mil m I'M if! 9^* 'Mi, w U} \PmHM\ •. f t HI \u][ I:. ilii 4- ,yiP^f Ly CCCfy^/U^t^<^^hri 'typtf^~ J THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON, WITH .JIDENTAL NOTICES OF OTHER PROFESSIONS. / BT / SAMUEL HOPKINS EMERY, Pastor of one of its Churches. WITH AN INTRODUCTORY NOTICE BY HON. FRANCIS BAYLIES. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOLUME IL S3^ "The glory of children are their fathers." — Prov. 17: 6. 'The Lord our God he with us, as He was with our fathers."—! KxKas 8 : 57. BOSTON: PUBLISHED BY JOHN P. JEWETT & CO. CLEVELAND, OHIO: JEWETT, PROCTOR & WORTHINQTON. LONDON : LOW «S5 CO. 1853. "■{- '-S^ Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, by JOnN P. JEWETT & COMPANY, In the Clerk's OflBlce of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts. N. H. STEAM PRINTING WORKS: TRIPP AND OSGOOD, PRINTM8, CONCORD, N. H. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE SECOND VOLUME. If it was far from the author's purpose, when his atten- tion was first turned towards the early history of Taunton, to give the world the result of his researches in the form of a book, it was least of all contemplated, that it might extend to two volumes. It was found impossible however, as the work went on, to bring the materials at hand, with- in the limits of a single volume. It was hoped that subscribers would not complain, if the conditions of the subscription were so far varied, as to al- low greater completeness to the original design. The work, such as it could be, prepared amidst manifold other cares and duties, is now submitted to an indulgent public, with the single desire that it may add a little to the amount of knowledge concerning those who have preceded us, and greatly augment our regard for their memory. Taunton, December, 1852. CONTENTS OF VOLUME H. Page. CHAPTER I. EET. CALEB BARNUM, THE SEVENTH MINISTER OP TAUNTON,. . 1-10 APPENDIX TO CHAPTER I. Note A. Barnum's Sermon in 1762, 11-22 Note B. Barnum's Sermon in 1 769, 23-27 Note C. Barnum's Sermon in 1775, 27-29 CHAPTER II. REV. ELIAS JONES, THE EIGHTH MINISTER OP TAUNTON, 30-33 APPENDIX TO CHAPTER H. NoTS A. Report of a Committee to supply the pulpit, 34 CHAPTER in. REV. EPHRAIM JUDSON, THE NINTH MINISTER Off TAUNTON,. .35-43 An Ordination Sermon by Mr. Judson, in 1789, 45-76 A Sermon on the Judgment of the Great Day, 77-113 APPENDIX TO CHAPTER HI. Note A. Appeal of the Church to the Congregation, 114-115 Note B. Council called on dismission of Mr. Judson, 115-118 Ancient Articles of Faith, of the Church in Taunton, 118-120 CHAPTER IV. The Meeting of Friends in Taunton, 121 The Sandemanian Meeting, 121-122 The Protestant Episcopal Church, 122-126 The Congregational Church. "West Taunton, 126-129 The Congregational Church. Taunton Green, 129-140 The Six Principle Baptist Church, 141-142 The Taunton Green Baptist Church (Calvinistic,) 142-143 The Trinitarian Congregational Church, 143-146 The Free "Will Baptist Church. North Taunton, 146 The Universalist Church, 147-148 VI CONTENTS. Page. The Methodist Episcopal Church. Weir Vilhige, 148 The Protest, or Reformed Methodist Church. South Taunton,. 148-149 The Roman Catholic Church, 149 The Spring Street Church, 149-151 The Wesleyan Methodist Church, 151 The INIethodist Episcopal Cliurch. Whittenton Village, 151-152 The Central Christian Church, 1 52 The Swedenborgians, .... 1 52 CHAPTER V. THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF NORTON. Original Church Organization and Covenant, 153-155 Kev. Joseph Avery, the first minister, 156 Rev. Joseph Palmer, the second minister, 158-161 Rev. Pitt Clarke, the third minister, 161-169 Clarke's Sermon in 1794, 170-179 Clarke's Right Hand of Fellowship in 1800, 179-182 The Baptist Church in Norton, 182-183 Congregational Trinitarian Church in Norton, 183-184 The Wesleyan Methodist Church. Norton, 185 CHAPTER VI. THE CIirRCIIES AND MINISTRY OF DIGIITON. Rev. Nathaniel Fisher, the first minister, 186-187 Rev. John Smith, the second minister, 187-188 Second Congregational Society in Dighton, 189-190 Calvinistic Baptist Church and Society, 190 First and Second Christian Baptist Churches, 191 Methodist Episcopal Church, 191 CHAPTER VII. THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF EASTON. Rev. Matthew Short, the first mhiistcr, 192-193 Rev. Joseph Belcher, the second minister, 193 Rev. Solomon Prentice, the third minister, 193-200 Church Covenant of Easton, 194-198 Rev. Arcliibald Campbell, the fourth minister, 200 Rev. William Reed, the fifth minister, 200-203 Rev. Mr. Reed's Sermon in 1784, 204-209 Second Congregational Church, 209 CONTENTS. Vll Page. Episcopal Methodist Church and Protestant Methodist Church, 209 Eoman Catholic Church, 210 CHAPTER VIII. THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF RAYNHAM. Eev. John "Wales, the first minister, 212-218 Rev. Peres Eobes, the second minister, 218-235 Dr. Eobes' Sermon at the Execution of Dixon in 1784, 2.35-247 Rev. Stephen Hull, the third minister, 247 Rev. Enoch Sanford, the fourth minister, 247-248 Rev. Robert Carver, the fifth minister, 248 The Calvinistic Baptist Church, 248 The Second Congregational Church, 248-249 Union Meeting, 249 CHAPTER IX. THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF BERKLEY. Organization of the Chiirch, 250 Rev. Samuel Tobey, the first minister, 251-254 Rev. Thomas Andros, the second minister, 254--263 Sermon of Mr. Andros in 1790, 263-277 Rev. Ebenezer Poor, the third minister, 277-278 Rev. J. U. Parsons, the fourth minister, 278 Rev. Charles Chamberlain, the fifth minister, 278 The Second Trinitarian Congregational Church, 278 CHAPTER X. THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OP MANSFIELD. Church organized, its Creed and Covenant, 279-280 Rev. Ebenezer White, the first minister, 281-284 Rev. Roland Green, the second minister, 284-289 Rev. Richard Briggs, the third minister, 289-292 Rev. James H. Sayward, the fourth minister, 292-293 Second Congregational Society, 293-294 Rev. Mortimer Blake, its first minister, 294 Society of Eriends, 294-295 Methodist Episcopal Church, 295 Christian Baptist and Calvinistic Baptist Churches, 295 YIU CONTENTS. Page. APPENDIX TO CHAPTER X. Note A. Roland Green's last Sermon, 296-300 KoTB B. Roland Green's Charge, 301-304 CHAPTER XL Concluding Remarks, 305--308 APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XI. KOTE A. Notice of Hon. Robert Treat Paine, 309-316 NoTJB B. Letters of early ministers and settlers of Taunton, found among the Mather and Hinckley Papers of the Mass. Hist. Society,. . , .S1&-329 The Lithographs and Autographs in this work, 330-S36 Index of subjects, 837-341 Index of names, 841-345 Chapter of errata, 346 List of subscribers, , 347-360 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. CHAPTER I. REV. CALEB BABNUM, THE SEVENTH MINISTER OP TAUNTON. After the dismission of Mr. Crocker in 1765, several ministers occupied the pulpit, two of whom received a call to settle, which thej declined, viz., Mr. Camp, and Mr. Lathrop, the latter afterward locating in Boston. The people at length were united in Rev. Caleb Barnum, who, accepting the call extended to him, became the seventh minister of the town. Mr. Barnum was a native of Dan- bury,* Conn. The early records of that town were de- stroyed in the Revolutionary War. The British advanced from Norwalk to Danbury, and burnt every public build- ing, thus laying waste the reserved stores for the Ameri- can army, and leaving not a vestige of the Town Records behind them. Nor can the memories of the fathers, nor family records, so far as I have been able to learn, supply * Of this town, Rev. Seth Shove, son of Rev. George Shove, the third minister of Taunton, was, as ha« been remarked in another part of this work, the Jirst minister. 1 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. tliis deficiency in the case of the Bamum family. Rev. Mr. Coe of Danhury informs me, that he sent my letter of enquiry "to Bethel,* a sort of hive of the Barnums, but without deriving any satisfactory information. " I have gone out," he continues, "in another direction some four miles, but dense darkness seems to rest upon the sub- ject." From a descendant of the minister, residing in Taunton, I learn, (and it is the sum total concerning the ancestry from that source which I can learn,) that the name of his father was Thomas — of his mother, Deborah. A work has recently made its appearance in Hartford, Conn., call- ed " B. B. Hinman's Catalogue of the first Puritan Set- tlers of the Colony of Connecticut," to be issued in a series of numbers, the first of which, through the kindness of the author, I have been permitted to examine. Under the name of Barnum, he says: " In the early records of the Colony, this name is usually written Barnam, though it has changed to Barnum. It is supposed by many, that it was originally the same as Burnham, Burnam, or Burn- um, as the name is found on the different records in Con- necticut. I am inclined to believe the name is Barnham. If the family have their coat of arms, they may settle the question. Thomas Barnum, (Barnam, or Barnham,) of Fairfield, purchased land at Norwalk, as early as 1662. He received an appointment at Norwalk, as late as 1676. His children born at Norwalk were Thomas, born July 9, 1663 ; John, born February 21, 1676-7 ; Hannah, born October 4, 1680 ; Ebbinczcr, born May 29, 1682. Mr. Barnum removed to Danbury in the early settlement of * If the name given to this locality was suggested by the character of the people, it speaks well for " the Barnums." CALEB BARNUM. 8 the toT\Ti,* and, perhaps had other children after his re- moval. Thomas Barnum, in 1681, was appointed bj the town, (that is, Norwalk,) ' to keep decorum during the exercises on the Sabbath, and at other public meetings, and to keep a small stieJc, with which moderately to correct the disorderly.' In 1671, he was put down in the list of estates at £40 of commonage. Barnum has three coats of arms." In a communication received from Mr. Hinman, he states with considerable confidence that Rev. Caleb Bar- num " was a descendant of Thomas Barnum the first," whom he describes, '^ but through which son," ho is unable to decide. He may have been the son of the eldest child of "Thomas the first," who bore the name of his father, but more probably, he was of the third generation. He was born June 30, 1737. Peter T. Barnum, Esq., of Bridgeport, consulted an aged aunt of his, who was a Bar- num, and married a Fairchild, now ninety years of age, who remembers to have heard her father speak of a Caleb Barnum. He was three years younger than her father, whose name was Ephraim. " There is no one living now, who knows any thing about him." Thus ignorant con- cerning one, who was no ordinary man, are the nearest family connections in a neighboring State. The truth ap- pears to be that the seventh minister of Taunton was either a grandson or great-grandson of one of the original settlers first of Norwalk, and next of Danbury, Connecti- cut. "He was educated," according to the assertion of some one in a newspaper paragraph, "at Princeton Col- lege, New-Jersey, where he was graduated in 1757," but * Thomas Barnum was one of the first eight settlers of Danbury. He had five sons. (Bobbins' Century Sennon,^ THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. I find no record of this in "Farmer's Complete list of graduates," although it is stated, that Rev. Caleb Barnum received the honorary degree of Master of Arts in 1768, both at Princeton College, and at Harvard University. He was settled in the ministry first at Wrentham, in that part of the town now called Franklin, in the year 1760. Here he prepared the way for his distinguished successor, the Rev. Doctor Nathaniel Emmons. It was no small privilege to precede such a man in the ministry. It was sometime during the year 1768, that the minister of Franklin found his way to this place. He was not un- known to the people. His predecessor. Rev. Mr. Crock- er, had been in the habit of exchanging with him. I have read some of the sermons,* which were preached on these exchanges, and do not wonder at the interest which their delivery excited. Mr. Barnum was installed February 2, 1769.t This fact is stated on the authority of one, who was formerly conversant Avith the records. We are without information concerning the services of that occasion. The minutes of the Installing Council, if there were any ; the proceedings of the church and society, and Pastor elect, have irre- trievably perished. When Mr. Barnum entered upon his ministerial work in Taunton, he was little aware probably of its short contin- uance, of its summary conclusion in the midst of less peaceful scenes than await one in the quiet retreat of a small country parish. Barnum was one of the clergy who, in the exciting movements of the ago in which he lived, caught the enthusiasm of the times, and yielded himself up most heartily to the service of his country. He was a * Note A. t Note B. CALEB BARNUM, fearless, christian patriot. When the tidings of the battle of Lexington reached Taunton, we are informed, that the Preacher of the town took occasion to speak of it from the pulpit,* and to rouse the patriotism and energy of his fel- low-citizens to do their appropriate work. In an animat- ed, and eloquent address, he invoked their aid in resisting oppression and procuring the liberties of their country. Nor did his own patriotism confine itself to words. It shared in the sacrifices and endured the toil, even " the burden and heat of the day." His sympathies were with those who in the Providence of God had been called from the quietude and security of their own peaceful firesides to the perils and exposure of the camp and the battle-field. He followed them in their wanderings, and on the 10th of February, 1776, entered the army in the capacity of a Chaplain, and was attached to the 24th Regiment com- manded by Col. John Greaton, then stationed in the vicin- ity of Boston. Wlien Boston was evacuated, Barnum accompanied his Regiment to New- York, thence to Mon- treal, where he was inoculated for the small pox. In the disastrous retreat from that Province, the minister of Taunton, unaccustomed to such scenes, endured great hardships, as they who accompanied him testified, with exemplary christian fortitude. On the arrival of the army at Ticonderoga, he was attacked with a bihous disorder, which so impaired his health, and incapacitated him for his station, that he obtained a discharge on the 24th of July, and commenced his homeward journey, which how- ever was never completed. On the 2d of August, he reached Pittsfield, in this State, and there his j)rogresg was arrested by an increase of the disease, which at length _____ 6 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. terminated his life the 23d day of August, 1776, in the fortieth year of his age. He languished and died in the midst of strangers, but not unattended, nor uncared for by the kindest of friends, as the following letter from Rev. Thomas Allen, the minister of Pittsfield, addressed to the Representatives of that to^Yn, most amply testifies: ''Pittsfield, Aught 2m, 1776. Last Friday died here, in the 40th year of his age, af- ter an illness of about thirty-six days, the Rev. Mr. Caleb Barnum, late minister of the Gospel in Taunton, much respected and greatly lamented. As this valuable person was much a stranger in this part of the country, we shall speak of him only in his last sickness and death, which seemed to verify that inspired declaration, ^'The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more to the perfect day." He engaged in the Continental service, as Chaplain to Col. Greaton's Regiment, stationed before Boston, some- time in February last. After the precipitate flight of the rebels from Boston in the March following, he went with his Regiment to New- York, and from thence soon after to Montreal in Canada, where he was inoculated for the small pox. In this northern tour, he underwent various fatigues, from several causes, m an heroic mamier. After the return of the army to Ticonderoga, he was .taken sick of the bilious choUc, about the 18th of July, and obtained such relief from it, that on account of his ill state of health, havmg obtained a dismission from the army on the 24th, he was making his way home. Ho arrived at this place August 2d, in a weak state, where he languished of a bilious fever till the 23d, and then died. CALEB BARNUM. During this season of distress, aggravated by diverse moving considerations, he maintained an unclouded seren- ity of mind, the most exemplary patience, and submission to the will of Heaven. Not a repining word was uttered by him. He received the report of his physician, of the great hazard of his case, with equable firmness and com- posure of mind. Such sweetness of temper, such tran- quilhty of spirit, such serenity and peace in the near view of death and eternity, such patience under pain, and en- tire submission to God's disposing will, which appeared in him, manifested at once the power of those supports and consolation which he enjoyed, and the excellence of the Christian religion. " Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." He discovered much of a spirit of gratitude to God in his last sickness, and a firm trust and confidence m Him, to take care of, support and provide for his wife and chil- dren. » Being asked his present views, in the approach of death, as to the goodness of the American cause, in which he had been engaged, and by means of which he was now about to die, he replied: *' I have no doubts concerning the justice and goodness of that cause, and had I a thousand lives, they should all be wilUngly laid down in it." He was interred yesterday afternoon, with great re- spect, when a funeral sermon was delivered from these words: (John 14th ch. 28th verse.) "If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father; for my Father is greater than I." He has left a widow, and seven children to lament their 8 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. irreparable loss. "Lover and friend hast Thou put far from me, and mine acquaintance into darkness." Mr. Valentine Rathbun, ) Representatives for Capt. Israel Dickinson, ) Pittsfield, " The appearance of Mr. Barnum," as those who re- member him represent it, " was commanding, his deport- ment dignified, and his manners pleasing and aftable, uniting the paternal mildness of the clergyman with the grace and polish of the gentleman." But, as Mr. Baylies remarks, " the same fearless spirit, which bore him through the perils of war, developed itself in his pulpit, and in the administration of his parochial, and ecclesiastical affairs.* His contest with the Hon. Robert Treat Paine, respecting the baptism of his children, showed him the determined supporter of the rights of his church against that distin- guished and eminent parishioner. f Notwithstanding such occasional misunderstandings, he retained the strong at- tachment of his people to the last." Mr. Barnum married Priscilla, daughter of Rev. Caleb Rice of Sturbridge, Mass., and sister of Col. Nathan Rice, forDierly of Ilingham, afterward of Burlington, Vt., an aid-dc-camp to Gen. Lincoln, during his Southern Cam- paign. * The portrait which accompanies this sketch, would indicate tho same traits — amiability, and mildness, not however without due energy of character, and when the exigency required, firmness. t The particulars of this " contest," as Mr. Baylies calls it, aro not known to me. Mr. Paine, a native of Boston in 1731, was the son of a clergyman, wlio for a time was settled in "Weymouth, but through failing health engaged as a merchant in Boston. His mother was a daughter of Rev. Mr. Treat of Eastham, who was son of Gov. Treat of Connecti- cut, whose wife was daughter of Kev. Samuel Willard of Boston. Of clerical descent on both sides, Robert Treat himself tried that profession first, and preached several times in his native city. He relinquished it however after a brief trial, but ever after, as I have understood, took great interest in tlicological sulijects, and in one instance at least, camo in collision with the views of Mj. Barnum, hia minister, and the church. CALEB BARNUM. 9 Mrs. Barnum was bom May 16, 1741, and was married to Mr. Barnum, June 18, 1761. They had the following children ; (1) Caleb, bom April 11, 1762, who married Nancy Paine of Thetford, Vt. Two children survive and reside in Maine. (2) Priscilla, bom April 1, 1761, who married Capt. David Vickery of Taunton. Three children survive, viz: Charles R. Vickery, Esq., formerly Postmaster of the town, and present Cashier of the Machinists Bank, Taun- ton ; Mrs. Paddock Dean of Taunton, and a son in Fall River. (3) Deborah, born Oct. 27, 1766, who married Thom- as S. Baylies of Dighton, and died June 8, 1851, leaving no children. (4) George, bom May 25, 1768, who married Sally Cutler of Weston, Mass., and died Oct. 30, 1850, leaving one son, who resides in Warren, Mass. (5) Mary, born Sept. 13, 1770, who died in infancy. (6) Thomas, born Oct. 30, 1772, who married Sally Abraham of New- York City. They have no children. (7) Anna, born Dec. 30, 1773, who married Rufus Child of Woodstock, Conn. Of ten children, seven are now living, and three, one son and two daughters, reside in Taunton. Mrs. Child is still living in Taunton, although entirely blind and quite infirm. (8) Polly, born Oct. 11, 1775, who married Rev. Pe- ter Nourse of Ellsworth, Me. They have no children. Mr. Barnum occupied the house, which a few years since was removed from the present site of S. 0. Dun- bar's Apothecary Shop, on Main Street, opposite "the Green/' and is now occupied by Samuel Wilde, Jr., 10 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. nephew of Judge Wilde. The street, on which the "old Parsonage," where Mr. Crocker lived, is situated, now bears the name of "Barnum Street," and it maj be, that the minister lived there for a time. APPENDIX TO CHAPTER FIRST. Note A. Page 4. I HAVE twenty of Mr. Barnum's sermons in my hands, be- sides several fragmentary productions, which were loaned me by the minister's daughter, Mrs. Child. Of the sermons, ten were preached before Mr. Barnum's Installation in Taunton, and of these, six were delivered both in Wrentham (Franklin) and in Taunton. One in 1765, from the text, (Matt. 8 : 25,) " And His disciples came to Him, and awoke Him, saying, Lord, save us; we perish." Concerning which text and the context, the Preacher observes, 1st. The greatness and extreme severity of the storm. 2d. The fact, Christ was asleep. 3d. When all their attempts are baffled, and they begin to despair of help from any other quarter, the disciples fly to Christ. 4th. He reproves them for their timorousness. 5th. He arises and with the majesty of a Cod, speaks the word, which stills the tempest, and creates a calm. From which points, considered at length, he passes to remark : Ist. That the Church sometimes is in stormy and perilous circumstances in this world. 2d. That the Great Master and Head of the Church may seem, as it were, asleep and inattentive to their distresses. 3d. That it is the duty of His followers, at such a time to awake Him out of sleep by earnest prayer and supplication. It is a discourse eminently practical, and making a forcible appeal to the hearts of his hearers. 12 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. Another sermon is from tlie Text (Matt. 3 : 7,) " Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" The object of the discourse is, to show, 1st. What we are to understand by this ''wrath to come?" 2d. What we are to understand by the flight from it? 3d. The dangers which usually attend such a flight. Among the dangers named under the last head, is tlie follow- ing : " Trusting in the external performance of a round of duty on the one hand, or resting in an imaginary compliance with the terms of the Gospel on the other." And in concluding his consideration of this point he says: "Thus have I endeav- ored to guard you against the two rocks, on which millions have run to their ruin, under a notion of flying to and trusting in Christ. And nmy I not hope that some of you, who have long been settled on a false foundation are now convinced of your mistake and the rottenness of your foundation. Alas, Sirs, here is now a space for repentance, and why will you stifle the conviction, that gathers upon you apace, in spite of your disin- clination to act under its influence. The reasons which induce me to guard you with so much care against a mistake here, are these, That it is so frequent — so easy — and its consequences so appalling. May each of them have their due operation on you, to awaken just fear, and concern lest you come short of this rest." A third sermon in tlie scries, was preached on a Tlianksgiving occasion, in the year 1762, the 9th day of December. Text, J)eut. 8 : 10, "AVhen thou hast eaten, and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord, thy God for the good land, which He hath given thee." On which, the Preacher proceeds to discourse, as follows : " The inspired apostle of the Gentiles, when speaking of the duty of Thanksgiving, enjoins it in these very extensive terms — "in every thing give thanks," intimating that we should live haUtmdhj thankful. Let gratitude bear a part in all our reflec- tions on the Divine Conduct; for ever]) dealing whether at pres- ent it have a more smiling or frowning aspect, being dictated barnum's sermon in 1762. 13 by Infinite Tenderness, and accommodated by unerring wisdom to some 7iohle purpose, well deserves such a tribute from us. But yet this argues not, but that some particular seasons in life are more suited to inspire us with such sentiments than others. As in our text, we find the duty reduced to the particular cir- cumstance and season oi fullness and satisfaction — "When thou hast eaten and art full, &e." This is part of the solemn address, which Moses made to the children of Israel just before they went over Jordan to possess the 'promised land — an ad- dress full of the most lively and striking remonstrances against the stupidity and ingratitude which might lead them into a for- getfulness of their kind Benefactor. Such remonstrances, my friends, as well suit our character, as a stupid and ungrateful People. Like Rebellious Israel, we need line upon line, pre- cept upon precept to keep us from the same excess of Ingrati- tude. Moses here speaks of what is eminently their duty, when they shall be brought to the land of plenty and wealth to which they were going. The whole chapter contains many important advices. (It has been read in your hearing this morning. ) You easily see how frequently and solemnly Moses repeats his charges of the same import to the -Israelites, with a diversity of expression, to the degree that we are ready to object in our own mind against such a multijMcity of charges of the same nature, and say, what need is there of dwelling so long on the subject. One or two admonitions might be thought sufficient to engage the practice of a well disposed people. Yes, indeed a ivell dis- posed people ! But alas ! how far were they from meriting such a character ? They proved themselves to be a stiff-necked and rebellious nation, in a variety of instances with which Moses upbraids them, and by which he enforces his exhortations to their future obedience. All which is an argument of his just suspicion and fear that when they were brought into the rich and plentiful land of Canaan and made partakers of its dainties, they would be stupid enough to deny God the due return of praise, which he justly demands. God certifies to them by the mouth of Moses, that they shall surely periish in consequence of 2 14 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. Bueli conduct. And now, my Hearers, judge I pray you between God and His people of old, and say whether there is any un- reasonable suspicion in these fears, or any unjust severity in the sentence passed upon them. Consider attentively and judge im- partially. But take heed, lest while you judge others, you con- demn yourselves. For it shall be our present business — 1st. To attempt to show what peculiar obligations and mo- tives the current year aflfords us to bless God for the comforts of life. Then 2d. "What reason we have to fear this just tribute will bo denied him. Now as this is what we call our annual Thanksgiving, the peculiar design of which is for a religious remembrance of the valuable productions of the earth, and God's crowning the year with His Goodness in this respect, so I shall principally re- tain your attention here, and endeavor to assist your meditation $ in the Review. Yet I hope not entirely to pass over in silence those never to be forgotten Blessings with which our arms have been crowned, and above all, those blessings which the Gospel affords. 1st. We are to mention some of those circumstances which render the productions of the Earth this year more than com - monly valuable to us, which may add a peculiar force to the motives of our Thanksgiving this day. Nature herself teaches us that we ought to be thankful to the bestower of any benefit, by abhorring the ungrateful beggar, who receives the alms of unobliged Benefactors without some warm expressions of Grati- tude. Now, then, my hearers, if we are unthankful, the base- ness of our Ingratitude will arise in proportion as the hand of God was observable in relieving us from the extremity of last Summer's Drought. The motives which arise from this quarter are as important as they are plain and familiar to every one's mind. I entreat you a little to consider, to what a sad extrem- ity we were reduced — ])y what means we were relieved — and how conspicuous the hand of God was both in the extremity and the relief. barnum's sermon in 17G2. 15 1. Consider to wliat fearful straits we were reduced. I can hardly persuade myself that your memories are so dull, but that you often reflect on the day of distress. Especially since you have so many sad monuments to remind you of it. For how many sad revolving days and weeks, and months, did the Heavens seem to be as brass over us, and the Earth as iron un- der us, and the rain of our land but powder and dust, and in consequence of this, with what difficulty did we sometimes find luater, the common refreshment of Nature to relieve our thirst and the thirst of our cattle. How melancholy was the Prospect when like the People in Jeremiah's time, we came to the water pits, (I mean our wells, the common reservoirs of water,) and found none — we returned with our vessels empty. Because the ground was chapt — for there was ?io ram in the Earth. The plowmen might be justly ashamed and confounded, and how did our cattle snufF up the wind, as an expression of their distress, while their eyes failed, because there was no grass. (Jer. 14: 3, 4.) And there cannot be a reasonable doubt with any of us, but if God had not changed the dealings of His Providence speedily, the consequence of such a calamity would have been inevitable death perhaps to many of us, and the most of our cattle — a death dreadful in proportion to all those bright horrors which must have attended the lingering circumstances of it. But, my friends, in proportion to the horror and dread of such an extremity must be the joy of our kind deliverance, (as. Blessed be God ! we are so far delivered as to wait His further bounty,) and the manner in which relief was sent in such great distress must give the blessings consequent on them a most endearing recommendation. 2. It was in ansiver to the prayers of God's People. This sacred Dwelling is untness to our repeatedly assembling on this very occasion to implore relief in this regard, and it deserves our grateful remembrance, how that before our first exercise was ended, it began to rain, and in the interval of worship, there was a very copious shower, in which some of us were agreeably wet. [The reader will notice how this remarkable 16 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. answer to prayer in 1762 accords witli a similar instance in the early history of our country, which gave rise to the Jlrst Thanksgiving in 1623.] And now seriously consider, whether we should not dishonor and do injustice to the Being who has styled Himself a Prayer-hearing Grod, if we should not look on that shower, to be sent in answer to the humble prayer of His people ; especially since not only we, (among whom we ought not to imagine He is left without a witness in this respect,) but sundry neiglihoriyig churches were assembled on the same day and for the same end. And when shall we look on any mercy as coming in answer to prayer, if not on this, I am un- able to tell. And indeed in general, we have reason to think, that God first disposes His people to iway for particular bless- ings before He bestoics them upon us. And sinners should know, that all the mercies which they receive come to them by means of the Righteous, who are the excellent of the Earth and in a sort the Pillars and Props of it. Take the Kighteous out of the world, and what would remain"^ gather the ivheat from the tares, and I ask of what importance or significancy would the remainder be ? So that such as revile us for trusting in God, and for our ascribing to Him the glory due for mercies received in such a manner, hurt themselves more than they do us. We m\\ joy f ally achioivledge, and boast in the agency of Providence in all these things, and look on ourselves bound in duty to praise Him, as having heard and answered our prayer, when we had tlie Blessing immediately granted, which we wero enlarged to pray for. And as this is the time for our recounting the mercies of the preceding year, this, it seems, should by no means be excluded from our grateful remembrance, for it is the mercy without which our hopes must have been dismally dark, and our tables destitute of those delicious dainties, which may this day crown tliem and feed us. Oh! Blessed be God, there is a Throne of Grace ! And surely it must make our mercies doubly precious, when we consider, od. That they were granted in such a manner, as rendered the Hand of CJod remarkably conspicuous. Wc have a long barnum's sermon in 1762. 17 time been afflicted with war and bloodshed ; but in all our ad- vantages and victories gained, God has seen too much of a dis- position in us to wave a consideration of His agency in them. He has seen it, I doubt not, with just displeasure, how wc have attributed it to the conduct of our Generals, the courage of our soldiers, or some human foresight and activity. But to cramp our vain ambition, He has opened a scene of a different nature. He has been scourging us with the calamity of Drought, in which He must appear to every eye on the most transient reflec- tion to be the sole agent in the bringing on, and in the removal of it. 'Tis His sovereign prerogative to command the clouds that they rain not — 'Tis His also, to bid them dissolve into de- scending showers. He is the father of the rain, and begets the drops of refreshing dew. Thus has Ho been as it were, dig- ging deep to hide pride from our ejes ; for there is nothing from which human agency or even human instrumentality is more evidently excluded than from this. In this, vain is the help of man. This then is wholly the Lord's doing, and we may well say, it is truly marvellous in our eyes. To whom then do our praises belong for such unmerited relief? What shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits? Benefits not only dearly purchased by the blood of the Son of Grod, but being forfeited, God has seemed, as it were, again to interpose, and secure them when we were almost ready to despair. We are directed to pray that God would give us our daily bread, which supposes it always to have been His sov'reign, unmerited gift •— what we can lay no absolute claim to. But what shall be said of it now ? Certainly it appears more eminently His, and the strength of constitution, the firmness of nerve which it is the means of procuring, we are under peculiar obligations to devote to God. So that it may be said to us, as to Israel in the text — "When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt Uess the Lord thy God for the good land which He hath given thee.'' Wonderful as the dealing of God's Providence has been, in granting us, as wo would hope, a competency, though not an 2* 18 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. affluence of the necessaries of Life, we should certainly be de- linquent in our duty this day, if we failed to recognise the fav- ors of a National kind. We may this day with pleasure con- gratulate each other on the birth of a Prince, — one, whom we ought to hope and pray may be raised up for 'o^ scourge to Pope- ry and a friend to Protestantism. As the praises of United Nations have ascended for the safe Deliverance of our Illustri- ous Queen in the perils of Child-Bed, and for the gift of a new born Prince, so let our inconsiderable tribute also be paid, though we despair of having the foolish ambitions gratified, which may lead some to pour their flattery into the Royal ear. To be devoutly thankful for such an important event without an human eye to behold, or tongue to applaud, gives the most re- fined pleasure. Let us not forget to pay our thanks to the King of Kings, that He has preserved our Earthly King, in the en- joyment of His health, the exercise of his virtues and the main- tenance of his glory. And how can we pass over in silence the renowned conquest of the Havannah — the opulent town and almost impregnable fortress. When first France obtained the late alliance of Spain, and solicited Portugal to join them against Great Britain, how melancholy then was the prospect with us ; and what increased the terror of the juncture and even doiihled its horrors, was the Revolution — shall I call it the happy Rev- olution, when the wise and incomparable Pitt resigned the seals. But the resignation of this great man was divinely over-ruled, so as not to cause any considerable mischief as we yet can learn, though at the first greatly feared. Portugal refusing to form an alliance with Spain and France against Great Britain on tho principles of Honor and Public Faith, (having engaged to bo neuter,) the two former endeavor to hrihoi hevjirst; and when they found that Flattery in all its forms was insufficient to pre- vail, they began to insult and threaten in the most inhuman and shameful manner, but agreeably to the title which the King of Portugal bears, he was faithful in his engagements to Britain, and held them sacred in opposition to the united terrors of Spain and Franco. But though Portugal strenuously refused, barnum's seemon in 1762. 19 we justly think tliat the two other powers were more than a match for us. For we generally think that men and money, (where there is enough of each, J are the most essential articles in War. Well, France, if I may so say, has more than us, of the one, and Spain an immensity of the other. But regard the works of the Lord, and thankfully consider the operation of Jlis hand. Spain is severely scourg'd, as wo have reason to think, on account of her unjust and quite needless alliance with France against us altogether unprovoked. The Ilavannah — a place of very considerable strength, and otherwise of vast im- portance to Spain, being the key to Mexico, and a covert to other Spanish settlements in South America, has been wrested from her. And though we are not altogether without pain in the reflection, that there have been many lives lost, some by the sword and more by the pestilence, which still continues to rage there, yet we may congratulate each other and bless the Lord, that a most unnatural conspiracy has been lately discovered, formed by a Bishop to assassinate all the English, &c. Not to mention our advantages by sea, which have not been inconsid- erable, particularly the immense treasure found on boarding the Hermoine, &c. Then there is the taking of Newfoundland, so important an acquisition with reference to our Fisheries. Thus proud Lewis with his good natured ally, from those towering hopes with which they were doubtless inspired, vfhcnjirst their covenant of Friendship was formed, are reduced to make almost any shift, for the preservation of their dignity. Particularly the former is brought to sue for peace. May our Gracious Sov'reign who is disposed to peace have the ivisdom from above which may be profitable to direct and over-rule the disposition so as not to plight his hand in friendship with such a perfidious monarch only on terms honorable and glorious on our side, and so as to prevent any future outbreak. Oh ! how bright do Bri- tain's glories shine ! But let us not boast as those who are put- ting off the harness, it mag be we are but girding it on. Tho Superintending Providence which has opened this joyful pros- pect may give us night for dag, may close tho scene of war with 20 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. infamy and misery to us ; which we shall be the more ready to believe when we consider as proposed, 2d. What reason we have to fear that the Just Tribute of Gratitude will be denied the Great Giver of every good and perfect gift. It was the hypocritical character of Israel, that though they sang God's praises, they soon forgat His works. So we find Moses, the Man of God, unwearied and abundant in his admonitions, and exhortations to them in our text and context, which were so many demonstrations of his suspicion that they would prove ungrateful and rebellious. And why may not / reasonably be jealous over you with a godly jealousy ? Is there no danger of your being ungrateful ? Has your conduct in the general been such as would justify the laying aside my fear ? Oh ! that there were less cause for ray fear and jealousy over you ! The general reason why I think there is danger of your ingratitude, after having had such signal kindnesses granted, is founded on the practice of the Jews. 2^ hat people were highly favored of the Lord by wonders, and signs and mighty works, and yet imgratefid. Human nature being all of a piece the world over and in all generations, I suppose I have reason to fear the same of you. For they had much stronger motives to Thanksgiving and praise than you have had — excepting tho crowning motive, which alas ! is overlooked, despised and set at naught by far too many of you — Need I mention it to you? The Son of God dying on a Cross of Love — and with this 7?^- culiar circumstance does God commend His Love, that wliile wo were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Hence should our warmest gratitude arise — hence our faith — our hope — our Love should spontiineously spring. What are all the necessa- ries of Life, though procured in a manner Divinely Glorious (as ours arc) compared to this mysterious, incomparable Dis- play of Divine Love 1 What are the supplies of a mortal lifo compared to the cordials of an immortal soid! And yet has not this motive been too much forgotten when it should be the foremost? For Christ 'mi\iQ Great Pr(?c?oTr of these mercies we arc this day celebrating, and can we pretend a sincere grat- barnum's sermon in 1762. 21 itude for thejn, while all His charms, and riches of Fullness arc neglected? And can we give you any other character but that of neglecters of Christ, while you jDrofane His Day, pollute His Worship, neglect His ordinances, and run counter to His known commands ! Oh ! my friends, do not the consciences of many of you at least, testify against you this day that you are verily guilty before God, and at the same time testify to the truth of what I am endeavoring to prove — that we have reason to fear that the just tribute of Gratitude will be denied the Great Giv- er of every good and perfect gift. Having thus finished what was proposed, I shall close with a brief application. And as this is the day, in which we do in a peculiar sense eat, and are filled, so we should remember to hless God for the good land and the wholesome productions of it, with which we are favored. As this is the Day, in which we commonly have our tables furnished, so f^ir as we conveniently can, not only with the necessaries, but also with the Dainties and Delicacies of Life, as a kind of solemn sacrifice, and wit- ness to God of the reality, sincerity and fervency of our Grati- tude for His undeserved Benignity the past year, so we ought to consider that this Being will not bear to be trifled with for- ever, and that He loves the sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. A word to Sinners and Saints. 1. Sinners, I would this day charge you, as Moses did Israel, ''When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which He hath given thee." Let a full stomach and a warm back (if I may be allowed so homely an expression,) inspire sentiments of Gratitude instead of increasing the stupidity which is your shame and your mis- cry. Let me charge you, that you grow not wanton, and Jesh- urun-like kick against the Goodness of the Lord — you'll find it hard to kick against the pricks. I charge you that an immedi- ate check be put to your vain merriment, your unhallowed joy which now perhaps you are flushed with the hope of pursuing. I charge you by Him on whose bounty you feed, from whoso vesture you are clothed, and whose arc all your ways — I charge 22 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. you by the dying agonies of the Savior, at whose expense you live in such comfort and plenty, and (what is still rnore worthy our notice,) at whose rich expense you have all the various im- pressions, whereby you are ready to cry out, what shall I do to be saved — I charge you by the tremendous power, which you are seeming to be at pains to provoke, not to turn these blessings which we this day celebrate into curses ; and indeed they must be curses to you who pervert them to the horrid purpose of re- bellion and ingratitude. I charge you by the rod of God which is still hanging over you, with respect to the judgments which are abroad in the Earth. May God deal with us better than our fears! Though now perhaps you may enjoy a firmness of health, yet He who has disease and health, who has death and life at His command, may with infinite ease command the one to depart, and the other to take its place. And who can tell but this is the last Thanksgiving which you shall see — I mean such of you as are putting off the thoughts of death, and imagine this or that neighbor will go first. How many have been mis- taken so. And indeed these may be the very last warnings you will ever hear from me or from this desk. I may be called to visit you soon on a dying bed and follow you to your long home. And can there be any thing more terrible than to die in your sins'^ Yes, Sinner, I can tell you of o?ie thing more dread- ful than immediate death and immediate damnation. The Bles- sed God may say — as for the wretched creature, who has so long abused my Grace and compassion, let liim still Yvjo. — lot him live in the midst of prosperity and />/e>i^y — let him live under the purest and most powerful ordinances too, only to abuse them, to aggravate his condemnation, and die under sevcn-i(A*\. guilt and a seven-fold curse. I will not give him grace to think of his ways — he may go on from bad to worse, til] death shall come and do its dreadful work. Alas ! to bo left thus reprobate and insensible in time, is if possible more dreadful than the damnation of eternity!" The author had designed an address to Saints, but I do not find it in his ms. His pen here rested, as he does noio, and for nearly a century has rested from his labors. barnum's sermon in 17G9. 23 Note B. Page 4. The sermon preached in Taunton, by Mr. Barnum, the first Sabbath after his Installation, that is, Feb. 5, 1769, is still in existence. It is from the text found in ii. Cor. 5: 20, **Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us ; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." The application or ''improvement" of the doctrine of tho discourse which he discusses fully, is as follows : "1. Is it as we have heard, my brethren, — hence then learn how laborious a work is the work of the ministry. They have to entreat you again and again, perishing sinners, to be reconciled to God, and though they remain stupid and careless, we are to follow tho suit, — we are to stem the torrent, — swim against the tide, however strong and powerful it is. Oh, let your prayers and cries to heaven for me never cease. As I am now well assured of all the assistance you can give, so let me ever be. What a kind alleviation of other numerous discouragements will this be. Brethren, pray for us, that we may not faint or flag at the many difficulties we have to encounter, but that we may find the graco of God abundantly sufficient for us, that we may be faithful and successful in the Lord's work. 2. Are God and man at variance, and is God willing to be reconciled to us, and yet we backward to be reconciled to him ? What reason have we to abhor ourselves for the obstinacy and pride of our hearts ! How undutiful are we to our rightful sovereign ! How ungrateful and abusive to our greatest bene- factor ! What ! at enmity with God and persist in it, though he has formed, and nourished and brought us up, and is contin- ually loading us with his mercies and urging us by his ambassa- dors to be reconciled to God through Christ, and to enjoy an everlasting friendship ! Who of us can seriously consider on such ingratitude as this without the deepest shame and confusion? Oh sinner, stand and wonder you are not consumed ! 24 THE MINISTRY OP TAUXTON. 3. Lecarn to live a considerate and prayerful life — think often of your present wretchedness out of Christ — let these things lie with weight on your minds till you feel yourselves undone creatures ; nor rest content till you are reconciled to God by the conquering power of his grace. And as you are by the Providence of God given to me as my beloved charge in the Lord, and I to you as an overseer and watchman and an ambas- sador for Christ, I would now address you as the people of my charge according to your different and respective classes. I. In the first place I would turn myself to you, my honoured fathers and mothers, and would speak with all that filial respect which is due from me to you, while I remember my office as an ambassador for Christ. You have been inhabitants of this stage of action perhaps fifty, sixty or seventy years. You have seen many a new and surprising scene both of joy and sorrow, but cannot expect to be the spectators of many more. Your glass of probation is near an end, a few steps more will bring you to your journey's end. If God should be pleased to lengthen out my life to but a few years, I shall expect to visit you on a dying bed, and what shall I say or do to give you comfort then, if you neglect a reconciliation to God now. It behoves you to watch and pray, lest you let slip one moment of time given you for the purposes of religion. Are any of you settled on a false foundation, and dreaming you are going to heaven, whereas you are in fact travelling the downward road ? Is your heart on things a])Ove or below ? Do you daily meditate with sweet de- light on God and Divine things ? Do you love the service of God here and find yourselves maturing for a better world ? Let me solemnly charge you as in the name and fear of God that you take diligent heed to secure the one thing needful before death overtake you, which to the eye of reason is just at hand. You may observe the decays of nature in every withered limb — all this is sure evidence of your approaching dissolution. Oh, that you might profit the little while you may live under my ministry, so that I may be a happy instrument of increasing your eternal gains. 'Tis hopeful, many of you have arrived to barnum's sermon in 1769. 25 uncommon degrees of grace as you have been permitted to ar- rive to an unusual age. Oh that as you feel the decays of the outer man, so your inner man might grow stronger and stronger through the grace which is in Christ Jesus, — and when the king of terrors shall arrest you, may he serve as a friendly mes- senger to waft you from this dusky twilight to a brighter day, and may the happy influence of your prayers for me appear vis- ible in the success of my ministry when you are sleeping in the dust. II. Now I would turn myself to you who are commonly call- ed middle-aged. You, my friends, have visited the gayest scenes of life, and are carried clear beyond the days of youth, you have perhaps spent many years in gaining an estate, and let me put the question : — Among all your gettings have you got wisdom and understanding, i. e., to know the fear of the Lord ? A moderate care after the world is laudable, when we keep our consciences void of offence towards God and man. But without a comfortable hope of our reconciliation to God, one would be ready to think a rational creature could not take the comfort in the world he otherwise might : — this will sweeten all and every mercy, and as an ambassador of Christ, I would now pray you above all things else to see to it that you are reconciled to God. See to it, that you love Christ above father, mother, wife or child, and as you would hope to profit under the means of grace dispensed by the instrument you have chosen, let your eyes be constantly turned to God for the preparation of your heart to receive, as mine to give — and the blessing of God to attend my labors in the various distribution of them. And as we hope your former worthy pastor whose memory is, and always will be precious to you, was made an instrument of the conver- sion of any of you, so I may be honoured as an unworthy in- strument for your further progress in grace and holiness. Breth- ren pray for me ! III. I would say a word or two to those who are in the prime and bloom of youth. My young friends, I can say to you of my age, as the Apostle said to those of his nation, my ear- 26 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. nost desire and prayer to God is that you may be profited Toy the means dispensed by me. As you are now in the bloom of youth, and you prosper in life and health — Oh that your souls may above all prosper and that you might remember your Crea- tor. You will by and by be in places of trust and influence, when these seats shall be emptied of our fathers, and they sleep- in o- in the grave. Oh, to be qualified by the grace of God. Oh, that we might go hand in hand in religion — that you may grow up all Nazarites in whom there is no guile. Novv^is a gra- cious opportunity to be reconciled to God through Christ. See that you receive the message by the messenger God has sent you. Be assured that you are my hope for the prosperity of the next generation. Oh, that I may not be deceived. Oh, that God would early sanctify you, that we may see the pleasure of the Lord prospering whenever our fathers are dead and gone. Oh, that our hearts may bo knit together like David's and Jon- athan's and we see many happy years together. In order to this, as an ambassador of Christ, and as though God did be- seech you by me, !• pray you in Christ's name, be ye reconciled to God. lY. I would address myself to the little children of the con- gregation. Eg assured, dear children, I look on you as no con- temptible part of my charge. You have immortal souls to save or to lose as well as any of us ; and do you know that wicked children must go to hell ? and you are all so, and nuist share this portion, except you come to Christ for life. The great God Las sent me to warn and invito you — and see to it, that you obey. Don't rest easy without praying to God for his pardon- in «• mercy, and that he would reconcile you to Himself; and if you don't know how, ask your parents to teach you. They'll gladly embrace the opportunity — so that you may go to heaven. And do you remember always to pray for mc, when you pray for yourselves. And you who are of a different complexion from us, I also count as part of my charge, and do now solemn- ly exhort you to be reconciled to God. You arc ready to tliink your lot is hard — but what is it compared to slavery to sin and io;norance ! nN 1775. I conclude with a word to tliis wliole assembly of sinners . I've come, ye dear people of my charge, as an Amhassador of Christ to you, and would now in his name and stead, pray you to he reconciled to God. We would preach the terrors of the Lord as means suitable to alarm and couYince you of your need of a Saviour, and we would set before you the invitations of tlio Gospel, and the grace, beauties and glories of the Divine Em- manuel, that you through the power and grace of God, may bo willing to be reconciled to him through Christ. But be assured if you continue to refuse you must perish. A faithful and true witness has declared with his own mouth, " he that believes not shall be damned." Oh, how can you bear to lie under the dreadful wrath of the great and terrible God in the flames of hell, without one drop of water to cool your scorched tongues • Then rest not in your present condition, and though you must take all possible pains in religion, read, hear, pray, meditate and strive with all vigor and earnestness — yet don't depend on that, or think that God is obliged in the least to save you on tliat account — but might justly cast you oflf forever. Come there- fore as a needy, guilty, perishing beggar to a full, glorious and all-sufficient Christ, who is most ready and willing to save you. If any one thirst, let liim come to Christ and drink. Oli, don't delay : Thousands have been ruined that way. Hear the Lord',^ voice to-day, — submit and be reconciled forever, 5) Note C. Page 5. One of the sermons in my possession, was preached probalily not long before Mr. Barnum left Taunton for the field of battle, and after the commencement of hostilities. It is founded on the declaration of Paul to the chief captain, (Acts 22: 28,) "But I was freeborn." Under the head of "Improvement," he remarks : " 1st. If our civil rights and Privileges are so precious as we have heard, it will then follow, that to be deprived of them, is a very great judgment of Heaven. 28 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTOX. "2d. Since the Apostle Paul insisted on the enjoyment of those civil rights as a Roman -which were infringed upon, we are taught our duty in the like situations." I am tempted to quote ^\\^i he says on this point. "It is our duty to c/am those charter privileges, which have been injuriously dimmish- ed. It is matter of joy that the united Lody of this people have had the resolution and fortitude to enter their claims and still to keep them up. Tamely and meanly to have crouched to the Burdens would have been undervaluing the Blessings of Prov- idence, and it would have been an affront to the God, who at first gave these rights, and has carefully i^eserved them to us. "What the patriotic Mr. Pitt {iiow Lord Chatham^ said on hear- ing that the Stamp Act was opposed here, is truly memorable and applicable to the present case. 'I rejoice that America has resisted.' But while I say this, justice requires that we condemn the lofty strains of triumph, of menacing — the base inflammatory pieces, which we sometimes hear and read in our newspapers, and the base reflections on the persons and charac- ters of such as deserve well of all, for aught that appears ; so irritating and offensive to authority that methinks a sober man must have been sometimes at a loss to conclude whether this good cause of ours suffers most from the weakness, and impru- dence of its friends, or the open attacks, and secret machina- tions of its enemies. There is a sort of dignity and energy iu Truth and Right which stand in no need (di fraud or injustice to support it, but will of their own native tendency rise superi- or to all opposition. Injustice, scurrility, and abuse always give just suspicion of the goodness of the cause, which they are intended to aid. Moreover to do thus is to be guilty of the self same thing, which we complain of in others. Christianity allows us not to render evil for evil, but good for evil. We had hetter suffer in a good cause, tlian take any undue method to extricate ourselves. To do evil that good may come is a maxim abhorrent to the Bible and utterly subversive of all conmion Native Justice. No sober Christian can consistently with his character admit one single step of Injustice in order to relievo BARNmi'S SERMON IN 1775. 29 from tlio greatest distresses. Better die than sin; and to oppose Rulers ruling well, and keeping within the hounds of the Con- stitution, is to oppose the ordinance of God. It is a crime of i}\Q^ first magnitude. But to oppose such as violate their trust, is so far from being opposition to the ordinance of God, that it is du'ectly the reverse of it. It is resisting a Violation of the ordinance." The Preacher proceeds to caution his hearers however against a too Jceen resentment of the injuries done. He would have their ^'zeal tempered with prudence. ^^ He would have them " take their steps slowly, that they tread the more surely. Rash- ness and precipitancy are frequently attended with disappoint- ment." And he closes his discourse with urging his hearers to think especially of the Precious Liberty of the Gospel which Chi-ist hath obtained for them at an incalculably precious price. I have thus largely quoted from this Discourse, that you might see the prudence and wisdom of this Christian patriot, who at last laid himself upon the altar of his Country's liberty, and became one of the immortal martyrs of the Revolution. 3f 30 THE MINISTRY OF TAUXTOX. CHAPTER II. REV. ELIAS JONES, THE EIGHTH MINISTER OF TAUNTON. The successor of Mr. Barnum, in the ministry of Taun- ton, was Mr. Elias Jones. Mr. Baylies says of him: "he was a young man of prepossessing manners, and address, and fine talents for the pulpit." I have heard some of the aged men remark, that their fathers told them, ''Mr. Jones was one of the most able ministers they ever heard preach." The action of the church in giving him a caU to settle with them, has recently come to light, as also the proceedmgs of the ordaining Council. " Taunton, Ajml IBtJi, 1777. At a church meeting duly w^arned, to know the mmd of the brethren with regard to giving Mr. Elias Jones a call to settle with them in the Gospel mmistry, the brethren met accordingly, and after looking up to Almighty God for direction. Rev. Mr. Niles of Abington, being Provi- dentially present, the following votes were passed : 1. That Rev. Mr. Niles be Moderator of this meeting. 2. The question Avas put, whether the brethren be ready to give a call to any gentleman to settle with them in said work ? Passed in the affirmative unanimously. 3. Whether it be the mind of the brethren to elect Mr. Elias Jones to settle with them in said work ? Passed in the affirmative mianimouslv. ELIAS JONES. 31 4. Whether they would choose a Committee to serve Mr. Jones with a copy of the proceedings of said meet- ing ? Passed in the affirmative. 5. Voted, that Deacon Wilhams, Capt. Henry Hodges, and Mr. Mory be said Committee. 6. Whether a Committee be chosen to petition the Se- lectmen to call a Town meeting to see whether they will concur with the vote of the church in the election of Mr. Jones, and to see what encouragement they will give him ? Passed in the affirmative." It is concluded, that the Town concurred, since the fol- lowing minutes of the Council, called to assist in ordaining Mr. Jones, in the hand-writing of Rev. Dr. Fobes, of Raynham, Scribe of the Council, have recently come into my hands. "At the request of the Church of Christ in Taunton, the Pastors with the Delegates of seven neighbormg churches, convened at the house of Benjamin Williams, Esq., in said Taunton, Oct. 22, 1777, formed into a Coun- cil, and after prayer to God for direction, proceeded to enquire mto the conduct of said church, relative to their calling and ordaining Mr. Elias Jones to the work of the Gospel ministry among them. On which occasion, were passed the following votes : 1. That Rev. Mr. Shaw be the Moderator of the Coun- cH. 2. That Peres Fobes be the Scribe of said Council. 3. That Mr. Jones' relation to the church of Christ in Halifax, in Nova Scotia, which could not be transferred, by a regular dismission and recommendation, as usual, should by reason of the times,* be dispensed with; provid- * It being a time of war. •32 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. cd, the church voted before the Council, his leception as a member of them, and accordingly it was done. 4. That Mr. Jones, upon examination before the Coun- cil, was duly qualified for the work of the Gospel ministry. 5. That Mr. Shaw should give hun the Charge. G. That Eev. Mr. Tobey give the Eight Hand of^ Fel- lowship. 7. That Rev. Messrs. Turner and Williams make the usual prayers upon that occasion. And agreeable to these votes, and determinations of said Council, Mr. Jones was that day ordained over the Church of Christ in Taunton. A Sermon suited to the occasion being first preached by Rev. Mr. Niles of Abington. True copy by Peees Fobes, Scrihe.^^ Mr. Jones, it would seem, came from Halifax, in Nova Scotia. There was a graduate of Yale College in 1767, bearing his name, but whether it was the minister of Taunton, I know not. His ministry was short. The only document which sheds light on the time of his leaving Taunton, is the Report* of a Committee appointed by the Town to supply the pulpit after his dismission, which doc- ument renders it probable that it occurred in 1778, the year following his settlement. All that we know concern- ing the cause of that dismission is the brief statement of a writer, supposed to be Mr. Baylies, in a Taunton paper many years since. "He fell into error,! and was con- strained to ask a dismission after a very short residence. His farewell sermon is said to have been written in a style of touching eloquence, and the manner in which he read the Psalm, commencing — * Note A. t Somo moral delinquency, it has been said. ELIAS JONES. ' Have pity, Lord ; Lord, forgive ; Let a repenting sinner live,' drew tears from every eye." Nothing is known concerning Mr. Jones, after he left Taunton. It has been reported that he went "up coun- try." And some have said that he turned his course to Virginia. The brief ministry of the eighth minister of Taunton is not without its profitable lessons. It speaks volumes in praise of a sound, discriminating, truth-loving church, which, the very moment its minister "fell into error" (whatever that "error" may have been) was willing to part with him, although confessedly an amiable, accom- plished, able man, showing thereby a most commendable preference for truth over error, and its fixed determmation to put principles before men. APPENDIX TO CHAPTER SECOND. Note A. Page 32. " Taunton, June IWi, 1780. '* The Committee clioseu for the purpose of supplying tlie pul- pit with candidates for the ministry in said Town, since the dis- mission of the Rev. Mr. Elias Jones, ask leave to report in the- following manner : " That sundry persons have been employed by them from the 25th of July,* for and until the Twenty-eighth day of IMay, 1780. During which time, your Committee have paid and en- gaged to pay said candidates for their services, hoarding, horse- keeping, &c., the sum of Two thousand, five hundred eighty- five pounds, five shillings ; part of which we received of said Town, to wit, Twelve hundred, sixty-six pounds, one shilling. Your Committee further report, that part of the aforesaid sum has been taxed, raised and applycd for the discharge of the debts aforesaid, and said inhabitants are still in arrears, the sum of Thirteen hundred, nineteen pounds, four shillings. And re- port, as their opinion, tlmt the last mentioned sum be voted, and the assessors be ordered to tax the same, agreeable to law, as soon as may be. Above report accepted (or one similar) June 2Gth, 1780." '*■ Of what year tlie Committee do not say j but judging from the bum paid for supplies, it was probably 1778. -«: * ik- r .■ -^ •..v^ V''' j:*I'-^' i^A^fy/rOAmvIud/h-nj EPITRAIM JUDSOX. 35 CHAPTER III. REV. EPIIRAIM JUDSON, THE NINTH MINISTER OF TAUNTON. For nearly two years after the removal of j\Ir. Jones, there was a vacancy in the Pastoral office. Of the '' sun- dry persons employed as candidates," to whom the Com- mittee of the Town refer in their Report, appended to the last chapter, none received, or receiving, accepted a call to settle. Rev. Ephraim Judson w^as Installed, according to Mr. Bayhes, in 1780 ; but in what month of the year, no Records remain to inform us. Mr. Judson was the ninth minister of the town. He was a native of Wood- bury, Conn.; from which town, through the kindness of William Cothren, Esq., I have received the following gen- eological account of the Judson famil}^* * In the month of May, I directed a letter to the Town Clerk of Woodbury, Ct., who sent the 17 th of June, the following reply : "Dear Sir: Yours of the 31st ult. came to me, after being examin- ed hy some of our ministers, b}^ due course of mail. Our ancient Rec- ords of BirtJis, Marriages and Deaths have no Index, and were put down promiscuously. It would seem that they were recorded, not as they occurred, but when those concerned happened to think of it, or chose to do it. After examining a few hoiirs, and not coming lo any- thing you wanted, I went to William Cothren, Esq., who has gone into an extended examination of these Records, and arranged in some order the different names by themselves, and requested him to give your re- quired answers. I think you can dc]icnd on his statement. He is get- ting up an extended account of the Judson name. Yours, &c., Elijah Suerman." In the communication from Mr. Cothren, he remarks: "The facts 36 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. William Judson came from Yorkshire, England, in 1634, with his family. He had three sons, viz : Joseph, Jeremiah, and Joshua. He lived four 3^ears at Concord, and removed thence to Stratford, T^'here he lived upon the South-west corner of a hill, called "Meeting-house Hill.'* He did not reside there long, but went thence to New- Haven, where he died in 1660. He probably had a daughter living there. Joseph, the eldest son of William Judson, was fifteen years of age when his father came to New-England. He lived at Concord four years, removed thence to Stratford, married in 1644, and in his twenty-fifth year, Sarah, daughter of John Porter of Windsor, she being eighteen years of age. They had eleven children, four sons, and seven daughters. The father died Oct. 9th, 1690, and the mother, March 16th, 1696. Their eldest son, John, was born March 10th, 1647. He married in 1673, Eliz- abeth Chapman of Stamford, and was again married, July 5th, 1699, to Mrs. Mary Orton of Farmington. He lived first at Stratford, where his father lived, and had there three children. He thence removed to Woodbury, where he died in 1710. He was the father of thirteen children, eleven sons, and two daughters. One of his sons bore the name of Jonathan, and was born in Dec. 1684. He married Mary Mitchell, Aug. 22, 1711. This Mary was daughter of Deacon Matthew Mitchell, and was baptized in July, 1687. Jonathan died May 16, 1727, and Mary died Feb. 9, 1743. They had seven children, four sons, and three daughters. Elnathan, were collected from the Stratford, and Woodburv Records, and from an olil gcneoloo-ioal list in the possession of David P. Judson of Stratford. The Judson family is very numerous in this vicinity. I am ]>reparing a list of genealogies of the early names of this town (Woodbury) of which the Judson name is one, and will make (juite a book of itscff." EPHEAIM JTJDSON. 37 the eldest son, was born May 8, 1712, and was baptized the same month. He married Rebecca Minor, June 30, 1736. This Rebecca was daughter of Ephraim and Re- becca Minor, and grand-daughter of Capt. John Minor, first settler of Woodbury, anl Indian Interpreter. She was born Jan. 30, 1712. Captain Elnathan Judson died Dec. 14, 1796, aged eighty-four years. They had the following children : (1) Ephraim, baptized Dec. 11, 1737, born Dec. 5, 1737. (2) Thaddeus, baptized Oct. 14, 1739. (3) Mary, baptized Oct. 18, 1741. (4) Noah, baptized July 15, 1744. (5) Ehsha, baptized July 20, 1746. (6) Elisha, 2d'., baptized Nov. 8, 1747. (7) Adoniram, baptized July 15, 1750. The first Elisha died early. The second Efisha left five children, viz: Reuben, David, Sybil, Ruth and Abigail. The onl}^ daughter, Mary, married Edward Pond, Nov. 7, 1765. Thaddeus left seven children, viz: Elnathan, Noah, Thaddeus, Pamela, Hannah, Esther, Elihu; the first four of whom, his brother Noah adopted, after Thad- deus' death. Lieut. Noah, had one child, a daughter, besides those of his adoption. Adoniram, was a graduate of Yale College in 1775, received the Honorary Degree of Master of Arts from Harvard University in 1782, and was for many years Pastor of a Church in Plymouth, Mass. His son, Adoniram, graduated at Brown Univer- sity in 1807, and recently died, after having been a faith- ful, and successful Foreign Missionary, for forty years.* * Eev. Doctor Wayland, President of Brown University, is preparing the memoir of this eminent man. It will he an important addition to the religious literature of the country. 4 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Ephraim, the eldest child of Elnathan* and Rebecca Judson, "vvas the ninth minister of Taunton. He was born, as has been already stated, Dec. 5th, 1737, and, according to primitive New-England usage, was baptized the next Sabbath. He graduated at Yale College, twelve years earlier than his brother Adoniram, that is, in 1763. His first settlement in the ministry, was over the second church in Norwich, Conn., as the successor of Doctor Whittaker. He commenced his labors in Taunton some- time during the year of 1780. These labors for the space of ten years, the period of his settlement, were of a very decided, positive character. In the pulpit, and out of the pulpit, Mr. Judson left the mark of a strong mind upon every thing he touched. His people were never at a loss to know what he believed. He was the very man to make warm friends, and was just as sure to have implacable en- emies. f His eccentricities! are remembered by those who have forgotten his excellencies. * Rev. Charles S. Porter, a successor of Rev. Adoniram Judson in the Pastoral office at Plymoiith, in a communication received the 2d of July, '52, relates an interesting incident in the life of the father, (whom he calls "Minor/' mistaking the mother's maiden name for her hus- band's) — an incident derived from Miss Abigail Judson, sister of the Missionaiy. "Mr. Judson, the father of Ephraim, once met with four others, to drink and blaspheme, and called on God, if there was one, to damn them. One soon fell back, and died ; then another, the same eve- ning. A third died the following day. Two survived. Mr. Judson was one. A revival of religion soon followed, and he was made a subject of renewing grace. The Parents both lived," adds Mr. Porter, "to an ad- vanced age and were eminently pious." t Note A. t There are many instances of these eccentricities related, connected "with his Sabbath ministrations and his every day intercourse with the people. Por example, it is said of him, that one Sabbath he stopped in the midst of a Discourse, when several of the elderly ]ieople had follen asleep, and reprehended some noisy boys in the gallery on this wise : " Boys, boys," said he, " don't make so much noise up there, or you will wake the old folks down below." On one occasion i)rcaching concerning the architecture of Solomon's Temple, he thus described its length: "It reached," said he, "as far as it is from here to Mr. Al)ijah Hodges' house — I don't mean young Mr. Abijah's, but (Ad Mr. Abijiili's." EPIIRAIM JUDSON. 39 He was stern, and apparently severe, but not without a good degree of moderation and mildness.* He was very precise in all his proceedings.! He undertook once to reprehend his hearers for their lack of indnstiyj and for their unreasonable repining. After dealing faithfully with the young, he turned towards the old people and said: "And you old men too, will gather in groupes, and leaning on your staves, will complain of 'hard times! hard times!' But, Sirs, do you go to work? ISJo — you go to the tavern, and get another mug of grog." He once accosted a lad on the roof of a house in the following singu- larly abrupt way. "Boy, has your fiither got ' Common Sense 1 ' (mean- ing Paine's book so called, which was just published, and he had heard this neighbor had.) "I guess he has as much as 3/0?^ have," was the quick reply ; and no wonder. But his blunt, uncompromising manner was sometimes serviceable. For example : A man, who had once been a minister, but was deposed for Polygamy, called upon him one Saturday evening, and wanted to preach, supposing his character was unknown to Mr. Judson. Mr. Jud- son merely said " Good evening " to the stranger, and passed out of the room. After a little time he returned, and dius remarked: "Sir, you perceive I treat you rather coolly. Are your two wives both living V^ Nothing more was said about preaching. Nor did he allow himself to escape sharp rebuke. Eiding along one day in a piece of woods, he met a poor man who asked for cliarity, and really needed it. The minister moved with compassion, stopped his horse, and gave him a small sum, which, afterwards a selfish, parsimo- nious spirit told him might possibly have been too much. The man was not yet out of sight. Mr. Judson suddenly halted, turned his horse, and called after him. " Sir," said he, " how much did I give you ?" " Twelve and a half cents," was the quick reply. " Well, here is a dol- lar — take that. Now, grudge again, old heart." These peculiarities of the Preacher are indicated perhaps by the char- acter of the face which the artist has furnished for this volume. The lithograph is a faithful copy of the portrait, which was obtained from the only surviving grandchild, residing in Windsor, Ct. * Mr. Judson's house was on Higli St. — -on the lot adjoining the pres- ent location of the Episcopal Church. Some boys amused themselves one night in putting a long, heavy stick of timber into his well, which was in front of his house, near the street. By diligent enquiry, Mr. Judson learned their names, and summoned them before him. With becoming gravity, he proceeded to pronounce their sentence. Said he : " Boys, you have put the stick io, now go to work, and take it out " — a punishment, severe indeed, but sufficiently mild. The well was deep, and the timl>cr heavy, but after sweating over it several hours, with Mr. Judson, and all the neighbors looking on, and laughing at thom, they succeeded in undoing what it took them only a short time to do, resolv- ed probably to play no more tricks on their minister. t He was sometimes ridiculously so. For exaraj^lc. He once heard, or thought he heard a thief in his cellar. Instead of making a prompt, and manly personal enquiry into the case, he calls iu several of his 40 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. Notwithstanding liis marked peculiarities, and undesir- able oddities, Mr. Judson had many redeeming qualities, which made him not only as a Preacher but as a citizen and a neighbor, a very desirable and useful man. Mr. Baylies says of him:* "His temper was kind and hospi- table, and his deportment courteous. Occasionally he was exceedingly interesting in the pulpit, discovering great learning and logical acuteness. His manner, when he commenced, was slow and indolent, but always solemn ; as he proceeded, he became animated, and seldom failed, before the close, to produce a deep interest in his hearers.'' Mr. Judson was dismissed from his Pastoral charge in Taunton, by an Ecclesiastical Council, convened Dec. 28th, ITOO.f He was subsequently settled in Sheffield, Mass., where neighbors, arranges them at different convenient points Avithout the house, whilst he concludes at length to go down, and drive the intruder out. The great parade of preparation was sufficiently ludicrous, when, as miglit have been expected, there was no thief there. Another instance of amusing precision relates to an attempt once made to administer medicine to his only child, Ephraim. He Avas sick, and, as is not uncommon with children at such a time, considerably averse to nauseous doses. Several women of the place, skilled hi sucli matters, Avere called in, and the precise master of ceremonies proceeds forthAvith to assign them their several parts. "Mistress Barnum, you Avill please station yourself at the child's head. Mistress D , you Avill stand at his right elboAv. Mistress E , you Avill stand at his left. Mistress C , you may hold his right foot. Mistress A , you may hold his left. I will stand, and administer the dose. Noav, ladies, do you all understand your places, and are you ready to perform your parts 7 Mistress Barnum, A\'hcre is your place ? Answer. At the head. Mistress I)., Avlicre is your place 1 Answer. At his right elboAV. Mis- tress E., Avlicre is your place 1 Answer. At his left elboAV. When ho liad thoroughly drilled the circle as to their several places and parts, tlic medical prescription is faithfully administered, Avith no loss of life or limb, but somcAvhat to the amusement of lookci's on, Avho Avonder, and witli reason, that the Taunton Divine had not learned a lesson from " faitliful Al)raham," and so " commanded his children, and his house- hold after him," as to render this formidable array of matrons unneces- sary. * In a newspaper article, of IS".", generally ascribed to him. t Mr. Baylies, in the article already referred to incorrectly states, that it Avas in 1789. For the action of this Council, see Note B. EPHRAIM JUDSON. 41 he continued in the ministry, until his death, February 23, 1813, at the age of seventy-five. He was buried in Shefiield ; and from Rev. James Bradford, the successor of Mr. Judson, I have received a copy of the epitaph, Tvhich he is careful to inform me, " expresses faithfully and truly his own views of Mr. Judson, both as a man and as a christian," as gathered from the recollection and judg- ment of others, (for he never saw him,) " but his epitaph is considered a fair one." " Sacred to the memory of the Rev'd Ephraim Judson, A. M. Pastor of the Church in Sheffield. He died on the 23d of Feb. 1813, in the 76th year of his age, and the 23d of his ministry in Sheffield, having been previously the Pastor of a church in Norwich, Ct., and Taunton, Mass. Mr. Judson was esteemed a learned Divine, an acute logician, and an evangelical preacher. He was mild, courteous, and hospita])le. By his numer- ous friends, he was deem'd a wise comisellor, an active peace-maker, and a sincere christian. What he was in truth, the Great Day will disclose." Mr. Judson married Chloe Ellis, of Somers, Conn. They had one child, born at Norwich, Conn., in 1777, and bearing the name of his father. He graduated at AVil- liams College, in 1797, and practiced law in Sandisficld, Mass., where he died in 1807. He left two children, Ephraim and Catharine. Catharine married a Barnes, and died Sept. 16, 1848. Ephraim lives unmanicd in Windsor, Conn.* * For these facts concerning the grand-children of Rev. Mr. Judson, the writer of this sketch is indebted to Henry Sill, Esq., of Windsor, Ct.j administrator on the estate of their mother, recently deceased. 4* 42 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Several sermons of Rev. Mr. Judson were published during his life time. The following belonging to Rev. Al- van Cobb, d. d., of Taunton, have been furnished for exam- ination : A sermon on the " first promise of the Savior in the Scriptures," and a double sermon on the " Judgment of the Great Day;" the former, founded on the text, (Gen. 3: 15,) "and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed ; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel;" the latter suggested by a part of the sixth verse of the Epistle of Jude, " Unto the Judgment of the Great Day." The one occupies twenty-six pages, and the other forty pages of a ''Collection of Sermons on important subjects, from a number of Ministers in some of the Northern States of America, printed by Hudson and Goodwin of Hartford, Ct., in 1797." "A sermon, preached at the ordination of the Rev. Jonathan Strong to the Pastoral care of the Third Church in Braintree, Jan. 28, 1789, by Ephraim Judson, A. M., Pastor of the Church in Taunton," was "printed in Prov- idence, by Bennett 'Wheeler, at his Office on the west side of the river," in that year — the year preceding Mr. Judson's removal from Taunton. The theme of the ser- mon was thus stated: "Ambassadors appointed by Christ to treat with mankind on the subject of reconciliation to God." Text, (2 Cor. 5: 20,) "Now then we are Am- bassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us : We pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." Rev. John Porter of Bridgcwater gave the Pastor elect, the Charge ; Rev. Ezra Weld of Braintree express- ed the Fellowship of the Churches. IMr. Judson preach- ed two ordination sermons in 1799, which were published; EPHRAIM JUDSON. 43 the first " delivered in Durham at the Ordination of Rev. David Smith," from the text (Jonah 3: 2,) "Preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee ;" the second " dehvered in Waterbury, Ct., at the Ordination of Rev. Holland Weeks," from the text, (Rom. 10: 14, 15,) "How then shall they call on him, in whom they have not believed ? and how shall they believe in him, of whom they have not heard ? and how shall they hear without a preacher ? and how shall they preach, except they be sent ? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them, that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" The same year (1799) was published a sermon preach- ed at Sheffield, on the decease of Gen. Ashley. There may have been still other printed discourses, which have escaped our notice. The limits of this work preclude the publication of more than two of these several productions of the ninth Taunton minister. Ambassadors appointed by Christ to treat ivith manldnd on the suhject of reeonciliation to Grod, illustrated. A SERMON, PREACHED AT THE OEDIN ATION OF THE REVEREND JONATHAN STB ON a, TO THE PASTORAL CARE OF THE T II III D C H U R C II IN B RAINTREE ; jANUAr.Y 2^, 1789. 1 M% By UF II R A 1 31 '^J U I) S ON, A. M. PASTOR OF TUE CIIUHCH IN TAUNTON. f,m PRIJ\^ED IN PROVIDE.YCE, EY BENNETT WHEELER, AT HIS OFFICE ON TUB WEST SIDE THE RIVER. .1 A N ORDINATION SEEMON. 2 CORINTHIANS, v. 20. " Nbiv then we are Aynhassadors for CJuist, as though God did beseech you hy us : ive pray you in Chris fs stead be ye reconciled to God.^^ ^^^''^i^pHIS text, viewed in connection with the 2%rl \ present solemnity, leads our contemplations to the appointment of Ambassadors of Christ : g To the character of his Ambassadors : — To the character of mankind to whom his Ambassadors are sent : ■ — And to the design of their being sent. I. Christ has appointed an order of men to act as his Ambassadors. This is manifest from the scriptures. " We are Am- bassadors for Christ: Hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.'*^ Christ in his gifts to the Church, " gave some, Apostles ; and some, Prophets ; and some, Evan- 48 THE MIXISTRY OF TAUNTON. gelists ; and some Pastors and Teachers^ Paul left Ti- tus in Crete, " to ordain Elders in every CityP Each one of the seven churches in Asia had an Angel. That is, a Minister. Christ sent Ambassadors to the gentile world. " G-o into all the 2vorld, and j^reach the gospel to every creature,"^^ He has always had them, and he will always have them to the end of the world. He appointed Enoch and Noah before the flood, to act as his Ambassadors to the Antedi- luvians.* He prolonged the life of Noah three hundred and fifty years after the flood, to act as his Ambassador to his children. Soon after the death of Noah, he appointed Abram and Lot, Isaac and Jacob, Job and others, to act as his Ambassadors to the families of the earth. After the death of these men he appointed Moses and Aaron, Samuel and the Prophets, to act as his Ambassadors to the Israelites, and to people of other nations, who resided among them, or came to be spectators of their festivals, or to learn their laws and religion. In his providence, ho sent some of the Prophets, as captives to neighbouring and to distant nations, to act as Ambassadors to idolatrous kings and people. After the Prophets, he appointed John his forerunner, to act as an Ambassador to the Jews. Soon after John, he chose the tAvelve to be with him, and to act as his Ambassadors to the people. About the same time he chose seventy, and sent them before his face into the villages and cities of Israel. After he arose from the * Christ existed from Eternity. He is very God. Govei-ncd the world from the bco;inning. He set up a church. And he instituted the office of Ambassadors. lie lias had diflercnt w.nys, in diifercnt periods of the Church, in calling and appointing tlicm to their office : But the design of their office has been the same m all periods of the Church. judson's sermon in 1789. 49 dead, he appointed Ambassadors to go to all nations. " Go into all the tvorlcl and preach the go si-) el to every creature^ In obedience to the command of their Lord, thej went among the nations of the great Roman empire. Some of them penetrated barbarous countries beyond the imperial line. The nations persecuted them with tortures and death. For the space of three hundred years, they stain- ed their countries with christian blood. Preachers were imprisoned, hanged and burnt. But Christ kept raising up and sending others. And finally put an end to this se- vere conflict, gave peace to his distressed people, for a season, and multiplied Ambassadors ; so that whole coun- tries Avere supplied with them. And when the season of peace was interrupted by the anti-christian power, that gradually arose, he continued to send forth Ambassadors. All the terrors of Antichrist ; his cruel edicts and anathe- mas that were thundered from his imperious throne, like storms of fire and brimstone ; the fires that he kindled in the nations to burn christians ; the numerous tortures in- flicted for many hundred years, gibbets, prisons, and the sword did not extinguish the order. In the darkest days of the anti-christian power, Christ had a number of Am- bassadors, who administered to the Church, that resided in the obscure vallies of Piedmont. And others he had, at the same time, in various other places. Ever since antichrist received a wound by the reformation from popery, and light emerged from darkness, Christ hath been increasing Ambassadors. At present he has many in Europe ; he has" a few in Asia and Africa ; some he has upon the isles ; in America he has a large number. He will have them till the millenium. And, in the millenium, he will send them to every dark country of paganism. He v>ill have 5 50 THE MIXISTRY OF TAUNTOX. tliem in the kingdoms and colonies, that are now under the papal power. He will have them in the extensive countries, that embrace the ^lahometan religion. He will have them in all the towns and cities of Europe. He will have them in the old settlements of America, and in the populous towns and elegant cities, that, in a future day, will be reared in the west. With hearts full of good af- fections, Ambassadors will spread all over the vrorld. In great cities the voice of Ambassadors will echo from church to church. Villages will assemble from every house, and be blessed with Ambassadors proclaiming reconciha-'tion. Heavenly sermons will be heard, where savage beasts and savage men now haunt inhospitable wilds. Harbours teem- ing with ships, where the air is infected with profane oaths, will be sweetened with sermons on divine subjects. The mariner, whose ship plows the boisterous sea, will have the Ambassador on board to preach glad tidings. And in the little season of degeneracy, that will begin at the end of the millenium, and last till the day of judg- ment, he will have Ambassadors. The promise, — " Lo, I am luith you ahoay^ to the end of tlie world^'' implies that he would always have them, so long as the world should continue. 2. We are to give a description of Christ's Ambassa- dors. Ax Ambassador, as the term is commonly used, is a Representative of a Prince, sent on business to foreign powers. An Ambassador of Christ, as the phrase is com- monly used, is a minister of the gospel, sent to mankind, to preacli the way of salvation. judson's sermon in 1789. 61 Ambassadors of Princes are appointed to their office. Tliej must not undertake before they are properly com- missioned according to the rule of courts. Ambassadors of Christ must be regularly appointed to their office. They must not undertake till they are commissioned according to the laws of Christ. Ambassadors of Princes have instructions from those who send them that they may know what they have to do. Ambassadors of Christ have instructions from him, that they may know what they have to do. Their Lord has given them orders in his word. Ambassadors of courts must follow their instructions without deviating in the least from the business, on which they are sent. So must the Ambassadors of Christ. The Priests under the law were to follow all the directions which God gave them. The Ministers of the New Tes- tament are to teach men, " to observe all tilings wliatsocver''^ Jesus " hatli commanded tliemP Ambassadors of Kings must bo men of ability and knowledge. They must be acquainted with law, and the customs of courts. They must understand the will of their masters, and the business on which they are sent. Am- bassadors of Christ must also be men of ability and knowl- edge. They must understand the scriptures. Must un- derstand the will of their Lord ; and the rules of his house. Yvlse sovereigns do not send ignorant men to nc- gociate national concerns. The Lord Jesus docs not send ignorant men on business relating to his eternal kingdom. Spiritual Ambassadors are to explain, and inculcate the sublime doctrines of the kingdom of heaven. It re(|uires men of knowled^ije to do this. 52 THE MINISTRY OF TAUXTOX. Ambassadors of Princes should be friendlj to the cause which thej undertake. Courts do not employ an enemy on an embassy. Ambassadors of the Prince of peace should be friendly to the cause which they undertake. No confidence can be put in an enemy. When self-inter- est or ambitious views clash with duty, he will betray his trust. A selfish Minister will not sacrifice his worldly in- terest and reputation for truth. When his own interest and the cause of religion stand in competition, he will give up the cause of religion, rather than his interest : There- fore he ought t!) be a man of grace. This will secure a degree of fidelity. A pure flame of disinterested love to the Lord Jesus, and to the welfare of souls must incline a man to undertake the evangelical ministry. Ambassadors of Kings ought to be men of good moral conduct. Vice and dissipation will incapacitate a public character f )r usefulness. Ambassadors of Christ must be men of an holy life. A wicked life is utterly incompat- ible with then* lioly calling. It incapacitates them for the pious duties of their ministry. It is a scandalous olfence to religion. And it makes mankind think that there i^ nothing serious and important in preaching and religion. Ambassadors of Prhicos should devote themselves to their business. Being called to transact matters of conse- quence, they must lay aside all other business. Ambassa- dors to the Prince of Heaven should devote themselves to their business. Their office is filled up with care and at- tention. They have to strive against sin ; study the scrip- tures ; get clear ideas ; preach sermons ; attend lectures ; visit the sick ; go to funerals ; watch the flock ; warn the wicked ; administer comfort to the wounded in spirit ; and judson's sermon in 1789. 58 discipline the Church. This requires close application to ministerial duties. Paul exhorted Timothj, his young son in the faith, to give himself wholly to the work of the min- istry. The same Apostle directs Ministers to take the sol- dier for a pattern, who when he goes to war, does not en- tangle himself with the cares of this world. A Preacher has no business to act in a political character : His work is of more consequence, than that of a civil officer. He has no business to labour in the field : He has a duty to discharge infinitely greater. He has no business to entan- gle himself with a mercantile shop : His mind must be on liis study, and heart on the good of his people. The vari- ous callings of life are incompatible with his ministerial duties. When he undertakes the office of a Bishop, he commences a servant of Jesus Christ, in whose service he is called to labour all his days. He must not be enticed to lay aside his ministry by the inviting prospects of hon- our ; nor by the flattering appearances of obtaining wealth m some other caUing of life. Ambassadoes of Princes are confined to particular na- tions. The commission of the Ambassadors of Christ extends to all nations. It was confined in Christ's day to the Jews. But after Christ's death he extended it to all nations. Jew and Gentile ; bond and free ; christian and barbarian ; the sober and profane arc now to be treated with on the subject of reconciliation. '^ Go ye into all the tvorld, and 2)r each the Gospel to every creature.'''' Ambassadors of Courts have business of consequence committed to them. They negociatc for Kings, courts and empires. The welfare of multitudes is concerned in their 54 THE MINISTRY OF TAUXTOX. decisions. More important is the embassage of the Min- isters of Christ. It is not a treaty of amity and commerce, of war and peace, that they negociate ; but a treaty of reconcihation to God. They go with a message from the King of Heaven, to the empire of the world. The hon- our of God the Father — The glory of a crucified Saviour — And the salvation of lost men is deeply interested in the treaty. 3. We are to lay open the character of mankind, to whom the Ambassadors of Christ are sent. It is important to know mankind, that we may know how to address them. They are enemies to God. This may appear from the following things. (1) From their selfishness. By selfishness is not meant a suitable regard to our own happiness. We ought to love ourselves, as a part of the intellectual world. We ought to love every rational being, of which we- have any knowledge. And as we make a part of the great body of mtelligent beings, we ought to love ourselves. There is the same reason for a man to love himself, as there is, that he should love anoth- er. Capacity to enjoy rational happiness, is a foundation for love. Each one has this : Therefore each one is to be loved. Because it is self, it is not to be neglected. The command of Christ, " Love thy neighbour as thyself f' im- plies that we may love ourselves, as really as our neigh- bour. Minding this, however, not to put an undue value on ourselves, or any other being ; nor love each one above his real worth and capacity to enjoy happiness. judson's sermox in 1789. 55 By selfishness, as the term is used here, is meant that disposition in mankind, which onlj regards their own hap- piness. Benevolence has an eye to the good of beings in general. Selfishness has an eje only to self. Benevo- lence is love to the highest good of the universe. Selfish- ness is love only to the interest of self. That mankind are selfish, is too plain to be denied. We see it in all classes of men. We feel it in our own breasts. Selfishness is of such a nature, that it would exalt itself above all beings, and engross the wealth and happi- ness of the universe, if it had sufficient power and oppor- tunity. He who would deprive a man of a degree of hap- piness, to advance his own mterest, would, if he were not controuled, deprive a man of all his happiness. And he who would deprive one man of happiness, to advance his own interest, would, if not restrained, deprive two — an hun- dred — all mankind — even God himself, of happiness. The tendency of selfishness is to rise, trample down, and destroy others to j^romote itself. Therefore the nature of selfishness is inimical to man, and to God. The man who has it, is armed, and prepared to oppose God. And when any one awakes out of security ; and realizes eternal things ; and sees that God is opposed to him as a sinner, his heart rises against God. He sees God, and hates him. While he is ignorant of God, or secure in his sms, he has the essence of enmity ; for selfishness is really enmity. But when he is roused, and convicted of sin and danger, he has direct positive exercises of hatred to God. (2) It appears that mankind are enemies to God from idolatry. bb THE MmiSTRY OF TAUXTON. Idolatry has been prevalent among the children of men. From the creation of the world to the flood, it Avas sixteen hundred and fifty years. In that period, it is thought that idolatry was prevalent. From the flood till the call of Abram, it was four hundred and twenty years. In that period, by a gradual declension from the worship of God, all the families of the earth become idolaters. From the call of Abram to the death of Christ, it was al- most two thousand years. In that long period all nations lay buried ui idolatry, except the Israelites. And they f . e- quently went after the gods of the nations. From the death of Christ to the end of the apostolic age, it was sixty-six years. In that period, all men except a very few remain- ed in their idolatrous state. In that time, there were not more than two hundred christian churches in the world. From the apostohc age down to the present day is sixteen hundred and eighty-eight years. In all this long period, almost all men have lived in idolatry. At the present day there is more light than there has ever been ; yet not more than one-fourth part of mankind w^orship the God and Father of Jesus Clirist. Idolatrous worship has over- spread the world, and covered it with thick darkness. Great kingdoms, and mighty empires have adored suppos- ed divinities of the sun, moon, and stars. Learned Kings, sage Philosophers and venerable Priests bowed before gods of gold and silver, wood and stone. Some nations deified their Heroes and Politicians, and worshipped their depart- ed spirits. Some adored four-footed beasts, filthy birds, and venomous reptiles. Men have " CI tan ged the glory of the uncorrvptihle God into an image made like to corrup- tible 7Jian, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creep- ing things.^' Some have worshipped the devil and ofiered judson's sermon in 1789. 57 sacrifices to him. Rome and Greece, -whose laws are ven- erated in this enlightened age, and whose authors are stud- ied in our learned universities, tenaciously held to idolatry. Rome papal, the savage tribes of America, and the exten- sive kingdoms of Asia and Africa, are even at this day idolaters. This gross delusion of mankind is not owing to the want of the means of knowledge. While men have been kneel- ing before their idols, God has been holding up hght. Neither is it owing; to the want of mental abilities : God has given them rational souls capable of knowing him. Neither is it owing to the want of persuasive considera- tions : Every possible motive to worship God, is exhibited in a blaze of light. To what then can the cause of idola- try be attributed ? It must be attributed to a strong incli- nation to forsake God. Which shows, that they are disaf- fected to him ; for they would not be inclined to idolatry, if they were his friends. The Apostle Paul considered idolatry, as an evidence of disaffection to God. Speaking of idolatry, he signified that men become idolaters, because '' They did not like to retain Grod in their hioivledgey A ROYAL family, suppose, in a succession of Kings, reigns for several thousand years, over a great empire, composed of many nations ; the subjects revolt in every age ; and against the clearest light — the most solemn threatenings — the fullest promises of protection and hap- piness — and the highest evidence of a disposition and ability in their Sovereigns to promote the interest of those who are loj^al. Their revolt proves that they arc disaffect- ed to their Sovereigns. 58 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. God is the rightful sovereign of the world : He has reigned over man several thousand years ; gives the chil- dren of men the clearest hght ; promises his worshippers the greatest blessings ; threatens idolaters with the most tremendous woes ; expresses the kindest disposition to- ward men ; and gives the highest evidence of his abihtj to protect them. Men revolt from him ; but an infinitely small part worship God ; they go after idol vanities ; they kneel to a stock. This proves that they do not like their holy Sovereign. (3.) It appears, that mankind are enemies to God from their ignorance of God and divine things. When a man is ignorant of any branch of science ; w^ho is possessed of good abilities, and favored with happy advantages to apply his mind, and urged to attention by every motive of duty and interest ; it is an evidence, that he is disaifected to it. If a youth of sprightly abilities, at a seminary of learning, under good instructors, be ignorant of every branch of lit- erature ; it is an evidence that he hates his books. If a Minister of the Gospel does not understand the Bible ; it is an evidence that he has a distaste to religion. It shews that his heart is not engaged in his calling. Love to a thing is the greatest spur to attention ; and by attention the mind acquires knowledge. If men had love to God, they would attend to his character ; and get acquainted with him. They have sufficient abilities to get a good doctrinal knowledge of the great things of his kingdom. They have the best instruction. Light blazes from the cross. They have every advantage that can be wished. The things of God are explained in the best manner. All the motives from Heaven and Earth conspire to call up their attention. judson's sermon in 1789. 59 It is their duty and interest to acquaint themselves with eternal things. Yet men are ignorant of God. Sinai thunders ; but they will not hearken. Christ weeps over them ; but they will not attend. Death with the solemni- ties of eternity draws near ; but they will not mind. They will not be instructed. They will not pay attention ; and acquaint themselves with divine things. Inattention and ignorance prevail among all classes of people. If they thmk a few moments on God, they find it painful. They understand the various branches of business, and tread the circle of science with pleasure ; but they will not at- tend to the things of God. This manifests an internal dis- like to him. If any one should be as inattentive to the world, and carnal pleasures, as men are to divine things, it would be evidence enough that he hated the world. If you knew as little about your fields, and the various occu- pations of life, as you do about religion, it would be an evidence that your poor heart is opposed to the world. If it should give you as much pain to attend to your pleasures, as it does to pray and to meditate on the things of eterni- ty, it would be a convincing proof, that you hated your pleasures. You seldom attend to God, and divine things ; and when you do, it gives you disagreeable sensations. This is because you are inimical to God. (4.) It appears that they are enemies to God from their ill treatment of one another. Their conduct toward one another manifests an un- friendly disposition. They defraud and cheat, and seek to get advantage ; they backbite and devour one another. Multitudes are compelled to wear out a miserable life m slavery ; great numbers employ themselves in making in- 60 THE MIXISTRY OF TAUNTON. struments of death : Miglitj armies are emplojed in offen- sive wars, to slaj their poor fellow-mortals : Every age produces fields of blood : Garrisons have been massacred : Elegant Cities have been made like burnt Mountains : The cruelty of man is beyond description. It shows that there is the seed of enmity lurking in the heart. They act like enemies ; and by actions we learn the dispositions of men. The same disposition that is inimical to man, is inimical to God. The same selfish disposition that is opposed to a finite being, is opposed to the infinite Being. Therefore the enmity toward one another is an evidence, that they are enemies to God. (5.) It appears that mankind are enemies to God from the hard treatment that good men have received from the world. Multitudes of good men have been persecuted and slain. Studied tortures have been inflicted on the servants of Christ. Not because they exalt themselves above their fellow-mortals : They are humble, and confess their enmity of heart. Not because they seek the hurt of mankind : They are harmless and inoffensive. Not be- cause they are persons of vicious lives : They are virtuous and sober. The Apostles w^ere little images of their Lord. Every Christian exhibits a degree of kindness similar to that, which shone in the conduct of the Saviour : But men have hated them, and put them to death. That disposition which is hatred to the servant, is hatred to the Lord also ; for there is such a likeness between God and his children, that there caimot be hatred to one, and not to the other. Therefore, tlie enmity that they have shown to the ser- vants of God proves that they hate him. JUDSOX'S SERMON IN 1789. 61 (6.) It appears that the J are enemies, from the treat- ment Christ received, when he was on earth. In ancient days, men said, as thej do now, that they did not hate God. God gave them an opportunity to shew whether they did or did not hate him, by putting his Son into their hands ; who came among men, and drew his own character, and the character of his Father before the peo- ple. The temper of Heaven shone in every step of his conduct. Christ on the Cross illuminated the eternal throne of the triune God ; and brought him down to earth ; and set him in clear light before men. Did they receive God on earth with warm affection ? Did love catch from heart to heart w^herever he went ? The people saw him ; and they saw his Father : But they hated him and his Father. Christ himself said, " Ye have seen and hated both me and my Father.''^ This testimony they verified by their cruel conduct toward Christ. Before the tragi- cal scene of the cross, men had given a specimen of their enmity to God by their cruel treatment of the Prophets and good men : And they have given the same sad speci- men ever since, by their treatment of the folio Avers of Christ. But in erecting the cross they gave a most evi- dent proof of their enmity. While Christ w^as expressing the deepest humility — While he was expressing every act of kindness — While he was expressing tokens of his mis- sion and divinity — While he w^as stating the triune God in the most amiable light — ^Miile he w^as laying open the glories of the Deity — While he was agonizing for the sal- vation of men — While, Avith melting tears and groans, he was praying for them ; they were cursing him — they were nailing him to the cross — they were insulting him — tliey 6 62 THE MIXISTRY OF TAUNTON. were rejoicing in his misery. Glaring expressions of en- mity ! God gave them opportunity to shew themselves ; He put himself into their hands ; and the heart poured forth a torrent of enmity. Here mankind stand on mount Cal- vary giving their own picture. Blush, and never open thy mouth in vindication of thyself! (7.) It appears that they are enemies from the office of Ambassadors of Christ. Ambassadors of our Lord are to call on men to be rec- onciled, as may appear in considering the last general head. When Ministers of Kings sue for peace, it supposes war. The proposals of reconcihation made by Ministers of Christ suppose enmity. Why should an order of men be set apart by Jesus Christ, to spend their days in call- ing on men to become friendly to God, if they are not un- friendly ? A NATION in the east was governed by a wise Monarch of a most benevolent disposition, who sent Messengers in- to various parts of his realm, to exhort people to turn to their allegiance. Near the dissolution of his kingdom, he sent a Messenger of an extraordinary character, that devoted his life, in calling on men to repent, and be recon- ciled to their Sovereign. At the same time he sent his Son. He had but one Son. Him he sent. The Son spent the time he lived, in calling the Citizens to be recon- ciled. The Son appointed others to go on the same er- rand. He likewise sent Messengers to other States and kingdoms, to invite them to be reconciled to his Father ; for his Father was their rightful Sovereign. He continued sending them many ages. On rational principles, we con- judson's sermon in 1789. 63 elude tliat there was a rebellious spirit among the subjects of that Monarch. The united call of his Messengers to the people to return to their duty is evidential of disobedi- ence. For why should a constant call be kept up durmg ages, to repent of rebellion, and be reconciled ; unless there was a rebellious spirit among them ? The relation now given is so descriptive of God — and of the Israelites — of the Prophets — Christ — his Apos- tles and IMinisters, that the meaning is not doubtful. More than fifteen hundred years the Prophets called on men to turn to God : More than seventeen hundred years' the ministers of Christ have been calling on men : Multi- tudes have been raised up, and commissioned to go and say, ^' he reconciled to Crod^^^ which shows that men are unreconciled. Soon after the fall of man Ambassadors began to call for reconciliation ; which shews that enmity began early among mankind. They call, as soon as we are capable of understanding what they say ; which shews, that this sin- ful disposition is in us, in our early age. Multitudes have been sent ; but they have been unable to remove the en- mity ; grace divine, and nothing else can take it away; which shews that it is deeply rooted. They are sent to all people, to whom they can go. In modern ages some whole nations have been addressed on the subject of rec- onciliation. And a future day will open a treaty of recon- ciliation among all people. When two hundred sorrowful years have carried on the church through trouble and af- 64 THE MINISTRY OF TAUXTOX. fliction, the milleniiim will commence, [x^ote] at which time the Gospel will be preached to every creature ; which shews that the whole race of men is affected with this evil disposition. Though thej may differ much in other res- pects ; yet they agree in this bad disposition. Even the best saint has a degree of it remaining, that will lurk in his heart, till he dies, and taint all his religious performances. If any one should say, that he feels no opposition to God ; and therefore he concludes, that there is no such thing in human nature : I beg leave to offer a few reasons to shew why men are not sensible of the enmity of the heart. First. — Inattextiox may be a reason, that you do not see the enmity of your heart. Many eat and drink, and follow the busy scenes of life, and never attend to the exercises of their minds, to see whether they are friends or enemies to God. And if this is your case, it is no evi- dence that you are not an enemy, because you do not see it. You never will see it, unless you open an attentive eye, and look into your heart. Note. — AVe arc led by the 2300 days in Daniel,* to find when tlie millennium will commenee. He prophesied that the sanctuary should lie polluted 2300 days, and that then it should he cleansed. Sanctuary means the cliurch of God. A day in Daniel, signifies a year. The pol- lution that he speaks of began a little more than 300 years before Christ came, to which add the time since Christ came, it makes about 2100 years. All this long time the Cliurch has been low. afflicted and pollut- ed by sin. When it has been in this low state about 200 years more, the 2300 years will be accomplished : then it will be cleansed*: and enjoy an hap])y glorious season, one tliousand 3-cars. We are led by another period predicted l)y Daniel and John to find Avhcn the millemiium Avill begin. Prophesying of the papal poAver that would arise, Daniel tells us, that the saints should be " Given into his * Dan. 7: 14. judson's sermox in 1789. 65 Secondly. — False ideas of God may be a reason that you do not see your enmity. Men are inclined to reject the true God. " They do not like to retain God in their hiowledye.^^ They form a character of God agreeably hand, a time, and times, and the dividing of time.''^* And that he would '^scatter the people of God, a time, times and an half.''^ John in his reve- lations prophesying of this anti-christian power ; says that the church should be secured in the Avilderncss from the face of Antichrist, " For a time, and times, and half a tinie^X Again speaking of this power, he says, that it shall tread under foot the holy city 42 months.^ "^nc?" that ^'poioer teas given tinto him to continue 42 monthsy\\ And that '•'• dur- ing that time the ivitnesses should prophesy 1260 days clothed in sackcloth.^^^ All these numbers agree, and fix the duration of Antichrist. A time is one year, times, two years, half a time is half a year. Which makes three years and a half. Counting 30 days to the month, as was usual among the people, with whom Daniel and John lived, make 1260 days ; 42 months, counting 30 days to a month, make the same number. That is, 1260 years ; for a day in those prophecies signifies a year. The time therefore of the reign of Antichrist is fixed to 1260 years. When this term is expired he will fall, and the millenium will take p. ace. He be- came the oppressive Antichrist in the sense ef these prophecies, in the year 756, when lie usurped civil power. He has reigned ever since, Avhich is 1032, years which taken from the whole time he is to reign leaves 228 years, for him to reign. But as they counted only 360 days to the year, Ave must deduct about 17 years from the 228, which leaves but a little more than 200 years for him to continue. Then he will be overthrown : and then the glorious thousand years will begin. Should any one smile at these calculations, he is asked whether he has studied the prophecies respecting the time of the commencement of the millen- ium. Fkobably, the sabbath days, and sabbatical years among the Israel- ites typified the rest of the spiritual Israel, in the millenium. They were to labor six days, and rest on the seventh : they were to labour six years, and rest from'labour on the seventh, probably to signify, among other reasons, that after the spiritual Israel had been afflicted six thous- and years, it should rest from trouble the seventh. If so, then it will be about two hundred years to the millenium, for there is wanting but about two hundred years to compleat six thousand years, since tlxe crea- tion. If we should suppose him to be as long in falling, as he was in rising, it Avill bring the millenium about the same time. He was 700 years in rising. " The mystery of iniquity''^ began "/o ?twZ:"** in the days of Paul about the year '60. The Pope obtained ecclesiastical power over all the christian world in 606. He obtained civil power in 756. So that he was 700 yeai's in rising. He has been declining ever since the year 1260, which is about 500 years. If he should be as long in falling as he was in rising, about 200 years will bring him to ruin ; and bring on the hap- l)y millennial state. * Dan. vii. 25. t Dan. xii. 7. X Rev. xii. 14. § Rev. xi. 2. || Rev. xii. 5- 6* H Rev. xi. 3. ** Tliess. ii. 7. 6Q THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. to their taste, and love it. Hence think thej love God. Whereas they love only a false character. But this is not love to the true God. It is so far from true love that it is enmity. For love to a false God, is enmity to the true God. At least it implies enmity. Men are not friendly to opposite characters. Therefore though you feel friend- ly, as you think to God, it may be only friendship to a false character, which implies opposition to the very God. And if you have not seen enmity, it is very evident you are an enemy, for all those who know true religion, know the enmity of the heart. The Jews loved Christ, Avhen they mistook his character and design ; but when they were led to look at his true character, and real design, ex- pressed in his life, preaching and works, they hated him. When they supposed he came to erect an earthly kingdom, they cried hosanna. But when they found worldly great- ness was not his object — that he despised wealth — that he had no honorary titles and pensions to bestow on his friends — that he did not appear to save them from the tyranny of their enemies. AVhen they found that an hum- ble, holy hfe — the glory of God, and deliverance from a self-righteous spirit, were objects of his mission, they cried, crucify him. Similar to this is sometimes the case of oth- ers. While they misunderstand the character and design of God, they feel friendly and think they love God. But when their mistaken ideas are removed, and the truth pre- sented, and in a degree realized, they hate him. Paul was not sensible that he was opposed to God, while he had wrong ideas of God ; but when God made himself known to him by the law, sin awoke and he saw it. The bloody enemy of Christ, who supposed himself a zealous worthy friend of God, found himself a bitter enemy ; and felt a judson's sermon IX 1789. 67 • degree of it remaining in his heart to his cljing moment. The same reason may perhaps apply to you. It may be you have false notions of God, and so think you love him. Whereas should you be brought to see and realize his char- acter, you would feel so much opposition, that you would find yourself a real enemy to God. Thirdly. — It may be that you are so hard-hearted that although you get some just speculations of God, you feel quite indifferent about him. Some men contemplate on God with as much indifference, as a Philosopher does on his supposed inhabitants of the Moon. Thej^ feel as little about him, as we do about some great personage that lived in ancient days. They care as little about heaven, as we do about elegant Cities in China. All their thoughts about God, are dry speculations. Their hearts are as un- moved as stones. When this is the case, they will not feel enmity. If you belong to this class, it is no wonder, that you feel no opposition to God. Fourthly. — Infidelity of heart maybe another rea- son, that you do not see your enmity. There is much in- fidelity in the depraved heart of man. When the heart loves an idol, or a false character, or has no sense of the moral beauty of God, it is an heart of infidelity. " The fool hath said in his heart there is no God.^^ While he feels thus, no sensible opposition rises against God. Should your heart be brought to feel, you would be sensible of opposition. Fifthly. — Men try to keep their enmity out of their own sight. The thought of being an enemy to God ap- pears so dreadful, that they do not love to see it. 68 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Self-righteous men build their hope of salvation on their goodness. A sight of their enmity kills their hope. Hence they choose to keep it out of sight ; and think as well of themselves as thej can. Awakened sinners mean to prepare themselves to go to Christ, bj making themselves better. A sight of their hearts shews them, that thej are not growing better. This gives them distress. Therefore they try to smother and hide enmity from a painful eye. Secure sinners love their ease : They wish to be quiet : the idea that they are enemies disturbs their rest; and gives painful apprehensions of futurity. And therefore they wish to keep the enmity of the heart buried out of sight. It is not the least evidence, that you are not an enemy, because you do not see it. No man loves to see his own depraved picture. It is disagreeable to sec himself an enemy, exposed to the pains of hell. He wishes to hide it from himself and from God. 4. We shall consider the design of sending Ambassa- dors. The design may be comprised in two things: — First, In teaching mankind the things of religion. They are to teach men the character and perfections of God. The existence of God lies at the foundation of religion. The religion of men will be according to their ideas of God. Just ideas of God will lead men to just conclusions in re- ligion. Wrong ideas Avill lead to fdse conclusions of the nature of religion. It is needful that mankind should be judson's sermon in 1789. 69 well informed in this leading idea. Ambassadors arc sent for this purpose. They are to explain the character of God, as it is revealed in nature and redemption. And, they are to explain his law. By the law is the knowledge of sin. Without the law they can never understand their fallen sinful state. Therefore Ambassadors must teach it: They must enter into the spirit of the law ; and shew what it requires and forbids; what the rewards and curses are. And, they are to exhibit the character of man. Men must be informed, that they are in a sinful ruined state ; or they cannot repent ; neither can they see their need of a Saviour. Ambassadors must shew them their sin. They must endeavour to strip sinners of their refuge of lies, and shew them their true character. In doing this, it is need- ful to explain the nature of sin ; and how fixed sinners are in their ovr'n destruction. They must tell them plainly, that they are inimical to God, and exposed to the pains of hell. And, they must preach a crucified Redeemer. A cru- cified Saviour is the alone foundation of the hope of a guilty creature. Every other foundation of hope will leave a man in ruin. The Preacher must point men to Calvary — to a bleeding Saviour. He must display him in a just light. He must explain his exalted character — The na- ture of his mediation — The design he had — his moral character — The satisfaction he made by bearing the curse of the Law. And, the Preacher must explain the nature of repen- tance, and faith; and direct the wounded in spirit to the cross. He must explain the nature of reconciliation. Ho must get clear ideas himself, and preach them in the plain- 70 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. est light. General terms, without any precise meaning, will not give instruction. A declamatory discourse may please the vanity of an auditory, for a moment ; but it will not inform the mind ; nor sting the conscience of the sin- ner ; nor edify the christian ; nor entertain the sensible man. Secondly, When the Ambassador has informed the mind, he must exhort them to right exercises of heart. Having stated the character of God, and the nature of reconciliation, he must call on them to be reconciled to God. A rebellious world have no reason to hate God. His character is most amiable ; and all his conduct most righteous. They have no reason to hate his omniscience: God knows how to dispose of them in the great chain of his providence, to promote the best design. They have no reason to hate his wisdom : He knows . what is best to be done with them ; and with the whole universe — And how to lay out the best plan of govern- ment ; and how to execute it in the best way. They have no reason to hate his eternal purposes : he knows how to contrive all things now ; and he kncAv as well hoAV to determine things from eternity. And it was as right to determine them from eternity, as it is at present. His eternal determinations are under the dictates of infi- nite wisdom and goodness. Who can wish that infinite wisdom and goodness should not dictate ? They have no reason to hate him, as an Almighty Be- ing, for his power is only improved in executing the dic- tates of infinite wisdom and holhicss. judson's SERMo^r m 1789. 71 TiiEY have no reason to hate his mercj. He '''ivlll have mercy on ivhom he ivill have mercy ^ and compassion on tvhom he will have comjjassion.^^ Men ought not to be uneasy with this; for he knoAVS whom it is best to save, and whom it is best to leave to perish in his sins. He knows how to deal out mercy, to promote his glory, and the felicity of his friends. Therefore he ought not to be hated for his mercy. They have no reason to hate his justice, in executing pumshment. It is not to be expected that men will love pain as pain ; but it is reasonable that they should love justice ; for it is a glorious attribute of God. To hate justice, is to hate God. They ought not to hate him as law-giver. The law is like himself, glorious in beauty. With delight therefore it ought to be 'admired and obeyed. Men ought to be so heartily reconciled to the law, as to say with pleasure, amen, when they hear it. They have no reason to hate God, as absolute Govern- or. It is fit that he should be at the head, and determine every event, in all worlds, from the greatest to the least — Give life to man ; appoint his circumstances ; and fix his state for time and eternity. If God does not know how to determine all things, who does ? Shall not infinite AYisdom dictate in his own world, in the disposal of his o^^i property? They ought not to hate him for his plan of salvation. It is an holy salvation : It answers the best ends : It glo^ rifies God ; It honours the law ; It justly blames rebellion ; It lays the sinner in the dust ; and makes him feet his guilty state ; and cry to sovereign grace for pardon. 72 THE MIXISTRY OP TAUNTON. They have no reason to hate him ; because he requires an holj hfe. It is proper, that they should seek his glory, be humble and kind ; and obey his precepts. They have not one reason in nature to be enemies. They ought to lay down their rebellious arms, and be friendly to their eternal Sovereign. They ought to change sides, and es- pouse the cause of the Lord. Their enmity ought to die immediately ; and pure benevolence kindle and flame most aflfectionately. And Preachers ought to insist on this to the utmost. They should never give up one iota of this. The excuses of men, be they what they may, are of no weight. The very depravity of heart that is plead, as an excuse, is a reason for immediate reconciliation; for wick- edness ought not to be indulged a moment. The plea of depravity should excite Ambassadors to urge reconcilia- tion Avith the greatest earnestness. The substance of all their exhortations must tend to this great subject. All their arguments from reason and revelation must centre in this capital point, " Be ye reconciled to Grod.^^ To the Pastor elect the subject may with propriety be applied. Dear Brother, be reconciled to God. Reconciliation is to be your theme in preaching. An Ambassador, who exhorts others to be reconciled to God, ought himself to be reconciled. You are sent by the Lord Jehovah to his rebellious creatures, to exhort them to lay aside their opposition. Your subject is of infinite moment. The welfare of souls, the dignity of the divine law, and the honour of the gi-eat Goi arc concsrned. You must stand between your fellow- judson's sermon in 1789. 73 sinners, and the holy Majesty on high, and call on all men to love God with all the heart. In doing this, you must explain the nature of love, the true state of man, and the character of God, to whom they are to feel reconciled. This will lead you into the criminal depravity of man, and his woful state, and mto the deep things of God. You are to collect motives to excite them to be reconciled from the benevolence of God — From the deformity of sin — From the perfection of the divine government — And from the obligations men are under to obey God. You are to shew them pale death, and point them to the coffin, and the cold grave, and bring the solemn day of judgment to view, to influence them to be friendly to the Most High. Your office is sacred and solemn. The subject of your study most sublime : More sublime than academic science and jurisprudence. Your own soul is deeply concerned in that reconciliation that you are to preach to others. How important then is it, that your own heart should be reconciled to God ? Can you devote your days in calling on others to be reconciled, and indulge opposition in your- self? Dear Brother, it will be awful to go to hell with the word of reconciliation on jonv lips. Charity founded on evidence, obtained by personal knowledge of your religious character, persuades me, that you are induced by love to undertake the office of an Am- bassador of Christ. Yet there is danger of neglecting your duty. Reconciliation will be a defence against un- fiiithfulness. Therefore let it be the reigning principle of your heart. It is the most amiable exercise that can exist in the mind of a fallen creature. It constitutes the beauty and 74 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. glory of the christian. It is tie chief qualification of a spiritual Ambassador. It Avill lead him into the depravity of the human heart, and the glories of the infinite God. It will render your work easy — Console your mind in distress — Prepare your heart to receive the truth — Lead your steps in the path of christian meekness — Make you a faithful Servant of Jesus Christ, and assist you in form- ing clear sentiments of reconciliation. Under its friendly influence you will write, speak, and preach clearly. Your exhortations will flow from a warm experimental sense of eternal things. You will deliver your sermons, as one that believes the importance and necessity of reconciliation. Prompted by this best of princij)les, you will submit to God in every state of life ; and when you shall be called from your service in the church mihtant, you will receive a seat and a crown among the reconciled people of God in the mansions of eternal felicity. "VYhile we were attending to the address, made to our young fellow Servant, we felt the propriety of applying the subject of reconciliation to ourselves, the ministers of Christ. My Fathers and Brethren, we are on a level with our fellow worms. We hold a rank among the rebels of God. We experimentally believe the opposition of the human heart. We see it, and mourn under it. AYe are misera- ble sinners by nature. A degree of enmity lurks in the heart of the best. Paul was not wholly freed from it, till he was called away by death. This base principle makes us too lifeless in the execution of our office. Warm friend- ship would make us zealous. It would influence us to de- liver plain truths witli a solemnity. The greatest spring JUDSON^B SERMON IN 1789. 75 to faithfulness is reconciliation. Let it kindle, and flame, and press us on to duty. Remember that God is "worthy of a reconciled heart — that his cause is glorious and worthy of pursuit. Every consideration invites to arise, and call, " Be ye reconciled to Grod.^'' Inattention is prevalent. Iniquity abounds. Infidelity scoiTs, and with a brazen front bids defiance. God is every where spoken against. Our day for labour will soon end. See yonder, declining under infirmities, our worthy and aged Father, v>'ho hath worn out a life in this place, in calling on this people to bo rec- onciled to God. By him we are admonished. "We go from the pulpit to a dj'ing bed — Erom a dying bed to the grave, and to the judgment seat. Let us be reconciled to God. Let us harmoniously unite in afiection to him. Let us unite to each other in that love, that " Many u'aters cannot qvxncli.^'' And with one voice cry to our perish- ing fellow-sinners, '' Be ye reconciled to God.'''' In this language we will now address our subject to the church and congregation in this place. Men, Brethren and Fathers, by your desh'e we are here. You have harmoniously called a man to settle, as colleague with your worthy Pastor, whose infirmities re- quire assistance. The young man is to devote his days in caUing upon you to be reconciled. If he must call ; you ought to comply. Attend to his instruction and be friendly to God. Make your peace with the Almighty, and rel)el no more. The ministry of reconcihation is an infinite blessing. You are favoured above most societies that settle ministers. Without noise 76 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. and contention — Without a long trial of candidates, you are come to the happy hour of ordination. But if you should not be reconciled to God, all the great blessings of the ministry of reconciliation will prove a curse. It will be dreadful to go from the voice of reconciliation to end- less despair. By the word of reconciliation — By all its attendant blessings — By the glory it gives to God — By the advantage it gives to Zion — By the good it brings to individuals, to your fomilics, town and church, we entreat you to be reconciled to God. It will make you happy in life. It will make you happy in a dying moment. Hap- piness will attend you forever in the world of eternal joy. To this great assembly, convened from different places, we close with a few Avords. You live in a land where Christ hath Ambassadors. The word of reconciliation is sent to you. You arc called' upon to be friendly to God. You ought not to delay tliiS great duty one moment. God is as worthy of your love now, as he m\\ be in future. We entreat you to be friendly to him. By the sorrows of our Saviour in the garden — By his agonies on the cross — By his blood that was spilt to sprinkle the soul — By his solemn threatenings — And by his kind invitations, " We 2jrai/ you — he ye reconciled to Goiiy You must agonize in death. You must enter the eternal world, and appear before the omnipotent Ma- jesty. You will bo called to the bar of Christ in the day of judgment. You will see the world burning below, and the Lord Jesus punishing his enemies. In these critical seasons it will be important to be found among the friends of God. On the Judgment of the Great Bay. / A SERMON by EPHRAIM JUDSON, A. M. JUDE, verse 6. Unto the judgment of the great day. THIS text calls the attention, to the day, on which, the Judge of the world hath appointed a tribunal for the trial of mankind. In treating upon it, I shall offer some considerations to show, that God will judge mankind — that when he judges them, he will gather them together — and that the day, on which he will judge them, will be a great day. I. Some considerations are to be offered to show, that God will judge mankind. And, 1. People, who have had the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, have universally, except a very few, believed, that they contain the doctrine, that God will judge the world. It was a prevalent belief among the Israelites, who had the writings of Moses and the prophets. It has been the general opinion of all classes of people in the christian world, ever since the gospel was published. The sober, honest class of people have believed it. The wick- 7* 78 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. ed, thougli they perceive that it is pointed against them- selves, feel as if it were a scriptural truth. Even infidels allow, that it is taught in the Bible. The abandoned, in a dying moment, tremble at the prospect of appearing before their judge. That class of men, of whom there has ever been a goodly number in the christian world, who have been more wise, learned and civilized — more free from enthusiasm and superstition, than infidels and the most learned pagans, have entertained an unshaken belief, that they must appear at the tribunal of God. Wherever the Bible has been received among the nations, people have learnt that God is a judge, and that they are account- able to him. This general belief, that God will judge the world, is contrary to every natural bias of fallen creatures. The human heart spurns at the idea. It abhors the heaven, which the Judge will give the righteous. With pain it reflects on the punishment, that he will inflict on the wick- ed. It is deeply Avounded, when it considers itself in the hands of an almighty sovereign, who will come arrayed in all the majesty of a judge to try mankind, and doom im- penitent sinners to everlasting woe. Sentiments, thus abhorrent to the feelings of the wick- ed heart, arc seldom, perhaps never, invented and propa- gated by mankind. When depraved minds invent false principles, and explain scripture in a wrong sense, Avith a view to support their principles, they invent such, and give such ex})lanations, as arc agreeable to the evil heart. Hence, it is highly probable, that the doctrine of a day of judgment is not an invention of men. They would not have invented a sentiment so disagrccal)le to the vile lieart. However, if a fcAV enthusiasts or designing men, had in- judson's sermon in 1790. 79 vented it, and endeavoured to impose it on the world, the feelings of mankind would have prevented its gaining gen- eral credit. It seems incredible, that human invention should give rise, support and prevalency, in all ages, among all people who have the Bible, to a sentiment, so utterly averse to the depraved heart; provided it is not contained in scripture. 2. We are accountable to ourselves and to others. We erect a kind of tribunal in our own breasts, before which we summon our actions ; and justify and condemn ourselves, according as our actions appear to us right or wrong. Self-justification and self-condemnation give us mental pleasure and pain. In this sense we act as judges of ourselves — we try, and reward ourselves with pleasure, and punish ourselves with pain. Vfhether our principles be just or most vile, we do this. We likoAvise feel accountable to others. Their eyes are upon us ; they inspect our conduct ; and judge of the merit and demerit of our actions. And, if our actions appear to be good, we have their approbation and esteem : but if our actions appear base, they despise us. Their esteem gives us a degree of pleasure. Their abhorrence gives us a degree of pain. In this sense we stand at the bar of our fellow men w^ho try, reward and punish us. Every man stands before the pubhc, and is treated, in a measure, according to his character. Besides, tribunals arc appoint- ed in all human governments, to which the sulyects are accountable, and before which they are tried, acquitted or condemned. And shall we object against being accountable to God ; and of being judged by him ? Are we not his creatures ? Arc we not dependent on him ? Has he not a right to 80 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. inspect the work of his own hands, and call his rational beings to an account? Can we object to this, since we do the same ourselves ? If it be proper for us, it is proper for God to inspect characters, trj and judge them. If so, we may expect that he will ; for he will conduct with pro- priety. 3. God displays his character as judge, in this world, which is an argument, that he will act as a judge, in the world to come. He judged all the children of men in the days of Noah. He is represented as casting his eye upon the earth to examine the moral state of the sons of men. Giod looked upon the eartli and heliold it was corrupt, for all flesh hath corrupted his ivay upon the earth* But concerning Noah God said: For thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.^ Having examined their conduct, he passed sentence in the following words: Iivill destroy man, ivhom I have created, from the face of the earth.X But ivith thee, that is with Noah, Wi7Z I establish my covenant and thou shalt coine into the arA;.§ In a proper time, he executed the sentence. He commanded, and the rain fell from above, the seas forsook their beds, and took their station on the land, carrying ruin and death in every place. In the ark, God carried Noah in safety through the horrid tempest, on the top of the foaming waters. God acted as a judge toAvards the cities of Sodom. He is represented as coming down from heaven to examine the Sodomites. I will go doivn noiv and see, ivhether they have done altogether according to the cry of it which is come unto me; if not, 1 will Jcno2V.\\ Having examined * Gen. yi. 12. t Gen. vii. 1. J Gen. vi. 7. § Gen. vi. 18. || Gen. xviii. 21. judson's sermon in 1790. 81 their characters, and found them guilt j, the sentence of destruction followed, which was executed; at the rising of the morning sun, while all felt secure, a tremendous storm of fire and brimstone fell from the Lord out of heaven^ -svhich consumed the people, and burnt up their cities. God acted as a judge towards Egypt, towards the Isra- elites in the wilderness, and the inhabitants of Canaan. He passed a sentence of destruction against Pharaoh and his armies, against the rebellious Israelites in the wilder- ness, against the idolatrous nations of Canaan; because they were sinners. And he executed the sentence. He reached forth his arm, and smote all those wicked people with ruin and death. Among those vile rebels, were some, who feared God; as Moses, Caleb, Joshua, Rahab and others. Ilis sentence, concerning those good people, was, that ho would save them. And he put his decree in exe- cution, by making them the subjects of his favor. He acted as a judge towards the Jews. Because they killed wise men and prophets, and put his son to death, he fated them to more dreadful evils, than ever befel any nation. But because Christ's disciples were not partakers in the vile deeds of their countrymen, a token was given, by which they might know, when the ruin of Jerusalem would 1je near, that they might escape the approaching calamity. The sentence, that God passed, was executed. He raised up the Roman enemy, and sent them against the Jews, who destroyed their cities, slew multitudes of people, carried the rest into captivity. The christians saw the devouring enemy approaching with the ensign of an eagle, viewed it as the token, which Christ had given; accordingly fled from Jerusalem to Bella, and escaped the calamities of the city. 82 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Tins conduct of the Most High is similar to that, which he will display in the day of Judgment. He will then act, as a judge. He will examine characters. He will pass sentence. And he will execute it. Which will be doing, just as he does in this world. We cannot, there- fore, object to his judging us in a future state, without virtually objecting to what he does in the present state. Some say, it is inconsistent with the justice and good- ness of God to treat his creatures, as is represented that he will, in judging them in a future state. Therefore, they believe, that he never mil. But they may as well say, that it is inconsistent with his justice and goodness to treat his creatures, as he does in this world. They may with the same reason say, that a just and good Being would not deluge a world, and save Noah ; commit the Sodomites to the fire, and rescue Lot; fate Jerusalem to the sword, faction, famine, and fire, and deliver the disci- ples of Christ ; and on the same principle infer, that those, and a multitude of other well authenticated events of the same complexion, never did take place. But it is evident from scripture, that they did. Hence, we cannot object to a day of judgment on account of the manner in which God will treat us, at that time. But his judging us in this world does something more, than obviate the above objection. It proves that God will judge us in the world to come. Acting as a judge shows, that the character of a judge belongs to him. To complete the character, and make it appear just, he must finally treat every one, as he deserves. This he doth not do in this life. So fiir as he judges, he judges righteously. But he doth not finish the work. He gives to his people but a small part of the reward of judson's sermon in 1790. 83 grace. He punishes sinners here infinitely less, than they deserve. An exact distribution of rewards and punish- ments is not observed, in the administration of his govern- ment, among men here below. Sinners are not treated aUke. Some, of most vile characters, are punished less, than some, who are less vile. A tyrant Hves in ease and pleasure ; millions suffer extreme distress from his cruel sword, and wide ravages. An hard master enjoys health, and lives luxuriously on the effects of the labor of wretch- ed slaves ; the servant, a better man than his master, is in want of all things, and finally dies under the whip. Some good men have an harder lot, than some wicked men. A persecuting monster of cruelty, who feasts a malicious eye on the tortures of the persecuted, enjoys himself in a palace : the humble benevolent christian per- ishes in a filthy dungeon, or on the rack, or at the stake. A Dives toas clothed in lyurple and fine linen, and fared suinjjtuousli/ every day :* A Lazarus, covered w^ith sores, lay at his gate, on the damp earth, cold and hungry, un- pitied, unless by dogs. No doctrine is more apparently true, than that, which announces, that there is not an equal distribution of rewards and punishments in this life. Our Lord gave his testimony to the truth of it, in that part of his parable concerning Dives and Lazarus, which represents Abraham, as saying to the rich man in Hell, thou in thy life time receivedst thy good tilings, and Laz- arus likewise evil things.^ Hence it may be inferred, that he will act, as man's judge in a future state, and give every one a due reward, that he may be, and appear, a righteous judge. * Liako xvi. 19. t Luke xvi. 25. 84 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. From the judicial acts of God, the Holy Spirit argues the certainty of a day of judgment. Let us recite t^yo passages, which contain this mode of arguing. One is in an epistle of Peter's. It is expressed thus : Fo7\ if G-od S'pared not the angels^ that siyined hut cast them doivn to hell, and delivej^ed them into chains of darkness, to be re- served unto judgment. And spared not the old ivorld, hut saved Noah the eighth 2)erson — and turning the cities of Sodom and Gromorrah into ashes, condemned them ivith an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly. And delivered just Lot — The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to he 2)unished.* The other passage is in Jude. And is as follows. Itvill therefore put you in rememhrance though ye once kneiv this, how that the Lord^ having saved the people out of the Land of Egypt, afterivard destroyed them that believed not. And the angels tvhich kpj)t not their jirst estate, but hft their oivn habitation he hath re- served in eve7'lasting chains under darkness unto the judg- ment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gromorrah, and the cities about them m like manner giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.j- The obvious sense of these passages is this. Since God did doom the sinning angels to a state of despair, and holds them in his power with a determination to judge them in the great day; and poured out his judgments on the old world, Sodom, and the unbelieving Israelites ; and saved Noah and Lot from the evils, that fell on those sin- ners ; he will judge all in the great day, and execute his * 2 Peter ii. 4, 5, G, 7, 9. t Jude, verses 5, 6, 7. judson's sermon in 1790. 85 vengeance on the ungodly, and save the righteous. By these instances God hath told us, that a day is appointed for our trial, and what the event will be. 4. God hath given laws to mankind. This is not dis- puted. All agree that he hath not left his rational crea- tures to live as they list without regard to right or wrong. Should one plead that God hath given us license to blas- pheme his holy name, and liberty to injure and abuse one another, people would think he ought to be confined in a mad house. The laws of God contain the following things. First, They point out man's duty, and require him to do it. If we exclude the idea of duty, we exclude the idea of law. For that cannot be law, which does not re- quire any thing of us. Secondly, The laws of God are sanctioned with prom- ises of blessings to those, who obey them, and with threat enings of evil to those, who disobey. For instance, the law of faith promises eternal life to believers, and threat- ens the unbeliever with everlasting punishment. If no promises and threatenings w^ere annexed to the laws of God, there would be no motive to obey them. Conse- quently, there would be no force in his laws. It would answer no good end to issue precepts unattended with motives. There are no motives, but what are contained in the promises and threats. They hold up evil and good as excitements to fear and hope, to induce us to avoid sin and serve God. They show the tendency, that holiness and sin have to promote public happiness and misery, to excite action upon the principle of benevolence. Promises and threats exhibit the true and glorious character of the Most High, whose character is a proper motive, or object of friendly affection to him. Those are motives contained 8 86 THE MIXISTr.Y OF TAUNTON. in the sanctions of the laws of Gocl. Besides these, there is not a motive. Without these, there tvouIcI be no motive to excite obedience. Therefore, they are necessary, and what in our ideas are involved in divine laws. Thirdly, The promises and threatenings will take place. In this view they have influence. For it is the expecta- tion, that the threats Avill be realized, which makes them a terror to evil doers. It is the prospect, that promised blessing will be granted, which excites hope, and puts us in pursuit of future promised good. It is the prospect^ that God will bless his people, and punish his enemies, that his truth, grace and justice appear, which are objects, that excite proper sensations of heart towards him. Were the promises and threatenings never to take place, all the motives, which they contain would be a nullity. Instead of exciting reverence for the laws, they w^ould excite con- tempt. Hence it appears necessary, that his laws should be executed. Every good thing promised to the believer must be granted, according to the genuine import of the promises. And all the terrible things denounced against the wicked must be inflicted, according to the spirit, and true sense of the threatenings. But in this life, the promises and threats are not fulfill- ed. He does not give his people all the blessings prom- ised. Infinitely the greatest are yet to be granted. Neither does he inflict all the evil threatened. The infi- nite evil of sin, and inequality of inflicted punishments in this life, are indubitable evidences, that threatenings are not completely executed here. Therefore, mankind must be judged hereafter in a future state, that the promises and threatening may take place. judson's sermon in 1790. 87 5. In plain and positive language the scriptures teach us, that God will judge mankind ; and that a daj is ap- pointed for that purpose. For the ivorks of man shall he render unto hi7n, and cause every man to find according to his ways* Rejoice^ young maji^ in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of tliy youth^ and walk in the %vays of thine hearty and in the sight of thine eyes : hut hiotu thou, that for all these tldngs Grod will bring thee into Judgment.^ God shall bring every work into judgment with every se- eret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.X For thine eyes are open upon all the ivays of the sons of men, to give every one according to his ivays, and according to the fruit of his doings.^ For lue shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.^ In the day when he shall judge the secrets of meyi.^ Because he hath ap>pointed a day in the ivhich, he will judge the ivorld in righteousness.** Christ frequently spake of the day of judgment. And whenever he did, he considered it as an event, that would infallibly take place. The instances are too many to be mentioned now. Let one suffice. On a certain time, when circumstances gave him a fa- vorable opportunity, he introduced it, by delivering a par- able. The substance may be expressed in the following words. A man, being about to go a long journey, called his servants together, and delivered to each one a sum of money, and ordered them to improve it well, that he might reap profit from it on his return. He went his journey, and after long absence returned, and reckoned with the servants. He found, that two of them had been faithful. * Job xxxiv. 11. t Ecc. xi. 9. J Ecc. xii. 14. § Jer. xxxii. 19. || Rom. xiv. 10. II Rom. ii. 16. ** Actsxvii. 31. 88 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Those he received mto his favor. He found, that one had been unfaithful. Him he cast off, and gave him up to the tormentors. By the parable he signified, that he was about to go away; but would return after a long time. "I shall leave the world soon, and go to my Father, and dwell with him a long time ; then I will come to the earth again, and reck- on with mankind to see what improvement, they have made of the privileges and abilities, which I have given them. Those who are faithful, I will admit to my favor; but those, who are not, shall be cast off, and given up to suffer extreme sorrow and pain." When he had thus introduced the subject, he proceed- ed to a particular information of what he would do, when ho, the son of man, should come. Wheri the son of man shall come — then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory : And before him shall be gathered all 7iations ; and he shall separate them oneft'om another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats : and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, depart from me, ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels,* If language can communicate sentiments, the certainty of a day of judgment is expressed by Christ in these words. II. On that day, all mankind will be collected together. When Saint John had the day of judgment represented to him in a vision, he satv the dead small and great stand before God.-\ Saint Paul testified, that, we shall all * Mat. XXV. 31, 32, 33, 34, 41. t Rev. xx. 12. judson's sermon in 1790. 89 stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Our Lord, you recollect, said, that before him all nations should be gathered. Several things may be offered to show why, they will be summoned to appear together before Christ's tribunal. 1. In instances of judging people in this life, God has made his judicial proceedings public. That which respect- ed Adam, has been known in every age, since it took place. Those relative to Egypt, Assyria, the Jews, and a multitude of others, too well known to need a recital, were pubhc at the times, in which they took place, and ever since ; and will be to all in future time, who will be acquainted with the Bible. Hence it is rational to con- clude, that in judging the world, he will do it in such a manner, as that his proceedings, in that great affair, will be publicly known. Instances of judging people, and na- tions here, though in themselves vastly important, and an- swering many wise ends ; yet compared with judging the world, and ends to be answered by it, become cyphers. Are these comparatively inconsiderable judicial acts ex- hibited to public view; we may conclude, that God will act in the most public manner in an affair of such infinite magnitude, as that of completing his judicial proceedings, by judging a whole world. And we may add, angels and devils. For they will be judged at that time. The infer- ence from his judging in that public manner, which we have reason to think that he will, is, that all will be called together to give an opportunity to make his proceedings known. 2. By making his judicial acts public, he glorifies him- self. I tvill get me honor upon Pharaoh, upon all his 90 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. host, 2ipo7i Jiis chariots mid horseinen* For this same ])urpose have I raised thee tip that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might he declared throughout all the earth. ■\ The song, that Israel sang at the over- throw of that haughty monarch, hath for its leading idea the glory which God displayed in the terrible judgments, which were inflicted on him. When God judged Israel in the wilderness, and doomed them to death and ruin, he testified, that, by that act, he would give a most illustrious display of himself. As truly as I live, all the earth shall he filled with the glory of the Lord.% When he shall judge all mankind, which will be a work, that will infinitely tran- scend all his past works of this nature, it may be expected, that he will make most illustrious displays of himself. But we have more evidence of this, than what rises from infer- ence. The doxology, that will be sung, in the day, when God shall pass sentence upon all, is expressive of the great glory, that he will get by it. "Alleluia: salvation, and glory, and honor, and power unto the Lord om^ God. For true and righteous are his judgments, and again they said, Alleluia." " And her smoke rose up for ever and ever." To see the display that God will make of himself, there is the utmost propriety of his assembling all mankind before his tribunal. For how will his glory appear, unless man- kind be called together to see it. By being present, they will have an opportunity of see- ing the difficulties and objections removed, which they have against the manner of his government of the world. Now they blame God. They think, he might have made a better world, and wonder why he did not. They think things might have been adjusted more wisely. They thuik * Exod. xiv. 17. t Horn. ix. 17. X Num. xiv. 21 judson's sermon in 1790. 91 it is unjust, that poor mortals should suffer a burden of afflictions in life, then die and go to hell. They think, it is hard, that some should be left to perish, while others are saved. They cannot see, why God should blame them for not loving him with all the heart, when they think they are unable to do it. I kneto thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gatheriny ivhere thou hast not strawed* • — is language expressive of the feelings of the sinful heart towards God. And good people have sometimes a degree of the same wicked sen- sations. In the day of judgment God Avill show that he acted wisely, in governing the world as he did, which will give full satisfaction to holy beings, and excite the highest exercises of joy, and stop the mouths of sinners. By be- mg present they will be under advantage of seeing a glo- rious display of divine grace and justice. The holy sove- reign of the world saves believers and punishes the wicked. Against this conduct many bitter complaints are made. The human heart rises against it. God will look into this matter, in the solemn day of trial, and show on which side the blame lies. He ivill bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and mahe manifest the counsels of the heart. ^ Every idle ivord that men shall sjjeak, they shall give ac- count thereof in the day of judgment.^ He will expose the sins of every one to public view. How exceedingly vile will men appear. They will appear so hateful and ill- deserving, that the riches of God's grace in saving Christ's people, will be magnified beyond conception; and the pun- ishment of impenitent sinners will appear so perfectly right, that they will be convicted of the impropriety and sin of all their hard speeches against God. * Mat. XXV. 24. t 1 Cor. iv. 5. J Mat. xii. 36. 92 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. By being together in the presence of their Judge, they "will have an opportunity of seeing in clear light, why God separates sinners and saints. They live together in this world. Let both groiv together until the harvest* They have connections with one another here. Some of which are interesting, and some very dear. Such are those be- tween the partners of each other's joys and sorrows in the conjugal state— between parents and children — between ministers and people, and between members in church fel- lowship. At death connections are dissolved between the righteous and the wicked. Until the day of judgment they will live apart. And so they will forever after that great day. Though apart, and in infinitely diSerent states, they will be in sight of each other. Abraham could cast his eyes towards hell, and see the rich man in torment. That same rich man could lift up a painful eye, and see Abraham and Lazarus. The righteous shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men, that have transgressed against me. For their worm shall not die, 7ieither shall their fire be qiienched.-f To be thus separated requires a weighty reason. And to reconcile the righteous to it, and convict sinners of the propriety of it, and stop their cavil- ings against God, the reason must be seen. In the great day he will make the reason known. He tells us now, why he separates them. But then he will do it more clearly, by laying open the character of every one. When he does, the contrast of characters will appear so great, that all will see abundant reason for the wide separation. That God may have an opportunity of exhibiting him- self; and all mankind have opportunity of learning more fully, that he acts wisely in his government of the world ; * Mat. xiii. 30. f Isai. Ixvi. 24. judson's sermon in 1790. 93 and that they may behold his grace and justice shine in his treatment of mankind, and see the reason of his sepa- rating his friends and enemies, are reasons, why all should be assembled at the august court of heaven ; and reasons also, why such an event may be expected. 3. Their connections seem to require, that they should be together at the trial. There are a multitude of things, which take place be- tween the children of men in this life to be settled then ; and many kmdnesses expressed among saints toward one another to be rewarded, the nature of which, is such, as will require their attendance together. There are many things between parties, which are nev- er settled in this hfe, that will be settled in the day of judgment. We often hear it said concerning people at variance, who cannot, or will not settle their quarrels, " their affairs must be left to be settled in the day of judg- ment." If matters between parties are to be settled at that time, both parties must be present. And those par- ties may have difficulties with other parties to be settled. And those other parties with others. In this sense the connection may be general ; and of consequence all must be present. But there are many affairs among mankind of extensive connection, which are to be settled then ; such as those that are national. A tyrant may abuse millions of his subjects, and do infinite mischief to other nations. The cruel sword of Alexander brought millions to an un- timely end, and entailed wretchedness to posterity. A king may be the wicked cause of rivers of blood among his subjects, and by influential connection be the unjust cause of the same horrid calamity among many nations. And those nations may be the instruments of spreading 94 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. the calamity to others. In this way, it may extend over all the nations of the earth. Further the present nations may bo instrumental of carrying the calamities of war down to posterity. And posterity still further down. We can conceive, and doubtless it is true, that this kind of connection extends itself through the earth, and through all ages. If so all mankind must be together, in the day of judgment, when God will settle all national affairs, ex- pose the tyrant, and vindicate the innocent. Good people have their connections. They assist one another in the journey of life towards heaven. The be- nevolent man loves his christian brethren. He watches their conduct, prays for their spiritual good, and shows them kindness, by imparting to them such things as they need. For every thing that he does, for his brethren in the exercise of love, he will be revfarded. A cup of cold water, given to a disciple of Christ, will not be forgotten. A reward is in store for the christian vvdio gives it. And no inconsiderable part of the reward, will be the joy, that their presence will give him in the day of Judgment. The Apostle Paul was instrumental of converting many, and of building them up in the faith, and order of the gos- pel. He is to be rewarded in the day of judgment for all his labor for their spiritual good. And his reward will be the joy, that it will give him to see them standing before the tribunal, as monuments of the victorious grace of God. For what is our hope^ or joy ^ or croivn of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the jyresence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming* If the reward of Paul is to consist in the joy that he will have in seeing his converts at the day of judgment, they must be present, or he Avill not have his reward. * 1 Thcss. ii. 19. jubson's sermon in 1790. 95 If the converts of Paul must be present, Timothy must be there ; for he was one of the converts of St. Paul. And the converts of Timothy must be there also, that Timothy may have his reward for his labors for their spir- itual good. The converts of Timothy, some of whom, w^ere probably instrumental of converting others, and they of others, all for the reason just given, must be there on the solemn day of rewards and punishments. The connection m this sense may, and probably does exist through the great body of the people of God, in all ages, which shows that all must be together, when God judges the world. III. The day of judgment will be a great day. A DAY may be called great on account of the great things, which are done upon it. The fourth of July is esteemed a great day ; because on that day of the month, we declared ourselves free independent states. That was a great day, when God promised to give a Saviour to fal- len man. That was a great day, when the rain began to fall, which destroyed the world. That also, on which fire fell from heaven, and consumed the people of Sodom. That Avas a great day, in which God gave the law from Sinai. That likewise on which the Saviour was born, and that on which he hung upon the cross. All these have been great days. But were not so great as that, in which God will judge mankind, except that, on which the Lord of life, cried out upon the cross, " It is finished.^ ^ Grand scenes, and infinitely interesting events will then take place. Such as will attract the attention of heaven, earth and hell. Some of which, I shall now mention with a view to show, that it will be a great day. 1. It will be a great day; because Christ will appear aoiani to, our world. 96 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Almost eighteen hundred years ago he appeared among mankind, lived to the age of thirty and three years, and then suflered death on the cross, was buried, arose and as- cended into heaven to tarry there until the end of the world. Then he will come again to our earth. That same Jesus, who lived a term of time in the land of Israel, and who was taken up into heaven, will open the heavens, de- scend, and come again to this world. He tarries to get things ready for his coming, as he did for his coming in the flesh. He then tarried to get thmgs ready for his appeara^nce. He now tarries to get things ready to come to judge the world. When all things were ready, he came down, and died to make atonement. When all things are ready, he vvill come down a second time, and then judge the world. He now upholds the world ; he raises up na- tions and empires, and casts them down; he sends forth the heralds of his gospel to call in the elect from the four winds of heaven ; he diffuses light round this blind world, and by his almighty power opens the eyes of his chosen to see it ; he calls away generations and lays them in the dust, and brings forward others in their room ; he shakes the heavens and the earth ; that is, civil and ecclesiastical powers, to prepare things for his second appearance. And wdien all things are ready, he will appear. 2. It will be a great day; because the appearance of Christ will be most public. When he appeared in the flesh but a very few people, compared with the great body of mankind, saw him. He confined himself to the land of Palestine. And although he went into many places in that land, he did not go over the whole country. Multitudes of the people never saw him. None of the people of other nations ever saw him judson's sermon in 1790. 97 except some, wlio either resided in the land of Israel, or occasionally came there, during his residence in the flesh. But when he shall appear in the day of judgment, he will be seen by all mankind. Behold he cometh ivith clouds, and every eye shall see him.* All that will be alive on the earth at his appearance, will see him. The people of the present day, and all that have lived before, and that will live in future days, will behold him. 3. It will be a great day ; because he will appear in his glory. When Christ spoke of his coming in the day of judgment, he said, ivhcn the son of man shall come in his glory ;\ plainly signifying that Avhen he should appear to judge the world, he should appear in his glory. By his glory, which he spake of, is meant, that bright appearance, which was often seen to attend him, and which was a token of his majesty and of his presence. "When he spake to Moses from the bush in Horeb, he appeared in a light, that appeared like fire. When he conducted Israel from Egypt to Canaan, a bright cloud hung over them by day and by night. When the people set up the tabernacle in the wilderness, that brightness hovered over it, and part of it entered into the tabernacle, filling it with the appearance of light and fire, and collected into a small body in the most holy place, over the mercy seat and ark, under the wings of the cherubim. This bright appearance was called the glory of the Lord. It tarried in the most holy place, until the days of Eli, the High Priest and then, because of the wickedness of Israel, it forsook the taber- nacle and appeared no more till the days of King Solo- mon. When Solomon had completed the building of the temple, it returned and entered in at the door, and filled * Rev. i. 7. t Matt. xxv. 31. 9 98 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. tlie Yy'liolo house ; and tlicn collected in a small body, in tlie most IIolj Place, in the manner it had done in the tabernacle. In the temple it tarried, till about the time of the great captivity of the people of the kmgdom of Judah, among the Babylonians, and other nations subject to the Babylonish King ; and vras seen no more, till the God of Israel appeared in the flesh to redeem a lost world. Then it appeared several times. Probably this glory vras the star, Avhich appeared to the wise men of the east, and conducted them to Judea to the place, where the Sa- viour was. This bright appearance, called a bright cloud, overshadowed Christ and the three disciples, who were with him in the mount. And when he ascended into heav- en, he went up in a bright cloud. And when he appears in the day of judgment, he will be surrounded with the same appearance. Thus testified the angels, who appear- ed and spake to those, who stood gazing on Christ, as ho was going from earth to heaven. And tvJule tliey looltecl steadfastly toivard heaven^ as he luent up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; ivhich also said, ye men of Cralilee, ivhy stand ye gazing tqy into heaven? This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in like maimer, as ye have seen him go into heav- en* " He is gone up from you to take his residence in the mansions of glory ; but he will return again and visit your world. He went up in a bright cloud ; and when ho comes again he will come in a bright cloud." To this declaration of the angels, agree the words of John. Be- hold he Cometh with clouds.j John doubtless alludes to the manner of his appearance in instances before, signify- ino- that he would come in the same brightness, called the ^ Actsi. 10,11. t Rev. i. 7. judson's sermon in 1790. 99 glorj of the Lord. That glorj, in Avhicli he will appear, will be brighter than the meridian sun. It will illuminate the world. May it be not said the universe. What a magnificent appearance will the Lord Jesus make. 4. The angels will come with him. Heaven will pour forth its legions of angels, wdio vvill attend on Christ, w^hen he shall come to our world again. Angels were made to attend on Christ. » Two angels attended him, when he came to Abraham at Mamre. Ja- cob in a vision saw angels descending from heaven and as- cending, while the angel of the covenant, who was Christ, was renewing the covenant with him, which the Lord had made before with Abraham. When Christ gave the Law to jMoses on mount Sinai, he did it bj the disposition of angels. An angel announced to the shepherds his birth. When he was tem.pted by Satan, angels descended and administered unto him. When he agonized in the garden, in the deepest sorrow, an angel was dispatched from heav- en to stren'2:then him. An an2;el came dow^n and rolled away the stone, that lay on the mouth of his sepulchre, that when he awoke into life he might have opportunity to come from his grave. Mary saw two angels in his grave, after he had risen, one sitting at the head, and the other at the place, where his head and feet had lain. When he ascended, two angels appeared at the same time to those who saw him go up into heaven. When he shall clothe himself in majesty, open the heavens, and come down again, all the holy angels will come with him. Legions of bright seraphs will attend him down the skies, and shout his praises in the most sublime songs. His appearance vrill be very diiferent from that, Avliich lie made when he appeared to take away sin. A few men from the cast 100 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. presented their gifts, and paid homage to him : when he shall appear again all men will bow to him, some willingly, others against their wills. Then a fevf poor people fre- quently attended him, and his very disciples were not men, who made a figure in life : when he shall come again, all the hosts of angels will be his attendants. Then a few poor mortals lisped his praise : when he comes the second time, millions of angels will sound his praises aloud. 5. The day of judgment will be a great day; because Christ will come in the character of a judge. Because he; that is, God, hatli appointed a day in the which he will judge the tvorld in righteousness hy that Quan zvhom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him fror/i the dead* And he commanded us to |;?Trt(?7i unto the j^^^oj^Ie, and to testify that it is he: that is Christ, ivhich was ordained of God to he the judge of quick and dead.'\ Agreeable to these texts are his own words. Tlie Father judgeth no man; hut hath committed all judgmoit imto the Son.^ When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him ; then shall he sit iipon the throne of his glory. ^ To represent himself as sitting on a throne in the day of judgment, is representing himself as one that would act as king and judge. For a throne is a token of royalty and judgment. When he appeared in the flesh, lie acted as a Saviour. He opened the way of life to mankind. He stated the terms of salvation, and invited sinners to return to the Lord in his name. He preached. He wept over sinners. He died on the cross to atone for their sins. After his resurrection, he sent his Heralds abroad among the nations * Acts xvii. 31. t Acts x. 42. ' t '^olin v. 22. § Mat. XXV. 31. judson's seemox in 1790. 101 to inform people, that they were sinful, helpless and ruin- ed, and going to endless destruction ; and inform them, ^yho he was, and invite them to believe in him, and live for ever. He holds out the golden sceptre, and invites us to arise, touch it and live. He will contmue to offer sal- vation to manldnd to the end of the world. Then he will cease to offer mercy to sinners ; for then he vrill appear as a judge to call mankmd to his tribunal, to examine, and pass sentence, according to each one's character. Now he offers pardon and Hfe ; he will then treat them as they treat his offer. Now he proposes eternal life, speaks with sinners by his word, and most kindly asks them to accept his glorious offer of mercy ; then he will ask how they treated his offer. And all those, who, now in the day of grace, accept the proposal, he will sentence to eternal hfe, and those, who do not, he will cast into eternal misery. Thus his appearance will be for a very different purpose from what it was, when he came as Saviour. 6. It will be a great day, because Christ will judge all moral beings, of which we have any account. He will judge every one of mankind. Adam with his numerous offspring will be present. Not a man will es- cape trial. The most worthless and respectable, the sin- ner and the righteous, must appear before Christ. He will judge the fallen angels. When God created the angels, it is supposed by some Divines, that it was re- vealed in heaven, that one would be born of man, whom the angels would be commanded to worship ; that many of the angels disdained the idea; that this pride in their hearts was their sin, and that which made them devils. Be this as it may. It is evident, that vast numbers of the angels turned rebels to God, and became devils. All 9* 102 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. these evil beings will be judged in the great day. Not an individual will escape the penetrating eye of the judge. None can hide themselves in the dark regions. All must come forth and give their attendance at the tribunal of Christ. And the angels tvhicli kept not their first estate, hut left their own hahitation, he hath reserved in everlast- ing chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day* If God sjjared not the angels which sinned, hut cast them doivn to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness to he reserved unto judgment.-\ ■ He will judge the holy angels. They will all be pres- ent. He will lay open their amiable character to the as- sembled universe of intellectual beings ; and will most pub- licly approve of them as his friends, and faithful servants. Thus three worlds, heaven, earth and hell will be judg- ed. This will be an event infinitely great. If one poor mortal is taken from a prison, and carried before a civil judicature, and tried for the life of his body, it engages the attention of many people, and renders the day of his trial memora1)le and great in his family and among his connections. But how much greater w^ill that day be, when all mankind, and all good and bal spirits, shall ap- pear before Christ, and be tried, and be sentenced some to eternal happiness, and others to eternal misery. 7. It will be a great day ; because all the dead will bo raised. That the body must die, and be put into the ground, to be devoured ])y worms, is a most serious consideration. To day you live ; to-morrow you die, next day you are carried away, and laid in the cold earth. The heart of the vain, and the heart of the infidel, may laugh at the =* Judc, verse G. t 2 Peter ii. 4. judson's sermon in 1790. 103 idea ; but both of them will feel distressed, beyond ^vhat human tongue can describe, when death comes to call them away. But the time approaches when the dead will be raised. Elijah, a great Prophet in Israel, raised to life the son of the widow of Zarephath. Elisha, his successor, raised the son of the Shunammitc. When Ehsha was dead, and lay in his sepulchre, a dead corpse, which was let down into the same grave, revived, as soon as it touched the bones of Ehsha. Those Prophets were a type of Christ. Their raising the dead, a type that Christ would raise the dead. At least, it shows that such an event is possible. We have passages of scripture, which expressly declare, that the dead shall be raised. Many of them that sleep in the dust of the ea7ih shall atvake, some to everlastiyig life, and soyne to shame, and everlasting contempt* These words were spoken by the prophet Daniel, and pretty fully declare, that men will awake from their slumber in the grave. " The moment, that I was writing this sentence, struck the clock nine, in a few moments more said I, I shall retire to rest on my pillow, but may awake and arise in the morning. After a few days, at most, I shall retire to the cold earth, where my dust will remam till the day of judgment. Then I shall awake and come forth ; for Christ says;" Verily verily I say unto you, the hour is coming, and noiv is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live.-f Christ delivered these words in the days of his incar- nation. " The hour is coming, when those, who are dead and in the grave shall hear my voice and shall live. And now is, the hour now is; that is, in this time, while I am =* Dan. xii. 2. t John v. 25. 104 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. among you the dead hear my voice and rise." He raised three in the time he was executing his commission as Sa- viour. Some "were raised at his resurrection. At the end of the world he will raise every one. The venerable gray hair and blooming youth, the parent and child, will come forth out of the ground. That power, which quick- ened Lazarus, will be able to collect the dust of men, and call back their souls to take possession of their bodies. The multitudes of unhappy mortals, who have been buried in the seas, will be called into life. Vast plains, where dead bodies, slain in battle, have been left to putrify above groimd, without the honor of a decent interment, will be covered with living men, whose dust noAv lies mingled with the common dust of the earth. Every plat of ground, devoted to receive the dead, will open its graves and send forth all that have been buried in them. 8. The vast number of rational beings, that will be to- gether, will make the day great. jSTow angels live in heaven ; devils in hell ; mankind live in different ages of the world, and scattered all over the earth. Even people of the same family are separated ; some in the grave ; and some among the living. Then angels, men and devils will be collected before the judg- ment scat of Christ. What an amazing number will bo together. Xerxes collected an anny of five millions. But what vfas that number, compared with the present inhabi- tants of the earth ? Still less, compared with all the gen- erations before the flood ; and from the flood to Christ ; and from the days of Christ to this time ; and from this time down to the end of tho world. And less yet, if we add, as we must, the whole host of angels, and all the fal- len spirits. Truly the collection of the inhabitants of JUDSON*S BERMON IN 1790. 105 three worlds, of heaven, earth and hell, at the judgment seat of Christ, will make the day great. 9. It will be a great day ; because every one will be attentive. Angels are now attentive to things of eternity. Their attention is em^iloyed in pleasmg thoughts on God, and the thmgs of religion. Devils attend to the things of eternity. They live in eternity ; and camiot help attend- ing to everlasting things. The souls of all good people, that are dead, attend to nothing else, but the things of religion. Perhaps, some of our departed christian friends are this day delightfully conversing together on the temp- tations, trials and dangers, through which they passed on their journey to heaven. Departed souls of wicked people attend to eternal things. They have no pleasing amuse- ments ; no hours of merriment ; no ambitious prospects ; no hopes of deliverance. To them all is eternity. And they have nothing, to which they attend, but eternpJ things. A few, in this world, attend. They wake up out of the sleep of security, attend, inquire, and feel concerned. But the great body of people will not attend. They know that they must die, but it gives them no trouble. To die, and appear before God, and be given up to eternal happi- ness, or misery, are matters of so little importance in their view, that they do not give them a serious thought, or one painful reflection. They are so stupid, that the most alarming considerations will not excite their fear, or put them upon serious inquiry, " what they shall do?" But in the day of judgment, all men will be roused into attention. There will not be a careless spectator among the whole. The call to come forward to the tribu- nal will excite the attention of every one. Who, when he 106 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTOIT. sees the judge on his throne, surrounded with his refulgent glory, can feel indifferent and unconcerned ? Who, when he sees worlds in flames, and all moral beings waiting the final decision of the judge, can be inattentive ? "When a town or society of people are awakened, and are under conviction of sin, it excites their attention to eternal things. They hear with sohcitude; they converse, and are inquisitive. Such a day becomes memorable, and is esteemed a great day. But what is this compared to the day in which all intellectual existences will be awake to matters of the first magnitude. To see a few people awakened is really a great affair ; but to see worlds awak- ened, is infinitely greater. 10. It will be a great day on account of the joys and sorrows that will fill all hearts, at that time. Those that will weep, will weep most bitterly. And those that will rejoice, will rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. The day will present the most brilliant scenes to all good beings. They w^ill see the divine perfections shine most conspicuously, which will excite, in their joyful breasts, the highest happmess. Divine justice and sover- eignty, mercy and wisdom, which they will clearly see, will charm their souls, and fill them with the purest pleas- ure. They will see the wisdom of many providences, which now appear dark and mystci'ious. They will un- derstand the end, God has in view, in governing the world as he does. This will give them admiration and delight. Even God, himself, will take infinite delight in showing his true character in a clear light ; and he will take infinite pleasure in seeing the displays of himself; and lie will take pleasure in that pleasure which good beings will take in beholding him. Thus there Avill be happiness in the breasts of all good beings. judson's sermon m 1790. 107 Wicked beings will be filled with the deepest distress. A view of God gives pain to a sinner. In the day of judgment, sinners will have clear views of God, w^hich will put them to the most distressing pain. The day will be a day of lamentation and woe. When sinners will be called forward for trial, they will not expect to be acquitted. As soon as their souls depart from this world, they know that they must be eternally miserable. And this idea will abide by them forever. When they go forward to the judgment seat for trial, they will know that the judge will not acquit them ; but expose all their sins to the assembled universe of intellectual beings; that their badness may appear to all; that the sentence, which dooms to everlast- ing misery, may appear just. What horror will this give them ! What shame and remorse will they feel !- when re- flecting that they are going before a judge, who will show what hateful, ill-deserving creatures they arc, and that he will be just in punishing them forever. 11. It will be a great day; because of the conviction that will take place in the minds of sinners. One great end of the day of judgment is to convict the wicked of their sins. Behold^ the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard sjjeeches, tvhich ungodly sinners have siJoTcen against him* Sinners do many things now, which they think are right, who will be convinced, in the day of judgment, that they are wrong. Now sinners think it no sin to give themselves up to pleasure : then they will be convinced, '* Jude, Ycrscs 14, 16. 108 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. that instead of pursuing their pleasures, they ought to have spent the time in prayer, reading and meditation. Now they think it is no sin to take advantage of others, and get good bargains for themselves, and cheat if they have an opportunity ; and some carry it so far as to say, it is no hurt to lie, if they can get something by it: then they will be convinced that such conduct is sniful, and that they ought to have regarded the good of others, as they did their own good. Now they think it well enough , to recreate themselves upon the sabbath, and neglect the worship and ordinances of God: then they will be con- vinced of the sin of this conduct. Of the sin of these, and of all their other ungodly deeds, they will be convinc- ed. And they will be convicted of the sin of all their hard speeches against God. Sinners say a great deal against God. Volumes are written to find fault Avith his sacred truths. Some pulpits sound loud with such things as, at least, imply complaints against the Most High. Sinners complain of the peculiar, distinguishing doctrines of the gospel. In the day of judgment they will be convinced that it is wicked to talk about God as they do. Now they say " God is an hard master:" then they will be convinc- ed, that it is a sin to talk in this manner. Now they say, " that if he acts as a sovereign he is unjust :" then they will be convinced, that it is sinful to talk thus. Now they say, " it is unjust to be called upon to love God with all the heart, to repent of sin, and believe in the Lord Jesus, when," as they say, "they cannot:" then sinners will be led to see, that it was nothing but an evil heart, which kept them from loving, repenting and believing ; and that to excuse themselves on account of a vdcked heart is real- judson's sermox m 1790. 109 \j criminal. Now thej find fault with the way of life by Christ. "Must we," say they, " renounce our righteous- ness, heartily confess that we deserve to be cast into hell, and look to Jesus for salvation, and believe in him on pain of eternal rum. This is hard. This is cruel." In the day of Judgment, they will be convicted of the sin of talking in this manner. Now sinners ridicule religion, call sober, conscientious people whimsical. And the man, who abides by the doctrines, which he professes, and pleads for the cause of religion, they call superstitious. Of the sin of all these hard speeches, which are in effect against God, they will be convinced in the day, when they appear before God. For Christ is to convince all that are ungodly of all their hard speeches, tvhich \ingodly sinners have S2:>oJcen against him. It will be really a great event to convince a vforld of sinful men, of all their vile deeds, and of all the hard things, which they say of God. 12. It will bo a great day; because there will be an end to the means of grace, an end to the world, and aU things in it. No more warnings will be given to sinners. Every saint will then go home to rest from trials and afflictions. Sabbaths vrill be swallowed up in one eternal sabbath in heaven. The heralds of the Lord Jesus will go forth no more to preach the terrors of the Law, and administer the balm of the gospel. No more opportunities for prayer will be granted to poor sinners ; neither will the saints lift up one cry to the God of mercies in then' behalf. The great work of redemption, as it relates to what is done in this world will be finished. Christ will then have no further use for this earth, and worlds subservient to it. He will, therefore, destroy it 10 110 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. and them. He mil put in his sickle, reap the harvest, and give up the field to fire. The heavens and the earth which are 7iow, hy the same tvorcl are kept in store, re- served unto fire, against the day of judgment, and 2^erdi- tion of ungodly men* The heavens shall imss away with a great noise, and the elements shall onelt ivith fervent heat, the earth also and the tvorJcs that are therein shall be burned up.f Fields and vineyards will be destroyed, and cultivated no more. The sun will forget to rise and set. The moon will not know her place The horrors of war, and the songs of the gay will totally cease. Like noble structures and lofty piles tumbling down in a city consuming in flames of fire, material worlds w^ill tumble from their magnificence, and perish in one general confla- gration. How tremendous the scene! How great the day! 13. Other things, which will make the day of judg- ment great, will be the separation that the judge will make between the righteous and the wicked, and the sentence that he will pass. JECe shall sejmrate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats : and he shall set the sheep on his idght hand, but the goats on the Icft.j: In ancient days when people were tried by civil courts, the innocent were ordered by the judge to go over on the right hand ; the guilty on the left. In allusion to this practice, our Saviour speaks of placing the righteous on the right hand, the wicked on the left. He will separate families. He will set the pious parent on the right, and his wicked children on the left. The pious brother and sister on the right hand, the wicked pa- * 2 ret. iii. 7 t 2 Pet. iii. 10. | Matt. xxv. 32, 33. jubson's sermon in 1790. Ill rent, brethren and sisters on the left. On the right hand will stand Enoch, Moses and all the saints, who lived be- fore Christ. Also all, Avho belong to the society of bchev- ers in the days of the gospel. Our christian friends, who belonged to this town, who are departed, you will see on the right hand of the judge. On the left you see Judas, who sold his Lord for thirty pieces of silver. Judas, wouldst thou not give more than that goodly price to be dehvered from thy Judge ! There stands Pilate with pale face, and trembling limbs, who passed sentence, that Christ should be crucified. Wouldst thou not give worlds and all the equipage that once adorned thy court to be saved from the sentence, that Jesus is about to pass on thee. And what great multitude is that, w^hich we behold? It is that which is composed of Jews, vfho insulted Christ on the cross, and all unbehevers, waiting to hear the dreadful sentence from him, whom in this life they despised. Whex the trial is finished, and the separation made, the judge will pass sentence. Coma^ ye blessed of my Father inherit the Icingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the ivorld* Songs of praise vail burst from the vast host of the righteous, expressive of their joyful feelings, and of their admiration of the grace of God in their salvation. All become silent, the whole multitude of good and evil beings solemn and attentive. The judge with a voice, that will be heard through the vast host, passes sentence against the wicked. Depart from me^ ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.^- They sink mider the sentence down to eternal woe. The righteous ascend in triumph to eternal joys. * Mat. xxy. 34. t Mat. xxv. 41. 112 THE MIXISTRY OF TAUNTON. Let us now close this interesting and solemn subject with a very brief application. I. Christ hath a great character. "We often judge of characters by what they do. In this way, we may judge of the character of Christ. Will he raise the dead, and judge every moral being in heaven, earth and hell, he will do a great work, that infinitely tran- scends the abihty of any finite being. Can any being, that is not infinitely powerful, wise and just, do such a great work ? The work is so great, that it gives the most exalted thoughts of him, and compels us into a belief, that he is God. II. Are we to be judged for what we do in this life, and to be treated according to the character, which we form here, the time of life is important. We live but a short time. The oldest person can say, that his days are few. But a few live to old age. Some die in youth. Others are cut off in the midst of their days. In this short life, every one of us are forming characters, in which vre shall appear in the great day of trial. How important then is the time of life. III. Are we to appear before Christ to be judged, it highly concerns us to secure an interest in his favor. His smiles will be life. His frowns will be death. Who, in his senses, wishes to spend his short life in sin, provoke Christ, and receive the sentence : Depart ye curs- ed. IV. We have a most interesting scene before us. A SICK bed is interesting. Death is interesting. But the day of judgment is more hitcresting ; for each one of us must bo present, and have a part in the transactions of the day. We now realize life. We shall realize death. judson's sermon IX 1790. 113 We shall realize the solemn things of th« day of judgment. It is certain that the offers of mercy are made to us. But not more certain, than that we shall be judged. The day being distant does not lessen its interesting nature. When the time comes, it mil be as important to us, as if it should begin to day. It was as interesting to Pilate, who lived seventeen hundred years ago, as it is to a man, who lives in this age. You will, dear friends, feel the truth of this observation, when you meet Christ in judgment. De- lays, objections and unbelief will not save you from the trial. Rocks and mountains cannot cover you from the knowledge of the judge. Be you, where you may, his summons will arrest, and carry you to the tribunal. Amen. 10* APPENDIX TO CHAPTER THIRD. Note A. Pao-e 38. o It does not comport witli the plan of tliis work to enter mi-> nutely into a history of the unhappy differences, which sprung up in town a little Ijefore the heginning of the present century. A few facts only, contained in the authentic Ptecords of the times, will he given. "Nov. 12, 1790. At a meeting of the church, convened at Dea. Rohert Grossman's, the following questions were submit- ted to the church, and votes passed : 1st. Whether the chui'ch are satisfied with the doctrines, preaching, and christian conduct of the Rev. Ephraim Judson, the Pastor? Voted in the affirmative. 2d. Whether the church wish to continue him in the ministry, if it be thought consistent with his usefulness, and the good of the Congregational Society? Voted in the affirmative. In each of the above votes," say the Records, "there was no dis- senting voice, excepting one brother, who chose not to vote, be- cause he did not like the mode of proceeding." At this meeting, the church appointed a Committee, of which Brig. Gen. George Godfrey was Chairman, "to prepare an ad- dress to the congregation, asking for their cooperation and aid in the support of Mr. Judson." In this address, they " deplore a disagreable dissolution of that connection which has now for some years been sustained. In that case," they continue, "it appears to us somewhat alarming, and that serious consequences will unavoidably be the effect of such a dissolution. Said church are unanimously of opinion, that should a separation COUNCIL CALLED IN 1790. 115 between our present Pastor and us take place, Ly reason of the difSculties aforesaid, (tliej had enumerated some of them,) the jjrobability of a division in this society for the future will be the effect, although we the said members have not the remotest wish for such a separation. As embracers of the doctrines practiced by our forefathers of real religion, at their emigration over the Atlantic to this country, the church propose in no wise to bo deficient according to their ability, in continuing our present Pastor in the work of the ministry. Notwithstanding, should 3"ou be of a mind very different, respecting his remaining in that relation to us, and in consequence thereof, contentions, separations and divisions take place among us, we are persuad- ed, you will by no means whatever, charge us as being accesso- ry thereto." The appeal of the church to the congregation was not suc- cessful in constraining a sufficient number to unite in the sup- port of jMr. Judson, to render his continuance in town desirable and pleasant. Note B. Pago 40. The Council called to consider the question of dismissing Mr. Judson, consisted of Eev. Mr. Weld, of Braintrce, Eev. Mr. Niles, of Abington, Eev. Mr. Smith, of Dighton, Bev. Mr. Andros, of Berkley, and their delegates. The Letter Missive which invited them to meet has been preserved. In it, the church of Taunton make use of the followins; lano;uage : O (DO "Dearly beloved; several disagreeable things in Bivino Providence have taken place in this town, which to the inex- pressible grief of us, your brethren, threaten to deprive us of our worthy Pastor. In our distressed state, wo have agreed to apply to the churches, to hear our case, and give us advice." A communication their Pastor had addressed to the church was read before the Council. It was as follows : " Dear brethren : when preaching on probation among you, I was highly pleased to find, that the church was disposed to examine me, before they gave me a call to settle, relative to my 116 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. ideas of the doctrines of grace, and experimental religion. By tlie questions that were asked, the mutual conversations that we had, and by your Articles of Faith,* I found that we were agreed in sentiment, relative to the interesting doctrines of sal- vation, and the rule of building the spiritual House of God. You have always appeared, since my connection with you, to adhere to the doctrines of Grace. You have appeared una7iL mous in your friendship to me. We have always been united in instances of discipline, some of which have been important and deeply interesting. We have harmoniously concurred in the admission of forty-five persons to church fellowship. You have walked in a measure, so far as I know, agreeable to the rules of the Gospel. I have met you at the Sacrament with pleasure. I have always felt myself happy in my Pastoral re- lation to you. No event in the course of my life has been more affecting, than the difficulties of the town, that have greatly in- terrupted our peace, and which, it seems, may be the occasion of dissolving our connection. The difficulties appear to have arisen partly from a heavy tax occasioned by the Episcopalians' drawing a large sum from our congregation ; partly from local inconveniency to attend at the old meeting house ; partly from an opinion, that I had not a legal right to my salary, because the town inadvertently took an illegal step in voting my sup- port, when I was called to settle, and partly from a dislike, that a few influential characters have to the doctrines that are preach- ed. These difficulties have excited you to call a Council for advice. In this prudent step, I heartily acquiesce, hoping it may give us light. It affords me great consolation that you are harmoniously united with one another, and friendly to me. And above all, that you regard the great doctrines of Grace, respect- ing man's salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. May the Fath- er of Mercies open your hearts more and more to receive them, is the prayer of your affectionate Pastor, Epuraim Judson." The Council voted to dismiss Mr. Judson, commending him, * Appended to this note. DISMISSION OF MR. JUDSON. 117 in their Result, to the Churches. They speak approvingly both of him, and of his doctrinal views — of his ministerial life and teachings. They lament the necessity imposed upon them, by "the opposition of a few in the Society to some of the distin- guishing doctrines of the Grospel, contained in the Westminster Confession of Faitli." They represent the Church as treating ' ' tlieir Rev. Pastor with the sincerest cordiality, with respect both to his person and ministry," as ready "to contribute to his support according to their abilities." On the second and last day of the meeting of the Council, that is, the 29th of December, 1790, Mr. Judson and the Church accepted the Result of Council, recommending in view of circumstances, beyond their control, and with no promise of improvement, a dissolution of the Pastoral relation. Accordingly Mr. Judson asked a dismission from his Pasto- ral charge, which the Church reluctantly granted, accompany- ing their vote, according to the Records,* with the following Recommendation,! adopted Jan. 2, 1791 : "Whereas a Council of Ministers and delegates convened at Taunton on the 28th and 29th days of Dec'br, in the year of our Lord one thousand, seven hundred and ninety, on the re- cj[uest of the Church of Christ in Taunton, for consideration and advice under the present situation said Church and Congrega- tional Society labor respecting the Rev. Ephraim Judson con- tinuing as their Pastor for some longer term of time, in that relation to them ; said Council after deliberation on a subject of great consequence and interesting to the parties concerned, unanimously gave in their result and advice, that the connection between us and our Rev'd Pastor be dissolved. In conse- quence thereof, and by his desire, said Church with painful sen- * The Records of the Churcli to the time of Mr. Judson are lost, but fortunately there is a full account of the proceedings of the Cliurch during the ministry of Mr. Judson, as also a true copy of the "Articles of Faith," which, being the "ancient ones," are particularly valual)le. t This Recommendation is given without amendment. It expresses in no professional, studied manner the sentiments of those who adopted it. Its very awkwardness of style is perhaps a proof of its gcnuiucucss. 118 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. sations of mind Voted his dismission, when no accusation was exhibited against him — the said Mr. Judson. We, the Church, recommend him to other churches, and all persons, whom it may concern, as one of an exemplary moral character, and the doc- trines held up to view by him from time to time during his min- istry among us, well agreed with the religion of our forefathers, and the sentiments revealed in the Holy Scriptures, especially such as respected faith and practice were his delightful themes on Sabbath days. Wishing him that peace of God, that passeth all understanding, to lead and direct him through this wicked world to the Kingdom of Heaven." The ' ' Articles of Faith ' ' to which Mr. Judson refers in his communication to the Church are to be found on the 22d page of what is now the earliest Book of Eecords of the Church, of which he was Pastor. What adds to the interest of these "Articles," is the fact stated in a note, that they are ''the an- tient ones " of the Church. It is in keeping with the object of this work, which professes to treat of "ancient" things, to transfer these "ancient Articles of Faith," with the accompany- ing " Covenant" to its pages. "ARTICLES OF FAITH OP THE Original Church of Christ in Taunton. 1. You believe that there is but one only living and True God, maker of Heaven and Earth, and Governor of all things; and that this onhr True God is the God we worship ; that this God is but one, yet Three distinct Persons, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, each equally God. 2. You believe God created man after His own image in knowledge, righteousness and true holiness; that by one man sin entered into the World, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned ; and that thereby, they arc all dead in trespasses and sins ; and are by nature children of wrath, and liable to Eternal Death, the Wages of Bin. ANCIENT ARTICLES OF FAITH. 119 3. You believe there is but one Mediator between God and Man, the man Christ Jesus, Who is over all, Blessed for ever ; that there is salvation in no other. You believe, He was con- ceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary, and died on the cross to save His people from their sins, rose from the dead the third day, ascended into Heaven and sitteth at the right hand of the Father, making continual intercession for us, of whose fullness we receive grace that is necessary to salvation. 4. You believe that Christ and His benefits are applied only by faith, and that faith is the gift of God, that we have it not of ourselves, but is wrought in us by the Word and Spirit of God ; that faith is that grace, whereby we believe and trust in Christ, for the remission of sin and life everlastino;, accordinfj to the promises of the Gospel ; that whoever believeth not the Son of God shall not see life, but shall perish eternally; that those, who truly repent of their sins, do see them and turn from them unto the Lord, shall be saved, and that except men be- lieve, they shall truly perish. You also believe, that a holy, godly life is conscientiously ordered according to the Word of God in holiness and righteousness, without which no man shall see the Lord. That the sacraments are seals of the covenant of Grace ; that the sacraments of the New Testament are Bap- tism, and the Lord's Supper; that the outward elements in the Lord's Supper are Bread and Wine, and do signify the worthy receivers by faith Christ has ordained for a remembrance of His death ; that whoever eateth and drinketh unworthily is guilty of the body and blood of our Lord; and therefore every one should examine himself lest he eat and drink judgment to him- self, not discerning the Lord's body. 5. You believe the souls of believers go immediately to bless- edness when they die, and the souls of unbelievers immediately to Hell torments. 6. You believe there will be a General Judgment, at which time the bodies of the Just and the Unjust, will be raised and appear at Christ's bar, to receive according to what they have done, in this life, whether it be good, or whether it be evil, and 120 THS MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. that the wicked will go into everlasting punishment, and the righteous into life eternal. Amen. Gliurch Covenant. In the presence of God, angels and this assemhly, you seri- ously and solemnly, according to the terms of the everlasting covenant, take the True God, the Lord Jehovah to he your God. Renouncing all other gods, you take the Lord Jesus to be your Kedeemer, Prophet, Priest and King. You solemnly promise, (Grace assisting) to walk sincerely and uprightly he- fore God all your days, in obedience to all His holy command- ments, as they are or shall he made knov^^n to you, from time to time. You give up yourself to this Church in the Lord, prom- ising and covenanting to cleave to us, and walk together with us as a member of the same mystical body, and as an instituted Church of Christ, while you continue a member of it in holy love, subjection, and watchfulness, determining to assemble with us for the Worship of God, ministering to our need as God shall enable you. You submit to the discipline of Christ in this Church. You promise to walk orderly in a way of fellow- ship with all the Churches of Christ among us, agreeable to those rules of holy order which He has appointed, that the Lord may be one and His name one in all the Churches through all generations, to His Eternal Glory in Christ Jesus. Thus you promise. These articles and covenant are the antient ones of this Church." FRIENDS AND SANDEMANIAN MEETINGS. 121 CHAPTER IV. THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON, FROM THE TIME OF THE DISMISSION OF REV. EPHRAIM JUDSON. We can no longer speak of a single church, or of a sin- gle minister in the town of Taunton. jNIessrs. Hooke, Street, Shove, Danforth, and Clap preached to a congre- gation gathered from the whole town, and were the sole Pastors of the place. It was not so with their successors. The Meeting of Friends. Mr. Danforth in his letter to Cotton Mather, and tho other ministers of Boston in 1720,* gives intimation of a meeting distinct from his own "in a corner" of his parish, attended however only by "three or four." This was a meeting of such as had embraced, what he calls " Quaker notions," and there is now in the North- West part of the town a Quaker meeting-house, unoccupied, which must have been built sometime in the last century. There is a place of worship belonging to the Society of Friends in Freetown, near the Berkley line, and yet another in Mans- field, which are located m what was once a part of Mr. Danforth' s parish. The Sandemanian Meeting, We have already noticedf the origin of the Sandema- ■t^ Vide page 264, vol. 1. t Vide page 241, vol. 1. 11 122 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. nian meeting in 1T85, under the auspices of one Mr. Brewer, from Connecticut. According to a statistical pa- per noticed in the previous volume, (page 345,) the Polls for 1788 in the whole town were six hundred and sixtj- seven, of which twenty-seven were Sandemanians, six were Eriends, fifty-seven were Baptists connected Avith Mr. Nelson's church in North Taunton, twenty-two were Bap- tists connected with Mr. Goff and others in South Taun- ton, ninety were Episcopalians, tw^o wxre Murrenites, and the remainder, (two hundred and sixty- three,) were Con- gregationalists. Whilst the Society of Eriends have sus- pended their meeting, and the church of Mr. Nelson re- moved to Norton, there are also very few of the Sandema- nians remaining in town. The Protestant Episcopal Church. The origin of this church in the last century was noticed in a preceding chapter.* Its " first resident minister," (if I may once more refer to Kev. N. T. Bent's Discourse, historical of St. Thomas' Church,) "appears to have been the Rev. John Lyon, who holds this claim upon our gratitude, that he left a fair and apparently a complete record of his ofi&cial acts. Mr. Lyon's first baptism was on Eebruary 6th, 1765, from about which time, perhaps a few months earlier, his ministry here commenced. In April of that year, we find the parish agreeing with Mr. Lyon as their minister, for a salary of twenty pounds an- nually, as long as he should continue with them ; this prob- ably in addition to the use of the Glebe, and a stipend from the society in England. And what may be mention- ed to their praise, we find the statement of the Wardens, * Vide page 342, vol. 1. PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 123 that in Marcli, 1766, before the expiration of his first year, they had settled with Mr. Lvon, and paid him his salary "to his good acceptance " — an example of prompt- ness, we venture to say, which few parishes in New-Eng- land have more uniformly imitated than this. The number of communicants in the church in 1764 was Twelve. Twenty more were added in 1765. This made the number Tlurty-tivo . In the same year there were Tiventy-seven baptisms of children and adults. Tradition speaks of Mr. Lyon as a most estimable man, and exem- plary minister of Christ. He seems to have been watch- ful over the lambs of his flock. The number of children under catechetical instruction in 1765 vras sixteen. Con- firmation in the absence of a Bishop, could not be admin- istered. It appears also that Mr. Lyon was not regard- less of the interests of the community in the matter of so- briety and good morals. We sometimes accuse the minis- try of that period with indifference to existing vices. Mr. Lyon, it appears from the record, distributed at one time, twenty copies of a book or tract, entitled, " Admonition to the drinkers of spirituous liquors." One evidence, at least, of a minister's laboring to make men temperate, and that too in his own appointed sphere, eighty years ago. Who shall say, that such labors W'ere in vain, however much they left to be done by those who should come after ?" " The loss of records," continues Mr. Bent, " forbids me to say, how long Mr. Lyon's ministry continued. He left some time before the Revolution, it is believed, and went to Virginia, vrhcrc he died. During the Revolution, most of the Episcopal churches, in this section of the country especiall}^, were closed ; a measure which the evils, and particularly the political de- 124 THE MINISTRY OF TAUXTOX. rangements of the times made necessary. The Church in Taunton probably shared the common fate. Its fortunes during that dark period are unknovrn. Nor are we able to fix the date of its next minister's connection with it — the Rev. Wm. W. Wheeler. It was probably in 1785, or 1786. His first recorded baptism was in November, 1786. I regret that I can say so little of his ministry. The leaves which bore its records are gone to the flames or the winds. As in the case of Mr. Lyon, sacrilegious hands have left us the beginning, as if to excite our curiosity, and taken away the continuance, as if to disappoint it. And those, whose memories might have been to us, a more interesting book than the parish register, are slumbering with the dead. Tradition speaks of Mr. Wheeler's ministry as suc- cessful for the times. In connection with his parish, he also ministered to the people in Middleboro', Bridgewater, and Scituate, giving one-fourth of his time to each of these places. He resided for many years upon the Glebe* of the parish here. His congregation, according to the mem- ory of one, who often attended during the latter part of his ministry here, was variable, from thirty to one hundred persons. He is reported to have been an estimable man and an intelligent divine. But his usefulness was much hindered in the latter portion of his ministry by political causes. He was here during the period of the French Revolution. His political opinions were very decided. They were the occasion of his leaving the parish, a major- ity being opposed to him on that ground, and on that ground alone. His connection with the parish ceased in April, 1798. He removed hence to Scituate, where he * It has already been stated, that this Glebe is in the west part of the town, nearly opposite the birth-place of Judge Wilde. PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 125 labored acceptably for some years, where he died Jan. 14, 1810, and was buried." This parish had no settled minister from 1798 to 1829. The old meeting-house on the Glebe was for many years " the sport of the elements, and the shelter of the birds." " The sparrow " there "found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, even thine altars, Lord." At length, in 1815, the memorable September gale made a complete wreck of what was never after rebuilt. " The frail foun- dation walls, and moss-covered tomb-stones of those who once worshipped beneath its uncoiled roof alone remain. Several efforts were made to revive the parish of St. Thomas, before the successful one." The present Church of the society, which with its organ, furniture and enlarge- ment in 1840-41, has cost not far from $12,000, was consecrated by Bishop Griswold, in June, 1829. Rev. John West, a native of Boston, and graduate at Harvard University in 1813, officiated as Rector of the church from the revival of its services until 1838. Rev. Henry Blackaller, a native of England, was in- stituted Rector, May 5th, 1833, and resigned in 1835. Rev. Samuel Hassard, a native of Jamaica, West Indies, graduated at Yale College in 1826, was instituted Rector Nov. 5th, 1835, resigned Oct. 31, 1838, removed to Great Barrington, Mass., and there died. Rev. Edmund Neville, a native of England, and a student of Rev. Thomas Scott, w^as instituted Rector, July 24, 1839, resigned June, 1841, and removed to Philadel- phia, where he still remains, one of the most popular and influential preachers of that city. Rev. N. T. Bent, a native of Milton, Mass., graduated 11* 126 THE MINISTBY OF TAUNTON. at Harvard Universitj, in 1831, -was instituted Rector Feb. 1842, and resigned Oct. 1846. Rev. Theodore W. Sxow, a native of Boston, gradua- ted at Harvard Universitj in 1830, was instituted Rector, April 5th, 1847, and still continues in that office. The fear expressed bv the original church of Taunton in their communication to the town,* lest the dismission of Mr. Judson might lead to a division of the society was not without reason. Such a division actually took place ; and refraining from all comments on the occasion for this division, and every incidental question connected therewith, I only propose, in accordance vvith the plan of this work, to make the briefest possible statement concern- ing the ministry of each section of the church and society, leaving the vexed question of church identity, and the de- tails of their respective histories, to those vAio may have time, taste, and materials for the undertaking. The Congregational Churcli. West Taunton. This was composed of the entire original Church, with the exception of three males and one female. These sep- arated! themselves from the Town Parish in 1792, organiz- ed a new society in the west part of the town, and soon after built a meeting-house, nearly a mile beyond the Episcopal glebe, in which they worshipped for thirty-two years. $ Rev. Mr. Judson the former pastor of the church, =* Vide page 114. t The immediate cause of the separation was the attempt to settle Mr. John Foster, against whom several serious charges were brought by the church, all of which the future more than vcritied. X Their first meeting after the separation was in Dea. Isaac Tubbs' barn. The meeting-house afterwards built, was taken down in 1824, and a new one erected in another part of the parish, in the centre of a small manufacturing village, known as " Westville." COxYGREGATIONAL CHURCH. WEST TAUNTOX. 127 preached for a short time ; and after him, a variety of ministers, some of whom are yet held in grateful remem- brance. Mr. Preston, Mr. Wines, Mr. Farrington, and Mr. Ogdon are more particularly mentioned as acceptable preachers and excellent men. Mr. Farrington received a call to settle, which he declined. Mr. Ogdon died at the house of Mr. Peter Walker, and was buried on the plain, near the Society's first House of Worship. The stone "which marks the place of his burial bears the following in- scription : "In memory of Mr. J^ath. Ogdon, A. B., of Fairfield, N. J., Preacher of the Gospel, Avho died July 11th, 1796, aged 28. He had preached only seven Lord Days, when our high expectations of his future usefulness were sud- denly blasted." Rev. Mr. Cobb, present Pastor of the church in West Taunton, to whom I am indebted for several of the above facts, says of ^Ir. Ogdon : '' He was a very promising young man, sound in doctrine, clear in religious experi- ence, and forcible in argumentation." Rev. Samuel W. Colburn accepted an invitation to settle with this church in 1809, and was ordained August 30th of that year. Rev. Otis Thompson of Rehoboth offered the Introductory Prayer. Rev. Benjamin Wood of Upton preached the sermon. Rev. Mr. Shepherd of R. I. ofiered the Ordaining Prayer. Rev. Frederick Crafts of Middleboro' gave the Charge. Rev. Thomas Andros of Berkley expressed the Fellowship of the churches. Rev. Mr. Holman of Attleboro' ofiered the Concluding Prayer. In the latter part of the year 1812, Mr. Colburn asked a dismission, which was granted. On the 19th of April, 1815, Rev. Alvan Cobb, present 128 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Pastor, was ordained, and installed as successor of Mr. Colburn, and is one of the oldest settled ministers in Mas- sachusetts. In a historical sermon of Mr. Cobb, in MS., to "which I have had access, he makes the following inter- esting statements : '' The first Sabbath School in Bristol County was organized in connection with this church in 1816.* Several seasons of unusual religious interest have been enjoyed. The first in 1815, when seventeen were received to the church. In 1820, there was a still larger accession of thirty. In 1825, the new meeting-house of the Society was dedicated by a memorable season of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, when the whole parish was reached, and nearly sixty hopefully converted and brought into the church. Rev. A. Nettleton was an honored in- strument of doing great good in that Revival. In 1830-31, a fourth precious Revival was enjoyed. During one week, nineteen expressed a hope in Christ, thirty-six pro- fessed religion. In 1838-39, there was a more limited season of refreshing. Twenty-six were added to the church. In 1840, there was a further addition of six." Some of Mr. Cobb's sermons have been published.* He * This was four years previous to tlie first Sabbath School organiza- tion at " tlie Green." In 1820, two ladies, (see pp. 24G and 248^ vol. 1. Mrs. Sarah K. Tales and Miss Frances Sproat,) opened a school, simi- lar in its character to the Sabbath School, on Saturday afternoon, in a private room, witli eiglit scholars, the expenses being borne by the teachers. After being removed from place to place, as the school in- creased in numbers, it at length so far gained the sympathy of others, that the Town Hall was oft'ei-cd, when one male, and two female teach- ers were added to their number, and the school reached the sum total of twenty-five. Thence it removed to the old Court House, and for the first time was regularly organized by the appointment of a Superintend- ent and other officers. From this small beginning thirty-two years ago, have sprung the numerous Sabbath Schools of the place, preceded, as we have seen, by a still earlier experiment in the west part of the town. My informant in this matter is George B. Atwood, Esq. t I have seen the following: "A sermon delivered at Plymouth before the Eobinson congregation on the 22d of Dec. 1831," called " a Pilgrim CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. TAUNTON GREEN. 129 has given instruction to several joung men in their prep- aration for the Gospel minis trj.* The Congregational Church. Taunton Green. Four members of the original Congregational Church of Taunton, viz: Dea. Robert Luscombe, Israel Deane, Wil- liam Austin and Lyclia Ilarvej with four other new mem- bers, united with the first Parish in Taunton, in calling Mr. John Foster to settle with them in the work of the Gospel ministry.! Mr. Foster was accordingly installed over said church and society the 16th of May, 1792. Mr. Baylies informs us, that Mr. Foster was probably a native of Stafford, Ct., as his father was the mmister of that town. The first settlement of the Taunton minister was in Paxton, Ms., where, we are informed, ^'his general de- portment was not considered suiSciently serious and guard- ed for his station." The remainder of our notice of this remarkable man is faithfully copied from an historical sketch, ascribed to lion. Francis Baylies, and originally published in the ''Taunton Tri-weekly Gazette " for 1833. Sermon ;" " a sermon delivered at the ordination of Rev. Charles Sim- mons over the Hebron Church and Congregation in Attleboro' and Seekonk, Dec. 26, 1832," and "a sermon preached Sept. 22, 1833. occa- sioned by the death of Mrs. Hannah, wife of Benjamin Walker." He has also written one or more Tracts for the Doctrinal Tract Society, of which Society he has been for several years a Director. * The names of some of these are James Tisdale; Charles -J. "\Yarren; Michael Burdett; Martyn Cushman; David Tilton; and Thomas T. Richmond, Pastor of the church in Medfield, Ms. Mr. Richmond is one of several young men, who have entered the christian ministry from different Evangelical churches in Taunton. The names of others Avhich now occur to me are. Rev. William J. Breed, recently of the Higli St. Church, Providence; Rev. Cyrus W. Allen, now settled in Colcraine, Ms. ; Rev. Rol)ert Carver, present Pastor of Church in Raynham ; Rev. James Walker, settled in Bucksport, Me.; Rev. Frederick A. Reed, set- tled in Coliasset, Ms. ; Rev, James Tisdale, stated supply at Shutesbery, Ms.; and Rev. Eben Dawes, Jr., still resident in Taunton. t My authority for this statement is Rev. Alvau Cobb, who has been a minister in Taunton since 1815. 130 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. "Perhaps none of our ministers have been more admir- ed ; and yet he owed all his popularity as a preacher, to his voice and solemn manner, together with some original and peculiar qualities ; his education was slight and he had no literary taste. His voice was unequalled, not for melody or svreetness, but for its deep and solemn tones, which were at times almost terrific. He seemed like an ancient Prophet, announcing woes and miseries, and the destruction of cities. Even inanimate matter seemed moved, and the house itself would tremble under his tre- mendous volume of voice. His imagination was not fertile but capable of sublime conceptions. Persons yet remem- ber the deep subhmity of his prayer on the muster-field. Sitting on his horse, with open eyes, in the glare of the sunshine, he commenced : ' Storms, and tempests, earth- quakes, thunder and lightning, are Thy artillery, Thou great God of battles ! Angels and archangels form Thy phalanjc, Thou dread Lord of Hosts !" He went through his prayer without falling from this exalted tone. Yet his solemnity was all feigned, and his general deportment was light and frivolous, with a strong disposition to banter, and to indulge in sarcasm. His eccentricities, his impruden- ces, and his extravagant language alienated many of his hearers. Some withdrew, and seventeen formal charges against him were laid before the church by Dr. Foster Swift, who then resided here. The hearing was in public. Not satisfied with defending himself, "he carried the war into the enemy's quarter" — used weapons not common among gentlemen, and notwithstanding the grave formality of the charges, succeeded in burlesqueing all, and turned a torrent of ridicule on his accuser. His salary was small, and he complained of it ; ' if the JOHN FOSTER. 131 people of Taunton,' said he ' do not raise my salary, I will serve them a trick the Devil never did — I will leave them, and the Devil never did that.' In a period of high political excitement, when he ad- dressed the Throne of Grace at the opening of the Su- preme Court in this town, in the presence of the Court, he shot off in a strain like this : ' As Thou, Lord, has't raised up the Jacobins, as Thou did'st Pharaoh and his impious host for Thy good purposes ; as Thou has't per- mitted tliis great moral evil to afflict us, as Thou dost storms and tempests, and earthquakes, the blight and the mildew, and other physical evils, we pray Thee, when Thy purposes are answered, to strike them from the catalogue of Thy Providence — to put hooks into their noses, and to lead them far away to destruction.' The disaffection to Mr. Foster at last became so gener- al, that his dismission became a matter of necessity, and he was accordingly dismissed in 1799. He removed from Taunton to Stonington in Connecticut, and was employed as a Preacher, and a teacher of youth. While there he embraced Universahsm. He left Stonington, and went to New- York, where he kept school and preached occasion- ally. There he threw off his religious character altogeth- er, and became an open infidel, the fellow-laborer of Elihu Palmer, the atheist. Although he had not the deadly malignity of Palmer, yet in his warfare on the Christian Religion, he employed weapons full as efficacious as the false logic of the atheist. His hearers w^ere a rabble of profligates, and he entertained them with burlesque disser- tations on the historical parts of the Scriptures, whose authenticity he wholly denied. Palmer, Tom Paine and Foster together, were too much for the city of New- York 132 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. to endure, and Foster ^yas brought into court under an indictment for blaspliemj. After that, he resided some years at Athens, on the North River, opposite Hudson, where he taught a school, and prepared young men for College. According to our latest information, he was liv- ing about a year since at Norwich, Ct., still engaged in school-keeping. Mr. Foster had several brothers in the ministry, who were all distinguished for popular talents, and great eccentricity. We have seen one printed ser- mon of his, but it was of little worth." Thus wrote Mr. Baylies in 1833. It is remarked by another: "^'He is supposed to have died in New- York at a very advanced age."* His successor in the Pastoral office was Rev. John Pi- PON. We have an interesting account of Mr. Pipon from the pen of Mr. Baylies, an intimate acquaintance, which is of course altogether reliable. " John Pipon, the successor of John Foster, was de- scended from a family which emigrated from the Island of Jersey, in the British Channel, and was a native of Bos- ton. f He learned the trade of a house-wright, at which he wrought for a short time, and afterwards prepared him- self for College, and was graduated at Cambridge in 1792. He was for a time butler of the University, then officiated as a reader at Christ Church, and resided for a time at Biddeford, in Maine. In 1798, he was at Cambridge, pursuing his studies in Theology, and preaching occasion- ally in different towns. He was a member of the Society of Phi Beta Kappa, once its Vice President, and once its * This statement is taken from a statistical notice of the " Unitarian Church" prepared, (as the Compiler remarks,) for the "Taunton Direc- tory of 1850,'" by the Pastor of the Church. t According to Rev. Mr. Brigham, in the statistical notice, before re- ferred to, "born in 1762." JOHX PIPON. 133 annual orator. In 1799, he came to Taunton, where he received a call the same year, and was ordamed in Janu- ary, 1800. President Kirkland, then a minister of Bos- ton, preached the ordination sermon.* The day on which he was ordained seemed ominous of the mildness of the career, on which he was entering, and an emblem of the benignity of his character, for although it was in January, it was the finest winter day, that was ever experienced in New-England. His attention to his parochial duties was incessant and unremitting. Although his visits to his parishioners were frequent, yet he never entered into their affaii's with the officiousness of a meddler, but with the cordiality of a friend, and the interest of a father. He enjoyed the fes- tivities with all the glee and gladness of a child ; and in those dark spots, where sorrow wept and refused to be comforted, the consolations of this good man, administered with the tenderest sympathy, came like sunbeams through the gloom. Guile and envy had no place in his heart. The increasing thrift and comforts of his neighbors were to him a source of constant gratification. In this he was not disinterested, for the happiness of others increased his own. He would have banished want and woe and suffer- ing from the whole human race. When the orthodox minister of Sandwich, harassed with perplexing and acrimonious lawsuits, was m attendance on the courts sitting here, our ' good Samaritan' like him of "* I have 9, copy of this sermon in my possession. It Avas preached "the lath of Jan. 1800, by John Thornton Kirkh\nd, minister of the New South Church, Boston." Text, 1 Cor. IC: 10., ''Now if Timothe- us come, see tliat he may be with you, without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord." The Discourse is well written, and breathes a good spirit. To it are appended the Charge by the Kev. Mr. Clark of Lex- ington, and the Right Hand of Fellowship, by the Rev. Mr. Clark of Norton. 12 134 THE MINISTEY OF TAUNTON. old, did not 'pass by on the other side,' but attended him -svith the deepest solicitude for his -^'elfare. His hospital- ity was not ceremonious. He took his clerical brother to his home and to his heart. ' Brother Burr,' said he, 'is in affliction, and it is my duty to comfort him.' When solicited for relief or charity, he never shared the contents of his purse Avith the applicant, but if he had any thing, he gave the ivliole.* After some severe taunts, and rebukes from the late Prof. Pearson, he expressed no resentment, but great commiseration, because the Professor was afflicted with a bad temper. On another occasion, a person repeated to him some se- vere remarks upon his ministerial character, by a young clergyman of the vicinity: ' oh,' said Mr. P. in his pecu- liarly mild tone, ' brother is only a colt yet.' His general benevolence lost none of its strength by diffusion. He loved the whole human race, but he could concentrate his affections on individuals. While he loved some well, he loved others better. The good he reverenc- ed, the bad he pitied. Like Henry Goldsmith, * The jrcnerous impulse of Mr. Pipon is remembered with admira- tion, hy all who knew him. On a recent visit to Easton, the excellent lady of Rev. Mr. Sheldon related an incident in the life of the Taunton minister which much interested me. He was there on some religious occasion. Avhcn a very destitute child called at the door for charity. Few visitors, in a stran(;:e place, would have been attracted by such a case. But Mr. Pipon had learned of the "man of Uz," and the cause which he knew not, he "searched out." He called the boy in, inquired into his condition, formed the plan at once of taking him upon his horse, on liis return to Taunton, and securing for him a home amongst some of his friends. He was however dissuaded from carrying out his plan ; and Mrs. S. said, she had often thought, what a singular figure Mr. Pi- pon would have made, riding into town, with that ragged boy at his back. I could wish that the humane ])urpose of the noble hearted Pi- pon had prevailed; and who can tell what a bright future might have opened up ])cfore the lad, who, like many others, was perhaps left to himself — to lie down in rags and ruin. JOHN PIPOX. 135 ' He quite forgot their vices in their woes, • Careless their merits or their faults to scan, 'His pity gave, ere charity began. ' Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride, ' And e'en his feelings iean'd to virtue's side ; 'But in his duty prompt at every call, • He watch'd, and wept, he pray'd and felt for all.' No monk was ever more devoted to the interest of his order, than he was to the interests of Harvard College. He delighted to call up all the reminiscences connected with its history — to look into the dusky recesses of the past — to rejoice in the present, and to exult in the pros- pects of the future. To him, Cambridge was Rome, and President Kirkland the Pope, and he almost believed in his infallibility. He reverenced the ancient fathers of the New-England Churches, the Wilsons, the Cottons, the blathers, the Chaunceys, and the Mayhews of former days. Within his own sphere of influence, he endeavored with all his soul, and V\ith all his strength, to promote the inter- ests of education, to improve the course of discipline and instruction in the schools, and to elevate the character of our Academy. In genuine simplicity of character, he w^as unrivalled ; even the imaginary Vicar of Wakefield was no peer to the Taunton minister. It was estimated that he had lost more than one thousand dollars in the exchange of ordinary horses. His credulity was incurable, and his good nature, though often imposed upon, was rarely overcome. Some- times, however, he found vexation in his path, and his equanhuity was not proof against the teasing irritations of petty troubles. On one occasion, trying to his patience, he ' wished that Gen. was present to swear for him,' but correcting himself instantly, ' I don't mean profanely,' said he. 136 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTOX. When in a hurrj to be shaved, that he might seasonably attend an ordination, and vexed by the interminable stories of Tim. Ingraham, the barber; ^Timothy,' said the Par- son, ' why don't you get a parrot, and hang him up in your shop ; the parrot could talk to your customers, whilst you shaved them.' His social qualities were of a high order, and his social affections highly cultivated. He delighted to v>'itness the liveliness and cheerfulness of his friends. He delighted to sit at the festive board. He delighted in Commence- ment, Phi Beta Kappa, Ordination, Association, Court, Academy, and Fourth of July dinners, for then it was that a part at least of the human race were enjoying the bounties of God's Providence with lively hearts. In these genial moments, he was exceedingly interesting, and his conversation was enlivened with humorous and original remarks. The late lamented Buckminster, and President Kirkland desired no better companion than the country minister. All^ men of wit and humor loved his society. The late Mr. Sproat, Mr. Tillinghast, and Mr. Holmes of Rochester, found him no ordinary competitor in the war- fare of wit. His humor, though quaint, was neither coarse, nor offensive. He had a strong sense of the ridic- ulous, and a strong relish for every species of originality. Speaking of some bombastic Fourth of July oration, he said, ' he should be afraid to cross a ferry within hear- ing distance of the speaker, lest his hard words should knock him overboard.' He hinted pleasantly to Mr. B , that he did not at- tend public worship so often as he ought. ' Why,' said Mr. B., 'I take cold in the meeting-house, and you knoAV that a cold is a severe thing with me.' 'Yes,' said he. joiix piPON. 137 ' I know that it is uncomfortable to sit in a meeting-house, ■without a stove, in cold weather, but in summer you surely might do it without exposure.' ' But,' said Mr. B., ' what you get out of me, Parson, is clear gain ; I am not of your sect.' ' Indeed,' said the Parson, ' and pray, of what sect are you V ' By hereditary descent,' said Mr. B., ' I am an Episcopalian.' ' Now, Francis,' said the Parson, ' you always wear a fashionable coat, why will you throw it oflf, and put on one that is out of fashion ?' A short time previous to delivering his oration before the Phi Beta Kappa, passing Julien's in Boston, he looked at the sign. ' Restorator.' 'Good! [' said hC' i Rest Orator. I'll go in.' Some one advised him to marry. ' No,' says he. *my salary can't carry double.' Plis sermons were sound, and never doctrinal. The topics of dispute which divided the religious community were carefully avoided, and no offence given to tender consciences. His delivery and voice were bad. There was no exciting power in his elocution, and he was seldom animated. His simplicity sometimes bordered on the lu- dicrous. Once, after a long series of excellent and pious remarks, he closed by observing: 'All these truths 3^ou will find in your Bibles. When you go home, look. Now, do!' In prayer he was affecting and pathetic. He poured forth the ardent emotions — the deep devotion of his soul, in language which sometimes approached the Oriental sim- plicity of the Scriptures. The passages which he quoted from the Holy Writings were strikingly appropriate. His AYords came forth with a glow, a fervor and a freshness, which indicated a disposition to love the human race, and 12* 138 THE MINISTRY OF TAUXTON. to reverence the Great Being whom he addressed. He entreated Him as a father to pardon and to spare his err- ing children. Strangers delighted with the eloquence of his prayers, were generally disappointed. His sermons did not answer the expectations, which his prayers had raised, as they were generally dull and uninteresting. His useful and quiet life was quietly terminated. After preaching on the Sabbath he retired to his bed in the eve- ning, apparently in good health. About midnight, he died, after a labor in the ministry of twenty-one years. He was subject to the Angina Pectoris, and it is supposed, that a sudden attack of that disease took him from a world which he loved, to one which he loved better. His death occurred in the month of January, 1821. His remains repose among his people.* His age, at the time of his death, was upwards of sixty. He was never married. t Nothing of his has issued from the press (which we have seen) excepting a Charge delivered at an ordination in New-Bedford." Mr. Pipon was succeeded by Rev. Luther Hamilton. "He was born in Conway, in 1798, was graduated at Williams College in 1817, was ordained in Taunton in 1821, and resigned in 1832." The above facts were communicated through the " Taunton Directory of 1850," * Mr. Pipon was interred in the tomb of John "West, Esq., at the " Plain," from Avliich he lias never been removed. AYould it not be -well, if the many, Avho remember him should lionor his memory by the trans- fer of Ills remains to "Mount Pleasant Cemetery," and the*^ erection of a suitable monument? t Although unmarried, INIr. Pipon pui'chasffd the house and adjoin- ing grounds owned and occupied by his predecessor, John Foster. They are pleasantly situated on High Street, bordering also on Mill river, and a narrow street leading from Iligli Street to Weir Street. The proper- ty has passed successively into tlie liands, first of Dea. William Keed, of Taunton, next of Thcophilus Parsons, Esq., of Boston, and lastly of William Baylies, Esq., of Bridgcwater. The "old Parsonage" has given place to a beautiful structure occupied by A. E. Swasey, Esq. 139 by Rev. Mr. Brigham, a successor in the ministry. Mr. Hamilton has been variously employed, since his dismis- sion. He has more recently held a place in the Custom House, Boston, in the vicinity of which city he resides. Mr. Baylies states that " Luther is a son of Dr. Hamilton, formerly of Greenfield, and that he married a daughter of Dr. Williams of Deerfield. His printed productions are : an Address delivered before King David's Lodge, in Taunton, June, 1825. " Reasons for the Unitarian Be- lief," a series of Lectures published in 1830. " A ser- mon preached at the Dedication of the Church* of the First Congregational Society, in Taunton, November, 1830." Rev. Andrew Bigelow, d. d., succeeded Mr. Hamil- ton in the Pastoral charge of this society. He was born in Groton, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in 1795. *' His father, the Hon. Timothy Bigelow, an eminent law- yer and statesman, was the son of Col. Timothy Bigelow, of the Revolutionary army, who went with Arnold to Que- bec, and afterwards commanded the 16th Regiment. His mother was a daughter of the Hon. Oliver Prescott, the brother of Col. William Prescott, the hero of Bunker Hill — an eminent Physician, a distinguished patriot of the Revolution, a Brigadier General in active command at its commencement, and a member of the Executive Revolu- tionary Council of the Commonwealth."! Mr. Bigelow graduated at Cambridge in 1814, and was once settled at Medford, as the successor of Rev. Dr. Osgood. He was installed in Taunton, April, 1833, re- signed his charge in 1812, and for the most part, since * The elegant Stone Church, which the Society now occupy near the Town Hall, t F. Baylies, in the Tri- Weekly Gazette of 1833. 140 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. that time, has officiated as minister at large in Boston. Mr. Bigelow is brother-in-law of Hon. Abbott Lawrence, distinguished as a leading manufacturer and merchant of that citj, and more recently, as Minister of this country to England. Mr. Bigelow has travelled much, and in 1821, publish- ed " Leaves from a Journal in North-Britain and Ireland ;" in 1831, '' Travels in Malta and Sicily, with Sketches of Gibraltar in 1827." Beside these volumes, he has com- mitted to the press, a " Sermon at the Dedication of the Eirst Congregational Meeting-house in Eastport, Maine, in 1820;" a "farewell sermon" preached at the same place in 1821 ; a "memoir of Gov. Brooks," published in the Christian Examiner, in 1825 ; two sermons preached in Chelsea, in 1827; a sermon on the "Signs of the times," preached in Reading, in 1828 ; a sermon on "Pas- toral responsibihty," preached in Washington, D. C, in 1828 ; a sermon on "Paul at Athens," first printed in the " Liberal Preacher" in 1829; a "Communion Lecture" at Framingham, in 1830 ; a sermon on " Christian Liber- ty," at Derry, N. H., in 1832; a sermon preached in Norton, at the interment of Rev. Pitt Clarke, February 15th, 1835. There may have been still other publications which have escaped our notice. Rev. Charles H. Brigiiam is the i^resent Pastor of this society. He was born in Boston in 1820, was grad- uated at Harvard in 1839, and ordained in Taunton, March 27th, 1844. The number of families belonging to his society in 1850, was one hundred and eighty-two. The next religious organization in town, to be noticed, if we follow the order of time, is SIX PRINCIPLE BAPTIST CHURCH. 141 Tlie Six Principle Baptist Churclu It was organized in Kehoboth, April 4, 1789. Its first Pastors were Rey. ziaron Wheeler, and Rev. Sylvester Round, who were ordained Elders, April 20, 1789, It was at this time denominated the " North Rehoboth Church." Elder Wheeler is pronounced by Rev. Mr. Horton, who has furnished me with these facts, " a man of good parts, and a sound, able and pious minister." He died March 19, 1800, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. " Elder Round continued to preside over and feed the flock for many years. He was a very gifted, eloquent preacher, and faithfully labored with this church until his death, Oct. 26, 1824, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. This church were then destitute of a Pastor, and only occasionally supplied from abroad. The result was, that the church became weak and scattered ; a Methodist church was gathered on the same ground, and some of the Bap- tist church united with them. The remainder, only about twelve or thirteen, commenced holding their meetings- in a school-house in the w^est part of Taunton, and were sup- plied from abroad. This was the condition of things until 1840, when Josephus W. Horton, a young man from Re- hoboth, came among them and commenced preaching. The church called for his ordination ; and he was ordained the Thursday preceding the second Sabbath in October. This church has since built them a small Meeting-house, which is well filled on the Sabbath. Its present number of members is thirty-eight." Since the above narrative was prepared, Mr. Horton has relinquished his charge of the people, connected him- self with another denomination, and is at present laboring 142 THE MINISTRY OE TAUNTON. as a Calvinist Baptist Preacher in another part of the State. His place is not jet supplied. The Taunton Crreen Baj)tist Churcli* (^Calvinistic) was organize df June 16, 1810. Rev. Sila>s Hall, its first Pastor, a native of Rajnham, graduated at Brown University, in 1809, was settled in November, 1826, and resigned March 6, 1830. Bev. B. C. Grafton, second Pastor, a native of Provi- dence, R. I., graduated at Waterville, was settled June 7, 1831, and resigned May 26, 1834. Rev. W. G. Trask,J third Pastor, educated at NcAvton, was settled June, 1834, and died July, 1836. Rev. Henry Clark, fourth Pastor, graduated at Brown University, was settled December 29, 1836, and resigned June 16, 1839. Rev. J. F. Burbanlv, fifth Pastor, a native of Portland, -* I requested Rev. Mr. Pollard to furnish me with a more extended notice of this church, hut he remarked that such was the condition of the early Records as to render it impracticahle. This church was call- ed, at its organization, the second Baptist Church, with reference to an earlier one at the north part of the town. Its social mcetino-s, prior to the settlement of a Pastor, Avere licld in a Hall, on Main Street, and were of a most intei-esting character. t The original members of the cliurch were the following: William Stall, James Ohicy, Elias Parry, Thomas C. Brown, Abiathar Phillips, Abiatlnir Hall, Mary Johnson, 'Phei)e Godfrey, Rlioda Godfrey, Nancy Stall, Mary Stall, Content Smith, Betsey Olney, Susan Leonard, Han- nah Leonard, Margaret Leonard. X Mr. Trask's ministry was short. The consumption soon closed hia labors, and terminated a life on earth which promised abundant useful- ness. It was the prediction of Doctor Sharp, to whose church Mr. T. belonged, and who preached his ordination sermon, that his people would not have him long. In a little more than two years, the Doctor preached his youthful brother's funeral sermon. He^ died, as Deacon Woodward, who knew and loved him well, expressed it, "in the triumphs of faith." He was an uncommonly good man. All denominations of Christians respected and highly esteemed him. He Avas very dear to the people of his Pastoral charge. He was buried in Lincoln, in this State, where lie died at the house of his fiithcr-in-law. TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 143 Maine, graduated at Waterville in 1887, was settled Feb- ruary 3, 1841, and resigned November 13, 1841. Rev. J. F. Wilcox, sixth Pastor, a native of Westmins- ter Yt., in 1806, educated in Newton, was settled De- cember 12, 1842, and resigned November 25, 1848. Rev. Andrew Pollard, the present Pastor, was settled September 1, 1849. Tlie Trinitarian Congregational Church was organized* August 17, 1821, consisting of twentj-nine members, of whom ten yet survive. The only surviving original male members are Philander W. Dean,f and Sam- uel Godfrey. Rev. Chester Isham, the first Pastor of the church, was born in West Hartford, Ct., in 1798, graduated at * Mr. Maltby, in a note to his " Quarter Century Sermon," ascribes this organization to the fact, that after Mr. Pipon's dismission, Rev. Lu- ther Hamilton was introduced to the Congregational Society as a can- didate, who avowed opinions objectionable to some of the church. The following were the members of the church at its organization: Dea. Jeremiah Sumner, Mary B. Bush, Lydia Carver, Olive Carver, Betsey Grossman, Prudence Crossman, Philander W. Dean, Rebecca Dean, Hannah Dean, Chai'lotte J. L. Godfrey, Samuel Godfrey, Susanna Hull, Mercy Holmes, Sarah P. Howland, Zipporah King, Eliza Leonard, Charlotte Morton, Otis Pierce, Dorcas Potter. Sarah H. Shepard. Mary Smith, Priscilla F. Smith, Relief H. Smith, Beulah Stephens, Hannah Staples, Joanna Sumner, Mary Williams. Luci da Williams, Susannah Williams. This church commenced public worship at the Town Hall; removed thence to the Court House, where they i-emained till the spring of 1833, when their meeting-house, in the vicinity of " the Green," was dedicated, Doctor Burgess of Dedham, preaching the sermon. This original structui-e has just given place to a new and costly edifice of stone, the whole length of which, including the pulpit recess, is one hundred and twenty feet, and its width sixty-five feet. t I have been informed by G. B. Atwood, Esq., that the first Tem- perance Society in town was organized soon after the formation of this church. It was during a temporary supply of the puljnt by ]vcv. E. C. Bridgman, who has been for many years connected with the mission to China. Mr. Bridgman was the President of the Society. The organi- zation took place in the Sabbath School, and Mr. P. W. Dean, Su])erin- tendent of the school, was the first individual who signed the constitu- tion and took the pledge. (See page 394, vol. 1.) 144 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Yale College in 1820, Avas settled in Taunton, February 18, 1824, and died the day after his return from a winter residence in a southern climate for the recovery of his health, April 20, 1825, aged twenty-seven. Rarely has a minister excited higher hopes of usefulness and eminence than did Mr. Isham.* He w^as a class-mate, room-mate and intimate friend of Rev. Leonard Bacon, of New-Ha- ven, in their preparatory course at New-Haven and Ando- ver; and from the pen of this endeared and afflicted associate in study, proceeded soon after a faithful notice, which was published in the " Christian Spectator," follow- ed by a sermon from the lamented subject of the sketch, founded on the text in Prov. 11: 7, ''When a wricked man dieth, his expectations shall perish." It was the strong desire of Mr. Isham, when sick on ship-board, that he might live to reach Taunton, and be "buried," as he expressed it, "in the midst of his dear people." This latter w^ish of the dying Pastor was grati- fied. Whoever visits the field of the dead on the " Plain," may there read the following Inscription : * A case analagous to that of Mr. Isham has more recently occurred, when the youthful Homer fell a victim to pastoral care and labor on the very threshold of his ministerial life. Prof. B. B, Edwards who preached on the occasion of Homei-'s burial once remarked to me that he never saw such an afflicted assembly as was gathered at South Ber- wick that day. When the news readied Taunton that the beloved Ish- am had expired at the house of Doctor AVisncr, where he had been cherished with the tenderest care, tlie few hours lie was permitted to live, after coming on shore, the children of the town, as they lieard the sound of tlie tolling bell, understood its meaning, and wept with no common grief for the loss of a man they loved. 1 liave heard one, who was then a mere child say, that she was standing alone in a retired part of her father's garden at the time, and the impression the first stroke of that bell made ui)on her mind was never lost. It appeared to her young heart, as if the grave was about to close over every friend, and bury a'll her hopes. TRINITARIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 145 "The Reverend Chester Isham, born at Hartford, Conn., March 29, 1798, was ordained first Pastor of the Trinitarian Cong. Society in this place, Feb. 18, 1824. In the October following, his declining health compelled him to embark for Cuba, whence he returned to Boston, just in time to meet his wife and babe, and to fall asleep, April 20, 1825. Devout men carried him to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. For in his death, bright hopes, (alas! how many!) were extinguished. He was laid in this place, that he might rest, with the people of his love around him. Those who knew him, need no memorial of his worth, But, for those who knew him not, this stone has been erected by the females of his flock.'* Rev. Erastus Maltby, successor of Mr. Isham, and second Pastor of the church, was born in Northford, Ct., graduated at Yale College, in 1821, pursued his Theologi- cal course at Andover, was settled January 18, 1826, and still dwells among " his own people." He last year preached his " Quarter Century Sermon," which,, by re- quest of the church, was published. He also preached a sermon before the " Pastoral Association " a few years since, which was printed. From the first named sermon we derive the following facts : " In 1826, between seventy and eighty persons united with the church by profession. In 1828-29, were indications of spiritual blesshigs. Twen- ty made a profession of religion. In 1881, there were 13 146 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. between sixty and seventy additions. In 1834, fifty-seven. In 1836, thirty-seven. In 1839, seventeen. In 1842, twenty-seven. In 1843, nineteen. In 1845, twenty-two. In 1848, fourteen, and in 1850, sixty-nine. During the "quarter of a century" reviewed, there had been five hundred and seventy-four additions ; three hundred and ninety-five, by profession ; one hundred and seventy-nine by recommendation. Of these, two hundred and ninety- one had been removed by death and other causes." The Free- Will Bajjtist Church. Nb7'th Taunton, This church was organized, (according to a statement of Rev. Mr. Batcheler, its present minister,) June 13, 1822. The Calvinistic portion of the church which was organized fifty years before, removed to Norton. "It consisted at its organization of ten members. Mr. Henry Harvey was at that time chosen Deacon, and Elder Keuben Allen their first Pastor. Elder J. S. Morey was ordained Pastor Aug. 23, 1832. April 7, 1838, Elder Folsome received and accepted a call to become Pastor of the church. Elder Folsome discontinued his labors in 1840, and the pulpit was supphed for about six months, by Elder Fletch- er, a Methodist. In the early part of 1841, Elder Thomas C. Brown was chosen Pastor of the church, and continued his work with them until April, 1845. Various ministers supplied the pulpit the remainder of the year, when the present Pastor, Elder T. II. Batcheler, took charge of the church. The church has passed through seasons of prosperity and of adversity since its organiza- tion, and now numbers about eighty members." UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. 147 The Universalist Church. A HISTORICAL sketcli of this society was appended to a Farewell sermon of Rev. Mr. Quinby, preached to his people in 1851. He expresses the belief, that "the seeds of Universalism were sown in the minds of some few of the inhabitants of this tow^n by the venerable Murray,* more than sixty years ago." He preached in Tamiton several times. " In 1825-26, Rev. Mr. Carrique, who was then settled in Attleboro', came to Taunton and preached several times. The people were also visited by Rev. Mr. Pickering, Rev. Mr. Ballou, Rev. Mr. Whitte- more and others between 1826 and 1830, who preached in the old Town Hall, where they gathered quite a large congregation. As early as February 1825, the following persons obtained an Act for the Incorporation of a reli- gious society, viz : Alfred Baylies, Miles Stoddard, Wil- liam W. Grossman, Charles Foster, John Smith, Isaac Babbitt, Samuel Caswell, Jr., Leonard Crossman, William N. Spumey, James Thurber, John Baylies, Alexander Black, Caleb B. Porter, Walter H. Atwood, Daniel H. Traft, Abijah L. Eddy, Caleb Churchill, Joseph Hood, William Presbrey, 3d., Luther Chase, Nathan King, Jr., Martin Churchill. The first settled minister, was Rev. John B. Dods, who remained with the society from 1831 to 1835. He organized a church of thirty members in 1832. After the dismission of Mr. Dods, there were no stated meetings of the society till 1839, when there was a reorganization, and Rev. William Fishbough, the second minister, settled the following year, (1840,) who resigned * A writer iu tlie American Whi,ii:, a newspaper ])ubished in Taunton, under the signature of* reviewing the Discourse of Mr. Quinby, thinks that Mr. John Foster also prepared the way for this form of religious belief, as he was doubtless a Universalist. 148 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. in 1844. Rev. W. 11. G. Mellen, the third Pastor, was called to the charge of the society in 1844, and asked for his dismission in 1845. Rev. George W. Quinby of Saco, Me., took charge of the society in October, 1846, and left for Cincinnati, Ohio, in November, 1851. Rev. J. S. Brown has recently been called to fill his place. The society first occupied the meeting-house vacated by the Congregational Society, (Unitarian,) in 1830 ; their present place of worship is at the corner of High Street and Spring Street. Tlie 3Iethodlst Episcopal Chwrch, Weir Village. This church was organized at the AYeir, in 1830. Its system of itinerancy has introduced a variety of ministers since that time. Their names have been as follows : Rev. Amos Binney, Rev. David Culver, Rev. Warren Emer- son, Rev. John D. Baldwin, Rev. Caleb D. Rogers, Rev. Samuel W. Coggshall, Rev. Charles S. Macreading, Rev. Rufus Spaulding, Rev. Mosely Dwiglit, Rev, E. B. Brad- ford, Rev. Lewis Bates, Rev. Wareham S. Campbell, Rev. James D. Butler, Rev. Daniel Fillmore, Rev. J. 0. Park- inson, Rev. William Livesey, Rev. Paul Townsend, and Rev. Samuel C. Brown. Their meeting-house on AYeir Street, was enlarged a few years since, to accommodate the increasing congrega- tion. The Protestant, or Reformed Metliodist Church. South Taunton. This branch of the Methodist Church was organized in 1830, consisting of fifteen members. Their meeting-house is several miles from " the Green," and was built in 1832. ROMAN CATHOLIC AND SPRINQ ST. CHURCHES. 149 They have had a succession of ministers, whose names, in part, are as follows : Moses Swift, Ebenezer Spindle, Plinj Britt, Joseph Eldredge, Wheaton, John Eliot. The Roman Catliolic Church. This Church was instituted in Taunton in 1831. Tho following persons have officiated as Priests : John Corry, of Ireland ; WiUiam Wiley, of the United States ; John O'Bierne, of Ireland; and Richard L. Wilson, a native of Ireland, in 1812, educated at Rome, and stationed in Taunton, July, 1846. Mr. Wilson left his station a year or two since. A large brick church has been recently built near the old one, on the road to Hopewell, which has not been accepted by the Society. The misunderstanding on that subject has created a temporary vacancy in the Priest's office, and disaffection toward the Bishop. The Spring Street Church. ' The origin of this church is thus explained on the 2 2d page of the "Quarter Century Sermon" of Rev. Mr. Maltby, Pastor of the Trinitarian Congregational church : " The difficulty of meeting the demand for pews led to frequent discussions. After mature deliberation, it was concluded to organize another church, composed of mem- bers from this; and they to set up separate worship. Hence, say Church Records, page 113 : ' In consequence of the large number in this church and congregation, and the difficulty of supplying applicants with pews in the meetmg-house, two meetings of the church have been re- cently held, to consider the propriety and duty of dividing the church, for the purpose of forming amicably and har- moniously, another Orthodox Congregational Church in 150 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. this village, to occupy the Universalist meeting-house, which is now in possession of members of this church.' The Records add : ' The almost unexampled harmony and brotherly love, which have existed from the organization of the church, and do still exist, were frequently spoken of in the discussions of the subject, as a matter of joy and thanksgiving.' At a subsequent meeting, it was voted to form another church. For which purpose, members were dismissed from this, and publicly organized in Spring Street meeting-house, January 12, 1837. The sermon on that occasion was preached by the Pastor of this church." The church consisted of forty-four members ; of these, forty-two were a colony from the Trinitarian Congregational Church at ''the Green," and two were from the church in West Taunton. Their names were as follows : Otis Allen, Mrs. Lucy F. Allen, Dea. Roswell Ballard, Mrs. Hannah S. Ballard, George W. Braman, Mercy J. Briggs, Seth Burt, Mrs. Nancy Burt, Mrs. Ly- dia Carver, Lydia A. Carver, John Cooper, Philander W. Dean, Mrs. Harriet C. Dean, Benjamin F. Dean, Widow Caroline Farnum, Bethiah S. Hayward, Wealthy G. Hicks, Zephaniah L. Hodges, Mrs. Dolly Hodges, Sally H. New- ton, Lara M. Perkins, Mrs. Clarissa Perkins, Nathan Rand, Dea. William Reed, Mrs. Mary Reed, Hodges Reed, Mrs. Clarissa Reed, John Reed, Jr., Mrs. Rebecca Reed, Mary G. Reed, Julia Reed, Clarissa W. Reed, Mary A. Reed, Rebecca Reed, 2d., Amos Stearns, Mrs. Chloe C. Stearns, Susan T. Waldron, Albert G. Wash- burn, Mrs. Mary Washburn, Harrison G. 0. White, Mrs. Sybil White, Joseph Wilson, Mrs. Betsey B. Wilson, Mrs. Betsey H. Woodward. Roswell Ballard, and William Reed were chosen deacons. S. Hopkins Emery, its first THE METHODIST CHURCHES. 151 Pastor, a native of Boxford, IMassachusetts, in 1815, grad- uated at Amherst College in 1834, was settled at Taunton November 23, 1837, resigned December 23, 1840, and removed to Bedford, Massachusetts, January 1841. Rev. Lathrop Taylor, second Pastor, graduated at Mid- dlebury College in 1839, was settled in Taunton, May 16, 1843, resigned July, 1845, and removed to Springfield, Vermont, lie is now settled in Francestown, New-Hamp- shire. The first Pastor of the church was recalled, and rein- stalled, January 6, 1847, and still sustains the Pastoral relation to it. Two hundred and twenty difierent persons have been connected with the church ; and of these one hundred and fifty-two are present members. The society have from the first occupied the old meeting- house of the town, situated on Spring Street ; but are now erecting a new place of worship on Main Street, near Westminster, and will probably take a new name. The Wesleijan Methodist Church, This church was organized at " the Green," February 23, 1844. Its ministers have been as follows: Jotham Horton, 0. D. Morse, John Broomley, William P. White, James E. Pomfret, and A. Latham. The meetings of this church were for a few years held in what was called ''- Wesleyan Hall," but are now discontinued, and the church is dissolved. The Methodist Episcopal Church. WMttenton Tallage, This is a branch of the church at the Weir, and has maintained distinct religious services for several years. 152 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. Its ministers have been Rev. Messrs. Hinckley, Burnham, Webb, Hardman and Bates. They worship in a school- house. It is proposed to erect a chapel. Tlie Central Christian Church, This church was organized December 23, 1847. They have a commodious and attractive meeting-house on Tres- cott Street. Elder John S. Maxwell, the first minister, a native of Lebanon, Connecticut, was settled April 1, 1848, and re- signed the next year. He was succeeded by Elder Ward, who has also resigned his charge, and is succeeded by Elder D. A. Russell, who entered upon his labors April 1, 1851. The Swedenhorgians have held an occasional meeting in town for the last two years. Their usual place of meeting is Templar Hall. There is a Union meeting in the chapel at the Forge in Squawbetty. There is no church organized, neither is there a resident ministry. The Trinitarian Congregational Church of Middleboro' and Taunton Precinct includes many members from Taun- ton. Its meeting-house is nearly on the line, which sepa- rates the towns. FIRST CHURCH IN NORTON. 153 CHAPTER V. THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OP NORTON. The names of the original purchasers and proprietors of what was called the "North Purchase," included within the limits of the town of Taunton, were inserted in the first volume. (Page 38.) Fifty-two persons were em- powered in the grant from the Plymouth Court to hold the land, for which they paid one hundred pounds. The pur- chase was made in 1668. It continued a part of Taunton until 1711, or for the period of forty-three years ; when on application, an Act of Incorporation was granted the settlers hi this part of the town for the most part descend- ants of the purchasers, taking the name of Norton. The name may have been suggested by its relative position, lying norih of the town of which it had hitherto formed a part. It included not only the present town of Norton, but parts of what are now known as Mansfield and Easton. A Precinct charter had been granted in 1709, and " the site of a meeting-house was designated by the General Court that year, and a building was erected before 1712."* Through the kindness of Hon. Cromwell Leonard of Nor- ton, making application to the first parish for this purpose, I have been permitted to examine the early records both of church and society, in that town, from which I learn, that " a church was gathered in Norton on the 2Wi of * Rev. Mr. Blake of Mansfield, Ms. Letter. 154 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTOS- Oct'^r, 1714. Those who covenanted* as members were * Hon. Cromwell Leonard has forwarded me the original covenant of the Church in Norton. " We who are by the Holy and Gracious Providence of our Most Gra- cious and Merciful God brought unto this blessed opportunity — unto this extraordinary duty of joyning ourselves together according to the instituted Chui-ch Visible ; being deeply sensible of our own utter in- sufficiency, as of ourselves, unto so high and holy a work, (as also a privilege,^ and having desired and labored solemnly and sincerely to search our own hearts and ways, and to humble our souls deeply and thoroughly before God, and to obtain pardon from Him and peace with Him through the blood of Jesus Christ; and also being awfully appre- hensive of the dreadful presence of God, before whom we stand, and of the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the exercise of his Kingly and his Prophetical office in his church, we do, (in dependence upon His grace, and the conduct and assistance of His Holy Spirit, and in hope of His Gracious acceptance,) in His holy Presence, Name and fear sol- emnly, sincerely, visibly and professedly by our own free act jointly give up ourselves and our seed to Almighty God, as our only God, according to the terms of His own everlasting covenant, and unto our Lord Jesus Christ, as our only and absolute Savior, engaging ourselves with all our hearts and with all our souls unto Him, (in a Avay of obedience to His great Gospel ordinances of church fellowship, to live and walk together in a way of full and free subjection unto the only power and authority of Him, our dear and blessed Lord Jesus, the Great and only Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, as His power is visibly and ministerially exer- cised in the regular and orderly ministration of all Gospel ordinances, both of doctrine, discipline and worship in His church, by such officers, as he has gifted and given unto His Church to that end. Also as His power is exercised in and over our souls by His Holy Spirit, unto whom also we give up ourselves to be an holy temple in ye Lord. And we do further covenant with our Lord Jesus Christ, through the graces of His Holy Spirit, to keep ourselves clear and free from all profane commun- ion with the profane world, and from all profane communion with any society of men, not walking according to the rules and commands of Jesus Christ and to keep unto Him, according to this our holy covenant with this particular instituted Church visible. And further we do in the presence of God, and in His holy name and fear, give up ourselves one unto another, by the Avill of God, covenanting to walk and live together as members of a Church of Christ, professing and practicing that one only true I'cligion, Avhich is revealed to us in yc Word of God, by tlie doctrine both of fiiith and obedience, according to that knowledge Avhich God has given us of it ; and also in the exercise of brotherly love and christian charity, in the constant performance of all duties of Church communion, under the regular administration of Word, Prayer, Seals and censures, even all Church administration, and that, as God shall help us, inoft'cnsivcly and unblameably in order to our mutual edification and consolation. Finally, wc do covenant, by God's grace, to keep our communion pure and entire within ourselves, and to maintain orderly communion with all other Orthodox and rightly constituted Churches of Christ, endeav- oring to i)reservc tlic unity of the si)irit in the bond of peace. I FIRST CnURCn IN NORTON. 155 Mr. George Leonard,* John Briggs, John Witherell, Sen- ior, John Aldrich, Israel Fisher, Joseph Dunham, Thomas Skinner, Ephraim Grover, John Skinner, Thomas Grover, Nicholas White, Seth Darmon, John Hall." Dec. Wi, Nicholas White was chosen Deacon. The wives of Messrs. Leonard, Witherell, Dunham, and T. Grover, four of the original members, with Experience, the wife of Peter Al- drich, Mercy, the wife of John Hodges, Hannah, the wife of Eliezer Fisher, Mercy, the wife of Richard Briggs, Widow Rebecca Briggs, and Widow Sarah Lane were ad- mitted to the church by letters from the church of Christ in Taunton, November 7th, or only ai few days after the organization. This holy covenant is humbly undertaken in the name and fear of God, with humble confidence in and dependence upon Him for ye assis- tance of His grace unto ye faitliful performance of all these our holy covenant duties unto himself, and one unto anottier, with patience and perseverance to the end, with all humility, and most heartily praying that God would pardon all our sins, both past and present, and accept of us, as His covenant people, and become our God. To Him be Glory in the Church by Jesus Christ, through all ages, world without end. Amen. Dated ye 4th of Oct. 1714: signed by Joseph Avery, George Leon- ard, John Briggs, John Witherell, Thomas Skinner, Peter Aldrich, Ephraim Grovier, Joseph Donham, John Skinner, Israel Fisher, Thom- as Grovier, Nicholas White, Seth Dorman, John Hall. July 27th, 1719, at a church meeting, the church did there approve of the Platform of Church Discipline and did agree by vote to practice ac- cording to the rule of it. Sept. .5th, 1734. This Platform, agreed upon by the Synod at Cam- bridge, 1648, was read to the Church, and they did once more unani- mously approve of it, or the substance of it, and agree to practice ac- cording to its rules." -* The name of Leonard has always existed in Norton. Not far from 1690, Major George, third son of Thomas Leonard, removed to that part of Taunton, and bought large tracts of land. Major George was Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1716. His son. Colonel George, was Judge of Probate, and Chief Justice of the Court of Com- mon Pleas. His son George, the third from Thomas, married a daugh- ter of Hon. Samuel White, was a Representative in Congress, and also Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. His daughter Pcddy, relict of Hon. Jabez Bowen, Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island, has recently died in Norton, at the original Leonard mansion, at an advanced age, leaving one of the largest landed estates in the Commonwealth. 156 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Rev. Joseph Avery, the first minister of the church in Norton, was ordained on the same day with the formation of the church. "At his ordination," say the records, "Rev. Samuel Danforth of Taunton, gave the charge, and the Rev. Thomas Greenwood of Rehoboth, gave the Right Hand of Fellowship." Mr. Avery was son of Mr. Wil- liam Avery of Dedham, born April 9, 1687, graduated at Harvard University, 1706. In the year of his graduation, he was hired by the committee of Rehoboth, "to keep school within the Ring of the Green for a quarter of a year for £7, 10 shillings silver money."* He was after- wards employed by the General Court to preach at Free- town as missionary at ten shillings per Sabbath. f He had a brother in the ministry, settled at Truro, Rev. John Avery,J also a graduate of Harvard in 1706. Mr. Avery was dismissed from the pastoral office in Norton in 1753(?),$ and died April 23, 1770, aged eighty-three. § * Bliss' History of Rehoboth, page 133. t Annual Report of Massachusetts Home Missionary Society. t Rev. Mr. Blake, of Mansfield. Vide next note. § The date of Mr. AA^ery's death appears on the church records, but not of his dismission. For this latter fact, as well as some others in the notice of Norton, I am indebted to one who is intimately acquainted with the early history not only of Mansfield, the place of his settlement, but of that part of Bristol county. I am inclined to think however, that Mr. Avery was dismissed earlier than Mr. Blake supposes. Tlie parish took action on the sul)ject of his dismission, according to their Records, in November, 1748. They complain of Mr. Avery for " not ruling and governing the Church of Christ in the South Precinct, (so called in dis- tinction from the North Precinct, now Mansfield, established in 1731,) of the town of Norton, according to the Platform df Church Discipline, Cwhich said church had voted to be their llu\o of Discipline,) nor accord- ing to the plain votes of that church which he himself had called for, but still refused to govern according to." (Precinct liecords, page 28.) They moreover requested the church to dismiss Mr. Avery, but the church records in their imperfect, illegible state give no clue to the charges against Mr. Avery, or the precise time of his dismission. It must have been ijrior however, to April 17th, 1749, for on that day tlie " inhabitants of the Soutli Precinct vote that Ca])t. AVilliam Stone, John Wild, and Dea. Benjamin Hodges be a committee to joyne with the committee of yo church iu providing a minister to supply the Pulpit." JOSEPH AVERY. 157 After Mr. Avery's dismission, which was probably in 1749, several persons w^ere invited to settle in the Gospel ministry who dechned. There was a call issued for a meeting in the South Precinct meeting-house " to make choice of some man that is a learned orthodox man, June ye 16^7i, 1749.*' The result of the meeting was the con- currence on the part of the parish with the church in the choice of Mr. Eliakim Willis as minister. He declin- ed the call. Again, March 20th, 1750, the parish concurred with the church in the choice of Mr. Joseph Roberts to be their minister. Mr. Roberts returaed a written answer, dated September 29, 1750, declining the call, in which he says : " I have deliberated upon this im- portant affair, and advised both with relatives and others, and in view of some circumstances among you, am inclin- ed to think it best to determine in the negative. I hope none of the people of this place will either be offended or grieved with me in not giving my answer sooner, since Providence prevented by sickness, and my being perplex- ed by two calls at one and the same time. I conclude this reply to your invitation in the words of the Apostle : " Finally, brethren, farewell ; be perfect, be of good com- fort, be of one mind, live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you." The record was made by George Leonard, for many years " Precinct Clerk." Hon. Cromwell Leonard, in reply to a letter of inquiiy, writes: " When I was a boy, I very often visited the grave-yard which was but a few rods from my father's house, and there was hardly an inscription on a stone in that old burying-yard, that I could not repeat. Many of them I retain to this day, although learned half a century ago. I well ' remember the grave and stone of the wife of Rev. Joseph Avery, and also well remember asking my father, (who was one of his congrega- tion,) where the minister's grave was, (as I could not find it,) and he told me that Mr. Avery did not die at Norton, and was not buried here. This, I have no doubt, is true. Our oldest people have no knowledge of his death or burial." 14 158 TUB MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Again, Sept. 30, 1751, the Parish concurred with the church in the choice of Mr. Ehjah Lothrop to be their minister. He likewise declined ; and May 11th, 1752, the parish concurred with the church in the choice of Mr. Jo- seph Palmer to be their minister. They received answer as follows, in September of that year: " To the first church of Christ in, and inhabitants of the first parish in Norton: Dearly beloved in the Lord: Inasmuch as it has pleased Almighty God, the wis© Governor of the world, to permit a separation between you and your late Reverend Pastor, and since this separa- tion to incline you so far to pursue your own best interest, as to be desirous of re-settling the Gospel ministry amongst you, and since He from whom every man's judgment pro- ceeds, who has the hearts of all men in His hands, has inclined you to choose me for your minister, (unworthy as I am,) as appears by a copy of your votes sometime since presented to me ; and having, as I trust, with a serious concern to promote God's glory and holy kingdom, both in myself and you, taken into consideration, your invitation of me, to settle among you in ye work of ye Gospel min- istry; and having been importunate with God for direction, and having asked advice of men, am determined to accept of your invitation ; with only asking that you would please make an addition to the offers you made me for my sup- port,* and that is, viz : to supply me with sufficiency of fire • * The rarisli voted " as a settlement one hundred and thirty-three pennds, six shillings and eight pence, lawful money, one half thereof to be paid in a year after he shall settle, and the other half in two years. Voted, also, as liis annual salary, the sum of sixty-six pounds, thirteen shillings, and four j)ence, lawful money." This Avas a snuiU advance on Mr. Avery's salary, wliich was in 17'}5, CGO, and "for his care of the mceting-liouse, SAveeping, locking, and unlocking the same," three addi- tional pounds. In succeeding years the parish allowed for " Mr. Avery's JOSEPH PALMER. 159 wood, it being no more than what is common of late with towns and parishes to do. By your granting this, I do accept of your invitation, trusting in the Great Head of the Church for assistance in ye important service, and in your goodness for a comfortable support, if what you have already proposed, and may now further add for that pur- pose, should prove insufficient. Desiring your earnest prayer to God for me. (Signed,) Joseph Palmer. Cambridge, Sept. ye 15th, 1752." Rev. Joseph Palmer, the second minister of the South* Precinct of Norton, Avas graduated at Harvard in 1747, and ordained in Norton, January 3, 1753. He died April 4th, 1791, in the sixty-second year of his age, and thirty- ninth of his ministry.! He died and was buried among the people of his pastoral care and love. Hon. Cromwell Leonard, whose father owned and occupied the place, where Mr. Palmer lived and died, has transcribed and for- warded the inscription on the stone erected to his memory. negro's sweeping, locking and unlocking the meeting-house," one i:)Ound less. The proposition Mr. Palmer made concerning the " iire-wood" was not acceded to, " The Precinct looking upon what they have already voted as sufficient." How the matter was finally adjusted, does not ap- pear. But the final answer of Mr. Palmer is on record in these words : "Dearly beloved in the Lord: whereas yon have once and again, (by your votes,) manifested a desire of my settling with you in the work of the Gospel ministry, I would now inform you that I am determin'd, and do accept of your invitation upon the offer you made me for my support : trusting in your goodness, for a comfortable maintenance, if what you have offered, should not be sufficient; and desire your prayers to Al- mighty God that I may be a faithful Pastor. (Signed,) Joseph Palmer. Norton, Oct. 21, 1752." * It has been already stated that this part of Norton Avas so called to distinguish it from the North Precinct, now Mansfield. t Norton Church Records, page 18. Also, Rev. Steplien Palmer's sermon on death of Rev. Roland Green, page 19. 160 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. - " Sacred To the memory of the Rev. Joseph Palmer, Pastor of the Congregational Church and Society in Norton. "He departed this life April ith, 1791, in the 62d year of his age, and S9th of his ministry. His character was an assemblage of those eminent and endearing virtues, which constitute the faithful pastor and exemplary chris- tian, the kind husband, the tender parent, the generous friend and the good man. " He taught us how to live, and oh ! too high A price for knowledge ! taught us how to die." Mr. Leonard adds : " The society are now worshipping in their third house. I believe the first house was not much used after Mr. Avery's death, and the second, which according to my remembrance, was erected about the year 1753, was abandoned soon after the death of Mr. Clark, our third minister, who died in 1835. I have learned from my parents, that Mr. Palmer was not without his trials and troubles in his parish, but had, as a whole, a quiet ministry." "Mr. Palmer's widow survived him a little more than fifteen years. She died May 20, 1806, aged 72 years." This fact is found in a note to " a sermon delivered at Mansfield, July 31, 1808; being the fourth Lord's Day after the interment of Rev. Roland Green, Pastor of the church in that town, by Stephen Palmer,* A. M., Pastor of * Mr. Palmer of Norton had four sons, William, who died at the age of thirteen, Joseph, Stephen and George. lie also had four daughters. Sarah, the eldest, yet lives, on a small ])lace in Taunton, on the Provi- dence road, a short distance beyond Oakland. The next daughter was the wife of the Uev. George Morey, late of Walpole, Mass., and the mother of the Hon. George Morey, a well known lawyer of Boston. The third daughter was wife of Rev. Dr. llichmond, late of Dorchester, but for a long time minister of Stoughton. The fourth and last daugh- \ ^e*> '^w^ .(A' i^ ^^t-^T'A^ PITT CLARKE. 161 the first church in Needham." Stephen Palmer was son of the minister of Norton and a graduate of Harvard University in 1789. He informs us that Rev. Mr. Green of Mansfield " prayed at the funeral of his father, and on the succeeding Lord's Day preached at Norton to the be- reaved church and society. His text in the forenoon was Rev. 2 : 1, These things saith He, who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand — and in the afternoon Heb. 13: 7, Bemember them, ivhich have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of Grod, whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.''^ Rev. Pitt Clarke was the successor of Mr. Palmer in the ministry of Norton. The church made choice of him as Pastor, October 12, 1792, and ho was ordained July 3, 1793. From a friend I have received a suitable sketch of his life and character, which is here inserted. " Rev. Pitt Clarke, (or Clark as the name was formerly written,) long known as the Pastor of the First Congre- gational Parish in Norton, Massachusetts, was born in Medfield, in the same State, January 15, 1763. His father, Jacob Clark, was one of three brothers, whose grandfather came from England and settled in the north of Wrentham. His own grandfather removed to Med- field, and purchased a farm, where some of the descend- ants of the family still remain. Pitt, was one of a family of seven children, for whom the tilling of the soil in a re- tired New-England village, with constant and severe econ- ter was Hannah, and the wife of Rev. Isaac Braman, long the minister of Rowley. Hon. Cromwell Leonard, who has furnished other impor- tant facts in the notice of Norton, quotes the above from memory, and adds, that he thinks the name of Mrs. Morey was Mary, and of Mrs. Richmond, Lncy, but is not certain. Mr. Leonard is related to the "Leonard family" already noticed. They all claim descent from Leon- ard, Lord Dacre, one of the most distinguished families of the nobility in England, "descended in two lines from Edward iii." 14* 162 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTOI^. omj, afforded sufficient, but not abundant means of sup- port. In his mother, whose maiden name was Mcletiah Hammond, were united an intense religious sensibility, a deep and almost painful feehng of personal responsibility, and a naturally nervous temperament. These all prompt- ed her early and earnestly to instill into the minds and hearts of her children, a pious reverence towards God, a sense of the great importance of religious interests, and daily habits of devotion, to which, more than any other outward cause, may be attributed the early determination of this one of her sons to devote himself to the sacred office. An early fondness for the acquisition of knowl- edge, and a desire to increase his fitness for that high post of duty, led Mr. Clarke to covet eagerly the advantages of a public education. These however, the straightened cir- cumstances of his family could not readily command, and made it manifest, that if acquired at all, they must be by his own exertions. Various circumstances conspired to postpone, to a comparatively late period, any opportunity to accompUsh these wishes. His daily services were re- quired upon the farm ; pubhc and private interests were disturbed by the war of Independence ; he himself was at one time called upon to join the militia of his native town in a sudden expedition to defend the State against a threat- ened invasion of the British by the way of Rhode Island ; the destruction of his father's house and furniture by fire, (a circumstance of no small moment to a family so situat- ed,) all united to frustrate his early endeavors to obtain* an education. Soon after the close of the Revolution however, having by industry and great frugality, gathered together a portion of the requisite funds, he applied him- self with renewed earnestness to the studies preparatory PITT CLARKE. 163 for entering college. These he pursued by the aid, and under the direction of the late Hannah Adams, a name widely known in the literature of New-England. From her faithful training he passed, with credit, into Harvard University in July, 1786, at the age of twenty- three years. His mind, naturally vigorous, and inquisitive, in- clined him more particularly to scientific and classic stud- ies, and in these, especially in the mathematical depart- ment, his scholarship was sound, and much beyond that usually attained by the graduates of his day. He received the honors of the University in 1790, but was compelled to devote his first exertions to replenishing the slender capital he had prepared for his education, by the emolument of teaching. For two years he took charge of the town school in Cambridge, at the same time devot- ing all the leisure, he could command from this duty, to the pursuit of his theological studies, and in April, 1792, was examined and duly approbated to preach, by the Cam- bridge Association of ministers. After occasional servi- ces in neighboring parishes, in August of that year, he relinquished his school, and accepted an invitation to preach from the first Congregational society in Norton, whose pulpit had been recently made vacant by the death of the Rev. Joseph Palmer. This was the first place of his preaching as a candidate, and though the desk had been previously occupied by several others since Mr. Palmer's decease, such was the favor with which his labors were re- ceived, that, after preaching only four Sabbaths, he received from the church an invitation to become their pastor. This call was sudden and unexpected to him, and following upon so recent an acquaintance, did not command the unanimous assent of the parish, though seconded by a 164 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. decided majority in the church. He did not immediately accept it, but with that cautious judgment, for which he was ever distinguished, proposed a temporary arrangement, by which he continued to supply their pulpit during the following winter and spring, thus securing to himself and the parish, an opportunity for more mature deliberation before entering upon an engagement which was then re- garded as terminating only with life. A better acquain- tance on the part of the parish served only to increase the confidence his first coming had inspired, and resulted in a renewed and more decided invitation, from church and parish, to make the connexion a permanent one. This in- vitation he accepted, and he was accordingly ordained July 3, 1793, the services of the occasion being principally per- formed by the Rev. Thomas Prentiss, of Medfield, who preached the sermon. Rev. Jacob Gushing, of Waltham, who gave the charge. Rev. Roland Green, of Mansfield, who gave the right hand of fellowship. "A solemn day to me!" (says the Pastor, in a short auto-biographical notice found among his papers after his decease,) " my deepest impression was, that I was insuffi- cient for these things. I felt the force of that passage, ' I knew not how to go out and come- in before the people,' and made it the subject of my first discourse after ordma- tion." This, his first field of earthly labor, proved the only one in which he was to work. For two and forty years, the connexion thus formed continued unbroken, and then only by the hand of death. So many years of his early life, spent by Mr. Clark in the healthy exercise of the farm, with a constitution of great natural strength and vigor, and the simple habits of living, to which he always adher- PITT CLARKE. 165 ed, all combined to secure to him a life of uninterrupted health and strength, and enabled him, with a constancy and certainty, rarely equalled, to meet the various and constantly returning duties of his office. Rarely if ever was he known, from any cause, to be absent from the desk on the Sabbath, from the bedside of the sick and dying, the house of mourning, or any other station, to which duty called, during all the years of his lengthened ministry. He was remarkable for his habits of industry, regularity and order, — alvrays an early riser, the first hours of the morning found him miiformly at his work, and many of his discourses were prepared during the earliest hours of days largely occupied by the labors of the farm. He continu- ed, during all his life, to supply the deficiencies of an in- adequate salary, by partaking, in common with many of his parishoners, in the toils of the husbandman, with which his early training made him familiar. His whole character, as a man and a minister, was not only above all reproach or question, but in every respect faithful and exemplary. Among his clerical brethren he was widely respected for his sound judgment and wise counsel, and was frequently called to assist or preside in their deliberations. He took a hearty and efficient inter- est in the cause of education, devoting much of his time and attention to the care of the common schools in his parish. He rendered important service, for many years, as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Bristol Academy, in Taunton, and in 1827 became a life member of the American Education Society. He possessed largely the confidence of his people, and his counsel and advice were often sought by them, in mat- ters of private and personal concern. Among them ho 166 THE MINISTBY OF TAUNTON. was loved and esteemed, as possessing, in an unusual de- gree, that quiet evenness of temper, that daily serenity of life, and calmness of judgment, under all circumstances, ■which must ever form the most reliable elements of char- acter. In him, these qualities so constituted the texture of his daily life, that those who knew him best and saw him oftenest, rarely, if ever, saw them in any degree dis- turbed or shaken. These characteristics appeared in his public ministra- tions, and gave to them a quiet and simple earnestness, accompanied by a directness of appeal and application, which rendered them profitable to the people of his charge, and made him an acceptable preacher in all the neighbor- ing pulpits. Mr. Clarke continued always to enjoy the confidence of the University where he was educated, and his house, was often selected by its government, as the temporary resi- dence of those, whose immediate connexion with the col- lege was, from any cause, interrupted ; and many passed from his careful hands to the walls of the University. In the constant, but unobtrusive duties of his parish, the forty-two years of his life and his ministry passed away. It appears from the entries in a diary, kept during the last twelve years of his life, and found among his pa- pers after his decease, that a sense of the importance of his duties, and of the obligation to fidelity imposed by his office deepened as he saw himself approaching the end of his earthly ministry. Though his health and strength failed not, still with each year he seemed more fully to realize that ])ut few more remained to him hero. The last entry made in his diary, under date of Janua- ry 1, 1835, though he was then in perfect health, closes with PITT CLARKE. 167 these words : ' The days of my years teach me that the solemn test of my character is at hand — that eternity is at my door — that there is but a step between me and death.' This step was shorter even than he anticipated. A short but severe illness of only eleven days duration, arrested him in the midst of his active duties, and suffered but one Sabbath to pass between the one which witnessed his last ministrations to his own people and that on which they were summoned to mourn at his funeral. He died February 13, 1835, at the age of seventy-two — meeting the end in a sustained and serene faith, as being but the beginning of the better life. One of his clerical breth- ren,* who visited him frequently during his sickness, spoke of this dying scene in these words : ' 1 testify, (and I bless God for the privilege of so tes- tifying,) that often as I have stood by the bed of mortal sickness, and prayed, and watched and wept as one and another of the spirits of flesh was quitting its tenement of clay, never have I beheld a death-bed scene more sublime- ly edifying, more christianly serene, sustained, and consol- ing, than that of the aged servant of Christ, who sleeps in death before us. Truly his latter end was Peace. He knew in whom he believed, and "endured, as seeing Him, who is Invisible." The Being whom he served, shed down into his soul the gladsome tokens of His presence. Supports he experienced, which the world could not give, which flesh and sense were incapable of administering, but which death itself could not take away. "My heart is fixed," he exultingly exclaimed, "My heart is fixed, trust- ing, 0, Lord, in Thee. I am now ready to be offered, * Rev, Andrew Bigelow, d. d., then minister in Taunton, who preached in Norton on Lord's Day, February 15th, 1835 a funeral ser- mon which was afterwards published. 168 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. and the time of my departure is at hand. Father, into Thy hands I commit my spirit." And he sunk from life to rest in peace, and sleep in the "blessed hope." Rev. Pitt Clarke was married to Rebecca Jones, young- est daughter of Col. John Jones, of Hopkinton, Massachu- setts, February 1, 1798. He was married a second time to Mary Jones Stimson, daughter of Doctor Jeremy Stim- son, of the same place, November 12, 1812. He had nine children, three of whom died in infancy. Six are still living, viz: By his first wife, Abigail Morton Clarke, the wife of Mr. John J. Stimson, of Providence, Rhode Island; William Pitt Clarke, now residing in Ashland, Massachusetts; John Jones Clarke, Esq., of Roxbury, Massachusetts. By his second wife, George Leonard Clarke, of Providence ; Manlius Stimson Clarke, Esq., and Edward Hammond Clarke, M. d., of Boston, Mass. The body of the departed father lies in the church-yard of Norton, awaiting the call of that voice which wakes the dead. The following epitaph is to be read by the hving: " In the firm hope of everlasting life, In faith, in virtue strong, the christian dies ; And he, who oft at others' death-hed prayed, Himself now all its hidden mystery tries. Faithful to conscience, prompt at duty's call, Anxious from sin and woe his flock to save, He lived to bless, then paid the debt of all, Yielding to God the spirit that He gave." Several of Mr. Clarke's sermons were published in his lifetime. Of these I have seen and examined the follow- ing: "A Discourse, delivered before the Norton Female Christian Association, on their anniversary, June 3, 1818; a sermon, preached at Mansfield, the Sabbath after the PITT CLARKE. 169 Interment of the Hon. Ebenezer Warren,* who died Jan- uary 1, 1824; a sermon on "the formation of a new heart," pubhshed hy Leonard C. Bowles in his "Monthly Publication of Sermons " for May, 1830. The same year with his death, was issued an address to his people, found among his papers. Appended to Doctor Bigelow's Fu- neral Discourse are interesting extracts from the private journal of Mr. Clarke, during the latter part of his life. "The Right Hand of Fellowsliip," given Mr. Pipon at his ordination in Taunton, January 15, 1800, is appended to the sermon preached on the same occasion by Dr. Kirk- land. Three of the earlier sermons of Mr. Clarkfe, in MS., have been submitted by his sons for examination, the first, number 18, from Isaiah 1: 3, "My people doth not consider;" the second, number 24, from 2 Cor. 6: 2, " Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation ;" and the third, number 77, from Gen. 3: 6, "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise ; she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat." The latter sermon is given to the reader, as it was preached in Norton, January 19, 1794. * From the sermon, it appears that Hon, Ebenezer Warren was brother of General Joseph Warren, the hero of Bunker Hill, and Doc- tor John Warren, a Physician of Boston, and once Professor in Harvard University. Ebenezer was a member of the State Convention in 1788; in 1790, he had a commission from Gov. Hancock to be Justice of the Peace, and three years after, he was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Picas. 15 170 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. SERMON by Rev. PITT CLARKE, of Norton, in 1794. Genesis hi. 6. Ajid ivlien the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it ivas pleasant to the eyes, as a tree to he de- sired to make one ivise ; she took of the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave also unto her husband ivith her, and he did eat. SUCH was the conduct of our first parents. Though they were happy m the smiles of each, and might par- take of all the innocent pleasures and delights which the garden of Eden afforded, yet they were not satisfied. They were not contented with the rich fruition of Paradise, so long as there was a prohibition upon a single thing. Such their aspiring aim after more than was allowed them, such their curiosity to grasp what they had no business with, that they soon leaped the bounds, which were set them, and forfeited the pecuhar happiness of the Garden. Whatever be the name or nature of the forbidden tree, it was a test of obedience, and designed as a trial for pro- bationers. Not to stand this trial would be a loss of in- nocence, and of course a loss of perfect happiness. Though the eating of the forbidden fruit vrould be an increase of knowledge, yet it would be painful knowledge, — bitter experience, — the regret of forfeiting the felicity of Para- dise, and being cast into a world of sorrow, suffering and woe. The leading ideas contained in the text, are, that mankind arc prone to gratify present taste at the risk of Clarke's sermon in 1794. 171 their greatest good, and also to copy the wicked examples of others, though bj it they forfeit their supreme felicity. When the tcoman saw that the tree ivas good for food — 2)leasant to the eyes^ to taste, (fc, she took of the fruit thereof. And when she gave it to her husband, he follow- ed her example. Though they were plainly told by their Maker, that the consequence of eating would be certain death ; yet the strong propensity to gratify the taste, or indulge a vain curiosity, impelled them to go contrary to their own convictions of right, and to risk all consequences. By the same desire of carnal indulgence mankind at the present day act contrary to their own convictions, and risk future happiness. Thousands who acknowledge the great truths of natural and revealed religion, are found to act in opposition to them. They follow those things, that are pleasing to the taste, to the eye, and lusts of the flesh, and thereby haz- ard their present peace, and forfeit all hopes of future happiness. There may however be a secret hope, as there doubtless was in the minds of our first parents, that the threatenings of God will not be executed upon every trans- gression. Mankind at the present; day have no more rea- son to doubt the authenticity of revelation, or the cei*tainty that God is speaking unto us, in the holy Scriptures, than Adam and Eve had to doubt the declaration of God to them. But notwithstanding all this, there are doubts en- tertained respecting the evil consequences of sin, or the threatenings of God. In this respect our first parents were led into doubts. They were enticed mto a secret belief, that God's threatenings would not be executed. Nothing but dear-bought experience would convince them to the contrary. In like manner we find many at the pros- 172 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. ent daj, influenced bj a notion, that sin is not so malig- nant and destructive, nor God so strict in executing pun- ishment as is represented in Scripture. And nothing will convince them but sad experience. By spending a whole life in sin, and being doomed to eat the fruit of their OAvn way, they then too late feel the consequences of disobedi- ence. The rich man lived in carnal indulgence, regardless of future consequences ; but when he died he felt the evil of his ways. Lifting up his eyes in torment, he begged Abraham to send to his Father's house, and warn his breth- ren and friends lest they also come into the same punishment. For he says, if one go unto them from the dead, they will repent. Abraham, who well knew the nature of man, said, if they believe not Moses and the Prophets, neither will they believe though one should rise from the dead ; intimating that nothing but the dear-bought experience which he had would convince many of their danger. There are persons Avho believe in God, and in natural and revealed religion, but they have not that realizing sense of his promises and threatenings, which influences their conduct. All the knowledge in the w^orld — the most perfect view of all the truths and doctrines of reve- lation, will avail but little, unless the affections are engag- ed and interested on the side of virtue. Men's prin- ciples will only float useless in the Jiead, till the heart be warmly aSbcted, and feel interested in yielding obedi- ence. The desire or curiosity for disobedience is to be mortified, and the inclinations brought into subjection to the will of God. A fixed, animated resolution to serve God, is the thing which influences to real practice. This treats Avith disdain everything, that miUtates with it, and Clarke's sermon in 1794. 173 says to the evil insinuation, get thee behind me, Satan. For it is written, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Had our first parents ad- hered to this resolution, the subtlety of the serpent would not have beguiled them. And did all mankind form such a resolution and abide by it, they would have grace to overcome every temptation to sin. But by irresolution, or w^ant of consideration, the grace of God is lost, — liis holy spirit grieved away ; the evil one takes the advantage, and the commission of sin is the consequence. Every man under the exercise of reason is ready to acknowledge, that eternal happiness is preferable to any short-lived plea- sure, — that the favor of God is better than all the plea- sures of sense. Were eternal glory always present to the mind and the happiness of hving with God continually in view, the objects of the world would not be so influential. Mankind are led astray by yielding to present good, with- out considering the consequences of it. In this way our first parents fell from their state of innocence and glory. Their appetites sought present indulgence, — their afiec- tions were placed on present good, and not properly consid- ering the consequences of gratification, they eat of the forbidden fruit. Mankind at present by fixing their eyes on sensual objects, to the neglect of spiritual, become slaves to their appetites, and passions. And from a wish to please the fashionable world, they yield to fashionable vices. This world and its objects are the general topic of conver- sation, and uppermost in the mind ; and therefore most likely to gain the affections. Especially the gay and vol- atile are so transported with these sensual pleasures, as to neglect the consideration of more durable good, and are regardless of future misery. Indeed the greater part of 15* 174 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. the follies and vices of the world are brought on in the same waj, as was the first transgression. Those things that are pleasant to the eyes, gratifying to the sensual ap- petite, or flattering to worldly ambition, preponderate over all the bulk of mankind, and become the most powerful springs of action. Thus the rising generation are led to please the fancy. The middle-aged are impelled with a desire of wealth, or of making a worldly appearance, or of gratifying a worldly ambition. And parents are in general most pleased with those children who are the most forward in external graces, or showy qualifications. All this propensity is natural to depraved creatures, and has been hande J down from the first violators, who when they saw the tree was good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, took of the fruit thereof, and did eat. When this wicked example is once set, there is a strong- er propensity in others to follow it. For mankind are very much led by example, and formed by imitation. There is hardly anything too absurd to maintain, that is fashionable, hardly anything too wicked to be done, if it be generally practised. Young people imitate those who go before them, and the bulk of common people follow the example of those more influential. Thus mankind are prone to gratify present taste, and to copy after others in sin, though it be contrary to rational conviction. This is the way in which the first sin was committed, and which the wicked have followed ever since. "We will now examine some of the causes which lead to this. The first, I shall mention, is giving way to vain and low conceptions. It was vanity in Adam and Eve, to sufier Clarke's sermon in 1794. 175 temporal food, or what was merely pleasant to the senses to overpower Aveightier considerations, such as breaking a divine command, and forfeiting a paradise of bliss. This was descending below their rank — degrading their natures. They were endowed with rational souls, — capable of the sublime and exalted enjoyment of their Maker* It was certainly vanity in them to let the bodily senses divert the nobler powers of the mind from God, the source of happi- ness. Vanity is an equal source of error among us, their ojQT- spring. It is equally criminal in us to suffer the desires of the body to overpower the cravings of the soul, or to fix our supreme attention on the things of time and sense. The indulging of vain, and low conceptions has a direct tendency to lead into sin. It draws off the faculties from the love and service of God, and fills the soul with crea- ture enjoyments. The Psalmist says. Men of loio degree are vanity. And the Apostle declares of the wicked, They hecoyne vain in their imaginations and their foolish hearts are darkened^ — that while they know God, they worship him not as God, but they worship and serve the creature more than the Creator. This is one great source of their wickedness and ruin. A second cause, why mankind so often plunge themselves into sin, is gratifying curiosity, or following an inclination for pleasure, — not pleasure which is considered at the time as criminal, but that, which is thought free from dan- gerous consequences, or which promises an overbalance of good to the ill feared. Though many are led astray by their appetites, yet not always in contradiction to their persuasion, that bad consequences will follow. Our first parents would undoubtedly have refrained from eating the 176 THE MINISTRY OF TAUXTON. forbidden fruit, had they at the time a reaHzing belief that the threateiiings would be executed. Thej were flattered to think, they should not die in consequence of it ; but, that they would be made wiser and happier by it. Thus men are flattered into sin by the fallacious appearance of good, without apprehending the evil of it. No person, in the exercise of reason would taste the most delicious food, were he certain, that immediate death would be the conse- quence. Let a person be ever so much addicted to intem- perance, he would not indulge his appetite, — he would not run into excess, if he saw the hand of vengeance over him, ready to destroy him for it the next moment. The wicked run on to eat and drink their own damnation, from a delusive hope, that they shall somehow escape future punishment, or after they have tasted the pleasure of the pursuit, they shall avert the danger by an after repentance. A man on the gallows, or under the operating sentence of death would not commit sm, had he an opportunity to do it. His feelings, and desires would then be on the side of virtue. Eternity would then fill the w^hole compass of thought ; and everything would draw into obedience. But when death is viewed at a distance, and the pleasures of sense are present to the mind, these steal away the aflec- tions, and swallow up the thought of a hereafter. Incli- nation to gratify rushes upon the mind, and present plea- sure preponderates over all future good. A third reason why men are carried beyond bounds, is a want of consideration. They do not consider what is their greatest good, and what Avill lead to their greatest happiness. They do not consider the evil consequences of sin. They follow first appearances without suitable delib- eration. When our first parents thought the tree desira- Clarke's sermon in 1794. 177 ble to make tliem wise, they, without consideration, par- took of the fruit. They did not sin because they loved it, nor do sinners fall into vice, because they desire it in it- self considered; but they connect great apjoarent good with it. And this false judging, or deception is owing in a great measure to a want of consideration. For this reason multitudes fall precipitately into the commission of sin. They form hasty decisions, or act without consider- ation. Self love, or something agreeable to the external senses, hurries them on, and they act almost without thought. And thus acting they very soon make that ap- pear reasonable, which is agreeable. For it is a just re- mark, He, w^ho earnestly wishes, that a thing were lawful, has half consented that it is so. Dishonesty has already crept into such a man's heart, and the transition from thence to the head is quick and powerful. Various are the wind- ings and turnings of self-love and deceptions of sin, by which men inconsiderately deceive themselves. The wick- ed, it they did but consider, Avould acknowledge, that they are more dishonest with themselves than with one another. A man may cheat his neighbor, but he cheats himself the most. He robs himself of a treasure infinite- ly more valuable, than all worldly goods. The thief, who allows himself in stealing, cannot possibly take from another, anything that is of so much worth, as what he takes from his own soul. For in the very act he robs him- self of innocence and virtue, which are far above the price of rubies. The man who murders another, is worse than a murderer to himself. He plunges the dagger of wick- edness into his own immortal part. So in all human deal- ings. The injury which one man does to another, is not so great as that which he does to himself. For t'lat which 178 THE JdlNISTRY OP TAUNTON. we do to another is only temporal ; wliat we do to our- selves is eternal. It is therefore for want of considera- tion, that any person allows himself in fraud, in theft, or any kind of wickedness. For every one, who properly considers, must know, that it is of the highest interest to love God, and keep his commands, — to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Another motive to sin, which arises principally from the same cause, is a spirit of conformity. The ivoman took of the fruit — gave also unto her husband and he did eat. This spirit of conformity is so powerful that the whole world is governed in a great measure by example. In vain do parents teach their children the ways of relig- ion, if they walk not in them themselves. The same may be said of ministers, and all instructors. Their precepts avail but little, unless enforced by good example. One spark of virtue carried into practice is worth thousands in mere word, or speculation. For thousands will catch the spirit of example sooner than they will be influenced by mere lip instruction. All this goes to prove that there is a great proneness in mankind to fall into the examples of others, though they are spoken against and known to be bad. If lead- ing characters eat the forbidden fruit, and seem to prosper, others will do the same. They easily gwim with the cur- rent, and rather follow the multitude, even to do evil, than resolutely to stem the torrent of fashionable sins, and persevere in a course of self-denial. This spirit of conform- ity and want of consideration are two powerful causes for the commission of sin. For our improvement then we ought to put ourselves upon the guard against them. The only cficctual way to Clarke's right hand in 1800. 179 do this is to adhere to the commands of God, to follow the leadings of his spirit, and yield obedience to his will. It is he alone, who savingly affects the heart, — animates the springs of action, — and engages the affections on the side of religion. But he will be sought, that he may do all this for us. We are to use the means, by fixing our thoughts long and often on religion. Howsoever disa- greeable at first, by often musing upon it, the fire may kindle. By consideration, reading, hearing the word, meditation and prayer, the mind becomes seasoned for religion, the heart susceptible of deep impressions. Consideration and meditation are two powerful guards against sin, and great incitements to virtue. Consider therefore before you act. Consider what you are about to do, — the nature of inaction — the conse- quences, — whether it be contrary to the commandment of God. The Right Hand of Fellowship At the Ordination of Rev. JOHN PIPON, of Taun- ton, Jan. 15, 1800 ; By the Bev. Mr. CLARKE, of Norton. THE gospel of our glorious Redeemer is a system of love admirably designed to suit the condition of fallen men, and to draw them into the practice of its amiable virtues. To promote this design in a way consistent with human feelings, ambassadors are commissioned by the Spirit of God, to proclaim the proffers and blessings of it, and to 180 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. persuade mankind, if possible, to conform to it. That they may happily succeed in this work, it is highly impor- tant for their endeavors to be in umso7i, and their whole deportment to be a brilhant copy of that love they are re- quired to inculcate upon others. There is a captivating charm emanating from a band of brothers, whose hearts appear unitedly warmed with the noblest sentiments, glow- ing with the purest afiection, and whose individual and combined exertions are most fervently employed in propa- gating the most benevolent of systems. Such an affecting harmony in sentiment, design, and pursuit, must have a strong tendency to ennoble their exertions, to recommend the cause they would promote, and to incline many to es- pouse its mterest. This harmony ought ever to be con- spicuous among the ambassadors of Christ. They ought not only to be cemented in heart-affection and fervent af- fection, but their union is to be sealed and solemnized by an exteimal token^ significant of their united ingraftment into the love of Christ, their combined engagement to pro- mote his interest, and their mutual obligation to discharge reciprocal offices of love, counsel, and support, in the ser- vice of their common Master. The gospel appellation for this token is. The Right Hand of Felloivship. As you, dear brother, have now been publicly enrolled among the ambassadors of Christ, it remains to seal, and solemnize our union with you by tltis apostolic ceremony. Therefore, in the name, and by the desire of the venerable Council, here convened, I present you the right hand. By this friendly token, we welcome you into the labors of the christian vineyard ; embrace you as an equal partner with us in the dignities of the pastoral office ; ratify our union with you hi the love and fellowship of the gospel, Clarke's right hand in 1800. 181 and solemnly announce our readiness to assist, sympathise, and rejoice with you in promoting universal love and piety. As we cheerfully pledge this by the tender of our right hand, so your accei^tance of it is, on your part, a public declaration of your readiness to afford us equal help, as occasion and circumstances require. The cause we are bound to promote is, that of love to God, and good will toward man. Though this work be easy and pleasant in itself ; yet, through the hardness of men's hearts, it often becomes arduous, difficult and dis- couraging. We need each other's aid, counsel and sup- port. We shall do well, my brother, to embrace all oppor- tmiities to strengthen and encourage, comfort and enliven each other, while laboring through this vale of tears. As a friend, I advise you, as a brother, I entreat you, to he tvise as a serpent, and harmless as a dove. Open the eagle-eye of caution upon all ; carry the melting tongue of kindness to all ; practically display the unblamable image of holiness before all. Let the fire of gospel love and piety so meliorate and inflame your heart, that all your friends may catch its genial warmth, and your ene- mies, if such you have, may, instead of opposing, be melt- ed into the same temper. Go forth, my brother, and the Lord be with you. Brethren of the Church, We extend the hand of affection to you, soliciting your help and support for this our brother, in performing the important duties of his trust among you. It is much in your power to soothe his cares, to ease the burden of his trials, and to strengthen him in the work of the Lord. As a friend and neighbor, deeply interested in your christian welfare, I would press my friendly entreaties, that 10 182 THE MINISTRY OV TAUNTOX. you would ever be ready to .encourage him by expressions of love and kindness ; to animate him by a lively attend- ance on his preaching ; to magnify his office, by treating him as an ambassador of God ; to remember him with the tenderest affection in your addresses to the throne of grace, and to crown his ministerial labors by a peaceful and holy walk, according to the commands and ordinances of Christ. May you both be feelingly alive to your respective duties, and finally receive of the great Shepherd, an unfading crown of everlasting glory. Rev. AsARELAii M. Bridge was ordained as Mr Clarke' s successor, Jan. 27, 1836. The records of the church do not inform us when his pastoral relation ceased. Rev. William P. Tilden was ordained to the pastoral charge of the Society, April 21st, 1841. Rev. Frederic Hinckley succeeded Mr. Tilden in the pastoral office Oct. 1st, 1848. Rev. George F. Clarke was Installed Pastor of the church, August 11, 1852, and is still in office. The Baptist Church. The original organization of this church was not far from 1775. They erected a house of worship not in Nor- ton, but within the present limits of Taunton, in the north part of the town, where they continued until 1835. At that time, in consequence of the prevalence of other views than their own in the society, a portion of their members withdrew and reorganized at the house of one of the breth- ren, and have ever since that time (Oct. 13, 1835) main- tained separate worship. The remnant constitute the pres- ent Free Will Baptist Church in North Taunton. The CHURCHES OP NORTON. 183 members present at the reorganization of the Church in Norton, were thirteen, as folloAVS : Caleb Atherton, Tisdale Godfrey, Amos Keith, Beulah E. Lincohi, Nancy Lincoln, Hannah Thayer, Lydia Thayer, Patience Lincoln, Betsey Snow, Stella Keith, Nancy Austin, Anna Macon^er, Jo- anna Atherton. The ministers of the church since its reorganization have been Rev. Messrs. Henry C. Cooms, Nathan Chap- man, Samuel J. Carr, John Holbrook, J. G. Bowen, Wil- liam Keed. I have been unable to learn anything of its earher ministry.* I am indebted for the above facts to the Kev. Mr. Holmes, of Norton. Congregational Tiinitarian Church. This Churcb was constituted April 3, 1832, and con- sisted of twenty-two members, viz : Nathan Perry, Leavit Bates, Ly Sander Makepeace, Jesse Blandin, John Patten, Sarah Makepeace, Phebe Patten, Lydia Shepard, Nancy M. Patten, Hannah Bates, Elizabeth Briggs, Rhoda Loth- =* Rev. Thomas Goodwin, a native of Norton, obtains the following facts concerning the origin of this church, from Mrs. Hannah Dean of Fairhaven, eldest daughter of Timothy Briggs, second deacon of tho church : Elder Goff of Dighton, having preached in IMansfield, a general in- terest was awakened, and large numbei-s received baptism by immersion. He was assisted and followed by Preachers Simmons and Ingle, the lat- ter quite an eloquent man. The meetings ceased in Mansfield, and a church appears to have been formed in Taunton, near Norton, composed for the most part of the fruits of this revival. This was not far from A. D., 1778. James Briggs was the first deacon. Rev. William Nelson was the first minister in about 1779. He was from Middleboro', and was succeeded in the oversight of the church, first by his brother Samuel, and afterwards by another brother Ebenezer Nelson, whose ministry ex- tended down to about 1797. (See Baker's Ch. Hist., and Benedict's Hist, of the Baptists.) Rev. Ebenezer Nelson has a son Col. Nathaniel Nelson, residing in New-Bedford. 184 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. rop, Laban M. AVheaton,* Eliza B. Wheaton, Josiali King, Clarissa King, Mason Stone, Abigail M. Stone, Harriet Patten, PoUj Goodwin, Allen Tucker, Emma Field. Rev. Spencer F. Beard preached from the organization of the church in 1832, till 1835, but was never settled. Rev. Cyrus W. Allen was the first Pastor of the church. Mr. Allen w^as born in Taunton, graduated at Brown University in 1826, and previous to his settlement in Norton, labored in the West. He was dismissed March 1, 1842, and is at present settled in Colerame, of this State. Rev. Homer Barrows supplied the pulpit a year or two, after Mr. Allen's dismission, but was never settled. Rev. William Barrows was the second Pastor. He was ordained Sept. 4, 1845, and was dismissed June 4, 1850. Mr. Barrows is now the minister of Grantville. Rev. Franklin Holmes, the third and present Pastor, was ordained Sept. 15, 1852. Mr. Holmes has kindly furnished the above statistical notice of the church. * The " Wheaton Pemale Seminary," in Norton, was founded by- Judge Whcaton, father of Laban M. Wheaton, and a distinguished citi- zen of the phice. He was a man of great wealth, with only two children, a son and a daughter. The daughter married Dr. Strong of Boston, and died before her father. The loss of this, his only daughter, suggest- ed to Judge Wheaton, the idea of planting a School for Young Ladies in Norton, making it, as I heard him once remark, " the child of his adoption, in the place of liis departed daugliter." He liberally endowed it, and now for nearly twenty years it has existed an ornament, an honor, and a bles- sing, not only to Norton, but to all the neighboring towns. The only child of its founder has not forgotten the object of his father's care, as a recent liberal donation of Ten Thousand dollars abundantly testifies. There has been an able succession of Principals of the School, viz : Miss Caldwell, now Mrs. Cowles of the Ipswich Seminary, a beloA'ed pupil and ardent admirer of the widely lamented Miss Lyon, who essentially aided Miss Caldwell in opening the School, not only ])y her counsel, but by her per- sonal presence ; Miss Knight, now the Avife of llev. Mr. Bean"^ of Little Compton, Iv. I. ; Miss A'ose, now the wife of Bcv. Mr. Emerson, of South Heading, Mass.; Miss Sawyer, a member of the family of Laban M. Wheaton. Esq., of Norton ; Miss Catc, now Avife of Rev. William Barrows, of Grantville, Mass.; and the present Principal, Mrs. Caroline C. Metcalf. CHURCHES OF NORTON. 185 The Wesleyan Methodist Church. This church is of recent origin. It was organized May 3, 1850, consisting of the following members: Solomon P. Snow, minister ; David Cummings, Joseph Snow, Al- bert S. Tucker, Jonathan J. Stanley, Maria J. Snow, Ros- elana E. Cummings, Polly Jones, Nancy Snow, Abigail Tucker. Rev. Solomon P. Snow has officiated as Pastor from the organization of the church till the present time. 16* 186 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. CHAPTER VI. THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF DIGHTON. The " South Purchase " was made of Sachem Phihp, in 1672, for £143.* An Act of Incorporation was not appHed for, which should make it a distinct town, until 1712, a short time after Norton was set off. The name of Dighton was selected by the settlers, as is supposed, in honor of the Dighton family, one of whom, Frances, was the wife of Richard Williams, principal purchaser and proprietor — not only of the original Tetiquet purchase, but of each of the subsequent purchases. She was a wo- man worthy of the distinguished honor which the inhabi- tants of that part of the town sought to bestow upon her. The registry of ecclesiastical events in the history of Dighton is exceedingly meagre, as the brief records which our fathers left have perished, and there is nothing save the scantiest gleaning possible. There is nothing but the most uncertain tradition prior to 1826. Some facts are recollected with regard to the original church of the town, and through the kindness of the Rev. Ebenezer Newhall, temporary supply, have been transmitted for our use. Rev. Nathaniel Fisher, first minister of the town, received his call to settle as Pastor in the South Precinct of Taunton, in June, 1710. This was two years prior to the Incorporation of the town. Mr. Fisher was settled in * Vide 1st volume, pp. 18 and 39. CHURCHES OF DIQHTON. 187 Dighton not far from fifty years. It is a mortifying fact that one who for so long a time was the only minister of the town, " a good man and a worthy minister of the gos- pel," as all transmitted accounts are ready to pronounce him, should sleep in its ancient burial place, without stone or slab to mark the spot of his repose, and with no other assurance of the fact of his burial, but the memory of the aged, and the proximity of the remains of his wife and chil- dren. Mr. Reed, who transcribed the inscriptions which fol- low, was informed by Mr. Gushe, whose period of settle- ment in the town now nearly equals that of the prob- able pastorate of his predecessor, that there never was the least memorial of filial or parochial regard above the re- mains of the departed minister. Mr. Fisher was a grad- uate of Harvard University, in 1706, and (according to Mr. Bayhes,) was a native of some town in Norfolk coun- ty in this State. The evidence that there was once such a minister in Dighton, who undertook not only to teach the people in the way of truth and hohness, but to rear a fam- ily for God, is in the grave-yard. " Here lieth ye body of Nathaniel, ye son of ye Rev. Nathaniel Fisher and Ehzabeth his wife, died Aug. 1, 1728, aged 3 years. In memory of Nathaniel, ye son of Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Fisher and Elizabeth liis wife, died Nov. ye 2d, 1748, in ye 15th year of his age. In memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Fisher, ye wife of ye Rev. Mr. Nathaniel Fisher, who died Sept. ye 23d, Anno Dom- ini 1765, in ye 70th year of her age." Rev. John Smith was the successor* of Mr. Fisher, * In an article on the churches in Bristol county in the Am. Quart. Register for 1839, it is stated " Mr. Smith Avas settled a colleague with Mr. Fisher about the year 1772." Also, that " he continued in the min- 188 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. and the second Pastor of the town. Mr. Baylies pro- nounces him a native of Plainfield, Ct., and a graduate of Yale College.* He was probably settled in Dighton not far from thirty years, removing thence to Pennsylvania, where he died. The, only memorial of him which I have seen, is a church document commending George Godfrey to the church of Christ in Taunton, and which appears to be in the hand-writing of Mr. Smith. It is as follows : " The Church of Christ of Dighton to the Church of Christ of Taunton : — Reverend and Beloved : wishing you grace, mercy and peace from God our Father, and from our Lord and only Savior, through the Holy Ghost ; We inform you that on application made to us by George God- frey, our brother, for leave to remove from us, and become connected w^ith you, as a member of your communion, it is granted ; and, as in good standing with us and as worthy to be received to your holy care and fellowship, he is recom- mended by your brethren in the faith and patience of the kingdom of Christ. By order of the Church. John Smith, Pastor, Rev. E. JuDSON. To be conununicated to the Church, Taunton." Rev. William Warren, a native of New-Ipswich, N. n., and a graduate of Dartmouth College, in 1800, suc- ceeded Mr. Smith, and was the third minister of this istry till Dec. 1801, when he was dismissed from his pastoral office; re- moving the next year to Pennsylvania, where he died." This last state- ment is substantiated by Mr. Baylies, a native of Dighton. * The fact of the graduation is derived from Mr. Baylies. There was a graduate of Yale in 1763 bearing that name, but he is not italicised in " Farmer's list of graduates " as a clergyman. During Mr. Smith's ministry, Dr. Ezra Stiles, afterwards President of Yale College, driven from Newport by the invasion of the British, took up a temporary resi- dence in Dighton, and occasionally preached. CHURCHES OF DIGHTON. 189 Church and Society. " He was ordained Pastor of the church, in the year 1802, under the most favorable cir- cumstances, and prospects of usefulness. He '\yas uncom- monly popular ; and during the first years of his ministry he seemed to be blessed. In 8 or 9 years he became inat- tentive to ministerial duties, subjected himself to censures, practiced medicine, became loose in his morals, removed to Salem. In 1820, he was excommunicated from the church in Dighton." It is supposed the records of the Church were destroyed by him. The influence of this man and his ministry were baneful in the extreme. It has not ceased to be felt for evil to this day. In 1826, Eev. William Torrey labored with the church and people for a few weeks. Dec. 26, 1827, Rev. Preston Cummings* was installed Pastor of the church. He was dismissed in Oct. 1835. In 1837, Rev. Jonathan King labored for a time with this people. In April, 1838, Rev. John Shaw commenced his labors as stated supply and acting Pastor. He continued till March, 1843. In Jan. 1844, Rev. Joseph H. Bailey was ordained Pastor. Nov. 9th, of the same year, he died, much la- mented. Rev. George Brown, Rev. Mr. Newton, Rev. ^Ysles Lewis and Rev. B. W. Fuller, have been since that time employed as stated supplies. Second Co7igregational Society in Bighton. There was considerable dissension in Dighton the latter part of the last century, connected with the location of ^ Rev. Mr. Cumraings has recently published a work on Congrega- tionalism, which exhibits much research, and is a valuable book for ref- erence on that subject. 190 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. the meeting-house. Rev. Mr. Smith, desiring to make peace between the parties, undertook to preach in both sections of the town, and for a time succeeded in prevent- ing a division. On his leaving however, a permanent sep- aration took place, and when Mr. Warren was settled in the west part of the town, where the " Brick meeting- house " now stands, the " Lower Society," as it is called, located themselves on the border of the river, and invited to settle with them Bev. Abraham Gushe, their first and present minister. Mr. Gushe is a native of Baynham, a graduate of Brown University, in 1798, and was ordained in Dighton, Sept. 23, 1803. He has therefore nearly completed his half century in the Pastoral office in the same place — a rare thing in these days of frequent remov- als. Calvinist Baptist Church and Society, There is a Baptist Society in Dighton, on the borders of Rehoboth, w^hich, according to the Minutes of the " Taunton Baptist Association," w^as constituted in 1780, and is one of the oldest* in the region. One Elder Goff, a gifted but uneducated man, preached there more than half a century ago, and his ministry was of some length. The Calvinistic portion of the church now have a house, and maintain separate worship at the ' ' Lower Four Cor- ners," not far from Mr. Gushe's. The succession of Min- isters in this Church either branch of it is unknown to me. Tlie Calvinist Church arc now^ without a Pastor. * The oldest is located in Swanzey, dating back as far as 1763. The churches in North Attleboro', North Taunton, now Norton, Dighton, and the 1st in Fall Kivcr, are of nearly equal antiquity. The Baptist Church iu Seckonk also existed prior to this century. CHURCHES OF DIGHTON. 191 Christian Baptist Church, This portion of the ancient Baptist Society worship in the old place near the Dighton and Rehoboth line. Second Christian Baptist Church, This Church is planted in the north-east part of Digh- ton, in a manufacturing village, called North Dighton, and is of comparatively recent origin. Methodist Episcopal Church, This is located in North Dighton, and has existed about twenty-five years, with the usual change in that denomina- tion of ministerial labor. 192 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. CHAPTER VII. THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF EASTON. If our supposition with regard to tlie origin of tlie name given to Taunton North Purchase, at the time of its in- corporation as Norton be correct, we may suppose the same idea was in the mind of the settlers of the easterly part of the Purchase, then included in Norton, when in 1725, or fourteen years after the incorporation of Norton, they applied for a charter, and gave their new town the name of JEaston. The earliest " Book of records of the Church of Christ in Easton," bears date " October 10th, Anno Domini, 1748." The church was organized probably many years before, but precisely how long we do not certainly know. Rev. Matthew Short was the first Pastor in Easton. This is the only statement in the records of the church concerning him. Mr. Short graduated at Harvard Uni- versity in 1707, and was the first minister of the town of Attleboro'. lie was settled there, Nov. 12, 1712, and w^as dismissed May 31, 1715.* It w^as not many years probably after his dismission, that he was installed Pastor over the new church in Easton. He closed his life among the people of his pastoral charge. His sepulchre is with them to this day. Rev. William Reed, a son of one of * Vide Am. Quart. Register, for Nov. 1839. CHURCHES OF EASTON. 193 Mr. Short's successors, has furnished me with the inscrip- tion on his stone.* ''In memory of ye Rev'd Mr. Matthew Short. De- ceased April ye 16th, 1731, in ye 44th year of his age. The sweet remembrance of ye Just, Shall flourish when he sleeps in dust." It has been statedf that one Farrar, officiated as minister for a time after Mr. Short's death, and was actually installed, but nothing is known of him. Follow- ing " the records," Rev. Joseph Belcher is to be consid- ered " the second Pastor." " He was dismissed from tho Pastoral office Anno Domini 1744." Q'he traditional ac- count is, that he became deranged, and died a lunatic. There were graduates of Harvard University* bearing his name, in the years 1690 and 1723, who entered the min- istry. Which, if either, was the minister of Easton, is not ascertained. Rev. Solomon Prentice, " son of Solomon, born in Cambridge, May 11, 1705,"$ succeeded Mr. Belcher in the Pastoral office. He graduated at Cambridge in 1727, and was installed Pastor in Easton, Nov. 18, 1747. Rev. Messrs. Leonard of Plymouth, Goddard and Eaton of Lei- cester, Balch of Dedham, Porter of Bridge water, and Crock er of Taunton were present and took part in tho services of * At the same time he sent me the epitaph on the monument of anoth- er minister, of an eai-lier date, but Avhether he officiated in Easton or elsewhere I am unable to say. The following is a fac-simile : "HERE -LISE - THE-BoDY- oE-ELDER - WILLIAM- PRATT -AGED - 5 4-DIED IN-THE -YEA- 1713 -lANVAEY- T II E . 1 3 - " t See Quart. Register, already quoted. t Ms. letter of Rev. Mr. Blake. 17 194 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Installation. He had been previously settled in Grafton,* ■whore he was ordained Dec. 29, 1731, and dismissed July 10, 1747, four months prior to his Installation in Easton. It was the same year with the settlement of Mr. Prentice, that the Church perceiving that there was no Covenant to be found,! thought it expedient to procure one agreeable to the Scripture, and sign and subject themselves unto it, which accordingly they did, and it is as follows : EASTON CHURCH COVENANT. We, the Subscribers, Members of the Church of Christ in Easton, mett together the Sixth day of April A. Domi- ni 1747, Apprehending itt our duty under our present cir- cumstances,. solemnly and explicitly to renew our covenant w^ith God, Do therefore personally present ourselves this day in the holy presence of God, to transact with him this important affair of His Kingdom and Glory ; and humbling ourselves before the Lord for all our sins, and the sins of ours, earnestly praying for pardoning Mercy and Reconcil- iation with God, through the Blood of our Lord Jesus, and for the Gracious Presence and assistance of His Holy Spirit, under a deep sense of our own weakness, and un- worthy ness, and Avith an Humble Confidence of His favor- '* lie received his call in Grafton, June 24, 1731, on ".£90 passable money, or bills of credit, as money now passes from man to man, or as the valuation of money shall be from time to time, or as said money ris- es and falls." £\Q were afterwards added. (Willson's Century Ser- mon of Grafton — pub. 1847. Woi'cestcr.) t Mr. Belcher, in his insanity, either destroyed or carried away the church covenant and records — as appears from the followinf;- church action: '■ Proposed to know who were members of the church of Christ in this town ; and in order hereunto, it was proiX)scd to choose a com- mittee to wait upon ]\tr. Belcher, late Pastor in tide place, to know of him whether tlicre were in his hands, or whetlier he knew anything of a covenant this church had submitted unto, and to intreat him, if he had any, to deliver it up to said committee, as also any other records he liad in his hands, that l)clo)i,',^ed or related to this church." It is suppos- ed the application was fruitless COVENANT OF EASTON IN 1747. 195 able acceptation : Each of us for ourselves, and all of us jointly together, do renewedly enter into Covenant with God, and one with another, in the terms following, that is to saj, First of all. We do avouch the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son, and Holj Ghost for our Portion, and Chiefe Good, and give up ourselves. Body and Soul to Him, to be His Servants, promising by His aid and assistance, to love Him, fear Him, trust in Him, and yield obedience to Him, in all things, all ye days of our Lives. 2dly. Whereas the Son of God in our nature is Exalted as a Prince and a Savior, the only Mediator of ye New- Covenant, and Means of coming unto God, We do there- fore through Grace, accept of Him, according to ye Ten- ner of ye Gospel offer, that is to say, as the Prophet, Priest and Kmg of our Immortal souls, purposing and promising to attend His teachings by His Word and Spirit • — to lean on His ]\Ierrit and Litercession with the Father, as the only way for ye obtainment of ye pardon of our sins, the favour of God, and continuance therein ; and finally the subduing all our Enemies, and working all His works in us and for us. 3d. Whereas there are different apprehensions among those that profess Christianity, with respect to ye Doctrine of Reli!2;ion : We do declare our consent and adherence to the Westminster Assembly's Shorter Catechism, appre- hending in our Judgment and Conscience that it is agree- able to the Word of God. 4th. Whereas God has promised to be a God unto His People, and their Children after them. We do therefore dedicate our children to the service of God in Jesus Christ, promising that we will seasonably bring those of them that 196 THE MIXISTRY OF TAUXTON. are unbaptized to Jesus Christ in the Ordinance of Bap- tism, and as they grow into years of understanding, in- struct them in ye Nature, use and End, of that ordinance, and into the Principles of ye Christian Rehgion, (so far as need is ;) That ^\e y^iW sett good Examples t)f Righteous- ness, Piety, and Sobriety before them — Restrain them as we are able, from being carried away with ye Temptations of their age and time ; Endeavoring that they may be pre- pared for the enjoyment of Christ in ail His Ordinances ; and, finally, be much in prayer to God for their Conver- sion and Salvation. 5th. We promise that we will (by the help of God) avoid all ye Superstitions and Inventions of men in the Worship of God, as Derogatory from the Sovereignty and Wisdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Supream Head of His Church ; that we will not scandalously absent ourselves from any part of Instituted Worship : Do what in us lies to prepare ourselves for upholding and improving all the Ordinances of Christ, to the spiritual benefit and advan- tage of our souls — Leaning upon the promise, that God will meet those that Rejoyce in, and Work Righteousness, and Remember Him in His Ways. 6th. We promise (by the help of God) that we will, with as much frequency as may be, Read, or cause ye Word of God to be Read in our Houses or famihes, that so the Word of God may dwell rightly within us ; Season- ably and Constantly upholding the Worship of God there, and attending the same with sincerity and affection. 7th. Whereas we have given up Ourselves to ye Lord and to one another, in the Lord, We purpose and promise, that we will live together in holy fellowship and all holy watchfulness over each other, to the prevention oft*, or re- COVENANT OF EASTON IN 1747. 197 covery from any Scandalous Evils that through ye temp- tations of Satan, or corruptions of our own heart, we may at any time be overtaken with — That we will be as speedy as may be, in making up any difiference that may arise, in some Orderly way ; Endeavoring also the temporal and spiritual good of one another. 8th. We promise that (by the help of God) we will have respect unto all the Duties enjomcd in the 2d Table, as being necessary Parts of a right ordered Conversation ; Particularly be true and faithful to all our Civil Contracts and agreements with one another, and with all men we may have to do with, that so none may have occasion to speak evil of our Profession. 9th, and finally, w^here as there is a strong Propensity in our Natures to do what is evil, and sinful, we purpose and promise, that (by the help of God's Spirit) We will keep our hearts, and Mortifie those Lusts that dwell in us ; Avoiding all such temptations as our sinful hearts are wont to be drawn aside withall ; and that we may keep this Covenant Inviolable forever in all the Branches of itt. We desire to deny Ourselves, not trusting in our own Wisdom or Strength, humbly and belie ^dngly Depending upon God, in and through Jesus Christ, and the presence of His Holy Spirit with us, and where we come short, there to wait on Him for pardon, and healing for His Name's sake. (Signed) Solomon Prentice,* Pastor ; Thomas Eandall, Ephraim Randall, Israel Eandall, Edward Hay ward, Jo- seph Grossman, Seth Babbitt, John Phillips, Jr., Thomas Pratt, Joseph Drake, Eliphalet Leonard, Thomas Allger, Benj. Drake, John Selle, Nath. Allger, Joshua Phillips, * Mr. Prentice probably signed it after his Installation. It was en- tered into by the brethren several months before, 17* 198 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Jam 33 Pratt, Samuel Phillips, Robert Randall, Solomon Plewitt, George Kejzar, Beiiajah Smith, Nath. Perry, James Stacj, Samuel Randall, Thomas Drake, Samuel Drake, James Pratt, Jr., John Whitman, Jr., Jos. Cross- man, Jr., Jonathan Lothrop, John Drake, Jr., Abraham Drake, Mathew Hajward, Ebenezer Phillips, Wetherell Wittum, Thos. Randall, Jr., Israel Randall, Jr., Josiah Perry, Joseph Randall, James Dean, John Kinsley, Sam. Phillips, Jr., Ebenezer Ames, David Newland, John Drake, Henry Howard, Benj. Pettingill, Samuel Briggs, Daniel Niles. Presbyterians admitted : William Pratt, Jr. " The na-mes of the women, members of the church of Christ in Easton follow." Of these there are sixty re- corded. The ministry of Mr. Prentice was far from peaceful. There were two parties in the church, one of them under the direction of the Pastor, and the other following the lead of Edward Hayward, Esq. A Council was called, in 1752, which, in their Result, reprove both parties, but fail of healing the difficulties. " The Council sat two days, hearing the parties, and drew up a long Result, in which,'* according to the Records, " not a w^ord was said upon, or about the main, yea, only thing for which they were sent to, but blaming each party in some things, remote from the main business, upon the w^hole advised, that we all speedily meet together, to appoint a day for solemn Fasting and Prayer, on account of ye many sins committed in this day of temptation, and send for some neighboring ministers to assist in the solemnities thereof, and to proceed on said day, solemnly to renew the covenant the church came into previous to Mr. Prentice's Installment among them, pre- paratory to their attending the Lord's Supper together. SOLOMON PREI^TICE. 199 which Result being left je Council adjourned (Sine die) and went off." They certainly left very good advice to a divided, dis- turbed church. The Result was adopted by the church, and " June 12th was appointed to be the Day of said so- lemnities," which Rev. Messrs. Porter, Crocker and Dodge were invited to attend. The day came and passed away without any permanent advantage. Mr. Prentice, thinking the soui'ce of their continued difficulties was in their form of church government, advis- ed a change, and a majority of the church voted to attach themselves to a Presbytery ; but this worked no better, and at length, the Presbytery at a session in Easton, Nov. 12, 1T54, judged Mr. Prentice unqualified for " the office of a Bishop ;" and gave him a temporary discharge from Pastoral labor. All that we know about it, is left on the Book of Records in the handwriting of the misguided, yet sincere, truly af- flicted minister,* in these words : " Because I had received a few of my fellow creatures (and fellow christians, so far as I knew) into my house, and suffi3red them to pray and talk about the Scriptures, and could not make any acknowl- edgement therefor, to some of my Brethren who were of- fended thereatt, nor to the Presbytery, Voted, that he, the said S. Prentice be suspended from the discharge of the public ministry, until the Presbytery meet again next April. Because by said vote I was deprived of the small subsis- tence I had among my people in Easton, I thought it nec- * Key. Ml-, Blake of Mansfield, who is preparing a history of the Mendon Association, the oldest in the State, and has had occasion to examine its papers, remarks concerning Prentice : " he seems to have been a kind of ' New Light." Have documents abont him in our Asso- ciational papers, rfisfellowshipping him. A heap of items." 200 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. essary for the Honour of God, and good of my family, to remove to Grafton, which accordingly was done, April 9th, 1755. JSF.B. — I have never heard a word from the Pres- bytery, neither by letter, nor otherwise, nor they from me, from the day of my suspension to this day, viz : Sept. 5, 1T55." Mr. Prentice died in Grafton, May 22, 1773, aged sixty-eight.* Rev. Archibald Campbell, son of the minister of Ox- ford, and a graduate of Cambridge in 1761, succeeded Mr. Prentice as Pastor of the Church in Easton. He was ordained, Aug. 17, 1763, and remained in office until July 31, 1782,f for a period of nineteen years. Rev. William Reed succeeded Mr. Campbell. I have received the following sketch of Mr. Reed's personal his- tory and ministry from his son. Rev. David Reed : " Rev. William Reed, of Easton was the son of William ReedJ and Silence Nash of Abington, in Plymouth county, Mass. He was born on the 8th of June, 1755. § His boyhoood and youth were spent in the usual engagements and labors of New-England farmers' sons of that day. Having enjoyed during this period the advantages of a religious home, he became early established in christian principles and exemplary habits of life. At about the age of nineteen so strong and decided was his interest in re- ligious subjects, that he expressed to his parents the desire to obtain a collegiate education with a view to the ministry, * Mr. Blake's ms. Letter. t The Am. Quart. Register gives a later date, but I follow the cluirch records. X He was tlie son of Jacob Kecd of Abington, wlio was tlic son of Wil- liam Reed of Weymouth, who was tlic son of William Reed, wlio came from England and settled in Weymouth aliout the year 1G.34. § It was Sabbatli morning, and in the aftcmoou of the same day he was carried two miles ou horseback to be baptized. WILLIAM REED. 201 having had thus far no other advantages of instruction, than those furnished in the then very imperfect winter schools of liis native town. But domestic circumstances prevent- ed his entering on his preparatory studies till the age of twenty-one. At that time, June, 1776, (having still the settled purpose of eventually preparmg for the ministry,) he enlisted as a soldier in the American army then station- ed at Roxhury, in the siege of Boston. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, having re- alized enough from his wages to procure the necessary books, he commenced his studies preparatory for college, with Rev. Solomon Reed, of Titicut parish, Middleboro'. He entered Cambridge college in 1778, was graduat- ed in 1782, and entered at once on the study of Divinity with his old teacher and relative, Rev. Mr. Reed, of Titicut. The term of preparation, at that time, was much less than at present. Having arrived at manhood before he entered college, and havmg chosen his course of reading, during his collegiate life with reference to his intended pro- fession, he devoted but a single year, after leaving college, to the studies preparatory to the ministry. Mr. Reed commenced preaching in the autumn of 1783. After officiating with acceptance in several vacant parishes, he was invited to settle as pastor of the Congregational church and Society in Easton, and was ordained on the 21st of April, 1784.* * On the 20th of May following, Mr. Reed was married to Miss Olive Pool, — then at the age of seventeen — third daughter of Samuel Pool and Ruth FuUerton, of Bridgewater. Tlie chiklren from this connec- tion were seven sons and two daughters, one of whom died in infancy. The seven sons and one daughter are still living. After the death of her hushand, Mrs. Reed remained in widowhood amongst her husband's ]Deople, upwards of forty years, beloved and res- pected for her peace-loving spirit, her gentleness and sweetness of tem- per, and her consistent and exemplary christian life. She died on the 202 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. The ministry of Mr. Reed may be truly called a sue-- cessful one. Though not distinguised by instances of ex- traordinary religious excitement, yet, considering its limit- ed duration, — only about twenty-five years — it proved the most important instrument, apparently, of a remarka- ble reformation in the moral character of the town, whose reputation, in most of the neighboring region, had for years previously been very low. The staid and religious character of the first settlers of the town, with some hon- orable exceptions, had not been generally maintained by their descendants, many of wdiom fell into the vices then common to new settlements. And these moral dangers and tendencies had been aggravated in this place probably, and the tone of society and morals disturbed and injured, by the fact that the two preceding ministries had been far from peaceful and profitable. There was room then, as well as a loud call, for reform. And it was accomplished, as became manifest to all observers, so that at the time of Mr. Reed's decease, Nov. 16, 1809, (at the age of fifty- four,) the reputation of the town, as to its maintenance of order and exemplary morals, stood on a full equality with its neighbors. This reform, however, aided under Providence, by the increase of knowledge and the general progress of society, was efifcctcd not suddenly and with noise, but gradually and quietly as the natural result, so far as his influence was felt, of a faithful devotion to his duties as a preacher and pastor, enforcing all by his own steady and pure chris- tian example. 26tli of March, 1850, at tlic af>:c of cighty-thrcc ; and lior cij;:ht sun'iving children, from distant locations, all in health, and at the uvcragc age of Jiftij-fonr, after thirty-live years separation gathered around her bier at the old homestead, to mingle their tears and prayers, and to lay her pre- cious dust by the side of that of their honored and lamented father. i WILLIAM REED. 203 As a preacher, Mr. Reed was principally distinguished for great plainness and simpHcity of statement, and direct- ness of address. Though not deficient in logical power, the strong hold which he generally obtained of the atten- tion of his hearers, was much less frequently the result of dispassioned argument, than of his greatly earnest and home-thrusting appeals to the heart. In the construction of his sermons, contrary to the somewhat prevalent cus- tom of some of his contemporaries, he scrupulously avoid- ed all startling, paradoxical statements and niceties of metaphysical discussion, as worse than unprofitable, and tending rather to bewilder than to guide ; whilst on the other hand he aimed and labored with apostohc zeal by plainness of speech and direct personal appeal to enforce the duties of devotion and practical righteousness. Such a ministry, comparatively short as it was, could not be without marked eSect on the religious and devotion- al as well as the moral character of the people. And, happily at the close of his ministry its influence seemed to be set home and sealed in the minds of both old and young by the event of his death. Respected and beloved as he was by his people, and cut oflf in the midst of his useful- ness, that event left on their minds a general seriousness, and a more than ordinary susceptibility of religious im- pressions ; a well prepared soil in which it may be hoped the seed before and after sown has, through the divine influence, often been ripened, and for long generations to come is to be ripening into fruit for the kmgdom of heaven." William Reed, Esq., another son of the minister of Eas- ton, has furnished me with a MS. Sermon, No. 250, which is probably a fair specimen of his father's style of sermoniz- ing. It is inserted entire. 204 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. SERMON BY REV. WILLIAM REED, OF EASTON IN 1784. Jonah i. 6. What meanest tJiou, sJeeiyer? arise, call upon tliy €rod. WE shall now proceed in our subject by making some observations upon the sinner's arising and calling upon his God. Sinners, although dead in trespasses and sins in a moral view, yet they have natural life, and natural powers and faculties, and are capable of hearing and receiving in- struction in the great things of religion. They are capable of reflecting upon themselves, upon death, Judgment and their connexion with eternity, and they are capable of calling upon God for pardon and sal- vation. I don't know that any body disputes, or disbelieves this. If they do, I appeal to every child of God in this house and ask whether they did not reflect upon themselves, upon their dangerous situation by nature, and cry to God for mercy, before they ever tasted the love of Christ, or were reconciled to God in the spirit and temper of their minds. And I presume they will all answer and say they did. God commonly works by means, both in the Kingdom of nature and the Kingdom of grace. He gives us the things that are necessary for our subsistence here by means. He causes the Sun to shine and the rain to de- scend to warm and water the earth, to make it fruitful and bring forth food and raiment for man ; and our labour reed's sermon in 1784. 205 is required and necessary to prepare it for use. It is true is comes from God, it is his gracious gift, but it is given in his own way, the way of his own appointment. The Savior when on earth saw fit to use means in pro- ducing a miracle, which he could easily have accomplished with a word's speaking. When he was about to open the eyes of a man that was born blind, he spat on the ground and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the bhnd man with the clay, and said unto him. Go wash in the pool of Siloam, which is by interpretation Sent ; he went his way therefore and washed, and came seeing — John ix. 6, 7. So in the kingdom of grace, God works by means. In the great work of regeneration He uses means, to open the eyes of the mind and bring dead sinners to spiritual life. He makes use of his written word and a preached gospel ; he also makes use of his providences to awaken and call up the attention of sinners. God not only uses means, but also requires sinners to be in the diligent use of those means that he hath put into then* hands for that purpose. Can any body suppose, when the Lord Jesus Christ anointed the eyes of the blind man with clay, and told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam, that he would have received his sight if he had not gone and washed accord- ing to the direction ? I can't see what reason there is to suppose that he would. Now God tells sinners to search the Scriptures. He also tells them to seek the Lord while he may be found, to call upon him while he is near, to ask and they shall re- ceive, to see and they shall find, to knock and it shall be 18 206 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. opened to them. Ntdw can a sinner have any reason to hope or expect that his spiritual eyes will be opened, unless he attends to and follows those directions, any more than the blind man had that his natural eyes would be opened without going and washing in the pool according to the direction of our Saviour ? It is true that when the sinner has done all that God requires of him, he is an unprofitable servant, and must be saved, if ever he is saved, by rich, free, sovereign grace. But this is the way in which God sees fit to prepare the sinner to receive this grace. What meanest thou, sleep- er ? arise, attend to those things and call upon God. What is meant by calling upon God, is Prayer. The Idea is arise and Pray. Much is implied in the Idea of calling upon God, or in Prayer. Prayer to God implies that the person believes there is a God, a God that can hear and has power to grant the thing asked for. It also implies some sense of obligation, and a sense of need. Persons never pray to God or ask his help unless they feel some need of it. We hear nothing about the mariners, that were in the ship with the Prophet praying till they saw their danger. When they saw that they w^ere like to be swallowed up by the raging waves and perish in the Sea, they cry every man to his God. So it is with an awakened sinner, when his eyes are opened to see that he is in a perishing condition, liable every moment to be swallowed up in the sea of God's wrath ; he will cry to God to have mercy on him. And the sinner under the light of the Gospel has infinitely higher reason to hope that he shall be heard and answered reed's sermon in 1784. 207 than the mariners had, for we know not that they had any knowledge of God but from the light of nature ; but the sinner under the light of the gospel has a clear revelation of the mind and will and character of God. From the gospel the sinner has the most encouraging invitations to pray, yea, the most positive command to pray. Pray without ceasing, pray always, pray with all prayer is the language of God to us in his word. God hath prepared the way for our approach to him by the gift of his only begotten and well beloved Son. He was once in our world despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief, but is now exalt- ed at God's right hand to intercede for us, and present our supplications and prayers before his Father's throne. Through him God can consistently with himself and all his perfections hear our prayers and communicate his grace and salvation to us. The arms of divine mercy are open- ed to receive every repenting, returning sinner. And the storm of God's wrath is gathering over the head of every sinner that continues in his state of rebel- lion against his King and Judge. Every sinner that has not fled to Jesus, the city of ref- uge, is under the wrath of an incensed God. It seems that some in this place of late have been made sensible of this their situation, and have waked up from their security in sin, under the influence of the Divine Spirit, and have called upon God for his pardoning mercy, and we hope are still daily crying to him for help. Let such be directed to go on seeking, till they find the pearl of great price, till they find Christ precious to their souls. Let them not return again to the ways of folly, like the dog to his own vomit, and like the sow that was washed to her 208 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. wallowing in the mire. Knowing that the last state of such a person is worse than the first. There are others, and we have reason to fear there are many, that are asleep and secure in sin, and cast off fear and restrain prayer before God. Are there not those among us, that constantly live in the neglect of prayer ? If there are such persons, they may be assured that they are yet in the gall of bitterness and under the bonds of iniquity. For prayer is forever the breath of the new-born soul. Let me, my brethren, inquire more familiarly of you whether you do live in the practice or the neglect of the important duty of prayer ? What has been your conduct to-day ? Suffer me to ask your consciences this plain question, whether you have prayed to God this day — whether you have in secret poured out your hearts to God ? Your consciences will answer this question to yourselves. Does it not answer in the nega- tive with many of you ? Permit me to ask heads of families, whether they have to-day prayed with their families ? AYhat says conscience to this question ? Does it answer no to many of you ? If conscience does not do its office let mo appeal to your chil- dren and families, and see whether they are not witnesses against you for this neglect. And will they not appear swift witnesses against you hereafter at the great and ter- rible day of account, if you continue to neglect this im- portant duty ? What meanest thou, sleeper ? Do you mean to continue in this neglect of God and Religion ? Do you mean to continue in the neglect of this important duty of prayer, so essential to Christianity ? You that are heads of families, do you intend to live and die without ever praying with your families ? or if you intend some CHURCHES OF EASTON. 209 time or other to begin the duty, when ? Why not to-day ? When will you have a better opportunity ? Or do you intend to neglect the duties of religion and take the fatal consequences, and he down in eternal sorrows ? Resolve what you intend to do and be sure to make a wise and fixed resolution. Rev. Luther Sheldon, d. d., a native of Rupert, Vt., in 1785, and a graduate of Middlebury College in 1808, succeeded Mr. Reed in the Pastoral office at Easton. He was settled Oct. 24, 1810, and still ''dwells among" his " own people." Second Congregational Cliurch. A division occurred in the original parish in 1828,* and a portion of the church and society have been supplied with the ministrations of the following persons ; Rev. John Sweet; Rev. Mr. Taylor; Rev. Mr. Dudley; Rev. S. A. Barnard ; Rev. Paul Dean ; Rev. WiUiam A. Whitwell ; who is the present minister.f Episeopal Methodist Church. This church was organized, (according to Mr. Reed's recollection,) in North Easton, '' about fifty years ago." The Protestant Methodist Churchy is ''an ofishoot from the former, and erected their first house of worship some seven years since. "J =* Ms. Letter of B. C. Dunbar, Esq. Eev. Wm. Keed of Easton thinks the separation took place in 1833. I AVTOte Rev. Dr. Sheldon on the subject weeks since, but have received no answer. t Letters of Messrs. Dunbar and Reed. X This is a statement of Mr. Reed, son of the former minister of Eas- ton. Mr. Dunbar thinks " the Protestant Society is of about sixty year* standing, the Episcopal of about twelve years." Probably Mr. Reed is correct, and the Episcopal branch is the oldest. They are both located in the north part of the town, in the " Ames village," about two miles from the centre. 18* 210 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Roman CatJwlic Ohurch, - This is situated in North Easton, and has been in exis- tence ''about one year. They have preaching, one service, every other Sabbath, and the largest congregation of wor shippers in town." (Mr. Reed, of Easton, is my inform ant.) EARLY SETTLEMENT OF EAYNIIAM. 211 CHAPTER YIII. CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF RAYNIIAM. Raynham was a part of the original " Tetiquet Pur- cliase " in 1637. It was in this part of the ancient Taun- ton, that James Leonard, Henry Leonard and Ralph Rus- sel erected their extensive Iron Works.* In 1731, there was a settlement of some thirty families, which seemed sufficient to authorize the petition for a dis- * The town of Taunton, (Oct. 21, 1652,) caused the following entry to be made on theu' Book of Eecords : "It was agreed and granted by the town to the said Henry Leonard, and James Leonard, his brother, and Ralph Russel, free consent to come hither, and join with certain of our inhabitants to set up a bloomary work on the Two Mile River. It was agreed and granted by a free vote of the town, that such particular inhabitants, as shall concur together with the said persons in their de- sign, shall have free liberty from the town so to do, to build and set up this work, and that they shall have the woods on the other side of the Two Mile River, wheresoever it is common on that side of the river, to cut for their cord-wood to make coals, and also to dig and take mine or ore, at Two Mile Meadows, or in any of the commons, appei-taining to the town, where it is not now in propriety." Accordingly James and Henry Leonard with their associates established their " bloomary," where now are the "anchor works " of Theodore Dean, Esq., a descendant in two lines of the Leonards who obtained leave of the town in 1652, to erect an establishment which for two centuries has been uninterruptedly and successfully carried on by some member of the family. Henry Leonard left Taunton for Lynn, and afterwards Rowley; thence he went to New-Jersey; in all which places he established Iron Works. James remained in Taunton, and is the progenitor of the Leonards of Taun- ton, Raynham and Norton. King Philip, who had his summer residence in that part of Taunton, now called Raynham, was intimate with the Leonards, and liked them much. They repaired his guns, and supplied his people with tools, and provisions. He charged his Indians never to hurt a Leonard — a charge which was faithfully kept. (Baylies' Histor- ical Memoir of Plymouth Colony, vol. ii. p. 268. Deane's Geneologi- cal Memoir of Leonard family, p. 5. Sanford's Historical Sermon, Note C; 212 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. tlnct township. Abraham Jones was the principal peti- tioner. In their petition they represent the town as " competently filled with inhabitants." Their principal desire appears to have been, to be better accommodated as to Public Worship. The General Court incorporated them into a town, with this condition, " that the inhabitants of said town of Raynham, do within the space of three years from the publication of this act, procure and settle a learned and orthodox minister of good conversation, and make provision for his comfortable and honorable support; and likewise provide a schoolmaster to instruct their youth to read and write." Their meeting-house was already built, but not entirely finished. " The first town-meeting for the choice of town officers was held the 22d of April, 1731. On the 10th of May following, they assembled in town, that is, parish-meeting, and voted to pay all expen- ses incurred in building the meeting-house thus far, by levymg a tax. At the same meeting, (a church not hav- ing been yet organized,) it was voted, to make choice of a minister. Accordingly, Eev. John Wales, who had been preaching to them about one year, was chosen first minister of Raynham;"* which call, being unanimous, he saw fit to accept. In his letter of acceptance, he thus expresses himself: "I rejoice to see you thus united for the settlement of the Gospel amongst you, and can do no less than with gratitude ac- knowledge the respect that you have shown to me in giving me the ofier of settling with you ; but as the work of the * Rev. Enoch Sanford, for many years, minister of Raynham, in an interesting Historical Discourse in 1832, made the preceding statements. From him, (juoting from the Parisli Records, I learn that Mr. Wales' "salary at first was .£100 per annum, old tenor; and he received £200 settlement. His yearly income was afterwards increased to £400, old tenor, which was £53 6s. 8d. la^\ful money, or s^l 78,77." JOHN WALES. 213 Gospel ministry is hard and difficult, so I dare not rush myself into that office with precipitation, but have, as I hope, sincerely laid the case before God by prayer, and earnestly sought direction from Him. Further, I have taken the advice of sundry of my fathers in the ministry. And therefore looking upon the call to come from Heaven, as well as from man, I dare not refuse it, but accept it, earnestly asking your prayers to God for me, that I may so faithfully acquit myself, in the office of a Gospel minis- ter, as to save my own soul, and those whom God shall commit to my watch and care." There is no official record of Mr. Wales' ordination, but in the hand- writing of Doctor Fobes, his immediate suc- cessor, I find it stated, in the first book of Records, that " he was ordained, as near as can be ascertained, Oct. 20th, 1731," the day following the organization of the church. Mr. Sanford supposes that the same council or- ganized the church and ordained Mr. Wales. The church consisted of the following persons dismissed from the church of Christ in Taunton : Abraham Jones, John Sta- ples, John Leonard, Samuel Hacket, Senior, Joseph Jones, Samuel Leonard, Seth Leonard, Samuel White, Ebenezer Campbell, John White, Gabriel Crossman, Jonathan Hall, Thomas Baker, Samuel Hacket, Jr., Henry Crane, Han- nah White, Mary Hacket, Katharine Leonard, Hannah Campbell, Susanna White, Hannah Staples, Mehitable White, Ruth Crane, Elizabeth Shraw, Mary Jones, Joanna Leonard, Abigail Hall, Lydia Brittain, Patience Hackctt, Sarah Hall, Rebecca Leonard, Abigail Baker, fifteen males, and seventeen females.* John Staples and Samuel Leonard Avere chosen deacons. * A Book has been discovered among the papers of Kev. Thoraa3 Clap, once a minister of Taunton, containing a portion of the Church 214 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Their first minister, according to the author of a Topo- graphical description of Raynham in the eighth volume of the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society,* Records during his ministry. In it I find the following: " At a church meeting held at the Public meeting-house in Taunton, Oct. 7, 1731, the request of Abraham Jones, &c., (^enumerating all the names in the above list, but Henry Crane's,) all brethren and sisters in full commun- ion with this church, living in the town of Raynham, for a dismission, in order to their being incorporated into a church state by themselves, and thus have the Gospel ordinances administered among them, was read to the chui'ch. The church taking the matter into consideration, and approving their dcsii*es to be regular, voted, that they be dismissed accordingly, commending them to God and the ^Yord of His Grace, which is able to build them up, and to give them an inheritance among all those which are sanctified. At the same time, the request of several persons, who had only renewed their baptismal covenant, for a dismis- sion, was read ; upon wliich the church voted, that if any of them did desire to embody in a church state, with tlie aforesaid brethren and sis- ters, they might do it, without any offense to this church." * In this article furnished the society by Doctor Fobes, it is also stat- ed that ''the first meeting-house was built the year preceding the Incor- poration of the town, when there were within its limits about thirty families. The first meeting-house was conveniently situated for the first inhabitants, and continued as the place of worship for more than forty- two years, that is, until June 9th, 1773, when a new meeting-house was erected nearly in the centre of the town. The number of families in this town now, (1793,) is near two hundred, which, according to tlie late census, contain about a thousand souls. Of this number nearly one sixth part are of the Baptist denomination. Raynliara has been considered as one of the most patriotic towns in the State. The inhabitants, especially those wlio attend public worship, have been distinguished for their zealous attachment to Republican Gov- ernment, to learning, to military discipline, and church music. The unanimity and ardor of their public decisions during the late war, their cautious but spirited exertions, their prompt and peaceable compli- ance with the numerous calls of Government, in the days of exigences and danger, are well known, and perhaps ought the rather to be remem- bered, as their patience long endured the trial of, and opposition, and the shock of ridicule, from the tongues, the ])ens, the public votes, and contradicting examples of great numbers all around them. The people liere can appeal to the living and to the dead, when they say, tliat not among this number was ever yet found cither a tory, a paper money man or insurgent. Fired at the name of insurgency, and hearing that a con- spiracy was formed to prevent the sitting of tlie October Court of 1786, the troops of this little toM'u, consisting of two small companies, roused unanimous; and at tlic first call of their leaders, mustered in arms, marched down to Taunton, entered the Court House as a preticcupant guard, there lay upon their arms through the whole of the night pre- ceding the day of the Court's sitting, and in open defiance of all the bloody tlu'Cats of an unprincipled and outrageous mob, in constant ex- JOHN WALES. 215 " was blessed with talents which rendered him very amia ble and entertaining in social life. In public prayer, his performances were eminent, and on some occasions, almost unequalled. He was a faithful, plain preacher ; and hav- ing served in the Gospel ministry thirty-four years, he died February 23, 1765, in the sixty-sixth year of his age." His mmistry continued thirty-four years. Mr. AYales graduated at Cambridge in 1728. He married Hazadiah, daughter of Deacon Samuel Leonard, " the fourth son of Thomas, the son of James Leonard." They were married November 8, 1733. Mrs. Wales died October 14, 1752, in the forty-first year of her age. Their son. Rev. Sam- uel Wales, D. D., a graduate of Yale College in 1767, " held the office of Professor of Divinity in that Institution. His son, Hon. John Wales, has been in the United States Senate from Delaware. Catharine, daughter of Rev. Mr. Wales of Raynham, married Samuel Montgomery, gradu- ate at Yale in 1773, a surgeon in the Revolutionary army. Their daughter, Catharine, is wife of Job Godfrey, Esq., himself a descendant."* Prudence, the eldest daughter pectation of hundreds in arms ready for battle, they stood firm, but alone, until the next day about noon, when by a reinforcement of troops from the County of Plymouth, and a number gleaned from different parts of the country, they formed, and under the command of General Cobb, the insurrection was crushed, the Supreme Court sat, and Govern- ment was triumphant. (See Minot's History of the Insurrection, p. 59.) From tlie whole county of Bristol, not another whole company appear- ed, except the two companies from Raynham. But that which gives this town a claim on public attention is the fact that here once lived Philip, the Indian King. Here they can mark the place and point it out to their children, saying, 'our ears have heard, our fathers have told us, there once lived the tawny chief, a terror that walked in darkness. On that spot of ground, stood his house ; my great grand parent knew him. He once sold him an ox for beef, and often supplied him with iron made with his own hands, in yonder forge, which he himself built, and the first America saw. There yet stands the friend- ly dome, the once well known garrison, to which our friends in numbers fied, eager for life, and panting in horror of Indian foes." * William R. Deane, (Gen. Mem. of Leonard family, p. 12.) who has Bcnt me the following notice of the earlier ancestry of Rev. John Wales. 216 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. of Mr. Wales, married his successor in the ministry, Doc- tor Fobes. Mr. Wales published nothing in his lifetime. William R. Deane, a descendant by marriage, and Rev. Mr. Carver, present minister of Rajnham, agree in saying that they never saw any production of his in print, with the single exception of a letter sent Rev. Mr. Prince in 1743, in at- testation to the wonderful Work of Grace which had been witnessed in the churches. It was published in the twen- ty-fourth number of the Christian History, in connection with other letters, being the fifteenth in order: "From the Rev. Mr. Wales, Pastor of the church in Raynham, in the County of Bristol. " I having lately been informed by the imhlic Prints, that it is the Desire of a number of 3Iinisters in Boston, and eUetvhere, that those of their Brethren in the ministry, who are convinced, that the present Operation upon the Minds and Consciences of People in this Land, is the Work of God, would meet in Boston the Ba^ after Oo7n- meyicement, to consult and advise what may be proper to be done for the promoting this good Work, and also to prevent those Imprudencies that in some places have been said to attend it ; my Circumstances will not admit of my coming down. I therefore thought I would write a Line to let you know, that Imostfirmly believe the present Op- Nathaniel Wales came over with Kichard Mather, in 1635, "was of Dorchester 1036. Perhaps the same who died in Boston 4 Dec'r 1661, leaving son Nath'l who died in Boston 1662." [Farmer.] His son Natlianiel Avas the father of EUler Nathaniel, who married Joanna , settled in Braiiitree about 1675, died 23d March 1718. Mr. Nathaniel Wales was a Deacon in the church at Braintree, and, "afterwards or- dained Kulinn: Ekler, viz : Fel). 27, 1700, by Mr. Fiske. Tlie Rev. Peter Thachcr of Milton, and Ebler John Rollers of Weymouth, joininp; in the layin<^ on of liands." [Hancock's Century Sermon, p. 23.] Elder Nathaniel was the father of Rev. John Wales of Raynham. i JOHN WALES. 217 eration to he the Work of the Blessed God; and I, and many of my Charge, shall I hope, forever bless and praise the Great Grod for the great Disjjlay of His special Grace, He has lately made in this Place, in bringing many souls savingly to close with Christ, and emh*ace Him according to the Gospel offer. "As to the Imprudencies and Irregularities that have been said to attend this blessed Work, I can say nothing about them; for I have seen, (blessed be God for \i,^ few if ayiy of them. I should greatly rejoice, to have any Thing done, that might have a Tendency to promote this Work of the blessed God in this Land, and through the World ; and should be willing to have my Name annexed to any Thing that may be pubhshed for the promoting and encouraging this Work of God. In the general, I am full in my Thot's with Mr. Edwards in his Discourse, upon the present Revival of Religioji, in five Parts; and am willmg to have my name set to what may be published consistent with that. It is my Purpose to give in my Tes- timony to this great and good Work, and an Accomit of the Rise and Progress of it among us, in a short Time ; and therefore shall not now enlarge. Praying that the Great Shepherd may lead His faithful Ambassadors into such Methods, and Measures, (on the Day of their Con- vention,) whereby His Glory may be advanced, and the Kingdom of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be made to flourish everywhere, by Souls being brought into it; Intreating an Interest in your Prayers to God for me, and my Charge, I subscribe myself your most unworthy Ser- vant in the Labours of the Gospel of the Blessed Jesus. John Wales. Raynham, July 4th, 1743." 19 218 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. It is not known that Mr. Wales ever fulfilled his " Pur- pose" in giving additional "Testimony to this great and good Wo7'k,^' as he rejoiced to call it. This brief epistle reveals "the great and good heart" of this man of God. In the language of one* of his successors in the ministry of that place, referring to the letter, "his testimony is given strongly and with his whole heart." "During Kev. Mr. Wales' ministry, three hundred and fifty infants and adult persons were baptized, and one hundred and twenty-six persons admitted to full commun- ion."! Rev. Peres Fores, ll. d., was the successor of Mr. Wales, and the second minister of Raynliam.J A very full account of the personal history and pastorate of Doc- tor Fobes has been prepared for this work by Rev. The- ophilus P. Doggett, son of Rev. Simeon Doggett, and thus grandson of Doctor Fobes. § =* Rev. R. Carver. t Rev. Enoch Sanford's Historical Sermon. t The church made choice of Mr. Fobes the 29th of July, 1766, about two years after the death of Mr. Wales. August 18th, the town concurred, and voted him a salary of .£78, ($260,) which was afterwards increased. The Clmrches and Pastors invited on the Ordaining Coim- cil were: Church in West Bridgcwater, Rev. Mr. Perkins, Pastor; Church in Bridgewater, Rev. Mr. Shaw; 1st Church m Middleboro', Rev. Mr. Conant ; Church in Berkley, Rev. Mr. Tobey ; Church in No. Middleboro', Rev. Mr. Reed ; Church in Middleboro', Rev. Mr. Turner. Dea. Jonathan Hall, Israel Washburn, and Joseph Shaw signed the letters missive. The following notice of tlie oi'dination appeared in the Boston Evening Post, December 1, 1766: " Raynham, November 19, 1766. This day was ordained, as Pastor "over the Church of Christ in this town — Mr. Peres Fobes. The Salem- '■'■nitii was carried on witli great JJecencij. Mr. Solomon Eeed hcf^an with ^'■Prayer, Mr. Samuel ToJ.'vi/ preached "the Sermon from Collossians iv. "7th, these words " Afailhj'nl Minister." Mr. Perkins gave the Charge; "after wliieli Mr. Sjlvanus Conant Prayed and Mr. John Shaw gave the " Right Hand of Fellowship:' (^ Pedigree of Doctor Fobes, traced by his grandson, William R. Dcane. John Fobes came from Duxbury, was one of the original proprietors a> y^'u^ y^r^ PERES FOBES. 219 There .3 no species of biography more beneficial to the reader than that of eminent divines. The perusal of the hfe and labors of those who have arisen to distinction in the other walks and professions of life, is not Kkely to produce so pure and elevating an influence upon the heart, ihe hfe of tne conqueror, the scholar and the statesman, If the biographer is faithful in his dehneations of their ca^ reer is too frequently adapted to excite sentiments unfa- vorable to the cause of virtue and piety. The life of the conqueror may inspire a thirst for glory. But it is a glory mscribed m characters of blood on the perishable ma°ble. ihe young mind may glow with aspirations for literary fame while he reads of the scholar's labors in the fields of science. He may feel a fervid ambition for office and honor while perusing the records of the statesman's poou- lantyaM political promotion. But in the mean time, his teste for devotion and his love for deeds of dishiterested pManJiropy may receive no improvement nor streno-th But It IS not so in respect to the lives of those who hive reached a deserved distinction, by devoting them to the christian ministry. Few can give their attention to this kind of biography, without having their hearts improved and mspired with a disposition to imitate those who have been actuated by a motive higher than that of worldly tame. "^ Jfap ressed with these considera tions! have thought it oJ^MO^ter where he settled and died abont 1661, loavin-^a so7 dt -a^ouT 7k"'°DrFta'^dtr"' 'it", °"°"^ HowSctS 220 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. might be useful to arrest from oblivion by the few follow- ing pages, the life and labors of a man whose influence and success as a preacher and pastor, give him a claim to be ranked among the distinguished divines of New-England. The Rev. Perez Fobes was born in Bridgewater, Sep- tember 21st, 1742. His father originated from this place. His family consisted of twelve children, and he was long known as a worthy and enterprising farmer. His mother came from a respectable family by the name of Edson. She was a judicious woman, and united in her character to a high degree, the qualities of the christian. His pa- rents adopted the wise and just plan of allowing their chil- dren to choose their own profession, and to follow the orig- inal bent of their minds without exercising in this respect any influence upon their own determinations. In accord- ance mth this plan the subject of this biography had not been expressly designed, as some sons are, by their parents for the profession of the ministry, nor for any particular pursuit. From this we may justly conclude that his choice of the sacred profession was the result of the promptings of his peculiar taste and genius. In his early days, though cheerful and full of life, and action, yet he was thoughtful and religiously disposed. This is evident from a Diary which, I am told, he kept while a youth. It appears from this that he early conse- crated himself to God and Christ and the christian minis- try. He was among the happy number who, like Timothy under the instruction and influence of pious parents, be- come religious and keep so from their youth up. In such instances no particular time of life will be remembered as marked with deep religious impressions. It was so in his cage. His boyhood was also distinguished by devotedness PERES FOBES. 221 and profound respect for his mother. He was not like those bojs, who, when the father is absent, feel no restraint from the presence of the mother. It is probable that he imbibed much of religious trust and piety from a maternal source, as Timothy did from his mother Eunice. His mmd was always active, and he loved books and study. But physical feebleness and want of health while young, considerably impeded his progress. Previous to commencing the study of Theology, he taught school. In tins occupation he was successful. He thought his expe- rience m it qualified him when a minister, for greater use- tulness m superintending the common schools, in the wel- fare of which he was always ardently interested. He had high views of the literary and moral qualifica- tions which the ministerial office requires. Hence he en- tered upon it with a humiliating consciousness of his inad- equacy to the discharge of its weighty duties. This very feeHng no doubt contributed to render him a burning and shilling light in the church. As he often labored under bodily imbecility, he was always careful to seize those moments for study when he felt the best. Hence, although he had appropriated particular hours of the day and the night for mental labor, he often found it profitable to devi- ate occasionaUy from the plan he had adopted. His style of writing was earnest, flowing, full of happy illustrations, and highly scriptural. His happy manner of quoting scripture, notwithstanding his style was familiar, and sim- ple, imparted to it an evangelical impressivcness. His familiarity with the language of the Bible secured to him an advantage which it is to be feared, many ministers now, do not fully appreciate. Next to the Bible, his favorite authors were Blair, Barrow, Tillotson, Sherlock, Price, 19^- 222 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Paley, Johnson, Addison. Frequent extracts from Shaks- peare and Pope, to be found in his old Manuscripts, seem- ed to show that he studied and admired those great poets. He wrote rapidlj, and often left his sermon when but part- ly written, to be filled up by extemporaneous effort. All his composition commonly had the appearance of extempo- raneous production. The more a discourse is marked with this, to the most of hearers, the more engaging it becomes. When he spoke upon the evils of sin, his language was strong, persuasive and alarming. When he prepared a production for the Press, a deep solicitude for correctness and accuracy weighed painfully upon his mind. He would sometimes read some discourse, imbue his mind deeply with it, then write upon the subject of it, improving, if possible, upon the writer. At other times he would write first upon the subject, and then compare his trains of thought upon it with those of the writer. He was accus- tomed to recommend both of these methods to young min- isters, aflSrming that they were well adapted to interest the mind, and call forth its vigor. As a Pulpit Orator, Doctor Fobes had but few equals. The tones of his voice were clear, sweet and strong. When earnestly engaged, no audience could slumber under his animating and thrilling enunciation. His attitude in the pulpit was dignified and commanding, his gestures natural and graceful. It is said that when he felt well, and be- came warmed and filled with his subject, his interest in it ■was so palpably displayed in his manner, that it seemed to descend from the pulpit, and pass like electricity from heart to heart Not merely females of tender sensibility, but the strong man who guarded well his heart, would find at times the influence of his impassioned eloquence steal- PERES FOBES. 228 ing upon them silently and overwhelmingly. His power m the pulpit was not always every Sabbath felt to this de- gree, but frequently. Hence he was widely known as a popular preacher. His fame abroad was such, that people not unfrequently came from a distance to hear him. It was particularly in the devotional duties of the pro- fession, that Doctor Fobes excelled. However little at- tention comparatively these may receive from the majority of the mmisters, it was his belief that the power of the ministry lie almost as much in the pi-ayers, as the discours- es of the sanctuary. With this- persuasion, it is believed that he devoted to this part of the sacred office more time and attention than ministers usually do. Although he was undoubtedly blessed with more than ordinary gifts, for it, yet he never would have attained to the excellence he did' without much anxious preparation of heart and diligent cultivation of mind. He was known to spend much time m retirement for private meditation. He cherished the devout affections by much secret communion with the Be- ing from whom cometh spiritual gifts. By such culture he attained to an eminence in devotional performances not often equalled. The two qualities which give every prayer a claim to be called excellent, are its fervency and its ap- propriateness to the occasion. These two qualities com- monly distinguished the devotions of Doctor Fobes. It may be proper and entertaining to relate here some instan- ces illustrative of the power and celebrity which he had acquh-ed in this department of professional duty. ^ On one occasion while officiating at the evening devo- tions of the College chapel, there came up suddenly a ter- rific thunder storm. During the time of prayer an awful clap of thunder startled the students assembled there. 224 TPIE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. "While the aspect of terror and dismay sat upon every countenance, Doctor Fobes calmly paused a moment, and then caught the inspiration of the occasion, and went into a strain of devotion so appropriate, so sublime and impres- sive, that every heart present was melted into penitence and filled with devout sentiments as it never was before. The pathos of his tones, and the heavenly engagedness manifested in liis manner at the time, could not have been surpassed. While they produced in all a lasting religious impression, they subdued and quieted at the same time every rising emotion of fear that was agitating the assem- On another occasion, while the land was parching up under the effect of an alarming drought, during his prayer the heavens were suddenly overclouded, and suffering veg- etation was refreshed by a most copious rain. He had begun his devotional exercise with the most fervent peti- tion for rain, but perceiving before he ended, this altera- tion in the weather, the whole congregation were struck with the wonderful facility with which he immediately adapted himself to the change in the same prayer, closing with the most earnest and sublime language of thanksgiv- ing for the reception of the blessing so soon after it was implored. This fact and others similar to it reached the cars of neighboring and distant- societies. The eloquence and efficacy of his prayers were described by those who heard them in such glowing terms that the mass of the people in some places regarded Doctor Fobes with a respect that was mingled with superstitious feeling. On every great occasion in the county, his devotional services were sought. When a criminal was to be executed in former times, a vast TERES FOBES. 225 concourse of people assembled, and all eyes were turned to Doctor Fobes as the officiating chaplain. As he gave expression to what one would suppose to be the criminal's djnig prajer, there was always a pathos and thrilling so- lemnity in his manner, which made men feel that he was gifted from on High, and spoke the' language of inspira- tion. On three different occasions of Public Fasting, in conse- quence of long continued drought, he was called'at Bridge- water to perform the public services. There is a traditton among the descendants of the eminent preacher hi that place, that every time he came he went home with a wet coat. Other instances might be cited in proof of the reputa- tion which Doctor Fobes had acquired in this difficult part of a minister's official duty. Eut in a Hmited sketch like this, those already mentioned must suffice. It is just to remark here that in estimating his power over an audience m public devotion, we must remember there prevailed then among the people much more than now, a profound rever- ence for the office which he held. Men believed more easHy than now that a minister may be aided by supernat- ural influence. There was more faith in the efficacy of prayer. All this was favorable to effect. Doctor Fobes knew this, and he justly availed himself of the advantage which it afforded. In his time and in the" days of Whit- field, the same degree of eloquence in the pulpit, would produce much more effect probably, than it could now. ^ It often happens that when a minister excels in the pul- pit, he is found deficient out of it, in the parochial duties. But it was not so with Doctor Fobes. These duties re- ceived as much of his attention in proportion to their 226 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. importance^ as any other belonging to the ojffice. His at- tention to the sick was affectionate and devoted. His conversation and prayers with them were earnest, comfort- ing, and frequently produced impressions and awakened resolutions which did not pass away with their sickness, but were diligently cherished and strengthened after their recovery. His general visits were free from formality, accompanied always with such a manner as to make the people feel easy, and strip them of restraint while in his presence. His conversations were instructive, and cheer- ful without being frivolous. He possessed a peculiar tact for miiting and harmoniz- ing a discordant people. I mention this as being a trait in the man, not as insinuating that the society over which he was settled, had ever imbibed to any remarkable de- gree, the turbulent spirit of discord. If the seeds of any difficulty had been sown, and sprung up in any quarter, and shot their roots deep and wide, yet he had the gift of eradicating them with such a gentle hand as not to dis- turb the soil of the flourishing vineyard on which he labor- ed. He hushed a complaint before it run round a neigh- borhood. If we were to speak more particularly of the causes of his ministerial success, we should refer to his social spirit as among the most prominent ones. He was eminently familiar with all. He was ever ready to con- verse with the parishioner whether he met him at the fire- side, or in the shop, on the field or in the street. The most inconsiderable member of his parish could never meet him without having the important sentiment of self-respect and the S})irit of laudable ambition excited by some en- couraging word which the minister had dropped in his ear in passing. He possessed the faculty of adapting himself PERES FOBES. 227 to every variety of character. His resources of conver- sation constituted a common fund of information, facts, anecdotes, and ideas from whicli all his flock, of whatever standing or occupation, might always derive something that was pleasing and suitable to their case. Cheerful without levity, he would more generally have an agreeable story to illustrate some topic of conversation, and in such a manner as to enliven the dullness of the unsocial circle. Where he was, something would be said that might be remembered to advantage. Serious without austerity, he would never allow his familiar good humor to overstep the rules of that sober deportment, the absence of which is wholly uncongenial with the ministerial office. Penetrated and actuated by the true spirit of the Gospel, the rich and the influential of his Flock, never received more of his time, attention and regards than the poorest and the hum- blest members of it. His familiarity was not limited to any portion of his parish, but extended to its most obscure corners. His parochial visits, I am told, did not general- ly average more than two a year to each family. Yet this number of visits, at a time when his society contained probably more than one hundred and fifty families, must have been a great labor and occupied a large portion of time. His versatility of talent in conversation, gave him the happy faculty of adapting himself to persons of every description of temperament, disposition, age and occupa- tion. To the man of refined taste and extensive reading, and to the man of humbler capacity and limited attain- ments, he was eqaally interesting. He could so variate and change his subject and manner as to satisfy the wants and taste of the mechanic in his shop, or the ploughman in his field, or the scholar in liis study. This social spirit. 228 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. possessing such facility of adaptation, not only rendered him useful out of the pulpit in the way of his profession, but an agreeable companion, and secured to him the re- spect, the friendship and affection of his people. If there be any thmg, which can make a people united, harmonious and happy in the one whom they have chosen to minister at the sacred altar, it is their affectionate regard for him as a neighbor, as a friend and companion. This perpetu- ally operates as a strong bond binding tliem to Mm^ and him to them. It disposes them to overlook and excuse faults in his preaching, and pecuHarities in his character, which otherwise would occasion disgust and dissatisfaction, obstruct his usefulness, and terminate in his dismission. We may say therefore with great assurance, that the deep hold which Doctor Fobes secured upon the affections of his people by means of his familiar and social spirit out of the pulpit, was the most obvious and prominent cause of that distinguished success which attended his protract- ed ministry. While he was faithful to his duties as a minister, he was ardently engaged in the cause of education and of science. He made his study a school to prepare young men for the ministry. He seemed to possess a peculiar power of im- buing minds whose studies were under his direction with his own ardent spirit, and inspiring them with enthusiasm in their profession. Amid his many avocations, he found time to investigate the higher departments of science. It would be unjust to omit mentioning the interest with which he turned his at- tention to experimental Philosophy. Following the dic- tates of his taste for the sciences, he procured the Air Pump, the Electrical Machine, and a valuable Philosophi- PERES FOBES. 229 cal Apparatus. Among his unfinished manuscripts -we find the outhnes of courses of lectures on the different branches of Natural Philosophy. Astronomy was his favorite study. He devoted to it a large part of his leisure hours. He constructed an Orrery, illustrating the motions of the heavenly bodies in a manner that attracted much attention, and greatly interested the friends of science. Botany also engaged his attention. He formed and cultivated a small Botanical Garden. He interested him- self in finding flowers belonging to the different Classes, with the characteristics of which he had familiarized his mmd. He delighted to stroll over the fields for this pur- pose, and in this way he took much of his exercise. But however much attention his love of science prompted him to devote to it, all his acquisitions in it were made subser- vient to his usefulness as a minister of Christ. He never lost sight of this as the great calling to which he had early dedicated his powers. If he studied Astronomy, it was that he might acquire information to communicate to oth- ers in his daily conversation, and derive from it new illus- trations to bring the truths of the Gospel to bear with more power upon the heart. If, in his rural walks he roved the fields to verify the prineiples of Botany, it was that he might draAV fresh lessons of Divine Goodness from the flowers of the wayside, to add ardor to his own piety and love to God, and in his preaching to inspire others w^ith the same ennobling sentiment. Thus in all his stud- ies and investigations, he kept steadily in view the inter- ests of his sacred profession, and made tliem tributary to this as the chief end of his life. In all his fondness for 20 230 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. the sciences, he seemed " determined not to know anything among men save Jesus Christ and Him crucified." I trust that the sketch, which follows, many not bo deemed out of place, proceeding, as it does, from the pen of a son-in-law of Doctor Fobes, the late venerable Sim- eon Doggett, of Raynham, and touching upon points for the most part omitted in the preceding narrative. ''The Rev. Peres Fobes, ll. d., w^as born in Bridgewa- ter, September 21, 1742. Blessed with worthy and chris- tian parents and a religious education, he early showed a disposition congenial to piety, and the fostering aids of Divine grace. When quite a youth, as appears m a short diary which he kept in the early part of his life, he sol- emnly and repeatedly dedicated himself to Almighty God. While that piety which glowed brilliantly through life be- gan early to dawn, not less early was begun his literary career. So forward, prompt and manly was his literature, that at the early age of thirteen, he was intrusted with the school of his own neighborhood. Though much im- peded in his literary progress through want of health, he received his first degree at Harvard University in 1762. In 176- he was approbated to preach the blessed Gospel, to which his pious heart had long been aspiring : and on the 19th of November, 1766, Avas ordained a minister of Christ to the church and society of Raynham. Here he continued a burning and shining light until the year 1812, when on the 23d of February, death closed the scene. National independence and civil liberty being ever near his heart, in 1777, times which tried men's souls, forget- ting his great bodily weaknesses, he volunteered as a chap- lain, in the armies of his country. In 1786, Doctor Man- ning, then President of Brown University, being elected PERES FOBES. 231 Representative to the American Congress, in the interim of his absence, Doctor Fobes was, by the Honorable Cor- poration, called to its Presidency. Discharging the ardu- ous duties of this station -with usefulness and honor, he was in the succeeding year, chosen a Professor of Exper- imental Philosophy in that University. In this Professor- ship, then in its infancy, without funds to support it, with an apparatus much of his own construction, he, for a course of years, rendered useful instruction and highly important services to the Institution. In 1787 he was chosen to its Fellowship, and in 1792 received its highest honors. Ever engaged in the cause of literature and the improvements of the rising generation, in 1796 he was called to the over- sight of Bristol Academy, in the prosperity of which In- stitution he took a deep interest ; and while his health permitted, his presence and addresses, on its Quarterly Examinations, added increased respectability to its Hon- orable Board of Trustees, and animation and renewed energy to its literary exertions. In 17 — he was chosen a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Neither were his exertions in the cause of literature wholly exhausted abroad. Soon after his settlement in the ministry, he opened a school for young gentlemen, in his own house, and many who now are acting honorable parts on the theatre of life, with respectful gratitude rec- ognize him as a kind and skillful preceptor. Here also candidates were indoctrinated into the sublime truths of Theology; many of whom, clad in his mantle, have be- come able ministers of the new and everlasting covenant of Grace. Ever devoted to the people of his charge, the education of their youth presented another rich field for the exertion of his literary and philanthropic energies. 232 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. The schools of Raynham under his patronage and inspec- tion were, for years, an example for the county, and bear an honorable testimonial to the public of the vast impor- tance of a learned clergy to our country.* While he shone as a star of distinguished magnitude and lustre in the hemisphere of letters, it was m the minis- try, for which he seemed peculiarly formed, that his prime excellencies were displayed. Receiving and studying the Bible as the Oracles of God, from this living and blessed fountain he drew the doctrines of his religion, and the rules of his morality. Founded on Christ and his Apos- tles, so happily did he blend in his creed the excellencies of Calvin and Arminius, that he seemed a friend to both. While a friend to experimental religion, he stood aloof from superstition and enthusiasm. Though an acute met- aphysician and learned theologian, yet knowing the gospel to be designed for all, plain, practical, evangelical discour- ses were his chief aim. Eew preachers had higher pre- tensions to pulpit oratory than Doctor Fobes. He was logical in system, though not formal, and his sentences were simple, perspicuous, pithy, and often elegant. His thoughts lively, striking, and frequently sublime. His imagination winged and chastened by devotion was rapid, towering and inventive. With a voice soft and sonorous, his elocution was flowing, commanding and truly impres- sive. But it was in his prayers, that the whole soul of the good man shone forth. With a mind fraught with the great truths of our holy religion, and a heart warmed with * Rev. ]Mr. Carver, present Pastor of the church in Raynham remarks : '•He took a great interest in education, and succeeded, I am told, in in- fusing- a portion of his own interest into the minds of the youth. It is said, the scliools in this town during Doctor Fohes' ministry, and prin- cipally by his agency, were of a higher order than iu the adjacent towns." PERES FOBES. 233 piety, as ever he approached the throne of grace, all his faculties seemed, at once, to be wrapt into their siiblimest exercise. While he poured out his soul to God, his hear- ers were constrained to kindle and to adore. While his excellencies were displayed in the pulpit, he was peculiar- ly attentive to all the duties of parochial life. He was in- stant in season and out of season. His intercourse and conversation easy and famihar, were instructive and pleas- ing to all. His frequent visits and prayers cheered the gloomy chamber of sickness, soothed the pillow of death, and were a choice balm to the bereaved heart. The works* of Doctor Fobes, given to the public from the press are numerous sermons, delivered upon various and some most important occasions. But that especially to be particularised is his Scripture Catechism. f The * The following list was prepared by William R. Deane : I. Sermon at Providence, R. L, July 31. 1791, occasioned by the death of Rev. James Manning, d. d., 8 vo. Providence. II. Sermon at Pembroke, Mass., January 26, 1803, at the ordination of George Barstow, 8 vo. Boston, 1803. III. Election Sermon, 8 vo. Boston 1795. IV. History of Raynham, 1794, (Mass. Hist. Coll. in.) V. Sermon to young men, 1794. VI. Sermon at the Execution of John Dixon at Taunton, 1784. VII. " A Scripture Catechism, or system of Religious instruction in the words of Scripture, adapted to the use of schools and families." Cambridge, 1804. VIII. "An Abridgement ofDr. Eobes' Scripture Catechism, revised by an Association of Ministers, and designed for the childi'en of their respective societies," Cambridge, 1809. (Probably some others which I have not seen. W. R. D.) t Concerning this two-fold work, Rev. T. P. Doggettthus remarks: "Dr. Fobes' larger and smaller catechisms are works of much merit and originality. With a little alteration, it is believed that no books now used to impart religious instruction in our Sabbath Schools, would be superior to these, although written many years before these Institu- tions were known. The writer of this notice has heard that men of dis- criminating minds have remarked, that the larger Catechism throws more liglit upon the comprehensiveness of the Ten Commandments than any Avork they ever read of the same size. It shows with great acute- ness and ingenuity that these commandments, though few and brief, em- brace the whole of human duty. It shows that they have a deep, inter- 20* 234 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. happy design and vast importance of this work constitute it a rich legacy of a faithful minister to every family. As a social friend Doctor Fobes was peculiarly happy. Few men possessed more eminent colloquial talent. He was always ready for an interchange of soul with his liter- ary and rehgious friends. In domestic life, where the character is more unveiled, his worth also appeared. With a high sense of order, he was the indulgent husband and the affectionate and kind parent. Unembarrassed with the cares of the world, study and religion were the prime objects of his domestic hours. Nothing could interrupt his stated times of devo- tion. Regular as the morning and evening sun, from his little family and closet his prayers ascended as incense to the throne of Grace. As religion shone in his life, it was his peculiar support in a painful sickness and death. He settled his temporal concerns, and set his house in order to meet death, with much calmness and fortitude. So violent and distressing were his disorders, that his mind gradually weakened with his body ; yet lucid moments would succeed which he of- ten improved by religious remarks. Upon one of these occasions, though he had practiced so well, he, with much humility lamented the defects and short-comings of hia religious life, and placed his hope of salvation upon the infinite mercy of God, through the great Mediator : Upon another, he expressed the immense obligations of gratitude we were under for the hope of eternal life, promised in the Gospel. At another time, a friend said to him, she trusted nal meaning which is not apparent to the mind at first view. The much beloved Dr. Sanger of Bridgewater, was accustomed to say that it wa3 so suggestive and ricli in religiouB tliought, that wlien he wished for top- ics on which to discourse, it ucvcr failed to furnish him." PERES FOBES. 235 there was a rest for him. He replied with his usual pathos and animation, that he had no doubt that there was a rest remaining for the people of God. Though life to him had many ties, in view of that rest, he met his fate with res- ignation and Christian fortitude. Help, Lord, for the Godly man ceaseth, for the faithful fail from among the children of men." I have several MSS. sermons, and printed productions of Doctor Fobes in my possession, but must content myself with a few selections from " a sermon, the substance of which was dehvered at Taunton, Nov. 11, 1784, upon the dsij of the execution of John Dixon, for burglary, setat. 24, with an appendix on the nature and enormity of bur- glary, and a sketch of Dixon's life." Luke, xxiii. 42, 43. ''AndJie said unto Jesus, Lord i^ememher me when tliou earnest into thy Kingdom ; and Jesus said unto lunij verily I say unto you, to Day shalt thou he ivith me in Paradise.''^ IN this pitiable object, who stands before us, we behold, at once, an instance of the folly and wickedness of hu- man nature, and a moving spectacle of wonder and horror, ' to the world, to angels, and to men.' He is one of our kindred race, who, for a capital crime, has lately received, from an earthly tribunal, a sentence of death, which is this day to be carried into final, fatal execution upon liim. 236 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. This is the tragical scene, and most solemn occasion, which have brought together this numerous assembly. the day, the critical day, is come ! the decisive hour is at hand, which must end a mortal life, and fix an immortal soul in heaven or hell ! before this sun goes down, his body, now vigorous and active, will be a lifeless ghastly corpse, coffined and buried, deep down among the sheeted dead, while his ever-existmg soul, like the dying miser's in the gospel, ' this night,' yea, before night, ' will be required of him,' and sent into the world of spirits, to smile or mourn forever. To this poor prisoner, therefore, if not to some of us, it is beyond all doubt, that this is the last opportu- nity for public worship ; and the only message from the gospel of peace, which he will ever hear in this world. And may he so hear that his soul shall live ! for this, ' God forbid that any of us should cease to pray,' until he ceases to breathe — let every heart in this great audience, be lifted up to heaven, in fervent, united prayer to the 'Pather of Mercies,' that the same 'exceeding abundant grace,' which was once so gloriously magnified, and most triumphantly displayed, in pardoning a penitent thief, may this day reach and conquer the heart of this malefactor. Oh that the divine Philanthropist, the inimitable original of all love and compassion to our guilty race, who once spoke from his own cross, the merciful words recorded in the text, to a dying criminal, would again speak, ' as the Lord from Heaven,' to another, and ' say unto him, this day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.' The preacher proposes to 1st. Describe the character of this dying thief, as a real penitent. 2. Consider the promise our Lord made to him as such. FOBES' SERMON IN 1784. 237 3. Apply the subject to ourselves and to this criminal in particular. We have room only for the application of the subject to the prisoner. '' Unhappy young man, how disappointed in your expec- tations, how wretched and forlorn is your condition! ' Have pity, have pity upon you, my God, and look down from thy sanctuary to hear the groaning of the prisoner.' Time ! your appointed time on earth is come, and die you must, in all the bloom and vigor of youth, with breasts full of milk and your bones moistened with marrow. This day, which to you is the last of days, will form the important crisis that must determine your happiness or misery for ever. To day 3^ou must appear before the judgment seat of Christ; on the brink of the grave, on the verge of vast eternity you now stand ; and after a few flying minutes more, you will know beyond a doubt, that there is a God, a heaven and an hell. Behold the numerous guard* about you, the executioners of justice await your doom, the in- struments and appendages of death are in sight, a coffin and a grave for you are open, a prisoner in chains, and you cannot escape ; this, ah, all this, have you merited at the hands of your injured country, by the laws of which your mortal life is forfeited, and now demanded as the sac- rifice ; condemned also you are by the laws of God, which extend to the thoughts and intents of the heart. The wages of sin is death ; ' the soul that sinneth, it shall die,' =* A guard of one hundred and thirty men were ordered to attend tho execution. This added to government a dignity, as well as security, wliich the Sheriff exemplified in his own person, witli honour and ap- plause, refusing a mercenaiy executioner, offered him for a mere pit- tance, he claimed the office as a part of his duty, and a proof of his fidelity in it, and with an amiable mixture of soft compassion and dig- nity he executed the criminal with his own hands. 238 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. and ^ cursed is every one who continueth not in all things written in the book of the law to do them'; this is the law, with its tremendous sanctions and curses; and these all await you, as a transgressor of it — offending in one point, you are guilty of all, and all heaven and earth will sooner pass away than one jot or tittle of it fail. The tenor of this law therefore, none can alter, the tone of vengeance you cannot soften, a God all mercy, and too indulgent to punish the wicked, can never be found ; ' whose heart can endure, or whose hands be strong,' when the sentence of this righteous law shall be executed — was the sentence of an earthly judge lately pronounced, with the meltings of compassion, and the flowing of tears, ordering you to be hanged by the neck till you arc dead; — was this- ter- rible to you, how much more so must it be to hear your almighty Judge in righteous anger pronounce that unal- terable sentence, ' depart ye cursed into everlasting fire.' Is this then your doom and just desert ? Are your day and means of grace just expiring ? Have you but a few min- utes more to make your peace with an injured neglected God, and to be made ' worthy to escape all these things, and to stand before the Son of Man?' Is this your case? In the name of God ! what can be done ? What shall I do to be saved ? Is this your heart ? Are you in earnest ? In earnest then, and in the language of Inspiration, I most gladly say, ' believe on the Lord Jesus Christ ; if thou be- lie vest with all thine heart thou shalt be saved,' though in point of justice you deserve ' to be punished with everlast- ing destruction ;' Jesus is the end of the law for righteous- ness ; ho died to redeem us from the curse of the law ; ' he was numbered with the transgressors,' with thieves in his death, that penitent thieves and transgressors might be rOBES' SERMON IN 1784. 239 pardoned ; he died for the ungodly, says an inspired apos- tle ; he died for the unjust, says another ; he came to seek and save that which was lost, says our Lord ; and it is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ came into the world to save sinners, even the chief of them, says the apostle. Now are you ungodly, are you unjust, are you a lost sinner, or even the chief of sinners ; then for you he died, such as these he will save, save even to the uttermost, if they will come unto God by him ; his blood cleanseth from all sin ; even though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow ; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool, saith the Lord. Here is the door of hope, this is the door of mercy, and this the fountain to which the soft voice of invitation calls you, say- ing, come wash and be clean, turn and hve, repent and be happy ; whoever will, let him come, and him that cometh I will in no wise cast out. I beseech you therefore, Dixon, by all that your soul is worth through eternity, and by ' the price of blood, the blood of God,' shed for its re- demption, that you immediately hear the joyful sound, and instantly give your whole heart's consent to the blessed covenant of gospel grace. Now compose your mind, and make a pause, one solemn, contemplative pause, and look back, once more upon your wretched life (before it trans- pires) and think, with bitter sorrow, and remorse of heart, think how you have lived, what you have done, how you have treated the great God, his holy Spirit and blessed Son; think how you have injured your fellow-men, sinned against the light of reason, of revelation, and conscience, and thus wronged your own soul. Then look within, and you will find, you will feel, if not past feeling, a most vile heart, ' out of which have proceeded evil thoughts, bias- 2-iO THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. pliemies, thefts, &c.' Take one more survey of this heart, and then ' repent and pray to God, if perhaps the thoughts of thy heart, and the sins of thy whole hfc may be both forgiven thee.' I say unto you, '-what thou doest, do quickly ;' your feet stand on slippery places, now is your time, now or never, 'now is the accepted time,' now is the day, and to you the last, the only day of salvation ; to day therefore, while it is called to day, harden not your heart. Dixon, you still breathe, your heart and your pulse yet beat, and the vital current moves, and blessed be God the curse delays, the warning voice is heard, ' you are a pris- oner of hope ;' turn, turn to the strong hold, for why will you die, young man. In fine, justify God, condemn yourself, prostrate your guilty soul at the foot of the cross ; look up there, and plead the merit and the application of that all-virtuous blood which once pardoned a penitent thief, who died upon it, and is infinitely sufiicient to par- don and save even you ; and having ascended the place of your execution, then rouse, collect and fix all your thoughts, and breathe out all your soul, in faith, repentance and prayer, saying, ' Lord Jesus, remember me in thy kingdom,* God be merciful to me a dying sinner. Farewell, poor John Dixon, and the Lord have mercy on you ; to day may you be with Christ in Paradise ; amen, and 'let all the people say, amen.'' To this very numerous assembly I will now turn the ad- dress, and close my subject. Who can look around upon the numbers of all ranks, ages, sexes and complexions here present, and think of the transactions of this day, and not be reminded of that infinitely more solemn ' day in which God will judge the world in righteousness, by Jesus Christ.' Then, my friends, and perliaps never be- FOBES' SERMON IN 1784. 241 fore, shall we meet again, not merely as spectators, but as personally and deeply interested in all the momentous scenes and decisions that will then take plkce. The apos- tle's wish for his friend, is mine for you and myself; Hhe Lord grant we may all find mercy of him in that day.' To this desirable end, may the public instructions and warnings of this day be improved, in particular that ex- emplary instance of justice upon the prisoner before us, which is this day under providence set up at the head of this county as a waryiing j-^iece, let off, (as I may say,) from a cannon of our own making, a salutary law of this Commonwealth, and which speaks aloud in the ears as well as to the eyes of all that can see or hear, crying from the earth, like the blood of murdered Abel, for the life of this and other malefactors. Let all take warning, and while they see and hear, may they fear and do no more so wickedly ; ' let him that stole, steal no more, but rather let him labour with his hands the thing which is good.' Then may this stand alone, and for the last, as it is at present the second instance of a capital execution, and the first for burglary, since this was a shire-town — youth, as well as parents, are particularly concerned in the admoni- tions of this day. 1. Here is a most affecting instance, my young friends, before your eyes of a vicious youth, under the age of twenty-four years, brought to a disgraceful, untimely death, by the vindictive hand of public justice ; and it is at once a warning to you, and a proof that God's own words are words of truth. Look on this criminal, and be- lieve that ' he w^ho pursueth evil, pursueth it to his own death,' and that wicked men shall not live out half their days ; believe also that he who being often reproved hard- 21 242 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. eneth his neck, sliall himself suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy ; hearken then to the voice of a re- proof from your parents and friends, from the word and providence of God ; take heed to your ways, shun the vi- ces and paths of the destroyer ; ' flee youthful lusts which war against the soul,- and wound to death your own repu- tation and the bleeding hearts of your tender parents ; be- ware, especially beware of gaming, and that intemperate use of spirituous liquors to which this ill-fated youth was so infamously addicted, and which, by the confession of his own mouth, had the principal hand in bringing him to this miserable end. This is indeed a sore evil under the sun, and it is now common among men ; like a pestilence, ' it walketh in darkness and wasteth at noon day !' A most pernicious evil, full of deadly poison to the manners and morals of youth ; a detestable Pandora's box, whence issue whole swarms of plagues, more numerous and fatal than those of Egypt, to sting and disturb mankind in all their peace of society, both in towns and families ; yea, it now threatens Avith one mingled mass of ruin, the health and happiness, the lives, fortunes and souls of the most prom- ising part of God's creation : ' Who hath woe ? Who hath sorrow ? Who hath contentions ? Who hath babbling ? Who hath wounds, with and without a cause ? Who hath red- ness of eyes V Who are poor, and steal, and take the name of the Lord in vain ? Who break up houses, commit murder, are confined to prisons, loaded with irons, and die upon the gallows ? ' They that tarry long at the wine, they that go to seek mixt wine, and are mighty to drink strong drink.' This execution alas ! will make the third in this county, occasioned by spirituous liquors ; two men in a fit of intoxication committed murder, and suffered the FOBES' SERMON IN 1784. 243 pains of death, at Bristol, upwards of seventy-five years ago ; these were Indians, and would to God that human nature might never again be so brutalized and rankly dis- graced by any but Indians alone. Could I speak in thun- der, and my voice be heard from pole to pole, it should be the friendly voice of warning to young men, entreating them, by every thing that is dear and valuable, to shun the company and the haunts of tipplers and gamblers ; ' come not nigh the door of the house, avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it and pass away.' 2. This example, of condign punishment speaks aloud and home to parents and all who are entrusted with the care and education of children. 'Next to intemperance, as a cause, this malefactor ascribes his licentious hfe and ignominious death to the want of proper restraint in 3"outh ; left to the care of a mother when young, he had, like too many others, his own way and will without control. His parent we are told is yet alive, if a parent can live who has ' travailed in birth and drawn out the breasts ' to such a son ! Can words express the feelings of a parent's heart on such an occasion ; put your soul in her soul's stead this day, and imagine for once, you who are parents, if the thought is not insupportable, that this was your own son! a son w^ho had 'made himself vile, and you restrained him not,' a son, whose education, whose morals and immortal soul you had neglected, and now is trembling in chains, with the strangling noose about his neck, and ' made a gazing stock ' to thousands around him — at length you follow him to the place of execution ; there stand the father W"ho begat him, and the mother who bore him, beholding their son writhing in the agonies of death, and they for him, in agonies as great of living distress ; how they 244 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. wring their hands, and almost gnaw their tongues, while they crj, ^ mj son, my son, would to God I might die for thee, my son, my son,' I am the criminal, and I the guilty thief; ' his blood be upon us, and not upon our child;' we are the faulty cause ; our cruel neglect of time- ly instructions, a good example, and the rod of correction, have murdered our son ! The Bible and experience both told us to traui him up in the way he should go, and that when he was old he would not depart ; we Avere command- ed to beat him Avith a rod, and not spare for his crying, with a promise that he should not die an untimely death, and that Ave should dehA^er his soul from hell ; but Oh ! * AYC are guilty, ' A^erily guilty, concerning our son, and therefore is this distress come upon us,' as a just punish- ment of our folly as well as his OAvn ; go noAV and write him a monster! pronounce that heart 'an heart of stone, which is not melted and moved out of its place ;' CA^en in sympathy AA^ith such pungent parental distress ; and may both the sleeping and Avaking hours of that parent, be per- petually haunted Avith all the tragical operations of this day, Avho can after all go home, and neglect the education of his OAvn children ; yea, let him take his rank in future Avith ' the cruel ostrich in the Avilderness,' because he is hardened against his young, as though they Avere not his OAvn. 3. This public example of justice adds to the proof, al- ready large, of the existence and Avisdom of a special proA^- idence : ' Verily there is a God that judgeth in the heav- ens and in the earth.' To deter men from vice, the Deity has mercifully mingled pain and punishment with the very nature and perpetration of it ; if Ave look Avithin Ave shall find, wo shall feci a demonstration of this. Envy and FOBES' SERMON IN 1784. 245 malice, rancor and revenge, &c., are ^a generation of vi- pers ' in the soul, perpetually stinging and gnawing upon It; jea, they create in that bosom, which is their nest, a little domestic hell, 'tvhere the ivorm' of envj ' dieth not, and the fire ' of malice <- is not quenched: Vices torment the soul, however, not merely from their nature, and when separately indulged, but from their number and combina- tion. So numerous, and so contrary, in their desires and separate interests, that they raise a kind of civil war with- in; for while one lust is gratified, another is displeased; while the man humours and feeds his covetousness, he is obliged to starve luxury and affront his pride ; and even should ' Beelzebub cast out devils,' or one predominant mas- ter lust conquer a number of its inferiors, there would be even in this infernal conquest an opposition, which must create pain and vexation. But if to the misery which is entailed on vice, in its nature and in their jaring numbers, we add that which both attends and follows vicious actions,' we shall still have a greater proof of the wisdom and good- ness of divine providence, by which it is evidently decreed, that bold transgressors shall not only be punished in this world, but in numberless instances shall in fact be punish- ed according to the laws of a strict retaliation. I have seen (says Eliphaz) that they who plow iniquity and sow wickedness reap the same; his mischief (says the Psalm- ist) shall return upon his own head, and his violent deal- ings shall come down upon his own pate; and even after conscience hath long slept, and no human justice could pursue the criminal, his own iniquity has at last found him out, and by some remarkable incident in providence brought him to deserved punishment. In this view it is worthy'^of observation, that soon after the commitment of this prison- 21* 246 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. er to the goal in this town, he was providentially discover- ed late in the night upon the point of an escape from this, as he had before done from every other prison he had been confined to ; this alarmed the sherift', who knowing and la- menting the enfeebled state of the gaol, thought it unsafe to risque a second attempt, and therefore appointed him a guard ; and to this single circumstance, however trifling or accidental it may appear, must be ascribed under provi- dence, the menK)rable event of this day. Rather than wicked men should go unpunished, by any neglect of gov- ernment, all-wise providence will take occasion from that neglect, and make a superannuated gaol the very means of their execution. ' The weakness of God is stronger than men,' and ever will be too strong for the guilty to escape. Let us, especially of this county, notice a providence so friendly to government, and remember that this in full can- not be done until the new proposed gaol shall be complet- ed, with every needful precaution of strength and security. Finally, When we look at this unliappy criminal, and think what would the poor wretch give that he were in our condition : Let none of us indulge, or nourish in our hearts the pride of the Pharisee, or even so much as think, in a way of boasting, what he spoke with his mouth, ' God I thank thee, that I am not as other men, or even as this malefac- tor ;' when perhaps the principal distinction between him and numbers here present may be nothing more than the gilding of a coffin or the paint of a sepulchre ; and even of some others, the difference may consist only in this, that he is detected and condemned, but they as yet are con- cealed from human eye, while in the eye of God omnis- cient, both they and we and ' all have sinned, and come STEPHEN HULL. ENOCH SANFORD. 247 short of his glory/ Condemned therefore by the same law, guilty before the same God, we are all the prisoners of divine justice, and equally need repentance and pardoning mercy, through the blood of the same atonement. ' Ex- cept ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish ;* repent there- fore, let us all, and ' be converted, that we may have re- demption through the blood of Christ, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace ; and receive in the end the riches of the glory of the inheritance, in his everlasting kingdom.' Amen." Rev. Stephen Hull succeeded Doctor Fobes in the ministry of Raynham. He had a previous settlement in Amesbury of this State, and was installed* in Raynham, September 9, 1812, about seven months after the decease of his predecessor. He continued Pastor till May 1, 1823, when, on his own request, he was dismissed. He after- wards preached at Carlisle. During Mr. Hull's ministry of nearly eleven years, fifty-two persons were received to the church. In 1820, there was an unusual religious in- terest, and not far from forty united with the People of God. Rev. Enoch Sanford succeeded Mr. Hull, and was the fourth minister of Raynham. His ordination took place October 2, 1823. Mr. Sanford was a native of Berkley, in 1795, a graduate of Brown University in 1820, w^here he was called to be Tutor, at the same time with Hon. Horace Mann, a graduate of the preceding =* Rev. Elias Hull of Seabrook, N. H., offered the Introductory Prayer ; Rev. Mr. Milton of Newbury, preached the sermon; Rev. Doctor Sanger of Bridgewater, gave the Charge ; Rev. Mr. Barker of Middle- boro', offered the Consecrating Prayer ; Rev. Mr. Gurney of Middlebo- ro', gave the Right Hand of Pellowship ; Rev. Doctor Reed of Bridge- water, offered the Concluding Prayer. 248 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTOX. year. Mr. Sanford retained the Pastoral office in Rayn- ham, till 1847, since which time, he has officiated at Hali- fax and North Raynham. Rev. Robert Cahver succeeded Mr. Sanford and is the present Pastor. Mr. Carver was born in Taunton, graduated at Yale, in 1833, was settled for a time in Ber- lin, Mass., and afterwards installed in Raynham, Decem- ber 1, 1847. Calvinistic Baiotist Church. Doctor Fobes stated in 1798, (in his Topographical de- scription of Raynham,) that "nearly one third part of the two hundred families" then in Raynham were '' of the Baptist denomination." They held their meetings at first in private houses. They now have a neat place of wor- ship in the south-easterly part of the town, bordering on Middleboro'. Elder Briggs, who died not long since in a good old age, in Middleboro', preached for many years to this people. They have now no settled minister among them. The Second Congregational Church. This was formed during the ministry of Rev. Mr. San- ford, in April, 1828 ; when twenty-five individuals con- nected with the original church, withdrew, and established a separate meeting. With the exception of occasional supplies from other sources, this church and society enjoyed the Pastoral labor of Rev. Simeon Doggett,* son-in-law of Doctor Fobes, * Mr. Deane has traced the descent of his father-in-law as follows: — Thomas Dop^i^ett was at Marslificld in 1654; married 17 May, 1654, to Joan Chillingworth, widow of Thomas Chillingworth, and died Sep- tember, 1692. He left children : Rebeckah, born 29 July, 1655, Samuel, SIMEON DOGGETT. 249 until their suspension of stated public worship some two or three years since. Rev. Mr. Dogget Avas the first Prin- cipal of Bristol Academy. He delivered the address at its dedication and opening, the 18th day of July, 1796, which was requested for the press through a Committee of the Trustees, consisting of Mr. Joseph Tisdale, Apollo3 Leonard, Esq., Doctor Peres Fobes, James Williams, Esq., and Hon. Seth Padelford. It was printed the year follow- ing by J. Spooner of New-Bedford, and is a discourse on education well worthy of publication. Mr. Doggett died March 20, 1852, aged eighty-seven years and fourteen days. Union Meeting. This is held in ?. small chapel erected by the Old Col- ony Iron Comp-.^rr, on the Rajuham side of the river, at Squawbetty. '^^"p^as consecrated by ministers of different denominations about ten years ago, and has been open for religious services of various kinds most of the time since. There is an interesting Sabbath School connected with the meeting. who lived in Scituate many years, whose posterity settled in Boston, and John, the father of Thomas and Hannah. Hannah died without issue. Thomas, who lived in Marshficld, had children, John ar|d Thom- as. John died without issue. Thomas married Joanna Fuller, moved to Middlehoro' in 1742; became a respectable farmer, had six sons and two daughters. Of these, Simeon, born January 7, 1738, married a Pratt, and had children, Elkanah, Avho died ajt. 28 ; Abigail, Avho mar- ried a Weston, of Middleboro' ; Thomas, who married Phebe Dean, of Taunton; and Simeon, who married Nuncy Fobes, of Raynham. 250 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. CHAPTER IX CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF BERKLEY. Berkley* became a distinct tovmf in 1735, having been like Raynham, a part of the original purchase in 1637, although a portion of it belonged to the South Purchase, and had been included in Dighton, up to the time of its becoming a separate township. A church was organized in Berkley Nov. 2, 1737. " The Council convened for the purpoi, ^ was composed of the Rev. Nathaniel Fisher, Rev. Benj: "n Ruggles, and Rev. Thomas Clap, with their delegates. It then consist- ed of eighteen (forty-nine) members. "J * Whether the town was named in honor of the distinouished Bishop Berkley I am unable to say. When we remember that the residence of the Bishop, when in this countr3^ was at Newport, R. I., a town not far removed, and that his fame as a liberal, high-minded man — the patron of learning and religion was then at its zenith, it appears not unlikely that our fathers thought to perpetuate the memory of a man, " willing to relinquish all his preferments, and to dedicate his days to the otfice of instructing American youth," in some such way. Tradition aflfirms, that the author of the " Minute Philosopher" sent the people of Berk- ley an expensive Organ, which they in the simplicity of their worship, respectfully declined accepting. We are also assured, that this same Organ is now in one of the Churches in Newport. t It is stated in the Am. Quart. Reg. ("vol. 12, p. 139,) that by the Act of Incorporation, the town was rcquircd to build a meeting-house and settle a minister. t Richard Storrs Andros, son of Rev. Thomas Andros, communicat- ed the above facts. Rev. L. R. Eastman, now settled in Berkley, made out a catalogue of members in 1847 and reckoned fifty original members. According to the Records of the Church, which have recently passed in- to my hands, there were forty-nine. Their names were as follows : Sam- uel Tobey, Pastor; Elkanah Babbit, Ebcnczer Hathaway, Gcrshom SAMUEL TOBEY. 251 Rev. Samuel Tobey was the first Pastor of the church in Berkley. Born in Sandwich in 1715, he graduated at Cambridge in 1733, and was ordained in Berkley Nov. 23, 1737, the same month with the organization of the church.* His ministry extended to the time of his death, which occurred suddenly Feb. 13, 1781, including a peri- od therefore of nearly forty-four years. Crane, John French, Ebenezer Phillips, John Briggs, Ephraim Allen, Benjamin Leonard, John Hudson, Josiah Babbit, Benjamin Babbit, George Babbit, Daniel Axtell, in number fourteen : Abigail Burt, Mary- Phillips, Mary Jones, Hopcstill Harvey, Hannah French, Experience Myrick, Hopestill Woods, Elizabeth Holloway, Mary Babbit, Sarah Briggs, Abigail Babbit, Dorcas Jones, Hopestill Phillips, Zipporah Allen, Elizabeth Paul, Dorcas Babbit, Waitstill Axtell, Phebe Reed, Jamina Hathaway, Abigail Burt, being in number, twenty — all these belonging before to the churches of Dighton and Taunton. Taken into ye church ye same day, and gathered Avith ye before men- tioned ones ye following persons : Males ; Edward Paull, Adam Jones, Benjamin Paull, Joseph Burt, Samuel Myrick, John Paull, James Phil- lips, Setli Briggs, Benjamin Babbit, Samuel Jones, Isaac Babbit, being in number, eleven — Females ; Ann Briggs, Mary Phillips, Mehitable Babbit, Sarah Darling, being in number, four. The Lord bless them all. All of which being added together make a church of forty-nine persons: 25 males ; 24 females." I have copied these names, as they appear in the catalogue of mem- bers, without regard to alphabetical or family arrangement, that the original might be strictly adhered to. This course has been pursued in previous lists, which I have had occasion to introduce in this work, that I might not, even in the small matter comparatively of collocation, de- viate from the record. Gershom Crane, and Daniel Axtell were ap- pointed Deacons. Although neither Mr. Andros nor Mr. Eastman have stated the number of the original members with perfect accuracy, the records confirm the statement of the former concerning the organization of the church : " November ye 2d, 1737. The church was Embodied by ye Rev'd Mr. Nathaniel Fisher, Benjamin Kuggles, and Thomas Clap with y Delegates." * The Book of Records already referred to, in the hand writing of Mr. Tobey, contains the following entries concerning the call and set- tlement of the first minister of Berkley. "January ye 1st, 173G, I was invited to preach at Berkley, and accordingly came. August ye 3d, 1736, the people of Berkley gave me a call to settle among them, in ye work of ye ministry, offering me two hundred pounds for my settlement, and one hundred for my salary. Sept. ye 1st, ensiling, I met with ye town, and by their adding to their first offer ye contribution money which should be contributed every Sabbath, and stating my salary at silver 26s per oz. I accepted y call. November ye 23, 1737, I was ordained Pas- tor over the church and congregation in B^erkley. The Rev'd Elders 252 THE MINISTRY OF TAUXTON. In the Church Record Book, which appears to have been kept with great fidelity by Mr. Tobej, and unhke those of many other churches has fortunately escaped the ravages of time, are to be found interesting matters per- sonal : " Sept. ye 6th, 1738, I was married to Bathsheba Crocker.* October ye 31, I moved into my House. f Will God speak well of ye House of His servants for a great while to come, and as for me and my Household, we will serve ye Lord. Celia, our first child, born August ye 29th, 1739, on Wednesday, between one and two at night. Samuel, our second child, born August ye 11th, 1741, on Tuesday, about sunset. May ye 28th, 1743, my dear child Samuel died, on Saturday, a little after sun-rising ; oh, that his death might be sanctified unto us, his Parents, for our spiritual good. June ye 5th, 1743, our third child born, on ye first day of ye week, early in ye morning. Baptized ye same day by ye name of Samuel. Sept. ye 25th, 1745, our fourth child born on Wednesday about 8 of ye clock, in ye morning, called Timothy. Nathaniel, our fifth child born August the 17th, 1747, on Monday morning, about 3 of ye clock. Isaac, our sixth child, born July ye 20th, 1749, on Thursday, between seven and eight at night. Enoch, our seventh child, born Sept. yo 2d, 1751, on Monday evening, between eight and nine of assisting: were, Mr. Billings, Mr. Fisher, Mr. Fessenden, and Mr. Wales. Mr. Wales having Prayed, Mr. Fessenden Preached an excellent sermon from these words in the 2d Coloss. 5, Joying and beholding your order ; after which Mr. Billings gave me the Charge, Mr. Fisher ye Bight Hand. All performed to good acceptance." * Buth Tobey, a grand-daughter of the minister, informs mc that her grand-father was one of eleren children, and that his wife was daughter of Timothy Crocker of Barnstable. She was probably related to Bev. Josiah Crocker of Taunton. t His " house " was north-cast of the " Berkley common." The meeting-house was on the south side of the " common.' The first Con- gregational Society are occupying their third house on the same site. SAMUEL TOBEY. 253 ye clock. Aletheia, our eighth child, born March ye 3d, 1754, on ye Sabbath, about 5 of ye clock, p. m. Sept. ye 9th, 1756, my ninth child born on Thursday at about 4 of ye clock in ye afternoon, called Bathsheba. Feb'ry ye 4th, 1759, my tenth child was born about 5 of ye clock on Sabbath morning, called Abigail : Died Nov. 29, 1778. Sept. ye 6th, 1761, my wife was delivered of two sons ; ye first was born about nine of ye clock. Sabbath Day night, ye second about ten of ye clock, viz : Paul and Silas, Nov'br 29th, 1778, Nabby died in ye Twentieth year of her age." Of the above children, Celia mar. Abial Deane of Asso- net Neck. Timothy mar. Mary Hollo way. Nathaniel mar. Abigail, daughter of Stephen Burt of Berkley. Isaac mar. (1) Lydia, daughter of Col. George Williams, (2) Deborah, daughter of Benjamin Williams, Esq.; Enoch mar. Rebecca Littlefield, of Newport, R. I.; Ale- theia mar. Edward Paull of Taunton; Bathsheba mar. Gideon Babbitt of Dighton ; Paul mar. Betsey Parker of Barre, Mass ; Silas died single at Port au Prince, W. I. ; Samuel, the oldest son who lived, mar. Experience Paull of Berkley (according to the record of his father, who performed the service) " Sept. ye 6th, 1768." This son became one of the most eminent and influential citizens of Berkley. He filled many offices of public trust, and was honored with a seat on the Bench of the Court of Common Pleas. He had ten children, viz : Achsah, who married Roger French of Berkley, and is yet living in Barnard, Vt.; Apollos, who married Hannah Crane of Berkley : Ruth, who still lives, and leads a single life ; Betsey, who mar. Tisdale Porter, of Berkley ; Samuel, who died young ; Enoch, who mar. Sally Barnaby of Freetown ; Peddy, 99 254 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. who mar. Thomas Richmond, m. d., of Dighton, whose son Rev. Thomas Richmond is now settled in Medfiehl, Mass. ; Bathsheba, Avho mar. Rev. Abraham Gushe of Dighton ; Rowena, who died single ; Silas, who mar. Betsey, daugh- ter of Dr. Jabez Fuller of Kingston. It is not known that Rev. Mr. Tobej ever committed any production to the press. Nor have we been able to obtain possession of any of his manuscripts. They have probably been destroyed. Rev. Thomas Andros succeeded Mr. Tobey in the pastoral office in Berkley. The following interesting no- tice of Mr. Andros has been furnished me by one of his sons, Richard S. Storrs Andros, Esq. " Thomas Andros, the youngest of three brothers, was born at Norwich, Conn., on the 1st of May, 1769. While he was yet in childhood, his father, who was a merchant, died, leaving his family in comparatively straitened cir- cumstances. His mother, who by this event, had im- posed upon her the responsibility of the rearing and edu- cation of four children, and who seems to have been a woman of more than ordinary strong sense and energy of character, subsequently removed with her charge, to Plain- field, where, and in the vicinity, her immediate relatives and friends resided. Limited as in that da^y were the means of education, — that noblest of all our institutions, the com- mon school, by which the ability to acquire knowledge is now placed within the reach of every New-England child, having then, hardly an existence — it may well be suppos- ed that the subject of this sketch, deficient as he was in pecuniary means, enjoyed in his youth but few advantages of mental cultivation. Indeed, he was early inured to bodily labor, and his younger years were divided between i THOMAS ANDROS. 255 the farm and the Avork-shop. At the breaking out of the Revolutionarj war, m 1775, though but a youth of 16, he was among the first to enrol himself as a soldier in the Continental service, and shortly after joined the Ameri- can Army, then encamped at Cambridge. On the evacu- ation of Boston, he accom^panied the army to New- York, where he was engaged in the battles of Long Island and White Plains. At the expiration of his term of service, he returned to his home in Connecticut. He subsequently, however, entered the service again, and attached to the division sent against Rhode Island under Gen. Sullivan, was engaged in the conflict at Butt's Hill. He also serv- ed in the militia of his native State, at several periods, during the war, when not in the Continental service, until 1781, in which year he enlisted on board a private-armed vessel, fitted out at New-London, and proceeded to sea. His cruise, however, was not a long one. Detailed as one of the crew to take a prize into port, he was captured by an English frigate, and a few days afterwards, he found himself, with his fellow seamen, a prisoner of war, on board the old Jersey prison-ship, in New- York harbor. Here, for some months, he remained, with no prospect but that of death before him. After a confinement of several months, however, he succeeded in a manner singularly providential, in effecting his escape, and after suffering almost incredible hardships and innumerable perils, finally reached the house of his mother. A narrative of this epi- sode in the life of ^Ir. Andros was published by him seve- ral years previous to his death, and to this we refer the reader for a more particular account of his sufferings and dangers. A severe sickness prostrated him for many months after his self-restoration to liberty and home, his 256 THE MINISTRY OW TAUNTON. recovery from which was esteemed by himself and his friends as well nigh miraculous. It was probably this near approach to death, by which the doors of the future world were, as it were, opened wide before him, that fixed his subsequent career, and led him to dedicate the remainder of his life to the work of his Redeemer. As soon as his health had become in a measure restored, he applied him- self to study, and by perseverance and untiring assiduity, with no instruction but such as was occasionally afforded him by some kind and more fortunate friend, he soon ac- quired such an education as enabled him to undertake the instruction of others. Devoting his days to school, and his nights to his own improvement he soon became so far advanced as to enter upon the preparation for his profes- sion. To a profound knowledge of his own language he speedily united a thorough acquaintance with the ancient languages, acquirements which proved of eminent value to him in his after life, in enabling him to eke out the slender support afforded him by his compensation, by the preparation of candidates for the University, whose privi- leges, though not its honors, had been denied to himself. lie at length entered upon the study of Divinity under the care of the Rev. Dr. Benedict, of Plainfield, Conn., a man of enlarged mind and profound piety, of whom he was through life accustomed to speak with the utmost veneration as a Theologian and Christian. Having com- pleted his clerical studies he was invited to accept the pas- toral charge of the church and parish in Berkley, then recently left vacant by the death of the Rev. Samuel Tobey. Accepting the call, he was ordained on the 19th of March, 1788. It was here that his labors as a minis- ter of the Gospel commenced, and it was here, fifty-seven THOMAS ANDROS. 257 years afterwards, that they closed. To give a history of those labors, running year by year, through that long pe- riod, would require more space than the design of this work allows us. For it was not in the pulpit alone that his energies were employed : it was not to the preparation of discourses and parochial visitations only, that his time was devoted. At the date of Mr. Andros' settlement in Berkley, but a single school existed within the limits of the town. He immediately turned his attention to the impor- tant subject of popular education, and by his exertions succeeded in awakenhig an interest in the cause, and im- parting a direction to it, which, it is not too much to say, conferred a general and permanent benefit. Nor did he confine himself to precept in this matter ; he became an in- structor himself, and through the whole course of his long life continued such, laboring with a zeal which would do honor to many a professional teacher, and wdth a fidelity and untiring devotion which many now living, and moving in spheres of usefulness and distinction, can attest, and to which they will cheerfully acknowledge their obhgations. Like many, indeed most, of the country clergy of the last generation, Mr. Andros was obliged to look to sources other and aside from his stipend, for the means of support to himself and family. The salaries of country ministers, now not too liberal, w^ere at the time of his settlement, perhaps by the comparative poverty of the people necessa- rily, restricted within very narrow limits. His annual sti- pend was fixed at £80, and during the whole period of his ministry it was not increased beyond this amount, unless we except a small addition, made near the commencement of the present century, to equalize the relative values of money and commodities, which had become changed as the 22* 258 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. former increased in supply. A part of his support, in consequence, had to be drawn from the cultivation of the soil, and there were few days which did not find Mr. An- drea actively engaged, in addition to his other duties, in the labors of the farm. Yet amid these diverse avocations he was never neglectful of the interests of the great work to which he had been set apart. At all times and at all Heasons, regardless of personal exposure and danger, he was at his post. Every enterprise of benevolence com- manded his sympathies, and every movement, having for its object the advancement of human happiness and pros- perity, found in him an earnest advocate and an indefati- gable friend. Thus he pursued the tenor of his way from 1778 to 1834.* In the month of June of the last named year, — admonished by his advanced age that the time for his retirement had arrived, and actuated also by an ear- nest desire to put a final period to difficulties which had sprung up in his church and society — difficulties from which we have no desire to withdraw the veil of oblivion, he requested and received a formal dismission from his pastoral charge, and on the fifteenth day of that month took his leave " as a public minister of Christ," to use his own words, " of that congregation before whom he had gone in and out through a period of forty-seven years." But though he had no longer a regular charge, his remain- ing years were not passed in idleness. Twice afterwards he was elected to represent his town in the Legislature, and to the close of his life, he continued to take the deep- * In a note appended to the "Articles of Faith," printed in 1826, it is said : " There have been several partial revivals, in which numbers have been added to the Church; but the most general was in 1807, when between 80 and 90 were constrained to make a public profession of Re- ligion." THOMAS ANDROS. 259 est interest in all the great reformatory movements of the day. Mr. Andros' last sermon was preached on Sunday, the 5th of October, 1845, and, as it would seem by provi- dential direction, from the same sacred desk at which he had so often stood. On that day, he walked from his res- idence to the Church, a distance of two miles, uttered the admonitions which proved to be his last, and returned on foot. His manner was animated, and he spoke .with all the force and fervor of other years. Shortly after this his health began sensibly to fail, and he suffered more and more frequently and severely from attacks of an apoplec- tic character, to which he had been occasionally subject for some years. His mind, however, retained all its clearness, and there appeared to be no cause for immediate appre- hension, until the 8th of December, when he was suddenly prostrated by an attack of the malady just alluded to. He shortly rallied, however, from the first effects, but his hour had come. The remedies of the medical attendants prov- ed unavailing. His strength gradually failed and the vital energies day by day exhausted themselves. Disturbed apparently by no suffering bodily or mental, his faith grow- ing stronger and brighter as the bonds which bound his spirit to the flesh, became weaker, he lingered until the evening of December 30th. His departure from the world was tranquil and beautiful as the departure of " The morning star, which goes Not down behind the darkened west, or hidea Obscured amid the tempests of the sky, But fades away into the light of Heaven." Mr. Andros was twice married. (1) To Miss Abigail Cutler, of Killingly Ct., May 18, 1784 ; (2) to Miss Sophia 260 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Sanford, of Berkley, Feb. 7, 1799, whom he survived only three years.* As a man, Mr. Andros was distinguished for the deep interest which he took in everything that related to his race, and for the entire singleness of purpose, sincerity and hon- esty which characterized his intercourse and dealings with his fellow-men. The wealth of w^orlds would not have tempted him to the commission of a dishonest act, and the individual never existed who could justly complain of hav- ing been over-reached by him in his business tranactions, which at one period of his life, were many and large. In his opinions of public policy, he was decided, and in the expression of them open, independent and fearless. As a Theologian and Preacher — I leave this part of his character to be drawn by a more skillful and experienced hand.'^ The hmits of this work would not allow " a more skill- ful hand " (could it be found) to givexan extended account of the theological views and ministerial character of Mr. Andros. The former were generally embraced by his peo- ple, and the minister of Berkley, hardly less than the min- ister of Franklin, most thoroughly and eflfectually indoctri- nated his hearers, and " taught the people knowledge." As a consequence, it is believed, there is to this day great- * In both these connections he was fortunate and happy. The first named died in 1798. The discourse preached at licr funeral by the Rev. Mr. Smith, then minister of Difjhton, bears strong testimony to her many virtues. The family record bears the following affecting memori- al in his own hand, to the character of his second wife : '• Sophia San- ford Andros, my second wife departed this life between midnight and one o'clock on the morning of Lord's day. Fel). 13, 1843, having blessed her family with the most active love and constant affection for a period of forty-three years and five days."' THOMAS ANDROS. 261 er uniformity of religious faith in the towns of Berkley and Franklin, than in most of the towns in the Common- wealth — a very fair inference from the fact, that in these towns as yet there is only one religious denomination reg- ularly organized, known to exist. Mr. Andres was regarded not only in Berkley but in all the region, where he was best known, as an able theo- logian, and an instructive, faithful preacher. The "Taunton Association" of ministers, of which, at its organization in 1826, *' father Andros," as he was gen- erally called, was the oldest member, expressed their feel- ings on the occasion of his death in the following terms : " It is with most unaffected grief that the Association place upon the Records, a note of that solemn Providence, by which our venerable father in the ministry. Rev. Thom- as Andros, of Berkley has been removed from earth to his final account. "^e departed this life, Dec. 30th, 1845, aged 86 years, and 8 months. His funeral obsequies were attended by a large number of his townsmen, and several clergymen from the vicinity ; and a sermon was preached on the oc- casion, by Rev. E. Gay, of Bridgewater, then supplying the pulpit in Berkley. " We enter his name on our Records, as one of precious memory, in testimony of the high veneration, with which we regard the man, whose heart was warm, whose hands were pure, and whose life exemplified the doctrines, which he delighted to commend to others. " Mr. Andros was an eminent example of self-taught men, a warm patron of education, and a deeply interested friend of the rising generation. As a preacher, he held a high rank ; as a pastor, he was affectionate, laborious and untir- 262 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. ing in interest both for the spiritual and temporal wellaio of his people, to whom he ministered more than loity years. As an author, his merit will not suffer in comparison with many, whose works are much more voluminous, llis sermon entitled " Trial of the Spirits," and his tract enti- tled, "Letter to a friend" should be mentioned with par- ticular consideration. ' ' It affords us great happiness to be able to say in conclu - sion, that the evidence of his j^^^^sonal interest in that Gospel, which it was his delight to make kno^yn to others, was so satisfactory, that his trust in it to the last, was un- shaken, and that its consolations shone around m entering " the valley of the shadow of death," in undim'd bright- ness." The published productions* of Mr. Andros were numer- * I have just received the followmg list of the published writings of Mr Andros, so far as they have been discovered. "Light to the Upright, in Darkness," — a sermon occasioned by the death of Capt. John Crane. — 1795. "A Reference, not only of the Good, but of the Evil, that befalls us in Life, to the hand of God, an essential principle of Piety " — a sermon occasioned by the death of Mrs. Andx'os. — 1798. " A Thanksgiving Sermon," delivered before the Congregational So- ciety in Berkley. — 1808. " The Criminality of restraining Prayer," — a sermon, 1808. "Foreign Influence," — a Thanksgiving Sermon, 1812. " Bible News of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, as reported by the Rev. Noah Worcester, not correct." — 1813. " Seasonable Thoughts on Human Creeds or Articles of Faith, by an orthodox clergyman, shewn to be very unreasonable Thoughts." — 1814. •' Truth in Opinion the only foundation of Piety," a sermon delivered at the ordination of the Rev. Benj. Whittemore, Tiverton, R. I. 1815. "Modern Philosophical Mixtures, degrading the character and defeat- ing the moral influence of the Gospel, detected," — a sermon. 1819. "An Essay in which the Doctrine of a ])Ositive divine Etlicicncy, ex- citing the will of men to sin, is candidly discussed, and shewn to be un- phUosophical," &c. 1^20. " Sermons" on various subject."?, embracing six discourses. 1823. " The Memory of the Just is blessed," a sermon preached at the fune- ral of tbe Hon. Samuel Tobey. 1823. *' The Temperance Society vindicated aud Recommended," a sermon. 1830. ANDROS' SERMON IN 1790. 263 ous. Besides the thrilling narrative of his sufferings " on board the Old Jersey Prison-Ship, in 1781," he published in 1814, a pamphlet stjled " Seasonable thoughts on hu- man Creeds, or articles of faith, by an orthodox clergyman, shown to be very unreasonable thoughts, in a letter to a friend;" also, ^' an Essay, in which the doctrine of a posi- tive divine efficiency exciting the w^ill of men to sin, as held by some modern ministers, is candidly considered ;" also, "a volume of sermons adapted to the particular be- nevolent operations of the day, in 1817." A little later, he published a volume of " doctrinal essays," and at dif- ferent periods of his ministry, various occasional discourses, which prove their author to have been no ordinary man. Of the several sermons in MS. which have been submit- ted for examination, the one which follows has been select- ed, as probably a fair specimen of Mr. Andros' ordinary style of preaching. HOSEA, xii. 8. " In all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me that were sinP rpHE terms on which the Great Ruler of the Universe offers Life to man, are in themselves most reasonable and easy. For what is more easy than to confess our fault, when we have done wrong ? and certainly, nothing can be more reasonable. Yet this is the sum of all that God re- quires of sinful men as the condition of Eternal Life : — " If we confess our sins " (says John) " he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all un- righteousness." But easy and reasonable as are the terms 264 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. of Life, there is nothing to which the pride of men is more opposed. When their iniquities are set in order before them, in the ministration of the Divine Word, instead of an honest confession, thej are disposed to reply to God, ** Wherein have we done so much agamst thee ?'^ and they are very ingenious and industrious to invent palUations and excuses for every offence they commit. But in some particular cases they imagine the ground on which they are blamed to be peculiarly unreasonable. For example, they find in themselves a strong bias to that which is evil, and aversion to that which is holy. And this disposition, they plead, was born in them. They had no agency in giving it existence in their own hearts. And now, say they, as we did not give ourselves these corrupt propensities, what if our hearts be fully set in us to do evil ? What if out of it proceed all manner of evil thoughts and inclinations, and crimes? As all these offences proceed from an inward powerful propensity to evil, which we did not implant in our hearts, how hard it is that we should be condemned and punished for them, or that we should suffer anything in consequence of the conduct to which they prompt us. Now what we purpose, in this discourse, is to examine the validity of this plea. It was, in all probability, on this ground that Ephraim justified himself in our text, and af- firmed that they could find no sin in him, though he loved oppression, and the balances of deceit and fraud were in his hand, as God testified of him. In the execution of this design we shall proceed by the following steps : I. We admit the fact, that men do come into life with hearts prone to that which is evil. The testimony of the Scriptures confirms it, and this testimony is not to be dis- credited. In consequence of the disobedience of our first ANDROS' SERMON IN 1790. 265 Parents, their posterity now come into existence with proud, selfish, and rebellious dispositions. So Paul says, ''by the oiFence of one, many were made sinners." And, says the Psalmist, " Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." And who has not observed that the earhest moral feelings and propensities which chil- dren manifest in their first visible conduct, are selfishness, impatience of just restraint, anger and revenge towards those who cross their inclinations. We certainly cannot pretend, on any legitimate ground, that man comes into being with holy dispositions. Neither can we say that we come into existence '»yith no dispositions or inclinations or passions at all. If therefore, he has any moral feelings or passions, they must be corrupt, though not to that degree in which they appear in the aged sinner, whose character is that of finished impiety and wickedness. To silence the plea under consideration, we cannot deny the native cor- ruption of the human heart. Man is in very deed born the subject of many depraved propensities and inclina- tions. II. We will admit for the moment, that as man did not infuse these evil principles or desires and propensities into his own heart, no moral blame can attach to them, or to the actions to which they prompt him. Still it does not nec- essarily follow from this concession that it would be wrong to inflict punishment upon him or even to destroy him on account of them. There are several reasons why it is just and justifiable that creatures, who possess evil or injurious propensities, should be subjected to punishment, or destroy- ed, so that they may do no more outrage. One reason is, they are inteUigent creatures, and know better than to con- duct in an unjust or wicked manner. If a person has rea- 266 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. son, to perceive the nature of the rule of duty and the great obUgations of truth, justice and mercy, and will not obey, but prefers to live in all manner of injustice, cruelty and violence towards his neighbors, it is reasonable that he should be restrained and punished or put to death to pre- vent his continuance in wrong doing and crime. He de- serves this on the ground of moral demerit. But suppose a creature, who is thus injurious and dangerous, has none of the reason, understanding and freedom of an account- able agent, would it follow that he ought therefore to suf- fer no evil for the mischief he inflicts ? The tiger has none of the faculties of an intelligent agent. But he pos- sesses a most ferocious nature. He delights in blood and carnage. The natural disposition, which he received in his first creation makes him most dangerous to man, as well as other animals. Now because he did not give himself these bloody inclinations and appetites, and has no reason or moral power to control them, shall he be allowed to glut himself with blood with entire impunity ? Where is the tongue that would plead the injustice or the wrong of destroying him ? All would agree in pronouncing it suit- able and right to hunt him doyai and shed his blood. Nay, the man who had it in his power to destroy him, and yet turned him loose to prey upon the unwary and defenceless, would himself be chargeable with murder. It would be no apology for the poor irrational brute to say that God gave him these ferocious and bloody inclinations, or that he possessed them by nature and did not implant them in his own heart. It could not indeed be said he was a mor- al agent and deserved to be punished as such. But it would be said, and said justly, that he ought to be des- troyed on account of his mischievous and bloody nature. AXDROS' SERMON IN 1790. 267 There is but one great law in regard to the use to be made of all objects in creation, which are not intelligent and accountable creatures, whether thej be animate or in- animate objects, thej are to be used or disposed of in that way in which thej will be the most profitable. On this ground the life of an irrational animal is to be preserved or destroyed according to the judgment and will of man. Such dominion has God given man over the inferior orders of being in creation. Now, if any one will have it, that as man did not give himself the destructive temper and inclinations which he possesses, he is not blameable for them, all that could follow, if this were allowed, would be that he was not a proper subject for a moral trial and pun- ishment, but when guilty of any great offence against so- ciety, as robbery, arson or murder, he should be hunted down and destroyed hke a beast of prey. All, therefore, that the lawless ruffian gains by pleading that he did not give himself his depraved and wicked dispositions and propensities, and is not therefore deserving punishment for them, is this, — that he is not to be destroyed as an intel- ligent and accountable creature, but as a savage wild beast. St. Paul says of some sinners, who had become the slaves of their naturally corrupt appetites and passions, " whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things." At any rate, the end of the slave of lawless desire and appetite is destruction, and it would be a poor alternative to choose to die as a brute rather than as a moral agent, the degree of misery to be suffered being the same. III. In reply to the sinner's plea under consideration, it is loroper to observe that objects are to be estimated and treated according to their own nature and properties, and 268 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. not according to the nature and properties of the cause ^yhich produces them. Every creature •N\iiich God has formed in the universe has its specific nature and proper- ties, "which constitute it what it is ; and it is hj its dis- tinctive properties that one ohjeci; or creature is distin- guished from another. Man and beast, wind, hail, rain and fire, are all known, one from another, by the different powers, faculties, attributes and properties which they possess. And they are all considered, esteemed and val- ued according to these difterent properties, and not accor- ding to the nature and attributes of the cause which pro- duced them. Thus, gold is very highly esteemed for its value ; but that morbid matter or poison which produces disease and death, is shunned and abhorred as a deadly evil. In the animal world, the lamb and the horse are valued as harmless and useful animals, while the venomous serpent is hated and avoided. God is the maker of all these things ; but we do not dread the pestilence or abhor the poisonous serpent any the less on account of His being the cause of their existence, nor does this consideration ever induce us to spare the life of the viper or the savage beast. It is just the same with respect to all the wicked and abominable propensities of the corrupt heart of man. They are most hateful and detestable in their own nature. We form this judgment of them without pausing to en- quu-e by what cause or agency they were produced. If we see a man possessed of feelings, proud, envious, unjust, treacherous and malignant, we condemn him, without stop- ping to enc[uire whether he himself or some other agent infused them into his heart. It does not in the least alter the nature of these baleful passions to say man did not create them in his own heart, or to say they were originat- 269 ed by some other cause, any more than it alters the na- ture of poison to say God produced it. The serpent becomes no less loathsome and his poison none the less dead- ly by the declaration that God made him all he is. So it becomes the sinner to reflect that his impiety, his pride and malignity, envy and thirst for revenge, become no more amiable and harmless by imputing them to God as the cause or by affirming that he inherited them by nature. Pride is pride, malignity is malignity, entirely independent of the considerations of the cause that produced in our hearts these evil propensities. If we have our reason, that criminates us. Here enquiry ends. IV. Let it now be enquired what the judgment of man- kind in general is in regard to these evil and mischievous passions, which we possess by nature. Is it common among men to palliate and excuse the wicked feelings of others by saying that these feelings are natural to them, that they were born with them, or that they were inherit- ed from our first parents ? Do they say, it is in the na- ture of such an one to be deceitful, proud, unjust, false, cruel and vindictive, and on this ground refrain from con- demning him for the crimes he is prompted to commit by the native corruption of his heart ? This is so far from being true that in the estimation of mankind, it is a great aggravation of a person's wickedness and guilt, to sa}^ that he is naturally treacherous, cruel and vindictive. When it is said of a man that he is by nature unfeeling and ma- licious, or avaricious and sordid, it is always meant as add- hig to the hatefulness of his character and as an aggra- vation of the offences he may commit. And what is the usage in our courts of Justice ? When they find an offen- der to be by nature, prone to the crimes for which he is THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. arraigned, are thej mure lenient, and less disposed to visit upon him the full penalty of the Law ? Does it help the murderer to have his advocate state in his behalf, that from his infancy he has been unfeeling and cruel, delighting in barbarous and savage deeds ? And that his father before him was just such a monster, and transmitted to his child the abominable corruption of his own nature ? Would the Court, after hearing this plea, be more inclined to acquit him ? Would not every spectator be disposed to regard such a plea as most unfortunate for the prisoner and fatal to his escape ? It is not then agreeable to the common sense of mankind to think a man's guilt the less, because he has a strong natural propensity to the crime with which he is charged. V. Indeed the sinner, who puts in the plea under con- sideration, to evade the sentence of God's holy Law, will be condemned out of his own mouth. Let him urge this plea as often as he may ■ — my soul is exceedingly corrupt : my passions are continually impelling me to do evil. But I am not my own maker. My Almighty Creator planted these inclinations and propensities in my heart. They are a part of that nature with which I was born. It is utterly idle for him to reason in this way, if he reverse it all in treatment of his fellow men when they sin against him, as he really does. If, because he is by nature proud, selfish, an enemy to God and holiness, God ought not to condemn him for the sins he commits against Him, then he ought not to condemn his neighbor for anything he may do that is wrong. But will the sinner allow this reasoning to be good, when his neighbor insults, dishonors and injures him ? Will he say, my neighbor possesses by nature the evil disposition by which he was impelled. I will not ANBROS' SERMON IN 1790. 271 blame him, therefore, for the grossest slander he maj heap upon me, or for the greatest injury he may do to me or to those who are dear to me and who look to me for protec- tion and defence. No — no, this reasoning will not do, when his neighbor is the offending party. He will cry out against him as unjust and wicked, and invoke upon his head the penalties of the violated law. If his servant plunder his goods, he does not think it takes all blame from him to plead that God made him with a selfish and covet- ous disposition. And as he condemns others in spite of this plea, when they offend him, so he may expect God will not admit it as valid, when he shall urge it on his own behalf, as an excuse for the sins and abominations he has committed against his Maker, and his fellow men. But VI. The justice of the sinner's pretence that he had no agency in infusing moral corruption into his own heart, must be examined. Can any one presume it will be found true, that no man ever yet did anything to fill his own soul with depraved and abominable inclinations and propensities? We may allow that the child in the earliest days of its ex- istence had no agency in producing whatever corrupt feel- ings and passions have place in his heart. But can this concession be made in regard to the sinner of forty years ? Can it be said of him, that he has had no voluntary agen- cy in producing those powerful wicked feelings and pas- sions to which he is now the slave ? Here is one who is notorious for avarice or covetousness. This principle gov- erns him with despotic sway. Neither the tears of the widow, the cries of the orphan, nor the miserable condition of the poor pagan dying in sin, can wring from him one farthing for their relief. Nay, there is scarcely any mean- ness or vice to which he will not descend for the purpose 272 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. of gain. But was he born with all this avarice implanted in his heart ? No assertion could be more untrue. In his infancy the germ might indeed exist in his soul. But was it not a latent seed — a mere embryo, comparatively dormant and inoperative ? And had the proper means been used to check its growth, might it not have been, in a great measure, suppressed, and the principle of liberality and kindness implanted in its place ? But nothing of this kind was seriously entered upon. As the man advanced in life, he began to feel this covetous principle within him, and he thought of nothing but the means of gratifying it. Tor this purpose he formed a thousand schemes, and com- mitted innumerable sins. Forty years he proceeded in this way, every day watering and cultivating this corrupt principle ; and now it has the complete dominion of him. He thmks of no happiness, but money — no God but mam- mon, and desires no friend but one who may aid him still to increase his store. He always enjoyed the light of the holy Scriptures. He knew what the law of God required, knew what man must do to become pious, and godly and to be saved — but he made light of all that heaven could say to him on these subjects. Now shall this man have the assurance to say, God, at his birth, implanted in his heart this abominable passion in all its power, to which he is now the slave, and that he had no instrumentality in infusing it into his soul, and therefore is not responsible for any of its results and operations ? Abominable falsehood ! Vile ingratitude ! Let him not thus behe his Maker ! The same may be said of all the other corrupt and wicked pas- sions and vices to which men become the wretched slaves. They are, in an eminent degree, chains of their own forg- ing ! sources of shame and degradation and woe, of their own seeking ? ANDROS' SERMON IN 1790. 273 Admitting the preceding train of thought to be just, the subject will afibrd us various inferences and reflections of high importance. 1. We learn the absolute necessity of self-government to all who hope for salvation. By self-government we mean the subjugation of every principle or propensity and desire of our nature to the great rule of duty, whether it be suggested by the Word of God or by sound reason. When we clearly understand our duty and suppress every purpose or desire that is in opposition to it and call up all the powers of our nature in the discharge of it, then we have a just and proper control over ourselves. In order that we may exercise this entire self-control, there are some principles in our nature that must be entirely sup- pressed. There are others to be reduced within the bounds of moderation, and others to be directed to right objects. Enmity to God, hatred to holiness, envy, selfishness and pride are affections wholly wrong ; these are to be utterly exterminated, and man ought to have such control over his heart as eternally to exclude them. These are passions which are not criminal by excess but in their own na- ture ; these are not to be moderated only but exterminated. Love of children and friends, a regard to property, a love of social intercourse with our fellow-men, a dislike of in- jury and wrong, these are principles that are not to bo exterminated but moderated and kept within proper limits, for they are crimes only by excess. The love of happi- ness or enjoyment, a desire for respect and honor, etc., these are principles that need to be directed to right ob- jects. These seek their happiness in the creature and not in God, the Creator. " They have forsaken the fountain of livin'? waters." 274 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. If God were the great object of their happiness, the por- tion of their soul, the love of happiness could not be too strong. With regard to honor thej are content with the praise of men, while their hearts ought to be set on that honor that comes from God. When a man seeks honor in the exercise of love towards God and man, his love of rep- utation cannot be too great. In these three great propo- sitions the whole of self-government consists: to extermi- nate what is wrong, to moderate what is excessive, and to direct aright what errs as to its proper object. No duty in the Bible is more solemnly enjoined than this, " keep thine heart with all dilligence, for out of it are the issues of life." Saint Paul says of himself, "but I keep under my body and bring it into subjection lest that by any means when I have preached to others I myself should be a castaway," 1 Cor. ix: 27. To the CoUossions he says, "mortify therefore your members which are upon earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate desires, evil concupis- cence and covetousness, which is idolatry ;" and again, to the Romans he says,." for if ye live after the flesh ye shall die, but if ye through the spirit do mortify the deeds of the body ye shall live;" and this spirit God will give to all that ask him. 2. We can easily collect from this subject what consti- tutes the grand obstacle to the final salvation of men. It is very certain that some mighty difficulty does lie in the way of men being saved, or so many would not neglect this great concern and live without hope and die without peace. Nov/ the difficulty is, not that men are indifferent to their own happiness, or that they have no dread of hell and eternal death, but it is this, they will not earnestly set about the mortification of the originally corrupt and 275 deprcaved propensities of their nature. Tliej will not moderate their inordinate affections and withdrawing them from creatures set them on God as the supreme object of their confidence and love. If jou are proud, by your own exertions, assisted by the grace of God, you must reduce this pride to humility. If you are covetous, you must turn this passion into liberality. If you are selfish, you must change your selfishness into benevolence and kind- ness. So of every other evil affection or desire, it must be resisted, it must be turned into love towards God and man. But to do all this, even though the grace of God be granted to enable us to work, is a very great undertak- ing. It requires much self-inspection, great self-denial, a mighty struggle against our powerful corruptions, most pressing and ardent prayers to God through the Redeemer that he will give us the victory. But discouraged at the idea of thus cleansing and reforming not the outward con- duct only but the inward feelings and reigning propensities and desires of the soul, they recoil from the undertaking, they determine to leave the soul in all its sins, and with- out grappling with their pride, selfishness and other inward abominations, they will often attempt to escape them, and to patch up some miserable hope for eternity, and so re- fusing to keep imder their body and to bring it into sub- jection, as Paul says he did, they become castaways. 3. We see the propriety of the scriptures representing finally incorrigable sinners as fit only for destruction. John compares them to chaff and says, " they shall be burnt up in unquenchable fire ;" and Paul speaks of them as those "whose end is destruction;" he also styles them " vessels of wrath fitted for destruction." The prophet Ezekiel compares them to the vine which when dead and 276 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. fruitless is fit for no kind of timber and of which not even a pin can be made to hang a vessel upon ; it is only fit for the fire, Ezek. xv: 3. Christ compares the wicked to goats, and says that this sentence will be pronounced upon them at the last day: "depart ye cursed into everlasting fire." In all these awful threatenings sinners are considered as rational and accountable beings, having no excuse for their sin and deserving all this misery as a just punishment. But even if they could make out that they are not accoun- table, yet as their feet are swift to shed blood and the poi- son of asps is under their tongues, they must be destroyed to give peace to the world upon the same principle that the beast of prey is hunted and destroyed. They must become new creatures ; their enmity to God must be turn- ed into love ; their pride and their hatred to man must be turned into humihty and kindness, or no prospect can arise before them but death ; Christ will never save them in their sins. 4. We learn why it is saints consider themselves as so exceedingly sinful, notwithstanding their highest moral at- tainments in this life. They admit the sinfulness of all the inward corruptions of their heart. They do not excuse their pride, selfishness, inordinate affections, or any other wrong feeling on the ground that it is natural, or on any other ground. Hence, they appear in their own eyes ex- ceedingly vile. They know what the Laodiceans did not know, that they are wretched and miserable, and poor, and blind and naked. 5. We learn, in the light of this subject, what an ex- ceedingly precious aid is the Holy Spirit to all who are sincerely engaged in the pursuit of salvation. They know something of the desperate wickedness of their own hearts, EBENEZER POOR. 277 and the strength of their inward corruptions. And it is a settled belief with them that this heart must be purified, and these corruptions overcome, or thej cannot be saved. And where shall they find an arm sufficiently strong to perform this work in them, but in that almighty spirit whose office it is to work in the people of God to will and to do of his own good pleasure. 6, What progress have I made in the great work of subduing the evil propensities, which reign in me as a de- praved creature ? This is a question of boundless interest to every one present. To mortify and root out of his soul every corrupt feeling, is the work, to which every follower of Christ is appointed, and it is the work of his whole life. And what say you ? Do you find the power of your skis giving way ? Do you find your temper and disposition changed for the better ? Can you say, as to this fact, you are a happier man than you once were ? If so, the day of your triumph is at hand, and you shall soon enter into that rest, where sin and sorrow shall no more afflict you ; that peace which passeth understanding, which the world, with all its glories, cannot give, and with all its power, can never take away ! Rev. Ebenezer Poor, a native of Danvers, in 1796, and a graduate of Dartmouth College, in 1818, was set- tled as the successor of Mr. Andros, June 17, 1835. He had been previously located in Beverly, of tliis State, and at Edgarton, on Martha's Vineyard. His Pastorate at Berkley was of short continuance. He was dismissed July 31, 1837. Mr. Poor was esteemed an interesting preacher. A sermon which he preached in Taunton on ^' the faithfjd saying,^^ (1 Tim. 1: 15,) and which was 24 278 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. afterwards published, bj request of some wlio beard it, is a discourse of rare excellence. Rev. J. U. Parsons, succeeded Mr. Poor in the pasto- ral office. He was a native of Parsonsfield, Me., in 1806, a graduate of Bowdoin College, in 1828, and for some years after his entering upon the ministry, labored as a missionary in the State of Indiana. He was Installed in Berkley, March 14, 1838, and dismissed in 1840. He is laboring now somewhere at the South. Mr. Parsons is the author of a "Biblical Analysis," an " analytical method of teaching Orthography," and has also published several discourses. Rev. Charles Chamberlain, was ordained successor of Mr. Parsons in 1842, and resigned his charge in 1844 ; since which time the pulpit has been statedly supplied by Rev. Messrs. Eastman, Gould, Gay, Richardson and Craig. Second Trinitarian Congregational Church. This Church was organized in September, 1848, con- sisting of some twenty members, belonging to the first Congregational Church. Rev. Lucius Root Eastman, ft graduate of Amherst College, in 1833, and once settled at Sharon, is their minister. NORTON NORTH PRECINCT. 279 CHAPTER X. THE CHURCHES AND MINISTRY OF MANSFIELD.* It has been already intimatedf that what is now called Mansfield had a distinct parochial existence under the name of Norton North Precinct so early as 1731, when the number of families was about twenty-five. Its Incor- poration as a town was not however till April, 1770. The first settlers of that District attended meeting at Taunton Green, :[: father and mother riding on horseback, with one or two children, all the distance of twelve miles, regularly every Sabbath, and some not hesitating even to walk so far for their spiritual food. On the organization of the Church in Norton, their journey was shortened more than half, but a regard for the youth induced them at the ear- liest moment of their ability, to bring themselves into a church state, the precise date of w^hich event is not cer- tainly known. The first pai'ish meeting was held at the house of Isaac Wellman, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1731. Doc- uments of this early date have been most ruthlessly de- stroyed. But from the few fragments in existence we '* So called, in honor of Lord Mansfield, through the influence of Col' Ephraini Leonard. Afterwards, in General Court, the motion was made to change the name to one less hostile to republican associations, but was lost. Authority for the above, liev. M. Blake. t Page 156, 2d volume. X The account that follows has been kindly furnished by Rev. Morti- mer Blake of Mansfield, much interested and eminently successful in antiquarian researches. I have taken the liberty to add a few notes. 280 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. gather the following facts concerning the founders* of the Mansfield Church. Several candidates received a call from the infant church * The names of these ai*e not known. As to any accurate list, Mr. Blake in answer to a letter of inquiry, says "the first syllable is want- ing." Some facts connected with their earlier proceedings are fortunate- ly preserved and given iis in the interesting narratiA'e of Mr. Blake now published. The earliest known Creed and Covenant of the Church date back as far as Mr. Green's ministry, and, as a part of the ecclesiastical history of the town, are worthy of a place in this connection. " You do believe the existence of one Supreme Being, who is possess- ed of all possible perfection and glory, and that his being is distinguish- ed into three glorious and undivided persons, viz : Father, Son and Holy Ghost, and that in fulness of time, God sent forth his son, Jesus Christ, to take upon him the nature of man, that consisting of and subsisting in two natures and one person, he might be a fit Mediator between God and man. And you do now in a solemn Covenant give up yourself to this God and Jesus Christ. You do humbly and penitently ask of God the forgiveness, through the blood of Jesus Christ, of the sin of yr nature as also for your actual transgressions, and with all your heart you do accept of Jesus Christ for yr Lord and only Savior as he is offered in the gospel, and the Holy Ghost for yr Sanctitier, and you solemnly promise before God, the holy angels, and in the presence of this assem- bly that, being assisted by the Holy Ghost, you will forsake the vanities of this evil Avorld and aj^prove yourself a true disciple of Jesus Christ in all good carriage both towards God and man. You do believe that there ai-e two sacraments. Baptism and the Lord's Supper — the first, a sign of initiation, which seals our admission into the visible church of Christ, and is to be administered to those and only those, together with their seed, that are tauglit and discipled to Jesus Christ and submit to the order of the gospel — the otlier a sacrament that is to be administered to such as have been baptized, of understanding to discern the Lord's body, of blameless lives and conversation and accompanied with a manifest de- sire of hungering after Jesus Christ. You do believe that we are to hold communion of churches, and acknowledge us to be a true church of Christ, and promise, so long as God shall continue yr abode with relation to us that you will walk in Covenant with the church of Christ in this place, sub- jecting yourself to the discipline of Christ in it, and promise by his help and grace to live devoted to him all yr days, in a faithful obedience to all his commandments. To this you consent and promise. I then, in the name of Jesus Christ, declare you to be a member iu full communion with the church of Christ in this place, and in the name of the church I promise that, being helped by the divine S])irit, we will carry it towards you as towards a member of the same body with our- seh-es, Mhercof Christ is the head, and that with a spirit of meekness, tendei-ness and care, earnestly praying that the Lord Avould take delight in and dwell among us, and that his glorious kingdom may be advanced by us. — Amen. EBENEZER WHITE. 281 before one could be found with whom the pastoral union would be mutually agreeable. The list of candidates is appended. 1. Mr. Ephraim Littel. He was the oldest son of Mr. David Littel, of Marshfield, but then resident of Scituate ; afterwards settled in Colchester Ct., 20th Sept. 1732. 2. Mr. Abial Howard. He was son of Jonathan How- ard, of Bridgewater ; afterwards physician ; never settled in the ministry. 3. Mr. Atherton Wales. He was the fifteenth child and the youngest son of Elder Jonathan Wales of Braintree, and brother to Rev. John Wales of Eaynham. He set- tled in Marshfield and died there in 1795, at the age of eighty-two. 4. Mr. Samuel Tobey. He was a native of Sandwich.* These all declined a settlement. After five years effort the town succeeded in securing their first minister. On the 7th of Sept. 1736, the town " made choice of the Reverend Mr. Ebenezer White, of Brookline, to set- tle in the worke of the Gospel Ministrey in said precinct according to the Congregational platform^ without one negative vote.'* After a long consideration, this call was accepted, 4th of Dec. 1736, and Mr. White was ordained 23d Feb'y, 1737. Of the services on that occasion no record remains. Indeed the scantiest fragments exist to construct any me- moir of his ministry amongst this people. A diligent search of several years has detected none of his writings printed or in manuscript, save his answer to the call of the church, a few receipts for his salary, and other communications. His ministry was comparatively short, and broken up tow- * Probably the same as settled in Berkley in 1737 — its first minister. 24* 282 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. ards the close by a sickness of some years. The follow- ing items are all that have been collected. Reverend Ebenezer White was a native of Brookline , and was born March 29, 1713. He was the son of Dea. Benjamin White, and grandson of Joseph White one of the founders of the church in Brookline. Joseph White had three sons ; (1) Rev. John White of Gloucester, who married a daughter of Father Moody of York ; (2) Sam- uel White, Esq., who married Ann, daughter of John Bruce ; (3) Dea. Benjamin White, who was the father of Rev. Ebenezer White of Mansfield. Mr. White graduated at Cambridge in 1733* and receiv- ed the degree of A. M., in course. Mr. White appears to have been of feeble constitution and predisposed to pulmonary diseases, which ultimately terminated his life. He w^as frequently unable to dis- charge his ministerial duties on account of his health, and many town meetings were consequently called to devise measures for supplying the pulpit. As a result of these interruptions, a number became uneasy and moved for a dismission. But the church adhered to their pastor, and at first refused by a major vote in the town meeting to ac- cede to any such proposal. Another objection secured a party against the minister, that he had not ruled and gov- erned the church '* according to the Platform of church discipline Avhich said church had voted to be their rule of discipline." What particular reference is intended is not known. It could not be any defection in point of the doc- trine then held by the church. For although Mr. White * There were several ministers of that name in the early history of our country. One graduated at Cambridge in 1692, another in 1704, a third graduated at Yale College in 1733, and a fourth in 1760. EBENEZER WHITE. 283 signed a bitter protest against the revival of 1740, yet he promises to be no hindrance to the church " in settling a Learned and orthodox minister " among them ■which he declares " he shall heartily rejoice in." The communication expressing these sentiments is dated "Norton, Sept. 1, 1760," and was called forth by a vote of dismission, passed by the town or precinct on July 28, of the same year, in which the church were invited to join. In consequence of this vote, he proposed to relinquish his salary at the close of his year (October) receiving pay only when he preached, and resign his pastorate on the election of a successor. The arrangement was agreed to and candidates again occupied the pulpit. Jan, 12, 1761. The precinct met to see if they would concur with the church in their call to Mr. Roland Green, of Maiden, to become their minister ; but on the Monday following the election of his successor and while the peo- ple were waiting the candidate's reply to his call, Jan'y 18, 1761, Rev. Mr. White died, in his 48th year, and the 24th of his ministry.* His first wife's christened name was Lydia Gennison of Maiden. She died the 28th of March, 1749, in her 36th year. His second wife was Hannah Richards of Milton. She survived him nearly forty years and died in widow- hood, Dec. 1, 1800, aged 83 years. Mr. White's children so far as known, were : (1) John, born 1737, died Nov. 23, 1743. (2) Betsey, who married a Lincoln of ^Norton and was the mother of Moses and Aaron Lincoln. * His body sleeps by the side of his two wives in the village grave- yard, awaiting the call of the archangel. I have read the Inscriptions. They correspond with these statements. 284 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. (3) Ebenezer, b. March 31, 1742, mar. Marj Hinks of Boston, Sept. 19, 1765, d. Oct. 28, 1812. He had seven children, one of whom, Polly, still lives, in Mans- field. (4) Mary, mar. Lemuel Fisher, April 7, 1763. Sev- eral of her descendants still reside in town, one of her sons, Daniel, is alive here. (5) Margaret, mar. Job Hodges, April 15, 1771. Her descendants are in Rutland, whither the family removed about 1800. Mr. White lived in a two-story house fronting the east, with a leanto on the west side, about a mile south from the meeting-house and just within the bounds of Taunton old township. The site is now occupied by the residence of Mr. Alvan White. Rev. Roland Green, the successor of Mr. White, and the second minister of Mansfield, was born in Maiden, Sept. 10, 1737. His ancestral line is traceable to Jamea Green who is found at Mystic Fields (now Maiden) in 1647 in which year he was admitted freeman. He died March 29, 1687, leaving a widow, Elizabeth, and two sons, John and James. The younger settled in Boston. II. John died in 1707, leaving a widow, Mary, three daughters, and a son, Samuel. r III. Samuel, born 1679 and died Feb'y 21, 1761. His wife, Martha, died seven years before. He left four sons and one daughter. IV. James, the oldest son was the father of Rev. Ro- land Green above. He married a daughter of Joseph Ilartwell of Charles town, and had two sons and three daugh- ters. He died at Mansfield, Aug. 21, 1779. V. Roland, Rev., Avas the second son and child, graduat- ed at Harvard University 1758, and also A. M., in course. ROLAXD GREE]^7. 285 On the 12tli of Janimry, 1761, Mr. Green received a call from the precinct to settle ''as an orthodox gospel minister to settel agreeable to the Congregation Platforme in the Room of the Rev. Mr. White." To this call he replied in the affirmative, March 3d. Some expressions relatiDg to the " platform," in which the church seemed to be very sensitive, led to further com- munications, in which the candidate declares his intention to " follow the platform so far as it is agreable to the word of God." The ordination was fixed to be on the 26th of August, 1761, and X13 ^s 8d voted to defray the expen- ses. Twelve churches were invited to form the ordaining council, viz : The two churches in Maiden, two in Attle- boro', two in Stoughton, the 2d and 3d churches in Ded- ham and the churches in Taunton, Walpole, Norton and Wrentham. Council met at Col. Ephraim Leonard's.* The services were performed under the shade of some venerable oaks west of the meeting-house, which were ruthlessly felled a few years since, but no record remains of the proceedings, nor of the number of the church at this time. ^ Col. Ephraim Leonard was son of Major George Leonard, who set- tled in Norton in 1690. He was born Jan. 16, 1706, and died May 2, 1786. He had three wives: 1st, Judith Perkins; 2d, Melatiah, '• had been ye wife of Jonathan Ware, Esq., and of Benjamin Ware, m. d." ; 3d, Anna, "had been tlic wife of Mr. Elisha Woodworth, and also of ye Rev. Mr. Timothy Ruggles." He was a Colonel, a Judge of the Court, and a man of eminent piety. He lived to be more than eighty. He was the wealthiest man in Mansfield, and had a greater influence in public affairs, than any other individual in that town. Col. Leonard and his three wives lie buried in a grove in Mansfield a short distance from his former residence. The house is now owned and occupied by Calvin Thomas, Esq. — (Dean's Gen. Mem. of Leonard family, p. 9.) Col. Ephraim was fathei^ of Hon. Daniel Leonard, a distinguished Taunton lawyer, of whom a particular account is given on pp. 244, 245, of the 1st volume. 286 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Mr. Green's ministrj continued many years, unmarked however by any events of special interest. The whole town were united in one society and congre- gation. An incomplete paper gives one hundred and forty- two admissions to the church, two hundred and fifty-nine baptisms, and two hundred and fifty marriages. At his death the church embraced fourteen male and thirty-one female members. In the early part of his ministry, a new house of wor- ship was erected, which still stands and is occupied by the Unitarian Society. After a long and useful life Mr. Green suddenly died, July 4th, 1808, in the 71st year of his age and 47th of his ministry. He had gone to Norton to join in the cele- bration of our National Independence. On his way from Rev. Mr. Clarke's to the meeting-house, he was smitten w^ith apoplexy and died in a few hours, at 2 o'clock, p. M.* Mr. Green married Miss Hannah Fairbanks of South Dedham. She survived him a few years and died 28th of June, 1824. They had seven children. (1) Eoland, Jr., b. May 9, 1765, mar. Miss Hannah Talbot of Dighton, a physician of extensive practice in his native town. He died Oct. 1, 1841, aged 76. Zuinglius and Joel died in infancy. (4) Hannah, born Dec. 26, and died July 9, 1786. (5) Deborah, born May 8, 1773, married Horatio Gil- bert, Esq. * Rev. Stephen Palmer, of Needliam, son of the second minister of Norton, preached Mr. Green's funeral sermon. He remarks that " for the space of thirty years, habits of the greatest intimacy subsisted be- tween Mr. Green and his father. Their affection was miitual and unin- terrupted." When Mr. Palmer of Norton, died, the " father's friend acted a father's part " toward the orphan children. ROLAND GREEN. 287 (6) Nabbv, born July 22, 1775, was married to Mr. Henry Sweet of Attleboro', and is dead. (7) Simeon, bom June 3, 1779, married Miss Eliza- beth Hodges, daughter of John Hodges. She died Aug. 20, 1819, and he married Miss Fanny Francis of this place. It is not known that any sermons of Mr. Green were pruited, other than the last one he preached and which is appended to his funeral sermon.* His manuscripts were mostly written in brief and with many abbreviations, and but a few only of even these remain. f A record, how- ever, of him made by a committee of the Bristol Associa- tion, speaks of him in the following terms : " It pleased the God of nature to furnish him with an athletic constitution of body, vigorous powers of mind, and a lively cheerful disposition. In the early part of his life he was small in stature, though ever of a bold and resolute mien. As he advanced in years he grew so fleshy as tocarry a portly appearance. Quickness of perception, vivacity and energy of thought were prominent features in the complexion of his mind. In the private walks of life he was pleasant and facetious, and partook largely of the joys of social intercourse. In chambers of sickness and mourning he took a sympathetic part with the distressed and was ready to administer the balm of comfort. Though * Note A. t The only remaining son of the minister Mr, Simeon Green, hag permitted me to examine several of the manuscript sermons of his fath- er. I find them of an interesting character, and, if our limits would al- low, one or more of them should be inserted in this work. I must con- tent myself with the reprint of the " Substance of a Sermon," the last Mr. Green ever preached, which was appended to his funeral sermon, and which will be found in Note A. Among the manuscripts committed to me, is a " Charge by the Rev Roland Green, Mansfield." which will be found in Note B. 288 THB MrN-ISTRY OF TAUNTON. he Tras feelingly alive to another's woe his own troubles and afflictions were cautiously kept to himself. In his family, he was kind and indulgent, provident and exempla- ry. He was strong in his attachments, ardent in his af- fection for his country, fervent ui his friendship towards his brother clergymen and a lover of order and decorum. In the appropriate duties of his profession he was punc- tual, energetic and faithful. He possessed the gift of prayer in a happy degree and on special occasions his thoughts and exjoressions were ready, pertinent and im- pressive. In the public services of the sanctuary he used plainness of speech, and his general strain of instruction was evangelical and practical. He professed one only to be his master, even Christ, and disdained to teach for doc- trines the commandments of men. He went not to hu- man creeds, but to the Word of God for doctrine, reproof and instruction. What he believed to be scriptural, he boldly inculcated and enforced. Founding his opinions on what he conceived to be the true sense of the Gospel, he was strong in the faith and valiant in the truth. He nev- er disguised his sentiments through fear or favor of men, but what he behoved he openly avowed. The vice of hy- pocrisy was a stranger to his heart, and we have reason to hope that his endeavors to promote the cause of his Re- deemer constitute a bright gem in the crown of his present rejoicing." "By the Com.— J. Pipon, S. Doggett, P. Clarke." Mr. Green is chiefly remembered by the aged people, for his kind, cheerful and social disposition, and his gener- al afiability of manners. His people continued united in RICHAKD BRIGGS. 289 him during his life, and the concourse at the funeral* ex- hibited indications of the depth to which their sympathies were disturbed by the sudden departure of their pastor. The pulpit was occupied with occasional supplies until the following April, when the society united with the church in extending a call to Mr. Richard Briggs to settle over them in the work of the gospel ministry. The call is dated April 13, 1809, and Mr. Briggs' answer on the day following. It was in the affirmative. He was ordained May 24, 1809. The Council was composed of the two churches in Bridge water and the churches in Walpole, Easton, Middle- boro', Stoughton, Hahfax, Sharon, Boxford, Foxboro', and Norton. The services were as follows : Introductory Prayer. — Bev. Mr. Morey, of Walpole. Sermon. — Rev. Mr. Richmond, of Stoughton. Ordaining Prayer. — Rev. Dr. Reed, of Bridgewater. Charge. — Rev. Dr. Sanger, of Bridgewater. * Appended to the funeral sermon is a " Biographical Sketch, by another hand," in which the last Sabbath of the minister of Mansfield, and the funei-al occasion are thus described. " The day prior to his exit he administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. In the morning exercise he >vas impressive, inviting his hearers to celebrate the victory obtain ed by our Savior at his death ; and as the celebration of our Inde- p^ndence was to take place the next day, he took occasion to impress on their minds the superior importance of celebrating the triumphs of Christ, above that of our Independence. On the morning following, (July 4,) he arose with uncommon health and cheerfulness, rode mode- rately to Rev. Mr. Clark's, was congratulated on his good state of health started for tlie meeting-house, on the Avay was seized with a fit of apo- plexy, and at 2, p. M., expired. He was buried on the 6th, with every mark of respect from a congregation of 600 persons, Avho moved to the grave in the following order: Band, playing a funeral dirge, Male mem- bers of the Cnurcli, Bearers, Coi'pse, Pall supported by the Rev. Messrs. Thacher, Morey, Reed, Palmer, Richmond, Clarke, Fisk, Wliittaker; Mourners, Particular friends of the deceased, Pemale members of the Church, Singing Society, Members of the Congregation, Strangers." They laid him down by the side of his predecessor in the ministry, sur- rounded by scores of his beloved people. His wife also slumbers by his side. 25 290 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Right Hand of Fellowship. — Rev. P. Clarke, Norton. Concluding Prayer. — Rev. Mr. Briggs, of Boxford. Rev. Richard Briggs, the third minister of Mansjfield, was a native of Halifax, and descendant of Mr. Richard Briggs, one of the first settlers of Taunton. Three gen- erations bore the name of Richard, the last of w^hom was Deacon of the church in Mansfield, and grandfather of Rev. R. Briggs. His father, Ephraim, w^as pastor of the church in Halifax, where he himself was born, 2d March, 1782. He graduated at Brovy-n University in 1804, and received the degree of A. M. in course. He studied the- ology with Rev. Doctor Richmond of Stoughton, afterwards of Dorchester. Mr. Briggs arrived in town the last day in December, 1808, and preached on the following Sabbath. His labors were acceptable to the people, and the church extended to him a call to settle over them 28th February, 1809, which call was seconded by the parish, as before stated, 13th April, 1809. He continued the active minister of this people until 1833, when he was disabled by sickness. His last public performance was on 20th January, 1833, twenty-five years from his first sermon; and his last texts were, in the A. M., Gal. 6: 9, in the p. m., Philippians 3: 13. He lingered, however, from this date, in a feeble state, incapable of professional labor for four years. He died 5 July, 1837, at the age of fifty-five, just twenty-nine years and one day after his predecessor.* He had received a dismission 8th December, 1834. * It is an interesting fact that the first three ministers of Mansfield lie buried side by side in the tOA\Ti where they ministered. A few days since I looked upon tlieir graves — a sight dclightfiil, as it is rare even in the most ancient and stable parts of the Commonwealth. RICHARD BRIGGS. 291 The people of JMansfield seem not to have been given to publishing the sermons of their ministers, and therefore Mr. Briggs, like his predecessors, left no printed specimen of his abilities as a writer. The following sketch of Mr. Briggs was drawn up by one of his hearers through the whole of his ministry, and a man of reliable sagacitj»and candor. It no doubt ex- presses the impression of his surviving people. " Mr. Briggs' character as a man^ was irreproachable. He was kind, sympathetic and generous. He was em- phatically a p/^'taif/irojjzs^ — seemed to feel for *all the woes of mankind.' He was peculiarly fond of children; alvfays addressing them with tenderness, and often bestow- ing upon them some small token of approbation. Perhaps the most prominent trait in his character was benevolence — an untiring assiduity in administering to the wants of all with whom he had intercourse in the vrorld. He w^as accustomed to speak of the ' luxury of doing good,' as if it w^ere the very height of earthly enjoyment ; and this was doubtless, the sincere expression of his own personal feelings. It is believed that all who were acquainted with Mr. Briggs will agree in saying that he had not — at least while residing in this place — one personal enemy. In stature, Mr. Briggs was somewhat above the middle size, being about five feet, ten inches in height, well form- ed, though not athletic ; complexion light, face large and square, forehead high and broad; exhibiting in his coun- tenance a union of mildness with solemnity. His voice was peculiarly sonorous, and his gestures in speaking nat-' ural and graceful." Mr. Briggs married Miss Fanny D. Billings, daughter of Doctor Benjamui Billings of this town. His widow 292 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. still survives, a respected member of the Trinitarian Congregational Church in town. After the failure of Mr. Briggs' ability to preach, Rev. Nathan Holman, formerly of Attleboro', was engaged to supply the desk, which ho did until 16th June, 1833, and alternately watli Rev. Doctor Saunders of Medfield, from that date until January, 1835. The various tastes of the congregation led to this arrangement. On the 30th January, 1835, Mr. James H. Sayward of Gloucester, arrived, and preached on the Sabbath follow- ing from 1 Thess. 5: 15. His labors were acceptable to the people generally, so that on the 27th April, a call was extended to him to become their minister, and the sum of five hundred dollars annually was offered him as salary for three years, and longer "as the parties shall mutually agree." His answer, dated the same day, was in the affirmative. The 17th of June was fixe! for the ordination services, and fourteen churches v/ere invited to form a council. This connection was not of long continuance. On the 7th May, 1837, Mr. Sayward requested a dismission at the end of his pastoral year, which, at a meeting on the 29th, was granted, and he was dismissed 17th June, 1837, two years from his ordination. Mr. Sayw^ard married Miss Mary B. Pratt, daughter of Hon. Solomon Pratt of Mansfield. He died in Fitzwil- liam, N. H., where he was engaged in pastoral labor, Jan- uary 13, 1844, at the age of thirty-six. He, like his predecessors. White, Green and Briggs, was buried in Mansfield. His widow still resides there. The ministry of Mr. Sayward w^as too short to be marked with any pe- culiar results. SECOND CONG. SOCIETY IN MANSFIELD. 298 Soon after his arrival, he proposed and assisted in form- ing a Female Benevolent Society, the first in the town. He also warmly engaged in the Temperance cause, the Sabbath School, and Bible Class ; and for some time held weekly meetings at private houses for prayer and confer- ence. Throughout his ministry he manifested a deep in- terest in the welfare of his people, and resigned his charge amongst them only from the conviction forced upon him "after long and serious deliberation," that the existing state of things was a preventive of its farther advanta- geous continuance. No publication of his is known to exist in prmt, as an index of his intellectual abihty. In continuing the history of the Congregational Church in Mansfield, it is necessary there, as in many, if not most of the towns in the Commonwealth, to speak of it as in two bands. Here, as in previous parts of our history, it is our single object to give facts, and leave inferences from those facts to others. May 9, 1838, a new society was formed, called the "Orthodox Congregational Society," composed of twenty- eight legal voters, who were legally organized October 6, of the same year. On the 20th of October, 1838, Dea. Daniel Williams, the only ofiicer in the Congregational Church, fourteen other males, and twenty-four females, connected themselves with this society, calling themselves as a church, by the same name w^hich the new society had assumed. They at once commenced public worship in a school-house, Kev. N. Holman, who supplied the church previous to Mr. Sayward's settlement, being the preacher. They afterwards hired the Hall of the Village Hotel, which they occupied, until a meeting-house was completed, and dedicated in 1889. Rev. Mr. Hunt, afterward of Natick, 25* 294 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. now of Franklin, preached to this people for a time. He was never settled. Their first and present Pastor, Kev. Mortimer Blake,* of Franklin, a graduate of Amherst in 1835, was ordained December 4, 1839. Rev. Doctor Smalley, then of Franklin, now of Worcester, preached the sermon. The church soon after enjoyed a revival of religion which enlarged and strengthened the congregation, and added to the church twentj-four ; which is less than one third of the number added since its new connection. The original Parish, and the residue of the church, con- sisting, as nearly as can be ascertained, of four males and twenty-five females, united in calling Mr. James L. Stone of Bridgewater, a member of Brown University, to become their Pastor. He accepted the invitation, and was ordain- ed October 28, 1840. He was dismissed in 1844 ; since which time, the pulpit has been occupied by stated sup- plies, until 1850, when Mr. Daniel W. Stevens of Marl- boro', was ordained as Pastor, which office he continues to fill acceptably to his people. Society of Friends. Up to the year of Mr. Briggs' settlement, but one re- ligious society existed in Mansfield, and this embraced several famihes within the limits of Stoughton. In 1809, * Mr. Blake has published several discourses. I have seen a " sermon occasioned by the sudden death of Harvey Cobb, delivered on the Sab- bath following," printed in 1844 ; " a sermon on the spiritual advantages of mortality," occasioned by the death of Mrs. Martha Mason, in 1845 ; " Two sermons on the import of the Church Covenant, and the duty of mutual forbearance, published by request, in 1846 ; " an address deliver- ed at the erection of a monument to the memory of Doctor Emmons in 1846; a small work, entitled " Gethsemanc and Calvary," portraying some of the closing scenes of the life of our Savior. He is now prepar- ing a history of the Mcndon Association of Ministers, which will soon be published, and prove a valuable ecclesiastical document. CHURCHES IN MANSFIELD. 295 the denomination of Friends built a meeting-house, and formed a small congregation. 3IetJwdist Episcopal Church. This church was gathered, and a meeting-house was erected in the eastern part of the town, in 1811. Their ministers have of course changed nearly if not quite every year. Christian Bajjtist Church. This is located in the westerly part of the town. The society was organized, and house of worship built in 1830. Their ministers have been Messrs. Morton, Russell, and Goodwin. Calvinist Baptist Church. That portion of the Baptists in town who were Calvin- istic, associated with their brethren of Foxboro', whose meeting-house was near the north-western limits of Mans- field, until 1837, the year of Mr. Sayward's dismission, when a new congregation was formed in the centre of Mansfield, and a meeting-house was built, which they still occupy. Their ministers, who have not been settled as Pastors, but engaged as stated supplies, have been Messrs. Tingley, Bosworth, Page, Sibley, Saunderson, Appleton, Allen, and Carr. Rev. Mr. Lewis is about entering upon ministerial service with that people. APPENDIX TO CHAPTER TENTH. Note A. Page 287. The Substance of a SERMON Preached at MANSFIELD, July 3, 1808 — p. m. By the Rev. ROLAND GREEN, Late Pastor of the Church in that Town. N. B. This was the last Sermoa he ever delivered. Of course it may be considered, in some respects, as containing his dying words. To his People, they were his Last Words. What is here inserted is a SUMMARY of what was then delivered. Published by Request. EPHESIANS, V. 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words ; for hecause of these things cometh the wrath of God, upon the children of diso- bedience. rilHE Apostle urges the Ephesians to universal holiness ; and -■- enforces the duty from the consideration of the divine com- passion, displayed in the gospel. He strongly cautions them against the gross impurities of the Heathen. Gross immorali- ties are to be abhorred. For the Apostle observes : No whore- monger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idol- ater, hath any inheritance in the lingdom of Christ and of God. Such as arc impenitent, and allow themselves, either in the lusts of the flesh, or the love of the world, do not savingly belong to the kingdom of grace ; nor, as such, shall they ever come to the kingdom of glory. Let none, then, in this respect. ROLAND green's LAST SERMON. 297 amuse and deceive you, with vain and sophistical reasonings, who would attempt a vindication of these things ; or, at least, extenuate the evil of them ; as though they were not provoking in the eyes of God — or that you may indulge them, and escape with impunity. Satan deceived our first parents with vain words when he said to them : Ye shall not surely die. On account of these things the lurath of God cometh vpon the children of diso- bedience and infidelity. If the Heathen are punished for them, much less can we suppose, those who profess the gospel — who have so much greater advantages, for purity and virtue, in all their branches, and are under such peculiar engagements to cultivate the same, shall escape with impunity.* By the children of disohedience may he meant the Heathen, who disbelieved and refused the gospel ; or more generally, all obstinate sinners, who will not be reclaimed. Disobedience is the very malignity of sin ; and the wrath of God comes upon the children of such, sometimes in this world ; but more awful- ly in the next. We ought not to be partakers with them in their sins, that wo may not be sharers with them in then- plagues. We partake with other men in their sins, when we pursue the same course of disobedience ; when we comply with temptation and consent to sin ; but more generally, when we engage with them in their sin„ prompt them to it, and do not, when in our power, prevent them from it. Because of these things, the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disohedience. Ma- ny sophistical reasons men have, to palliate and excuse their vices ; but if the wrath of God falls upon the Heathen for these things, let us not imagine, that we can practice them with im- punity ; and let us not presume to be partakers with them. These things have reference to the verse preceding our text, where the enormities of the Gentile state are displayed. The method of our discourse is, to enquire — I. What we are to understand by the wrath of God. * Vide Doddridge in loc. 298 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. II. Who may expect to endure his wratli. I. "WiiAT we are to understand by tlie wrath of God. The word wrath denotes the highest degree of displeasure, and resentment. When we read of the wrath of God, or any other passion, it is by way of allusion to man. For in reality God is not subject to such passions as we are. Our conceptions of God are very imperfect. We want language, when we speak of the incomprehensible Deity ; and are forced to borrow meta- phors from creatures, especially from man, to describe him. Thus we call such a manner of acting, as would be the ejBfect of love among men, the love of God — and such a manner of act- ing, as would be the fruit of anger and resentment among men, we call the ivrath of God. When we read of God's ivrath, we are not to understand by it, any such violent emotions of the mind, as in man, when provoked to wrath ; but only, as when a man is angry with another for some fault or offence, he will pun- ish him severely for it, if he has power so to do. So God's punishing sinners, with exquisite tortures in hell, is called his wrath. Sometimes the wrath of God comes upon sinners in this world, as in Sodom and Gomorrah, Egypt and Jerusalem. It is spoken also to denote a future punishment. The day of judgment, when God will inflict upon the wicked the full and deserved punishment of their sins, is called the great day of his wrath. — Rev. vi. 17. However dreadful the displays of di- vine wrath are, in this life, upon communities and particular persons, they are not to be compared with the dreadful execu- tion of divine wrath in a future state. On whom the wrath of God comes, it implies, in the first place, a loss of divine favor, and all the blessings which follow it. When the final and dreadful sentence shall be given, they shall go away — from whom ? From the presence of God and Christ ; from the company of the blessed ; and from all the joys and glory of heaven ! Was this all, it would be a dreadful pun- ishment ; but it implies also a total loss of all that is good and 299 happy, in the last period of time. The Spirit of God will ut- terly forsake them ; nor excite in them one faint desire after holiness, when once the soul is banished from God and heaven. How will they view their lost happiness ? When the wrath of God comes, then closes the scene of all the means of grace ; and a consideration of having despised those means, will hut increase their woe. Secondly, it implies a positive punishment, not only a sense of what they have lost, but an infliction of punishment. They shall go aivay into everlasting punishnent, which no doubt implies, that they shall suffer pain — the pains of hell. There sinners will dwell. There is the never dying worm. There miserable wretches suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. These are dreadful images, and fearful representations of the state of everlasting condemnation, which will be the portion of the wicked. A sense of God's wrath, impressed upon the con- science, is dreadful ; but it will be greater, when the punish- ment shall come from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. II. Who may expect to endure the wrath of God. When we read in the context of the lusts of the flesh, of cov- etousness, and the like, we may say, in consequence of all sin, comes the wrath of God. It co?nes upon such children of dis- obedience, as live and die in a state of impenitence ; unreformed and without an interest in the pardoning mercy of God, through Christ. Such sins as are more immediately committed against God ; such as are forbidden by the first table of the law ; or those against the second table, which prescribes our duty towards our neighbor, deserve this wrath. The Heathen shall not es- cape. They will be punished, for their rebellion against the light of law and nature. And shall those, who know the mind of God, as revealed in the gospel ; who have a clear reve- lation of truth and duty, escape ? Such may expect this wrath who are neither awed by threatenings, nor moved by mercies. Neglecting mercies and means of grace will greatly aggi-avate the condemnation another day ; and the gospel, which was or- 300 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. dained to life, will, to such offenders, he unto death. Christ told the unbelieving inhabitants of Ohorazin and Bethsaida, that it would he more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon, at the day of judgment, than for them. The Heathen, who had been guilty of gross immoralities, never had such means of escape, as we have under the gospel ; and if we add to all our other sins, that of disobeying the gospel and despising an offered Sa- vior, the wrath of God will come in a dreadful manner. Those who have sinned against warnings, counsels and invitations, are objects of this wrath. On the impious and profane ; the ungod- ly and irreligious, comes the ivrath of God ; nor will any such escape. No outward profession of religion, nor zeal for doc- trines, nor modes of worship, will make up the want of moral honesty, in the great day of accounts. IMPROVEMENT. 1. Let us learn, then, not to make light of any sin whatever. For God^s ivrath luill come upon all transgressors of his holy law ; and without a pardon, through the blood of Christ, the least sin will sink us down to hell forever. 2. Let us be thankful for Jesus Christ. If this wrath comes upon a guilty world; and it inevitably will, how should we rejoice, that Jesus Christ has taken this wrath upon himself; and has, in his own person, endured the cross, despised the shame ; and has opened a way for sinners to escape this wrath ! It follows — 3. That sinners are to be entreated to fly from this wrath. Oh ! Be entreated to take the warning ; now be entreated to make application to the Son of God, to Jesus the IMediator of the new covenant. You see what is coming upon this impious world, dead in tresjiasses and sins ; and be entkeated to pre- pare TO MEET YOUR GoD, AND FLY rR0:\I THE W^RATII TO COME. ROLAND green's CHARGE. 301 Note B. Pago 287. There is no certain eyidence for wliat particular occasion tlie following Charge was prepared. It was however a " church an- tient and renowned," (as Mr. Green expresses it) which was about settling a minister, and what more appropriate application could the expression have than to the Church of Taunton, and what more probable than that the Charge was given in 1780, when Ephraim Judson was inducted into the Pastoral office, over that Church. The CHAEGE, by liev. ROLAND GREEN, Mansfield. Whereas it hath pleased the glorious Head of the Church to call you to take part of the evangelical ministry, and in his all- wise Providence to incline the hearts of this people to invite you to become their Spiiitual Guide, and you to accept of their in- vitation : We, who are Pastors of Churches, by special appointment hereunto, do in this public manner declare you an ordained min- ister, in office equal with ourselves, and commit to your pastoral care the Church and people of God, usually meeting for public worship within these walls — charitably believing that you take the oversight of them from love to Christ, and a sincere desire to promote his interest in the world. We shall now proceed to the solemn Charge usually given on such occasions, and here a large field opens to our view, of im- portant duties inseparably connected with the ministerial charac- ter. We charge you before God, the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you fulfil the ministry you have received — take heed to yourself that you be a man of God — take heed to your Doctrine, that it be pure. Scriptural and uncorrupted with human inventions — preach the word, preach it faithfully, plain- ly, affectionately, and with a seriousness becoming a messenger sent by God to his people upon their most important concerns ; 26 302 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. preach Jesus Christ and him crucified, Christ the wisdom and the power of God — display the glories of his divine person and character — represent him as he is represented in the sacred Scriptures, the mighty Grod, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace, the Alpha and the Omega — hold up to view the de- pravity of human nature, the necessity of efficacious Grace, preach repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, — the nature and importance of universal holiness — testify and declare to all such as profess to believe, that they maintain good works, as these are good and profitable unto men. As an Ambassador and Agent for Christ beseech sinners to be reconciled unto God, compel them to come in, as you have heard this day. As a Steward feed Christ's Sheep and Lambs — as a Watch- man, give warning of approaching danger and watch for souls as one that must give up an account to the Great Lord of all. As a Light in this Golden Candle, shine with the Light of Doctrine and Example. In reproving and rebuking, see that you attend to these with long suffering and patience — in the cause of God be faithful, bear a faithful testimony against the prevailing sins of the pres- ent day. Administer the seals of the new Testament, making a differ- ence between the precious and the vile. Open the doors of the Church as wide as Christ and his Apostles have set them — nev- er narrow the limits of the Church, by unscriptural terms of communion. Urge upon your hearers the importance of a public profession of Religion, and of bringing their infant off- spring to Christ in the way of his ordinance, " for of such is the kingdom of heaven." In governing the Church, preside with dignity as an officer of Christ, and be governed by his Laws, and guard against a lord- ly, supercilious temper and conduct. ROLAND green's CHARGE. 303 As you will have power to ordain others, keep your eye on the Scriptural qualifications — " not a Novice, lest he be lifted up with Pride." Remember there are no extraordinary officers in Christ's king- dom, as Prophets, Apostles, Evangelists, but ordinary, such as Pastors and Teachers, such as are stationary to feed the flock. You will bear a faithful testimony against all such conduct as has a tendency to subvert the order of the Gospel, and intro- duce confusion in Towns and Churches. Bless the Congregation in the name of the Lord — and re- member, Sir, and bear it upon your mind, that those graces, which adorn christians, and which you inculcate upon others, should shine with distinguished lustre in your own Character. Ee thou therefore an example to others in faith, in charity, in word and conversation — you are to be sober, just, holy, temperate, holding forth the faithful word, that you may be able to convince gainsayers — in fine, study to shew yourself approv- ed of Grod, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed — you must be sensible of your insufficiency for this great work. You will therefore give yourself to meditation and prayer, you will look up to the great Head of the Church, that his grace may be suf- ficient for you. You will need Grace and strength from Christ, to make you faithfully to discharge your duty as a minister and as a christian. No doubt you will meet with discouragements and opposition if you are faithful, but a steady adherence to the Cause of God, will save you from shipwreck. When you consider that this People have put themselves un- der your pastoral care — and that you must give an account of your Stewardship — you will travail in birth for them, you will warn the wicked, and comfort the feeble minded, and consider as an mcitement to duty, the inspection of him, whose eyes are as a flame of fire, as well as the eyes of men. 30-4 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. And upon tlie whole, if you are fouud faithful in the discharge of all duties as a christian and minister, great will be your re- ward in heaven — and Jesus the Judge of all, will pronounce this blessed sentence, " Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord." — Amen. I shall now address the Church, brethren in our common Lord. Our ready compliance with your call, and attention to the bu- siness to which we have been invited are demonstrations of our love and respect. This Church, antient and renowned, has been respectable ever since its fii'st establishment, has weathered many a storm. When innovations crept into many of our churches and errors in doctrine, and disorder in practice prevailed, this Church, like Judah of old was faithful with the saints. Being built upon the Rock of Ages, though surrounded with enemies, it stands, having experienced the fulfilment of the Redeemer's promise, " the gates of hell shall not prevail." 'Tis Christ that walks in the midst of the golden candlesticks. Our charge to you is, support your Character, as descendants from such vener- able ancestors. Through the tender care of Christ, you have a minister settled over you, whereby you will enjoy a regular ad- ministration of divine ordinances — receive him, as an ascension gift of our blessed Lord, love his person, treat his character with tenderness, pray for him, conscientiously attend his ministrations, and be at peace among yourselves. I conclude with the words of the Apostle ; Finally, brethren, farewell; be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace, and the God of love and peace be with you. — Amen. CONCLUDING REMARKS. 305 CHAPTER XI. CONCLUDING REMARKS. The plan proposed in the beginning of this work haa been very imperfectly accomplished. Many a time during the months of its execution, has its humble compiler been ready to say with Solomon, not only that " of making many books," but, of makmg a single book, " there is no end." To one who has had any experience in statistical service, it need not be remarked that of all labor for the press, it requires the most research, and the greatest care. And with all our pains-taking, our short-comings and extreme fallibihty must be confessed. Had the toil, the extended correspondence, and the necessary expense of such an undertaking been foreseen, probably the indulgence of the community never would have been invoked at the conclu- sion of such a history, and this tribute of esteem and af- fection, such as it is, never would have been paid to the memory of the founders and fathers of our town. With all its labor, however, and unappreciated toil, there has been no little pleasure in passing these few last months among the men of former generations and in the ages that have gone by. A sad pleasure indeed sometimes, like that of walkuig alone in the unfrequented grave yard, and looking over the indistinct record of the death and burial 26* 306 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. of long departed friends, but nevertheless a pleasure to those who would not forget whence they sprung, who would know, not only ivlio^ but what kind of men their fathers were. We have reviewed a period of more than two hundred years. We have rescued from oblivion facts in the early history of this ancient town, which, if little valued now, may possibly be of some use, when two more centuries shall have passed away. Besides incidental notices of other professions* and of other men, historical memoirs, either more or less extended have been given of thirty- four ministers,! prior to the present century, and of as many more since that time, who, for the most part, have done the church and the w^orld important service in their day and generation, but whose ministry on earth has al- ready expired, or is soon to cease forever. These all have been successors in the ministry to two men, Hooke and Street, the associated Pastors of the small church in the wilderness of Taunton in 1637. That wilderness spot is now covered with a population, (accord- ing to the United States Census of 1850,) of twenty thousand, six hundred and fourteen; of which =^ Note A. t Their names are as follows : William Hooke, Nicholas Street, George Shove, Samuel Danforth, Thomas Clap, Josiah Crocker, Caleb Bamum, Elias Jones, Ephraim Judson, John Foster, John Lyon, Wil- liam W. Wheeler, Aaron Wheeler, Sylvester Round, William Nelson, Samuel Nelson, Ehcnezer Nelson, Joseph Avery, Joseph Palmer, Pitt Clarke, Nathaniel Fisher, John Smith, Elder Goff, Matthew Short, Jo- seph Belcher, Solomon Prentice, Archibald Campbell, William Reed, John Wales, Peres Fobes, Samuel Tobey, Thomas Andros, Ebcnezer White, Roland Green, all of whom were preachers within the limits of the original Taunton previous to the present century. CONCLUDING REMARKS. 307 are included in Taunton proper, 10,431 " " Norton, 1,967 " " Dighton, 1,641 " " Easton, 2,337 " " Rajnham, 1,541 " " Berkley, 908 " " Mansfield, 1,789 20,614 Not only these, but every other town in the county of Bristol have sprung into being since William Hooke preached his famous Fast Day Sermon on the bank of the Tetiquet, in the "Tetiquet Purchase," in 1640, in the hearing of Richard Williams, Elisabeth Pool, William Pool, and a score or two beside them, of kindred spirits.* The descendants of those who listened to that sermon, and asked for its publication ; the descendants of those who from a circuit of many miles, even to the extreme limit of the ''North" and "South Purchase," came to "Taunton Green" to hear not only Hooke and Street, but Shove and Danforth preach, those of them yet re- maining w^ithin the limits of the ancient town, are distrib- uted, as we have seen, through thirty-nine churches and congregations of professed worshipers and answering to the call of the "church going bell," listen every Lord's Day to the instructions of as many professed ministers of God's word. With what more appropriate prayer, could one who has been occupied so long in the preparation of the preceding sheets for the press, conclude his work, than that which the devout Psalmist hath taught us to offer: * Note B. ~~ 308 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. " Turn us again, God of Hosts, and cause Thy face to sliine ; and we shall be saved. Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt : Thou hast cast out the heathen and planted it. Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the lahd. The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars. She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river. Return, we beseech Thee, God of Hosts ; Look down from Heaven, and behold, and visit this vine, and the vineyard, which Thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that Thou madest strong for Thyself. Let Thy hand be upon the man of Thy right hand, upon the Son of Man, whom Thou madest strong for Thyself. So will not we go back from Thee : quicken us, and we will call upon Thy name. Turn us again, Lord God of Hosts, cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved." .«.^«^> -'. t '^-mMM^ .0^1 ,^^/-^;^/^^^^^ Stgneifh, P.dorayMm of I>nlfp'.n^^n>:a at :P/aJad^i?>h^a^ July ^*'^ /77S. APPENDIX TO CHAPTER ELEVENTH. Note A. Pao^e 306 A RELATIVE of Judge Paine furnished me with the following sketch of his ancestor, after my own brief notice had been sent to the press : "Kobert Treat Paine was born in Boston, March 12, 1731. His father, Rev. Thomas Paine, was born in Barnstable, grad- uated at Harvard College, 1717, and ordained at Weymouth, but in consequence of ill health removed to Boston in 1730, and afterwards resigning the ministry engaged in mercantile business. His mother was daughter of Rev. Samuel Treat of Eastham, son of Governor Robert Treat of Connecticut, and was a grand- daughter of Rev. Samuel Willard, Vice President of Harvard College. Mr. Paine studied at the Public Latin School, and graduated at Harvard College in 1749 : he had hitherto enjoyed the ad- vantages which wealth could afford to an only son, but his fath- er suffering a loss of property just as he graduated, he thereaf- ter became dependent on his own exertions. After keeping a school for a year, he made three voyages to North Carolina, acting as Master, and in the last going to Fayal and Cadiz, and then went as Master to the coasts of Grreenland on a whaling voyage. On his return he went in 1755 to Lancaster and commenced reading law with his relative. Judge Willard ; and while pur- suing his studies, preached at Shirley. Mr. Willard being ap- 310 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. pointed Colonel of a regiment raised for the great expedition of tliat year to Crown Point, lie was appointed chaplain of the regiment, was at the camp at Lake George about three months till it broke up, and while there and at Albany was in company with many high civil and military officers. His sermons at Shirley and at the camp, and maps and plans of the camp and country sketched by him are still preserved. He finished his preparatory reading of law in Mr. Pratt's oJB&ce in Boston, was admitted to the Bar in 1757, and com- menced practice in Boston, but in 1761 removed to Taunton. He now constantly attended the Superior and Inferior Courts at Boston, Taunton, Plymouth and Barnstable, and frequently at Worcester and other places. His great powers of mind, profound knowledge of law, and habits of thorough investiga- tion early brought him a large practice, which increased till it was probably not exceeded by that of any lawyer in the State. Many of the most eminent gentlemen and merchants of Boston, though he did not reside there, were his clients. Bradford in his history of Massachusetts says that as a lawyer he was con- sidered among the most eminent in the Province. He was an early and zealous supporter of the popular interest and in in- tercourse and counsel with the influential men of the party — with James Otis in particular he was on terms of personal and political friendship ; but his professional business was too exten- sive and important to him to permit him in .the earlier part of the contest to devote himself exclusively to politics. In 1768, when a Convention from all the State v/as called at Boston on account of the troops being ordered here, his presence was desired, and he attended as a delegate from Taunton : his devotion to the cause and high character for inflexible principle and practical wisdom, as well as his eminence at the Bar served to inspire confidence and give him a wide influence. In 1770 he was married to Sally, daughter of Thomas Cobb, Esq., and sister of General David Cobb. After the Boston Massacre March 5, 1770, he was immedi- ately, on the 0th of the same month, retained by the Town of ROBERT TREAT PAINE. 311 Boston to conduct tlie prosecution of Captain Preston and tho British soldiers, and at the trials in the ensuing autumn he ac- cordingly took the place of the Attorney General. In 1773 the time had come when all other interests must yield to the public cause, and he now devoted himself to it. He was Chairman of a large Committee of the town of Taunton on the tyrannical measures of the Grovernment, and drafted the high toned resolutions that were passed. He was a representa- tive from Taunton and was one of the Committee which prepar- ed the letter to Lord Dartmouth, one of the leading members on the Report on the Hutchinson Letters and Address for the Governor's removal, and Chairman of the Committee on the Impeachment of Chief Justice Oliver — many, if not all, the addresses and reports on both these great measures were at least mainly prepared by him. During the winter session a riot oc- curred at Marblehead which caused much uneasiness to the friends of liberty, and he was one of the Committee sent there to inquire into it. In 1774, as soon as the General Court met at Salem in June, the alarming state of the Province was discussed in a secret conclave of the members of the popular party and it was decid- ed to recommend a Continental Congress. A serious obstacle to the adoption of this measure presented itself : it belonged to the Committee on the state of the Province to report it to the House, and Mr. Leonard of Taunton, a friend of Government, was on that Committee, and the moment such a measure was proposed, would make it known to the Governor, who would at once dissolve the General Court. To remove the obstacle Mr. Paine proposed to Mr. Leonard to go home and attend to their law business at the court at Taunton, and return in a few days. Mr. Leonard assented and they both left. The Committee re- ported, the recommendation of a Continental Congress was voted, and the Delegates chosen. As had been foreseen, the General Court was instantly dis- solved ; but the work had been accomplished. The Governor's messenger arrived before the business was quite completed, and 312 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. tlie assemljly caused tlieir door to be fastened and allowed him to knock awhile, until they had finished. "The Delegation to the first Congress in 1774," says the biographer of Mr. Gerry, "combined men highest in the es- teem and confidence of their fellow-citizens. Massachusetts sent to that assembly Thomas Gushing, Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine, James Bowdoin and John Adams, men whose weight of talent and character was suited to the arduous and responsible duties they were destined to perform. In 1775, Mr. Bowdoin declined a reelection and John Hancock was appoint- ed in his place. Mr. Gushing retired at the end of the same year, and was succeeded by Mr. Gerry." Mr. Paine was the only one of the Delegates now chosen who did not belong to Boston. The Delegates, (except Mr. Bow- doin, who never went,) left Boston on the 10th August, under a large escort, and at the principal places on their route were received with escorts and other great attentions. Gongress was in session during September and October, and Mr. Paine, on his return to Taunton in November, was received with great rejoicings by the Sons of Liberty. In 1775, in the winter and spring, he attended the 2d Pro- vincial Gongi-ess at Gambridge, and was one of the Gommittee on the state of the Province. In April he left for the Congress at Philadelphia, which met in May. The war was now begun and Gongress were to carry it on ; an army was already in the field and money was readily obtain- ed by the issue of bills; but the great want was of ecjuipments for the army, powder, cannon and fire-arms; and to provide these supplies Committees of Gongress were appointed, at the head of which as Chairman, Mr. Paine was placed : and to the performance of this work he now for a year and eight months devoted himself witli unremitted zeal and energy. Of powder there was little in the country and still less of the materials for its manufacture, sulphur and saltpetre. How to obtain saltpetre was a serious question. After much labor and study, and con- sulting; chemists and clicmical and otlior scientific works, Mr. ROBERT TREAT PAINE. 813 Paine planned practical modes and processes by which it could be obtained, and explained them in a printed essay, which was distributed to all parts of the country ; almost infinite labor was then required, by circulars to the assemblies, letters to influen- tial persons and personal applications, to procure its production in sufficient quantities. Great exertions were also required to obtain supplies of sulphur ; and when the materials were obtain- ed, to set establishments and mills in operation for the manufae- ture of the powder. Of cannon and fire-arms, the shape, cali- bre and dimensions were to be settled, models and drawings made, and foundries and factories set in operation. Large con- tracts were made and constant supervision .exercised to ensure their faithful and prompt execution. A number of factories and mills were also established and conducted for the Continen- tal account. These effijrts were attended with great success, and to them the army was largely indebted for its supply of those articles during the early part of the war. Mr. Paine labored on these committees with untiring assidui- ty to the end of the year 1776, when he returned home. Dur- ing this period he was constant in attendance in Congress, tak- ing part in the debates; he also acted on many other important committees. In November, 1775, he was appointed with R. R. Livingston and Gov. Langdon, a Committee to visit the army on the North- ern frontier, with extensive powers as to the increase, plans and destination of it — a commission of great importance and deli- cacy, from which they returned at the end of December. Ho was one of a committee to prepare rules of debate ; to inquire into the causes of the miscarriages in Canada ; to devise ways and means for putting the militia in a state for the defence of America ; to establish a Hospital ; to consider what provision ought to be made for those disabled in the public service ; to purchase clothing for the army ; to report a method for estab- lishing and training cavalry ; in relation to prizes ; on admiralty appeals; and on many other matters. On the 4th July, 1776, he was present in Congress and 27 314 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. signed tlie Declaration of Independence. Mr. Paine arrived Lome at Taunton, December 30, 1776, in the enjoyment of a high reputation throughout the country for the services he had rendered — his biographer states that his reputation for talents and zeal and activity in the cause now stood as high as that of any man in the State. He was elected to Congress for 1777 and 1778, but did not again attend ; the capture of Philadelphia, near which many of the foundries and powder mills were situated, and the arrival in the Spring of large supplies from France rendered his presence there probably less necessary. In 1777, he took a seat in the Legislature by a vote of both Houses. In May he was elected a representative from Taun- ton, was part of the time Speaker, was a delegate to a Conven- tion of the five Eastern States at Springfield, and in August was unanimously elected Attorney General. In 1778, he was a delegate to the Convention at Hartford for the regulation of prices, and drafted the address; the chair- man of a Commission appointed by Congress to investigate the causes of the failure of the Rhode Island expedition; one of the Committee of the Legislature for preparing a Constitution for the State, and is reported to have been the chief author of the draft — this was one of the first models of an instrument since become so familiar — it gave rise to able discussions, and many alterations and improvements being suggested, was not adopted; but in the Convention of 1779, in which Mr. Paine was again on the Committee for preparing the draft, it served as the outline from which the Constitution of 1780 was formed. He was one of the Council in 1779 and 1780, and under the new Constitution was again appointed Attorney Greneral and was one of the Committee for revising the laws. The duties of his ofiice rendered it inconvenient for him to reside out of Boston, and in 1781 — after a residence in Taun- ton of twenty years t- ho purchased and removed to the largo house and estate, formerly the residence of Gov. Shirley, at tho forncr of Milk and Federal streets in Boston. EGBERT TREAT PAINE. 315 The office of Attorney General lie held from 1777 to 1790, a period of anxiety, distress, crime and rebellion. The advis- ing a new government in all important measures, the confisca- tion of the estates of Tories, and the trials of the Insurgents during Shay's Insurrection, were labors added by the times to the arduous duties of that office. After the war was over, there followed a period of such exhaustion and lassitude that the foun- dations of society and morals seemed on the verge of being broken up ; the high moral tone of the Revolution yielded un- der the pressure of debt, taxation, bankruptcy and distress; a hatred of Government and laws threatened to become prevalent, and the shades of impending demoralization, anarchy and license cast gloom and anxiety over society. Government was to be maintained and the laws enforced. The Attorney Gen- eral was not a man to falter in a time of difficulty or danger, and the duties of his office were performed with singular fidelity and great legal ability. The popularity of John Hancock, the Governor, was lessen- ed during this awful crisis and it may well be supposed that the Attorney General reaped a full share of the ill-will of the dis- affected portions of the community. In 1790 the office of Judge of the Supreme Court, which he had declined in 1775, '80, '82 and '84, was again offered him, and in view of his advanced age he now accepted it. He re- signed in 1804, and was chosen to the Council, but declined a reelection; and enjoying his mental faculties in full vigor, and retaining his interest in his friends and country to the close of his life, he died May 12, 1814, aged eighty-three years. Mr. Paine possessed great intellectual powers and mental ac- tivity, an earnest love of knowledge, and great firmness, decis- ion and energy of character; his memory was retentive and ready, his extensive knowledge on all subjects well digested, and his wisdom practical and operative. As a sound lawyer, and in thorough knowledge of the common law, he had no su- perior. He had great taste for literature and science, and for many of the mechanic arts, and agricultural pursuits were his delight even in his busiest moments. 816 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Religious faitli and trust in Proviclence were abiding and cou- trollin;>' elements in his character. In the cause of 2;eneral ed- ucation he always took a deep interest and constantly urged its importance. He was an unfailing attendant on public worship. Ilis habits were domestic, regular and temperate. He was tall in stature, and a voice, whose tones were a deep bass, a serious if not stern expression of countenance, and a severity as well as frankness of manner gave him the appearance of greater sternness than he possessed. He had kind feelings, warm sym- pathies, and a social disposition, and his attachments were strong and lasting. Possessing great powers of conversation, wit and humor, and full of anecdote, he delighted in social intercourse, and his family circle was the scene of unrestrained freedom and cnjo^^ment. His hospitality was generous, and his house waa the constant resort of his rmmerous acquaintance. Sterling integrity, infiexible principle, an uncompromising sense of jus- tice were the distinguishing traits of his Spartan character." Note B. Page 307. I FORTUNATELY fciTud at the eleventh hour, several most val- uable original letters from early settlers of Tawnton, among tho Hinckley and Mather Papers, in tlie MS. Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, which, according to the By- laws of that Society I am not permitted to publish entire, but from which, by special vote, I have been allowed to make liber- al extracts. The letters are given in the order of time, in which they were written. Number 1. (Mather Papers, Vol. 1, Number 34.) Letter from Nicholas Street^ " to his honored, and assu?^- ed good friend, Mr. Samuel Bache, at las house in Boston:' Dear Sir : — I was fully purposed, if God had not hindered, to have gone into tlie Bay, now with Mr. Rutherford. But it pleased God to visit Bev. Mr. Dav. (onport) with some ilnes by moanes of a great cold, as I think, (some think it was an ague) LETTER OP NICHOLAS STREET. 317 which put a stop at present to my intended voyage ; but lie is recovering tliro' God's goodness, and in a hopeful way to come forth the next Sabbath, which, if he doth, I intend, God wil- ling, to take ye first opportunity. I remember some advice I received from you, against communicating my thoughts in writ- ing about the Synodalia to such as I intended ; whereupon I did lay that business aside for a time. But it was with me something like to that in Jeremia ch. 20 : 9. I had never a stronger bent in my spirit to any undertaking, and had a great conflict upon some account, too large to write, which did drive me to God to seek direction, guidance and help of Him, with- out which I can do nothing, being nothing in or of myself, and He hath graciously answered me. I know, I am sure, that He hath been with me in this work, and hath given me to see here a little, and there a little, which I did not so clearly see before. If I could call any thing that came from me the child of my prayers and tears, I can this.* Something of God there is in it, tho' mixed with many weaknesses of mine. I hope it may do good to some, tho' it is very like it would be unpleasing to oth- ers, if it should come to their view. I have had thought to im- part it in the first place to Mr. Mather, Sen., out of my rever- end esteem of him and singular aflfection to him for the Grace of God in him, but not concerning myself, I have sent what I have done unto yourself. * * * If you judge, that it is likely to attain any good end by com- municating it to him (Mr. Mather, Sen.,) to peruse for a short time, I shall leave it to your discretion. * * Myself and wife salute you in the Lord. I do desire to have our due respects with unfeigned hearty aflfection presented to good Mrs. Bache, as also to your sister. Committing you to God and His Grace, I rest yours in Christ, Nicholas Street. N. H. 15 of the 3d (16)G6. * This probably is the "lost production" referred to on page 169, vol. 1, which Mr. Mather. Sen., on examining, prefaced with remarks of his own, and published. We may well regret its loss. 27^ 818 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. My due respects to Mr. Matlier, Jim., and to bis honored father, if you speak with him. I suppose I need not desire your prayers for us, as being persuaded that you are mindful of us that way, as we also are of you, not only in ye family prayers, but sutidry times this winter, in days of humiliation at our meetings. No. 2. (Hinckley Papers, Yol. 2, No. 3.) Letter of Ricliard Williams and three others, " to the Worshijifull Thomas IlincJdey, Esq., to he communi- cated to others, our worthy and loving friends, concern^ ed in the contents, in the Townships of Barnstable, Sandivich, ^c. Preseiit tvith care^ Tamiton, ^j9. 15, (16)76. HoNOKED A^'D Beloved ! — We have received your affection- ate letter, full of Love and undeserved bountie toward us your unworthy Brethren and neighbours, and do bless God that He hath given us soe much room in your hearts, that you soe freely tender us, a part with you in your houses, fields, and provisions, at such a time when the Lord is threat'ning us with bereave- ment of our own. It much comforteth us in this day of dark- ness and distresse, we assuring ourselves thereby, that if our distresses continue, and increase, we shall want noe succour you are able to afford us. We therefore return you all serious thanks for your syncere and abundant Love, beseeching the Lord still to continue and increase your peace and abilitie and readiness to relieve the distresses in this evil daye. Nevertheless upon the serious and mature deliberation upon and consideration of your soe great offer, we cannot at present comply with a motion to remove and quitt our places, and leave our habitations to be a desolation, and that because we fear we should, in soe doing, be wanting to the name of God, and the interest of Christ in this place and bewraye much diffidence and cowardice, and give the adversarye occasion of tryuniph over us, to ye reproach of that great and fearfull Name of our God, that is called on us. Our sins are already such as might render our friends, (did LETTER OF WILLIAM HOOK. 319 they know us) affraid to entertain us ; and what can we expect of the issue of such an addition thereunto., but that the hands of the Lord would follow us, and find us out whithersoever we fled. Besides, if the Lord hath any pleasure and will soe farr fkvour and honour us, we judge we may hero be more serviceable to ye country than elsewhere, and hazzards of removals (as great as of abiding where we are) avoided; and who can tell, but that ye Lord may make way for our enjoyment of seed time and harvest here, by prospering our forces which are coming forth, if we could but humble ourselves before Him. And if the Lord have no delight at all in us, but will for our sins (which were but just) make His dwelling place here as Shiloh, we are in His hands. The Lord doe with us as seemeth good in His eight. Here we have sinned, and here we submit ourselves to suffer, except the Lord's Providence, and order or advice of Authorities should plainly determine us to removall ; in case whereof, we shall esteem it an undeserved kindness, to find shelter among yourselves, and comply with your motion.* Your obliged Brethren, and friends and servants in ye Lord, (in the name of the Town,) Richard Williams, Walter Deane, George Macy, William Harvey. No. 3. (Mather Papers,' Vol. 1, No. 72.) Letter of William Hook " to the Rev, Mr. Increase Math- er^ Preacher of ye Gospel at Boston^ in New-Eng- landy Rev'd Sir: — I received your letter dated (I think) in May last, in which you acquaint vs with ye trouble yt ye Eastern In- dians do create you. Thus Grod is pleased to lengthen out your exercise through a cruell, perfidious, and blasphemous genera- * They propose sending their cattle for safety, and in conclusion ask an interest in their prayers. 320 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. con of very bruitisli men. I am sorry yt you write no more comfortably concerning Rcformacon, and I had lately a letter from Mr. Bishop, Pastor of StanfFord, who writes concerning i^ much as you have done. I have sent you included herein a catalogue of ye ministers yt dyed, most of them, in and near London within ye last 10 or 12 years.* This, I think, is liko to be my last letter to you. My stomach fayles me. I have no appetite to any food, or very little, at any time. The keepers of ye house begin to tremble, and ye strong men to bow them- selves, and ye grinders cease becaupe they are few, and ye clouds return after ye rain. Yet Grod is pleased to enable me to preach hitherto, but my spirits are growing weak, and my breath is very short. I hope thro' ye Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be with Him ere long. I must conclude. The Father of Mercies and G-od of all consolation be with you, and bless your studies and labours in His work. In Him I rest. The 7th of ye 6th Yours to serve you to ye last, 1677. William HooK.f No. 4. (Mather Papers, Yol. 1, No. 73.) Letter from Jane Hook ''for 3fr. Increase Mather, Min- ister of the Gospel, in Boston, New-England.'^'* Reverend Sir : — The last day^of ye 5th month my husband did reseve a kind letter from you. Blessed be ye Lord yt you are so wel, but I was sorry to hear yt New-England had made no better use of ye Lord's stroke upon them. We are much inquiring after ye afares of our brethren in N. E. and very much troubled to here of ye great destresses yt have come from ye heathen, slaying and murdering so many, and firing so many plantations, as your book sent over dos mention. (Many thanks * This catalogue includes the names of 47 in London, and 40 in the suburbs. t It will be observed that the first minister of Taunton wrote his name without the final e. I have given it in this work, as it was found iu con- nection with the sermons printed in London in 1641, and 1645. LETTERS OF JANE HOOK. 321 for your book to me.) Sir, your sorrowes is. ours, and your comfort ours. I hope your brethren and friends there dos sym- pathise with you. And truly I am sorry when I think of it, yt we have remembered our brethren no more. But this I am sure of, we forget you not in our prayers, at ye Thrown of Grace. * * * I am glad that ye old cloathes were of any use to ye breth- ren with you. I am willing to do a little, being incouraged. — « * * I beg your payers yt I may live to (honor) ye Lord. I am your unworthy sister, 6th mo. 8th day, Jane Hook.* (16)77 No. 5. (Mather Papers, Yol 2, No. 52.) Letter of Jane Hooh ''for ye Rev. Preaclier of ye Gos- pel, 3fr. Increase MatJier, -at Boston, New-England, Rev'd Sir: — Bering how welcom ye old cloathes were to those poor ministers ye last yeer, I have adventured, to send a few more. « « « Pray, Sir, be pleased to accept of two pare of gloves, which you will reseve yeself (for) those poor ministers which Mr. Noyse and Mrs. Nowell did speak of. I beg yr prayers, and remain. * * * Your loving friend, 4m 27, (16)78. Jane Hook. No. 6. (Mather Papers, Yol. 3, No. 7.) Letter of Jane Hooh to Rev. Increase Mather. Rev. Sir ; * * * "What ye Lord has moved hearts, I have sent. Pray let Mr, * It is supposed that " Jane Hook " Avas the wife of William Hook, and sister of Whalley, the Regicide. Rev. Joseph B. Felt, in answer to a letter of inquiry, Avrites : " Her deep interest in New-England, and its ministers, is favorable to the supposition, that she Avas the Avife of Wil- liam Hook." 322 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. Newil be remembered (in tbe) cloatbes : and (ye) money, I leave it to your wisdom and care. Do not forget my Hon. and precious friend's (who is now with their Lord) his grandchild. The Lord has bless'd your letter sent to me, and honoured Kev. Mr. Davenport, peace of his letter. * * Dr Sir, you did pen your letter so well, that I did show it to many precious''soules — IMy kind respects to your dear wife. Your loving friend, Jane Hook. I have sent two pare of gloves to you and two pare for my unknown friend, Mr. John Cotton. 1 m. 5 day, (16)79. No. 7. (Mather Papers, Yol. 3, No. 18.) Letter of Jane Hook to Rev. Increase Blather. Rev. Sir: — I thro' the Lord's mercy have made known your letter here. * * * Such is ye extremity of 0. E.; that here are hearts full of compassion and tender affection but strength is wanting. Sir, a few cloathes and 6/^5 in money you will receive, (all from a good God) * * * 2m. 7d, '79. Jane Hook. No. 8. (Hinckley Papers, Yol. 1, No. 14.) Letter of Greorge Shove to Croveiiior HincMey. Worshipful Sir: — Since my return from Plimouth, I hear of a petition or motion (for I knoAV not wt to call it, my infor- mation is so slender) of the Quakers to the authorities of this Collony, that they may be ( ) for voting and bearing office in Townships where they dwell; and as it is represented to me, their Cause is so farr favoured yt it is counselled on their behalf, because they will not take the oath of allegiance, that an engagement may be framed on purpose for them, tliat so yr incapacity maye be removed for tlieir enjoying of privileges in common with other subjects. Had I heard of it before my LETTER OP GEORGE SHOVE. 323 coming from Plim. I sliould have endeavored a right under- standino; of the matter * 11 June, 1679. G-eorge Shove. No. 9. (Hinckley Papers, Vol. 1, No. 20.) Letter of G-eorge Sliove " to the Right Worshvpfull Crov- ernor and Deputy Governor tvith the Wo7'shi2)fuU As- sistants, assembled at Plimouth, June 1, 1680." Right honourable and woRSHirFULL : — It were great in- gratitude to God who coutinueth our peace, and maketh us so happy in our Rulers in this wilderness, unnecessarilye to aug- ment their burden and trouble. This consideration with manye more upon the heart of your petitioner, hath made him slowe to complaine, as willing rather to suffer than contend for his Right, being assured that God knows how to requite Good for the wrong so suffered from men. But now, (at least to his own apprehension) he has concluded under a necessitie to make your authoritie his refuge. Be pleased therefore to take cognisance of his grievance, presented to your view as followeth.f * * * In this your petitioner brieflie (yet he trusts you will j&nde faithfully) has represented his case before you, to whose sen- tence and judgment he freely subjects it, requesting your favor- able construction of this his address, who most unwillinglie and of constraint, occasions you such trouble, is bound incessantlie to pray for you, and subscribeth himself, worthie patriots, your servant in every thing in the Lord, George Shove. * The Ms. is very dilScult to decipher. But with all its illegibility, none the less welcome as disproving what was supposed to be true, in preparing the notice in tlie preceding volume, (pp. 171-176,) that " not the smallest fragment of a Ms. remained." t The " grievance " complained of, was the omission of his name in the Title given to the "North Purchase." It would seem that this omis- sion was the result of some misunderstanding in the matter of payment. Most of the proprietors were in favor of entering the name, but a few objected. By referring to vol. 1, page 38, it will be found his name was entered, according to this petition, in 1682. 324 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. No. 10. (Matlier Papers, Yol. 4, No. 17.) Letter of Jayie Hook to Rev. Increase Matlier. I recaived two letters from you in wli you give a full account liow the benefactors money was laid out. * * * Pray let not Mrs. Davenport be forgotten, wliose Husband's father was Pastor of New-Haven. * * 6m. 2d, (16)81. Jane Hook. P. S. I hope you had some of the money Dr. Owen's church sent over. No. 11. (Mather Papers, Vol. 4, No. 8.) Letter of Jane Hooh to Rev. Licrease Mather. I was very glad to receive yr lines, but especially that the Lord had answered prayer for your life. * * * 2m. 14d, (16)82. Jane Hook. No. 12. (Hinckley Papers, Yol. 1, No. 28.) Letter of Qeorge Shove to Qovernor HincMey. Taunton, FehW 23,(16)8J. RiGUT WoRSHiPFULL SiR '. — It hath been my ambition now for a great while to wait upon you at Barnstable ; but Provi- dence hitherto hath given check thereto, and I am not able to say when I shall be favoured with an opportunitie to perform my respects to your worship in such a way. These are there- fore to present my service to you and Mrs. Hinckley, and testi- fy ray deep sense of obligation, and to bespeak yr favourable construction, that tidings of yr sickness (that I say not death) have not commanded from me a visit. You are very much up- no my heart, especially considering the times we are brought unto, and the almost insuperable difficulties, that appear every day (at least in my apprehension) in your way to accomplishing of any thing considerable for the interest of religion, which I believe is upon your heart above any other concern in ye world. And I doubt not you have the prayers of all our Churches LETTER OF GEORGE SHOVE. 325 (sucli as they arc) that ye Lord will he with you, and I hope some are not wanting to offer to your pious consideration, what may be necessarie to be done for the honor of God and further- ance of Reformation, who are much better able to deal thorowly therein than myself Yet one thing I cannot but suggest, which sometimes formerly I have mentioned, as of great concernment, and that is, that some effectuall provision (if it be possible) may be made against the open prophanation of the Lord's Day. I must confesse, it is very hard to suppresse that sin in some parts of our CoUony, and I fear every day will render this more difficult. Had Pocasset Lands been in the hands of men that had syncere regard to religion, there were much more hopes of effecting something to the purpose. The Lord of His mercy doe away the guilt of so improvident (that I say not irreligious) disposall of those lands. The sad consequence whereof will soon appear. * * * If, in this soe desperate a case, your Honor can finde out any sure expedient that the prophaning of the Lord's Day may be prevented, it will much conduce to the growing of Religion, and the turning away of God's wrath from us, which also will un- doubtedly kindle a fire upon us, not to be quenched. At the next Court, it is my purpose to wait upon you at Plimouth, if the Lord will. I was at Boston the beginning of this month, but brother Walley being at Barnstable at that time, I doubt not he gave your Honour a more full account of the state of England, &c., than opportunity will give me leave now to doe by letter. Committing therefore yourself and all the great con- cerns under your hands to Him that can doe above all we can ask or think, I subscribe your Honour's much obliged servant, George Shove. No. 13. (Mather Papers, Vol. 5, No. 19.) Letter of Jane Hook " to the Rev. 3Ir. Wilson, Boston.^'' Worthy and dere beloved in ye Lord : — The Lord has 28 326 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. sent you 411bs. 20s of it came from your worthy friend Mr. Ginkiiies and 31bs from diverse of ye Lord's people. * * * Horrid wickedness liere ! oh, the patience of God ! That He docs not rain down fire and brimstone from Heaven. * * * Be very earnest in your prayers to the Lord that His people he not carried away with false worship, hut stand close to Christ's pure worship. I should he glad to hear how your son does do at New-Haven. * * Your loving sister in Christ, Jane Hook. When you have days of prayer, my case is, this dreadful heart sins and lacks faith. I have not those affections I should in hearing the word, mention my case. 3m. 25d, (16)83. No. 14. (Hinckley Papers, Vol. 1, No. 45.) Letter of Qeorge Sliove to Governor Sincldey, This letter is dated " Taunton, July 8, (16)83." It relates principally to the Indians, and the Quakers, who were on trial at Plymouth, the former for murder, the latter for riot and blas- phemy. The letter is very obscure, but it is to be gathered from it, that the minister of Taunton would have his Honour not fear to discharge his whole duty, and in case of guilt, be- come a "terror to evil doers." No. 15. (Hinckley Papers, Vol. 2, No. 20.) Letter of Samuel Banfortli, " to the Honored Thomas Hineldey^ Esq., in Barnstable. These " Taunton, bd, 7m. 1687. HoNOiiED Sir: — Hearing of yr good Inclinations to take the trouble of visiting Taunton at the time appointed for Ordina- tion: Gratitude obliged to an Express acknowledgement there- of : Avhich with the concurrent earnest desires of the principall of the Town, I have adventured to }>erforrae by these rude LETTER OP WALTEE BEANB, ANB OTIIEES. 827 hnes: The nme appointed for that Solemnity u the 21 J)a« God wdhng. I beg your Prayers for my.selfc, utterly unfit tor «uch great .emce ia the Church of God, but by an unwonted concurrence of Providences thrust forth into «er4e by nllS VI lence. Christ was led into a wilderness to be ten^p'^^odVand h Duties of a Eurall life are not without temptations. But w :s ?:sf -' '- -^' - "'- He gi.s th: ye People of your presence. You are fully acquainted with their dangers and difficulties, and need of counsell. CravTn! CIhZ 1 "' '"''""' """ ''"""^'-S my humble servic! to yi Honor, I remain your unworthy friend and servant, Samuel Danfokth. No. 16. (Hinckley Papers, Vol. 3, No. 7.) Letter of Walter Deane and others "to the Ron. Mr Thomas mncMey, Governor, living in Barnstable- These " Taunton, April 1th, 1690. To ye Honor'ble Mr. Thomas Hinckley, Governor of their Maj- estic s Colony of New-Plimouth : Hon. SiR:-rt is our great joy that God has continued you ZxlZc\Tl """ *' ^'^^ ^"' ^'^'^ "^ Church and St te. We Hess God that has restored our Judges as at ye first and "sSrw rh" '* '' ^»S--g-o- Me./from ani:ng ou selves who have a paternal affection to us, and wish our welfare and to whome we may freely speake our thoughts wi't" out such danger as heretofore we stood in: yet desi°e nit o abuse such freedom to Impudence, as some L in , viU nd corrupt disrespect of authority. We are sensible that Tur Honour lies under a great burden, on whomo is ye care of all the Towns and Churches among us, The Lord be your grea 328 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. reward, and the renewer of your strength, yt you may be ena- beled to grapple with and overcome this difference, which ye present tottering condition of our State does produce. Our de- sign is not (we hope) to increase your burden of care, but rath- er to lighten it, if we could. The Lord humble us for our present differences, and show us ye cause of them, and give us wisdom to behave ourselves aright before Him. Our differences are most unseasonable and unreasonable, but in time we trust ye dust will be allayed. * * * The petitioners here proceed to speak of certain differences which had arisen in a militia company in that town with refer- ence to a choice of officers — Capt. Leonard had been elected* to the disaffection of a few. The petitioners, who had voted for Capt Leonard that they might not " lose their scope," "di- gested" as they say, their "thoughts with a few parts," i. e. They state the matter under eight heads — and in conclusion say: We are far too bold and troublesome to your Honour, and crave your pardon — shall finish all in a word or two. We humbly propose that your Honour would take the pains to visit our Town on some time appointed, when our Major Walley may *■ This election is officially announced by Shadracli Wilbore, Clerk of the Town, in a paper which is tlie 4th in Vol. 3 of Hinckley Papers, (the best specimen of chirography in the whole collection.) Thomas Leonard was chosen Captain, receiving 88 votes — George Macey had 3 votes. James Leonard, Jan., was chosen Lieutenant, receiving 68 votes — Henry Hodges liad 3 votes, John Hull, Sen., had 4 votes, and George Macey 1 vote. Henry Hodges was chosen " Insigne," receiving 70 votes — John Hall, Sen., had 1 vote, James Leonard, Jr., 1 vote. The pro- ceedings are pronounced " orderly and Icagal." The return is dated " Taunton, 31st of March, 1G90." LETTER OP WALTER DEANE, AND OTHERS. 829 We rest your humble supplicants, Walter DeaxXe, ) JNTathaniel Williams, j -beacons. James Walker, Senior, ) William Harvey, C ^/ !/^ John Richmond, V ^ow?t Councill, Shadrach Wilbore, Town Clarice Samuel Hall, ' j Constables. John Hathaway, ^ew/or. nr I' '""f * r' T'*"'' ''^ "^""^^ *<> 0"' P°«tio». but Offices or officers (not o boast) but yt yr Hon'r may faow howT; we are engaged .n acting or to act for y^ Town, and yt IZ eyes are upon us to lead in this matter. ^ 28* 330 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. THE LITHOGKAPHS AND AUTOGRAPHS IN THIS WORK. The LlthograpTis were executed by B. W. Thayer and Co. of Boston, at the expense, for the most part of the relatives of the individuals represented. Of these there are nine, and they occur in the following order. 1. Francis Baylies. — This Portrait V7as furnished by Na- thaniel Morton, Esq. , son-in-law of Mr. Baylies, from an excel- lent painting by Harding, executed several years since, when Mr. B. was a Member of Congress. It is inserted at the be- ginning of the 1st Volume, as properly introducing a work for which but shortly before his death, he prepared the " Introduc- tory Notice." 2. David CbJ^i.—John Black, Esq., of Ellsworth, Me., and Judge Wilde, of Boston, sons-in-law of Gen. Cobb, have furnished the likeness of their relative from an admirable paint- ing by Stuart. It is to be found at page 236 of the 1st Yolume. 3. Marcus Morton. — This likeness was obtained from a Daguerreotype impression by Mr. H. B. King of Taunton, and has been furnished by the sons of Governor Morton. It is to be found in connection with a notice of the family, at page 251 of the 1st Volume. 4. Samuel Crocker. — This lithograph was also obtained from a Daguen'can picture by King, and has been furnished by Samuel B. King, Esq., son-in-law of Mr. Crocker. It is in- serted at page 340 of the 1st Volume. 5. Caleb Bar num. — This lithograph was obtained from a profile and miniature likeness of Mr. Barnum in possession of LITHOGRAPHS. 881 the only surviving child of the minister. Widow Child of T.un- eiy, both of Taunton, have furnished it for this work It is inserted at the commencement of the 2d Volume C ^pAraiMjudson.-ms lithograph is a faitlrful copy of who heard 3Ir. Judson preach fifty years ago, and she at once recog„..ed_:t, exclaiming, "That's Mr. Judson." It was fur- > Jnf t ^'"'f;- TWs l!kenes.s was furnished by the sons of Jlr^ Clarke, and is inserted at page 161 of the 2d Volume. f»rn;/wv n'-"^^'- ^^^^^^'^- ^<>^^>> and others have fHrnished this likeness, which is pronounced true to the origi- \^iume '•''■"'^■^fcer the man. Vide page 218, 2d 9 iJo^art r„«i Pa^e.-This portrait was obtained from a pamtmg by Stuart, presented the City of Boston by a grandson of the Judge, and suspended in Faneuil Hall. It was furnish- ed for this work by another grandson of Judge Paine, Charles C. Paine, Esq., of Boston, and his brother-in-law, George B 2d Volume' "^ ^°'^''' ^' '" '"""'"'' ^' P'^" ^°^ "^ "^'^ It is not known that there are any other portraits of the ear- lier ministers and prominent persons treated of in these volumes in exis enee, with the exception of one of Roland Green of Mansfield and a second of Nicholas TiUinghast of Taunton, JudJw-n-''" '? r"!'*^ of securing. It was hoped tha Judge Wilhams, and Judge Wilde might be added to the list but circumstances beyond our control have conspired to prevent. There is a no less truthful than beautiful tribute to the memory of the latter in the following lines of John H. Sheppard, Esq suggested by seeing for the first time the Bust of Jud^c Wilde! executed by Stephenson, at the request of the SufTouTBar- 832 THE MINISTRY OP TAUNTON. The marble speaks. *"Tis he," the observer cries, The very head — the mouth — the full-orb'd eyes. The Roman nose — the lip — the cheek so thin, The brow expanding from deep thought within 5 So true to nature every feature glows, It seems like life just waking from repose. A nobler heart ne'er warm'd the human breast, Than gave the image on that stone impress'd ; And while we gaze, and every look compare, We almost dream the mind itself is there, With all the wit and eloquence and power, As they bcam'd forth in life's meridian hour. Bless'd be the sculptor, whose Promethean art Could touch the marble and such life impart. Though never more we see thy luminous star Gleam midst the Pleiads o'er the learned Bar, Yet while Law's temple shall adorn the land, Time-honor'd worth like thine rever'd Avill stand. Long, long may this memorial point the line, Where wreaths forensic ever brightest shine 5 Teach the young sons of legal lore to aim At lofty heights of pure, unspotted fame ; And be like Wilde, generous, upright, sincere. Whose model practice caus'd no client's tear. Whose setting sun, to learned leisure given, Lingering yet gilds life's eve, beneath the smiles of Heaven. AUTOGRAPHS. 333 THE AUTOGRAPHS. 1. l^^^liam Book. ^This IB t^ken _ >, from a letter found among the - Ma- Cj^iff^J^lc * ther Papers," (Collections of the Mass. r^ff-^ Hist Soc.) dated ''the 7tk of ye m 1677." yI^o pao-e 310 2d Yolume of this work. ^ ^ "^^^^ 2. 7-fm. Ifook.^Taken from a >/ /i y letter m the same series of "Pa- A?¥p€^ /^^ ^A 3. iWc/^o^a^ Street. —Taken ^Z, /? x; >? , from a letter dated "New-Haven olficKoik^ Of^^^ 4. Georffe Shove. — Taken -^ fromaletteramongthe-ninek- G.^^^ «« lejPapers," (Mass. Hist. Soc.) ^ /J^^^Qo'^0^' '^I'lIZ '' '''''" ""-P-'^'i'l -J-ove^ Vide pa.e 5. Samuel Danforth. \0 Taken from an original ^^^ftf^CX ^O^TU^f/^ Will, witnessed by Samuel Danforth and others. ^ 834 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. 6. Thomas Clap.—' Taken from a book of (ny/l^/^t^^ Mr. Clap's "bought at vendue, 1743," en- titled "the Grand abridgement of the Law." 7. Josiah Crock er. — Taken an * * answer to ag- yj ~ ^ \^ grieved brethren," (/ ^^"^ ■ ■■' dated "Dec. 2m, 1745." D 8. Richard Williams. — Taken from a letter among the * ' Hinck- ley Papers" (Mass. Hist. Soc.) declining an invitation to leave Taunton, on account of the Indian War, dated, "April 15, 1G76." Yide page 318, 2d Volume. 9. Walter Deane. — Taken z^,^^ from the same letter, signed by Deane, Williams, and two others for the town. 10. George Macy :m{\. William ^v??) AA^ Harvey.— Thdv signatures were (pG^^^^^UzOll/i^^L^ found attached to the above named ^\j^^% fC^i/rd^ letter. C>^ — ' 11. William Pole. ~ Signature 74rUCia^t)oU found on the Town Records of Dor- ^ Chester, he being ten years, after leaving Taunton, "Registrar" of that town. hore. — Taken from the "Records of Proprietors " dated "14^A of June, 1G70." Yide page 56, 1st Yolume of this work. AUTOGRAPnS. 13. Seth 835 Taken from " Records of Proprietors " Mr Wii- ing Thomas Leonard as ■' Clerk " """' '^""''^- 14. Samuel Fales Taken from a letter to "Hon. John Davis, 26^/^ of July, 1816." Vide page 247, Volume 1. 15. George Leon- arc?.— Taken from the "Kecords of . ed KecorfrM^T'"''' /"""'"'•-Taken from the above nam- ed Kecords, Mr. Leonard being "Precinct Clerk " till 1753. 17. John Smith. — Taken from a letter of 18. William i?eec/.— Furn- ished by Rev. David Eeed, son C.^W / O. of the minister of Easton. W.:ZC.r^ ^ C^ 336 THE MINISTRY OF TAIJXTON. 19. John ]T'«?e5.— Furnislied by ^ ^ /f /^ ^ Mr. William R. Deane, descendant ^C<^^^ i^cUU^^ by marriage, of Mr. Wales, attached / to a letter dated " Raynbam, Decem. 27, 1762," and "for Doct. Benjamin Cburcb, in Boston." 20. Samuel T obey. — Taken from tbe Church Records of Berkley. .^^.Aj^a^^ ^^n^C^ 21. Thomas Aiidros. — Taken from a letter to Gen. George Godfrey, dated "Berkley, July 25, 1791," remonstrating against the settlement of John Foster. ;^r^i^-^^ f^i^O-t 22. Ehe7iezer White. — arnished by Rev. Mr. Blake, and written in 1736. "^ (^ ^ Furnished by Rev. Mr. Jn^^^n^yk^ y^ land Green, c/j^ i>^Ci^9l^ ^^^^^^^M^'. Furnished ^ /^^ by Rev. Mr. ^ Blake, and wi'itten in 1761. The autographs beneath the Portraits in these Volumes, were furnished by tlie friends of the individuals represented, with the exception of Mr. Barnum's, wliich was found attached to a receipt for salary, among the papers of Gen. Godfrey, and Mr. Judson's, which was found attached to a Church document in the same place. INDEX OF SUBJECTS. ArtiSo/;;"??' ^'^ ^^90; 263- 277 • i-^o,^-^^^^^^^^^ in Taunton, XX ns I2o Aveix Joseph, notice of /i! J^g^^^^^ton, n. 333-336. ^^®"^^^- OaH^is.B.p.. Cure. T.,..!; «,,,„_ „,^ " ., „ Norton, II. igo ' '*^' "3. Digluon, n. im. , " '■ ., K/ynhnm, n. 248. Case, Edward, notice of r se"?, "' "■ ^^5. CWan Baptist. Ce„,,;J;a,So„. II. ,ao CW.ear,4.or^^''-'"^-r'"-''^^^^ ;; |™-SS:■;7r°ay•-•^''• :: S"i-:!S;?^^T|^f;i;;.j!?-- « u ,, > ■'^- i^-tJ-146. " i""™'"- J 83, 184. Clap Tho„,,, "otice of, ,. 291,0,*'^"^"='"' " ^^ "' '''' %; f "Ji"""'™ of, , . si-Tot ' i ^""""^ "f, 302-329 Cobb^'ititno^fel! '» ''^-^sr- °'' '^"-'^^ 338 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Convention of ministers in Boston in 1743, i. 378-381. Cooke, Thomas, notice of, i. 60. Corwithy, David notice ot I. ^^b. i^^tter of, 346-376. Preaching in ''""^a^^X^ ^■^^^- '^'' '''■ ^--'■'-=- grieved brethren, 382-393. ^ piem on his death, 287-291. r>a^ves, Ebenezcr, notice of ;i. 241. ESne' John' S mt/;n-o1ce'otna thei. descenaant.; X. 49-56. iS^iliiS^o^S^^^^iS-"-^^--^"- Second Congregational Society, ii. 189, 190. Ecclesiastical council in Taunton m 1/63 ; i. 393, 394. Ellis, James, notice of-, i- 2o5. ,,^00 English, their first visit to Taunton, i. 15, 33. F Eales, Samuel, notice of 5 i. 246--248. Earwell, Thomas, notice of; i. 5/. IJT'l^'^i-^^Tn^^s:. ^' leiections from sermon on exe- cution of Dixon, 235-247 l^e^SualS^-oruir^^ Eree Will Baptist Church, Taunton, 11. 146. Eriends meeting of in Taunton 11. 121 . ±iienas, m ^^ ^ ^^ ^^ Mansfield, 11. 294, 295. O Gilhert, John, notice of ; \- ^^' Gilbert, Thomas, notice of ; i. o9, 60. Gingell, John, notice of; i. 62. Godfrey, Job, notice of ; i. 234-236. gf "VS -tfce°-^^' 2^^^^ ^'^ '^'' ^^^"^°^-' '''"''' His charge ; 301--304. Hoar Hezekiah, notice of; i. 61. Holloway, Mr. notice of; 1.58. Sermons of- 75-129. Letter to ^^^^.^inl^Vr^^a :'DSou'rr"^^^ of saints cm Earai&c-" 133-151. Discourse concerning ''the Witnesses ;Mo2. m Letter concerning the lamily of Hooke from Eev. J. Wad- dington; 154, 155. Hull, Stephen, notice of; u. 247. INDEX OF SUBJECTS. 339 '^T^sfr/Jr^^^"^ ^^^^-- onginall,iacIaded within it. Iron Works, earliest in Taunton, n. 211. J Jones, Elias, notice of ; n 30-33 Judson, Epixraim, notice of; „. 35-43. Sermons of j 45-113 I. Leonard, Daniel, notice of: i. 244 045 Leonard, Geor-e, notice of; i. 041' ' " HLii^rpap'e^rjf 'i:r^.Ti:^'sf. fr' ? ^^^ ^^^^^- -^ . lished ; II. 316-329 Society, for the first time pub- Lithographs in this work, II. 330-332. TIT ^ f '^^o^Sa^l ^''' ^-^^^^^^^^ ^^ ^ I^-^^^^^ - ^7^- Ancient church It ; I. 29, 30. ^^^^^^ ^^^ came to New-England in McKinstry, Doctor, notice of- i 23q 9 An Methodist Episcopal Chui.h^TaSfii; 148. ^^""cnton, II. 151, 152. " u ,, Dig-hton, " 191. Danfortb, John i. 179, 182, 267, 269-291. Danforth, Nicholas i. 177. Danforth, Samuel 1st. i. 178, 179 182. Danforth, Samuel 2d. i. 177-291, II. 121, 327, 333. Danforth, Walter 11. 1. 179, 184, 187. Davenport, John i. 16, 26, 66, 67, 69, 156, 160, 161, 164. Davis, Isaac P. i. 247, 260. Dawes, Ebenezer i 241. Dawes, Eben. Jr. ii. 129. Dave, I. 22. Deane, Benjamin i. 55. Dcane, Ezra i. 54. Deane, Ezra Doct. i. 54, 223. Deane, Isaac i. 52. Deane, Israel i. 52. Deane, John i. 20, 48, 49, 50. Deane, Joseph i. 53. Deane, Philander W. i. 394, ii. 143. Deane, S. 1. 52, 61. Dcane, Samuel i. 19. Deane, Thomas i. 51. Deane, Walter i. 20,48,49, 52, 172, 11.318, 319, 327, 334. Deane, Wm. R. i. 44, 56, 235, U. 215, 218, 248, 331. Demonds, i. 21. Diiihton, Frances i. 43. Doggett, Simeon i. 237, ii. 230, 248, 249, 288. Doggett, Theop. P. ii. 218. Doughty, Francis i. 21, 40. Dudley, Joseph i. 228. Dunster, Henry i. 23. £ Eastman, L. Poot ii. 250, 278. Eaton, Thcophilus i. 16, 27, 65. Edwards, B. B. ii. 144. Eliot, John i. 26, 179. Ellis, James i. 255. Emmons, Nathaniel ii. 4. Everett, Edward i. 72. Fales, Samuel i. 246-248. ii. 335. Fales, Sarah K. i. 246. ii. 128. Farwell, Thomas i. 20, 57, 173. Farrington, ii. 127. Firmin, Giles i. 27. Fisher, Nathaniel ii. 186, 187, 250. Fisk, John i. 27. Fobes, Peres ii. 31, 214, 218-235. II. 331. mmx OB NAMES. 343 Ta^^ter, John i. 240. u. 126, 129- ^uller, Samuel i. 25. O GiIbert,E. R. I. 159. t^i bert, John, Son. i. 20 48 (filbert, Thomas i. 20 59 * Cxino-ell, John i. 20 62 Isham, Chester n. 1 43-- 145. J James, Elisha i. 299, 300 Jenks, William r. 382. Jones, Abraham ii. oi-? Jones, Elias II. 30-34. Judson, Adoniram ii. 37. r^i?'^'''' ?^orge i. 20, 235, ij. 114 hi"^^^^"^ Adoniram 11. 37 Godfrey, Job i. 234, 235. ' "^"Judson, Ephraim i. 1^9 039 „ Godfrey, John I. 21. 120, 126. n. 331. ^^' -^^' " Godfrey, Jones i. 236. (jodlrey, Kichai-d t 00^ K 35. Godfrey, Jones i. 236. Godfrey, Kichard i 034 Godfrey, Robert i. 034 Goft^Rev.Mr.ofDightonii. 122^ Grafton, B. C. 11. 140 Green, Samnel i. 00 Guild, .John I. 330, "350. Gushe, Abraham n 190 King-, Samuel B. i. 335, 341, n 330 Kn-kland, Pres. n. 133! H Hall, Silas 11. 140. Hamilton, Luther 'n. 133 nq Hampden, John i. 15 ' ' Harvard, John i. 29 Harvey, William i. 171 179 tt ^318,319,334. '"' ,^^2' " Hassard, Samuel n. I05 Hillard, George S. i. 339. ^^;!;'g^Thomasii.318,322,324, Hinman,"R. R. IJ „ Hoar^ Hezekiah i. 20, 61. Ho loway. Mi: i. 20, 58. -nolman, . jj jq^ Holmes, Franklin Ti. '183, 184 Homer William B. II.. 44 • .^333' ''"' "• 320--322 324, 326, Hnni'. ^ ^^^'^^ "• ^^^' 320, 333. Hooker, i. 16, 26. Hopkms,Stepheni. 13, 30 33 Horton, Josephus W. n. 141. ' Hull, Stephen 11. 247. Hunt, . I. 32. Lawrence, Abbott i. 63, 1 54 Leonard, CromAvell n. 153 161 Leonard, Daniel i. 244 245 Leonard. George I. 294,11. 155,335. Leonard, George Jr. n. 335 Leonard, George, Doctor i 241 Leon^ml, Thomas i. 184, 235, 236, Lechford, Thomas i. 18, 40. Linkon, Nathaniel i. 388 Lothrop, John I. 23. Lyon, John ii. 122, 123. m Macombcr, John i. 48. mT? ^T^^ "• ^*^' 3^9, 328, 334. 149'^' ^''^^^"S II. 143, 145, 146, Massassoit, i. 13, 30. Mather, Cotton i. 65, 165, 178 179 182,184,261. '^^«>>i/y, Matlier, Licrease 1. 161, 182, ij. 319. Mather, Richard i. 26, 41, 64 Matthews, Marmaduke 1.^04 ' McKinstry, William i. 239. * Merrick, Plinv i. 254 Morell, William i. 25. Morton, Sec. i. 25. Morton, Marcus i. 235, 251 Qfjo 258, II. 330. ' ' ^^'^' Morton, Nathaiiiel i. 258, n. 330. 344 THE MINISTEY OF TAUNTON. N Nelson, Kev. Mr. of N. Taunton, II. 122. Nettleton, Asahel ii. 128. Neville, Edmund ii. 125. Newman, Samuel i. 25, 165, 173. Niles, Kev. Mr. ii. 32, 115. Norris, EdAvard i. 27. Norton, John i. 23, 24, 161. Noycs, James i. 27. O Ogdon, Nathaniel ii. 127. Otis, Ephraim i. 240. P Padleford, Seth i. 245, 246. Paine, Robert Treat i. 42,237,243 244, II. 8. 309-316, 331, Palmer, Joseph ii. 158-161. Parker, Thomas i. 27. Parker, William i. 20, 40, 57. Parsons, J. U. ii. 278. Parsons, Theophilus i. 254. Partridge, Ralph i. 24. Paull, Richard i. 20, 61. Peters, Hugh i.26. Phillips, George i. 27. Pipon, John II. 132-138, 288. Pollard, Andrew ii. 142, 143. Pool, Elizabeth i. 16, 18, 19, 36, 42, 157. Pool, William i- 20, 46, 48, ii. 334. Poor, Ebenezer n. 277, 278. Porter, Charles S. H- 38. Pratt, Micah i. 238. Pratt, AVilliam ii. 193. Prence, Gov. i. 26. Prentice, Solomon ii. 193--200. Preston. ^ ii ^'^" Prince, Thomas i. 29, 134, 184, 255, 335, 346. Purmont, Philemon i. 41. Pynchon, William i. 27. B Rawson, Grindal i. 183. Reed, David ii. 200. Reed, Edgar H. i. 20, 43, 50, 60, 235, 238, 239, 294. Reed, Predcrick A. ii. 129. Reed, William of Easton, ii. 200- 203, 335. Richmond, John i. 20, 60. Richmond, T. T. ii. 129, 2d4. llobbins, Thomas i. 169, 170. Robinson, John i. 26. Rogers, Daniel i. 352, 380. Rogers, Ezekiel i. 27. Rogers, John i. 380. Rogers, Nathaniel i. 26. Rossiter, Hugh i. 20, 61. Round, Sylvester ii. 141. Sanford, Enocli ii. 212, 247, 248. Savage, James i. 63, 72, 339. Sayward, James H. ii. 292, 293. Scadding, William i. 20, 62. Shaw, Rev. Mr. ii. 31, 32. Sheldon, Luther ii. 209. Sheldon, Mrs. ii. 134. Shepherd, ii. 127. Sheppard, John H. ii. 331. Sherman, — ^ i- 26. Sherman, Elijah ii. 35. Short, Matthew ii. 192, 193. Shove, Edward i. 174. Shove, George i. 171--176, ii. 322- 325, 326, 333. Shove, Seth i. 174, 175, ii. 1. Sill, Henry ii. 41. Skelton, i. 27. Slocum, Anthony I. 171. Smith, Capt. i. 32. Smith, George P. i. 152. Smith, John i. 20, 57. Smith, John of Dighton, il. 115, 187, 188, 260, 335, Smith, of Plymouth i. 23. Smith, Richard i. 20, 57. Snow, Theodore W. n. 126. Sparks, Jared i. 72. Sproat, Ann i. 249. Sproat, Frances ii. 128. Sproat, James i. 239, 248, 249. Squanto, or Tisquantum i. 14, 31. Stiles, Ezra ii. 188. Street, Francis I. 20, 62. Street, Nicholas i. 19, 20, 24, 40, 58, 1.56-170,11.316, 317,333. Street, Nicholas 2d. i. 158. Street, Owen i. 158, 159. INDEX OP NAUE3. 845 Street, Samuel i. 157-159 btrono-^JoIin j. 20, 48, 53.' fewjtt, Foster i. 240. Symmcj, 1. 2G. T Tenncnt, Gilbert i. 330, 350 SS?^'"'' «f Milton I. 267, Tlmdicr Peter of Middleboro' i 3/6-3/8, 380, 382. Thompson, Otis 11 107 Thompson, William I 27. TiIl,ngha.st,Xicholasi 250, ti. 331. ^JJPping, Bartholomew i. isi lisdale, James i. 170 Tisdale, Mrs. i. 391. W'o^^^"'"^"^ '• 363, 379, II. 32 2ol-2o4, 281, 336. Torrey, William i. 07 Trask, W. G. n. 142." Tubbs, Isaac II. 126. Vane, Henrj Sir. i. 27. Waddington, John I. 63,154,155 218%^6 ^--360, 379,11:212. Walker, James r. 1 72 ■JX'^!!^^'"' James Rev. u, 129 Walker, Peter II. 197 '^* Ward, A^athaniel i. 26. Wayland, Francis ii. 37. |Z^'''°55'-^^i"ti-ecii. 115. \\el(!, of Roxburv i. 27 Vvost, John II. 125. Whalley, Edward i. 66 67 1^ hcaton, L. M. II. I84. ' Wheeler, Aaron n. 141. Wheeler W. W. u. 124. U i,i,Wit, Daniel Jr. i. 292-^99 1^334''"^""^^ ^- ^^"^36'"- JJjJf ^' J-'^- ". 143. VVilde, Samuel S. i. 237 240 o'^d 11.330, .332. ' ^4^,^54, Williams, Benjamin i. 235, n. 31 ^^iHiams, John Mason i. 250, 11. ''i"l9'lS"'"^''^^'^^^'"- Williams, Hoi,rer I. 17 03 45 Williams, Samuel i. o'l" ' ' SSs"!""'' ^''^' '• ^^"' ^^^> 334, II. ^^g^""^<^'i° I- 26,41, 161,180,11. Winslow, Edward i. 13, 25 29 «?? Wmes, II. 127. ' ' ' ^3. Winthrop, John i. 27. V^mthrop, John Jr. i. 27, 68 no Wisner, B. B. n. 144. ' ^' ^^^* Wood, Benjamin n. 127. CHAPTER OF ERRATA. The stereotyped excuse ^vith Editors or Authors for their chapter of Errata, is dis- tance fromthe prers. Cotton Mather in his first edition of the '• Magnaha ' printed ^London in 1702, laments the fact that his - work is depraved .ith sundry errors of the press-work> but considers a distance of several tl^-^-V'Th^t <' thfao^ apolo4 for the same. He even consoles himself with the reflection that the Holy Shl^ftseif in some of its editions hath heen affronted with --<^f «- ""^ ^^Jf^ Press work, and in one of them they so printed these words, Ps. 119 161 - Pnnt^rs have persecuted me." As for my humble self, I have no complaint to make, but feel that Jreat credit is due to the Printers of these volumes for their accuracy and care in the execution of their work. » u « 5l''>dline, " " for " Forbes," road FoofS. w " «' 54 22dline, " " for '■ Theodore," read 27ieot?ora. « " «' 6l' 13th line, '* " for "1662." read lbb5._ «' " « 77 2d line, " " for "poseit," read ;josci(. ^ u » . 84 in the margin is a quotation from ^'";gi^,f//f.vlJ3d line « Nescio Quisteueros oculus mihi fascinat agnos^ If the Mantuan Bara were nlivt and should read, ''oc»ta.5/asc(/ianf," he would be tempted to Sanother'une, which would reflect somewhat seriously upon the types. ., > • J < " 85, 28th line from bottom, for " friend -' read friends. I it 8fi'9'^r1 line "■ " dele " to." . u 16b:20thUne, " « for "reveal" road ret-.a?.. ' " 160 23d line " " f''^" °'l'' ''^^^ '^f " I " 1«9 Hfh line " " f r " Teh " read T^e. ' » 171,' 16th line and 179 p. 10th line for " mss " read nis. * <•' iqn 1st line from bottom, '• Note G." and * dele. -.r j „ c' » 241 15th Hue ^ " add the name of Doc t. Jonathan Marden. '' " 252,' 15th Una » " for " George "read ifenry. c. .c i52 9?hnne " " for '' Charles " read Ge.r.^e. '« " 253 34th line " " for " 1784 " read 1/ M !;54, 4th line for " Joseph " read Jolm. = '. 269 21st line " " X^''''''^'"^, f* A.^. « » 297 1st line " " «' Note A." and * dele. ' '« 302, 3dUne " " " letters -' dele. Vol. n. Page 35, 16th line and 36th p. 4th line from bottom, for » geneological " read genealogical. u <« " 122, 1st line from bottom, for "342 "read 343. « .. » 143 22d line " " for " Jeremiah " read J.^an; a/. » c< u i\? 43d line •' " for "John" read Peter. This emendation would nX Peter Aldrich an original member ol the -l^^rch according loThe Snal covenant, contained in the note. The name of John was taken frim^vhat professed to be a " true copy " of the records. t. » " 246. 32d line from bottom, for " goal " read gaol. ^^ . • „, « .« «« 260' 24th line " " for " tranactions " read rrarwaciion*. USX OP SUBSCEIBEES. 347 LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. £!veAeS'''''°''-'°/°"'*"S '^' "^°>«' ttat follow is to give tneir influence in favor of fnf,i^« i x i • ^^^^"""j is ro kind. They have tended L/m^ undertakings of a similar this work. A few ofle ^ ^ ° '°'""''°'= "'« Compiler of accompanied thLifln,^ •'■^'"? f ~=>gemen[which An asLrisk will Se lof'T '^'' *'^'' "'"'' "^""^ 1'^'- died. Thus the pres nt Ifas In ^"''^-^-' ^^-^ already the ever moylnc month h ° ^ P"'' generation, and service of earth. ^''^ '""' "^^^ f™"" '^^^ ^P^ere and Names of Subscribers. Abbott, John Residence. dumber of Copies. Abbott, W.M.F ".-Andover, ,. One copy, Adams, Nehemiah, b. bV. |5 ' " Albro, John A., b. b.. . r f-^ " Alexander, Eichard Cconbndge, „ Allen, Foster Taunton, Allen, Frederic !)*!.*," „ /' Allen, John .. . r''^'^' " Allen, Otis. 0)1, Allen, Stephen B . . . r? 7 , " Allen, Wilbur F. f'^^'^^ " Ambler, Deacon. .'.'. ^""T"' A " Ames, Oakes J^anhuuj, Conn Ames, Oliver ir'.,*H;;: ^T"' " Andrews, Rebekah . . ' rp , Andros, George W. . . . ", Taunton, Andros, John^Milton," Esq* t>,,, " Andros, Richard S. Storrs Eso eT " Anthony, James H ^ J"^^'^' Three copies. Atherton, Daniel. . . .'.*.'.'.'.' ^<^^nton, One copy. Atwood, George B. .'.*.* '**'*'''"*" ." " Two copies. 848 THE MINISTEY OF TAUNTON. Names of Subscribers. Kesidence. Number of Copies Atwood, George T Taunton, f . . . One copy. Babbitt, Abijali ... Berkley, " Babbitt, Enoch " " Babbitt, George 11 Taunton, " Babbitt, Isaac Berldey, " Babbitt, John D " " Babbitt, L. R Taunton, " Babbitt, Peter " " Babbitt, Ziba " Bacon, Leonard, d. d Neic-Haven, Conn " Bailey, Jacob Mansjield, " Barker, A.J Taunton, Two copies. Barker, William P " One copy. Barnes, Charles A " " Barney, James 0., Eev Seelconh, " Barnum, P. T Bridgeport, Conn " Barrows, Albert Norton, " Barrows, George, m. d Taunton, " Barton, Charles " '• Bassett, Anselm, Esq " Two copies. Bassett, Charles J. H " One copy. Baylies, Alfred, m. d " " Baylies, Edmund " " *=Baylies, Francis, Hon " Th re e copies Baylies, William, Hon West Bridgewater,. . . Two copies. . Bennett, E. H., Esq Taunton, One copy. Bent, Josiah " " Benton, Zilpha " " Bigclow, Andrew, d. d Boston, Two copies. Black, John, Esq Ellsivorth, Me One copy. Blagden, George VV., d. d Boston, " Blake, Mortimer, Rev Mansfield, Two copies. Bliss, George D Taunton, One copy. Bliss, T. E., Rev North Middlchoro\ ... " Blodget, Constantino, Rev Pairtuckd, " Blood, Horatio Taunton, " Bosworth, Andrew J " " Bosworth, Ira " " Boutwell. George S., Hon Groton, " Bowen, Amos Taunton, .■ . . , " Bowcn, Horace, m. d " " Bowen, Otis " " I-IST OF SUBSCRIBERS. Names of Subscribers. BoAven, Simeon . . . Residence. j,^^^^^ ^^ ^^^.^^^ ^owles, Leonard Cro^k;;.';; BoT'' ^°^ ^W- Bradford, Bartlett. ™^'^' » Bi-agg, Sarah ... Taunton, Bray, C. P.. " Briggs,ArteniaV.'* ^''''^' « Briggs, Prancis B -ij^unton, Briggs, Joseph W. --^erkley, Briggs, Marj Taunton, „ Briggs, Nathaniel'.'.' Zf'^'^'^' « Briggs, Simeon ' Taunton, Brigham, David, Rev!.' j. • '' Brown, S. C, Rev ^^^agewater, „ Brown, W. H. Taunton, * „ Brjant, Caleb ...'.*.'.' " « Burbank, Abner .'',,\ " « Burbank, Barnas L* " « Burbank, Warren...'** " «• Burgess, Ebenezer, d! *d r, J^ Biirt, Dean. ... ^edham, ,, Burt, Shadrac'h W ..', Berkley, Burt, Thomas ..." Burt, Widow .....*.'.***.' Butler, Daniel, Rev rr- " " Campbell, Christoph;; 'c' .* l^'^^^oro\ .. Carey, T.B -iautiton, ,, Carver, Robert,' Rev. ^"''''!^ *'.' « Caswell, Samuel j^^piham, Chandler, Joseph R 'iron J^^unton, «, Chase, Giles G. "' Philadelphia, Penn. . . Chesbrough L R Berkley, „ Cliild, George Taunton, Child, Thomas .*.'*.'.*.' p, . '' Three copies Choate,Rufus,i.i..p. Thpsbur^, Me One cop/ Church, Christopher A^ Uo;^ [[l .[^^^ Two copf*. Church, L. B ^restport, q^^ Two copies. ■One copy. ,^B ^ Church, H. W. . . J-aunton, Clapp, Eben, Jr. . ! „ Clarke, Ezra. Boston,.. Clarke, E. H., m *d Taunton, Clarke, Manlius S., Esq "" ' Clarke, Nathan ^ " 29 ^"""'^"' copy. 350 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. ■Residence. Number of Copies. Names of Siibscnbers. Kesmence. cuffo-a John H.. Hon ^^:r'::::::::!^:'^^^s. S;r.L^B,:::::::::::::::7 • onecop. Cobb, Jonathan Holmes, Esq Dedham, Cobb, Sally ^«"«^^"' ,, Cobb. Samuel C ^^s^^"' „ Codding, James H Tan f on, .^ ^^ Coe, Samuel G, Rev Danbimj, Conn ^^ Coggshall, Thomas J Bostm ^^ Coggswell, Francis, m. d t'^Z\'r "^ « Colby, H. G. O., Hon Mio- Bedford, ^^ Collins, Asa B Taxmton, Cooke, Frances S " „ Copeland, Elijah, Jr Mansfield. Copeland, Elisha ^f'"^'"'; « Corey, Leonard Mansfield, ^^ Cornell, William M., m. d Boston, Cothrcn, William, Esq., Woodbury, Conn ^^ Crane,A.B Berkley, ^^ Crane, A. H Taunton, ^^ Crane, Elisha „ Crane,Eliza BerUcy,.^ ^^ Crane, Jonathan, Rev Attlehoro , Crane, William S Berkley, Crocker, Samuel, Hon Taunton, Three copies. Crocker, Samuel L., Hon || ^^ Crocker, William A. Esq " Crosby, William Boston, Onecopy. Crossman, James W TaunU>n, ^^ Grossman, Joseph W '^^ ^, Crossman, Robert ,^ Cummings, Adoniram Berkley, Gushing, Isaac Boston ^^ Cushman, Martyn, Rev Taunton, Curtis, George T., Esq Boston ^^ Danforth, Royal W haynham, ^^ Darke. James Taunm, Onecopy. Davenport, William R „ Davis, Isaac, Hon Worcester, ^^ Davis, Isaac P., Esq Boston, LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 851 Names of Subscribers. Residence. Davis, John Boston, Davis, Jolm, Hon Worcester, . . . Dawes, Ebenezer, m. d Taunton, Dawes, Ebenezer, Jr " Day, P. B., Rev : HoIUs, N. H.. Dean, Abiathar Taunton, Dean, Almira " Dean, Benjamin F " Dean, Elizabeth « Dean, Francis B " Dean, James H " Dean, John Boston, Dean, John L Taunton, Dean, Mary M " Dean, Nathaniel Raynham, Dean, Paddock Taunton, Dean. Philander TV " Dean, Robert S " , Dean, Samncl A " Dean, Theodore Raynham, . . . Deane, Charles Boston, Deane, George H " Deane, Joseph P., Esq Taunton, Deane, Rebecca D Portland, Me., Deane, William R Boston, Dennett, Thomas S Taunton, Dickinson, William, m. d " Dowland, Ann '* Dunbar, Abby " Dunbar, Samuel O " Dunham, Crawford P " Eastman, L. Root, Rev Berkley, Elliot, Susan C Taunton, Ellis, James P., Esq " . .* Emerson. Ralph, d. d Andover, Emery, Francis VV. R Boston, Emery, Francis F " Emery, Joseph W T. Philadelphia, Penn.. . Emery, Joshua Andover, Emery, Joshua, Jr., Rev North Weymouth,. . . . Erskine, Robert Taunton, Everett, Edward, ll. d Boston, Number of Copies. . .One copy. Three copies. One copy. Three copies. One copy. Two copies. One copy. Two copies. , One copy. 852 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON< Names of Subscribers. Residence. Number of Copies Tales, Sarah K Germantoicn, Penn. . . One copy. Farnsworth, C. B, Esq Pawtucket, R. I. «« Farrar, Samuel, Esq Andover, Field, Albert Taunton, French, George S » French. Jacob P u French, Levi c French, Mary A « French, Timothy E » Furniss, Thomas Taunton ..[.. Gay, David a Gay, Thomas et Gerrish, Benjamin u Gilbert, E^R. Rev V;.;;;; Wallingford^ Conn. '.' Gilmore, Cassander Bapiham, =*Gilmore, Henry u Goddard, Henry ." . '.Taunton, . .' .' .' .' .' Godfrey, Charles a Godfrey. George u Godfrey, Job u Godfrey, Oliver S '.'.'.'..'. '. ". u GofF, Darius Pawtuchet'/p. L Graves, George Taunton, Gray, John C, Hon Boston Greelc, Samuel u Green, James Mans/ek. '.'.'.'.'. Green, Simeon n Gregor, Elisabeth Tau7ito7i, ......" Grosvenor, Charles P., Rev Rehoboth, Gushe, Abraham, Rev Dighton'. .*."."" Hack, Chi-istopher C Taunton, ... . Three copies. Field, Alison 'Rnmilnr,, r\ Field Artemas ^^^mham, One copy. X iLKi, cinemas , Taunton, » Field, Benjamin F Boston, '.\',\\ Fi3ld, Justin. Esq u * * * „ Field, Thomas P., Rev Troy N Y « ^i^k'E.p... Boston,..,:::::."" « Foster, Charles Taunton, Foster, George P cc ^^ =^-Fowler, Orin, Hon .'.'.' [pall Rlver^ *,*.'.". ^«^' J'^bez Berkley, French, Edwin u LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 353 Names of Subscribers. Residence. Number of Copies. Hall, Edwin B Raynham, One copy. Hall, John W. D Taunton, Hammond, Sophia A " " Harris, Charles W., m. c . ', " " Harvey, Frederick A " " Hathaway, Abijah Berkley, " Hathaway, Charles Taunton, " Hathaway, Joseph D Berkley, " Hathaway, Shadrach " " Heath, Charles Boston, " Hewins, George S Taunton " Hill, Alfred T » « Hill, Benjamin « " Hill, Henry « « Hill, Philip E " " Hillard, George S., Hon Boston, " Hinckley, John N xindover, " Hinman, Royal R , Esq Hartford, Conn " Hoar, Samuel, Hon Concord, " Hoard, N. S Taunton, " Hodfield, Joseph «' " Hodges, Earl Norton, " Hodges, Jesse Mansfield, " Holmes, Franklin, Rer Norton, " Holmes, Ira " " Holmes, William Taunton, " Homer, George F., Esq Boston, " Howard, Ansel Taunton, " Hunter, Albert " *• Huntington «Ss Lane, " " Hutchinson, William '* " Ide, William H '' « Illidge, Charles " " Jackson, Elisha T " " James, Elisha, m. d North Scituate, *' Jenks, William, d. d Boston, " Jones, William Taunton, " Kendrick, D. W " *' Kent, Preston W " " Kilton, Amos " " King, Barzillai Raynham, *' King, Dan, m. d Taunton, " THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Names of Subscribers. Number of Copies. . . One copy. Three copies. One copy. Ecsidence. King, Daniel Taunton^ .... King, Horatio B " .... King, Jonah Raynham^ . . . King, Samuel B Taunton^ King, Silas S " Kinnicott, Benjamin T " " Knapp, Lanos, Jr " " Lane, Justis " " Lawrence, Abbott, Hon Boston, " Lawrence, Nathan Taunton " LaAvton, Charles " " Leach, Thomas " " Lee, Charles 2cl, " " Lee, Charles R " « Lee, Thomas J Boston, " Leonard, A, B Taunton, " Leonard, Charles Baj/nham, " Leonard, Cromwell, Hon Norton, " Leonard, Elisabeth . .• Taunton, " Leonard, Henry G " " Leonard, James M Bridgeicater, " Leonard, John B. H Providence, JR. I. Two copies. Lewis, Horace Taunton, One copy. Lincoln, Gilbert " " Lincoln, Lorenzo " " Lothrop, Cyrus, Esq " " LoYcring, Willard « " Lovering, William C " " Luscomb, Job " „ Luscomb, Robert " " Lyon, John E " .... Maltby, Erastus, Rev " Mann, Horace, Hon West Newton, One copy. Marden, Jonathan, m. n Taunton, " Maxim, Elisabeth P " " McDonald, John " " McLean, Edward, «' " McWiskad, Sarah, . . . / " " Merrick, Francis J Boston, " Monagle, Chai-les Taunton, " Monroe, Erancis L " Two copies, Morris, Jesse Berkley, One copy. Three copies. List of subscribers. 855 Eesidence. . Taunton^ . . Springfield, . Taunton, . . .Boston,. . . . . Taunton, . . . Norton, , Names of Subscribers. Morris, William , Morton, James Hodges, Esq. . Morton, Marcus, ll. d Morton, Marcus, Jr., Esq Morton, Nathaniel, Esq Munroe, Anna W Munroe, David Munts, William Henry Neill, Henry, Rev., Lenox, Newell, John P Taunton, . , . . Newell, Samuel, Berkley, Nichols, Curtis C Boston, Nickerson, Josiah H Taunton, . . . . Oldall, John " .... Olney, Charles R " . . . . Paddleford, Betsey " . . . . Paddleford, Mary " Paddleford, Miriam " Paddleford, Sarah J " Page, J. H. W., Esq New-Bedford, Paine, Charles C, Esq Boston, Palmer, Abel Taxxnton, Palmer, Julius A Boston, Parington, D. H Taunton, . . . . Park, Edwards A., d. d Andover, . . . . Parkin, William Taunton, . . . . Paul, John " . . . . Paul, S. S " .... Pelan, Thomas " Perkins, Clarissa " .... Perry, H. C " .... Philley, E.iza " .... Phillips, Daniel W " Phillips, Samuel W Berkley, Pierce, George S Taunton, Pierce, Samuel G " . . . . Pitkin, Ozias C " Pitts, Albert " Pizer, Henry " .... Plummer, George W " . . . . Pool, Horace M Easton, Porter, B. B Taunton, Number of Copies. . . . One copy. . Three copies. One copy. 856 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Names of Subscribers. Residence. Number of Copies Porter, Charles Taunton, One copy. Porter, E. VV " " Porter, W. W " " Potter, Otis W Providence, R. I. *' Pratt, A. W., M. D Taunton, " Pratt, Gilbert H " " Pratt, Horatio, Hon " « Eadley, John '• « Pand, Nathan " " Pansom. C. E Boston, " Eaymond, Maria Taunton, " Eeed, Ann D " " Eeed, Charles Edward " " Eeed, Chester L, Hon " " Eeed, David, Eev Boston, *' Eeed, Edgar H Taunton, " Eeed, Edwin " " Eeed, Frederick A., Eev Cohasset, " Eeed, Henry G Taunton, " Eeed, Hodges •' *' Eeed, John " " Eeed, John D » " Eeed, Mary G " " Eeed, William, Eev Easton, " Eeed, William Taunton, *' Eeed, William, Jr '• . .'. » Ehodes, M. M " " Ehodes, Stephen " " Ehodes, S. C " " Eichardson, W., Eev Berkley, " Eichmond, Abby C Taunton, " Eichmond, John P Berkley, " Eichmond, Thomas T., Eev Mecljield, " Eobbins, Thomas, d. d Hartford, Conn " Eobinson, Charles Raynham, " Eobinson, Mary Ann Taunton, " Eounds, Jabcz S " Two copies. Eousc, Wanton, " One copy. Eussell, Charles Theodore, Hon Boston, " Samson, Ira, m. d Dighton, " Sanfcrd, Balilis, Esq launton, " Sanford, William P » " " LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 857 Names of Subscribers. Residence. Number of Copies. Savaj^e, James, Hon Boston, One copy. Sawyer, George A Taunton, " Seav( r, William P Taunton, "'* Sheldon, Luther, Rev Easton, " Shepai-d, Calvin, Hon Taunton, " Shepard, Silas, Hon " Tavo copies. Shove, David Berldey, One copy. Shurtleff, Nathaniel B., m. d Boston, " *Sikes, Oren, Rev Bedford, " Simmons, David P Taunton, Two copies. Skinner, Elias Mansfield, One copy. Skinner, Homer " *' Slade, Elisha Somerset, " Smith, George Taunton, " ^ Smith, George P., Rev Worcester, " Smith, Jesse B Taunton, " Smith, Joseph C " " Snow, Theodore W., R(?v " « Sparks, Jarcd, ll. d Cambridge, " Spencer, George Taunton, " Sprague, Peleg " •' Sproat, James, Esq " " Stall, Charlotte M " « Stearns, J. George D., Rev Billerka, " Stetson, James H Taunton, " Stimson, John J., Esq Providence, R. L Two copies. Strange, Gardner Taunton, One copy. Street, Owen, Rev North Haven, Conn.. . " Sumner, Bradford, Esq Boston, " Sumner, Charles, Hen " " Swan, Caleb, m. d. Easton, " Swan, Louise S " " Talbot, Samuel T Taunton, " Tappan, Lewis "VV Boston, " Thayer, John W Taunton, " Thomas, Charles " « Thornton, J. Wingate, Esq Boston, " Thurston, Eli, Rev Fall River, " Ticknor, George, Esq Boston, " Tinkham, A. B Taunton, " Tinkham, James " " Tinkham, Samuel M " " 858 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Names of Subscribers. Tobey, Edward S Townsend, S. R., Esq Tucker, Alden G Tucker, Josiah, Rev " Tucker, S. G Tufts, Charles Boston Residence. Number of Copies. . Boston, One copy. Taunton " , Taunton, . . , Southicarh, . Taunton, . . England, . .Providence, R. Marshjield, . . Tuttlc, Hannah Waddington, John, Rev Waldron, A Waldron, Hiram Walker, Leonard Walker, Otis Walker, Richmond Washburn, Albert G Washburn, Benjamin D Washburn, Isaac Washburn, Robert S Wayland, Francis, d. d *Wcbster, Daniel, ll. d Wheaton, Daniel B Easton,. "Wheaton, Laban M Norton, Wheelwright, Henry B Taunton, White, B. L « White, Henry W " Whitwell, "SVilliam A., Rev Easton, Wight, Daniel, Jr., Rev North Scituaie,. . . Wilbur, Isaac Taunton, Wilbur, John " Wilbur, Joseph " "Wilbur, Oliver S Eaynham, Wilde, Samuel S., ll. d Boston, Willard, Joseph, Esq " Williams,'Ebenezer Berkley, Williams, Eliab, Esq Fall River, Williams, Elisha W Taunton, Williams, John M,, ll. d Boston, Williams, J. Otis, Esq " Williams, Pardon, " Williams, Sidney, Esq Taunton, Williams, Silas B " Williams, Thomas, Rev Providence, R. I. Wilson, E. T Taunton, . Three copies. . One copy. . Three copies. One copy. Two copies. . One copy. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. 359 Names of Subscribers. Residence. Number of Copies. Winthrop, Robert C, Hon Boston, Two copies. "''^itherell, Abiathar Taunton, One copy. .•ithcrell, A. E Boston, " Withcreil, H. W " " Wolcott, Jabez South Acton, " Wolcott, Samuel B., Hon Salem, " "Wood, B. L Taunton, " "Woods, Leonard, d. d Andover, " Woodward, George M Taunton, " Woodward, James " " Woodward, Manford " " Wool, John Ellis, Hon TroTj, N. Y. Wyman, Jeffries, m. d Cambridge, " Boston, Sept. 8, 1852. Key. S. Hopkins Emery, De4r Sir: — It gives me great pleasure to hear tliat you are preserving the history of so ancient and important a locality as Taunton from forgetfulness, or falsehood which is worse than forgetfulness. I beg you wo'ild consider me a subscriber for two copies, and inform me ^l the price. I am with sincere regard, Your ob't servant, RuFus Choatb. Washington, April 17th, 1852. Dear Sir : — I shall be glad to have my name placed upon the subscription list of the proposed memorial of the Taunton ministers, and shall look forward with interest to the publication of the work. Believe me, Dear Sir, Faithfully yours, Charles Sumner. Rev. S. Hopkins Emert. 360 THE MINISTRY OF TAUNTON. Washington, March 6fh, 1852. Rev. S. Hopkins Emery, Tamiton, 3fass. Dear Sir : — I have received your letter of the 28tli ult. [ reference to the publication of an Ecclesiastical Hi^.tory oi' Taunton. I am glad to know that so interesting a ^jublication is contemplated. My name is entirely at your service, and I shall be glad to do all in my power to promote the circulation of the Work. I will thank you to send me three copies whenever it is pub- lished. I am, with great regard, Very truly yours, Daniel Webster. Boston, 7 April, 1852. My Dear Sir: — I thank you for the opportunity you have kindly afforded me, of uniting with so many excellent and em- inent persons in aiding the publication of the interesting work, to which your letter of yesterday relates. Please set me down for two cop'es. I am, with great res^ ecfc, Your obliged serv't, Rob't C. Winthrop. Rev. S. Hopkins Emery. Lf J 9db