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HISTORICAL SKETCH 
 
 SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 
 IN ATTLEBOEOUGH : 
 
 DELIVERED AT ITS CENTENNIAL MEETING, 
 
 DECEMER 7, 1848. 
 
 By JONATHAN CRANE, 
 
 Pastor of the Church. 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 DAMKELL & MOOKE, PRINTERS 16 DEVONSHIRE ST. 
 
 1849. 
 
7 
 
 f 
 
 ■As-^e 
 
 t 
 
 Rev. Jonathan Crane, 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 The undersigned, Committee of Arrangements for the Celebration 
 of the Centennial Anniversary of the Second Congregational Church in 
 Attleborough, request for publication a copy of your interesting and valuable 
 
 historical Discourse, deUvered on that occasion. 
 
 Peter Thacher, 
 Noah Claflin, 
 Phineas Satery, 
 Jesse Carpenter, 
 "Willard Blackinton, 
 John Daggett, 
 Daniel Wilmarth, 
 Jesse R. Carpenter, 
 Samuel Carpenter. 
 Attleborough, Jan. 10, 1849. 
 
 Attleborough, Jan. 30, 1849. 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 The Discourse, a copy of which you have asked for publication, was prepared 
 at your request ; and, therefore, if in your judgment it should be committed to 
 the press, as a reminiscence of the day on which it was delivered, and a pledge 
 of your interest in the subject discussed, I do not consider myself at liberty to 
 refuse. The chief difficulty I experienced in its preparation, arose from the 
 vast number of topics to be noticed ; and, if many facts and incidents have 
 been omitted, which others might judge would have been equally appropriate 
 and desirable, the limits allotted to an ordinary discourse must be my apology. 
 
 "With the earnest hope that the Church may be equally harmonious and 
 prosperous for the century to come, having arrived, if possible, to a more eventful 
 period in this world's history, 
 
 I would subscribe myself. 
 
 Yours, 
 
 Sincerely and truly, 
 •"*. ; Jonathan Crane. 
 
 Dea. Peter Thacher, 
 Noah Claflin, Esq. ^ Committee. 
 
 Dr. P. Satery, and others, 
 
 ^ 'of 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCH. 
 
 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people. Isa. 63, 11. 
 
 An acquaintance with the scenes and events of 
 olden times, is usually considered as desirable, from 
 the addition it makes to our stock of knowledge, and 
 the means thereby furnished, to aid in the formation and 
 adoption of just modes of thought, and correct principles 
 of action. What may thus be said of the experience of 
 former generations, generally, is peculiarly true of that 
 period which children are expected to cherish with 
 strong affection and regard, when the fathers were the 
 actors, furnishing examples for their imitation and 
 adoption, and their tastes, habits, and modes of action 
 were receiving a moulding impression from others. 
 
 In order, however, to a just appreciation and intelli- 
 gent adoption of parental example, it is necessary that 
 the motives which governed, and the principles that 
 controlled, should be distinctly perceived and under- 
 stood, and a correct estimate of its precise value and 
 worth be formed from a knowledge of its nature, ex- 
 tent, and results. 
 
 This is the work to which the present occasion in- 
 vites us. Having received our ecclesiastical rules, cus- 
 toms and modes of religious faith from the founders 
 of our churches, we would learn their utility, wisdom 
 and design, for higher and nobler purposes than the 
 mere indulgence of an idle curiosity or the gratification 
 of foolish pride and vain glory. 
 
In addition to the manifest propriety and utility of 
 the object which the present services contemplate, refer- 
 ence may be made to the words of our text, as con- 
 taining a sufficient scriptural warrant for the end, 
 which the exercises of this day are designed to secure. 
 If a secret suspicion should lurk in the breast of any 
 one, that a desire to learn the virtues and revere the 
 memory of an honored ancestry, savors of the spirit 
 which our Saviour condemned, when he said, "ye build 
 the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres 
 of the righteous," let it be banished ; for, unlike the 
 Jews, those to whom the present occasion appeals with 
 the deepest interest, are the descendants of the men 
 whose virtues they would extol, and thus they are wit- 
 nesses for, and not against themselves. 
 
 The subject selected as the topic of remark in this 
 discourse, is the origin, history, and influence of the 
 Church of Christ in this parish, and only a brief sketch 
 of some prominent particulars will be attempted. 
 
 The 30th of Nov., 1848, old style, commenced the 
 second century of the Second Congregational Church in 
 this town, and, short as that period is, she has outlived 
 all those who were inhabitants of the town at the time 
 of her organization, while her affairs have been con- 
 ducted, and her ordinances administered, by successive 
 generations of officers and members. Upon the 30th 
 of Nov., 1748, this Church was constituted, by Rev. 
 Mr. Leonard, pastor of the First Congregational 
 Church at Plymouth, as the organ of an Ecclesiastical 
 Council, called for that purpose, being a colony from 
 the First Congregational Church in this town, then 
 under the pastoral care of Rev. Habijah Weld, its hon- 
 ored pastor, almost fifty-five years. 
 
 The organization Avas attended with the utmost har- 
 mony and kind feeling, on the part of those who re- 
 moved their relation from the First Church, and those 
 who remained. Perhaps to this fact is the parish in- 
 debted for that harmony and unanimity, which have 
 
5 
 
 always characterized its ecclesiastical affairs ; for, to its 
 credit may it be said, that no record of any council 
 can be found, except for the regular settlement and 
 dismission of its ministers, and no other ecclesiastical 
 society has been formed within its limits, to occasion 
 that jealousy which existed between Ephraim and 
 Judah; an evil of so much mischief and j?uilt, that Ciod 
 promised as a special blessing, " Ephraim shall not 
 envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim." The 
 character of the motives which led to the formation 
 of this Church may be judged from the letters, pre- 
 served in their original forms, asking for a dismission, 
 and the answers returned ; the former signed by twenty- 
 six males and twenty-four females — the latter signed 
 by Kev. Mr. Weld, in behalf of the church. (A.) 
 
 The articles of faith then adopted, were those of the 
 New-England confession, which, according to Mather, 
 was made from that of the Savoy, in compliance with 
 that at Westminster, and now remains in an abridged 
 form for common use. This church, in her articles of 
 faith, and by evidence from other sources, may claim a 
 descent from the non-conformists, or Puritans of Eng- 
 land, and thus possesses a pedigree which we would 
 cherish and honor. According to record, it was a col- 
 ony from the First Church in this town — which was 
 formed by members from the First Congregational 
 Church in"Rehoboth,now Seekonk, and that church was 
 a branch from the Congregational Church in Weymoutli, 
 under their pastor. Rev. Samuel Newman, the mem- 
 bers o£ wliich, with the pastor, came from England 
 previous to 1640, not twenty years after the landing 
 of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Concerning this Mr. 
 Newman and his infant band, which formed the first 
 settlement in Rehoboth, reference may be made to 
 Mather and the historians of those times. 
 
 Says iSIather, in his Magnalia — "The life of ISIr. 
 Samuel Newman commenced with the century now 
 running, (1600) at Banbury, where he was born of a 
 
6 
 
 family, more eminent and more ancient for the pro- 
 fession of the true Protestant religion, than most 
 in the realm of England. After his parents, who had 
 more piety and honesty than worldly greatness to sig- 
 nalize them, had bestowed a good education upon him, 
 and after his abode in the University of Oxford had 
 given more perfection to that education, he became an 
 able minister of the New Testament. But being under 
 the conscientious dispositions of real Christianity, which 
 was then called Puritanism, the persecution from the 
 prevailmg hierarchy, whereto he therefore became ob- 
 noxious, deprived him of liberty for the peaceable ex- 
 ercise of his ministry. Whence it came to pass, that 
 although he might otherwise have termed him a Pres- 
 byter of one town by ordination, we must now call him 
 an Evangelist of many through persecution ; for the 
 Episcopal molestations compelled him to no less than 
 seven removes, and as many places may now claim the 
 honor of his ministry, as there did for Homer's nativity. 
 But an eighth remove, whereto a weariness of the for- 
 mer seven drove him, shall bury in silence the claims 
 of all other places unto him ; for after the year 1638, 
 (in which year with many others, as excellent Chris- 
 tians as any breathing upon earth, he crossed the water 
 to America,) he must be styled a New-England man." 
 
 The period above referred to was the one during 
 which the hierarchy endeavored to crush and destroy 
 pure religion by fines, imprisonment and death ; and 
 when the descendants of the Puritans recount the 
 scenes of those times, they cannot be blamed if they 
 are very jealous of any approaches to the old ecclesi- 
 astical system, under which those barbarities were 
 allowed and practised. As a specimen of the evils to 
 which Mr. Newman and kindred spirits were exposed 
 when in England, let the following extract suffice. 
 
 Says one, speaking of those times, — 
 
 "Dr. Leighton, tlie father of the worthy Archbishop of the same 
 name, was tried before Laud, for his nonconformity. At the instigation 
 
of this furious prelate, this holy man was sentenced to be dcn-aded 
 from the ministry, to have his ears cut, his nose slit, to he branded in 
 the face, to be whipped at the post, to stand in the pillory, to pay ten 
 thousand pounds, and to suffer perpetual imprisoiunent. And when 
 this terrible sentence was pronounced. Laud pulled off his hat and gave 
 thanks to God, who had given him this victory over his enemies. A 
 certain Mr. Hayden, having spoken from the pulpit against some severi- 
 ties of Laud, was sentenced by him to Bridewell, where he was whipped 
 and kept to hard labor, then confined in a cold, dark hole durin"- the 
 whole winter, chained to a post in the middle of the room, with irons on 
 his hands and feet, having no other food than bread and water, and no 
 bed on which to lie, but a pad of straw." 
 
 More than two hundred years have rolled away 
 since the first Church in Rehoboth was formed, and 
 therefore, for the first settlers, may we claim the title 
 of Pilgrim fathers, if they did not land directly at Ply- 
 mouth. As an interesting historical fact, it may be 
 mentioned, that the plantation for one or two years 
 was independent of any jurisdiction. "■ It does not ap- 
 pear," says Hon. Mr. Baylies, " that any permission to 
 settle here was sought, either of the jurisdiction of 
 Plymouth, or of Massachusetts, although both colonies 
 afterwards claimed Seekonk; but in 1645, it was 
 received by Plymouth, and became the town of Reho- 
 both, a name derived from the scriptures, and selected 
 by Mr. Newman." If other proof were needed, of a 
 direct descent from the Puritans of England, it might 
 be found in the general use of Christian names, derived 
 from the scriptures, as Noah and Samuel, Nehemiah 
 and Ezra, Elijah and Daniel, Amos and Obadiah, with 
 others that were expressive of some Christian virtue or 
 event, as Grace and Mercy, Silence and Content, Patience 
 and Prudence, Experience and Deliverance, not to speak 
 of others less common, as Wonderful, Freelove, Wait- 
 still, &c. Such were the conscientious convictions of 
 the Puritans, says Southey, that many of the clergy 
 refused to baptize by any names which w^ere not found 
 in the scriptures, or were not expressive of some 
 Christian virtue or event. 
 
 With articles of faith, that distinguished the early 
 
Puritans, known as Calvinistic, and a CongTegational 
 form of church orovernment, neither the original church 
 in Rehoboth, nor any of the churches that have de- 
 scended from her, have fallen away, or like some of 
 the original churches in the old ten towns of Plymouth 
 Colony, been left to adopt another faith, or embrace 
 another gospel, than that known unto the fathers. 
 
 From such an ancestry, this church was organized 
 under the pastoral care of Pev. Peter Thacher, with 
 seventy-five members, forty-six of whom WTre from the 
 First Church in this town, and the rest, with two or 
 three exceptions, from the Church in Seekonk, While 
 the nominal date of this Church is in 1748, yet a distinct 
 parish was formed, and the regular worship of God 
 established in 1743, five years previous, for which dif- 
 ference, a satisfactory reason is found upon the records 
 of the Church ; being caused principally by the death 
 of Rev. Mr. Thacher's father, in Middleboro', and an 
 unchristian sejDaration, on the part of some of the 
 members of the First Church. As proof of the Christian 
 union, that existed between this and the First Church, 
 the following extract from Pev. Mr. Thacher's sermon, 
 at the funeral of Pev. Mr. Weld, may be quoted : — 
 
 " The most of the time, between August 20, 1743, and November 
 30, 1748, I stood in the relation of pastor elect, to the brethren and 
 people of God, in the easterly part of Attleborough, and preached to 
 them on other Sabbaths ; yet with mutual consent, we all attended the 
 Rev. Mr. Weld's meetings, the Sabbaths on which he administered the 
 Lord's Supper. Indeed there was a charming unanimity, and charm- 
 ing administrations." 
 
 The year 1743, in which this parish was formed, is 
 memorable in the religious history of our country, 
 especially of New England, for the great awaken- 
 ing, under Edwards and his cotemporaries. This 
 town shared largely in that work, and a large pro- 
 portion of the original members of this Church, 
 were among its subjects. Within the three years 
 that preceded the formation of this parish, the First 
 
Church in this toAvii, received 192 to her comininiion. 
 To us it is o-ratifying to find the name of llahijah 
 Weld, associated with a Lirge nuniher of ('on^iJoa- 
 tional ministers, assembled at Boston, July 7th, 1743, 
 who gave their " testimony and ad^ice, occasioned," 
 as they said, " by the late hapi)y revi\al of religion in 
 many parts of the land." 
 
 This Church we regard as the product of the great 
 awakening in 1740, and, born at a time of revivals, it 
 has been her privilege and honor to enjoy repeated 
 seasons of a refreshing from the presence of the Lord. 
 This awakening brouglit into existence another 
 Church in this town, ^\ ith the name of the Separatists, 
 over which Mr. Daniel Shepardson was ordained, Jan. 
 20th, 1747 ; and as the principle, for whicli those of 
 that name were distinguished, was adopted b}' the iirst 
 Church, and also by this, we may sujipose that the 
 separation might be called " sad and unchristian." 
 Not only has a subscription to certain articles of faith 
 been required as a condition of membership, but also 
 a written narrative or relation of the evidences of the 
 new birth, or Christian piety, which have been read to 
 the congregation, at least two Sabbaths previous to the 
 reception of the candidate, and h.R\e been preserved 
 during the whole period with the records, gi^■ing proof 
 of one regular, uniform course. The Church in IVlid- 
 dleboro, with which the first pastor of this Church 
 united, it is said, retains the same practice in common 
 with us. 
 
 With such a view of the origin of this Church, we 
 are prepared to notice some events in her history, as 
 for a century, like a noble bark at sea, she has been 
 borne onward by the waves, rather than engulfed and 
 ruined. Formed soon after the bloody wars with the 
 Indians, she passed through the American Revolution, 
 and has witnessed a change almost miraculous, on the 
 part of the colonies, a change from a state of colonial 
 dependence, to that of an united, free and independent 
 2 
 
10 
 
 republic ; from a condition of great poverty and de- 
 pression, to one of comparative vv^ealth, renown and 
 honor. Some idea of the change in the comparative 
 wealth of the people, may be formed from the altera- 
 tions to which their houses of religious worship have 
 been subject. In this parish, we do not learn that 
 pews were provided for the accommodation of families, 
 until the year 1780, when the room upon the floor was 
 divided and sold, to pay the expense incurred for al- 
 terations and repairs, amounting, according to record, 
 to £23,000 ; but as if to save their credit from a charge 
 of wasteful extravagance, it is added, that "one 
 silver dollar shall be received for seventy-two dollars 
 of the old emission." 
 
 Since the history of the Church is closely united 
 with that of her pastors, it is proper they should be 
 noticed jointly; while with devout thanks to God, we 
 would acknowledge our obligations to those who have 
 aided in the compilation of tunes of music, in which 
 the songs of Zion have been expressed, one of whom 
 was a citizen of this town, and from whose book of 
 music, used in the days of the fathers, our selection 
 to day is taken,* and also to the composers of our 
 psalms and hymns, among whom Dr. Watts stands 
 first, and almost alone, for his psalms and hymns have 
 been used, according to our best information, from the 
 origin of the Church, and through them, he has spoken 
 to the Protestant Churches of Christendom, though he 
 has slept with the dead a century, having died Nov. 
 25, 1748. 
 
 Of the first pastor of this Church, much might be 
 said, as an able and faithful minister of the New Tes- 
 tament. With his name first upon the catalogue of 
 members, he gave to the Church a mouldmg, forming 
 impression, and some of the results of his labors are 
 we called to witness to-day. 
 
 * Joel Read, Esq., author of Read's Collection, and brother of Daniel Read, 
 Esq., author of Columbian Harmony, &c. 
 
11 
 
 llev. Peter Tliaclicr* descended from a pious and 
 honored ancestry, as the son of Rev. Peter Thachcr, of 
 iSIiddleborongh, whose praise was amonp^ the Churches, 
 grandson of llev. Peter Thacher of Milton; great- 
 grandson of Rev. Thomas Thacher, the first pastor of 
 Old South Church, Boston ; great-great-grandson of 
 Rev. Peter Thacher of Salisbury, England, who was 
 prevented from an emigration to this country, only by 
 sickness in his family. 
 
 The descendant of such an honored ancestry, Mr. 
 Thacher is the progenitor of a list, reaching now to 
 the third and fourth generation of those who profess 
 the same faith, and some of whom are called to preach 
 the same precious gospel. It w^as ascertained, about 
 ten years since, that of his direct descendants over fif- 
 teen years of age, numbering 142, at least 101 had been, 
 or were members of Evangelical Churches. At the 
 present time, it is our privilege to be able to state, 
 that of his descendants there are three grand-sons in 
 the Christian ministry, and a grand-daughter, the wife 
 of an honored, esteemed missionary among the Choc- 
 taws, for twenty-five years, (Rev. ]Mr. Hotchkins); two 
 great-grandsons in the ministry, and two in a course 
 of preparation, and one great-great-grandson, already 
 in the ministry, (Rev. AVillard Richardson,) and al- 
 though of another name, yet a name inherited from 
 one of tlie original members of this Church, who 
 bears and sustains the same relation to the first pastor 
 of tliis Church, which he sustained to Rev. Peter 
 Thacher, of Salisbury, England, and would have 
 been a valuable delegate to this meeting, as the repre- 
 sentative of a generation yet in its infancy, and a 
 pledge that our hopes of future generations will not 
 be disappointed. 
 
 Mr. Thacher was a graduate of Harvard University, 
 
 *It is a tradition in the family, that he was the 14th eldest son, who entered 
 the ministry in succession, but if he was not, it will appear that if there is any 
 virtue in the name Peter, this Church is fairly entitled to its share. 
 
12 
 
 in the class of 1737, and although but one sermon of 
 his was published during his ministry, yet from the 
 volume published since his decease, and the sermons 
 preserved in their original form among his descend- 
 ants, and from other sources, we are assured that his 
 literary and theological character was highly respecta- 
 ble and praiseworthy. He was the minister of the 
 parish forty years, and was finally laid aside by a 
 stroke of paralysis, and his grave is with us. Many 
 besides his numerous descendants, are called upon to 
 rise up and call him blessed ; to praise and bless the 
 goodness of God in his settlement among this people, 
 as an ascension gift, from the great Head of the 
 Church to them. Soon after his settlement, he was 
 married to Bethiah, daughter of Deacon Obadiah Car- 
 penter, whose descendants are equally distinguished 
 for numbers and piety. 
 
 During the ministry of Mr. T., much attention w^as 
 paid to the rite of infant baptism, and a large propor- 
 tion of the children of the Church received the seal of 
 the covenant at his hands ; a few of whom are now 
 with us, and one, a member of this Church, who was 
 baptized ninety-one years ago last October.* 
 
 From the organization of the Church, until 1780, 
 but foAV additions Avere received, showdng the baneful 
 effects of civil commotions and wars upon the spiritual 
 interests of a people. The year 1780 forms an impor- 
 tant period in its history, and although larger numbers 
 have been added at other times, yet probably none 
 more important to its prosperity and success. Of the 
 additions then made, only one remains, having enjoyed 
 a visible relation to the Church sixty-eight years.f 
 
 Soon after this, the pastor was laid aside by a stroke 
 of paralysis, which caused his death ; and praise would 
 we offer to his memory, while peace would we invoke 
 
 * Mrs. Mercy Everett, daughter of Mr. Andrew Starkey, and mother of Mr. 
 Daniel Babcock. 
 
 t Miss Deborah Starkey. 
 
l;3 
 
 to his ashes, for to his ministerial services in this par- 
 ish, are patriotism and ecUieation, moraUty and pi(>ty, 
 greatly indebted. By instruction in the school and 
 personal addresses, in addition to those of catechetical 
 exercises and the public discourse, did he labor to pro- 
 mote the intellectual, moral and religious good of the 
 people committed to his charge, and these services 
 should be held in high admiration, especially when it 
 is understood that the whole parish was divided into 
 school districts not numbering more than two or three,* 
 and that old Harvard stood almost alone in her eftbrts 
 to raise up educated and pious men for the service of 
 the country, and the people were called to pass through 
 those mighty struggles which severed the colonies 
 from England. 
 
 In 1793, Rev. Ebenezer Lazell, of Bridgwater, and 
 a graduate of Brown University, was ordained pastor 
 of this Church, but his ministry was too short, (less 
 than five years,) to be very marked in its results upon 
 the character, either of the Church or parish. Soon 
 after his settlement, he was married to IMiss Chloe, 
 daughter of Mr. Abiathar Richardson, and both re- 
 moved to the State of N. York, and have since deceased. 
 During this period, the nation enjoying peace at home 
 and with foreign nations, there was a great disposition 
 on the part of the inhabitants of this parish, to leave 
 their homes and seek for settlements in sections of the 
 country, wdiere land was more productive, and at the 
 same time less expensive. Accordingly, many went 
 into those districts and sections that were comparatively 
 new, and apparently believing what has since proved 
 true, that "Westward the star of empire takes its way;" 
 a large proportion of those who left, took their course 
 
 *■ The parish is now divided into ten school districts, with a fund, bequeathed as 
 a Icsracy, by Mr. Abiathar A. liichardson, of §11,000, under tlie control of a 
 Board of Trustees, chosen annually by the parish, the officers of which Board for 
 the present year, consist of Mr. Samuel Carpenter, Pros., J. Daggett, Esq., Sec, 
 and Mr. Elias Fuller, Treasurer. The districts number this year, 404 scholars, 
 between four and sixteen, and each scholar draws from the treasury of the town, 
 $2 per annum, at least, and in the small disti-icts more. 
 
14 
 
 towards the setting sun. Of these, an interesting 
 group, known originally as the " nine partners," set- 
 tled near the banks of the Susquehanna, in the State 
 of Pennsylvania. 
 
 While this policy may have proved highly benefi- 
 cial to the new settlements, it made no small draught 
 upon the strength and resources of the Church and 
 parish, so that, at the commencement of the present 
 century, the Church w^as very small, and the parish 
 was known in town rather as the precinct^ a designa- 
 tion inherited with less significancy, than the appella- 
 tions "Down East," or "Far West." 
 
 At this low state of Church and parish, Rev. Nathan 
 Holman, of Sutton, was ordained (Oct. 15, 1800) as 
 their third pastor and minister, and his settlement was 
 under auspicious circumstances, being attended with 
 an interesting revival of religion, which secured an in- 
 crease of strength and of numbers to the Church. 
 With this increase, however, the Church did not ac- 
 quire that ascendency and control in the moral and 
 religious affairs of the parish, necessary to her stability 
 and success. The years following are thus marked 
 upon her records, as years of great spiritual dearth and 
 leanness. 
 
 This declension continued till 1815, when God 
 proved his love to this people, by a gracious and pow- 
 erful work of divine grace, which added to the Church 
 more than one hundred. (B.) 
 
 This work not only caused the good seed that had 
 been long sown, to spring up and give promise of 
 much fruit, but revealed the alarming extent to which 
 the enemy had sown his tares. Upon this accession of 
 strength and numbers, came a struggle for ascendency ; 
 truth or error, good and sound morals, or hateful and 
 vile practices and customs. The form which the strug- 
 gle assumed, was that of Christian doctrine in the garb 
 and under the name of Universalism. Happily for us, 
 the Church came out of the conflict as gold tried in 
 
15 
 
 the fire, harmonious and united, losing only one mem- 
 ber from her communion, and witnessing the power 
 and beauty of her doctrines and ordinances to cause a 
 change in the out^Aard morals, and to control the hab- 
 its and customs of a people, which, to the surviving 
 actors, must appear more like a dream than a reality. 
 
 What the parish was, previous to 1815, in its mor- 
 als and piety, contrasted with the scene as presented 
 to day, furnishes a sketch that a master hand might 
 well covet, and we leave it with the single remark, 
 that it had gained a remarkable notoriety for horse- 
 racing, card-playing, and similar Aices, that were 
 patronized by the lovers of iniquity far and near, and 
 were allowed in all their corrupting, debasing and 
 destroying effects upon the children and youth. The 
 scathing, withering, blasting effects of the habits and 
 customs then in vogue, are registered in the history of 
 families that sustained them, in the tastes and moral 
 sensibilities of children, if not children's children. As 
 a streak of light to relieve this gloomy picture, it may 
 be stated, that then the mechanical and manufacturing 
 establishments in town commenced their operations, by 
 means of which, the gentle stream that waters our 
 meadows has been made tributary to the enterprise of 
 the parish, and has yielded a rich revenue to the wealth 
 and resources of the town. While they have proved 
 that immorality is no more necessarily connected with 
 the loom and spindles than with the plough and spade, 
 so, also, have they furnished the means of support to 
 an increased population within our limits, and have 
 added a relative value to the other sections of the 
 parish. In this enterprise, the names of Ebenezer 
 Tyler and Elijah Ingraham, w^ill stand foremost; after- 
 wards associated with the manufactures and prosperity 
 of Pawtucket, and the political interests of the Com- 
 monwealth in its Senate cliamber. 
 
 The revival of 1815 enabled the Church to give five 
 of her youthful sons to the work of the gospel minis- 
 
16 
 
 try, four of whom are now living, while the fifth fell 
 into an early and premature grave, as the youthful, but 
 beloved and esteemed pastor of the Congregational 
 Church in Palmer, of his native State, (Rev. Henry H. 
 F. Sweet, son of Henry Sweet.) 
 
 Soon after this, the pastor was led to ask for a dis- 
 mission from his charge, and with great reluctance on 
 the part of the Church and parish, his request was 
 granted, and he was dismissed by an Ecclesiastical 
 Council, in 1821. After his dismission, he Avas called 
 to supply vacant pulpits in the vicinity, but chose to 
 make his home with this people, where he had wit- 
 nessed such precious results to his labors, and to make 
 his grave in the midst of those to whom he had min- 
 istered the word and ordinances of God. His grave is 
 with us, with an expressive motto upon its neat and 
 chaste monument, — " Look to God," whereby though 
 dead, he yet speaketh. Rev. Mr. Holman was mar- 
 ried early in his ministry to a daughter of Mr. Samuel 
 Morey, of Norton, who was his companion more than 
 forty years, and soon followed him to the grave. He 
 was a graduate of Brown University, in the class of 
 1794, and in addition to printed discourses, has be- 
 queathed the place of his studies and prayers, of pas- 
 toral anxiety, conference and care, to those who can 
 cherish its tender associations, and delight in ascrip- 
 tions of honor to his name, as their glory. 
 
 The next pastor Avas the Rev. John Ferguson, who 
 was ordained in 1822. The period of his ministry was 
 blessed with repeated additions to the Church, both as 
 to membership and piety, and marked the commence- 
 ment of that system, now in successful operation, of 
 support to the various benevolent enterprises of the 
 day, and of aid to the labors of parents and pastors, by 
 a judicious and careful education of chiklren in Sab- 
 bath schools, and maternal associations. Although 
 the ministry of Mr. Ferguson was limited to the short 
 term of thirteen years, yet it secured the strength and 
 
IT 
 
 ability of his riper years, and was of great Aaliie in the 
 administration of wise and judicious measures, and dis- 
 cipline. (The presence of Mr. Ferguson, at the time 
 this discourse was delivered, rendered it unnecessary 
 that other remarks should be added. Since his dis- 
 mission, he has labored in the ministry, in the towns 
 of AMiately and Lanesboro', and is now successfully 
 employed by the American Tract Society, for the State 
 of New Hampshire, and in his life of Dr. Hopkins, 
 has given a pleasing specimen of his taste and power 
 as a writer.) 
 
 At this favorable period, was the present pastor or- 
 dained (Oct. 20tli, 18-36,) and during the time of his 
 ministry, the Church has enjoyed peace and external 
 prosperity. To give a brief view of the Church in her 
 present state and condition, it may not be improper to 
 mention some statistical facts which have come within 
 the rana'G of his observations and labors. As to the 
 membership of the Church during that period, the 
 number of additions, by certificate, is nearly balanced 
 by the number of dismissions with letter, and for an 
 increase of members and for a supply of vacancies pro- 
 duced by death, we have been obliged to depend u]3on 
 additions by profession, which have averaged nearly 
 nine per annum, while the number of vacancies by 
 death has not been more than four per annum, thus 
 showing not only an actual increase of members, 
 through the unmerited goodness of God, but an in- 
 debtedness to a kind providence for a preservation 
 from any special diseases, to thin our ranks. To 
 this providence must w^e ascribe the interesting fact, 
 that during the period of twelve years, only seven 
 male members have died, the average of ^vllose ages 
 was sixty-nine years, and with the exception of one, 
 who died young, seventy-six years ; and also, that there 
 are now m the" Church more than forty members, the 
 average of whose ages is more than three score and 
 ten, sixteen of whom average at least eighty years, and 
 3 
 
18 
 
 nine in their eightieth year or upwards, eighty-four years. 
 Although from this class much active labor cannot be 
 expected, yet in a variety of methods their preserva- 
 tion may he accounted as a blessing, not the least of 
 which, we hope will be seen in the hopefuL piety and 
 extensive usefulness of many, who, like Timothy, may 
 profess the unfeigned faith that dwelt in their grand- 
 mothers, and having known the scriptures from child- 
 hood, become able teachers of the same. While their 
 presence among us is esteemed to be a great blessing, 
 it claims also sympathy and kindness, for they have 
 passed the limit fixed to human life, and are fast pass- 
 ing away. It is to the speaker a fact of peculiar so- 
 lemnity, that while the number of funerals at which 
 he has been called to officiate cannot vary much from 
 two hundred and fifty, only one of the whole number 
 arrived to the age of a century, and that funeral was 
 upon a day, when a severe storm of snow with the 
 cold winds not only rendered the greatest persever- 
 ance necessary on our part for an attendance, but 
 seemed to have conspired with the frosts to deny to 
 friends an affectionate token of respect to the aged, who 
 had outlived their generation and almost themselves. 
 With an increase of membership, has there been an 
 increase of regular attendants upon the public services 
 of the Sabbath. The Sabbath School, justly styled the 
 nursery of the Church, has been highly prospered, re- 
 porting last spring, more than three hundred members, 
 under the superintendance of Mr. Jesse Carpenter. As 
 a favorable sign, it may also be mentioned, that of 
 more than one hundred marriages, solemnized by the 
 present pastor, not more than two or three were graced 
 with wine or any intoxicating drink, and that early in 
 the history of total abstinence societies, there were at 
 least five hundred pledged members in the parish. 
 This we regard as a good omen to the Church, for 
 temperance is no less a harbinger or pioneer, than a 
 component part of good morals and Christian piety. 
 
11) 
 
 The charity of the Church has not failed, but the 
 streams of her C'hristian beneficence have flo\\ ed annu- 
 ally and regularly for the benefit of a dying- race, and 
 if they have not been as large as those of more wealthy 
 Churches, or the gospel demands, yet we believe they 
 have aided to swell that tide of benevolence which 
 seeks to benefit, bless and save a world in ruins. 
 
 More than thirty years has the Cent Society, formed 
 among the ladies, pursued the even tenor of its way, 
 with a silent and noiseless step, furnishing last year 
 more than .^40, as a proof of valued and faithful mem- 
 bers, which, with the products of their sewing circle 
 and annual contributions from the congregation, has 
 gone to aid in the cultivation of the rich and promis- 
 ing field of Home Missions, embracing the destitute 
 districts of Massachusetts, with other sections of our 
 country. 
 
 The Monthly Concert has furnished with its prayers 
 a regular contribution that has gone, with a regular 
 collection in the congregation, to aid the man of God 
 who is called to stand upon foreign shores, and as 
 God's ambassador, to teach idolatrous nations the way 
 of life and salvation. 
 
 The flight of the angel, seen by the beloved disciple 
 in apocalyptic vision, having the everlasting gospel to 
 preach to the nations, has been watched in his pro- 
 gress and triumphs, and although Babylon has not yet 
 fallen, yet with our sympathies and prayers have gone 
 our contributions and efibrts, to keep the Bible as the 
 Christian's talisman in all our houses, and to give it 
 unsealed and untrammeled to all nations, and, as 
 auxiliaries, to furnish the little tracts, those " swift 
 winged messengers of the mind," and the leaves of the 
 tree that yielded her fruit monthly to every family, and 
 to assist the hardy Colporteur, who needs a supply for 
 his temporal wants, (being composed of flesh and 
 blood like ourselves,) as he knocks at the doors and 
 hearts of men, in the name of his God and Saviour, for 
 
20 
 
 a reception and acknowledgement of its hopes and 
 promise.s. 
 
 The student, with his purse-stricken and care- 
 worn labors, in his struggles, amid privations and 
 want, to qualify himself for the Christian ministry, and 
 the mariner upon the briny deep, have not been for- 
 gotten ; and for years have the young ladies of this 
 congregation, with their needles, worked for the noble 
 hearted tarpaulin, and I doubt not, many a noble tar 
 would have felt his burden removed and his heart 
 exhilerated, if he could have seen the pleasantness of 
 their monthly meetings, and witnessed their sympathy 
 in his trials and misfortunes. 
 
 Perhaps enough has been said to show the general 
 interest which has existed for institutions of Christian 
 benevolence, without any particular reference to the 
 cause of peace or anti-slavery, or Sabbath schools, 
 with the erection of houses of religious worship, and 
 the claims of our Western colleges, for all of which, we 
 doubt not, more regular and substantial aid would have 
 been rendered, if it could be said of all, as our Saviour 
 said of the woman who anointed his head with oint- 
 ment of spikenard, " She hath clone w^hat she could," 
 
 With this brief sketch of the origin and history of 
 this church, it cannot be deemed impertinent that we 
 should speak of its beneficial influence. As to the 
 happy influence of the church, it may be mentioned, to 
 her credit, that she has lived for a century, and, like 
 those planted in the house of the Lord, flourishes in 
 the courts of our God, numbering upon her lists the 
 youthful and fair, presenting a picture of the lights 
 and shadows of human life, uniting in her communion, 
 the smiling, lovely expression of youth, in bold con- 
 trast with the wrinlded cheek and feeble step of infirm 
 old age. The term of her existence we should judge 
 to be sufficiently long, for a trial of the comparative 
 value of God's word and ordinances, v»dth the word 
 and institutions of men. 
 
21 
 
 During the year that procrdod the organization of 
 the chnrch, sonic of its original members made written 
 acknowledgments of their sin and guilt, incurred by 
 
 their presence at the house of , (names having 
 
 passed away entirely from the knowledge of the 
 people, need not be mentioned,) where there was a 
 number of " vain persons, in the exercise of xam 
 sports," to teach us, that there have been from the 
 beginning those who lo"\ed vanity, and could choose 
 folly. If occasions have existed for similar confessions 
 from members of the church, its records do not show ; 
 but evidence is not deficient to prove, that vain per- 
 sons have been raised up in sad succession ; yet who 
 is prepared to defend their principles, or their manner 
 of life, as contrasted wdth the professors of our holy 
 religion, and what sober, candid person, feels con- 
 strained to pronounce an eulogium upon their memory, 
 or seriously thinks that it is due from society to make 
 some public acknowledgment for services rendered by 
 those who provided for their entertainment, even 
 though at an expense of nightly toil and labor '? 
 
 To the retributions of a just and merciful God would 
 we leave those who have turned ii\\a\ from the paths 
 of wisdom and piety, and account it as evidence in 
 favor of the church, that she has been preserved, with 
 a prospect of increasing strength and usefulness, espe- 
 cially when we learn the nature of the evils from 
 without to which she has been exposed, and from 
 Avhich, has suffered ; and the silent, but no less per- 
 nicious and deceptive opposition of the natural heart. 
 That the church has continued for a century requu'ing 
 assent to her doctrines and written relations, that 
 contain marked evidences of a change of heart, by the 
 Holy Ghost, is proof that there has been a vital power 
 lodged with her, to enliven the zeal and increase the 
 strength of her members. While this result is suffi- 
 cient to compensate for the labor and expense neces- 
 sary to support her ordinances and institutions, yet has 
 
22 
 
 there gone forth a spreading, revivmg, and purifying 
 power, the effect of which can be read in the history 
 of other towns, and can be seen to its full extent, only 
 by an Omniscient eye. 
 
 For evidence of some direct good, w'e would refer to 
 the fact, that of the direct descendants from those who 
 formed the church by a solemn covenant, at least 
 thirteen are known among the churches as living minis- 
 ters of the gospel, and three others are in a course of 
 preparation for the same work. AYliile the scene thus 
 presented interests our hearts, additional pleasure is 
 derived from the assurance that they hold to Jesus 
 Christ as the living head, and preach him as the power 
 and wisdom of God unto salvation. 
 
 From the living ministry, we can turn to the history 
 of other churches for evidence, that this church has not 
 lived in vain. Not to speak of all who have removed 
 to other towns, from many of whom gratifying accounts 
 have returned of their active service for Christ and his 
 church, it is our privilege to quote from printed docu- 
 ments of churches that are ready to show their respect 
 and attachment by delegations on this occasion : a 
 respect which we would recij^rocate with emotions of 
 gratitude and joy. 
 
 Says the Rev. Mr. Miller, the highly valued and 
 esteemed pastor of the Congregational Church, at 
 Harford, Pa., in a printed sermon, — "A church was 
 organized, June 13, 1800, by Rev. Jedediah Chapman, 
 a missionary, from N.J. It consisted of seven mem- 
 bers, viz., Obadiah Carpenter, and his wife Ama, John 
 Tyler, and his wife Mary, John Thacher, Mercy Car- 
 penter, wife of Obadiah Carpenter, Jun., and Miss 
 Mary Thacher, all having letters from the Congrega- 
 tional Church in Attleborough, of which Rev. Peter 
 Thacher was pastor ; and ' soon afterwards ' the church 
 declared themselves to be of the Congregational order, 
 and voted that the Confession of Faith of the Second 
 Church of Christ in Attleboro', and Covenant, together 
 
23 
 
 with the Cambridge riatfonn, be the rule of their 
 faith and discipKne." In 1806, this was exchanged for 
 one more brief. 
 
 When the original founders of that church, tlie 
 hardy pioneers, left their paternal homes, more than 
 half a century since, much solicitude and anxiety were 
 experienced for their welfare and prosperity, going 
 like Joseph, far, far away from kindred and friends ; 
 but now that anxiety and solicitude are turned into 
 joy, as the distance is reduced from a month's hard 
 travel, to that of less than two days ; and the little 
 church, planted in a new soil, has grown so luxuriantly, 
 that in place of one it has become four bands, while 
 colonies from it have gone as far as Illinois, to enlarge 
 the borders of our Zion, having received to its com- 
 munion probably not less than five hundred members. 
 Looking at this church, brought so near to us with its 
 three branches, sustaining the regular ministrations 
 of God's word and ordinances, having been served by 
 ten deacons and two pastors, we can but bid her God 
 speed, and pray that " the little one may become a 
 thousand, and the small one a strong nation." 
 
 One of the causes for such rapid growth and pros- 
 perity is to be found, doubtless, in the recorded state- 
 ment, that " since the organization of the church, 
 public worship has been held, on every Sabbath, except 
 perhaps four, when storms of remarkable severity, or 
 other extraordinary reason prevented." 
 
 To this certified attestation of the virtue that has 
 gone forth from this church, may be added the follow- 
 ing extract from a preface to the Articles of Faith and 
 Covenant of the Congregational Church, Paw^tucket : — 
 
 " The Pawtucket Congregational Church was origin- 
 ally composed of but nine members, one male and eight 
 females. All these were members of the church, in 
 Attleboro', under the pastoral care of Rev. Mr. Fergu- 
 son. In April, 1829, they were dismissed from that 
 church, with Christian aifection and commendation, 
 
 tore 
 
24 
 
 for the purpose of being organized into a distinct 
 branch of the Christian Church, to be located in the 
 village of Pawtucket. That purpose was effectuated by 
 a regularly convened ecclesiastical council, on the 17th 
 of the above month." 
 
 Although it may be deemed superfluous, yet would 
 we attest our deep sincere " respect for the wisdom and 
 judgment of those who planned and executed the 
 erection of their commodious and commanding house 
 of worship, which has stood for twenty years, with its 
 noble front and open doors, facing the land of Roger 
 Williams, to welcome the return of any who may have 
 felt as though they were exiles from the religious cus- 
 toms and usages of their fathers ; and also for that 
 enlightened piety and faith, which prayed for, and 
 sought, the formation of a Congregational Church, for 
 if but one male member* was ready to enter its fold, 
 yet, in anticipation of the decision of succeeding gene- 
 rations, the measure has received the verdict of an 
 enlightened public, and a seal of approbation from 
 those whose presence, countenance, and aid were neces- 
 sary to its success, having received to its communion 
 more than four hundred members. Located almost side 
 by side, our prayer is, that this church and theirs may 
 always cultivate the same fraternal harmony and union 
 which now blends them so beautifully together, and 
 that the only provocation between them shall be to 
 love and good works. 
 
 Already has that church sent forth a noble colony, 
 which has planted a church of the same order, in the 
 adjoining village, near to the supposed place where 
 resided, and was buried, Blackstone, the first inhabit- 
 ant, within the original bounds of Attleboro', and who, 
 though a regular clergyman of the Established Church 
 of England, proved himself a regular Independent, 
 ranked by Mather, " among the godly Episcopalians, 
 
 * Deacon Remember Carpenter, a name that will long be remembered, as en- 
 deared to the friends of truth and piety. 
 
25 
 
 but of a particular humor, and would never join any 
 of our churches, giving this reason for it, — I came 
 from England, because I did not like the lord bishops ; 
 but I can't join with you, because I would not be 
 under the lord brethren."* For this branch from the 
 church at Pawtucket, we can entertain no other than 
 the most cordial sympathy and lively interest, hoping 
 and believing that no one will be suffered to take from 
 them their crown, and that their faith will look to the 
 power of God, rather than to the wisdom of man. 
 
 These are some of the sources from which our evi- 
 dence is derived, that God has granted some success 
 to the faith and piety of the members of this church. 
 Other considerations might be presented, proving the 
 influence of the church, in the general utility of her 
 forms of faith for the great purposes of education, 
 morality, and piety, and the happy, pleasant effects of 
 her forms of ecclesiastical polity, for the promotion 
 of peaceful order and republican simplicity in civil 
 society. For illustration of this general utility, we 
 would refer to the first plantation at Rehoboth, which 
 lived a 3'ear, without any jurisdiction, either from 
 Massachusetts or Plymouth colonies, and also to that 
 colony which went from this parish and settled in the 
 forests of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Of the origmal settlement at Harford, says Rev. 
 Mr. Miller, " The early settlers were characterized by 
 industry, frugality, morality, and mutual kind feeling. 
 Ilardly distinguished in interest, or employment, or 
 temporal circumstances, they found at each other's 
 rude cabins a homely but cordial entertainment. Re- 
 mote from public roads, and, I had almost said, from 
 the rest of the world, they knew little of political 
 agitations, or of any general occasion of excitement. 
 
 * Of Blackstone, Dr. Snow, in his History of Boston, makes the following 
 statement : — Though he was far from agreeing with Roger Williams, he used fre- 
 quently to go to Providence to preach the gospel, and to encourage his younger 
 hearers ; while he gratified his own benevolent disposition, he would give them of 
 his apples, which were the first they ever saw. 
 
 4 
 
26 
 
 The State, on whose soil they dwelt, appeared not to 
 claim them as part of its members, or to extend over them 
 the folds of its civil government. For nearly ten years 
 they were left without taxes or military duties, without 
 rulers or civil authority. A sense of justice, the dic- 
 tates of kindness, the power of moral training, and of 
 public opinion, were their officers and executors." 
 
 That our views may not be deemed visionary, or 
 suspected of partisan character, let foreign travellers 
 speak, whose names are a sufficient endorsement for 
 the honesty, if not the justice, of these opinions. Says 
 Von Raumer, " No where in the world does there 
 exist such a universal, finished, and, withal, quiet 
 democracy as in New England." Says De Tocqueville, 
 " We find, in the laws of New England, the germ and 
 gradual development of that township Independence, 
 which is the life and mainspring of American liberty 
 at the present day. And it is not the administration, 
 but the political efi"ects of the local system, that I 
 admire most in America." 
 
 Where is the type, the model of this " township 
 Independence," but in our churches, and what causes 
 are more powerful to secure the " political efi'ects of 
 our local system," than these 1 That we may be relieved 
 from the charge of sectarianism, that bugbear and 
 phantom used to frighten the friends of truth, I 
 would quote an extract from Hon. Mr. Bancroft, in 
 his History of the United States (vol. 2, p. 413.) " To 
 advance intellectual freedom, Calvinism denied, abso- 
 lutely denied the sacrament of ordination, thus break- 
 ing up the great monopoly of priestcraft, and scatter- 
 ing the ranks of superstition. 
 
 " To secure a life in the public mind, in Geneva, in 
 Scotland, wherever it gained dommion, it invoked 
 intelligence for the people, and in every parish planted 
 the common school. In an age of commerce, to stamp 
 its influence on the new world, it went on board the 
 fleet of Winthrop, and was wafted to the bay of Mas- 
 
27 
 
 sachusetts. Is it denied, that events follow principles, 
 that mind rules the world I The institutions of Mas- 
 sachusetts were the exact counterpart of its religious 
 system." 
 
 If in any section of New England such declarations 
 can find a ready, hearty response, it must be on soil 
 that was sheltered and defended by the Old Plymouth 
 Colony ; for, while that colony never subjected itself to 
 the reproach of religious intolerance and persecution, 
 neither has it been obliged to appeal to the thundering- 
 cannon for the protection of " law and order," so that 
 while the original limits of old Rehoboth could furnish 
 a retreat for lloger Williams, in his banishment from 
 Massachusetts Bay, it has also yielded a safe asylum 
 for the late fugitives from the laws of Rhode Island.* 
 
 Upon our civil society, in its laws and cardinal fea- 
 tures may be seen the legitimate effect of our modes 
 of faith and ecclesiastical i:)olity, both of which are 
 necessary for a symmetrical proportion and hannony 
 m the heart and life ; and how can we do otherwise 
 than turn to them, with a stronger, deeper attachment, 
 especially when w^e find that drivelling, grovelling, 
 selfish beings can seek to hide themselves within the 
 folds of Christian rites and ceremonies, and the political 
 convulsions of earth reveal a want which these are 
 designed to supply] As if to defend and establish our 
 position at every point, we learn the interesting fact, 
 that the same man who negotiated for the original 
 purchase of Attleborough, as a plantation of Rehoboth, 
 was employed to negotiate between England and Hol- 
 land, for the New Netherlands ; and so great was his 
 practical wisdom, that the City of New York saw fit 
 to elect Thomas Willett as its first mayor ; while his 
 grave, he chose should be in Rehoboth. One of the 
 first acts of the colony of New Netherlands, after its 
 
 * During the recent excitement upon the question of free suffrage in R. I., 
 Providence was placed under martial law, and the roar of the cannon was heard 
 in this town daily for weeks, and in our different towns along the line were men 
 of the Free Suffrage party, who had fled as for their lives. 
 
28 
 
 transfer to England, although its first settlers were 
 Dutch and Calvinists, (without our form of ecclesiasti- 
 cal polity,) was to frame and establish certain churches 
 and ministers, and, that " the act might not be con- 
 strued too narrowly, it was declared that the vestry- 
 men and church-wardens of the church established in 
 New York, might call a Protestant Dissentmg minis- 
 ter," a privilege which our Congregational Churches 
 never asked of England or her agents, supposing it 
 was not theirs to bestow. 
 
 Approving the modes of faith and ecclesiastical polity 
 of our fathers, shall we censure their usages and regu- 
 lations "? Not in the least, as to their taste in dress, 
 or architecture, and other things that might be men- 
 tioned, when we remember that they were ready to 
 leave merry old England only when its merriment 
 knew no conscience or law higher than self-gratifica- 
 tion, for the privations and trials of the wilderness, 
 which were to be endured rather than chosen, — sub- 
 mitted to rather than courted. If our fathers could 
 worship God in plain dwellings, without cushioned 
 pews, or painted doors and mahogany pulpits, without 
 an excess of apparel or heat, to smother their zeal and 
 deaden their life blood, and make use of the postilion 
 and horse block, (while the strong must walk, and carry 
 the musket for protection from savage violence,) what 
 must we think of their children, if, laden with the 
 stores of a bountiful Providence, they become negli- 
 gent and slothful, in the peaceful possession of their 
 civil and religious institutions.* 
 
 While, then, with true filial affection we would 
 shield the reputation of our fathers, and, if necessary, 
 hide a father's faults, yet history has given notoriety 
 to one feature, m the early religious history of Eeho- 
 both, which we would gladly expunge, and omit on 
 
 * A want of proper ventilation for our houses of religious worship, was an evil 
 to which the fathers were not exposed, from a disuse of stoves, but which can be 
 remedied with a little care or expense, and should be, for the benefit of speakers 
 and hearers. 
 
29 
 
 this occasion, were it not that History, to be profitable, 
 must be impartial, and to be instructive, must be true. 
 
 Says Mr. Baylies, " At this period, (soon after the 
 establishment of the colonies) so much indifference as 
 to the support of the clergy was manifested in Plym- 
 outh colony, as to excite the alarm of the other con- 
 federated colonies. The complaint of Massachusetts 
 against Plymouth on this subject, was laid before the 
 commissioners, and drew from them a severe reprehen- 
 sion. Rehoboth had been afflicted with a severe 
 schism, and by its proximity to Providence and its 
 plantations, w^here there was a universal toleration, 
 the practice of free inquiry was encouraged, and prin- 
 ciple, fancy, whim and conscience, all conspired to 
 lessen the veneration for ecclesiastical authority. In 
 Sept. 1658, it was agreed that there shall be a town 
 meeting this fortnight, and in case it appear that any 
 person or persons be behind with Mr. Newman, that 
 then some effectual course may be taken, according to 
 court order, to make such to pay as have been negli- 
 gent of their duty, for the settling of Mr. Newman 
 amongst us. In 1671 it was voted, Mr. Newman's 
 salary had not been paid, that there shall be a trial, 
 made by contributions on every Sabbath." 
 
 In this parish, as late as 1780, we find, as a condi- 
 tion upon which places in their house of worship for 
 pews could be bought by those not living in the 
 parish, that the buyers and those to w^hom the pews 
 should go, should pay their legal proportion towards 
 supporting the gospel in this place, and for further 
 repairs and all necessary charges. 
 
 These are the facts, and as they pertain to ecclesias- 
 tical authority, we would speak with becoming diffi- 
 dence. The effect of the course adopted in the above 
 votes, must have been to lessen ecclesiastical authority, 
 or ministerial influence. That such was not intended, 
 we honestly believe ; for if the fathers were jealous of 
 any influence which they conceived to be prejudicial 
 
30 
 
 to the interests of the colony, it was that which tended 
 to lessen ecclesiastical authority. In their measures 
 to relieve the difficulty, as we humbly conceive, they 
 promoted the evil they would cure, and fanned the 
 flame they would extinguish. The secret of the whole 
 trouble, we apprehend, consisted not in a proximity to 
 Providence, any more than to the Atlantic, but in a 
 mistaken view of duty. With the belief that all who 
 enjoyed the benefit of Christian mstitutions, should 
 pay their just proportion for their support, they 
 adopted measures not to square the accounts and 
 relieve the ministry, but to bring the whole weight of 
 ecclesiastical authority to bear with as much pressure 
 as possible upon the sense of justice, and love of repu- 
 tation, and good fame of the delinquents, and thus 
 arraying covetousness, whim, and a perverted con- 
 science, against the ministry. That our fathers were 
 willing to aid in the support of the ministry cannot 
 be doubted, for they could take the spoiling of their 
 goods and estates joyfully when conscience demanded, 
 but to pay a single penny or mill which had been 
 assessed as a lawful tax upon others, was to sacrifice 
 conscience and wound justice. The funds of the 
 parishes within the original limits of Rehoboth, are 
 sufficient to hold the fathers harmless, while the his- 
 tory of those funds would form a chapter we must 
 leave to others. This is only one of the deliriums of 
 that nice faculty, which sometimes leads men not 
 merely to do justly, if the heavens fall, but as another 
 has said, that the heavens may fall. 
 
 So disastrous was the efiect of this policy upon 
 Rehoboth, that if its churches had not been founded 
 upon something more valuable than political expe- 
 diency, or selfish gratification, they would have been 
 numbered with the things that were, but are not ; and 
 the ministry would have sought refuge in itineracy, as 
 the best, if not only mode of usefulness and success. 
 So far as mere personal opinion may avail, a jealousy 
 
31 
 
 for ministerial influence and respect, and true eccle- 
 siastical authority, would induce us to say that those 
 churches and parishes would have done well if they 
 had never allowed ministerial influence or ecclesiastical 
 authority to come in collision with the covetousness, 
 or whims, or consciences of men, upon the subject of 
 pecuniary support ; for while they were obliged to 
 contend, at an expense of great loss, without any 
 prospect of gain, so on the other hand, if necessity 
 required they had taken the spoiling of their goods, 
 they would have saved the tenderest, most sacred feel- 
 ings of a mmister's heart, and in the most effectual 
 manner have advanced the interests of the kingdom of 
 our Redeemer, who said for our encouragement, — 
 " Whosoever receiveth a prophet in the name of a 
 prophet, shall receive a prophet's reward." Let the 
 brethren who could shoulder the musket to protect 
 the people from savage violence, take also the sw^ord 
 of the spirit, and with it battle valiantly for truth and 
 righteousness, rather than, for the name and credit of 
 a learned and talented ministry, be obliged to turn 
 that ministry into the market, as a system of broker- 
 age, by which a few pence can be saved, and compel 
 it to go in vain from street to street for the domestic 
 comforts and articles of ordinary life. 
 
 In justice to Rehoboth upon this subject, I would 
 quote the authority of the Magnalia. Says Mather of 
 Mr. Newman, " How many straits he underwent at 
 Rehoboth, in the dark day when he was almost the 
 only minister whose mvincihle jJf^tience held out under 
 the scandalous neglect and contempt of the ministry, 
 which the whole colony of Plymouth was for a while 
 bewitched with, it is best known unto the compassion- 
 able Lord, who said unto him, I knoir thy works, and 
 how thou hast home and hast patience, and for my 
 name's sake, hast labored, and hast not fainted^ 
 
 From this necessarily brief sketch of the origin, 
 history, and influence of the Church of Christ in this 
 
32 
 
 parish, what more natural conclusions can we derive, 
 than that godliness is profitable for the life that now 
 is, and that God will succeed, and bless the labors of 
 his covenanted people. When the statistics of our 
 church tell us, that the three ex-pastors who have 
 deceased, averaged the period of three score and ten ; 
 and also that of the fourteen deacons who have been 
 called to serve this, with other churches, the same can 
 be said, what other inference can we adopt than that 
 in the habits of sobriety, frugality, truth, and benevo- 
 lence, which godliness is designed to secure, it tends 
 to preserve and save natural life, as truly as that it is 
 designed to confer upon man the life that is spiritual 
 and eternal. 
 
 No less clear and manifest is the inference that God 
 will succeed and bless the labors of his covenanted 
 people. If, of the baptized children of this church, num- 
 bering more than one thousand, the history of those who 
 lived to adult years could be traced, what pleasing 
 evidence would be furnished of the fulfilment of God's 
 precious promises ! About ten years since, there was 
 an aged disciple* permitted to commune with us, around 
 this table, over whose head seventy-one winters had 
 passed since he was received into the church upon pro- 
 fession of his faith, by Rev. Mr. Thacher, and was joined 
 by the representatives of three successive generations 
 from himself; thus combining in themselves four suc- 
 cessive generations ; giving convincing evidence that 
 the word of promise was sure. But why should we 
 detain you with a recital of such facts and incidents, 
 when the history of our churches is fraught with simi- 
 lar scenes and events, to confirm our faith and elevate 
 our hope 1 
 
 Leaving, then, the churches and parishes lineally 
 connected with this, six of whom are its branches, 
 and with it completing the number of churches the 
 beloved disciple saw in vision, as seven golden candle- 
 
 * Deacon Ezekiel Kent. 
 
33 
 
 sticks, havingf one in their midst, like unto the son of 
 man, to the Christian advice and pastoral watch and 
 care of those who are called to be their pastors and 
 teachers, I would conclude, with a brief exhortation 
 to the members of this Church. 
 
 If to those who covenanted in this place a century 
 since to be the Lord's, w^ere committed solemn trusts, 
 and great responsibilities, — no less solemn trusts are 
 now committed to you, to preserve the Institutions 
 of our holy religion for succeeding generations, and, 
 in the spirit of a Puritan ancestry, to pledge to Christ, 
 and the interests of his Kingdom, your fortunes, your 
 sacred honors, and your lives. The political clouds 
 that hung o^er your fathers have passed away, the 
 sky over our heads is clear, and never was a people 
 called to enjoy a better heritage, or labor with a more 
 sure prospect of success, than those of old Plymouth 
 Colony. AVliile, then, you may rejoice that you have 
 been counted worthy of such an heritage, and are per- 
 mitted to stand in your lot, let not a false modesty 
 lead you to bury your talents, but ever remember that 
 you have enlisted in the service of one, Avho is might- 
 ier than the sons of earth, whose sword is upon his 
 thigh, and whose progress is only from conquest to 
 conquest, and from victory to victory. If ever such 
 counsel was needed, certainly it must be at the period 
 in which we live, when men not only transmit their 
 thoughts by lightning, but when the sanctuary of the 
 dead, with all its sacred and tender associations, must 
 give place for the iron horse, whose rumbling wheels 
 and terrific screech remind us of the march of mind, 
 and teach us, " Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, 
 do it with thy might."* 
 
 Enjoying the free air and light of Christian truth, 
 with free institutions, why should any shrink from 
 
 * The Boston and Providence Railroad passes within a few rods of the meet- 
 ing-house, and through the graveyard adjoining, so that a large proportion, if 
 not a majority of its graves were removed for its accommodation. 
 
 5 
 
34 
 
 those responsibilities which piety may consistently 
 ask, or neglect any duty, social or relative, that justice 
 and benevolence may require. Christian modesty is 
 no less removed from that rude and boisterous spirit 
 that knows no refinement, and cannot brook the least 
 restraint or reform, than from that rapid, puny, spind- 
 ling growth, which is the product of a regular stere- 
 otyped system of means and measures, and consists in 
 a willingness to learn, judge and decide, as to all truth 
 and duty, and a frank, fearless discharge of all the 
 services and labors they may require at our hands. 
 
 To the members of this Church, the occasion speaks 
 in accents not to be mistaken, — act worthy of an hon- 
 ored ancestry : — of your own sentiments, and Christian 
 belief, and, within the circle of your sympathies, char- 
 ities and prayers, embrace a world in ruins, a world 
 for which a Saviour bled and died, a world to be saved 
 or lost. 
 
 If any one should feel disposed to point to our 
 fields, comparatively sterile, and our retirement from 
 the marts of business and the busy crowd, as a reason 
 for Christian imbecility and inaction, let him know, 
 that rightly viewed, and correctly understood, these 
 may be among our best instructors, to teach the 
 necessity of wisdom and perseverance, the chief 
 elements of excellence and success in any department 
 or pursuit in life. To aw^aken the noblest emulation, 
 and to inspire the brightest hopes, we would appeal 
 to names familiar to your ears, names that belong to 
 the town that gave them birth, and the country they 
 served, in common with the families that honor them- 
 selves, by respect paid to the memory of the absent 
 departed ones. Leaving it to others to recall names 
 that have reflected credit upon the town of their 
 nativity, by services in mercantile, or professional life, 
 suffice it for our present purpose, that we may refer to 
 a Daggett, who was a Professor of Divinity, in Yale 
 College, for twenty-five years, and for eleven years, pre- 
 
35 
 
 sided over its affairs : — to a Maxcy, " who was the 
 President of three Colleges, and was one of the most 
 accomplished scholars, and pulpit orators, this country 
 has produced " — to one, whose absence we deeply re- 
 gret to day, aside from his distinguished personal worth, 
 because of his cherished associations and sympathies 
 with this Church, more than thirty years; and his name 
 stands associated with those, whom not a few in New 
 England love to cherish and honor.* 
 
 What is in the future, is known only to Him who 
 seeth the end from the beginning ; but of this we are 
 assured, that while those who may arise to take our 
 j)laces, ma)' re\dew and decide upon our measures and 
 labors, with the same freedom that has characterized 
 the present eifort ; so with them must we all join that 
 congregation which never grows less, and stand before 
 that great white throne, from the sight of which 
 heaven and earth fled away. 
 
 Let it be the part, both of pastor and people, to 
 prepare on earth for a participation in that song which 
 John heard, the song of Moses the servant of God, 
 and the song of the Lamb, sung by those who stood 
 on a sea of glass, having golden harps, saying. Great 
 and marvellous are thy ivorks, Lord God Almiijhty ; 
 just and true are tJiy ivays, thou Kimf of Sai?its. Who 
 shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name ? for 
 thou only art holy, for all nations shall come and wor- 
 ship before thee, for thy judgments are made manifest 
 
 *Rev. Jacob Ide, D.D., of West Medway, the successor of Rev. David Sand- 
 ford, son-in-law and biographer of Rev. Nathanael Emmons, D.D., of Franklin. 
 
NOTE A. 
 
 The subjoined letters are presented in their original forms, with the 
 signatures annexed, and with them the following persons united at the 
 organization of the Church : — 
 
 Peter Thacher, from the Church in Middleboro', who thus became a 
 member of the Church previous to liis ordination as pastor ; (an example 
 as to membership that has been followed by all his successors in office). 
 
 Jesiel Perry, Jr., Wm. Hutchins, David Hutchins, Eehoboth. 
 
 Wm. Dryer. 
 
 REQUEST. 
 
 To the Church of Christ in Attleborough, Grace, 
 Mercy, and Peace, be multiplied from God the 
 Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 
 Dearly Beloved : — Having a prospect (through the mercy of God) that 
 the Gospel IVIinistry and Ordinances may be settled among us more con- 
 veniently than to attend with you, and for the more regular cairying on 
 of the Affairs of Christ's liingdom among us, it is our desire and design (by 
 the help of God, and with your consent,) to Embody into a Church State, 
 and come into a mutual Solemn Covenant and Oath, to serve the Lord God 
 of our fathers, and by his grace and help, to walk with and before God, 
 in all the Commands and Ordinances of the Lord, blameless. 
 
 Our request of you is, that you would allow us this Liberty, which we 
 are the rather encouraged to ask of and hope from you, inasmuch as your 
 affairs (through the Goodness of God) do not now necessarily call for our 
 presence with you, and inasmuch as we think we have had your Counte- 
 nance, or at least Indulgence, in our Proceedings hitherto. Brethren belov- 
 ed, we most sincerely say we should gladly have continued with you, in the 
 same Worship, under the same Roof Yea, and we trust we are not separated 
 from you, as to worship, though our Convenience calls us to attend Publick 
 Ordinances in a distinct place ; we humbly hope we shall always remem- 
 ber with thankfidness to God and You, the sweet Counsells we have taken, 
 while we have been walking together to the House of God, and the precious 
 Entertainments we have there so often had ; and we hope still to have the 
 benefit of your Prayers to God for us, for his gracious assistance in all our 
 undertakings, and in Special, those we are now desirous of engaging in, that 
 we may not be unfaithfull in God's Covenant, but glorifie him here, and 
 witli you, together with the whole Church Catholick, enjoy him Eternally 
 hereafter. 
 
 We hope, also, for your Pious and Friendly Endeavours of helpfullness, 
 
37 
 
 as the I'roviilencc of God and our jMiturc Circumstances may require aid 
 — and our prayer to God tor you is, that yon may be saved. 
 
 We rest, Dear Brethren, Yours in the tendercst bonds of Duty and 
 Afleetion. , 
 
 Oct., 1 748. 
 
 Joseph Capkon and Wife, 
 
 JoxATHAN WiLMAUTir and Wife. 
 
 Thomas Fkencif and Wife, 
 
 Stephen Wilmautii, 
 
 Mary French, 
 
 IcMiAisoi) Perry, 
 
 John Wilkinson, 
 
 Abraham Comming and Wife, 
 
 Aaron Cutting, 
 
 Nathan Wilmarth and Wife, 
 
 John Tiffany and Wife, 
 
 Henry Joslin, Jr., 
 
 Edward Foster and Wife, 
 
 Elizap.eth Lane, 
 
 Abigail Powell, 
 
 Obadiah Carpenter and Wife, 
 
 Joseph BxVrrus and Wife, 
 
 Daniel Perry and Wife, 
 
 Henry Joslin, 
 
 Jonas Richardson, 
 
 Bethiah Carpenter, 
 
 Thomas Wilmarth, 
 
 IloRERT Martin and Wife, 
 
 Reisecca Brown, 
 
 William Bolcom and Wife, 
 
 David Perry and Wife, 
 
 Sarah Jackson, 
 
 John Tyler and Wife, 
 
 Joseph Bishop, 
 
 Daniel W^ilmarth, 
 
 Hannah (the wife of Sam.) Jackson, 
 
 Thomas Sweet and Wife, 
 
 LiDDiA (the wife of Wm.) Lane, 
 
 John Sweet and Wife. 
 
 ANSWER. 
 
 Attleborough, Nov. 26, 1748. 
 To the Brethren and Sisters of the Church of Christ, 
 in Attleborough, East Precinct, who have applied 
 to the Church for Dismission, in order to Embody 
 in a Church State by themselves. 
 
 Dearly beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ : — Your Request has been 
 laid before us by our Pastor, and we do hereby Signifie our hearty Com- 
 pliance with it, adoring the Goodness of God towards you, in disposing 
 and enclining your hearts to Settle and Support the Gospel and ordi- 
 
38 
 
 nances of Jesus Christ among you, and in leading you to, and uniting you 
 in, the Choice of a Pastor, which we apprehend to be one after God's own 
 heart, and encHning Him to undertake the Pastoral Charge of you, and 
 are ready to Concur with and assist you in His Solemn Separation to the 
 Sacred work of the Gospel ministry. 
 
 We earnestly Desire the blessing of God to be upon you and your 
 Elect Pastor, and that He would Succeed His preached Gospel and ordi- 
 nances abundantly among }0u. We desii'e your prayers for us, and all 
 that assistance we may at any time stand in need of from you. 
 
 And now, Dearly beloved, we Commend you to God, and to the word 
 of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheri- 
 tance among all them that are Sanctified, through faith that is in Christ 
 Jesus, and Rest your brethren in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel. 
 
 Habijah Weld, Pastor : 
 In the Name and with the Consent of the Church. 
 
 NOTE B. 
 
 Extracts from a Sermon Preached in Attleborougli, 
 East Parish, Oct. 15th, 1820, by Rev. Nathan 
 Hohnan. 
 
 ^Vhen I came into this place, the Church and Society were considered 
 as being in a very low state. Twenty years had passed away without any 
 special attention to religion, and for eighteen years but nine members had 
 been added. It might therefore be expected that the Church would be 
 much reduced. This was found to be the case. There were then but 
 forty-six members ; fourteen males, five of whom lived in Rehoboth, and 
 thirty-two females. Four of the male members had not for a number of 
 years communed, or acted with the Church, and never did afterwards. 
 Among the remaining ten, none were under fifty years, and some were 
 very far advanced in life. Three died in a short time, and some others 
 within a few years. In 1800, sixteen members were added to the Church, 
 and in 1801, twenty-seven more; making, in the two years, forty-three. 
 Twelve of these were males, and thirty-one females. Deducting for 
 deaths and removals, the Church at the close of the year 1802 could 
 not consist of more than eighty members. From this time to 1814, a 
 period of twelve years, only twelve were added to the Church, three males 
 and nine females. In these twelve years a considerable number died, and 
 a greater number removed into other places, so that in 1814 there were 
 but fifty members in the Church, eleven males, and thirty-nine females. 
 This was a period of great declension, and abounding iniquity. Though 
 under the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Thacher, this people were applauded 
 for the regularity of their habits and the morality of their lives, yet for 
 the long period of about twenty years after he was taken off from his 
 labors, to the year 1800, immoral practices had sprung up and become very 
 prevalent. Gambling of almost every kind was much practised. Profane 
 swearing had become quite fashionable among a certain class of the peo- 
 ple, and the same class of people were seen so frequently at the taverns 
 and grogshops, as to obtain the appellation of tavern-haunters ; and 
 although the revival of religion in 1800 and 1801 proved a check upon 
 these practices, yet they were continued, in a greater or less degree, and 
 
:^9 
 
 opposition was I'elt and expressed by a number, Uiroujih the wLole oi' the 
 revival ; and after the revival, as religion declined, iniquity abounded 
 more and more. 
 
 In 1814, it seemed as though the plans of the wicked were systematized, 
 and brought to periection. The number oi" the C'luirch had become 
 small, and sinners were multiplied, and seemingly without check or control. 
 Professors of religion were ready to despair — to think that the mi-rcy of 
 (iod was clean gone, and that religion would soon be removed from this 
 place. More than a year had passed away, without a religious conference, 
 or meeting for prayer. The like had not occurred before since the revival 
 in 1800. Professors had become in a degree strangers to each other. 
 They had much reason to believe that all were slumbering and sleeping 
 together. But God was pleased, in great mercy, to interpose, and after 
 the work of the Lord became visible;, it was foiuul that most of the mem- 
 bers of the Church had been led to feel the deplorablencss of our case, 
 and to pray for a retbrmation for months before it was known to take 
 place. Some time in the fall of 1814, a religious conference was appointed 
 at the meeting-house, and was attended by a respectable number. It was 
 then thought best, as the next was the week of our Lecture, not to have 
 another conference under a fortnight, which it was agreed should be held 
 in a private house. This proved to be the house where the first subjects 
 of the reformation appeared. The conference then appointed was 
 attended, and one every week after, during the reformation. For several 
 weeks, however, but few males attended, and the prayers Avere all oifered 
 by the Pastor. Conference meetings were, for a number of Aveeks, met 
 with the assembling of the irreligious the same week, and sometimes the 
 same day. The day following one of them, there was a horse-race in the 
 same direction of the religious meeting, which drew together a large num- 
 ber of men. The week following, the same day of the conference, there 
 was a foot-race, which it was thought assembled at least two hundred peo- 
 ple, men and boys. This, however, was a day of encouragement to the 
 mourners in Zion. Five men, though not all members of the Church, 
 attended the meeting. It was solemn and aifectionate. Much tenderness 
 of feeling was evident, and many tears were shed. In about ten days 
 after this, a large ball which had been comtemplated, and which was to 
 have assembled most of our dear youth together, with others from the 
 neighboring towns, was to have been attended. But sei'iousness was so 
 impressed upon the minds of many, and the sudden death of Dea. Thacher 
 occurring, and his funeral being attended the same day of the ball, influ- 
 enced most of them to relinquish their object. Others attended the ball, but 
 with the promise that they would never attend another, and it is to be 
 hoped they never will, for they have been hopefully converted, and become 
 regular members of the Church. From this time all vain amusements, 
 and, as far as appeared, all gambling, was discontinued. The attention of 
 all appeared to be more or less turned to the great subject of religion. 
 The work gradually progressed, and continued for about two years. Many 
 were brought to acknowledge the hand of God, which became more and 
 more visible. No unusual means had been used, no new preachers had 
 appeared among us, and no alarming providences had occurred. Yet the 
 minds of the people were generally solemnized. The youth were dis- 
 posed to forsake their vanities, and to jjass by the place of their usual 
 resort, to attend religious meetings. Had this taken place a year before, 
 it might have been thought to be caused by the sickness and the deaths 
 with which we were then visited. We had then more cases of fever, and 
 
■10 
 
 more deaths oocasioned by levers, than we had had for thirteen years 
 before. Five died in one family. During the time of tliis sickness, which 
 was a period of about seven months, more than thirty died in this parish ; 
 eight of whom were members of this Church. Yet during this distressing 
 period, we have never had a season of greater stupidity. But at the com- 
 mencement of the revival, it was a time of health and genei^al prosperity. 
 About the first of December I opened my house for all who were disposed 
 to attend a religious conference on Sabbath evening. Not a large number 
 attended the fii-st evening, but the meeting was peculiarly joyful to some. 
 At the following meetings the number constantly increased, until two 
 laro-e rooms were filled toovcrflowing. These meetings were continued 
 regularly, in the cold season, for two years. In the warm season, we held 
 our Sabbath evening conferences in the meeting-house, and generally the 
 lower part of the house was avcII filled. These, together with the conferences 
 on Wednesday befoi-e mentioned, were aU the meetings we held, in addi- 
 tion to our usual meeting on the Sabbath. Our meetings were still and 
 solemn. Many were made joyful in the house of prayer. Those who 
 entertained a hope in the mercy of God, were free to relate their Christian 
 experience, but nothing which had the appearance of enthusiasm or mis- 
 guided zeal. Our meetings were seldom continued to the length of two 
 hours. Christians were greatly animated, and appeared to enjoy the spirit 
 of prayer. Great harmony prevailed, and we appeared to be united in 
 love. No one regarded his time or his property, if by it he could advance 
 the cause of religion. Whilst God was at work by his Spirit, almost every 
 sermon and every religious effort was blessed to some. I spent much 
 time in visiting from house to house, and was made welcome at every 
 house, and every one appeared willing to relate the feelings of his heart. 
 For the space of two years very little was said, except what related to 
 the subject of religion. In view of what was passing before us, and what 
 we felt in our own breasts, we were constrained to say, " This is the Lord's 
 doings, and marvellous in our eyes." 
 
 Our assemblies on the Lord's day, were much enlarged, especially on 
 Communion days, on which occasion members were usually admitted. 
 Storms, or bad travelling, made but very little difference. Upon the 
 first Sabbath in March, 1815, the roads were in a very bad state, and 
 under any other state of feeling than what then existed, would have been 
 thought impassable. The snow had been very deep, and for a few days 
 previous, the banks had been mellowed by a warm sun, and filled with 
 water to an unusual depth. The morning was warm and foggy ; yet the 
 people pressed through the snow and water, some on horseback, some in 
 wagons, and some on sleds drawn by large ox-teams ; some in sleighs, 
 some in chaises, and some on horse-sleds, until the meeting-house was 
 well filled. The morning of the first Sabbath in May was rainy, yet 
 every seat in the meeting-house was completely filled. On the first Sab- 
 bath in July, the weather was fair and pleasant. ]\Iany more attended 
 the meeting than could be seated in the meeting-house. During both 
 services, which were not less than two hours each, many stood upon 
 their feet, and all were attentive and serious. The relations of those 
 who hopefully experienced religion, were thought to be peculiarly scrip- 
 tural, and truly Orthodox. For two years, we had no communion with- 
 out one or more being added to the Church. Twenty-seven is the 
 largest number added at any one time. The whole number added, since 
 the commencement of the revival, is one hundred and thirty-four ; 
 thirty-nine males, and ninety-five females." Says one of the subjects of 
 
41 
 
 that revival, One felt that his self-righteousness dropped from him at 
 once, as a filthy garment, and as he stood naked before God, a Saviour, 
 mighty to save, "vvas revealed. Another clung to the works of the law, 
 and was long distressed. 
 
 A pious father travelled some thirty miles to bring home an absent 
 child, saying, " It is my duty to place my children where God is." Next 
 day she "attended a conference, and the thirtieth hymn, second book of 
 Watts, was sung. She arose and sung the first and second stanzas with 
 others. When they began the third, 
 
 " Let those refuse to sing, 
 Who never knew their God," 
 
 she dropped upon her seat, and knew no more peace, till she found it in 
 believin<T. She is now a mother in Israel. 
 
 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 In accordance with a previous vote of the Church, a meeting was held 
 Thursday, December 7th, 1848, in honor of the organization of the Sec- 
 ond Congregational Church in Attleboro', Nov. 30th, 1748, (the alteration 
 in time made for convenience) when the preceding discourse was deliv- 
 ered, and public religious services were conducted, suitable to the occa- 
 sion. According to letters missive, delegates were in attendance from 
 the following Churches : — 
 
 The Congregational Church in Seekonk. 
 
 The First Church in Attleboro'. 
 
 The Congregational Church in Harford, Pa. 
 " " " in Pawtucket, Mass. 
 
 " " " in Central Falls, R. I. 
 
 So far as the season and personal engagements would permit, the sons 
 ot the Church from abroad united with us. 
 
 From letters received by the Committee of Arrangements, the follow- 
 inof extracts may be quoted. Says Rev. A. Miller, in a letter dated Har- 
 ford, Pa., Nov. '24th, 1848,-1 have learned that Mr. S C 
 
 has originated the plan of a " Sabbath exchange" between j'our Pastor 
 and myself, soon after the New York and Erie Railroad shall be in oper- 
 ation to our vicinity, furnishing its facilities for comfortable and speedy 
 journeying. That such a thing would ever be accomplished, and in such 
 a way, was remote enough from the conceptions of our early settlers. 
 Some of them came hither from Attleboro' on the ox-sleds, and were 
 about four weeks on the way. And when a mother would visit the place 
 of her nativity, she rode thither on horseback, with her daughter mounted 
 behind her. I am highly gratified with the plan proposed. It would 
 serve to keep alive the affectionate remembrances which exist. Mr. 
 C will please to accept my acknowledgments, and, Providence per- 
 mitting, he will find me ready at almost any time, when he would deem 
 it best to move the matter. Says Rev. M. Thacher, in a letter dated, 
 Virgil, Cortland Co., N. Y., Nov. SOth, 1848 : I am acquainted with no 
 Church, from which, considering its location, and the number of its con- 
 stituent members, so many sons and daughters have emanated as from 
 the Second Church in Attleboro'. Her descendants are found in almost 
 all the Eastern, Middle, Western, and some of the Southern States, 
 active members of various Churches, which they have been either 
 
44 
 
 different forms of -worship — their intolerance of other sects, which has 
 subjected them to so much obloquy and reproach from those -who hare 
 iud<Ted inconsiderately, and without making any allowance for the circum- 
 stances in which they were placed. 
 
 These facts will not, indeed, fully justify them — but they wiU palliate 
 their errors — will, in a great measure, relieye the memory of pious and 
 patriotic men from the shades which now rest upon it. It is not for us 
 to judse them harshly. They were faithful and conscientious laborers in 
 the cause of human progress — la^-ing the foundations on which after-ages 
 were to build. They were far in adyance of the age in which they 
 liyed, in regard to ciyil freedom, and eyen to religious tolerance. It is 
 not becoming in us to cast reproach upon those who lived in the day- 
 break of a dark age,* for not seeing clearly aU that we see in the more 
 perfect day. In forming our judgment and passing sentence on their 
 conduct, we should take into view their objects and motives of action. 
 A more familiar acquaintance iVith their history — a better appreciation 
 of their merits — a more candid and charitable consideration of their 
 trials and motives of action — in fine, truth and historical justice will 
 yet rescue the memory of the pilgrims from the injustice which has been 
 done them. 
 
 This Aiew of their position, did time permit, might be enlarged and 
 illustrated ; and it might also be shown that even the historyf of their 
 reli^aous exclusiveness has been overstated and misrepresented. 
 
 Although the weather was verv' unfavorable, the attendance was good, 
 clearly indicative of the interest generally felt in its occurrence, and its 
 proceedings will be treasured up among the interesting events in the his- 
 torj- of the parish. 
 
 * " That age," says Prince, " of low and universal bigotry which then pre- 
 vailed in the English nation." 
 
 The pilgrims had then but just emerged from the darkness of that age. They 
 became the pioneers of religious freedom in the new world. 
 
 f It will be seen by the early chronicles of Plymouth Colony, particularly by 
 Edward Winslow's " Brief Xarration," that the pilgrims of that colony were 
 actuated by no bigoted spirit against other sects, and that many of the charges 
 of intolerance preferred against them were unfounded. 
 
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