£>atvtU performances AT THE DEDICATION OF THE Baptift Meeting-Houfe in Charleftown, Mat 12, 1 80 1. imam-Tim CONSISTING OF An INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS, BY JEDIDIAH MORSE, D. D. A SERMON, adapted to the Occafion, BY SAMUEL STILLMAN, D. D. AND AN ADDRESS on the Recognition of the Church, BY THOMAS BALDWIN, A.M* boston: PRINTED BY MANNING & LORING, NO. 2, CORNHILL. *^&> CharlestowNj May 12, 1801. At a Meeting of the Churchy — Voted unanimoufly, That the thanks of this Church be prefented to the Reverend Gentlemen who officiated at the Dedication of our Houie of Worfhip, for their very acceptable fervices, and that copies be requefted for the prefs. k Older of ^eiformance* \ I. By the Rev. Jedidiah Morse, d. d. Read the 24th Pfalm — The earth is the Lord's, &c. ADDRESS explanatory of the occafion. PRAYER. Read 2 Chronicles, chap. vi. verfes 12, 14, 18 — 42. DEDICATORY POEM— Sung. II. By the Rev. Mr. Grafton, of Newton. DEDICATION PRAYER. III. Read and Sung DEDICATORY HYMN. IV. By the Rev. Samuel Stillman, d. d. A SERMON on Brotherly Love and Chriftian Fellowfhip, from 133d Pfalm, ift verfe — Behold, how goody and how pleafanty tsfc. V. By the Rev. Thomas Baldwin, a. if. The RECOGNITION of the CHURCH— An ADDRESS — The Fellowfhip of Sifter Churches given. Concluding PRAYER, and finging 13 2d Pfalm— Arife, K™g °f grace ■, arife, &V. VI. Sung an ANTHEM from 48th Pfalm. VII. BENEDICTION by the Rev. Dr. Stillman. ADDRESS EXPLANATORY OF THE OCCASION. BT JEDIDIAH MORSB, D. D. VVE are affemblcd, Chriftian brethren and friends, for no trivial or novel purpofe. Our buf- inefs is ferious and important, and calculated to intereft all the bell feelings of our hearts. We have come to prefent ourfelves before that God, whom the heaven, and the heaven of heavens can- not contain — but who yet condefcendeth to dwell with men on the earth, and to confecrate this houfe erected for Him. In performing this facred fervice, we do but im- itate the practice of holy and devout men, in all pad ages of the world, who, excited either by the exprefs command of God, or by the fecret intima- tions of his Holy Spirit, and acting, at the fame time, agreeably to the dictates of right reafon, and from a regard to the decency and fitnefs of things, have built houfes for the public worlhip of God. And with a view to imprefs the minds of the worfliippers with the greater reverence of the Di- vine Majefty, and to fill them with devotion and humility, it has been a pious cuftom, in a formal and religious manner, to feparate thefe places for facred ufes. Of thefe religious tranfaclions, God, at fundry times, and in various ways, has mani- fefted his divine approbation. When Solomon had clofed his admirable prayer at the dedication of the temple, immediately « the fire came down from [ « 3 from heaven, and confumed the burnt-ofFerinp- and the facrifices ; and the glory of the Lord filled the houfe." When we review the circumftances which have attended the erection of this houfe ; and confider, that the defign originated in a Society of Chrif- tian brethren, of different denominations, affem- bled for prayer and religious improvement ; that party and fectarian views and feelings appear to have had no part or lot in this bufinefs ; that it has been the honeft and fincere aim of thofe con- cerned, to furnifh the means of religious inftruc- tion, to a large portion 'of the inhabitants of this increafing town, who could not otherwife be con- veniently accommodated, and thus to advance the important interefts of religion and morality : When we confider, alfo, that the plan, which feems to have been intimated with fatisfactory clearnefs from heaven, has been profecuted, hitherto, with- out accident or obftruction, in perfect harmony with the Congregational Society in this place, and with unufual celerity and fuccefs, we cannot en- tertain a doubt, but that the God of order, of peace and love will fmile propitioufly on us, and grant his divine approbation of our prefent pur- pofe of fetting apart this convenient houfe, beau- tiful for iituation, as the temple on the holy hill of Zion, for the performance of the various fer- vices of public, religious and fecial worihip. With humble confidence, then, let us, Chriftian brethren and friends, in the name of Jems Chrift, unitedly and fervently afk his divine prefence with ttS, md his bleffing ou this our undertaking. DISCOURSE, DELIVERED AT THE OPENING OF THE jfteto Baptift ^cetins^oufc in CHARLESTOWN^ May i-2, i8oi. ««w«««^®^^^«^ By SAMUEL STILLMAN, d. d, boston: MANNING & LORING. L A DEDICATION SERMON, Pfalm cxxxiii. I* BEHOLD, HOW GOOD, AND HOW PLEASANT IT IS, FOP. BRETHREN TO DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITT. AMONG a great variety of fubjects that mighty with propriety, be coniidered, at the open- ing of a new place for public worfhip, the preacher gives the preference to this, becaufe moft expref- five of the circumftances that have brought us to- gether. This neat and convenient houfe did not originate in angry controverfy, in fondnefs for feparation, nor even in difference of religious opin- ions ; but in a fincere delire to promote the great interefts of religion and morality, as a com- mon caufe. Many families in the town, it was found, could not be accommodated with pews in the Rev. Dr. Morse's meeting-houfe : whence the inquiry arofe, whether it was not duty to endeavour to build another place for public worfhip. Chriftians of B different [ io ] different denominations were engaged in the in- quiry, and were of one mind as to the anfwer. And as there was a confiderable number of fami- lies of the Baptift denomination, of refpectability and intereft in the town, who were obliged to go to Bofton for a complete enjoyment of their priv- ileges, it was unanimoufly thought beft, that the houfe to be built mould be for that denomination. This was the voice of all. Not one diffentient ; not one moment's controverfy about it. As far as my knowledge extends, I may fafely fay, This is an unexampled inftance of candour and affection among ChrifHans of different denominations. And I embrace this public opportunity of declaring, that my worthy and reverend brother, the minifter of this town, with whom I have enjoyed an agreea- ble acquaintance from his firft fettlement in it to the prefent time, has allured me of his hearty con- currence in this matter ; believing that it will ter- minate in the more general diffufion of religious knowledge, and the promotion of the beft inter- efts of the town -, therefore takes a part in the public fervices of this day. And what increafes the pleafure of the occafion is, that from the com- mencement of this bufinefs to the prefent mo- ment, not a fingle circumftance relative to it has happened, to interrupt the affection and harmony of the town. May this houfe, which we this day dedicate to God, remain a pleafing monument of mutual candour among Chriftians of different opinions, till time fhall be no more. Here may the gofpel be preached in its purity ; and thou- fands of redeemed finners, at the laft great day, rife [ II ] rife up and call you bleffed, through whofe exer- tions this place of public worfhip hath been erect- ed. Let him who paffeth by to worfhip, and all who mall come up to this houfe of the Lord, con- tinually fay, Behold, how good and pleafant it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity. I will not take up your time with an inquiry concerning the occafion of this Pfalm, about which there are various opinions ; but pafs at once, I. To confider who are intended by brethren. II. Explain what it is for brethren to dwell to* gether in unity. III. Finally, make it appear that this is good and pleafant. 1. We are firft to afcertain the character of brethren. i. All men are brethren, confidered as defend- ants from one common parent. God, fays Paul, hath made of one blood all nations, to dwell on all the face of the earth. They were created by the fame almighty hand, out of one common lump of mat- ter ; and therefore are nearly allied. 2. They are brethren inafmuch as they all {land in the fame relation to the firft Adam, as a cove- nant head : hence they ihare with him in the fad effects of his apoftacy. In Adam, fays an apoftle, all die : that is, by virtue of their relation to him, they become mortal. By man fin entered into the world, [ 12 ] world, and death by fin ; and thus death pajfed upon all men, for that all have finned. In another place we are told, that by the difobedience cf one, many are made /inner s : not only become mortal, but are made fniners. Thefe paflages, I conceive, plainly teach us, that Adam was the covenant head of all man- kind ; who are in the fame melancholy fituation of fin and death. They have all finned and come Ihort of the glory of God. One has no more to boaft of than another. All are guilty, though not equally fo, and in a condition of moral inability. If they are ever faved then, they will all be indebu ed to grace alone, 3. But there is a more important fenfe in which this appellation is ufed in the facred fcriptures, and in which we ufe it on the prefent occafion, to de- note real believers. It was a term of frequent ufe among the apoflles and primitive Chriftians. Paul directs his epiftle to the Coloflians, To the faints and faithful brethren in Christ. And when he difmiffed Onefimus, after his convernon, to his matter Phile- mon, he exhorts him to " receive him not now as a fervant, but above a fervant, a brother beloved." With this term, you are fenlible, the ancient Chriftians addreffed each other, as a mark of their mutual affection and attachment. With what pro- priety they did fo, will appear in the following ob« fervations. 1 ft, Believers are brethren in this appropriate fenfe, becaufe they are the objects of the fame divine love. The Lord has his own people among all [ *3 ] all the nations of the earth, and among all the dif- ferent clafles of Chriftiaris. The Jews thought that they only were the ob- jects of the love of God ; and of courfe, treated the Gentiles as aliens. But when Christ came, he difcouraged this injurious diftinction, by (hew- ing mercy to the Gentiles, and by fending his apofiles to preach the gofpel to all nations. They alio plainly taught, that in Christ Jesus there was neither Greek nor Jew, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free ; but that Christ was all, and in all : and that in every nation, he that feareth God, and worketh righteoufnefs, is accepted of him. The fame contracted fpirit has been obferved in too many profefling Chriftians, who are difpofed to exclude from the divine affection, thofe who differ from them even in thofe things that are not efTential to falvation. This temper ought to be refilled, as being inconiiftent with the truth of things, and calculated to deftroy that charity which is the bond of perfectnefs. They who are the ob- jects of the fame love of God, ought to love one another. 2dly, Believers are brethren, becaufe they all belong to. the fame bleffed family. By adoption they become heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. By the act of adoption, an orphan or ftranger becomes an heir as certainly as if he had been fo born. So it is in this cafe. Becaufe they ctre fons by adoption, God fends forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, crying, Abba, Father, And this is [ 14 ] is the cafe with all real believers. They were fons in the divine mind prior to their receiving the Spirit of adoption ; and becaufe they were fo, God fent forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, to afcertain their fonfhip, or to feal them to the day oi redemption. In this {^nfc, then, all believers, amidft their va- rious differences, are brethren. 3aly, They are fo, like wife, becaufe they are re- deemed by the fame precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemifh, and without fpot. One price was paid for all the heirs of promife : whence it is plain, that they were equally dear to the Son of God, and ought to be dear to one another. What an argument is this, for love to the brethren ! which John enforces with peculiar warmth : If God fo loved us, we ought alfo to love one another. He carries it fo far as to fay, that we ought to die for the brethren, if neceifary. Will you, Chriftians, be oppofed to, or not love them for whom Christ died ? Remember that they are precious to him as the apple of his eye. And can you ftand aloof from each other, bite and devour one another ? God forbid. Rather, let brotherly love continue and increafe, till you fhall reach that glorious world, where you fhall fee eye to eye. 4thly, Believers are brethren, becaufe they have been called out of darknefs into marvellous light by the fame Holy Spirit, He is the life and fource of all real religion in the hearts of finners. It is he only who can (lop the fmner in his dangerous career of fin, [ '5 ] fin, by convincing him of his total depravity, his guilt and danger ; and thus oblige him to cry, Whatjhall I do to be J lived ? By him he is enabled to believe in Christ, as the end of the law for risrhteoufnefs. He wounds, and he heals. He kills, and he makes alive. He is a quickening Spirit. He fearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. This change he fometimes pro- duces in the hearts of finners, in the mod unex- pected and furprifmg manner, even when they have not enjoyed the ufual means. But whatever diver- fity there may be in the circumftances that attend this change, the change itfelf is the fame in all. Which naturally leads me to fay, that all real be- lievers are brethren, becaufe, 5thly, They know the fame things, drink into the fame Spirit, and are all one in Christ Jesus. Among true Chriftians of all ages, and of all na- tions, there is, if I may be allowed the expreflion, the mod ftriking family likenefs ; which confifts in the following particulars : They are con- vinced of their entire depravity, of their infinite guilt and unworthinefs, of the juftice of God in their eternal condemnation. They efteem Christ precious,, and fly to him alone for falvation. They renounce all confidence in the flem, and give him all the glory of redemption. They hate fin for its own fake. They groan under the body of fin, and pant after perfect holi- nefs. They are careful to maintain good works, are attached to the caufe of Christ, and ftudy to promote it. They love thofe who bear the image of [ *6 ] ot Christ, whether rich or poor, bond or free. In a word, their all-prevailing defire is, that Christ may be magnified in them, whether it be by life or by death. This being the cafe, furely they are brethren, and formed by divine grace for the fame enjoyments. I add, 6thly, That they arc heirs of, and flmll forever e?i- joy, the fame heaven. Jesus Christ is gone to pre- pare maniions for them ; and by the various dif* penfations of his providence, his word and Spirit, he makes them meet to be partakers of the in- heritance of the faints in light. They are, then, emphatically brethren, being th<* objects of the lame everlafting love of God ; adopted into the fame heavenly family ; redeemed by the fame pre- cious blood of Christ \ are called by the fame Spirit, out of darknefs, into the light of the gofpel ; ex- perience the fame things in nature, though not in decree ; and are to dwell together forever in the fame heaven ; there to love and adore the fame object, who appears in the midft of the throne as a Lamb that had been ilain. II. We fhall now proceed to fliew what is to be underftood by brethren dwelling together in unity. There is a ftrange kind of charity, which fome people plead for, that has a tendency to annihilate the diltinction between truth and error ; or, to make it a matter of indifference, which a man believes. We have nothing to do, fay they, with a man's creed, only with his conduct. No matter what his faith is, provided his life be good. Do t v n , Bo thcic men confider to what lengths tliis priii riple will naturally lead us, if admitted ? We may embrace the moil oppofite and contradictory opin- ions. The queftion is not, whether a man believe the doctrines of Christ or of Mahomet, but wheth- er his life be good. It is therefore a matter of in* difference, whether he be a difciple of Christ^ or of Mahomet. This kind of charity, if followed, will land us in deifm, where, no doubt, it originated. But thofe of you, who believe Chriflianity to be a divine religion, will give it your moft decided neg- ative> becaufe falfe as a principle, and fatal in its influence. There are others who profefs to believe the gof- pel, yet deny what a great number of Chriftians^ in all ages of the church of Christ, have placed among its moft effential doctrines. Of this clafs are they who deny the true and proper Deity of Jesus Christ, and affirm that his blood is of no more value to expiate guilt, than the blood of any other man. I aik, my brethren, how a man, who believes Jesus Christ to be very and eter- nal God, and that there is no redemption but through his atoning blood, can dwell together in unity with him, who denies the Lord who bought him ? It is impoflible in the nature of things, be- caufe their ideas of the character and work of Christ are infinitely different. This difference will force itfelf upon them in their folemn acts of prayer and praife ; for one will afcribe divine hon- ours to the Son of God ; the other will call this idolatry. If they are engaged in the work of the miniftry, it will influence their public preaching* C One . [ is ] One will exalt Christ as a divine perfon, God ir.anifeft in the flefli : the other will lay many- good things of him as a man, a great prophet, a teacher fent from God, a fuper-angelic being, but not divine. One will infift on the atonement of Christ as the wily fure foundation of a Tinner's hope: t h e other im to expect f or g t ve n efs ;re mercy of Goo, and the iinccrity of ntance, without an atonement. I might trace stice in many other inftances ; but enough has been faid to mew, that they cannot k together in unity, while they thus differ about the very efTence of Chriftianity. I alk again, How can he, who has a tender con- cern for the honour of Christ as an Almighty Saviour, connive at an error of fuch magnitude, which, in his view, robs him of his efiential dig- nity, and deftroys the foundation of a Tinner's hope of forgivenefs I For if Jesus Christ be not truly and properly God, our profpects of pardon through his one offering for fins are diiappointed, and we muft fcek fome other method of lalvation : And the great body of our godly reformers, with the noble army of pious martyrs, who fealed their re- ligion with their blood, were idolaters, and were left to die in a moft important error : for they be- lieved Jesus Christ was truly God ; and as fuch, paid him divine honours. And not only they, but a crowd of modern Chriftians of eminent charac- ter, have left the world in the lame ientiments.* At * The late Dr. Matiikr, of Lofton, bore his dying teftimony to the truth of our Lord'k divinity, faying to me, a little before hi: will never trufb my foul but with an Almighty Sayiouk." \ C 19 ] At the fame time, give me leave to fay, in the words of the excellent Dr. Abba die, with little alteration, " I diftinguifli between the per- fons of our adverfaries, and the caufe which they plead. Towards the former, I have all the fen- timents of love and companion, which are due to my erring fellow-mortals. I admire the parts, the learning, and the gifts, which God has bellowed on fome of them. And though they do manifeft violence to the fcriptures, in my view, I would not accufe them of fpeaking contrary to their own light. —As to their caufe, I ought not to be cenfured for endeavouring to reprefent it in its own colours, in all that deformity which neceflari- ly attends an hypothecs, that is contrary to divine revelation and the fpirit of true religion. This is my duty, and one end of my miniflry."* Efpe- cially, my brethren, at my time of life. I am not a young man, but am finifhing my miniflry, and feel myfelf under the mod folemn obligations to bear my faithful, and, for aught I know, lafl teflimony, to the glories of Immanuel, God with us ; through whom alone I expect everlailing life, The right of private judgment of thefe our mis- taken friends, is undeniable. If, in the exercife of it, they embrace the greateft errors, they muft an- fwer for it. To their own Mailer they fland or fall. Our heart's defire, however, and prayer to God, is, that they may be brought to embrace the whole truth as it refpects Jesus Christ, before their feet Humble * Deity of Christ eflcntial to Chriftianity, p. 3. C *> ] (tumble on the dark mountains ; and although cur is of him are now infinitely different, that we ultimately fee eye to eye, and unite to adore Him, who hath loved us and wafhcd us from our fins in his blood ; who thought it no robbery to be equal with God. I do not mean to fugged, by any thing that has been faid, that we are to expect to find among good men, an exact agreement in religious fenti- ment and practice. They always have differed among themfelves, about fome things of lefs im- portance in religion. This we may reafonably ex- pect will be the cafe till that period fhall arrive, when the earth lhall be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, It is a pleafmg circumftance, however, that God hath raifed up faithful witneffes in all ages, who have agreed in the moil important truths of the gofpel.* Neither does dwelling together in unity fuppofe* that they ihould relinquifh any religious opinions or practices that they believe to be divine, though of comparatively fmall importance. Such a facri- fice it would be uncandid and unreafonable to re- quire as a condition of union, and criminal to make. Nor would it accomplifh the end for which it mi^ht be made. On the contrarv, it would create mutual uneafinefs. Chriftians would natu- rally think hard of each other for requiring fuch a fur render * See Bifhop Newton on the Prophecies, Dif. xxiv. p. i. Mr. Totlady's Hiiloric Proof of the Calviniiin of the Church of Ergl'nd, vol. :. v. 149 — 212. [ 31 ] furrcnder of confcience ; and their own minds would moft alTuredly condemn them in a cool hour of reflection, for complying with it. Good men mull, at all hazards, keep a confcience void of of- fence, both towards God, and towards all men. What has been faid on this part of the fubjecr. is equally applicable to Chriftians of all denomina- tions. They are all equally bound to buy the truth, and to fell it not. Good men, then, may be faid to dwell together in unity, when they unite in matters of religion as far as they can agree ; and when they can unite no farther, agree to differ, and to allow each other the liberty they take of thinking for themfelves. In this cafe, there ihould be no reflections on each other ; no, not a hard thought fhould be encour- aged by either fide, provided they wifli to main- tain the true fpirit of the gofpel, which allows ev- ery man to be fully perfuaded in his own mind. But at the fame time, let me repeat it, that we are not permitted to favour the miftakes of our Chrif- tian friends, or to make light of any divine truth, however fmall. I add, once more, that dwelling together in uni- ty by no means fuppofes, that we ought not to ufe our bed endeavours to convince one another of thofe errors, into which we may have fallen. This is a duty we owe to each other, which ought to be performed with meeknefs and affection . There are feveral confiderations I now beg leave \q imprefs on t^e minds of my hearers, that are calculated » ] calculate J to promote mutual candour among Chriflians. The firft is, We ought not to think that we ourfclvcs only are confeientious ; but that our brethren, who differ from us, are as con- feientious as we are, and as anxious to know and do the will of God. The feeond is, that the difference among good men is mutual. The fault, if fault there be, is alfo mutual. Who then mall be cenfured ? The third confideration is this, There are great and good men among the different denominations of Chriftians. Why may we not think that the Lord permits thefe differences, that we may have an opportunity of exercifing that fpirit of mutual forbearance, fo well pleating in his %ht, and fo beneficial to fociety ? 311. It remains that we mew that it is good and ■ •at that brethren dwell together in unity. It feems by the expreffions of the Pfalmifl, as if he had in view, at the moment, fome particular inftance of brotherly love, as we now have : — Behold ! how good, and hoiv pledfant it is, They are faid to provoke one another to love and good works. They can, when united, do much towards the relief of the poor faints, and the fupport and general propagation of the gofpel. We have a pleafing evidence of this in the MilTionary Societies in Europe ; in which we find a moll uncommon union of Chriftians of dif- ferent denominations. Whatever may be the iffue, the union has been both furprifing and delightful. They have united in their endeavours to fend the gofpel among the pagans, as a common caufe, with- out regard to thofe lefs matters that diftinguifli them as denominations. Thus mould it be with all good men. They mould (land fail in one fpirit, with, one mind ftriving together for the faith of the gofpel. Omitting thofe reflections that naturally arife from the fubjecl, I fhall conclude with an addrefs to that church of Chriif which will, in future, meet in this place j and which will this day be recog- nized [ =4 ] nized in the moft public and folemn manner by my reverend brother. Dt.ARLY BELOVED J.V OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, IN the year 1665, the Firft Baptift Church in Bofton, from which mod of you have been dif- miffed, originated in this town. To-day fhe fend: you back at your own defire, in conjunction with our friends from the Second Baptift Church in Bofton, to form a church where fhe began. But how great the difference between that period and this ! Then the right of private judgment was de- nied ; now all is candour, love and friendfhip. This event is furely providential : to human agen- cy alone it cannot be afcribed. The churches you have left have difmiffed you with all that Chriilian affection, which has arifen from a long and plealing acquaintance with you, and from your conflant endeavour to behave as becomes the gofpel : believing, at the fame time, that this event will terminate in the better accom- modation of yourfelves and families, and the ad- vancement of the interefts of religion and moral- ity. Go and profper, and the Lord be with you. Your prefent condition is new and intereftir.-. Various duties devolve on you as a church of Chrift. The firft and the mo ft important to your- felves, your families, and the town in general, is, the choice and fettlement of a minifter. Be not hafty in this matter. Be extremely careful that he be C 25 ] be a man of real, of experimental religion — decid- edly in favour of the doctrines of grace, fo called ; who fhall be determined to know nothing among you fave Jesus Christ and him crucified ; and who will not Ihun to declare the whole counfel of God. We mod earneftly pray, that the great Head of the Church may blefs you with a paftor after his own heart, who fhall feed you with knowledge and the iincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby ; for whofe happinefs and fupport, we are perfuaded, you will ufe your bed exertions. In the admifiion of perfons into the church, be careful to examine them, both as to their experi- mental knowledge of the truth, and their lives and converfation. In the difcharge of this part of your duty you will find a great difference among candi- dates for admiffion. Some of them will be able to give a clear account of the great things God has done for them — others will come trembling, left they fhould eat and drink unworthily ; and who can only fay, Whereas I was blind, J now fee. You who are ftrong, will bear the infirmities of the weak ; and imitate the bleffed Jesus, who gathers the lambs in his arms, and carries them in his bofom ; who will not break the bruifed reed, nor quench the fmoking flax. In the exercife of the difcipline of the church, be* ftricV and impartial. Never fuffer fin upon a brother, nor an unworthy member, knowingly* D to / [ 26 ] to fit down at the Lord's table. Keep yourfelves pure. Live in love among yourfelves, ftudioufly pre- fcrving the unity of the fpirit in the bonds of peace. Ee candid towards all Chriflians who differ from you. Treat all men with affection and kindnefs. And carefully preferve that harmony in the town and between the two religious focieties in it, which hath been fo pleafingly difplayed on the prefent oc- cafion. To conclude. How extremely flattering are the circum fiances of Charleflown this day. Behold her rifing, like the phenix from her afhes, into ele- gance, wealth and greatnefs. Our prayer to God is, that fhe may be as remarkable in future for her piety, profperity and happinefs, as fhe hath been for her fuiferings in the day of our national ca- lamity. Into his holy keeping we commit you as a town, as churches, and as brethren. Live in love, and the God of love and peace will be with you. To him be glory forever. AN ADDRESS, DELIVERED TO THE BAPTIST CHURCH in CHARLESTOWN, May 12, 1 80 1, AT THEIR PUBLIC RECOGNITION BY A COUNCIL OF SISTER CHURCHES. BY THOMAS BALDWIN, A. M. PASTOR OF THE SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH IN BOSTON. DEARLT BELOVED W THE LORD, 1 HE Churches now convened agreea- bly to your requeft, by their minifters and meiTen- gers, having fully examined the papers you have laid before them, containing an account of all your proceedings relative to your becoming a diftinct vifible Church ; have directed me in their behalf to inform you, that they are fully fatisned with your proceedings, and confider them to have been regular and according to the gofpel. They have alfo examined your articles of faith, and judge them to contain the leading and effen- tiai doctrines of evangelic truth. We _M [ 28 ] We do therefore, in this public manner, exprefs our hearty and entire approbation of your faith and conduct, and wifh you a rich bleffing out of the houfe of the Lord. We view you as a regular Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, vefted with all the powers and privileges which we as Church- es feverally enjoy ; and as a token of the.Chriftian affection and efteem of the Churches prefent,I pre- fent you the Right-Hand of Fellow/hip. By this fignificant fign, we exprefs the intereft we feel in your happinefs and profperity ; and folemnly pledge ourfelves to afford you every af- fiftance in our power, and which your circum- ftances may render neceffary ; not doubting but in return we Ihali receive the fame from you. Thefe mutual affurances, dear brethren, arife from that long and intimate acquaintance we have had with you. Often have we taken fweet counfel together, and gone in company to the houfe of God ; and nothing but a fenfe of duty could have reconciled us to this painful partial fepara- tion. May the Lord ever preferve our union and friendfhip. From this day forward, brethren, you will con- fider yourfelves as a city fet on a hill, which can- not be hid. O that your light may fo mine that others, feeing your good works, may glorify our Father, who is in heaven. Much you have already experienced of the di- vine goodnefs in your proceedings, and much you may {till expect, if you walk humbly before God, You [ 29 1 You will therefore permit mc to exhort you, to fludy to promote that fpirit of brotherly affection, which at prefent fo remarkably prevails among you. Efpecially endeavour, in every fuitable way, to ftrengthen and increafc the friendly intercourfe fo happily fubfifting between you and the other religious Society in the town. Your fituation, brethren, is peculiarly interest- ing and pleafant. How often upon occafions like the prefent, have all the angry pafiions been excit- ed, and every difcordant fentiment fet in oppoii- tion ; by which means thofe averfions and preju- dices have been eflablifhed, which a lapfe of years could hardly obliterate. But here, we behold nothing but concord, peace and brotherly affec- tion ! Truly this is the Lord's doing, and mar- vellous in our eyes. The uncommon harmony which has marked the whole feries of events relative to your prefent fituation, cannot fail to imprefs your hearts with the liveliefl fentiments of gratitude to the great Author of your mercies, and lead you to fee your increafing obligations to live in love and peace, fo . that the God of love and peace may dwell with you. As he who hath called you is holy, fo be ye holy in all manner of converfation and godlinefs. And that the beft of bleflings may ever reft on you and yours, on your children, and on your children's children, on the other church and congregation in the C 3° > the town, and on the whole Ifrael of God, wc will now and at all times moft devoutly pray. And now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling, and at laft to prefent you faultlefs be- fore the throne of his glory with exceeding joy ; to the only wife God our Saviour, be glory for* ever and ever. AMEN. zD&dlcaioru umn> LET flowing numbers fwe^y rife, And waft our praifes to the fkies, For all the bleffings life bellows, And all the joys the gospel fhows, Here in thy courts we proftrate bow, To offer up the folemn vow ; To dedicate this sacred place, And celebrate redeeming grace. Now may the King of Zion hear ! His glory in this house appear 1 And, as in IfraeVs ancient days, Accept the offering and the praife. Here may the faints with, truth be fed, Pure from the gofpel's fountain head ; Here let the /inner hear his doom, And timely "flee the wrath to come." O may thy Church, in every place, Increafe in numbers and in grace ; Till all the ranfom'd millions rife To fliout redemption through the Ikies. /■' J' k I