truth, that it may be deeply 13 impressed on your minds and suitably affect your hearts, while you contemplate the moral condition and prospects of the world. As you look abroad over the earth you behold six hun- dred millions of immortal beings, in all the darkness of hea- thenism, pressing forward upon an eternal state. They are without hope and without God in the world ; know nothing of salvation through a crucified Saviour, and are ignorant of the doom which awaits them. This immense multitude will perish, and the multitudes which shall rise and fill their place will perish, unless the gospel is sent them. Yes, unless the living ministry is established in their midst, and the gospel preached to them, they will perish. Come back now to our own land. Here are four thousand churches destitute of pastors, surrounded by a destitute popu- lation, while the increase of ministers keeps not pace with the increase of our population. Here, too, men will perish without the living ministry. These destitute churches must be supplied with pastors, else, like others, left in similar cir- cumstances, they will decline and become extinct. And this destitute and rapidly increasing population must receive the gospel from the living preacher, or they will go over to error and infidelity, and, because they believe not the Son, will not see life. Yes, the destitute at home and abroad, in every clime, on every continent and isle, of every kindred and tongue, must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, or they will perish. For there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby they can be saved. But how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard ? and how shall they hear without a preacher ? Is there the least probability that more than here and there one of these hundreds of millions will be saved whatever else may be done for them unless they shall be furnished with the gos- pel ministry ? When you consider their indifference, their predisposition to error, and the fact, that they are influenced by the advocates of error, can you expect any thing more 14 favorable than this? And, when you examine the word and providence of God, is not all hope of any thing more favora- ble annihilated ? For the special instrumentality of his ap- pointment for the salvation of men, is the living ministry ; and where this is wanting, error, and infidelity, and idolatry, and superstition reign, and little meets the eye but scenes of spiritual desolation millions living and dying without hope. And unless there shall be heard, crying throughout this moral wilderness, the voice crf-him that publisheth peace, it will remain a desolation, a waste howling wilderness, a land of darkness and death. But here the question rises a question of deep interest to every benevolent mind How shall preachers be obtained in sufficient numbers to supply the destitute millions at home and abroad ? It is obvious that ministers will not rise up in their midst to supply their wants, except as they shall be raised up by missionary effort in connection with literary in- stitutions. For the entire history of the church since the age of miracles, is evidence that God has no design of furnishing the nations with the gospel ministry, except by human instrumentality. There is, therefore, no probability that either the heathen, or the destitute in Christian lands, will be furnished with the ministry from among themselves, independent of foreign Christian effort. Indeed, there is no possibility of this, unless the age of miracles shall return, and God shall call men from their worldly employments, and from a state of sin, and commission them at once to preach the gospel. And there is no reason to expect he will do this. And where the gospel, with all its blessings, is enjoyed, ministers will not educate themselves in sufficient numbers to supply the demand at home, and to furnish the heathen. At least, they never have done it ; and there is no probability that they ever will do it. No, the demand at home, in our own land, is not supplied in this way. Neither is it supplied with the addition of all that are educated by the church. 15 There are now four thousand churches destitute of pastors, while, at the same time, the increase of ministers keeps not pace with the increase of our population. How then shall preachers be obtained in sufficient num- bers to supply the destitute at home, and to furnish the millions in pagan lands ? The church must, to a great ex- tent, provide them. At her own expense she must educate and send them forth, till, with the addition of those who shall be raised up from among the destitute by their instru- mentality, the world shall be supplied. This is the course pointed out by Providence. And it is wise to follow the leadings of Providence : it is duty ; it is the only way in which we may expect success in the great enterprise of the world's redemption. For the cause of truth is the cause of God ; and the promise, that all shall know the Lord, from the least to the greatest, is the promise of God, and he will accomplish it in the best manner possible. Since, therefore, it is so obviously his will that the church should furnish a- ministry to convert the world, she is bound to engage cordially, and efficiently, in raising up and sending forth preachers of the gospel, till it shall be published to every creature, unless God shall previously disclose and bring into operation some other method for the accomplishment of this object. And if, at any time, he shall do this ; if, by unusual outpourings of the Spirit, they who are able to educate them- selves for the ministry shall, in sufficient numbers, be made willing to do it,- and also willing to go forth and preach the gospel to all people ; or if, in any other way, God shall make it unnecessary for the church to furnish the destitute with preachers, she may then relinquish her exertions in this de- partment of benevolence. But, till this shall be done, she must feel herself obligated to impart the gospel to every creature by means of the living ministry. She has, then, before her a great work, and the most powerful motives to engage in it, heart and hand, till it shall have reached its accomplishment. But when will this be, at her present rate 16 of effort ? If with all she does, in addition to what is done, in other ways, to furnish the destitute with preachers, the , supply keeps not pace with even the demand at home, when will she send the gospel forth into all the world ? And what are the prospects of the hundreds of millions of heathen in this state of things ? Who shall relate to them the story of the cross, and direct them to the Lamb of God ? How shah 1 they hear without a preacher ? We may not imagine that the destitute, either in Christian or pagan lands, will be converted to God without the living ministry, and, on this ground, excuse ourselves from increased exertion to supply them with it. There is no probability, no hope of such a result. The gospel, presented by the living preacher, is the ^rand instrumentality which God has ordained for the salva- tion of men, and all other instruments and means may be regarded as auxiliary to it. s its auxiliaries they are indis- pensable, but without it, are comparatively inefficient. The gospel must be preached to every creature ; and on the ground that this shall be done, rests our only hope of the world's redemption. But how shall the church furnish the world with preachers of the gospel, except by educating and sending them forth at her own expense ? This is the course she has adopted a course on which Providence has smiled, and is the only one which promises to meet the wants of this perishing world. Therefore, education societies must be sustained, and their efficiency greatly increased ; for, since little- will be accom- plished, in the work of saving men, without the living preacher, their object is pre-eminently important. Not that other benevolent institutions are to be neglected. They, too, must be sustained, with increasing energy. But while the cause of benevolence receives due attention, in all its other parts, that of educating ministers for the destitute, must not be overlooked. Preachers must be had, or the world per- ishes. They must go forth with the Bible, present and en- force its truths, pour incessant light upon the darkness of 17 false religion and idolatry, and exhibit, in their own exam- ple, the pre-eminent value of Christianity. And happy the day, when this shall be universally done the day when, throughout the earth, it shall be said, How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace ; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation ; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth ! And happy, too, shall they be, who, out of love to Christ, do what they can to hasten the accomplishment of this great and blessed object ! ANNUAL MEETING. THE Norfolk Auxiliary Education Society held its Seven- teenth Annual Meeting in the Rev. Mr. Bent's church, in Wey- mouth, June 12, 1833. The following gentlemen were unanimously elected officers of the Society for the current year : NATHANIEL MILLER, M. D. President. EBENEZER ALDEN, M. D. \ Rev. EBENEZER BURGESS, \ Vice Presidents. Mr. ROBERT BLAKE, ) Rev. SAMUEL GILE, Secretary, Rev. JOHN CODMAN, D. D. Treasurer. Dea. JAMES CLAP, Auditor. Dr. JESSE WHEATON, General Agent. The office of Directors was abolished. The thanks of the Society were presented to the Rev. Mr. Bigelow, for his appropriate sermon, and a copy requested for the press. The thanks of the Society were presented to the Rev. Mr. Bent and his society, for their Christian hospitality ; and to the choir of singers, for their interesting performances in aid of the public services of the occasion. The next annual meeting is to be held in the Rev. Dr. Emmons's meeting-house, in Franklin. Preacher, the Rev. Mr. Bent of Wey mouth. SAMUEL GILE, Secretary. TREASURER'S REPORT* RECEIPTS FROM JUNE 13, 1832, TO JUNE 12, 1833. 1832. June 13. By contribution after annual sermon at Walpole, . . $31 08 July 27. BRAINTREK, South Parish, clothing, .... 23 SO Sept. 26. MEDWAY, East Parish, Female Education Society, . 3 37 1833. Jan. 10. SHAROH, Dorcas Society, clothing, .... 5 00 April 30. BRAINTRKK, South Parish, contribution, ... 12 42 " NKEDHAH, Mrs. Rebecca Gaffield, . . . 3 00 Mrs. Ruth Smith, . . . . 1 00 Mrs. Saba Cushman, .... 1 00 5 00 May 30. MEDWAT, East Parish, Female Education Society, . 43 60 QUINCY, Ladies, 9 00 June 7. DORCHESTER, Second Parish, Ladies, . . 23 00 9. public contribution, . . .60 00 33 00 10. BRAINTREE, South Parish, clothing, .... 27 83 WEYMOUTH, First Parish, 75 83 12. WRENTHAM, Female Education Society, . . 62 30 Gentlemen's do 40 00 Monthly Concert, .... 7 50109 80 " WALPOLE, Female Education Society, . . 14 62 Sabbath school, . . . .2 00 16 62 " STOUGHTON, Subscribers, 7 00 " BRAINTREE and WEYMOUTH, Union Soc. Subscribers, 76 00 " RANDOLPH, First Parish, 88 00 " FRANKLIN, Female Benevolent Society, . . 30 00 Surplus Monthly Concert, . . . 8 89 Annual Subscribers, . . . . 12 00 Temporary Scholarship, . . .77 86128 75 " DEDHAM, First Church, Gentlemen's Assoc. . 40 25 Ladies do. . . . 15 00 Miss Mary Wight, . . 5 00 60 25 " DEDHAM, South Parish, Ladies to constitute Mrs. Julia Park a Life Member, .... 15 00 " MILTON, Subscribers, 10 00 The following sums were collected by Rev. Mr. Farnsworth, Agent for the Parent Society. RANDOLPH, East Parish, $18 12 WEYMOUTH, South Parish, 6 00 DORCHESTER, Village Church, to constitute Deacon S. Robinson a Life Member, . . 15 06 QUINCY, contribution, 6 90 Female Education Society, ... 4 50 11 40 COHASSET, Contribution, 7 53 BRAINTREE, First Parish, Rev. Edwards A. Park, to constitute himself a Life Member of the Parent Society, . . .4000 Rev. James D. Farnsworth, to cons, himself a Life Member of the County Soc. 15 00 Mrs. Susanna Fogg, to cons, herself a Life Member of the County Society, . 15 00 Female Education Society, . . . 16 73 .Subscriptions, $40 of which to constitute Rev. Stephen S. Smith, of (iuincy, a Life Member of the Parent Soc. 83 27170 00 #228 11 $1,065 16 CONTRA. To cash paid Perkins & Marvin, for printing Annual Sermon, . . $ 33 42 To cash paid H. Ropes, Esq. Treasurer of American Education Society, as per receipts, 803 63 To cash paid by Mr. Farnsworth, 228 11 $ 1,065 16 Errors Excepted. JOHN CODMAN, Treasurer. Dorchester, June 12, 1833. LIFE MEMBERS. Constituted cither by their own subscription, the contribution of others, or their connection with the Parent Society. Fifteen dollars constitute! life membership of this Society. Rev. Richard S. Storrs, Braintree. Mr. Jonathan Newcomb, do. Rev. John Codman, D. D. Dorchester. Henry Gray, Esq. do. *Dr. James Baker, do. John Capen, Esq. do. Mr. Samuel Capen, do. Mrs. Mary Codman, do. u Frances Gray, do. *Mary White, do. Rev. Ebenezer Burgess, Dedfiam. " William Cogswell, do. " John White, do. " Harrison G. Park, do. Mr. George Bird, do. Mrs. A. B. P. Burgess, do. Rev. Nathanael Emmons, D. D. Franklin. Caleb Fisher, Esq. do. Rev. Elam Smalley, do. " Luther Bailey, Mcdicaij. " Jacob Ide, do. Dea. Asa Daniels, do. Rev. Thomas Noyes, JYecdham. " William Richey, do. " Ebenezer Guy, Bridgewater. " Joseph B. Felt, Hamilton. " Jonathan Curtis, Skaron. William Ropes, Esq. Brookline. Rev. Samuel Gile, Milton. " Calvin Hitchcock, Randolph " David Brigham, do. Samuel Bass, Esq. do. Rev. Elisha Fisk, Jfrcntham. " Moses Thacher, do. Mrs. Margaret Fisk, do. " Sally Blake, do. " Esther Whiting, do. Rev. William Tyler, Weymovth. " Jonas Perkins, do. " Josiah Bent, Jr. do. " B. C. Cutler, Qutncy. " C. Park, D. D. Stougnton. Mrs. Abigail Park, do. Rev. A. Bigelow, If'alpole. The names of the Life Members arc not inserted again in the list of Annual Subscriber* MEMBERS BY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION OF ONE DOLLAR OR MORE. Braintree. Dea. Ebenezer Hunt, *Nathaniol Bianchard, Mrs. Ann Bianchard, " Rhoda Perkins, Miss Nancy Bianchard, " Rachel Faxon, *Mai. Nathaniel Wales, Levi Wild, Atherton Wild, Jonathan Wild, Silas Wild, Charles Dickerman, Jonathan French, Dr. Stephen Thayer, William Reed, Alexander S. Lincoln, Mrs. Harriet Storrs, " Elizabeth Hayward, " Phbe Veazie, " Deborah Wild, " Deborah Wild, Jr. Mrs. Rachel Hayden, " Rhoda Wild, " Clarissa Hayward, " Mary Baxter, Nathaniel Thayer, Esq. Levi Thayer, Barzillai Penniman, Dea. Nathaniel E. Thayer, Nathaniel Hayward, Robert Hayden, l)r. Jonathan Wild, Samuel D. Hayden. Canton. Gen. N. Crane, Dea. Ebenezer Crane, Mrs. Crane, *Miss F. Crane. Drdhnm. Dea. Samuel Fates, " Jonathan Richards, Dea. Jesse Wheaton, Gen. Nathaniel Guild, " *Josiah S. Fisher, Capt. George Dixon, *Mr. Reuben Fuller, " Abel Kenney, " Reuben Richards. " Reuben Guild, ; ' *Eliphalet Pond, " Jason Mcssinger, " Joseph Morrill, " Frederic A. Taft, " Ezra W. Taft, " 'Jonathan Avery, " Samuel Bird, " Elijah Howe, " *Josse Daniel I, *Mrs. Martha Berry, " Joanna Cogswell. " Lucy Billiard. " Lydia Bullard, Miss A. T, Crane, Miss Paulina Whiting, Sophia Hildreth, Mrs. Perlee Richardson, " Harriet Belknap, Ruthy Hildretb, Miss Rebecca Penniman, " Mary Ann Coney, Elizabeth Clap, " Hannah Turner, Mr. John Bullard, Rachel Hammond, " Marinda Daniels, " Jacob Clark, " Joseph Stow, Elizabeth Badlam, Huldah Wilcox, Dea. Jonathan Metcalf, " Nathaniel Cutler, " Leonard Alden, Sarah Penniman, Maj. Luther Metcalf, " Joseph W. Swan, Mary Sharp. Capt. John Harding, " James Downing, Lewis Harding, " William Paul, Franklin. Capt. Moses Felt, " William Smith, Dea. Philip Blake, Philo Sanford, " C. Guild, Jr. " Joseph Bacon, Joel Partridge, " John Guild, " James Metcalf, Ezra Adams, " Martin Draper, " Levi Hawes, Joseph Fairbanks, " Horace Clark, Dr. Nathaniel Miller, Job Partridge, " Aaron Cass, " Amory Hunting, Calvin Plimton, " E. P. Crane, Nathan Woodward, Samuel Clark, Mrs. Julia Metcalf, Asa Partridge, Elisha Cutler, " Nancy Wheaton, Hanan Metcalf, Peter Liewettee, Jr. " Polly Whiting, Levi Fisher, Nathan Bullard, " Olive Messinger, Asa Fisher, Mrs. Lucinda Haselton, *Betsey Mclntosh, James Gilmore, 2d, Miss Sarah Payson, " *Lendamine Guild, Levi F. Morse, " Susan Adams, " ^*Prudence Clark, William Phipps, Horace Cheney, " '*Hannah Guild, William Phipps, Jr. George Holbrook. ' *Prudence Howe, Alpheus Adams, " Lucy Smith, " Susan Guild, Ira Blake, Harford Leonard, Milton. Dea. David Tucker, " Prudence Stow, Whiting Metcalf, " Ameriah Tucker, " Abigail Boynton, Philander Ware, " William Wadsworth, " Martha Bird, *Dea. Joseph Whiting, *Hon. Edward H. Robbins, " Myra W. Leland, " Hannah D'Wolf, " *James Adams, *Lieut. Phineas Ware, Dea. John Vose, Capl. Nathaniel Tucker, " *Lydia Kenney, *Jabez Fisher, Isaac Gulliver, " *Amanda Taft, Mrs. Louisa Jane Smalley, Jesse Tucker, " *Minerva Taft, Miss Hannah Woodward, Lewis Tucker, " Elizabeth Kenney, Mrs. Hannah Miller, Eliphaz Clap, Miss Rebecca Damon, " Pamela C. Hawes, Joseph Hunt, " Louisa Damon, " Betsey R. Fisher, Amos Wentworth, " Nancy Damon, " Ursula Fisher, Robert Tucker, " Sarah C. Mann, Miss Hannah Rice, Josiah Wadsworth, " Betsey Ellis, " Elizabeth Woodward, Jason Wadsworth, " Lucy Talbot, " Abigail U. Fisher, Thomas Copeland, " Rebecca D. Butterfield. " Sally Fisher. Capt. Alpheus French, . Samuel D. Vose, Dorchester. Medfield. John Porter, * Joseph Clap, Artemas Woodward, Mrs. Mary H. Gile, Edward Sharp, Esq. Dea. Elisha Clark, " Diana Crehore, *Dea. Samuel Capen, Capt. Hinsdale Fisher, *Abigail Ames, " Ebenezer Withington, John W. Adams, Susan T. Bent, William M. Rogers, Stephen Turner, Rebecca Gulliver, Ebonezer Dorr, Mrs. Kezia Mason, Mra. Mary R. Wadsworth, James Penniman, Dea. Obed Fisher, " Susanna Tucker, Dea. Stephen Robinson, Mrs. Mehitabel Woodward. " Abigail Tucker, *John Capen, 2d, Miss Esther Wadsworth, John Capen, 3d, .Medway. " Judith Swift, William Hammond, Comfort Walker, 11 Ruth Tucker, Jonathan Hammond, *Joseph Lovell, Esq. " Susannah Tucker, Dea. Isaac Howe, Mrs. Jemima Jones, " Catharine Bent, Aaron Nixon, " Mary Bullen, " Nancy Bent. John Townsend, " Julia Mason, Joseph Ford, " Sarah Richardson, JVeedham. Howard Ford, " Elizabeth Lovell, Capt. Ephraim Bullard, William Symmes, 11 Eunice Daniels, Dr. Isaac Morrill, Tristam Bird, " Rachel Turner, Dea. Isaac Kingsbury, *Susai Adams, " Almera Ellis, " Hezekiah Fuller, Catharine B. Clap, 11 A. Plympton, " *Zechariah Cushman, Mary Blake, " Betsey Wheeler, " Benjamin Fuller, Abigail Clap, K Abigail Lovell, Capt. Timothy Bullard. Clarissa Dorr, " Merriam Partridge, Rebecca Gleason, " Mehitable Daniels, Randolph. Chloe Gay, " Louisa Walker, Dr. Ebenezer Alden, Clarissa Foster, " Sally Walker, Dea. Elisha Holbrook, Ann Tolinan, " I' e SS v Morse, " Elisha Mann, Hannah Tolmari, " Eunice Clark, Lewis Whitcomb, Harriet Sherburne, " Polly Harding, Dea. Asa Thayer, Melinda Wood, " Mary Ann Daniels, Nathaniel Wales, iTinn, out//. Thomas H. .Nelson, iil>, Jr. Doa. Abiel VVliite, I'oiid, .ttlulield. Jr. ' John It : <',,!. , ko, 3d, \.> \ i I'aine, Elnathaii 1! ' Fisk, Horatio 11. A Men, Ansell Pratt, " I.nis Arrlier, Silas Paine, Jr. Esq. Cant. Joseph Loud, " Olive Whiting, Mrs. Joanna Wales, Col. Ebenezer Humphrey, " Esther Whiting, " A. K. Alden, Capt. James Jones, " Diraxa Messenger, " Abigail Mann, Elisha Bates, " liunnnh Morse, " Jano Mann. Capt. Ilervey Cushing, " Sally Blake, Abner P. Nash, " Nancy Barstow, Rozbvry. Nathan Bates, " Jerusha N. Fisk, Miss Elizabeth Richards. John Loud, " Abiel Fiahnr, Benjamin Wilder, " Ruth Cowell, Sharon. Hon. Christopher Webb, ;i Lois Hall, Philip Curtis, *Dea. Oliver Everett, Ebenezer Hewios, David Pratt, " Hannah George, Lemuel Humphrey, Esq. Mrs. Hcpzibah Drucc, James Humphrey, " Sarah Ann Fisher, Jacob Fisher, Oliver Bates, ' " Nancy Hawes, Doa. Joel Hewing. James Jones, 3d, " Susanna Shcpard, * Joseph Billings, Dr. Daniel Stone, Dr. Timothy Gordon, " Olive Banders, Jacob Loud, Miss Mercy Whitney, Joel Tolman, Stephen French, " Hannah Craige, *Doa. Benjamin Fairbanks, *Mrs. Nancy Gould. Mrs. Nancy Bates, " Patty Cowell, " Betsey Humphrey, " Hannah Force, " Hannuh Pratt, " Hepzibah Cobb, Stovghton. Den. Nathan Drake, " Lydia H. Cushing, " Abigail Collock, " Molly Humphrey, " Julia Ware, " Paulina Bent, " Charlotte Brown, " Samuel Tolman, Mr. Fisher Gay, " Samuel Tolman, Jr. " Nancy White, " Elvira Pales, Miss Phebe Humphrey. " Nancy Bean, " Alroira. Pond Samuel VVUes, Esq. Mrs. Polly Hodges. Wrentham. " Polly Read, Hon. Jairus Ware, " Jerusha George, " Josiah J. Fiske, Mary Billings, H'alpolc. Dea. Robert Sanders, Polly Messenger, Dea. Henry Plimpton, Capt. Daniel Cook, Betsey Idc, Mrs. Joanna Morey, Col. George Hawes, Matilda Brown, " Mrs. Joanna Hill, Robert Blake, Olivia Hawes, " Susanna Plimpton, David Holbrook, Esq. Polly Dayj " llli.ida Bird, Dea. Benjamin Hawes, Mary Robichau, " Catharine Allen, Samuel Druce, Esq. Roxa Day, " Martha Allen, Comfort Robbins, Mary Ann Blake, " Catharine Everett, David Fisher, Jr. Esq. M s. Almira Felt, Unity Allen, Capt. George Messenger, Ann S. Metcalf, " Olive Blackburne, James Ide, Betsey Gay, " Dorcas F. Bigelow, John Cummins, Polly Blake, 11 Abigail Ruggles, Jesse George, Jerusha Norton, " Remember Smith, Joseph Bloke, ' Rebecca Hartshorn, Mrs. Susan Hartshorn, Alexander Sanders, Rebecca Fisher, " Nancy Fisher. Capt. Benjamin Shcpard, Nancy George, " Cynthia Clap,' Dea. Benjamin Shepard, Jr. W ss Sarah Blake, " Lucy Baker, Harvey George, Susan Ide, " Mercy Billings, Charles Thayer, Martha Ellis, Misi Nabby Robbins, Benjamin N. Shepard, Henrietta Cobb, " Phebe Robbing, Abner Belcher, Miranda Craige, " Sarah Pratt. Dea. Elisha Bond, Susan Ware. " Hannah Roberts. Preston Pond, * Deceased. STACK COLLECTION THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW. 10w-6,'62(C9724s4)476D